Contact:
Kelly Misch
Director of Communications
Chardon Local Schools
[email protected]
440.286.0409
Co-Author / Co-Photographer:
Rebecca Fullerman, CHS Senior and Student Content Development Specialist
Community Connections Build Stronger Schools
September 20, 2023 — Chardon Schools hosted the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 13 for the District's annual State of the Schools presentation, networking and gallery walk, and luncheon.
The event, held in the high school gymnasium, showcased the District’s mission of high achievement for all students, solid financial position, latest capital improvements, strategic plan, Portrait of a Hilltopper, innovative academic programs, and future readiness focus.
Teamwork was the name of the game. The event was made possible through the coordinating efforts of Chamber leadership, including (below, l to r) Board President Susan Parker and Executive Director Melissa Ricco, and the collaboration of Chardon Schools administration, staff and students.
Superintendent Mike Hanlon stated, “We were pleased to partner with the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce for this exceptional annual event of connection with community leaders and appreciated the opportunity to showcase Chardon Schools. It was yet another opportunity to be incredibly proud of everything that is happening in our District."
Superintendent Mike Hanlon at mic reporting on State of the Schools
(l to r) Chamber Members at State of the Schools; and Chardon Chamber Board President Ms. Susan Parker Addressing the Audience
Treasurer/CFO Deb Armbruster at mic reporting on State of the Schools
NETWORKING / GALLERY WALK
In addition to the State of the Schools presentation by Superintendent Hanlon and Treasurer/CFO Mrs. Deb Armbruster, the event offered opportunities for networking during the luncheon and gallery walk.
Enjoying the luncheon together are (l to r) Chamber Board Member/City of Chardon Community Development Administrator
Mr. Steve Yaney, Chamber Member / Geauga Maple Leaf Reporter Mrs. Amy Patterson,
Chamber Board Member / Geauga Public Library Mrs. Judy Lasco, Chamber Member / Chardon Fire Chief Justin Geiss, and
Chamber Members / City of Chardon Council Members Mr. David Lelko and Mrs. Deborah Chuha
(l to r) Chardon Chamber Board Member/ Geauga Growth Partnership Director of Development Mrs. Kristine Frankenberry and CHS Engineering teacher Mr. Jason Hall converse while at the luncheon buffet line
To showcase workforce opportunities for business leaders, student speakers and representative administrators and faculty from each of the District’s five schools welcomed Chamber guests to a gallery walk of program booths to share information in a conversational format while providing demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment and school programs. In addition, a representative from each booth spoke to the entire audience via mic to provide an overview of the programs.
Superintendent Hanlon stated, "Our students were simply amazing as they interacted with members of the community."
Chardon High School Hilltopper Minds Matter Club Booth
All of the Portrait of a Hilltopper "C's" were in full action, including Communication, Creativity, Collaboration and Contribution, Commitment and Critical Thinking as students and staff highlighted examples of the Continuous Learning happening in our classrooms, extracurriculars and beyond!
CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL — Gallery Walk
CHS staff representatives included administrators Mr. Doug Murray, Mr. Doug Higham and Ms. Mary Pat Pavicic; faculty members Mrs. Tracey Britt, Mrs. Kim Butala, Mr. Daniel Chenoweth, Mr. Jason Hall, Mr. Allen Herner, Mr. Rob Mizen and Mrs. Dawn Weaver; and school social worker Mrs. Joan Blackburn.
Among Chardon High School’s programs featured in the gallery walk were College Credit Plus on-site instruction, CREW career-based learning, Actively Caring 4 People, and Hilltopper Minds Matter.
The CCP booth included a 3D printer, signifying the advancements of the CCP program made possible by the addition of engineering courses as of last school year.
CHS College Credit Plus Booth
CHS faculty members / on-site College Credit Plus instructors (l to r) Mr. Jason Hall (engineering),
Mr. Allen Herner (business), Mrs. Dawn Weaver (English), Mr. Dan Chenoweth (math)
CHS CREW Career-Based Learning Program Booth
CHS CREW member Caden Bednar (sophomore) and navigators Mrs. Tracy Britt and Mrs. Kim Butala
CHS Hilltopper Minds Matter Club Booth
"Chelsea (CHS senior) was very engaging and did a fabulous job promoting CHS [Hilltopper] Minds Matter! It was a pleasure speaking with her." ~Mrs. Melissa Ricco, Chardon Chamber Executive Director
CHS Actively Caring for People Booth
top photo - (l to r) CHS juniors Javi Guerrero and (at the mic) Lupita Thompson presenting on AC4P
bottom photo (l to r) Javi and Lupita
CHARDON MIDDLE SCHOOL — Gallery Walk
Chardon Middle School staff representatives included administrators Mr. Adam Tomco and Ms. Tracy Paroubek; and faculty members Mrs. Nikki Diehm, Mr. Brent Hilston, Ms. Julie Kenny, Mrs. Mary Pat Martin and Ms. Kayla O'Brien.
CMS brought STEM students to demonstrate advancements via a Lego Mastermind set and media slideshow; and media production course students to discuss the new program at the school. Additionally, CMS PhysEd/Health teacher Mrs. Martin hosted a booth for the school's just launched archery program.
CMS STEM Booth
Chardon Middle School 7th-grade students Aubrie Wade and Ethan Treat, together with STEM teacher Mr. Brent Hilston, and booth visitor Sarah Vavrik, Manager of Learning Experiences for Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland — a partner of CMS. Ms. Vavrik also participated in the event to promote JA's partnership with CMS!
CMS Media Productions Course Booth
(l to r) Chardon Middle School 7th-grade students Trent Dillworth and Royce Vancura,
and technology teacher Mrs. Nikki Diehm
CMS Archery Booth
PhysEd/Health Teacher Mrs. Mary Pat Martin
K-3 SCHOOLS — Gallery Walk
K-3 staff representatives included administrators Mrs. Jill Makee, Mr. Mat Prezioso and Mrs. Andrea Ryan; faculty members Mrs. Sarah Bednar and Ms. Kristen Sironen; school counselor Mrs. Erika Barnett; and school psychologist Ms. Meghan Wozniak, as well as Mrs. Barnett's counseling intern — Ms. Angelina Nero from John Carroll University.
Chardon Early Learning Center, Munson Elementary and Park Elementary hosted booths for conversations about the early literacy program, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), early career exploration, and the five-senses cafe.
All three schools are 2022 and 2021 recipients of the PBIS Silver Award!
Park / Munson PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Booth
(l to r) Munson Elementary principal Mr. Mat Prezioso, Park Elementary principal Mrs. Jill Makee, school psychologist Ms. Meghan Wozniak, counseling intern Ms. Angelina Nero (JCU), school counselor Mrs. Erika Barnett 
School counselor Mrs. Erika Barnett at the mic presenting at the event on PBIS in our Grades 1-3 schools.
Chardon Early Learning Center - Early Literacy, Early Career Exploration and 5-Senses Cafe Booth
(l to r) Chardon Schools Treasurer/CFO Mrs. Deb Armbruster visits the Chardon Early Learning Center booth hosted by Chardon Early Learning Center Pre-K Intervention Specialist Ms. Kristen Sironen and Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Sarah Bednar
LAB TOUR & HANDS-ON ARCHERY
Renovated CHS Chemistry Labs
In the CHS auxiliary gym, a hands-on archery trial was provided by CMS Phys/Ed and Health teachers Ms. Julie Kenny and Mrs. Mary Pat Martin to demonstrate the new CMS PhysEd archery program for grade levels four through seven. The archery program is generously funded in part by non-profit Chardon Schools Foundation and in part by The National Archery in the Schools Program(NASP).
CMS 7th-grade students (l to r) Royce Vancura and Trent Dillworth take aim in the hands-on archery opportunity
WHAT OUR GUESTS HAD TO SAY! — EXAMPLES...
“Thank you to the Chardon Local Schools staff, administration and students for another warm welcome at their engaging luncheon today.
It is wonderful to see first-hand why the Chardon Schools are ranked in the top 10-percent (out of 600+) school districts in Ohio.” [excerpt]
Mrs. Melissa Ricco — Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
“What a fantastic presentation, learning with other community leaders in education about the "State of the Schools," at Chardon Local Schools. Discussion was fruitful, in partnership, to prepare all support organizations in the room to serve the workforce of the future. A gallery of tables with student presenters from The Chardon Crew, College Credit Plus, Robotics, and many others were passionate to share how they support fellow peers and our community.” [excerpt] Geauga Growth Partnership
“The [Chardon Schools] team did an amazing job outlining all that Chardon Schools is achieving and providing students each day.”Ms. Amy Murfello — Leadership Geauga Marketing and Program Director
“Our students and staff did a wonderful job today. I always enjoy this Chamber luncheon. It helps show what awesome things are happening within our schools.” Mr. CJ Paterniti — Chardon Local Schools Board of Education Member
“Thanks to everyone. I always enjoy seeing everything that is happening in our buildings.
I left there with a smile on my face.” Mrs. Karen Blankenship — Chardon Local Schools Board of Education Member
BEHIND THE SCENES
Superintendent Hanlon stated, "Thank you to our staff and students for their energy, time and talent.”
Chardon Schools Food Service Director Mrs. Josi Culliton (pictured, at left) and her staff provided an awesome lunch, our Director of Technology Mr. Bill Nells kept all systems humming, and our Director of Transportation Josh Nau and his department ran a shuttle service for our guests.
(pictured at left) Chardon Schools Food Service Director Mrs. Josi Culliton
Student and staff teams were coordinated by school principals Mr. Adam Tomco, Mrs. Andrea Ryan and Mr. Doug Murray; while table provision and table decor were managed by Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs Mr. Steve Kofol and CHS secretary Mrs. Jenifer Goodwin.
CREW students exemplified the Portrait of a Hilltopper's Collaboration and Contribution components in leading efficient set-up and clean-up of the event.
Superintendent Hanlon's slideshow collaborators included Mrs. Armbruster, Director of Student Affairs Ms. Linda Elegante, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ed Klein, and Director of Communications Mrs. Kelly Misch.
We Are Chardon