@chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection

CHS Curriculum Information

February 8

Bell Schedule / Grade Level Course  Presentations (2nd*/3rd*/9th*) 

February 9
                  
Curriculum Night/College Credit Plus Presentation in the CHS Gym  6:30 PM

In order to better prepare you and your child to the academic offerings at Chardon High School, we will be hosting a Curriculum Evening on February 9, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the CHS Gymnasium "The Barn."  
 
At this meeting, we will provide an overview of the High School bell schedule, curricular offerings, and course delivery options (including College Credit Plus), and an overview of the scheduling process.  Several of our high school teachers and counselors will be on hand that evening to share information and answer questions regarding their curriculum and course offerings.  
 
Our Guidance Counselors will be presenting grade-level assemblies regarding scheduling and course offerings on February 8.
 
If, as you and your child proceed through the scheduling process, you have any questions, please feel free to contact the high school guidance department.

​February 15
8th Grade Parent Night in the LGIR at CMS  6:30 PM

For details, frequently asked questions, and screencast presentations- please check out the website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kathleen Kisabeth, Ryan Bandiera, or Douglas Murray

---

​ACT Information

Starting this school year the state of Ohio is requiring that all districts provide students with an opportunity to take the ACT.  The test can be used for graduation points and will also be a usable score for college admissions. One way for students to demonstrate readiness for college is through scores on two college admissions tests – ACT and SAT. In Ohio, a remediation-free score on either test is one of three ways a student can meet requirements for a high school diploma. We, at Chardon High School, will be administering the ACT on March 21st.
 
Preparing for the ACT
ACT FAQ's

Contact Kathleen Kisabeth if you have any questions.

The Learning Commons

​Attached are the current issues of the Lav Report and Teacher Newsletter. 

In the Lav Report students can find information on two current contests for scholarship money. One is an essay on free speech sponsored by The City Club of Cleveland. The second opportunity for scholarship funds is from Discover and Toyota. TeenDrive365 is a video competition. Students submit a 30-60 second PSA highlighting safe teen driving. Links to more information are included in the Lav Report.

The Learning Center Newsletter contains information on current enhancements to INFOhio. Both students and teachers can benefit from the recent changes that have taken place.

An article explains changes to the process students use to sign in to the Learning Center when coming from study hall. It also explains that students are now refraining from moving chairs to accommodate groups, but rather moving themselves to a table that fits their needs.

A shout-out to the IT guys who worked tirelessly to update the computers in the LC lab. Thank you gentlemen for updating all the office and classroom computers as well.

Lastly, edX is a wonderful online learning destination for professional development. Many courses are free and offered by the world's best universities. Check out this valuable learning experience. 

A Message From Jan Hoffmann, RN

The Ohio Department of Health has now mandated that all students entering the 12th grade be immunized against meningococcal disease.  Meningococcal disease can cause a serious bacterial infection of the bloodstream, cause meningitis or both. 
​
The mandate states students must have two (2) doses prior to the entry of 12th grade. There needs to be at least 8 weeks between doses with the second dose being on or after the sixteenth (16) birthday. If the first dose was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose would not be required.
​
The student will need to provide written proof of vaccination prior to the start of the next school year.  If you are unsure whether your child has met this requirement or if you have any questions, please contact Jan Hoffmann RN at (440)286-0418 or Janice.hoffmann@chardonschools.org.

AFS: Hosting a Student

As a leader in international high school exchange for more than 65 years, AFS differs from many other exchange organizations. Among the most important distinctions is that AFS has a network of thousands of volunteers in the US, many of whom have hosted themselves or studied abroad with AFS. These local volunteers support families, students, and schools in gaining the most from the hosting experience.
​
Hosting an international student means more than providing a bed and meals. As an AFS Host Family, you’ll welcome a new member into your home, share your everyday lives, and grow as you get to know one another. You’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself, your family and community by hosting a student from another culture. If you are interested in this life-giving opportunity please contact AFS coordinator, Carrie Korenke for details.

---

National Signing Day

Joey Dinko

Chardon High School senior Joe Dinko has committed to continue his education and football career at Case Western Reserve University. 

A two-year letter winner at a Chardon High School, Dinko was WRC All-Conference and carries a 3.909 GPA. 

Joe Cyvas

Chardon senior Joe Cyvas signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and football career at Walsh University. 

Cyvas, a three-year letter winner at Chardon, earned All-Ohio 1st Team honors for the 2016 season and ​was the Defensive MVP of the Western Reserve Conference.

Cassidy Baker

Chardon senior Cassidy Baker has committed to Edinboro University to continue her education and soccer career. 

She was a four-year varsity letter winner at Chardon in soccer, team captain as a senior and carries a 3.805 GPA. 

---

After Prom

The fun of After Prom is already underway, but we need your help! ALL CHS parents are encouraged to get involved with After Prom.  For those families new to CHS, After Prom is a large scale event hosted by parents to give our kids a safe place to extend the fun and memories of prom night. We transform CHS into a themed event with activities, games and prizes for all juniors and seniors.

At this point, many of us working on the After Prom committee will be “graduating”.  We need parents, especially freshman, sophomore, and junior parents, to join us this year to learn the ropes.  This event is so much fun, that we know you will want your kids to have the opportunity to attend this event.  Come join us for our next meeting on February 8th at 7:00 pm in CHS library. We will be discussing details of the event and planning for our decorating workshops which will begin on Wednesday March 1, 2017.   

Decorating workshops will meet every Wednesday night in March from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm and most Monday and Wednesday nights in April and May.  We work in the upper gym and cafeteria at CHS. Come as often as you like, all help is appreciated!
 
Please feel free to email Amy Caldwell- speak2me_18@hotmail.com with any After Prom questions. 

February: A Month of Unconditional Love

February provides us the opportunity to focus on our values, community, and future. In the closing of this week's edition of the Week in Reflection, I wanted to take a moment to write from the perspective of a parent to their child about the unconditional love and dreams that they have for each of their children. In a time that often leads us feeling stuck in the middle of winter ---longing for spring---it is a little reminder of what really matters.

Dear Son/Daughter,

I wish for you to be kind. Each day, as I send you to school, I hug you, I kiss you, and then I say, "Be kind." In a world that, in some ways, is so cold and harsh, kindness matters. I would rather have you be known as the kindest than as the smartest. You never know what is going on in someone else's mind or heart, but being kind will never be the wrong choice. Being kind does not mean that you are not strong or determined, but that you treat others the way you would want to be treated.

My wish for you is that you will be discerning. That you can view a situation or problem and handle it gracefully and mindfully. That you will weigh options and choices and listen to that small voice that helps you decide right from wrong.

I wish for you bravery. Courage to do what is right. Lines between right and wrong are blurred these days, be brave. Be who you are. Stand up for your beliefs. Take chances. Reach and stretch to become the person you want to be.

My wish for you is that you will learn from heartache. The mother/father in me wants to protect you from pain and hurt, but the logical part of my brain knows that's not always possible. I recognize that some of my greatest accomplishments and treasured blessings, including you, came from much pain and heartache. Great joy comes from knowing sadness and I want those joyful learning experiences for you. They will make you a better person.

My wish is that you are grateful. You have many blessings already in life and many more are headed your way. Acknowledge them. Be grateful for them. Don't take them for granted. Recognize that challenges can be blessings as well.

I wish for you truth. You might have to dig and scratch and fight for it, but find truth. Tell the truth. Be an honest person that people can count on. Being trustworthy is one of the most noble character traits you can develop.

I wish for you a life full of laughter. As much of it as possible. I know you cherish how our family loves to laugh, and our home is full of laughter on a regular basis. Look for friends and loved ones that make you laugh. Laughter is indeed the best medicine in life.

My wish for you is that you become unselfish. To serve and think of others is the most rewarding part of life. Serve the people around you, think of their feelings and emotions. By looking outside yourself you will find good qualities and traits in others to focus on and develop in your own life.

My wish for you is to know you are loved...by me...by your family...by your teachers. As your life grows to include more and more people, surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. You have a beautiful soul, you deserve to be loved. Love is hard work, but work that is worth every effort. 

I want you to dream big, but to realize that with big dreams comes hard work. Dreams are worth working for. There is so much joy to be found in the little steps that make up big dreams. You have the capability to become whatever you want to be in life.

Know that you are my biggest dream. I wished upon a star for years before my dreams came true. But that dream has been even better than I could have ever imagined. All of these things I wish for you, you have helped me find in myself. You have helped me be more brave than I ever thought I would have to be. You make me laugh more than anyone else. You shower me with love, you make me think and rethink all my decisions, you help me dream big, and for you I am grateful.

We love you, 

​Mom and Dad

February is a month of compassion, love, purpose, and examples of who we are in Chardon. Live in Love and Love to Live.

Have a great weekend, together.

​Douglas Murray, Principal