Smiles abounded as Chardon Local Schools K-8 students returned to classes on Aug. 14.
Classes Commence
Smiles abounded as Chardon Local Schools K-8 students returned to classes on Aug. 14. The start of the 2019-20 school year marked the launch of universal all-day every day kindergarten (ADEK) at both of Munson and Park elementary schools.
The opportunity to establish ADEK was made possible by the district’s 2018-2019 reconfiguration, which included the move of grades 4-5 to Chardon Middle School.
Meanwhile, Chardon High School’s eighth grade is now in its second year of operation. This year, CHS rolled out an abbreviated first-day schedule specifically designed for eighth graders, while grades 9-12 had their first official day one day later, Aug.15. The mini day for eighth-graders enabled those students to get acquainted with the building, navigate their schedules, meet their teachers, attend an assembly and enjoy a Topper Dog lunch at noon before early dismissal.
Fully embracing the school’s most core values, including respect and community, a group of seasoned CHS students served as hallway chaperones for eighth-grade students on Aug. 14, assisting the incoming students as needed throughout the day.
CHS Poverty Simulation
On Aug. 12, the official start of school was still two days away but Chardon High School’s gymnasium was filled with students and staff with one shared goal – stepping out of their daily lives and working to gain a deeper understanding of the many challenges faced by individuals living at the poverty level.
The poverty simulation event was a precursor to a new curriculum that CHS math teachers Rob Mizen and Scott Brown developed this summer for CHS students. Participants are first organized into family units and then work together to negotiate such responsibilities as the realities of seeking employment, obtaining transportation and child care, paying bills and more.
The multi-faceted curriculum will include additional events in October. Students will hold a chili cook-off to raise money for a homeless shelter that the group will be visiting later that month. Additionally, there will be a segment called “Shantytown” via which students will experience the simulation of “living a homeless life” by sleeping in boxes outdoors overnight.
“The goal is to educate and to develop empathy for those in need in Geauga County,” said Mizen.
Tiny Toppers Achieves Top Rating
The Chardon Local Schools District’s Tiny Toppers Integrated Preschool will soon commence the 2019-20 school year with classes for students beginning on Aug. 26.
The pre-K program, which is now in its second year of operation, achieved a Step Up to Quality 5-Star rating at the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year.
For more information about Tiny Toppers Integrated Preschool, contact Lisa Loncar 440-285-4406.
