1/31/2017 @chs_dmurray: Week in ReflectionCHS Curriculum Information![]() February 8 Bell Schedule / Grade Level Course Presentations (2nd*/3rd*/9th*) February 9 Curriculum Night/College Credit Plus Presentation in the CHS Gym 6:30 PM In order to better prepare you and your child to the academic offerings at Chardon High School, we will be hosting a Curriculum Evening on February 9, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the CHS Gymnasium "The Barn." At this meeting, we will provide an overview of the High School bell schedule, curricular offerings, and course delivery options (including College Credit Plus), and an overview of the scheduling process. Several of our high school teachers and counselors will be on hand that evening to share information and answer questions regarding their curriculum and course offerings. Our Guidance Counselors will be presenting grade-level assemblies regarding scheduling and course offerings on February 8. If, as you and your child proceed through the scheduling process, you have any questions, please feel free to contact the high school guidance department. February 15 8th Grade Parent Night in the LGIR at CMS 6:30 PM For details, frequently asked questions, and screencast presentations- please check out the website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kathleen Kisabeth, Ryan Bandiera, or Douglas Murray ACT InformationStarting this school year the state of Ohio is requiring that all districts provide students with an opportunity to take the ACT. The test can be used for graduation points and will also be a usable score for college admissions. One way for students to demonstrate readiness for college is through scores on two college admissions tests – ACT and SAT. In Ohio, a remediation-free score on either test is one of three ways a student can meet requirements for a high school diploma. We, at Chardon High School, will be administering the ACT on March 21st. Preparing for the ACT ACT FAQ's Contact Kathleen Kisabeth if you have any questions. The Learning CommonsAttached are the current issues of the Lav Report and Teacher Newsletter. In the Lav Report students can find information on two current contests for scholarship money. One is an essay on free speech sponsored by The City Club of Cleveland. The second opportunity for scholarship funds is from Discover and Toyota. TeenDrive365 is a video competition. Students submit a 30-60 second PSA highlighting safe teen driving. Links to more information are included in the Lav Report. The Learning Center Newsletter contains information on current enhancements to INFOhio. Both students and teachers can benefit from the recent changes that have taken place. An article explains changes to the process students use to sign in to the Learning Center when coming from study hall. It also explains that students are now refraining from moving chairs to accommodate groups, but rather moving themselves to a table that fits their needs. A shout-out to the IT guys who worked tirelessly to update the computers in the LC lab. Thank you gentlemen for updating all the office and classroom computers as well. Lastly, edX is a wonderful online learning destination for professional development. Many courses are free and offered by the world's best universities. Check out this valuable learning experience. A Message From Jan Hoffmann, RNThe Ohio Department of Health has now mandated that all students entering the 12th grade be immunized against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease can cause a serious bacterial infection of the bloodstream, cause meningitis or both. The mandate states students must have two (2) doses prior to the entry of 12th grade. There needs to be at least 8 weeks between doses with the second dose being on or after the sixteenth (16) birthday. If the first dose was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose would not be required. The student will need to provide written proof of vaccination prior to the start of the next school year. If you are unsure whether your child has met this requirement or if you have any questions, please contact Jan Hoffmann RN at (440)286-0418 or Janice.hoffmann@chardonschools.org. AFS: Hosting a Student![]() As a leader in international high school exchange for more than 65 years, AFS differs from many other exchange organizations. Among the most important distinctions is that AFS has a network of thousands of volunteers in the US, many of whom have hosted themselves or studied abroad with AFS. These local volunteers support families, students, and schools in gaining the most from the hosting experience. Hosting an international student means more than providing a bed and meals. As an AFS Host Family, you’ll welcome a new member into your home, share your everyday lives, and grow as you get to know one another. You’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself, your family and community by hosting a student from another culture. If you are interested in this life-giving opportunity please contact AFS coordinator, Carrie Korenke for details. National Signing DayJoey DinkoChardon High School senior Joe Dinko has committed to continue his education and football career at Case Western Reserve University. A two-year letter winner at a Chardon High School, Dinko was WRC All-Conference and carries a 3.909 GPA. Joe CyvasChardon senior Joe Cyvas signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and football career at Walsh University. Cyvas, a three-year letter winner at Chardon, earned All-Ohio 1st Team honors for the 2016 season and was the Defensive MVP of the Western Reserve Conference. Cassidy BakerChardon senior Cassidy Baker has committed to Edinboro University to continue her education and soccer career. She was a four-year varsity letter winner at Chardon in soccer, team captain as a senior and carries a 3.805 GPA. ![]() After PromThe fun of After Prom is already underway, but we need your help! ALL CHS parents are encouraged to get involved with After Prom. For those families new to CHS, After Prom is a large scale event hosted by parents to give our kids a safe place to extend the fun and memories of prom night. We transform CHS into a themed event with activities, games and prizes for all juniors and seniors. At this point, many of us working on the After Prom committee will be “graduating”. We need parents, especially freshman, sophomore, and junior parents, to join us this year to learn the ropes. This event is so much fun, that we know you will want your kids to have the opportunity to attend this event. Come join us for our next meeting on February 8th at 7:00 pm in CHS library. We will be discussing details of the event and planning for our decorating workshops which will begin on Wednesday March 1, 2017. Decorating workshops will meet every Wednesday night in March from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm and most Monday and Wednesday nights in April and May. We work in the upper gym and cafeteria at CHS. Come as often as you like, all help is appreciated! Please feel free to email Amy Caldwell- speak2me_18@hotmail.com with any After Prom questions. February: A Month of Unconditional LoveFebruary provides us the opportunity to focus on our values, community, and future. In the closing of this week's edition of the Week in Reflection, I wanted to take a moment to write from the perspective of a parent to their child about the unconditional love and dreams that they have for each of their children. In a time that often leads us feeling stuck in the middle of winter ---longing for spring---it is a little reminder of what really matters. Dear Son/Daughter, I wish for you to be kind. Each day, as I send you to school, I hug you, I kiss you, and then I say, "Be kind." In a world that, in some ways, is so cold and harsh, kindness matters. I would rather have you be known as the kindest than as the smartest. You never know what is going on in someone else's mind or heart, but being kind will never be the wrong choice. Being kind does not mean that you are not strong or determined, but that you treat others the way you would want to be treated. My wish for you is that you will be discerning. That you can view a situation or problem and handle it gracefully and mindfully. That you will weigh options and choices and listen to that small voice that helps you decide right from wrong. I wish for you bravery. Courage to do what is right. Lines between right and wrong are blurred these days, be brave. Be who you are. Stand up for your beliefs. Take chances. Reach and stretch to become the person you want to be. My wish for you is that you will learn from heartache. The mother/father in me wants to protect you from pain and hurt, but the logical part of my brain knows that's not always possible. I recognize that some of my greatest accomplishments and treasured blessings, including you, came from much pain and heartache. Great joy comes from knowing sadness and I want those joyful learning experiences for you. They will make you a better person. My wish is that you are grateful. You have many blessings already in life and many more are headed your way. Acknowledge them. Be grateful for them. Don't take them for granted. Recognize that challenges can be blessings as well. I wish for you truth. You might have to dig and scratch and fight for it, but find truth. Tell the truth. Be an honest person that people can count on. Being trustworthy is one of the most noble character traits you can develop. I wish for you a life full of laughter. As much of it as possible. I know you cherish how our family loves to laugh, and our home is full of laughter on a regular basis. Look for friends and loved ones that make you laugh. Laughter is indeed the best medicine in life. My wish for you is that you become unselfish. To serve and think of others is the most rewarding part of life. Serve the people around you, think of their feelings and emotions. By looking outside yourself you will find good qualities and traits in others to focus on and develop in your own life. My wish for you is to know you are loved...by me...by your family...by your teachers. As your life grows to include more and more people, surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. You have a beautiful soul, you deserve to be loved. Love is hard work, but work that is worth every effort. I want you to dream big, but to realize that with big dreams comes hard work. Dreams are worth working for. There is so much joy to be found in the little steps that make up big dreams. You have the capability to become whatever you want to be in life. Know that you are my biggest dream. I wished upon a star for years before my dreams came true. But that dream has been even better than I could have ever imagined. All of these things I wish for you, you have helped me find in myself. You have helped me be more brave than I ever thought I would have to be. You make me laugh more than anyone else. You shower me with love, you make me think and rethink all my decisions, you help me dream big, and for you I am grateful. We love you, Mom and Dad February is a month of compassion, love, purpose, and examples of who we are in Chardon. Live in Love and Love to Live.
Have a great weekend, together. Douglas Murray, Principal 1/23/2017 The @chs_dmurray Week in ReflectionBell Schedule UpdateIt has been several weeks since I have last communicated the details surrounding the 2017-2018 Bell Schedule. In respect to the process that goes forward when implementing a significant adjustment-- we needed to collaborate further with the Chardon Educational Association to refine some details. We are now able to schedule time to clearly communicate to the students, parents, and other key stakeholders about this exciting and innovative schedule. February 1: 4:30- 8:30 PM Parent Teacher Conferences 7:30-8:00 PM Bell Schedule Presentation in the Media Center February 8: During School Hours: (CHS Students) Bell Schedule Presentations/ Grade Level Course Presentations February 9: 6:30 PM Curriculum Night/College Credit Plus Presentation in the CHS Gym February 15: 6:30 PM 8th Grade Parent Night in the LGIR at CMS For details, frequently asked questions, and screencast presentations- please check out the website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kathleen Kisabeth, Ryan Bandiera, or Douglas Murray Broadmoor Bobcats Stay UndefeatedMr. Tim Armelli, along with eighteen Chardon High School students were able to visit Broadmoor School in Mentor on Friday, January 20th. Broadmoor School is a school for special needs students from all of Lake County. CHS students participated in a basketball game vs the Broadmoor Bobcats and were soundly defeated by 12 points. All of the students from both schools had such a memorable day. After the game, CHS students enjoyed lunch with the Broadmoor students which was followed with a tour of the facility. The students were able to observe the services provided to the students at Broadmoor. Lastly, our CHS students finished the day by assisting the teachers in the gym with physical activities for several classes. We are so proud of the compassion, humility, and servant leadership that our students displayed during their visit. Students and staff came away with a better understanding of our their uniqueness and a greater appreciation for living life to the fullest. Enclosed is a video that a Broadmoor graduate recorded during the first quarter! I may use his services for my Football Highlights! Great Lakes TheaterLaunched in 1981, Great Lakes Theater's in-school residency program is now one of the most successful artist-in-residence programs in the country. Each year over 16,000 students in over 100 schools experience the pleasure, power, and relevance of classic literature brought to life right in their own classrooms. Using an interactive, hands on approach, a team of specially trained actor-teachers visited CHS for five consecutive days bringing the curriculum into action. The actors brought scripts, props, and costumes to turn the students into an acting troupe, exploring classic literature from an actor's point of view. It was an unbelievable week of students breaking out of their shell to magically bring the words on paper into live action. Acadec Regional CompetitionAcademic Decathlon® provides the opportunity for students to attain life-long academic and interpersonal skills that will benefit them in their future endeavors in a manner unlike any other academic program. The 2016-2017 curricular theme is World War II. Students of varied academic grade point averages work together to study the theme through the lens of seven content areas: Art, Economics, Music, Literature, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences. Students are then grouped by GPA and compete with other area schools via content tests. In addition, students write an essay, complete a college application style interview, and perform a speech. On Saturday, January 21, 2017, Chardon High School traveled north to Lake Catholic High School with Mr. Al Herner for the Regional Competition. Having completed the content tests and essay online, students interviewed and performed speeches scored by a team of volunteer judges made up of area professionals. The competition culminates with a Super Quiz™ , a game show style team event, speech showcase, and medals ceremony. CHS garnered a total of 19 medals at Regionals! What an absolutely outstanding accomplishment for a group of students and a single teacher who show up to school around 6:30 AM for Zero Period. The students in class have formed such a strong relationship and dynamic family atmosphere. Individual medal winners were: Megan Schlag - Gold Mathematics, Molly Greene - Gold Mathematics and Silver Speech, Kyle Gessel - Gold Team High Score Overall and Bronze Mathematics, Jackson Selent - Gold Team High and Bronze Mathematics, Chad Skerbec - Bronze Mathematics, Michael Lobosky - Bronze Music, Alan Hardesty- Bronze Literature and Bronze Social Sciences, Casey Mezerkor - Bronze Science and Silver Social Science, Douglas Mulford - Silver Science and Silver Mathematics, David Nedrow - Silver Science, Silver Mathematics and Silver Speech, Noah Bena - Silver Interview ![]() Now, I am extremely proud of all of the students...but there is one student that I would like to recognize individually. Alan Hardesty has truly grown throughout his four years at CHS. Over the years, Alan has connected with many adults who have listened, guided, and taught him the value of hard work. Alan has a huge heart, and passion for landscape horticulture. Mr. Herner was so happy for Alan at Regionals when he witnessed how a young man's hard work payed off earning two bronze medals. We are so proud of you, Alan! Chardon Boosters: Night at the RacesDeadline for Chardon Athletic Boosters' Night at the Races is Friday, Jan. 28! NIGHT AT THE RACES DETAILS: WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 6:30 pm WHERE: St. Mary Church, Chardon WHY: Booster Mission: To support, encourage and advance the athletic programs of CSD, cultivate clean, wholesome school spirit, promote good sportsmanship and high ideals of character. Link to purchase tickets/horses: http://chardonathletics.org/main/adnews/ID/42160904 Wind Ensemble: The Ultimate Field TripThe CHS Wind Ensemble group experienced the "Ultimate Field Trip" at University Circle & Playhouse Square on Friday, January 20. Our students joined Mrs. Lichtler for tour of Cleveland's best! Not only did they use their senses to experience the day, they had the opportunity to participate in real life experiences! The day included: *Workshop at Case Western Reserve University with Dr. Ryan Scherber *Botanical Gardens *Cleveland Museum of Art *Natural History Museum *Dinner at Zach Bruell's "Dynomite" *Playhouse Square Broadway production of "Into the Woods" Jarred Karikas, Nicholas Schragal, Stephen Blauch, and Connor Prusha enjoy a meal and friendship at Dynomite Restaurant. Megan Kofol, Ella Brickman, Luke Shutty, and Emily Munoz at Dynamite Restaurant. Morgan Piecuch, Natasha Paros-Gaser, and Ella Brickman at the Natural History Museum. OMEA District 7 - Solo & EnsembleThis past weekend CHS musicians participated in the annual District 7 - Solo & Ensemble Contest. Students work hard to prepare solo works and ensemble pieces to be presented to judges for feedback. The choir and band students that participated found much success throughout a busy day of performances. Congratulations to this year's participants for taking initiative for personal growth and to conquer the challenge of individual performance. Well done! Special thanks to Mr. Streiff for his leadership, vision, and planning! Emma Greenwood, soprano solo Samantha Hess, soprano solo Whitney Beorn, soprano solo Madie Houser, alto solo Sean Parker, baritone solo Jennifer Bender, alto solo Clare Myeroff, Caleigh Dawson, Ashley Paterson, Maya Petersen, SSA ensemble Maria Cappello, Gillian Murphy, Natasha Paros-Gaser, SSA ensemble Shalom Decipeda, flute solo Jacob Moses, clarinet solo Jennifer Vandenberg, clarinet solo McKenzie May, clarinet solo Hailey DeGeorge, trumpet solo James Baird, snare drum solo Geauga Growth Partnership Intern OpportunitiesWe are excited to share the Intern Application information for 2017 along with the current Job Opportunity Listing through the Geauga Growth Partnership. This is a great opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to expand their knowledge, experiences, and networking opportunities. The Internship program is open to all Geauga County resident Junior and Senior high school students. The paid internships are awarded through a competitive application process and in-person interview experience. For more information, please visit www.geaugagrowth.com. The Intern application deadline is Friday, February 24, 2017 at 5:00 PM. 2017 Internship Application 2017 Job Opportunity Listing Geauga Growth Partnership has been working on a new program, “Ignite Your Career” to link Geauga County students with local businesses in order to learn about career pathways and opportunities for help with college tuition. We are very pleased to invite parents and students in grades 7-12 to this amazing evening which will be “more than a symposium and more than a job fair.” Cleveland Clinic’s Civic Education Department Clinic-Based ProgramsCleveland Clinic’s Civic Education Department Clinic-Based Programs application will be accessible and live on our web site as of 12:00 PM on Monday, January 23, 2017! With 5 different programs to choose from, this summer internship experience gives Northeast Ohio middle and high school students the opportunity to learn and work alongside caregivers across the enterprise including Main Campus, Regional Hospitals and Family Health Centers, and the community. These programs promote learning in health and wellness, the arts, innovation, financial literacy, and more. Each program is formulated to inspire students to embrace a variety of disciplines as keys to success, and to foster skills that will help them become life-long learners. Internship Programs range from two weeks for Healthcare+ Pathways®, four weeks for NEOREMA™, six weeks for Louis Stokes Workforce Readiness and nine weeks for Health Horizons and Science. The Science Internship Program allows student to choose from 9 different career focus tracks. Through summer internship programs, students have the ability to gain knowledge in clinical areas such as Applied Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Nursing Care and Public Health. Students may also choose a non-clinic track and gain experience in law, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources, marketing and building operations. Those interested in learning more about our internships can visit the Clinic-Based Programs’ homepage on the Civic Education website: http://civiceducation.clevelandclinic.org/Clinic-Based-Programs/Clinic-Based-Programs.aspx If you have questions about the Clinic-Based programs, please contact: Nedra Starling at starlin@ccf.org Turn, Turn, Turn"To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under heaven..." This song written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s became an international hit in 1965 by The Byrds. Now that you are all singing the song...you might be asking---why is this in the Week in Reflection? Well, unfortunately it is the time and season of barrels. With the volume of rain, snow and sleet over the past several weeks--the age of the building is speaking to the residents inside of Chardon High School. Our maintenance and custodial crews are doing a great job addressing the seasonal weather, but unlike the The Byrds song which can be digital preserved--it is getting harder to preserve the seams at CHS. With all of the beauty that we have shared this week, it is important to know that we are engaging in the work of our strategic plan, which resulted in key recommendations regarding our facilities.
This has been a robust edition of the Week in Reflection. Thank you for taking the time to read, reflect, and learn about the happenings at CHS.
Have a great weekend! Douglas Murray, Principal. Living a Purpose Filled Life
One of the biggest mantras that Dr. Klein and I live by is living a life of purpose. Throughout the year, he and I would be reminded of the sheer volume of the various ways we connect purpose to life, academics, and our choices. You see, some people measure success by the wealth they’ve accumulated, the power they’ve attained, or the status they’ve achieved. Yet, even though they’ve reached success beyond their wildest dreams, they still have an empty feeling — something is missing from their life. In order to fill that void and be completely fulfilled in life, they may be searching for something more. Although everyone is different, there are common threads that bind a life with purpose.
Live by your beliefs and values 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 by others. Set priorities 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 to how we live our lives. They work hand in hand---reminding us the important marriage of choices and priorities. Follow your 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, and coaching...I 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 heart into everything they do, and feel that they’re personally making a difference. Achieve balance Finding balance is essential and challenging. The key is reflecting weekly about those that you loved and if you have given as much to family as you have to your passion. 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. Feel content Happiness is being paid to do what you already do already. I have lived by this mantra my whole life. People who live a life of purpose have an 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. Make a difference 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.” Live in the moment Remember that scene in Dead Poet's Society 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. Dr. Seuss may have said it best, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Live your purpose in the the moment and seize today! School Board Recognition Month![]()
Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich has proclaimed January 2017 School Board Recognition Month (SBRM) in the state. To view the governor's 2017 School Board Recognition Month proclamation, click here. OSBA's theme for the 2017 School Board Recognition Month is "School boards: Leading the way for education."
We appreciate the commitment, passion, leadership, and service of our Chardon Board Members. Thank you for your support and efforts towards living our mission at Chardon. We appreciate you. Boosters' Night at the Races!
Mark YOUR calendar for a FUN Night at St. Mary's Banquet Hall Room with the Boosters!
Night At The Races is Back! Saturday, February 4th - 6:30PM THIS EVENT SOLD OUT LAST YEAR! - DON'T BE SHUT OUT THIS YEAR! Order your tickets and sponsor your horses on this site - http://www.Chardonathletics.org! VFW Recognition
Last week, I shared the remarkable accomplishment of Taylor Purchase. Taylor held a fundraiser on December 16, with the lighting display at her home. The event was well attended and the end result was a donation of $1000.00 to the Chardon Post 6519, VFW. On January 5, she presented the check at the Men's meeting to be used for veterans at the post and in the area. Yesterday, Chardon VFW Post 6519 came to CHS to recognize Taylor. What a powerful moment we witnessed!
Military History: The Art and Science of Strategy
Strategy refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. It is distinct from tactics, which is concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked. Last Wednesday, in Mr. Fronk's Military History, I had the opportunity to strategize using the principles of Chess. The development and implementation of strategy is a creative process. Be it real war, sport match, or chess battle, a framework is required to shape the strategist’s thought process. The principles of Chess and the lessons taught in Military History express:
1. Selection and maintenance of aim 2. Maintenance of morale 3. Offensive action 4. Security 5. Surprise 6. Concentration of force 7. Economy of effort 8. Flexibility 9. Cooperation 10. Sustainability Once understood, the principles of Chess and Military strategy may be used as a decision making aid during formulation, planning, and execution of strategy. What a great lesson! In case you are wondering--I won my face of battle. Lakeland Art Show
Art Teachers--Deb Steytler and Erik Hauber are absolute magicians of creativity at CHS. They are proud to present to Lakeland several dynamic pieces of art that cover a variety of mediums. If you have the time, head out to Lakeland to see the phenomenal work of our kids.
Science Olympiad
The C Division team (representing grades 9-12) took a seventh place trophy.
Awards in individual events are as follows: Division B (6-9th grade): 5th Place - Rocks and Minerals - Sara Conway and Reagan Halford 6th Place - Fast Facts - Owen Vokoun and Brady Williams Optics - Jason Watson and Jack Dvorak (not pictured) 7th Place - Rocks and MInerals - Ethan Fuerst and Owen Vokoun 8th Place - Invasive Species - Josh Campbell and Brady Williams Division C (9-12 grade) 2nd Place - Disease Detectives - Heather Humbert and Richie Wainio Materials Science - Nick Schragal and Richie Wainio 3rd Place - Invasive Species - Emily Munoz and NIck Schragal Rocks and Minerals - Christen Niedzielski and Asher Vokoun Towers - Richie Wainio and Megan McCartney 4th Place - Game On - Tyler Mothersbaugh and Drew Williams Hydrogeology - Emily Munoz and Drew Williams Remote Sensing - Nick Schragal and Richie Wainio 5th Place - Astronomy - Heather Humbert and Nick Schragal Helicopters - Richie Wainio and Drew Williams Robot Arm - Connor Fuerst and Alex Schragal 6th Place - Dynamic Planet - Colby and Drew Williams Write It Do It - Halle Crtalic and Drew Williams 7th Place - Ecology - Megan McCartney and Emily Munoz Microbe Mission - Tyler Mothersbaugh and Richie Wainio Wind Power - Halle Crtalic and Emily Munoz 8th Place - Anatomy - Arman Bayat and Rachel Yates Invasive Species - Asher Vokoun
Regardless of the short week at CHS--there is always something extraordinary happening each day. We have amazing kids who are mentored by transformative educators. Thank you for your continued support.
Have a great weekend! Douglas Murray, Principal 1/6/2017 chs_dmurray: Week in ReflectionHilltoppers for Veterans![]() The Chardon community would like to congratulate Taylor Purchase on her senior project, Hilltoppers for Veterans. Taylor held a fundraiser on December 16, with the lighting display at her home. The event was well attended and the end result was a donation of $1000.00 to the Chardon Post 6519, VFW. On January 5, she presented the check at the Men's meeting to be used for veterans at the post and in the area. Nancy Purchase, president of the Women's Auxilliary, was in attendance and was honored to have Taylor represent Chardon High School. Her commitment over the last couple months to this project and the involvement with the Veterans Day Program at Maple Elementary shows a deep respect to our veterans. The Chardon Post 6519 VFW members, Taylor's parents, and everyone at CHS are very thankful and proud of Taylor's efforts. Above is a photo of Taylor with Commander, Bill Richardson. Complete and Total: Student PublicationLast week, the ASAP group, in alignment with their mission, brought the original play- Complete and Total to CHS during a morning assembly. Complete and Total is an original play that follows the story of a high school student with a bright future ahead of him, but heroin and addiction quickly become his top priority. The Mind, the only sober part left of his brain, believes in his ability to become clean, but it’s not that simple. If you recall from previous publications, I asked Mr. Allen Herner if we could challenge his Writing For Publications students to choose an article twice a month to be featured in the Week in Reflection. His students were excited for this opportunity. This course offers real life application of 21st Century Skills. I am proud of his leadership, and the students diligence in providing meaningful publications. Below is our follow up entry by Allison Wilson. Heroin Epidemic Spreads Through Ohio (Part II) By Allison Wilson As mentioned in part one of this article (which I would suggest you read, as it provides important information on the current heroin epidemic in Ohio) a student led substance abuse education program called ASAP has been started at Chardon High School. The students running this program have done things such as hosting the second annual community picnic to educate families about drug and alcohol abuse. A panel of speakers came in, including Sarah Smith, the director of Start Talking!, a campaign started by Governor Kasich, the sheriff, fire chief, Judge Stupica, and paramedic John Blauch. They have also brought an education program to the middle school. In the words of Tyler Palesh, “We go down to the middle school and tell them about drugs. It’s basically like D.A.R.E, but student led.” According to Justin Stanko, the middle school program focuses on peer pressure, as well as prescription painkillers and how they can lead to an addiction. It’s student led because they feel that high schoolers act as role models to the middle schoolers, and are likely to get a better reaction than a teacher or officer. The community has been helping out in many ways as well. One such method was through the play Complete and Total, directed by Angela Miloro-Hansen, which focuses on the mind of a drug addict and how it affects their relation with their family. The play showed at the Geauga Theater on the square for several days before taking to the road, touring at several schools. However, as Ms. Miloro-Hansen said in a discussion panel following the show, they had a difficult time finding schools to perform at. Some never sent a reply back, some politely declined, and one responded with “No, we don’t have that problem.” The play has been described as realistic, and the writer stated that he had spoken with multiple heroin addicts before writing it. It has brought light to the topic, not just to the audience, but to the actors as well. To quote Jonathan Ward, who played the character of the mind, “It really revealed a lot to me. The problem is very widespread, especially in some of the towns around Chardon and areas of Cleveland.” In the long run, there’s not much we can do to fight the spread of drugs. You can educate the population, but many will still become addicted. It’s important that people are able to know and recognize the beginning of an addiction, and know how to get help for it. The programs being run through our community are a healthy way of doing this, though more can always be done. Science OlympiadScience Olympiad is a nation-wide non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition of outstanding achievement in science education. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, field trips and the intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. The Chardon Science Olympiad is a program of extra-curricular study designed to challenge and enrich our most scientifically motivated students. Chardon has teams at the Middle School and High School. Students choose from about 24 different science-themed events. These events range from all sorts of biology, ecology, and chemistry, to physics, writing, and problem solving. There is a balance between events requiring knowledge of scientific facts, concepts, processes, skills and application. Although Science Olympiad is competitive, most events require teamwork, group planning and cooperation. The emphasis is on learning, participation, having fun and developing team spirit. Photos from the Science Olympiad Invitional at Westlake High School, held on 1/7/2017: The team took place a seventh place trophy. Awards in individual events are as follows: 3rd Place Ecology - Emoly Munoz and Nick Schragal Remote Sensing - Nick Schragal and Colby Willams 4th Place Disease Detectives - Arman Bayat and Richie Wainio 5th Place Invasive Species - Emily Munoz and Asher Vokoun Rocks and Minerals - Asher Vokoun Towers - Richie Wainio and Colby Williams 6th Place Game ON - Colby and Drew Williams 7th Place Experimental Design - Alex Schragal, Richie Wainio and Drew Williams Forensics - Liam Kerry and Emily Stern http://chardonscienceolympiad.org Poppa Tees: Thomas JahnkeI had the awesome opportunity to sit down with freshman, Thomas Jahnke, this week at CHS regarding his up and coming business that he has created. Poised and almost stoic by design, Thomas came to my office during his free period to share the background of his T-shirt company, Poppa Tee's. Back in July, Thomas was having a conversation with his dad about making money, learning the value of hard work, and saving money for his future. Thomas had an epiphany with his dad that day. His idea, in collaboration with his family, created his small business. Thomas shared that he has always loved art through the passion of his mom who is an art teacher in a neighboring district. Thomas always would complain to his dad that there aren't enough places to buy local shirts in Chardon. During August, Thomas and his dad started designing a website, learning more about heat presses, and began the first design. What began as a way to make money for a specific purpose--turned into more designs, word of mouth sales, and marketing to create poppatees.com I asked Thomas about the name, Poppa Tees. His response was priceless. Apparently the nickname, Poppa, was something that his parents always called Thomas. Growing up, Thomas would wear baggy and trends from previous decades and his parents would call him Poppa. He definitely is an "old" soul. Thomas "Poppa" Jahnke is a young entrepreneur learning the value of hard work, dedication, and philanthropy. He is now working collaboratively with the Chardon Boosters and is looking forward to where this collaborative idea is going in the future. Check out his website enclosed to learn more. Cleveland Cavaliers Student & Teacher Recognition Programs![]() Do you know an outstanding student or teacher in the Northeast Ohio area? Nominate them for the Cavs All-Star Kids or Head of the Class program! All-Star Kids recognizes students who are setting a positive example for their peers. The Cavaliers will select one student each month of the regular season (November - April) as the All-Star Kids winner. Cavaliers’ mascots and "Hype Man" Ahmaad Crump will make a surprise visit to each winning student's school to present him/her with a super-sized ticket to a Cavaliers game and a catered party for their entire class to be scheduled at a later date! In addition to receiving four (4) tickets to a game, the winning student will also receive four (4) complimentary passes to the VIP Club and will be recognized on court pregame. ALL-STAR KIDS INFO & TO NOMINATE
Have an outstanding weekend with family and friends! Live out your dream!
Douglas Murray, Principal 1/4/2017 The @chs_dmurray: Week in ReflectionHappy New Year!A New Year. New Opportunities. At the beginning of anything new, we have the opportunity to reflect on moments from the past year, and make meaningful resolutions for the upcoming year. In order for any resolution to come to fruition, we need to make changes to our routines or habits. Research states that it take 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. For example, last year, I learned that I had an underactive thyroid. For the past year, I have monitored my health, worked out regularly, and made life choices to better my wellness. In doing so, I feel better and can fit back into my suits :) Often times, we make resolutions for our health and by the time that Spring Break rolls around, we are back to our old habits. This year, I challenge everyone to look at one way that you can make an impact in 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. This 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! Bell Schedule UpdateOver the last semester we have had much to be grateful for at Chardon High School. As we transition into a new year, I wanted to give you an update regarding our new bell schedule for the 2017-2018 school year. We are very excited for the enhanced opportunities for student achievement. The CHS administrators, teachers, and counselors collaborated this past semester researching a new bell schedule:
At the December 19th school board meeting, Assistant Principal Ryan Bandiera and I presented the proposed schedule to the Board and community. We also would like to share our presentation with parents. Enclosed, please find the proposed bell schedule along with a list of frequently asked questions. We will be working on the details of the new schedule, and will present the finished schedule at a Parent Forum to be held in early 2017. Public education has changed significantly since you and I have been in school. No longer does the "one size fits all" mentality work in our ever-changing times. The new graduation requirements, end of year exams, College Credit Plus, and alternate schools create opportunities for public schools to refine not only their use of time, but innovative ways to reach the learning needs of all students. Anyone can draw up a bell schedule, but seeing it in action is essential to understanding how schools implement their mission. Our proposed bell schedule has been purposefully designed to maximize opportunities for student achievement at Chardon High School. For further information, and to watch the screencast of the presentation--click here. The Learning CenterEnclosed in this publication are the Lav Report and Learning Center Newsletter for January. In the Lav Report students can learn how to avoid copyright infringement. Information on copyright, fair use, public domain and creative commons is included in this month's issue. The LC Newsletter contains information on Genius Hour and how this concept, used in Google and other corporations, can be used effectively in the classroom to increase student interest and creativity. Additionally, there is information on Random Acts of Kindness week, which takes place in February. Links are provided to websites that offer teachers information on both Genius Hour and Random Acts of Kindness week. Family and Consumer ScienceThe Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching Assistants (TA’s) were busy before winter break with our annual Giving Tree project. The TA’s spread enthusiasm for the project through colorful displays and morning announcements, and they worked diligently organizing and coordinating the school-wide effort. The TA’s worked with Geauga County Job and Family Services to ensure all gifts were delivered successfully. This year, our school provided gifts, food and household items for six local families in need. Thank you to our students and staff for their incredibly generous donations. Complete and Total Play: January 6This morning, the ASAP group, in alignment with their mission, brought the original play- Complete and Total to CHS during a morning assembly. Complete and Total is an original play by local playwriting Greg Vovos about the dangers of heroin and drug addiction. It follows the story of a high school student with a bright future ahead of him, but heroin and addiction quickly become his top priority. The Mind, the only sober part left of his brain, believes in his ability to become clean, but it’s not that simple. This was such a powerful play that we ask you to talk to children about the message. Our students were very respectful, and grateful for the actors presenting this powerful story with Chardon. YOU AND THE FLU—Your Best Defense Is To Be ProactiveDuring the return the school I was attacked by the FLU...and did it hit me. I haven't taken a sick day in over a decade so I knew that this was big. I wanted to include some proactive measures to help your family with this seasonal bug. It is especially important this school season to be proactive against the flu. Taking preventative measures is your best defense against the ‘seasonal’ flu. The seasonal flu outbreak usually occurs between mid-fall thru early spring. Each year a vaccine is developed to target the type of virus that is anticipated. The seasonal flu spreads mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. You can also become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it such as a door knob, computer keypad, gym weights, classroom desk, and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth. Everyday Steps to Protect Your Health Common sense to avoiding germs is the best approach, such as not sharing sport bottles or drinking from friend’s glass or pop can. The Center for Disease Control [CDC] recommends the following:
Stay Warm, and have a great weekend!
Douglas Murray, Principal |
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