End of Year Info 2013

Well, here it is.  We are again at the end of another year.  This is a weird feeling -- and I would venture to say, a different one for all of us.  For some of us, we just completed our 1st year of teaching at CHS... others of us may just now beginning to feel as though we are experienced enough to feel more confident next year... still others have been at it plenty long enough and this is just one more year in the bank... but for many of us this time around, this is the last time we will wrap up a year at CHS.  For many different reasons, we have several staff members leaving this year -- something that (I promise you) is frightening, exciting, and sad all at once.  Just so we all know, this is the list of those moving on:

Bill Sell will be retiring

Marge Tobe will be retiring

Ruth Rumple will be retiring

Deb Nutt will be retiring

Lisa (Almandinger) Donovan is retiring

Gary Findlay has already retired

Kelly Newcomb will be moving to East Elementary as a Special Ed teacher for K - 2 working primarily with behavior problems (she gets the award for biggest change!)

Steven Hricko will be moving on to take a graduate assistantship at BGSU

Ryan Parrish will be taking a full time special education position at his alma mater -- Van Wert

Be sure to congratulate those retiring.  While many of us that are in the opposite end of our career are envious of their retirement, I know this is a difficult day for them.  Be sure to remind them of their lasting impact here and on students.  You will all be missed.

There will certainly be many changes next school year... new teachers, new standards, new assessments, etc.  However, I feel that today is a day to reflect.  To think about the progress we have made, the errors we have committed, and the accomplishments we have achieved.

While at times this was a difficult year, I also think it was one filled with great things along the way... we continued to progress in our use of technology... we learned a lot about writing SLOs... we began our work with OIP and closing the achievement gap... we earned an excellent rating [AGAIN!]... we carried out our 4th annual Service Learning Day...  the list could go on and on!

Regardless, I think it has been a good year.  One that I will certainly remember!  For me, this is a bittersweet goodbye.  I HAVE SO ENJOYED my time here at CHS as principal.  It is hard to believe it has been 6 years.  For me, that is half my career [so far] as your principal.  I have grown a lot as a person, as a professional, and as an educator.  So often, I have thought to myself, "If only I could go back to year one and start over!"  What I know now could have certainly made me better then.

When I started as principal here, I talked about 'bleeding green and white'.  I live and breathe for Celina High School -- my alma mater.  It has been a dream job.  I have not lost that passion for CHS and I truly think I see that passion in SO MANY of you.
This is a GREAT place for students... the best.  I believe in that and you all should too.  We have created a very positive environment for students... an environment that is inviting, welcoming, differentiated, supportive, spirited, and compassionate.
Do we have room for improvement?  Absolutely.  But we should always think that.  Rome wasn't built in one day, and the moment we settle for as good as we are, is the moment we fail to be great.

In six years I have learned a lot of things... but I would like to share what I think are the two most important 'lessons'.  These are things we can all use in our line of work and in our lives!

1. Do what is best for kids: This has been my mantra for so long now that I think I repeat it in my sleep.  When making decisions, meeting with students, contemplating change, talking to a parent, making a master schedule, making the tough decision, or deciding on discipline for a student, I always think "what is best for students?"   Always remember that the KIDS are the reason we are here!
2. Find a [healthy] way to relieve stress / aggression / anger / frustration: When I took up running 3 years ago, I became more healthy than ever in my adult life -- physically, but more important, mentally healthy.  Stress relief doesn't have to be exercise, but it should be something... reading, a hobby, a nap, etc.  FIND SOMETHING to release the negative so that you don't release it on the wrong person!  

I am proud of the accomplishments we have made in the last six years.  This truly has been a great experience for me and I wouldn't have wanted to lead any other group!  THANK YOU ALL!

Enough from me...  ENJOY YOUR SUMMER & GOOD LUCK!  PLEASE DON'T BE A STRANGER... you all know where to find me and you also know I have an open door [almost] all the time!

Here is what you need to know about checking out...

• Please complete the checkout survey prior to reporting for checkout. 
• The following checkout times are available: 
• Thursday 5/23/13 from 2 - 5 PM
• Friday 5/24/13 from 12 - 2 PM
• Tuesday 5/28/13 by appointment or by calling or texting Phil
• Teachers can complete the final workday requirement by staying after the conclusion of exams on Thursday, coming in Friday, or a combination thereof.  You must complete 4 1/2 hours of work at a minimum after the conclusion of exams to meet your work day requirement.  
• There are no appointments for checkout and I will try to make it quicker this year than last!
• Please complete the following prior to checkout: 
• grades entered and double checked
• copy of final exams if necessary (only if a student was absent)
• room in order
• clean up computer -- back up files & clean out email
• label big furniture
• clean off desk
• complete the survey
• label and bring to checkout your remotes (TV & projector)
• bring your faculty handbook -- items left in front pocket will be left alone
• ID badge & keys (optional)

See you at checkout!

Friday Focus #30: 5.16.13

This is it... the last Friday Focus of the 2012 - 2013 school year.  The last FRIDAY of the school year.  It seems like this year has gone quickly--of course, they all feel that way when we are sitting here one week away from the end.

It didn't seem to be going quickly last October when the ACLU sent us a fax!
It didn't seem to be going quickly when February rolled around and we had to shovel snow and trek through the cold every day.
It didn't seem to be going quickly as we sat in the cafeteria in March writing SLOs!

Now though, it seems as though the year has gone quickly.  Not as quickly as the summer will be sure to pass by!

As we near the end, try to stand strong in the classroom.  Remember that the best way to prevent disciplinary problems is to maintain structure in the classroom.

Below are some things you need to know...  please read!

End of Year Information

Early next week I will put out a post titled End of Year -- 2013 with further details regarding the end of the year.  Here is the summary of checkout info you need to know: 

• checkout will be available Thursday until 5:00 PM, Friday 12-2 PM, and Tuesday by appointment or by calling/texting Phil 
• if you stay Thursday, no need to come in Friday... you must work 4 1/2 hours after the conclusion of exams to call it a day (this could potentially be combined over the course of two days if necessary)   
• you must have grades complete when you checkout
• you must complete the survey prior to checkout -- this survey will be in the blog post next week

You are encouraged to purchase a pork chop dinner from Student Council for Thursday.  Let Wendy Mitchell-Payne know today if you are interested.  

Graduation

Graduation is next Saturday, May 25th @ 10:30 AM.  We invite and encourage ALL staff members to attend and sit on the field in front of the graduates.  If you are planning to attend, please email CJ.Puthoff@CelinaSchools.org so that we can be certain we have plenty of chairs.  Plan to arrive by 10:10 AM at the Fieldhouse so that you can find your seat on the field in plenty of time.  This is a great ceremony and such a nice way to honor these seniors for their 13 years of hard work.   We hope to see you there!

Seniors

If you have seniors in class, please email BOTH Wendy & Lynne if they are going to fail your class ASAP.  

OGT Scores -- March 2013

Scores came in this week from the most recent administration of the Ohio Graduation Test.  Again, we received very good overall results.  Here are the passage rates for our current sophomores: 

Reading: 93% 

Math: 87.5%

Writing: 88.5%

Science: 85%

S. Studies: 82%

WAY TO GO!

We need to continue to work on closing the gap between our subgroup of students with disabilities and the rest of our students.  We will work on this through the Ohio Improvement Process throughout next school year.  

The OGT scores spreadsheet can be found in the Public Shares folder.  Remember to keep this confidential. 

End of Year Party

Amy & I will again be hosting the end of year party in our backyard.  Come around 7 PM next Thursday (May 23rd).  We will provide light snacks, chairs, music, and fire... bring your own beverages.  Plenty of room, so bring your significant other!  Hope to see everyone there!

Exams & Grades

You can find the exam schedule under the schedules tab on the staff blog.  Be sure to look at the specifics on the Tri Star exam schedule for juniors if this affects your students.  Remember to use May 24th as the exam date in Progressbook.  Grades are due May 28th @ 9 AM or when you check out. 

happy birthday
5/29   Deb Meyer
6/8     Katie Gudorf
6/14   Renee Kramer
6/15   Cricket Dobmeyer
6/16   Marge Tobe
6/20   Jean Hileman
6/22   Kelly Black
6/23   Kelly Newcomb
6/26   Val Fetters
7/8     Jim Dorsten
7/12   Deb Nutt
7/18   Dan Gudorf
7/19   Bill Sell
7/22   Drew Braun
7/27   Kim Wilges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Friday Focus #29: 5.9.13

Has the countdown officially begun?  I know we are getting close!

Here are just a few informational items for you to peruse and think about.

Cell Phones & Other Devices in School
Several people have begun to question our cell phone policy and the usage of cell phones in school by students.  I would encourage all teachers to take some time to read the current policy on cell phone and other electronic device usage during school and also the cyberbullying policy -- all found within the student handbook.
One thing that is often forgotten is the line in the cell phone policy that indicates that students may use cell phones in the classroom with teacher permission for educational purposes.  Consider this the next time you allow students to use their phones during class time.

I would argue that the recent events involving the usage of Twitter for cyberbullying (even that which occurred during school hours) does not warrant the removal of cell phones from students or a change to our policy.  Most of the cyberbullying occurs outside of school hours.  Students will do this regardless of our rules allowing or not allowing phones in school.
What we must change is our approach in teaching students about the use of phones, social media, and technology in general.  We must educate them on the consequences of their actions.  We teach young adults to drive cars, yet we allow them to publish to the world without teaching them how to do so appropriately.
Nearly all high school students have a Twitter account (if you have a middle or high schooler, check to see if they have an account ... then follow them!).  Twitter is PUBLIC... no following, friending, or acceptance required.  This is a big responsibility... and few adults understand or care about Twitter.  Therein lies the true problem!

Senior Awards Assembly
We will hold the Senior Awards Assembly at 8 AM Wednesday, May 15th in the Lecture Hall.  Plan on 1 1/2 hours for the assembly...  maybe less.  Senior exams should be given Thursday and Friday of next week.

Supplementals
If you have not done so already, please send your interest / intent to Phil.  This can be as simple as a quick email.  This includes department chairs, clubs, organizations, etc.


happy birthday
5/7     Lynne Carmean
5/9     Ashley Lefeld
5/17   Ruth Rumple

WE MADE THE NEWS!

Checkout our news story from Service Learning Day:

Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather Sports

Thanks to everyone for their involvement in this day.  Hopefully you are having conversations with students today about Service Learning Day and the lessons we learn from it.  I couldn't have been more proud of our students for their effort, attendance, and attention.  Be sure to complement them when you are able!

Friday Focus #28: 4.26.13

Weekend Activities
Just a reminder that we have the following going on this weekend:

• Promenade @ the Fieldhouse beginning @ 5:30 PM.  Prom to follow at Romer's. 
• Art Show, Sunday afternoon, 2 - 5 PM
• NHS Induction Banquet @ 5 PM
• Academic Awards and Scholarship night, Monday @ 6:30 PM

Service Learning Day Updates

• We will post 'job assignments' for hopefully by Tuesday at lunch
• We will have a Faculty Meeting for teachers on Wednesday (5/1) in the lecture hall at 7 AM
• We will make some announcements for students regarding the day throughout the week. 

Senior Meeting
As a reminder, we will be having a senior meeting on Wednesday beginning at 7:30 AM.  We will go through some graduation information with them, followed by a presentation by the Fire Department on Dorm Safety, followed by a presentation by the Hometown Opportunities group.  Plan on seniors being out of your class until around 10 or 1030.  We will do their awards on MAY 15th.


happy birthday
4/30  Diane Booher
5/1    Kim Uhlenhake
5/2    Hal Hoover
5/3    Kassie Holstad
5/5    Donna Post

Friday Focus #27: 4.19.13

What a busy and exciting time of year.  It is hard to believe we are near the end of April already.  At least the weather hasn't been too nice... keeps everyone from getting overly anxious for summer break!

Hopefully you have had the opportunity to watch the Spring Musical Grease.  As always, our students put on another fantastic performance.  Congrats to the students and production crew on a great show!


Distracted Driving
On Wednesday, April 24th, we will have a presentation sponsored by the Celina Fire Department in conjunction with the New Bremen Emergency Squad concerning distracted driving.  We will hear from Jacy Good, a victim of distracted driving.  Jacy's parents were killed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver.  She has been speaking across the country about her cause and has made appearances on Oprah Winfrey and TLC's 'Say Yes to the Dress'.  We will hold the assembly from 8:30 to 9:30 AM in the gym.  We will release students over the PA around 8:30 -- keep your 1st period students until we release.   Periods 2 & 3 will each be 50 minutes.  Fourth period will start 30 minutes late.  There will be no advisory period.  Here is the adjusted bell schedule: http://goo.gl/qq5qc.

Prom
Prom is next Friday...  hard to believe!  The year is flying by!
Remember that Juniors and Seniors will be release after 3rd period (10:50 AM).  There will be a list out next week for Juniors that are decorating!

Scheduling
We have made some real progress in building the Master Schedule this week and are somewhat ahead of schedule.  As soon as we are able, we will send out rough drafts of the schedule via email.  Thanks for your continued patience!


Service Learning Day Update
We will begin placing students in groups for Service Learning Day on Monday and hope to have lists out for students by the following Monday (April 29).  We will have a faculty meeting for Service Learning Day information on Wednesday, May 1st @ 7 AM in the lecture hall.  At this meeting, we will distribute group information for teachers.  If you are going to be out on Service Learning Day, please make sure you talk with Kassie, CJ, or Jason about arrangements for your substitute.

Awards
Remember... Academic Awards and Scholarship night is Monday, April 29th @ 6:30 PM.

Also, there was some confusion on Senior awards and Senior meeting.  The Senior Meeting with the fire department and graduation information that is MANDATORY for all seniors to attend will be on WEDNESDAY MAY 1ST.  We will begin that meeting around 7:45 AM.  Students should return around 9 or 9:30 AM to class.

We will have Senior Awards and Superlatives on WEDNESDAY, MAY 15th.... before senior exams.  The last day for seniors will be Friday, May 17th.


happy birthday
3/31   Hallie Craven   [sorry... somehow missed this]  
4/20   Jana Hopf
4/22   Lisa Donovan
4/22   Bonnie Dahlinghaus
4/23   Sue Luth
4/23   Jason Luebke

Friday Focus #26: 4.12.13

Good Morning!
Can you believe we only have 6 weeks of school left?  That's 29 days [after today]!  Twenty-nine days to get it all done!  Let's make each one count!

As you are well aware, we have many things planned for the remaining 29 days.  This week, we began building the 2013-2014 Master Schedule.  Next week we will hopefully make a great deal of progress with it!  We will continue to work on "I Can" statements during our 2-hour delay Wednesday.  Service Learning Day is quickly approaching... as is the Awards Night, Art Show, Prom, Grease, Spring Music Concerts, NHS Banquet, and the list goes on and on!  This is an easy time of year to get off track [for all of us], so work hard to keep that structure in your classrooms -- time-on-task -- and hold the students accountable for the remainder of the school year!

Here are a few items of note:

Tornado Drills
We will be doing a 'walkthrough' tornado drill next week, followed closely by one that is unannounced.  Please let Phil know if you need a new evacuation poster.

CHAMP Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
On Thursday, May 9th, CHAMP will host the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.  Plan to attend sometime between 6:30 AM and the start of the school day in the 1st floor teacher workroom for this VERY popular event!

Senior Exams
Barring any further snowstorms or other weather related cancellations, we will plan for the last day for seniors to be Friday, May 17th.  Plan to give senior exams on the 16th and 17th of May.

Honoring the Retirees
We have the opportunity to recognize those individuals that have served this school for many years at both the CHS staff retirement party on May 2nd (@ The Potter House) and at the CEA Celebration of Education on May 8th.  Please plan to attend one or both of these events.  This is a great way to honor and recognize these individuals!

Tech Tuesday
Next week we will hold another Tech Tuesday.  After discussion with the Building Leadership Team, it has been decided that we should host a 'Data Deciphering' session.  We will use Excel to discuss techniques for breaking down data, primarily for use in reviewing data collected during the OIP process.

Topics covered will include:

• Sorting data in a spreadsheet
• Writing simple formulas
• What to look for in your data

We will meet in room 119 @ 7 AM on Tuesday and again @ 2:25 PM.  

happy birthday

4/8     Steve Hricko (sorry its late -- he was left off my list!)
4/11   Lynn Moeller