@chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection

We are ONE. We are UNITED. We are STRONG.

The beginning of this week provided us with an opportunity to center ourselves around our Chardon community, staff members, students, and graduates of Chardon High School. Senseless moments like those that took place at The Ohio State University certainly can shake us. Being mindful of the needs of our students, staff, parents, and graduates are absolutely essential when moments like this take place. We had the opportunity to reach out to many graduates who are at OSU this week to check in with them.  Likewise, we offered the opportunity for our staff and students to share their needs with us.  We are grateful for your emails, and phone calls for our well being as well. The more that we work collaboratively to meet the needs of each other- the stronger our community will be. Continue to be cognizant of your needs and the needs of your children. Feel free to contact us at anytime in ways that we can provide resources to you.

What are some practical ways of healing after such events?

​As the week progressed, a whirlwind of emotions, conversations, questions, and unknown realities impacted us at CHS. The last 24 hours, in particular, have been filled with conversations with students (past and present), parents, staff members, district leaders, and outside individuals who care for one reality....YOU.

Please know that your influence matters, your emotions matter, and your words matter. We hold our students and staff as our most valuable resources. 

Words on paper can shape the law, and words on paper can transform the law. Nick Miraglia is one student who has taken the words from the lessons at CHS to heart.

The framework of this week can lead to conversations that unite us- and draw emotions of uncertainty. We will keep you in the loop as our district leaders work hard to understand and challenge those who are able to transform the law. 

AIR Testing: Fall Session

Next week is AIR testing for students who may need to retest for graduation points.  Students who need to test have met with Guidance and Assistant Principal, Kathleen Kisabeth. The students have received a reminder that they should be in the media center at 7:30 AM with a fully charged Chromebook.  It is important that students arrive on-time to school on their testing days.  

The bell schedule will NOT change due to testing.  It will be a normal day for all students and staff.  

The schedule for the week is:

Monday, December 5:  ELA I and II
Wednesday, December 7:  Algebra I and Geometry
Thursday, December 8: US History
Friday, December 9: Biology

The following week (December 12-16)  will also be used for makeups as needed.
​
Thank you for supporting your child on these tests. Please contact Ms. Kisabeth with any questions at 440-286-0412

Current Graduation Requirements

State May Soften Graduation Requirements

Complete and Total: Powerful Play Coming to CHS on December 15

As I have shared in previous publications, the Chardon ASAP student group are committed to developing a substance abuse prevention program for the school community. This movement started after the overdose deaths of 2 alumni back in Spring of 2015.  The students have developed a program they hope will positively impact the school community. This is entirely student led with staff support. The program has 3 key components:

• Middle School Program
• Middle and High School Building Initiatives
• Community Education

On December 15, the ASAP group, in alignment with their mission, is bringing the original play- Complete and Total to CHS during a morning assembly. Complete and Total is an original play by local playwriting Greg Vovos about the dangers of heroin and drug addiction. It follows the story of a high school student with a bright future ahead of him, but heroin and addiction quickly become his top priority. The Mind, the only sober part left of his brain, believes in his ability to become clean, but it’s not that simple.

Enclosed is their letter to the staff:

"Good Afternoon,

We went to see the play, Complete and Total with Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Herner and a small group of students. It is crucial that our fellow classmates see this play because it exposes the ugly truth of addiction, and it is written specifically for a high school audience. Personally, we were both deeply affected by this accurate depiction of a tragedy that could become a reality for any high school student or community member. We hope to gather your support for our efforts as we work together to create a safer, healthier, and stronger school community and city.

Sincerely, 
Marissa Perrico and Justin Stanko"

Please see the enclosed data points that are currently being shared by local media outlets.
​
Kaiser Family Foundation data
Cleveland.com

This is a prime example of the student leadership seeing and responding to the needs of our community. I am so grateful for their effort, passion, and commitment to our school!

The Learning Commons

Included in the teacher newsletter are articles that include links to the Learning Center calendar, the form for submitting morning announcements, and the ODE webpage for teacher license renewal.

The Lav Report contains an article about emotional intelligence. Studies show the most successful people aren't necessarily the most intelligent, but those who practice good emotional health. 

Biology

Sophomore Maria Cappello, Freshman Natalie Fullerman, and sophomore Rachel Yates conduct an experiment on Photosynthesis in Mr. Mizen's Honors Biology. 

Sports Nutrition

Sports Nutrition students have been working on the social health component of wellness.  Mrs. Kim Butala and her class teamed up with Stephanie W. from T.P.P., and she guided the students through their Relationships-Risk and Reward (RRR) curriculum.  These lessons promote the concept that healthy relationships are based on understanding and practicing honest communication. (RRR) uses fun and interactive activities to enhance understanding of students’ communication patterns and relationship habits relating to gender communication differences, use of signs, signals and assumptions in place of open communication, and finally the difference between electronic and interpersonal communication. It’s been a productive important week of learning and understanding information that relates to everyday living.

#UToppers

On Thursday, we were able to recognize over 40 of our outstanding students as #UToppers.  #UToppers are those students that live our core values within and around the school community.  The students recognized this month represent all grade levels at Chardon High School. This month's students were were recognized for positive behaviors including beautification of Chardon High School and our community, hosting students from other schools as they tour Chardon High School, and helping peers in classes.  Those students recognized were treated to a pizza lunch on Thursday December 1st.  Ms. Kisabeth,  Mr. Bandiera, and very are proud to recognize our October/November #UToppers. I am so proud of all of the students!

Talent Show: Friday, December 2 at 7pm

The CHS Talent Show is Friday night at 7pm. Hosted by the Drama Department, it's at Park Auditorium and tickets are $5. Proceeds benefit the drama program, including our annual scholarship.

Attention Seniors! ​Cavaliers Huntington Scholarship Program

The Cavaliers and Huntington Bank will award ten (10) Northeast Ohio high school seniors with a $2,000 college scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, graduating seniors must submit a 500 word essay, perform a high level of service in their communities, provide a high school transcript, ACT and/or SAT scores and a letter of recommendation. For more information please download the scholarship rules and application. 

All applications must be received by Friday, February 10, 2017 to be considered. 
​

Athletics

Chardon High School senior TJ Kinkopf signed  to continue his academic and baseball career at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh, PA. Kinkopf, a two-sport athlete at Chardon in baseball and basketball, signed as a pitcher and earned WRC All-Conference honors in 2016. ​

'16 Chardon Square Christmas Lighting!

Thanks to G-TV, Dave Jevnikar, and the sounds of Chardon for making this evening such a memorable night for families

Closing Remarks: Kindness Matters. Integrity Gathers.

There are two things that can carry any person towards their goals. These things do not cost money, or need degrees. They can be located in the most secure places inside of our core. They are free to give, and can transform our lives. The first is kindness. Every single day is an opportunity for every person to live with a purpose. Each of us were born into a story. Our families began to help shape and model our lives early on. We have the opportunity to author how we use our time and how we live with integrity. This time of year often can be busy towards preparing for celebrations for the holiday season. As a way of focusing on who we are at Chardon, I am challenging our students and staff to live our values by paying it forward. For the next 3 weeks, take the time to schedule acts of kindness into your lives with purposeful consideration. Take a calendar and reflect on ways that you have demonstrated kindness and made another individual's day brighter.  The little things make the greatest memories: write a card, call a family member, sacrifice your time for another, tutor, or help out at home without being asked. These are little ways that can create new habits in your life.

Thank you for sharing your children with us!

​Douglas Murray, Principal