Becky Arcaro's second-graders at Gurney Elementary School recently hit their reading stamina goal of 20 minutes of silent reading...
PJ Day + Flashlights = the Joy of Reading
Becky Arcaro’s second-graders at Gurney Elementary School recently hit their reading stamina goal of 20 minutes of silent reading. To celebrate this impressive achievement, they cozied up in their favorite pajamas and grabbed flashlights for some extra-fun reading time.
The celebration transformed the classroom into a cozy reading retreat, where students settled into comfortable spots with their chosen books and the soft glow of flashlights. The special event rewarded their hard work while reinforcing the idea that reading can be both an accomplishment and a pleasure.
“Building reading stamina is a crucial skill for young learners, helping them develop focus, comprehension, and a lifelong love of literature,” said Principal Patrick Carpenter. “Mrs. Arcaro’s creative approach to celebrating this milestone made the achievement even more memorable for her students.”
Gurney Students Learn Bus Safety Skills
Gurney Elementary students stepped outside the classroom in September for a hands-on bus safety lesson with the district’s transportation team. The interactive training helped students develop essential skills for safely navigating their daily commute to and from school.
During the lesson, students learned to always watch for the driver’s signals before boarding. Drivers raise their hand to signal WAIT and lower it to show it’s safe to cross or get on the bus. This simple but critical communication helps prevent accidents and ensures every student knows when it’s their turn to move.
Students also practiced how to safely cross the street near a school bus and reviewed the rules for riding, including staying seated, keeping voices at an appropriate level, and following driver instructions.
“Bus safety education is a vital part of keeping our students safe,” said transportation supervisor Mike Morgan. “When students understand these procedures and practice them with our drivers, it builds confidence and creates safer routines for everyone.”
The transportation team made the learning experience engaging and memorable, turning important safety protocols into an interactive activity that resonated with students.
CFIS Tigers of the Month
Chagrin Falls Intermediate School recognizes 18 students who exemplified the attribute “Everything Is Possible” during the month of September. The students demonstrated exceptional character and a positive mindset that inspires their peers and contributes to a vibrant school community.
Tigers of the Month are Zach Johns, Ava Gagliardi, Charlotte Franz, Bethany Kalasky, Victoria Somogyi, Heidi Rohr, Drew Smart, Rocco Barch, Anne Koepf, Brynn Scully, Camille Swope, Millie Masseria, Steven Booth, Will Westendorf, Micah Wakefield, Elsie Wakefield, Kenzie Thatcher and Judah Pace.
The Tigers of the Month program recognizes students who consistently display positive character traits and contribute to the school’s values. By celebrating these outstanding students, the school aims to motivate all students to strive for excellence and embrace the belief that everything is possible when they commit to their goals and support one another.
Rotary Student of the Month
Senior Ethan Johnson has been named the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for October. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to his school and community, along with academic achievement and athletic excellence.
As president of the Chagrin Falls Education Foundation Student Board, Link Crew leader, senior class treasurer and captain of the Cleveland Force 08 ECNL soccer team, Johnson has demonstrated a consistent ability to inspire and motivate those around him.
On the soccer field, Johnson has excelled at both the club and high school levels. He played varsity soccer his freshman and senior years at Chagrin Falls High School, earning two varsity letters. During his high school career, he was recognized as a News Herald Player of the Week and a Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC) Player of the Week. At the club level, Johnson has been a four-year member of Cleveland Force 08, where he was named to the ECNL All-Conference Team three times while serving as team captain. He has also mentored younger players through the USL-Academy program.
“Being an athlete has taught me the importance of having discipline and resilience in every task or problem I face,” said Johnson. “It has strengthened my work ethic and helped me develop a growth mindset.”
Beyond his leadership roles, Johnson has dedicated significant time to service. He has volunteered at VeloSano, Cleveland Clinic’s annual cancer research fundraiser, participated in Woofstock benefiting Rescue Village, and helped organize the Chagrin Falls Boosters Turkey Trot. Through his work with the CFEF Student Board, he has contributed to community events including Kids Day Out, Park Party and Book Bank initiatives.
Johnson also serves as a tutor in physics and volunteers as Mortimer during school events, while maintaining his involvement with Link Crew.
His academic record is equally impressive. Johnson is a National Merit commended scholar who earned the prestigious Bausch and Lomb Science Scholarship. He holds a Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and has completed AP Scholar awards in both Honor and Distinction. His advanced coursework includes AP English Language, AP US Government, AP Biology, AP Physics 1, AP Seminar, AP US History, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Spanish Literature, AP English Literature, AP Spanish, AP Calculus AB and AP Chemistry.
Looking ahead, Johnson has committed to attend Colorado College, where he will play college soccer while pursuing a major in biology on the pre-med track, with a minor in Spanish.
Johnson is genuine, disciplined and resilient – qualities that have clearly served him well in all his endeavors.
“Ethan exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded student leader,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “His combination of academic excellence, leadership, athletic achievement, and genuine commitment to service makes him an outstanding representative of our community’s youth.”
Students Whittle Soap to Connect with Literature
Chagrin Falls Intermediate School fourth-graders never smelled so good. As part of their study of “The Tiger Rising,” students tried their hand at whittling soap, just like Rob, the main character. The hands-on activity is designed to help students connect more deeply with the story’s themes of friendship, belonging, and trust.
In Kate DiCamillo’s novel, the protagonist Rob finds solace and expression through the quiet art of soap carving, and CFIS students experienced that same creative process firsthand. With bars of soap and careful instruction, they carved their own designs while discussing how the activity relates to Rob’s emotional journey throughout the book.
“Lessons like this are a great example of how Chagrin teachers go beyond the page, helping students build lasting connections with literature and each other,” said Principal Curtis Howell. “When students can physically experience what a character does, it brings the story to life in a memorable way.”
The activity not only reinforced reading comprehension but also provided students an opportunity to practice patience, focus and fine motor skills – all while creating something uniquely their own.
