Chagrin Falls Assistant Superintendent Receives 2016 Kathleen D. Shelby Outstanding Service Award from the Ohio School Speech Pathology and Educational Audiology Coalition
During the annual Fall Conference of the Ohio School Speech Pathology and Educational Audiology Coalition (OSSPEAC) on October 9th, Chagrin Falls Assistant Superintendent, Lisa Shannon, was awarded the Kathleen D. Shelby Outstanding Service Award. This award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding support to speech/language pathology and/or educational audiology services being provided in a school/educational setting.
“We strive to provide the best environment for our students to learn and grow,” said Chagrin Falls Superintendent Robert Hunt. “Thanks to Lisa and her work with the OSSPEAC, we have improved our language pathology services so all of our students are set on the path to success.”
Doris Bernoski, a retired Speech Language Pathologist from Chagrin Falls Schools and now a volunteer for speech and language services for more than 10 years, also received an award. The Founder’s Award is given to a member who exemplifies the mission of “Removing Communication Barriers for Ohio’s Children.” Bernoski was recognized for improving the life of students who have speech, language and hearing needs; collaborating with district personnel, parents and students; providing innovative contributions and programs to the work setting; and providing professional leadership at the local level. “Doris has done amazing things to help students in Chagrin Falls Schools with communication disorders,” said Hunt. “We are fortunate to have not only had Doris work for our district for more than 30 years, but now as a volunteer and substitute teacher.”
Tracie A. Guggenheim, M. Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist for Chagrin Falls Schools nominated both Shannon and Bernoski.
Pictured In Bottom Right Photo From Left to Right: Doris Bernoski, Retired Speech Language Pathologist and Chagrin Falls Assistant Superintendent, Lisa Shannon
Chagrin Falls High School Teacher Programs Her Way to App Store
By Will DiFiore, 11, Chagrin Falls High School
Computer programming teacher Mrs. Carolyn Petite recently created a new app called Bouncing Orbs, which is available on the app store now. Her idea first arose through creating swift labs for her most advanced class Honors Advanced Data Structures (HADS).
Petite’s passion for programming began during her teenage years. Her math teacher wrote a grant for the school in order to raise funds for a programming class. Finding her experience as a blessing due to the rarity of computer classes, she feels thankful to be inspiring young students the same way she was. It wasn’t until the decorated teacher went out to dinner with her husband when she realized this challenging assignment could be composed into an app. Conducting a complicated digital game such as Bouncing Orbs may be time consuming for most, but not for Petite. As students have been working vigorously to reconstruct the app in class, it is projected to take most students a week to two weeks to finish. In comparison to our computer programming teacher, who finished the whole game in less than 24 hours.
In class, students have been working on making adjustments to the app in order to improve each gamers’ experience. This particular topic has generated much excitement throughout the classroom, as each student attempts to out code the other. Fellow HADS student Michael Donley commented on the game in saying, “It’s really cool to see our work be available on the app store, as it is certainly not something many high school students are able to do.” As each individual student proposes their own changes, they plan on using the innovation lab to share ideas on how to improve the app.
Once each proposal has been shared, the class will take a vote on which adjustment will make the game more enjoyable for every player. When the decision has been made, the update will be uploaded to the app store as soon as possible. Due to the popular response from students and teachers around the school, Petite plans to develop a new app each year for her most advanced class. Petite has proven and inspired students around the school to follow their passions and ideas. First year programmer Nick DiFiore said, “Mrs. Petite’s passion for programming bounces throughout the room, it’s almost contagious.” Students such as DiFiore continue to express their creativity through the art of code, thanks to Petite.
Photo by junior Katie Sanford
Pictured In Bottom Left Photo: Mrs. Carolyn Petite instructing her Computer Science students.
Chagrin Falls High School Sends Coveted Leaders to Conference to Learn Leadership Skills
By Cole Newbauer, 11, and Pierce Fricke, 12, Chagrin Falls High School
Students from Chagrin Falls High School gathered at Beachwood High School to learn about leadership in sports on September 21st. The students selected to represent Chagrin at this leadership seminar were juniors Justin Rayner and Maddie Miralia along with seniors Matt Wynveen, Andrew Kwasny, Keeley Malone, Ali Mazzola and Mia DiSanto. These student athletes were chosen because they exhibit great leadership skills, and are a positive example for Chagrin Falls High School and the community as a whole.
As soon as the students arrived at the workshop, they were split up into groups. One group was all of the boys and the other was all of the girls. Each group participated in a lesson in different leadership skills to start off the seminar. One group participated in interactive activities that helped develop sportsmanship, while the other group learned how to inspire. “We learned how to boost confidence by filling the emotional tank,” said senior Keeley Malone. Malone also added that that she believes leaders need to “make sure everyone is positive.”
The definition of leadership is the action of leading a group of people. Andrew Kwasny said, “You have to set an example for other people because people look to you for advice.”
At the seminar, the student athletes learned about Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self (ROOTS), to honor the sport they play. With these principles in mind, the student athletes then completed activities to put their new guidelines into action. The students look forward to bringing back to their school the new ideas they have learned during their day full of leadership training.
Pictured In Top Left Photo: Leadership Conference Students
