Topper TalkSpecial Edition 03.29.2020

❤ UNITY - GRATITUDE - ENCOURAGEMENT❤

#WeAreChardon #StrongerTogether

MONDAY MARCH 30, 2020 9:00AM -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by MADELYNNVOLUNTARY ACTIVITY initiated by Dr. Hanlon for ALL Students/StaffWe hope you'll join us for a few minutes if you can...

Superintendent Hanlon will begin by saying a few wordsPark Elementary student Madelynn will be introducedMadelynn will lead us all in the Pledge of Allegiance

Two weeks ago, Madelynn took the initiative to create her own at-home A.M. practice of reciting thePledge, and we are all inspired by her initiative and passion.The Monday March 30, 2020 9:00AM Pledge of Allegiance Google Meet:

accessible via weblink: meet.google.com/fhf-ectr-khkOR phone #: 1 650-781-0979 PIN: 734 503 944 #can accommodate up to 250 joins

there is no pre-registration; simply join us at 9:00AM Mon. 3/30 via Internet or phonemicrophones on silent mode, w/the exception of Madelynn and Superintendent Hanlon

Thank you Madelynn (and family) for providing us with this special opportunity for unity.

You are also invited to...Visit the ever-growing Storytime with Superintendent Hanlon virtuallibrary. During these unprecedented times when Superintendent Hanloncannot make his storytime visits to the schools, he is virtually sharing hislove of reading with students PreK - Grade 7. We invite you to check outhis VIDEO LIBRARY, which resides at the district's website.

MESSAGE from SUPERINTENDENT HANLON...

Dear Hilltoppers,

Our school community is strong and committed to the success of allstudents. In this unprecedented time, I have been overwhelmed with ourability to continually come together to meet new challenges that seem toarise daily and even hourly. Whether it is providing meals, working todevelop meaningful learning opportunities for students, beingcommitted to supporting learning at home, or meeting the needs of ourcommunity, Hilltoppers have continually risen to the challenge.

Our Governor signed into law Amended Substitute House Bill 197, which brings a number of legislativeremedies to issues affecting school districts as a result of COVID-19. We are reviewing these changesclosely along with other school leaders statewide to determine how they will impact our school district.

In addition, we are working with the Governor's O�ce to determine the status of the Stay at HomeEmergency Order beyond the initial period of 11:59pm Monday April 6, 2020. We will communicateinformation concerning any extension of this order as soon as it becomes available. Your patience isappreciated as we continue to respond to these developments.[**UPDATE: Since the time of thenewsletter publication, the Governor has, effective March 30, 2020, extended the closure of Ohio'sschool buildings through 11:59pm Friday May 1, 2020.**]

I am so proud of our students, staff, parents and community as you continue to rally around ourschools. It has become common to hear that we are in this together. While that may be true, I prefer tothink that we are stronger together.

Thank you for all that you are doing and please stay safe.Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D.

NOTE of GRATITUDE to Parents/Guardians...

Chardon Schools sincerely appreciates the time and thought that 585+ (and counting)parents/guardians have taken to respond to our Parent/Guardian survey on the �rst four days as wetransitioned to remote learning (3/17-3/20).

We are grateful for your notes of appreciation and, just as importantly,we are thankful for your candid feedback on areas where we need tocontinue to �ne tune in this new and temporary venture.

Know that each response has been (and future responses will continueto be) carefully reviewed and discussed among building administratorsand faculty so that we can best serve all students and their families.

Suggestions for �ne tuning have included:increased opportunities for student-to-student interactionmore manageable workload for studentsincreased social-emotional support for students and their familiesincreased �exibility on deadlinesmore platform consistency among schools and among classrooms

Chardon Schools hears you and continues to strive for meaningful learning opportunities forstudents while providing community, connectedness, consistency, and �exibility.

We remain committed to staying mindful that the COVID-19 crisis has created a challenging timefor all, and our mission is to keep life as manageable as possible for families while providingopportunities for students to embrace.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete the survey and would still like to do so, following isthe link where you can access the assessment: Parent/Guardian SURVEY.

Personal Protective Equipment Donations...

Chardon Local Schools is grateful to have had the opportunity & ability to donate PPE from thedistrict's school clinics. We are also in the process of donating PPE from our TransportationDepartment.

Our lives have really changed in the last couple of weeks.For some, it may seem like everything has stopped.This is the perfect time to:

stop and appreciate the things that really matter - like familyreach out to family or friends by calling them, talking to them, & letthem know you are thinking of themtake care of you by starting that exercise program you said youwould start at the beginning of the yearstart that project you have been putting off

Take a moment to think about how you can make this time perfect for you.

Mrs. Janice HoffmannHead School Nurse

Chardon High School

NOTES to HILLTOPPERS from HEALTH SERVICES...

Be Gentle with Yourself...You're Doing theBest You CanI have attached a photo [below] of one of my favorite art piecesdisplayed in my home. It is a reminder to myself in my personal life, butnow I want to share it with my students, staff and community. Rightnow we are all doing the best that we can.Let us try to be gentle with ourselves. Give yourself some much neededgrace during this time. You are enough.It is okay to slow down as the world around us slows down.Please do not be afraid to reach out. We are all in this together.

Mrs. Janelle StuartChardon Middle School Counselorjanelle.stuart@chardonschools.org[Art Credit: Heather D. Vaselaney "Be Gentle" (2016)]

Dear Students and Chardon Hilltopper Community,

I am so proud to hear about how so many of you are makingfantastic and healthy choices during this unprecedented time in ourcommunity. Keep up the great work with good handwashing, socialdistancing, and keeping a positive attitude!

Many of our neighbors have written special chalk messages on ourdriveways and sidewalks to be an encouragement to one another!My driveway message says: "We Choose JOY!"

It may be tempting to let our circumstances pull us down, but get upeach day and "choose joy" as your response!

Stay healthy, and please reach out if I can be a resource to you.

Mrs. Chelsie JacksonSchool NurseMunson Elementary & Park Elementary Schoolschelsie.jackson@chardonschools.org

NOTE of GRATITUDE to our Custodial Staff...We are incredibly grateful to the district's custodial staff (not all picturedhere) not only for their year-round, behind-the-scenes diligence anddedication but also for their extraordinary efforts in the days and weeksleading up to our temporary school buildings closure as they worked toprovide additional measures of sanitization and disinfection in ourbuildings and on our buses.

The Chardon Local School District deeply appreciates the dedication to the safety and wellbeing of ourstudents and staff.

NOTE of GRATITUDE to AssistantSuperintendent of Business Affairs...At the end of the staff-only day on Monday March 16, 2020, after allschool buildings had been cleaned and 360-disinfected by our amazingcustodial crew, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs Mr. SteveKofol ensured this important task was also executed for the Board ofEducation o�ce.(Captured a photo as we thought Hilltoppers might likea glimpse here to see what this machine and process look like.)

NOTES of GRATITUDE from Parents...My husband said they had wipes out at Munson during Chromebookpickup on March 16 for people in need. We thought that was anawesome way to support families and teachers. We were lucky enoughto snag a 3-pack before the stores ran out so I’m happy the school couldpay ours forward to other Hilltopper families. We will get through thistogether! ❤

Ms. Gabrielle BooseMunson & CMS Parent

Communication from the district, Park Elementary - our teachers - are all EXCELLENT! Instructionprovided is EXCELLENT. I’m so pleased with what Chardon is doing!Ms. Carly Desphy-VavpeticPark Elementary Parent

I think the teachers and administrators are doing an excellent job, and I feel very blessed to be a part ofthis community.Ms. Jill MalloyCHS Parent

I am very impressed with the level of thought, care, and concern we saw during our �rst week oflearning at home. Teachers were very clear in communications and available to us. I truly enjoyedbeing more involved in what all 3 of my kids are learning. Yes, we had some learning curves, but we aremaking wonderful memories with our time together. ❤

Ms. Kelly JohnstonCMS & Munson ParentTechnology Specialist for Kenston Local School District

NOTES to HILLTOPPERS from Performing Arts Faculty

Let's continue to make each day a positive one - doing all we can toprepare for the unknown. Keep bettering yourself, being engaged, beinginspired, and reaching out to those in our community who care aboutyou.I hope we will be able to put on Mamma Mia! and our spring concertsregardless of when they might take place. These activities can continueto unite us and bring us community even though we are apart.Mr. Fritz StreiffDirector of Choirs and DramaChardon High School and Chardon Middle School

To all of my music students: I miss you very much and hope that you �llyour house and hearts with music to brighten your day!Mrs. Sharon MonarchinoMusic TeacherChardon Middle School and Munson Elementary School

ATHLETICS: NOTE to HILLTOPPERS from Coach Snyder...

To my wonderful students at Park and Munson, I hope you arehappy, healthy, and continuing to listen to music while we are out ofschool. I can't wait to be back with you all and making music againsoon!Mrs. Samantha PuterbaughElementary School Music Teacher

HILLTOPPER Transportation Department Notes...

We appreciate all of our Transportation staff members for your workthroughout the school year - keeping our students safe and also thesmiles and assurances you provided our students on their most recentday of traditional school (March 13, 2020) before the temporary, state-mandated closure of our buildings.

Hi everyone ! I hope you are taking advantage of this time to learn a newskill,or working hard at one you may have started and did not have timefor. I �nd feeding the birds and watching them is relaxing! Maybe I willlearn more about them! Please stay safe and I hope to see you soon.

Mrs. Michelle CoonChardon Schools Bus Driver

Hello Hilltopper Athletes!

Hope you had a great spring break!As you know, all OHSAA spring sports are postponed, and the StateWrestling Tournament has been cancelled.To Jake Hamulak and Jaret Hall, who were state wrestlingquali�ers: I'm so sorry you could not complete your senior seasonsin Columbus. Please know that you both will go down as all-timegreats in the Chardon Wrestling Program!To Spring Sport Athletes: There is still hope for an abbreviatedseason. Please know that if we are given the opportunity to resumehigh school sports this spring, we will �ll the schedules as much aspossible to provide you the best spring sports opportunities we canoffer!In the meantime, please continue to concentrate on your families,your schoolwork and individual workouts so that if and when wecan get back together, you are ready to roll!I miss you all and hope to see you at a practice, game or meetsoon!Coach Snyder

Hello Tiny Toppers! I hope you had a great Spring Break. I have missedyou all SO much, and I cannot wait to "see" you all this upcoming week! I'llbe sending you videos and Google Chatting with each of you. Our themethis week is plants! Remember to Be Safe, Be Kind, and Try Your Best(Tiny Topper Promises). I'll "see" you soon!

Ms. Kristen SironenPreschool Intervention Specialist

Tiny Toppers Preschool

To: Bus #1 HilltoppersI miss you so much. I can't wait to see you again!Mrs. Diane JewellChardon Schools Bus Driver

Great job during this �rst week of distance learning! We miss you alland can't wait to see you soon. Remember to "Be Kind, Be Safe, andTry your Best"! (Tiny Topper Promises)Miss Katherine KotoraPreschool Intervention SpecialistTiny Toppers Preschool

Arianna, 2nd Grade Student in her Home Classroom...

Noah (Gr. 1) & Royce (Gr. 3): Mr. Hazen's Bicep Curl Challenge

NOTES to MUNSON HILLTOPPERS from Faculty...

I was so proud of my students the �rst week of remote learning as theyand their parents are adjusting to working from home. They diligentlyasked questions, completed assignments, and turned in their work. Weare all going through a di�cult challenge, but we rise to the occasion anddo what needs to be done.Mrs. Melanie ElliottGrade 2 TeacherMunson Elementary School

Here is wishing that all students and staff can �nd joy in the days ahead!Be sure to smile, relax, and take care of each other!

Mrs. Jennifer McClintockGrade 1 Teacher

Munson Elementary School

James, 3rd Grade Student in his Home Classroom

I am so grateful to all of the parents/guardians who are workingwith their children to make sure their work is completed.Mrs. Asha DinkoGrade 3 TeacherMunson Elementary School

Thank you parents/guardians and students for your unwaveringsupport this past week. Together we can accomplish great things.Stay #HilltopperStrong!Mrs. Brenda SobodoshGrade 2 TeacherMunson Elementary School

NOTES to PARK HILLTOPPERS from Faculty...

We all entered into the �rst week with trepidation, overwhelming feelingsof stress, and sadness. I was worried about my students till learning. Iwas stressed that I may not be able to meet all of their needs remotely. Iwas so sad that I would not get to see their sweet faces every morning.

What I learned in the �rst week is that I live in a community where peoplerise to any occasion. I soon learned I would see all of their sweet facesevery day...just in my living room! I got to watch them learn andaccomplish and ask questions. I heard their sweet voices and read theirbeautiful writing. They are learning, and they know that is their mostimportant work.

Mrs. Jennifer KreuzGrade 2 Teacher

Park Elementary School

Alexander, 6th Grade CMS in his Home Classroom

I hope that everyone is staying healthy and safe over Spring Break. Iam looking forward to seeing my students on Google Hangouts thisweek. Seeing them and hearing all of their fun stories about breakwill be the sunshine that I am missing.Mrs. Donna PiconeGrade 2 TeacherPark Elementary School

NOTES to CMS HILLTOPPERS from Faculty...

We are so proud of our 4th graders and their amazing ability to adapt to online learning! Our studentscontinued reading their independent reading books without missing a beat! We thoroughly enjoyedseeing their ONLINE JOURNAL RESPONSES -- complete with a variety of sel�es! Students, rememberthe importance of establishing a routine; this will help you with continued success. We miss you allvery much!~Miss Corlew, Miss Madden, Mrs. Montagna, & Mrs. RichardsonThe 4th Grade English Language Arts Team

We know this is a very challenging time for students, parents, teachers, and administration. Togetherwe will make it through! We are Chardon Strong.~Mr. Butala, Ms. Foglio, Ms. Schre�er, and Ms. MarondeGrade 4 Math Science Teachers

Luke (Grade 12) & Trent (Grade 10) in their Home Classrooms...

NOTES to CHS HILLTOPPERS from Staff...

I am so proud of our students and staff for all of their �exibility andability to transform learning in this new world we are living in. We aregoing to get through this di�cult time and demonstrate to the worldwhat it means to be a Hilltopper! I love you all!Mr. Doug MurrayChardon High School Principal

"People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day."~Winnie the PoohI hope you found your inner Winnie over break and learn to enjoy thesimple things.Happy Spring Break and wishing everyone good health.Mrs. Casey PtasznikSocial Studies TeacherChardon High School

March 26, 2020 Tweet

I would like to thank our students for their compliments and notes ofappreciation that I received from them. Miss you all, and I hope tosee you soon. Please take care of yourselves and your families.Mr. Don ReedParking Lot Attendant & Cafeteria CustodianChardon High School

I was just a little fella when I asked my Great Aunt Esther why shewashed aluminum foil."Well, you never know when you may need a little piece of aluminumfoil," she said.

Esther was born in 1922. Her formative years were shaped by theGreat Depression and World War II. Formative moments in people'slives come from a host of experiences. Sometimes these momentsare shared by generations of people.

Time will tell if our current social distancing/self quarantine due toCOVID-19 will shape our future like it shaped Aunt Esther's.

Maybe our students won't be keepers of aluminum foil drawers. Forsure they will have stories to tell of how they made it through weeksstuck in the house with their families. At least that's the story I thinkmy daughter will be telling.Mr. Dwight GossSocial Studies TeacherChardon High School

Shared by Mrs. Tara KaiserEnglish Language Arts Teacher

Chardon High School

[see image below]

NOTES of GRATITUDE to Food Service Department...Thank you to the Food Service Staff for all you do to help our students have healthy meals that allowthem to grow and achieve in our schools.Superintendent Michael Hanlon

NOTE of GRATITUDE for Lunch ServiceProgram during School Buildings Closure...Thank you to our Food Service Director, Mrs. Josephine Culliton, for herdiligence and dedication in organizing a lunch service program forstudents in need during the district's school buildings closure. With theamazing support of Chardon Christian Fellowship, Freedom AllianceChurch, Morning Star Friends Church, & Claridon Community Helps,Chardon Local Schools is able to ensure lunch meal provision to ALL students (and their siblings) inneed. To learn more about the lunch program, please review our Letter to Parents/Guardians.

This is an amazing community where I work and live, and every day I amwitnessing acts of good deeds all around our district and community.

The Board O�ce Staff is working diligently from home and stopping inthe o�ce to make sure much-needed purchased orders are processed,bills are paid in a timely manner, receipts are recorded for revenue, andpayroll is processed with the appropriate state reporting. Truly anamazing team!

Stay strong Chardon. We will get through this together, and it will all end in due time.

Just know that we are here for you and ready and willing to help wherever we may be needed.Deb ArmbrusterTreasurer/CFO

Make every moment of your life worthwhile by speaking and breathinggratitude. The greatest experiences of happiness come from pure delightin one's ability to be grateful, especially when the surroundingcircumstances are less than beautiful.Kelly Moran, Ph.D.District Curriculum Supervisor

NOTE to HILLTOPPERS from Board ofEducationAs board President, I thought it might be helpful to write to you all andtell you that we are doing everything we can to ease the effects of thisdisaster on our students and staff.

NOTES to HILLTOPPERS from Administrators...

My heart breaks for our seniors who may be losing the end of their senioryear as well as our athletes, singers, and performing arts students who are not able to do their normalactivities. I have a grandson and 3 grand-nieces in this category.

My grandson plays baseball in Twinsburg and my niece who lives in a small town near Cincinnati wasactually on the way to her senior trip when they had to turn around and come home.

I just want you all to know that we are doing everything we can to support our kids and our staffthrough this incredibly di�cult time. For me the worst is the not-knowing – when you know whatyou’re in for, you can �gure out what to do – but this is really day to day.

So please hang in there with us and be sure to �nd out the realities of the situation before you pass ona rumor. Dr. Hanlon and the administrative staff are always available for calls or emails to answer yourquestions.Mrs. Madelon HorvathBoard of Education President

BOARD of EDUCATION MEETINGS

A Special Meeting has been scheduled by the Board of Education. Dueto the need for social distancing due to the COVID-19 crisis, thisupcoming special meeting will be conducted virtually and can beaccessed at 6:30PM on Wednesday April 1. Community membersinterested in attending the meeting can join at that time via Google Meetweblink or phone number:Join via Weblink:meet.google.com/mwg-zdez-gmtORJoin by phone+1 609-779-1045 PIN: 866 259 088#The agenda for the April 1 BOE meeting will be posted to BoardDocs bythe end of the day Monday March 30, 2020.

The overview video for the Feb. 18, 2020 regular board meeting can be accessed at BoardDocsunder its meeting date. To locate BoardDocs, please visit the Board of Education link atwww.chardonschools.org. You may also continue to access complete agendas of this and previousboard meetings via BoardDocs.

HILLTOPPER OPPORTUNITY to REACH OUT to SENIOR

CITIZENS...

ART & LETTERS from the HEARTCommunity Partnership during COVID-19 Crisis:The Geauga County Department on Aging has reached out to kindlyrequest uplifting artwork and letters from local school students to bringa little sunshine to seniors throughout the community in nursing homes,assisted-living facilities, and at home (homebound seniors).

If your child is interested in creating artwork, cards or letters, they can easily participate in this effort.We ask that parents/guardians submit clear photos of their child’s artwork, cards or letters tokelly.misch@chardonschools.org. Please mark the subject line: Art & Letters.

Chardon Local Schools will:ensure your child’s individual contribution(s) makes its way to seniors in the communitycreate a video montage of Hilltopper art and letter contributions to share

We look forward to Hilltoppers being part of this community effort.

COVID-19 DISTRICT NEWS/RESOURCESCOVID-19 DISTRICT NEWS/RESOURCES

NOTES of Encouragement & GratitudeSubmissionsChardon Schools welcomes your Notes of Encouragement andGratitude for the Hilltopper community. These notes can be submitted byall members of the community, including district staff members,parents/guardians and students, and all of our stakeholders forinclusion in district publications. Please email your note to kelly.misch@chardonschools.org.

Thank you Geauga-TV and Pastor Photo for all you do for

Chardon Local Schools.

Missed an Issue of Topper Talk?2019-2020 EDITIONS:Feb. 3, 2020Jan. 15, 2020Dec. 18, 2019Nov. 25, 2019Nov. 1, 2019Oct. 23, 2019Oct. 15, 2019Oct. 8, 2019Oct. 1, 2019 Sept. 24, 2019Sept. 17, 2019 Sept. 9, 2019Aug. 26, 2019Aug. 12, 2019

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