Chagrin Falls Schools' teachers are planning several activities in recognition of International Acceptance Day on January 20, which promotes social acceptance of disabilities. These events will take place in every District building on January 19.
Students that run Tiger Perk, a coffee service staffed by middle and high school students, will be visiting Gurney Elementary and Chagrin Falls Intermediate School. They will be selling their coffee and snacks to the teachers and staff.
Tiger Prep, one of the District’s support organizations, will provide gift cards to raffle off to teachers. Teachers can enter the raffle by either purchasing items from the student-run Tiger Perk cafe or by visiting Two Cafe in Bainbridge on January 20. The raffle aims to encourage everyone to support both small businesses while also raising awareness about inclusion and acceptance of disabilities within the District. Tiger Prep is dedicated to advocating for students who have or are eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. Tiger Prep also encourages an inclusive environment within the District's schools. In addition, staff can win gift cards to Tiger Perk or Tiger’s Den, the high school’s new student-run spirit store.
The Tiger Perk Cafe, run by more than 60 students, is located inside the Chagrin Falls High School cafeteria. Its current space has been open since 2017 and serves bagels and beverages to students in grades 7-12 as well as staff. Students who work in the Cafe receive community service hours as well as valuable on-the-job training. They learn all aspects of the operation of the cafe from ordering inventory and creating shift schedules to working the point-of-sale system and taking orders.
International Acceptance Day honors the late Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love, which promotes embracing adversity, educating communities, empowering one another, and loving life. "3E Love is more than living disabled, but it is simply about living," Hopkins once said. "We challenge you to do what you love, because you'll meet some amazing people along the way."
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