Dear CHS Community,

As we enter October, I want to draw your attention to an important focus in Ohio schools: safety. Safety takes on several forms, including physical safety, digital responsibility, and mental wellness.

Throughout October, our school will be conducting various safety drills, including fire, tornado, shelter in place, and bus evacuation procedures. These practices are crucial in preparing our students and staff for potential emergencies. We appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of these drills at home.

Equally important is the digital safety of our children. In today's connected world, we must be vigilant about online usage, social media interactions, and privacy protection. We encourage families to have open conversations about responsible internet use and the potential risks of oversharing online.

Mental wellness is also a key component of overall safety. Our staff is committed to creating a supportive environment where students feel secure and valued. We encourage you to keep communication lines open with your children and reach out to our counseling staff if you have any concerns.

By working together on these various aspects of safety, we can ensure that our students are well-prepared and protected, both in school and in their daily lives.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young

Superintendent

As we enter October, many fall activities begin alongside our academic routines. Balancing schoolwork with extracurriculars is a valuable life skill that promotes time management, prioritization, and well-rounded development. Finding this balance ensures students can enjoy seasonal activities while maintaining academic success. Here are some tips to help:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Create a visual weekly calendar showing school and activity times

• Set aside specific homework times before or after activities

• Pack healthy snacks for energy between school and activities

• Use travel time to activities for quick study sessions or reading

6th-8th Grade:

• Teach prioritization skills by ranking tasks by importance and urgency

• Encourage the use of a planner to track assignments and activities

• Establish a Sunday planning session to prepare for the week ahead

• Set limits on screen time to ensure enough time for both studies and activities

9th-12th Grade:

• Help create a detailed schedule that includes study time, activities, and downtime

• Encourage communication with teachers about activity commitments

• Discuss dropping an activity if the balance becomes unmanageable

• Teach stress-management techniques for busy periods

For All Students:

• Ensure adequate sleep despite busy schedules

• Maintain open communication about feelings of stress or overwhelm

• Celebrate successes in both academics and activities

• Model good balance in your own life

Remember, a well-balanced student is often a happier and more successful one. Let's work together to find the right balance for your child.

Liz Wallace is in her 12th year at Cuyahoga Heights and 16th year teaching altogether.  She has been teaching second grade for six years.  She has also taught kindergarten, third and fifth grade.  She grew up in Chesterland, Ohio and graduated from Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, Ohio. She continued her education at Kent State University and graduated with a degree in early childhood education. She went on to get my fourth and fifth-grade endorsement as well as a master’s degree in gifted education.  She was married in 2012 to her husband, Sean. They have a daughter named Cecilia who is in second grade and a two year old son named Julian! Mrs. Wallace’s favorite thing about second grade is watching her students learn reading strategies and the tremendous amount of growth they show by the end of the year. 

Courtney Dennison is in her 11th year of teaching and her fourth year at Cuyahoga Heights! Previously, she was a preschool teacher for two years and a 3rd grade teacher for five years in Dublin City Schools. She grew up in the Chicago, Illinois area and then attended The Ohio State University for her undergraduate degree. She also received her master’s, fourth/ fifth grade, and reading endorsement from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She is married to her husband, Adam, and they have a one-year old son named Callum! They also are expecting their second child, another boy, at the end of January! Mrs. Dennison’s favorite thing about second grade is building relationships with students and helping students feel more confident with their learning by exploring a variety of strategies.

It was a stunning afternoon for homecoming photos, and just as storm clouds began to gather, over 200 elegantly dressed students filled the high school cafeteria Saturday evening. Moments before the first raindrops fell, the dance floor erupted with the energy of excited teens. Nothing was going to dampen their spirits on this special day! Thanks to all who participated to make HOCO 2024 a huge success.

History

Leadership of the Cuyahoga Heights Local Schools established the Building Excellence and Success Together (BEST) Committee in the 2011-12 school year to re-engage the communities the district serves. For five years, the BEST Committee served in an advisory capacity to the district's Superintendent, assisting in fine-tuning the district's strengths and addressing the district's opportunities for improvement.

In Spring 2017, the BEST Committee shifted to a systemic and systematic strategic planning format. This change aims to align all district elements under one purposeful plan. In this way, the BEST Strategic Planning Committee can continue to fulfill the district's beliefs, mission, vision, and six pillars: Academics, Safety, Security and Facilities, Communication and Community Outreach, Advancement of Student Opportunities, Enrollment, and Finances.

2024-25

The BEST Committee is launching a strategic advisory initiative this school year, focusing on Facilities and Finances. This committee will:

Provide recommendations and feedback on short and long-term goals

• Assess current facilities and suggest improvements

• Offer insights on financial strategies and funding opportunities

• Analyze the overlap between facilities projects and their associated costs

New superintendent, Matt Young, invites all interested stakeholders to participate in these important discussions. Your perspectives will help shape recommendations that balance our educational needs with financial responsibility.

Join us in this collaborative effort to support our district's future. While the BEST Committee advises, final decisions rest with the superintendent and governing bodies.

Meeting dates and times are listed below. If you'd like to attend this months meeting, please complete the provided Google form or scan the QR code by Tuesday, October 9 to help us plan accordingly.

The Book Fair is back! The week of October 14th Scholastic is returning to CHES for some literacy-inspired fun. Students will peruse and shop during library time, with make-up visits scheduled on Friday, October 18th. Shopping is carefree with E-Wallet. Add funds digitally to simplify the checkout process. Cash, check, and card payments are all accepted, too! Visit https://chspto.ptboard.com/ for volunteer opportunities, and shop online at our CHES Book Fair homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cuyahogaheightselemschool 

The CHS PTO is excited to announce our second annual Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, October 13th from 2-4 PM. Join us for a spooktacular time that's sure to be fun, free, and open to all CHES students and their families! Want to get involved? Visit https://chspto.ptboard.com/ to volunteer at the event, RSVP for treating, or to register and decorate your trunk! 

Tom Evans, former superintendent of Cuyahoga Heights Schools, was honored as Superintendent of the Year for the Northeast Region by the Ohio School Boards Association. The recognition ceremony was held in Columbus and attended by board members, current and former administrators, friends, and family. Congratulations Mr. Evans!

Autumn is here, and Cuyahoga Heights Village is gearing up for our annual Corn Roast on Saturday, October 5th! Join us for delicious food, friendly company, live music, and dazzling fireworks. Everyone's welcome to this cherished community event.

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