For a second consecutive year, Chardon Middle School has been named a recipient of The Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research...
CMS Celebrates STEM Award
For a second consecutive year, Chardon Middle School has been named a recipient of The Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research. The 2022-23 honor, announced by The Ohio Academy of Science on Sept. 11, recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom learning.
CMS is one of only 48 schools in Ohio to receive the 2022-23 award and one of only 21 public schools.
The OAS also recognizes key educators of each awarded school — individuals who played an integral role in the research, planning and implementation of student opportunities required for award consideration. CMS educators named by The Academy for the 2022-23 award are STEM/science teachers Brent Hilston, Jackie Brown, Melissa Efantis and Laura Taucher.
Mrs. Brown stated, “It is a goal of our school to give all students opportunities with STEM experiences, so it’s an incredible honor for CMS to be one of the 21 public schools to have received this recognition. It’s an even greater honor to have received it two years in a row. To be recognized for your efforts as an educator and as part of the CMS staff and science department is truly humbling. A special thanks for our department head, Brent Hilston, for compiling all the necessary paperwork needed for this recognition, and our principals, Tracy Paroubek and Adam Tomco for believing in us and their support.”
U.S. News Best High Schools
Chardon High School is celebrating high achievement, having earned high national, state and metro-area rankings by U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools 2023-24. The rankings position the school in the top 10-percent of public high schools in Ohio, in the top 20 (18th) of Cleveland metro area public high schools, and in the top 40 percent of high schools nationally.
CHS principal Doug Murray was notified of the high rankings by U.S. News & World Report on Aug. 29.
The national high school ranking, in particular, achieved CHS status as a U.S. News Best High School with eligibility to display a U.S. News-trademarked 2023-24 Best High Schools badge.
Mr. Murray stated in the school’s Sept. 1 newsletter: “The 2023-24 award is based on six components: graduation rate, college acceptance rate, Advanced Placement tests taken, average SAT/ACT scores, average AP scores, and percent of students enrolled in at least one AP course. Not only is Chardon High School known and well-respected locally, but we are regularly recognized, nationally.”
Treasurer Presents “I Want the Job”
Chardon Schools Treasurer/CFO Deb Armbruster was in the classroom on Sept. 5 to share her annual “I Want the Job” presentation with students in Chardon High School’s Work Based Learning class, a course offered through the CREW career-based learning program.
Mrs. Armbruster’s informational slideshow delved into Chardon’s 4Es pathways — Employment, Enrollment, Enlistment and Entrepreneurship with a focus on Employment and how to go about finding the “perfect” job.
After sharing her own journey to becoming a school treasurer, Mrs. Armbruster discussed with students the process of finding a job, interviewing, and completing new hire paperwork.
Mrs. Armbruster stated, “I believe these are important life skills to introduce to the students. I really enjoy elaborating on my path of starting off in a local ice- cream shop and working through life to become a school treasurer.”
CREW navigators Tracey Britt and Kim Butala have invited Mrs. Armbruster to present to the class the last three years.
Up next, Mrs. Armbruster looks forward to hiring students from the CREW class for part-time student work opportunities, providing the Hilltoppers with a journey into the world of employment.
D.A.R.E. Questions Box
Chardon Middle School fifth-grade students Hadley Clark and Keelie Hagan in Mrs. Swick’s class demonstrated Portrait of a Hilltopper traits of creativity, collaboration and contribution in designing and constructing a campfire-themed box to collect student questions.
The box provides students with a fun way to submit questions and is used throughout the week during D.A.R.E. lessons with Deputy Don Walker. D.A.R.E.— Drug Abuse Resistance Education — is taught by Deputy Walker, a D.A.R.E. officer of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office.
