Two local businesses were recognized for their partnership with Chagrin Falls Schools at the May 2 Board of Education meeting...
Two Businesses Applauded for Contributions
Two local businesses were recognized for their partnership with Chagrin Falls Schools at the May 2 Board of Education meeting. Markey Creative and Burntwood Tavern received the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Business Honor Roll recognition.
Businesses large and small, corporate-owned or family-run, play a key role in supporting the community and local schools. From helping schools with in-kind or financial contributions, donating to scholarship programs and supporting extracurriculars to offering internship opportunities, volunteering in the schools and sponsoring field trips, businesses contribute to schools in many ways. This is one way Chagrin Falls Schools thanks business partners each year.
Neil and Jill Markey, partners of Markey Creative, supported the marketing class at Chagrin Falls High School while the students worked on a marketing project for the Chagrin Valley Recreation Center (CVRC). They assembled a team of volunteers to work with the students, just like real business clients. The students’ work was critiqued and the finalized plan was given to CVRC.
Neil and Jill also have been an integral part of the choral and theater program at Chagrin Falls Schools. They team up each year to work on the program’s publicity, as well as act as the liaison between the theater program and area businesses/organizations. They have tirelessly worked to raise money and increase support for the district in many ways. Neil and Jill are a vital link between the program and the Chagrin community.
Burntwood Tavern in South Russell has been a strong business/school partner with Chagrin Falls Schools for many years. The restaurant has been a great sponsor for the Chagrin Falls Athletic Department. They have donated food and gift cards for many fundraisers. They have provided meals for many of our athletic teams. They are also on our scoreboard, and donated gift cards for the athletic department to use at sporting events. They also remember all of our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week each year generous donations of food. Burntwood is always willing to be a part of events and eager to be engaged in the school system.
RealizeU Recognition Breakfast
On April 26, Chagrin Falls Schools hosted a RealizeU Recognition Breakfast in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. The district’s motto is “RealizeU” and the district strives to ensure that every student is provided the opportunity to realize and actualize their potential. The program recognizes teachers and one community volunteer that have made a significant impact on young people within our school district. Selected students in grades K-12 were asked to nominate a teacher that has inspired them to succeed. Additionally, in collaboration with representatives from the District Inner Council, one school volunteer is recognized for their distinguished service to the students, school and community of Chagrin Falls.
Congratulations, Mrs. Jackie Gerber (nominated by student Braden Mooney), Mrs. Jillian Langer (nominated by student Sadie Conrad), Mr. Ben Rose (nominated by student Cady Whitmer), Mrs. Katherine Owen (nominated by student John Catney), Mr. Mike Wujnovich (nominated by student Zoe Jones), Mrs. Marissa Ausperk (nominated by student Abigail Laws), Ms. Brooke Campbell (nominated by student Alyssa Zaffiro), Ms. Kathryn Warren (nominated by student Andrew Guggenheim) and Mrs. Carolyn Petite (nominated by Eneh Turoczi). The 2018 Outstanding Service Award recipient was Mrs. Mary Donley. Her son, Michael Donley, surprised her by reading a tribute he wrote.
The mission of Chagrin Falls Schools is to provide an educational experience empowering students to maximize their potential.
“Through our work, we focus on serving and providing students with a rigorous, personalized, educational experience that prepares students for success,” said Superintendent Robert Hunt. “The student experience is at the center of our work; however, successful public schools also value and foster a relationship with parents and community.”
Chagrin Falls Schools’ support organizations provided the breakfast and awards.
Excerpts from the student nominations:
Gurney Elementary
Mrs. Jackie Gerber (nominated by student Braden Mooney)
“Mrs. Gerber is very happy, helpful, and friendly. Her calm voice makes her easy to understand. She is an awesome teacher because I can always go to her anytime for help. She always understands me no matter what.”
Mrs. Jillian Langer (nominated by student Sadie Conrad)
“Mrs. Langer taught me how to be a better student and show Tiger PRIDE. She always cared about me and I knew that because she smiles at me whenever we see each other. Mrs. Langer inspired me to love math, too.”
Mr. Ben Rose (nominated by student Cady Whitmer)
“Mr. Rose makes me a better student. I knew he cared about me because he taught me better ways and now it makes sense to me. He also showed creativity by doing interesting things on Chromebooks.”
Intermediate School
Mrs. Katherine Owen (nominated by student John Catney)
“There is no better feeling than to go to school and be excited about where you are headed. I had never really enjoyed reading books, but Mrs. Owen showed me ways to enjoy it. She is always helpful, patient, and kind. It is not often that you get to experience a teacher with all of these wonderful traits.”
Mr. Mike Wujnovich (nominated by student Zoe Jones)
“Thanks to you, I’ve learned that I don’t have to be afraid to ask for help and I don’t have to be concerned about what others think of me.”
Chagrin Falls Middle School
Mrs. Marissa Ausperk (nominated by student Abigail Laws)
“You believe in me. You believe that I can be an amazing writer if I work hard. You have taught me to show kindness to everyone and that doesn’t have to mean extravagant gestures, but simply just smiling to those that pass you in the hall.”
Ms. Brooke Campbell (nominated by student Alyssa Zaffiro)
“Ms. Campbell’s willing to help not only me but everyone and her positive and encouraging outlook makes her a role model for all students. She goes out of her way to help students inside and outside of class.”
Chagrin Falls High School
Ms. Kathryn Warren (nominated by student Andrew Guggenheim)
“In Ms. Warren’s classroom, the only thing that mattered was my learning and comfort. I was never upset while working on schoolwork in her room, because I knew everything would be alright, and it was. I have been able to accomplish many things due to her guidance and support.”
Mrs. Carolyn Petite (nominated by Eneh Turoczi)
“My motivation to excel in computer science is mostly due to the constant support from my brilliant teacher, Mrs. Petite. Coding pushes your intellectual boundaries, and I have learned that from the challenging and engaging courses Mrs. Petite provides. I plan to major in computer science not only because I feel coding will yield a successful career, but because I now have a true passion for it.”
Tribute to Mary Donley (written by her son, Michael Donley)
“From PTO to After Prom, to Educational Foundation to being a Lacrosse team mom the last four years, my mom’s commitment extends to every single aspect of her life. I have never seen my mom pass up an opportunity to get involved. After spending 18 years of my life with her, I have learned that making a difference doesn’t happen by chance. Rather, my mom has made me realize that making a difference always begin with initiative and commitment.”
Kick it for Cancer
During the month of April, Chagrin Falls Middle School staff and students participated in “Kick It,” a national volunteer-driven effort focused on raising money for childhood cancer research. Student Council sponsored the event for eighth-graders.
Kick It is a program of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which aims to empower everyone to help cure childhood cancer by funding research, raising awareness, and supporting families of children. Kick It was founded in Chagrin Falls by 10-year-old Quinn Clarke during his second battle with cancer. Clarke asked if he could hold a kickball game to raise money for research and received an overwhelming response of 500 plus people coming to support his cause. This was the beginning of people across the country and as far away as Hawaii and Australia helping to save the lives of children with cancer.
The CFMS staff participated in this movement by wearing jeans on Wednesdays in April and shirts that support cancer research. To wear the apparel, staff members donated a minimum of $10 to the cause. Eighth-graders and staff members were encouraged to buy a T-shirt saying “Kick It Tiger Strong” to wear during the kickball tournament on April 27. While each T-shirt had the same design, every eighth-grade homeroom had a different color.
On April 27, the most spirited homeroom, Mr. Geoff Brown’s class, had the most T-shirts sold and 100 percent participation in the color wars. They won matching Kick It”socks and sweatbands for the class to appear fierce for the kickball tournament. Receiving a trophy and being named the kickball champions were the players in Ms. Amy Fenton’s homeroom. Any homeroom with 100 percent participation will receive a gift from the Student Council. The eighth-graders raised more than $1,300 for the Kick It cause.
Walk Through the Bayou
The Chagrin Falls High School After Prom Parent Committee invites all members of the community to walk through the Chagrin Falls Middle School gym on May 19 from 10–11 p.m. to see its transformation to this year’s after prom theme Exploring the Bayou. Enter through the middle school gym entrance. The after prom, a 35 year Chagrin Falls tradition, is a free, fun, safe and sober event for all Chagrin Falls High School upperclassmen following the school sponsored prom.
