The Chardon Schools Foundation (CSF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has awarded $18,273 in grants for district educational programs and teachers serving students ranging from elementary through high school.
Established in 1989, the Chardon Schools Foundation (CSF) believes that excellent schools are essential to the economic and social welfare of the community it serves. CSF financially supports educational projects and initiatives that will add excitement and imagination to the learning process.
David Jevnikar, CSF President, states, “The Chardon Schools Foundation is funded solely by contributions from local individuals and businesses contributed through our annual Live TV/Online Auction and upcoming Race for Education. By providing funds to teachers and staff with innovative ideas, CSF hopes to ensure the highest quality education for students in the Chardon Schools.”
CSF provides funds twice a year through its grant review process. Exciting projects receiving recent funding include:
Family Science Day, Jackie Brown: In its fourth year, the Family Science Day is a free family event that provides students K-8 an opportunity to experience science in a hands-on way through 20 activity stations. CSF awarded $1000 toward this event.
Ukuleles for elementary music students, Sharon Monarchino and Samantha Puterbaugh: The ukulele was introduced to some of our elementary students a couple of years ago and has become a favorite. CSF is partially supporting the purchase of additional ukuleles so that each elementary school will have their own supply allowing more students to benefit from learning to play the instrument. CSF awarded $1005 toward the purchase.
Maple special needs students will attend three programs at IGNITE, Diane Pirnat, Wendy Bartolovich, Angela Beekman: IGNITE is a local, nonprofit organization who, in addition to other programs, offers programs specifically for special needs students in music therapy, art therapy, adapted open gym and adapted yoga. These are multisensory experiences that are not available at school. CSF awarded $855 toward these programs.
Heather Hill Biographies Partnership, Leigh Ann Ferguson: Thirty Munson fifth graders will interview then write and illustrate the biographies of 15 Heather Hill residents. The books will be published and presented to the residents and their families. CSF awarded $450 toward this program.
Pilot two software programs that capture student performance data for analysis, Bob Francis and Amanda Dragar: Both software programs allow for the efficient collection of performance data in order to analyze how students are performing over the year against the Ohio Learning Standards. The sixth grade math teachers will test both programs to determine if the use of one of these programs would give them a better understanding performance in order to better prepare students to meet the standards. CSF awarded $922 toward this effort.
Book sets for a CMS after-school book club, Lisa Loncar: A dozen or so middle school students have formed a book club with the support of the library secretary. This award will provide full sets of the selected books so that each student has a book to read and discuss. The book sets will also be available to other students and teachers. CSF awarded $1070 for the book club.
Author visit and workshop to CMS, Joanne DeShetler: In support of the CMSReads year-long initiative, the author of the book the eighth grade students read over the summer will conduct assemblies for each grade and work with the eighth graders specifically during a writing workshop. CSF awarded $1500 for this program.
Hilltop Echo newspaper, Allen Herner: High school students produce regular online newspapers highlighting school and current events and one paper version at the end of the year. This grant funds the subscription to the online service used to produce the paper and the printing of the senior edition at the end of the year. CSF awarded $620 for the Hilltop Echo printing.
Ceramic mural in CHS, Deb Steytler: Art students along with their teachers will design and create a ceramic mural to install in the entrance of the high school for all to enjoy. Students will experience the full range of work needed to create and install a large art project. CSF awarded
$1730 for this effort.
Musical instruments for Munson students, Samantha Puterbaugh: Students will learn abstract musical concepts using new Orff xylophones and metallophones. A learn-by-doing approach will promote creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration. CSF awarded $1831 toward the purchase of these instruments.
Through an anonymous donation to CSF by a CHS Alumus, three additional science-related grants were also awarded:
Thermal Cycler for high school, Marilyn Rohr, Lisa Tekavec: This equipment will be used by high school biology and anatomy students when studying DNA. CSF awarded $2100 for this purchase.
Equipment to study motion and friction, Jill Carpenter, Heather Spreitzer, Eric Bartley. Ninth grade physical science students will use this more advanced, frictionless equipment to more accurately study motion, acceleration, and acceleration due to gravity and force. They will also have an opportunity to work with more advanced tables and graphs. CSF awarded $2122 for this purchase.
Additional Equipment to complement existing digital data collection equipment, Tom Ciferno, Jill Carpenter, Dan Robertson: High school physics and physical science students will have additional sensors, interfaces and equipment needed to make full use of equipment already purchased by the district. CSF awarded $3134.87 for the purchase of additional equipment.
The community is invited to support our annual CSF Auction on March 5, 2016. Through generous donations from community members and business, we are able to auction off exiting experiences and unique and practical items with all proceeds supporting the foundation activities and grants. For more information about the auction and our other activities visit CSF’s website here. The Chardon Schools Foundation can also be found on Facebook.
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