1/25/2024 0 Comments The Week in ReflectionOpening: The Value of Patience
Our choices are one thing that we can control. Our actions emulate our choices, and our character defines our lives. This mantra helps defines our purpose. With that opening, let me begin with my evening...
7:00 PM on Thursday, I published this blog. While it was spinning to publish, the page crashed. I thought that it was no big deal since the draft always saves and that I could just republish....nope, the whole site deleted. I was on the phone with the provider for about 30 minutes..to hear the words--THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO, SIR. All we can do is restore the last published version of your website. At that point after a long day-- I had two choices. Tell everyone, sorry...I have no idea how I can recreate this---or do my best to make sure that this routine was back in place. I chose the latter. So, please be kind to me this week. This version of the Week in Reflection will the best that I can offer. I am a big advocate of forging through difficulties even when I have no energy to get there. I believe in empowering students, and adults all of the time. I am also an advocate for being thorough, compassionate, and consistent. We all share important roles in guiding ourselves, and others within choices. As parents, the world that we are raising our children in has changed significantly since we grew up as teenagers. The countless hustle, schedules, along with personal devices has shifted much of the time that we are able to spend with our children. The noise in the world forced us to learn evolving technology, means of communication, and new trends. One thing that doesn't change in this world, is our response to the noise. Raising a child today is challenging. Our job as parents is the key to the relationships that we form with our children. They need us more than ever--even when they put out barriers, and tell us that we don't understand. At some point, our children will mature to see that we too were in their shoes. Through good and bad times, we love our children unconditionally--even through the noise. From the students perspective, their world was born with with movement, technology, snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. Students can hang out with a group of friends in the same room and snap each other without even opening their mouth. Student live by spontaneous schedules driving most parents nuts. Whereas we as adults were raised in a personable, face to face interactions to talk with friends--- we (parents and educators) have to teach these skills to our children and students in order to help them communicate, stand confident, share and collaborate. As much as they leave clothes on the floor, listen half-heartedly--our children do love us--even when we don't see it. As educators, we often find ourselves filling shoes not only being an educator but also as a role model and guide to our students. Educators are constantly running throughout the day to teach, provide intervention, and run extra-curricular activities while often being a parent taking for their families. All educators become an extension of the household as role models and mentors. All of this circles us to a larger community that we are all connected to. We are better connected when we communicate with intention, and do everything we can in our capacity to serve each other. As much as I need you to be the best version of yourself, you need me to lead to be the best of my abilities each day. Our shared responsibility guides each of us and our children to make the best decisions, coral them when they don't, and work together to raise our children in our world filled with noise. Together, we can all help turn down the volume of the noise around us and be present to current needs of each other. I appreciate you. 27BeTheChange2024
Members of our Executive Student Council and Hilltopper Minds worked in December and January to present 2024's Focus in February: 24BeThe Change.
Purpose Chardon is our home. It is our community. We love our families and those who have surrounded us with love for generations. Like most homes, we too have faced difficulties and times when we felt lost. There are so many moments that transformed us through these challenging times. Our community, the resilience and love of students, staff, and alumni have built the bridges of compassion, outreach, and our core values. Each day allows us to grow stronger, love more, and give ourselves. We have great days, good days, and tough days. What is most important is that we keep sight of our purpose. From the moments after our darkest day, leaders in our school and community vowed to stimulate change in laws, behaviors, and awareness. At Chardon High School, we stand firm in our conviction to be an instrument of change. The school is challenging all people to spread and share kindness and to be an instrument of change every day, specifically in the month of February. The 27 Days of Be the Change will begin February 1 and well beyond February 27. It is the continued hope of the established core values at CHS that these actions will inspire and change lives. By actively caring for others each day, a habit of kindness can develop and continue well past this month. Weekly Themes February 1-9: SELF-Be the Best Version of Yourself; Be Positive and Kind to YOU
February 12-16: OTHERS- Demonstrate Kindness to not only yourself, but to others- family, friends, staff
February 19-23: COMMUNITY- Find yourself in the service of others
February 26-March 1: LIVE THE CHANGE- 21 Days create new habits. Model this leadership each day
Opportunities for Outreach
If any parent or community member is interested in participating in #27BeTheChange to support our students or staff, please contactdouglas.murrray@chardonschools.org . We would love parent and community engagement any time throughout the year--especially in February. The Schedule for Next Week
Counselors Corner
Chardon High School will be hosting a CCP Presentation & Curriculum Evening on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Chardon Middle School LGIR. This evening also coincides with our Parent Teacher Conferences.
At this meeting, Counselors will provide an overview of the curricular offerings, course delivery options (including College Credit Plus), and an overview of the CCP scheduling process. Any student planning on taking class through College Credit Plus MUST plan on attending this state mandated mandatory presentation with their parents/or guardians. Several key details along with the Intent Form will be filled out this evening. Parent Teacher Conferences
Welcome to the Chardon High School parent teacher conferences scheduling system.
Our Last Parent Teacher Conference is Tuesday, February 6 Directions: Please select your conference (or conferences) below, then press "Submit." You will be asked to select the event and then enter your names and email. The system will then send you a link to choose your appointment time(s). From that link you may add or change times. Please note, all dates for conferences are listed for the school year. Please select the conferences under Tuesday, February 6 date. ICYMI: FAFSA Night Presentation
We wanted to be sure that all parents had the opportunity to review the FAFSA Night presentation provides for our families,
Auburn Career Center: FREE Sprint Classes
Auburn Career Center is ready to offer FREE Sprint Classes for all students in February. They will offer one more round late March early April of at least MIG Welding and Leadership Excellence.
CHS SKI CLUB
The CHS Ski/Snowboard Club is back for the 2024 school year... let's keep hoping for some more favorable winter ski weather in the coming weeks! There are three Saturday trips which have been organized - two trips to Peek 'n Peak Ski Resort (February 3 and February 24) and a final trip to Holiday Valley Ski Resort (March 2). Very flexible options... students can sign up for all three trips or just one trip. No experience is necessary. Lessons are an option if students are looking to learn a new sport. This trip is open to all students at the high school (grades 8-12). Please see the attached flyer for more details, including dates, pricing options, and an overview of the itinerary for the day. Space for this opportunity is limited to just one bus, so interested students should turn in their registration to Miss Fisher as soon as possible! If you have any questions, please email Alison Fisher at alison.fisher@chardonschools.org or contact her at 285-4057 (x 1718). Sign up for a trip today - you won't regret it!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the girls basketball program for their unwavering commitment to our community. Their sponsorship of youth night not only enhances the game-day experience but also fosters a sense of belonging for our future Hilltoppers. Thank you for exemplifying the core values at Chardon High School and creating amazing memories for our youth, and memories that you will always remember!
This Week's Topper Tickets Recipients
Art Piece of the WeekPost of the Week
Topper Bistro Lunch Menu
Talent Show and One Acts: TONIGHT!
Join us tonight at Park Auditorium for an unforgettable evening filled with talent, creativity, and entertainment! You won't want to miss this amazing evening presented by our talented students!
The senior-directed One Acts will feature two comedies and a dramatic play, while the talent acts include the student band Clueless and several other vocal performers. This entertaining evening sponsored by the Chardon High School Thespians is only $5 at the door, supporting the CHS Drama program. Resources
Stay Safe. Speak UP!
Chardon Local Schools partners with PublicSchoolWORKS to offer the Stay Safe. Speak UP! student safety and bullying prevention program. This 24/7, confidential reporting tool is available to students, parents, staff and the community. Visit the link to learn about 3 easy ways to report and bookmark access to the tool. Link to: https://bit.ly/chardonnewssssu
K-12 Monthly Pledge Contest -- Runtime: Each Week
Student Leadership Opportunity! Would your K-12 student like to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a Board of Education meeting? Student leaders gain practice at public speaking; meet the Superintendent and Board President; and earn a Portrait of a Hilltopper certificate. Enter our monthly contest today for a chance to win!
After Prom: Attention Class of 2024 Parents
We need to get the ball rolling on Senior After Prom planning. Don't miss out on the opportunity to help make this event a memorable one for our graduating seniors. If you would like to be included in upcoming After Prom planning sessions and/or want to stay in the loop on ways to be involved, email us at chardonafterprom@gmail.com. Yearbook Information Work Permit Ohio Law requires that students under 18 years of age possess a work permit for NON-SEASONAL (school year) employment. Forms are also available in the Student Services Office or Main Office. After the parent/guardian, employer, and physician complete and sign the permit, the completed permit should be forwarded by the student to the CHS Main Office along with a Proof of Age document. The CHS Main Office processes the work permit via the State Of Ohio website.
Closing: Routines
As a educator, I find the importance of routines to be integral in fostering a positive learning environment and supporting the overall well-being and performance of students and staff. Research consistently highlights the numerous benefits of routines in promoting mental health, wellness, and academic success. As difficult as it was for me to literally rewrite everything that I could remember after this website crashed, I knew that there are those out there that expect this newsletter to be in the inbox by 7:00 AM on Friday. The last couple of weeks have taxed our ability to establish routines.
However, routines at school are mission critical, and establishing routines at home help pave the way for success. Establishing consistent routines has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels among students. Having a typical expectation to what is planned provides a sense of predictability and stability, creating a conducive atmosphere for learning and comfort at school and at home. We know as parents and guardians the positive impact of consistent routines on sleep patterns, nutrition, and overall physical health. I appreciate the enormous assistance of my staff to establish routines after the last couple of weeks. It has felt as we have been at home more than school. I really appreciate EVERY staff member that assisted me in recreating many of the talking points in this Week in Reflection, and I pray that this never happens to you or me ever again. Have a beautiful weekend with your family! Signing off Douglas Murray, Principal
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