The Chardon Local Schools’ 155 dedicated faculty members educated nearly 2,700 PreK–12 students in the District’s five schools in the 2021–22 school year. The District’s students reside in the City of Chardon; Aquilla Village; Chardon, Hambden and Munson Townships; and parts of Claridon Township.
Our mission is high achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work.
(l to r, front row)
CJ Paterniti, Karen Blankenship, Keith Brewster, (l to r, back row)
Guy Wilson, Ph.D. Todd Albright
Mrs. Blankenship and Dr. Wilson were recognized by the Ohio School Boards Association at the June 20, 2022
Chardon board meeting for dedicating 10+ years of service to the Chardon Board of Education.
(l to r) Superintendent Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D.; Treasurer/CFO Deb Armbruster; Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum/Instruction Edward Klein, Ph.D.; Director of Student Services Linda Elegante; Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs Steven Kofol
Chardon High School — Douglas Murray
CHS Assistant Principal — Doug Higham
CHS Assistant Principal — Mary Pat Pavicic*
Chardon Middle School Principal — Adam Tomco*
CMS Assistant Principal — Tracy Paroubek
Munson Elementary Principal — Mathew Prezioso
Park Elementary Principal — Rhonda Garrett
Chardon Early Learning Center Principal — Andrea Ryan
Assistant Treasurer — Jennifer Mismas
Athletic Director — Doug Snyder
Communications Director — Kelly Misch
Curriculum Supervisor — Kelly Moran Ed.D.
EMIS** Coordinator — Dianne Farizel
Food Service Director — Josi Culliton
Health Services Head Nurse — Chelsie Jackson
Latchkey Director — Lauri Zampino
Special Education Supervisor — Amanda Bondi
Technology Director — Bill Nells
Transportation Director — Josh Nau*
Transportation Supervisor — Andy Caballero*
*as of Summer 2022
**EMIS = Education Management Information System
Dear Hilltopper Community,
Welcome to the 2022 Quality Profile for the Chardon Local School District. This report, which is supported by the Alliance for High Quality Education, highlights the many 2021–22 accomplishments of our students and staff and offers insight into our District’s finances, instructional program, extracurricular activities, operations, and other important aspects of our schools.
In Chardon Schools, we continually focus on delivering an exceptional educational program that effectively prepares students to engage meaningfully in one or more of the Four E’s—Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment and Entrepreneurship—after high school graduation.
Throughout our Quality Profile you will find examples of this theme woven into the educational experiences of the students we serve in our schools each day.
During the 2021–22 academic year, Chardon Schools was guided by our mission—High achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work. We accomplished this through continual focus on five strategies contained in the District’s strategic plan: Facilities; Safety and Security; Resources; Curriculum and Instruction; and Communications.
Key accomplishments included:
■ Completion of $5.4 million in needed capital improvements to our facilities.
■ Implementation of cost-saving measures and continuing a trend of flat expenditure growth year-over-year.
■ Strong student achievement results as measured by indicators, including State performance assessments.
■ Outstanding student performance in academics, technical skills, athletics and the fine arts, including State-level, award-winning academic and technical skills teams; two State Championship athletic teams; and honorary achievements in performing and visual arts.
■ Comprehensive presentation on fiscal and programmatic impact of the District’s 2018 Reconfiguration by administrators, faculty and students.
■ Continued research-based literacy strategies through our $1.1 million instructional grant.
If you have questions about our Quality Profile, Strategic Plan, or other aspects of our school district, please do not hesitate to contact me at 440.285.4052 or michael.hanlon@chardonschools.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D. SuperintendentOur community deserves to see an excellent value for their investment in the District. The Treasurer’s department diligently researches ways to conserve taxpayer dollars, find alternative sources of revenue, and ensure we maintain our excellent schools with financial responsibility.
Up-to-date financial information is available to all stakeholders via BoardDocs and the Treasurer’s page of our District website. On OhioCheckbook.com, stakeholders can search, view and compare expenditure information for participating governments. Questions related to the District’s finances can be directed to deb.armbruster@chardonschools.org or by calling 440.285.4052.
As such, staff salaries and benefits account for our District’s two largest expenditures, together representing a total of 81% of all Chardon Schools spending. Chardon staff, on average, are the third-highest paid school staff in Geauga County.
Did you know House Bill 920 regulates revenue? As property values increase, millage rates drop. New revenue is obtained on inside millage (4.5 mill). Of district property values in tax year 2022, 79% of tax revenue was generated from residential property, 12% from commercial property, 5% from agriculture property and 4% from public utility personal property tax.
Inflation is at an escalated rate, thus causing increased spending in purchased services, supplies, and capital outlay expenditures. In 2026, expenditures are expected to surpass revenue, causing minimal deficit spending. This is when revenue is anticipated to be less than expenditures.
At this FY 2022 snapshot in time, Chardon Schools has a strong cash balance exceeding $25 million. Revenue is expected to support the cost (expenditures) of current services. Expenditure growth outpaces revenue growth through fiscal year 2027. This historical trend can indicate a financial health trend.
Planning is required for expenditure budgeting to repair old, aging buildings to provide a safe environment for the students and staff. Inflation has also greatly affected renovation costs, which directly affects the Permanent Improvement Fund.
Our Business Affairs department oversees construction projects; plans capital improvement projects, including needed repairs to classrooms or buildings; and recommends methods to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of operations, including Food Service, Technology and Transportation.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT A GLANCE 2021–22
Chardon High School
■ Full building roof tear-off and replacement
■ Partial building overhangs replacement
■ Full windows replacement at East elevation
Memorial Field Stadium
■ Daktronics® scoreboard generously funded by Junction Auto Family to replace aging scoreboard
■ Removal of visitor bleachers due to failed inspection of the older structure
■ Concrete pad installation for the new and re-purposed visitor bleachers
■ Replacement of aging turf
Chardon Middle School
■ Full building roof tear-off and replacement
■ Full building windows replacement
Munson Elementary School
■ Full building roof tear-off and replacement
■ Full windows replacement at East elevation
■ Replacement of two boilers and all cold-water lines
Park Elementary School
■ Repair of West elevation brick work
■ New playground equipment—a $27K investment generously funded by Preston Superstore and Park PTO
Chardon Early Learning Center
■ Full windows replacement East and West elevations of Kindergarten wing
■ New fencing around both playgrounds and along the adjacent high school student parking lot
Districtwide
■ Installation of touchless faucets and auto flushers
The Chardon Food Service department provides students and staff with nutritionally balanced meals that are in accordance with all USDA standards. The school menus are designed to appeal to students while introducing foods of different cultures, utilizing local produce, highlighting different ingredients, and incorporating nutrition education.
AT A GLANCE 2021–22
■ 359,773 Total Meals Served to Students and Staff
■ 148,552 Breakfasts
■ 211,221 Lunches
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS
In summer 2022, Chardon Food Service transitioned to the Infinite Campus point-of-sale system for launch in the new school year with a goal of simplifying meal transactions, anonymizing students who receive free or reduced meals, and streamlining cafeteria management. This move represents another integration of the District’s operations into Infinite Campus.
Our Technology department manages the District’s network infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital policy development and enforcement, technical support, technological maintenance, and budgeting for hardware and software.
CHROMEBOOK STUDENT ACCESS AND REPLACEMENT
■ 1:1 Chromebook classroom access for Grades KDG–3
■ 1:1 Chromebook assignment for Grades 4–12
■ Chromebook replacement cycle is approximately 25-percent annually
AT A GLANCE 2021–22
■ Purchased 680 replacement Chromebooks (Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund)
■ Implemented secure synchronization of rostering data from the District’s student information system to online curriculum and learning management systems.
■ Implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all Google Workspace for Education staff accounts to enhance cybersecurity.
The Chardon Transportation department’s highest priority is the safe transport of students every day of the academic year, covering an area of 88 square miles daily. In addition to routine transportation, the department is responsible for non-routine transportation, including field trips and extracurricular activities, averaging over 450 non-routine excursions per school year.
■ 33-vehicle fleet (26 buses and 7 vans) operated by Chardon Schools drivers and maintained by 2 on-site District mechanics
■ 486,000 miles traveled for routine routes, excludes field trips and extracurricular events
■ Significant technological investments for enhanced safety and efficiency:
■ Maintenance software to track service, inventory and fuel.
■ Stopfinder interactive application for parents to securely access their student’s routing information and also communicate with Chardon Transportation staff.
■ Wayfinder tablets mounted securely in the driver area with route information to aid substitute drivers.
■ Three new 78-passenger school buses and one new van with a wheelchair lift to replace aging vehicles.
■ Safety audit to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices throughout the department.
■ Expansion of recruitment efforts to increase awareness of vacant driver positions resulting from the ongoing labor shortage.
hroughout a Chardon Schools education, students are on a journey that prepares them for life after high school graduation. Students develop tangible skills and knowledge to support their future readiness while gaining an awareness and understanding of their interests, ultimately deciding which of the 4E’s they will pursue: Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, and/or Entrepreneurship
High school students can earn certifications through two-year technical training in a specialized field. ACC offers over 20 two-year programs for students to complete in their junior and senior years.
The high school partners with Lakeland Community College to offer several College Credit Plus courses on-site. Students can also attend area colleges for additional CCP coursework.
The high school’s on-site, careerbased program gives students an opportunity to enroll in elective courses for both manufacturing and workforce development and engage in real-world learning. Students network with community partners, observing—and in many cases—learning alongside business professionals.
CREW students can earn industry-recognized certifications in a variety of areas, including Industry 4.0 and Certified Production Technician, providing entry-points to postgraduation careers.
CREW launched SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance) industry credentialing opportunities in the 2021–22 school year, as well as the CREW Innovation and Industry Hub at CHS. In February 2022, the program reached another milestone when student Jeffrey Kline secured an internship with Solon Manufacturing Inc.
Middle school students gain entrepreneurship skills facilitated by strong support from community partners volunteering their time and expertise in the classroom. JA promotes increased understanding of business opportunities and personal financial habits.
Middle school students develop future readiness skills through this hands-on coursework, affording students the opportunity to engage with real-world problemsolving activities, and to begin exploring specific areas of interest.
75% ENROLLED IN A TWO- OR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
Areas of study include Architecture, Art & Design, Biology, Business, Construction, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Early Childhood Education, Engineering, Fashion Merchandising, Finance, Fire Science, Journalism, Media Production, Music Theater, Music Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pre-Med, Pre-Pharmacy, Psychology, and Sports Leadership.
25% PURSUED EMPLOYMENT in fields including Auto Collision, Cosmetology, Construction, Electrical, Hospitality, Masonry and Management; Anthony Bucco Enlisted in the U.S. Navy
VALEDICTORIANS 16 — Josephine Aitken, Lauren Alexander, Charlotte Bennett, Daniel Brill, Julia Carter, Jack Dvorak, Morgan Fisher, Alexis Jackson, Joseph Joaquin, Sebastian Marker, Kyle Maronde, Audrey Nelson, Simon Rodriguez, Emma Silk, Katherine Snyder, Jessica Zalar; Salutatorian — Shea Finger; Honorarians — Josephine Aitken, Sebastian Marker
ADVANCED PLACEMENT — 18 AP Scholars with Distinction; 10 AP Scholars with Honors; 34 AP Scholars
ASSOCIATE DEGREES — 5 graduates earned Associate Degrees from Lakeland Community College via CCP — Rebecca Adams, Evan Germ, Joseph Kidd, Paige Patrick, Bradley Zemanek
AUBURN CAREER CENTER — 22 Graduates also completed a 2-Year ACC program — Advanced Manufacturing (Jacob Nickels); Allied Health Technology (Selma Nyberg); Architecture Project Management (Kayden Berardinelli, Charlotte Kurtz); Automotive Collision Repair (Tanner Bowen); Construction (Alex Johnson, Evan Wolcott); Cosmetology (Ashley Fulton, Norah Hardesty); Criminal Justice and Security (Timothy Altman, Olivia Brosch, Anthony Bucco); Culinary Arts (Savannah Bryant); Electrical Engineering Prep (Austin Hofacre, Maxwell Kubacki); HVAC (Joseph Cappello, Nathaniel Kuminkoski, Pablo Ramirez Villanueva); Plant, Turf and Landscape Management (Cameron Evans, Jason Ross, Austin Snow); Production and Welding Technology (Connor Rozic)
HONOR SOCIETIES — International Thespian Society, 15 graduates; National Honor Society, 46 graduates; National Technical Honor Society, 2 graduates
HONORS DIPLOMAS — 85
NATIONAL MERIT — 1 Finalist — Charlotte Bennett; 3 Commended Scholars — Daniel Brill, Morgan Fisher, Theodore Jons; 2 Hispanic Scholars — Christopher Gehrke, Aidan Ischay
RURAL AND SMALL TOWN SCHOLARS — 3
Lauren Alexander, Charlotte Bennett, Alexis Jackson
CONGRATS TO OUR 233 HILLTOPPER GRADUATES!
ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS
Academic Challenge Team 2022— Jake Schneider, Josie Aitken, Morgan Fisher
Academic Decathlon Team, State Tournament 2022— 14 medals (5 gold); recognized by Ohio State Senate June 2022
THE ARTS
Congressional Art Competition
2021, Ohio Congressional 14th District —Kelly Morris, 1st Place
The Great Geauga County Fair, 200th Anniversary 2022
Chardon High School student
visual artwork showcased in school exhibits
OMEA Large Group Choir
Contest Selection 2022
Chardon High School Chorale & Women’s Choir, Top 1 Scores
OMEA District VII Middle School
Honors Band Selection 2022
Trumpet: Abby Jonovich, David Taucher; French horn: William Beil; Trombone: Izzy Korenke
Walt Disney World 2022
Hilltopper Marching Band at Magic Kingdom
ATHLETIC STATE AND DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Div II Varsity Baseball State
Champions 2022
Div III Varsity Football State
Champions 2021, 2020
Div I Varsity Volleyball District
Champions 2021
CHARACTER AND COMMUNITY
Raymond A. Horn Outstanding Achievement — Justin Friedman, 2022; Maria Zbiegien, 2021
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY
Buckeye State Summer Program
2022 Finalists— Maysen Jahnke, Paige Nells, Julianne Sweet, Jake Gabanic, Yinxi Li, Liam Ptasznik, Alexis Jahnke (alternate)
Ohio Youth Capital Challenge
2022— Tatumn Poff, 3rd Place (Team No. 7)
INNOVATION
YEI® Pitch Challenge Finalist
2022 —Ben Majetich, D.A.N. (Drone Assistant Nifty)
SCIENCE
Envirothon Red Team State
Tournament Runner-Up 2022 — Charlotte Bennett, Lauren Alexander, Morgan Fisher, Katie Snyder, Jessica Zalar
Science Olympiad Division B
Team State Tournament 2022 —
finished 9th out of 40 Teams; 26th consecutive year as State
Qualifying Team
Science Olympiad Division C
Team State Tournament 2022
finished 26th out of 40 Teams; 24th year as State Qualifying Team
SPEECH AND DEBATE, AND WRITING
Chardon Rotary 4-Way Speech Contest 2022 —Sarah Douglas, 1st Place, Regional Qualifier
OSDA State Tournament 2022 — Charlotte Jons, 6th Place in Program Oral Interpretation
Power of the Pen Regionals
2022— Abrielle Allen, Regional Qualifier
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Ohio FCCLA Regionals 2022— Charlotte Kurtz, Team Gold in Interior Design Event; Savannah Bryant, Silver in Culinary Arts
Garde Manger Event
SkillsUSA Ohio State Tournament 2022— Alex Johnson, Evan Wolcott — Team Silver in Construction
AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS USA CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION 2022
Chardon High School
FRANKLIN B. WALTER OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARDS 2022 & 2021
Amanda Weaver, Intervention Specialist, Chardon Middle School
Nancy Johnston, Educ. Assistant, Chardon Early Learning Center
GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FY 2021
Chardon Schools Treasurer’s Department
THE GOVERNOR’S THOMAS EDISON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM EDUCATION & STUDENT RESEARCH 2021-22
Chardon Middle School
GREAT SCHOOLS COLLEGE SUCCESS AWARD 2022, 2021 (GOLD)
Chardon High School
GREATER CLEVELAND COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD 2022
Adria Fusco, Math Teacher, Chardon Middle School
OHIO AUDITOR OF STATE AWARD WITH DISTINCTION FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FY 2022
Chardon Schools Treasurer’s Department
OHIO PBIS (POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS)
Silver Award 2022— Chardon Early Learning Center, Chardon Middle School, Munson Elementary School, Park Elementary School
Bronze Award 2021— Chardon High School
OHIO SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION E-NEWSLETTER MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD 2022
Chardon Schools Communications Department— Topper Talk e-Newsletter
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT
Chardon Middle School— Best Public Elementary Schools 2022
Chardon Middle School — Best Public Middle Schools 2022
Munson Elementary School and Park Elementary School —
Top 1% of Ohio Elementary Schools 2021
The Hilltopper school community is the heart of our District— a key pillar in our success. We are fortunate to have outstanding first responders; local agencies; parent teacher organizations (PTOs); booster clubs (Chardon Athletic Boosters, Chardon Crescendo Club, Chardon Gridiron Club, Chardon Schools Foundation); G-TV; Pastor Photography; and countless other valued community volunteers, individual supporters, business owners, and organizations who tirelessly give of their time and resources in support of Hilltopper students and staff.
FRIEND OF CHARDON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AWARD 2022
Madelon Horvath
SUPERINTENDENT’S AWARD— FRIEND OF EDUCATION 2022
■ Chardon Chief of Police
Scott Niehus
■ Chardon Fire Chief
Larry Gaspar
■ Geauga County Sheriff
Scott Hildenbrand
$1K EDUCATIONAL GRANT 2021
1st-Grade Teacher Robyn Lannon
Awarded by Kinetic by Windstream
WEIGHT ROOM UPGRADE 2022— CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL
Spearheaded by a private committee of community members—Sarah Baggott, Brandon Felger, Bob Humphrey, Terry Hegner, Mitch Hewitt— and 100% funded by community businesses and organizations; and individual donors.
OHIO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION BUSINESS HONOR ROLL 2022
Chardon Smile Center
■ Over a decade of volunteer hours and financial resources for Chardon Athletics, including food and transportation for our athletic teams and senior banner sponsorships for each athletic season.
■ A long history of significant financial support to non-profit Chardon Schools Foundation.
Junction Auto Family
■ Spearheaded a GMC Terrain car raffle, valued at $29K, to fund a Daktronics® scoreboard for Memorial Field, replacing the District’s aging scoreboard. New scoreboard installation completed summer 2021.
The Middlefield Banking Company
■ Instrumental in Chardon Middle School’s 2021–22 launch of Junior Achievement®: Economics for Success program and the school’s JA® in a Day event.
Preston Superstore
■ Pledged $150K over a 10-year span to non-profit Chardon Schools Foundation—
January 2022
■ Awarded $10K to Park Elementary PTO for new playground equipment costs—February 2022
CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL
151 Chardon Avenue (44024) 440.285.4057
Principal: Douglas Murray
Asst Principals: Doug Higham, Mary Pat Pavicic (Summer 2022)
Students: 1,158
Faculty Members: 61
COURSES OF STUDY
■ Regular and Honors Tracks
■ 18 Advanced Placement Courses
■ Independent Study — school leadership/community outreach
■ Auburn Career Center (off-campus—20 programs)
■ College Credit Plus (on-campus & off-campus)
■ The CREW (on-campus)
ENRICHMENT/SUPPORT
■ Circuit of Success: 8th Grade Nationally Recognized Program
■ Freshman Mentoring Program: State Recognized Mentoring
■ Topper Time: Advisory Time Implementing Graduation Seals
ACTIVITIES/CLUBS
AC4P
Academic Decathlon
AFS
Art Club
Band Council
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Concert Band
Concert Choir
Creative Writing
Cross Country
Dance Team
Drama
Envirothon
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
CHS students consistently outperform the Ohio and National averages of the ACT, SAT, and AP exams. Over the past 5 years, CHS ACT scores have continued to surpass average statewide ACT scores in every area of study by approximately 2.5 points or more. SAT data is excluded from this report (CHS students took less than 20 SAT tests in total in 2021–22).
AVERAGE ACT SCORES
Number of students tested 218
Composite 21.2
English 20.3
Math 21.9
Reading 21.2
Science 21.0
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS
■ 491 tests administered, highest to date
■ 271 students took at least one exam (highest # of Chardon AP tests to date)
■ 55% of students earned a 3 or higher
Football
Free Harmony
French Club
Golf
Great Pals
Gymnastics
Interact
Jazz Band
Jobs Club
Lacrosse
Marching Band
Model United Nations
National Honor Society
One Acts
Science Olympiad
Soccer
Softball
Spanish Club
Speech & Debate
Student Council
Symphonic Choir
Swimming/Diving
Tennis
Thespians
Topperettes
Track & Field—Indoor
Track & Field—Outdoor
Virtual Art Show
Volleyball
Wrestling Yearbook
CHARDON MIDDLE SCHOOL
We Are Caring, Mindful and Solution-Focused
424 North Street (44024)
440.285.4062
Principal: Adam Tomco (Summer2022)
Asst Principal: Tracey Paroubek
Students: 734
Faculty Members: 46
COURSES OF STUDY
Regular, Accelerated, Enriched and Honors Tracks
ELECTIVES
STEM, Technology, Art, Band, Choir, PhysEd
FUTURE READINESS (examples)
■ American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red®
■ Junior Achievement® Economic Success Program
■ YEI® (Young Entrepreneurs Institute) Pitch Challenge
Additionally, Chardon Middle School has a highly dedicated Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO) that fundraises and also plans, organizes and hosts a variety of social events, including the Back 2 School Bash, Glow-in-the-Dark Dance, Turkey Ball Tournament, and Parent Prom, as well as provides funding for new learning opportunities for students!
Book Fairs
Chicago Trip
Holiday Parties
Holiday Shop
Local Field Trips
Nature Scopes
Parent University
Science & Arts Fair
Service Projects
7th-Grade Clap Out Social Skills Groups
Spirit Weeks
Start with Hello Week
Virtual Art Show
Winter and Spring Choir and Band Concerts
World Unity Day
ACTIVITIES / CLUBS
Arthur Holden Leadership Institute
D.A.R.E.
Drama Club
GCCTM Math Contest
Interscholastic Athletics
Jazz Band
Just Run Kindness Club
Kiwanis Builders Club
MATHCOUNTS
Power of the Pen Robotics Club
Science Olympiad
Spelling Bee Student Council Yearbook
MUNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We are ALL Toppers: We Take Responsibility, Offer Kindness, Participate, Persevere, Encourage Others, Respect Everyone, and Strive for Excellence!
12687 Bass Lake Road (44024) 440.286.5901
Principal: Mathew Prezioso
Students: 278
Faculty Members: 18
CURRICULUM AND INTERVENTIONS
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We Are. . . Positive Attentive Responsible
Kind— We do it all the time!
111 Goodrich Court (44024)
440.285.4067
Principal: Rhonda Garrett
Students: 265
Faculty Members: 17
Munson and Park offer a literacy- and mathematical-rich curriculum that includes regular fluency monitoring and interventions.
DEDICATED CLASSROOM
Munson Elementary houses a dedicated classroom, intervention specialist, and support staff for students with autism.
ENRICHMENT
Visual and musical arts, technology and physical education at each school enhance the academic foundation to provide a well-rounded educational pathway.
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS (PTOS)
Each school benefits greatly from its own dedicated PTO comprising parent/guardian volunteers who give of their time and resources to fundraise year-round, making a variety of events possible, including ice-cream socials, skating parties, drive-in nights, spirit days, holiday events, and new student learning opportunities.
SCHOOL TRADITIONS
Author Visits
Autism Awareness Week
Awards Ceremonies
Book Fairs
Career Vehicle Day
COSI on Wheels
Field Day
Field Trips
Food Drives
Holiday Parties
Kindness Week
Literacy Night
One School One Book
Start with Hello Week
STEAM Museum
3rd-Grade Clap Out
3rd-Grade Wax Museum
Veterans Visitors and Service Projects
Virtual Art Show
Winter and Spring Music Concerts
Zones of Regulation
CHARDON EARLY LEARNING CENTER
The Tiny Toppers Promise: Be Safe. Be Kind. Try Your Best.
(new school name established summer 2021; previously Maple School)
308 Maple Avenue (44024)
440.285.4066
Principal: Andrea Ryan
Students: 238
Faculty Members: 14
Chardon Early Learning Center Pre-Kindergarten (preschool), a Step Up to Quality 5-Star Rated Program, was founded on an inclusion philosophy wherein typically developing Tiny Toppers Pre-K students (also known as “role model” students) are educated together with Tiny Toppers Pre-K students receiving specialized services. The Pre-K program is guided by a developmental and playbased approach. The school’s Kindergarten classes are in an all-day, everyday format and include Art, Music, PhysEd and Technology.
In fall 2022, the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness publicly recognized Chardon Local Schools and Lake-Geauga United Head Start for their 2021–22 collaboration in support of successful transitions to Kindergarten. The two partners participated in the Ohio’s Heading to Kindergarten initiative. With assistance from the State Support Team early childhood consultant, the team focused on building relationships, information sharing, and alignment.
SCHOOL TRADITIONS
Charitable Projects
Field Day
Grinch Day
Kindergarten Orientation
Kindergarten Parent Night
Kindergarten Screening
Music Performance
KDG—Spring
Music Performance
Pre-K—Winter
One School One Book
Pre-K Graduation
Pre-K Open House
Q and U Letter Wedding
Social Skills Groups
Start with Hello Week
World Unity Day
The District’s Student Services department is dedicated to providing services, supports, programming and specialized placements to meet the needs of diverse learners, upholding the District’s commitment to high achievement for all students.
■ 29 educational and child-specific assistants
■ 27 intervention specialists
■ 6 specialized classrooms
■ 4 school psychologists
■ 4 speech language pathologists
■ 2.5 occupational therapists
■ 2 English learner tutors
■ 1.5 special education supervisors
■ .5 gifted coordinator
The District also works with local educational service centers to contract for specialized services, including hearing and vision specialists, adapted physical education, social work services, physical therapy, and behavior support.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
A variety of programming is available for students with special needs in grades preschool through age 21. The District has several specialized and cross-categorical classrooms across the District, while also providing services within the regular classroom for students with disabilities. Based on student need, some students participate in off-site specialized vocational training programs or attend highly specialized placements out of the district.
GIFTED EDUCATION
The District provides services to over 500 gifted identified students. Gifted education services can adjust instruction to provide an appropriate level of challenge for students, or they
may include subject or grade acceleration. Our part-time, gifted coordinator assists with the identification of gifted learners, provides gifted education training to staff, and supports the development of individualized written enrichment or acceleration plans for students.
Our English Learners program helps students overcome cultural and language challenges as they attend Chardon Schools. EL tutors support students in all grade levels through one-on-one, small group or in-class language support in speaking, listening, reading and writing. The District also provides interpreters for parents and guardians who may also need language support.
The District is committed to providing educational stability for students and families experiencing homelessness while also supporting students and families with foster placements. Services are coordinated with local agencies and sending or receiving school districts and are based on individual needs.
As part of the District’s mission for high achievement, we engage in routine, consistent, and continuous curriculum development. Over the course of the 2021–22 school year, the District revised English Language Arts and Mathematics curriculum for grades K–12. For each, a committee of teachers and administrators representing all grade-levels and school buildings was formed to review student achievement, alignment of our curriculum with the standards, and post-graduation goals and objectives for students.
With those considerations, the committees reviewed available curricular materials and resources to support high achievement for all students with a focus on alignment with the curricular standards. Teachers reviewed research and third-party reviews of materials, visited other schools (both in-person and virtually) to observe materials in practice, and piloted resources within their classrooms.
Prior to recommendation for adoption to the Board of Education, the community was invited to review the ELA and Mathematics materials in fall 2021 and spring 2022, respectively.
Through the $1.1 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant awarded to Chardon Local Schools in 2020 by the Ohio Department of Education, the District continues to align instruction with research-based strategies for literacy development.
Teachers in grades K–3 have been engaging in on-going professional development in the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). This systematic approach to literacy instruction is nationally recognized as the benchmark for the science of reading instruction.
Chardon Local Schools has fully implemented instruction and curricular resources for phonics instruction in grades PreK–3, and the District has realigned its curriculum and resources for reading instruction in grades K–5.
With the district’s continued implementation and refinement of instructional practices, student achievement continues to exceed state and national averages.
