District Newsletter

Chardon Local Schools has received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on its 2024-25 school report card through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Ohio School Report Cards provide districts with important information reflecting both progress made as well as potential areas of improvement. These insights allow schools to strengthen strategies, refine practices and ensure a strong learning environment for all students.

Public school districts throughout the state of Ohio receive an overall rating of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments each year. The overall score is based on six rated components: achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation, early literacy and College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness.

This year’s report card is the first to include College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness in its rating. This specific factor measures how well a district’s graduating class is prepared for postsecondary education, the workforce or military service.

Chardon Schools’ 4.5 star overall rating means the district “exceeds state standards,” in the overall measurement. Of the over 600 public schools measured, Chardon Schools is one of approximately 140 districts to receive 4.5 or more stars.

You can find more information regarding the report card ratings at the button below:

Through hard work and strong community partnerships, Chardon High School’s Care Closet is now open and providing essential hygiene items and school supplies for all students in need.

The Care Closet was organized by CHS teachers Kelly DiCato and Megan Wessels as well as social worker Joan Blackburn.

“The three of us have seen students in need for years and last year we decided to do something about it,” Mrs. DiCato said.

The CHS staffers reached out to several local businesses and organizations over the summer. The Chardon community has been incredibly gracious in supporting the Care Closet through both monetary donations and the donation of essential items.

Donors in alphabetical order include:

• Chardon Smile Center;
• St. Mary’s Parish;
• Living Water Church;
• Celebration Lutheran Church;
• The Galati Family;
• The DiMattia Family;
• Carrie Weaver;
• Taproot Yoga;
• Weidig’s Floral;
• Chardon Baptist Church;
• Chardon Home Depot;
• PuroClean;
• Nora Seigner;
• Ten10 Design;
• Spinner’s Diner;
• Kirsten Thomas.

Donations have included a wide variety of hygiene products such as deodorant and shampoos, plastic bins for storage from Home Depot, dental care kits from Chardon Smile Center and more. Volunteers have also helped to keep the Care Closet shelves stocked and organized, including CHS Senior Max Sweeney.

“It has taken us a lot of hard work and time but we are so excited and extremely grateful to be able to provide this opportunity to our students and community,” Mrs. DiCato said.

We need YOUR help in supporting this important initiative. If you're interested in supporting the Care Closet, please visit our Amazon Wish List, through which supplies can be ordered, donated and shipped directly to CHS.

Wish list: https://bit.ly/46q9Pyl

Priority items include Deodorant (full size women/men), Shampoo/Conditioner (full size bottles), Soap/Body Wash (full size bottles), Lotion (medium/full size bottles), Water Bottles, Small Mouth Wash, Hand Sanitizer, Sunscreen, Body Wipes/Wet Wipes, Perfume/Cologne, Tweezers.

“We hope to continue this Care Closet for years to come and maybe even expand it to other schools and community locations,” DiCato said.

Chardon Middle School was one of 76 Ohio Schools to earn the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for achievements during the 2024-25 school year through the Ohio Academy of Science

First established in 1985, this award recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate student research, technological design and extend experimental opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.

CMS Faculty from the 2024-25 school year named in the news release include:

• Becky Mele
• Beverly Mysyk
• Brent Hilston
• Jackie Brown
• Kayla O'Brien
• Melissa Bryan

Congratulations to Chardon Middle School and the individuals who received these prestigious awards!

Throughout September, our Tiny Toppers learned all about community helpers. One of the community helpers, Dr. Noonan, spoke with CELC students about being a veterinarian.

Students used their senses to try to figure out what Dr. Noonan had in her “feely boxes,” which included a stethoscope, dental tools and a post-surgery collar. Students looked at X-ray images of pets who swallowed items and tried to guess what they swallowed. They also put on scrubs and gloves to practice bandaging their stuffed animals.

Thank you Dr. Noonan for helping our students learn more about community helpers!

The Chardon High School Coffee Café is officially open!

The coffee bar held its grand opening on Wednesday, Sept. 17, providing new and delicious drink options for students and staff to enjoy as they start their day.

Along with providing delicious drink options, the CHS Coffee Café also provides work and leadership opportunities for its six student workers. On top of making and serving drinks, these students are also in charge of stocking the coffee bar’s inventory as well as keeping all service areas clean and presentable. They also greet students and staff as they enter and offer any assistance needed with self-service beverages.

The CHS Coffee Café served over 90 drinks during its first day of operation!

Students and staff can grab a drink at the café every morning between 7:20am and 9:20am.