A New Year. New Opportunities..
I am so grateful that I am writing this message without talking about the way last Christmas and New year opened with the infamous flood damage at CHS...
At the beginning of any new year, we have the opportunity to reflect on moments from the past semester and make meaningful resolutions for the upcoming year. It should be obvious what I am longing for to achieve this year. However, in order for any resolution to come to fruition, we need to make changes to our routines or habits. Research states that it takes 21 days to create new habits. Creating new habits, or breaking old ones is challenging but the outcomes can be transformative to the person making meaningful changes. Oftentimes, we make resolutions for our health and by the time that spring break rolls around, we are back to our old habits. This year, after once again all of the things that we have faced, I challenge everyone to look at one way that you can make an impact on your life. For students, it could relate to organizational effectiveness--study habits, homework, test prep, etc. It could also connect to putting down technology each night at a certain time. For parents, it could relate to wellness, or it could relate to scheduled dinners, or even putting your work away at a certain time to be with your children. For staff, it could relate to trying something new within instructional practices each unit, or finding extra patience in the classroom or with technology. Reflecting on the first semester, I am so proud of our students and our teachers' efforts to focus on the core value of achievement. Throughout the school year, students could generally experience our energy and focus on our core values during class meetings, our focus on high achievement, hanging out at school events, and/ or all of the community experiences. Being optimistic is the one thing that we can all long for in our lives. Last semester gave us the opportunity to reflect on ourselves. Mindfulness of self and others became an important barometer of 2023, and it should be a sense that we continue to apply into this new year. We need to be mindful of our pulse--personally, mentally, and socially. Likewise, we need to be active listeners and mindful of the needs of others and use our resources to assist others. The compass, road map, and GPS to all that we do is our mission statement which is enhanced through the magnifying lens of our core values. All of the outcomes in which we gauge learners filter through the creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and community connections that all of our educators emphasize in the day to day interactions with students. Through this daily encounter of learning, our students become exposed to programs, supports, and pathways that help guide them to find their individual purpose. This new year is up to us. Live it to the fullest. Every single day is an opportunity to seize the day to the fullest. Make today great! Here are some key areas to focus on towards establishing new goals this semester. Purposeful Life Anyone that knows me can share that I wear my emotions on my sleeves. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, there is complete transparency to my emotions. People who live a life of purpose have core beliefs and values that influence their decisions, shape their day-to-day actions, and determine their short and long-term priorities. They place significant value on being a person of high integrity and in earning the trust and respect of others. The result is that they live with a clear conscience and spend more time listening to their inner voice than being influenced negatively by others. Make the Right Stuff, the Right Stuff I learned the value of hard work from my parents, and definitely from my wife who is the ultimate multi-tasker. People who live a life of purpose identify those activities that matter most to them and spend the majority of their time and effort in those areas. Otherwise, it’s too easy to drift away in the currents of life. There is a clear connection to the statement: How we spend our days parallels how we live our lives. They work hand in hand---reminding us of the important marriage of choices and priorities. Passion My entire life I have found value in pursuing what my passions were. From working outdoors at Sand Ridge to Kirtland Country Club, to teaching, coaching, and as a school administrator-- have always loved pursuing areas in my life that I enjoyed. People who live a life of purpose wake up each morning eager to face the new day. They pursue their dreams with fervor, put their hearts into everything they do, and feel that they’re personally making a difference. Balance Finding a balance is essential and challenging. The key is reflecting often and demonstrating your care and commitment to those that you love along with balancing your passion(s). People who live a life of purpose put their heart into their career and into building relationships with friends and family. They also reserve adequate time to satisfy their personal needs. Achieving balance means living up to one’s potential in all facets of life. Happiness Happiness is a choice – not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you. – --Ralph Marston I have lived by this mantra my whole life. People who live a life of purpose have inner peace. They’re satisfied with what they have and who they are. To them, the grass is greener on their own side of the fence because of the time spent nurturing and cultivating their purpose. Serving Living a life of service has taught me so much about myself. It has humbled me, guided me, and grounded me in my values. People who live a life of purpose make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life. They do things for others without expectation of personal gain, serve as exemplary role models, and gain as much satisfaction witnessing the success of others as witnessing their own. As the old proverb says, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” Caring your candle and go light your world in the service of others. Seizing Moments Many years ago, there was a movie titled, Dead Poet's Society. In the film there is a scene where Robin William challenges the students to Carpe Diem- Seize the day--and make their lives extraordinary! He was changing the students' perspective and experiences to live beyond the status quo. People who live a life of purpose cherish every moment and seek to live life without regret. They take joy in the experiences that life gives and don’t worry about keeping score. This semester provides each of an opportunity each day to make our lives extraordinary! Carpe Diem! The Schedule for Next Week
Monday, January 8- White Day
Tuesday, January 9- White Day Wednesday, January 10- Red Day Thursday, January 11- Black Day Friday, January 12- White Day Monday, January 15- NO SCHOOL- MLK Day Counselors Corner
Financial Aid Night:
Chardon High School will be hosting a Financial Aid Night in collaboration with the Lake Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF). The FAFSA has undergone MAJOR changes this year. It is highly recommended that all parents with children attending college attend this meeting. Financial Aid Night Chardon Middle School LGIR January 17th, 2024 6:00pm-7:30pm Read the document LEAF Sessions: Lake Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF)
The 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an online financial aid application that students should complete if they plan to attend college in the 2024-25 academic year. This form will open up for filing by December 31 at studentaid.gov.
The FAFSA is the one form that all colleges, universities, and career technical schools require to allow students to be considered for federal and state-funded need-based aid, including federal loans. It is also the form that MOST schools require to award their own institutional need-based aid. Some colleges (typically private institutions) require a second form like the CSS Profile or their own institutional form posted on their website. Check "Financial Aid" tabs on your schools' websites for requirements and deadlines. Plan to file the FAFSA by Priority Filing Deadlines. These deadlines will vary by institution. You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA and they will all receive your information when you submit the one application. If you file your FAFSA by the earliest FAFSA Priority Filing Deadline of all the schools on your list, then they will all receive it on time or ahead of time. Institutional aid is limited. By meeting Priority Filing Deadlines, you are maximizing your aid eligibility. There are steps you can take now to be prepared to file the FAFSA when it opens, including setting up FSA IDs and gathering the needed financials. Review LEAF's November E-Newsletter to make sure you are ready. Click here for answers to common FAFSA-related questions Upcoming Virtual Information Sessions Financial Aid/Filing the FAFSA Monday, January 29, 2024, 6:30-7:30 pm Understanding the various forms of college financial aid and the FAFSA, and how LEAF can help you complete the FAFSA filing process. Making Sense of Financial Aid Offers Monday, February 26, 2024, 6:30-7:30 pm The admission process is over and financial aid offers have arrived. An expert will walk you through comparing college costs and the terminology used on these offers so that you can understand the final costs to attend and be prepared to make decisions. Making Sense of Student Loan Options Monday, March 4, 2024, 6:30-7:30 pm There is typically a gap between the aid provided on financial aid offers and the final cost to attend. Loans can be used to fill that gap. A school loan expert will discuss available loan options (Subsidized vs Unsubsidized or Parent PLUS vs Private) and their impact on your future. Register for a free LEAF Virtual Information Session
Mr. Hauber has been waiting SO long to share this information. Right before winter break, he submitted the file and we had to wait until it was finally posted. Over the last year, he has worked closely with one of his courses to create an animation to a Pink Floyd song which models our January focus: Commitment to continual growth and improving skills to show progress towards an ultimate goal. Check out the description below for his submission for the '50th Anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon Animation Competition. Enclosed is our podcast and the animation.
Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ Animation Competition
Chardon High School Art Department Art Teacher: Mr. Hauber This is our submission for Pink Floyd’s '50th Anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon Animation Competition.' The animation was crafted by approximately twenty of our art students, including myself. We chose the song "Eclipse" to develop this frame-by-frame, hand-drawn music video. The animation comprises 721 pencil drawings, employing rotoscoping techniques derived from reference footage of one of our students playing "Eclipse" on the bass guitar. Photoshop was utilized to edit each frame and to create the transition effects. We aimed was to preserve an old-school animation style while aligning with a visual theme that complements the essence of the song. CHS Principal Podcast with Mr. HauberThe Animation on Pink Floyd's ChannelSnapshots of the DesignsThis Week's Topper Tickets RecipientsArt Piece of the WeekFrench/Spanish Club
French and Spanish Club went to the Mentor Civic Ice Arena over break for their annual Christmas party.
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