CIS Ecology Club
A new club at Cardinal Intermediate School is changing the way its student members are seeing the world around them. Third-grade teacher Mike Topalian and fourth-grade teacher Charlotte Torre came up with the idea for Ecology Club.
“We partnered up with a teacher from the other grade for enrichment periods this year, and when we talked about our activity, we decided we wanted to do something that included all of our students so they could become more comfortable not only with themselves, but also with each other,” says Topalian.
Mr. Topalian and Ms. Torre present a list of potential discussion topics to the club and then allow the 43 students to vote on which topic they’d like to learn more about during their ecology enrichment period. So far, students have studied greenhouse gasses, global warming, pollution, whaling, tree identification and endangered species.
One of the goals the club is considering is raising money to donate towards saving an endangered species like the Sumatran tiger or giant panda.
“I was surprised at the genuine interest the students had in these particular topics that went beyond classroom learning,” Torre says. “They’re really taking the information they’ve discovered and they’re starting to see how these ecological issues matter in their everyday lives.”
Students are also learning about the importance of recycling and are assisting high school students with collections for the paper recycling program within the district. Ecology club members are sharing their knowledge with other students in school by creating awareness posters.
The Cardinal Board of Education also voted to recognize the Ecology Club as an official school activity at their February meeting.
3rd Quarter Academic Rally
Dozens of students in the third-grade at Cardinal Intermediate School have been recognized for their hard work in the classroom during the third quarter. In an Academic Rally held on April 1, students received certificates for their achievements in front of their parents, teachers and peers.
Rallies are held every quarter and school administrators say they’ve served as a wonderful motivation tool for students. Congratulations pups, Huskie Pride.
CMS Explore Manufacturing
Hands-on experience is what career exploration is all about, which is exactly what around 20 students in Ms. Berigan’s, Miss Karg’s, Mrs. Libby’s and Mr. Ruscitto’s classes recently got as they explored the topic of manufacturing and assembly for their transition and career-readiness activity. After watching a video on the topic, students learned about the presence the industry has in this part of Ohio and then participated in manufacturing processes of their own to create a finished product.
In the first activity, students formed an assembly line and had to follow a specific set of instructions and pictures to complete each step of the puppet making process. The second activity had students working in groups and following written directions to create pails of Easter treats that were ultimately inspected by “Quality Control” to ensure proper contents and placement. Once the activities were completed, students discussed each manufacturing process and the benefits and disadvantages of each one.
CMS Paw Pride Winners
Paw Pride winners are fifth-graders Ethan Bolton and Austin Loudermill; sixth-grader Samantha Svoboda; and eighth-graders Sarah Zembiak and Matthew Byler.
Middlefield Library Art Display
Come see the truly amazing, sometimes creepy, but always helpful, Friendly Invaders project at the Middlefield Public Library. The public is invited to view the art exhibit on April 17 from 5-8 p.m. The show will feature work created by students in second-grade at Jordak Elementary School and third- and fourth-grades at Cardinal Intermediate School. Limited viewing of the art display will be possible through April 16 in the large meeting room.
3-on-3 Basketball Tourney
The Cardinal Athletic Boosters is hosting a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on April 18 at 9 a.m. at Cardinal Middle School. The event is open to everyone in grades 3-12. The first 100 teams will be accepted. Cost is $5 per player, $3 for adults and $1 for students.
Registration and additional information can be found online at www.cardinalschools.org.
CHS Mattress Sale
The second annual Cardinal High School mattress sale fundraiser will be held April 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school. All proceeds from the event will support the Cardinal athletic program and to help alleviate pay-to-participate costs.
Additional information and discounts can be found online at www.cardinalschools.org.
State Of The Schools Address
Cardinal Schools will hold its annual State of the Schools address on April 30 in the middle school cafeteria. Refreshments and displays will be available from 5:30-6 p.m., with the formal address beginning at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
