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Superintendent's Message

My Choice. Mayfield!

Barnes

   

Dear Mayfield teachers, staff, students, parents and community,


   During our Opening Day convocation eight months ago, we challenged ourselves and each other to align, to become the difference and to understand ‘I am only one, but I am one.’ 

   On that August morning,  I asked two questions:

  • How will we create the most impactful school year yet?

  • How will we use this moment to be the difference for our students?

   I reminded all of you that we are temporary guardians of the moment and I challenged you to be the reason a child loves this school year.

      I am grateful for each and every teacher, staff member, student, parent and community member for the countless reasons you showed up, pushed forward and gave to every student to achieve, grow and love school this year. 

   Below is but a glimpse of the magnitude of achievements we harnessed together to move our students forward. 

   I humbly thank you for your dedication and commitment, for taking risks, for giving your all and for taking care of our kids, each other and our community.

   Enjoy the rest and relaxation of summer.

   All the best to you and your families,

 

 Dr. Michael Barnes, Superintendent

  • CLASS OF 2023:  Our Mayfield Class of 2023 donned caps and gowns May 26th at the elementary schools where they attended for a first of its kinds final Wildcat clap out. On June 3, 304 Mayfield High School graduates walked across the stage at the Palace Theater, marking the 123rd graduating class from Mayfield High School. Congratulations to all of our Wildcats on another successful and happy school year.

  • THE OPTIONS SHOWCASE: Mayfield High School hosted its first ever  Options Showcase where students presented the findings on their cross-curricular, Project Based Learning. Concepts from Physics, Calculus, English, Service Learning, Government and Chemistry are but a few of the lessons students have studied and explored throughout the school year. Congratulations to our students and their teachers on this culminating event to showcase how personalized teaching and learning challenges our students with rigorous (and fun) curriculum.

  • SPRING HONORS ASSEMBLY: On Wednesday April 19th, the high school held their Spring Honors Assembly.  There were 296 academically talented students who received certificates for having a non-cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the most recently completed semester as well as one previous semester.  In addition, of those 296 honored students, there were 65 outstanding seniors who were recognized for earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above in each of the previous 7 consecutive semesters.

  • MHS SENIOR ?PRANAV SOMPALLE earned the prestigious designation of a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He is one of three students in Ohio and among the 161 students from across the U.S. to achieve this designation. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing the 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

  • EXCEL TECC  programs are flourishing! We graduated approximately 460 students in 2023 and our incoming class of juniors is our largest ever with 588 students. 

  • MILLRIDGE SHARK TANK: There may be a few up-and-coming entrepreneurs at Millridge Elementary thanks to the fifth-grade culminating project where students were able to create, market, and sell their unique products - Shoes to track to health and GPS, a mirror that puts together outfits from your closet, a vacuum to pick up and store Lego pieces and a multi-purpose machine that can plow snow and cut a lawn. Based on the core components of the Portrait of a Wildcat, the projects taught students to collaborate, communicate, think critically, and explore their curiosity.

  • CEVEC introduced work skills and coached 167 job seekers through one or more of our six pathways with the goal of obtaining employment throughout the 22-23 school year.

  • OHSAA STATE TRACK MEET: Earlier this month, Nick Biega placed 2nd in the 200M and 4th in the 100M at the OHSAA State Track Meet. The 4x200 relay of Nick Biega, Luis De LaRosa, Ty Jackson, and Jake Watson placed 8th. All earned All-Ohio honors.

  • MAYFIELD PROUDLY HOSTED a visit with Superintendents and education leaders from 8 states representing 12 districts from across the U.S. in partnership with @Batelle For Kids #EdLeader21. Our Mayfield teachers, staff and students spent the day talking about how the Mayfield Portrait of a Wildcat, pathways and personalized learning is preparing our Pre-K-12 students for college, career and life.

  • DAZZLE AWARDS WINNERS:  MAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL’S RAGTIME won  BEST MUSICAL (Tier 2); BEST ACTOR - MHS Savon Harris; BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- MHS Graham Wilde; SPIRIT OF THE DAZZLE AWARDS- MHS Cidney Little. CONGRATULATIONS to Director Mr. Larry Braun and the entire cast and crew! The awards took place May 20th at the Connor Palace Theater. The Dazzle Awards, presented by Pat & John Chapman, inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater and recognize the importance of musical theater and arts-education within the Northeast Ohio community.

  • ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Class of 2005 alum Anne Hu screened her multi award-winning movie "LUNCHBOX" at Mayfield High School to a captive audience who enjoyed authentic Taiwanese cuisine (Zongzi- sticky rice, turnip cake and sesame balls) prior to the film. MHS teacher Brian Francetic served as emcee (also featured in the film) and moderated a Q & A after the screening with Miss Hu and Mr. Mike Wendt, Cleveland Film Commission. Earlier in the day, Miss Hu also spoke to Digital Media students who are interested in pursuing careers in film.

  • EXCEL TECC OHIO SKILLS USA: Congratulations to our Excel TECC Ohio SkillsUSA State Championships Team for a historical performance in Columbus.  An Excel TECC record 49 students participated in a record 27 contests earning a record 36 total medals.  Our medalists consisted of 14 Bronze, 9 Silver and 13 Gold.  Our Gold Medalists all qualify for the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta the week of June 19th.

  • MILLRIDGE GREAT READERS: 75+ students were recognized as Great Readers at an assembly on May 25, 2023. These third, fourth and fifth grade students read books outside of the school day, answered questions to show their knowledge of the book and showed courage in presenting what they learned to a group of our Mustang Parent-Teacher Group volunteers.

  • THE MAYFIELD SCHOOLS FOUNDATION hosted another successful fundraiser for Mayfield City Schools during the 3rd annual Swing & Par-Tee at TopGolf.

  • MHS STUDENT COUNCIL RAINBOW RUN 5K run/walk to benefit UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is June 10, 2023 at Highland Heights Community Park. Last year, the  Mayfield team raised $12,290.

  • MAYFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL VOCAL DIMENSIONS won FIRST PLACE at the Music in the Parks at Cedar Point in the AA Middle School Show Choir Division. MMS 8th grader Annabel R. won the Best Overall Vocalist award for the day (out of 16 choirs)!

  • ELEMENTARY FIRST GRADERS  took  field trips to the Gates Mills Environmental Education Center to learn more about the field of horticulture, get their hands dirty and have some fun while exploring.

  • Excel TECC MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES students hosted the annual Teddy bear Clinic with 300 Kindergarten students from Center, Lander, Gates Mills and Millridge elementary schools.  The clinic allowed the Med Tech students to  share what they are learning with younger patients who often associate doctor visits and medicine with shots and illness. Students instead learned about healthy eating, hand washing, basic infection control, medical equipment, bone health and kindness. 

  • MARCH MADNESS: For the second consecutive year, Gates Mills Elementary students have soundly beat the teachers, staff and district officials at the  March Madness basketball game. Fun for all, but there’s nothing quite like the win! Congratulations, Gates Mills students and special thanks to referee Superintendent Dr. Michael Barnes.

  • ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:  A huge Wildcat shout out to Mayfield City Schools Athletic Director Mr. Keith Leffler who was named the Athletic Director of the Year by the North East Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

  • FOCUS FORWARD MAYFIELD: As part of the district’s Focus Forward, Mayfield Continuous Improvement Plan, town hall, focus group and steering committee meetings were held along with a  community survey to engage and  invite residents to participate and share ideas about continuous improvement in our schools. Topics covered included student health and wellness, career exploration, staff health and wellness support, community, alumni and business engagement and systems alignment.  The six year Focus Forward, Mayfield Continuous Improvement Plan and 2023-24 Annual Action Plan was adopted by the Mayfield Board of Education at the May 31st regular meeting.

  • CONGRATULATIONS TO CENTER ELEMENTARY 3rd Grader, Solstice Ciofani, for earning First Place in the Garden Club of Ohio's Youth Poetry Contest this year. His poem has moved on to the national level to be considered for an award at this highest level. Thank you to members of the Highland Heights Garden Club for providing this opportunity for Sol to show off his creative writing skills.

  • PAY IT FORWARD: MHS students, teachers and staff  created a Pay it Forward room stocked with donations of pantry and clothing to help support local students and families in need.

  • THE GATES MILLS LIAISON COMMITTEE toured Mayfield Middle, Mayfield High schools and the Innovation Center to learn firsthand what goes into a Mayfield education and Portrait of a Mayfield Wildcat.

  • MHS ALUMNI - Class of 2003 grad Norelle Simpson sang with Rihanna during the Super Bowl halftime show. Congratulations to our alumni on this epic achievement!

  • CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS launched across the Mayfield City School District - Renovations at Lander and Center elementaries, MHS main entrance realignment with Miner Road, the addition at the Innovation Center to relocate CEVEC and the reconfigured main entrance at Gates Mills Elementary are underway.

  • COACH OF THE YEAR: The Ohio Speech and Debate Association named Mrs. Helen Suchy, Mayfield High School Speech and Debate Coach, the Coach of the Year for her tireless work with the students.

  • MAYFIELD PORTRAIT OF A WILDCAT: Superintendent Dr. Michael Barnes was asked to share his thoughts and leadership around the Mayfield Portrait of a Mayfield Wildcat on a recent  EdSpark podcast with Dr. Karen Garza, President, Battelle for Kids. Building a Shared Vision for Student Learning and System Transformation.

  • LANDER ELEMENTARY Guidance Counselor Mrs. Rebecca Schmidt  was named the Ohio School Counselor of the Year. She  was honored in Washington D.C. by the current Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.

  • SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS: Congratulations to our 15 Mayfield High School students who won awards from Scholastic Art & Writing, the nation’s longest running recognition program for creative teens. The Cleveland Institute of Art hosts the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition every year. Winners were announced on Dec. 16, 2022 from nearly 3,000 entries from students in grades 7-12.

  • VISION FOR K-12 EDUCATION: Mayfield Superintendent Dr. Michael Barnes and a handful of superintendents from across the state were invited to attend Gov. Mike DeWine's luncheon and round table to discuss the "Vision for K-12 Education and Student Success in Ohio." Topics addressed included career technical education, school funding, social-emotional learning and strategies around learning loss as a result of the pandemic.

  • COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS: “Results suggest that the District is a source of pride and vital cornerstone that has attracted people and kept them in the community." Independent research firm, Fallon Research & Communications, Inc., conducted a community satisfaction survey Sept. 19-26, 2022 to gauge residents' views about the education and programs Mayfield provides, including data on teachers, facilities and communication.

  • MMS OUR HOUSE OPEN HOUSE- Mayfield Middle School students, teachers and staff hosted an open house to showcase the renovations and programs at the grades 6-8 building.  “It’s a great school with outstanding teachers, modern learning spaces and happy students,” said a visiting parent.

  • MODEL DISTRICT: In November, superintendents and education leaders from across Ohio visited Mayfield City Schools to learn more about The Portrait of a Mayfield Wildcat and our All-Access Learning models.

  • NICHE.COM named MHS one of the best public high schools in the Cleveland area.

  • FIRST GRADE GATES MILLS ELEMENTARY  students partnered with Rescue Village to wrap up their economics unit with some Project Based Learning. Students created cat wand toys and fleece tie blankets for dogs along with personalized thank you notes that will be given to people who adopt cats and dogs. The students helped to create a proposal for the Gates Mills Parent Teacher Group to gain funding for this project. 

  • TEAM MAYFELD: Millridge Elementary and Mayfield Schools teachers and staff  raised $1,917  for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Cleveland. Team Mayfield participated in the NAMI of Greater Cleveland walk  at Edgewater Park in the fall. NAMI provides support, education, resources, and advocacy for those impacted by mental illness.  

  • INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Center Elementary School's Instructional Leadership Team focused on ways to support social and emotional learning. They learned about and piloted resources that can be used to teach self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Use of these resources, along with the Zones of Regulation and Responsive Classroom strategies already in place, will help to provide instruction that focuses on the whole child.

  • 2022 OMLA EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR! Congratulations to Mayfield Middle School Principal Paul Destino who was named the 2022 EDUCATOR of the YEAR by the Ohio Middle Level Association. 

  • STATE OF THE SCHOOLS/COFFEE TALKS were hosted at all four of our communities' villages and town halls during the fall as another avenue for parents and community members to learn more about Mayfield City Schools.

  • ALUMNI HALL OF FAME: Mayfield City Schools and the Mayfield Schools Foundation hosted the VIP Celebration to honor our Alumni inductees, Citizen of the Year and Steadman Athlete Alumni inductees Anne Hu, Class of 2005 / Hester Peirce, Class of 1988, Daryl Sanders, Class of 1959, Steadman Athlete Jim Mormino, Class of 1994 and Citizen of the Year Shelly Blanchard were honored at the September event.

  • WELCOME TO THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR: THE PORTRAIT OF A MAYFIELD WILDCAT: This is the North Star for Every Student. Every Day. Collaboration, Critical & Creative Thinking, Curiosity, Communication, Scholarship and Personalization are the competencies and foundation of and for our Pre-K-12 students. We are "Aligning For Impact" for the 2022-23 school year.










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