In this Issue
1. From the Principal's Desk
2. Share Your Voice
3. CHS Substance Abuse Prevention Information
4. Chantilly Veterans Day Event
5. Chantilly Band Fundraiser
6. Calendar Reminders
7. Recognitions
8. Recent Student Successes
1. From the Principal's Desk
Dear Members of the Chantilly HS Community:
An unknown author once wrote, “Your reality is a reflection of your strongest beliefs.” I read the article below earlier this week and found it quite compelling, for it made me examine the assumptions and expectations that I bring to my role as a parent of two teenagers. Pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg encourages all parents to reframe the way they look at their teenagers. Instead of seeing the teenage years as a time to be survived, he believes that parents should view them with awe, hope, and enthusiasm; by doing so, parents can fundamentally change the culture of adolescence. He goes on to dispel some common myths about the way teenagers see parents and themselves. I hope you find it helpful.
Scott Poole
The dread of ‘the teen years’ is misplaced — and holding parents back
Perspective by Kristen Mei Chase
October 18, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
As a mom of three teens and a tween, I’ve gotten my fair share of warnings about this stage in their lives. But no one had yet congratulated me on being a parent of soon-to-be adults until I read the new book “Congrats — You’re Having a Teen!: Strengthen Your Family and Raise a Good Person,” by Kenneth R. Ginsburg. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Ginsburg’s newest book underscores his mission to bust the myths parents have about teenagers. According to Ginsburg, changing the way we approach teens could change the world.
“Imagine if people gave parents this book when their kids turned 9 or 10, and told them ‘You’re going to get to see who the adult that you shaped is becoming!’ instead of rolling their eyes and giving them the ‘hang on tight’ lecture,” he told me.
So what are we getting wrong about teens? According to Ginsburg, a whole lot. Ginsburg is hoping we can begin to approach the teen part of our parenting journey with the same excitement and wonder that we do with our toddlers. Teenagers aren’t to be survived, he says. And when we can reframe the way to look at them, we might just be able to see a shift in our culture that could have a powerful impact on our world.
Chase: There was a time when my kids were approaching the teenage years where I wondered whether I really mattered. I know I’m not alone in feeling that way, especially when it feels like teens are pushing us away. So, do we matter in our teens’ lives?
Ginsburg: The answer undeniably is that parents matter as much, if not more than ever, but unfortunately, parents get a lot of information that suggests you don’t. There are two astoundingly rapid times of human development: 0 to 3 years old and the adolescent years. If adults are not involved in the adolescent years, they are missing an opportunity. What parents need are skill sets to help them understand adolescent development, so that they know how best to communicate, and how best to engage.
But it’s so hard when there are so many books out there about teens with “survival” in the title, with people warning you at every turn that you’re about to enter the “twilight zone.”
Ginsburg: I know that can be seen as funny, but I think it’s actually harmful, because it suggests that this is a time where you should be passive or get passive, instead of deeply engaged. As a doctor, I deal with problems for a living, and I understand that all people can have problems at all phases of life. But what I know is that if you label a period of development as a problem, you will have people disengage exactly when they need them to engage. How you handle your teens now will define your relationship when they grow up. If you didn’t allow them to grow — to be independent and to learn how to stand on their own — they could reject you forever.
One of the hardest parts about parenting teens, at least for me, is feeling like they don’t care what we think. That’s not really the case though, right?
Ginsburg: Here’s what I know: parents are the most important people in kids’ lives, and every piece of research says that adolescents care deeply about what their parents think. That’s the fact. Knowing that means we can engage and we can communicate and we can shape.
So why does it feel like they don’t care what we think?
Ginsburg: Adolescence is about becoming increasingly independent, and you've raised these kids in a fluffy nest where you brought them everything they needed, and suddenly they realize they need to become independent. And so what they need to do is begin to imagine the nest is prickly, and think about life without you. In other words, they love you so much that becoming independent from you is scary. So they have to go through a temporary period where they imagine not needing you, even hating you, so that they can learn to fly on their own. Now, how you play this is going to make all the difference. When your kid rejects you, if you say, ‘Well, you know what? I reject you back,’ you've lost.
It’s so hard because it feels so personal. What should parents do instead?
Ginsburg: Parents need to tell themselves that this is their teen’s developmental need, and that their teens are uncomfortable with how much they love their parents. But, as parents, you are never going to stop loving your teens because they know loving them is the most protective force in their life. You’re not taking that away. Instead, you will celebrate their increasing independence.
I admit that there have been times when I’ve asked myself ‘Who are these kids?’ because they seem so different from who they were when they were little. Why is that?
Ginsburg: Yes, there are moments when you may not recognize the child you thought you raised, but remember, adolescence is about answering the fundamental question “Who am I?” And it’s time to try on many hats to imagine who you might be. For that reason, sometimes we don't recognize the child in one particular hat. It’s not a permanent hat, but rather, an experimentation to imagine who they could be. So don't freak out as long as your child is within safe and moral territory.
The bottom line: You know exactly who your child is, and it is the knowledge of who your child is that is the most protective force in their universe. It’s the same child we raised when they were toddlers. Love is seeing someone as they deserve to be seen as they really are, not based on the behavior they might be displaying. And why do we love? We love so our teens know they’re worthy of being loved. You’re choosing to love them, with knowledge of who your child really is, in all of their goodness and in all of their complexity. You may not like the hat they’re wearing, but you love the child who is wearing it. And when you do that, you give them the security to launch into adulthood. Because when a child knows they’re worthy of being loved, they can handle the universe.
2. Share Your Voice
Native American History month is quickly approaching, and Chantilly High School would greatly appreciate the opportunity to highlight the voices of any students, teachers or parents who would like to speak on their experience with Native American cultures. Many of our past students have appreciated having the ability to start the conversation, share their perspective on their heritage, and broaden the minds of their peers. This is an open invitation where you would control the narrative and direction of your contribution and only need to share what you are comfortable with. We welcome you to share your voice at the Wellness Committee flipgrid at this location: https://flip.com/50b11172
3. CHS Substance Abuse Prevention Information
4. Chantilly Veterans Day Event
All veterans, active military personnel, and their families are invited to attend the Chantilly Pyramid Veterans Day Event, hosted by Chantilly High School on November 7 at 6:00pm! The celebration consists of a performance in the auditorium followed by a reception. Please click here to register to attend.
5. Chantilly Band Fundraiser
The Chantilly Symphonic Winds has partnered with Nothing Bundt Cakes in Fair Lakes to offer “Bundtlets” for sale this month! Each small bundt cake can be ordered for $6.00 and will help our band raise funds toward their performance at the 2023 National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis. There are BUNDT-ches of flavors available (including Gluten Free!), so you are certain to find something delicious for everyone! Orders can be placed through students in Symphonic Winds or you may submit your order here! Orders must be submitted by Monday, October 31 and should be ready around November 9th! What a SWEET way to support these hard working students!
6. Calendar Reminders
Monday, October 24 is a holiday for teachers and students (only 12-month employees report). As a reminder, Friday, October 28, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, October 31, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
7. Recognitions
Thank you to Mr. Paul Skurpski and Mr. Patrick Kannan for sponsoring Chantilly HS through their generous donation to Kids R First. Their donation covers the cost of the Kids R First school supplies for Chantilly HS for students in need.
Congratulations to these Field Hockey players for receiving All-District honors:
1st Team All-District - Marissa Prem SR Defense
2nd Team All-District - Alexis Bowerman SR Forward
Elyse Cosgrave SR Forward
Ava Bartnik SR Midfield
Mary Powers JR Midfield
Jada McGlothin SR Defense
Ava Poggi SR Defense
Kiana Cross SR Goalkeeper
Honorable Mention - Madeleine Ngo SR Midfield
Elizabeth Smith SR Midfield
Megan Sheehan FR Defense
Congratulations to all of our Chantilly media students! The student media participated in the VHSL Media Championships on Oct. 15 and came home with the following awards:
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Andromeda Literary Magazine – Trophy Class Award
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The Knightly News Broadcast – Trophy Class Award
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The Purple Tide Newsmagazine – First Class Award
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The Purple Tide Online News – First Class Award
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Odyssey Yearbook – First Class Award
Individual awards were also given to
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Grant Stables – First Place for Review in Newspaper
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Jared Dallos – Third Place for Feature: Human Interest in Newspaper
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Mahika Sharma – Third Place for News: News Feature in Newspaper
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Sixuan Wu – Third Place for Bylined Personal Opinion in Newspaper
Kudos to Junior, Mae O'Neill, for all her work on the Charger football team video. With her own initiative, she filmed and edited a great tribute to our Chantilly Chargers 2022 Varsity Football Team! Click here to view the video.
Congratulations to Ashika Ganta for being selected to the Virginia Music Educators Association Senior Honor Choir.
Chantilly had six students successfully audition into this year’s All-Virginia Jazz Ensembles. Students completed a virtual audition process that required them to not only perform scales and etudes, but also to sight read and improvise. Only 38 students from around the Commonwealth are invited to participate in this event and Chantilly’s students have earned 6 of those spots! These students will get to rehearse under the direction of world-renowned jazz educators and musicians and perform a concert at the Virginia Music Education Association Conference in November. Congratulations to:
Brady Markin – Lead Alto, All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble
Keith Scroggs – Bari Sax, All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble
Josh Lugo – Trumpet 3, All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble
Jonas Kupchella – Vibraphone, All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble
Jesse Chon – Drummer 1, All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble
Spencer Read – Drummer 1, All-Virginia Jazz Band
Congratulations to the Cheerleading team who are Concorde District Champions!! Chantilly finished with a score of 255 which beat second place Centreville that had a score of 230.5. Chantilly will participate in the Region Meet on Saturday October 29th at Centreville. The meet will start at 12:30 PM.
Chantilly Cheerleading was also well represented in the All-District Selections:
1st Team - Victoria Felder
Tamya Gadson
Bayley Kooba
Taylor Pham
Isabella Plot
Reagan Shin
Michaela Turner
2nd Team - Lauren Carr
Megan Lisenby
Samantha Senio
Addison Zampiello
 Cheerleading Team - Concorde District Champions
The Purple Tide Wins Award
Congratulations to Mr. Luc Nguyen and Mr. James Steck, magazine advisers, and the Purple Tide Staff, who were recently honored for winning the 2022 Col. Charles E. Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholastic Journalism - our school's third recognition.
Thank you to the D'Agostino family and Tony's NY Pizza, for their generous donation to Chantilly HS. We appreciate their recognition of our school.
8. Recent Student Successes
This is the next installment for the school year of what will 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 plan to meet with recognized students each week to congratulate them in person.
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Derek Galloway is working hard, attending school and showing good effort. He is using his time wisely and completing his work. He is an example to his classmates. Ms. Mary Catherine Keating
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Cyrille Tchokokam is working hard and has been eager to revise assignments. Great work. Ms. Brittanye Mohrbacher
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