I hope the recent holiday weekend allowed you and your loved ones to not only have a much needed break but also to spend some quality time with those who matter most.  The short break allowed me to reflect on the vision and mission work of the strategic coordination team, and really focus on how some of the key words we have been exploring apply to me and my family.  

Over the past month, our meetings have focused on the vision, mission, and core values of the Chagrin Falls School District and the future of education for our students.  The strategic coordination team has been analyzing the data we have collected from various stakeholder groups over the last year.  The team is currently melding the feedback into one sentence that clearly defines the statement, This is Chagrin.  Once we believe we have a final draft of this vision and mission statement, we will enter the “Decide” stage of the process.  In this phase, we will collect feedback from our school community and stakeholders to make any refinements necessary to enhance our work.  

Researching the future of education is also a priority of this team.  From sharing research journals and articles, videos, attending meetings and conferences, inquiry team learnings, and a small group book study planned for December, the team is working to answer the question, “How do we elevate our current thinking and practices in order to prepare our students for multiple possibilities and unknowns; where success is defined by each individual doing meaningful impactful work?”  This research has led the team to conversations around identifying each student’s elite attributes, mastery of content, and the prospect of a possibilities profile and impact project.  

What the community can look forward to in the new year is more possibilities to write the story with us.  We will begin to share what we have learned through our community engagement process across various stakeholder groups in the hopes of gaining feedback and filling in gaps in the strategic planning process.  By the end of the 2022-2023 school year, our plan should be finished, this will allow our team to begin the “Define” stage, to put action plans in place to make our story a reality.  We would not be where we are in this process without all members of the school community.  We treasure our partnerships and look forward to the journey that lies ahead. 

Students Recognized for Completing Math and Science Bridging at Board Meeting

Chagrin Falls Schools AP Teachers Collaborate with Area Teachers to Maximize Learning Experiences for Students

Gurney Service Learning Club Visits Friends at Hamlet to Recognize Veterans

Multilingual Third Graders Share Project with Board at November Meeting

CFMS Welcomes New Choir Director (CFMS Tiger Tales story)

"Space Girl" Featured Out-of-This-World Performances (CFHS Tiger Times story)

Chagrin Falls Band Monthly Newsletter - November 2022

Chagrin Falls Orchestra Newsletter - November 2022

As we look toward the winter holidays, we wrap up a year, reflective of all the things we are thankful for. 2022 has been a banner year, and held a significant number of wins for our school community. Chagrin Falls Schools is one of only 12 districts in the state to receive five stars in every category on the 2022 state report card. Our District also is one of only five districts in the state with a performance index percentage higher than 100 percent. Our current performance index places us 3rd in the state overall. In 2018-19, the last time state rankings were released, Chagrin Falls Schools was ranked 4th overall. This growth is an incredible testament to the work of our educators, staff, and stakeholders in this community, as well as our parents and families. 

The Board of Education has been hard at work with a number of initiatives the last several months. From a comprehensive review of all policy documents to community engagement roundtables, the Board has looked at a number of ways to reinvent and reflect. As a Board, we continue to use best practice to inform the decisions that we make. 

Our students continue to achieve in every area, and shine in their community stewardship and leadership. With our most recent Bridging Program scholars, to our AP Collaborative 2.0, our students are connected with programming and initiatives built to set them up for success. In addition to these pieces, our students continue to focus on service learning, which adds another layer of investment in their community, and positive educational experience. 

We are looking forward to a number of projects for the upcoming year, with continued focus on our community engagement work, academic development, and student advocacy. As we move through the holiday season, we continue to hold a spirit of gratitude, embracing all the amazing and wonderful things our students are doing. We have much to be proud of. 

Every day, for every student!

Happy Holidays,

Dr. Robert E. Schleper, Jr. 

The District's 2022-23 school year theme is “This is Chagrin…Write the Story.”

The work we are doing this year centers around our school community sharing their stories and experiences to write a narrative for what we collectively believe and want for our students. This is a perfect statement that outlines what we hope to accomplish through the strategic planning process. Core values and beliefs are the foundation of strategic planning and establishing the culture of an organization. It is what makes school a special place to learn, work, and succeed, and a school community a special place to live. Are we ready to educate the next generation of students? How will the story we write this year impact their story in the future?

Throughout the school year, our students, staff, parents/guardians, and community will be encouraged to help “write the story of Chagrin Falls Schools” in numerous ways. From participating in the creation of the District’s strategic plan to actually being an author highlighting the commitment and dedication to academic excellence and preparation of our students for the world after graduation.

As a District, we look toward the future and ask all of you to engage with us as we help write Chagrin’s story for many years to come. 

December 7 - Chagrin Falls Board of Education Regular Meeting - Chagrin Falls High School library

December 22 - Record Day - No School (7-12 only)

December 23 - January 4 - Winter Break