Principal: Christina Sherwood EMAIL

Asst. Principal: Anthony Forfia EMAIL

Secretary: Diana Norris EMAIL

Nurse: Jen Trittschuh, RN EMAIL

MAIN OFFICE/ATTENDANCE: 440-285-4062

Website: www.chardonschools.org

Address: 424 North St.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Hilltopper Families:

It's hard to believe we just finished week 4! We have had such a good time getting to know your kids, and we can't wait to see all that they will accomplish this year. Your continued support is so appreciated. Please let us know if there is anything you need to help support the kids at home.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Mrs. Sherwood & Mr. Forfia

IMPORTANT DATES!

Please note the following important dates:

September 15th: Builders Club Meeting/ 2:45-3:45

September 16th: 5th grade beginner arcade makecode/ 2:45-4:00 PM

September 17th: Student Council Meeting/ 2:45-3:45

September 22nd: 7th grade AHLI field trip

September 23rd: 6th grade AHLI meeting/ 2:45-4:15 PM

September 25th: 6th grade AHLI field trip

October 6-8th: Book Fair

October 7th: PTO Meeting/ 4:30-5:30/LGIR

Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00 PM

Kind Kids Meeting/2:45-3:40 PM

October 9th: NEOEA Day/No School

JOIN STUDENT COUNCIL

BUILDERS CLUB

5TH GRADE PARENTS

Attention 5th Grade Families-

Is your student interested in science? How about learning more about our environment and conservation? Are they a leader? If you answered “yes” to all of these, your student might be just what AHLI is looking for! AHLI stands for the Arthur Holden Leadership Institute.

This club meets twice a month with one meeting after school and one field trip during the school day. (Students will be required to make up any missed classwork on field trip days.) These meetings will focus on building leadership skills through scientific inquiry.

If your student is interested in applying, please have them see Mrs. Swick in room 107 or Mrs. Mele in room 210 for an application. Completed applications are due to Mrs. Swick or Mrs. Mele by Friday, September 18. Spaces are limited to 35 students; there is a selection process with the applications. Students will be notified by Thursday, Sept. 24 if selected.

6TH AND 7TH GRADE ROBOTICS CLUB

Is your 6th or 7th grade child interested in robotics, engineering, and working in groups to solve problems? The 6th and 7th grade robotics club is currently accepting applications! Any 6th or 7th grade student at CMS is welcome to apply.

Here is a link to the application. Please note: the application can ONLY be accessed by Chardon Schools student accounts. Students can find the link on Mr. Hilston’s teacher website, found on the Chardon Middle School website.

This is a high interest club, usually more students apply than there are spaces available. It is important that students take their time and fill out the application completely.

The club typically meets after school on Mondays. Additional information can be found in the application.

Applications are DUE by Tuesday, September 15. Email Mr. Hilston (Brent.Hilston@chardonschools.org) if you have any questions.

KINDNESS CLUB RETURNS!

Kindness Club

Advisors: Caitlyn Kozelj and Carly Snow

Contact: Caitlyn.Kozelj@chardonschools.org, carly.snow@chardonschools.org

Grade Level: 4-7

Fee: None

Kindness club is open to all grade levels. We will meet once a month on Wednesdays after school in the CMS media center from 2:45-3:40pm

Kindness club is a student-led initiative to spread positivity throughout the school. We will be participating in group kindness activities along with planning and implementing special projects throughout the school year to promote kindness among students and staff, as well as possible community kindness projects.

There will be two groups this year, each with a maximum of 14 students, each group will meet one Wednesday per month. Members will need to select one group to register to be part of. See registration links below.

Please fill out the following information to register by Friday October 2, 2026.

The first meeting for group 1, Kind Kids: will be on Wednesday- October 7th.

The first meeting for group 2, Care Crew: will be on Wednesday- October 21st.

The Kindness Club will meet on the following dates:

Group 1: Kind Kids Registration link: click here for the google form

October 7, 2026

November 4, 2026

December 9, 2026

January 6, 2027

February 3, 2027

March 3, 2027

Final meeting:

April 7, 2027

Group 2: Care Crew Registration link: click here for the google form

October 21, 2026

November 11, 2026

December 16, 2026

January 20, 2027

February 17, 2027

March 17, 2027

Final meeting:

April 28, 2027

FROM THE COUNSELORS

START WITH HELLO - UPCOMING SPIRIT WEEK DETAILS:

KICK IT TO CANCER EVENT

Join Us for Chardon Soccer’s "Kick It To Cancer" Event!

Chardon High School’s Boys and Girls Soccer teams are hosting their Kick It To Cancer double-header against Madison on Saturday, September 26, at Chardon Memorial Stadium (Boys at 2:00 PM, Girls at 4:00 PM).

Come out to support our teams and raise funds for local families who have battled cancer! The event features T-shirt sales, basket raffles, a scoreboard tribute, and special pre-game honors.

Nominate a Community Member: We want to honor members of our Chardon community who have battled cancer. If you would like to nominate a loved one or community member to be recognized, please fill out the Nomination Form.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD INFO & SIGN UP NIGHT

Who: Chardon Students grades 6-12 (4th and 5th graders are welcome but may be limited or unable to compete due to State and National Policies)

National Website: soinc.org

What: INFORMATION & SIGN-UP Night

Date: Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026

Time: Arrive 5:45pm

Presentation starts at 6:00pm

Where: CMS cafeteria & LGIR

Additional Questions can be emailed to: science.olympiad@chardonschools.org (general information), emily.tusick@chardonschools.org (students in 9-12), or michelle.monkiewicz@chardonschools.org (students in 4-8)

Science Olympiad Team Website

YEARBOOK INFORMATION

Say Cheese! It’s Yearbook Time!

Parents, it’s time to preserve the memories of the 26-27 school year! CMS yearbooks are now available to order through Infinite Campus. Don’t miss your chance to give your student a keepsake filled with the people, smiles, events, and moments that made this year special!

To order a yearbook, log in to Infinite Campus. On the left-hand side of the screen, click “fees.” Then click on the “manage accounts” folder (this is the tab next to the shopping cart). From there, click “optional payments.” You can add “CMS Yearbook” to your cart and pay the fee. Please contact the main office with questions about this ordering process!

And for our creative students…we have an opportunity for YOU!

6th and 7th graders may apply to become part of the CMS Yearbook Staff! Students interested in joining the team can pick up an application in the cafeteria and submit the completed application to Mrs. Ceraolo’s mailbox by Friday, September 25.

Order it. Capture it. Remember it.
Let’s make this a year to remember!

ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

HB 96 requires that we track student attendance, regardless of absence reason, and once a student reaches the 5% thresh hold, the school must begin interventions.

FROM THE PTO

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! CMS Hilltoppers PTO

Book fair volunteers needed! The fall book fair is scheduled for October 6th, 7th (parent teacher conferences), and 8th. Anyone interested in volunteering for this should contact Amanda Moore at 440-321-5692. (Text preferred)

Parent Teacher Conference Meals Sign Up

Please consider signing up to help with parent-teacher conference meals.

Parent teacher conference meals

Annual Mum Sale!

PASSWORD CMS2026

Help with Mum Delivery Day!

Baseball Day Help Needed!

Please sign up to help on 7th grade's annual Baseball Day September 25th!

Baseball Day Help

Spirit Wear Sale

Your quick link to all things Chardon Spirit!

FROM THE NURSE

Hello Parents,

Please review the following important health updates and requirements for the upcoming school year:

1. 7th Grade Vaccine Requirements

State law requires all incoming 7th graders to have two vaccinations before entering 7th grade:

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Meningococcal (Meningitis)

If your 6th grade child is getting a physical between now and August 2027, this is a great time to receive these shots. If you choose not to vaccinate, an exemption form must be completed. Thank you to the 7th-grade parents who have already submitted vaccination records or exemption forms!

2. Vision & Hearing Screenings

Vision: Screenings for 5th and 7th graders have begun. New students will be screened shortly after.
Hearing: 5th graders will have hearing screenings on September 29th. Please notify me if you wish to opt your child out.

3. School Medications & Doctor’s Notes

Prescription Medications: Requires a doctor’s form completed before medication can be given at school. Forms are available online, or you can contact me to send one home.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Meds (cough drops, Motrin, Tylenol, sunscreen, etc.): Requires an OTC permission form. A parent must personally drop off both the signed form and the medication to the clinic.
Injuries / Medical Accommodations: If your child has a cast, boot, sling, or splint, please provide a doctor’s note outlining specific accommodations (e.g., no recess, no gym).

4. Clinic Office Hours

Due to recess duty, I am very busy between 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM. If you need to drop off medication, please try to visit outside of these hours.

5. Measles Health Advisory

We are seeing an increase in measles cases in Geauga County. Please be aware that if an unimmunized student is exposed to measles, state guidelines require them to be excluded from school for 21 days.

Jennifer Trittschuh RN BSN LSN

IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Attendance Line 440-285-4062 (before 9:00 am):

Sick/Not Feeling well
Dentist/Doctor Appointment
Early Dismissal (please give us at least 2 hours notice)
Other

Report absences:

Please leave a message on the attendance line (before 9:00) or speak to one of the secretaries.
Notes - student should bring to the office
Please do not leave a message on a secretary's personal voicemail (she may be absent).
If you inform the teacher please also contact the school office.

Change in Dismissal:

If you need to change how your child is getting home, please call the office as soon as you know so we can get the message to your child.

Tardy - students must be in their classroom by 7:35 am or they will be considered tardy.

CLSD PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK

Please click the banner below to review the updated and recently Board of Education-approved Chardon Middle School Addendum to the CLSD Parent-Student Handbook. This handbook is published annually to help ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students, staff, parents, and visitors. It outlines students' rights, responsibilities, and the consequences for misbehavior. Included in the district handbook is an addendum specific to Chardon High School. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the school administration.

CMS Addendum to CLSD Handbook

CELL PHONES/SMART WATCHES/GIZMOS/PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Gizmos/Personal Communication Devices

A reminder that students will be prohibited from using cell phones or other devices during the instructional day. This policy prohibits the use of these devices by students during any period of time in which a student is expected to be in attendance. This applies to formal instruction time as well as other supervised activities such as recess, meal periods, field trips and the transition between classes.

Students may not have their phones on them at any point in the school day.

This policy is in alignment with state law and Ohio Department of Workforce and Education guidelines prohibiting the use of such devices by students during the instructional day.

News from the Middle