The Weekly Update #4

Hello Harding Families,

Please scroll through this entire newsletter weekly so you can stay informed and see some of the amazing things our students and staff are doing every single day at Harding. Please also be sure to read important information regarding this school year.

This Harding Herald newsletter will be sent out to all HMS families on a monthly basis; you will also be able to find each newsletter on our school website.

Thank you for playing an active role in your child's education. GO RANGERS!

Sincerely,

Christopher Plush

christopher.plush@lakewoodcityschools.org

(216) 227-5787

X (formerly known as Twitter): @LkwdHarding

Main Office: (216) 529-4261

Attendance Line: (216) 529-4311

For student absences, tardies, early releases, etc.

Fax: (216) 529-4708

Principal, Christopher Plush

christopher.plush@lakewoodcityschools.org

Assistant Principal, Amanda Sears

amanda.sears@lakewoodcityschools.org

School Counselor, Lyndie Schuckert

melynda.schuckert@lakewoodcityschools.org

School Psychologist, Diane Moyer

diane.moyer@lakewoodcityschools.org

Amanda Sears, formerly a K-12 instructional coach with Amherst Exempted Village School District, has been board approved to become the next assistant principal at Harding Middle School. Mrs. Sears, who is also an adjunct professor at Ashland University, holds a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s in PK-12 visual arts education from Kent State University.

Melissa Long has been board approved to be our 6th Grade Advanced ELA/SS teacher. She brings a plethora of middle school teaching experience, including teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies in a variety of educational settings, with experience serving both traditional middle school students and gifted learners.

Megan Sutula will be our new ISA Leader/Coordinator. Mrs. Sutula brings a diverse professional background that includes experience as a teacher, school administrator, and manager in the private sector. Her broad range of experiences will be a valuable asset in supporting our students, staff, and school community.

Molly Patrick joins the 8th grade ELA team with a strong foundation in education and a passion for supporting student learning. A graduate of the University of Mount Union, Molly is committed to building positive relationships with students, creating engaging learning experiences, and fostering a classroom environment where all learners can thrive.

Brittney Gregg will be with us for 2 class periods a day as our English Learner Small Group Instructor. Brittney has a diverse background working with English Learners and will be a great support system for her students.

Patrick David will join Harding Middle School as a lunch and recess monitor. Patrick is a Lakewood community member has really made a sincere effort to forge relationships with our students and staff.

Cassy Kopp has recently accepted the position as our daily study hall monitor. Cassy is a Lakewood community member and is very active in the community as a coach.

Leah Strejcek has been teaching Spanish at Lakewood High School, but she will now split her time between Harding and Garfield teaching Spanish.

• Walking and biking help students arrive at school alert and ready to learn. Whenever possible, Lakewood City Schools encourages students to walk or bike to school.
• If you drive your child to school, please watch for students walking and biking when entering and exiting school property.
• Please pull all the way up to the drop-off sign and avoid blocking sidewalks or crosswalks while waiting in the car line.
• The doors on Madison AND the main entrance off Woodward are open starting at 8:05 AM for students to enter the building.
• Students who arrive earlier than 8:05 AM should report to the designated area in the gym.
• Please do not park in marked no-parking areas near the school.
• These spaces improve visibility, making it easier for drivers to see students walking and biking.
• Traffic flows smoothly when everyone is courteous and patient. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and efficient process.

• In order to help with traffic and overall safety, there are now 2 designated turn lanes on Hilliard.
• Drivers are not permitted to turn left into the school parking lot from Hilliard between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM. This restriction helps reduce conflicts with students walking and biking to school.
• As a reminder, vehicles will not be permitted to turn into our parking lot from Hilliard between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
• Please also consider turning off your engine while waiting for your child. Reducing vehicle idling improves air quality and creates a healthier environment for everyone at school.
• I have attached pictures below to help make this as clear as possible.

Thank you for helping keep everyone safe here at Harding. Your attention to these guidelines is greatly appreciated!

As part of the Board of Education’s legal settlement regarding the District’s previously approved plan to repurpose Lincoln Elementary School as an early learning center and redraw elementary school attendance boundaries, the Board spent its two August meetings hearing about updated enrollment and building utilization data as well as details on benefits of an early learning center. Superintendent Niedzwiecki and other District leaders shared the latest information and updates with the Board, which also heard public comment on the topic.

The Board's decision to settle this matter reflects its commitment to acting in the best interests of the District and being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources. Resolving this litigation allows the District to avoid the significant costs, uncertainty, and time associated with continued legal proceedings. As part of the settlement, the Board of Education does not admit to any wrongdoing.

Upcoming Special Board Meeting & Next Steps

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Garfield Middle School

• What: Superintendent Niedzwiecki will present final recommendations, followed by Board discussion and a vote.

Pending the vote's outcome, the District will share an updated timeline and next steps with families, staff, and the community.

WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) is a student mentoring program that connects our eighth-grade leaders with younger students to help them feel welcomed, supported, and connected throughout the school year. Our WEB leaders had a blast welcoming our 6th grade students to the Harding Family!

Walking and biking help students start the day alert and ready to learn and fosters independence. Please help us ensure everyone's safety by watching for students walking and biking, keeping sidewalks and crosswalks clear, and if driving, following the school traffic procedures. A few things to remember:

• Use extra caution when turning at intersections and driveways near schools. Students walking and biking may be less visible than vehicles.
• Students biking on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing
• Help keep students safe by slowing down.

• Our annual club fair will take place from 3:00 PM-3:30 PM in the Harding cafeteria on Tue. 9/8.
• Students can learn about our clubs and sign up!
• Please see the Harding Clubs List from last school year.
• We will update this and share it out after our club fair.

• Online Ordering Link
• Online Access Key= KVS8ZJYV
• Downloadable Flyer Link

• Who: Parents and guardians (students may come as well, but it is more geared towards parents)
• What: Washington, D.C. Trip Informational Meeting
• Where: Harding Gymnasium
• When: Monday, September 14, from 6:00–6:30 PM
• Why: To learn important details about the Washington, D.C. trip
• How: Attend the meeting to receive information and ask questions

• A sign up site will be sent out as we get closer to this date.
• Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 PM-8:30 PM.
• Thursday, October 29 (NO SCHOOL), 1:00 PM-4:00 PM & 5:00 PM-8:30 PM.
• Friday, October 30 (NO SCHOOL), 8:00 AM-11:00 AM.

We will continue teaching the Vision of a Lakewood Ranger competencies in tandem with E+R=O.

E + R = O stands for:

• E = Event → Something that happens to you (often outside of your control).

• R = Response → How you choose to react to the event (your attitude, behavior, or decision).

• O = Outcome → The result that comes from the combination of the event and your response.

The key idea: You can’t always control the events (E), but you can control your response (R), and that choice shapes the outcome (O).

• Purchase a Platinum Wash for $15.00 ($27.00 value) and $10.00 will be evenly distributed to all 8th grade families attending the 2027 Washington, D.C. trip.
• Click this Sgt. Clean/HMS DC Purchase Link
• We have partnered with Sgt. Clean Car Wash until February 25, 2027.
• See HMS Sgt. Clean Fundraiser Flyer for all the details.

Harding Middle School is running its first fundraiser through Stoller Fundraising. Please see the details and DC Stoller Fundraiser Flyer below for more information:

• Students had the opportunity to register for online ordering at school the first week of school (no payment required).
• Once registered, family and friends can use this online ordering link to search for a student and purchase baked goods and other items.
• All funds raised will remain with the student's grade level and support its Washington, D.C. trip in 8th grade.
• For example, funds raised by the Class of 2032 (current seventh graders) will be applied to their Washington, D.C. trip in 2028.

Here is the Lakewood City Schools 2026-27 Academic Calendar.

• 6th Grade Lunch/Recess= 10:30 AM-11:10 AM
• 7th Grade Lunch/Recess= 11:13 AM-11:53 AM
• 8th Grade Lunch/Recess= 11:56 AM-12:36 PM

Please see the HMS 2026-27 School Supply List.

• Returning parents/guardians must update their student and family information for the new school year in the Infinite Campus parent portal.

• You should receive an email in early August with the necessary info to make your student updates. Need help logging in? Click here.

• Electric bikes and electric scooters must be parked outside based on fire safety recommendations from the Lakewood Fire Department.
• Please reach out to the main office if you are in need of a lock or helmet!

In order to maintain a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment, personal electronic devices—including cell phones—must remain powered off and secured in student lockers during the school day. This includes all instructional periods, study halls, lunch, and any other time students are not specifically authorized to use a device. Students may not access their phones until after school unless given permission by a staff member for academic or safety purposes.

If a student is seen with a phone:

Offense #1:

• Warning is issued
• Student is directed to power off their phone and put it in their locker.

Offense #2:

• Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
• The staff member contacts the student’s parent/guardian.

Offense #3:

• Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
• An administrator contacts the parent/guardian and may assign a consequence.

Offense #4 and Beyond:

• Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
• An administrator will implement progressive discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Please click on the below attachment to read our dress code.

Here is the Harding Student-Family Handbook, which can also be found on our school website.

What is the cost of meals?:

Due to rising food costs, supply line disruptions among other factors, the Board of Education this summer approved slight price increases for the 2026-2027 school year. View the new prices on this meal cost sheet for prices for at all District buildings.

How do I apply for free & reduced meals?

Beginning this school year, the Free/Reduced Price Application meal deposits will go through Infinite Campus via the Parent Portal. See link for instructions below:
Free/reduced meal application instructions

How do I deposit money in my student's account?

You can add money to your student's lunch account and view the balance via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. See link for instructions below:
Lunch deposit instructions

Where can I find out what's on the menu for the day?

The District uses an online menu program called My School Menus, which provides comprehensive information about our school meals, including nutrition content and allergy information. During the school year the link can be find on the Nutrition Services webpage.