December 13, 2022 — Chardon Middle School fourth-grade English Language Arts teachers hosted a successful, on-site Heart Day for students on Nov. 18, a culminating event for the fourth-grade ELA "A Great Heart" curricular unit. The event was, in large part, made possible by seven guest speakers who volunteered to share their time and health expertise with students.
Additionally, as a learning event leading up to Heart Day, fourth-grade classes provided a heartful outpouring of donations to The Children's Heart Foundation's Change My Heart fundraiser.
Heart Day Action
The CMS Heart Day event was held in the school's classrooms and gymnasium with a primary focus on physical heart health while also touching on figurative heart greatness. Students rotated through a variety of guest speakers — many of whom are relatives of CMS students — to learn about the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle, careers in heart health, cardiac medical interventions, and technological advances in cardiology.
Learning formats included interactive presentations with Q&A and also engaging, physical exercise for students.
In weeks prior, goals of the ELA "A Great Heart" curricular unit included understanding what it means to have a great heart figuratively and also what makes a human heart healthy. Through various readings, students identified people or characters who have a figurative great heart because they are generous, courageous or heroic.
A special thank you to the Nov. 18 volunteers for giving of their time and expertise:
- Leslie Chute, Registered Nurse
(mother of Peyton C.)
- Kate Collins, CMS Guidance Counselor
Led yoga sessions for students.
- Jessica Martin, Certified Nurse Practitioner
Works in a cardiac step-down unit.
(aunt of Charlotte V.)
- Jeremy Prunty, Clinical Pharmacist of Internal Medicine
(father of Ryker P.)
- Sonya Snyder
Executive of a medical device company that makes 3D navigation technology for vascular surgery.
(mother of Lincoln S.)
- Logan Walker, Emergency Medical Technician
(brother of Peyton C.)
- Casey Wandell, TITLE Boxing Club instructor
Led exercise sessions for students.
Change My Heart Fundraising Success
In support of the CHF Change My Heart fundraiser, CMS fourth-grade students engaged in a “Stall the Teacher” event at their school on Nov. 16, bringing in coins to stall their teachers from starting the school day until the coins were counted.
The CHS Change My Heart fundraiser is dedicated solely to research for congenital heart defects.
Principal Adam Tomco stated: “Due to the generosity of the Chardon community — and teachers’ willingness to be “stalled” — the fourth-grade fundraiser raised over $2,300 for The Children’s Heart Foundation.”
#WeAreChardon
High achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work.
Contact:
Kelly Misch
Communications Director
Chardon Local Schools
440.286.0409