KHS Student Recognized with Aspirations in Computing Award
Kirtland High School junior Leah LaVerde received the 2020 Ohio Affiliate Rising Star recipient of the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC).
She was selected based on her demonstrated aspirations in computing and technology.
The award recognizes high school women across Ohio for their leadership and involvement in technology, robotics and applied science, along with their academic success and plans for post-secondary education.
Leah has taken advantage of many opportunities to challenge herself in high school. Her courses reflect her motivation to prepare herself for a future in STEM. Her greatest accomplishment is most likely the app she designed with fellow student Reilly Greenlee that allows students of any age to practice basic math facts. The app came about when a teacher had an issue arise in the building among students not knowing basic math facts. Leah took on the challenge of creating a way for students to improve their math skills.
“Leah is an innovative problem-solver who leverages her content knowledge and skills in the world outside our classroom,” said Computer Science teacher Greg Cosimi.
Leah plans to attend a doctoral or graduate school for a medical degree after earning her undergraduate degree in the STEM field.
Aspirations in Computing is a talent development initiative designed to increase female participation in technology careers by providing encouragement, visibility, community, leadership opportunities, scholarships and internships to aspiring technically inclined young women.
Kirtland Elementary School Moves Full STEAM Ahead
Kirtland Elementary School students are moving full STEAM ahead with science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities with the following actions:
- Students in grades K-5 participate in the Hour of Code through Cord.org. The program exposes students to the field of computer science.
- The 5th Street Theater put on the holiday tradition, “A Christmas Carol.” Fifth-grade students ran the entire production, including acting, backstage, directing, lights, sound and video.
- Project Lead the Way involves third, fourth and fifth grades, and includes activities on simple machines, human brain modules and robotics.
- Funds from the KES Walkathon fundraiser provided new materials for classrooms to help students expand thinking and creativity skills. Fourth- and fifth-grade students helped to create the STEAM cards and delivered them to teachers. The cards contain materials including LEGO scene building, Rubik’s cubes, magnetic tiles, dominoes, gravity maze, chess, sign language, flashcards, puzzles and games.
KES also created a Zen Den, a quiet place next to the STEAM Room to allow students to work quietly, listen to soft music and “chill” under soft lighting.
Kirtland Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will be May 15.
Parents of incoming kindergarten students may find a variety of information at www.kirtlandschools.org/KindergartenOrientation.aspx, including:
- A sign-up for a presentation, question and answer period and tour of the building. It will be offered on three different days for incoming kindergarten parents/guardians. This is for adults only.
- Available times for registration on May 15. You will bring your child during your selected time.
- The necessary forms “Final Forms” that need to be completed prior to registration.
- All other printable forms and information.
If you have questions or need help, call the KES office at 440-256-3344 ext. 2000.
KHS Students Bring Home 5 Ribbons at eXpressions Program
Kirtland High School students took home five ribbons in the Language category for the 2019 Cleveland Clinic eXpressions program.
KHS students who earned honors under AP English teacher Meriah Duncan were:
- “Empty” by Jordan Jontz (Blue ribbon)
- “Dear Baby” by Hannah Duncan (White ribbon)
- “Regards, Your Daughter” by Nisha Makkar (White ribbon)
- “Patient X” by Ariela Gettig (Honorable Mention)
- “The Fight” by Leah LaVerde (Honorable Mention)
Junior Nisha Makkar also earned a Journey Award for her art submission under art teacher Brian Harvey.
More than 1,400 art, language and math projects from three states, 59 schools and 100 teachers were submitted as part of the Cleveland Clinic eXpressions program. A panel of content specialists used four criteria to evaluate each Language submission — interpretation, presentation, creativity and initiative.
Award-winning projects are featured in the eXpressions catalogue and on the eXpressions website, and will be displayed in the 2019 eXpressions Art, Language and Math eXhibition at Cleveland Clinic’s Health Education Campus. Project will be on display until March 26.
Kirtland Coffee Cart Teaches Soft Skills
This school year, Kirtland Elementary School rolled out a coffee cart to brighten mornings for staff while teaching students soft skills.
Fifth-grade student leaders are paired with students with special needs and a PTA volunteer to travel room to room offering coffee, juice and light snacks to staff members, provided by the PTA. The cart will make the rounds monthly, with staff paying with a prepaid punch card.
Fifth-grade teacher Bob Lasecki said the idea is to build student leadership skills and confidence. Students also will work on teamwork, communication, work ethic and interpersonal skills.
Kirtland Students Qualify for Regional Power of the Pen Contest
Kirtland Middle School student Tabitha Blankenship took fifth place at the Power of the Pen district competition at Lake Erie College in January and is moving on to regional competition.
Eighth-grade student Penelope McFadden, along with seventh-grade students Anna Grbavac and Marin Haupt, also qualified for the regional competition April 4 at Hudson Middle School.
Power of the Pen is an Ohio-based creative writing program that allows seventh- and eighth-grade writers to share their passion for creative writing while they compete against their peers in a timed writing structure.
In a competition setting, middle school writers participate in three consecutive rounds of writing. In each round, writers have 40 minutes to respond to a given prompt.
