The Week in Reflection: 10/9

This week was another opportunity to grow at Chardon High School. It is hard to believe that we are rounding third and heading home at the end of a quarter. As Principal, one of the most essential responsibilities is to be an instructional leader. Managing my time is essential. Every day, I have a list of mission-driven tasks and goals to accomplish. There is always the plan, and then there is the reality of the undocumented needs that arrive in my office any given day. We all know that this is all apart of the master plan of leadership. Finding the time to multi/multi-task becomes an essential task in the life of a building administrator. Less than a decade ago, I was teaching and trying to make a difference in the lives of students through learning, service, and athletics. Today, I am blessed to serve 1188 students, and 103 adults in living our mission.  I have always been a progressive thinker in education. I am a reflective learner that strives to refine my practice all the time.  Everything I do surrounds my personal mission statement, and individual purpose which connects to the vision of Chardon Local Schools.
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Our choices are one thing that we can control. Our actions emulate our choices, and our character defines our lives. This mantra helps define our purpose. I am a big advocate of empowering students, and adults all of the time.  

One of the biggest questions that our children asked at an early age was "why!?" Why does this happen, Why does this do that, or Why are we going here...to a simple-- why does why, why!

Asking probing questions enhances our curiosity throughout life. Many years ago, you chose Chardon as a place to live. You valued the beauty, community, safety, opportunity, and education. There are many other factors that played a role in your decision to choose Chardon Schools, and you entrust us in preparing your children for college, career, and life readiness. 

We are at the dawn of the first finish line. The end of the first quarter is upon in less than two weeks. Take the time to discuss where your son(s)/daughter(s) are during the first quarter, and ways that we can continue to support their learning. Our teachers are committed to serve, assist, and guide your children in any way possible. Make sure to reach out to them if you ever need anything. The more they know--the better that they can respond. 

This was another extraordinary week at CHS. Take the time to check out all of the latest things happening in this week's edition of the Week in Reflection.

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CHS Principal's Podcast: Special Guests: Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year-
Jeff Legan (Mayfield HS), and Ryan Bandiera (CHS)...this is Big Time!

This is big time! Two of my closest buds are the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year in Ohio! I have known Jeff Legan for nearly eight years. Jeff and I became friends through our daughters (who we coached) on a Pixie Softball Team in Chardon....in which we won the Pixie Championship. From that season, Jeff and I were close. He was always one of my biggest mentors when I was becoming a principal. Jeff is a close friend of Chardon High School. His daughter is in our building, and we are great allies in the Western Reserve Conference. What a great honor for a great man! We are proud of all of his accomplishments and his support for students, and staff. Jeff can be seen wearing Christmas Red and Mayfield Green at many events in our neck of the woods. Congratulations!

Like I said before, we are also blessed to recognize and give thanks for all of the amazing ideas, support, and kindness that our own Ryan Bandiera provides each day at Chardon. He is an amazing friend to all of us, and a great leader for our students and staff! This is unprecedented in awards to think that we have the Principal and Assistant Principal in our own conference! Congratulations!

PSAT: LAST CALL FOR SIGNUPS

On Saturday, October 17th, Chardon will be offering the PSAT/NMSQT to interested 10th and 11th grade students. Please see the attached registration form for more information.

Questions/Concerns: 

Please reach out to Mr. Hurlbut or Mrs. Tupaz at (440) 285-4060 or
Timothy.Hurlbut@chardonschools.org
Dawn.Tupaz@chardonschools.org

Executive Student Council

As you are aware, the novel coronavirus has impacted so many experiences that our students long for. Albeit many, we have adapted and recreated ourselves while being true to our traditions and culture. 

Since March, our students have missed out on many functions of student council and our class officers experiences and functions.  For as long as we can recall, student council and class officers were separate leadership groups inside of our school. This year, without having the summer to plan, supplementals filled, and the ability to meet, we are merging student council and class officers into an Executive Student Council. 
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This is how it will look.

Executive Elections

• Students interested in the Executive Student Council will fill out the online application completely. Presidents and Officer Candidates will be interviewed by Executive Student Council Moderators/Advisors, an administrator, and a counselor during a panel interview. The panel will score the interview using a rubric. Members at Large will not be interviewed. 
• The Executive Panel will evaluate the interview and rubric and receive a 40% electoral vote. 
• The Chardon High School Staff will vote in the selection process and receive a 20% electoral vote.
• The Students of Chardon High School will vote by grade level and receive a 40% electoral vote. 
• The Executive President of each grade level is elected first.  The remaining candidates will then run for the remaining three Executive office positions.  The three students receiving the highest scores will be elected and actual offices will be determined based on individual preference and talents.

Wednesday, October 14th at 2:30 PM

• All applications are due

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Thursday, October 15th at 2:30 PM

• Senior Presidential candidates and Senior Executive Officers interviews will commence.
• Recording of Speeches

Friday, October 16th at 2:30 PM 

• Junior Presidential candidates and Junior Executive Officers interviews will commence. 
• Recording of Speeches

Monday, October 19th

• 10th, 9th, 8th Presidential candidates, and 10th, 9th, 8th Executive Officers interviews will commence.
• Recording of Speeches

Tuesday, October 20th

• Speeches sent to each Gmail account. Faculty Vote Commences 

Wednesday, October 21st

• Grade Level Voting--ends at 1:30 PM

An Executive Student Council meeting will be held shortly after elections. The first task will be discussing and planning the 2020 Homecoming Court process. The Dance will be held at a later date once restrictions soften.

​Schedule for the Week of October 12-October 16 

Monday, October 12: Periods 1-7 (white schedule) ALL STUDENTS
Tuesday, October 13: Periods 1-7 (white schedule) ALL STUDENTS
Wednesday, October 14: Reminder- Class Begins 8:58 AM Periods 2, 4, 6 (red schedule) ALL STUDENTS
Thursday, October 15 : Periods 1, 3, 5, 7 (black schedule) ALL STUDENTS
Friday, October 16: Periods 1-7 (white schedule) ALL STUDENTS 

Every year Chardon High School screens 9th and 11th grade students for distance vision and hearing as mandated by the state of Ohio.  This year additional requirements were added to the screening process making it impossible to do the mass screenings we have done in the past.  If you feel your child needs to have these screenings done, please email Jan Hoffmann, the High School Nurse, and she will set up an appointment to have your child screened.  If you do not feel it is necessary to have your child screened this year, please complete the waiver form and return it to the office by October 20, 2020. If you decide later in the year that you would like your child to be screened you can contact the nurse and she will make arrangements to have the screening done. If you have any questions, please contact Jan Hoffmann at (440) 286-0418 or email janice.hoffmann@chardonschools.org.

Topper Bistro

Monday
Hilltopper 
Chicken Popcorn Bowl
(Mashed Potatoes,
Corn, Gravy)
Sages Apple 
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cheeseburgers
Asst. Pizza 
Tuesday 
Taco Tuesday
Chipotle Bowl
Seasoned Beef or Chicken 
Asst. toppings
Mexican Rice / Black Beans
Asst. Fruit
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cheeseburgers
Asst. Pizza 
Wednesday
Meatball Hoagie
Oven Fries
Pasta Veggie Blend
Asst. Fruit 
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cheeseburgers
Pizza Hut!!!

Thursday
Pasta Time 
Penne pasta 
with Meatsauce
or Lasagna 
Garlic Bread
Steamed Broccoli
Italian Ice  
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cheeseburgers
Asst. Pizza 

Friday 
They are back!!!
Homemade Pepperoni 
Calzones !!!!!!!!!
Marinara Sauce
French Fries
Asst. Fruit
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cheeseburgers
Asst. Pizza ​

Art Piece of the Week

Tempera painting by senior Riley Zelazny

Poem of the Week

In Mrs. Newman's AP Language and Composition class, the students wrote poems modeled after a mentor text in which they expressed their feelings about the new school year.  Below, is one written by Samantha Eves:

Growing Pains

We used to laugh and fall into each other, careless to the breath passing our lips
Careless to the air in our lungs
No care at all. 
No paranoia. 
No fear. 
We’d circle together, passing bottles or cards
We’d pass remotes, foods, smiles
We’d hold hands, hug, poke each others’ ribs
We’d take each other in, fully.

Today we distance. 
Today we take steps back, today we put up barriers. 
We call, we text, we no longer hold each other like we would
There is no passed anything. Sanitizer after an accidental brush.
Today we are separate, yet we are still connected, as we always will be.
We are connected no longer by our hands, or our elbows, but by our efforts, our words, our late night calls. 
Today we are connected by love. ​

Images of the Week

Friday Night Highlights

Last Friday, Chardon faced Brush at Korb Field.  Below is the highlight reel that I made for our families. 

Misc:

CMS Basketball Cheerleading

Attention 7th or 8th grade students who would like to try out for CMS Basketball cheerleading for the upcoming season, you still can! There will be two mandatory clinics October 14 & 15 from 3:15-5pm and try outs on October 16 at 3:30. In order to attend the clinic all students must have a current physical on file with the school.  We’ll meet in the middle school cafeteria. 
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The athletes will learn a cheer, chant, a short dance and basic technique for moves and jumps. Athletes must wear black shorts and plain white t-shirt with hair in a high pony to Friday’s try out. 
Hope to see you there!
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Brandi Giddings and Jenn Evans
CMS Cheerleading Coaches

7th/8th grade Boy's Basketball
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Chardon is looking forward to kicking off the 2020 middle school boys basketball season!
Open Gyms & Tryouts @ Chardon Middle School Gym

7th Grade (**Please see Covid-19 screening information below.**)

• Open Gym  
  • Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:30pm-9:00pm
• Tryouts
  • Monday, Oct. 19, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

8th Grade (**Please see Covid-19 screening information below.**)

• Open Gym
  • Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• Tryouts
  • Monday, Oct. 19, 7:15pm - 8:45pm
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:15pm - 8:45pm

Covid-19 Screening
Upon entry into each workout, a coach/director or other trained personnel member will administer a screening. Student athletes will wait in a socially distanced queue to participate in the screening. The screening will assess the following:

• Temperature:  Must be lower than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Screening Questions:
  • Cough?
  • Shortness of breath?
  • Student in contact with Covid-19?

Students who pass the screening with an acceptable temperature and "No" to all questions are admitted to that evening's open gym/tryouts session, while students who DO NOT pass the screening are sent home, followed by a phone call to their parents to explain.

In addition to the Covid-19 screening information presented below, the following requirements are also in place for open gym & tryouts: 

1. Students must wear a face mask when entering and leaving the gym.
2. Students must bring their own water bottle.​

For questions regarding the open gyms and tryouts, please contact Coach Dan Dinko at daniel.dinko@chardonschools.org or 440-231-3282. 
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For questions regarding the Covid-19 screening, or high school tryouts, please contact Athletics Director Doug Snyder at doug.snyder@chardonschools.org or 440-286-0414.

Upcoming Dates​

Friday, October 23, 2020: Picture Retake Day: Starting at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, October 27, 2020: Parent Teacher Conferences (Round 2)

This was another beautiful week with our students that we do not take for granted. With so many schools being impacted by COVID-19, every second that we have with students is a blessing. Keep being mindful this weekend. Be mindful of your space, masks, and be kind to everyone. 

With gratitude,
Douglas Murray, Principal