The @chs_dmurray Week in Reflection: 9/22

Fall: Obladi, Oblada...

The Beatles classic song, Obladi-Oblada...is quite catchy and either loved or hated by those who listen. Some say it  has meaning, while others struggle to find it...yet for all, life goes on. Today, we enter the season of Autumn---yet, the season feels more like the heart of summer. Just as the meteorological season has quite a story...so do we.

Life is full of opportunities.  These moments come and go and do we even seize the moments? Does life go on? Autumn is an opportunity to pause and reflect on all of our blessings that surround us. It an opportunity to give thanks, and it an opportunity to prepare for the "Long and Winding Road."

How has the first month been for you? Are you still on track for your goals? Have you built the capacity for success? Questions like this are meant to make you pause. Whether you are a parent, student, or teacher reading this---you might have to reflect on your purpose and your place in the story. 

In school, we have bells to create start and end times--but the fluidity of life constantly flows for parents, teachers, and students.  I have lived inside of bells my whole life- but, what matters most to my story is how I spend my time between the bells; more importantly, how I spend my time with the priorities that I have established.

Students, many of you are on point. You have adapted and created new habits along the way. Take this Autumn to refine, re-fuel and re-set timelines and priorities toward those areas in your life that are not only strengths but also your weaknesses. Make the time to refine one area of your life that you want to be more successful in...the quarter ends in one month. Look in the mirror and see your beauty and share your gifts in and out of the classroom. Live your Purpose!

Parents, you sacrifice so much for your children. As they grow older, many of them develop both a natural and unnatural independence. Take this Autumn to remind your children of their self worth, and your unconditional love for them. They need you more than ever in this everchanging world.

Teachers, you are the extensions of the family. You spend so much time with  students helping them along their journey. Take this Autumn to build your self efficacy. Many times more than not, your are the catalyst that can change a child's world. Keep up your great work and take time for yourself! WE APPRECIATE YOU!

...more importantly, this year is an opportunity to have fun---so,  if you want some fun --sing ob la di bla da

Homecoming

For eighteen years, I have attended high school dances as a teacher or administrator...this year's Homecoming was one of the most classiest dance that I have ever chaperoned.  I am so grateful to the nearly 800 students that attended.  I am so proud of the work and efforts of Mrs. Korenke and Mrs. Dalton along with our student leaders. Their vision, creativity, and focus created an arena of energy! CHS Hallway was transformed into an enchanted forest. Special thanks to the teachers, and staff that welcomed the students and guests as they walked the enchanted bridge to the dance floor.

Five years ago, our students and staff came together to create norms for high school dances. The students wanted to change the culture of how students should conduct themselves at dances. Every dance (since the inception of the dance contract) created the opportunity for cultural change for dance norms. Students could be seen line dancing and jumping around to their favorite "songs". Nothing is better than watching our students sing and dance to Mambo #5, and Cotton Eyed Joe.

Periscope TV: Homecoming Court
Periscope TV: Line Dancing

WRC Challenge

Chardon High School T-Shirt Sales--$4,000+
WRC T-Shirt Sponsorship= $8,500 (Thank YOU!)
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As I have shared before, numerous communications have been sent about our purpose in coming together as a league to provide support to all of the athletic programs in the Houston Independent School District. Now, we are moving into phase two of our action plan. Continuing into this weekend, all patrons may help raise funds for our WRC Challenge by purchasing a "Faith+Hope+Love" shirt at any league game. All proceeds will go directly into our WRC Challenge account. Over the next several weeks, we will sell these shirts at all WRC games, schools, and lunch periods until they are sold out. Special thanks goes out to our sponsors, WRC leadership, along with Jennifer Bender and Kate Zmarzly for their efforts in challenging all of us. Please consider supporting us, or providing a goodwill donation at the game, or any Huntington Bank using the account: WRC Challenge.

Thank you to Mark Podolski and Nate Barnes who covered our outreach programs. Click on their names to read the articles and watch the short video from Nate Barnes.

A Message from Dr. Hanlon: Report Card and School Profile

The Chardon Local School District is focused on our mission of high achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work.  This past week, two reports regarding different aspects of the Chardon Local Schools have been released for review.  Overall, District performance has improved, with a Performance Index Score for 2016-2017 of 100.947, an increase from last year, and a result that ranks within the top 10 percent of districts in the Sate of Ohio at 59 out of 609 school districts and 19th in the Northeastern Ohio region.  This is a testament to the dedication and efforts of our staff and administration, working in partnership with our parents and community.

The first report, our Quality Profile, examines elements of a high quality public education not easily reflected in the Ohio School Report Card: academics, arts, student leadership and activities, fiscal stewardship, parent and community involvement, and student services.  The Quality Profile, prepared by school districts that are members of the Alliance for High Quality Education, affords a qualitative overview of the programming and activities of the Chardon Local Schools.  

The second report released this week is the Ohio School Report Card, a quantitative companion to our Quality Profile.  Ohio School Report Cards provide a picture of the progress of the district and schools in raising achievement and preparing students for the future. Ohio School Report Card data shows educators, school administrators and families where their schools are succeeding as well as areas where they need to improve.

Both the Quality Profile and the Ohio School Report Card include valuable information with which to assess and improve our efforts to achieve our mission, and are available for review from the landing page of our district web site.  Taken together, they present a comprehensive picture of educational programs offered in the Chardon Local Schools.  I encourage you to review both of these reports, and consider how the community can continue to support and enhance the Chardon Local Schools.

LED Lighting upgrades began at the end of last week at Hambden ES.  All classrooms, and other building spaces, throughout the district will see a complete retrofit with a transition to the more energy efficient lighting.  Our projected payback on the investment to upgrade our LED lighting is estimated at approximately 2.5 years after which time we will continue see a significant reduction our energy costs due to the increased efficiency of the LED technology.  In addition, students and staff will benefit from the improved lighting in instructional spaces.

Over the last few weeks, I have been presenting important information concerning Issue 26 - Chardon's 3.9 mill operating levy at various PTO and other school organization meetings.  Community members are encouraged to watch for a copy of the presentation to be posted on the district's web site soon.

Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D.

Innerview: Ambassador Award

100 Hours of Service! At the end of last year, Brianna received a service award from a group called InnerView for her extraordinary efforts in servant leadership. Brianna (12), embodies our core values by purposefully spending her time meaningfully as a servant leader. Chardon High School is SO proud of her focus on the service of others, and her commitment to our mission at Chardon. When you see her around, thank her for all that she continues to do in and out of our community. 

Family and Consumer Science

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department (FCS) is off to a good start this year with active classes and positive student interaction. In our “Living on Your Own” class, students Lilly Cukelj and Jack Terranova prepared and presented an excellent lesson about basic car care.

Using a PowerPoint they had created, Jack and Lilly introduced their classmates to various car care maintenance procedures.  The frequency and cost of various procedures were discussed, and the reasons this maintenance is necessary were given. Procedures such as changing the oil, changing the air filter and inspecting belts for wear were among those covered.  After the PowerPoint part of the lesson, students moved outdoors where they took part in a hands-on demonstration.  Jack and Lilly led the students through several procedures, including how to jump a battery, how to check tire pressure, and how to change a tire.
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All FCS classes at Chardon High School continue to actively involve students in real-life lessons that are useful and necessary in everyday life.  Thank you, Jack and Lilly, for your skillful, interesting presentation.​ 

​Emergency Medical Authorization Forms

Chardon Schools uses an Online Forms platform that allows you to verify the directory information we have on file for your child(ren), make changes if necessary, and submit beginning of the year forms electronically (Emergency Medical Authorization (EMA) Internet usage, photo permission, athletics, etc…). This electronic submission takes the place of the paper forms.

Your child’s directory information, along with the district and athletic forms are ready for your review.

For families who already have an Online Forms:

• The link can be found here.
• If you have forgotten your username or password please call your child's building secretary.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Save the Date: Wednesday, October 4 (4:30-8:30pm)

As you prepare your schedule, please click on the link below to sign up a timeslot for parent teacher conferences for Session 1.
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 https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Chardon_High_School

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PSAT

Parents/Guardians of Sophomores and Juniors:
   
Chardon High School will be offering the PSAT/NMSQT on Saturday, October 14th. The test will take place at the high school (students will check-in in the lobby and will be directed to an assigned classroom to test) at 8:00 AM, with registration beginning at 7:30AM. This test is a great opportunity to practice and gain experience for a college admissions test (i.e. ACT, SAT, etc.) that incorporates a scholarship component through the National Merit Scholarship Program. By taking the test as a Junior, students are eligible to be entered into various scholarship programs, as well as being recognized at higher education institutions based on their performance (for a full list of scholarship programs and the benefits of the National Merit Scholarship Program, please visit www.nationalmerit.org). 
 
To register, you may pick up a copy of the registration form beginning Monday, September 18th, in the guidance office, from Mrs. McBride (the lady in the window), or you can use the copy attached to this letter. Simply fill out the form and return it, along with your payment to the Building Clerk, Mrs. McBride by Friday, September 22nd. The cost this year is $20.00. The “Student Guide to Taking the PSAT” will be handed out once the registration form and payment is turned in (please be sure to read this over, as it has information on what you can and cannot bring to the test). If your student is considering or planning to go to college, we strongly recommend they plan to take the PSAT. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact lacey.jacobs@chardonschools.org, PSAT coordinator.

Financial Aid

Senior Parents:
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This is an exciting year for you and your son/daughter but along with that comes many questions and decisions.  We are here to help guide you through this process.  The guidance office is hosting two upcoming events to assist with this process and answer questions about the process.  

• Financial Aid Night will be held September 25th at 6:30 pm in the presentation area of the media center.  Stephanie Kubec will be explaining the FAFSA process and will breakdown the various types of financial aid available
• The school counselors will be offering a college presentation on October 4th at 6:30 pm(this is a parent/teacher conference night) also in the presentation area of the media center.  We will explain the process for requesting transcripts and review the timeline of activities for senior year.  We will also demonstrate Naviance and the transcript release process.  We will also review resources available to aid in the search process especially if your son/daughter is undecided.  

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We have been into all senior English classes to review procedures for seniors and provided them with guidance as well.  If your son/daughter does not have English at the high school he/she will need to attend a make-up session.  These are available 9/6 at 8:15 am and 9/6 at 1:00 pm or by contacting the guidance office. 
 
LEAF will be starting Thursday 9/7 and will be here every Thursday.  Stephanie Kubec is our representative this year and she will meet with every senior.  She is also available to meet with parents as well.  You can schedule a meeting with Stephanie by calling the guidance office at 440-285-4060.  
 

Important reminders from guidance: 

1.  Any seniors who have not attended a meeting about Naviance need to contact their guidance counselor immediately. 

2.  Parents please remind seniors to log in to their senior classroom often as announcements are posted on a regular basis.  

3.  The schedule of college reps visiting here is also in Naviance when students log in.  

4.  Upcoming college fairs: Lakeland - October 1st from 12:00-3:30pm  and John Carroll University is hosting one on October 12th from 6:30-8:00pm  
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Thank you, 
 
CHS School Counselors

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Weekly Highlights

Player of the Week

Nate Kawalec: Cross country Senior

On the course: Won the boys race at Boardman, the largest invitational at Northeast Ohio. Has won all three of his races this season.

Off the course: Plans to run in college. Enjoys watching the Indians, Cavaliers and Browns. Likes to have fun and hang out with friends. Favorite food is tacos. Favorite subject is math.

Want more sports?

Follow @Toppernation on Twitter

Have a great weekend with your family and friends!

​Douglas Murray, Principal