November/December 2012 Volume 22

Berea City School District: Berea, Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, and a portion of Olmsted Falls

District Again Rated EXCELLENTBy Michael Sheppard, Superintendent

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2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Although the complete Local Report Card from the Ohio Department of Education has not yet been released, all indications to this point are that the Berea City School District was once again rated “EXCELLENT,” having met 24 of the 26 state standards.

Several sections of the Report Card have been finalized, so we know that we have met the Value Added requirement and that our Performance Index, which shows how strongly our students are passing the tests, has shown a steady improvement over the last four years, reaching our highest ranking to date of 100.9. (Note: all Report Card information is released for the previous year.) The Performance Index tells us that an increasingly larger number of students are passing the tests at the “accelerated” or “advanced” level, which is exactly the result we are working to achieve.

While I firmly believe that the state testing program provides only ONE type of measure of the achievement levels of our students, and should therefore not be seen as the only way to evaluate either our students or our district, I am also pleased to be able to report that our students ARE continuing to achieve at higher and higher levels on this measure.

Berea City School District4 Year Performance Index

The Berea City School District is one of 539 school districts across 44 of the 50 states in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 3rd Annual AP® District Honor Roll for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement®

course work while increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a district’s AP program, because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are likely to benefit most from rigorous AP course work. Since 2010, the district has increased the number of students participating in AP from 160 to 235, while still enabling more than 70% of students to earn AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. More than 90 percent of colleges and universities across the U.S. offer college credit, advanced placement or both for a score of 3 or above on an AP Exam - which can potentially save students and their families thousands of dollars in college tuition.

Said Superintendent, Michael Sheppard, “We are proud that the Berea City School District has achieved this national recognition. It reinforces the fact that we, as a school district, have continued to focus on raising the bar for our students’ academic achievements. This recognition would not have been made possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff and students.” College Board President, David Coleman, added, “We applaud the extraordinary efforts of the devoted teachers and administrators in this district, who are fostering rigorous work worth doing. These educators have not only expanded student access to AP course work, but they have enabled more of their students to achieve on a college level - which is helping to create a strong college-going culture.” For more information visit http://press.collegeboard.org/ap

National AP District Honor Roll Recognition

Since 2010, the district has increased the number of students participating in AP from 160 to 235, while still enabling more than 70% of students to earn AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.

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Outstanding National Academic Recognition

t National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist (scoring among the top 1% of over 1.5 million participating students):John Cary, Abigail Richard, Paul Switlykt National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student (scoring among the top 5% of over 1.5 million participating students):Matt Baldwin, Ben Farris, Ahsan Haque, Jack Harrington, Ryan Kolp, Nathaniel Nakon, Amanda Pochatek, Emily Truong t Advanced Placement Scholar (scoring a 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams):Kiet Duong, Xavier Elder, Kevin Grospitch, Ahsan Haque, Rachel Horetzky, Shakita Kabicek, Anthony Kleem, Megan Kudej, Aubrey Langley, Shannon Lott, Eric Moss, Teodora Nikova, Joshua Orack, Abigail Richard, Joshua Riegel, Amber Rosado, Christina Sadler, Briana Sealey, Evan Sylvester, Samantha Thompson, Emily Truong, Marisa Wieneke, Anna Zamborsky

Each year, our high school students participate in standardized testing opportunities that measure the academic achievement of school-aged participants across the United States. A number of present high school students and recent 2012 graduates have been nationally recognized by the College Board organization for their achievements on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and Advanced Placement Exams. We proudly announce the following distinguished student accomplishments. (Please note that Berea students are indicated in blue and Midpark students in orange.)

National Merit Semifinalists and Commended students (from left): Paul Switlyk, John Cary, Jack Harrington, Ryan Kolp, and Emily Truong (not pictured is Ahsan Haque); Abigail Richard, Nathaniel Nakon, Matthew Baldwin, Benjamin Farris, and Amanda Pochatek.

Abigail Richard from Midpark High School and John Cary and Paul Switlyk from Berea High School were named as National Merit Semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Competition. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) during their junior year. This test serves as the initial screen of approximately 1.4 million entrants each year. TheBereaandMidparkstudentswereamong16,000studentsinthenationwhowereofficiallynamedassemifinalistsin the National Merit Scholarship program. Less than one percent of the U.S. high school seniors in each state are named assemifinalists.Semifinalistsareeligibletoapplyforfinaliststatus.StudentswhoachievefinaliststatusareeligibleforNational Merit scholarships, corporate and college-sponsored scholarships. Students who were recognized as Commended students in the National Merit Scholarship program are Matthew Baldwin, Benjamin Farris, Ahsan Haque, Jack Harrington, Ryan Kolp, Nathaniel Nakon, Amanda Pochatek, Emily Truong. While the commended students will receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise, they will not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards. However, some of these students may be candidates for Special Scholarships provided by corporate and business sponsors.

District Students Achieve National Merit Recognition

t Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor (average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these AP Exams):Matthew Baldwin, John Cary, Alexander Ciccarello, Ivan-Rostislav Ganushchak, Rebekah Harper, Phillip Kall, Alexander Kalnasy, Evan Krumheuer, Jonathan Matthews, Jessica Meng, Cooper Muldoon, Nathaniel Nakon, Mohammad-Saad Siddiquit Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction (average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these AP Exams):Alejandro Chock, Angela Holecko, Evan Joyce, Zachary Lemon, John Matthews, Yumeng Nie, Ryan Neldon, Gabriela Perry, Emily Poirier, Jacob Rasmussen, Mingo Rolince, William Schwiemann, Nicholas Tatnall, Alyce Thompson, Steven Wendling

This newsletter is printed using a process that is water-based and, therefore, emits nothing into the air. The ink has a high percentage of soy bean, and the paper is high-percentage recycled. The printing company recycles all waste, paper, ink, and plates, and is in the process of getting a Forest Stewardship Council certification.

Another NewYear...

First Day of Kindergarten at Big Creek

Literacy Night at Brook Park Memorial

The First Week of School

Navy Band at Berea High

Another Great Start!

Literacy Night at Brookview

The Annual Midpark Fall Music Festival

Mad Hatter Day at Grindstone

“Electrify Your Strings” with Bridgid Bibbens

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Congratulations to Midpark Symphonic Choir members Shelby Holt-Komar and Luke Serrano for being accepted into the 2013 All-State Choir. The selection process for this prestigious choir is very competitive and involved 450 applicants this year. The All-State Choir will perform at the OMEA Convention February 6-8 at the Columbus Convention Center.

Congratulations to Berea City School District parent and Grindstone PTA president, Ana Chapman (4th from right), who was one of 12 parents honored as a “Champion of Change” at the White House in August. As part of the day-long program, the White House honored these extraordinary parents who have devoted their time and effort to their PTA chapters across the country. The Champions of Change Program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities. As a parent, educator, and PTA Advocate, Ana is committed to enriching children’s lives. She is currently serving as Ohio PTA Director of Communications, as well as President of Grindstone PTA. She has served as Berea PTA Council President, Unit President, 1st Vice President, Historian, Webmaster, and chairperson of numerous committees. She holds the 1st and 2nd Step Gold Key Leadership Award as well as 1st and 2nd Year Advocacy Awards. In addition to her passion for PTA, she will begin her 20th year as an Elementary Music Teacher this month, having spent the last 18 in the Beachwood City School District. She has chaired several bond issue and levy campaigns for the Berea City School District, where she is also a Trustee of the Education Foundation.

Midpark Singers Make All-State Choir

Ana Chapman Named “Champion of Change”Young Astronaut Day

Two teams of students from the Berea City School District participated in the 20th annual Young Astronaut Day at NASA Glenn Research Center on

November 3rd. The Commander Team (grades 7-12) placed second overall in the competition. 30 teams from all over Ohio took part in the competition which involved activities such as the Mars Rover climbing challenge, remote sensing and a parachute challenge. Students on the Commander Team included Freddie Assmus (Midpark), Zach Boledovic, Josh Ramierez, Tarini Singh, Ryan Karallus, Alexis Lee and Hannah Waite (Ford), Jacob Walter, Margaret Calaway, Ethan Tucker, Leaina Yates, and Will Sefi k (Roehm). Kelian Disher and Lianna Weiksner (Roehm) took second place for the Pilot Team in an activity involving marbles and air pressure inside a vacuum chamber. Other Pilot Team members included Jared Kenney, Tyler Kenny, Raima Puri, Caitlin Herron, Robert Bonsey (Ford) and Rosie Miller, Caden Dees, Cameron Thomas, Zach Hoessle, and Hannah Miu (Roehm).

Congratulations to the 24 dedicated and enthusiastic readers at the Administration Building (plus a few readers from other buildings) for winning the Summer Reading On-The-Go contest this summer sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Public Library System. The contest began on June 9 and ran through August 11. For reading the most books of all adult reading groups AND the most books overall (252), our district reading group won a Wii System. Members of the group are featured in a poster used by the Library System to promote reading, and there is a copy on display at the Administration Building and the Berea Library. Congratulations on being role models for our students on the joys of lifelong reading!

Leading the Way to Lifelong Reading

The Freshmen Salute Each Other and Acknowledge the New Tradition AheadThe Freshman Cheerleading Squads

Mr. Jim Fudale, Marching Band Director Emeritus, conducts the combined Berea and Midpark High School Marching Bands as they play The National Anthem together, one final time.

View the images on these pages and thousands more, fullsize, at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornspix/collections/ Also look for links to and short articles about these events at http://www.facebook.com/ForBereaSchools

Halftime

The Last Battle for the Grindstone

One Final Turn for the Grindstone

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Thank goodness for Ford cafeteria manager, Joyce Graham, who helped save a man who was choking as she was having dinner in a Chinese restaurant this summer. Joyce, who has been trained in the Heimlich maneuver as part of her job responsibilities as a cafeteria manager, jumped into action as the man’s wife was pulling his arms up and hitting him on the back to try to dislodge what was choking him. Joyce pulled the man out of his booth and started doing the Heimlich maneuver, while yelling for someone to call 911.

It took at least 6 tries before the Heimlich was successful, and the man was able to breathe. Everyone was hugging each other happily, and the restaurant started playing Christmas music in July, as they celebrated her saving the man’s life. Said Joyce, “I am so glad that I was taught how to do the Heimlich at work! I never thought I would have to use it, but there is no doubt in my mind that this

gentleman would not have made it, had I not known how to do it.” You are our hero, Joyce!

The awards continue to come in for the district’s Nutrition Services. In addition to receiving the 2012 Bronze-level HealthierUS School Challenge Award this year for our elementary school program and having the elementary lunch menus approved by the Cleveland Clinic, the district’s middle school menus now have also been approved by the Cleveland Clinic. The district collaborated with the Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition to develop the “Eat Right at School” menu criteria last year. This focuses on reducing the amount of sugar and fat in meals and increasing the amount of fiber, fruits and vegetables. In addition, Nutrition Services Supervisor, Beth Spinks, recently received a Distinguished Service Award from The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Department of Nutrition “in appreciation of superior mentorship to students and invaluable contributions to the master of Science in Public Health Nutrition Dietetic Internship Program.” Congratulations!

BCSD Recognized in Washington, D.C. Cafeteria Manager is a Life Saver

“I am so glad that I was taught how to do the Heimlich at work!”

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon presents the HealthierUS School Challenge Award to

BCSD Nutrition Services Director Beth Spinks

Author Chris Crutcher’s Message Connects with Teens and Adults Early in November, more than 70 interested students and staff members from Midpark, Berea, Ford and Roehm, as well as members of the community, gathered at Midpark to welcome and hear from award-winning young adult author, Chris Crutcher. His visit was a collaboration between the Teen Librarians of the Middleburg Heights and Berea branches of the Cuyahoga County Library System and high school librarians Laurie Scriven and Debbie Talbott-Miller. Mr. Crutcher, author of 11 novels, two shorts story collections, plus an autobiography, uses his background as a therapist and Child Welfare worker, along with his love of sports, to write stories that resonate with teens. During the evening, Mr. Crutcher talked about his background, his writing process, and what it feels like to have

Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga County Public Library

some of his books challenged. He also read excerpts from two of his books, answered questions from the audience, and signed books. Throughout the evening, his stories had the audience alternately gasping in shock, near tears, and laughing, creating an unforgettable experience for all.

The American Library Association has named eight of his young adult books, to date, “Best Books for Young Adults,” and four of his books appeared on Booklist’s Best 100 Books of the 20th Century, compiled in 2000 – more than any other single author on the list. Crutcher received the ALAN Award in 1993, the NCTE SLATE Intellectual Freedom Award in 1998, the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and Write Magazine’s Writers Who Make a Difference Award in 2004.

Events

Fall

Lou Groza Field Dedication

Through a partnership between the Cleveland Browns, the Berea City School District, and the Lou Groza Football League, a new football field was constructed at Roehm Middle School and will pay tribute to the late Lou Groza. The field will be used by the district, Lou Groza Youth Football and select Browns Youth Football events. The synthetic turf field features a logo of Groza’s helmet, along with his signature stitched into the turf. At the dedication on October 9, Doug Dieken spoke on behalf of the Cleveland Browns, along with Renee Harvey, Browns’ Vice President of Community Outreach, Superintendent Michael Sheppard, Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem, Ryan Devins, of the Lou Groza League, and Judd Groza, on behalf of the Groza family. The Lou Groza Field project was made possible in part through a $250,000 grant contributed by the Cleveland Browns, as part of the NFL Youth Football Fund, which was created in 1998 by the NFL and NFL Players Association. The Youth Football Fund supports the game at the youth level, promotes positive youth development and ensures the health of football in future generations.

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 156

Berea, Ohio

ECR-WSS

Our Vision: To Inspire Excellence

Our Mission: To help students achieve dreams they never imagined possible

Our Goals: Accelerate Student Achievement Fund the Future

Promote Excellence with One Voice

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE...is the official publication of the Berea City School Districtserving the communities of Berea, Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, and a portion of Olmsted Falls.

Board Office390 Fair StreetBerea, Ohio 44017216-898-8300Ohio Relay 1-800-750-0750www.berea.k12.oh.us

An Equal Educational Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity Institution

Think Globally, Educate Locally

Please Recycle

Michael Sheppard Superintendent

Board ofEducation

Dave Thurau, PresidentGale Patten, Vice President

Neal PostelFred Szabo

Dave Tressel____________________

Nancy Braford, EditorDave Cornelius, Photographer

Gwen Kronika, Desktop Publisher

The Berea City School District is a member of the Berea,

Brook Park, and Middleburg Heights Chambers of

Commerce.

2012-2013 School Calendar

August 21 .............................................. First Day of School

September 3 .......................................... Labor Day

October 12 ............................................. Staff Inservice Day

November 21 ......................................... No School

November 22 & 23................................. Thanksgiving Vacation

December 24 - January 2, 2013 ............ Winter Vacation

January 14 ............................................. Staff Inservice Day

January 21 ............................................. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 18 ........................................... Presidents’ Day

March 1.................................................. No School

March 25-29 .......................................... Spring Vacation

May 27 .................................................. Memorial Day

May 28 .................................................. Berea HS Commencement

May 29 .................................................. Midpark HS Commencement

May 30 .................................................. Last Day for Students

District Conservation Program Will Save Energy $$By Dave Millen, Energy Specialist

The Berea City School District (BCSD) administration and board members have taken a proactive step in good stewardship of budgeted funds and energy by embarking on a comprehensive energy conservation and management program with Cenergistic™. Cenergistic™ has been an ENERGY STAR®

partner since 2005 and received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010. It also received the Sustained Excellence Award in 2011 and 2012. Cenergistic™ helps organizations reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel, oil, and water by optimizing the organization’s infrastructure to reduce consumption, improving internal processes, and changing behavior to ensure that savings endure. The cost of the program is paid for through guaranteed savings that Cenergistic™ anticipates. As the district’s Energy Specialist working with Cenergistic™, I can tell you that this program is much more than turning off lights. While we will work to enhance the comfort of classrooms, I will be monitoring our costs meter by meter to ensure that we will be generating the greatest savings when our buildings are not occupied. Our first big shutdown will happen over Thanksgiving break. This is an opportunity to save approximately 20% of our November bill. We have great expectations for the years ahead, and I will be doing my best to help save our school district dollars that we can channel back into the classroom.