Congratulations to the Chardon Science Olympiad Division B and Division C teams who are advancing to the state competition on April 9 following an outstanding performance collectively...
Science Olympiad Team State-Bound
Congratulations to the Chardon Science Olympiad Division B and Division C teams who are advancing to the state competition on April 9 following an outstanding performance collectively, earning them 30 medals at the northeast Ohio regional event at Solon Middle School on March 5.
The 13-member Division B team (grade levels 6-8) achieved a fifth-place overall standing at the regional event and earned 20 individual medals, while the seven-member Division C team (grade levels 9-12) placed sixth overall and garnered 10 individual medals.
Special thank you to the coaches — head coach Emily Tusick and assistant coach Gordon Burgess — and parent volunteers, including event coaches Kathy Allen, Christopher Coon, Claire Dorsett, Bryce Haase, Mike Monkiewicz, Christy Pugh, Marily Rohr and Laura Vokoun and SO administrator Michelle Coon who helps behind the scenes with making sure SO team members are fed and have fun things to do after competition.
For specific medal-winning information by event, visit the news page of the district’s website at https://www.chardonschools.org.
Speech Trailblazer Excels
Chardon High School sophomore Charlotte Jons, full-throttle on her trailblazing path as the sole member of the Chardon speech and debate team, made a return to the Ohio Speech and Debate Association state competition stage on March 5, representing the second consecutive year she has qualified for states. Jons presented her speech seven times throughout the contest, advancing her way to the final round where she ultimately ranked sixth out of 51 Ohio state qualifiers in the program oral interpretation event. The state competition was held at Wooster High School.
Jons has created a POI program that she performs by combining prose and poetry around a central theme. Her program explores the unique challenges that women experience as athletes.
“I went against so many great kids and had such a fun time,” said Jons of the state competition. “I was very emotional throughout the whole day because my goal had just been to qualify for the quarterfinal. It was very nice to get to be in-person for the state tournament, rather than last year which was all online. It’s just so different to be speaking for people in the same room. I can’t wait to do this all again next year.”
One School One Book
Second-grade teacher Leigh Ann Ferguson, well disguised as a 1970s-esque game show host named Jack B. Smart, drew roars of laughter from students and staff alike while she presented a hilarity-filled “What’s in the Box?” game show for the full Munson Elementary all-grade-level assembly in the school gymnasium on Feb. 28. The mock game show, assisted by Title program tutor Rachel Diehl, hosted third-grade teacher Alexandra Woodrow, first-grade teacher Leah Green and second-grade teacher Jennifer Turk as the contestants and served as entertainment to build student excitement for the reveal of the school’s One School One Book.
After many laugh-inducing tries, the teacher contestants finally guessed that a hamster was in the box. When the drape was removed, a life-sized, costume-clad “hamster” crawled out of the box and walked up and down the steps of the bleachers to give high fives to the students. The hamster, also known as the school’s principal — Mr. Prezioso — was carrying the book “The World According to Humphrey” by Betty G. Birney, a story about a classroom hamster.
The Munson PTO has generously funded 320 copies of the book to ensure each and every student and staff member has their own copy. Chapters of the book are read by school staff members and recorded as podcasts for students to listen to together with their families throughout the upcoming weeks.
Thank you to G-TV for live streaming and providing photography of the assembly. A recording of the event can be found on the video on demand page of https://geaugatv.org/.
Collaborative Bake-Off
Chardon High School faculty members Megan Wessels and Amanda Bunker teamed up their Living on Your Own mathematics and Life Skills classes, respectively, for a collaborative bake-off on March 3. Students created everything from cake pops to Rice Krispie treats to brownies, all from scratch.
Both Ms. Wessels and Mrs. Bunker are looking forward to their classes collaborating again in the future.
Updates to K-12 Math Curriculum
The Chardon Local Schools rank among the top 10 percent of school districts in the state of Ohio. Building on that momentum district-wide, Hilltopper math teachers collaborated over the course of this school year on a revision and refinement of the district’s K-12 mathematics program to further engage and develop the mathematics potential of all students.
The district’s math teachers are currently reviewing textbooks and materials, and the revised mathematics curriculum will be recommended to the Chardon board of education at a meeting later this spring.
Community members are encouraged to review the proposed revisions to the district’s mathematics curriculum by visiting the academic courses of study on the curriculum and instruction department page of the district website. https://www.chardonschools.org. Feedback can be submitted to assistant superintendent, Dr. Klein, at ed.klein@chardonschools.org.
