|
10/4/2017 The @chs_dmurray Week in Reflection: 9/6Goal Setting and Outcomes We talk about setting goals all of the time in our classes, team activities, and athletic/extra-curricular settings. Goal setting is fundamental to any type of achievement. As one of our core values, achievement can take on a light of academics or personal goal setting. Likewise, we tell our students that If they want to live a life of purpose, setting goals will increase their odds of reaching a desired outcome. The process of setting goals helps bring clarity to the things that are truly important to anyone setting goals. Without a clear vision of what our students want to achieve in their life, they will be left wandering aimlessly through life without a compass that moves them to the right direction. When students set clearly defined goals and create a plan to achieve them, they will begin to live their life by design, not default. They will feel motivated and empowered. Your son(s) and daughter(s) self-confidence will grow and they will begin to feel like they are in control of their life. Take this quarter as an example. It is important to reflect, and self evaluate at many points along the journey. It is important to evaluate these questions: 1. Did I set any goals? 2. Am I on track for my goals or do I need to change direction? 3. Have I taken to the time to celebrate achievements along the way? 4. Are my goals specific? 5. Did I write my goals down? These are just a few questions to analyze along the way towards setting goals. Goals are just words without having a plan, and without writing them down. Often times, students can become quite distracted on their path by how they choose their response to the events that unfold to them. Their choices to their responses vary for a number of events that they face. Let me provide a few examples for you: Parents, Schoolwork, Friends, Social Media. Parents: Well, since the majority of my audience are parents, I would like to let you know that I understand the selective listening process that generally leads to all of us losing hair, turning gray, and taking medicine. Children hear noise. They are developmental mammals that have a prefrontal cortex that is still growing...that is, of course, until we rip off the earbuds--take the phone (which steals from the prefrontal cortex) and clearly articulate into the ear canal what we want these young mammals to know. Honestly, not all of our children are that selective to hearing...although we blame the genes of the spouse. But, our kids are filled with noise....so much noise and information that there can be, at times, information overload. It is so important for all of us to realize that in order to change the culture; we need to change our response. Parenting is key. It is OK to take the phone. It is OK to ground. It is OK to set boundaries. It is OK to turn off devices. It is OK to parent and say NO. This is not novel, it is just important to be reminded that we are in this together. Just like there are books to help you with what to do when you are expecting...there are countless grandparents, parents, and inspirational people that helped us through the ages of 14-18. Schoolwork: Students, the key to your success is time management. The majority, yes the majority of all of you have a study hall---some more---to get your daily work started and even completed. Use your time wisely. Write things down. Prioritize your work and set timelines for yourself. Topper Time provides for you the opportunities to maximize on your learning. Some of you are in some well needed enrichment, and many of you are in a specific Topper Time. Flex your pass to get help. I will continue to collaborate and work with all departments to assess the purpose of any given assessment--especially for homework. If you feel overwhelmed in your classes, see your teachers. They truly care for your well being. They want you to be successful...but remember, you are in high school. You have to take responsibility for what you know and do not know. Your teacher wants you to take initiative in your learning. Will they check on you? Absolutely...they will help you through each finish line. Be conscientious of your role as a young learner. In a world that is so stuck on grades...I care more about your learning. I care more about you mastering the content then the end mark. If you learn, then you will succeed and receive the mark that you earn. Friends: We spend so much time focusing on our values--be sure to value yourself. You matter. I take the time each week to write to you for a purpose. Please Listen. Your actions offline, and online matter. Your integrity matters. How you act on Saturday night...should emulate how you act on Tuesday morning...but, does it? What you say in text messages and social media is how you should speak on the daily...but...does it? Our values do not end on Friday at 2:31pm. Values are measured by the sum of your actions. There is no specific situation that I am writing about....so conspiracies can end. Often times, I have conversations with young leaders about what they are saying online that I know is not how they act offline. Or, there is the typical parent teacher conference that a teacher shares how a son or daughter is "such a joy in class" and the parent says..."you should see them at home... " Students, at Chardon, we act differently, expect honesty, and model values. Every person has a story. Respect that. Just like your story is respected. Social Media: What was meant for goodness can become the enemy of clear communication. How would you like my Week in Reflection to read: LOL ICYMI TGIF #RallyTogether #ThisIsUS <3 #ROTFL Not only would I lose my mind translating--parent's would give me #WTH and students would unfollow me. Students, it is OK to unplug. It is healthy. You will not lose your vision. Play outside, walk, read, or even better --open your mouth and communicate. You will be just as relevant tomorrow. In the words of Kendrick Lamar, Be humble. --end of preaching Welcome to Chardon! The Actively Caring Leadership class decided that they needed to give the 66 "new to the district" high school students a grand welcome. The guests of honor were invited to join the Actively Caring Leadership students for games, ice breakers and lunch. By reaching out to these new Chardon High School students these leader servants felt they could help smooth the transition into our community. Developing relationships with caring and compassionate leaders help build our community by emphasizing our core values! Thank you, Mr. Mizen and our amazing students for welcoming our new Hilltoppers! You Rock! NHS ServiceOn Sunday, October 1st, members of the Chardon High School Chapter of National Honor Society helped members of the greater Chardon community prepare for the winter ahead. The students were appreciative of the opportunity to give back to the community (and of the cookies and treats provided by the grateful community members)! What is Issue 26? Q1. What is Issue 26? A1. Issue 26 is a 3.9 mill operating levy to fund day-to-day operating expenses for the school district. The revenue from Issue 26 will not be used for school construction. Q2. Why is an operating levy necessary at this time? A2. The primary reason the district to seek an additional operating levy is budget reductions in our state funding over the last two biennial budgets. Every two years, the legislature adopts a budget to fund all departments funded at a state level. In general, while the legislature points to increasing funding for PK-12 Education across Ohio, districts like Chardon have seen significant reductions in their funding from the State. The legislature classifies our district as a “wealthy” district with more ability to support education at the local level.
A3. In a recent survey conducted by the school district:
Freshman MentoringOur Freshman are truly amazing. Check out one of the icebreaker activities that our seniors organized during a Friday session! Ring Orders Josten's will be at the high school on Tuesday, October 10 to take ring orders during lunch periods. Ring packets were handed out to Sophomores this week in English class. Extra packets are available in student services. Yearbook: Senior Pictures SUBMISSION DEADLINE for senior pictures are Thursday, JANUARY 11, 2018Requirements for your senior picture:
Note: Digital submissions are much preferred and strongly recommended in order to preserve quality of the photos. Illness at school If the situation arises in which a student needs to use their cell phone for any reason, they may do so with administrative permission and supervision. If a student feels ill at school, they must follow procedures and go to the nurse. Students cannot have parents call them out of school for personal illness without seeing the nurse. Preventative Actions to Keep You SafeRecently, we have been seeing an increase in students and staff members impacted with the common cold and flu-like symptoms. Our staff has taken great precautions with sanitizing areas of the building, but the greatest defense against fighting germs is taking precaution. Tuesday, the stomach bug hit me hard...something that I wish on no one. To combat against the changing weather, please read the three-step approach for fighting the flu. VOTE VOTE VOTE Nominating the Best: The Chardon CraziesCleveland.com is sponsoring a spirit contest. Last week, I shared the following note with the committee selecting the most spirited school. I want to nominate Chardon High School's premier student section in Northeast Ohio, The @chardoncrazies has the most spirited high school student section around. Chardon is known for its loving community, top notched educators, excellent academic outcomes, and inclusive student section. We are known for our simplicity, innovation, core values, and outreach in servant leadership. At Chardon, we have faced adversity. We have defined our outcomes and will continue to refine our values to continue our mission as emulating what complete education is meant to serve. The students entrust our educators as an extension of their families. In doing so, our educators empower our students to live their lives with a purpose. In Chardon, we understand the beauty of humility and outreach. Our cheerleaders spend countless hours creating an arena of school spirit that has redesigned an older structure into a culture of pure imagination. The main floor is covered with a scaled football field. Signs hang from all over the building encouraging all of our athletes. The pride of the red and black, #TopperUP, and our culture reminds the students of who we are...for WE ARE CHARDON. We are a little bit country and a whole lot of soul. We understand the values instilled by our families, community, and treasured tradition. What has transpired over the past several decades is the one and only premier student section that all conferences look to: The Chardon Crazies. Oh, and we are Crazie...Crazy for our school. We believe that Topper Dogs are what energizes the spirit at 7:00 AM on game days. We are the school that has the drumline pounding through the halls on Fridays. We are known for dressing alike...often times to raise awareness for diseases, school outreach, patriotism, and school pride. We are known for wrapping our arms with other student sections, surrounding our team and band during the alma mater, raising the roof in the gym know as "the barn"...and our focus on unity. We are the Chardon Crazies. We are flattered and humbled that other schools want to be like us. Come and see us and at a game near you. WE WERE NOMINATED! NOW WE HAVE TO VOTE Good afternoon, Congratulations! You are in the running for our Best School Spirit contest. Voting is now under way for the first round. The top 9 schools will then move on. Polls are open until Oct. 12 at 7 a.m. You are invited to vote once per hour in each poll. http://www.cleveland.com/best/2017/10/vote_in_three_regional_best_sc.html Spread the word to your students, parents, alumni and friends. Good luck! Weekend Highlights #RallyTogether with family and friends!
Douglas Murray Principal Comments are closed.
|