@chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection

News from September 19-23

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.

Assistant Principals

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. ​

Student News

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.

Conferences

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.

Support Groups

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  

Friday Night Lights

​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.” 

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Projects

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