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11/25/2019 We Give ThanksMr. Bandiera Happy Thanksgiving! Chardon Community. Another Thanksgiving has come and I am again provided with time to reflect on all the blessings I receive daily through my role as Assistant Principal at Chardon High School. The greatest part of my job is the time I get to spend with students. It is amazing to see the students I started with as freshman grow and mature to the leaders of our building as seniors. It has been a great privilege to watch these students grow and mature all while watching our younger students come into the building and learn. As we approach this holiday season, it is my hope that all of the Chardon High School Students, Families, and Staff take the time needed to rest, relax, and regroup. Chardon High School continues to grow and change with our students and staff. We have been blessed with the second year of 8th grade students in our building. Our students and staff continue learning and achieving at a record rate. In all these great accomplishments, I ask that we all seek the much needed balance in our lives by resting and relaxing. Spend this time with your family and take your mind off school. When we return, we will once again carry out our mission of High Achievement for All Students! My break will be filled with this time of rest and relaxation. It is an exciting time for my wife and I as we celebrate with our son, Anderson. It is exciting to see him understand and respond to the joys of the holiday season. This Thanksgiving, we are lucky enough to spend it with our families and friends who provide us love and support. Thank you for the constant love and support I receive daily from the Chardon Community. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and blessed holiday season. -Mr. Bandiera Mr. Higham Chardon community, I want to take the time to thank all of you for being in my life. Whether you know it or not, you are all a part of my heart. Without you all, I would not be where I am today. I am so thankful that I have been given this opportunity to live out my dreams. I am especially thankful for the amazing people I work with. The amount of support and friendships at Chardon High School is incredible. I am so thankful to be a part of a great team! To my friends, I tell you all the time how much I appreciate you! Now I want the world to know that I am extremely thankful for you! I honestly can say I have the most amazing people in my life! To my family, words cannot express how thankful I am to have you in my life. Your love and support are endlessly and uplifting. You are my rock! In this festive season, I hope you are surrounded by the love of your family and dear friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Mr. Higham Mr. Murray Wow. This semester is flying by. Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the simple things of life. It is important to take the time to reflect on all of the beauty of the semester. Every single day provides for us an opportunity to give, to learn, and to serve. I am forever grateful to the friends that I have as I walk down each hallway. It is easy to call the staff at CHS my friends. The teachers and staff members energize me with their passion for learning and love of our students. I love my staff, and I am forever grateful for their gifts that they provide our students. One of the best parts of my day is interacting with students. It is hard to believe that we are almost at the halfway point of the school year. We have such wonderful students! I truly love their kindness, energy, creativity, and leadership. I am so grateful for the beauty they give to the Chardon community. I am a better man just by working beside each of them. From sitting with our eighth graders to meeting with our seniors-- I love spending my time with each of them. I am grateful for the support, encouragement, and assistance that our parents have provided not only me, but to our teachers, coaches, and community. You continue to model servant leadership to each of us! Most importantly, I am grateful to my beautiful family that sacrifice so much to be with me. My wife is truly my best friend. She is beside me at many events, and often waits up for me for all the dances, and evening events. I am blessed to have our daughters at Chardon, and I look forward to sharing many memories with them through their years in our district. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks to the simple things in life: family, friends and familiar fellowship. Let this day be a reminder of how the simple things in life are the strongest reminders of why we work, why we give, and why we serve. Have a beautiful week with your family! -Mr. Murray  There will be no Week in Reflection this Friday. Stay warm!
Last week's edition of the Week in Reflection. 11/19/2019 The Week in Reflection: 11/22Friday Night Football
The Hilltopper Football Team will play in the OHSAA Division III Regional Final at Solon High School on Friday, November 22 at 7:00 pm.
Presale ticket information as follows:
Video of the WeekBuilt Chardon Strong
Over the past three weeks, I have been extremely connected to our students in providing communications, counseling, and service to our mission. Mr. Higham, Mr. Bandiera, and I have taken time to meet with numerous students to discuss academics, relationships, and behaviors.
Countless hours have been spent with families, outside agencies, and local advocates to document, plan, and articulate ways to provide and ensure that all of the situations that have come to our offices are comprehensively attended to with precision. In between proactively talking with groups, guiding young students with their words, and situations outside of the school--- we have worked tirelessly to not interrupt learning and targeted outcomes in the classroom. Many of the tasks that the administration works on are unnoticed by many, but they are done out of a commitment to you, our students, and our school. We do this while balancing our own family life. The CHS staff are extraordinary people. They have been assisting me, our assistant principals, and teachers while we manage and lead through covering classes, lending a hand with supervision, and assisting students with their needs. At our core, community driven values and relationships carry the beacon that drives our success. The phrase that breathes energy in our building is Chardon Strong. This mantra is best understood in the following ways: We are Chardon. To live our values means that we are defined by our response to any outcome. We have modeled this for generations of students and parents towards how we respond to difficulty. We are a community in good and bad times who will live with integrity. We have been consistently humbled in our response to moments of success, doubt, and difficulty. We are a district that demonstrates achievement in our outcomes to the state, and outreach to our community and nation. We model respect in our success and failures and how we respond to each other. We recognize the value of seeing the dignity and honor of all of the students and staff members that we encounter. Most importantly, we are optimistic for tomorrow by living our purpose today as we nurture each other. We are Chardon...you cannot be built much tougher. As we transition into Thanksgiving, take the time to give thanks to someone who has made a difference in your life this school year. AP Language and Composition
Mrs. Newman’s AP Language and Composition class re-enacted the dinner at the Tabard Inn described in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Each student dressed as a character from the prologue and gave a speech. In this speech, each student introduced his or her character and used various methods of characterization so the other travelers could identify who the student was. The speeches ended in a banquet fit for a king!
Honor Choir
On November 15th and 16th, a select group of CHS singers and instrumentalists participated in the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) District Honor Choir. The event was held at the music school at Cleveland State University, under the leadership of talented guest clinicians. The students combined efforts of talented musicians from 20+ other area high schools to make for a powerhouse set of concerts. The students had intensive rehearsals all day Friday and a portion of the day Saturday in preparation for a final concert held on Saturday afternoon. The choirs were represented by: Clare Myeroff, Whitney Beorn, Madie Houser, Maya Pedersen, Jesse Decipeda, Ethan Peterson, Mitchell Ewaska, and Layne Fierman. The band was represented by Brigit Morgan on trombone. The choir program included pieces from South Africa and the Middle East. The women of the choir shared a piece titled "Ad Astra" that inspires us to find resilience in tough times. It was a powerful and beautiful program. Congratulations to these elite CHS musicians!
AHLI
AHLI students went on a field trip to the Environmental Learning Center on Friday. Mrs. Yeager and her students gathered water samples and looked at bacteria under the microscope and dissected owl pellets.
CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL 2019-2020
This year AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will raise funds for the 20th annual Jeremy's Kids Christmas fundraiser. This fundraiser is in memory of Jeremy Mizen, the 6-year-old son of teacher Rob Mizen, who died in a car crash on Christmas Eve in 1999. Instead of dwelling on their horrible loss and having this tragic event destroy their lives, Mr. Mizen and his wife decided that they would instead celebrate Jeremy’s life focusing on the positive aspects of his life. AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will use the raised funds to support less fortunate families in the Chardon Community. Many local families are struggling financially with giving their children gifts on Christmas. Every year the students of Chardon High School have joined together with the community to make sure relief was available to these families. Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Chardon Local Schools. (memo: Jeremy's Kids)+ Rob Mizen Chardon High School 151 Chardon Ave. Chardon Ohio, 44024 Details:
Dear Eighth Graders and Eighth Grade Parents,
We are so excited about our trip to Washington, D.C.! There is so much to look forward to, and spring is a beautiful time of year to be in our nation’s capital. School-sponsored tours are essential elements of our academic programs at Chardon High School. Our eighth-graders will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. on a curriculum-based overnight field trip from May 4-6, 2020. The following are the guidelines for this trip. The cost of the trip is $445. This includes all meals (except lunch Monday), lodging, and guided experiences. Payment plan: first payment November 15th ($245), second payment February 7th ($100), and third payment March 13th ($100) or full payment on November 15th. Payments can be made on Infinite Campus or a check (made out to Chardon Board of Education) through the CHS business office. All school fees (including athletic fees) must be paid prior to the second trip payment date February 7, 2020. While every effort will be made to honor room requests, CHS reserves the right to assign hotel rooms and bus assignments. Violation of our core values may eliminate eligibility for the trip. If a student’s eligibility is removed, any payments made to the tour company will not be refunded. Students and parents understand that all school rules and Chardon Local School District Board of Education Policies and Procedures are in effect. If there are any disciplinary issues on the trip, the administration reserves the right to require your child to be picked up at the parents’ or guardians’ expense. We know how excited everyone is for this awesome trip, and we really appreciate your respect for these guidelines. By signing below, you will indicate your intention to follow them. Please complete the information below by November 4, 2019, and return to Mr. Higham. Once this form is submitted, the cost of the trip will be added to your child’s school fees account on Infinite Campus. This document can be viewed in detail here. Please direct all questions to douglas.higham@chardonschools.org
Below is the presentation form last Monday's meeting.
Fall AIR Test
On Wednesday, December 11, students in US Government along with several students who were contacted by Guidance will be taking the Fall AIR tests. We will be running an adjusted schedule in order to accommodate this test. Please note the start of classes on December 11th, and December 12th. All School transportation will be running at the regular times.
In order to fully plan for this quarter, we wanted you to have access to the Midterm Schedule in December.
Midterm Week: The purpose of this week is to meet the educational needs of our students as they prepare for midterms, finals, and project presentations. ALL classes will meet during midterm week. If a class does not have a midterm or a final, they will commence a class period. The only non-mandatory period is a study hall. Students do not need to sit in the study hall. We will provide supervision in the cafeteria for a silent study hall as needed, but attendance is not mandatory. Important Notes: --Transportation will run at the regular time in the morning and afternoon. --All academic classes will meet during the scheduled time. Dismissal will occur at 12:10 PM Tuesday - Friday. --Lunch during the week (Tuesday - Friday) will be À la carte. --Auburn students will have scheduled exams that do not impede upon their schedule. --CHS Teachers will be in teacher-based teams each day after exams. --In the case that we have a calamity day during an exam schedule, we will follow the scheduled exam day and adjust the afternoon exam time slots by adding the missed exam(s). Read this document online. Piece of the Week
Images of the Week
Mr. Goss and Mr. Herner took a group of Topper Time students on a field trip to Lake View Cemetery after their study of the Garfield Biography.
Chardon Goes to the Musicals
Tickets make great presents! Consider ordering Jersey Boys, Anastasia, or Frozen, for the holidays. Tickets will be distributed prior to Winter Break. Also, if you are interested in seeing Hamilton when it returns to Cleveland next fall, please contact Elizabeth Fullerman at 216-299-5141 or efullerman@hotmail.com, as Chardon Goes to the Musicals is expected to have group seats after the first of the year. As a reminder, this is not a fundraiser, just an opportunity to enjoy Playhouse Square, the second largest theater district outside of Broadway.
AFS Needs our HELP
American Field Service (AFS) is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Chardon High School has a strong relationship with AFS-- providing cultural and academic learning to countless students over the years.
This past week, AFS has contacted us asking our academic community for assistance. AFS is looking for host families – We have 2 students in temporary housing and 1 that needs to be moved due to a family change in status. If your family has an interest--please contact Barb Plishka at 440-223-2068 or Sandy Caporossi at 440-477-3922. Thank you! Meeting for 2020 Greece Adventure
Time is running out! Join the 2020 Athens & the Islands Greece Adventure now! A student trip info session will be held on Thursday, December 5th, at 7:00 pm in Room 210. Mrs. Niedzwiecki will be there to answer any of your questions and help you register for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Both Students and Families are welcome on this amazing tour. Please click on the link to RSVP for the meeting.
RSVP for the 12-5-19 Information Meeting for 2020 Greece Adventure Topper Bistro
Monday
Hilltopper Chicken Bowl Mashed Potatoes Homemade Gravy Seasoned Corn Grab and Go Salads and Sandwiches Bosco Sticks Spicy Chicken Sandwich Assorted Pizzas Chicken or Burgers Tuesday Pasta Time!!! Penne with Marinara sauce Homemade Chicken Alfredo Warm Garlic Bread Italian ice Steamed Broccoli Chicken or Burgers Grab & Go Salads and Sandwiches Specialty Pizza Panini Sandwiches
Parent Resources
Twitter- Follow @chs_dmurray and @chardonhs Remind 101- Text @TopperUp to the following number 81010 Chardon High School Google Calendar Chardon Athletics Sports Calendar Chardon Athletics Website Video Announcements: Link for the Morning Announcements Chardon High School: Program of Study Chardon High School Bell Schedule Google Document of our bell schedule Chardon High School Student Handbook Teacher Resources for CHS Students ( LIVE by the 1st quarter)
The Week in Reflection will not run next week. A special Thanksgiving edition will run on Tuesday. Have a beautiful weekend and GO TOPPERS!
11/12/2019 The Week in Reflection: 11/15The Circuit Goes to Columbus
On Monday, Chardon High School teachers, students, and administrators drove down to Columbus to present at the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA). The presentation was a highly engaging demonstration of the growth of Chardon High School's Circuit of Success program.
For nearly an hour, our students and teachers engaged the purpose, intention, and values of the Principles of Leadership, Communication, Innovation, Problem Solving, Global Awareness, and Entrepreneurship/Networking. The patrons in the audience interacted in the presentation--sharing out with the guests in ways that our students interact with each other. The presentation unveiled the best of what we instill in our students: communication skills, confidence, poise, and critical thinking. The feedback was extremely positive. One superintendent stated that he has gone to OSBA for the past twenty years and our presentation was the most engaging, and insightful presentation that he has ever attended. We are so proud of the growth, positive feedback, and community engagement that this program has bestowed upon our students at CHS. Over the last several months, Mr. Kovach as worked with intentionality to align our Circuit of Success to the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal. By the end of this year, all students in the Class of 2023, and 2024 will have earned this state recognized seal for graduation! 
Presenters at Conference:
Douglas Murray, Principal; Douglas Higham, Assistant Principal; Holly Mihalek, ELA teacher and Circuit of Communication; Jill Carpenter, Science teacher and Circuit of Innovation; Rob Mizen, Science Teacher/Service Learning and Circuit of Leadership; Al Herner, CCP Business and Circuit of Entrepreneurship; Kristen Niedzwiecki, Spanish, and Circuit of Global Awareness. Student presenters: Sydney Murray, Faith Kilfoyle, Maci Jahnke, and Alexis Jahnke. 
Fall Play
I highly recommend heading to Park Auditorium this weekend to watch and play-The Westing Game. Our students are SO talented. I am so thankful to the cast, crew, and directors of our fall play! Extraordinary job!
Title: The Westing Game
When: November 14, 16 at 7:00 PM; November 17 at 2:00 pm Where: Park Auditorium Cost: $5 Students, $10 Adults Synopsis: The unsuspecting residents of Sunset Towers are summoned to the reading of a mysterious will, only to find themselves locked in a thrilling game, as they must discover who is responsible for killing an eccentric millionaire. Through blizzards, bombings and unlikely alliances, the game is on, and the only people who hold all the clues are one Westing heir and you. 
Fall Sports Awards
Last week, we celebrated the may accomplishments of our fall athletes. Enclosed is the program that recognize the many accomplishments of our student athletes.
Dear Eighth Graders and Eighth Grade Parents,
We are so excited about our trip to Washington, D.C.! There is so much to look forward to, and spring is a beautiful time of year to be in our nation’s capital. School-sponsored tours are essential elements of our academic programs at Chardon High School. Our eighth-graders will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. on a curriculum-based overnight field trip from May 4-6, 2020. The following are the guidelines for this trip. The cost of the trip is $445. This includes all meals (except lunch Monday), lodging, and guided experiences. Payment plan: first payment November 15th ($245), second payment February 7th ($100), and third payment March 13th ($100) or full payment on November 15th. Payments can be made on Infinite Campus or a check (made out to Chardon Board of Education) through the CHS business office. All school fees (including athletic fees) must be paid prior to the second trip payment date February 7, 2020. While every effort will be made to honor room requests, CHS reserves the right to assign hotel rooms and bus assignments. Violation of our core values may eliminate eligibility for the trip. If a student’s eligibility is removed, any payments made to the tour company will not be refunded. Students and parents understand that all school rules and Chardon Local School District Board of Education Policies and Procedures are in effect. If there are any disciplinary issues on the trip, the administration reserves the right to require your child to be picked up at the parents’ or guardians’ expense. We know how excited everyone is for this awesome trip, and we really appreciate your respect for these guidelines. By signing below, you will indicate your intention to follow them. Please complete the information below by November 4, 2019, and return to Mr. Higham. Once this form is submitted, the cost of the trip will be added to your child’s school fees account on Infinite Campus. This document can be viewed in detail here. We will hold a mandatory information night for parents on November 18, 2019, at 6:00 pm. At this meeting, we will be distributing a tentative itinerary which will highlight many of the places that we will visit and more specific information regarding the needs for this trip. The itinerary is located here. Please direct all questions to douglas.higham@chardonschools.org 
CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL 2019-2020
This year AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will raise funds for the 20th annual Jeremy's Kids Christmas fundraiser. This fundraiser is in memory of Jeremy Mizen, the 6-year-old son of teacher Rob Mizen, who died in a car crash on Christmas Eve in 1999. Instead of dwelling on their horrible loss and having this tragic event destroy their lives, Mr. Mizen and his wife decided that they would instead celebrate Jeremy’s life focusing on the positive aspects of his life. AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will use the raised funds to support less fortunate families in the Chardon Community. Many local families are struggling financially with giving their children gifts on Christmas. Every year the students of Chardon High School have joined together with the community to make sure relief was available to these families. Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Chardon Local Schools. (memo: Jeremy's Kids)+ Rob Mizen Chardon High School 151 Chardon Ave. Chardon Ohio, 44024 Details:
Fall AIR Test
On Wednesday, December 11, students in US Government along with several students who were contacted by Guidance will be taking the Fall AIR tests. We will be running an adjusted schedule in order to accommodate this test. Please note the start of classes on December 11th, and December 12th. All School transportation will be running at the regular times.
In order to fully plan for this quarter, we wanted you to have access to the Midterm Schedule in December.
Midterm Week: The purpose of this week is to meet the educational needs of our students as they prepare for midterms, finals, and project presentations. ALL classes will meet during midterm week. If a class does not have a midterm or a final, they will commence a class period. The only non-mandatory period is a study hall. Students do not need to sit in the study hall. We will provide supervision in the cafeteria for a silent study hall as needed, but attendance is not mandatory. Important Notes: --Transportation will run at the regular time in the morning and afternoon. --All academic classes will meet during the scheduled time. Dismissal will occur at 12:10 PM Tuesday - Friday. --Lunch during the week (Tuesday - Friday) will be À la carte. --Auburn students will have scheduled exams that do not impede upon their schedule. --CHS Teachers will be in teacher-based teams each day after exams. --In the case that we have a calamity day during an exam schedule, we will follow the scheduled exam day and adjust the afternoon exam time slots by adding the missed exam(s). Read this document online. 
Please click on the link below to sign up for PT Conferences.
Thursday, November 21 (4:30-8:00 pm) Sign up here. 
Do you like to ski or snowboard? If so, consider joining the CHS Downhill Ski/Snowboard Club. This club program is open to students from grade 8 through grade 12. It will run after school for a minimum of five consecutive Tuesdays beginning January 7th. The club will be skiing at Brandywine Ski Resort. Club passes are also valid at Alpine Valley. No experience is necessary to join; both rentals and lessons are included in the club price. Students who have season passes are welcome to join and only pay the bus fee.
If your son/daughter is interested in joining, please see the attached forms for more details about registration. The first registration deadline is November 22, which is just four weeks away! All students who register by this date get a free long-sleeve ski club shirt at no additional cost! If you have any questions, please contact the adviser (Alison Fisher) at alison.fisher@chardonschools.org or have your child see Miss Fisher during the school day in room 307. Hope you consider joining us on the slopes in January! 
SUBMISSION DEADLINE for senior pictures are Friday, JANUARY 10, 2020
Requirements for your senior picture:
Submitting your senior picture:
Note: Digital submissions are much preferred and strongly recommended in order to preserve the quality of the photos. Piece of the Week
Grace Fullum, Grade 10, "Engineering of Jewelry"
Images of the Week
Thank you to the amazing Chardon High School students and teachers who helped us sort the good today for the Gearity School Market!
Another thank you to the students in 6th period study hall that cleaned off cars during the entire period! Core values in action!
Video of the WeekChardon Goes to the Musicals
Tickets make great presents! Consider ordering Jersey Boys, Anastasia, or Frozen, for the holidays. Tickets will be distributed prior to Winter Break. Also, if you are interested in seeing Hamilton when it returns to Cleveland next fall, please contact Elizabeth Fullerman at 216-299-5141 or efullerman@hotmail.com, as Chardon Goes to the Musicals is expected to have group seats after the first of the year. As a reminder, this is not a fundraiser, just an opportunity to enjoy Playhouse Square, the second largest theater district outside of Broadway.
School Fees are DUE
School fees are due to Chardon Local Schools. Payable at your student's individual school. Please look at your student's Infinite Campus account under “Fees” to see what is owed for each child. All Participation fees for the Fall Season are due. DO NOT PAY WINTER Participation fees until they are posted in Infinite Campus. This takes a little time to get the final official rosters from the coaches added and adjustments made where needed. When you are looking at the fess, if something does not look right or your student has dropped a class and it is still showing, please call so that it can be corrected. If you have questions, please contact Carolyn.McBride@chardonschools.org AFS
American Field Service (AFS) is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Chardon High School has a strong relationship with AFS-- providing cultural and academic learning to countless students over the years.
This past week, AFS has contacted us asking our academic community for assistance. AFS is looking for host families – We have 2 students in temporary housing and 1 that needs to be moved due to a family change in status. If your family has an interest--please contact Barb Plishka at 440-223-2068 or Sandy Caporossi at 440-477-3922. Thank you! Topper Bistro
Parent Resources
Twitter- Follow @chs_dmurray and @chardonhs Remind 101- Text @TopperUp to the following number 81010 Chardon High School Google Calendar Chardon Athletics Sports Calendar Chardon Athletics Website Video Announcements: Link for the Morning Announcements Chardon High School: Program of Study Chardon High School Bell Schedule Google Document of our bell schedule Chardon High School Student Handbook Teacher Resources for CHS Students ( LIVE by the 1st quarter) A Message from Dr. Hanlon
Chardon Schools’ Facilities Advisory Committee Makes Recommendations Concerning School Future Bond Issue and Facilities Planning
Dear Chardon Schools Stakeholder: The Chardon Local School District’s Facilities Advisory Committee met on Thursday, November 7, 2019, to discuss the results of the November 5th election and the failure of the proposed bond issue for the construction of a new 6-12 facility along with other locally-funded initiatives. The proposed issue failed by a margin of 44% for the issue and 56% against the issue. The Committee acknowledged a divide within the community over the issue of new school facilities. In order to meet the needs of the district’s students, it will be important to work to unify the community around a vision of a future capital improvement plan. Recognizing this, the recommendation from the committee is to not place another bond issue request on the March 2020 ballot. Additional recommendations from the committee to the Board of Education include the following:
I will share these recommendations from the committee with our Board of Education on Monday, November 18, 2019. Sincerely, Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D. Superintendent GO HILLTOPPERS!
Ticket Info for Friday's 11/15 playoff football at Solon
Two ways to purchase pre-sale: Online: available at https://ohsaa.org/tickets. Select Division III, Region 9 from the menu 500 paper pre-sale tickets available Wed, Thur, Friday (UNTIL 12 PM) in CHS Athletic Office All pre-sale tickets $8
Have a great weekend with family and friends!
Douglas Murray, Principal 11/5/2019 The @chs_dmurray Week in Reflection 11/8Grateful, Hopeful, and Optimistic
Friends and Families:
Thank you for your support, participation, kindness, and volunteer efforts over the last several months. We are truly grateful, hopeful, and optimistic that our messaging, planning, and communications will continue to demonstrate clarity to all of our stakeholders. Enclosed in the introduction to the Week in Reflection are two messages that were shared this week. A message from Dr. Hanlon We are obviously disappointed that Issue 21 was not approved by our voters, but we are committed to ensuring our schools can provide the educational opportunities our community’s children need for future success. Our volunteers worked tirelessly to communicate the key message that this bond issue was critical in order to provide our students and the community the school facilities necessary to provide effective teaching and learning for all students. We are thankful to all the volunteers that made phone calls, walked door-to-door, and organized activities to help spread the message about the importance of Issue 21. On behalf of our Board of Education, I wish to extend appreciation to the Citizens for Chardon Schools and our supporters for their continued commitment to our school district. Their efforts over the past few months were considerable in helping our community understand the conditions in which our staff teach and our students learn. Thank you also to our Facilities Advisory Committee that worked diligently over the past two and one-half years to learn about the challenges of our current school facilities and carefully evaluate master plan options before making a recommendation to our Board of Education. In the next few weeks our Facilities Advisory Committee will meet again to review the results and determine if any modifications to the overall master plan for district facilities are warranted based on the election results. Their recommendation will be presented to the Board of Education as they consider options related to a subsequent bond issue request. Our Board of Education will meet to determine next steps in relation to this election result. “It is important to understand that our facilities issues have not gone away as a result of the failure of Issue 21. We are still in a position of needing to identify significant financial resources to address our aging school facilities,” stated Madelon Horvath, President of the Chardon Board of Education. The fact of the matter is that the need persists. Our facilities are failing our children. We have to come together as a community for their sake and the sake of our long term viability. No decision has been made at this time to place another bond issue on the ballot. Sincerely, Michael P. Hanlon, Jr. , Ph.D. A message to CHS staff from Mr. Murray Friends, Coming up with the right words is difficult today. After all of the work of SO many positive people communicating the message, sharing our story, and engaging our community members---seeing the results of Issue 21 can be extremely deflating and discouraging. It can be challenging for even me to rally the team, and provide words of encouragement. We all process things differently-- but, it is important for you to know that our message has not fallen on deaf ears. Your passion has not changed. Your vision has not faltered. I am blessed to work with professionals who live the values instilled deeply inside of this community. I am blessed to collaborate with educators who prepare students for life. I am blessed to call you friends. This really stings for all of us. We are not immune to these challenges; rather- we respond with clarity. We respond with respect, dignity, and optimism for what we stand for, whom we serve, and why we stand strong in our mission. The song must continue. Learning is still our outcome and the needs to meet inside of our facilities still must be addressed. As much as we might feel weaker today--we are actually stronger...forged in strength to never give up hope and optimism. I will never wave the flag in defeat. We know our story the best, and together, I encourage you to continue inviting any person to see our story inside of our walls. There was power in the interaction with others to actually make their own decisions based on reason--rather than fallacies. I appreciate you and love serving beside you. Together, we are strong. Divided we fall into the hands of reactivity, lethargy, and complacency against our vision of education inside of our treasured story. I am encouraged with our communities' response towards electing board members who share in this vision. Thank you for your commitment. This week, the Facilities Team will meet to transition with a reflection of the E+R=O. Our response to this event will equal the outcome that we prepare for next. As we reflect--we can control the weather inside. Today still is a beautiful day and I am grateful to be inside of it with you. Thank you! Doug Great Lakes Theater Festival
Over the past two weeks, many of our students have been working with actor-teachers from the Great Lakes Theater Festival. They've worked with kids on their communication skills in Circuit of Communication, acting skills in Theater Arts, and examined The Crucible, A Raisin in the Sun, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Julius Caesar from the lens of an actor in various ELA classes. Students were able to dive into the creative process with the help of the theater artists. As a result of their experience with the actors, the students were able to better connect their own experiences with the themes of the literature presented.
Fall Play
Title: The Westing Game
When: November 14, 15, 16 at 7:00 PM; November 17 at 2:00 pm Where: Park Auditorium Cost: $5 Students, $10 Adults Synopsis: The unsuspecting residents of Sunset Towers are summoned to the reading of a mysterious will, only to find themselves locked in a thrilling game, as they must discover who is responsible for killing an eccentric millionaire. Through blizzards, bombings and unlikely alliances, the game is on, and the only people who hold all the clues are one Westing heir and you. 
Dear Eighth Graders and Eighth Grade Parents,
We are so excited about our trip to Washington, D.C.! There is so much to look forward to, and spring is a beautiful time of year to be in our nation’s capital. School-sponsored tours are essential elements of our academic programs at Chardon High School. Our eighth-graders will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. on a curriculum-based overnight field trip from May 4-6, 2020. The following are the guidelines for this trip. The cost of the trip is $445. This includes all meals (except lunch Monday), lodging, and guided experiences. Payment plan: first payment November 15th ($245), second payment February 7th ($100), and third payment March 13th ($100) or full payment on November 15th. Payments can be made on Infinite Campus or a check (made out to Chardon Board of Education) through the CHS business office. All school fees (including athletic fees) must be paid prior to the second trip payment date February 7, 2020. While every effort will be made to honor room requests, CHS reserves the right to assign hotel rooms and bus assignments. Violation of our core values may eliminate eligibility for the trip. If a student’s eligibility is removed, any payments made to the tour company will not be refunded. Students and parents understand that all school rules and Chardon Local School District Board of Education Policies and Procedures are in effect. If there are any disciplinary issues on the trip, the administration reserves the right to require your child to be picked up at the parents’ or guardians’ expense. We know how excited everyone is for this awesome trip, and we really appreciate your respect for these guidelines. By signing below, you will indicate your intention to follow them. Please complete the information below by November 4, 2019, and return to Mr. Higham. Once this form is submitted, the cost of the trip will be added to your child’s school fees account on Infinite Campus. This document can be viewed in detail here. We will hold a mandatory information night for parents on November 18, 2019, at 6:00 pm. At this meeting, we will be distributing a tentative itinerary which will highlight many of the places that we will visit and more specific information regarding the needs for this trip. The itinerary is located here. Please direct all questions to douglas.higham@chardonschools.org Topper Club Awards: November 26, 2019
For the third consecutive year, the Topper Club Awards (certificate/letter/pin for 3.75 cumulative GPA and higher, in addition to recognizing the National Merit students, etc) will occur at Chardon High School during the day in an effort to properly recognize these students while demonstrating to all students what can be achieved through hard work and dedication to their academics. With that said, we will have the assembly to recognize these students for the whole student body on the morning of Tuesday, November 26th.
CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL 2019-2020
This year AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will raise funds for the 20th annual Jeremy's Kids Christmas fundraiser. This fundraiser is in memory of Jeremy Mizen, the 6-year-old son of teacher Rob Mizen, who died in a car crash on Christmas Eve in 1999. Instead of dwelling on their horrible loss and having this tragic event destroy their lives, Mr. Mizen and his wife decided that they would instead celebrate Jeremy’s life focusing on the positive aspects of his life. AC4P, NHS, Interact, and the Actively Caring Leadership class will use the raised funds to support less fortunate families in the Chardon Community. Many local families are struggling financially with giving their children gifts on Christmas. Every year the students of Chardon High School have joined together with the community to make sure relief was available to these families. Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Chardon Local Schools. (memo: Jeremy's Kids)+ Rob Mizen Chardon High School 151 Chardon Ave. Chardon Ohio, 44024 Details:
Fall AIR Test
On Wednesday, December 11, students in US Government along with several students who were contacted by Guidance will be taking the Fall AIR tests. We will be running an adjusted schedule in order to accommodate this test. Please note the start of classes on December 11th, and December 12th. All School transportation will be running at the regular times.
December 16-20, 2019
In order to fully plan for this quarter, we wanted you to have access to the Midterm Schedule in December.
Midterm Week: The purpose of this week is to meet the educational needs of our students as they prepare for midterms, finals, and project presentations. ALL classes will meet during midterm week. If a class does not have a midterm or a final, they will commence a class period. The only non-mandatory period is a study hall. Students do not need to sit in the study hall. We will provide supervision in the cafeteria for a silent study hall as needed, but attendance is not mandatory. Important Notes: --Transportation will run at the regular time in the morning and afternoon. --All academic classes will meet during the scheduled time. Dismissal will occur at 12:10 PM Tuesday - Friday. --Lunch during the week (Tuesday - Friday) will be À la carte. --Auburn students will have scheduled exams that do not impede upon their schedule. --CHS Teachers will be in teacher-based teams each day after exams. --In the case that we have a calamity day during an exam schedule, we will follow the scheduled exam day and adjust the afternoon exam time slots by adding the missed exam(s). Read this document online. PARENTS: PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TO ACKNOWLEDGE MIDTERM SCHEDULE. 
Please click on the link below to sign up for PT Conferences.
Thursday, November 21 (4:30-8:00 pm) Sign up here. 
Do you like to ski or snowboard? If so, consider joining the CHS Downhill Ski/Snowboard Club. This club program is open to students from grade 8 through grade 12. It will run after school for a minimum of five consecutive Tuesdays beginning January 7th. The club will be skiing at Brandywine Ski Resort. Club passes are also valid at Alpine Valley. No experience is necessary to join; both rentals and lessons are included in the club price. Students who have season passes are welcome to join and only pay the bus fee.
If your son/daughter is interested in joining, please see the attached forms for more details about registration. The first registration deadline is November 22, which is just four weeks away! All students who register by this date get a free long-sleeve ski club shirt at no additional cost! If you have any questions, please contact the adviser (Alison Fisher) at alison.fisher@chardonschools.org or have your child see Miss Fisher during the school day in room 307. Hope you consider joining us on the slopes in January! 
SUBMISSION DEADLINE for senior pictures are Friday, JANUARY 10, 2020
Requirements for your senior picture:
Submitting your senior picture:
Note: Digital submissions are much preferred and strongly recommended in order to preserve the quality of the photos. Learning Center Newsletter
Attached is the latest edition of the Learning Center Newsletter. In this issue, readers will find information on renewing their teaching license. November marks the first month teachers whose license expires in June of 2020 can renew. This newsletter contains information on the process of renewing, along with several links to valuable resources.
Need to write a new IPDP? There is a link to a document developed by the LPDC that contains several pre-written goals that can be used. Also included are links to professional development opportunities. Most are free, many are online, but all of them can count towards your license renewal as long as they align with your IDPD goals. As always, please ask if you have any questions. Piece of the Week
"Helping Hands" by Kara Connolly, Grade 12
Images of the Week
Video of the WeekThe Outcomes of 4 E's
Creating the profile of a Chardon High School graduate has been the task of educators for decades. More recently, teachers and administrators across CLSD have been working to pinpoint the fabric which weaves the foundational values, and outcomes that every student should know and be able to articulate before our students walk across the stage.
Chardon High School has phenomenal students who go out and seize the world. For many students, the goal is higher education. This has been the norm for generations. Yet, our world is ever-changing, and the needs of our world are ever-evolving. With technology, career based training, and industry credentials knocking on the doors of a high school graduate--finding a student's purpose is more and more important than the phrase "what do I want to do when I grow up." Historical data reflects that nearly 80% of graduating Chardon High School students enroll in two- and four-year colleges and universities. Yet, we notice a decrease in students maintaining that status after matriculating. We are intentionally establishing programs, enrichments, and opportunities throughout our district to emphasize the importance of soft skills, focusing on the 4 E's: Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment, and Entrepreneurship. Our goal is that each of our students will identify and develop their purpose through programs, activities, and opportunities throughout our community. College will certainly be a focus for most of our students. Yet, we have hundreds of students that could enter into a career moments after graduation that will encapsulate their purpose and provide training, salaries, and benefits that would lead them into further education through the business that they are working within. This is where the paradigm shift needs to swing. Graduates are already doing this, and it is gaining traction. There are countless industries looking for graduates that they can grow into their company. We are not just talking about machinists, and manual labor jobs. Jobs in the areas of administrative assistants, accounting, design, and innovation. Our economy is driving a need for students who are problem solvers and critical thinkers. Likewise, as we transition into a weekend in which we honor Veterans, enlistment into the armed forces is always an avenue for our young men and women to not only serve our country, but to receive training in areas that serve the purpose of our students and opening further opportunities for our students. This is the beginning of many communications about the "4E's", If you are interested in learning more or participating in our shared responsibility in raising a generation of leaders within the "4E's" please contact Mr. Murray or Dr. Klein. Reminder: School Fees
School Fees are DUE
School fees are due to Chardon Local Schools. Payable at your student's individual school. Please look at your student's Infinite Campus account under “Fees” to see what is owed for each child. All Participation fees for the Fall Season are due. DO NOT PAY WINTER Participation fees until they are posted in Infinite Campus. This takes a little time to get the final official rosters from the coaches added and adjustments made where needed. When you are looking at the fess, if something does not look right or your student has dropped a class and it is still showing, please call so that it can be corrected. If you have questions, please contact Carolyn.McBride@chardonschools.org Winter Weather
With winter just around the corner, we want to remind you of our procedures for school closing or delayed start in the event of dangerous conditions.
The decision to call off school due to inclement weather begins at approximately 3:30 AM and includes analysis of the following information:
When all of this information is gathered, the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs, and Transportation Supervisor jointly make the decision to close the schools or keep them open for students. Our objective is to make this decision no later than 5:45 AM as school buses are beginning to depart for their morning runs at that time. However, it may become necessary, in isolated cases, to make the decision after that time. Weather conditions can change abruptly, for better or for worse, but our intent is to determine that it is safe for students and staff to attend school as early as possible. Veteran's Day
At the end of World War 1, the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, became the official day to celebrate all our nation’s veterans. Originally called Armistice Day, it became Veteran’s Day after World War II. At Chardon High School, thousands of graduates have served our country for duty, honor, and love of country. We are grateful to the men and women who are proud veterans of the US Armed Services.
On Thursday, November 7, the Chardon High School wrestling team, traded their singlets for suits, in anticipation of helping local veterans with a different type of pin than the wrestlers are used to. The team was approached by the Geauga County Department on Aging, and were asked to assist in a recognition ceremony, for veterans in the area. The team helped in the setting up of the event, serving lunch, and assisting the veterans on and off the stage, where the veterans received a pin from Congressman David Joyce. The core values of community, humility, achievement and respect, were well represented among the team. Great job, gentleman. Keep up the great work, and best wishes to you, as your season kicks off with Battle in the Barn, December 5th at 11:00 a.m. Just a reminder that proceeds from this school assembly match will benefit Jeremy’s kids. THANK YOU: Girl Scout Troop 70563
A huge THANK YOU to all who came out for breakfast at the VFW on Sunday to support Girl Scout Troop 70563 Gold Awards. It was an amazing success - we served over 275 meals! The outpouring of community support is truly appreciated.
-Brigit, Maddie & Natalie AFS
American Field Service (AFS) is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Chardon High School has a strong relationship with AFS-- providing cultural and academic learning to countless students over the years.
This past week, AFS has contacted us asking our academic community for assistance. AFS is looking for host families – We have 2 students in temporary housing and 1 that needs to be moved due to a family change in status. If your family has an interest--please contact Barb Plishka at 440-223-2068 or Sandy Caporossi at 440-477-3922. Thank you! Topper Bistro
Parent Resources
Twitter- Follow @chs_dmurray and @chardonhs Remind 101- Text @TopperUp to the following number 81010 Chardon High School Google Calendar Chardon Athletics Sports Calendar Chardon Athletics Website Video Announcements: Link for the Morning Announcements Chardon High School: Program of Study Chardon High School Bell Schedule Google Document of our bell schedule Chardon High School Student Handbook Teacher Resources for CHS Students ( LIVE by the 1st quarter) Camp Curiosity
Stay warm out there and GO TOPPERS!
Douglas Murray, Principal |
