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3/3/2023 0 Comments The Week in Reflection: 3/3
The third quarter ends in ONE WEEK. Yes, ONE WEEK. Crazy to think about...
Three fourths, the fourth, rounding third and heading home, crunch time, the finish line. Down the stretch they come...the list goes on to ways that we can describe the transition to the fourth quarter. On one hand, it feels that we just started...on the other hand, it feels like things never ended. It's all about perspective. As you already know, the Week in Reflection provides the lens of my perspective. The school is my second home. For the past three years, I have spent more time in this home making sure that we were prepared for every single pivot like preparing for a rodeo dance. I used to absolutely hate checklists. Bare with me as I reflect on why checklists have prepared me in my life. I am the youngest child with siblings who are five and eight years older than me. Growing up in a household with two working parents created many moments for mom and dad to leave a list of tasks to do. Sure, they would get done, but usually after 5 hours of backyard baseball. College, marriage, career, and children taught me the underline value of a good checklist. Now, I live by them and usually can be found with a list to a list in both written and digital formats. Taking care of long-term details comes with the territory of someone who is an idealist thinker and worker. Transitioning into the fourth quarter is an exciting time for every grade level. We have all of the senior events, all of the activities, and opportunities. It is a time when many details can slip in the midst of taking your kids to numerous activities, preparing for the week, or making sure that our own children don't walk out of the door without all of the things that they need for the day. For the past two decades, I have used a three-month calendar to finalize the school year, however--this year, I sent you the whole year. As much as our calendar is posted online and can be viewed in weekly segments, having the freedom to see all the events in a printable format is extremely useful for all our educators, students, and parents. This can be used as a checklist for each day for the big ideas of the academic calendar. As we walk together this quarter, other checklists are important to survive the wear and tear of the quarter. I have put together a suggested list of 12 important things to check off your to-do list to create new habits in your life. 1. Say, I love you to those you embrace each day. This simple task can speak volumes to your parents, spouse, children, and siblings and has no age limit to express. Our brain fire so many neurons which release dopamine causing you to feel happy. What a wonderful way to start your day! 2. Actively listen to others When we actively listen, we pause. Listening allows us to seek the depth of any story and allows us to respond with empathy, understanding, and kindness. Take the time to really listen to your friends, parents, and siblings and watch your relationship change for the better. 3. Read something that engages you every single day We are always reading. Whether we are perusing signs, billboards, articles, posts, or messages...reading becomes a habit that we often can take for granted. When we read things that engage us we not only become a better reader-we become a diplomat to literacy. Read something that engages you each day and experience a new you that can articulate in ways that you never thought you could. 4. Walk or be physically active for 20 consecutive minutes Physical activity is so beneficial for our physical, social, and mental well-being. Scheduling the time each week to walk, workout, and a little fresh air can provide more energy and positivity to your own outlook on living. 5. Remove fear by thinking more positive about YOU We can control three things in life: What we think, what we say, and how we behave. Furthermore, these three things can allow us to control our attitude, effort, and approach to everything that we aspire to be or do. Do not be afraid to fail. Face your fears with what you can control and watch parts of your life grow in positive ways. 6. Think Positive, Reflect, or Journal You do not have to be religious to reflect on the simple things in life. A sunrise, sunset, smile, a moment of kindness. These moments can allow you to reflect on all of the good that surrounds you in your life and ground you to things bigger than ourselves. 7. Unplug without a device for 1 hour or more each day. When we unplug, we communicate in natural ways that can simplify life. Disconnecting for periods of time can re-center relationships and actually can lower our blood pressure as we live in the present. 8. Never give up If at first, you don't succeed... we all have heard the story. However, through the trials of losing the battles of our day- we expand our territory to do more and be more. Never give up. 9. Surround yourself with positive people We become an amalgamation of our surroundings. Therefore, surround yourself with people who challenge you to be a better person at all times. It can be hard to do, but when we do this- we learn how to happy and the best version of ourselves. 10. Write down your gratitude The thousands of words that I write each week are my ways to show gratitude to you. I do not have to do this. I choose to. I write from my heart to show you why I care. Send someone a short note this week, an email, or a card. Pay it forward! 11. Prioritize As I started this newsletter by talking about checklists...write your goals down. Post your goals. Write a mission statement. Live it, Love it, do it. Do not procrastinate over tasks. Live with purpose! 12. Finish what you start Is the finish line a barrier, opportunity, or mile marker? The choice is in the eye of the beholder. Once you figure where you are on the map, remove the barriers that hold you back and seize every opportunity along the markers of your life. As Robert Frost notes, choose the road less traveled by....it will make all of the difference! CHS Building Update: 300's Opened for Business on March 1st
I had 18,000 steps in one hallway on Tuesday.
That's like a Disney Park day without all of the thrills. With several maintenance and custodial staff out this week, I joined forces to help finalize a "turn-key" experience for tomorrow. Special thanks to our Lewis Construction, maintenance and custodial staff, IT Staff, CREW kids, and study hall helpers to make certain that we were ready to go on March 1. There are final tasks that will take place this summer once the tiles come in for the floor. Here are some pictures: The Schedule for Next Week
Monday, March 6: White Day Schedule (Family Fun Night- All Activities End by 5:00 PM; NO Homework)
Tuesday, March 7: 4E Exploration Day (See Schedule Below, and details after this section)
Wednesday, March 8: Red Day Schedule
Thursday, March 9: Black Day Schedule Friday, March 10: White Day Schedule (End of the 3rd Quarter) 4E Exploration Day 2023Art Pieces of the Week
Mak Ruyf Grade 10 Metals
Highlights from the Elements of Art classes
CHS Principals Podcast: S4 E16 -Phil Colucci!8th Grade Band
Three students representing Chardon's 8th grade band were chosen to participate in the Ohio Music Education Association Middle School Honor Band held at Mentor High School on February 23 and 24, 2023. The Guest Conductor for the event was Jon Waters, Director of Bands at Bowling Green State University.
Eighth grader students representing CHS were: Mykaela Cox (clarinet), Brooke Parrish (alto sax), and William Beil (French horn). The students rehearsed all day Thursday and presented their impressive program on Friday evening. Highlights included: Selections from Harry Potter, Anthem of an Era, Music Speaks, and Ghost Lights which included special audio and visual effects. Congratulations! Article: SkillsUSA Ohio STATE Qualifiers 2023, by Kelly Misch |
