
Bee Informed
Newsletter from Medina City Schools-April/May, 2023
Bee Informed
Intradistrict Enrollment Option for the 2023-2024 School Year for Medina City Schools Students Is Open Through May 25
The Intradistrict Enrollment Option will be available only for Medina City Schools’ students who wish to attend an elementary or middle school other than the one they are assigned within the school district during the 2023-2024 school year. This option is based on enrollment numbers, space, and staff availability. Class assignments are made only to those grades that are at the District class size less one.
Intradistrict Enrollment requests will be accepted through the Medina City Schools website by visiting www.medinabees.org and clicking on the Student Registration tab in the green bar at the top of the website, then to the link to Intradistrict Enrollment. Requests will be accepted via online submission only now through Thursday, May 25, 2023, for the 2023-2024 school year. Parents will be notified in writing of their child’s acceptance/non-acceptance no later than the second week of August 2023. Assignments may be revoked in reverse order of date received (last in, first out) if enrollment figures no longer allow for additional classroom space.
Parents whose children are approved for this Intradistrict Enrollment Option are responsible for transporting their own children to and from the school.
As a matter of information, Medina City Schools does not allow students from other school districts to enroll in the Medina City School District under the Intradistrict Enrollment Option.
However, Medina City Schools does allow students to leave the District to attend another district.
For more information, please contact the Office of Registration at 330-636-3100 or email at rottingl@medinabees.org.
Medina High School Names April Students of the Month
Medina High School recently named its April Students of the Month Lucinda Posner and Elliot Thompson.
Lucinda is engaging in her conversations, is purposeful in leadership, and is focused on her studies. She easily relates to her peers. Whether helping them with math or elementary students through HUDDLE, she understands the impact of her interactions.
Lucinda’s class schedule consists of Honors and Advance Placement courses. She earned the Medina High School Academic Distinction Award Summa Cum Laude in her freshman and sophomore years and is a member of the National Honor Society, HUDDLE, Key Club, the 2022-2023 Medina High School Principal’s Advisory Board, and co-president of the Spanish Club. She is also a Medina High School choir member and is on a competitive dance team. In her spare time, she volunteers as a peer tutor in the Medina Writing Studio and works at Lemonberry Frozen Yogurt. Lucinda is the daughter of David and Catherine Posner.
Elliot is one of those students who daily remind teachers why they became a teacher. He can impress, amuse, and inspire all within a single interaction. He has the unique ability to exude humility and pride at the same time.
Elliot’s class schedule consists of Honors and Advance Placement courses. He earned the Medina High School Academic Distinction Award Magna Cum Laude in his freshman and sophomore years. He is a member of the National Honor Society, HUDDLE, Model UN Vice President, and the 2022-2023 Medina High School Principal’s Advisory Board. Elliot is a Medina High School Debate Team member who qualified for the June National Debate Championship in Congressional Debate. He is a Varsity Golf Team member and the team captain of the Medina Hockey Club.
In his spare time, Elliot volunteers at his church and is a referee for Strongsville Youth Hockey and the Cleveland Suburban Hockey League. Elliot plans on attending college, potentially studying business/pre-law. Elliot is the son of David and Sandra Thompson.
Elliot Thompson
Lucinda Posner
Kindergarten Registration is Now Open for the 2023-2024 School Year
Medina City Schools Staff Member Recognized for Going the Extra Mile
Board of Education Meeting Calendar
Monday, June 26, 2023
Board of Education Regular Meeting
4:30 PM-Medina High School-Professional Development Center (location subject to change)
Monday, July 17, 2023
Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
6:00 PM-Medina High School-Professional Development Center (location subject to change)
The Board of Education meetings are open to the public. Location may be subject to change. Meetings may also be viewed live on Medina City Schools' YouTube channel, MedinaTV Facebook page, and Armstrong channel 201.
Replays of the meeting will also be available on Medina City Schools' YouTube Channel and Armstrong Channel 201.
Helping Hands Preschool Accepting Applications for Typically Developing Peers
The program provides high-quality learning experiences that are rooted in the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards in preparation for kindergarten. There are two sessions offered, Monday-Thursday. The morning session runs from 9:00 AM-11:40 AM and the afternoon session from 12:40 PM-3:20 PM.
To register typically developing peers, please call 330.636.4601 for directions to complete the online registration and screening information. For more information, please click here.
Medina High School May Students of the Month
Medina High School named its May Students of the Month, juniors Camille Christeon and Reed Hinkle.
Camille is described as well-respected, always willing to help students and staff, and generously supports others through encouragement, thought, and patience. She constantly does good work while maintaining a busy schedule.
Her class schedule consists of Honors and Advance Placement courses. Camille earned the Medina High School Academic Distinction Award Summa Cum Laude in her freshman and sophomore years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, an Encore Choir Officer and Dance Captain, and a member of the Recycling Club, Key Club, Spanish Club, HUDDLE, Hope Squad, VOFT, and the Medina High School Varsity Gold Team.
Camille volunteers in the Joyce B. Ebner Tutoring Center as a peer tutor and volunteers for Bright Star Books in Akron, which collects and redistributes new and gently-used children’s books. She works at Castle Noel as a tour guide in her spare time.
After graduation, she plans on attending college, studying biology/pre-medicine. Camille is the daughter of Mark and Michelle Christeon.
Reed is described as one of the most hardworking, intelligent, and driven students at Medina High School. Reed is always willing to take on extra initiatives no matter what the task. He truly has a heart for service and represents the best of Medina High School.
Reed’s class schedule consists of Honors and Advance Placement courses. He earned the Medina High School Academic Distinction Award Summa Cum Laude during his freshman and sophomore years.
Reed is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Link Crew, HUDDLE, Medina County Junior Leadership, the Smart Family Foundation, and is a member of the Medina High School Varsity Football Team. In his spare time, he volunteers at his church, working with technology and volunteers to help renovate Cups Cafe’.
Reed plans on attending college to study architecture. He is the son of Korey and Shelly Hinkle.
Camille Christeon
Reed Hinkle
Medina High School Receives Unique Opportunity to Collaborate with Teachers From Finland
During the week of April 16-22, 2023, staff at Medina High School had the unique opportunity to collaborate and learn from five visiting teachers from Oulu, Finland, as part of the TransAtlantic Program. This program is part of a grant they were awarded in conjunction with the US State Department and Finnish Department of Education in an attempt to broaden their arts curriculum. Their visit sets Medina City Schools and Medina High School on an international stage with one of the world’s best education systems.
Their visit began with a brief overview of the District and offerings at Medina High School with Principal Dr. Elisa Tedona. It was a great chance to have a discussion about how the two educational systems are the same and, at the same time, how they differ. During their week-long visit, they were guests of several host teachers. They shadowed teachers and students in classes, did a little cultural exploration, and saw students in action attending the Friday, April 21 Drama Club performance of Something Rotten!
Medina City Schools Staff Members Receive Distinguished Service Award
During award presentations with colleagues and family, Jessica (Jess) Toocheck, intervention specialist at Medina High School and varsity women’s fastpitch softball coach, and Amie Crawford, cafeteria manager at A. I. Root Middle School, received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Medina City Schools staff member.
Jessica (Jess) Toocheck
If there is one name that stands up and screams "Medina Bees," it is Jess Toocheck. She is not only an alum of Medina High School but a fabulous addition to the Medina High School special education staff, and an amazing, caring, and passionate coach for the varsity fastpitch softball team.
Jess can be found spending countless hours, including her plan and lunch periods working for the benefit of everyone she interacts with. If you walk by Jess's room, there are normally students in her classroom every period of the day. She is constantly working to provide the best solutions for positive student outcomes. Jess is someone who can be spotted, if not at the ball field coaching, at most extracurricular activities cheering on the students of Medina High School, and always showing support for her fellow teachers and coaches.
Even in times when things may be difficult, either in the classroom or on the field, she remains positive and immediately begins trying new strategies to help foster the success of every student every day she comes in contact with. Jess is a wonderful role model for all students, consistently displaying an amazing work ethic and a heart of gold.
Amie Crawford
Amie started in the food service department as a cook at A. I. Root in 2011, bringing with her years of industry experience. She has been a great influence in the A. I. Root cafeteria from the very beginning. Amie has embraced and learned all of the various responsibilities of the job and eventually became manager at Root in 2020.
Amie is consistently on top of her game, always passionate and positive. She consistently seeks her co-worker's input and the ideas they have to share in an effort to improve processes to keep the cafeteria running efficiently.
Amie is very well organized and helpful to other managers, always working together to ensure all students are cared for, especially in the ever-changing world of child nutrition. She brings a smile and a calm demeanor to everyone around her.
Jess Toocheck
Amie Crawford
Registrations for Summer Camps Now Open
Registration is now open for several summer camps. For more information or to register, follow the links below.
2023 Medina Boys & Girls Tennis Summer Camp
2023 Medina Boys Basketball Skills Camp Grades K-6
2023 Medina Girls Youth Soccer Camp
2023 Medina Boys Youth Soccer Camp
2023 Medina Football Skills Camp Grades K-8
2023 Medina Boys Middle School Basketball Camp Grades 7-8
2023 Medina Girls Basketball Youth Skills Camp
2023 Medina Girls Lacrosse Camp Flyer
2023 Medina Girls Lacrosse Camp Registration Form
2023 Medina Youth Running Camp
Medina High School Debate Team Members Head to National Championship Tournament
The Medina High School Debate Team recently qualified a record-setting four competitors to the National Championship Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, the second week in June.
The 30-year-old team has had 177 State qualifiers and over 30 qualifiers in national championship tournaments. The team competed in 21 consecutive State championship tournaments and is now competing for the 14th time in the national championship.
“I could not be prouder of the roughly 600 students I have coached (over the years) or more grateful to the district and community that made it possible,” said founding coach Scott Quade who is retiring this year.
Bike to School Week Sees Record Number of Riders
The weather was ideal, with a record number of riders during the week. Students who rode their bikes to school had the opportunity to receive daily giveaways and receive a chance to win a brand-new bike sponsored by Mellion Orthodontics and Raymond James if they rode their bikes to school each day.
To kick off the event, there was a Bike to School Challenge Bike Rodeo held at Canavan Elementary. This event was free and open to the public. Century Cycles provided free minor tune-ups to bikes, Kiwanis provided helmets for those in attendance while supplies lasted, and Ohio Valley Pizza and Hokulia Shaved Ice provided food for purchase. 95.5 The Fish DJ Greg Mack was on hand, providing music.
Thank you, Kiwanis Club
Thank you Greg Mack from 95.5 The Fish
Riding the tall bikes
Century Cycles Providing Bike Tune Ups
Bike decorating
Excitement in the air for Bike to School Challenge
Medina High School Orchestra Performs on Medina's Historic Square
Helping Hands Preschool Collaborates with Medina County Career Center to Provide Career Exploration Opportunities
A.I. Root Middle Staff Member Receives PACE Team Award
The Medina PACE Team annually seeks to recognize a classroom teacher for outstanding efforts in meeting the needs of gifted children and providing academic enrichment. Written nominations are accepted from any parent or student in the District and then voted on by the PACE board.
This year’s recipient is Sue Scalia, a veteran math teacher at A.I. Root Middle School, who exemplifies what the ancient Greeks termed a “polymath,” defined as an individual who excels in diverse fields of knowledge and has the competency to think and act in an interdisciplinary manner. She knows each student, pushing each one to excel while demonstrating an understanding of social and emotional needs. If given the opportunity, Mrs. Scalia also shows initiative with methods and programs that challenge and inspire. While teaching math, she demonstrates faith in her student’s abilities, but at the same time, makes herself available to answer questions and clarify concepts.
Additionally, Mrs. Scalia serves as Root’s Power of the Pen advisor, where she helps shape young writers in a nurturing environment. As a result, she consistently has writers place in every competition.
Students who have had the privilege of her guidance gain not only valuable skills but also the confidence they need to reach their full potential.
Medina High School Senior Receives Civil Air Patrol's Highest Award
Major General Edward Phelka, National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), made a visit to Medina to present Cadet Colonel Zurich Begin with the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, CAP’s most prestigious cadet achievement.
The Civil Air Patrol was formed in 1941 to provide a corps of volunteer airmen to defend the United States at the onset of World War II. Four decades later, CAP continues to provide auxiliary services in support of the U.S. Air Force and Department of Homeland Security, including a leadership training program for more than 27,000 teens.
Begin joined CAP in 2019 at the age of 12 and has accelerated his way to the top of the cadet ranks to earn the Spaatz Award, which signifies a cadet’s accomplishment of the highest cadet grade: Cadet Colonel. The Spaatz Award, named for the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is CAP’s rarest cadet award earned by only half-of-one percent of cadets in the program. Achieving the Spaatz Award takes approximately three-and-a-half years and requires cadets to complete a comprehensive knowledge exam on leadership and aerospace principles as well as a scored fitness assessment. Begin is the 2427th recipient of the Spaatz Award since its introduction in 1964 and is the youngest cadet to have earned the award at the age of 15 years, 10 months.
Edward Phelka, who resides near Detroit, Michigan, and also serves as CAP’s Chief Executive Officer—an unpaid position in which he commands 63,000 volunteer members—piloted one of CAP’s aircraft into the Medina Municipal Airport to meet with Begin, who serves as the Cadet Commander of the Medina County Skyhawks Composite Squadron which meets weekly at A.I. Root Middle School. Begin also serves at the State level as the Cadet Activities Officer, helping to plan and direct activities for nearly 500 cadets living in Ohio.
In addition to presenting the Spaatz Award, Phelka spent time with the Medina cadets to encourage the continuation of their leadership development and to promote the future of aerospace and technology careers. “Remember that this award is not being ‘finished’ with the cadet program,” Phelka exclaimed to Begin. “Learning never ends.” Begin remarked, “I don’t intend to stop. This is just the beginning; pun intended.” His words of wisdom for his fellow cadets: “Never give up on your dreams. It’s not difficult; it just takes effort.” In addition to receiving the Spaatz Award, Begin was recently awarded the 2022 Cadet of the Year for CAP in Ohio.
Begin, a 4.5-GPA student at Medina High School at the age of 16, is preparing to graduate two years earlier than anticipated. He has recently been accepted by and plans to attend Kent State University starting in Fall 2023, where he will study Architecture.
Summer Reinforcement Program in its 50th Year
The Summer Reinforcement Program (SRP), now starting its 50th year, is a tuition-based tutoring program open to any child aged 3 to 14 years in Medina County. It is a classroom-setting program with an emphasis on math and reading. This program introduces no new materials, only reinforcing and re-teaching basic classroom skills. Speech Therapy is also a part of the program. The goal is to maintain academic skills over the summer months.
The three-hour sessions will start on Monday, June 12, 2023, and end on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12 noon, Monday through Friday. The classes will be held at Blake Elementary School, 4704 Lexington Ridge Road in Medina. For more information about the program, click here. To apply, click here.
Medina High School Seniors Display Artwork at the Common Ground
MHS Students Help Clean Up School Grounds in Honor of Earth Day
Two Local Businesses Recognized as Community Partners
John and Kathy Kolar, Owners Thyme2
Jason Keaton, barber at Hershey's Barber Shop
Medina High School Pit Orchestra Nominated for Playhouse Square Dazzle Award
Medina High School Drama Club recently completed its musical production, Something Rotten! Congratulations to the pit orchestra, conducted by Megan Snide, for receiving a nomination from the Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards in the category of Best Orchestra. Winners were announced at the Dazzle Awards ceremony on May 20th at the State Theater. Orchestra members include Jessica Jones and Tara Locher (Flute/piccolo), Ellen Boyd, Anthony Hamilton, and Karaline Norman (Clarinet), Matthew Baker and Charlie Allen (Alto), Lydia Dorman (Tenor), Tony Stabile, Jacob Thompson, and Nathan Lentz (Trumpet/ Flugel/ Piccolo) Matthew Shrivastav and Jason Locher (Trombone), Joe Horton (Electric/ Acoustic Bass), Stratos Hliatzos (Electric Guitar), Ryan Davis, Ryan Hamm, Nathan Livingston (Drums/Percussion), Faith Rawlins (Keyboard 1) and Jackson Condit (Keyboard 3).
Congratulations also go out to junior Bex Zwick, receiving one of three technical apprenticeships for the Dazzle Awards. Bex shadowed and worked with the technical production team for almost forty hours at Playhouse Square the week of May 14- 20 as they prepare for the big night.
Junior Jodi Rabung and sophomore Trynter Stiles were selected to represent Medina High School Drama Club as singers/dancers in the opening and closing medley numbers for the awards show. They had the opportunity to work with Connor Gallagher, a New York-based director, choreographer, and dance educator best known for choreographing the Broadway production of Beetlejuice. This involved spending approximately thirty hours at rehearsal between May 15-20.
The City of Medina Parks Department Now Hiring
Free Youth Physicals Offered
Thinking About Volunteering?
Medina City Schools Mobile App
Kids First Medina Offers Decorative License Plate
Kids First Medina is a group of volunteers that help to provide a voice to community members, families, and students of Medina City Schools to help shape educational opportunities for our students.
Online Ticketing Through Hometown Ticketing
Medina City Schools
Email: busbya@medinabees.org
Website: www.medinabees.org
Location: 739 Weymouth Road, Medina, OH, USA
Phone: 330.725.8831
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MedinaCitySchools
Twitter: @MCScomm1