The @chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection 12/15

Finish What You Start

The finish line for the semester is quickly approaching. It is quite amazing to reflect on how fast the second quarter came to closure. This Wednesday 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. ​

Holiday Concert

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

Click to watch a Periscope Video

Click to watch a Periscope Video

Jeremy's Kids

Thank you for all who helped support Jeremy's kids. This was another successful year. Students, staff, and families were able to raise over $4,500! Thank you, Mr. Mizen, for leading another successful example of our core values in action!The results are in for the Jeremy's Kids fundraiser.  The winning classroom which will receive Donuts for a week is Mrs. Rohrs room 103 with a winning total of $428.18  Congratulations and Thank you for your generosity.

Rounding out the field is:  a close second place, Seniora Tekavec with $416.50
Third Place Room 304 Mrs. Ricci's Room with $260
4th place room 101 Mr. Mizen with $177.27
5th place The Shaw Shack with $175

Thank you to all that donated.

Midterms

Please note that midterm/final exams are scheduled the week for December 19 and December 20.

December 18: Regular Schedule to prepare for the final exams
December 19: BLACK Day: Midterm/Finals for Periods 1, 3, 5, 7
December 20: RED Day: Late Start Schedule; MidTerm/Finals for Periods 2, 4, 6



By giving the exams before Christmas vacation and by creating an exam schedule that aligns to our normal bell schedule, and evenly distributing the course that have midterms/finals versus courses that have Project Based Learning Assessments, our teachers have created a learning environment designed to optimize our students’ academic achievement.
  
Students are required to report to school for all exam days.  Vacations, college visits, and doctor appointments should not be scheduled during exam times. 
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​​Coping With Test Anxiety

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 recieving 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.

AIR Update: Mr. Higham

Amazing!  That is the first word that I thought of when asked how AIR testing is going at Chardon High School the past couple of weeks.  Our students have been extremely diligent with every testing request.  When asked to arrive early to school for testing, they did!  When we asked students to complete make-up tests on consecutive days, they did!  When we challenged our US Government students to attend school early on a delayed start school, they answered with an overwhelming … YES, we will!   We have completed 90% of the US Government AIR tests already this morning with many more assessments being completed before the end of the school day.  What does 90% represent?  It notes an impressive 315 US Government students arrived on-time and completed both parts of the AIR US Government Test.

Through tireless dedication from our school counselors; Mrs. Jacobs, Mrs. Hetrick, and Mr. Hurlbut - we have also been able to administer 86% of our make-up tests with two days remaining to complete the remaining assessments.  This percentage is extremely remarkable, since we had some 278 make-up AIR tests to complete.
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I would also like to extend a Thank You to the Intervention Specialists who gave up their time and often their classrooms to help provide a small group testing environment for our students!
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As we close this fall testing window, I want to thank the students, teachers, and school counselors for living the core values and accomplishing a great testing task.  Your commitment to Chardon High School is noted and appreciated.

Topper Bistro

High School Lunch
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Ski Club

Perhaps you have missed the news ... the winter weather is upon us and there is a new Downhill Ski/Snowboard Club at CHS for students to join! The club program will run for five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning January 9th. We will be skiing at Brandywine Ski Resort with bus transportation provided. No experience is necessary to join; both rentals and lessons are included in the club price. Your son/daughter can learn and improve during the five weeks of this club as each evening students have an hour long small group lesson that is based on ability. There is plenty of appropriate terrain for students who are learning this sport.

Is this something your son/daughter wants to join? Many students are excited about this new opportunity …. registration packets have been picked up by more than 60 students over the past month! However, the final registration deadline is quickly approaching and many students have not yet completed the online registration. If we do not get at least 8 more students to register by next Monday, December 19, we will have to cancel the club. So if your child is planning on joining, please register as soon as possible. If you were not aware of this opportunity and your child did not pick up a registration packet, it is not too late ... please see the documents/forms attached to this email for more details.
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What do you need to know to help your child become part of this great club ... to register online click this link to go to the BMBW website. Steps for online registration are as follows:

• Go to the "Club Member Registration" link 
• Club Name is "chsski" 
• Password is "member"
• To finish your registration, have your son/daughter bring the $70 bus fee & signed emergency medical forms in to me (room 307 or drop off at the main office). For the $70 bus fee please make the check payable to Chardon Board of Education.

It is also OKAY for your child to join if he/she has a season's pass.  You do NOT need to register online ... your child simply has to turn in his/her $70 bus fee and emergency medical forms to me and I will take care of notifying Brandywine that your son/daughter is part of our club program.

With Christmas right around the corner, this could make a great Christmas gift for your son/daughter! Club Program Cards (and $10 Value Passes) are also good at Alpine Valley. If you would like to find out more details on all of the benefits of the club program or have any questions/concerns please email the adviser, Alison Fisher, at alison.fisher@chardonschools.org or contact her at the high school 285-4057 x1718.

Think snow! Hope to see your son/daughter on the slopes!

Winter OHSAA Sports Preview

Wrestling

Sam Eldridge

Solon Comet Classic Results: Jake Hamulak 3rd at 113 pounds, Sam Eldridge 7th at 182 pounds, Mike Lobosky 5th at 195 pounds, Andrew McNaughton 7th at 220 pounds.

North Coast Classic Results: Jake Hamulak 3rd at 113 pounds, Mason Danison 8th at 120 pounds, Ethan Ducca 6th at 152 pounds, Sam Eldridge 2nd at 182 pounds, Mike Lobosky 2nd at 195 pounds.

Jake Hamulak, Sam Eldridge and Mike Lobosky have had impressive starts placing in two difficult tournaments in a row.  

Swimming

Chardon High Swim has started off to a great start. With 38 swimmers, CHS has the started strong with the highest numbers ever recorded for the swim team.

The first weekend Dec 2 : Solon Relays-- CHS represented very well amongst some very strong opponenets in Northeast Ohio.
Dec 3rd was the Hilltopper Invitational: Our CHS girls won by 550 points, and our boys were tied for 3rd... their highest showing ever.
Dec 8: Madison/Geneva: the girls swept, and the boys split with a victory over Geneva.
Dec 9: Viking Invitational: the girls placed all three relays in the top 10, we had two individual top 10 placers (Katherine Jerry 50 free, Sarah Bennett 100 back) with top 20 finishes from Jayne Sopenski, Natalie Dumm, and Katarina Valentic.

Basketball

Senior Alex Sulka began the season with 980 career points. In the first game of the year, Alex scored 32 points to become the third boys basketball player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark.

watch the video

The girls basketball teams are playing hard and working together. The team is currently 2-3 on the season. This team is loaded with talented and will start putting the pieces together. To see amazing photos, check out the work form Ohio Varsity.

Gymnastics

We are so excited for the rest of the season. Lauren Phillips will be added back into the bar lineup soon, and Kayla Benjamin and Emily Phillips did not compete at their highest level yet either. So we are expecting our team score to increase as the season goes on.

At our first meet, individuals placed on:
Vault: Margaret Hamulak- 5th and Chloe Budd-8th
Bars: Chloe Budd-4th
Beam: Margaret Hamulak-1st and Lauren Phillips-6th
Floor: Margaret Hamulak-1st, Chloe Budd-5th, Emma Drake-8th
All Around: Margaret Hamulak-6th and Chloe Budd-3rd
Team: Out of 15 teams, Chardon placed 2nd with a score of 133.725
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Our first home meet is on December 29th at Lake Erie Gymnastics School in Mentor, Ohio.

Athletics

With all of the recent weather-related situations, be sure to visit ​http://www.chardonathletics.org/  for any re-scheduling.

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 Wednesday, December 20th due to winter break.  Thank you for sharing your children with us! Stay Warm!

​Douglas Murray, Principal