The district Recreation Department has a busy September ahead as tryouts for the Emerald Necklace softball league and the Lake Erie Basketball League  get under way. Sign-ups are also ongoing for a variety of clinics to sharpen your basketball skills.

The State Report Card data for 2009-2010 is in, and Lakewood has improved upon its performance over the previous school year in nearly every major component, resulting in half of the district’s school buildings receiving Excellent ratings, including two – Grant and Lincoln elementaries – that received the highest rating of Excellent With Distinction.

Did you know that more than 80 kids are hit by cars in the U.S. every day? Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) is sponsoring its 8^th annual speed awareness program Brake 4 Kids aimed at reminding drivers to slow down now that school has resumed. To find out how to get a sign for your tree lawn or neighborhood, read on.

The Lakewood City Schools is co-hosting an eight-week discussion group designed for parents of teenagers. The discussion will center around the book "Please Stop the Rollercoaster! How Parents of Teenagers Can Smooth Out the Ride." Morning and evening sessions will be held at the Main Library and begin in late September. Click here for more info.