On Monday, Adam Bradley Enterprises arrived very early to begin setting up the structures and safety systems to remove the chimney adjacent to the boiler room.  Demolition began  by sectioning and removing the concrete top collar and removing the lightning protection. This was followed by sectioning
and hand demolition of the support portions of the chimney structure. This meticulous job is being addressed in sections to minimize any debris from falling into the screens of the boiler.  Below are pictures of the process. As of Thursday at 1:00 PM, the preliminary work has completed and the debris has been removed. 

Walking the halls is one thing. Walking into classrooms is another. Walking into a study hall to see collaboration shows leadership. When we first progressively moved to (GAFE) Google Apps for Education, many people wondered what would it look like. How would such a move impact learning? It is hard to believe that we are beginning our fourth year using Chromebooks. What have we learned? We have learned to share in new and innovative ways, assess in ways that we dream of, collaborate and innovate cross-curricularly. We have become creators of learning. The options are endless! Are you interested in learning more about GAFE? Let us know and we will prepare a GAFPE (Google Apps for Parent Education) Forum all for you! Contact ryan.bandiera@chardonschools.org if you are interested in a parent night this October.

College prep junior and honors sophomore language arts classes have kicked off their Multi-genre Research Projects entitled "My Pursuit of Happiness." Students developed their own driving questions regarding the happiness of their generation and are currently learning how to conduct scholarly research. As a part of their research, students will create and administer surveys and conduct interviews. This project-based learning allows students flexibility in selecting the genres they will use to write persuasively, informatively, and creatively. After submitting a prospectus, this year-long project involves three small writing assignments (one side of an issue, multiple perspectives of the issue, an action plan for the issue), a research paper, and a video documentary. In this image, Mrs. Vicki Eby  (Media Specialist) is teaching the students how to research with accuracy and validity. ​

Bocce anyone? Students in Mr. Brian Long's Physical Education class are not only enjoying the weather, but are participating in a relaxing but strategic game with an ancient lineage. This week at Chardon High School, bocce is connected to our curriculum--but is also a calming, competitive way to spend  45 minutes outdoors in the pleasant company of classmates.

Labs of Learning. Being hands on is an essential task in the learning process. Students in Mrs. Jeanne Clark's Honors Chemistry class, along with students in Mrs. Marilyn Rohr's AP Bio and Honors Chemistry class are integrating learning from their class content.

The most enjoyable part of my job is watching students transform the world as they live our core values. This week continued our vision of leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others. First, if you could walk the halls of Chardon High School- you would be visually transformed into what school spirit looks and feels like. The amount of positive feedback that our Cheerleaders and their coaches are receiving is amazing.  Families from other schools are mesmerized by our spirit. As I left the building on Thursday, our girls were tightening streamers, adding more balloons, making more signs, and saying to each other---"Wait until our friends see this!" We are leaders at CHS. Schools across the area try to be like us. I can tell you that even former Assistant Principal, Mr Linn is even trying to find out how our girls do it...I think he is jealous.

This week, our school designed  and signed a banner for our friends at Euclid Schools. As you may recall, a tragedy occurred last week as  Andre Jackson passed away from an injury to his intestines occurred last Friday. Athletic Director, Doug Snyder, will deliver the banner during the day on Friday.

Tonight the Chardon Hilltoppers face the Kenston Bombers.  Not only we the teams compete in this competitive rivalry at a newly renovated stadium and Kenston...it is their Homecoming.  The Chardon Crazies have accepted an additional challenge against the Kenston fans. We are collecting canned good in a friendly competition of which school can collect the most "goods" for our Geauga pantries.

Remember "GOOOOD MOOORNING CHAAARDON HIGHHH!" Well, our little graduate has grown up! Check out Dominic Ferrante making an impact at BGSU. Check out his work here .

October 4: Parent Teacher Conferences- 4:30 PM
October 5: Financial Aid Night- 6:30 PM

Transitioning from an extraordinary week of Homecoming events,  Chardon High School was right back at it on Monday. The students who danced the night away over the weekend were quickly immersed back into learning. The teachers created innovative labs, writing analysis projects, and the introduction of project based learning assignments in English III. Students in Mr. Tom Ciferno's Physics class were beginning a motion lab as I walked the building on Monday.

Later in the day, Ms. Kathleen Kisabeth facilitated a state mandated fire drill. Safety and security is a priority at Chardon Schools. Ms. Kisabeth, within her first six weeks as an administrator-beat Mr. Murray's 2:02 evacuation record time---with a 1:53 evacuation time.  As you are all aware, every second matters in school drills. I am very proud of the efforts of our students and staff who moved quickly and quietly in this unannounced drill.

Monday concluded with the regularly schedule board meeting. At the meeting, Board Liason- Gwen Mack provided a a great overview of the work that students and staff have participated in throughout the month of August and September.

Tuesday offered another opportunity for the staff to participate in Professional Learning Communities. The PLC model flows from the assumption that the core mission of formal education is not simply to ensure that students are taught but to ensure that they learn. This simple shift—from a focus on teaching to a focus on learning—has profound implications for our school.

The mission of Chardon Schools is high achievement for all students where learning is our most important work.  When a school staff takes that statement literally—when teachers view it as a pledge to ensure the success of each student rather than as politically correct hyperbole—profound changes begin to take place. Our amazing staff finds itself asking, What school characteristics and practices have been most successful in helping all students achieve at high levels? How could we adopt those characteristics and practices in our own school? What commitments would we have to make to one another to create such a school? What indicators could we monitor to assess our progress? When the staff has built shared knowledge and found common ground on these questions, the school has a solid foundation for moving forward with its improvement initiative.

As the school moves forward, every professional in the building will continue to engage with colleagues in the ongoing exploration of these crucial questions that drive the work of those within a professional learning community. I am so proud of their work thus far, and how far we will go as we move forward toward our essential learning outcomes.

Mr. Ryan Bandiera had a great day on Tuesday! He had the opportunity to share some awesome news with Alyssa Gotliebowski.  On October 7, Alyssa will join the cheerleaders at Chardon Memorial Field to cheer on the 'Toppers against Mayfield. ​

Imagine…  millions of pinwheels spinning in the wind – pinwheels in the United States, Great Britain, South America, Australia, the Middle East, Canada,  Africa, Europe and Asia;  pinwheels all over the world! – big pinwheels, small pinwheels;  pinwheels of all  shapes and sizes – colorful pinwheels, decorated with drawings, paintings, collages, photographs  – pinwheels with words of peace and harmony written on them – fields of pinwheels, pinwheels along roadsides, in schoolyards, in parks, pinwheels EVERYWHERE!  

This is the Pinwheels for Peace project! Chardon High Students joined in with the International Day of Peace, September 21st, as we create a visual public statement about peace!

In this slideshow, you will be able to see photos from not only this day of peace, but students actively engaged in activities from classes, FMP experiences, and our Future Business Leaders of America. I am so proud of our students and staff for all of their efforts everyday.

In the image below, Mrs. Karin Ricci is sharing student achievement from our Parent Teacher Conferences. Next week, we have our second evening scheduled this Tuesday, September 27.

Again this year, Chardon High School will be offering an 8 week grief support group for any high school student who has experienced the death of a loved one. Supporting, Tears, Anger, Remembrance & Sadness (STARS) will be facilitated by Andy Getz, of Hospice of Western Reserve along with Joan Blackburn. Students who have participated in this group before find it very supportive and helpful in promoting effective coping skills in helping them manage their grief.  
Group begins on Wednesday, October 19th and will be held on rotating periods over the 8 weeks to ensure your student does not miss the same class every week.  If you have any questions or want your student to participate, please contact Joan at 216-701-4116 or joan.blackburn@chardonschools.org  

​During the most anticipated football games of the High School season, NAMI’S is sponsoring six school football teams whose players and cheerleaders will wear green to highlight awareness for Mental Illness. In Geauga County the Chardon Hilltoppers vs. Madison Blue Streaks will play on September 23rd, in Lake County the Perry Pirates vs. Harvey Raiders will play on October 28th and in Cuyahoga County, St. Ed’s - St. Ignatius game will be played on Oct. 29th,  at First Energy Stadium. All attendees, students and staff are encouraged to wear green in support of Mental Health Awareness.
 
Geauga County - The Chardon vs. Madison football game will "kickoff" the weekend of events. On Sunday, September 25th NAMI Geauga County will host their first annual "Miles for Mental Health Walk" at 1:00 pm.Please visit www.namigeauga.org for more details. Registration or sponsorship information is also available by calling 440.286.6264.  
 
“1 in 5 people in the United States live with a mental health condition. We need people to know that mental illnesses and addiction disorders can be successfully managed, that treatment works and people can live in recovery. Together, we can put an end to the shame and stigma so often associated with these illnesses with education, support and advocacy. Stand Up and be a voice for those in need.” 

If you happen to watch our morning announcements, you might of heard me state that the chimney outside door 20 is going to be removed next week. This old structure is falling apart from the inside and out, and is at a point where the boiler could be damaged by the debris.  Three years ago, mortat work was done to repair what we could...but, the time has come. 

​Monday morning a crew will be here to start the project.  They will be constructing scaffolding to do the removal.  We are being asked to not enter or exit through door 20 all week. Students and staff can use doors 18 or 21. These are the doors near the library, or the SRO's office. We will be putting up caution tape to remind people to not use those doors, however, it is a fire exit so we are not allowed to barricade them.  There will be a covered walkway with the scaffolding in case of an emergency. Many announcements were made, but please try to remind  your children  to exit the building through the other doors.

Life has been very active at CHS! As principal, I go home at night and reflect on how I can continue to shape the mission of our school. All I have to do is look into my daughters eyes, and see the love that they share to understand my purpose. It is that purpose that energizes me to see through their perspective, along with your children's perspective how we can build our future together. 

Thank you for sharing your children with us, please let me know how I can better serve you.

Douglas Murray, Principal

For seventeen years I have attended high school dances as a teacher or administrator...this year's Homecoming was the best and most classiest dance that I have ever chaperoned.  I am so grateful to the 722 students that attended.  I am so proud of the work and efforts of Ms. Ann Grantham and our student leaders. Their vision, creativity, and focus created an arena of energy! CHS Hallway was transformed into a mini haunted hallway. Special thanks to the teachers, and staff that welcomed (or spooked) the students and guests as they walked the eerie path to the dance floor.

Four years ago, our students and staff came together to create norms for high school dances. The students wanted to change the culture of how students should conduct themselves at dances. Every dance (since the inception of the dance contract) created the opportunity for cultural change for dance norms. This year, with 722 students present, no wristbands were taken--and only five students were asked to take a break from dancing. Students could be seen dancing to the Electric Slide, Macarena, The Safety Dance, along with a blend of the students favorites. Nothing is better than watching our students sing and dance to Mambo #5, and Cotton Eyed Joe.

Leadership is a shared responsibility. As we shared in the beginning of the year: Coming together is just the beginning, staying together will lead our progress, and working together will transform lives for generations of Hilltoppers.

Thank you for sharing your children with us!

Homecoming Highlights

It is hard to believe that we are in Homecoming Week. The amount of time, effort, and creativity that celebrates such an important time in the life of a high school student is coming together this week. We are so grateful for Student Council Moderator, Ms. Ann Grantham  and her remarkable student leaders for collaborating on the themes for each day! For months, the students have been planning and creating the backdrop effects for this evening.  

On Monday and Tuesday, Ms. Kathleen Kisabeth (Assistant Principal) participated in the Beginning Principal's Academy in Columbus. This summit provides the opportunity for hundreds of new administrators to collaborate, facilitate, and learn the best practices and innovative strategies for leading a school. The key facet is on leadership. So often, our jobs focus on managing the day to day operations, but it is within leadership that we can shape schools in becoming a change agent.

Walking the halls on Monday, it was great to see the students engaged in labs, collaborative experiences, facilitation, working though various labs., and engaged in school spirit! 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I attended an OPES credentialing training in Interdependence. OPES (Ohio Principal Evaluation System) provides an opportunity for leading the assistant principals- and  will provide educators with a richer and more detailed view of their performance, with a focus on specific strengths and opportunities for improvement.  While I was away, the students were dressed in #ALLin CLE to celebrate Cleveland. The Homecoming Court were posing for the camera as I left for the day. Those include court candidates: Brenna Carr and Stephen Blauch,  Josie Cremeans and Dustin Clute, Joey Dinko and Jessica Liechty, Tommy Benenati and Deanna Ogrinc along with David Nedrow and Flo Piotrkowski.
Watch the Homecoming Videos here 

How about a new uniform at Chardon High School? We all love #WellDressedWednesday around CHS. The students looked phenomenal and the energy was outstanding!

This past week, two reports regarding different aspects of the Chardon Local Schools were released for review.  The first, our Quality Profile, examines elements of a high quality public education: academics, arts, student leadership and activities, fiscal stewardship, parent and community involvement, and student services. The Quality Profile is prepared by school districts that are members of the Alliance for High Quality Education, and affords a qualitative overview of the programming and activities of the Chardon Local Schools.

The second report released this week is our state Report Card, a quantitative companion to our Quality Profile.  The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has altered several aspects of the report card from previous years, impacting districts across the state.  The ODE has noted that comparisons between this year’s data and previous year’s data are difficult, because they are not “an apples to apples comparison” due to the use of new, more rigorous, performance assessments in Ohio.  In fact, this year, the ODE is not releasing a ranking of school districts.

Both the Quality Profile and the Local Report Card afford us valuable information with which to assess and improve our efforts to achieve our mission.  I encourage you to read both of these reports, and consider how the greater community can support and enhance the Chardon Local Schools.  Our teachers, principals, and support staff collaboratively review our instruction in order to enhance our students’ achievement.  And, as a district, we continue to evolve in order to meet high achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work.

Congratulations, Nick Schragal! Nick has qualified as a Semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit® Scholarship Program. As one of approximately 16,000 high school seniors who are Semifinalists, he has an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships to be offered next spring.  What an outstanding accomplishment!

Chardon High School will be offering the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 19th. The test will take place at the high school (students will report to the gymnasium for testing) beginning at 7:30 am. This test is a great opportunity to practice and gain experience for a college admissions test (i.e. ACT, SAT, etc.) and also incorporates a scholarship component through the National Merit Scholarship Program. By taking the test as a Junior, students are eligible to be entered into various scholarship programs, as well as being recognized at higher education institutions (for a full list of scholarship programs and the benefits of the National Merit Scholarship Program, please visit www.nationalmerit.org). 


To register, you may pick up a copy of the registration form beginning Monday, September 12th, in the guidance office, from Mrs. McBride (the lady in the window), or you can download a copy from the Chardon High School Guidance Department website. Simply fill out the form and return it, along with your payment to the Building Clerk, Mrs. McBride by Friday, September 23rd. The cost this year is $20.00. The “Student Guide to Taking the PSAT” will be handed out once the registration form and payment is turned in (please be sure to read this over, as it has information on what you can and cannot bring to the test). If your student is considering or planning to go to college, we strongly recommend they plan to take the PSAT. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lacey Jacobs, PSAT coordinator.

Friday morning, we came together for our first assembly of the year! The culmination of Homecoming week is reaching the apex. Who will win? Students will find out who is Homecoming Queen at 6:45 PM the night of the game. Th king will crowned at the Homecoming Dance.

​ Watch the assembly here which was streamed live by G-TV!

Later in the day, the students will show-off their floats in our treasured tradition at Chardon. The culmination of the day leads into the Home football game against North. Buy your on-line tickets here! Miss the highlights from last week? Watch them here!

Our Homecoming Dance provides the opportunity for students to come together as a community to celebrate our school. This dance, which is moderately formal, creates an inclusive evening for all of our students to socialize, dance, and celebrate our new king and queen of CHS.

Years of collaborative leadership between the students and staff have created norms for the evening. The core value that will be our focal point surrounds: Community, and Respect.

We have a treasured community at Chardon. We pride ourselves on our inclusive values and respecting self and others. Staff, Administration, and local officers will be present to provide a safe, and secure school environment. The dance is from 7-11 pm. Students must bring their ticket and check-in prior to entering the dance floor.  Students will be entering the dance in a new location this year. The CHS Hallway will be decorated as a Haunted House. The students are being asked to enter through the "Four Doors" of CHS hallway. Students will receive wrist bands to indicate their recorded attendance and to work as reminder for the students of our dance contract that they signed either at the beginning of the year (digitally) or prior to purchasing the tickets.  Likewise, our adult chaperones will be proactively visible throughout the evening for the students. 

Work. 

Work is one of the greatest ways that we can give back to our communities, state, country, and world. What we do can be looked through various lenses. Regardless of our perspective, our work matters. This past Monday we took time to pause our 'work' as a simple reminder of the value of our contributions. More importantly, Labor Day was an opportunity to spend quality time with our family and friends.

This week, the work that we prepared at CHS was another example of contributions to the greater whole of learning. Students and staff were working hard in/out of the classroom to connect learning in multiple ways.

In Business Finance students are learning the different legal forms of business ownership as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. They are beginning a computer simulation that allows them to pseudo-run a business, including eventually competing against each other. AP Computer Science, Gaming/App Design and the College Credit Plus courses ‘Intro to Business’  and ‘Business Ethics’ (offered 2nd semester) are new this year to CHS.

In English classes, the students were re-connecting applied lessons from our summer read, The Alchemist. Teachers incorporated ways the lessons learned in the book could apply to the students’ lives, both inside and outside of class. Seniors are currently working on creating their own personal websites as a means of introduction, promotion, and assessment. This will serve as a helpful tool for college and career readiness.

Mrs. Eby, our media specialist has continued to refine our Learning Center both structurally and academically.  She is a life-long learner who has quickly immersed into "Topper Nation. Some of her contributions are the 'in'-'stall'-ment of the Lav Report, and the monthly newsletters.
​
In World Languages, the AP students are brainstorming ideas for the six AP themes along with discussing how the themes interlock and apply to their daily use of the language. This essential skill will pay off long term as the students prepare for the assessments.

Friday celebrated another #HighFiveFriday at CHS. Students and staff can be seen all day long giving each other High-Fives in the hallways. This simple gesture of kindness and appreciation really celebrates who we are as a school community. Friday also is another big night for our 'Toppers. Chardon hosts a truly international interscholastic competition with South Collegiate Institute from London, Ontario.

All active, reserve and retired U.S. Military Personnel will receive free admission to the game by signing the Military Registry at any ticket booth.

VFW FLAG RAFFLE   

VFW Post 6519 in Chardon is sponsoring a flag raffle.  The night’s opponent is South Collegiate Institute from London, Ontario, Canada. Both the American and Canadian flags will be flown, and the national anthem of both nations will be the highlight of the pre-game. The VFW will sell raffle tickets for both flags and signed game programs from each team. All proceeds will go to military veterans in Louisiana affect by recent floods. Chardon VFW Post 6519 will purchase gift cards from Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart. VFW Baker Jeb Stuart Post 4224 in Baker, LA will receive and distribute the gift cards.
VFW members will be selling raffle tickets prior to the game through halftime. Tickets will be $5 each/5 for $20 and will be sold. All monetary donations will be accepted. The drawing will occur at the end of halftime at the conclusion of Military Appreciation Ceremony and the CHS Marching Band Show.

OPERATION HELP OUR HEROES

CHS students will have the opportunity to donate items for military care packages.  Collection this week was (Wed-Friday) in CHS Cafe. When donating, choose small- travel-size containers of personal care products, and avoid aerosol cans. Ideas can include:

Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, cotton swabs, shaving lotion, disposable razors, shampoo, individually packaged tissues.

Personal care: Individually packaged baby wipes, eye drops, lip balm, lotion, aspirin, or feminine hygiene products for women.

Foot care: Moleskin, medicated foot powder, athlete's foot ointment

Cotton socks and underwear:. Make sure the garments are made of 100 percent cotton rather than a cotton blend.

Friday evening: we plan to collect at the game as well from 5:45-7:15 at a collection point in the south end zone of Memorial Field

LIVE STREAMING FROM G-TV
G-TV will offer a live stream of the game, which will be available from a link on the Chardon Schools website, http://www.chardon.k12.oh.us/ . This link will take viewers to the Box Cast site, and Box Cast has assured us the link will be live in Canada.

Special thanks to Doug Snyder, or VFW, Chardon Boosters, CHS Band, and our community members for making this event so meaningful.

Below are the Week 2 Highlights

This week, Guidance communicated to all seniors a new tool that we are using at CHS called Naviance. By matching students to colleges based on students’ interests and goals, and comparing admissions rates at students’ top college choices, the Naviance college planning tools allow students and families to make informed decisions. Naviance helps students find their best-fit higher education institution. There are many tools that Naviance offers that our Guidance department will be sharing with families in the next few weeks.

Naviance helps high school students:

• Understand college possibilities
• Explore high school specific college admissions stats
• Match to best-fit colleges
• Identify ideal college majors

Furthermore, Mr. Tim Hurlbut has worked hard this week putting together our 2016-2017 School Profile. ​

Homecoming Week: September 12-17

There are so many ways that makes Chardon's Homecoming  special. We have a special community and I look forward to highlighting the events next week with you.

To celebrate the week, we have dress themes for each day.

Monday- Roll out of bed Day
Tuesday- ALL in CLE
Wednesday- Well Dressed Wednesday
Thursday- Beach
Friday- Topper Proud
Saturday- Dance @CHS 7:00-11:00PM

A HUGE Thank you to Ms. Grantham and her Student Council Officers!

Parents:

What a great week of student and staff leadership. The week began with over 140 students and 12 teachers participating in a Leadership Symposium located at the Chardon United Methodist Church. This all-day interactive symposium was predominantly lead by students with many adults mentoring the students within their clubs, activities, sports, and societal leadership positions.  The students learned life-long skills and heard a powerful testimony of strength and perseverance from Gold Medalist, Dominique Moceanu. Furthermore, many adult leaders gave mini-lessons on leadership and the students collaborated in large and small groups. It was certainly a transformative day. A special thanks to the leadership team of teachers along with our long time relationship with Pastor Snode for his hospitality.

Throughout the week, the spirit of the building has been in full swing thanks to the cheerleaders who literally transformed our main hall into a football field.  We could be more proud of our students who have modeled the core value of respect at CHS by protecting the work that our cheerleaders put into re-creating our main hall.

It is the Great Geauga County Fair time around CHS. We have many students who participate in 4H and other organizations that model the essential life-skills of leadership. We are proud of all of their commitment and time that they put in year round! This week, Mrs. Amanda Bunker took her students to the fair as part of a blended lesson. Students were living their curriculum in fun and innovative ways. Special thanks to Mrs. Maggie Cook, and Mr. Brian Long for sharing your talents with the students.

On Friday, September 2, the teachers will be participating in a purposeful Professional Development in the The Learning Center. Mr. Douglas Murray will present throughout the day with a focus on data driven assessment creation that drives instruction and Professional Learning Communities. The teachers will be working collaboratively throughout the day in new and innovative ways,

This weekend, we are celebrating our 2016 Hall of Fame prior to the football game. Congratulations to Coach Richard Depenbrok, class of 1996 Kyle Burgan, class of 2006 Kiersten Filla!

All pre-sale tickets can be purchased online up until 3:00 pm on game-day.

Each week, Mr. Douglas Murray can be seen walking the sidelines taking game footage. To access highlights to the videos when they are posted - follow @chs_dmurray on Twitter.

Be sure to check-out the morning announcements for the daily news shared in the building.

I am so proud to be principal at my alma mater. We truly have a great school community! See you all soon!

Douglas Murray, Principal