No School - Wednesday, Oct. 2nd

There will be No School for all K-12 students on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd due to teacher inservice training.

Cardinal Counseling - 5 Bullet Friday!

WELCOME TO 5 BULLET FRIDAY! The Chadron High School Cardinal Counseling Department is excited to share our 5 Bullet Friday Newsletter for the 2019-20 school year!  Each week we will be providing readers with five facts, tips or tricks to help make the school year a success academically, emotionally, and socially!

1. How to Develop Growth v. Fixed Mindset

Listen to this week's Cardinal Cast on How to Develop a GROWTH Mindset! Fixed Mindset Recap:  With a fixed mindset, people believe their skills and talents are fixed traits and therefore cannot change.  Usually, this results because someone has been praised for that trait:  "You're so smart!" "You're so athletic!" "You're such a great artist!" And then, when you fail, your self-esteem plummets - because you think you've tapped out your skills. Growth Mindset: The opposite of a fixed mindset is a growth mindset. With a growth mindset, people have an underlying belief that their talents can grow with time and experience. You know what matters is effort that you put in - and your 1,000% in control of that!

Takeaways from this episode: 1.  Learn to hear the fixed mindset voice in your head "I'm not any good at this" "It's never worked out before so it won't" "This would have been easy if I had talent" "If I can't do it perfectly I shouldn't try" 2.  Spend time with positive people Being hard on yourself is a product of your training, but that doesn't mean you can't change that line of thinking. Start surrounding yourself with cheerleaders - people who really support and uplift you. Behavior is CONTAGIOUS. 3.  Recognize you have a choice. When you face criticism, setbacks, or failure, realize that you can choose how you want to view it. Do you want to put on the . negative glasses and quit? Or you can say "Time to try a new strategy." As simple as it sounds, just realizing you have a choice in whether you listen to the thoughts in your head is key. 4.  When the voices in your head turned to the fixed mindset, talk back to them. "You can't do that - you're not talented enough."  How we respond:  "I don't know if I can do it now, but with effort I can." "I've never been good at this." "With hard work and time I can be better than I am right now." "I'm a failure" "I'm human and going to be for a long time and humans MAKE MISTAKES, time to try a new strategy and do better next time."

Please please watch or listen to this one!!!

Check us out on iTunes and make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE!

2. EducationQuest is a GREAT Resource for Scholarships, College Prep, and MORE!

I consistently get asked the question "Should I be doing more to prepare my student for college?"  Or "What should I be doing my student's _____ year to prepare for the senior year and transition.  My FAVORITE resource to answer these questions is check out EducationQuest!  EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. EducationQuest provides free college planning services, need-based scholarship programs, college access grants for high schools, college access resources for middle schools, and outreach services for community agencies.

Check out the link above at www.educationquest.org and peruse the amazing resources and checklists available!  Also check out the Reality Check to have your student pair values with degrees and career opportunities!

3. Dates to Put on Your Calendar

September 30th:  Transition to College Event.  Due to rescheduling for Homecoming our very FIRST Transition to College Event will be on Monday, September 30th.  11th and 12th grade PARENTS ONLY for this one!  Come learn about how you can help your child transition to college! This is a 3 part seriest this Fall and will continue for two additional dates on October 7th and October 21st. Daycare and light dinner will be provided!   October 2nd:  No School Teacher Inservice   ACT Dates and Registration deadlines (listed above).  It is NEVER too early to take an ACT!  9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are all encouraged to give the test a shot and see how they do, statistically the more times you take the ACT the better you do!

4. Why You Should Re-Think Hitting the SNOOZE Button

My girl Mel Robbins hits a home run with this video on why hitting the snooze button ruins your brain.

You don't need me to tell you that hitting the snooze button once your alarm goes off doesn't make it any easier to wake up. In fact, you probably feel more anxious, less productive, and more tired by the time you wake up after hitting snooze multiple times.

5. Mental Health Minutes: Screen Time and Emotional Health

Readers, THANK YOU AGAIN for joining us! Whether you are from CHS or another school, If you find it worthwhile please continue to SHARE. THE. LOVE (and the link). Follow Chadron High School on social media below!

Panhandle Autism Min-Conference - Oct. 15th

2019 Chadron HS Homecoming Activities

Chadron High School’s Student Council has been preparing for 2019 Homecoming since the end of the
last school year. Now that the celebration is right around the corner, they are excited to announce what
festivities will occur during the week of September 23 through the 27th

DRESS UP DAYS

Throughout the week, there will be a daily dress-up theme that gives students and staff the opportunity
to show their Cardinal Pride. This year, Student Council will be giving shoutouts to the Best Dressed on
our Instagram page. 

MONDAY (Sept. 23): SENIOR VS. YOUNG DAY

Seniors and Juniors are encouraged to dress up as the elderly, while Sophomores and Freshmen
dress up as babies and toddlers. Who will rule the school? The elderly? Or the babies?

And come support the JV football boys as they take on Gering @ 5:30. Burning of the “C” will
follow the game. Here each of the fall sports will be represented with Seniors speaking about the
success of their season along with performances from Pep Band and the Chadron High Dance
Team. We will conclude the night with the Jersey Auction. All proceeds from this fundraiser will
go to benefit the Chadron High Football team.

TUESDAY (Sept. 24): TROPICAL DAY

Throw on your sunglasses and put on some sunblock, it’s TROPICAL TUESDAY! Everyone is
invited to dress up as vacationers, and tourists. 

And don’t forget to cheer on the softball team when they face Gering’s JV team @4 and Varsity
@ 6. 

Wednesday (Sept. 25): FARMER DAY 

Grab your pitchforks and wear your overalls. Students and staff are encouraged to throw on
their farmer clothes and mosey around the school.

THURSDAY (Sept. 26): VSCO DAY

The student body and teachers are both encouraged to dress up as the latest trend that has
taken over. Wear those oversized tees and friendship bracelets to show off your inner VSCO.
Don’t have an “AND-I-OOP” and forget your hydro flasks or sksksk scrunchies! 

FRIDAY (Sept. 27): The dress-up theme is of course...SPIRIT DAY!!! Everyone is encouraged to
wear Cardinal gear and colors to show their school spirit. #GoCards!!

FRIDAY FESTIVITIES

The last day of Homecoming, Friday, will be filled with many other exciting festivities!

First, the pep rally will be held in the High School Gym at 2:00. Student Council has planned fun
games for the annual fall sports competition, the CHS dance team will also perform, and the
Cardinal Mascot will make a special appearance.

Next, the Homecoming football game vs. Sidney will be held at 7:00 pm. At half time, the Dance Team
will perform and Homecoming royalty will be crowned.

Last, but not least, there will be a Homecoming dance at the High School Commons lasting from
9:00 pm to 12:00 am. Cost of admission is $5. The night will be filled with singing, dancing, and making
awesome memories! (All out-of-school dates must be pre-approved by administration)

For more information about Homecoming week, follow Student Council on social media:

Instagram - @chs_stu.co

Facebook - Chadron High School Student Council

Twitter - @ChadronHS_StuCo

CHS Ag Students Competed in Range Judging

Chadron High School  Ag Ed students competed Tuesday near Sidney in the Area 1 range judging contest put on each year across the state by area NRCS agencies.  Chadron’s Highest scoring team was the junior team comprised of Luke Kahl, Sophia Wess, Caden Galbraith and Kourtney Hawk earning fourth place overall. Luke Kahl  was the high placing individual with second place overall in the competition. These four along with Teagan Tidymann and Leah Weber will be representing Chadron at the state range judging contest, held next Wednesday near Atkinson Nebraska.

CHS Homecoming Candidates and Activities

Congratulations to the following Homecoming attendants:

Freshmen: Josie Downing, Makinley Fuller, Blaine Tewahade, Gabe Blanford, Rhett Cullers

Sophomores: Tatum Bailey, Jacey Garrett, Hunter Townsend, Jacksyn Behrends

Juniors: Jadyn Cady, Paige Denke, Jameson Margetts, Zach Wordekemper

Congratulations to the following Homecoming King/Queen candidates. Coronation will take place during halftime of the Friday Football game.

Queen Candidates (we had a tie so we have four candidates): Shea Bailey, Allie Ferguson, Tyleigh Strotheide, Mikayla Wild

King Candidates: Zach Collins, Cooper Heusman, Cole Madsen

Monday- 9.23.19 (SENIOR VS. YOUNG DAY)

JV football game vs. Gering @ HOME 5:30

Burning of the “C” to follow (7:30ish)

Band and dance team performing

All fall sports represented with seniors speaking

Jersey Auction (following the burning of the 'C') 

Tuesday- 9.24.19 (TROPICAL DAY)

Girls’ Golf @ Ogallala @ 9:00

Softball vs. Gering @ HOME @ 4:00 & 6:00

Wednesday- 9.25.19 (FARMER DAY)

Coronation practice over lunch on track

Thursday- 9.26.19 (VSCO DAY)

Vote on King & Queen after pledge- first block

Entire school votes

XCountry @ Ogallala (V) @ 3:00

XCountry @ Gordon/Rushville (JV) @ 4:00

Softball @ Ogallala Dual (V) @ 3:00

Volleyball @ Scottsbluff (C, JV, V) @ 4:00, 5:00, 6:00

Friday- 9.27.19 (SPIRIT DAY)

Select StuCo members dismissed at 1PM

Pep Rally @ 2PM in the HS Gym

ALL StuCo members decorate Commons after Pep Rally

Fball vs. Sidney @ 7PM

Coronation at Halftime

Dance to start at 9PM (following the game)

Chadron Public Library Star Party Sept. 21st

Chadron Public Library Star Party

Data on Taking Challenging Classes

I published this article two months ago but Mrs. Watson and I revisited it in a recent Cardinal Cast episode. 

I've been reviewing ACT data from our students this spring and I thought I'd share this obvious correlation we see in scores every year.  For CHS, it is relatively known that Trigonometry has a lot of homework with high demands.  It's also relatively known, that completing our Trig course increases ACT scores for students.

Why?   Well, most of the other ACT subjects require students to be good readers with very good comprehension. Reading comprehension is a skill that can be developed, but it generally takes much more time than one semester.  Math is an ACT subject that tests a specific list of skills (mostly Geometry and Algebra concepts) which are generally taught by the end of Algebra II and then repeatedly practiced during Trigonometry class. This repeated practice generates a boost in the ACT Math score of about 4+ points, which in turns boosts the Composite score a few points.  So, in only one semester, students can greatly impact their ACT score!

Fortunately, most of our students complete both Geometry and Algebra II in high school which helps to introduce most tested math concepts.  My suggestion would be for college-bound students to take our Trig course to continue practicing skills with these topics to improve both their Math and Composite ACT scores. 

This spring I compared ACT scores of our 28 students that had completed Algebra II but no further math classes, versus the 23 students that went on and completed Trigonometry (I removed those students that had not completed at least Algebra II prior to testing).  The Trig students scored 6.3 points higher on the Math ACT test and 4.7 points higher on the Composite Score.  I've included a random sample of 25 of the students I reviewed just to show the general trend.  The scores highlighted in pink are below the math proficiency rating of the State. The green highlights indicate 'at benchmark' or above the general expectations of the State. 

Let me mention college benchmark scores in individual subjects on the ACT, like Math.  Most four-year colleges will require students to complete at least College Algebra for all students. However, if the ACT Math score is not at benchmark, the incoming student will have to take other preparatory classes first, like Pre-College Algebra or even Pre-Algebra.  For instance, Chadron State College places incoming freshman into math classes based on the ACT Math according to this scale:

• Math ACT 19+ = College Algebra or other choice approved by advisor for major
• Math ACT 16-19 = Pre-College Algebra required before completion of other required math
• Math ACT less than 16 = Pre-Algebra before completion of other required math

So, scoring at least a 19 on the Math ACT will save an incoming CSC student hundreds of dollars and additional time to take prerequisite math courses in college.

If your student is serious about college, and would be interested in increasing their ACT score for better scholarship opportunities or to save money and time ...then encourage them to challenge themselves in high school by scheduling these 'harder' courses, like Trig!

Cardinal Counseling - 5 Bullet Friday

WELCOME TO 5 BULLET FRIDAY! The Chadron High School Cardinal Counseling Department is excited to share our 5 Bullet Friday Newsletter for the 2019-20 school year!  Each week we will be providing readers with five facts, tips or tricks to help make the school year a success academically, emotionally, and socially!  If you do not wish to receive this email feel free to UNSUBSCRIBE using the button located at the bottom of this email. 1. Did you miss the Grades 9-12 College Financial Aid Meeting on Monday night?  CHS College Financial Aid Meeting RECAP NO WORRIES watch Mrs. Watson's recap HERE! CHS Students and Parents, Are you ready to start thinking about COLLEGE?  Financial Aid?  SCHOLARSHIPS?!  Do you and your student know what a FAFSA is?  If not - no worries - we've got you!  We held our College Financial Aid presentation Monday evening on September 9th at 6 p in the HS library.  We will host another one next year, as always all ages and grades are invited, would be a great event to start thinking about college and learn more!   2. Want to Learn More About Earning College Credits While in High School??  Come to Parent Teacher Conferences Thursday Sept. 19th and join us at 5:30 in the HS Auditorium! This Thursday, September 19th Chadron High School will host Parent Teacher Conferences and a special meeting in the HS auditorium from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. for parents of students in all grades on how to earn, register for, and excel in dual credit and early entry college opportunities.  Can't attend the meeting but Interested in learning MORE about earning college credits while in high school?  Check out Mrs. Watson's Facebook video titled EARNING COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL HERE. 3. Transition to College Events!   Our first transition to college event will be Monday September 23rd at 6 p.m. 11 & 12TH grade PARENTS ONLY.  We will provide a light dinner and daycare, please join us!  To RSVP email loni.watson@chadronschools.net 4. ASVAB Time Here we GO! CHS will be giving the ASVAB to ALL JUNIORS this Wednesday September 18th at 8:00 a.m. in the Armory building at Chadron State College.  We will meet at take attendance AT the college this day! The Department of Defense introduced the ASVAB (which stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) in 1968. It was originally designed to predict future academic and occupational success in military occupations. However, extensive research indicates the ASVAB assesses academic ability and predicts success in a wide variety of occupations. The ASVAB CEP is used for career exploration and is given to high school and early post-secondary students. We will do a fun activity after taking the ASVAB to help predict and correlate ACT scores and explore possible strengths in certain careers. An enlistment version of the ASVAB is given primarily at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), and is used for enlistment purposes only.  If a student is interesting in extra preparation leading to the ASVAB they can find it here! More Dates to Keep in Mind September 20th:  Deadline for the October ACT Exam!  The October ACT will be hosted HERE at Chadron High School on October 26th!  To register you must go to www.actstudent.org and use a debit or credit card to pay for the exam.  If you are a free and reduced lunch student see Mrs. Watson for a fee waiver!  This is the BEST opportunity for seniors to increase their ACT score for college scholarships and a great opportunity for juniors to take an exam if they have not yet!   October 16th: PSAT!  Any junior who would like to be elibigle for the National Merit Scholarship must take the PSAT.  The PSAT is a great primer for the SAT, and even the ACT, but it's more than just a trial run. PSAT scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. More than 3.4 million high school students (mostly juniors and sophomores) take this nationwide, multiple-choice test every year. The test costs $15, to sign up please see Mrs. Watson 5. Cardinal Cast:  Attendance This week we discuss the importance of attendance on learning and growth.  We ALSO talk about the importance of putting family first and taking that trip, college visit, or family time when needed!  Also check out this week's two minute drill on random drug testing HERE. Check us out on iTunes and make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE!  Readers, THANK YOU AGAIN for joining us! Whether you are from CHS or another school, If you find it worthwhile please continue to SHARE. THE. LOVE (and the link).