Gallery One PilotTwenty-five sixth graders from the Intermediate School travelled…

March 14, 2013

Gallery One Pilot
Twenty-five sixth graders from the Intermediate School travelled to the Cleveland Museum of Art to pilot Gallery One, the unique interactive and intergenerational gallery that blends art, interpretation and technology.
Kathleen Riley, Intermediate School art teacher, has been on the TEAM (Teachers and Educators at the Museum) of Gallery One for nearly two years working with a diverse group of educators from Northeast Ohio under the leadership of Dale Hilton, director of teaching and learning; Hajna Eppley, assistant director, school & teacher engagement; Liz Wilcox Clay, pre-K program administrator; and Seem Rao, director of intergenerational learning. This select group helped to develop best practices for educator and student engagement in the spaces, the Teacher Resource Center and Gallery One. Portraits and identity were the themes Ms. Riley selected for her sixth-grade students to pilot Feb. 19.
Upon arriving at the museum, students were greeted by Mrs. Eppley, who guided them through Gallery One using visual analysis and interpretation of specific art works. Students were given clipboards to write their thoughts using fiction and non-fiction responses.
The students also learned how to use the new app ARTLENS on an iPad to find more in-depth information regarding their portrait study. Students then travelled to 46-inch multi-touch screens that offered contextual information and more dynamic activities and information. Students were broken into three groups to pilot the space.
Mr. Christopher Woofter, Intermediate School principal, Mr. Chuck Murphy, director of curriculum, and Mrs. Cindy Taber helped to chaperone the students. After the pilot session, Mrs. Eppley had each group of students share their findings.
Students had a special treat as they dined together in the new Atrium, eating boxed lunches made by the chef at the Provenance Cafe.
For her TEAM panel participation requirement, Ms. Riley will present to the intermediate school staff, a Gallery One Power Point presentation as well as an overview of all the programs the museum’s education department has to offer teachers to enrich their classroom curriculums.
Gurney Skates At The Pond
As part of Gurney School’s ongoing “buddy” classes, Gurney physical education instructor Justin Cannon organized an ice skating event for all Gurney students at the local ice skating venue, The Pond. The word of the month was courage because many of the students had never been ice skating before, and it takes courage to try something new.
All the students in the school enjoyed one day on the ice. It took six separate trips to give all students this experience.
The Pond provided the classes with five staff members who were on the ice supporting any first time skaters. In addition, several parents and staff members volunteered to be on the ice with the students. For additional safety, all students were asked to wear their bicycle helmets, and students who were new to skating had the availability of special skating walkers to use until they felt comfortable skating on their own.
Rotary Student Of The Month
The Chagrin Falls High School Rotary Student for March is Meghan Judge. Meghan is a National Merit finalist, a National Advanced Placement Scholar, a member of the Cum Laude Society and was selected as the Look Up To Cleveland representative for the school. In addition, her junior year she received the Cleveland Technical Society Honor as well as a Mundo Lengua Spanish Scholarship.
Meghan has been very active in school serving as the Chagrin Falls Education Foundation Student Board President and the editor of the school’s literary magazine the Prism. She has also been a Key Club member during her four years at the high school.
Outside of school, Meghan attended the Engineering Innovation Pre-College Program at John Hopkins in the summer of 2011 and the Management and Technology Summer Institute at the University of Pennsylvania last summer. She has also found time to volunteer at the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center and to do some tutoring as well as being a part-time nanny.
Her academic resume includes 14 Advanced Placement courses. Meghan has not decided on a college yet, but she plans to pursue a degree in computer science and engineering.
Speech And Debate
The Speech and Debate team has had an exciting year noting a major increase in membership and involvement in different categories such as acting, speaking and debate. The team also sent its first public forum debaters to a national circuit tournament in several years at Stanford University, placing in the OCTA final round.
Seven members of the team traveled to the state tournament in Youngstown this past weekend: Public Forum debate – Ana Moran and Anna Witkin; Lincoln Douglas debate – Shan Kanvinde; Impromptu Speaking – Chris Dobeck; and Congressional Debate – Anna Kang, Lauren Lang and Bob Stephen.
Special congratulations go out to Ana Moran and Anna Witkin for making it to the final round in Public Forum debate after 10 rounds of competition.