The beginning of the school year is always filled with activities such as orientations, class meetings, navigating new routes, classes...all to set up the new normal.  Can you believe that we are concluding week two already!? There are so many amazing things that our staff and students were accomplishing this week towards the mission of our school district committing to high achievement for all students.

If you are unaware of this blog called the Week in Reflection, the purpose of this communication is to share with everyone all the work happening at CHS each week from a principal's perspective. This newsletter is a very therapeutic (and time-consuming) reflection of all the things that I see each week. 

You will see photographs, short reflections, opportunities, and event information. I am not an author. I am just a simple man that loves what I do...I love kids and want to help each child find their purpose. In this Week in Reflection, you will read and see so many wonderful opportunities and experiences that show the engagement of our students and staff within our mission.

The week was filled with teachers and students expanding their knowledge as they began to dig deeper into the standards in each course. It was a warm week, but certainly beautiful. Take a few moments to peruse all of the great things happening at CHS.

August 28th: Monday- White Day Schedule
August 29th: Tuesday- White Day Schedule
August 30th: Wednesday- Red Day Schedule 
August 31th: Thursday- Black Day Schedule
September 1st: Friday- No School (PD Day)
​September 4th Monday- No School (Labor Day)

Please be mindful of the following afternoon directions:

• Students (grades 8-12) at Chardon High School will be dismissed at 2:40 PM.  The main drive will open for regular access once all of the busses are staged in the Alcan. All Parents picking up their children directly after school must pull up to the first cone near the edge of the sidewalk and stay against the curb. Parents should pull into the main drive and stay off Maple Avenue. Please do not park in staff parking in front of the school. Please exercise extreme caution as students will be exiting CHS to access school buses in the Alcan. There will be a brief hold of car traffic in the main drive when buses depart the Alcan via Memorial Drive at approximately 2:50 PM. Parents may NOT enter the High School side lot or CELC (Maple) while waiting to enter the main driveway or the apartments across the street from Chardon High School. 
• Student drivers will use the east exit (4 doors) through the staff lot to the student lot.  
• Student drivers will use the north gate and exit towards Canfield after school. The South gate will be closed for students who are walking across the crosswalk.

Attention 8-12th grade students, if you are interested in expanding your political knowledge, meeting new people, and learning about global issues, consider joining Model UN. 

Model United Nations is a great way to improve your research, public speaking, debate and leadership skills.  Model UN is a world renowned organization and helped to enhance a college or job application!
We are having our first meeting Wednesday, September 6th right after school in Room 210.   Contact Mrs. Niedzwiecki for more information.  ​

What is Model United Nations?  VIDEO from Cleveland Council on World Affairs 

The Education Benefits of Model United Nations

Did you know a discounted ($79) cardiac screening is available to all students ages 12+ on Sept. 5 at Chardon High School? The District has a long-standing partnership with non-profit MCORE Foundation to offer this opportunity each school year. A few appointments are still available! Pre-registration is required.
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Link to: https://bit.ly/cardiacscreensept23

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!

Link to: https://bit.ly/leadthepledge23

Drawing and Painting students are beginning the year with observing and sketching figures. The close-up graphite sketches below are by Josslyn Coles (12th), Ava Havanchak (10th), and Sofia Flatto (11th).

Meal Payments 
Please note that when using a credit card or e-check payment to pay for your student's meals via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, a 3.5% convenience charge will be added to your payment.
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Parent Volunteers Needed
Help raise funds benefiting CHS students by working the concession stand this fall. We have many volunteer slots to fill for next Friday's Varsity Football Game on Sept. 1. Proceeds from concession sales are used to fund After Prom, student scholarships, Chardon Athletic Boosters donations, and other schoolwide needs benefiting CHS staff and students. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Football Concession Sign-Up
Girls Soccer Concession Sign-Up
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Questions? Email chardonafterprom@gmail.com.​

When: August 29, 2023 (during lunch periods) for students
            August 30, 2023 (during Open House) for parents

Where: Chardon High School Cafeteria



Come and learn about the various clubs and activities available for CHS students. Some of groups participating include: Model U.N. AC4P, Interact, National Honor Society, Student Council, Hilltoppers Minds Matter, French and Spanish Club, Swim Team, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, Leadership Geauga, Thespians, Ski Club, and more. ​

​Auburn Career Center's Adult Workforce Education Department received grant money in order to be able to offer the Dental Assistant program as a Sprint Class, to high school aged students.  

START DATE:  Monday, 9/11/23
DAYS:  Mondays, Wednesdays
TIME:  4pm- 8pm
CREDENTIALS:  ability to earn (2) 6pt. credentials (Radiology and Registered Dental Assistant)
COST:  Free

If you are interested to learn more, please contact:  Michelle Rodewald, at mrodewald@auburncc.org, or call the Adult Workforce Education Office at 440.357.7542

Mrs. Kelly Misch had an awesome entry for this week. She writes:

"Though not surprisingly at all, Student Liaisons to the BOE — Jen Kogovsek and Madison Primc — made Chardon very proud last night! We were IMPRESSED. Professional, well-prepared, and a well-designed/executed first presentation. It was clear they cared and took time with their assignment.

Certainly exemplifying many "C's" of our Portrait of a Hilltopper."

Dr. Schneider shared another awesome example of students who #TopperUp'd She shared:

"While at the football game so many of our kids were pushing cars out of the mud. Chardon families, West G families, students, adults, and visitors. These three girls [Juniors- Kayla, Ella, and Savannah]pushed out seven cars after the game! They really embodied our core values!"

When a student exemplifies one of the core values a staff member can reward them with a Topper Ticket certificate. Each certificate goes into a drawing to win great prizes. This week's winners are:

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

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• District Success Plan

• Community Flyers
• Chardon High School: Program of Study
• Chardon High School Bell Schedule; Google Document of our bell schedule
• ​CLSD Parent Student Handbook (Board Approved)
• Graduation Seals Manual (Very Important; Class of 2023 and beyond)
• Teacher Resources for CHS Students (Updated after Teachers report)
• Student Acceptable Use Policy Task Force Grading Policy  
• Lunch Payment/Benefit Process

If you or some of CHS families are not receiving messages, please take all of the following steps:

• Complete an Annual Update to ensure we have their most current email address on file.
• Add no-reply@chardonschools.org to their list of safe contacts.
• Check their Spam folder for any missed messages.
• Use IC Parent Portal as another way to access messages from the district / school.
  
  

Have a beautiful weekend with family and friends!

Douglas Murray, Principal

Looking back at this week, it is hard to recall when it started and when it ended. The day turned into night in a blink of an eye each day. It feels as though we were modeling fall spots with working 2-A Days. I cannot even begin this Week in Reflection without recognizing our custodians, maintenance team, support staff, and on site contractors. It was their efforts that allowed our staff to even get into the building this week.  On Monday, we welcomed back our staff. Seeing their faces and feeling the energy was truly a moment to stop and reflect. The amazing work of our teachers came in to finish all of the details inside the building. So, what's the step counter for the week? 85,114! The reality of being exhausted changes when you see students on opening day!

I cannot tell you how much I love opening day. The students were exactly like our staff. Hugging each other, excited, and even a little anxious with the feeling that we all get when we start a new year. Inside of months of planning, the operation pushed play. I was moved by the leadership of our upperclassmen guiding students who felt lost. It was at that moment, that I felt the rush of why we do what we do.

We love our kids, our community, and our purpose is open the door to learning, thinking, and serving. Without a doubt, the beginning of the year always can provide each of us ways to refine--but, our staff was absolutely jumping in. The bell rang and the halls where clear. 

I am so proud of our staff, and our students. They are leaders and understand our purpose. 

Purpose: It is a word that I say from time to time. It allows reflection, action, and a depth of questioning. We all have a purpose, and we are helping kids along their journey to find their purpose. Likewise, collectively as a school, we have a shared purpose in or mission, vision, and core values.

The short week that we had was good practice to the routines that we will model next week as we enter a full week. In this edition of the  shortened Week in Reflection, some of the topics are good to review inside of the Family Reference Guide to prepare for as we enter next week. The video enclosed will give a brief highlight of the week and the upcoming full week. 

August 21nd           White Day Schedule  - 10th Grade Meeting during Topper Time
August 22rd            White Day Schedule  - 11th Grade Meeting during Topper Time
August 23th            Red Day Schedule - Late Start with Periods 2, 4, 6  Picture Day 
August 24th            Black Day Schedule - Periods 1, 3, 5, 7
August 25th            Regular White Day Schedule

All students received a picture packet on Wednesday. If your child has misplaced the order form, there are more in the office. Families can order in advance here. Please enter school code: 99745 All students (ordering or not) will have their photo taken to update Infinite Campus.

Meal Payments 
Please note that when using a credit card or e-check payment to pay for your student's meals via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, a 3.5% convenience charge will be added to your payment.

If you would like to avoid the convenience cost, payments can be made via check at your student's school building or mailed to the Chardon Local School District, Attn:  Treasurer's Office at 428 North Street, Chardon, OH  44024. Cash is also an accepted method of in-person payment, but please do not mail cash.

Week 1 is upon us! The Hilltoppers re-open a historic rivalry to begin the 2023 season. It has been several years since the 'Toppers battled the Wolverines. Tickets are posted on the West G ticketing site. Click on the image below to be redirected to the hometown ticketing site. 

Parent Volunteers Needed!
Chardon After Prom raises funds through concession sales at CHS football, soccer, and basketball games. Those funds are used to: (1) host our annual After Prom event, (2) provide scholarships for seniors, (3) host other grade-level events (in 2023, we hosted a Drive-In Movie night for Juniors), and (4) fund other school activities/needs benefiting CHS students and teachers. 

We are in need of volunteers to staff our concession stands this fall. Here are the links to sign up:

• Football Concession Sign-Up
• Girls Soccer Concession Sign-Up

Our first meeting of the year is Wednesday, August 23 at 7:00 pm in the CHS Media Center. If you are unable to make this meeting, but would like to join our email distribution for future meetings and volunteer opportunities, contact us at chardonafterprom@gmail.com. Future meetings and open leadership positions are posted on our website. ​

This week's Hilltopper who embodied what is means to #TopperUp is Vinny Valletto! While I was walking the building this week, Vinny stopped what he was doing in Mr. Fronk's class to share with the entire room that he wrote his first essay on the core values of Chardon High School. He was so proud of himself (as was I) and he continued to recite the core values with his eyes closed in front of his peers. I am so proud of Vinny! He is one young man who isn't afraid to be himself, he can connect with may students, has a wonderful personality, and has worked with intentionality to reflect on his growth and leadership. Way to go, Vinny! Way to #TopperUp

• District Success Plan
  

• Community Flyers
• Chardon High School: Program of Study
• Chardon High School Bell Schedule; Google Document of our bell schedule
• ​CLSD Parent Student Handbook (Draft; Confirmed upon board adoption)
• Graduation Seals Manual (Very Important; Class of 2023 and beyond)
• Teacher Resources for CHS Students (Updated after Teachers report)
• Student Acceptable Use Policy Task Force Grading Policy  
• Lunch Payment/Benefit Process​

This was a concise communication after the first week. Stay tuned each week for continuous coverage of CHS updates!

I want to share one more lesson before I close this reflection. It is a lesson on treasuring every single moment this year as a parent and student. You see, I along with many of my fellow teachers and parents are in the midst of sending a child to college. The emotions that one feels is hard to express. These moments at Chardon High School, whether big or small, joyous or challenging, weave together the tapestry of growth that will forever be a part of your child's journey. Embracing each experience while you are in the moment. Hold onto these memories, let them shape you, and nurture the good times and more challenging experiences. With every moment, you're painting a portrait of that experience of being a Hilltopper, and by embracing the beauty in every second, you're ensuring that this masterpiece of their life is one filled with moments that tell a story of love, learning, and endless growth.

Have a beautiful weekend with your family and friends!

​Douglas Murray, Principal