The Weekly Words
April 19, 2026
At Noble Elementary, we believe that every student has the right to learn and grow in a safe and respectful environment. We also believe that every student has the power to make positive choices, learn from mistakes, and become stronger leaders in our school community. Noble Elementary empowers all students for college and career readiness through AVID’s schoolwide focus on WICOR, student success skills, and a growth mindset.
Last week’s Noble Run Club held wonderful and memorable experiences for our students!
They had the special opportunity to welcome Gianna Phipps, a Track and Field student-athlete from Case Western Reserve University. Gianna was an outstanding role model, sharing her journey as both a high-achieving student and athlete. A special thank you to Dr. Byrne and Ms. Gaines for making this experience possible!
Momentum Check
Team,
Thank you for the energy and heart you continue to pour into Noble. Your commitment to our students does not go unnoticed; I see you, I hear you, I appreciate you, and I am truly grateful for the work you do each day.
Overall, our ELA OST testing ran smoothly because of your preparation, flexibility, and commitment to students. Thank you for setting a strong foundation. As we head into 5th Grade Science OST this week and Math OST the following week, it is time to refocus and bring that same energy, if not more. We know our students are capable, and we know the level of instruction and support you provide daily.
Let’s be intentional in creating testing environments that promote focus, confidence, and success. Let’s continue to show what Noble is capable of and ensure our students have every opportunity to demonstrate their learning.
Mr. Walker, M.Ed.
Principal
From the Assistant Principal's Desk
Hi Team,
As we head into this week, I want to take a moment to reflect on last week and ground us in the work ahead. I had the chance to connect with 5th graders about their time at Noble, and their reflections said it all, the people are what make this place special. They named staff who care, listen, and support them every day. That impact is because of you.
Last week also showed that same commitment across the building; strong instruction, flexibility during testing, and staff stepping in to support students wherever needed. Thank you.
At the same time, we saw an uptick in referrals, so it’s important we stay consistent:
- Check the Daily Discipline Log each morning
- Send students to ALC with meaningful work
- Communicate with families when referrals are submitted
5th Grade Science OST is this week (Tues/Wed). Please avoid the 5th grade hallway from 9:30–12:30 to maintain a quiet testing environment. Attendance continues to improve—our chronic absenteeism rate dropped to 24.2%. We are close to our goals—let’s keep pushing.
We have momentum. Let’s carry it forward.
Ms. Barrett
Assistant Principal
4/20 - 4/24 - Public School Volunteer Week
4/21 & 4/22 - Science OST (Grade 5 ONLY)
4/21 - April PBIS Meeting
4/21 - Board of Education Work Session, 6:30 p.m.
4/22 - Earth Day
4/24 - April Tornado Drill, 9:45 a.m.
4/28, 4/29, 4/30, & 5/1 - Math OST (Grades 3–5)
4/28 - National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
4/30 - IMD Concert, 2:30 p.m.
5/1 - Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
5/1 - Jewish American Heritage Month Begins
5/1 - School Lunch Hero Day
5/4 - 5/8 - Staff Appreciation Week
5/5 - May Staff Meeting
5/5 - Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Boulevard
5/6 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
5/12 - May BLT Meeting
5/19 - May PBIS Meeting
Noble Culture
Staff Shout-Outs & Noble Feedback!
Help us celebrate the amazing things happening at Noble! Use this form to:
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Give a shout-out to a staff member, student, class, or moment that has demonstrated one of the Noble Big 4.
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Share feedback or ideas that will help make Noble an even better place to learn and work.
Your voice matters, let’s lift each other up and keep moving forward together!
Shout-Outs!
The 2nd grade team delivered an amazing, well-coordinated celebration for students!
Mr. McDonald provided strong academic support to students in intervention groups!
Ms. Jackson supported students with care and intentionality in the Explorers space!
Mrs. Salvatore led powerful, high-quality instruction during testing conditions!
Mrs. Bogus brought energy and excellence to teaching 5th graders all week!
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. DiDona
Mrs. Gabriella DiDona is a thoughtful, positive, and caring educator who brings a reflective and intentional approach to her work with students and colleagues. Known as a deep thinker, she values the opportunity to process information before engaging in meaningful collaboration and discussion. In her classroom, Mrs. DiDona creates a supportive learning environment where students feel respected, encouraged, and held to high expectations. She is committed to building strong relationships and believes they are essential to student success and growth.
Mrs. DiDona is a valued member of the Noble team who consistently contributes professionalism, positivity, and care to the school community. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick, and relaxing with favorite shows such as Schitt’s Creek, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Jurassic Park.
Staff Birthdays
Don't See you name? Please be sure to complete our Staff Interest Survey!
April Birthdays
Sra. Romina - April 2
Mrs. Cohen - April 3
Mrs. Beckles - April 7
Ms. Ward - April 7
Ms. Threatt - April 15
Mr. Cohen - April 16
Nurse Lacey - April 20
Ms. Harrington - April 28
April Attendance Update
April attendance is showing encouraging improvement, and we want to keep that momentum going! Thank you for continuing to make caring calls and reinforcing the importance of daily attendance. Every day truly matters, miss school, miss out, on learning, connection, and growth. Let’s stay consistent in our outreach and keep pushing to finish strong together.
Noble Students Accepted into Hathaway Brown's Aspire Program
Aspire is an incredible program that empowers girls across Greater Cleveland by building leadership, confidence, and resilience both in and out of the classroom. Hosted on the Hathaway Brown campus in Shaker Heights, the program provides enriching, real-world learning experiences designed to prepare students for long-term success.
Congratulations to Kayla McMillan, London Sawyer, and Brianna Griggs on their acceptance into the Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School!
We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the support that helped make this opportunity possible. A special thank you to Ms. Threatt for her guidance and assistance throughout the process—her support made a meaningful difference for our students and families.
Cleveland Museum of Art: The Teaching Innovation Fellowship
Last week, Ms. Monroe shared an opportunity from the Cleveland Museum of Art: the Teaching Innovation Fellowship, a year-long program where educators collaborate with museum staff and a cohort of teachers to integrate museum resources into classroom practice.
Both Mrs. Boyles and Ms. Monroe are alumni and highly recommend it as a meaningful professional learning experience. Applications are open through Friday, April 24, 2026, and include a summer institute (July 14–17), monthly convenings, optional graduate credit/CEUs, a $1,000 stipend, and a certificate upon completion. Interested staff can apply here: https://www.clevelandart.org/learn-with-us/prek-12-students-and-teachers/teaching-innovation-fellowship or contact TeachingInnovationLab@clevelandart.org with questions.
April Staff Survey
Noble Read-a-Thon Fundraiser
The Noble Elementary Reading Rally was a huge success; our students and staff did an awesome job, and the energy was outstanding!
Thank you for the support and encouragement around our fundraising efforts. We’ve currently raised $4,484.00! There is still an opportunity to donate as the donation window remained open after the reading challenges were complete.
Walk in the Shoes: Dyslexia Simulation 2026
Families, caregivers, educators, and community members are warmly invited to join us for an engaging and eye opening evening focused on understanding dyslexia. This interactive Dyslexia Simulation offers participants the opportunity to experience learning challenges similar to those faced by many students with dyslexia, helping build awareness, empathy, and practical insight.
This evening is for families who want greater understanding, practical insight, and meaningful ways to support children with dyslexia.
Participants can earn 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Monday, April 20, 2026
Dinner served at 5:30 PM
Simulation from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Delisle Options Center
14780 Superior Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
Supervised Childcare will be available so families can fully participate.
The simulation will be presented by the International Dyslexia Association, Northern Ohio Branch, offering a powerful learning experience for our community. Together we are creating space for learning, understanding, and stronger support for students who learn differently. Please register https://bit.ly/walkinshoe or use the QR code on the flyer.
Save the Date - Music Concert!
TAP Form
This year, you will continue to submit your Noble TAP concerns using a secure Google Form. You may be asked to include your name, which will be visible only to Daniel Hershman-Rossi and Kimberly Holyk, our 795 Building Stewards.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, simply indicate this in your submission. However, please keep in mind that providing your name allows for more effective follow-up and resolution of your concern. Thank you for your attention to this process. Please be on the lookout for the updated form below.
Mrs. Holyk
Mr. Hershman-Rossi
Noble Elementary
Building Stewards
Noble Academics
Communication Plan - Persons with Disabilities
The District has adopted a plan for communications with persons with disabilities, which is available at the following link: Communication Plan. The plan establishes procedures to ensure that the District's communications with persons with disabilities, including applicants, participants, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as its communications with others.
OST/EOC Resources & Support
Spring testing season is underway. Educators can utilize this Before, During, and After + FAQ resource for key steps for each phase of testing, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. It can also be found in Clever under Assessments for easy access.
For support during any phase of the Spring OST administration process, please reach out to your Building Test Coordinator or sign up for an Instructional Data Support Session with Becky McDonald.
OST Plan/Schedule
Thank you for the care, focus, and professionalism you’ve shown as we move through the first week of OST. ELA testing went well overall, and we have already identified a few small refinements that will help Math and Science run even more smoothly. Nothing major, just thoughtful adjustments to strengthen consistency and reduce disruptions for students and staff.
As we continue, a few key expectations will help us stay aligned and protect instructional/testing time:
- Daily OST Communication - ALL STAFF: Please make it a priority to read OST emails daily. Even brief updates may impact schedules, movement, or building logistics, and we want to ensure everyone has the same timely information, regardless if your students are tested.
- Time Stamps Outside Testing Rooms:
Start and end times must be posted outside each testing room. This supports clear communication, ensures consistency across all sessions, and helps us maintain accurate, organized testing procedures building-wide. - PA System Use:
The PA system will be used only in the minutes leading up to testing each morning for any brief and essential updates. Once testing begins, the PA system will remain off unless there is an emergency. This is to preserve a calm, focused testing environment for students. - 5th Grade Hallway (Tuesday & Wednesday, 9:30–12:30):
If your normal route takes you through the 5th grade hallway during this time, please use an alternate path (cafeteria or media center). This small adjustment will make a big difference in maintaining a quiet and supportive testing space for our students.
Thank you for your flexibility, your attention to detail, and the steady presence you bring to our building. OST always asks a lot of us, and your work is making a difference for students.
One School, One Book
We are excited to kick off our schoolwide reading experience, One Book, One School, featuring The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies!
Here are some additional items:
C&I Curricular Updates
Click the link below to reference The Weekly Curriculum Overview for the week of 4/20! We will reference this in TBTs and in walkthroughs this week!
Infinite Campus Gradebook - Updating Grades
Grades are to be updated in Infinite Campus every two weeks. The following posting schedule has been created for the 2025-2026 school year for all teachers to follow.
Noble Operations
Phase 2: Roster Verification Begins
Applicable teachers and intervention specialists will receive an automated message from MCOECN to inform them of the Teacher Phase of the Roster Verification process. The process is open from April 8 to April 28.
LPDC Meeting
The LPDC meeting will be held on April 20. Please ensure that any items requiring approval are updated and submitted in Frontline. This is also a reminder for staff members who need to renew their licenses this year to make sure all requirements have been met. Applications must be submitted to ODE. It is the educator’s responsibility to have their license issued prior to the first day of the new school year.
Paraprofessional Permits
Permits for the 2025–2026 school year will expire on June 30. Please begin preparing to apply for your 2026–2027 paraprofessional permits, which are due on the first day of the new school year.
April Safety Drill Reminder
- Tornado Drill: Friday, April 24 at 9:45 a.m.
Please review procedures with your students and ensure everyone is prepared and follows safety expectations.
