May 9, 2025

From the Desk of Superintendent Young

Dear CHS Community,

We have officially completed state testing for the year, and I could not be more proud of how our students and staff approached these assessments. Their dedication and effort truly exceeds that of most others. For our AP students, one more week of testing remains, and we wish them all the best as they demonstrate their advanced knowledge.

Senior events are now in full swing, with final concerts and athletic senior nights already taking place. Tonight marks a special milestone as our seniors celebrate Prom at Browns Stadium. As we eagerly await commencement in just a few short weeks, we hope the Class of 2025 finishes their high school career successfully, responsibly, and safely.

This week also featured our PTO Red Wolf Run for PreK through 8th-grade students. This tremendous event perfectly captures the tradition and community spirit that makes Cuyahoga Heights special. Events like these provide our students with experiences that connect them to friends, school, and community. These connections form the foundation of their educational journey and help shape who they become.

While we are mentioning our PTO, I want to express our deepest gratitude for all they did during staff appreciation week. Their thoughtfulness and generosity meant so much to our entire team. Beyond that, we appreciate the hard work, teamwork, creativity, initiative, time, and volunteerism they contribute to host and sponsor events that support our greatest asset - our students. A heartfelt thank you to all involved.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

CHS TIP OF THE WEEK:

Preparing for End-of-Year Exams and Projects

As we approach the end of the school year, students are focusing on final exams and culminating projects. Strategic preparation reduces stress and helps students demonstrate what they've learned. Here are some tips for effective end-of-year academic preparation:

Preschool-5th Grade:

Create simple study schedules with colorful visuals
Break review into small, manageable sessions
Use games and activities to make review fun
Prepare materials needed for final projects early

6th-8th Grade:

Develop a comprehensive study calendar for all subjects
Organize notes and study materials by topic
Form study groups with classmates
Create concept maps to connect related ideas

9th-12th Grade:

Prioritize review based on exam weight and personal challenges
Practice with past tests or sample questions
Schedule specific times for different subjects
Balance intensive study with necessary breaks

For All Students:

Ensure adequate sleep during preparation periods
Maintain healthy eating and physical activity
Create a distraction-free study environment
Review teacher feedback from throughout the year

Remember, effective preparation builds confidence and allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

13th Annual PTO Red Wolf Run

Today, we held the 13th Annual PTO Red Wolf Run for PreK-8th grade students. We are so proud of our amazing student runners! Our event was a huge success and so much fun for everyone involved. The PTO would like to extend a huge thank you to the parents, family members, students, staff, volunteers, and generous sponsors for helping to make this event possible. You are all superstars, and we truly appreciate your fundraising support. We look forward to announcing prizes in the coming weeks.

As a reward for reaching our school wide fundraising goal, all students will be attending a special assembly by award winning entertainer David Anthony Magic on Monday, May 12.

Commencement Countdown Continues!

The 2025 High School Commencement is fast approaching, and excitement is building as we prepare to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025. As we head into the final stretch of the school year, please refer to the attached Notable Dates page for a complete list of important events and activities. From senior celebrations to graduation rehearsal and the big day itself, there’s a lot to look forward to. Let’s finish strong and make these final weeks memorable.

Strikes of Friendship: Cuyahoga Heights and Independence High Roll Into Fun at Bowling Social

Students from Cuyahoga Heights High School and Independence High School came together this week for a heartwarming afternoon of adaptive bowling fun. The event brought together two resource room classrooms for a friendly, inclusive social at Seven Hills Lanes.

With ramps set up to ensure accessibility for all, students cheered each other on as they took turns aiming for strikes. The adaptive bowling social wasn’t just about knocking down pins—it was about building connections. For many of the students, it was a chance to step out of the classroom, socialize in a new setting, and celebrate each other’s successes.

Teachers and staff from both schools helped facilitate the event and shared in the fun. "It was a fantastic way to promote friendship, inclusion, and community between our schools," said Intervention Specialist Jena Amato. "The students had a blast, and we’re already looking forward to doing it again."

It was a perfect strike for kindness, collaboration, and unforgettable memories.

ACT Prep

Current: Freshman | Sophomores | Juniors

The teachers at Cuyahoga Heights High School are donating their time to offer ACT Prep Classes for current Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors.

In the spring sessions, students will get test taking tips by subject, take a practice test in that subject, and then review the test.

In the summer sessions, students will receive more extensive test taking tips by subject, take a practice test in that subject, and review the test.

On August 10, students will take a full-length practice test (all 4 subjects) and get scaled scores.

These courses are free but require the purchase of the book. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking here: The Princeton Review 2025 ACT Review.

Please call Mrs. Connors in the main office at 216-429-5708 to register your child for one or all of the available dates.

S.O.S. (Save Old Shoes)

The Blue Wave Swim Team wants your shoes! The Swim Team is running a gently worn, used, and new shoe drive now through the end of May. As you start your spring cleaning, keep Blue Wave in mind! We will gladly take your old shoes off your hands...well, feet!

To donate, simply email swimteamnews@gmail.com, and a team member will coordinate a convenient pickup time.

Prefer to drop off your items? Donation bins are available at both the Valley View Recreation Center and the Walton Hills Community Center.

You can also bring your donations to the Fun Run Check-In Table, where each donation enters you for a chance to win 4 tickets to an Akron RubberDucks game.

Cuyahoga Heights Youth Football Camp 2025

We are excited to announce that this year's Cuyahoga Heights Youth Football Camp will take place July 28-30 from 10 a.m. - noon.

WHO:
Rising 3rd-6th Graders, Grades based on the 2025-2026 school year

PLACE:
All instruction will take place at Cuyahoga Heights High School football practice fields
4820 East 71st Street
Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio 44125

STAFF:
Cuyahoga Heights High School/Middle School Coaches
Cuyahoga Heights High School Players/Alumni

COST:
The cost for the camp will be $20 per camper
This includes a camp T-shirt and snacks

EQUIPMENT:
Each camper should come with their own water bottle.
Please wear shorts, a T-shirt, and cleats. In the case of inclement weather, please bring tennis shoes to wear inside.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up, use the following link:
Cuyahoga Heights Youth Football Camp

HOW TO PAY:
Submit payments to Elementary or Middle/High School Offices

Make checks payable to: CHS Athletic Boosters

QUESTIONS:
Please contact via email

Coach Nate Bryk: nbryk@cuyhts.org
Coach Jory Huffman: jhuffman@cuyhts.org

Future Red Rubies Dance and Twirl Clinic

Join us for the Red Rubies Drill Team Dance & Twirl Clinic. This event is for students in Kindergarten-8th Grade. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Athletes will be grouped by age and ability. You do not need to be a CHS student to attend.

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. - noon
Time: Parent Showcase promptly at noon
Location: Cuyahoga Heights HS Gym - 4840 E 71st St, Cleveland, OH 44125

Cost: $25
Register by: May 5, 2025 (signups after 4/29 are not guaranteed a t-shirt)
Registration Includes: t-shirt, snack, and instruction from the team on dance, baton, and flag & performance for parents.

Payment: cash, check, Venmo or Paypal (cash in envelope with student name)
Checks made out to: CHS Music Boosters
*All students must be registered to attend. Your spot and shirt order will only be confirmed after payment is received.

Schedule: 8:45 - 9 a.m. - Check-in

Introductions & Warm-up
Jazz Pom Dance Combo, Color Guard Flag, or Twirling Combo
SNACK
Jazz Pom Dance Combo, Color Guard Flag, or Twirling Combo
Jazz Pom Dance Combo, Color Guard Flag, or Twirling Combo

Parent Showcase: noon - Parent Showcase / Q&A / Announcements

Attire: Please wear a comfortable outfit to move & dance in (preferably red and black!)
Shoes: Any dance shoe or sneakers (no socks, crocs, sandals, or bare feet permitted)
Hair: Can be worn however the student is most comfortable, out of face.
Please bring: a water bottle

Questions: Contact Coach Chelsey Kovar ckovar@cuyhts.org

Honoring Officer Jacob Derbin: Monument Unveiling

On behalf of the Class of 2018, we invite our school community to join us in honoring the memory of Officer Jacob Derbin—a proud Cuyahoga Heights graduate and dedicated public servant. The event will commemorate Jacob’s life and legacy with the unveiling of a permanent monument in his honor. Please see the flyer for details.

Volunteer | Participate | Donate

Jacobs Ladder Special Needs Fitness Annual Bike Ride

Date: June 8, 2025
Location: Start at Bacci Park
Ride Time: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Volunteer Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch: 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact:
Tony D'Orazio
440-225-2365
tdorazio@att.net

Dan D'Orazio
440-670-1151
danjdorazio@gmail.com