The Chagrin Falls Schools' Lady Tigers basketball team spent their day off school volunteering at the food bank on Nov. 5...
Lady Tigers Basketball Team Volunteers at Food Bank
The Chagrin Falls Schools’ Lady Tigers basketball team spent their day off school volunteering at the food bank on Nov. 5. Teammates participated in repackaging incoming nonperishable, perishable and nonfood donations.
“Volunteering brings the team together, gives them a sense of community, and shows them the positive impact that they can have. There are important lessons that they can learn off the court and it’s worthwhile to take the time to do so,” shared Coach Brittany Laseak. “High school sports only last for four years, but the team activities and community impact go beyond their time at CFHS.”
Each year, the girls’ basketball team participates in one or two coach coordinated community service projects. This year, the team took the initiative to set up their own project and scheduled a visit to the food bank to volunteer before their afternoon practice.
Volunteers included Gabrielle Byrne, Ivy Levey, Clarke Perkins, Peyton Pruce, Molly Wheatley, Avery Russell, Caroline Lynch and Lilly Stukus. Not pictured due to conflicting schedules, including the Chagrin girls soccer team being in the state semifinals, Avery Dietzel, Kennedy Ryan, Abby Kay, Olivia Kruse, Lauren Sutliff, Anna Khudyakov, Mia Sluder, Emma Thatcher and Abby Coy.
Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser
The Chagrin Falls High School baseball team is getting into the holiday spirit with their annual Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 14. The festive fundraiser will offer two seating times at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Chagrin Falls Middle School cafeteria.
Young attendees will have the opportunity to meet Santa and have their photo taken with him, while baseball players turned “elves” will help children create holiday crafts. The all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be complemented by a silent auction and raffle.
“This event has become a beloved holiday tradition in our community,” said head varsity baseball coach Michael Sweeney. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to create magical memories while supporting our baseball program.”
Tickets are available online, with separate registration links for each seating time. Children under 2 years old attend free. For the 9 a.m. seating, tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/BWS9amseating, and for the 11 AM seating at tinyurl.com/BWS11amseating.
For more information, contact CFTigerbaseballBWS@gmail.com.
The event promises to be a festive start to the holiday season while helping support the Chagrin Falls High School baseball program.
Students Honor Veterans Through Art
This year to honor Veterans Day, Libby Harrold’s ceramics and portfolio 3D students at Chagrin Falls High School created individual ceramic poppy flowers. The idea stems from the original 2014 poppy display at the Tower of London by artist Paul Cummins and Harrold decided to adapt this concept to fit into the world of CFHS.
The ceramic poppies are available for purchase for $15 each, with all proceeds benefiting the local Veterans & First Responders Foundation. The effort underscores the students’ commitment to both honoring service members and making a positive impact in the community.
“While students were able to put small personal twists and energy into their individual poppy, I think it felt powerful to complete this as a unit,” explained Harrold. “I could sense pride as students collectively ‘planted’ their poppy in the display, as we all knew we were simultaneously giving back to the community.”
To purchase a poppy, community members can email Libby Harrold at libby.harrold@chagrinschools.org.
Through this creative and philanthropic effort, CFHS students exemplify the school’s dedication to inspiring growth and connection while fostering a sense of community. Stop by the library this month to see the display and support of this meaningful fundraiser.
Students Visit Human Fusions Institute
Where science, robotics, art and ethics meet, that was the focus for students from Chagrin Falls High School as they visited the Human Fusions Institute at Case Western Reserve University.
Science teacher Lisa Salyers and history teacher Michael Salyers brought their classes to explore cutting-edge technology with Dr. Dustin Tyler’s team. The students were amazed by what they saw–sensory prosthetics that let people with limb loss feel again, like holding a hand, and gaming gear that allows players to physically experience virtual worlds.
But the visit was about more than just the technology. The students also learned how social responsibility shapes the design of these innovations, and how researchers consider ethical questions throughout the invention process. This inspired the students to think about future careers in engineering, robotics and medicine.
The trip provided a unique window into the future, where the boundaries between human and machine are blurring. For the Chagrin Falls students, it was a thought-provoking glimpse of the innovations to come, and the ethical considerations that will guide them.
CFMS Recognized at National Blue Ribbon School Award Ceremony
Chagrin Falls Middle School representatives were in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8 as U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona presided over the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony. Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski and Principal Laila Discenza accepted this prestigious recognition, one of just 356 schools nationwide to receive this honor.
The middle school was selected for its excellence in academic performance and stands among just 43 middle schools across the nation to earn this distinction in 2024. Of the 353 schools recognized nationally, 14 were from Ohio. Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce congratulated these 14 schools in a video that was played at the ceremony. “Congratulations on developing wonderful places for children to learn and grow,” he said. “Thank you for the great work you do.”
“This is an incredible honor for Chagrin Falls Middle School,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, administrators, students, and families. It reflects our commitment to the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan: promoting high-quality learning experiences and inspiring all to grow and thrive.”
“Chagrin Falls Middle School is such a special place where we strive to build instructional connections, systems and meaningful, positive relationships,” said Principal Laila Discenza. “Our high achievement roots in the foundation of belonging, value and collaboration in order for students to be most likely to succeed. I am beyond proud and excited that we have been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School as this prestigious honor reflects the hard work, dedication, and excellence that define us.”
The school initially celebrated this recognition on Sept. 23, when teachers and staff members enjoyed a celebratory lunch with blue ribbon cupcakes. The middle school entrance was decorated with blue lights, bows and pinwheels, and a banner was hung while a blue confetti cannon burst. On Sept. 27, the seventh- and eighth-graders, along with the current ninth- and 10th-graders, wore blue and captured this momentous occasion with a picture at Harris Stadium, including the ringing of the victory bell.
Upon their return from Washington, D.C., the school plans to raise their newly received Blue Ribbon flag and will incorporate a recess dance party with blue cotton candy for all to enjoy.
This marks the second time Chagrin Falls Middle School has received this honor, having previously been recognized in 2010. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools in two performance categories: Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools, based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance, and graduation rates.
Food Service Staff Take Cooking Class at Stir Kitchen
Professional development days at Chagrin Falls Schools are not just for classrooms—they’re for kitchens, too. On Nov. 5, the district’s food service team embraced the spirit of learning and collaboration with a cooking class at Stir Kitchen in Chagrin Falls. The team prepared a German-inspired menu featuring chicken and pork schnitzel, handmade spaetzle, mushroom gravy and quick kraut. Along the way, they sharpened their knife skills and enjoyed the delicious fruits of their labor.
“Our food service team is always hungry for knowledge, said Food Service Supervisor Marti Goodwin. “Today’s cooking class at Stir Kitchen was a fantastic opportunity to learn new techniques and collaborate with colleagues.”
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” said Karey Bernotas, cook at Chagrin Falls Intermediate School. “It was morale-boosting and educational. The food was delicious. Overall, it was an awesome experience.”
