The Griffin Rundown

This week on The Griffin Rundown, we continue our Building Sturdy Kids series with an insightful conversation between Mr. Nees and Upper School teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Fleagle. Together, they explore practical ways to support our students both in the classroom and at home, sharing strategies, stories, and encouragement for families and educators alike. The episode also features the always-popular Joke of the Week, guaranteed to bring a smile, and a roundup of all the exciting happenings around our campuses—from events to student highlights, you won’t want to miss it. Tune in for a blend of wisdom, laughter, and community spirit as we continue building up our Sturdy Kids!

We continue our series on Building Sturdy Kids with a special conversation between Mr. Nees and Mrs. Pam Larison, Head of Lower School in Pepper Pike. Together, they explore how parents and educators can deepen their understanding of what children are truly capable of—and how to support their growth with wisdom and care.

Also in this episode, Mr. Bond and Mr. Hatteberg reflect on the joy and success of the first-ever Heritage Dance, a memorable evening for our Upper School students.

As always, you’ll hear important announcements and enjoy the Joke of the Week from Posey.

Welcome to the first episode in a special three-part series on helping understand your student developmentally and how you can help them grow in responsibility at home and at school. In this episode of The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees sits down with Carrie Serafimov, Assistant Head of Lower School at Peninsula, for a practical discussion on how we can support our children as they grow in character and resilience. The focus age group this episode is Jr Kindergarten through 1st grade.

Together, they explore how to help kids do hard things, honor and respect authority, and how to come alongside them without swooping in. They also highlight the importance of daily family prayer and meaningful conversations at home.

This episode is full of encouragement and insight for anyone invested in raising strong, thoughtful, and faith-filled children.

This week on the Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees sits down with Mike Swiger from True Freedom Ministries to explore the powerful work his organization is doing inside prisons across Ohio. From offering hope to the incarcerated to transforming lives through faith, Mike shares the mission and reach of the ministry in a heartfelt and inspiring conversation.

In this week’s episode, Mr. Nees sits down with Mr. Monas, our Athletic Director, for a conversation about how student-athletes at HCA grow in their relationship with Christ—both on and off the field. They’ll explore how lessons from victories and defeats shape character, faith, and leadership.

Mr. Monas also shares exciting updates about new sports programs and upcoming student clubs you won’t want to miss. Plus, Elsa brings the Joke of the Day, and we’ll catch you up on all the latest happenings around campus.

In this episode of The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees welcomes two new members of the leadership team: Mr. Grame, Academic Dean of the Upper School, and Mrs. Villers, Curriculum Director of the Lower School. They share their perspectives on stepping into these roles, their goals for the year, and how they hope to support students and teachers alike.

Mr. Nees also highlights exciting happenings around campus, from student activities to upcoming events. And to top it all off, Lydia brings us the much-anticipated “Joke of the Week”.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation, campus updates, and a little laughter!