Sixth-Grade Living Museum
After school on May 5, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School was transformed into a living museum. Over the month of April, the sixth-grade students were busy working in their core classes researching a concept or artifact from the ancient civilizations of the eastern hemisphere. Then, students created speeches and presentations to share their discoveries on the night of the museum. More than 150 artifacts were on display throughout the gymnasium, cafeteria, library and hallways.
“The sixth-grade students put a lot of time and effort into these projects to make sure they were prepared for the museum,” said sixth-grade language arts teacher Mandy Marlo. “All of their hard work certainly paid off and everyone had a great time.”
CMS Students Show Off French Knowledge
Chagrin Falls Middle School eighth-grade French students performed short French plays for their friends and family. Along with the plays, the students had their independent study projects on display between the two plays. Some of the topics were composing an original piano piece based on a study of French composers, a 12-foot high Eiffel Tower with facts hanging from it, French cuisine, French fashion and the popularity of graffiti in France.
“The plays went off spectacularly and the independent study projects were very impressive,” said middle school French teacher Christine Briggs. “The students were really proud of themselves, as they should be.”
CFHS Students Participate In Rally
On April 28, students from Chagrin Falls High School participated in the “We are the Majority” rally. More than 200 students from Northeast Ohio participated in the rally to bring awareness that most students do not drink or use drugs. The rally consisted of team building exercises and a flash mob outside the Global Resource Center. The day ended with a march to Chagrin Falls City Hall, where various speakers talked to the students about being a leader both at school and in the community.
CFIS Art Club Gives Back
On April 29, the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School Art Club held a fundraiser to help with funding for art programming at Our Family Home Center (OFHC), a nonprofit community center in East Cleveland dedicated to providing after school arts programming to area youth while providing meals to those in need. The day of the fundraiser was called “Rainbow Day” and students were encouraged to dress in their favorite color from head to toe to celebrate the arts at CFIS and bring in 50 cents to donate to the fundraiser.
It is the first year of the Chagrin Falls Art Club. The club has two goals: to create art and to give back and connect with the community in arts-related ways. The students in Art Club have learned that it takes a community to support, inspire and nurture creativity and the arts. With this in mind, the club partnered with Mary Ann Breisch and Our Family Home Center.
At the end of the fundraiser, the Art Club raised $178 for OFHC and the homerooms that raised the most money in each grade level won rainbow popsicles. The winning classrooms were fourth-grade teacher Abby Dippel, fifth-grade teacher Ellen McKelvey and sixth-grade teacher Katherine Owen.
“We realize how fortunate we are in Chagrin to have resources and things to do after school, as well as rich and diverse arts programming built in to our school day,” said art teacher Kate Oulton. “With this in mind, it seemed only right for our Art Club to help other students have the opportunity to be exposed to art.”
New Middle School Principal Hired
On May 20, at a special board meeting of the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools, Mrs. Laila Discenza was hired as the new Chagrin Falls Middle School principal. She is replacing Mr. David Wessel, who will be serving as the director of operations for True Freedom Ministries.
“As your new middle school principal, Chagrin Falls can expect dedication, responsiveness and excellence,” said Discenza. “My commitment to empowering students, teachers and families as a community of learners will be evident. I am thrilled to receive this opportunity and excited to work with the students, staff and community.”
Discenza first gained her educational experience and knowledge in Brunswick City Schools as a middle school teacher, coach and leader. After 10 years in the classroom, she became an administrator, where she spent four years as an assistant principal at Mayfield High School. Discenza received her administrative licensure and Masters of Arts in education from Baldwin-Wallace College. She received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Toledo.
“What impresses me the most about Mrs. Discenza is she believes in building a community of learners where students are provided engaging, meaningful instruction with high academic and civic expectations,” said Robert Hunt, superintendent of Chagrin Falls Schools. “The selection process was extensive and we had highly qualified candidates. Mrs. Discenza rose to the top by demonstrating an understanding of instructional best practice, collaborative leadership style and ability to put students at the center of decisions.”
Discenza was part of a teaching team that received the Ohio Middle Level Association Team of the Year in 2010. She has served on a number of curriculum, technology, safety, report card and building and district leadership committees, among others.
Discenza is married to Roberto and they have a 2-year-old daughter, Gemma. They reside in Parma.