tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12628348676283812262024-03-20T22:23:22.949-04:00Blog of Craig SmithThoughts, current issues, and digital media from a Millennial Principal, mostly on educational topics and school-related events, but occasionally on other issues. My posts represent my personal opinions and do not represent my employer.Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-16244512293462835242024-02-13T14:24:00.001-05:002024-02-13T14:24:45.508-05:00Knights of Honor - January 2024<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients for <b>January</b> are: <b>Freshmen Camren R. (Responsibility) & Charlie Z (Respect),</b> <b>Sophomore Michael G. (Respect), and Junior Channing S. (Responsibility). </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our pictures:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrUdq3IA9aD_2LUrbeJ1_Fu3auR2TxmZNj6nsPU2noU6RdfemQtNNqubdyGnKiJ4taWSEDPUGePitpmLChBrIG_PuzD_gO2pIrWOvM_t3JhTGPeg7IOBgpioZE06zVSZv90XOfJ3OO9JfT-DvXEbeKGws_S_xL2wxtuXPWtLWU-E6cp8rr8NcJSnbcvU/s6000/IMG_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrUdq3IA9aD_2LUrbeJ1_Fu3auR2TxmZNj6nsPU2noU6RdfemQtNNqubdyGnKiJ4taWSEDPUGePitpmLChBrIG_PuzD_gO2pIrWOvM_t3JhTGPeg7IOBgpioZE06zVSZv90XOfJ3OO9JfT-DvXEbeKGws_S_xL2wxtuXPWtLWU-E6cp8rr8NcJSnbcvU/w400-h266/IMG_9848.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism<br /></i><i>[Disclaimer: This picture was taken during Spirit Week, which was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GI3xOxiOv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">"Rhyme Without Reason"</a> day.]<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_06FsRlMLUIG5MV1XAWPcJ8FymMaoXyfzunIECJPkvd42BdLU9FoKWAly_bQce2rBPeQHnIQzTSguWWa3byWs1I6NKpU9Jk_KCtU0giPbqpf1layERq__tihIzeyH6Pf6aHN-oTxq4TXifMaTMP57W0DAmDT-TuHFWq8r6UIOQ-xfC0lXtiOzRfyCmE/s640/IMG_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_06FsRlMLUIG5MV1XAWPcJ8FymMaoXyfzunIECJPkvd42BdLU9FoKWAly_bQce2rBPeQHnIQzTSguWWa3byWs1I6NKpU9Jk_KCtU0giPbqpf1layERq__tihIzeyH6Pf6aHN-oTxq4TXifMaTMP57W0DAmDT-TuHFWq8r6UIOQ-xfC0lXtiOzRfyCmE/s320/IMG_2873.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><b>Camren </b>works hard in all of his classes. He takes the time to make sure his assignments are turned in and asks good questions. He advocates for himself when he has questions and he works on his time management skills between sports and school. <i>(nominated by Mr. Steele)</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Charlie </b>always comes to class with a positive attitude and always greets me when he gets to class. Charlie also always speaks to me before leaving class. He works hard during class and is always on-task. Charlie also volunteers regularly during class. <i>(nominated by Ms. Blanchard)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Michael </b>is always respectful to all those around him, including teachers and peers. Michael opens the door for teachers at times and is always looking to help those around him. He is extremely polite and always works hard to be his best every day.<i> (nominated by Ms. Zaino)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Channing </b>swims year-round and also for LNC's swim team. His commitment to his sport and studies proves his ability to manage his time, pursue his passions, and balance his responsibilities with dedication. He has such a positive attitude, compassion for others, and respect for his education; he is destined to make a major impact in the world.<i> (nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-3471611873502491162024-02-06T11:15:00.001-05:002024-02-06T11:15:38.481-05:00February 6th, 2024 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive <p> Embedded is the archive from the <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="background-color: #04ff00;"><span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/gNq2pOpbTKXE3cUJwFkwPgcn8J4wRZ31JkU8zGquiiG1j2ODt7IdNRX1xd7B0ev4.FjoFGNaKG50-aFgV?startTime=1707224420000">February 6, 2024 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></b>.</span> </p>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-63044081537795963992024-01-15T08:01:00.003-05:002024-01-15T15:23:12.909-05:00"Letter from Birmingham Jail": Honoring MLK at Mettle - F3 Highlands January 15, 2024<p><br /></p><div style="background: rgb(238, 248, 250); border: 1px dotted rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 15px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When:</strong> 01/15/2024</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">QIC:</strong> Powerball</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The PAX:</strong> Disaster, Skipper, Lincoln, Sparky, Snowsuit, Pongo, Sugar, Greeter, Avalanche, Brinkley, Powerball</li></ul></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #555555;">I had the opportunity to again continue the tradition of leading MLK Day Monday Mettle and shared the preblast via </span><span><b><a href="https://x.com/CSmithGoBlue/status/1746562867799769582?s=20" style="color: #2b00fe;">X</a><span style="color: #2d3037;">.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today marks the <b>38th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday</b>. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and was first observed in 1986, serving as a tribute to Dr. King for advancing civil rights and social justice through non-violent protest.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Therefore, 11 </span><span style="background-color: white;">High Impact Males aligned the beatdown with the opportunity to read aloud some of Dr. King’s literature, mostly from his <b>“Letter from Birmingham Jail”, written in 1963.</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Disclaimer provided and mosey to the clubhouse and back for…</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WARMARAMA</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Side-Straddle Hops (Jumping Jacks), IST, Hillbillies, Weed Pickers, Windmill, Plank-Jacks, Mountain Climbers, and Burpees.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE THANG</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Coupons (kettlebells or dumbbells) obtained:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Overhead Carries aka Riffle Carries (across parking lot and back)</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Squats </li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoulder Press</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Upright Rows</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Curls</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kettlebell Swings</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tricep Extensions (Skull Crushers)</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bent-over Rows</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Briefcase Carries/Farmer Carries (across parking lot and back x 2; each side)</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Followed by a mosey to the island and back. Rep numbers were 15 for Rounds 1-4; 10 reps for Speed Round 5. After each circuit, a PAX read a quote from an index card aloud to the group.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">We were able to get</span><span style="background-color: white;"> through five</span><span style="background-color: white;"> circuits with little down time; we closed out with Low-Flutters and Mason Twist (aka American Hammers).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The following quotes from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were utilized:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice ― or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?</b></li></ul><div><span face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2d3037;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Plus, two more of my favorites:</span></span></div><div><span face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2d3037;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”</b></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MOLESKIN</strong>:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s incredible to hear how the words written and spoken by Dr. King from 1963, 61 years ago, still resonate today. We have so much work to do with the ongoing battle for social justice, equality, and better opportunities for each and everyone. </li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope the words shared today provide some opportunity for thought and reflection as we celebrate and honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thankful for this group to push me to be a better man and leader. Strong incorporation of all three F's today: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iron Sharpens Iron</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Powerball</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">aka Craig S. Smith</p>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-89217226999067346272023-11-07T09:46:00.001-05:002023-11-07T09:46:13.853-05:00November 7th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive <p>Embedded is the archive from the <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="background-color: #04ff00;"><span><a href="https://zoom.us/rec/play/Kf1SFsnxSBrITToSfd5MKVBoySP7mq259vctrw27jdfbr7ZkXwjIcubMk4muEyfQRabqzZv3xj6Cnb4q.LVc5CyBgIskU7qBD?autoplay=true&startTime=1699361977000">November 7, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></b>.</span> </p>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-63935058809828302542023-10-29T09:02:00.060-04:002023-10-31T16:36:16.112-04:00October 31, 2023: "Shadowed by the Principal" & #NoOfficeDay Live Blog<p><i>Updated 3:08 PM</i></p>On Tuesday<b>, <span style="background-color: #ffa400;">October 31st</span>,</b> I am participating in a <b>"Shadowed by the Principal"</b> event. During the <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Lake Norman Charter Royal Golf Outing</span> event earlier in the month, a silent auction item was available for families to bid on the opportunity to have their student shadowed by the Principal for an entire school day.<br /><br />The winning bidder was the Hinesley Family...again; so the receiving student is Ben, a 12th Grader...again. Yes, this is the same student and family <a href="https://blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/2022/10/october-31-2022-shadowed-by-principal.html">who successfully "won" the opportunity last year</a> when Ben was a junior. Therefore, this is the first time I will be shadowing the same student over multiple years.<div><br /></div><div>It made perfect sense to repeat the <b><i>spooky</i></b> day of a HS Student for <b style="background-color: #ffa400;">Halloween.</b></div><div><div><br />Furthermore, I am utilizing this opportunity to double as a <b>#noofficeday,</b> which is a popular effort by school administrators to dedicate an entire school day out of their office.<br /><div><br />This blog post is updated throughout the day to share my experiences:</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Opening up this year’s edition of “Shadowed by the Principal” & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoOfficeDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoOfficeDay</a>: My <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Halloween2023?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Halloween2023</a> costume is an <a href="https://twitter.com/LNCharter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LNCharter</a> 12th Grader and I’ll be with Ben H. from 7:45 - 2:45 today!<br /><br />Live-blog will be updated throughout the day in this 🧵 : <a href="https://t.co/39Ufz3J6Lq">https://t.co/39Ufz3J6Lq</a> <a href="https://t.co/nstvYeWOMA">pic.twitter.com/nstvYeWOMA</a></p>— Craig S. Smith (@CSmithGoBlue) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue/status/1719321795973570865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>7:45 AM 1st Period - Wind Ensemble (Advanced Band) - Mr. Reavis</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Last year, I ended my day in Band; this year, I get to open my day encompassed by music. After the appropriate warm-up, the class is rehearsing Sleigh Ride. Ben plays the French Horn. Fortunately for the entire group, I am not.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyK-vWergcycDY0yJCnbXFKexAoFSEXIMr40pKrCAjAcXgX1P5HfkhMtbXrD8sSTZqB0xvBNmPBs46pmw3cXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><i>Side-Note:</i> Having now become a MS band parent (s/o Mr. Scaringelli), my overall perspective is so different when I visit out band classes than when I had previously. Especially, given my own personal lack of musical talent.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>8:36 AM 2nd Period - Civic Literacy - Mr. Broome</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Broome opens up the class with candy for everyone! Students are instructed to get out their laptops, but keep them closed. The first instructional activity is finishing the digital content "The Bicameral Congress: Crash Course Government and Politics."</div><div><br /></div><div>At the conclusion, Mr. Broome leads the class through a comparison of British Parliament vs. the original US Congress, with active student participation in response to his leading questions. Mr. Broome displays images to allow for visual comparisons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Direct instruction continues on the US Congress. Mr. Broome references multiple recent situations that have gone before Congress which are relevant to the lives of students currently.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instructional content includes, but is not limited to qualifications for House of Representatives, Senate, and specific powers of each.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the conclusion of instruction, the classroom activity transitions to "The Spooky US Constitution" embedded within Schoology, which is an interactive assignment with numerous links and digital content in which students have two attempts to submit. The class period concludes as students are progressing through the activity independently.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>9:27 AM 3rd Period - Study Hall - Mrs. Williams</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Study Hall is allowing me the opportunity to catch up on my "Principal work."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>10:20 AM Knight Time - Mr. Brackett</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After listening to the daily announcements from Mrs. Thomas and Summer A., including the <b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">LNC Honor Code</span></i></b>, I am able to continue my independent productivity during Knight Time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>10:54 AM 4th Period - Teacher Cadet - Mrs. Massingale</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I'm thrilled that Teacher Cadet is included in my shadow experience! <i>(Side-note: This is the first year the course has been offered at LNC, which followed a "year of planning and recruiting" by Mrs. Massingale last year)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Unexpectedly, we have relocated to the Library/Media Center. For this activity, the Teacher Cadets are leading a "Throwback Library" with students from our Literature & Film course. The Teacher Cadets have prepared to read a story at the appropriate "grade level" of their students (elementary), with an after-reading activity for the students to complete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ben and I are partners; our story is <i>A Weird Blue Light </i>and the craft activity is folding a paper pirate boat. Mrs. Lord, our Instructional Technology Facilitator, is assessing the Teacher Cadets on: Reading of Story/Projection, Transition to Activity, Preparedness, and Clear Instructions.</div><div><br /></div><div>I take the lead reading the story and Ben leads our students through the craft activity. Each station is timed and then groups rotate.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did take advantage of the opportunity to visit and observe the other groups, as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the Lit & Film students were dismissed back to their classroom, the Teacher Cadets briefly reflected on how the activity could be improved.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>11:41 AM Lunch</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A chilly 50 degrees didn't prevent us from still having lunch in the courtyard. A number of guys at our table ate quickly to maximize their ping pong time. Not surprisingly, Mr. Schroth selected our tables to serve as the MPR clean up crew today.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">MPR Clean-Up SQUAD:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdrO5VMs58BR-OyqoYR5AbRb4aLRXRoBwUAkpFaZTflw9EO5aqLM-txOVVd51p7wNE1NGyoywYZ3NzhANwiyyST9Ou-U8Nqnr7NxDlGS67OgBpGWgialrvNxd18TqClqIeRiBG-UxX3BtVplmF9X8WrDfUjyptaMCUqX8ZJ6g3gdvjbe_LLw1IHRCunI/s3088/IMG_3256.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdrO5VMs58BR-OyqoYR5AbRb4aLRXRoBwUAkpFaZTflw9EO5aqLM-txOVVd51p7wNE1NGyoywYZ3NzhANwiyyST9Ou-U8Nqnr7NxDlGS67OgBpGWgialrvNxd18TqClqIeRiBG-UxX3BtVplmF9X8WrDfUjyptaMCUqX8ZJ6g3gdvjbe_LLw1IHRCunI/w300-h400/IMG_3256.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o J. Taylor</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>12:20 PM 5th Period - AP Precalculus - Mr. Awbrey</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After a successful MPR clean up, we finally arrived to Mr. Awbrey's Precalculus. Students are arranged in pods and completing Equivalent Representations of Polynomial and Rational Expressions practice independently, but permitted to collaborate in their pods. Mr. Awbrey is actively circulating and checking with students as they progress in the student-centered environment. The solutions are posted and we can check our work.</div><div><br /></div><div>When working with students in our pod, Mr. Awbrey makes multiple connections directly to the AP Precalculus Exam.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Interesting note:</i> This is actually the first time any work is hand-written today; everything thus far has been either digital within Schoology or hands-on with no writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>When students have completed the problems on the document, they transition to continued practice on Delta Math (an online math platform).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1:06 PM 6th Period - AP Statistics - Coach Zamiara</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>My back-to-back math experience has us also arranged in collaborative pods. </div><div><br /></div><div>Coach Zamiara provides a warm-up activity where we must describe how to carry out a simulation to estimate the probability that we would have to randomly select 20 or more U.S. adult males to find one who is color blind, given that 6% of men in the U.S. have some form of red-green color blindness (with provided simulation data).</div><div><br /></div><div>After an appropriate amount of time, Coach Zamiara recollects the whole group and begins working through the problem with requested student input.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the conclusion, students obtain their "Check Your Understanding" document and compare their work to what is displayed on the Smartboard. Coach Zamiara reviews the content rapidly. The content involves, but is not limited to, the General Addition Rule and Venn Diagrams. Then, the pods are given about 10 minutes to collaborate on the remaining portions of the Check Your Understanding. Coach Zamiara actively circulates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Students are instructed "pencils down" and provided red pens to check their work. Coach Zamiara begins reviewing the material and calls on students for their input, which takes us to the end of class.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coach Zamiara also makes multiple connections directly to the AP Statistics Exam.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1:58 PM - 7th Period - English 12 - Mrs. Massingale and Coach Steele</b></div><div><br /></div><div>We are also arranged in collaborative pods in the co-taught English 12 class of Mrs. Massingale and Coach Steele. We immediately begin the Warm-Up: Why are some of these words on a beware of these seven words list? [Beware of These Seven Words: need, must, can't, easy, just, only, fast]; Multiple students share their responses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next, the class shifts to a Reading Check on <i>Never Let Me Go</i>. The Reading Check is within Schoology and is timed. At the conclusion, Coach Steele reviews the questions from the Reading Check with a wide-range of student participation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The instructional activity transitions to a partner collaboration of specific components from the text, identifying the age of the main character from the list of events provided. </div><div><br /></div><div>Coach Steele facilitates a thorough, in-depth dialogue with the whole-group about the plot and specifics of the events throughout the story. Then, the class begins identifying the ages of the various events and Mrs. Massingale places them on the front board timeline.</div><div><br /></div><div>After placing all the events on the timeline, Mrs. Massingale and Coach Steele facilitate the dialogue and further analysis of the text. </div><div><br /></div><div>The primary co-teaching strategy utilized is Team Teaching, where both Mrs. Massingale and Coach Steele alternate leading instruction and demonstrating concepts. When used effectively, students view both teachers as "the same."</div><div><br /></div><div>The discussion takes us up right to the end of class.</div><div><br /></div><div><p><b>A few additional notes:</b></p><p>Instructional time was definitely maximized throughout the day. </p><p>This is<b><i> not a criticism</i></b> - but I was seated...<b>A LOT.</b> In fact, outside of class changes and my asking for permission to use the restroom/refill my water bottle, I was pretty much sitting the entire day. The challenging part is that I don't see a need to change a single lesson plan, structure, or instructional design of any of the classes from the day. It's just so noticeable from a kinesthetic standpoint, given the normal movement of my daily routine personally.</p><p>Shadowing a student is always an enjoyable experience, but I think it's even more special when it takes place with a senior and thus, majority of the schedule are "senior classes." There was also a nice range of courses with a combination of AP, college prep, and electives.</p><p>I truly appreciate the faculty being on-board with this and welcoming me in for the true student experience. </p><p>I believe I met the expectations to <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"be my best"</span></b> with another successful <i>Shadowed by the Principal</i> and <i>#NoOfficeDay</i>. </p><p>Thank you to the Hinesley Family for their continued trust and support. As Mr. Reavis joked earlier in the day, Ben won't have the opportunity to <i>"three-peat"</i> this event next year. Hopefully another family and student does!</p></div><div><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b></div><div><p>Thank you for viewing,</p><p>CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></p></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-85742919124876039802023-10-27T11:16:00.001-04:002023-10-30T12:04:48.504-04:00Knights of Honor - October 2023<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients for <b>October</b> are: <b>Freshman Wyatt H (Integrity),</b> <b>Sophomore Owen K. (Respect), Junior C.J. L. (Responsibility), and Senior Geethika V. (Responsibility). </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our pictures:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw81OLAI2c9qFQNRgJMSd0hMeGJEloU4O58byfrMLTtFWU6Z-BIPTf2F2p7zFxC_t07-HWGYloYdwQUEvv8cGxCIxTxRYTOfRotAdQDnWSroYQa-s66bD6Jzzm03lOzx4aS3UUAdgMwsZc8X0vuEMdD6OjKdfBEEbbCn4VeBX4-ld1ZMFh_vOEVg27NE/s1425/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Oct%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1425" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw81OLAI2c9qFQNRgJMSd0hMeGJEloU4O58byfrMLTtFWU6Z-BIPTf2F2p7zFxC_t07-HWGYloYdwQUEvv8cGxCIxTxRYTOfRotAdQDnWSroYQa-s66bD6Jzzm03lOzx4aS3UUAdgMwsZc8X0vuEMdD6OjKdfBEEbbCn4VeBX4-ld1ZMFh_vOEVg27NE/w400-h296/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Oct%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx97Q7ZQn-6yaJVpF0gV04UlM5xzET2gKmQU4vftDgtzXA5cvcJMnZFBCx8JdL_1rEHTUp6m8DcKkhV7gNM-__SilhqTB5Asqpc0RY6aAivFt0NGnOBNJIHoCh4cIpXUqEpGrZwyXAIfkya7BTrpJw9vyH1IeZw4FPDzFicq2kytLfqEAXSsUJhRzTRU/s640/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Oct%202023%20B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="618" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx97Q7ZQn-6yaJVpF0gV04UlM5xzET2gKmQU4vftDgtzXA5cvcJMnZFBCx8JdL_1rEHTUp6m8DcKkhV7gNM-__SilhqTB5Asqpc0RY6aAivFt0NGnOBNJIHoCh4cIpXUqEpGrZwyXAIfkya7BTrpJw9vyH1IeZw4FPDzFicq2kytLfqEAXSsUJhRzTRU/s320/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Oct%202023%20B.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><b>Wyatt </b>looks for opportunities to always be helping others. He is the first one to be out of his seat helping a classmate with their laptop, get supplies, or find a partner. He has a "Spidey sense" to know who needs a hand to get something done. <i>(nominated by Madame Davis)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>During the "warm up" for our special guest speaker, Chris Singleton, <b>Owen</b> was one of the students selected to play a game of Knockout. As the field narrowed, Owen could certainly eliminate another student with unique needs from the competition. Instead, he intentionally overshot the basket and allowed the other student to win. I appreciated his sense of understanding and kindness in that moment and think he should be acknowledged for it.<i> (nominated by Mrs. Barkley)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>CJ </b>has taken on the responsibility in my 3rd Period class to help me out in such a tremendous way. He is teaching his fellow classmate to repair computers, and how to problem solve the various tech issues that our student laptops face. He is fully hands-on and is filled with ideas when we face unique issues. From having him last year to this year, I see such a huge development in him. During his period, I am able to focus on other tasks and responsibilities because I know CJ got it! <i>(nominated by Mrs. Barry)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Beyond being a super kind and incredibly talented student, <b>Geethika </b>is a stellar leader in the Student Diversity and Inclusion Council. Over the last few years, I've witnessed her grow into an engaging and dynamic leader who takes initiative to do whatever needs to be done to make the club successful. Beyond leading by example, she is also able to guide her peers through the many events and discussions that we have in SDIC. I really cannot thank her enough for the maturity and responsibility that she has continued to demonstrate. <i>(nominated by Mr. Swiatek)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-70707322103728974922023-10-03T13:47:00.000-04:002023-10-03T13:47:02.513-04:00October 3rd, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive <p>Embedded is the archive from the <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="background-color: #04ff00;"><span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/h5aemXV8ck0xni-T0pxSVflb-l3Hwwk2KOmPen6HtzZbbw_iv06Mhbu6Im8OiTFDJX4eHiYSGXztWPYW.ucqhCSLGnKwc7ejT?autoplay=true&startTime=1696334449000">October 3rd, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></b>.</span> </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><br /></blockquote></div>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-19703751996576160842023-09-28T17:26:00.003-04:002023-10-06T11:04:19.901-04:00Knights of Honor - September 2023<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients for <b>September</b> are: <b>Sophomore Roshini S. (Responsibility), Juniors Clara P. (Responsibility) & Janson K. (Integrity), and Senior Hayden S. (Respect). </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our picture:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxnggUwBAhNcYl8okEXcnFCTKQbkLFhNbkxGAVxFpB9h7o8fjABMx-SYAG8lb1PXHWBPiWINMb4ST-M5AgIPrqibvpXRMybsMBVEaknGRauBDfTqrSyy9BlUDawkyEXz3zs3wKy89AclJe-caZv4yAawYpfx5vRzZrrTZrVoUQdqf8xmbNEZsBa2egJk/s4032/IMG_7465.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxnggUwBAhNcYl8okEXcnFCTKQbkLFhNbkxGAVxFpB9h7o8fjABMx-SYAG8lb1PXHWBPiWINMb4ST-M5AgIPrqibvpXRMybsMBVEaknGRauBDfTqrSyy9BlUDawkyEXz3zs3wKy89AclJe-caZv4yAawYpfx5vRzZrrTZrVoUQdqf8xmbNEZsBa2egJk/w400-h300/IMG_7465.heic" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism <br />[Disclaimer: This picture was taken during Spirit Week, which was "Tropical" for Seniors.]</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsj8x2I2adL710p96okmF1TLdCShzsF-Er1dV13_W8HpB7ZaUxzz_ROqUiZncTP-2YD_zatWY8C4BpX3aqdUpcrlnPCWTgutwxnoh4dUDjrmOVn2mMzz8KbTLL5VhfhChDbRgtzfP4Hmi84B7gWXius-j1I54SbiNETSMw989Kvcj5KhGq7P4NYyM2r4/s4032/IMG_6197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsj8x2I2adL710p96okmF1TLdCShzsF-Er1dV13_W8HpB7ZaUxzz_ROqUiZncTP-2YD_zatWY8C4BpX3aqdUpcrlnPCWTgutwxnoh4dUDjrmOVn2mMzz8KbTLL5VhfhChDbRgtzfP4Hmi84B7gWXius-j1I54SbiNETSMw989Kvcj5KhGq7P4NYyM2r4/s320/IMG_6197.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><b>Roshini </b>follows through with what she undertakes. She is super reliable and trustworthy. She undertakes many things and follows through with them all in excellence. <i>(nominated by Madame Davis)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Clara </b>is such a reliable, honest, and respectful student. She takes pictures of sporting events for Yearbook and goes out of her way to attend away games to take pictures of our students, so they can be featured in the book. She even got into a (minor) accident on the way to another school and still stayed to take pictures!<i> (nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Janson</b><i> </i>volunteered in the concession stand during a home football game. He showed up on his own and jumped right in to help with ANYTHING we needed. I introduced him to all the parents and everyone shared, "Wow, he was a huge help tonight." He was only going to work the first half but came back to help the rest of the game - no one asked him to or expected him to come back and help. He didn't stand around and watch; he constantly asked "What can I do?", "Here, let me do it...", or just took upon himself to do things like clean, load drinks, empty trash, prepare food to serve, and keep everything stocked. He was truly one of the best student volunteers we've had in a long time! <i>(nominated by Mrs. Thomas)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hayden</b> always addresses me and his peers respectfully. He treats the classroom and our building in the same way. He is quiet and does not draw attention to himself, but he deserves this honor for his quiet way of respect and diligence. <i>(nominated by Madame Davis)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div><div><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-3704297472896686802023-09-11T09:52:00.000-04:002023-09-11T09:52:12.023-04:00 Educational Issues and Trends: Guest Post by Kevin Patterson<p><br /></p><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Guest post by Kevin Patterson, Science (Physics) Teacher</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lake Norman Charter High School</b></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Kevin is in his 10th yea</span><span style="background-color: white;">r at LNC and 29th year teaching overall. H</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white;">e was named the Lake Norman Charter High School Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023. This essay was included in the Teacher of the Year portfolio.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Educational Issues and Trends</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Kevin Patterson</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you consider to be the major issues facing public education today? </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15; text-align: left;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-41e4fe0d-7fff-2a41-651f-af5ed91a27a3"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> One concerning trend I see in education today is a general mistrust by some parents and legislators of schools and educational professionals. This seems to be driven by the larger culture wars in society, but it is multi-faceted. Some parents are obsessed with the content presented and controlling the material to which their students are exposed. Others are concerned about the lack of quality in the education their students receive. Unfortunately, there are some examples which generate media attention of educators behaving unprofessionally, making unwise curriculum choices, or being ineffective. However, the media attention to these bad examples obscures the efforts of many more educators. The current mood of legislators seems to be to add more oversight and bureaucracy and to be stingy with resources and compensation. This tends to drive quality educators from the profession and leave schools looking for warm bodies to be in the classroom. This of course exacerbates the situation. Although Lake Norman Charter has not been completely sheltered from these outside trends, I believe many of its characteristics have helped it remain successful. I believe these characteristics can be a model for other schools. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> When I was first hired at LNC, I was told that teachers at LNC are considered to be the experts in their classrooms; my experience over the past nine years has validated this assertion. This is stimulating as a professional educator. As we hear rumors of school systems giving teachers scripts to follow, prescribing rigid pacing guides, and requiring detailed lesson plans, it is liberating to be at a school where I am trusted to do my job and given the freedom to do it in the best way I think I can. Along with this freedom and trust is of course the expectation that teachers at LNC will provide quality instruction to students, but this is communicated in an inspirational rather than oppressive way. A related quality which makes LNC successful is strong, positive leadership which is supportive of teachers. The focus seems to be on clearing the way to allow teachers to do what they do best. The leadership provides a clear vision and helps create an atmosphere for that vision to develop. There is an effort on the part of administration to minimize paperwork and streamline procedures. Other school systems seem to be moving in the opposite direction which saps the energy of teachers. There are circumstances which perhaps make it easier for LNC to create this positive climate than at other places. It helps that we are a smaller operation and somewhat self-contained. Being limited in size helps us create more of a family atmosphere. The nature of our school encourages buy-in from our families since they choose to be a part of the community instead of simply being assigned to it. I believe LNC’s success should cause educational leaders and legislators to establish policies and practices which will encourage this type of environment in other schools.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Thank you for viewing,</span><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;">CS</span><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;" /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></div></div></div></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-6967223098269167532023-09-05T10:16:00.001-04:002023-09-05T10:16:38.458-04:00September 5, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive (first of the '23-24 school year)<p>Embedded is the archive from the <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://zoom.us/rec/play/Re9aaIqCPTLCFWiqdLbGhTHa8TKJGEt5UQAB2r_Wh-0uvc33hp79sWcozuxF0q26aDT7VkICOluiv2Ez.jtPw6DCYBqHMpUKY?autoplay=true&startTime=1693915218000"><b style="background-color: #04ff00;">September 5<span>, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</span></b></a>.</span> </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><br /></blockquote></div><br />Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-82177497474050524392023-08-16T08:03:00.004-04:002023-08-16T08:03:54.118-04:00"Back-to-School Q&A with Craig Smith" | North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools Interview<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://nc.chartercoalition.org/2023/08/15/qa-with-principal-craig-smith-of-lake-norman-charter/"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Rubik; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: 600; text-align: center;">Back-to-School Q&A with Craig Smith</span></span></a></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Rubik; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 27px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://nc.chartercoalition.org/2023/08/15/qa-with-principal-craig-smith-of-lake-norman-charter/"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hear what’s top of mind for this charter leader, principal, and charter parent</span></a></em></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Rubik; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 27px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools</b></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Rubik; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 27px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;" /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works</span></i></p>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-7643128483158906342023-07-28T09:00:00.001-04:002023-07-28T09:00:00.151-04:00Beginning of Year Letter to LNC Families 2023<p> </p><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; width: 680px;" valign="top"><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Dear Parents and Families of the LNC Community: </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; width: 680px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center" height="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="15"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgvrR0G77d-oucRzov30VFfRq2nD80QWm-2SPh4OrcXaKPViWvQ6mmTMk-Q5m71IbV44UfcJCDK1QyFCtXV5FG5xh4ydGdNK5eNx9QYgN1h7_I7Fjmt8dixtRGZ6h0fBRsDdQsSAkCv4Lymz9apoc_2HoY8Goak6i-V9DI=s0-d-e1-ft" vspace="0" width="15" /></td><td align="right" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" valign=""><img alt="" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEicQcS53ECGr7tBQ9aeXOqU5mCO1sZaD7hbWv9JQLAWmIiVJ4ZmfcnCAOY3VH9EblX19ribuvfmRK2rkOWX_9QOuol8obL1yIg1o92o-n0NUfkC2ysvm-7n9tQbjU1YuK89fqwN33R09LLa05GjGQtjfTQEQH8g1E7ppZkpag8qCHXYkjBTLtyUwpzwMwDoyEFjHyy0q2M=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="200" /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">I hope the summer weeks have given our entire community a well-deserved opportunity to relax, refresh and rejuvenate. </span><span style="color: #070707;">On behalf of the Lake Norman Charter High School faculty, staff, Mr. Funchess and the administrative team, I would like to officially welcome you to the </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/cms/lib/NC02225560/Centricity/Domain/520/2023-2024SchoolYearCalendar.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw0lZkHhBz0s9V54MLqW3ujg" href="https://www.lncharter.org/cms/lib/NC02225560/Centricity/Domain/520/2023-2024SchoolYearCalendar.pdf" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">2023-2024 school year</a><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: #070707;">I am honored to serve as principal of the high school, and your partnership, in addition to our collaborative efforts aligned with </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/61&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw1h9RAK9_rxls-tAr6-qnLQ" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/61" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">LNC’s mission and core values</a><span style="color: #070707; text-decoration-line: underline;">,</span><span style="color: #070707;"> will continue inspiring our students to </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic;">“</span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">learn, lead and serve</span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic;">.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">This letter provides valuable information to assist in a smooth opening to the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me</span><span style="color: black;"> (</span><a href="mailto:csmith@lncharter.org" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">csmith@lncharter.org</a><span style="color: black;">) </span><span style="color: #070707;">with any questions.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">LNC'S STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Fostering a place of belonging for each LNC student and helping develop and support their "whole" self will be the two overarching themes throughout this 2023-24 school year. We will continue to build upon our district-wide</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/291&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw1FOMhSWwt0ODiAsVJ9g3O5" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/291" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">IDE&A</a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">initiative with the goal of every student knowing they belong and feeling valued for all their individuality and uniqueness. Secondly,</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2550&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw2ocD0dKWMo8Bzg1CvvrSX1" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2550" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">THRIVE</a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">focuses on our students' overall well-being, supporting their full selves while growing areas of individual strengths and needs. To that end, we are grateful that mental health therapist,</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001TyFaAQEh172hHXjJxmGeTg8ILIEyihVpzKxrpnC21s6iondS8xCSbCaA_87G86efW2cxmsqOTFLzgd-JEZ_U2Tg2cUV2f6_JJWUCYOYExWK1vn3YSDbCvgDN7SH9bGGOcrW-p1W1WR5IwazDYFjcO0WENPx6lhiq%26c%3DsflAOphLz2Xv5xtF8td5_RZVp3euUwV7IQjg0tfA-Ry8nsZdps9h1Q%3D%3D%26ch%3D1vuzJUKenVsjG-R-QOW_LgfDfhwTaW-M1BqAb6XZ96_-cHdI7TQxIw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw3jbr5Yk5Rq3xnqpBeeRbPx" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001TyFaAQEh172hHXjJxmGeTg8ILIEyihVpzKxrpnC21s6iondS8xCSbCaA_87G86efW2cxmsqOTFLzgd-JEZ_U2Tg2cUV2f6_JJWUCYOYExWK1vn3YSDbCvgDN7SH9bGGOcrW-p1W1WR5IwazDYFjcO0WENPx6lhiq&c=sflAOphLz2Xv5xtF8td5_RZVp3euUwV7IQjg0tfA-Ry8nsZdps9h1Q==&ch=1vuzJUKenVsjG-R-QOW_LgfDfhwTaW-M1BqAb6XZ96_-cHdI7TQxIw==" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Dr. Danielle Graham</a>, <span style="color: #070707;">and our entire team of</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2764&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw37t9IuVEcC0Gi1RB6tLNSK" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2764" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">six counselors</a><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">will be returning to LNC in 2023-2024.</span></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">TECHNOLOGY</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">We are proudly in year ten of LNC’s </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/348&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw3cmkVaoXGxcAIAXINNiZji" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/348" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">1:World Program</a><span style="color: #070707;"> and the seventh year of laptop utilization at the high school. If your student is a freshman, they took/will take their laptop home at the conclusion of Freshman Kick-off provided they paid the $125 tech co-pay. While our upperclassmen retained their laptops during the summer, their</span><span style="color: #212121;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2214&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw1RIeb7RM1W8mQzlJv2MAzT" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2214" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">tech co-pay</a><span style="color: #212121;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">must be paid before the first day of school, </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Thursday, August 10</span><span style="color: #070707;">. That co-pay can be paid </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2214&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw1RIeb7RM1W8mQzlJv2MAzT" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/2214" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: #212121;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">SCHEDULES</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">You can expect to receive your student’s schedule via the email address we have on file by </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Friday, August 4</span><span style="color: #070707;">. Please</span><span style="color: #070707;"> remember these schedules are final unless there is an obvious scheduling error. If you wish to send us an updated email address, you can make that change using </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrHpIxvugmMX0DVShTbVTXKyvmNcUE_i0Lr-26k9QjOvOIYw/viewform&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw3cYWTc7DbpW36T30zk5RJs" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrHpIxvugmMX0DVShTbVTXKyvmNcUE_i0Lr-26k9QjOvOIYw/viewform" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">this form</a><span style="color: black;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">NEW BELL SCHEDULE</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">We made a slight change with the location of </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic;">Knight Time</span><span style="color: #070707;"> in our Bell Schedule for ‘23-24. </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic;">Knight Time</span><span style="color: #070707;"> will now occur after 3rd Period (10:20-10:50am) and will be shown on your student’s schedule as KT, not a period number. The</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/document/d/128FAkxnusCVZwh15k9Q0Vc_-0xVE78nwLIvuO6rGxaI/edit?usp%3Dsharing&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw2Y0D-5xBA6_smCB9NuA5U0" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/128FAkxnusCVZwh15k9Q0Vc_-0xVE78nwLIvuO6rGxaI/edit?usp=sharing" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Bell Schedule 2023-2024</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">is embedded. You will see that we reserve the right to shift Knight Time to after 2nd Period for unique circumstances, but that will be announced well in advance to students if necessary for a single day.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">The first day of school for our freshmen is </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, August 9 from 7:45 - 11:15am</span><span style="color: #070707;">. We welcome all of our HS students on </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Thursday, August 10</span><span style="color: #070707;"> for a regular, full day from </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">7:45am - 2:45pm</span><span style="color: #070707;">. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><h3 style="color: #191919; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Special Note Concerning Attendance at the Beginning of the School Year</span></span></h3><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Charter schools are funded in large part based on the number of students attending during the first 20 school days of the year. LNC’s funding is reduced for every day a student is absent (regardless of reason) during this period. For this reason, during the first 20 days of the school year, LNC will closely monitor absences and will require documentation excusing them (i.e. letter from medical provider, etc.). In past years, the school has faced decreased funding because students have not returned to school at the beginning of the year because of family vacations and for similar reasons. The Office of Charter Schools has clarified that a charter school may treat unexcused failures to attend as a withdrawal. </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">If a student (new or returning) fails to attend at any point during the first 20 days of school, LNCS reserves the right to treat the absence as a withdrawal and to offer the student’s enrollment slot immediately to a student on the waiting list. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Also, please be reminded that </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">prior</span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">to the first day of school all parents are required to complete LNC’s </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMqq0qWNV1pUFV0iXntRqt27O5SbNICWBlKNCg8hjSYBF3yw/viewform&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw2Fap1Hzu33MTwVgStdW-0j" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMqq0qWNV1pUFV0iXntRqt27O5SbNICWBlKNCg8hjSYBF3yw/viewform" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">parent acknowledgement form</a><span style="color: black;">. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">LUNCHES/CARPOOL/STUDENT PARKING</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Remember, the PTO does not offer an ordered lunch option in the first few weeks of school so students will need to pack a lunch. We will communicate more information about the PTO-led lunch program before school begins. Additionally, look for carpool and student parking information to also be communicated before the opening of school. As always, we appreciate your patience during the first few weeks of carpool, as it takes some time for everyone to learn the appropriate procedures. </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; width: 680px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" valign=""><img alt="" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgLfivAF7F5JJQ3z11n5bs4Lhgx-6z07Cx3cjlun3P7fLh5Q1vuM7EdeSnSEkZKm88PHOmDLWZXC5yEHTd-m2r31UQA6nL6JtlPQotcdvmf2Rqai9gyIwse8BywjogR8-JPq3lB1f2njgMLHHnEgidisvkHr6Zi8LbDvNjbCgrTnG_wwMQs8hj3nOOZf-fsYOcZqowB-B0=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="130" /></td><td align="center" height="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="15"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgvrR0G77d-oucRzov30VFfRq2nD80QWm-2SPh4OrcXaKPViWvQ6mmTMk-Q5m71IbV44UfcJCDK1QyFCtXV5FG5xh4ydGdNK5eNx9QYgN1h7_I7Fjmt8dixtRGZ6h0fBRsDdQsSAkCv4Lymz9apoc_2HoY8Goak6i-V9DI=s0-d-e1-ft" vspace="0" width="15" /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif" style="color: #070707;"></span><span style="color: #070707;">We look forward to continuing our commitment to service through our </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/Page/404&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw2-9b07f-6GDhJab26TLV_I" href="https://www.lncharter.org/Page/404" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">service program</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">for high school students and our</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lncharter.org/domain/38&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw35hAIseTYKcSB-gWXFTjut" href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/38" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Serve10</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">program for our parents. </span><span style="color: #070707;">Our HS PTO, led by Ms. Kim Schild at the HS </span><span style="color: #191919;">(</span><a href="mailto:hspto@lncharter.org" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">hspto@lncharter.org</a><span style="color: #191919;">) </span><span style="color: #070707;">has many exciting plans to support our teachers and your students and needs your involvement. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #070707;">Your family already belongs to the PTO </span><span style="color: #070707;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #070707;">we hope your membership fosters </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #070707;">a sense of belonging to our sch</span><span style="color: #070707;">ool community. Please sign up</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczK-TClst5poNVSPQi_ji42er0YWkfraHfWBmv636EmJiaqg/viewform&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw18EykpGqumS0Wg20-TcFqG" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczK-TClst5poNVSPQi_ji42er0YWkfraHfWBmv636EmJiaqg/viewform" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">here</a> <span style="color: #070707;">to get involved.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">SAVE THE DATES</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">High school Back to School Night will occur on </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Thursday, August 17</span><span style="color: #070707;"> at </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">6:00pm</span><span style="color: #070707;">, giving all families a chance to visit classrooms, engage in critical conversations with teachers, and simply tour the building by following their student’s schedule. We will provide more information on Back to School Night as it draws closer.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Join us for a school-wide tailgate on</span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;"> Friday, September 8</span><span style="color: #070707;"> as we take on rival Pine Lake Prep. Look for more information about this tailgate once we are back to school. You will also want to save </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Monday, October 9 </span><span style="color: #070707;">on your calendar as that is when we will hold our annual</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://conta.cc/3qdnRlK&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw3DH4PKdNwJwBv-6zXhws13" href="https://conta.cc/3qdnRlK" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Royal Golf Outing</a><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">benefitting LNC athletics. You can learn more and sign up</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://birdease.com/RoyalGolfOuting2023&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw0xQE7Y4AmnebkEIxcJVd4d" href="https://birdease.com/RoyalGolfOuting2023" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: #191919;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Please circle </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday, October 10 </span><span style="color: #070707;">on your calendar for a day of Serve & Play in support of our mission of service and our continued commitment to THRIVE and our students' overall well-being. Finally, reserve the evening of </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Saturday, March 16</span><span style="color: #070707;"> for a Knight of Shenanigans, LNC's adult-only event. </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center" height="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="15"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgvrR0G77d-oucRzov30VFfRq2nD80QWm-2SPh4OrcXaKPViWvQ6mmTMk-Q5m71IbV44UfcJCDK1QyFCtXV5FG5xh4ydGdNK5eNx9QYgN1h7_I7Fjmt8dixtRGZ6h0fBRsDdQsSAkCv4Lymz9apoc_2HoY8Goak6i-V9DI=s0-d-e1-ft" vspace="0" width="15" /></td><td align="right" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" valign=""><img alt="" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgJemDByCNzmPSceLguN3JnPqR2wrwd_SLrjGp3r4eAROVovvI-PbEtXwlX1-r2sBA9lr3oWijf-I0U346Ei_PxZux5SE51roNxKxI-L2y6eUy87RVmEO9YSTLfaHyNjskT1BiNUCbiAuJpSEMYKXur5wfrLjJPFJ_EuddU8mRXo9FgSWexiYS6a_qYV3P3kkfZ9vgyK7w=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="127" /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">PARENT/PRINCIPAL CONNECTION</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Our monthly </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Principal Coffee Chats</span><span style="color: #070707;"> will continue and I cordially invite all parents to join us for the first installment of the school year on </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday, September 5</span><span style="color: #070707;"> at </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">8:00am</span><span style="color: #070707;">. We will live-stream the coffee chat via a link on Schoology, allowing all families to view the chat live or watch/listen to the archive at their convenience. If you are not a member of the LNC2HSP </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lncharter.schoology.com/login?destination%3Dgroup%252F921930368%26school%3D33940482&source=gmail&ust=1690573662778000&usg=AOvVaw1VNJsfVzQ1Xria_DiZS0Og" href="https://lncharter.schoology.com/login?destination=group%2F921930368&school=33940482" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Schoology</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">group, the code to join is </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">M4XT8-Q43FD</span><span style="color: #070707;">. More information will be shared closer to the date, but the agenda for the September chat will include a high school counseling overview for the year. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">As a reminder, here are the student-counselor assignments:</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">The counselor for 9th to 12th graders with last name A - G is Kimberly Van Buren</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">The counselor for 9th to 12th graders with last name H - O is Michael Porter</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">The counselor for 9th to 12th graders with last name P - Z is Christine Casillas</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">In addition, I encourage our families to connect with me through</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw11Q3JbyPGPaLHkg7irU0_B" href="http://www.twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">and my professional </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw3bA5j8qFyAJZDVctKBhjxU" href="http://blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">blog</a><span style="color: #070707;">. I utilize both of these forums to communicate our successes, promote school-related events, share resources and collaborate with my professional learning network. You will also find school-wide social media shared via LNC's</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/LNCharter-School-164583853560148/&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw14oGwbA8d4hLTBQPGV292J" href="https://www.facebook.com/LNCharter-School-164583853560148/" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="color: #070707;"> page</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/LNCharter&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw3DX_ZStIvu73t8iYzxTLdA" href="https://twitter.com/LNCharter" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">account and </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/lncknights/&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw2yCFrPIoU_eJPS_pF0hWgO" href="https://www.instagram.com/lncknights/" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: #070707;">We are very active on all three and they offer an opportunity to gain an understanding of our school culture and keep up with the "softer" side of the news at LNC.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">NEW HS STAFF</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Next, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new faculty members to LNC:</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">Matthew Montroy</span><span style="color: #070707;"> is a veteran social studies teacher, previously serving at South Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools). Coach Montroy has taught a wide-range of social studies courses throughout his teaching career. Prior to arriving at South Meck in 2018, he spent two years at Parkwood HS (Union County Schools), being recognized as Graduation Keynote Speaker in 2018 and a Teacher of the Year finalist in 2017. Coach Montroy's first position in NC was at Marvin Ridge HS (Union County Schools) in 2008, where he was named Teacher of the Year and a Union County Finalist for the award in 2014. This winter, Coach Montroy was </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.highschoolot.com/lake-norman-charter-names-matt-montroy-next-head-football-coach/20701787/&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw0SURKgu__bp4b8TE8LcTXS" href="https://www.highschoolot.com/lake-norman-charter-names-matt-montroy-next-head-football-coach/20701787/" style="color: #0033cc;" target="_blank">selected</a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #070707;">as the next Varsity Football Head Coach at Lake Norman Charter.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Coach Montroy will be teaching Econ. & Personal Finance and Psychology this year.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-weight: bold;">Dr. W. Ray Leach</span><span style="color: #201f1e;"> is a veteran English teacher and educator, previously serving as an Instructional Technology Facilitator in Gaston County Schools. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction, also from Charlotte. Dr. Leach previously was with LNC as a Middle School Language Arts Teacher from 2017 to 2021. He also currently works as a part-time Collegiate Test Prep Instructor for Central Piedmont Community College. Dr. Leach will be a Literacy Specialist and teaching English I for ‘23-24.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">We are excited to welcome them to our LNC Community.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">SAFETY AT LNC</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Our greatest responsibility and first priority is to provide a safe environment for our students and staff. You can expect to receive a communication next month explaining our protocols and procedures for ensuring our school’s security. Mark your calendars for “Cup of Joe with Officer Bo” on </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">August 22 at 8:00am</span><span style="color: #070707;"> when you’ll hear directly from School Resource Officer Bononno and have an opportunity to ask questions. This informational session will also be live streamed and archived for your convenience.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">The fundamental expectation for our faculty, staff, students and parents is to simply </span><span style="color: #070707; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">be your best</span><span style="color: #070707;">, every day.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">I hope you continue to enjoy these last few weeks of summer break and we look forward to the opening of school on </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">August 9</span><span style="color: #070707;"> for freshmen and </span><span style="color: #070707; font-weight: bold;">August 10</span><span style="color: #070707;"> for all students. We thank you all in advance for being your best in 2023-2024.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #070707;">Yours in education,</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; width: 328.667px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 10px 40px;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg-9bemUDcl5Nf8H5xeEmkfvSyA3X7_PrWjrzIQ70LpluikpawAjOPWvXLU16zmJENH2vs828AdqbmnTVl47trdgeZxhhCUE7MkRFZibPrsFc_W8YnfF0xBEXmx5S8gSBUjTOHsu0GyyrCXut87yfK8gLlx1y8qX6aUNofL9H-lshCsXFMrv3Q_N61iUIVvaC8V5XoQsZE=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="157" /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 0px 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Craig S. Smith</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Principal, High School</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="mailto:csmith@lncharter.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">csmith@lncharter.org</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">704-948-8600</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw11Q3JbyPGPaLHkg7irU0_B" href="http://www.twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue" style="color: #0033cc; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">@CSmithGoBlue</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1690573662779000&usg=AOvVaw1Kcq9li87kjihOQrPRkr-G" href="http://www.blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0033cc; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">www.blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; width: 181.333px;" valign="top"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-20549298581741442622023-07-10T09:40:00.009-04:002023-07-10T10:21:46.575-04:002023 LNC Advanced Placement Success<p>Advanced Placement Exam scores for 2023 were recently released in North Carolina. Proficiency on the AP Exam requires a level III, IV, or V.</p><div>For <span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter</span>, here is a rundown of some quick-hit highlights, starting with our overall success:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely proud to share <a href="https://twitter.com/LNCharter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LNCharter</a> AP Exam performance for 2023 hit an impressive level of 82.1% proficiency! (over 652[!!] tests administered) <br /><br />Read more points of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LNCPride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LNCPride</a> in this blog: <a href="https://t.co/eYOOEpwHIp">https://t.co/eYOOEpwHIp</a> <br /><br />Congrats to our teachers & students for Being Your Best! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nced?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nced</a></p>— Craig S. Smith (@CSmithGoBlue) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue/status/1678400016765812736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><br /></p></blockquote><span><a name='more'></a></span>The <span style="color: blue;"><b>LNC Proficiency</b></span> rate<b> was at least 20% higher</b> than the National Average for <b style="background-color: #01ffff;">11 subjects</b>.<br /><br /><b>Five subjects had at least 30% higher Proficiency rate </b>than the National Average: Biology, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Statistics, and U.S. Government.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Three subjects had 100% Proficiency</b>: Biology, Chemistry, and U.S. Government.<br /><br />We were above the National Average in <b style="background-color: #01ffff;">13 total subjects</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A long-term comparison (2015 v. 2023) shows an increase of our overall proficiency, but also a continued growth of the number of students enrolled <span style="background-color: #04ff00;"><i>(note: the number of students proficient in 2023 <b>exceeds</b> the number of total AP tested students in 2015 with an increase of over 25%</i>)</span>:</div><div><br /></div><div>2015: 341 out of 426 (80.1% proficiency)</div><div>2022: 428 out of 524 (81.68%)</div><div><b style="background-color: #04ff00;">2023: 535 out of 652 (82.06%)</b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>Furthermore, you can see the consecutive year comparison above; our # of proficiency scores (535) surpassed the # of tests taken (524) the previous year.</div><div><br /></div><div>This point of pride can be shared by all faculty and staff as continued evidence of our high academic standards in all subject areas. Our success is a testament to the shared ownership of learning by our teachers and students, as well as the support by our families.<br /><br />Thank you to our teachers and students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">B</span><span style="color: blue;">eing Your Best</span>,</i></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-69669250834582855782023-06-29T08:46:00.003-04:002023-06-29T10:08:03.265-04:00Ten Tips for College Application Season: Guest Post by Sean Huynh<p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Guest post by Sean Huynh, Class of 2023</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lake Norman Charter High School</b></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Sean is a 2023 Graduate of </span><span style="background-color: white;">LNC. He served as the Student Council President and will attend Fordham University (New York, NY) in the fall. </span></i><i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Ten Tips for College Application Season</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Sean Huynh</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4FsVDwt2JTJV0LvY8xzx2MjUFqXkXI0yzKHhKRxQEPF3P0umRMzgVedf35fNVwrztdYLh-HHhYFvmukezQWoEDaws61fRwXzdWB8c4NyCQ3Pok0PKeSpxZW2c2bIl8DbTOGlsXjuD06rYM8A33auSKnNRJpRKu9kWTtwCO1SRx2UsR75UISMh1Nwa58/s1920/Sean%20&%20Smith%20Graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4FsVDwt2JTJV0LvY8xzx2MjUFqXkXI0yzKHhKRxQEPF3P0umRMzgVedf35fNVwrztdYLh-HHhYFvmukezQWoEDaws61fRwXzdWB8c4NyCQ3Pok0PKeSpxZW2c2bIl8DbTOGlsXjuD06rYM8A33auSKnNRJpRKu9kWTtwCO1SRx2UsR75UISMh1Nwa58/s320/Sean%20&%20Smith%20Graduation.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.15; text-align: left;"><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The College Application process is stressful, draining, and downright unpleasant. But it’s also an important time of introspection that is valuable and sometimes even gratifying. Here are ten things I wish I had known as I was applying to college: <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p style="font-size: x-large;"></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Adjust your mindset and expectations.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You probably know that the college admissions process is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. After all, what university you attend will dictate the next four years of your life, the people you’ll meet, and the direction your career takes. Most people go into this process feeling this pressure of needing to be the “perfect applicant” in order to get into their “dream school.” I get it…I’ve been there too. My advice is to abandon that train of thought and completely reset your mindset. If I had to describe this process in one word it would be “humbling.” You have to accept that this process will be difficult and that you will struggle. It’s not supposed to be a walk in the park–after all, nothing worth having ever comes easy! </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You should also realize that the college admissions process isn’t fair–and neither is life. There are certain things outside your control, and you should simply accept that and do your best within the confines of what’s within your power. Remember that you don’t have to be perfect (nobody’s perfect!). Just present the best possible version of yourself. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I like to think of college admissions like a dating app. There’s only so much you can do to craft your profile; ultimately each college has separate tastes and standards that will cause them to swipe right or left. Banish the idea of “soul mates” from your mind–at least in terms of colleges. There is no “perfect college” for you, so don’t stress over whether or not you’re applying to the “right” schools or not. Think of it more like multiple schools are a good match for you, and know that you’ll end up somewhere that you’ll fit in. You just have to trust that the right match is out there who will appreciate you for what you’re worth.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Try to stay objective and keep an open mind. Many people are so fixated on their “dream school” that they miss out on opportunities to apply to or attend other great institutions! It’s ok to have a “dream school” but don’t let it be the end all be all. At the end of the day, you’re in control of your education, your career, and your life and each college is simply a vessel to help you achieve your success. Never forget that!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ol start="2" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Take a step back and self-reflect.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This is the time when you will really have to get to know yourself. Before you even start looking at colleges and writing essays, I recommend looking inward to discover your identity. What do you love to do? What drives you? Think about the activities you engage in and the subjects that interest you. Now consider why they are so appealing to you and what that says about who you are. Brainstorm a list of qualities that you think best describe you and find times when you’ve clearly exhibited these qualities. Try to be as specific as possible. This will help later on with brainstorming essay topics and anecdotes. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Once you’ve determined the qualities you want to exhibit throughout your application, ask yourself: “What do I want from my college experience?” What type of college are you interested in? A large public school with plenty of students and opportunities? A small private school with intense student focus and support? A school with a social scene or a school with academic rigor? Maybe some schools have specialized programs for an academic interest that really attracts you. Your personal qualities and a prospective school’s values should align. Because one of the deciding factors in this process–and I promise you’ll hear this time and time again–is fit.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="3" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay organized and set priorities.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As you begin your college search and compiling your list of schools, make sure to establish an organized system to keep track of all your schools, deadlines, essays, recommendations, etc. If you’re tech-savvy, maybe a spreadsheet and distinct Google drive folders for each college is the way to go. If you want a more traditional approach, maybe a notebook and printed documents is more your style. Whatever you choose, make sure you can clearly keep track of all the documents and resources.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In terms of making a list of schools, it’s a good idea to start broad and narrow your list down later. It’s ok if your list changes throughout the process…in fact it probably will as you grow and adapt over the months (my lists in August and in December were very different). But once you have a general outline of what your college list will look like, determine which colleges you want to focus the most on. Some applications are more strenuous and effortful than others so this can help you decide on how you want to order your colleges. Maybe you want to finish your high-priority applications first to avoid the infamous “College Essay Burnout.” Maybe you want to save your high-priority applications for the end to ensure you’ve got more experience and drafts under your belt to put your best foot forward. Either way, set priorities for your schools and adjust your schedule accordingly.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="4" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Do your research.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of this process is the research. While essay writing can be difficult, it’s nearly impossible if you don’t know what you’re talking about. You should always do research on each school that you apply to. Even if your parents attended a school or you watch their football team play every Saturday, there’s always important information waiting to be found if you dig deeper. What is a school known for? What programs do they offer that you can’t find anywhere else? Is there a professor that you’d love to work/research with? Maybe a club that seems tailor-made for you? Many schools have the infamous “Why Us?” essay and you’ll need to dig deep to show that you’re truly interested in attending that specific institution.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Typically, you’re trying to answer two questions: “Why am I interested in attending this school?” and “How am I a good match for this school?” When researching, there are plenty of factors to consider in prospective schools including: academics, extracurricular/athletic opportunities, student support, location, size, and price. It’s important that throughout your research, you stay objective in your views of a college. Recognize that there are pros and cons to every university. A large public school will have a massive network and boundless opportunities, but it may not focus on the student as much. A small private institution will provide world-class professors and plenty of research opportunities but might have a higher price tag. Even your “dream school” will have its fair share of shortcomings, and it’s important that your enthusiasm for that school doesn’t blind you to its less desirable features. Similarly, if there’s a school that you’ve for some reason always hated growing up, take a step back and consider some of its pros. Dispel your preconceived notions and consider each school fairly and objectively. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As you research, you’ll encounter plenty of statistics provided by the schools. My advice? Don’t take too much about stats into account. Stats like average SAT/ACT scores, average GPA, and acceptance percentage never tell the real story. If you’ve taken stats (or even if you haven’t), you should know that the biggest takeaway is that “Correlation doesn’t equal causation.” These stats reflect a sweeping generalization of the past, but this is no way to predict the future. Just because you have an SAT within or above a school’s average range does NOT mean you’ll get in. Conversely, if your score is under their average, that doesn’t mean you’ll get rejected. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The one stat that I particularly cannot stand is acceptance rate because it’s so misleading. Take Harvard for example. They have an incredibly low acceptance rate of 4%. But contrary to popular belief, THIS DOES NOT MEAN EVERYBODY HAS A 4% CHANCE OF ADMITTANCE! Students are not randomly selected to get into college (that would be absolute chaos). Instead, every applicant is unique and is selected based on whether or not they meet what a college admissions counselor is looking for. I like to think about it as everyone having their individual acceptance probability based on their tangible qualities (GPA, Class Rank, SAT/ACT, extracurriculars, etc.) and can increase or decrease their probability by showing their intangible qualities (personality, character, teacher recommendations, personal voice). It’s true that numbers don’t lie, but they often don’t tell the whole story. So don’t pay too close attention to numbers. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="5" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Establish your platform.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Based on what I’ve seen and heard and my own experiences, the best way to put your best foot forward is to establish a clear platform. What I mean by this is combining all aspects of your application from your essays to your activities and teacher recommendations into one focus that your entire application will be based around. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Too many people think they have to be flashy and outlandish in their actions just to be unique enough to get accepted. This is just false, and most of the time, these students will come across as ingenuine, the exact opposite of what you want to convey. I’m going to be brutally honest: there isn’t any one thing you can do to guarantee your admission into any school. No matter what you try, it’s almost certain someone else has done it before. I’ve met high schoolers that have researched cures for a disease, helped cybersecurity encryption for government agencies, and performed music at the legendary Carnegie Hall. Unless you’re genuinely passionate about something, don’t try something crazy just for the sake of standing out: it’ll probably backfire. You should never have to change who you are just to be accepted. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Instead, try to emphasize the unique experiences and background you come from and how that has shaped your distinct perspective. Although it may be intimidating to convey your entire life through a single application, embrace the fact that colleges don’t know who you are and relish the opportunity to show them your passion and vision. The beautiful part of this process is that you get to pick and choose what you want to show to colleges. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I think of it as telling the story of your identity. Every part of your application should mesh together to tell a clear, cohesive story of who you are as an applicant. It’s important to establish a stance of who you are and incorporate this common theme throughout your app. Let’s say you’re involved in the competitive math team and Science Olympiad and have a passion for Rubik’s Cubes and are a tutor at Kumon. Your common theme might be problem-solving…you love solving puzzles and challenging yourself to think outside the box to not only learn but also teach. Hammer this point home and clearly show college admissions exactly who you are. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This process isn’t just about showing who you are, it’s also showing colleges who you want to be. Connect your past experiences, the lessons you’ve learned, the people you’ve met, the perspectives that make you who you are into how you intend to pursue success in the future. The strongest applicants don’t have to be the smartest or the most talented or the most active (sometimes less is more). The strongest applicants are able to connect their entire application together and tell one memorable yet irrefutable story that proudly says: “This is who I am now, and at your college, this is who I’ll grow to be.” </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">BONUS TIP: Pick a major that makes sense. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">An essential part of your “story” is what major or academic interest you say you’re interested in. If you know exactly what you want to major in, great! Your job now is to find ways to explain WHY. Maybe you loved reading Greek classics and Aristotle and Plato inspired your love for philosophy. Maybe you love keeping up with the rocket launches of SpaceX and learning about the new technology that takes us “out of this world,” which makes you interested in pursuing aerospace engineering. Maybe you’ve always had a passion for dissecting computers and building small devices from scratch, which makes computer engineering your thing. If you already know what you want to major in, chances are you’ve been active in pursuing opportunities to further your particular passions, so all you have to do is show it!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">However, the reality is that most high school students have no idea what they want to do with their lives so choosing a major is difficult. And that’s totally ok! When you write essays describing your academic interests, you’re not committing yourself to this major for the next four years, you’re simply expressing a field that you find fascinating. Many students choose to write about a major just because they enjoyed learning the subject in a high school class. And while it may be the easy route to take (“I want to major in chemistry because honors chemistry was fun”), it doesn’t benefit your application or your story as much as it could. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Instead, take some time to truly research the hundreds of majors out there. Your major should at least somewhat align with the interests you’ve exhibited throughout the rest of your application. It wouldn’t make sense for someone who has predominantly shown STEM interests in activities and classes to suddenly major in American History unless they have a truly convincing story. If you’re choosing a strange major just to be unique, DON’T…admissions committees will see right through that. Instead, sit down and reflect on what general fields you’ve been active in–STEM, Humanities, or some intersection between the two. From there, consider the ideas (not subjects) that interest you…this will help you start to narrow down potential majors. It’s ok if you’re dead set on a major, you are free to change in college. You should just pick one that you can write easily about and convince college admissions that you are passionate about. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A quick warning to those who want to major in Pre-med, computer science, or another very popular STEM major. Make sure you are applying to this major because you love it, not because they’re in high demand or they pay well or your parents want you to. These are HIGHLY competitive majors full of applicants who have grown up wanting to be doctors and computer scientists. I’m not saying don’t apply pre-med or comp sci, just make sure you’re doing so for the right reasons. If you’re truly passionate about medicine or coding, all the power to you. But if you don’t really know why you’ve always said you wanted to be a doctor (this was also me once lol), I’d advise looking at other majors that might better suit your platform. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="6" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t be afraid to ask for help.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">While this is ultimately your journey, don’t forget that you’re not in this alone! Your friends, family, and trusted mentors are there to help you. If you know someone who is currently in college, maybe a sibling or a relative or a friend, don’t be afraid to ask for advice on this process. Most of your friends are going through this same process and are feeling many of the emotions you are feeling. While everyone’s journey is different, your friends are also applying to college and feeling the stress and pressure of the process. Sharing the process with people you love doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but it does make it more manageable. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s also important that you have others review your essays. As a writer, sometimes things you say make sense in your head but sound incoherent and unclear to everyone else. You should have someone you trust review your essays for grammar, syntax, and clarity and help you make edits to improve your writing. Most importantly, have someone close to you read your essays to make sure it sounds genuinely like you. If your essay had no name or indication of the author, your friends should still be able to distinguish that it’s yours. Keep an open mind and be prepared to accept criticism about your writing. You can ultimately choose to ignore any advice, and that’s totally fine. But having different eyes read your essay will definitely help you improve your writing and convey your messages more clearly. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the company of your friends and family! It’s ok to take breaks and socialize! If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, reach out to a friend or relative and find a way to decompress. If your mind isn’t in the right place, it’s almost impossible to work effectively. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="7" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Take your time…but don’t procrastinate.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Everybody’s timeline is slightly different but most people’s college application “season” lies somewhere between August 1 and January 1. Five months may seem like loads of time, but trust me, it FLIES by. To give yourself as much time as possible, try to start as early as the summer before senior year. You don’t necessarily have to write all your essays over the summer (enjoy your vacation–you’ve earned it), but brainstorming and research can be done ahead of time to spend more time during the fall to craft essays. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the more underrated stressors in this process is the fact that you still have high school and extracurriculars to attend! It’s not like your sole focus is college apps, you also have to keep up with your grades and commitments. That’s why it’s essential to manage your time wisely. If there’s a day with less homework or maybe some free time on the weekend, dedicate it to working on your apps. Writing essays is especially time-consuming and you’ll find that writer’s block can often be a real challenge. Sometimes you’ll sit down to write and discover that you’ve forgotten everything you’ve learned about the English language. Another common yet unfortunate event is having to completely restart an essay. Even if you try to force yourself to write, it simply might not be the day so afford yourself plenty of time and opportunities to draft, edit, revise, and repeat!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s important you take the time to be thorough throughout this process. If possible, everything should be planned and thought out in advance from your essay topics to your activity descriptions and your teacher recommendation selections. Don’t let careless mistakes hurt your chances! Before submitting an application, double and triple-check to make sure everything is as you intend it to be. Don’t rush something and regret it later!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Perhaps the most stressful times in high school were right before important college deadlines (for me November 1 and January 1 were killers). Try not to procrastinate and leave all your work until the last minute. If you do, your application might not be as polished as it could be. Now I understand that it’s tough to feel motivated until the deadlines give you that boost of adrenaline needed to start working (trust me, I’ve been there). But if you can start early, you’ll give yourself plenty of buffer to get your best possible application in before the deadline. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="8" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Craft stories, not essays.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Ah, the infamous college essay. Perhaps the most important yet tricky part of the college application is writing the essays. It’s often intimidating: you’ll sometimes struggle to even think of topics to write about. But don’t be discouraged…take each essay one at a time and afford yourself plenty of time to work on multiple drafts. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">After you’ve brainstormed several ideas, create a general outline of how you want to structure your essay. Longer essays within the 350-650 word range especially need to have a well-defined structure to break them down into manageable paragraphs. Shorter essays should be outlined in terms of ideas you want to express. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">When you sit down to write your first draft, don’t be afraid to simply spew your thoughts on a document in a “stream of consciousness” style. Rough drafts are just about getting ideas on paper because you’ll go back to edit and revise later. Don’t worry about diction or grammar or word count, just get words on paper. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s important to take a break between drafts to clear your head and return once you’ve spent time away from a particular essay. Oftentimes, after spending too much consecutive time with an essay, you’ll find ways to convince yourself it’s better than it actually is, and it’s completely normal. When you return, dig a bit deeper and refine your ideas with strong sentences and clear messages. After a few revisions, you can share it with others to get more feedback to improve your writing. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There is no such thing as a “perfect” essay or writing style; write in your own voice and a style that is comfortable to you. If you naturally gravitate towards using literary devices and vivid imagery, use that style! Maybe you like a more direct humorous approach with witty humor that makes you chuckle as you write–go for it! This isn’t the time to experiment with writing styles…if it’s not natural to you, it probably won’t read very naturally to admissions. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">However you decide to write, the most important part of an essay is its content. The essay is the chance for a college admissions committee to understand your personality, character, and identity. So make sure you show them! First and foremost, you should be the star of your essays: your essays should focus on you. There are plenty of different prompts but each essentially boils down to “What makes you, you?” You don’t want to show that you’re perfect, just show that you’re unique. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t think you’re unique? Let me prove you otherwise. From the moment you were born, you’ve been surrounded by a unique family and grew up with distinct experiences that have shaped your identity and perspectives today. Your background and experiences are inherently special and make you one of a kind. That’s why anecdotes are especially valuable because they show aspects of you that are unique. Chances are you have an experience that reveals an ingrained part of your character that you can write about to add personality to your essays. The trick is just being able to dig into your past and recall old memories. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Ultimately, your essays should tell a story. Instead of telling colleges about your qualities, it’s much more effective to SHOW them. Describe your experiences that have shown you’re hard-working and caring. Maybe you grew up taking care of your grandparents or working in the family business–write about that! Instead of saying you’re naturally curious, explain how you were intrigued by watching a David Blaine magic show and were nearly driven crazy trying to explain his wizardry. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Every anecdote should connect back to who you are. Everything should come back to your platform and the common theme you want to exhibit throughout your application. Your scores, stats, activities and experiences are the backbone of your story–you choose what to highlight in your essays and how to “spin” them in a way that portrays you as a distinct scholar and person that will make an impact at a particular college. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the most valuable tips I received was to put myself in the shoes of an admissions counselor when rereading my essays. Something that makes sense to me might be interpreted differently by a college admissions committee. Read your essays critically and objectively to consider how you come across as. Here are examples of what you DON’T want to sound like:</span></p><ul style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The God/Savior Complex - overconfident and flashy, invincible and superior, “I use my gifts to help those less fortunate than me.” It’s ok to want to help others, but don’t be cocky or ingenuine about it. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Negative Pessimist - sees everything in a negative light, overly self-critical, potentially unmotivated to seek change. If this is who you truly are, try not to show it as few colleges will want to accept someone who brings a negative aura to their campus.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Thesaurus - uses words that you’d only find in the Scripps Spelling Bee, clearly looks up synonyms for every possible word. Contrary to popular belief, the thesaurus is NOT your best friend. Use words that are natural for you. Your essays should reflect your personality and writing style, not a thesaurus.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Robot - emotionless, monotone, only studies and does work, has no life or fun. As an Asian-American applicant, this is the stereotype that unfortunately is associated with us. Break the stereotype and show PASSION in your essays. </span></p></li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There is no formula for crafting a good college essay. One thing that you can count on is that it WILL take time. Everybody’s writing style will be different and you’ll encounter many types of essays. Whatever the prompt, always brainstorm, outline, draft, edit, polish, repeat. And the focus should always be to tell a clear, concise story of who you are. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="9" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Work hard, be patient, trust the process, and don’t overreact.</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Philip Pullman once said, “What is worth having is worth working for.” You get one shot at applying to colleges, so most people are understandably stressed and feel the pressure. But just step back, take a deep breath, keep your head down, and work. This is not the time to slack off–both in and out of school–as any dips in performance (drastic grade drops or suspensions or reportable disciplinary action) could look really bad. This is going to be a hard process, but you’re prepared for it so push through the adversity! After all, as the saying goes “You Only Apply to College Once!” </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The several months after you submit your applications might be the hardest part: the wait! Waiting for admissions decisions can be excruciating and burdensome, but don’t let it stop you from enjoying your last year of high school! After you submit, it’s out of your hands and there’s nothing more you can do. Sit back, relax, and wait patiently for that decision. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">When notification days usually roll around, it can seem like a very tense time. Try your best to stay calm, relax, and trust the process. Remember, an acceptance/rejection doesn’t dictate your life, you will control your destiny at whatever college you attend. Rejection is an unfortunate inevitability of this process but don’t let it drag you down! Accept it and move on with the understanding that your talents will be better served elsewhere. Keep your head high and don’t be discouraged. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">When you do get that acceptance, feel free to celebrate! Congrats on this momentous achievement! But don’t get too caught up in the frenzy of an acceptance. While it’s great to feel excited and proud of yourself, don’t make any rash decisions and wait for your other decisions to come back so you have all options on the table. There may still be better offers and options yet to come!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In the end, you might not necessarily get into the school you wanted but have faith that you’ll end up at the school where you belong. Whether you get accepted, rejected, or waitlisted, you’ve still grown as an intellect and as a person throughout this process, which is something you should be incredibly proud of. Celebrate your wins, move on from your losses, and stay positive throughout the whole process!</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><ol start="10" style="font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Have confidence, be yourself, and take pride in who you are!</span></p></li></ol><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="line-height: 1.15; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The college application process is filled with stress, fear, frustration, and uncertainty. But it’s also a revealing process that helps you better understand yourself at the end. If there’s one thing you can take away from these tips, it’s that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">you should always be yourself and be proud of who you are</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. You are a unique and talented individual that will ultimately leave a mark on this planet. No matter what happens, continue to work hard on your journey through college and life. You will doubtless continue to grow as you gain experience and wisdom. But never change who you are for someone else. Best of luck!</span></p></span></span></span><span face="" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">Thank you for viewing,<br /><br />CS</div><div style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></span></span></div></div></div></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-57864871216780425812023-06-05T09:13:00.006-04:002023-06-05T09:18:16.432-04:00LNC Class of 2023: Planned College Matriculation List<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Regardless of where you started, you all are collectively connected as the <a href="https://twitter.com/LNCharter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LNCharter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Classof2023?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Classof2023</a>.<br /><br />It’s truly an honor to serve as Principal of LNC and to always be connected to “y’all” as your Principal. My only request: Continue…to BE YOUR BEST.<br /><br />Congrats!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LNCPride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LNCPride</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nced?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nced</a> <a href="https://t.co/LBFjY0AWq8">pic.twitter.com/LBFjY0AWq8</a></p>— Craig S. Smith (@CSmithGoBlue) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue/status/1662462213293068288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Based on what has been submitted to the Counseling office and entered in Naviance, the following is a comprehensive college/university list of where the <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Lake Norman Charter HS Class of 2023</span></b> will be attending next Fall:</p><a name='more'></a><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #212121; font-size: 15px; width: 463px;"><tbody><tr height="25" style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 278pt;" valign="bottom" width="463"><div style="margin: 0px;"><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Appalachian State University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Auburn University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Belmont Abbey College</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Catawba College</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Central Piedmont Community College</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clemson University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Coastal Carolina University</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Davidson-Davie Community College</span></span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">East Carolina University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Ferrum College</span></span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fordham University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Grand Canyon University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">High Point University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">James Madison University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liberty University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Louisiana State University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">North Carolina A & T State University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">North Carolina State University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Queens University of Charlotte</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of Alabama</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of Georgia</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of Lynchburg</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of North Carolina at Asheville</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of North Carolina at Charlotte</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of North Carolina at Greensboro</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of North Carolina Wilmington</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">University of Oklahoma</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">University of Pennsylvania</span></span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of South Carolina</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of Tennessee</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wake Technical Community College</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Washington University in St. Louis</span></span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Western Carolina University</span></p><p style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><br /><br /></div></td></tr><tr height="25" style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 278pt;" valign="bottom" width="463"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></td></tr><tr height="25" style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 278pt;" valign="bottom" width="463"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></td></tr><tr height="25" style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 278pt;" valign="bottom" width="463"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><i>(updated June 5, 2023)</i><br /><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b><div><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />Thank you for viewing,<br /><br />CS</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Related:</span></b> <a href="https://blogofcraigsmith.blogspot.com/2022/06/lnc-class-of-2022-planned-college.html"><i>LNC Class of 2022: Planned Matriculation List</i></a><br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-16510879086657504892023-04-04T11:06:00.004-04:002023-04-04T11:06:37.319-04:00April 4th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive<p>Embedded is the archive from the <b><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/6iXkcbxymFlAtJMxWcIMFisGnRCDGusgud7OODVu6ya71zt7jz48CSebTwYPpytNMqdX9dqYCjPO8Mw.kVvtdvyWxWgNBcss?autoplay=true&startTime=1680609604000">April 4th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a>.</b> </p>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-53917734517418118642023-03-28T11:05:00.005-04:002023-03-28T11:23:10.263-04:00Knights of Honor - February & March 2023<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients for February and March are: <b>Sophomores Aubrey H. (Integrity), Javon T. (Respect), Freeda B. (Integrity), Ashlyn P. (Respect); Junior Caroline C. (Respect); and Seniors Nicole A. (Responsibility), Garson L. (Responsibility), & Emma H. (Responsibility). </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our picture:</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUfPvTTxW6lRs_uHUhPGQnEjidwAX6Ktf7VMUc1tLIumk7OquCyKqY4Ti-vaFCYX4xV7vNcw1cMSpqwr_hpea3OyMuu9l9HvAzRp0CjiBHXyfPbYDHN-t8nm85FnrRv8eGZlryIUhGdESu5BjoT5r4Pz0M6CI73rM3bkRbAIv1KLBkl7xigENaHM/s640/Knights%20of%20Honor%20March%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUfPvTTxW6lRs_uHUhPGQnEjidwAX6Ktf7VMUc1tLIumk7OquCyKqY4Ti-vaFCYX4xV7vNcw1cMSpqwr_hpea3OyMuu9l9HvAzRp0CjiBHXyfPbYDHN-t8nm85FnrRv8eGZlryIUhGdESu5BjoT5r4Pz0M6CI73rM3bkRbAIv1KLBkl7xigENaHM/w640-h482/Knights%20of%20Honor%20March%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><b>Aubrey </b>is willing to take risks and speak out when she sees something that needs correcting. I appreciate her work ethic and candor in the classroom. <i>(nominated by Mr. Bates)</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On Tuesday's, we move our desks so the floors can be cleaned. Every Wednesday morning, <b>Javon</b> is in my classroom before I am setting my desks back up for me. He certainly does not have to do this and I can't tell you how much I appreciate him and his genuine kindness. <i>(nominated by Mrs. Porter)</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Freeda </b>writes with such self-awareness, honesty, and compassion. Because I see her in both Journalism and English, I have watched her writing and personal insight mature this year showcasing her integrity and personal goals. She is personable, respectful, and always says good bye or thank you when she leaves the classroom. She is such a joy to have in class. <i>(nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Recently <b>Ashlyn </b>noticed when one of her peers was having a bad day. She went out of her way to show the student kindness and encouragement. Ashlyn does this on a regular basis and her actions are always from the heart. <i>(nominated by Mrs. Porter)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Caroline </b>is one of the kindest, most positive students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. I see her intentionally extending friendship, acceptance, and encouragement to all of her peers every day. She has the ability to uplift everyone around her. Caroline makes LNC a better place. <i>(nominated by Mrs. McClain)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Nicole </b>is in charge of executing the Knights of Honor certificates, social media posts, and bulletin board for the HS. She also coordinates the Silver Knight Award and cord for the program, where she designed the logo and managed all of the materials for students. Although they are her assigned projects in Journalism II, she is always the first to volunteer or help where she is needed. (<i>nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Garson </b>saw a need for upcoming freshmen to have a mentor program that would help them acclimate to high school. He then initiated and implemented a plan to pair upperclassmen with rising 9th Graders. He led countless meetings with his leadership team, and provided a plan that shows respect for the process. He communicated with the building principals, counselors, and rising 9th Graders. He then launched the program at the transition day and organized fellowship activities for the students to meet with their mentors.<i> (nominated by Mrs. Massingale)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>While it is difficult to choose only one category listed for <b>Emme</b> because all four fit her perfectly, I chose responsibility. Emme is a very responsible young lady who is always willing to volunteer, often without even being asked. She jumps in and helps whatever the scenario is and when she signs up to do something, she shows up eagerly. I know if Emme says, "Mrs. Jill, I got you, I'll be there." - she will! She is very dependable and a fabulous representation of an LNC student. <i>(nominated by Mrs. Thomas)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div><div><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div><br />Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-26867805191619941762023-03-07T09:07:00.003-05:002023-03-11T09:03:07.079-05:00March 7th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive<p>Embedded is the archive from the <b><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/KGeoxGSecc9gBfK7AkcJ3goj4t6uXPV-7SCgIewrG9f78wlODsIl-dHsbug2A_cSARZSPG3cV4j2Vs9N.zSinFRnthfYX1jtd?autoplay=true&startTime=1678194048000">March<span style="color: #2b00fe;"><u> 7th</u></span></a></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/KGeoxGSecc9gBfK7AkcJ3goj4t6uXPV-7SCgIewrG9f78wlODsIl-dHsbug2A_cSARZSPG3cV4j2Vs9N.zSinFRnthfYX1jtd?autoplay=true&startTime=1678194048000">, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></span></b>.</span> </p>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-60161357359239181792023-02-07T15:28:00.006-05:002023-02-07T15:28:59.707-05:00Return of the Physical Conditioning I/II Powerball Lottery-Style Bodyweight Beatdown<p>Coach McKay provided me the opportunity to return to his <b>Physical Conditioning I/II</b> class 8th Period. I welcomed the chance to renew the annual tradition with a new group to lead.</p>It was an absolutely picture-perfect mid-60's, blue skies, and sunshine. We took a mosey jog from the gym to Knights Field, followed by their typical dynamic warm-up. Then, <b>I welcomed everyone to the <span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">Physical Conditioning Powerball Lottery-Style Bodyweight Beatdown</span>.</b><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div>The group of 23 (22 students + one Principal) lined up on the 5-yard line, facing the end zone. There was a pitcher in the center of the end zone, with an empty basket next to it.<br /><br />Located inside the bucket were 22 ping-pong "lottery" balls; every ball contained an exercise and a repetition number. Each participant takes their turn to run to the pitcher, pulls out a ball randomly, calls out the exercise and rep number, and places the ball into the basket. The group performs the exercise immediately.<br /><br />The Lottery included the following 22 sets, randomized by the participants:<br /><ul><li><span style="background-color: white;">5 Burpees</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">7 Burpees</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Burpees</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Push-Ups</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">15 Push-Ups</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20 Push-Ups</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Wide Push-Ups</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">5 Diamond Push-Ups</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">15 Air Squats</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20 Air Squats</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">5 Jump Squats</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Jump Squats</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">15 Jumping Jacks</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20 Jumping Jacks</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Plank-Jacks</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20 Plank-Jacks</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Lunges </span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20 Mountain Climbers</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Reverse Crunches</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10 Bicycle Kicks (each leg)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">10-Yard Down-and-back Sprint (20 total yards)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">20-Yard Down-and-back Sprint (40 total yards)</span></li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white;">The emphasis was to limit the down-time as much as possible. Participants were instructed to modify, as needed. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">We were able to successfully get through two full rounds and a partial third in about 30 minutes. After circuit #1, we completed a 30-yard bear-crawl and return crab-walk; after circuit #2, it was another 30-yard bear-crawl and returned with broad jumps.</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I greatly appreciate Coach McKay allowing me to lead this group and I hope they enjoyed the <b><span style="color: blue;">Powerball Lottery-Style Beatdown</span></b>. Their display of exhaustion afterwards certainly gave the impression of enjoyment.<br /><br /></div><div>Thank you for <b><span style="color: blue;"><i>being your best</i></span></b>.</div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">CS</span></div><div><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-86703463009053093032023-02-06T11:35:00.000-05:002023-02-07T15:42:50.999-05:00February 7th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive<p>Embedded is the archive from the <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><u><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/WON9fLclYbgfC-3Yu11HMVW2ghwHEEo2rKeMfMbdb8PE7B-j7AHHn_fRi7ljKp-JZbkBxcJymQ0gOXY.uSZ_rTJHdADyZwpd?autoplay=true&startTime=1675774813000">February 7th</a></u></span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/WON9fLclYbgfC-3Yu11HMVW2ghwHEEo2rKeMfMbdb8PE7B-j7AHHn_fRi7ljKp-JZbkBxcJymQ0gOXY.uSZ_rTJHdADyZwpd?autoplay=true&startTime=1675774813000">, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></span></b>.</span> </p>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-28078705769365126532023-02-01T10:16:00.001-05:002023-03-21T08:49:46.787-04:00Knights of Honor - January 2023<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients to open 2023 are: <b>Freshman Kenadi T. (Honesty), Sophomore Alex N. (Respect), Junior Joy A. (Integrity), and Senior Travis E. (Responsibility).</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our picture:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD3HE4fFOePbuV-QXjhHbXjvza4rAknjybe9Ha2WG9YC_BvYosfggXIPdXs5J4o78CnmRRfsU5R774sqOIY9QrRxSz1Jj-S7L3qlHAF5vNp5KwNIx0zbf3ji_uyWjTzKRZERkSmhIW_xO5fTU4F9GFHECaXl9KEBnNJRf2FGJMrx9PAOWjWU0xn5Z/s957/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Jan%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="951" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD3HE4fFOePbuV-QXjhHbXjvza4rAknjybe9Ha2WG9YC_BvYosfggXIPdXs5J4o78CnmRRfsU5R774sqOIY9QrRxSz1Jj-S7L3qlHAF5vNp5KwNIx0zbf3ji_uyWjTzKRZERkSmhIW_xO5fTU4F9GFHECaXl9KEBnNJRf2FGJMrx9PAOWjWU0xn5Z/w398-h400/Knights%20of%20Honor%20Jan%2023.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Courtesy of LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><b>Kenadi</b> went out of her way to notify me of something that I might have accidentally overlooked. It was very appreciated that she informed me. Thanks, Kenadi! <i>(nominated by Mr. Schroth)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>We would like to nominate <b>Alex</b> for taking the initiative to clean the Student Commons after school, entirely on his own without request. He was definitely being a model LNC student. <i>(nominated by Mrs. Hale & Mrs. Wiehl)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Joy </b>is such an amazing individual. She comes to class every day with the best attitude (even in the hallways). She always has a smile on her face, is open-minded when it comes to new material or other individuals' perspectives, and really cares about those around her. In addition to her attitude, Joy is always willing to help others around her with understanding what we are doing in class. Joy might be done with a certain problem, but is always open to answering questions from others to help them understand, as well. The way she explains to others is very thorough and simplified. She is a perfect example of what we hope for out of our students at Lake Norman Charter. <i>(nominated by Coach Zamiara)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Travis </b>coordinated the first annual Club Fair, where we had over 28 clubs participate and 180 students attend. He worked with another student and the two of them emailed administration, teachers, and students, in addition to executing their ideas. This event was a huge success and Travis deserves all the credit! <i>(nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div></div><div><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-20826340598637242822023-01-16T08:10:00.010-05:002023-01-17T08:52:29.739-05:00Honoring MLK at Mettle - F3 Highlands January 16, 2023<p><br /></p><div style="background: rgb(238, 248, 250); border: 1px dotted rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 15px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When:</strong> 01/16/2023</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">QIC:</strong> Powerball</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The PAX:</strong> Sparky, Disaster, Buckwheat, Lincoln, Snowsuit, Brinkley, Illuminati, Greeter, Powerball</li></ul></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #555555;">After some collaboration and discussion throughout the weekend, YHC was supported in shifting this Mettle to a special time of 0700 with a preblast posted via </span><a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithGoBlue/status/1614608342361448449?s=20&t=lB5xxr2Q0KL9bPTGfsECPA" style="border: 0px; color: #29aae1; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Twitter</span></b></a><span style="color: #555555;">.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today marks the <b>37th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday</b>. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and was first observed in 1986, serving as a tribute to Dr. King for advancing civil rights and social justice through non-violent protest.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">Therefore, nine </span><span style="background-color: white;">High Impact Males aligned the beatdown with the opportunity to read aloud some of Dr. King’s literature, mostly from his <b>“Letter from Birmingham Jail”, written in 1963 (60 years ago).</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">PAX were not phased by 28 degrees this AM. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Disclaimer provided and mosey to the clubhouse and back for…</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WARMARAMA</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Side-Straddle Hops, IST, Weed Pickers, Windmill, Merkins, Plank-Jacks, Mountain Climbers, and Burpees.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE THANG</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Coupons (kettlebells or dumbbells) obtained:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Overhead Carries aka Riffle Carries (across parking lot and back)</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Squats – KB touches ground</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoulder Press</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Upright Rows</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Curls</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kettlebell Swings</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Skull Crushers</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bent-over Rows</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Briefcase Carries (across parking lot and back x 2; each side)</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Followed by a mosey to the island and back. Rep numbers alternated with 10 for Round 1, 2, and 5; 15 reps for Rounds 3 and 4 gave us a total of 60 reps for each exercise<b> (matching the 60 years since "Letters from Birmingham Jail had been written)</b>. After each circuit, a PAX read a quote from an index card aloud to the group.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">We were able to get</span><span style="background-color: white;"> through five</span><span style="background-color: white;"> circuits with little down time.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The following quotes from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were utilized:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with.</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice ― or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?</b></li></ul><div><span face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2d3037;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Plus, two more of my favorites:</span></span></div><div><span face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2d3037;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”</b></li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”</b></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MOLESKIN</strong>:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: outside none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s incredible to hear how the words written and spoken by Dr. King from 1963, 60 years ago, still resonate today. We have so much work to do with the ongoing battle for social justice, equality, and better opportunities for each and everyone. </li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope the words shared today provide some opportunity for thought and reflection as we celebrate and honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.</li><li style="border: 0px; color: #2d3037; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: square; margin: 0px 0px 12px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thankful for this group to push me to be a better man and leader. Strong incorporation of all three F's today: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iron Sharpens Iron</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Powerball</p>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-28544780875498571612023-01-10T09:48:00.002-05:002023-01-10T09:48:30.067-05:00January 10, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive<p>Embedded is the archive from the <b><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/KZd_z2We7v0RQtSSg-hPeUycC06mf-OEMD4f6iT3LD0CwJqRkRxfrh2XSOlUrSomHojn2IVXiZqbkgdm.sKhGvmneXtR0CA5d?autoplay=true&startTime=1673355617000">January 10th</a></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/KZd_z2We7v0RQtSSg-hPeUycC06mf-OEMD4f6iT3LD0CwJqRkRxfrh2XSOlUrSomHojn2IVXiZqbkgdm.sKhGvmneXtR0CA5d?autoplay=true&startTime=1673355617000">, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></span></b>.</span> </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><br /></blockquote></div>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-86747657248057288512022-12-14T11:36:00.001-05:002022-12-14T11:53:49.534-05:00Knights of Honor - November & December 2022<p>The <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor</span></b> program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the <a href="https://www.lncharter.org/domain/99">LNC Honor Code</a>. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: <b><span style="color: blue;">Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. </span></b></p><div>Our recipients to close out 2022 are: <b>Freshman Regan D. (Respect), Sophomores Carter B. (Respect), Rhyan P. (Responsibility) & Braden W. (Integrity), Juniors Knight C. (Respect), Jay B. (Respect), Grayson B. (Respect), Ryland M. (Respect), and Senior Abigail B. (Responsibility).</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our pictures:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV8lghuOzYKlcXvcwAq2IbHXx7t64jLu0NpiO_-V0GTdRz2Ao_WWuE5NsLWi3PHvtb0RWq7xTlq93aKvIrGLrXqp1IzAxxQWthvYOeWg3mfia5JbCzWX1Y2r-LabaXjss8drRPJ7jiNXaWtkMI4yMZlWix-s8blq-Z_iiy4ArdMVp3kphCRP-Doby/s820/Knights%20of%20Honor%20December%202022%20A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="820" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV8lghuOzYKlcXvcwAq2IbHXx7t64jLu0NpiO_-V0GTdRz2Ao_WWuE5NsLWi3PHvtb0RWq7xTlq93aKvIrGLrXqp1IzAxxQWthvYOeWg3mfia5JbCzWX1Y2r-LabaXjss8drRPJ7jiNXaWtkMI4yMZlWix-s8blq-Z_iiy4ArdMVp3kphCRP-Doby/w400-h291/Knights%20of%20Honor%20December%202022%20A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBBa10B31sSLQc5Pl98Rejim9btcUGGKwdbZ3b94ri23YHej31MqMbNY9WF5Gfq7PKyeLJlrp2UGTJumu5YbW0ez-ffBdBF1blBeFdyXnstj_u_xTgLIBm8MX4sleo9grCfbuY3rN5TTCqSRo1zTfQoITCzjL-34c73tewZcKANFhZrRpoW5E7bLm/s751/Knights%20of%20Honor%20December%202022%20B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="751" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBBa10B31sSLQc5Pl98Rejim9btcUGGKwdbZ3b94ri23YHej31MqMbNY9WF5Gfq7PKyeLJlrp2UGTJumu5YbW0ez-ffBdBF1blBeFdyXnstj_u_xTgLIBm8MX4sleo9grCfbuY3rN5TTCqSRo1zTfQoITCzjL-34c73tewZcKANFhZrRpoW5E7bLm/w400-h295/Knights%20of%20Honor%20December%202022%20B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C/o LNC Journalism (not pictured: Abby B.)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their respective nominations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;">In class, I dropped a stack of papers, and <b>Reagan </b>graciously came to my assistance without any hesitation. Out of 30 students, Reagan was the one person to help. I see Reagan as a kind student in her interactions with her peers and her help spoke volumes to me about her heart and care for others.<i> [nominated by Mrs. Massingale]</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;">Recently in AP Human Geography, the class was working on a group project to better understand world religions. <b>Rhyan's</b> group members were absent during the class work days to create the project, yet Rhyan overcame this obstacle and completed research, design, and delivery of the project all on her own. I really appreciate how she handled this with poise and grace, never voicing a complaint to an unfortunate situation. <i>[nominated by Mr. Swiatek]</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Braden</b> came into the gym to see it was a mess after a game. He volunteered to pick up every soda can, popcorn box, and cotton candy container until everything was clear.<i> [nominated by Mrs. Salamone]</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;">Earlier in the year, this group of students <b>(Knight, Jay, Carter, Grayson, & Ryland) </b>saw a young man, new to the school, sitting by himself for lunch. They invited him to sit with them and engaged him in conversation to make him feel more comfortable. We think they showed model behavior and acted out of pure kindness and they did not even know a teacher was watching. Hopefully everyone can follow their lead and learn to treat everyone with the same respect and kindness! <i>[nominated by Mrs. Scire, Mrs. Salamone, Coach Steele, and Ms. Zaino]</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Abby </b>coordinated the first annual Club Fair, where we had over 28 clubs participate and over 180 students attend. She worked with another student and the two of them communicated with administration, teachers, and students, in addition to executing their ideas. This event was a huge success and Abby deserves the credit! <i>[nominated by Mrs. Cavicchia]</i></span></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations and thank you to these students for <b><i><span style="color: blue;">being their best!</span></i></b></div><div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">#LNCPride</span></b><br /><br />CS<br /><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div></div></div></div><div><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #2d3037; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262834867628381226.post-64110705179185917322022-11-01T11:19:00.003-04:002022-11-02T06:23:01.591-04:00November 1, 2022 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive<p>Embedded is the archive from the <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/GVrZ67GLzXZ0S3UAd-IpYOFxqKJaeaDKM5SKQwE81GE1KRyjM1XtfAaqFRed6N6sWlcYOFURvGCcI6nd.5lFgU2WjivHNUgeK?autoplay=true&startTime=1667304075000" style="background-color: white;">November 1st, 2022 Principal's Coffee Chat</a></span></b>.</span> </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><br /></blockquote></div>Thank you for viewing,<div><br /></div><div>CS<br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.</span></i></div>Craig Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14127962740780429018noreply@blogger.com0