News from the Middle

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.

Happy Friday, Families!

It was an ideal week, starting with a full moon and ending with Halloween (said no educator ever). In all seriousness, it was a week full of fun, sun, and parties! Thank you to those who contributed to our first-ever Halloween costume drive. So many kids' faces lit up when they found a costume they wanted to wear. It is another reason Chardon is such a great community to belong to!

A reminder that Ohio state checkpoint testing will take place on Tuesday, November 10th, for 6th and 7th grades and Wednesday, November 11th, for 4th and 5th grades. This does create a DELAYED START for students not taking the checkpoint on the given day. Students may be dropped off by 9:55AM, or they may ride the bus at the normal arrival time and do activities with a group of teachers.

Don't forget to set your clocks back on Saturday!

If you have any questions, or if you need clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Mrs. Sherwood & Mr. Forfia

Please note the following important dates:

Nov. 2-6: 4th grade CogAT testing

Nov. 2nd: 6th grade AHLI field trip

4th grade makecode/robotics 2:45-4:00PM/Room 200

6th/7th grade robotics/2:45-3:40PM/Room 222

Nov. 3rd: Power of the Pen/2:45-3:45PM/LGIR

Nov. 4th: Kind Kids Club/2:45-3:40PM/media center

Jazz Band/2:40-3:40

5th grade makecode/robotics/2:45-4:00PM/Room 200

PTO meeting/4:30-5:30PM/LGIR

Nov. 5th: Parent Teacher Conferences/4:30-8:00PM

Nov. 6th: 7th grade field trip KSU-Geauga

Nov. 9th: 4th grade makecode/robotics 2:45-4:00PM/Room 200

6th/7th grade robotics/2:45-3:40PM/Room 222

Nov. 10th: 6th & 7th grade checkpoint testing/4th & 5th grade DELAYED START (10am)

Nov. 11th: 4th & 5th grade checkpoint testing/6th & 7th grade DELAYED START (10am)

Nov. 11th: Care Crew/2:45-3:40PM/media center

Jazz Band/2:40-3:40

5th grade makecode/robotics/2:45-4:00PM/Room 200

Nov. 12th: Math is Fun! club/2:45-3:45PM/Room 210

Dear 4th Grade Families,

In accordance with State of Ohio requirements, all 4th-grade students will participate in whole-grade gifted screening during the week of November 2–6, 2026. Students will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which measures reasoning and problem-solving skills across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas.

Once testing is complete across the entire grade level, individual CogAT results will be sent home with your child, with an accompanying letter to help you understand the results. If your child earns a qualifying score for gifted identification, you will receive a formal identification letter via email.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this assessment, please visit the Gifted Education Services page for more information or reach out directly.

Thank you,

Megan O'Hara

Gifted Coordinator, Chardon Schools

Please use the link to sign up for parent teacher conferences November 5th.

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.

Attention 7th Grade Parents/Guardians:

Reminder for upcoming field trip to Kent State Geauga on the Burton Campus on November, 6th:

If you have not already done so, please fill out this registration form to authorize your child’s participation.

🍁 November | Theme: Solution-Focused | Strength: Mental Health

At School: We are exploring mental health and stress-management tools. Students are learning how to reframe challenges into actionable, step-by-step solutions.

Chardon Families,

Wrestling season is almost here! Chardon Wrestling welcomes students of all ages and experience levels. Whether your child is new to wrestling or returning for another season, there's a place for them on the mat!

YOUTH WRESTLING (PRE-K–6TH GRADE)

Chardon Youth Wrestling is open to boys and girls in Pre-K through 6th grade. No prior wrestling experience is necessary!

NEW THIS YEAR — ALL-GIRLS WRESTLING!

We're excited to offer a dedicated girls youth wrestling program this season!

Practices Begin: Week of October 26

REGISTER FOR YOUTH WRESTLING HERE:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1a_ZbcKB9Nfdpbz1WfRnyn1ZidHzvgUXq71eKikFbeQQ/viewform

Questions? Email chardonwrestlingtakedownclub@gmail.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Students interested in joining the Chardon Middle School or High School wrestling teams should sign up through FinalForms or contact Coach Nick Salatino at nick.salatino@chardonschools.org for more information.

No prior wrestling experience is required! Beginners are welcome and encouraged to join at both the middle school and high school levels.

Wrestling is a great way for students to build strength, confidence, discipline, and friendships while staying active and being part of a team.

We'd love to welcome your wrestler to the Chardon Wrestling family this season!

Chardon Hilltopper Wrestling

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

Happy Halloween!

Please find below our weekly health update regarding communicable illnesses and general wellness guidelines across the school:

• Strep Throat: A small number of reported cases distributed across all grade levels.

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): One isolated case in the lower grades.

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): A few scattered cases across multiple grade levels.

• Influenza: We currently have no confirmed positive flu cases within the school, though active cases have been reported in the surrounding community.

Clinic Update & Wellness Focus We have recently noted an uptick in students visiting the clinic with abdominal discomfort and constipation. In this age group, these issues are frequently linked to changes in dietary habits—such as increased candy intake and reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, and water—as well as stress, recent illness, or lower physical activity levels. In the clinic, we are actively encouraging students to adopt healthy habits to support their digestive health.

To help keep our students feeling their best, we kindly ask parents to emphasize the following at home:

• Hydration: Encourage frequent water intake throughout the day.

• Nutrition: Provide well-balanced meals rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

• Rest & Activity: Ensure adequate night-time sleep and regular physical exercise.

Exclusion & Illness Guidelines: As a reminder, students must remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing or pain-relieving medications (such as Tylenol or Motrin).

Please feel free to reach out via phone or email if you have any questions or concerns.

Wishing you and your family a fun and safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Nurse Jen

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.

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.

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.