Friday Focus #11: 11.11.11

End of Trimester 1
We are now only a week and a half from the end of the 1st trimester.  We will have exams on Monday 11/21 and Tuesday 11/22.  The exam schedule can always be found under the schedules tab on the staff blog.  Exams work like this:

• Day 1: we run through a full schedule of shortened periods (30 minutes in length) as a final review day.  Then, we jump into exams around 10:20 AM with only 4th and 5th period exams on this day.  Lunch is organized by the 4th period teacher on day 1... eat the same lunch you always do.  We release at normal time on this day
• Day 2: we hold exams for periods 1, 2, & 3 on this day.  Lunch is during 3rd period and is based on the teacher the students have for 3rd period -- teachers should eat the same period (A, B, or C) while students could potentially be eating a different lunch period.  Tell your 3rd period students prior to day 2 which lunch they should eat.  ALL STUDENTS ARE RELEASED @ 1 PM on day 2.  Teachers are required to stay until normal time!
• Tri Star schedules can be found on the exam schedule.  Special arrangements will need to be made 3rd period for seniors in Tri Star.

Grade Entry Timeline

Grade entry can begin any time.  Grades are due by 9 AM on Tuesday, November 29th.  Remember that probable failures should be sent to the guidance counselors by 9 AM on the inservice day. 

Inservice Day

There was a blog post last week regarding our inservice day.  I have been working over the last 2 weeks to create a day that is meaningful to everyone with Professional Development tailored to your needs as a teacher.  The tentative schedule is still a work in progress.  Initially I was planning for department level meetings in the afternoon, but the district has planned to have a bully prevention event in the afternoon.  Here is an outline of the day:
8:00 - 11:45    Breakout sessions on a variety of topics (4 sessions total)
12:00 - 1:00    Lunch
1:00 - 2:30      Bullying Prevention Session (Lecture Hall)
Teachers of Freshmen can use the afternoon to work with Matt Dunlap out of the Media Center as an alternative to attending the bullying session. 

Tech Tuesdays

Tech Tuesdays will resume after the Thanksgiving Break, beginning on Tuesday, December 6th.  Check out the poll on the sidebar for options.  Please vote!

Week in 3 Words

The theme for the Week in 3 Words next week is 'Being Thankful'.  If you or your class would like to record a Week in 3 Words, let Megan know via email and we can send someone.  We will record Wednesday and Thursday next week. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

11/9    Kristi Stachler
11/17  Brian Stetler

Upcoming Events

11/18   Fall Choir Production
11/19   Fall Choir Production
11/21   Exams -- Day 1 
11/22   Exams -- Day 2
           End of 1st Trimester
11/23   Inservice Day
           Failures due by 9 AM
11/29   Start of 2nd Trimester
           Grades due by 9 AM

Friday (Midweek) Focus #10: 11.1.11

• Remember that Tech Tuesday is 'Study Blue'.  If you weren't able to attend this morning's session, consider joining us this afternoon for this useful tool.  

• Veteran's Day is on 11/11/11.  Here is a website with ideas and resources for teachers: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday.

• The girls volleyball team will compete in Regional action on Thursday night in Ontario.  For tickets, see Bruce any day this week from 10:45 - 2:45.  

Hannah Fleck runs in the State Cross Country meet in Hebron this Saturday.  She took 3rd at Regionals.

Also... don't forget that the Autumn Theatre is this weekend: "I Hate Shakespeare".  Tickets are still available by calling 419-586-1494.  Performances are Friday & Saturday @ 8 PM and Sunday @ 3 PM. 

• Netbook initiative...  I have seen some really great things going on in the classroom with netbooks.  Please share things you have done with the netbooks in the comment section below.   No need to get detailed or elaborate, but share something if you have netbooks in your room and have been using them with the students.  

• When you are planning your lessons and thinking about integrating 21st Century Skills, please think about seeking out ideas and help from others.  Begin by asking other teachers about things they have tried or have done that might work.  I have come across quite a few great classroom ideas just from my conversations with our very own staff members!  Sometimes, you might have an idea that can be further/better developed just by bouncing it off someone else in the teacher's lounge.  

Online research can also be a great way to find classroom ideas.  

Finally, seek the help of someone else.  Never be afraid to ask someone to assist in your lesson if you are integrating something new.  Betsy Crites is available on Mondays & Fridays and will even come in and teach the technology to the students.  Keith Gudorf and I are also both willing to help as we are able. 

• This week's Jean's Fund money will be used to purchase a gas card for Diane Booher and her husband.  Diane's husband, Mike, has been diagnosed with cancer.  He will be undergoing treatments, some of which will take place in Lima.  Please keep Diane and Mike in your thoughts and prayers. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

11/2   Wendy Gabes
11/2   Ryan Jenkins

Upcoming Events

11/4  CHS Autumn Theatre, 8 PM
11/5  CHS Autumn Theatre, 8 PM
11/6  CHS Autumn Theatre, 3 PM

Friday Focus #8: 10.13.11

Good morning.  Not sure how everyone else feels, but I sort of think short weeks go slower than long weeks.  This was no exception!  Regardless, no matter how you spend your day tomorrow, try to get re-energized for the next run of 5+ weeks until the end of the 1st trimester and break from school!

Just a couple of quick notes and reminders today:

• Remember that grades should be updated in Progressbook by the 10th & 25th (Pay Days) of each month.  Of course, you can update more often (and most of you do), but this is just a good guideline for those checking grades to know that they are the most up-to-date.  

• OGT Make-up week is approaching.  More details will be coming from the guidance office next week. 

• Tech Tuesday this week... check out the poll on the right hand side of the blog.  I will do a Tech Tuesday based on the vote.  Winner to be announced Monday afternoon. 

• If you haven't yet completed the bloodbourne pathogens training, I think Friday is the deadline.  To help you out, click here to access the online training. 

• Blog troubleshooting: I have deleted the old feed and recreated it.  I also took down the password protection on the blog and made it visible ONLY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE LINK.  The blog is STILL PRIVATE... as long as no one shares the link.  You no longer have to log in to read the blog.  You will not be able to find the staff blog unless you know the exact address -- a search engine will not find it.  I am hoping this will also help in the email subscription option.  I think it wasn't sending the email because of the password protection.  SO... TRY SUBSCRIBING AGAIN if you want email notification of blog posts.  

• The Homecoming Assembly Schedule for Wednesday is as follows: 

1st period     7:25 - 8:30

2nd period    8:35 - 9:40

ASSEMBLY 9:45 - 10:15 

3rd period    10:20 - 11:25

4th period     A     11:30 - 12:00

                    B      12:05 - 12:35

                    C      12:40 - 1:10 

5th period    1:15 - 2:20  

 

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

10/20  Erika Draiss
10/21  Lynne Ray
10/22  CJ Puthoff
10/22  Toma Hainline

Upcoming Events

10/14  No School
10/19  Homecoming Assembly
10/19  Picture Retakes
10/22  Homecoming Dance, 8 - 11 AM
10/24  OGT -- Reading
10/25  OGT -- Math
10/26  OGT -- Writing
10/27  OGT -- Science
10/28  OGT -- Social Studies
10/28  Pep Assembly 

Friday Focus #7: 10.10.11

Better late than never!  Here is the Friday Focus that didn't make it out last week!

Netbook distribution went well.  All but 4 freshmen received the netbooks on Thursday.  Freshmen are excited (and upperclassmen maybe a little angry!).  So far, there seems to be very few problems.

No Tech Tuesday this week.  We will resume next week.  If you have a topic you would like to hear more about or something you can present, please comment below!

HAVE A GREAT SHORT WEEK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

10/10  Connie Opperman
10/11   Jason Andrew
10/12   Kim Koesters

Upcoming Events

10/12  PSAT -- Juniors
10/12  Stratford Trip Departs -- return on 10/14
10/13  Spirit March
10/14  NO SCHOOL --WOEA DAY!

Friday Focus #6: 9.30.2011

We are almost halfway through the 1st trimester (27 out of 63 days).  So far, it has been a great year.  We have had very few disciplinary issues (please knock on wood right now) and overall attitude and morale seems high!  Please continue to do what you do best!  Keep up the great work and have a wonderful weekend!

• There will be a Child Abuse Prevention Training held on Wednesday, October 12 from 4 - 8 PM in the Media Center at CHS.  Anyone wishing to attend in order to complete your 4-hour requirement, please email Paula Klosterman.  If you are unable to attend this session, but still need your training, see Jason... there is another option that carries a $30 fee. 

• Last night, a sub-committee of the Race to the Top team discussed the teacher evaluation tool.  As part of ODE and RtTT requirements, we are in the process of revising this tool.  Part of the requirement is to use student growth as part of the measure used to evaluate teachers and administrators. This is still in the very early stages of development and we will keep you posted as we progress. 

• A Thank You Card was received from Matt & Kathy May and family expressing their "sincere appreciation for all [our] thoughtfulness and support in so many ways".  The card is posted across from the mailboxes on the bulletin board. 

• Netbooks are begin rolled out next Thursday to all Freshmen during 2nd period.  Students should report to 2nd period and will be CALLED DOWN after attendance.  They will be gone most/all of the period.  The freshmen have received a copy of the user agreement.

• Tech Tuesday next week: "Organizing all of those GREAT online resources & SHARING them!"
• I am looking for interested staff members to present on Tech Tuesdays... its very easy and low pressure.  Any tech topic of interest to others is welcomed.  Post ideas & needs below!

• Don't forget... parent-teacher conferences are next Wednesday from 4:30 - 7 PM. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
10/4   Wally Ellinger

Upcoming Events

10/5    My College Options Survey during Advisory (details later) 

10/5    Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:30 - 7 PM
10/6    Netbook Distribution 2nd period

10/7    Spirit March

Summer Update #3 7.25.11

Less than 30 days now until students arrive… eager and ready to learn at our door!  Hard to believe that summer has gone by so quickly, but it’s true (as usual) – summer is nearly over. 

I am sure all of you have had fun, exciting, and relaxing summers, so I will keep this short – I don’t want to ruin your vacation by making you think of school too much already!  Of course, as always, we have had many changes at CHS over the summer and will continue to see some changes. 

As you may or may not have noticed, we recently posted a job opening: Sports Physiology & Athletic Trainer.  Last week, Meta Dryer resigned to pursue a different career path.  She will be greatly missed as she was a fantastic teacher, well-liked by the students, and a knowledgeable and quality athletic trainer.  We thank her for her service to CHS.  We are dedicated to finding an adequate replacement that will help us continue our athletic training program that has served many students so well.  Please let us know if you are aware of anyone interested in the position. 

On a lighter note, some technology changes are happening relatively quickly.

• Many of you have already been using the new email client.  Although not Google, it is much more user-friendly than the winged horse.  

The bracket and wire for the office
wireless router

• CHS will soon have its own fully functional wireless network.  The wires and brackets are in place, and Xirrus (the wireless provider), will be in soon to install the hardware.

•  Recently, Mr. Miller, Mr. Gudorf, and I have been discussing the possibility of a grade-level 1-to-1 program.   The particulars are still under discussion, but more than likely, we would be purchasing Acer Netbooks for one entire grade level with the intent that students can take the Netbooks home and would use the same Netbook for the remainder of their high school career.   Details will follow soon.

That’s enough school talk for now…. Continue enjoying summer!

Happy Birthday…

7/12       Deb Nutt

7/18       Dan Gudorf

7/19       Bill Sell

7/22       Drew Braun

7/27       Kim Wilges

8/7         Lisa Sheppard

8/9         Megan Bornhorst

·          

2011 Summer Update #2

Hard to believe that June is almost over.  I certainly hope that everyone is enjoying their summer and has spent some time with friends & family! 

Just a couple of quick updates for you for the summer. 

• Hopefully everyone has been able to log into the new email service.  A big thanks to Keith Gudorf and his crew for their work on getting this up and running so quickly.  Hopefully we will find it to work more efficiently than the 'winged horse'!
• We have officially completed hiring for the summer... recently, we offered the final Math position to Tyler Foulkes.  Many of you may remember him as a 2004 CHS grad.  Congrats to Tyler and welcome aboard!
• Many of you attended the recent Safety and Violence Prevention Training offered by the ESC.  If you were unable to attend and still need to meet the 4-hour requirement, the ESC has scheduled another session on August 2nd.  Contact the ESC (419-586-6628) to reserve your spot.  Remember that the state is now requiring ALL teachers K-12 to receive this training. 
• 3rd floor cleaning and waxing is completed (painting has been done also).  Our summer custodial crew has begun working on the 2nd floor -- those rooms are currently unusable.  Thanks to the crew for their hard work!

Happy Summer Birthday to the following:

• 6/30  Gary Findlay
• 7/8    Jim Dorsten

Thanks for reading and have a great summer!  Look for another post on the 10th!

2011 Summer Update #1

First & foremost, I hope you are all enjoying your summer vacation so far! The weather sure did warm up quickly… where did spring go?

Since the staff has left, we have been busy hiring (and hiring and hiring…). Here is a list of people (full bio’s to come later) we have recently recommended to the board for hiring:


• Lisa Brunswick – Art


• Aaron Alig – Science


• Andria Stammen – Science


• Brad Siebert – Math


• Ashley Shaffer – English


• Katie Clouse – English

Congratulations to those individuals. Special thanks to those of you that participated in the interview process. It is a very time-consuming and grueling process for the candidates and those staff members that help. However, it is well worth the effort.



Speaking of staff changes… if you haven’t already heard the news, Jason Bockey has accepted a position as a Math teacher at Delphos St. John’s. Jason taught with us at Celina for 4 ½ years and we appreciate his service and dedication. He will be missed. We wish him luck in his new adventure!





Over the summer, I am sure many of you will be traveling or will have some other fun activities. Just to help us all stay connected, comment below and tell us what you are looking forward to doing this summer. I hope you all have some fun, exciting, and relaxing things planned!

I have created an online web album on Picasa where you can upload pictures of your summer activities. Maybe just a shot of the beach or the mountains, maybe a family shot with Mickey Mouse, or just a simple photo of anything summer related! This is simply intended as a fun way to share your summer fun with all of us! At the end of the summer, we will vote on the best photograph… prizes will be available! To view the album and upload your own pictures, click here.





Happy Birthday to the following summer birthdays:

5/29 Deb Meyer


6/14 Renee Kramer


6/15 Cricket Smith


6/16 Marge Tobe


6/20 Jean Hileman


6/22 Kelly Black


6/23 Kelly Newcomb





Check back on June 25th for another update.