The final regular edition of the @chs_dmurray week in reflection for this school year.

​Class of 2019: Parting Wisdom From Your Principal

During the last year or so, after your parents first realized that the rest of your life had inexplicably sped past, they tried not to be obvious. But maybe you noticed. In spite of all that you were going through in school, sports, and even at work, your family tried to slow the calendar, stop the clock. They were trying, of course, to hang on to you.
 
The very thing that they committed to year’s ago- rearing, raising, training you for independence- your parents now began to fear. I’m sure some may have been emotional; they may have been firm, or even built walls between you. Every sign that indicated you had learned and matured and were ready to face the world only reminded them how young you seemed.
 
But your parents couldn’t run from the truth. You were leaving and the day was coming soon. Some of your parents may have been so desperate to hang on that they couldn’t even exult in your growth and progress. Why, you ask, a lot of it was due to your maddening independence, that I-can-do-it-myself attitude that reminded both of them so much of their own adolescence, or even that look that asked, “Why do you have to know everything?” or “What does it matter to you?” may have cemented in their aching heart the truth: You had become your own person.
 
It’s what they had wanted. But, your time together this year went by too quickly. There may have been days when they didn’t want it at all. Yet, throughout all the fights over applications, and deadlines, your parents knew that this was for the best. It’s time. And maybe from their perspective, there will never be a good time. Your parents have realized that the longer they hang on to you, the more they protect you from the real world. If you don’t jump in, you’ll never find yourself. And so they must nudge you from the nest.
 
Seeing you leave for college or your career may remind them of the first time they let you go in the water. Only this time they are not going to be at arm’s length, ready to grab as you panic. They will not stand by with reassuring words that say, “I’m just seeing if you can float alone.” For this is the real thing. Your parents will let you go; you will be on your own, and they will back away.
 
The other metaphor that may come to mind is your first time on two wheels. Mom or dad ran along beside, reaching, adjusting, holding the seat, helping you gain momentum and speed. Soon you were on your wobbly way, unable to turn, riding through puddles, over curbs, slowing to painful, tumbling stops before leaping up to try again.
 
Now they will give your two-wheeler one last shove and watch. No more running alongside. You had enough of that. You won’t admit it, but there will be times when you whirl around expecting your parents to be there. They won't be, and you will think twice about calling, about asking to be bailed out of a jam.
 
There will be bumps and bruises and as much as they would like to protect you from them, your parents will walk away to see you grow. You may be swindled, maybe even endangered because of your own innocence. Your parents could intervene, could warn you, or could slow you on a headlong path to believing someone because “he seemed like a great guy, or she seemed like a great girl.” They could urge you to let time be the test of relationships, to think twice, even three times, before investing in anything. But you must learn from your own mistakes.
 
Your parents and teachers know because they have been there. We all have gone against our own better judgment, so why shouldn’t you? Even I knew better, or should have. I have been told enough times by my own parents. But some things you must learn on your own. You may fail, and you will kick yourself and wonder why you forged ahead. There will come a time that you will know that your life was shaped by the lessons you could learn only from your own mistakes.
 
Graduates of 2019, I am at an age, where I finally can realize the wisdom, encouragement, and love that a parent gives to a child. As a parent of two beautiful daughters--the love shared between parents to their children is never a superficial root that may drive you away from their love, but a permanent foundation that grants you the opportunity to blossom into an adult. You must realize that as you transition into a new chapter of your life, your parents, brothers, sisters, and even your friends are going through the same transition.  I know that your parents are so proud of you. Even through the good and bad times of this year, you have grown in such a way that radiates the beauty of every one of you. 

Graduates, look around. You are so gifted and talented. Your class emulates success. Academically, athletically, socially, and within the community, Your parents, and teachers have watched you grow daily and we are so proud to honor you today in your accomplishments. Many people state that you are the future. You are more than that. You Are The Strength Of Today.

Forever in my heart, 
Mr. Murray

​Senior Events 

Senior Guidelines

Because we expect proper behavior from our students at all times, seniors should remember that they are subject to the same rules and regulations as any other students while they are present on school property or participating in any school sponsored activity.  It is important for seniors to understand that in order to discourage practical jokes of any kind; typical senior pranks will result in disciplinary intervention from the administration. Should this occur it would mean that the individual(s) involved may not be eligible to participate in graduation exercises.  After 13 years of hard work (K-12), this would be a very grave consequence for the student, the parents and the school. Our goal and objective is to see each senior walk across our stage at commencement and receive his/her high school diploma with dignity and pride.

Graduation Rehearsal

Because commencement exercises are conducted in a formal, ceremonial fashion, it is mandatory that all seniors be in attendance for rehearsal.  *Seniors who do not attend rehearsal will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Rehearsal is scheduled on Friday, May 24, 2019, at CHS beginning promptly at 7:30 a.m. in the gym. After practicing in the gym, the seniors will board buses to Mentor Fine Arts Auditorium.

Transportation to practice is by school bus only.  NO student will be permitted to drive to Mentor.

Because there is so much organizing to be done to make the ceremony a positive experience, we need to have the cooperation of all students involved.

All seniors will be transported by school bus.

Any recognized class activity will be planned, supervised and chaperoned by school staff.  If questions arise regarding any activity, please do not hesitate to call Chardon High School.

Class Picnic

A senior class picnic will be held.  (students must find their own transportation to and from the picnic.)  More information on the back page.

NOTE:

Seniors are reminded that it is necessary to pass the last nine weeks and/or the final exam plus have a passing average in a course to receive credit.  Failure to meet these requirements in courses required for graduation will result in being ineligible for a diploma in May. Students will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Further clarification is found on page 110 of the Student Handbook.

Baccalaureate 
Baccalaureate services are by definition religious in nature.  Designed by graduates, this ceremony is a non-denominational religious service at a local Chardon church.  This voluntary activity will be held Friday, May 24, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chardon United Methodist Church, 515 North Street, Chardon, Ohio
Graduation Exercises - NEW INFORMATION

Graduation exercises will be held at Mentor Fine Arts on Route 615 in Mentor on Saturday, May 25, at 2:00 p.m. This should eliminate weather concerns while providing an atmosphere conducive to the dignity Commencement should have.  Each senior will receive six tickets to be issued at commencement practice on Friday, May 24, 2019.  It will be up to you or your senior to reach out to other students/parents if you are in need of extra tickets beyond the original six tickets.  

Transcripts/Scholarships
All seniors will fill out a Final Transcript Request form via Naviance.

The Audience

In order for any graduation program to be completely successful, the audience too must play a particular role in the proceedings

Dignity and decorum are the order of the day.

Disruptive or any other such loud behavior is considered inappropriate at a commencement ceremony.

No clapping, whistling, shouting, or noise, etc.(at inappropriate times)

Please do your part to set a good example for our children.

As a courtesy to our graduates, parents, and guests, we ask parents of young children to make some arrangements for leaving these little ones at home.

Guidelines for Proper Attire

- take pride in your appearance -

Because, in a formal ceremony, all participants are dressed in some type of specific regalia or uniform, proper attire is to be worn by all potential graduates during any of the graduation exercises.  To be dressed properly, please note the following:

·         Caps are always worn flat on top of the head, with the point of the cap centered in the middle of the  forehead. Caps are never worn at the back of the head.

·        Tassels are worn on the right side of the cap until such time as commencement honors are bestowed upon the graduates.

·         Gowns should be approximately 10” from the floor (please hem if necessary).

·         Gowns should be pressed before being worn to any of the graduation exercises.

·     NHS Members who end the school year in good standing may wear Honor Cords displayed appropriately over their gowns.

After graduation ceremonies, caps and gowns are yours to keep as a memento of the occasion.  Any student not participating in graduation ceremonies will receive a refund of cap and gown payment.

That attire shall be as follows:

·         Girls:   Red cap and gown with one tassel.
Appropriate dress, suit, or skirt and blouse underneath.
                 Appropriate dress shoes.  (No tennis shoes or flip flops)

·         Boys:   Black cap and gown with one tassel.
                 Appropriate dress shirt with tie.
                 Appropriate dress slacks (No jeans of any type).
                 Appropriate dress shoes.  (No tennis shoes or flip flops).

Students not dressed in proper attire will not be permitted to participate in the formal graduation ceremony on commencement day.

NOTE:  Students will be permitted to wear only one tassel with their cap and gown during the formal ceremony.  No flowers, signs, jewelry or other additions are permitted on cap and gown.

Prom

Prom is May 18,  6-11 PM, at the Croatian Hall in Eastlake. The theme is the Empire State of Mind and the junior class prom committee has been working hard the past five months planning every intricate detail! 

In order to promote a healthy, safe, enjoyable evening for all students, the following procedures will be in place for the school dance.   We encourage families to discuss these rules together.

EXPECTED STUDENT BEHAVIOR

• Students will follow all applicable school rules as outlined in the CHS Student Handbook.
• Students will show respect and be courteous towards all students, faculty, and chaperones.
• The manner of dancing will be appropriate for a school function, and monitored strictly.
• Any student or guest suspected of being under the influence of any controlled substance, or in possession of tobacco or any controlled substance, is subject to removal from the dance, emergency removal, and criminal prosecution.                                                        

CONSEQUENCES

• Students violating the CHS Dance Code of Conduct will be given one verbal warning and their wristband will be removed by a faculty member.  With their second warning, they will be asked to leave the dance.  There will be no refunds given for students asked to leave before the end of the dance.
• Removal from the dance may affect future school disciplinary action, and/or school dance privileges.

In my six years with these procedures in place--we have not had a single problem with students understand our expectations.

​Prom Court Videos

Brian Gigliotti and Toni Strazinsky

Autumn Betarie and Andrew McNaughton

Jon McKnight and Jessica Doyle

Ben Sulka and Anna Pastor

Jenna Mysyk and Dante Perrico

Underclass Schedule

During the last week of school, students will follow their schedule for the assigned class periods each day. Students in grades 8-11 need to report to all classes except for study hall. This schedule parallels what we did during midterms. Make-up exams are between 12:00-2:00 PM for exams that students missed on the assigned day. Dismissal is at 11:30 AM each day. School Transportation will run at the regularly scheduled times.

Topper Bistro during Finals
Monday, May 20th - hot breakfast
Tuesday, May 21st - hot breakfast
Wednesday, May 22nd - cold breakfast 
Thursday, May 23rd - no breakfast  ​

Final Exam Schedule

​Chromebook Collection 2019

Fees: Misc, School, Lunch, Library

School fees are due to Chardon Local Schools.  Payable at your student's individual school.
​
Please look at your student's Infinite Campus account under “Fees” to see what is owed for each child. 
 
When you are looking at the fees, if something does not look right or your student has dropped a class and it is still showing, please call so that it can be corrected.

Important Reminder: ALL SENIOR FEES ARE DUE IN FULL PRIOR TO GRADUATION. 
Students will not be able to walk at graduation without all school fees: school, lunch, library paid in full.
 
Direct all of your calls to Mrs. McBride.
​440-285-4057 x. 1441

Student Council 2019-2020

Congratulations to the following students that will serve as freshman representatives for student council for the 2019-20 school year:

Alexis Jahnke
Maysen Jahnke
Faith Kilfoyle
Sydney Murray
Harsh Patel
Sarah Sutton
Julianne Sweet

The following students will serve as sophomore representatives:
Josephine Aitken
Samantha Brown
Maggie Clark
Olivia Coble
Bryanna Evan
Caroline Gaertner
Grace Gaertner
Izzy Glauser
Madison Henson
Alexis Jackson
Sebastian Marker
Paige Patrick
Ryleigh Robinson
Georgia Riendeau
Emma Silk
Claire Suszynski
Paige Yamamoto
Jessica Zalar
Sierra Zarcone

The junior representatives are:
Catherine Condon
Karen Landies
Paige Lucic
Kenzie Morris
Lou Piotrkowski
Emily Sivula
Annie Sweet
Campbell Tierney

The senior representatives are:
Nick Becker
Emma Davis
Alyssa Fisher
Natalie Fullerman
Flora Frieden
Jake Hamulak
Marissa Organiscak
Karlie Pirnat
Grace Powell
Cassidy Robinson
Katarina Schultz
Katie Suszynski

Our first meeting will this Monday 5/20 after exam period 5 at 11:35 in room 209.  This meeting is mandatory as we have many items on the agenda!! See you there!!

8th Grade Trip

We are forever grateful to the students and chaperones who created lasting memories and relationships while experiencing our treasured history in Gettysburg and Washington, DC! Check out all of the tweets from Mr. Bandiera.

Auburn Career Center Update

Gridiron Outing

Link to file

Images of the Week

Final Reflection

This is the last regular edition of the Week in Reflection.  After an 18 hour day, I need to close this reflection with my heartfelt gratitude for your support this year. This job has no set hours. I am grateful for those that read the week from my perspective and I will continue to find ways to communicate all of the great things that we accomplish each day at CHS.

​If you choose to print the entire year, you will notice over 450 pages of my passion, love, and commitment to the students and staff at Chardon High School.
​
Enjoy the summer. Enjoy the simple things in life. Laugh a little, Live in the moment, and Be YOU. 

Stay tuned for details coming from my office this Summer. Leadership doesn't take a day off. Blessings to you and yours.

Douglas Murray, Principal