I am opening this edition of the Week in Reflection with a student entry. As you may recall, earlier this year our ceramic chimney tower was removed due to its poor condition. The tower was replaced with a steel pipe that provided proper ventilation and clean air. This necessary replacement impacted the chimney swifts that called CHS home during their migration.  Jason Tysl  had a solution...an innovative design that defines what project based learning is...and I was all for it. He planned and prepared a presentation to Dr. Hanlon and the Board of Education and so the story begins...

​This week on Wednesday morning during AIR testing, a group of fifteen motivated students participated in the Purple Comet International Math Meet. During this 90 minute online competition these CHS students worked collaboratively in three small teams of 4-6 people. With 30 questions covering a wide range of mathematical topics, the contest truly put their problem solving skills to the test and forced them to think outside the box! Students who participated included Asher Vokoun, Colby Williams, Drew Williams, Liam Kerry, Tyler Mothersbaugh, Neil Patel, Hailey DeGeorge, Dante Perrico, Isabelle LeMaster, Emma Drake, James Gross, Ethan WIlliams, Josh Nelson, Tyler Palesh, and Will Kidd. Great work to all. Results will be posted at the beginning of May.  This was the final contest Math Club will be hosting this school year. 

We are grateful for all of the planning and preparation that Ms. Alison Fisher put into these math contests this year. If you are interested in participating next year, please contact Ms. Fisher

Solo driving and smart choices should go hand in hand – don’t jeopardize safety now that you’re driving on your own. After hours of practice driving, you can see how a person wouldn’t be able to text and drive safely at the same time. Distracted drivers cause crashes, and people can get hurt or killed. That’s why responsible teen drivers don’t text and drive, and they don’t let other distractions – like talking on the phone – pull their attention from the road.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than half of teen drivers used a cell phone while driving, and more than 1 in 4 reported typing or sending a text message while driving in the previous 30 days. When you’re behind the wheel of a car, always put safety first – don’t be a distracted driver.

This week, representatives from the BMV had information to give out, including driver testing, and safety. Furthermore, ODOT had their driving simulator here for students to understand the dangers and difficulty driving while distracted. After watching many simulations it was very clear to all witnesses....DON'T TEXT and DRIVE.

"Your Life, Your Choice," an awareness program for local students with the intent of educating them regarding the dangers of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, was presented in dramatic fashion using real-life scenarios and testimonies of people whose lives have been forever changed by crashes caused by drunken drivers.

On Tuesday, April 25, students at Chardon High School attended Your Life, Your Choice and Parkside Church in Bainbridge. This program was first initiated in 2006 by Chagrin Falls Police Officer, Dick Goldsmith. Officer Goldsmith lost his daughter, Emily, in a tragic accident caused by a repeated drunken driving offender.  

The quiet, somber atmosphere permeated a gathering of more than 1,100 Geauga County high school seniors. Students came back to school moved by this presentation. We are grateful to the Geauga County Sheriff's office who sponsored this moving presentation. 

Chardon Schools has many individuals who provide exemplary educational opportunities for our students, and we have numerous students who strive for and achieve excellence.

Sometimes we are given the opportunity to recognize a few individuals for their service and performance.

10th grade student Maria Evelin Hernandez and high school Educational Assistant Margie Kreft were recognized on Wednesday, April 26th for the Walter and Horn Awards for Lake and Geauga County.

The Walter and Horn awards are for special education students and staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement. Margie and Evelin are wonderful examples of the great things happening in our district.

The ceremony was held at Auburn Career Center on April 26th.

The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honor society for high school theatre students. It is a division of the Educational Theatre Association. A few famous ITS alumni include Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer, James Marsters, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Stephen Schwartz. Membership currently stands at approximately 100,000 student members across 3,900 schools. The one millionth thespian was inducted in 1976 and the two millionth thespian was inducted in 2009. Last night, students were inducted into the Thespian Society.

Last Thursday, the Chardon High School musicians along with their fifth grade buddies surrounded our building with beautiful music.  We are grateful for the hard work, and dedication of our students and their music teacher(s). Enclosed are some of the pieces that they performed.

Symphonic Band: Majestia by James Swearingen, Midway March by John Williams, and music from How to Train Your Dragon.

Wind Ensemble: Highlights from Beauty and the Beast, Cry of the Last Unicorn by Rossano Galante, and Star Wars - The Marches conducted by senior Nick Schragal.

Drum line : Inspired  the audience and played a piece called "Lids" on trash cans and traffic barrels.

5th Grade Band performed so they and their parents could see the potential for future years!

The kids all gave fantastic performances, but this is one of Melissa Lichtler's favorite concerts because everyone can see and hear how much the kids progress from the beginning of their music career.

TAG Day To Benefit Chardon Schools Music Program

Saturday, May 13 from 9 am – noon is TAG (Thank a Giver) Day in Chardon to support the music program of all Chardon students in grades K-12. Students in grades 8-12 will be going door to door to ask for donations to Crescendo Club. Cash and checks payable to Crescendo Club are accepted. Crescendo Club uses the funds for sheet music, instrument repairs, uniforms, scholarships and other general support of the music program. Crescendo Club thanks Sunrise Springs for their generous donation. If you would like to mail a contribution please send it to: Chardon Schools  Attention: Crescendo Club, 151 Chardon Avenue  Chardon, OH 44024. 
​
For questions please contact Bridget Mullaly at 440-226-9112.

Just wanted to share the news!  Luke Wesley Streiff arrived into this world at 8:25 PM on Tuesday, April 25th.  7 pounds 9 ounces.  20 1/4 inches.  Luke and mom are both doing really well. ​

Have you noticed that tardiness is on the rise? Recently, the rise of tardiness and the subsequent excuses are permeating the main office from 7:32-7:40 AM. Certainly, we can talk about the development of the adolescent mind and imperative rest patterns, but this can even occur on late-start days.  Within the eight and ninth week of the quarter--referrals begin to rise with tardies. Currently, students get not (1) but (2) warnings about punctuality. It is a life lesson that prepares students for college, career, and life readiness. When the (3rd) and (4th) tardy occur, an afterschool detention follows. The progressive discipline moves to Saturday Schools, and even (5) morning detentions. Yet, with reminders and conversations with the Assistant Principals, punctuality is one of the key ways that we can positively brand ourselves.

Why Be on Time?

Being on time for school, work, athletics, or even with friends:

• Demonstrates that you are diligent and dependable.
• Indicates that you honor your commitments and you can be trusted.
• Shows that you have respect for other people and that you care as much about their time as your own.
• Sets a good example for your peers and others who look up to you.
• Builds self-confidence and success.

One of the common attributes of all successful people is that they view their time as a precious resource. When you are late for scheduled activities with people who value their time, you will have wasted one of their most valuable assets and there is a good chance they will view you as rude, irresponsible and disrespectful. Is this how you want to brand yourself?

Not only should you make every effort to be on time for school, but you should also do your utmost to be on time for personal commitments. Valuing your friend’s time and earning their respect is an important part of your individual reputation.

Keeping Appointments

Not only should you strive to be on time for an appointment, but also I recommend that you set a goal to arrive at least five minutes early.

Four Reasons You Should Arrive Early:

1.  To give yourself a buffer in case something delays you. Planning to show up at the exact time of your appointment leaves no room for error.

2.  To be relaxed for the appointment. Running through the door stressed out because you were rushing, never reflects well on you.

3.  To make sure you are prepared for the appointment.

4. Always arrive early so you will have a few minutes to relax, think about your agenda, and get organized.

One essential key for us to live the mission of high achievement for all students--where learning is our most important work is to value the time that we have been granted to be successful. With the time left, let's all make strides to finish what we start all the way through the finish line!

Douglas Murray, Principal

The beauty of Spring surrounds us. The birds are chirping, blossoms are seeking the warmth of the sun, and the weather is dawning into a new season. Welcome to the beauty of this short season in Northeast Ohio. Embrace this time, brace the Spring showers for the May flowers will bloom shortly.

Living in this region, we become accustomed to the highs and lows of the weather, but there is one weather pattern we can control...our personal weather. 

Everyday, we walk our routines with our words, deeds, and behaviors. We, in turn, carry our own weather. Mr. Armelli is a perfect example of this mantra. He stands outside in the rain, snow, and sun exclaiming to ALL: It's a beautiful day!

Now, more than ever--carrying our own feelings about our autonomy, our place in this world, and connectivity to others need to rise to the surface of those things that we can control.  How we feel about our identity can often be hard to express in words. Feeling confident is just the first step, developing the grit to walk with humility and strength can be difficult when walking into a room.

I am not sure if you have seen the film, Inside Out. ​ The film provides the empowering message that we should learn how to understand, connect to, and accept our feelings and memories in a way that is conducive to thriving. Enclosed are some meaningful lessons to reflect upon that connect this film to where you might be on the spectrum of your feelings this year.

Lesson 1: Emotions

​Emotions are neither inherently good or bad, and to think of them in such dichotomous terms is to do yourself a disservice. Every emotion tells us something about our inner experience that might be informing our outer experience. This year at CHS, we have taken the time to clearly communicate about the essential happenings throughout the week. In this weekly reflection, the reader is often taken into my mind's eye of what I see, feel, experience, and know. For some readers it is good info; for others it is noise and wordiness. The purpose is to being entered into the emotion that might not be articulated at home each night and to fully include you in the world of your children at school.

Lesson 2: Compass

At one point in the film, Joy tries to keep Sadness away from the young girl. Although the young child felt other emotions, the inability to feel sadness, coupled with her mother’s request for the girl to stay happy, ultimately lead to a cold and numb existence. This state only generated poor judgment and unhealthy choices. It wasn’t until the main character felt sadness that she was able to see more clearly and reach out for support. Everyday, our children feel a whirlwind of emotions and stress. We, too, feel these same emotions at work. The pressures are real and our response to these needs are mission critical for our children. Acknowledging and understanding emotions is much healthier, productive, and adaptive than ignoring their importance. This acknowledgement allows the re-calibration of our compass to lead us in the right direction.

Lesson 3: Filtered Emotional Lens

Just like our present reality is seen through the framework of our past experience, the memories we look back on are colored by our present-moment experience. This is a very powerful idea. What we really need to remember is that our memories are a part of our personal narrative, and that in many ways, we construct the narrative we believe. Because we create the narrative, we can change our story at any time. We can’t delete certain paragraphs that contain with negative facts and daunting realities. We can’t cut out chapters that we would rather not have had—they will always be there, and that’s okay. In retrospect, the actual experiences we have are less impactful than the story we tell ourselves about them.  Once we realize this, we can reflect on the truth that we control our destiny and that the past should not control us. We define our tomorrow.  

Lesson 4: Communication

The key to our existence is communication. The film's underlying message is the beauty of communication and reflection. Communicating our emotions is hard to do. It is the last thing that we want to do. We often share with others are present realities to the best of our abilities. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it impacts others-negatively. Often times, we need to seek first to understand before we are understood. With a clear articulation of our feelings we are able to better serve ourselves, and others.

Lesson 5: Human Experience

We often see ourselves inside our world. Has your son our daughter ever said, "my life is over, I am going to just crawl up under my covers and die." Hearing those words can relate to a multitude of other talking points: adolescence, maturation, drama, etc. Yet, the lessons learned are often reflected upon later on life when we see our lives within the big picture.  We are one of several billion people who have a story. No story trumps the other. Rather, each story reminds us that we are interconnected to the human experience. Whether we are in Chardon or Belize, Madrid or Zaire...we are connected. We are called to serve, understand, and live our story for a purpose. How will you author the last six weeks of this chapter?

On Wednesday April 5th, a group of 70 CHS choir students and 10 adults boarded busses enroute to New York City.  The trip started with a visit to Quaker Steak and Lube followed by arriving at the hotel in Newark New Jersey.  

Bright and early on Thursday morning, busses were loaded and we were on our way into the big city!   The first stop was the famous Rockefeller Center.  A little rain did not slow down the fun students had touring the famous sites and seeing NBC Studios.  The groups then moved to tour Radio City Music Hall.  This beautiful venue, with its Art Deco architectural style, has played host to performers including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and many more!  It is has also hosted numerous NFL Drafts and is home to the world famous Radio City Rockettes.  Following this tour, students explored the streets of New York and experience New York eating at its best. The day was far from over, as the choir had their first opportunity to perform at The Church of St. Paul the Apostle.  The choirs sounded outstanding in this beautiful cathedral.  Following the performance, the group was ready for a night on the town visiting Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center).

Friday was all about the music!  The morning started with a workshop with the world renowned Westminster College Choir and Dr. James Jordan.  Dr. Jordan worked with Mr. Streiff and the choirs to focus on breathing techniques, vowel production, and vocal performance.  Following this opportunity, the choir was a guest during rehearsal for one of the choirs. It wouldn’t surprise me to see some Toppers at this school in the future.  We left Westminster and made our way back to the city.  The students enjoyed a bus tour of Central Park in which they were able to see famous sites including Trump Tower, Strawberry Fields, and The Dakota Building. After leaving Central Park, the music continued as students attended a Broadway workshop with the cast of Aladdin.  Students learned Broadway vocal techniques and choreography to the famous opening act of the musical. Again, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some Toppers on Broadway in the near future.  The night was capped off with our first Broadway show, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”  The students were amazed by the moving stage, phenomenal singing, and the sheer talent of Carole King.  The night was made when the cast of Beautiful posted pictures of Chardon Students on their Instagram page.

Saturday was the final day of the trip and we weren’t slowing down.  The morning began with a ferry ride on the Staten Island Ferry.  From this boat we were able to see many sites including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge.  From there, it was on to Wall Street and an impromptu concert on the steps of Federal Hall.  After lunch, we had the opportunity to tour the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  The students were amazed to hear the stories of the survivors and of those that lost their lives on this tragic day.  Like true New Yorkers, we hopped on the subway to make our way to dinner in Chinatown and pick up souvenirs. After dinner, it was back to Broadway for the show “Aladdin.”  Another amazing musical performance with a meet and greet with the cast following the show.  

I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to travel with these 70 wonderful students.  I was amazed by their singing abilities and positive attitudes.  What was even more amazing was the Character shown by these students on the trip. They were a true testament to the Chardon Core Values!  I personally want to thank Mr. Streiff and all of the Chaperones for giving of their time to support the students on this trip.  

As we enter April, we have proactively continued our preparations at Chardon High School for the AIR tests.  Once again, students will take the end of course exams on the assigned date if they meet the criteria defined below.

• Freshmen or sophomore student enrolled in English Language Arts 1 or 2
• Sophomore students enrolled in Biology
• Sophomore students enrolled in U.S. History
• Seniors enrolled in 2nd Semester US Government
• Freshmen or sophomore student enrolled in Algebra 1 or Geometry

We previously communicated the testing dates to you via connect-ed message. On the designated days, students will report to their assigned testing classroom that will be clearly posted in the school building.  It is imperative that your student is at school on time on their assigned testing day.  Once again, the assigned testing dates are…

• April 5th - English Language Arts 1/English Language Arts 2:  COMPLETED
• April 12th - Biology: COMPLETED
• April 19th - US History/Government
• April 26th - Algebra I/Geometry

The late start bell schedule for All Testing Dates will be exactly like this past week with regular classes beginning at 10:34 AM.  

Please note that testing will begin promptly at 7:30 AM.

Auburn Juniors
When you arrive back at Chardon you will report to the cafeteria for attendance and where you will stay until the end of 4th period.   You will then report to your 5/6th period class.

Auburn Seniors
You will be excused from your Chardon classes on these AIR testing dates.  If you are enrolled in 2nd semester US Government you must report for the AIR test on Wednesday, April 19th and then be able to leave after testing.

Please Note:  Transportation will run at normal times on testing days. If a student is not testing on a particular day and needs transportation to school, they will be picked up at the normal time and report to school.  We will supervise these students in the cafeteria until the regular school day begins.  

Student Example 1:   (A freshman student enrolled in algebra 1 and English 1).  This student will report to CHS at the normal time on April 5th and April 26th for English and math testing.  They are not required to report to school until 10:34 AM on April 12th and 19th since they will not be taking the Social Studies or Biology test.

Student Example 2:  (A senior student currently enrolled in 2nd semester US Govt. not 1st semester US Govt.)  This student will report to CHS at the normal time on April 19th for testing.  They are not required to report to school until 10:34 AM on  April 5th, 12th, and 26th since they are not testing on those dates.  

When students report to school for their assigned test they will be required to bring their chromebook fully charged as well as a pair of headphones.  We will provide extra sets of headphones if students are unable to procure them.  We will continue to pass along relevant information to you as the testing dates approach.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Chardon High School Guidance Department at (440) 285-4060.

Sports Nutrition
​
Sports Nutrition students spent the week determining their overall physical wellness.  Through measurement and calculation, each student determined his or her percentage of body fat, ideal weight, water weight, BMI, etc.  Next, students will develop personal action plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of their individual findings.

Leadership Training Day 
​
Current and future Teaching Assistants engaged in a fully interactive group gaming experience.  Teamwork, time management, problem solving, effective communication, creativity, and resourcefulness were all an important part of our day spent together.

All students registered for an AP (Advanced Placement) Exam, MUST attend a pre-administration prior to the exam. These sessions will be held on Wednesday mornings during the late start for AIR testing. 

Last Name: A-L:       Wednesday, 4/19, 9:30am  
Last Name: M-Z:       Wednesday, 4/26, 9:30am

These are MANDATORY sessions. Students MUST attend a pre-administration session.

Save the Date: April 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"The Crisis In Our Own Backyard"

The ASAP (Active Substance Abuse Prevention) student group, along with Teen Institute is hosting this important event. The evening will offer a series of break out sessions on substance abuse prevention, stress management, social media among other topics

The Chardon High School Dance Team performed at Quickens Loan Arena for the Cleveland Monsters on Thursday April 13th.  These girls are SO talented!

In this world of turmoil and strife, with struggles everywhere across our nation and around the globe, there has never been a greater hunger for simple words of encouragement. Excessive stress, lack of control, academic/athletic pressure, uncertainty about tomorrow—these are all taking their toll on people’s emotions, health, and morale.

However, there is hope. There is one indispensable ingredient that can transform and inspire individuals, improve life, grow a positive attitude, build self-esteem, and enhance relationships. That ingredient is encouragement. Your heartfelt and positive words can make a difference in a person’s life, which could lead to a change in the community, nation, and world.

Here are some positive ways to encourage people with your words.

1.  Offer praise for ordinary accomplishments. Look for the little things that most people take for granted. Make it personal. Look the other person in the eye, pause, and share your words with real meaning.

2.  Show appreciation. Watch for the slightest improvement in someone--especially your peers. Be specific. Avoid clichés like, “You’re doing a great job.” Instead tell the person exactly what it is that you appreciate about him or her.

3.  Offer words of encouragement for someone depressed, discouraged, or overwhelmed. A timely encouraging word can give a person that is ready to quit the fuel to keep going.

4.  Compliment someone when they aren’t expecting it. Look for something that other people may have overlooked. Tell them what it is and why you think it was worthy of notice.

5.  Always say please and thank you...especially to your parents.

Your supportive actions and words of encouragement don’t just enhance the lives of others; they enrich your life as well. The simple act of showing you care strengthens your relationships, builds trust, and increases your influence. Your gift of encouragement has the power to change lives!

Enjoy the company of family and friends this weekend! Celebrate each other!

Douglas Murray, Principal

Congratulations to students participating in the Ohio State Finals Science Olympiad Competition on April 1st, 2017.

The C Division team (representing grades 9-12) placed 5th. The B Division Team, representing grades 6-9, placed 8th.
​
Chardon Science Olympiad thanks you for your support and encouragement!

State Finals Awards in Individual Events are as Follows:

Division B (grades 6-9)
3rd Place – Wright Stuff (airplanes) – Evan Baker and Owen Vokoun
5th Place – Hovercraft – Sebastian Marker and Ethan Fuerst
5th Place – Invasive Species – Josh Campbell and Brady Williams
5th Place – Rocks and Minerals – Ethan Fuerst and Owen Vokoun
6th Place – Bottle Rockets – Ethan Fuerst and Paige Yamamoto
6th Place – Microbe Mission –Sara Conway and Lailah Pugh
 
Division C (grades 9-12) - 5th place trophy
1st Place – Astronomy – Nick Schragal and Heather Humbert
2nd Place – Robot Arm – Drew Williams and Alex Schragal
3rd Place – Helicopters – Halle Crtalic and Richie Wainio
3rd Place – Materials Science – Nick Schragal and Richie Wainio
4th Place – Disease Detectives – Richie Wainio and Arman Bayat
4th Place – Rocks and Minerals – Asher Vokoun and Christen Niedzielski
5th Place – Electric Vehicle – Connor Fuerst and Alex Schragal
5th Place – Forensics – Emily Munoz and Emily Stern
5th Place – Hovercraft – Connor Fuerst and Halle Crtalic
5th Place Invasive Species – Asher Vokoun and Emily Munoz
5th Place Microbe Mission – Arman Bayat and Richie Wainio
6th Place – Game On – Colby and Drew Williams
6th Place Remote Sensing – Colby and Drew Williams

Top 6  - Wi Fi lab (trial event) - Connor Fuerst and John Meleski

Photos from State Competition 

Photos from 2016-2017 Season

​This month in the LC Teacher Newsletter you will find a brief article meant to pique your interest for a new initiative coming in August. In cooperation with the English department teachers and the Geauga Public Librarians, every student in Chardon High School will receive a public library card. More on the exciting opportunities this provides for our students next month.

A second article is directly from INFOhio and deals with how to handle data. In teaching, as in practically every other field, data drives decisions. This article contains links and information regarding the best ways to keep track of and manipulate that data, specifically, using spreadsheets. 

In this month's Lav Report, students are schooled in the best way to communicate effectively with teachers, professors and employers. In the age of blizzard bags, online courses, college credit plus and learning management systems, students are communicating through email with adults more frequently. Learning to do so correctly will aid students in getting the results they desire, while making a good impression. 

Video auditions for Shining Star CLE are NOW OPEN!
Auditions will remain open through July 1, 2017.

Spread the word to ALL high school students who like to sing*...

*Must have a 2018-2021 graduation date to participate; must be from Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Medina or Summit Counties; includes home-schooled students.
 
FREE to Enter and ALL Genres of Music are Welcome!

Encourage all high school students to show off their vocal talents at the inaugural Shining Star CLE solo-singing competition.  The online audition will be followed by two live audition rounds, and will culminate with finalists having the opportunity to perform on the stage of the renowned Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square in front of a live audience, be judged by professionals in the music & entertainment industry-and to win college scholarships.

1st Place Winner -
$10,000 college scholarship

AND the chance to perform with the

Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall

2nd Place Winner -
$5,000 college scholarship

3rd Place Winner - 
$2,500 college scholarship

4th Place Winner -
$1,000 college scholarship
 
High school music department of the first place winner will receive $2,500!

It's easy! Just upload your video auditions to:  shiningstarcle.org.

For the latest news about the CHS Choir trip to New York City, please follow Mr. Bandiera tweets about the experience! More details to come next week.

The first week back went by so quickly! Thank you for your continued support for your children and our outstanding staff. Stay warm!

Douglas Murray, Principal

Link to Senior Events  (previously sent to senior parents in a ConnectED)