The Week in Reflection: 3/13

District Response to Coronavirus COVID-19

The Week in Reflection could be summed up as this...meetings and communications to best prepare our staff, students, and families with the global, national, and local responses to COVID-19. It is important to take precautions to any virus by taking care of yourself, modeling proper hand washing techniques, and limiting exposure.  Many of the decisions that schools are making are being directed at the highest level of federal, state, and local agencies. Chardon has been working to best prepare our community stakeholders with communications, preparation, and remaining calm in our correspondences. Enclosed are several important communications that we have shared with parents and staff. 

A Message from the State Superintendent

A Message from Gov. Dewine

CHS Specific Responses

I have compiled a list of communications to assist you in streamlining all of the district messages.

I understand that parents and students want clarity on the volume of events, trips, and plans that have been postponed. Please be patient. The time it took to build these events was created intentionally.--now, we have to dissemble them without missing any mark. This takes time. We appreciate your patience.

I will be meeting with staff on Monday to collaborate and present to parents the plan for facilitating learning per the message that Dr. Hanlon articulated.  I will be speaking to staff and students on Friday and will share with you the plan no later than Monday.  In the meantime, I can share with you that staff members will have ONLINE office hours to answer class specific plans. This thoughtful plan has been created and will be shared with you once thoroughly vetted.

​If anyone in our Geauga County community is in need of food during this crisis, please don’t hesitate to CALL Geauga County Job and Family Services at 440-285-9141.

Likewise, if you have questions regarding Food Service...Chardon Schools has collaborated with Painesville City Schools, as we do for summer, to provide breakfast and lunch services. Information is shared directly with qualifying families.

3/13/2020
Message on the Announcements

Good Morning Students and Staff,


Due to the Corona Virus COVID-19, Gov. Dewine has declared that students will not be in school over a period of the next 3 weeks. This change has had an impact on all of our students, staff, and families.  Some have been met with different emotions including anxiety, fear, excitement, and sadness. Since this message has been delivered to us yesterday at 2:45 PM, we have been working with district administrators, teachers, and school counselors to develop our plan for this time.   

It is important to note that the Chardon School’s spring break will still be March 23rd through March 27th.  During this time, students will not be required to complete any school assignments. This is the only time in which students are not required to complete work during this extended period away from school. 

Our team has worked to develop our plan which will begin for students on Tuesday, March 17th.  On Monday, all teachers will be present at school to plan and develop how instruction will be provided while students are out of the building.  Students will receive a schedule today which will explain when your teacher will be available in a consistent manner each period. In addition, all work during this time will be graded and these grades will affect items such as eligibility, graduation, and final transcripts. 

Please note the following specific information which is important for all students to know:

• Students who are at any vocational placement such as Auburn Career Center or CEVEC.  These schools will be in contact with students who attend these programs and a plan will be provided for how students will meet their school requirements. 
• If you have plans to travel over spring break, it is important that this information is communicated with Chardon Schools.  Please see the information previously released regarding areas where travel advisories are high at this time. 
• Tuesday will be considered a digital learning test pilot day.  This will be the day in which teachers will be making contact with their students to ensure students are able to access their digital learning materials.  It is important that all students participate in this learning day on Tuesday. 
• As of 3/13/2020, AIR Tutoring and all detentions, including Sat. Schools, are postponed until further notice. 
• Keep referencing the Week In Reflection to stay updated with the most relevant information.  There will be a lot of false information spread at this time. Please consider the source of where you are receiving your information. 

Effective today, all activities beginning at 2:30 PM will be postponed. No groups may organize outside of school to facilitate practice. This is a directive from our Board of Education. We need to plan accordingly, the volume of emotions that you are having at CHS is shared by thousands of others across the world. It is imperative that you follow the directives from the school, your parents, and take proper precautions with your own health. Please be vigilant in taking your school books, Chromebooks, chargers, and learning essentials with you as you leave today. This includes athletic lockers.

Our district administration are working to create ways to assist all students who might struggle with internet access. All district communications will be communicated via ConnectED and posted on the website. 
If anyone in our Geauga County community is in need of food during this crisis, please don’t hesitate to CALL Geauga County Job and Family Services at 440-285-9141.

Likewise, if you have questions regarding Food Service, Chardon Schools are collaborating with Painesville City Schools, as we do for summer, to provide breakfast and lunch services. Information is shared directly with qualifying families.

We are very mindful that this is a ton of information. Our administration, teachers, and counselors will continue to support you and answer any questions that you might have as we transition into this delivery model. 

This is a time where we truly live our values. Take care of yourself, take care of your family, and be mindful of the needs of our community. Further communications will follow as we receive them.

Thank you

​Mr. Murray, Mr. Bandiera, Mr. Higham

Helpful Tips
​
Text @TopperUp to 81010 to join the CHS Remind101 messaging system
Follow @chs_dmurray or @Chardonhs on Twitter for CHS updates
Follow @ChardonSupt and @ChardonSchools for District updates
Check the district website for updates
Check your email for ConnectED Updates

Ohio Department of Education sent this bulletin at 03/12/2020 09:57 PM EDT
​

Coronavirus School Closure Information from the Ohio Department of Education

Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Gov. Mike DeWine announced on March 12th that all Ohio schools will close beginning at the end of the school day on Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 3. This order includes all public, community and private K-12 schools in the state. Read the Governor’s complete media release here.

What’s next for Ohio’s school districts?

While schools will be closed, it is a local decision as to how, when and the degree to which learning will continue. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria addresses several questions, shares information about flexibility in federal and state requirements and discusses next steps in this new video.

Finding solutions and providing answers to districts

Now that we know schools will be closed, the Ohio Department of Education can begin to provide clarity on answers related to the minimum hours requirement, accountability issues, testing, special education requirements, ensuring students can get meals and many others.

The U.S. Department of Education issued this release today regarding K-12 flexibilities, student privacy and educating students with disabilities during school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved our waiver request so that schools may continue to provide meals at non-congregate sites.

Moving forward together

As State Superintendent DeMaria indicated in his media statement, “We are especially grateful to schools that have proactively developed plans to keep learning going even if school buildings aren’t open. There is a lot of momentum in Ohio’s schools right now and we would hate to see that momentum stalled, although we understand that today’s announcement does mean there will be disruptions.”

Thank you and stay tuned
​
Thank you to Ohio’s school community for all you are doing and will continue to do on behalf of children. A commitment to students will drive our focus, but flexible, creative solutions will get us through this public health crisis. We pledge to work with you and will continue to share information as it becomes available.

​CHS Academic Decathlon

At State Competition March 6th and 7th, the CHS Academic Decathlon team garnered 19 individual medals! In addition, they made the podium in Super Quiz which is a fast paced, live game show style competition between all teams participating at States. This is the first time in recent memory that Chardon has placed in this portion of the competition finishing just behind two schools who will go on to the National Competition.

​Team members pictured left to right are:
Freshman, Nathan Eads - Senior, Megan MacCartney - Sophomore, Paige Yamamoto - Senior, Reese Schneider - Senior, Hannah Holbert - Senior, Meredith McKeon - Freshman, Jake Schneider - and Senior, Josh Campbell. Not pictured Junior, Brendan Sarbach 

​Rotary Speech Contest

​Kaylie Malloy and Hannah Holbert  competed with NDCL students in the 29th annual four-way test speech contest. Hannah was awarded third place, and Kaylie was awarded first place which allows her to compete at the district contest on April 11 at Roosevelt in Kent, Ohio.

Inaugural Season

Enclosed are photos from Saturday’s Boys Lacrosse scrimmage.  Several parents sent me messages in an effort to get the word out about the start of the Spring season . At some point this spring, we will see the boys and girls in action.

Photo credit goes to Laurie Heintz

Piece of the Week

Mason Danison
Grade 12
"Serve"

Images of the Week

Photo credit: Mr. Bandiera and Mrs. Kaiser

The 8th grade students went on a field trip to Auburn Career Center on March 10th. This field trip help align the standards of the Ohio Means Job Career Readiness Seal for our eight graders. The students were matched with career opportunities from surveys that the students took this quarter. The students were exposed to numerous opportunities on this trip. Special thanks to Mr. Kovach who organized this opportunity and for all of his work with the graduation seals.

School Fees

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 fess, 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.
 
Direct all of your calls to Mrs. McBride.
​440-285-4057 x. 1441

---

We have many seniors that have NOT ordered their cap and gown.  If you have not ordered your CAP and GOWN, please see Mrs. McBride ASAP. Furthermore, you can call her about any question pertaining to graduation.

7th to 8th Grade Presentation

On Monday, Chardon High School administrators and school counselors presented to the 7th grade parents. The presentation covered all that CHS has to offer for upcoming 8th graders. Enclosed is the presentation. ​

Click on the image to visit

Click on the image to visit

This might have been the longest personal and professional week of my life.  However, communication to my students and staff  is something I can control.  I value communication and I value you. Take care of yourself and your family. 

Until I write again, 

Douglas Murray, Principal