The @chs_dmurray Week in Reflection: 12/14

The finish line for the semester is quickly approaching. It is quite amazing to reflect on how fast the second quarter came to closure. Next Thursday marks the midpoint of the year...how have you used the time that you were given? We had such a strong start to the year across each grade level! Take the proper time that you need to talk with your children about where they are at socially, emotionally, and academically. This time of year is experienced differently by all students and families. As much as academic achievement is important--so is the well-being of all of our children. Our students know that they have excellent educators that care for their every need, but the extension of school is secondary to the root of the needs that children need at home. As much as we ask our children to be present at school while at school...it is just as important for each of us as parents to be present while our children are present. The one variable that we cannot change is time. Take the time this weekend to be present to all of the variables of your children and remind them how much you support and love them.  In this Week in Reflection, you will read about the many important schedules and events that lead up to our break.

Midterm Schedule

Chardon High School Schedule: December 14; 17-20

Friday: December 14, 2018

Mr. Strieff and Ms. Lichtler are excited to bring back the Holiday Concert for all students during a split school assembly. The concert will be performed during two assemblies: one for grades 9-12, and one for grade 8. This will provide the opportunity for all grades to see our students perform and help curtail distractions.

Jazz Orchestra (approx. 20  min)
Big Band Holiday
Mary, Did You Know?
Jingle Bell Boogie
Let It Snow!
Trans Siberian Orchestra

Free Harmony (approx. 20 min)
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
There is a Santa Claus
Rockin' Holidays
Five Favorite Holiday Songs
Don't Save It All for Christmas Day

Friday Assembly Schedule

Chardon High School Schedule
December 17th-20th

Enclosed Schedule  (Please see the attached schedule for further clarity)

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 study hall. Students do not need to sit in study hall. We will provide supervision in the cafeteria for a silent study hall as needed, but attendance is not mandatory. Parents, please see this form.  Will will work with the Special Ed department to allocate accommodation rooms for the week.


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 11:30 AM each day.
• Lunch during the week 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).

Monday: December 17, 2018

7:20-9:20 AM (1st Period)
9:30-11:30 AM (5th Period)

Dismissal

A la carte lunch available

Auburn Juniors return
12:00-2:00 PM (ACC Students-5th Period) Room 1
12:00-2:00 PM Make-up Tests (Periods 1, 5) Room 1

12:30-2:40 PM Teacher Based Teams

Tuesday: December 18, 2018

7:20-9:20 AM (2nd Period)
9:30-11:30 AM (6th Period)

Dismissal

A la carte lunch available

Auburn Juniors return
12:00-2:00 PM (ACC Students-6th Period) Room 1
12:00-2:00 PM Make-up Tests (Periods 2, 6) Room 1

12:30-2:40 PM Teacher Based Teams

Wednesday: December 19. 2018

7:20-9:20 AM (3rd Period)
9:30-11:30 AM (7th Period)

Dismissal

A la carte lunch available

Auburn Juniors return
12:00-2:00 PM (ACC Students-7th Period) Room 1
12:00-2:00 PM Make-up Tests (Periods 3, 7) Room 1

12:30-2:40 PM Teacher Based Teams

Thursday: December 20, 2018

7:20-9:20 AM (4th Period)
9:30-11:30 AM (Make-ups with Teacher)

Dismissal

A la carte lunch available

Auburn Juniors return
12:00-2:00 PM (ACC Students: Make-ups) Room 1

12:30-2:40 PM Faculty Meeting- Cafeteria

Parental Acknowledgement Form

The following article was curated  from Educationcorner.com to help our students prepare for midterm week.

​How to Study Infographic

Experiencing test anxiety is natural. In fact, most people – even those who have prepared extensively – experience some level of anxiety before and during tests. While a certain level of test anxiety is beneficial (as it motivates students to adequately prepare), too much can be detrimental if it prevents them from studying, preparing properly, or concentrating during a test.

These following strategies can help you control extreme test taking anxiety:

• Develop good study habits. One of the most effective ways to handle test taking anxiety is through proper preparation. Besides preparing you for the questions on a test, studying will also build your confidence. As your confidence increases, your test anxiety will decrease.


• Be prepared. If you're completely prepared for a test to the point of being familiar with any question that could be asked, anxiety will dramatically decrease. There is little reason to experience anxiety for a test you've prepared for. 


• Don't cram! Cramming for an exam the night before is a major cause of test anxiety. Students who take their time to regularly study for an exam throughout the term will experience less anxiety than those who decide to study a day or even hours prior to one. If you're studying a difficult subject (ie. chemistry, biology, math, etc.) it's imperative that you start studying early on in the semester, as you're likely to come across concepts, topics, and subjects that require outside help. Cramming can leave you not only pressed for time, but unable to get the help you in time.


• Get adequate exercise. Exercise relieves stress and increases mental function. It can also increase energy. If you take time to take care of your body, you'll experience far less anxiety all around.


• Get plenty of sleep. Not only is receiving adequate sleep necessary for good health, it's also an effective way to decrease anxiety. This is why it's recommended to get plenty of sleep the night prior to a test. It is recommended that you get plenty of sleep the entire week before a test. If you do not get enough sleep prior to a test, you will be fatigued, less able to concentrate, unable to remember everything, and more anxious.


• Get plenty to eat. Never take a test on a hungry stomach. Not only do you need the nutrients necessary for proper brain function and physical energy, taking a test on an empty, grumbling, stomach will make it more difficult for you to concentrate on the test. Some students neglect to eat prior to a test because they don't want to take time away from last minute studying. You don't have to eat a four course meal before every test, but at least grab an apple or some other healthy snack.


• Stay positive. Do not allow yourself to get overly pessimistic. Remain positive and concentrate on doing well on the test. If you dwell on negative thoughts, it will increase your anxiety and make it more difficult to perform. If you think you're going to perform poorly on a test, chances are you will. If you're confident in your ability, you're much likely to be less anxious and perform better.


• Stay relaxed. Take a few minutes to relax before taking a test. If you're struggling to relax, take deep breaths. Take a moment and clear your head. Focus on something completely unrelated to the test, or even school. Think about something fun you're planning later during the week, or maybe a fun trip you'll be taking. Once you're calm, go in and do your best!


• Focus on the learning experience. Do not be too hard on yourself if you do not perform up to your expectations on a test. Instead, learn from the experience, so you can make the necessary changes for the future. Nothing is accomplished by getting all stressed out over something that has already past.

N.a. "Coping with Test Anxiety | Study Skills Guide." Educationcorner.com. n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2018. <https://www.educationcorner.com/test-anxiety.html>

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Holiday Concert

On Monday, the spirit of the season filled the hearts of our Chardon community at the  Mentor Fine Arts Center. This concert was such a transformative evening for our students. Special thanks to our teachers: Fritz Streiff and Melissa Lichtler for conducting such a beautiful night. ​We have such talented students!

Watch on Periscope

Jeremy's Kids Update

Thank you for all who helped support Jeremy's kids. This was another successful year. Students, staff, and families were able to raise over $8,000! Thank you, Mr. Mizen, for leading another successful example of our core values in action! This is the most amount of money we have collected in over 10 years.  Thanks to the 8th grade teacher for really stepping up.  Your effort really helped to push our totals to the top.  The students will shop for over 30 families on Monday and wrap the present on Tuesday afternoon.

1st Place     Room 408 Mitch Hewitt's class with $1659.13
2nd Place    Room 300 Mrs. Ricci's class with $995
3rd Place     Room 110 Mrs. Kaiser's Class with $547

​Thank you for being such an inspiration to our children!

Fall: AIR Schedule

Students taking an EOC AIR test must report to the media center promptly at 7:20 am. All of these have been notified by their school counselors.  Testing will commence approximately at 7:30 am at Maple Elementary in rooms that we have set-up as testing locations and will conclude approximately at 10:30 am.  Our building bell schedule WILL NOT be altered on these dates. Students will take these test(s) with their proctors and report to their regularly scheduled classes upon completely the test.

Last Call: Ski Club

​Need a Christmas present for your son/daughter? Give the gift of snow before it’s too late and allow your son/daughter the opportunity to join the CHS Ski/Snowboard Club!  
 
Does your child already like to ski/board? Perfect - our club is a great chance for your child to improve his/her skills.
 
Your child doesn’t know how to ski/board yet? No worries - it’s a great chance to learn. Lessons and rentals are included for everyone at no additional cost.
 
Your child already has a season’s pass to Alpine/Brandywine? No worries - we can accommodate that too!
 
To register, go online to https://www.bmbw.com/club-program/. After submitting the online registration your child needs to turn in the emergency medical forms and the bus fee to complete registration.If your son/daughter already has a season pass to Alpine Valley SKIP the online registration and just turn in the emergency forms and the bus fee. Paperwork/bus fees can be turned into Miss Fisher in room 307 or to the main office (directed to her attention).
 
Remember the FINAL DAY for the ONLINE SKI CLUB REGISTRATION is at midnight on Wednesday, December 19. This deadline is set by BMBW and is not something that can be changed, so please be mindful of the deadline if your child plans to join the club. The club is open to all students grades 8 through grade 12. We will be skiing on Tuesday evenings in January, leaving CHS around 4:10.

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 your son/daughter considers joining us on the slopes in January! It will be so much fun!  

Spain, France, Italy

​There is still time to join us this summer to Spain, southern France, and Italy!  If you are interested, please contact Senora Tekavec at stacy.tekavec@chardonschools.org or Casey Ptasznik at casey.ptasznik@chardonschools.org
​
This is an unforgettable experience for your son/daughter!  

Visit From CHS Theater Arts Class

Third graders got a special visit from Chardon High School students.  Students taking Mrs. Mihalek’s Theater Arts class found the perfect audience to enjoy their performance. The high schoolers created different plays using familiar childhood books.  The performances are the “final exam” for these high schoolers. Third graders enjoyed seeing some of their favorite stories come to life with costumes, props, and sound. A few of the plays performed were, Miles McHale Tattletale, Shh! We Have a Plan, The Gingerbread Pirates, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Our third graders were able to volunteer for parts in each performance.  The high schoolers instructed the third graders of what needed to be done to perform their role. Please enjoy these photos of our great memories from the high school third grade visit. Special thanks to Cindy Nells for sharing this article with all of us!

The Circuit of Success

Enclosed are students in Ms. Biernacki's Principles of Communication Circuit. The students in the class were asked to work together in order to duplicate the teacher's model (using marshmallows and toothpicks) and then apply what they learned about the Myers Briggs personalities to the reflection afterward.

I am so proud of the work that our Circuit teachers are putting in to help our students find their purpose!

Checkmate Plus

The high school has a new way to process students as they enter after the day begins. Checkmate plus is an attendance tracking system that uses a barcode that is applied to every student ID. Now, as students enter the building (late) they will walk into the main office or student services and scan their ID and receive a ticket that allows them to enter class--while entering their attendance automatically. 

Likewise, students who return back from open campus will no longer have to sign in on a clipboard. They will enter the main office and use their ID to "check-in" from open campus. Students returning from open campus will then report to the cafeteria (periods 1-4, 6-7) and the gym for period 5.

Guest who enter the building will have their license barcode scanned, and take a picture which will print on a badge for our staff to easily identify who is in the building.

Students are receiving their ID's on Friday. The system will fully be integrated on January 3, 2019. In the meantime, we will continue to practice this system during midterm week. Enclosed are a few highlights of the system.

• CheckMate is a fully integrated attendance tracking system with Infinite Campus.
• By applying this LEAN practice, we will save over 2 hours a week/staff member of non-value added tasks allowing students to check in or out using a kiosk.
• Label printer will print passes for students.
• Attendance data is written directly back to Infinite Campus which means no double entry of data for attendance clerk.
• Easily track guests or substitutes who are entering the building -- will print name badges for guests or substitutes to wear while in the building.
• Administrators can access an Infinite Campus report to quickly see who’s in the building at any time.​​

Math Counts: 8th Grade Competition

Work Permit Instructions

Obtain a pre-application for minor work permit in the school office.

1. Student/Applicant Information:  this is to filled out by the student and signed by parent or guardian.
2. Pledge of Employer:  this is to be filled out by the employer.  We must have the Employer’s Tax ID Number (9 digits).  The number of days per week, hours per day, starting time and quitting time can NOT say varies.  Employer needs to sign and date.
3. Physician’s Certificate for Minor Work Permit:  this is to be filled out by the physician.
4. All sections of the form need to be filled out before processing.
5. You must present one of the following valid forms of ID when you bring the form in for processing:  Birth certificate, Driver’s license, Passport. A copy will be made to keep with the work permit.
6. Mrs. Sprinzl or Mrs. Thompson can process the application.  Work permits are then processed through the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Please allow 24 hours turn around on permits.

Twitter Updates

Follow us on Twitter for the latest about Chardon High School:

Mr. Murray, Principal: @chs_dmurray and  @chardonhs
Mr. Bandiera, Assistant Principal: @Mr_Bandiera 
Mr. Higham, Assistant Principal: @CHS_AP_HIGHAM 
Mr. Snyder, Athletic Director: @toppernation

Next week's publication of the Week in Reflection will be sent on Thursday, December 20th due to winter break.  Thank you for sharing your children with us! Stay Warm!

​Douglas Murray, Principal