District eNEWS

March 16, 2023

In this Issue

Many Cultures, One Bison Summit

Bison Soccer Academy

MedWish Supply Drive

Department Spotlight: Technology

Board Names New Treasurer

AQUA Marketing Presentation

Neurodiversity Champion Award

Social Scene: K-12 Art Show Highlights

Message from the Board of Education

Jillian DeLong

Spring is around the corner, and we are in the final stretch of the school year. The Board looks forward to an exciting season of end-of-year traditions and culminating activities. At the high school, students in the Marketing/Junior Achievement class will showcase all that they have learned as they launch their new campaign: AQUA. The mission of AQUA is to create awareness about the importance of clean, fresh water in Lake Erie for our physical and mental well-being. Several students from the class presented the campaign at Monday’s board meeting. On behalf of the Board, we were very excited to learn about AQUA and their partnership with Eriesponsible to host a beach cleanup on Sunday, April 23. Scroll down for more details about the AQUA campaign. The Board looks forward to supporting the marketing class on this exciting endeavor.

Important Dates

MAR 23

Beachwood Board of Education Meeting

Beachwood Board of Education

7 p.m.

MAR 22-23

One Bison Summit

APR 12

Softball Stadium Grand Opening

Beachwood High School

3:45 p.m.

Beachwood Schools Calendar

Announcements

Many Cultures, One Bison Summit

The Many Cultures, One Bison Summit is less than a week away! Students at Hilltop, Beachwood Middle School, and Beachwood High School will hear from a distinguished group of speakers, including Kelly Fishman, education director for the Cleveland Anti-Defamation League; Dr. James Knight, author and founder of Lead with Humility; Nancy Liang, Beachwood parent and attorney; Dr. Shereen Naser, associate professor at Cleveland State University; representatives from the Beachwood Neurodiversity Family Network; Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, professor at Illinois State University and founder of Do Good Work; and Michael Tenant, founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab. Beachwood Schools is honored to welcome these speakers during this important celebration of diversity and unity among us as Bison.

The Bison Soccer Academy Recreation League encourages skill and tactical development for girls and boys in grades 1 - 6. Weekly practices start April 17, and families have an option to choose between Saturday or Sunday games. There are no tryouts. Players will have opportunities to play in different positions throughout the season. The registration deadline is Friday, March 24. Register and learn more.

MedWish Supply Drive

The Beachwood High School PreMedical Club is hosting its third annual supply drive for MedWish International. The club is collecting personal hygiene products, toiletries, and medical supplies through the month of March. Donation boxes are located at the entrance of each school. Find out more about needed items.

Department Spotlight

Featuring updates from the different departments that make

Beachwood Schools thrive

Information Technology: Empowering Learning Through Technology

The Information Technology Department is dedicated to serving district teachers, administrators, staff, students, and the community. Technology plays an important role in our district. Our department is committed to supporting and promoting student achievement as well as providing the needed resources to make technology an integral part of daily instruction. In Beachwood, we pride ourselves on engaging and empowering learning through technology.

In addition to using technology as an educational tool, our department is committed to supporting the staff in the central office, security officers, transportation department, maintenance department, and food services.

As this school year comes to close, our department will continue to work throughout the summer on technology repairs in addition to preparing the new equipment that arrives for staff and students. With a 1:1 learning platform, the technology department continues to look forward to partnering with staff, students, and the community in order to have greater access to technology.

Tips for keeping your Chromebook's OS updated:

Turn on your Chromebook.
Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi.
At the bottom right, select the time Settings.
At the bottom left, select About ChromeOS.
Under "Google ChromeOS," find which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook uses.
Select Check for updates.
If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically. Learn more about chromebooks.

Vytas Saldunas, Director of Technology

vsaldunas@beachwoodschools.org

Johnathan Kowalczyk, Computer Technician

jkowalczyk@beachwoodschools.org

Moisés Calderón, Computer Technician

mc@beachwoodschools.org

News & Highlights

Board of Education Names New Treasurer

The Beachwood Board of Education has named Matthew Brown as the District’s new Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, effective August 1. The Board unanimously voted to hire Mr. Brown during its regular meeting on Monday, March 13. Mr. Brown currently serves as the Treasurer/CFO of Nordonia Hills City School District. He brings 20 years of professional experience in school finance and governmental accounting to the role. He will succeed Michele Mills, who retires in July after 35 years as Beachwood Schools Treasurer/CFO. “I am very thankful for the opportunity that you’re giving me and the honor that you’re bestowing upon me to be the next treasurer for Beachwood City Schools,” said Mr. Brown. Read More.

Marketing/Junior Achievement Class Launches AQUA

The high school Marketing/Junior Achievement class announced the launch of AQUA, its latest creative marketing campaign, at the Beachwood Board of Education meeting on March 13. Students Caleb Berns, Sepanta Entezari, Ben Lawrence, and Tori Seitz presented a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness about clean water through guerrilla marketing, online and social media marketing, events, and sponsorships. The class has partnered with South Africa-based artist Neill Wright to design campaign materials and create a traveling public art installation featuring three gigantic water-inspired inflatables. Starting April 6, the inflatables will be displayed at Pinecrest, Van Aken District, Crocker Park, and Huntington Park with the goal of connecting communities with AQUA’s mission and educating the public about ways to keep our waterways clean. Other events include a Splash Party at the Van Aken District on April 20 and a beach cleanup on April 23 in partnership with Eriesponsible. Learn more and get involved.

Neurodiversity Family Network Announces First Neurodiversity Champion: Meg Miller

The Beachwood Neurodiversity Family Network created the Neurodiversity Champion Award to recognize school staff members whose work has helped neurodivergent students feel included, understood, connected, and valued. Our first Neurodiversity Champion is Meg Miller, an Intervention Specialist at Beachwood Middle School. It is clear in Ms. Miller’s interactions with her students how deeply she cares about and believes in them. She works to understand each student individually as a whole person and supports each of them to become the best version of themselves. She helps all of her students accept and embrace each other as-is and creates a positive and welcoming environment for everyone. The love students have for one another and for Ms. Miller is palpable when you enter their space. Read more about Ms. Miller’s exemplary work.

If you know a school staff member whose work has helped neurodivergent students feel included, understood, connected, and valued, please nominate them here for a Neurodiversity Champion Award.

Social Scene

Go on Facebook to view highlights from the Beachwood Schools K-12 Art Show!