@chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection

Humble and Grateful

Everyday is a gift to serve. This past Monday, I was given such a beautiful reminder of the joy of this job. Like most Monday's, I have scheduled meetings in the morning with my secretary, assistant principals, and teacher meetings. Well, this Monday was a moment that I will never forget. A senior student, who usually checks in with me each morning, was trying to get me out of my office for some reason. As I left to meet one of the school counselors, Mr. Mizen's leadership students planned a "Murray Monday". His students welcomed me with hundreds of balloons all over my office, cookies, cards, and kindness. All day long, students came in and shared their gratitude that was so moving. When I went home that evening, I shared with my wife the beautiful cards, goodies, and joy from the day. As a Chardon graduate, my wife totally sees the beauty in our students. We are blessed at Chardon High School, and I am so proud to serve our students.

Check your Health

Judge Terri Stupica along with Chardon School Resource Officer Mike Shaw presented in all Mr. Armelli’s Health classes this week. Judge Stupica and Officer Shaw shared their knowledge of the over the counter drug abuse, opiate and prescription drugs abuse in Geauga County. Students gained knowledge and were lead in great discussions about OTC/prescription drug/opiate abuse, dangers, and the law.  Mr. Armelli has been an amazing resource for our children this year. His knowledge, energy, and ability to bring outside community members into the classroom over the last two decades has guided generations of students at Chardon. We appreciate him! Always remember, It’s a beautiful day!

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AP World History with a touch of color

Students in Mr. Fronk's AP World History course had a great experience on Thursday. Mr. Fronk invited Mrs. Steytler (Art/AP Art History Teacher) to class to share her wealth of knowledge about Greco-Roman art and architecture. The class is currently studying Classical Rome. In the attached picture, students constructed a building which provided a starting point for the period of instruction. Our students love Mr. Fronk's course and the icing on the cake was having two passionate teachers in one room. As you have read from previous articles-- I love cross-curricular opportunities. The more we expand the students knowledge of how the world interconnects--the stronger their learning will be. Well done, Mr. Fronk and Mrs. Steytler!

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Midterm Schedule

It is hard to believe that I am talking about the end of the semester. To improve upon your planning, and student preparation for their midterms- the following schedule is now set for the end of the quarter. All students are required to be present for ALL academic class time, but may treat study halls and their lunch period as an open campus. Please review the schedule below.

Fall Sports Awards

On Wednesday, we celebrated Fall Sports Awards.  Looking through the robust list of names that have received League, Academic, and State Awards is nothing but extraordinary. I am so grateful of not only the accomplishments of our student athletes, but I am also very appreciative of our coaches, assistants, and volunteers that have placed countless hours in preparing our student athletes for competitions and skills in life.  Special thanks to all of our parents for your sacrifice, love, and passion that you have shared for your children this year. We are blessed to have such a supportive community! Later this Fall, the Football Team and Cheerleaders will celebrate their awards.

OMEA Honor Choir ​

Kirsten Henry, Brice Karl, Cassandra Leach, Connor Prusha, Hunter Sarbach, and Matt Klingsbergs are attending the OMEA District VII Honor Choir at Cleveland State University today.  They will be paired with top students from 20 other school districts to prepare an advanced program experience for Saturday afternoon.  What an awesome experience for our students! Thank you, Mr. Streiff!

Fall Play

Click HERE for online tickets.

News from Guidance

Chardon High School will be administering the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) on Wednesday, November 16th, at 7:30 am. This test is an invaluable tool to help your student with his/her future educational and career plans.

The ASVAB CEP will help your student:

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* to learn about themselves and the world of work
* explore occupations in line with their interests and skills
* develop an effective strategy to realize their career educational goals

One of the ASVAB scores is the military entrance score/Armed Forces Qualification Test which your student can use to explore career options in the military. Even if your child's scores are released to the military, by NO MEANS is your child obligated to military service.

Students can sign up for the ASVAB Career Exploration Program in Guidance today. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Counseling Dept. at (440) 285-4060 and speak with your child's counselor.

Students/Parents will have the option to not have any scores released to the military upon signing up.

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Friday Night Lights

​We have certainly enjoyed an outstanding regular season and post-season run for the Chardon Hilltoppers with exciting games and great support of the team. On Friday, November 11, the Chardon Hilltoppers travel to Ravenna High School to play Warren G Harding. The field is located at 6589 N Chestnut St, Ravenna, OH.  The game begins at 7:30. The gates open at 6:00 pm

$8 pre-sale tickets are available in the CHS Athletic office during the following remaining day/times:
 
Fri: 7:30 AM -4:00 PM
 
All tickets at the gate will be $9 for adults, seniors, and school-aged children 6 years and older.  This is an OHSAA game. No passes can be accepted.  The CHS Athletic Department receives a small portion of all pre-sale tickets. Get yours early and keep part of the proceeds here!

Our Hilltoppers are enjoying a historic run in football this year and our fans are regarded as among the best in the State of Ohio.  Below is the weekly highlights video.

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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.

This Veteran’s Day, Friday November 11th, 2016, restaurants, stores and other establishments all across the country and Northeast Ohio are thanking our military. Many are offering special discounts, free meals or free admission to veterans and members of the military.

***Most businesses require proof of military service, and the deals include participating locations only. It’s recommended you call specific locations to make sure they are taking part in the promotions.***

Restaurants:

Bob Evans:  free breakfast all day long on Veteran’s Day for veterans and active-duty military.

Buffalo Wild Wings: complimentary order of wings and a side of fries to veterans and active-duty military. Must present acceptable proof of military service, which includes: permanent or temporary U.S. military ID cards, veteran’s card, a photograph of yourself in military uniform, or dine-in at a participating location in uniform.

California Pizza Kitchen:  free entrée from the Veterans’ Day menu. Please come in uniform or bring your military ID or other proof of service.

Chipotle:  Friday, November 11th, from 3pm-close:  a buy one, get one free burrito, bowl, salad, or taco order. Valid for all US military active-duty, Reserves, National Guard and retired military, military spouses with ID and veterans.

Cracker Barrel:  offering military veterans a complimentary slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. Must show proof of military service.

Denny’s: active, inactive and retired military personnel will get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to noon. Please show valid military id.

Friendly’s: free breakfast, lunch or dinner for veterans and active military, with a valid military ID or honorable discharge card.

IHOP: Vets and active-duty military: Red, White & Blue Pancakes free from  7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Longhorn Steakhouse: will offer a free appetizer or dessert (no purchase required, no restrictions) to anyone showing proof of military service, plus 10% off for guests that dine with Veterans on November 11.

Olive Garden: will offer a free entrée from a special menu to active-duty military and military veterans.

Panera Bread:  a complimentary You-Pick-Two with military identification or if wearing their uniform to the participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton area.  For a complete list of participating bakery-cafes, click here. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame: all veterans, active-duty military and one guest will receive free admission into the Hall’s museum throughout the month of November.

Red Robin:  all Veterans and active-duty military members will get a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. No purchase is necessary. Just show proof of service.

Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants: Friday November 11th through Sunday, November 13th:
“buy one entrée, get one free” coupon offer. Guests will be able to choose any one of the restaurant’s Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées including their ‘World Famous’ Spaghetti and Meatballs or its ‘Incredible’ 15-Layer Lasagne and receive a second Spaghetti or Lasagne entrée free. Click here to download the coupon. 

Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill:  Offers veterans and active-duty military personnel their choice of a free chicken or steak Fresh Market Bar on Friday, Nov. 11th with valid proof of military service or veteran status.

Retailers/services:
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Akron Zoo: will be offering free admission to all military personnel and veterans November 5-11. Veterans or people currently serving in the military will have to show a military ID to receive the discount. The zoo offers a year round discount of 50% off all military personnel and their immediate families. During this special promotion immediate families of military personnel will receive 50% off in addition to free admission for the person that has served or is currently serving. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: are celebrating Veteran’s Day at their home game Tuesday, November 8th. Discounted tickets for current and former military members, starting as low as $14 per ticket, available online at theqarena.com/military with the passcode MILITARY. Other games this is available for are: November 13th, 15th and 25th.

Cleveland Monsters: Discounted tickets for current and former military members, starting as low as $14 per ticket, available online at theqarena.com/military with the passcode MILITARY. Games this is available for are those on November 11th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village: Begins a partnership with Pets for Patriots on Veteran’s Day. Veterans will benefit from participating in the program both through Rescue Village and through Pets for Patriots. Pets for Patriots sends a $150 gift card upon proof of eligible adoption to help with food and other essentials, and provides access to local veterinary partners who agree to offer ongoing discounted care for the life of the animal. Rescue Village will offer a discounted adoption fee to all veterans as well as a free bag of food.

Gordman’s: offering all active-duty, Reserves, Guard, retirees and Veterans a $10 Gordmans Savings Card with any in-store purchase on Veterans Day. In addition, they will receive 15% off their entire purchase. Must show military ID or shop in uniform.

Great Clips: Customers who come in Nov. 11 for a service can get a free haircut card to give to their favorite veteran. Veterans can also get a free haircut or get the free haircut card. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.
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JCPenney: will offer a 5 percent discount from Nov. 10-13 to current and former military personnel and their immediate family members with valid military or VA identification provided in-store. The discount may be combined with additional coupons and special offers including a $10 off $25 coupon with any form of payment or 20 percent off coupon when paying with a JCPenney credit card.

Update from CHS Gym: AKA "The Barn"

As you are aware, the CHS gym has seen some recent improvements over the last two years. The floor was completely sanded and brought back to new life, the walls were painted, the ceiling was repaired. On top of the changes, new signage has been introduced. This week, with the shared leadership of LIBTFI (Leave it Better Than You Found It) and the vision of many leaders--The CHS Gym- aka: "The Barn" is applying  new decals. Some of the decals include: The Alma Mater, Our Core Values, #TopperUp, the Chardon Crazies, and welcome sign.  Below, is the beginning touches that Fulton Sign has prepared for us. Stop by and see the upgrades soon!

Election

With the presidential election at a closure, it is time for the "noise" to settle with all of the advertisements, phone calls, social media news, and newscasts to focus on drawing our lens on our purpose. Regardless of your political beliefs- we have an obligation to come together and collaborate on a single focus. A simple lesson that we can learn from an election of this caliber is the power of your voice,  your vote, and your rights as American Citizens. Our Social Studies teachers have used this election as teachable moments with curricular connections. As I mentioned on my first day to the staff: Coming together is just the beginning, staying together will lead our progress, and working together will transform lives for generations of Hilltoppers....or in this case, Americans. We have faced economic difficulty, international and domestic concerns since the beginning of our great country. No election will recoil us to a day where we cannot survive. Our purpose will guide us, our intentions will ground us, and our love of country will mold us a ONE.  Standing United we will mold our continued vision of tomorrow. The first attributed use in modern times to "Standing United" comes to us from one of our Founding Father's, John Dickinson, in his song "The Liberty Song". In the song, Dickinson wrote: "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!"

I am not one to ever go political, but I thought it was important to share a simple statement based on my observations of the world this week.

Closing

Once again, it has been a busy week at CHS. Looking back since August---it is easy to see why Chardon is a great place to be!

​Douglas Murray, Principal

Coming Up:

Friday, November 11: Hilltopper Football v. Warren G. Harding (at Ravenna HS) 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 12: Senior Sports Banner Photos  8:00-9:30 AM
Wednesday, November 16: Faculty Meeting 2:45 PM; Winter Sports Photo Day 2:45 PM
Thursday, November 17: Fall Play  7:00 PM
Friday, November 18: Fall Play  7:00 PM
Saturday, November 19: Fall Play 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 20: Fall Play  2:00 PM

Thanksgiving Break: November 23-25; School resumes- November 28