From the Principal's Desk

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of the CHS Community:

Thoughts About the Meaning of Success at Chantilly HS

Since being named principal of Chantilly HS last year, I’ve had many neighbors, friends, and colleagues offer their congratulations and best wishes. Many people have told me that I should be especially proud because Chantilly is a very successful school. By many well-known measures, Chantilly is a very successful school. For example, Chantilly HS was recently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 11th best high school in Virginia: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/rankings . In another example, Chantilly HS was recently named by Washington Post reporter Jay Mathews as one of the better high schools in the Washington region. These high rankings and accolades are clearly a source of pride in our community. At award ceremonies, I am moved by the many achievements and scholarships earned by our students. Teachers, staff, and parents are very proud of what our students have accomplished. While I’ve seen many academic successes at Chantilly, my day to day work with students reminds me that success can take many other forms as well. I have watched students on our athletic teams and performing arts groups experience the success that comes only when someone commits to something bigger than themselves. I’ve worked with students this year who have lost loved ones, and they remind me that success is more about what’s in your head and heart than anything else. I’ve worked with students new to our country who are doing everything they can to learn a new language and culture; they remind me that success comes to those who have the courage to change. I’ve met an incredible young lady at CHS who may not be able to walk well but who has already traveled farther than many in the journey of life; she reminds me that success is a reflection of character and determination. Perhaps most important, Chantilly HS students remind me that success is also about staying strong when times get tough. Like you, I celebrate our high rankings and achievements, but, in my mind, they pale in comparison to the more personal examples of success that cannot be measured by any metric or formula.

Have a good weekend,

Scott


Protestors at Chantilly HS on Thursday During Dismissal:

You may have noticed a few anti-abortion demonstrators holding up posters during dismissal on Thursday, May 9th. They were on public property at the edge of the Chantilly HS campus and cooperated with our security team. The group in question has conducted similar protests at other high schools and was recently featured on local news: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/anti-abortion-activists-protest-outside-virginia-schools-record-students


ANGP 2019

Attention Class of 2019!  The All Night Grad Party is just over 30 days away.  Over 200 students are coming - are you?  Register at http://www.chantillyhsptsa.org/ANGP/ANGP.html.  


Back by popular demand! 

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Parenting Education Programs is currently enrolling families for the upcoming parenting class in Centreville for parents with children ages 12-18.  This class is special in that both parents and children attend the classes together but are taught in separate classrooms.  Classes are free for Fairfax County residents.  Free childcare for children 4 and under.  Dinner is also provided at no cost for the family each night. This class will meet once a week on Monday’s from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm for 11 weeks beginning June 10, 2019.

For more information, please see attached Parenting Education Programs class flyer 6-3-2019.pdf   Please note start date will be June 10, 2019


Recognitions

Congratulations to Chantilly HS for receiving a 2019 First Amendment Press Freedom Award. This is Chantilly’s fifth consecutive First Amendment Press Freedom Award. Mary Kay Downes, on behalf of all Chantilly media, was recognized at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Kartik Chugh, who was recently named a winner of a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  He plans to study computer science. 

Chantilly DECA  

Chantilly DECA  had a successful trip to the 2019 International Career and Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.  The following students placed Top 20 in the World:

Sports & Entertainment Marketing Management Team

Akshay Ganta

Prakash Jawajar

Hospitality Services Management Team 

Vijay Rudraraju

Jeremy Sanchez

Congrats to all 26 Marketing students who attended ICDC 2019!


Recent Student Successes

This is the next installment for the school year of what has become a weekly segment aimed at recognizing students for demonstrating recent improvement or achievement in academics, behavior or citizenship. At the end of each recognition, you will see the name of the nominating teacher or staff member. On a rotating basis, departments will nominate students.  I meet with recognized students each week to congratulate them in person.

  • Maleia Barnett is extremely kind, polite, and eager to help me or her classmates. She is an excellent leader in her class. Mr. Evan Ayars
  • Krista Bueno has worked hard all year in Studio Art and Design. With such strong dedication to her art, Krista tied for 1st place in the 2019 Endangered Species Youth Art Contest. Congratulations to Krista! Ms. Terilynn Thomas
  • Franklin Medrano Carranza has worked incredibly hard in Digital Art this year. He has persisted at tasks that were difficult and excelled at them. He learned and mastered multiple skills and techniques and has created beautiful artworks in both Photoshop and Illustrator. Ms. Rebecca Miller
  • Aline Munayer continues to impress in Tech Theatre class. She has expanded her skill set and grown as a leader in the classroom. She bounces effortlessly between projects and leads by example for the other students in class. Mr. Andy Shaw
  • Samantha York has been an incredible asset to our theatre department for four years. She is currently in our production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and is doing an incredible job! Her continual dedication to her acting craft, her contagious wit and laughter and ability to ensure everyone feels part of the team will be missed when she graduates this spring! Ms. Shannon Khatcheressian
  • Uttara Das has been teaching violin lessons to a Chantilly pyramid elementary student through our student-run tutoring program. I have been most impressed by the maturity she has shown in handling scheduling and communicating with the student and parent. Also, her student received a superior rating at Solo & Ensemble Festival. Mr. Aaron Mynes