Chagrin Falls High School student Anais Levi has been selected as a national honorable mention winner by the National Center for Women and Technology (NCWIT).
Student Receives High Honor in Computer Science
Chagrin Falls High School student Anais Levi has been selected as a national honorable mention winner by the National Center for Women and Technology (NCWIT).
The organization was created because of the gap in computing skills that are necessary for emerging job opportunities. The NCWIT has created what they call “Aspirations in Computing” (AiC). The initiative encourages diversity in computing and technology by breaking down barriers for women in the field.
AiC offers awards, scholarships, and internships, to build leadership, technical and entrepreneurial skills. AiC provides ways to fight isolation in the field and spark interest in computing. In addition to creating strong communities, they give awards to students and educators who are making strides in reaching this goal.
The criteria for the selections include computing experience, related activities, leadership skills, courage in the face of barriers to their success and their plans for post-secondary education.
This year’s 400 national recipients rose to the top of over 4,700 applications. Of those 400, 40 are selected as national winners and 360 are selected as national honorable mention recipients.
“This is the highest-level recognition any girl has received from NCWIT in my career,” said computer science teacher Carolyn Petite.
CFHS Earns AP Computer Science A Female Diversity Award
Recognized for Closing the Gender Gap in AP Computer Science A,
Chagrin Falls High School has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have increased young women’s access to AP computer science courses.
Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 818 achieved this important result during the 2018-2019 school year, nearly 20 percent more than the 685 schools recognized last year. In 2019, Chagrin Falls High School was one of 143 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A.
Chagrin Falls High School had 21 females take the AP test in computer science in 2019 and they all passed with an average score of 4.39. The State of Ohio had 288 females take the test in 2019 and the average score for the females in the state was 3.47. Overall, 7.3 percent of the female students who took the AP Computer Science A test in the state of Ohio attended Chagrin Falls High School in 2019.
“We’re proud to see the creativity, commitment, and enthusiasm our female students have demonstrated in their study of AP Computer Science A,” said Superintendent Robert Hunt. “As educators and administrators, we believe a STEM education plays a critical role in fostering a lifelong relationship with learning, setting our female students on a path to success in a 21st century workforce.”
“Computer science teacher Carolyn Petite has positively impacted the trajectory of not only young women, but men, into this field and they are lucky to have a role model like her in their lives,” said Principal Monica Asher.
Schools receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have either had 50 percent or higher female representation in one or both of the AP computer science courses, or the percentage of female computer science examinees meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.
“Chagrin Falls High School is empowering young women to see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers,” said Stefanie Sanford, College Board global policy chief. “We hope to see even more high schools inspire female students to harness the potential of an AP computer science education.”
AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. The number of female AP CSA exam-takers has grown steadily, up nearly 60 percent in five years. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 184 percent since 2016, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students. The number of female, rural, and underrepresented minority students taking AP computer science exams has more than doubled in three years.
The College Board, who issues AP exams, states that providing female students with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensuring gender parity in high-paying technology jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and competition. A 2014 Google studyfound that women are more likely to pursue computer science if they are given the opportunity to explore it in high school.
CFMS Book Club Connects With Author Over Skype
On Jan. 23, members of the Chagrin Falls Middle School Book Club enjoyed their conversation with author John David Anderson via Skype. Following John David Anderson’s visit in the 2018-19 school year, the students were excited to read his latest book “Finding Orion.”
Anderson fielded questions from each member of the book club and asked a follow-up question to each student. With a comical approach, Anderson discussed what it’s like to be an author and encouraged students to find their passion in life. In addition, Anderson discussed process of writing a book and described some of the research that goes into getting the details correct.
To wrap up their study of Anderson’s Finding Orion, students will create art inspired from the book using equipment in the Creation Lab.
District Honored by the Ohio Park & Recreation Assoc.
Chagrin Falls Schools was honored by the Ohio Park & Recreation Association (OPRA) at their annual conference on Feb. 3 during a session titled “Turning Research into Practice.”
OPRA recognized the district as part of their “Promotes Play Initiative” in which the district received a $20,000 grant to offset local bond funds for the construction of the new Chagrin Falls Intermediate School playground this past summer. The aim of the grant was to support public places of play and recreation. The new playground was constructed to promote healthy lifestyles with key design elements aligned to the National Standards for Physical Education. Those design elements include balancing, climbing and brachiating (endurance, hand-eye coordination and rhythmic movement). School district staff worked collaboratively with architects and outdoor recreation industry professionals to develop the concept for the playground.
The district would also like to thank the Chagrin Falls Dads’ Club for its support. This past summer, the Dads’ Club held an event that drew nearly 50 volunteers to assemble and install the new playground equipment. This allowed the district to further offset installation and labor costs on the total project.
Scholastic Arts & Writing Competition Award Winners
Students from Chagrin Falls middle and high schools will be recognized at the Scholastic Art and Writing Exhibition at The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). Student’s works of art that received a gold or silver award were on display for the public in the Reinberger Gallery of the CIA from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1. Student’s works of art that received an honorable mention were displayed digitally on a screen in the gallery.
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with outstanding artistic and literary talent and brings their work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Every year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the awards to local communities. Teens in grades seven through 12 can apply in 29 categories of art and writing. Submissions are judged by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that show originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Last year, more than 1,800 students submitted more than 3,000 pieces of artwork and writing samples for judging. Gold Key winners continue on to the national competition in New York City.
Visit chagrin-falls.k12.oh.us for the list of honored students.
