POST Wednesday, August 7, 2024 • Vol. 17 No. 6• FREE
Lean Six Sigma Part of Cardinal’s Career Pathways Program By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Cardinal Schools’ plan to prepare students for industrial and manufacturing career pathways will kick into high gear when doors open in August. All seventh- and eighth-graders will earn credentials in manufacturing and engineering in the new Skill Boss engineering labs, said Superintendent Jack Cunningham, adding the credentials are part of the district’s Career Pathways Program, which was introduced in 2022 and became a pilot program last year. Students will spend classroom time earning their leadership and yellow “belts” – Lean Six Sigma certifications in teamwork and problem solving as part of the program. LSS is a framework that aims to improve organizational processes, decision-making and operational efficiency while reducing waste and
cost, according to the Lean Six Sigma website. Getting credentialed in LSS starts students on the path to earn four of the belts, possibly leading to job opportunities in manufacturing and industry, Cunningham said. “Our graduation pathways prepare students to be workforce-ready after high school or to earn college credit for a bachelor’s degree,” he said in a phone interview July 26. The program was initiated two years ago and, since then, 10 Cardinal instructors have become qualified to teach the varied courses that will provide students with the skills they need to follow either pathway. Those who choose the engineering field will work with a college-prep program called SolidWorks. Students aiming to work in manufacturing will become familiar with machines using the Pneumatics Learning System, the laser
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
Postal Customer Local / ECRWSS
Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Middlef ield
INSIDE
Community Meetings
ANN WISHART/KMG
Cardinal Schools’ career pathways students in Middlefield will become familiar with Skill Boss industrial machines in the school lab during the course of the program. Pneumatics Learning System skills, Laser Cutter Certification and Computer Numerical Control Certification are a few of the qualifications they will work on in their junior and senior years.
cutter and 3D printer, Cunningham said last year. “This is the first full year we’ll be able to offer both (pathways),” he said last week. “They kind of overlap.”
Farm Bureau, Conservation District Join Amish Safety Day
SUBMITTED
The Geauga County Farm Bureau and Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District teamed up to put up a booth July 26 at the Amish Safety Day in Middlefield. Pictured, from left, are GSWCD technician Lisa Berkheimer, farm bureau Vice-President-elect Kristen Sirna, farm bureau Secretary-elect and GSWCD district director/engineer Carmella Shale and farm bureau President-elect Bob Rogish.
The optional green and black belt curricula are designed to direct a junior or senior toward one of eight fields. “They have to focus on one,” he said, adding if a student gets the first two belts completed, that student could earn up to 18 points in one field for graduation path certification with bone fide credentials and licensing. LSS is included in the Cardinal academic core class requirements for underclassmen, Cunningham said. “It’s most important all the kids have leadership and yellow belts by the end of their sophomore year,” he said. Over the last few years, a shortage of employees led local industry to partner with Cardinal to create a “homegrown” workforce. A number of area companies have shown an interest in the development of the program, Cunningham said. In particular, Dillen Products of Middlefield has become involved in the project to introduce LSS to the Cardinal High School curriculum involving local businesses in the Cardinal Corporate Collaboration. See Pathways • Page 2
Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in Huntsburg, Middlefield and Parkman townships, the Village of Middlefield and Cardinal Schools for the month of August. Huntsburg Township: Aug. 6, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; Aug. 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road. Middlefield Township: Aug. 12, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees’ meetings are held at Township Office, 15228 Madison Road, unless otherwise noted. Middlefield Village: Aug. 6, 5:30 p.m. – Streets, Sidewalks & Utilities Committee, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission; Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation, 6 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance, 6:30 p.m. – Safety, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave. Parkman Township: Aug. 6, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; Aug. 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted. Cardinal BOE: Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting; Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m., work session. All meetings held at BOE Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, unless otherwise indicated.
facebook.com/middlefieldpost