The @chs_dmurray Week in Reflection: 1/5

Video Reflection

A New Year with New Opportunities

A New Year. New Opportunities.  At the beginning of anything new, we have the opportunity to reflect on moments from the past year and make meaningful resolutions for the upcoming year. In order for any resolution to come to fruition, we need to make changes to our routines or habits. Research states that it takes 21 days to create new habits. Creating new habits, or breaking old ones is challenging but the outcomes can be transformative to the person making meaningful changes. 

Often times, we make resolutions for our health and by the time that Spring Break rolls around, we are back to our old habits. This year, I challenge everyone to look at one way that you can make an impact in your life. For students, it could relate to organizational effectiveness--study habits, homework, test prep, etc. It could also connect to putting down technology each night at a certain time.  For Parents, it could relate to wellness, or it could relate to scheduled dinners, or even putting your work away at a certain time to be with your children. For staff, it could relate to trying something new within instructional practices each unit, or finding extra patience in the classroom. 

This year is up to us. Live it to the fullest. Every single day is an opportunity to seize the day to the fullest. Make today great!

The Learning Commons

​In this issue of the LC Newsletter, readers will find an article describing the recent announcement from the Ohio Department of Education on the addition of the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal available to high school graduates. Students can earn this formal designation indicating they have what it takes to be successful in the workplace. 

Additionally, there is information on free professional development opportunities from KQED Teach that focus on Digital Media skills. KQED Teach is a project of KQED, which is the PBS and NPR affiliate for the San Francisco Bay area.  

In this month's Lav Report, you will find an article detailing the dangers of social media as illustrated by recent events that occurred when a young man posted an inappropriate picture of his high school teacher on social media. The poor choice made by this young man affected his life in a very negative way. The lesson to learn is that one mistake made on social media can impact numerous lives.

There is a second article that explains how INFOhio is using Geolocation to aid students when using the valuable resources found at INFOhio.org. Geolocation will recognize when someone is logging into INFOhio using internet anywhere in Ohio. If so, access is granted without needing an user name or password. 

YOU AND THE FLU—Your Best Defense Is To Be Proactive

​It is especially important this school season to be proactive against the flu. Taking preventative measures is your best defense against the ‘seasonal’ flu.
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The seasonal flu outbreak usually occurs between mid-fall thru early spring. Each year a vaccine is developed to target the type of virus that is anticipated. The seasonal flu spreads mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. You can also become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it such as a doorknob, computer keypad, gym weights, classroom desk, and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth.

Everyday Steps to Protect Your Health

Common sense to avoiding germs is the best approach, such as not sharing sports bottles or drinking from friend’s glass or pop can.  The Center for Disease Control [CDC] recommends the following:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  Stay away from an ill and contagious person until 24 hours after their fever has broken.  Their fever should be completely gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine [i.e. Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, etc.]

 Wash your hands OFTEN!  Use lots of soap and scrub your hands by counting to 15 slowly before rinsing with water.  If you do not have access to water, alcohol-based hand cleaners and disposable wipes [antibacterial] are effective—rub hands vigorously until hands are dry. 

Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth—this is how the germs are spread.

 Practice good health habits to keep your immune system strong—get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy nutritious foods.

Next Week

Monday, January 8: White Day Schedule
Tuesday, January 9: White Day Schedule
Wednesday, January 10: Red Day Schedule
Thursday, January 11: Black Schedule
Friday, January 12: No School for Teacher Professional Development
Monday, January 15: No School -MLK Day

It was a certainly a short week! Stay warm!

Douglas Murray, Principal