On the first day of school, students at the new Brecksville-Broadview Heights Elementary School walked through hallways filled with brightly-colored honeycomb patterns and engaging activity walls featuring Scrabble games and crossword puzzles. The project — creating a state-of-the-art building to appeal to young learners — was in partnership with the City of Brecksville. “We have a great relationship with the city,” says Brecksville-Broadview Heights Superintendent Joelle Magyar. “They were so collaborative throughout the entire process.”
Safety and Security
With school safety constantly in the news, security in the new building was a priority for parents. “We made sure there were a lot of elements to keep our kids safe but that didn’t make you feel the kids were locked down,” Magyar says.
Visitors enter through a series of secure glass doors. Inside the main entrance is the full-time school resource officer, a police officer from the City of Brecksville trained to work with students. In an emergency, multiple doors throughout the building shut and lock, blocking classroom access.
Mental Health and Wellness
Over the years, the district has strengthened its focus on mental health. In 2022, it received a grant to begin training a new therapy dog, a chocolate brown Labrador named Cocoa.
Activity walls around the building — like Lite-Brite or Lego walls — help give students a break when stressed. These walls are also used in physical and occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills.
Make School Feel Cool
From the moment you walk into this building, it’s obvious — you’re in an elementary school. A sun-bright yellow slide twists down from the second floor into the media center. On the playground, students can dash through a timed Ninja Warrior course. The Field House allows students to run, jump and play during physical education classes. It’s all part of an effort to help kids love learning in the new school.
“As a former elementary principal, I know you can’t teach kids unless they’re ‘there,’” says Magyar. “You’ve got to help them want to be in school. Then you can educate them.”
Supporting Students
More than 30 years ago, a group of parents, educators, district administrators and business leaders formed the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools Foundation (BBHSF). Their goal was simple — fund innovative classroom projects outside the typical curriculum offered to students. Through the years, that mission has expanded to include annual scholarships for graduates — almost half the gifts awarded on Senior Night.
When it comes to classroom grants, BBHSF pays particular attention to improving services and opportunities for students with special needs. In February 2023, the organization raised over $20,000 at Buzz Around the World, a charity wine-tasting and silent auction held at 750ml in Brecksville. Schools Foundation President Janelle Henning is currently recruiting new volunteers, especially those with experience in finance, event management or communication. “We’re looking for people who want to have an impact on the students,” says Henning. “It’s people who really want to leave a mark on the community and school district.”
Game On
The Brecksville Chamber of Commerce knows it takes more than Monopoly money to help local students. In 2022, the group created Beeopoly, a twist on the classic board game. Instead of Boardwalk and Park Place, Beeopoly features beloved Brecksville and Broadview Heights businesses. The brightly-colored game boards, with graphics designed by Chamber Vice President Jana Vanadia, are currently available for purchase through the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce.
Sales and sponsorships from the project directly benefit Brecksville-Broadview Heights students, with a portion of the proceeds going to organizations like the Schools Foundation and Parent School Organization. By supporting Beeopoly, people can be part of a unique piece of local history while giving back to the community.
“We have two cities but one school community,” says Don Lloyd, treasurer of the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great way to get people from both cities together to do something good.”
