March 2010/Volume 14

Second Round of Community Input Sessions Scheduled

serious facility and enrollment challenge facing our district – a reality that we cannot ignore. Our enrollment HAS declined, and we must address this issue with our facilities, to enable us to maximize our educational offerings for the benefit of all students."

"…the fact remains that there is a serious facility and enrollment challenge facing our district – a reality that we cannot ignore."

While there are clearly no perfect options for the district to consider in this situation, since each of them The first Community Input Sessions at Polaris were attended by approximately 400 residents. involves major change and disruption to students, Wimer reiterated, "The district is keeping its focus throughout this In November/December 2009, the district held two process on providing the best educational programs and Community Input Sessions at Polaris Career Center to learning environments for our students now and into the engage the community in discussions about the secondary future. To do this, we have to use our facilities as efficiently phase of the Berea City School District's Long-Range as we can, particularly as changes in state funding are Facility Plan. Nearly 400 people attended these sessions projected to reduce our revenues by more than $13 million and provided a great deal of feedback on the three options a year beginning in 2014.” presented as beginning ideas for facility use. The reports Please watch our website (www.berea.k12.oh.us) from these sessions are now posted on the district's website: for more information on the revised options prior to the www.berea.k12.oh.us under "Announcements." Community Input Sessions. Superintendent Derran Wimer noted at both of the previous meetings that the district would be revising the first set of options based on the feedback received and Polaris Career Center scheduling a second round of input sessions 7285 Old Oak Blvd., Middleburg Heights in March. Said Wimer, "The feedback received Thursday, March 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. was certainly useful, OR and we hope it will lead Monday, March 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. us to the best solutions. Because, although we know major change is difficult, the fact Child care Participants in the November/December remains that there is a Community Input Sessions provided feedback will be provided. in small group sessions. Midpark’s Kosar Named Jimmie Woody Comes to Ford VFW Teacher of the Year

Midpark students Tim Vath (left) and Katie Power review the oral histories on World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era created by Mr. Kosar’s classes. Mr. Jimmie Woody, a professional actor, director, and teaching Congratulations to Midpark social studies teacher, Mr. Jim artist, has worked with many diverse age groups and cultures Kosar, who was selected as Teacher of the Year by the local throughout Cleveland and New York. In January, he came chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), for his work in to Ford Middle School for a week, as part of their Artists-in- promoting awareness of veterans. Once he was selected locally, the-Schools program. At Ford, Jimmie Woody taught students the group then sent Mr. Kosar's nomination to the VFW District the fundamentals of public speaking, the creative uses of 7 competition, where he was selected as the best teacher in improvisation, and how to develop better, more confident Northern from more than 50 VFW posts. Mr. Kosar was ways to say what needs to be said. In the process, he provided honored on February 20 at a VFW regional conference. The a wonderful week of learning and inspiration for the students VFW will forward Mr. Kosar's nomination to the Department at Ford. of Ohio competition, and the winner at that level will advance As an actor, Jimmie Woody has performed in historic to the National Competition. Good luck, Mr. Kosar! theaters, such as The Cleveland Playhouse, Karamu, and The New York Shakespeare Festival. He has also directed plays Berea High and Yale Grad Inspires Students in the area and taught drama at The Cleveland School for The Arts, East High School, Cleveland Heights High School, Jonathan Hartman, a 2005 graduate and the High School for Global Citizenship in Brooklyn, New of Berea High School and a 2009 York. He currently teaches at Cuyahoga Community College graduate of Yale University, came and produces workshops for students and staff, such as the back to Berea High in November Seedfolks Project, Reader’s Theatre, Voices in Black History, to speak to students from Gifted and Theatre Basics in a Suitcase. He holds a Masters of Fine Services, Visual Effects Art, Arts from Columbia University. and Project Lead the Way on Idea Creation: the Boundary of the Technical and the Creative. Midpark Music Student Excels Hartman stressed that the key to idea creation is the technical Kudos to Midpark vocal music understanding of underlying issues student, Scott Maynard, who was and needs of a customer. At the selected for the Ohio All-State same time, communication of an Honors Choir, which performed idea is the primary driver of concepts at the Ohio Music Educators from the drawing board to reality. “Therefore, a balance of both Convention in Cincinnati in technical understanding and artistic expression leads to truly January. Scott, who had to audition creative potential,” said Hartman. with two classical pieces, was one of Hartman, who now works as a design only 200 students who were selected engineer with the Advanced Concepts across the state. In addition, Scott group at Sikorsky Aircraft, also presented also auditioned and was accepted videos of a next generation prototype for the Cleveland Orchestra helicopter being developed at Sikorsky, Youth Chorus and their Chamber which was featured on the cover of the Ensemble…AND he was selected to Scott Maynard and Midpark sing with the Cleveland Orchestra November issue of Popular Mechanics. He Director Catherine Robison- also discussed idea creation techniques Ranney go over the music from Holiday Chorus, which performs and classic examples of creative products one of their recent concerts. with the Cleveland Orchestra. and processes, such as the iPod/iPhone. Without a doubt, Scott is achieving 2 dreams he never imagined possible! District Students Win Eight Scholastic Art Awards

For 30 years, the Cleveland Institute of Art has hosted the Scholastic Art Competition to recognize creative achievement in area students grades 7–12. A panel of local professional artists and art educators was organized by the Institute to jury the exhibit and select the awarded pieces from nearly 1,700 entries. The young artists compete for cash prizes, medals, and scholarships. Students who receive Portfolio Awards and Gold Key Awards will continue to the national competition held in the spring in New York City. Since its start in 1923, the Scholastic Art Competition has become the most prestigious recognition program for teen artists in the . The program has acted as a venue for the community to view the exceptional artwork of public, private, parochial, and homeschooled students. It also emphasizes the importance of developing and encouraging creativity and the limitless opportunities available through an art education. This year, district students won a total of eight awards in the program. Berea High senior, Eddie Holecko, achieved a Gold Key Award (“Hope”) and a Silver Key Award (“Man’s Best Friend”); Cassandra Jerman from Berea High won two Silver (from left) Berea High students Ashley Kozak, Cassandra Jerman, Key Awards (“Giai’s Core” and “Speaking for the Trees”), and Ashley Kozak from and Eddie Holecko, who all achieved recognition in Scholastic Art Awards. Berea High won a Silver Key Award (“Tumorus Malignantus”) and an Honorable Mention (“Illustrative Letters”). In addition, Midpark 2009 graduate, Jennifer Reid, won a Silver Key Award (“Sgraffito Pot”) and Midpark 2009 graduate, Rebecca Dickinson, won an Honorable Mention (“Give Peace a Chance”). Eddie Holecko’s Gold Key artwork will now move on to the next stage of the competition at the national level. Congratulations to all these fine artists! Eight District Students win Awards in 2009-2010 Cleveland Clinic eXpressions Art Program

This year, eight Berea City School District art students received awards in the competition, which featured more than 700 submissions for both art and language. Congratulations to the following awards winners: Edward Holecko (Berea High), three Blue Ribbon Awards; Cassandra Jerman (Berea High) - Blue Ribbon Award; Erika Klemperer (Berea High) - White Ribbon Award; Colin Berndt, Brianna Zahir, Cole Macosko (Berea High), Katelin Doran and Natalie Salvaggio (Midpark) - Honorable Mention Awards. An esteemed panel of art and medicine professionals used four criteria to evaluate each submission: interpretation, creativity, technique, and initiative. In addition to receiving monetary awards, all of the award-winning students had their art featured in an eXpressions booklet and displayed in the 2010 eXpressions Exhibition, which opened with a formal reception and dedication on January 21 at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Midpark summer intern student Harjoat Singh (left), whose research was used for art submissions this year, meets with Midpark award winners and Katelin Doran and Natalie Salvaggio.

(from left) Berea High award-winning students Cassandra Jerman, Erika Klemperer, Colin 3 Berndt, Eddie Holecko, Brianna Zahir, and Cole Macosko displaying their art techniques. Dave Tressel Elected to Board

Lifelong Berea resident, Dave Tressel, was elected by voters in Romeo December to serve a four-year term on the Berea Board of Education. Mr. and Tressel is a 1969 graduate of Berea High School and graduated from Juliet Baldwin-Wallace in 1973. He served as a teacher in the district from 1973- Portraying the famous couple in 2008, most recently as a sixth- grade Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Midpark’s winter play, are Midpark students Melissa teacher at Roehm Middle School. In Matthews and Mike Johnson. 2007, he was chosen to receive the Baldwin-Wallace Outstanding Educator Award. Mr. Tressel has also been a long-time employee of the Berea Recreation Department and the Community Education Program as a water safety instructor. He has four children who have all graduated from the Berea City Schools.

Brook Park Memorial is District’s Top Paper Recycler

Midpark students Greg Cherry (left) as Mercutio and Cosmo Tatulescu as Tybalt, engage in the fateful swordfight that leads to the play’s tragic conclusion in Midpark’s winter production of Romeo and Juliet.

(from left) district staff members Vicky Meany, Margi Jay, Mary Ann Ivancic, Mary Draves, and Shelby Flowers coordinate paper recycling in their schools. Mike Furrey Speaks to Ford Students Congratulations to Brook Park Memorial and recycling coordinator Mrs. Vicky Meany, and Recycling Club advisor Mrs. Margi Jay, for being the district’s First Place Winner in the Abitibi paper retriever program for 2009. Last year BPM recycled an amazing total of 85.73 TONS of paper and made $1,336.75 for the school! Congratulations also go to the district’s Second Place Winner, Big Creek and recycling coordinator Mrs. Mary Ann Ivancic, along with recycling program coordinators Mrs. Tracee Brandt and Mrs. Katie Bodnar, and the Big Creek Student Council, for recycling 70.07 TONS of paper last year and making $1,020.55; and to district Third Place Winner, Berea High, Cleveland Browns wide receiver, Mike Furrey, visited Ford recycling coordinator Mrs. Mary Draves, and head recycler Middle School’s breakfast program on February 17. Mike Mrs. Shelby Flowers, for recycling 58.95 TONS of paper in 2009 is promoting the Children’s Hunger Alliance campaign eat and making $814.95 for the school. All three winning schools better, do better. Mike served breakfast and spoke with recently received a special certificate and congratulations from students about the importance of making healthy choices. AbitibiBowater. Mike Furrey, a veteran of seven NFL seasons, was a finalist Did you know that you can save 17 trees for each ton you for this season’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that collect? (which took 14 years to grow!) AbitibiBowater Recycling recognizes NFL players for their humanitarian efforts. and its Paper Retriever “partners” collect enough newspapers each year to completely cover 12,336 football fields in paper one inch deep and earned over $2.5 MILLION dollars. 4 Victor Martinez “Goes to School” at Big Creek

After a local radio station and Pepsi sponsored a contest last year, with the “prize” being that then- Indians’ catcher, Victor Martinez, would go to school with the student winner, Big Creek student Alexandra James won the contest! But before a school date could be arranged, Martinez was traded to the Boston Red Sox. However, since Martinez strongly believed he needed to keep his part of the bargain, he took a break from the Red Sox training camp in Orlando to go to school at Big Creek with Alexandra on January 29. Of course Alex was very excited to have this celebrity sports figure visit the school and meet her friends and teacher, Mr. Matt Krivak. In fact, EVERYONE at Big Creek was excited, and they put together a welcoming poster for Martinez. We suspect that there may be a few more cheers than “boos” when Martinez and the Red Sox come to town this summer, to pay tribute to a sports hero who lived up to his image.

Roehm Wins Southwest Conference

Congratulations to the 8th grade Boys’ Roehm Basketball team who were the 2009-2010 Southwest Conference regular season and tournament champs with a combined season record of 16-1. They were also the 2008-2009 Southwest Conference defending regular season and tournament champs with a record of 15-1, which gives them a combined career middle school record of 31-2 over a two-year period.

Photograph by Natalie Cavanaugh Ford Wrestlers Excel at Southwest Conference Tournament

Congratulations to the Ford Middle School students who placed at the SWC Tournament that was held at North Olmsted High School on January 23. Jarred Matt Jarred Magers won first place in his weight class for the second year in a row, last year at 92 lbs. and this year at 96 lbs. Also placing first were: Alec Lunney at 92 lbs.; Ryan McCullough at 160 lbs.; and Matt Vanecek at 128 lbs. Alec Isaiah Isaiah Fitzgerald (80 lbs.) and Kevin Neumann (172 lbs.) both won second place in their weight class, and Vince Yuravak won third place at 86 lbs.

Ryan Kevin

Partnering with Berea City Schools

in education and the arts. Vince 5 District to Induct Six Distinguished Hall of Fame Members

The Alumni Associations of Berea and Midpark High Schools will induct four graduates and two former staff members into their Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame this year. The induction ceremony and dinner are open to the public and will take place on April 29 in the Midpark cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. (dinner served at 6:00 p.m.). Tickets are $20 per person, and reservations are required and due April 20. Please call 440-243-6000, ext. 6214, for reservations. The annual event, now in its eighteenth year, honors graduates and retired staff members of the school system who have achieved distinction in their careers or fields of interest. Students have an opportunity during the day of the induction to meet with the honorees and learn what led to their success. Nomination forms for 2011 are available online at www.berea.k12. oh.us or by calling the Alumni Office at 440-243-6000, ext. 6276. Berea High graduate Dr. C. Susan Chester, Class Mr. Thomas Kerslake, Midpark High Class of of 1957, is a Neurologist whose career was spent both 1981, is a Spacecraft Development Engineer at NASA at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland , and is currently serving as Metropolitan General Hospital. Some of her many the “Orion” Crew Exploration Vehicle solar array accomplishments include the formation of the Head manager/designer. Tom has developed spacecraft Injury Rehabilitation at Metro; initiating and running electric power systems for human & robotic missions the Adult Muscle Disease Clinic; and working with in Earth orbit and beyond. His efforts have contributed MDAA, as well as the EEG lab at Metro. to programs including the International Space Station, Mir Space Mr. Tom Wilson, Berea High Class of 1975, has Station, Solar Electric Propulsion “Tugs” and future planetary been drawing Ziggy since 1987. As President of Ziggy exploration missions. and Friends Inc., he is in charge of creating both the Mr. Frederick Graff, a retired Midpark High comic for syndication and licensed products. Tom has School art teacher, who initiated and developed lent his talents as a conceptual creative consultant—a Midpark’s Alumni Art Collection, 1971-2001, is now “Trained Brain”—for Richard Saunders International, co-owner of a company that designs and manufactures a world-renowned creative think tank that has been devices for artists. Fred has conducted over 300 named the nation’s #1 innovation consulting service for developing watercolor workshops throughout the United States new brands and products for Fortune 500 companies. and France, and has several paintings in corporate Midpark High graduate Mrs. Ann (Kerslake) and private permanent collection. Over, Class of 1979, is an Aerospace Engineer in the Mrs. Pat Lauria retired from Berea High Space Flight Systems Directorate at Glenn Research School where she made her impact in Volunteerism Center. Ann is currently the Project Manager and Service Learning. Pat was coordinator of the of the Communication, Navigation, Networking Responsive Student Volunteer Program (RSVP) from reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT) Project planned 1972-1997. Pat has also been active with the AFS to operate on the International Space Station in 2011, Intercultural Exchange Program, American Red after launching on the Japanese HTV launch vehicle. Mrs. Over Cross, and Baldwin-Wallace College. leads a large team including several NASA Centers and aerospace contractors working jointly to build and operate CoNNeCT.

BCS-TV Now Available Online

The Berea City Schools’ Cable Channel (BCS-TV), which airs locally on Time Warner cable channel 22 and WOW cable channel 18, is now available through the district’s website: www.berea.k12.oh.us > community > BCS-TV. So if you are among the many residents who do not have cable television, but ARE online, you can now watch a wide range of our productions – free and “on demand.” (Out-of-state friends and relatives will also be able to watch that special performance or event they’ve heard so much about!) The district has operated BCS-TV since 1997, with free access through local cable channels. Three-time, national Telly Award-Winning program, “A Community of Learning,” hosted by Rhoda Rosen, is in its 14th season; producing an average of 30 new shows each school year, with more than 330 shows taped and aired on BCS-TV to date. Each show features three guests, including a guest on each show from one of our community partners. This year, our partners have expanded to include NASA Glenn Research Center, Baldwin-Wallace College, Southwest General Health Center, Polaris Career Center, Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus, The Cleveland Airport System, Cleveland Metroparks, the Cleveland Zoo, The Cleveland Council on World Affairs, and the Cleveland Clinic’s Office of Civic Education Initiatives. Students from Berea and Midpark High Schools, Roehm and Ford Middle Schools, and this year, Big Creek and Brook Park Memorial Elementary Schools, participate in this after-school club as members of the V-TEAM. Scott Anderson is the video producer and head of the district’s video lab. In addition to taping “A Community of Learning,” V-TEAM members also are involved in a wide variety of field shoots, such as school concerts and musical productions, commencement ceremonies, Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductions, and other special events. So if you haven’t yet done so, please tune in – or log on – to BCS-TV soon! 6 Martin Luther King, Jr. Art and Essay Contest Winners

The theme for this year’s contest, “Lifting Candles of Congratulations to all the winners: Hope: 20 Years of Passion and Purpose,” was chosen Roehm Essay: because it is the 20th year that Baldwin-Wallace Alexandra Hopperton - 1st Place, College has sponsored this week-long celebration in David Tyler - 2nd Place, honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This was an Anne Campbell - 3rd Place; exciting year because it is the first year that Berea Roehm Art: High School participated in the event. Previously, Megan Causey - 1st Place, the contest was only open to students at Roehm Zack Scott - 2nd Place, Middle School. Mckenna Massaro - 3rd Place; Winning entries were on display at the Berea Berea High Essay: Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library in January. Taylor Hinton - 1st Place, On January 20, a reception was held to announce the Adrienne Ellis - 2nd Place, winners. Several members of Berea City Council and Anna Carias - 3rd Place. the faculty and staff from Baldwin-Wallace College attended the event, along with the contestants and their families. The winners were also honored at a Berea City Council meeting, where they received special resolutions.

(from left) Roehm Middle School Art Winners are Megan Causey, Zack Scott and Mckenna Massaro.

(from left) Roehm Middle School Essay Winners are Alexandra Hopperton, David Tyler, and Anne Campbell.

Roehm Student’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Message Published in Medina County Life

Congratulations to Roehm sixth grader, Julia Vana, whose essay on Martin Luther King, Jr. was recently published in Medina County Life. Julia's grandfather, Larry Vana, submitted the article for publication. As a sixth-grade student in advanced language arts in Mrs. Laura Bycznski's class at Roehm, Julia was asked to write about Martin Luther King, Jr. and describe the meaning of the phrase, "Lifting Candles of Hope: (from left) Berea High School Essay Winners are Taylor Hinton, Adrienne Ellis and Anna Carias. 20 Years of Passion and Purpose."

7 INSPIRING EXCELLENCE... Non-Profit Org. is the official publication of the Berea City School District U.S. Postage serving the communities of Berea, Brook Park, and Middleburg Heights. P A I D Permit No. 156 Board Office Berea, Ohio 390 Fair Street Berea, Ohio 44017 ECR-WSS 440-243-6000 Ohio Relay 1-800-750-0750 Derran K. Wimer Superintendent www.berea.k12.oh.us

Board of Education Dave Pusti, President Dave Thurau, Vice President Gale Patten Fred Szabo Dave Tressel ______Nancy Braford, Editor Dave Cornelius, Photographer Gayle Rocco, Desktop Publisher

The Berea City School Think Globally, Educate Locally District is a member of the Berea, Brook Park, and Middleburg Heights An Equal Educational Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity Institution Chambers of Commerce.

Our Vision: To Inspire Excellence

Our Mission: To help students achieve dreams they never imagined possible

Our Goals: Accelerate Student Achievement Fund the Future Promote Excellence with One Voice

Big Creek Players Present Once Upon a Mattress

(from left) Maggie Verba, Ryleigh Mullenax, and Sara Krupa perform the clever song, “The Minstrel, The Jester and I,” in the Big Creek production of Once Upon a Mattress, The recent Big Creek production of Once Upon directed by staff members Mrs. Tracee Brandt, Ms. Meg a Mattress, (“the true story of the Princess and Verba, and Mrs. Marta Zelaski. The spectacular costumes the Pea”) featured memorable performances were designed by grandparent, Mrs. Celeste Bamer; the by a large and very talented cast of students. sets were designed and built by Mr. Dave Jordan, who also Pictured here are (from left, first row) Nikki Elissa Russo as Princess Winnifred ran the sound system; and the production was supported Sheerin (Prince Dauntless), Elissa Russo the Woebegon manages to swim by a grant from the Educational Community Foundation. (Princess Winnifred), Kaitlyn Posta (Queen the moat, pass the Queen’s Aggravain); (second row) Maggie Verba (The Sensitivity Test, and win the hearts Jester), Sara Krupa (The Silent King), Ryleigh of the Prince and the Court in Big Mullenax (The Minstrel); (third row) Miller Creek’s production of Once Upon a Buckholz (Sir Harry), Alexis Kuennen (Lady Mattress. Larken), and Jennifer Ujczo (The Wizard).