Chagrin Falls School News

February 10, 2022 by Staff Report

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Two Chagrin Falls High School Students have been chosen as candidates in the U.S. Department of Education’s 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Trey Brosnan and Matt Daniels are two of 5,000 students chosen out of 3.6 million graduating seniors.  Both students scored exceptionally well on either the SAT or the ACT college admission test

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the president, to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Semifinalists will be notified in mid-April. Scholars will be notified in May. A national recognition program is tentatively scheduled for June.

District Awarded $90,000 for Purchase of School Buses

Chagrin Falls Schools has received $90,000 from the Ohio Department of Education School Bus Purchase Program for the replacement of two school buses.

The funding is from House Bill 110, which provides $50 million in total for school districts to replace older school buses as part of a competitive grant process.

Transportation Supervisor Michael Morgan submitted the grant application data and this is the second time the district has been awarded such funds. The current award of $90,000 will help to offset the expected cost of $170,000 from the district’s permanent improvement annual expenditure, bringing the effective cost of two buses down to about $80,000.

CFMS Students Celebrate Resource Officer and Guidance Counselor

Written by Charlotte Kleid, 8th-Grade reporter/photojournalist, Chagrin Falls Middle School Tiger Tales

Throughout the past two months, Chagrin Falls Middle School honored school resource officer Mike Baldwin and school counselor Kyle Patterson. School Resource Officers Week was held Jan. 10-14 and School Counselor Week was celebrated Feb. 7-11. Both Baldwin and Patterson are voices at CFMS that make it a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.

Officer Baldwin serves to protect, support and guide students. He began working in the district in 2017. He has four children and has been happily married for 20 years. He loves going to church, reading and spending time with his family. Baldwin also served in the Army. He said that his favorite part about his job is the opportunity to work with varying people throughout the day.

“No day is really the same,” said Baldwin. “I’m working with a kindergartener at one moment and a high schooler during another.” Baldwin also expressed that he truly values the Chagrin Falls’ community and its small town feeling.

“People really look out for each other in a lot of different ways,” said Baldwin.

To any student who is struggling, Baldwin wants him or her to know, “Don’t be afraid to be real. I think a lot of times when we struggle we think we need to portray strength or we think that we can get through it, or If I ask for help I’m weak. That’s just not true. Everybody needs help. People are people.”

He emphasized the importance of asking for help, as it is a hard, but necessary step in getting the support one needs.

Eighth-grader Molly Macioch said, “I am very grateful for Officer Baldwin. I know I’m safe at school with him here.”

School counselor Kyle Patterson began working at CFMS in 2013. He has two children, and he is also happily married to his college sweetheart. He loves playing music and spending time with his family.

“I enjoy the connections I have made with students, colleagues, and parents and getting to know new people and being around them every day,” said Patterson.

He also talked about support, sharing that “every single person at some point needs support, and that support can look very different. I want to be a positive support for anybody in any way that they need.”

Patterson stated that his door is always open and whether students run into a small question or have a big problem, he is there.

“If you’re having a bad day, he’s always open to talk to you about your issues. You’ll come out of his office feeling better than when you came in,” said eighth-grader Owen Stull.

Eighth-grader Owen Adelman shared that “Mr. Patterson has great responses to questions you ask.”

CFMS Students of the Month

The mission of the Chagrin Falls Middle School Students of the Month is to acknowledge and reward students for exemplary performance.  The students depict Tiger Techniques: Think, Integrity, Grit, Effort and Responsibility. Each month, the seventh and eighth-grade teams collaborate and choose a male and female “Tiger of the Month” and the students receive personalized tiger water bottles from the PTO.

January’s Students of the Month are seventh-graders Marley Cluney and Andrew Thompson and eighth-graders Mackenzie Verderber and Will Wagner.

Marley Cluney’s kind and welcoming smile is a delight to see each day. She is kind and helpful to all her peers. Marley does not hesitate to share ideas and participate in class. She’s a valued team member who pulls her weight and brings out the best in others, a true leader by example.

In English, Marley is always prepared for book group, brings up thoughtful topics for discussion, and works well with her peers. In writing, she has creative ideas and takes her time on revising and editing. She always has a smile on her face and adds positive energy to the classroom.

Andrew Thompson is a hard worker and always puts forth his best effort. Andrew’s participation, effort and quiet leadership is noticed in class. Andrew is a great teammate and works well with all of his peers.

In English class, Andrew has been a wonderful example to his book club group of being organized and coming prepared for book group with questions and analytical thoughts to share, which creates a much richer book conversation. Andrew models an interest in reading and shares his recommendations with others. He is a great addition to our class and helps out by participating frequently. Andrew is respected by his peers and teachers.

Mackenzie Verderber is a consistent worker and excellent teammate in Algebra class. She brings a great attitude to class every day. Mackenzie’s reflective and calm demeanor keeps her focused. Her self-awareness allows her to know when to advocate for herself. She helps others, catches on quickly in all topics. Mackenzie has a wonderful work ethic and a positive attitude in band. She works so well with her horn section and always participates during class.

Will Wagner is a hard worker and engages so well with his peers. He brings so much to band class and works so well with his flute section.

Will is an excited and curious learner. He has great questions, and finds ways to connect class topics to his everyday life. Will’s incisive questions help everyone in the class understand concepts more deeply.