Dear CHS Community,

October is flying by. It is hard to believe the first quarter of the school year is now behind us. Report cards will be available soon, and this is an excellent time to reflect on your student's progress and set goals for the coming months. Looking ahead, parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for November. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend these important meetings.

Another big thank you to our PTO for sponsoring the elementary school book fair. Reading is a cornerstone of education, particularly crucial in these foundational years. Your support in fostering a love for books among our youngest students is invaluable.

Next week, we're looking forward to our Seniors Serving Seniors dinner. This event, where our senior class hosts a dinner for our community's senior citizens, exemplifies the intergenerational connections we cherish in our district. It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to give back and learn from valued community members.

As we move into the postseason, many of our athletic teams and individuals are competing in their respective OHSAA sports tournaments. We wish our athletes and coaches the very best of luck in their upcoming competitions. Thank you for being role models for our school community and for making us proud.

These milestones and events remind us of the diverse experiences that contribute to a well-rounded education at CHS. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Matt Young

Superintendent

This week, we're emphasizing the importance of kindness and character in our school community. Strong character and kindness not only improve the school environment but also contribute to students' personal growth and future success. By fostering these qualities, we create a positive atmosphere where everyone can thrive. Here are some tips to promote kindness and character:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Introduce a "Kindness Jar" to collect examples of kind acts

• Practice role-playing scenarios that require empathy

• Read books that highlight good character traits

• Create "Kindness Rocks" with positive messages to share

6th-8th Grade:

• Encourage participation in peer mentoring programs

• Discuss the impact of social media on kindness and character

• Start a classroom or grade-level kindness challenge

• Reflect on personal values and how they guide decision-making

9th-12th Grade:

• Explore volunteer opportunities in the local community

• Discuss ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes

• Encourage standing up for others and against bullying

• Reflect on how character influences college and career prospects

For All Students:

• Model kindness and good character at home

• Recognize and praise acts of kindness and integrity

• Discuss the ripple effect of kind actions

• Encourage self-reflection on personal growth in character

Remember, small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Let's work together to build a community of character.

Mrs. Sara Meister

This is my eighth year teaching at Cuyahoga Heights, and my eleventh year teaching overall. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, and a 4-5 Generalist Endorsement from Bowling Green State University. I also earned my Masters in Reading Specialization from Kent State University.  In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband, Erik, and our one year old daughter, Josie.  We like to go on walks with our dog, Kip, and find new playgrounds! I teach reading and writing in fourth grade, and enjoy reading new books with my students. 

Mr. Matt Salzwimmer

This is my twenty third year of teaching and my eighth here at CHES. I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Kent State University and my Masters in Education in Literacy from Walsh University. My wife Samantha and I have three sons, Payton (16), Brady (14), and Graham (11). We also have two West Highland Terriers, Mae and Boris as well as several fish and a turtle named Jeff.  We love to play sports, read, and spend time outside walking and playing wiffle ball in the backyard.  All three of our sons are active in sports and I also coach them in baseball as well. I teach science and social studies and I love being a part of this amazing fourth grade team!

Mrs. Rachael Stafford

This is my eighteenth year of teaching, and all but one of those has been at CHES.  I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Middle Childhood Education from John Carroll University and my Masters in Education in Special Education from Cleveland State University.  My husband Ben and I have been married for eleven years and have two daughters, Charlotte, a fifth grader, and Clare, a third grader.  My family and I love to be outside.  We enjoy going for walks and spending a lot of time at the pool. Reading and listening to audiobooks is one of my favorite things to do.  I love teaching fourth grade math and working with my team!

This year's Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success, bringing excitement and a love for reading to the elementary library. All students had the opportunity to visit the book fair, where they eagerly browsed a wide selection of books, along with fun trinkets and school supplies. The event sparked enthusiasm among the students, many of whom left with new books to enjoy. A special thanks goes out to the PTO for sponsoring this wonderful event, ensuring that every student had a chance to participate in this memorable experience.

Elementary students participated in an exciting Sketchbook Challenge Day in the gym, where they put to use the sketchbooks they built in art class. The event featured six creative stations, each offering a different opportunity to practice and explore a variety of art techniques. The stations included Figure Drawing, Recreate the Masterpiece, Blind Contour Drawing, Fall Still Life, Self-Portrait, and Collage. It was a fantastic, art-filled day that allowed students to tap into their creativity and hone their skills in a fun and dynamic environment!

Event Policy: No Refunds or Exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

The Brooklyn Heights Service Club is having a Halloween Dance/Costume Party on October 28, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Brooklyn Heights Community Center.

If you would like your tween to attend the Halloween Dance/Costume Party, please RSVP by October 22, 2023. There will be a $5 admission fee for all non-Brooklyn Heights residents (which will be paid in cash on the night of the dance). Due to the capacity limit at the community center, we will need the number of kids attending before the event. Everyone must be registered before the event. (Please Note: If we are at, or near, capacity on the 26th, we will not be able to let anybody in who is not on the list).

Please email justjanet1972@sbcglobal.net with your name, child's name, address, email, and phone number.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you in advance,

Janet Lunder

(216) 577-0009

Dear Valued Seniors of Our Community,

We are thrilled to announce our annual "Seniors Serving Seniors" event, formerly known as the Senior Citizens Fall Dinner. This cherished tradition brings together the wisdom of our community's elders with the energy of our youth for an evening of warmth, connection, and delicious food.

Event Highlights:

• A complimentary dinner served by the Class of 2025

• An opportunity to socialize and share stories with peers and younger generations

• A cozy, autumnal atmosphere at the beautiful Klima Gardens

• Music performed by our Mighty Marching Red Wolves

We've renamed our event to "Seniors Serving Seniors" to reflect the true spirit of this gathering. While our high school seniors will be serving the meal, we recognize that our community's senior citizens serve us every day with their wisdom, experience, and continued contributions to our town.

How to Attend:

• If you're a member of a local senior citizen group: Please inform your group coordinator of your intention to attend.

• If you're a senior citizen not affiliated with a local senior group: We welcome you to RSVP directly to us! RSVP Contact: Tracy Deal Email: tdeal@cuyhts.org Phone: 216-429-5702

All seniors are cordially invited to attend this special evening. Whether you're a long-time resident or new to our community, we welcome you to join us for this heartwarming event.

We look forward to celebrating the interconnectedness of our community and honoring the seniors who have shaped our town into the wonderful place it is today.

See you on October 23rd at Klima Gardens!

As the Class of 2025 enters their final year at Cuyahoga Heights, we are also rolling out the red carpet for the Classes of 1950, 1975 and 2000! Whether you rocked poodle skirts, bell-bottoms, or cargo pants during your high school days, we want to hear from you!

🎓 Class of 1950: Celebrating 75 years of wisdom!

🎓 Class of 1975: Half a century of memories!

🎓 Class of 2000: A quarter-century of adulting!

We want to bring your high school memories back to life. Throughout the year, we'll be reaching out to you, our alumni, to share your stories as we relive the school year, one nostalgic moment at a time.

Are you (or someone you know) a proud graduate from these classes? We want to hear from you!

🍂 Fall Flashback: Share Your Back-to-School Memories! 🍂

As leaves start to turn and school bells ring again, we're diving into your first-quarter memories. Send us your stories and snapshots of:

• Pep rallies that got your school spirit soaring

• Fall sports triumphs and team bonding moments

• Homecoming festivities that still make you smile

• Typical school day shenanigans

• Fashion statements that defined your era

• Hairstyles that were totally "in" (no judgments, we promise!)

Whether it's a faded photograph, a vivid memory, or a hilarious anecdote, we want it all! Help us create a time capsule of Cuyahoga Heights Schools through the decades.

Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Send your stories and photos using this link. 

Let's show our current Red Wolves how we've been howling with pride for generations!

#CHSAlumniLegacy #DecadesOfExcellence

We're excited to introduce a new addition to our Friday e-newsletter to help families stay in the loop. To make your life easier, we've created a dedicated section that serves as a one-stop shop for all the essential apps and tools you regularly need. Here, you'll find quick access to everything from reporting absences and tracking school buses to adding money to lunch accounts and more. We hope this centralized resource will save you time and make managing your child's school-related tasks more convenient.

CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
(PreK-12)

4820 East 71st Street
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
(216) 429-5700
www.cuyhts.org

Serving the communities of:

Cuyahoga Heights ~ Brooklyn Heights ~ Valley View ~ Tuition Families

Empowering students to reach new HEIGHTS