Thursday, February 14, 2013

Sports at Channing Hall


Channing Hall has a great Middle School sports program throughout the year for both girls and boys.



            Channing Hall Charter School athletic teams compete in the Utah Charter School Sports League (UCSSL) which is a sports league organized and run by athletic directors at participating charter schools across the state. The league consists of around 30 different public charter and small private schools across Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties.
            Channing Hall offers extra-curricular sports year round, with opportunities for every student to participate. Our sports teams focus on teaching Channing Hall students good sportsmanship, athletic skills, social awareness and fitness concepts they can carry on into high school and the rest of their life.

Fall Season: August – October

Boys & Girls Cross Country
            The cross country teams have been competing at Channing Hall since 2010. The boys and girls cross country teams practice together and travel to races together, but they race separately. Both boys and girls races are two miles. There are no try-outs for either cross country team; it is open for all 6-8th grade students to participate. The season consists of 6-8 meets, a regional qualifying meet, and a state championship meet for teams and individuals who qualify. There is a small fee for participants to buy their own uniform.
            Awards and Accomplishments: The 2011 girls cross country team placed 2nd in the state.

Co-Ed Volleyball
            The co-ed volleyball team has been competing at Channing Hall since 2011. The team consists of both boys and girls who practice and play games together. Try-outs are generally held during the first week of school and open to all 6-8th grade girls and boys. The season consists of about 15 matches, with the top 4 teams in the division moving on to the state tournament. There is a small fee to supplement the cost of referees.
            Awards and Accomplishments: The 2011 volleyball team advanced to the quarterfinals in the state tournament.

Winter Season: November – February

Girls Basketball
            The girls’ basketball team has been competing at Channing Hall since 2007. Try-outs are generally held the second week of November and are open to all 6-8th grade girls. The season consists of about 16 games, with the top 4 teams in the division moving on to the state tournament. There is a small fee to supplement the cost of referees.
            Awards and Accomplishments: The 2010-11 team played for the state championship, but lost, finishing 2nd in the state. The 2009-10 team finished 2nd in the south division final tournament.

Boys Basketball
            The boys’ basketball team has been competing at Channing Hall since 2007. Try-outs are generally held the second week of November and are open to all 6-8th grade boys. The season consists of about 16 games, with the top 4 teams in the division moving on to the state tournament. There is a small fee to supplement the cost of referees.
            Awards and Accomplishments: The 2009-10 team won the state tournament championship. The 2011-12 team advanced to the quarterfinals in the state tournament.


Spring Season: March – May

Co-Ed Soccer
            The co-ed soccer team has been competing at Channing Hall since spring of 2009. The team consists of both boys and girls who practice and play games together. Try-outs are generally held the second week of March and are open to all 6-8th grade boys and girls. The season consists of about 12 games, with the top 4 teams in the division moving on to the state tournament. There is a small fee to supplement the cost of referees.
            Awards and Accomplishments: The 2009 team finished 2nd in state during the regular season. The 2010 & 2012 teams advanced to the quarterfinals in the state tournament.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Channing Hall at the Capitol- Charter School Night


Utah Charter Network held its annual Charter School Night on Capitol Hill on Monday, February 4, 2013.  Members of the Utah State Legislature hosted tours for constituents and families throughout the state.  Individuals and families wandered through the building’s corridors and back halls with Utah state legislators as tour guides.   Attendees and constituents were able to visit with lawmakers about General Session agendas and budget issues.
Channing Hall students, parents and board members visited the Capitol to show our support for charter schools. 
Board President Michelle Crowley said, “We had a really great tour of the Capitol. It was terrific!”

Parent, Jenn Wall, explains about the experience and the process of legislation:
It was FABULOUS!  I took my 2 CH kids with me and they couldn't get enough.  The leaders gave a little introduction and then split us into small groups to tour the whole beautiful building.  I have been there many times but had no idea the history and amazing stories behind most of the rooms.  We started in a room where a new Bill gets reviewed for the very first time.  Then we saw the Senate Chambers and even got to sit in the Senate President's office where we got to meet him face to face.  He reminded us of the importance of staying involved and up to date on Bills that can possibly affect our schools and education system.  He was so sweet with the kids and won them over by giving them some candy :)  My appreciation changed that night for what these fine people do for us for minimal pay, and hours of reading and studying each day during this busy legislative month and a half.  

There are some things that the communities of Salt Lake need to remember for sure.  Every time a new bill gets put in front of the Committee, we as the public and people of this State need to be proactive about what these Bills mean and stand for.  More importantly, what it means if it makes its way to the top!   The best opportunity to influence a Bill is during its infancy .  The discussion of the Bill will start in front of a Board and they will give ANYONE there the right to say why they are FOR or AGAINST it.  After much thought and counsel, it then will be passed or declined due to a majority vote of the Board/ Committee.  If passed, it then moves to the hands of the Senate Committee and goes through the same process.  If the Senate signs it off then it will proceed to the House.  After the House's approval it then goes straight to the Governor who can sign it off or has the power to veto it.  

We can all be involved in this amazing process.  Go to le.utah.gov to learn more about each Bill and then take a look at their calendar for the day and time you can go and have your voice heard. Take your children there and teach them how laws are born and how grateful they should be that we get to live in a country where we have a say.”

This year there are several bills being presented that can affect charter school funding formulas for the SITLA funds that charters share as well as Average Daily Maintenance (ADM) funding. Our charter association, Utah Charter Network, is working on our behalf to help work towards fair treatment of charter schools. You can follow what they are doing through their website

Friday, February 1, 2013

3rd Grade Heroes-"Living Museum"


For an hour on an ordinary Thursday, Channing Hall 3rd graders recently turned the gym into a "living museum". Before Christmas break, each student chose a historically significant hero. Over the break they researched and wrote an essay on their hero's life. The students not only learned about their hero but they had the opportunity to become their hero. The 3rd graders dressed up and presented to parents, fellow students and many Channing Hall faculty. Those lucky enough to attend this fun event were able to meet Abe Lincoln, Leonardo da Vinci, Martin Luther King, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, George Washington, Michelle Obama, Joe DiMaggio and many more, all in one room!


Miss Melisa Young, a 3rd grade teacher:
I look forward to the living museum project all year. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to be inquirers and learn about important hero figures throughout history. When the students make their heroes come alive they also bring to life the important attributes that made them a hero. Through learning about various obstacles and accomplishments that their heroes have achieved they understand the meaning of empathy, tolerance, and caring. I am so proud every year when I watch my students work so hard and communicate all of their knowledge to their peers and parents.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE HEROES?





Friday, January 11, 2013

I Have A Dream



 
"Channing Hall has laid down some good, basic ground rules.  They have told us that we will NEVER regret an act of kindness, and I never have." - S
 
With the upcoming Dr Martin Luther King Holiday we asked our 8th graders what their dreams and aspirations were. Here are a few more quotes.


"Channing Hall has inspired me to be a better person by teaching me the qualities in a great person." - MW

"Channing Hall has a great program that helps students think deeper.  For me, it's really helped how I express my ideas to others." - TC

Check out the video for more examples as well as some of our Middle School teacher's thoughts.