School News for November 5, 2009

Thursday, November 05, 2009

High school students work with first-graders

Gurney School first graders have been learning about nocturnal animals. They have studied habitats, adaptations and characteristics. On Oct. 23, Chagrin Falls High School students came to Gurney to help in the academic lessons. High school students from AP biology and Future Teachers of America were actively involved with the classroom project.

The high schoolers attended a training process and prepared all materials and lessons. The rotations included: owl pellet dissection, nocturnal versus diurnal animals, bat labeling, spider facts and flying squirrels. The day was a huge success for both high school and Gurney students.

Junior places in horticulture competition

Congratulations to junior Jon Van Wagoner for his fifth place finish in the national junior horticulture competition held in Harrisburg, Pa., earlier this week. Jon was on a team from Mayfield High School that finished third in the country. As an individual, Jon finished fifth in the national competition.

Jon Van Wagoner is a junior in the Mayfield High School EXCEL TECH Horticulture program. On Oct. 22, Jon's team finished second and Jon was third out of 116 competitors in the local FFA competition.

Freshman excels in skating competition

Congratulations to freshman Paige New for her fourth place finish in the Eastern Great Lakes Ice Skating Competition held in Carmel, Ind., last week. Paige New represented Gilmour Academy Figure Skating Club in competition with more than 500 figure skaters from seven states. Paige competed in level four out of eight possible levels based on skill and difficulty.

Red Ribbon Week celebrated

Chagrin Falls Intermediate School recently celebrated Red Ribbon Week. Guidance counselor Rick Bondy taught lessons on drug and alcohol awareness to fourth-graders. Each grade level had an assembly that featured a guest speaker who spoke about the potential problems with drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace.

Mr. Bondy prepared daily quiz questions for the school with prizes for selected winners. Finally, there were theme days for the week, which allowed students to dress in a fun and appropriate way to raise their drug and alcohol awareness.

Chagrin Falls Schools hosts guest teacher from China

The Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools was selected again to host a native Mandarin-speaking teacher for the 2009-10 school year as part of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program. Cathy Guan is one of the 93 teachers, bringing the total number of teachers currently placed at elementary, middle and high schools across the United States in 30 states to 139.

Prior to their selection, guest teachers underwent a rigorous screening process and were interviewed by a collaborative team from the College Board and NCSSFL (National Council of State Supervisors for Languages). Before arriving in their local communities, guest teachers participated in pre-departure orientation in Beijing and professional development training at Stanford University to prepare them for their teaching responsibilities in the United States.

The Chinese Guest Teacher Program is sponsored by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters, in partnership with the College Board. Now in its fourth year, the Chinese Guest Teacher Program is the largest K-12 Chinese guest teacher program in the country and has over time brought more than 325 Chinese teachers to the Amercian schools to teach language and culture.

The program represents a unique opportunity for students and educators to learn Chinese and learn about China from a native speaker. In addition, guest teachers assist with curriculum development, student recruitment and materials development and serve as a cultural resource for other subject areas and for cultural enrichment activities.

The program is made possible through a partnership between the College Board and Hanban (Office of Chinese Language Council International) in China. Established by the Chinese government in 1987, Hanban is the nation's official agency authorized to promote Chinese language and culture internationally, fulfilling a function similar to that of the United Kingdom's British Council and France's Alliance Française.

In addition to its partnership with Hanban, the College Board collaborates with NCSSFL (National Council of State Supervisors for Languages) to review applications, interview, select and train the guest teachers. The Institute of International Education serves as the J-1 visa sponsor for guest teachers in the program.

Chagrin Falls Assistant Superintendent Bob Hunt said, "The Chagrin schools are fortunate to have Mrs. Guan. She has assisted with the integration of a high quality Chinese program for our students." Poinsettia sale set to go

The After Prom Parents Committee is once again sponsoring the annual poinsettia sale offering beautiful poinsettias and fragrant fresh greens for everyone's decorating and gift giving needs this holiday season. The sale runs now through Nov. 25, with pickup on Dec. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the PAC foyer.

All proceeds go towards a fun and safe After Prom for high school juniors and seniors. Please visit the Chagrin Falls Schools' main Web page to download an order form.

Music Lovers announces annual fruit sale fundraiser

Due to the great response from last year, Chagrin Falls Music Lovers will continue to offer New York-style cheesecake as well. The supplier, Pee Jays, has a wide range of products, including delicious cheesecakes that can be refrozen and enjoyed for holiday desserts.

Order forms were distributed Oct. 23, and the sale will run until Nov. 6. Pickup will be on Dec. 11, in plenty of time to distribute fruit and cheesecakes for holiday gifts.

This fundraiser provides necessary funding for our entire musical and arts endeavors, including band, choir and drama.

For more information, please contact Maggie Mayes at (440) 247-2945 or Katie Wetherbee at (440) 247-1077.