BULLETIN OF THE BEACHWOOD CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

YOUand

YOUR Winter 2010

Inside

Board Perspective ...............2

Letter from Administration ...................3

Beachwood WebsiteReceives Award....................4

Student Spotlights ..............5

Staff Highlights.................10

Fine Arts ............................11

Sports.................................13

Celebrations & FestivitiesScrapbook .........................14

PTO Initiatives..................19

BHS BuildingImprovementProject UpdateStory on Page 3

Students Lead DistrictGreen InitiativeStory on Page 8

Questions? Comments?

Please Contact:

Michelle BurgessCommunications Director216.464.2600 ormwb@beachwoodschools.org

DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTSExcellent with Distinction

The Ohio Department of Education has ranked theBeachwood City School District as “Excellent withDistinction” for the 2008-2009 school year. The ranking isthe highest a district can achieve in the state of Ohio.

One of the Best in the U.S.

Beachwood High School earns recognition for beingone of the top 600 high schools in the country by

U.S. News & World Report and honored by Newsweekas one of the top 1,500 U.S. high schools.

One of the Best Communities inNation for Music Education

District’s Libraries Named as a2009 Ohio Library of Distinction

The National Association of Music Merchants namedBeachwood as one of only 124 districts in the countrythat provides an unwavering commitment to providemusic education for their students.

Beachwood was one of only two school districtsrecognized by the Ohio Educational Library Media

Association (OELMA).

Beachwood One of Five Schools inState Honored for 08-09 AcademicProgress by Battelle for Kids

BMS Named One of Top 10Middle Schools in Ohio

The District is among the top five percent of districts(out of 93 eligible SOAR districts) making exceptionalgrowth with their students.

The label was given by the Ohio Department ofEducation as a result of the building’s designation

as a “National School to Watch.”

Dr. Alan Rosenthalended his four-year termas a Beachwood Boardof Education member atthe December 14, 2009,meeting.We thank youfor your dedication andservice to our district.

PerspectiveIntroducing Board ofEducation MemberMitchel Luxenburg

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Iwas born, raised and educated in Beach-wood (‘89).My family has had someonein the Schools continuously since 1967.

Over the years I have observed our schoolsgrow, develop, act, and sometimes react toaccommodate the changes in our worldand the socio-economic climate of ourcommunity. Although our world is “differ-ent” from when I grew up here, like you Ichose Beachwood because of the quality ofeducation and strength of community Iknew my children would have. That is onething making us unique—we all chose tolive here. Unlike some surrounding schools,you never hear anyone here say, “I reallywanted to live in Solon.” I consider it anobligation and the highest honor to serveour community and schools on the Beach-wood Board of Education.

I bring experience as:

• A father of four beautiful and activechildren, Max (9), Miranda (8),Ethan (6) and Lauren (4);

• The husband of an educator, mywife Tricia taught in Lakewood andCH-UH schools;

• The president and founder of the TriciaLuxenburg Memorial Scholarship. Inone year we raised over $100,000 forscholarships awarded to studentspursuing degrees in education;

• An attorney (University of Akron, ’99).My law partner and I have developed amulti-state consumer rights protectionfirm. I have litigated a number of cases

and argued one before the Ohio SupremeCourt—more importantly I amicablysettled nearly a thousand more.

• A member of the Kent State UniversityBoard of Trustees from 1994–1996 as aStudent Trustee (B.B.A. ’94, M.B.A. ’97).

During my tenure, Kent faced anacademic and economic climate similar toBeachwood today in terms of balancing themandates of the State, needs of the students,demands of the faculty and staff, and expec-tations of the community within the confinesof a strained budget. I worked closely withadministrators and board members on devel-oping and implementing a five-year strategicplan. I served on a variety of ad hoc commit-tees dealing with issues ranging from the 25thanniversary of the 1970 riot while balancingthe image crisis still facing the school becauseof the riots, to the recruitment and hiring ofkey administrators, to the review andapproval of KSU’s $250 million budget.

I am incredibly proud of the State’srecognition of Beachwood Schools’ “Excel-lent with Distinction” designation and Icongratulate our students, faculty, staff andadministrators. However, this recognition isnot something I view as a goal to be obtained,but rather an expectation of what must bemaintained and even improved upon. That’swhy you have chosen Beachwood, whyalumni have come back, and why I want tobring my unique experiences to the Board. Iwill serve you with honor.

BeachwoodBoard of Education24601 Fairmount Blvd.

Beachwood, OH 44122216.464.2600

www.beachwoodschools.org

Dr. Brian Weiss, President216.464.6678

bw@beachwoodschools.org

Jennifer Tramer, Vice President216.765.0744

jmt@beachwoodschools.org

Beth Rosenbaum216.831.9246

br@beachwoodschools.org

David B. Ostro216.464.0718

do@beachwoodschools.org

Mitchel Luxenburg216.382.8943

ml@beachwoodschools.org

Board of Education Bids Farewell toDr. Alan Rosenthal

Superintendent Dr. Richard Markwardt presents a small token ofappreciation to outgoing Board Member Dr. Alan Rosenthal

technological capacity. Today’s BeachwoodHigh School students are preparing for aworld that is vastly different than the onethat existed when the school was originallybuilt. Accordingly, the renovated buildingwould be built to address those rapidlyexpanding learning needs through the reorganization of its instructional space and incorporation of associated energy and technological resources.

The creation of performing arts space in theform of new vocal and instrumental class-rooms, new practice rooms, and increasedstorage space for instruments is part of theplanned renovation project. Those newrooms would replace smaller basementmusic rooms which have been plagued bywater damage. The new structure would bewrapped around the existing auditoriumproviding easier access to the stage andmuch needed space for the high school’sgrowing performing arts groups.

Increased community use will be promotedin the new high school design through thecreation of a large new community roomwith flexible seating and display areas, arefurbished South Gymnasium and natato-rium, a multi-purpose room for dance,martial arts, etc., and a remodeled cafeteriaand student-run Beachwood Bistro.

Athletic facilities would be improved withattention focusing on student safety and fitness and the growing needs of women’sathletic programs. A thorough analysis ofexisting playing fields will be conducted withthe goal of making ours comparable to othersin our athletic conference. Public restrooms,a new concession stand and improved seatingare components of the improvement plan.Stadium lighting is not included.

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Message from Administration

Beachwood High School Building Improvement Project

Dear Beachwood Residents:

The Beachwood Board of Education is placing a $30 million, 30-year bond issue onthe May 4, 2010, ballot. Its purpose is theimprovement of the physical structure ofBeachwood High School. This is a “bricks andmortar” issue that cannot be used to fundsalaries and day-to-day operating expenses ofthe district. If approved by the electorate, itwould cost the owner of a $250,000 home anadditional $16/month in property tax.

In recent weeks, Rich Markwardt, superin-tendent; Michele Mills, treasurer; and RobertHardis, Beachwood High School principal;have appeared before the Board of Educationto detail the planned improvements to thebuilding which are a combination of renova-tion with some new construction wheredeemed most cost-effective. Presentationshave also been made to various communitystakeholder groups to explain concept draw-ings of the improved high school preparedby Burt Hill Architects. The renderingsaddress several key areas.

Portions of Beachwood High School aremore than 50 years of age. Operational costsand the needs of students have changedgreatly in that time period. Accordingly, thebuilding is in need of considerable improve-ments as a result of the normal agingprocess. Many needs relate to its infrastruc-ture. The original boilers, now 53 years old,pose repair challenges; in some cases,replacement parts must be custom made.Many classrooms are too cold or too hot.Electrical brownouts are common as the col-lective demands of computers, smartboardsand other technology tax the building’s abilityto sustain them. Heating, electrical, andenergy-related upgrades would consumenearly one-third the cost of the project, butthe end result would be a much more ener-gy-efficient “greener” learning environment.

Other needed improvements relate directlyto the delivery of academics. These includeclassrooms that meet the minimum sizerecommendations of the Ohio School Facil-ities Commission, an expanded library-media center, and of course, enhanced

The Beachwood Board of Education hasbeen studying the Beachwood High SchoolBuilding Improvement Project since January2008. Despite temporary postponement dueto the downturn in the state and nationaleconomy, the project resurfaced in 2009. InAugust, Beachwood City Schools applied forfederal stimulus funds earmarked for energyconservation renovation projects. The dis-trict was awarded a $5.6 million allocation,which will permit borrowing of these fundsat below market interest rates resulting in aprojected savings in excess of $700,000. Thatfact, coupled with a friendly constructionclimate, in essence a “buyers’ market,” makesthe present an opportune time to proceedwith the needed improvements to Beach-wood High School.

The high school is the flagship of any com-munity. As Beachwood seeks to attract andretain families, the condition of its highschool will greatly affect its ability to do so.A recent community survey reaffirmed theBeachwood community’s commitment toits schools. It reflected the residents’ unwa-vering support of their children’s andgrandchildren’s education. The same spiritof pride and determination that built theoriginal Beachwood High School in 1957continues today. Now, some of those sameresidents and their children will be asked tobuild upon that legacy by enabling Beach-wood High School’s physical structure tomirror its outstanding academic offerings.

Richard A. Markwardt, Ph.DSuperintendent

Michele E. MillsTreasurer

Robert P. HardisBHS Principal

“As Beachwood seeks toattract and retain families,

the condition of its high school will greatly

affect its ability to do so. ”

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This past September the BeachwoodSchools’ website received a “Standard ofExcellence” WebAward in the “School” cate-gory of the Web Marketing Association’s13th annual 2009 WebAward Competitionfor website development. BeachwoodSchools Communications Director MichelleBurgess commented, “The latest Beach-wood website, which launched in February2009, is an integral component of our ongo-ing communication with parents and

prospective families. Whenwe created this website inconjunction with WesternReserve Internet Service,we did so with the intentionof it being a tool that peoplewould frequently referencefor news updates, forms,lunch menus, portals forlogins, and calendar updates. Our measureof success comes from the feedback we

get from parents,comments on easeof use and analyticsreports to see howmany people areviewing the website.Winning this awardis an added bonus to

be recognized by marketing and commu-nication peers from the Web MarketingAssociation.”

Thirteen education sites, includingBeachwood’s, warranted a WebAward basedon judging criteria for design, copywriting,innovation, content, interactivity, navigation,and use of technology. “Recognizing the bestwebsite in each industry is an important wayto establish the ever-changing standard ofexcellence in website development,” saidWilliam Rice, president of the Web Market-ing Association. “As the Internet evolves, so does the state of website developmentand winning a WebAward is a great way to demonstrate the effectiveness of yourWeb development efforts.”

Visit beachwoodschools.orgfor the latest news and updates.

Four school districts in Cuyahoga County—Beachwood,Berea, North Royalton, and Orange—will test an innovative,business model that has become a best practice among large

research and industrial companies. The approach is “ChemicalManagement Services,” where a service provider will not onlyhelp supply chemicals to the schools, but also assist in properlymanaging the chemicals and waste. The unique model focuses onthe schools receiving chemical services rather than just chemicalproducts.

Beachwood will receive assistance in purchasing, inventorymanagement, data tracking and monitoring, waste collection,and safety/storage/handling training. The schools expect to seemultiple benefits including chemical-use reduction (throughimproved purchasing practices, better information, and betteroverall management), improved safety (through increased stafftraining, tighter control on chemicals purchased, and substitu-

Beachwood One of Four Districts Testing New Approach for Safer Schools and a Cleaner Environment

tion of safer products), and reduced waste. Larry Tomec, dis-trict business consultant, commented, “The program willincrease the safety of the buildings and improve the environ-ment by minimizing the amount and toxicity of chemicalsentering district facilities. The program will also serve as anexample of the district’s commitment to sustainability whenteaching students to be ‘Green Citizens.’”

“We commend these schools for taking a leadership positionin protecting the health of our students, teachers, and our com-munity. It is our hope that this project will serve as an examplefor other K–12 school districts in Cuyahoga County, and extendeven beyond that, to our municipalities,” says Matt Johnson,program manager of the School Environments Program withthe Cuyahoga County Board of Health. “The innovative approachto be used here has great potential for improving the schoolenvironment for all our nation’s children.”

Beachwood Schools’ Website Receives “Standard of Excellence Distinction”

2009 BHS Inductees:Front row, left to right: Miranda Scott (senior), Sara Muschkin (senior), Alix Aboussouan (junior), Ananya Marathe (junior), Joshua Jacobs (senior), Melanie Small(junior), and Monica Arkin (junior). Second row, left to right: Sarah Irwin (junior), Lily Lash (junior), Megan Charms (senior), Richard Cohen (senior), Chelsea Beytas(junior), and Shira Barron (junior). Back row, left to right: Jared Skoff (junior), David Silver (junior), Elliot Angart (junior), Samuel Lowenkamp (junior), BenjaminDucoff (junior), and Bradley Charna (senior).

On Wednesday, October 28, beloved Harry Selner, a former BHS math teacher, was the keynote speaker for the National HonorSociety induction ceremony for 19 juniors and seniors. Students were recognized for combined areas of academic scholarship (GPAsover 3.7), service, leadership, and character.

Senior Benjamin Reisman earned a perfect score of 36 ona recent ACT test that consists of tests in English, mathematics,reading, and science. Nationally, while the actual number ofstudents earning a score of 36 varies from test to test, roughlyone-tenth of one percent receive a top score. Among test takersin the high school graduating class of 2010, an estimated 500 ofnearly 1.5 million students earned a score of 36.

In a letter recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chairman and CEO Richard L. Ferguson said, “While test scores are just one of the many criteria that most collegesconsider when making admission decisions, your exceptionalACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue youreducation and career goals.”

Reisman was recently accepted into Northwestern Universitywhere he’ll be pursuing a major in physics and will eventually goon to medical school to become a doctor.

19 Students Inducted into National Honor Society

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Student Earns Perfect Score on ACT

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Bottom row, left to right: Matt Baron (Best Delegate in JeffersonCommittee for Diplomacy—the committeereserved for the top delegates of each school),Madeline Adelman (commended), Julia Winkeler (commended), Ananya Marathe (outstanding), Spandana Govindgari (commended), and Brittany Crosby (honorable).

Second row, left to right: Shravya Govindgari (commended), Sarah Newman (honorable), Jon Sender(commended), Howard Sobel(outstanding), Louis Rosenbaum(best), and Amelia Wester (honorable).

Third row, left to right:Christina Phelps (commended),Sara Post (honorable), Shauna Tepper(honorable), Joe Hendlin (best), and Jon Fishman (best).

Top row, left to right: Coach and Teacher Evan Luzar, Sevy Harris (outstanding), Elliot Angart(outstanding), Andrew Davis (honorable),and Ben Reisman (best).

Not pictured: Michael Pinhasi (best), Blake Atherton (outstanding), Eric Parris(honorable), Mengzhl Wu (commended), and Ethan Isaacson (commended).

This fall, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shieldin Ohio teamed up with Radio Disney to bringDisney’s “Move It!” program to motivated stu-dents throughout Ohio to build healthy habitswhile competing against other schools for thechance to win new gym equipment and a liveRadio Disney dance party at their school hostedby Radio Disney deejays. Nearly 300 Ohio schoolssigned up, and more than 47,000 students partici-pated in the Disney activity, which encouragesactive lifestyles for kids and adults and serves asan outlet to promote healthy living in fun andentertaining ways.

Twenty schools with the highest participa-tion levels were the lucky winners of a RadioDisney “Move It!” Dance Party. One of the luckywinners was Hilltop Elementary School. Hilltop’s“Move It!” Dance Party took place on Monday,December 7.

Hilltop Wins Disney “Move It!” Party

Left to right: Shanyla Johnson, Krishna Thupili, Leah Roter, and Derrick Sanders knew how to break itdown at Radio Disney’s “Move It” Dance Party.

25 JCWA Students Earn Speaker Awards – Six Earn “Best”The JCWA team had an outstanding show of best speaker awards at the Virginia Model

United Nations tournament with the team earning 25 individual speaker awards and six stu-dents earning the highest honor by receiving “Best” distinction honors. Students worked topass resolutions on behalf of their assigned country’s policies to solve actual problems facinga specific committee such as Disarmament and Security, Special Political and Decolonization,Social and Humanitarian, and Economic and Financial.

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Hilltop is highlighting one of the “Pillars of Character” each month from November through April.The pillars are: Respect, Caring, Responsibility, Trust-worthiness, Citizenship, and Fairness. Hilltop staffmembers recognize students who demonstrate the char-acter trait each month by giving out “Bison Bucks.” Atthe end of the month, all students are awarded BisonBucks and are recognized on Hilltop’s character bulletinboard. At the end of the year, students will have anopportunity to redeem their earned Bison Bucks at theschool’s “Character Counts!” convenience store.

November’s Respect student winners:

Back row, left to right: Guidance Counselor Mrs. Debbie Pilarcik,Jacob Sapell, Sam Luria, Raya Holz, and Principal Michael Molnar.

Front row, left to right: Jakin Wu, Hiran Mendries, and Max Luxenburg.

Hilltop Promotes “Pillars of Character”

Grade-level team teachers choose students eachweek for consistently “Doing the Right Thing,” aca-demically and behaviorally.

Front row, left to right: Devan Peavy, Casey Blum, NomiPoprish, Anna Post, Hannah Kahn, Alex Kaufman, andGrant Gravagna.

Middle row, left to right: Hannah Frayman, KatherinePioro, Daniel Stanescu, Principal Linda LoGalbo, andTeddy Sender.

Back row, left to right: Rebecca Kuang, Samantha Tall, Hannah Richardson, Shaneice James, Alex Glassman,Andrew Kitay, and Neel Lachhwani.

First Quarter BMS Studentsof the Month

Buy a subscription to the Beachcomber!Subscribing to Beachwood High School’s award-winning student newspaper is a terrific way

to stay informed about events at BHS, including sports, arts, events, and activities.

Check the applicable subscription:� $12 per year – Graduating Seniors

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Mail this form, with payment, to:The Beachcomber c/o Beachwood High School25100 Fairmount BlvdBeachwood, OH 44122

Make checks payable to:“Beachwood High School”

Questions? Email Josh Davis @ jmd@beachwoodschools.org

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Left to right: Liamand Mitch Wasserman, Todd and Gabe Stern,and Scott and Eli Mulligan.

Congratulations to Jared (third grade) and JonathonShapiro (seventh grade) for winning the “Principal for theDay” gift certificate at the Friends of Beachwood Orchestra

FUNdraiser. On December 18, students completed manyduties alongside Hilltop Principal Michael Molnar and BMSPrincipal Linda LoGalbo such as morning announcements,

lunch duty, winter celebrations, and afternoon assemblies.

Step Aside Principals – StudentsTake Charge for Day

Principal Molnar with Student Principal Jared Shapiro and Principal LoGalbo with Student Principal Jonathon Shapiro.

Someone I Love BreakfastBryden and Hilltop students

were invited to bring an adult oftheir choice to the ElementaryPTO’s fun-filled Someone I LoveBreakfast. Parents, aunts anduncles, grandparents, and familyfriends were treated to a nicebreakfast and bonding time withtheir student.

(Left) Jordyn Zawatskyand Auntie Debbie Cohen

(Above) Parker and Steven Gill.

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During the 2008–09 school year, Daniel Ducoff, a member of the Beachwood Schools Foundation (BSF) Board of Trustees,spearheaded a Foundation project with the help of Community

Relations Coordinator Bobbie Lindenbaum, to develop a “GreenGrant” that would be awarded to a staff or student proposal responsethat best supported environmental sustainability. The Foundation’spurpose of the Green Grant is to spark the imagination of theBeachwood Schools Community in creating projects that envisionand advance Beachwood’s long-term future as a sustainable com-munity. The source of funding for this grant is the BSF’s Above and Beyond Fund, which was instituted by the BSF to enhance educational programming in the Beachwood School District.

This fall, the $10,000 grant was officially awarded to sophomoresScott Remer and Duncan Rodriguez for their proposed ProjectGAIA, a project that matched the Foundation’s desire for implementingenvironmental sustainability within the district. Rodriguez describedProject GAIA’s name as being based on Greek goddess Gaia, who repre-sents Mother Earth, and the name also happens to be the perfectacronym for the group’s purpose: Green Awareness in Action.

Project GAIA, led by the students with support from Advisor Jason LeDonne, is one of a few district organizations that falls under the larger umbrella Beachwood Green Alliance, which encom-passes the following district’s green initiative groups and individuals: Effective Leadership AcademyInstructor Flo Brett, Advisor Jason LeDonne and the Ecology Club, and the Green Dream teamwith Greg Perry. With help and support from the Alliance, Project GAIA can work more cohesivelyat their mission to “increase public awareness of how to achieve environmental sustainability, promote an understanding of why environmental sustainability is so important, and take action inthe Beachwood City School District, Beachwood, and the Northeast Ohio area to make our schoolsystem, city, and region more environmentally sustainable.”

On December 14, 2009, the Beachwood Green Alliance team gave a presentation to the Beach-wood Board of Education to outline all the initiatives that are taking place over the course of this year:

• Distribute flyers and pamphlets to the student body (partially supported by Green Street)• Pursue double-sided and grayscale (no color) printing within school district• Work with Green Dream to possibly host a joint event• Hold a series of speaking engagements with guest speakers in various ecology-related fields• Hold inter-school competitions (biking, walking, recycling paper)• Incorporate a green theme in the BMS Spelling Bee• Hold a video contest for BHS students• Hold an essay contest for elementary/BMS students

Students Lead District Green Initiatives and Garner a $10,000 Grant from BSF

Project GAIA Student-Founders Scott Remer and Duncan Rodriguez.

Steven Gill, president of the Beachwood Schools Foundation,reads the plant sign inscription at the BOE meeting on December

14 to publicly commemorate the BSF’s $10,000 grant donation."The Beachwood Schools Foundation is proud to award a $10,000grant in support of the Beachwood School District's commitmentto Green Leadership. This tree is symbolic of great things to come

as our school district and community strive to become local andnational leaders in environmental sustainability."

Beachwood Green Alliance presenters at the December 14, 2009board meeting (left to right): Effective Leadership Academy Instruc-tor Flo Brett, Project GAIA and Ecology Club Advisor JasonLeDonne, Chenyu Zhang (GAIA), Duncan Rodriguez (GAIA),Yuxi Zheng (GAIA), Scott Remer (GAIA), Hillary Sadler (GreenDream), Kevin Jones (Green Dream), Jeremy Margolis (GreenDream), and Green Dream Teacher Greg Perry.

Stay tuned for more information from the Beachwood Green Alliance and Project GAIA!

Staff Highlights& HonorsThree Staff Members Serve on State Executive Board for Teachers of English Language Arts

The Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, OCTELA, is composed ofteachers of pre-kindergarten through college English and anyone interested in practicingand promoting English language arts. Beachwood has three staff members that havestepped up to serve in leadership positions on OCTELA.

Karen Tollafield has been with Beachwood for 29 years and presently teaches fourthgrade. She is currently president-elect and will become president for 2010–2011 after aconference in March. Tollafield has been very involved with OCTELA and the OhioDepartment of Education since 2004. “English/Language Arts has always been my passion,”Karen says, “and I was fortunate to work with the Ohio Department of Education in2004–2005, writing model ELA curricula for their website.” In 2005, Karen joined the

National Writing Project, “which,” she says, “affected my teaching, and my life has never been the same.” Virginia McCormac, a 30-year veteran teacher, teaches sixth-grade language arts. She has become this school year’s secretary-elect.

McCormac has been fortunate to work with the Ohio Department of Education on the Content Advisory Committee from 2002–present,approving text, questions, and answers for the Sixth Grade Reading Achievement Test.

Alesha Trudell, a Hilltop reading specialist serving in the district for 10 years, has joined the Executive Board as co-membership chair.In addition, Trudell serves on the ODE Grade 3 Range-Finding Committee for the state achievement tests.

Virginia McCormac, Karen Tollafield, and Alesha Trudell.

Beachwood is fortunate to have so many hardworking and dedicated staff thatit’s hard to select only two Crystal Apple recipients each year. However, each year atConvocation, Beachwood is proud to honor one classified employee and one teacherfor their outstanding work and dedication. This year’s winners are Curtis Crowell, adistrict maintenance worker and Wendi Bomback, a kindergarten teacher.

“Whether Curtis Crowell is plowing

snow, landscaping, doing carpentry work

or general maintenance, Curtis is talented,

takes pride in his profession and always

puts forth 110% effort.”

—Nominator Jeff Smith, Supervisor

of Buildings and Grounds

“Wendi Bomback is truly such an

exemplary teacher. She deserves all of

the recognition and honor that goes

with the awarding of the Crystal Apple.

Not only is she a highly skilled instructor

with a “glass-always-full” attitude, but

she can be counted on whenever there is

a curricular or school related initiative

that needs expert attention.”

—Nominator Christi Bernetich,

Bryden Principal

2009 Crystal Apple Winners Teacher Honored as a 2009 Culinary

Educator

Beachwood Bistro’s Culinary ArtsTeacher Danette McHale was invited toattend the Cleveland American CulinaryFederation President’s Brunch at the May-field Country Club where she received the2009 Culinary Educator Award. This awardwas to recognize McHale for her “dedica-tion and commitment to educating ourfuture chefs.” Congratulations!

Culinary Federation Vice President Tom Capretta andDanette McHale.

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FINE Arts

This fall, Beachwood students studied, created replicas of his work, andsome even painted with internationally known pop-artist Romero Britto. Bryden students were challenged to create “Britto Names” in art class, scriptout their own names, and then use their own pop-art creativity for uniquedesigns. Hilltop students created a large installation art project, inspired byBritto’s style and subject matter, that decorated the Beachwood CommunityCenter for Britto’s special exhibit in October. A group of 40 Beachwood MiddleSchool students had the rare opportunity to join Britto in a painting party onFriday, October 9, and painted large canvas pieces with Britto that will behung at BMS and the BOE building.

Britto in Beachwood

Beachwood Middle School students at the painting party (left toright): Jaywon Lee, Eva Greenberg, Romero Britto, SamanthaTall, Rachel Lubinger, Bijal Patel, and Aliza Tresser.

4th grader Jordan Hill proudly displays his coloring rendition ofRomero Britto’s “Dancing Boy.”

Hilltop students fromMrs. Carol Zuckermanand Mrs. Shelley Burn's4th-grade classes hadBritto as a special guestduring art class.

At the age of 13, Chadwick Tindel has a passion for music. He playsthe viola and the guitar. “Music is a very important part of my life. I lovemusic,” Chadwick says. It’s a love that Chadwick wanted to share with otherswho might not share the same opportunities as he and his sister enjoy.

“I wanted to help share the music education that I have and helpother children get a music education too,” he said. Over the summer, theBeachwood eighth grader had been asking everyone he knows, through emailsand letters, to donate old instruments. Soon, Chadwick had collected drums,several guitars, a violin, a piano, and even an organ. If friends didn’t have oldinstruments, many donated money.

We were there on the day Chadwick, his sister, and mother brought theinstruments and a check for $1000 to the Cleveland Metropolitan SchoolDistrict. “I had no idea that you would be bringing this kind of resource to the Cleveland schools. I am very proud of you,” said John Hairston, chiefcommunications officer for the district. Chadwick’s act of kindness hasearned him a notable distinction. “You are the youngest partnership thatwe have in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and I say congratu-lations to you,” Hairston told Chadwick.

His “Save The Music” campaign began as part of Chadwick’s Mitzvahproject, as he prepared for his own Bar Mitzvah. And even though he ful-filled his requirement, Chadwick hasn’t stopped. He’s committed to makingmusic possible to every child within CMSD. Chadwick is still collectinginstruments. If you’d like to donate, you can send the family an email. The address is: ctindel@sbcglobal.net.

8th Grader Helped “Save theMusic” for Cleveland Schools

Story reprinted with permission from WKYC

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Music Students Accepted into Highly Selective Ensembles for 2009 -10.

FINE Arts

Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony Sponsored by Case Western Reserve University

Ori Friedman (HS Band)Victor Tse (HS Band)Josh Yanowitz (HS Band)Ben Reisman (HS Band)Barry Teich (HS Band)Nick Greene (HS Band)

Cleveland Orchestra Youth OrchestraSponsored by The Cleveland Orchestra

Josh Lauretig (HS Band)Austin Haynesworth (HS Orchestra)

Contemporary Youth Orchestra Sponsored by Cleveland State University

Josh Lauretig (HS Band) Sevy Harris (HS Orchestra)Sam Goldman (HS Orchestra)Jonathon Senders (HS Orchestra)Nathan Gilbert (HS Orchestra)David Litwin (HS Orchestra)

Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory OrchestraSponsored by the Cleveland Institute of Music

Pauline Keselman (BMS Orchestra)Emily Topilow (BMS Orchestra)Teddy Sender (BMS Orchestra)

Baldwin Wallace Youth Orchestra Sponsored by Baldwin Wallace

Kiran Bangalore (HS Orchestra)Sonya Bangalore (HS Orchestra)

Cleveland Institute of Music Camerata OrchestraSponsored by the Cleveland Institute of Music

BingQuing Hu (BMS Orchestra)William Wang (Hilltop Orchestra)

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SPORTS

Mark Goldberg, a three-time statequalifier and two-time state runner-up,signed his National Letter of Intent onThursday, December 4, 2009, to play tennisat Lehigh University, Division I, which islocated in Bethlehem, PA. Mark Goldberg is Beachwood’s most accomplished tennisplayer in school history. As a freshman, Markqualified for the Division II Ohio SchoolAthletic Association (OHSAA) State Tourna-ment in doubles. As a sophomore, he placed2nd in the state with doubles partner GrantAronson. Last year, as a junior, Mark finished2nd in the state in singles. “I have always hadaspirations of playing college tennis since Iwas a little kid and I have found the rightsituation for me. The Lehigh tennis coach isa great person and the perfect role model.In addition, Lehigh is a fantastic academicinstitution. I am very excited about thisopportunity,” commented Mark Goldberg.

Tennis Athlete Signswith Lehigh University

Stephen Yarbrough was voted “2ndTeam All-Ohio Defensive Back.” This is thefirst time in over 15 years that a Beachwoodfootball player has earned this honor. Stephencapped off his senior season defensively with45 tackles, 14 solo tackles, and three tacklesfor a loss. He had five interceptions for 141yards, and one defensive touchdown. Offen-sively, he had 25 catches for 544 yards, andfive touchdowns with 23 rushes for 173yards. Stephen is a four-year varsity letterwinner and was this year’s team MVP.Other honors include being “Chagrin Val-ley Conference First Team Defensive Backand Wide Receiver.” “This is a great honorfor Stephen, his family and the Bison Foot-ball program. Stephen joins the ranks asone of Beachwood’s best football playersever. We are very proud of him and thedirection that the football program is head-ed,” states Athletic Director Ryan Peters.

Senior Football Captain Named “2nd Team All-Ohio”

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During halftime of the Boys VarsityBasketball game, on Saturday, December 19,BHS honored their 2009 CVC ChampionshipTeam, First Team All-Ohio Basketball PlayerMax Sheridan, and all Beachwood basketballalumni. The team’s conference banner andMax’s picture were unveiled during the spe-cial ceremony.

2009 CVC Team and Sheridan Honored

Max Sheridan (holding the award) with his familyafter the ceremony.

Seventh grader Brad Tramer finished2nd in the state at the recent Middle SchoolCross Country State Championships. Hefinished with a time of 11:06. The first

three finishers allbroke the previousstate meet recordand all came inone second apart(11:05, 11:06,11:07). Congratsto Brad on a fantastic accom-plishment!

Middle School CrossCountry Runner Brad Tramer – State Runner-Up

White House Office Director

of Public Engagement

Tina Tchen (’74)

was one of 11 alumni

inductees who were honored

at the Gallery of Success

assembly on October 16.

14

Homecoming 2009

Homecoming Alumni Mixer Event

Gallery of Success

Induction Weekend

Members from the Class of ’66.

SCRAPBOOKCelebrations & Festivities

Jodi Bauer Mack and Stacy Edelstein (Class of ’85). 15

Homecoming 2009

Noelle Britt (with her parents) was announced as the

2009 BHS Homecoming Queen during halftime at the game.

Homecoming Game

Homecoming Alumni Mixer Event

Although Beachwood lost the game against Orange,it was great to have former Bison Football Captainand Gallery of Success Inductee Dr. Rick Frires(’67) as the honorary coach at the game and top-25American Idol Finalist Steven Fowler (’00) singthe national anthem.

SCRAPBOOKCelebrations & Festivities

16

Ms. Molly Keyes’ 4th Grade Class.

Hilltop students Julia Woomer, Cassidy Crosby,

Minjin Jin and Jordan Hill (front).

2nd grader Jonathan “Spiderman” Saafir.

Hilltop students Maxwell Rackmill and Ryan Sapell.

Fairmount preschoolers (left to right): Alika Ogor,

Gavi Pollack, Ashlyn Daniels, Ty Jacobs, Rylee Friedman,

Lainey Capel (Minnie Mouse),and Alex Bravo (Cow).

Halloween Fun!

SCRAPBOOKCelebrations & Festivities

17

Celebrations & FestivitiesElderclass Festivities

On October 22, senior citizens had lunch pre-pared by Beachwood Bistro students andthen enjoyed an afternoon performance withJoan Ellison singing the songs of the youngJudy Garland. Elderclass events are plannedfor February 25, March 25, April 22, and May13. Call 216.464.2600 for more information.

Beachwood ASL Choir participants (left to right):DeVeeaira McGregor, Nyah Patrick, Roshni Sharma,

and Jvian Ferguson.

BHS ASL students Jordan Reiner and Airion Watkins-Clark.

Over 250 Attend Deaf and Hard ofHearing Holiday Party

Beachwood High School’s American Sign Language (ASL) classes andthe American Sign Language Club hosted the Deaf and Hard of Hearing(DHH) Community Holiday Party on December 14 at the high school. Spe-cial guests for the party included students in the Beachwood Deaf and Hardof Hearing education program, from kindergarten to high school, and DHHand hearing senior citizens and community members. Guests were enter-tained by the Beachwood Schools American Sign Language Choir, bingo andprizes, and face painting, and they enjoyed each other’s company over lunchthat was donated by various area businesses.

This party was a collaborative effort onthe part of approximately 70 students underthe direction of ASL Teacher Sharon Weis-man to bring together the DHH and hear-ing community. This event was a wonderfulcelebration for ASL students to not onlylearn the language of the deaf community,but to also have the opportunity to havehands-on experience with deaf culture. Thisparty gives the students an opportunity topractice the communication skills that theyhave learned in class and to give back to thecommunity in which they live.

It was quite an emotional experience tosee over 250 hearing students, deaf students,deaf senior citizens, deaf teachers, and inter-preters all coming together to celebrate theholiday season.

Young party attendees AdrianStehlik and Jacob Miller.

18

Celebrations & FestivitiesHospitality Students Serve Up Cheer

Shortly before Thanksgiving, selected Beachwood Excel TECC hospitalitystudents served at a banquet hosted by the Warrensville Heights Chamberof Commerce and Marriott Cleveland East. Top interns from area highschools worked along side the Marriott hotel’s culinary team.

Orchestra Students Play at Cleveland Palace Theater

On November 29, 28 students from BMS and Hilltop performed holidayfavorites at intermission and for pre-concert festivities to a sold-outcrowd at the Palace Theater as part of the Cleveland Pops Holiday FamilyConcert event.

Beachwood Hospitality students (left to right): Tré Carthon, Amanda Litz, LeaNeff, Alyssa Smith, Robert McWilliams, and Theo Smith.

Hilltop and BMS students perform at the Palace Theater.

Singing at Legacy

Scholars Learn andCelebrate Kwanzaa

BHS Choir and Director Carolyn Farley sing for holiday shoppers at Legacy Village.

Hilltop, BMS, and BHS Scholars program students learnand celebrate Kwanzaa during an after-school holiday party.

19

2008–09 Beachwood Schools PTO Initiatives

PTO

The Beachwood City School District would like to thank the Beachwood PTO fortheir continued support of our staff and students. Here’s a list of their contributionsfrom the 2008–09 school year:

Community PTO Financial Annual Support:• Homecoming Parade festivities

• Spinney Awards reception

• Fifth-Grade Promotion party

• BHS After-prom

Elementary, BMS, & BHS PTO Support:• $ 550 Staff Appreciation in the fall and in the spring (Elementary/BMS/BHS PTO)

• $ 220 Science Fair (BMS PTO)

• $ 3,000 After-prom (BHS PTO)

• $14,000 For various needs at elementary schools (Elementary PTO)

Community PTO – Annual Principals’ Discretionary Funds (funds used for families in need):

• $1,000 BHS Principal’s Discretionary Fund

• $ 750 BMS Principal’s Discretionary Fund

• $ 500 Each for Bryden and Hilltop Principals’ Discretionary Funds

• $ 250 Fairmount Discretionary Funds

Community PTO – Garage Sale Proceeds 2009:• $ 2,700 Bryden School sound system

• $ 5,000 Beachwood Foundation scholarship endowment for a self-sustaining $250 annual scholarship

• $10,000 Senior scholarships (10 at $1,000 each)

Annual Staff Grants (not to exceed $1,000 each):

• Technology for Hebrew program

• World Language department equipment

• Digital video equipment for the American Sign Language program

• 2009 Mark Woods “Electrify Your Strings” workshop and concert

• Start-up funds for the development of a National Wildlife Habitat at BMS

• Language Lab digital voice recorder/WMA music player

Special Grants:• $500 Beachwood Schools Library Book Club start-up money

• $250 BHS Student Film Fest

2009 Lectureship:• $500 Sponsor of “Binge to Blackout” lecture series with Parent2Parent

Beachwood Board of Education24601 Fairmount Blvd.Beachwood, Ohio 44122

YOUand

YOUR

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCLEVELAND, OHPERMIT NO. 469

2010 Important Dates:

Wednesday, March 24

Pre-K – 5th Grade Parent-Teacher

Conferences @ 3:15–7 pm

Thursday, March 25

Early Release for Pre-K – 5th Grade

Pre-K – 5th Grade Parent-Teacher

Conferences @ 11 am–5 pm

Friday, March 26

Early Release for Pre-K – 5th Grade

Monday, March 29 –

Friday, April 2

Spring Break – No School

Friday, April 16

Green Dream Eco-Friendly Showcase at

Community Center @ 1–7 pm

Week of April 19

Kindergarten Registration

Saturday, May 15/Sunday, May 16

Prom & After-prom

Monday, May 17

BOE Spinney Awards for

Educational Excellence

Wednesday, May 26 –

Friday, May 28

BMS 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

Monday, May 31

Memorial Day – No School

Sunday, June 6

BHS Graduation at Severance Hall

@ 2:00 pm

Thursday, June 10

Last Day for Students

Call the school or the board office at 216.464.2600 if you have any questions about these dates.