Monday morning convocations at Hambden Elementary School seem to be a strong indication of what’s possible with collaboration.
Monday morning convocations at Hambden Elementary School seem to be a strong indication of what’s possible with collaboration.
“I think it is incredibly important for our schools to partner like this,” said Chardon Schools Board of Education Vice President Madelon Horvath, referring to the school bringing in a community leader each week to engage students in various topics.
“When our students see community members speaking to them, I think it makes them see that they are part of a bigger world that cares about them,” Horvath said. “This is an important lesson to learn.”
Lt. David Baird, of the Hambden Fire Department, kicked off Jan. 22 with a message to students on the importance of winter fire prevention safety and critical thinking skills.
“Lt. Baird did a fantastic job at our convocation,” Hambden Elementary School Principal Mathew Prezioso said. “Our students already know him well from the various excellent programs that the fire department brings to our school.”
There are 262 students in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade at Hambden Elementary School, which opened in 1923.
Yet despite its deep history and age, Hambden is holding its own in today’s technologically advanced atmosphere.
Prezioso, in his fourth year as principal at the school, is leading the way in engaging and challenging learners at their individual level with new classroom integrated technology and these weekly convocations to energize student learning.
The school’s successful curriculum is built upon the “5 C’s” method, which incorporates creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication and character.
“The range of visitors is great. We have had everything from city engineers and local historians to Jasmine Dragons,” Prezioso said.
Future speakers range from local musicians and physicians, as well as an auctioneer.
“(Prezioso is) a great principal — very forward-looking,” said Horvath, who will speak at an April assembly. “He loves kids and his job.”
Prezioso said the best thing about Hambden Elementary School is the teachers go above and beyond.
“The teachers incorporate the 5-C’s into their daily lessons as well as focusing on a different C (skill) every month,” Prezioso said, adding community members also tie in how the C’s benefits them in their own professions.
“At the end of each month, the teachers each select two students that exemplify the spirit of that skill focus,” he said.
These students and their families are invited to the “6 C’s Breakfast” — the sixth C standing for “coffee.”
On Jan. 22, Baird attracted many admirers as he journeyed through the school clad in his official uniform.
“Are you a police officer?” one passing boy asked.
Baird quickly told him he was a firefighter as students took seats pretzel-style on the floor near teachers.
“Good morning everyone,” Prezioso said. “It’s been awhile since we had convocation, and we have a good one.”
The large room quickly silenced after a round of applause for Baird.
“We talk about being safe all year round,” Baird said to students. “Who does being safe start with? Being safe starts with you.”
Baird continued to educate on winter safety tips and fielded questions from his young learners, including discussing the importance of staying off ponds and space heater safety.
“I felt that the students asked him some excellent questions about fire safety in the winter months,” Prezioso said. “Also, he spoke about the collaboration he has with his fellow firefighters that he relies on to do his job well. Our speakers tie in to our 5 C’s in their own way.”
Innovative blended learning classrooms are more than fancy furniture, touch screen Chromebooks and white boards at the school, the principal said.
“The flexible seating follows the dynamic instruction from our teachers,” Prezioso said, referring to students working with an array of technology while perched on “fun” seats, such as large exercise balls or a bright red rocking chair.
A STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) model is used to teach technology standards in tech classes, with a goal not to teach students how to use computers, but instead to encourage innovation and problem-solving using technology.
Soft and calming instrumental music played in some rooms, while in others, lighting softly glowed along with the colorful furniture.
“We incorporate co-teaching as well as a station-rotation teaching model and the furniture just helps facilitate our teaching practices that focus on one-on-one time with the teacher, differentiation of materials, physical movement and student choice,” Prezioso said. “I feel that the Hambden teachers lead the district in these practices.”
The principal said engagement is extremely important to their classrooms.
“He is an excellent leader who cares about people,” Horvath added. “We are very fortunate to have wonderful principals in our buildings at Chardon Schools.”
Prezioso credited his teaching staff.
“The Hambden teachers do an excellent job of indentifying what specific skills that our students need, then customizing the learning around those individual needs,” Prezioso said. And the classroom environments that we have created here helps make that happen.”
He added, “The teachers and staff at Hambden have built a community of professionals that always do what is best for kids. Hambden is like a family. Everyone works together to make it the great school it is.”
