Dear CHS Family,

We're off to an amazing start. Our community spirit is shining bright as we kick off the new school year. Let's take a moment to celebrate how we've come together:

• Back 2 School Bash: Wow...what a turnout! The energy was contagious, showing just how much our community cares about our students' success.

• Open Houses and Meet the Teacher Night: These events let our students and families connect with our outstanding teachers and staff. It's teamwork that makes the dream work.

• Senior Send-off: Our seniors just had their last "first day." We're all rooting for them to make this year their most memorable yet.

• Friday Night Lights: This Friday is our first football game of the season. It's another chance for us to rally around our students and show our CHS pride.

The theme is clear: We're stronger together. Every event, every gathering, every cheer is about supporting our students. From the classroom to the sports field, we're one big CHS family.

Let's keep this momentum going. Your involvement makes a huge difference in our students' lives. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or community member, you play a vital role in our students' success.

Here's to a year of learning, growing, and achieving – together.

Matt Young

Superintendent

P.S. Don't forget to wear your CHS colors to the game on Friday.

Building excitement for new opportunities is essential for students and families as it fosters a positive attitude toward learning and personal growth. Enthusiasm for new experiences motivates students to engage more fully in their education, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace challenges. This excitement can increase participation in classes, extracurricular activities, and school events, enhancing overall academic performance and social development. 

For families, sharing in this excitement strengthens the home-school connection, promoting active involvement in their child's education. It also helps create a supportive environment where learning is valued and celebrated. Focusing on new opportunities shifts the narrative from potential anxieties about the unknown to the thrill of discovery and achievement. This positive outlook can boost students' confidence, resilience, and willingness to try new things, setting the stage for a year of growth, learning, and success. 

Ultimately, building excitement for these opportunities helps create a vibrant, engaging school community where everyone – students, families, and staff – looks forward to the new school year's possibilities.

As we wrap up our first exciting week of school, let's look ahead to the fantastic opportunities this year brings. Here are some ways to build and maintain enthusiasm across all grade levels:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Create a "Year of Firsts" scrapbook or photo collage to document new experiences

• Explore after-school clubs or activities starting soon

• Set up opportunities to play with new classmates to build friendships

• Start a countdown to special school events (field trips, music performance, etc.)

• Encourage trying new foods in the cafeteria or a packed lunch each week

6th-8th Grade:

• Join or start a student-led club aligned with personal interests

• Set goals for sports tryouts or arts auditions

• Explore volunteer opportunities within the school or community

• Create a growth chart...you're going to reach new HEIGHTS in middle school

9th-12th Grade:

• Research potential internship or job-shadowing opportunities

• Attend college and career fairs (dates will be announced soon)

• Develop strategies for successful completion of Advanced Placement or dual-credit courses

• Explore leadership roles in clubs or student government

• Start building a portfolio of academic and extracurricular achievements

For All Students:

• Discuss one new thing they learned or experienced each day at dinner

• Set personal growth goals for the year (academic, social, or skill-based)

• Plan to attend school events as a family (sports games, concerts, plays)

• Explore new study methods or learning technologies

• Encourage your child to be a "welcomer" for new students

Every school year brings new chances to learn, grow, and have fun. Let's make the most of these opportunities together.

Let’s Reach New Heights Together!

Cuyahoga Heights School District IT Department: Supporting Student Success

The Information Technology (IT) Department at Cuyahoga Heights School District is dedicated to providing the best technology support for our students and families. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that technology enhances the learning experience for everyone.

Improving Our Technology Infrastructure

Over the past three years, our IT team has made significant improvements to the school's technology:

• Network Upgrades: We've installed new network switches that provide stable internet connections throughout the school. This ensures that students can work online and take tests without interruptions.

• Enhanced Wi-Fi: New wireless access points have been added throughout the school. This gives students and teachers more reliable internet access in all classrooms and common areas.

• Outdoor Connectivity: Select outside areas will soon have Wi-Fi access. This allows for outdoor learning activities and helps staff who need to work outside.

Enhancing School Safety

The IT Department has also focused on improving school security:

• A new door answering system with cameras has been added to key entry points.

• This system provides better surveillance and communication with visitors, making our school safer for everyone.

Streamlining Communication

To make it easier for parents, students, and teachers to stay connected, we've introduced a new communication tool:

• We now use Apptegy, an all-in-one solution that combines emergency calls, texts, emails, and classroom communication.

• This system also includes our website design, giving our school a unified look online.

• Parents and students can now get all important information in one place, making communication more reliable and easy to use.

Always Here to Help

Our IT team is committed to making sure technology helps rather than hinders the learning process. We're always ready to assist students, families, and staff with any tech issues. Whether it's trouble with a school-issued device or questions about our online systems, we're here to provide support.

By maintaining up-to-date and smoothly running technology, we're ensuring our students have the best tools for learning in today's digital world. The IT Department is proud to play a role in supporting the educational success of every student at Cuyahoga Heights School District.

Background

• Our district implemented a cell phone policy before it was required by Ohio law.

• The current policy meets the new state law requirements for cell phone use during school hours.

• Ohio law requires all schools to adopt a local policy governing student cell phone use by July 1, 2025.

Policy for Grades K-8

• Students must store their cell phones in their lockers.

• Phones must be silenced.

• This rule applies from the start to the end of the school day.

Policy for Grades 9-12

• Allowed Use Times:

  • Before and after school

  • During lunch breaks (as long as it doesn't cause distractions or disruptions)

• Restricted Use Times:

  • During all other school hours, unless approved by a teacher or administrator

  • During these times, phones must be completely powered off and out of sight

Additional Rules (All Grades)

• Students may not use personal communication devices (PCDs) to access websites that are blocked at school. This applies:

  • On school property

  • During school-sponsored activities

• Without teacher or administrator approval, students may not use PCDs to:

  • Capture

  • Record

  • Transmit words, sounds, or images of any student, staff member, or other person during:

    • The school day

    • Off-campus school-sponsored trips

If you have any questions, please contact your building principal.

Cuyahoga Heights School's campus buzzed with excitement last Tuesday evening as students from Pre-K to 12th grade gathered for the annual Back-to-School Bash. The event offered a diverse range of activities, perfectly capturing the school's vibrant community spirit.

Highlights included a challenging rock climbing wall, popular food trucks, and spirit wear sales. Students also had a chance to explore various school clubs and activities, while families enjoyed creative photo opportunities.

The event also recognized fall sports teams, with attendees getting a glimpse of the varsity football team's practice.

As the evening concluded, it was clear the Back-to-School Bash had successfully ignited enthusiasm for the new academic year, setting a positive tone for months of learning and growth to come.

Welcome back!

The Class of 2025 is continuing a creative tradition at our school this year. Seniors with driving privileges are being encouraged to paint their own parking spots, adding a personal touch to our campus. This project, now in its third year, begins with students submitting their design ideas to Mr. DeTray for approval. Once given the green light, seniors can bring their visions to life on their designated parking spaces. The initiative aims to help students engage more deeply with their school and mark the beginning of their final year with a creative endeavor.

We believe this project empowers our seniors, allowing them to leave a lasting mark and take ownership of their school experience. It's a wonderful way for the Class of 2025 to kick off their senior year before the busy months ahead. While we've included a sneak peek of some of the artwork, we warmly invite you to stop by the school and see these personalized masterpieces in person. It's truly inspiring to see how our students express themselves through this unique opportunity.

📸 Show off those first day smiles! 😃✨
🖨️ Download and print out your grade sign for the perfect photo op!
📚 Students, strike a pose! 🎒 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫
📧 Share your pics: news@cuyhts.org
👀 You might see your snapshot on our District's social media! 🌟
#RedWolfPride 🐺❤️ #CHSFirstDay24 🏫

Let's make this first day memorable together! 🎉

Click here for the student signs

SPORTSMANSHIP STANDARDS

From Commissioner Lewis: I am very proud of the Chagrin Valley Conference, as we have established very high sportsmanship standards for our athletes, coaches and spectators. We strive as a conference to uphold the highest level of sportsmanship. Recently the CVC added three additional provisions to our bylaws to enhance our sportsmanship standards.

• Spectators - Consequences will be given for unsportsmanlike behavior(s) to spectators that are removed from a contest by either an official, onsite administrator, and/or security. If removed from a contest, the spectator will serve a one and/or more contest suspension from the immediately following home and/or away contest(s). Furthermore, they must complete one or more NFHS sportsmanship courses in order to return as a spectator. Additional consequences may be given by school officials. (Operating Standard 6).

• Student Athletes & Coaches - The Chagrin Valley Conference expects the highest levels of sportsmanship conduct of its coaches and student-athletes. Unacceptable sportsmanship conduct will be determined by the contest officials and/or school administration, and security. Consequences will be given for unsportsmanlike behavior(s) to coaches and student athletes that are removed/ejected from a contest by either an official, onsite administrator, and/or security. Student-athletes and/or coaches removed from a contest will serve OHSAA sanctions. Furthermore, student-athletes and/or coaches will serve CVC sanctions, which include online classes with the NFHS. Schools reserve the right for additional consequences for poor sportsmanship behavior and/or removal from a contest(s). (Operating Standard 7)

• Compliance Committee - We have added a Compliance committee to review all violations of our CVC Bylaws.  The committee shall preserve the integrity of the CVC and oversee the operations of the CVC and its members by investigating, assessing, identifying, reporting, and rectifying any instances of non-compliance by CVC members. (Article VII - Committees - Section 3.)

Please contact Mr. Ryan Kelber, Athletic Director, if you have questions.

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

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

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