Chagrin Falls High School inducted 32 students from the class of 2021 into the Cum Laude Society...
Cum Laude Society Induction
Chagrin Falls High School inducted 32 students from the class of 2021 into the Cum Laude Society. The society is among the oldest academic honor organizations in the country for high school students.
The Cum Laude Society was organized by Dr. Abram W. Harris, Director of the Tome School in Maryland, in 1906. He envisioned a society modeled after the well-known Phi Beta Kappa that would encourage and recognize true scholarship. Harris believed that a student’s scholastic achievement in secondary school was as important to recognize as other accomplishments made while in school.
The society is still based on three core values that come from ancient Greece. These are Arete, which means moral goodness and living up to one’s potential; Dike, which is the concept of justice; and Time, which relates to being true to what is right and acting with honor.
The Cum Laude Society has 382 chapters throughout the United States, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canada, England, France and Spain. Approximately 4,000 new student members are inducted each year and only 20 percent of the senior class may be inducted.
CFHS held the cum laude induction ceremony on April 8. It began with a welcome from CFHS Principal Monica Asher. Advisor to the society, Lisa Salyers, then gave a history and motto of the Cum Laude Society. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Arlyce Seibert, president general of the national organization, and following her talk was the introduction and induction of the new society members.
This year’s Cum Laude Society members are:
Gillian Brown, Jeremy Cavanagh, Emily Collins, Mary Margaret Demangone, Elizabeth Foley, Noah Girard, Marley Goodwin, Marley Graham, Tallulah Haskett, Emily Heater, Lillian Karyo, Erin King, Aerin Krebs, Julius Lelonis, Brenden Levey, Owen Lewis, Paula Loudermilk, Owen McClintock, Iolana Monteux Arraiza, Dena Mossad, Olivia Nerpouni, Camron O’Connor, Jackson Quinn, Annie Scott, Madeleine Scott, Summer Snell, Riley Thompson, Benjamin Tinsley, Luke Volpe, Maris Walther, Liliana Winans and Ian Zitney.
4th-Graders Hold Revolutionary Debates
The fourth-grade students at Chagrin Falls Intermediate School held debates based on their study of the American Revolution.
In their English language arts (ELA) class, students have been learning about nonfiction research by studying the American Revolution. The unit is part of the new ELA program at CFIS, Lucy Calkins’ “Unit of Study.”
The curriculum was designed by teacher Lucy Calkins and a group of her colleagues at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project to prepare students for any reading or writing task they may face. Through years of research and work in thousands of schools across the country and the world, they developed a curriculum, instructional methods and professional learning opportunities.
Students wrote their own nonfiction book on a chosen topic and based on their understanding of the American Revolution, they took a position in the war. They then supported their arguments using evidence that was in favor of either the Patriots or the Loyalists during that period.
After crafting their arguments, the students debated one another using their evidence. Chagrin Falls Schools art teacher Kristy Boss had students make props in her class to use during their argument including American flags and Loyalist hats.
ELA teacher at Chagrin Falls Schools Heather Reeder said, “The excitement was high, and the debate preparation spilled over into many dinner conversations at home. They were very convincing and well prepared to argue.”
Songwriting Class Ignites Interest in Students
Chagrin Falls Schools has had a tradition of musical excellence that spans decades. This school year, the music department added a new program to the fold with the creation of a songwriting class. Nathan Bachofsky, director of choirs at Chagrin Falls high and middle schools, started hearing about students who were writing their own songs or forming bands together. It got him thinking about the students who are interested in music and songwriting, but perhaps do not feel the draw to join ensembles like choir, band or orchestra. With student interest emerging and his own love of songwriting and arranging, Bachofsky decided to pitch the idea to the administration and Board of Education who welcomed and supported the new program.
The class is open to all high school students in grades 9-12 and meets all year long. The program also is structured in a way that students can take the course for multiple years if they so choose. It is Bachofsky’s hope that this course builds a songwriting community within the school. Students learn elements of songs, song structures, creative writing, basic music theory including chords and chord functions, music business and law and foster 21st century skills such as collaboration and problem solving. Students also get experience with sound engineering, recording and editing through a platform purchased by the district called Soundtrap.
Projects range from acoustic style singer-songwriter inspired themes to creating music for film. One highlight of the class has been the real life experience of having the opportunity to create theme music for the district’s new podcast, Tiger Talks. Another favorite part of the class is the quarterly “jam sessions” in which students bring in instruments and play through popular songs to gain more exposure to various musical styles and improve their own instrument technique. The program also features special guest artists and field trips to places such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The goal of the program is to foster a lifelong love of songwriting and music making. Each year will end with a sing/songwriting showcase to allow students the opportunity to share their work with family, friends and community members.
For more information, email Bachofsky at nathan.bachofsky@chagrinschools.org.
