Chagrin Falls School News
The Chagrin Falls Schools’ Spring Art Show was held April 18-21 at Hamlet at Chagrin Falls...
Spring Art Show
The Chagrin Falls Schools’ Spring Art Show was held April 18-21 at Hamlet at Chagrin Falls. Hundreds of pieces of art from Chagrin Falls’ middle and high school students were on display.
At the award ceremony on April 18, Debbie Cirillo, executive director of Hamlet at Chagrin Falls, welcomed the students, families and Hamlet residents. Chagrin Falls Schools Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski gave the opening remarks and introduced and thanked the talented art department staff. The awards presented to students were done by art teachers Libby Harrold, Dawn Serazin, Jill Eisert and Amy Fenton. Closing remarks were given by Libby Harrold.
During the award ceremony, music was provided by the high school’s jazz band.
Award highlights include:
Valley Art Center Awards – Aria Liva and Norah Pope;
Cleveland Print Room Black & White Film Award – Alana Nykulak;
Hamlet Best in Show – Claire Rubin;
Hamlet High School Gold – Isabel Nerpouni;
Hamlet High School Silver – Michelle Couch;
Chagrin Falls Village Council – Andrew Brackett;
Board Of Education Award – Isabel Nerpouni;
PTO Awards – Alberta Jenkins, Allie Mitchell, Charlie Taylor and Andrew Brackett;
Outstanding Photography – Elizabeth Partain and Lindsay Schumacher;
Outstanding 2-D Artists – Clara Ives and Isabel Nerpouni;
Outstanding 3-D Artists – Bella Radomsky and Norah Pope;
High School Principal’s Award – Maizie Spremulli;
Middle School Principal’s Award – Hadley Miller.
The chair of this year’s show was Kimberly Stec.
Students who have committed to attending art school and/or studying visual arts after graduation include Mila Gresh: Illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design; Isabella Fransko: Environmental Design at The Ohio State University; Allie Jones: Photojournalism at Ohio University; Kaz Kanieski: Art & Business at Kent State University; Kate McLain: Graphic Design at University of Tampa; Isabel Nerpouni: Film Studies at undecided; Sam Peck: 2D Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology; Norah Pope: Environmental Design/Architecture at University of Boulder; Kailey Stec: Art Education at Miami University; and Charles Taylor: Architecture – undecided.
Salyers Named Outstanding Chemistry Teacher
Chagrin Falls High School science teacher Lisa Salyers was celebrated as the 2024 recipient of the Heller-Dabrowski Outstanding Chemistry Teacher Award by the Cleveland Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The prestigious recognition was presented to her at the monthly Cleveland ACS meeting held on April 17 at John Carroll University.
The event served as a platform to honor Salyers and the winners from the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF). Attendees had the opportunity to witness the remarkable work of the student awardees, followed by a dinner and a captivating keynote address.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Rekha Srinivasan, the James S. Swinehart Professorial Teaching Fellow, Fulbright Scholar and Specialist, and senior instructor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve University. Her insightful presentation added to the celebratory atmosphere, further honoring the achievements of Mrs. Salyers and students alike.
“Lisa has dedicated her career to inspiring young minds and fostering a love for science and has an unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “Her ability to ignite curiosity in her students makes her deserving of this Outstanding Chemistry Teacher Award.”
The event not only celebrated the accomplishments of Salyers but also served as a platform to encourage and motivate the next generation of scientists and researchers. The synergy between educators, students, and professionals in the field of chemistry creates an environment conducive to learning, networking, and fostering a passion for science.
Learner Profiles Showcased
In a remarkable display of student agency and self-advocacy, Gurney Elementary School students presented their kindergarten through third-grade learner profiles at the April 17 board of education meeting. This initiative, aligned with the Chagrin Falls Schools’ Strategic Plan and Gurney’s goal, aims to empower students with increased ownership, control and empowerment over their learning.
Kindergartners Tatum Schron, first-grader Owen Goldsmith, second-grader Emily Herrmann and third-graders Eileen McGroarty and Paige Ross served as student presenters.
“Through continuous cycles of student choice and voice opportunities, followed by strategic reflection, our learners are identifying and documenting their strengths, barriers to learning, needed supports and goals,” explained Principal Rachel Jones, Gurney Elementary. “These learner profiles are reviewed and revised throughout the year, fostering a personalized and learner-driven approach to education.”
The learner profiles provide a comprehensive understanding of each student, enabling teachers to tailor their support and instructional strategies to best meet individual needs. Additionally, students gain invaluable self-advocacy skills by communicating their learner profiles to teachers and staff, ensuring a seamless transition between grade levels.
“It’s one thing to know yourself as a learner, but it’s a whole other thing to be able to communicate to others about yourself as a learner,” said Jones. “By creating their profiles each year and sharing them with teachers and staff, our students are developing essential self-advocacy skills that will serve them well in their educational journeys.”
The learner profile initiative is just one example of Gurney Elementary’s commitment to fostering a learner-centered environment, where students are empowered to take ownership of their education and actively participate in shaping their learning experiences.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their insightful presentations and their dedication to embracing this transformative approach to learning,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski, Chagrin Falls Schools. “The learner profiles are a testament to the district’s ongoing efforts to promote student agency, self-awareness, and personalized learning experiences that prepare our students for success.”
Prestigious Scholarship Awarded
Shlok Bhattacharya, a senior from Chagrin Falls High School, has achieved a significant milestone by being named the only recipient from the northern Ohio/Cleveland area among the five scholarship winners in Ohio for the highly coveted Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship and internship.
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is an exclusive initiative designed to foster emerging leaders in the field of computer science. Shlok’s outstanding achievement has secured him a significant financial benefit of $40,000 and a paid internship at Amazon, which he can begin after his first year of study. The internship opportunity is highly sought-after, even among top computer science undergraduates, providing Shlok with a valuable head start in his future career in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-related computer science.
Shlok’s accomplishments extend beyond the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship. He has also secured the prestigious GE-Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholarship and the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship, further solidifying his exceptional academic and leadership abilities.
In addition to these achievements, Shlok has been accepted into the computer science programs of six of the top 10 universities for Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. These include Carnegie Mellon University (#1), Georgia Institute of Technology (#5), University of Washington (#6), Cornell University (waitlisted, #7), University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign (#8) and University of California–San Diego (#10).
Shlok’s impressive credentials have also earned him admission to the computer science programs at Duke University, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ohio State University and Purdue University, leaving him with a remarkable array of options as he decides which offer to accept.
“Shlok’s accomplishments are truly outstanding, and we are immensely proud of his dedication and hard work,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “His passion for computer science and artificial intelligence, coupled with his exceptional academic achievements, have paved the way for an incredibly promising future.”
Becky Quinn, director of curriculum / gifted coordinator, who has known Shlok since his years at Gurney Elementary School, commented, “We are so incredibly proud of Shlok, his hard work over the years, and his commitment to making a positive difference in the world. The outstanding scholarships and Amazon internship that he has received are incredibly well-deserved.”
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, the GE-Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholarship, and the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship are testament to Shlok’s potential to become a future leader in his field, embodying qualities of excellence, integrity and a commitment to making a positive impact on society.
