During three weeks in February, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School students and staff raised $4,374 during its Pennies for Pasta fundraising drive to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society...
CFIS Raises Money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
During three weeks in February, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School students and staff raised $4,374 during its Pennies for Pasta fundraising drive to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The goal was $3,000.
The Pennies for Pasta fundraising campaign kicked off with an informative and engaging assembly sponsored by the school’s student service organization, PAWS (People Always Willing to Serve). The second week was spirit week and students donated money to wear clothes pertaining to the themes of Pajama Day, Crazy Hair Day, Crazy Hat Day, and Twin Day. The final week of the campaign had the theme of superheroes. Each day, they highlighted a local, courageous “Superhero” who is fighting, or has fought, the battle against blood cancer. On Wednesday, students and staff honored one of their own students, Julius Lelonis, who has recently begun his battle. The school-wide goal was to raise at least $300. Because they surpassed their goal, four teachers agreed to dress as superheroes on Thursday.
Stop the Hate Finalist
Chagrin Falls Middle School eighth-grader Alexandra Holtz has been selected as one of three finalists in her grade level for the Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out contest. The local contest is supported by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage: The Museum of Diversity and Tolerance. The Stop the Hate program aims to create an appreciation and understanding among people of various religions, races, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The contest supports this idea by challenging young people to appreciate the benefits of a more inclusive society, the consequences of intolerance and the personal responsibility people have in promoting change. It also reflects the values of responsible citizenship and respect for all humanity.
Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out honors students committed to creating a more accepting and inclusive society. The contest requires students to write an essay reflecting on real-life situations and detailing ways to make positive differences in the world.
Holtz’s essay was chosen from 1,500 essays submitted by students in grades 6-10 in school districts throughout the 12-county area. The essays were read and scored by three readers, and finalists were chosen based on the reader’s accumulated scores. She will attend the awards ceremony on April 29 at The Cleveland Museum of Art. All finalists will be recognized and one student from each grade level (6-10) will receive the $400 first prize.
“The Stop the Hate contest offers a wonderful and valuable opportunity for students to share their voices – and for our community to listen, learn, and act,” said Chagrin Falls Middle School teacher Karen Phillips. “Ali uses her voice to express gender stereotypes and discrimination in her essay.”
