Chardon Middle School was abuzz after school on Jan. 22 as it hosted the district’s annual spelling bee, this year’s contest comprising 27 fourth- through seventh-grade students.
District Spelling Bee
Chardon Middle School was abuzz after school on Jan. 22 as it hosted the district’s annual spelling bee, this year’s contest comprising 27 fourth- through seventh-grade students. Contestants shined with spelling prowess as they took turns at the microphone in front of an audience filled with friends and family.
Following 11 rounds of increasingly challenging words, seventh-grader Cash Johnson’s successful spelling of the word “absorptive” led him to victory as the district’s 2020 champion. Congratulations to both Johnson and runner-up Aidan Gerlica, a sixth-grade student. Johnson will go on to compete at the Geauga County Spelling Bee on Feb. 6.
Special thank you to district curriculum supervisor Kelly Moran who served as the spelling bee pronouncer; and Chardon Middle School teachers Suzanne Whiteman, spelling bee organizer, and Carrie Maronde and Kylie Corlew, spelling bee judges.
Kindergarten Informational Meeting
Parents and guardians of 2020-21 incoming kindergarten students are highly encouraged to attend the district’s kindergarten parent/guardian information night on Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the LGIR at Chardon Middle School.
For more information on kindergarten registration, which will be online beginning Feb. 1, visit chardonschools.org/Registration.aspx.
Woolly Mammoth Bones
Just a few days prior to winter break, Natalie Whiting’s first-grade class at Park Elementary School received the surprise of a lifetime as part of their Past and Present Wildlife in Ohiocurricular unit. The school day was already filled with excitement due to it being “Wear Your PJs to School Day,” but now a mysterious treasure chest had arrived in the classroom. With its lid shut and the contents unknown, students were left to guess and wonder.
The big reveal, which took place later that afternoon, commenced with an introduction by Mrs. Whiting and an accompanying Google slideshow courtesy of Geauga Park District. Mrs. Whiting shared with her wide-eyed students the true story of the woolly mammoth bones discovered in 1942 on the Whiting family farm in Chesterland by Sam Whiting, grandfather of Mrs. Whiting’s husband.
Afterwards, the highly anticipated opening of the treasure chest occurred and students had the opportunity to walk up to the head of the classroom in pairs for an up-close view and hands-on exploration of the actual woolly mammoth bones discovered right here in Geauga County. As Mrs. Whiting stacked the leg bones vertically, students were amazed to see how tall just one leg of a woolly mammoth would be. The bones were shared in all first-grade classrooms at Park Elementary throughout the week, as well as with Angela Beekman’s students.
Over the years, the Whiting family has so generously shared the woolly mammoth bones with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Geauga Park District’s West Woods for various exhibits. When not displayed publicly, the bones are in safekeeping by a member of the Whiting family.
As for the property on which the bones were originally discovered, Mrs. Whiting now lives on the property with her husband and family.
Topper Teacher of the Week
Munson Elementary School third-grade teacher Brian Buemi was featured as Chardon Schools’ Topper Teacher of the Week in the Jan. 15 edition of the district’s “Topper Talk” newsletter. Mr. Buemi is currently in his 10th year of teaching, a career that began at Munson Elementary. In a recent interview, Mr. Buemi shared that what he enjoys most about teaching is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.
“One of my former third-grade students – now a senior in high school – reached out to me at the beginning of this year,” said Mr. Buemi. “She wanted me to know that she has been performing in musicals in high school. She said that a project from third grade was what sparked her confidence and if I had not pushed her out of her comfort zone all those years ago, she may have never gotten into musicals. Hearing that something I did 10 years ago made such an impact on her was one of the best feelings I’ve felt as a teacher.”
Community members interested in learning more about Mr. Buemi and/or receiving future editions of the “Topper Talk” bi-weekly electronic newsletter are invited to send their requests via email to communications@chardonschools.org.
