The weekend of April 26, the Chagrin Falls Alumni Association (CFAA) teamed up with students from the Chagrin Falls High School ChaGreen Environmental Club for a community cleanup in the village...
Chagrin Falls Alumni Association Earth Day Cleanup
The weekend of April 26, the Chagrin Falls Alumni Association (CFAA) teamed up with students from the Chagrin Falls High School ChaGreen Environmental Club for a community cleanup in the village. Jana Young, coordinator for CFAA ,and Brittany Laseak, advisor for ChaGreen, organized the event. Together, they picked up trash in parking lots and public spaces, making a visible difference and having a great time together. The CFAA Earth Day Cleanup is an annual tradition that brings families, students, and community members together to care for their hometown.
CFMS Students of the Month
Four exceptional students at Chagrin Falls Middle School have been recognized as April’s Students of the Month, demonstrating the school’s core “Tiger Techniques” of Think, Integrity, Grit, Effort and Responsibility.
Seventh- and eighth-grade faculty teams selected Lyric Medina, Eddie Mitchell, Margarete Svette, and Tommy Clark for their exemplary performance both in and out of the classroom. Each student received special tiger water bottles provided by the school’s PTO in recognition of their achievements.
Lyric is a hardworking student who is organized and on top of her grades. She works during class, always reflecting on ways she can improve her learning, consistently asks for help when she needs it and is very conscientious in her PLTW work. She is a great leader both inside the classroom and outside on the track team. She leads by example and is willing to try new events, always giving her best effort. She silently shows her leadership characteristics by helping and guiding others in group work, during presentations of content and with informal situational activities. Lyric Medina is kind-hearted and always willing to go the extra mile for her classmates.
Eddie Mitchell is always striving to do his very best in all areas. He is excited about learning and pushing himself further. Eddie consistently advocates for himself and asks for help when needed. He is a polite and considerate classmate to all his peers. Eddie’s attention to detail serves him well! Eddie Mitchell is always striving to do his very best in all areas. He is excited about learning and pushing himself further. Eddie consistently advocates for himself and asks for help when needed. He is a polite and considerate classmate to all his peers. Eddie’s attention to detail serves him well! Whenever he has the opportunity, he strives to explain his understanding to his study teammates.
Margarete Svette is a leader both inside and outside of the classroom. She is a well-rounded individual who sets high expectations for herself and those around her. Margarete works well with all of her peers and is inclusive during group work, always willing to lend a helping hand to her classmates. She is a strong problem solver and solid contributor in PLTW. Margaret juggles not only her schoolwork, but also other extracurricular activities such as volleyball and student council. Margaret is kind, respectful and polite. Her sense of humor is appreciated.
Tommy Clark is a hard worker who truly cares about his learning and consistently strives to do his best with all his work. He goes out of his way to make sure that he always understands the content and advocates for himself when he needs help. Tommy is kind, respectful and is a great helper in the classroom. He is positive, excited to learn and always asks questions. Teachers can always count on him to come to class with a smile on his face. Tommy is well-respected by peers and teachers as he exemplifies many qualities that make him a great leader.
Tallmadge Educators Visit Gurney
Gurney Elementary School recently rolled out the welcome mat for six visiting educators from Tallmadge Elementary School. The day was packed with classroom visits and inspiring professional learning as the Tallmadge team explored Gurney’s innovative approach to personalized learning. The spotlight was on student empowerment, seeing firsthand how Gurney students are encouraged to learn at their own pace in environments tailored to support individual growth.
The partnership took root in late 2023, when personalized learning and EdTech specialist Jake Miller connected the two schools as part of a shared journey to bring personalized learning to life. From idea-sharing to in-class observations, the day was filled with meaningful dialogue, fresh perspectives and the kind of collaborative spirit that fuels innovation.
Bus Drivers Showcase Skills at Regional Competition
Chagrin Falls School District bus drivers recently demonstrated their professional expertise at the Northeast Regional Road-E-O competition, participating in a series of challenging events designed to test their precision and safety protocols.
The competition, which aligns with Ohio’s bus driver regulations, featured several technical challenges, including hands-on pre-trip inspection, student pick up and drop off procedures, forward and reverse serpentine maneuvers, turn around event and the diminishing clearance event.
District officials expressed pride in the transportation team’s performance, noting that such competitions highlight the professionalism and safety-conscious approach that Chagrin Falls drivers bring to their daily responsibilities transporting students.
The district’s participation in the regional Road-E-O underscores its commitment to maintaining high standards in student transportation services throughout the Chagrin Falls community.
Dazzle Award Nominations
Chagrin Falls High School is celebrating an impressive slate of nominations at the 2025 Dazzle Awards for its production of “Godspell (2012 Revised),” earning recognition in four competitive categories. Presented by Playhouse Square, the Dazzle Awards are Northeast Ohio’s premier high school musical theater recognition program.
The school is nominated for Best Musical (Tier 1) and Best Technical Execution placing “Godspell” among the region’s top high school productions with a musical budget under $14,000. The visually captivating show also received nods for Best Scenic Design and Best Choreography Execution, highlighting the creative contributions of the school’s student cast and crew. In addition, they received a nomination for Best Ensemble/Chorus for its music.
Adding to the excitement, student Claire Hoelzel received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her moving performance of “By My Side,” marking her as one of Northeast Ohio’s standout high school performers this season.
Winners will be announced at the Dazzle Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. The evening will feature red carpet arrivals, musical performances directed by Broadway professionals, and the celebration of student talent from across 38 participating schools in Northeast Ohio.
Student-Led Clubs Showcased at BOE Meeting
Chagrin Falls High School students and assistant Principal Jessica Ross presented an impressive overview of the school’s thriving extracurricular programs at the April 23 board of education meeting. The presentation spotlighted three exemplary student organizations that embody the district’s strategic plan through high-quality learning experiences, student wellness opportunities, and effective resource implementation.
“While all of the buildings in our district offer enrichment clubs and activities, the high school has structured these in an age-appropriate manner that allows a great deal of student choice and voice, truly personalizing students’ high school experiences,” Ross explained to board members, faculty and community attendees.
She noted that the high school currently offers 38 different clubs and enrichment activities, with the number fluctuating yearly based on student interest and leadership.
Ross highlighted the school’s entrepreneurial approach to club formation, describing how students can initiate new organizations by finding a faculty advisor, recruiting at least five committed participants and establishing a mission with guidelines. New clubs undergo administrative approval and a probationary period to demonstrate sustainability.
Business Professionals of America (BPA) representatives Xander Burnight, Charlie Pollock and Jack Medhurst shared the club’s remarkable progress in just its third year. “We have gone from very few members participating in competitions to now having a team of four of our members placing top three in the state and qualifying for the national competition for the first time ever,” they reported.
The BPA team, which competed in the Small Business Team Management category presenting e-commerce solutions for brick-and-mortar stores, has been actively fundraising through bake sales and dodgeball tournaments. They proudly mentioned a recent event where Chagrin administrators faced off against teachers.
STEM Club founder and leader Jennah Hamdan explained her motivation for establishing the organization in May 2024: “to expand education into immersive learning, create peer relationships, and demonstrate a serious interest in STEM.” Hamdan described her process of finding an advisor who would support student-driven exploration and her multifaceted approach to promoting club membership through posters, Google Classroom announcements, GroupMe, Instagram posts and school announcements.
The STEM Club has hosted speakers from prominent institutions including University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University,\ and Stir Studio Kitchen, in addition to conducting experiments and collaborating with other school clubs.
Mock Trial team representatives Zack Flaiz, president and founder, and Fraya Brattebo were recognized for their achievements, including three Outstanding Attorney Awards each. Ross noted that Brattebo also qualified for Nationals for World Schools Debate. The Mock Trial program exemplifies how student passion can evolve into opportunity with proper support and investment.
“Together, these clubs show the full spectrum of what education can offer—rigor, well-being, and growth,” Ross concluded, thanking the board for their continued support of these thriving programs.
Ross also mentioned upcoming events, including an International Food Festival on May 13 at 6 p.m., a collaboration between the school’s International Club and Baking Club.
The presentation demonstrated how Chagrin Falls High School’s extracurricular programs align with educational goals while providing students with leadership opportunities, real-world experience and community engagement.
