The @chs_dmurray: Week in Reflection

Happy New Year!

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 take 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. For example, last year, I learned that I had an underactive thyroid. For the past year, I have monitored my health, worked out regularly, and made life choices to better my wellness. In doing so, I feel better and can fit back into my suits :)

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!

Bell Schedule Update

​Over the last semester we have had much to be grateful for at Chardon High School.  As we transition into a new year, I wanted to give you an update regarding our new bell schedule for the 2017-2018 school year.  We are very excited for the enhanced opportunities for student achievement.
The CHS administrators, teachers, and counselors collaborated this past semester researching a new bell schedule:

• We surveyed our staff, students, and parents regarding our current bell schedule
• We visited area high schools to observe and discuss the pros and cons of other schedules
• We incorporated our findings into a proposed schedule that meets the needs of Chardon students

At the December 19th school board meeting, Assistant Principal Ryan Bandiera and I presented the proposed schedule to the Board and community. We also would like to share our presentation with parents. Enclosed, please find the proposed bell schedule along with a list of frequently asked questions.
We will be working on the details of the new schedule, and will present the finished schedule at a Parent Forum to be held in early 2017.

Public education has changed significantly since you and I have been in school. No longer does the "one size fits all" mentality work in our ever-changing times.  The new graduation requirements, end of year exams, College Credit Plus, and alternate schools create opportunities for public schools to refine not only their use of time, but innovative ways to reach the learning needs of all students.  
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Anyone can draw up a bell schedule, but seeing it in action is essential to understanding how schools implement their mission.  Our proposed bell schedule has been purposefully designed to maximize opportunities for student achievement at Chardon High School.

​For further information, and to watch the screencast of the presentation--click here.

The Learning Center

Enclosed in this publication are the Lav Report and Learning Center Newsletter for January. In the Lav Report students can learn how to avoid copyright infringement. Information on copyright, fair use, public domain and creative commons is included in this month's issue.

The LC Newsletter contains information on Genius Hour and how this concept, used in Google and other corporations, can be used effectively in the classroom to increase student interest and creativity. Additionally, there is information on Random Acts of Kindness week, which takes place in February. Links are provided to websites that offer teachers information on both Genius Hour and Random Acts of Kindness week.

Family and Consumer Science

The Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching Assistants (TA’s) were busy before winter break with our annual Giving Tree project.  The TA’s spread enthusiasm for the project through colorful displays and morning announcements, and they worked diligently organizing and coordinating the school-wide effort. The TA’s worked with Geauga County Job and Family Services to ensure all gifts were delivered successfully.

This year, our school provided gifts, food and household items for six local families in need. Thank you to our students and staff for their incredibly generous donations. 

Complete and Total Play: January 6

This morning, the ASAP group, in alignment with their mission, brought the original play- Complete and Total to CHS during a morning assembly. Complete and Total is an original play by local playwriting Greg Vovos about the dangers of heroin and drug addiction. It follows the story of a high school student with a bright future ahead of him, but heroin and addiction quickly become his top priority. The Mind, the only sober part left of his brain, believes in his ability to become clean, but it’s not that simple.

This was such a powerful play that we ask you to talk to children about the message. Our students were very respectful, and grateful for the actors presenting this powerful story with Chardon.

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

During the return the school I was attacked by the FLU...and did it hit me. I haven't taken a sick day in over a decade so I knew that this was big. I wanted to include some proactive measures to help your family with this seasonal bug.

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 door knob, 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 sport 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 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.

Stay Warm, and have a great weekend!

​Douglas Murray, Principal