Students from Chagrin Falls Schools Recognized as NUMATS Award Winners
Each school year, gifted and advanced students in grades 3-9 are invited to register for the Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS), which provides above-grade level testing opportunities, including access to the ACT and SAT in grades 6-9. At the September 19 Chagrin Falls Board of Education meeting, these students from Chagrin Falls Schools who participated in NUMATS and earned the highest scores on each test per grade level were recognized for their achievement.
NUMATS students who have the highest national scores (approximately two to three percent of all NUMATS test-takers) on EXPLORE, ACT and SAT taken during the 2015-2016 academic year received an invitation to the award ceremony sponsored by Center for Talent Development. This was held on September 10, 2016 on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Three current ninth graders at Chagrin Falls High School were identified as NUMATS Award Winners and were invited to the Award Ceremony at Northwestern University. Margaret Mills and Grace Lee were invited as a result of ACT scores which were within the top 2-3% of all NUMATS test-takers in 2015-16. Robert Snider was invited as a result of his SAT score, which was within the top 2-3% of all NUMATS test-takers in 2015-16.
“The NUMATS Program provides an opportunity for our gifted students to challenge themselves and compare their achievement to other highly gifted students across the country via above-grade level testing,” said Chagrin Falls High School Principal Steve Ast. “We are extremely proud that these students were able to perform in the top 2-3% of gifted students tested on the ACT and SAT via the program. Their pursuit of ongoing challenges, willingness to grow, and perseverance reflects our district commitment to growing the potential of all students. Maggie, Grace, and Robert truly exemplify REALIZE U.”
Pictured In Photo: Students left to right (scores from 2015-16 school year): Alexandra Holtz (top ACT score in 6th grade), Jackson Quinn (top ACT score in 7th grade), Jacob Freese (top ACT score in 9th grade), Nathan Hill (top EXPLORE score in 5th grade), Katherine Quinn (top EXPLORE score in 4th grade), Benjamin Lewis (top EXPLORE score in 3rd grade), Margaret Mills (Northwestern Center for Talent Development Award Ceremony Qualifier – scoring in the top 2-3% of all students tested on the ACT via NUMATS). Not pictured: Matthew Daniels (top EXPLORE score in 6th grade), Robert Snider (Northwestern Center for Talent Development Award Ceremony Qualifier – scoring in the top 2-3% of all students tested on the SAT via NUMATS and top SAT score in 8th grade) , Grace Lee (Northwestern Center for Talent Development Award Ceremony Qualifier – scoring in the top 2-3% of all students tested on the ACT via NUMATS in and top ACT score in 8th grade)
Chagrin Falls Middle and High School Recognized as First Schools in Northeast Ohio to be Accredited by Heart Safe School/SADS Foundation
At the September 16 Chagrin Falls High School varsity football game at Harris Stadium, Chagrin Falls Middle and High Schools received a banner to display as the first school in Northeast Ohio to be accredited as a Heart Safe School from the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) Foundation. In order to achieve accreditation, the schools go through a program consisting of seven elements aimed at raising awareness and preventing cardiac arrest. The seven elements include: students completing a screening/risk assessment at home with their families; students with a cardiac diagnosis create care plans for themselves both at home and at school; schools conduct at least three emergency medical response drills a year; Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) are no further than 90 seconds from any point in the building; students and staff receive CPR training; a sudden cardiac awareness activity, event or fundraiser is held.
The first school was accredited in 2013. There are currently 38 schools in five states accredited, but Chagrin Falls is the first school in Northeast Ohio to achieve the accreditation. Chagrin Falls will hold the accreditation for three years during which they are required to provide documentation regarding how they are continuing to meet the seven elements. Special thanks to State Representative Marlene Anielski for presenting the banner to the district.
Chagrin Falls Intermediate School Implements Personalized Learning Time
On September 9th, the Intermediate School in Chagrin Falls began implementing their Personalized Learning Time, known as PLT, which sets aside 260 minutes each week for individualized programming for all students.
During this time, students are able to engage in trimester theme-related enrichment activities, seek out intervention support (as needed), and participate in Friday enrichment classes. During this time, cognitively gifted students may participate in the new STRETCH program, enrolling in self-selected enrichment offerings.
An example of one of the first PLT classes is Teacher Mandy Marlo’s “Travel the World.” During this learning time, students explore their geography skills and learn about countries around the world that might not otherwise be studied in class. Over the 10 sessions, students will select a specific country to explore. They will learn tools for identifying statistics, landmarks, government and culture of a foreign country. Students may even have the opportunity to Skype with students in the country they are studying, if time zone differences allow. By the end of the semester, students will create a virtual field trip to the country of their choice.
Other enrichment offerings include “Using our Gifts,” “Reader’s Theatre,” “Wellness,” “STEM,” “Improv and Sketch Comedy,” “Basic Sign Language,” “The History of NASA,” “Exploring Latin America through Picture Books,” “Folk Dances and Play Parties,” “Kindness Campaign,” “Computer Science,” “Writing Warriors,” “The Math/Analytics of Sports,” “Solving the World’s Problems,” “Healthy Living,” “Sip, Snack and Chat,” “Peace Studies,” and “Be Strategic.”
“As it is our mission to provide a personalized learning experience for each student, we are excited to be able to offer such a variety of interest-based learning opportunities to every one of our students,” said Principal Sarah Read, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School. “I applaud all the teachers at the Intermediate School for going above and beyond in creating such fun and unique PLT’s and look forward to seeing all of our students take this exciting journey this school year.”
