District Newsletter

The Chardon High School Academic Decathlon team has earned an invitation to its first national competition since 2017.

The invitation to the United States Academic Decathlon Online National Competition comes after the team’s successful showing at state competition at John Carroll University earlier this month. At that competition, the team came away with 16 medals including a silver and three golds in Interview and two gold medals in Speech, highlighting Chardon’s long tradition of strength in the interpersonal events.

In the Speech event, where competitors perform timed, prepared and impromptu speeches in front of judges and a group of their peers, Senior Connor Mosher was awarded a near perfect score of 995 out of 1,000. This was 25 points higher than anyone else in the competition and is the highest speech score ever posted by a Chardon student. Connor was asked to give his speech a second time during the awards ceremony in a packed auditorium as a "speech showcase" where of course, he brought down the house!

“It has been an honor and a privilege to coach the diverse groups of students who have made up the CHS Academic Decathlon teams over these past 14 years and I look forward to following their continued success in the future,” Chardon ACADEC Coach Al Herner said.

This year’s ACADEC team includes students:

- Caroline Bates

- Jack Bennett

- Madeline Cresho

- Holden Dewey

- Brandon French

- Danny Greene

- Courtney Lawrence

- Ivan Medved

- Connor Mosher

- Sydney Scheid

- Gus Schneider

- Kayla Schneider

Herner said CHS has only been invited to national competition twice in recent memory, in 2013 and 2017.

Our Hilltopper ACADEC team will be competing in the Online National Competition on April 16 and May 2.

The Chardon Board of Education recognized Mitch Hewitt for his significant contributions to district athletics and the Hilltopper community during its meeting on Monday.

Hewitt recently stepped down as head coach of the football program after 14 highly successful seasons, marked by 126 wins and state title victories in 2020 and 2021.

“His contributions have certainly been clear on the field of play for student athletes that have participated in football, but I think much more importantly has been the culture and the impact that he has had … with moving these student athletes out into our community,” Superintendent Michael Hanlon said.

A 1999 graduate of Chardon High School, Hewitt had a prestigious high school playing career. He helped lead his team to the Division II State Championship game against Lebanon in 1998 and was the recipient of numerous local awards. He was elected as a first team All-State defensive player in 1998, Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Division II and runner-up for Ohio’s Mr. Football award.

After high school, Hewitt continued his playing career at Bowling Green State University, where he served as a four-year starter under Urban Meyer and was elected captain during his senior season.

Hewitt returned to Chardon Football as head coach in 2011.

“I’m just grateful. I’ve been blessed with a lot of great people in the community, a lot of great support,” Hewitt said at the meeting. “I think Chardon is a special place and will continue to be that way.”

Going forward, the Hilltopper Varsity Football team will be led by Head Coach Brian Landies, who assumes the role after serving as Chardon’s defensive coordinator for 13 years. At the meeting, Hewitt called Landies a “great replacement.”

Students at Park Elementary recently took part in a special service project in support of the Geauga County Animal Warden, combining kindness with learning.

As part of Park's One School, One Book program featuring Fenway and Hattie, a story about a dog's adventures in a new home and neighborhood, first through third grade students made and bagged homemade dog treats to send to the shelter.

Third grade teacher Mrs. Donna Picone prepared the dough and students eagerly rolled it out, cutting the treats into fun shapes before baking. In the kitchen, Mrs. Jaclyn Sanislo helped bake the treats, while Mrs. Tonia Seese assisted in transporting the trays from the auditorium to the kitchen.

This hands-on project not only reinforced themes from the book but also taught the importance of caring for animals in need. Through their efforts, students spread joy to local shelter dogs while making a meaningful impact in their community.

Mrs. Aubrey Quinn's sixth grade accelerated ELA students recently wrote postcards to individuals living with Alzheimer's in Sarasota, Florida, for the organization Neighbors Needing Respite (NNR).

Throughout the month of March, Neighbors Needing Respite celebrates “Armchair Travels,” where participants learn about and meet people from all over the world.

Mrs. Quinn's sister, Halle Ghose, who lives in Sarasota and volunteer's with NNR, came up with the idea to connect its members with the students at CMS.

Members of the group will soon receive the students’ postcards, detailing their lives and interests and carrying well wishes.

Chardon Local Schools is seeking individuals interested in volunteering their time to speak at the upcoming Career on Wheels Day on May 6, 2025.

WHO:

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to share their career choices with students in first through third grade. We are specifically looking for volunteers who have a career that pertains to VEHICLES! A vehicle is recommended.

WHAT:

Volunteers will be stationed outside around the parking lot at Munson Elementary. Starting at 10am, students will rotate throughout the parking lot to view the vehicles and hear about your career! These rotations will be approximately five to 10 minutes in length. Some ideas to share with students when they visit may include: Where you went to school, what you majored in or studied, your favorite subjects in school and what a typical day in your career is like for you. End the students’ time with a tour of your vehicle!

WHY:

Introducing students to careers and the world of work beginning in early elementary grades plays an important role in child development and career readiness.

WHERE AND WHEN:

May 6, 2025, 10am-12:45pm, Munson Elementary Parking Lot, 12687 Bass Lake Road Chardon, OH 44024. The event will happen rain or shine.

NEW CHANGE:

All vehicles will enter Munson Township Park and wait to be called over to the school's parking lot.

Please register by Friday, May 2nd. Please email erika.barnett@chardonschools.org if you have any questions.