The National History Day competition for the 2021-22 school year once again was held virtually at the regional level and the state level. In spite of the challenges that a virtual competition posed for the students, they produced some extraordinary projects and were recognized for the caliber of their historical research and the quality of their projects.
From Birchwood School of Hawken, 31 students advanced from the regional level of the competition to the state level competition held at the end of April. The results from the state contest were exceptional. Five projects placed first in their respective categories, qualifying them to compete at the national level in June.
Every year Birchwood students studying Spanish under Noemi Rodriguez who wish to push themselves take the National Spanish Examination (NSE). The test is an online standardized assessment tool for 6th-12th graders and is given by about 4,000 teachers throughout the United States. It measures performance (interpretive communication) and achievement of students who are studying Spanish as a second language.
This year, 15 Birchwood eighth graders testing at the first and second level (Spanish I and Spanish II) received recognition. These results are the best in our school’s history!
Eliesha Parrino’s poem will be published in the May/June issue of Spider magazine. Students were asked to submit a poem about "bragging." Her poem can be found below or on their website.
I am fast, you are slow. You don’t know how to go.
I am faster than a cheetah. You are slower than a snail.
I can run 20 seconds. You can run in 50 seconds.
You can barely see my legs when I run.
I can finish a race before you can blink your eyes.
Birchwood School of Hawken is a member of the Ohio Association of Independent Schools (OAIS), the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools (CCIS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). Birchwood School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.