2/19/2008

Scott Stephens

The Plain Dealer

Thirteen schools - both private schools and publicly funded charter schools - have formed a unique partnership to recruit top talent and diversify their teaching and school staffs.

The schools are taking part in the first-ever Diversity Career Fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at University School’s Shaker Heights Campus, 20701 Brantley Road.

Participating schools are located throughout the area: Andrews Osborne Academy, Citizens’ Academy, Entrepreneurship Preparatory School, Hathaway Brown School, Hawken School, the Intergenerational School, Lake Ridge Academy, Laurel School, Lawrence School, Old Trail School, Saint Martin de Porres, University School and Urban Community School.

“We knew that if we were going to be successful, we needed to involve as many great schools in this effort as possible,” said Perry White, executive director of Citizens’ Academy.

Linda Alexander, executive director of the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, said that schools in her council recognize both the educational and social benefits of diversifying their faculty and staff.

“To provide our students with a well-rounded education, our faculty should mirror the richness and complexity of our larger community,” said Alexander.

Participants should bring 15 copies of their résumés. They should register before the event at diversitycleveland.com. For more information, call 440-893-9585.

Fair warning:

Char ter schools began as an experiment. So it seems only natural that charter school stu dents have their own experiments judged.

That’s what will happen March 1 at the fifth annual Ohio Charter School Science and Engineering Fair.

The event, which takes place at Cleveland State University, is open to all charter school students in grades six through 12.

The youngsters will compete for prizes at the local fair as well as a spot in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Finalists for the challenge win a trip to Washington in October to compete for a share of more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Visit consef.org for information on the charter school fair. Visit school.discovery.com/sciencefair central/dysc for information on the Discovery Channel event.

Now in charge:

Sister Maria Berlec is the new president and principal of St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford.

She replaces Roger Abood, who announced his retirement after 40 years at the school.

Berlec has been a member of the school’s faculty since 1998, teaching math and Spanish. Before that, she was principal of Villa Angela/St. Joseph High School in Cleveland.

Plain Dealer reporter Angela Townsend contributed to this column.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

sstephens@plaind.com, 216-999-4827

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