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11/21/2022 We Give Thanks: Special Thanksgiving EditionWe Give ThanksThe last three months have gone by like a whirlwind. The older we get the faster time seems to go by. One of the great things at school is watching kids grow and mature. It is a joy to watch our kids grow up even when we all want the time to slow down. Time is inevitable. Time can feel like an endless hand moving over each second and time can go before us in an instant. Time is really about how we use it. I can reflect upon the whirlwind of emotions we all have felt during the time we have spent over the last three months. However, today's edition of the Week in Reflection is an opportunity for my team to reflect on our gratitude to our entire Chardon community. There are so many extraordinary athletic and academic accolades that our students have accomplished over the short time that we have been together since August. I am so grateful for the collective efforts our students and staff have embarked upon at this moment in time. Allow this short time away to express gratitude to all those that you love. As principal, I am grateful and love you for who you are, where you are, and where you are going. Keep striving for greatness in all that you do! Ms. Pavicic, Assistant Principal Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the simplicity of the day: quality time with family, good food, a Turkey Trot, and an opportunity to pause and reflect with gratitude on all that is good in life. This year, I am grateful for so much: my parents who I’m fortunate to have remain as active parts of my life as they reach old age, my nine nieces and nephews who energize me and serve as lights in my life, and for the beautiful community of Chardon who I have been so fortunate to serve as Assistant Principal of CHS this school year. I knew coming to Chardon I was coming to a special place. Upon asking Mr. Murray, “What are your Core Values?” and listening to him state those values, reciting without hesitation what each value exemplifies, all while wearing a “Core Value” bracelet proudly on his wrist, I was moved by his sincere passion to serve students, staff, and the Chardon community. I soon learned that this is not an isolated passion, but one collectively shared by the administration team, teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, coaches, board members, families, and the entire student body. The love and care that the people of Chardon have for this community and each other is truly moving. It is unshakable, authentic, and deeply rooted. Upon taking on this role of leadership, I was amazed by all who did not just want to merely shake my hand and say hello when meeting me, but truly wanted to get to know who I was and where I come from, and were so open and welcoming to having me as a part of their school community. One of the most outstanding moments of welcome came on a Saturday afternoon while I was at a neighboring community football event with my family, when Chardon elementary age students and their parents enthusiastically approached me, “Aren’t you the new principal at the high school?!” With my “Yes!” I was given a heart-felt, bright smile and kind words in response. My family was in awe, and asked, “Wow, how do they know you?” And my response was swift: “That’s Chardon!” Committed to tradition yet progressive in promoting high achievement and unique opportunities to reach all learners, Chardon is so much more than just an institution for academics. The CHS Core Values, Community, Humility, Achievement, Respect, Dignity, Optimism, and Nurture, are incorporated into every part of our students’ experiences, in the classroom, in clubs and activities, on the stage, at job sites, and on the athletic field. With this Core Value focus, students learn to face challenges in the face of adversity, to collaborate with others rather than hide in isolation, to communicate and have honest discussions that move people forward, to work hard to develop into the best versions of themselves, and to serve as active, goodwill contributors in our rapidly evolving complex world. Chardon is no stranger to hardship, and there is much I have learned about resilience, togetherness, and faith from what I have witnessed in these short few months here. Chardon is tough. Chardon is kind. Chardon is real. Chardon is beautiful. And to all lucky enough to make their way into this community, Chardon is home. I am immensely grateful for the honor and privilege of being able to serve as an educational leader at CHS. To all the Chardon students, staff, families, and community members for making me feel welcomed and a part of the Hilltopper family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. ~Ms. Pavicic Mr. Higham , Assistant Principal It can be difficult to figure out what to write when you want to tell your staff and students how much you appreciate them, but I won’t let that keep me from saying thank you. Every year at this time, I remind my family and friends how much I truly enjoy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is family and friends, something near and dear to all Americans. Most recently, this time of year also means The Ohio State Buckeyes will be playing TTUN on the gridiron. So, what is better than family, friends, food, and football in Ohio? For various reasons, “thank you” isn’t said enough. It is easy to get tangled up in daily obstacles, work dynamics, or an overloaded email box. As a result, many people find themselves obsessing over what they could have more of: more time off, more money, or more time in a day. Because of this, we often forget to be grateful for what we do have and to reach out to others who we really are thankful for. Thanksgiving always causes me to hit the pause button and recalibrate myself and be thankful for what I have. As our community continues to grow, we will have opportunities to come together and work in a focused way to make certain that our students have the best experiences possible. Every moment of the day is a blessing, including moments working with you! Happy Thanksgiving! ~Mr. Higham Mr. Murray, Principal Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the simple things of life. It is important to take the time to reflect on all of the beauty of the semester. Every single day provides for us an opportunity to give, to learn, and to serve. I am forever grateful to the friends that I have as I walk down each hallway. It is easy to call the staff at CHS my friends. The teachers and staff members energize me with their passion for learning and love of our students. I love my staff, and I am forever grateful for their gifts that they provide our students. One of the best parts of my day is interacting with students. It is hard to believe that we are almost at the halfway point of the school year. We have such wonderful students! I truly love their kindness, energy, creativity, and leadership. I am so grateful for the beauty they give to the Chardon community. I am a better man just by working beside each of them. From sitting with our eighth graders to meeting with our seniors-- I love spending my time with each of them--even with a little more space between us. I am grateful for the support, encouragement, and assistance that our parents have provided not only me, but to our teachers, coaches, and community. This year has aged all of us, but is through your energy that gives me fuel to get through the events we experience every new day. You continue to model servant leadership to each of us! Most importantly, I am grateful to my beautiful family that sacrifice so much to be with me. They haven't seen me a ton, but they know how much I love them. My wife is truly my best friend. She is beside me at many events, and she knows how to keep me balanced in all that I do in/out of school. I am blessed to have our daughters at Chardon, and I look forward to sharing many memories with them through their years in our district. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks to the simple things in life: family, friends and familiar fellowship. Let this day be a reminder of how the simple things in life are the strongest reminders of why we work, why we give, and why we serve. Have a beautiful week with your family! -Mr. Murray  Topper Club Awards Our core values recognize Achievement as an essential benchmark of the learning that transpires every day at Chardon High School. We have extraordinary educators that prepare our students for college, career, and life readiness. Our students refine their learning in the classroom and demonstrate their abilities in so many skill sets in extra-curriculars, service, and clubs. It is our goal that every single person at Chardon High School will graduate finding their purpose. The programs and experiences that you experience at Chardon from grades 8-12 expose you to opportunities to achieve this purpose. More importantly, the relationships that you develop are paramount in your development. Every student matters to us. Taking the time to celebrate achievement collectively provides us the motivation and encouragement to push and strive for success ---so that every student will find their outcome after walking across the stage to further education, immediate employment, enlistment into our armed forces, and even delving into becoming a young entrepreneur. Today, we will celebrate many moments of achievement. Being a part of the Topper Club is an extraordinary accomplishment. Our students being recognized this morning have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher. Each day, we are educating the future leaders of our ever-changing world. Together, we are witnessing the development of engineers, doctors, lawyers, educators, chemists, advanced manufacturers, cosmetologists, medics, leaders, and philanthropists who see the good in others and respond to the needs of others. We are grateful for their leadership and look forward to the many ways that they will serve our school in the present and the future. The following slideshow presents all of the students who are being recognized for their academic achievement. Core Value Awards The Principal's Award is one of the highest honors for a student to achieve. Being recognized as a student who embodies the core values is an honor that has no classroom or state assessment connected to it. A committee nominated students throughout the year for modeling our values. This year, we are recognizing the following students who model the character and commitment to serve others and use their gifts to embrace Community, Humility, Achievement, Respect, Dignity, Optimism, and Nurture as they live these values in and out of school.
Historical Core Value RecipientsThe following students have earned the Principal's Award since we started this in-person ceremony on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in 2017. The last time our students experienced this award presentation---our seniors were in the 9th grade!  Key Events To NoteWhen we return next week, we will be back at a regular schedule. The winter season is commencing for sports, and we have our Parent Teacher Conference on Monday.   Holiday Craft Fair is THIS SATURDAY
Instead of re-writing and re-posting events from what I wrote on Friday, November 18th, please take to look at the WIR from last week to review all of the details that are upcoming. The Week in Reflection will return on December 3, 2022Have a restful and safe Thanksgiving with your family and friends!
Douglas Murray, Principal Comments are closed.
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