Dear CHS Community, 

We are certainly in the heart of winter now. This past Thursday, hazardous road conditions necessitated a calamity day that closed schools across Northeast Ohio. While our goal is always to keep students in the classroom, safety must come first. I hope our students and families were able to enjoy their unexpected snow day.

This weather serves as an important reminder to ensure students have appropriate winter gear, including coats, hats, and gloves, even on days when school is in session. Unplanned situations such as bus breakdowns, fire drills, or other unexpected events can occur, and we want students prepared for anything that might require them to be outdoors during these cold winter months.

This weekend brings a special celebration as the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame inducts the Class of 2025. Earning a place in the Hall of Fame represents years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. These athletes achieved historic results that transcended their sports and left lasting impacts on our program. This recognition honors not only their individual accomplishments but also the coaches, teammates, families, and friends who supported and pushed them to reach their potential. We congratulate all inductees and thank them for the example they set for current and future student-athletes.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere through challenges. It is one of the most important skills students can develop. Life inevitably brings difficulties, and learning to face problems with confidence and determination prepares students for long-term success. Problem-solving skills empower students to tackle challenges independently and develop the grit needed to achieve their goals. Here are some strategies for building resilience and problem-solving abilities:

Preschool-5th Grade:

6th-8th Grade:

9th-12th Grade:

For All Students:

Remember, resilience isn't about never falling down but about learning to get back up. Every challenge overcome builds confidence and strength for future obstacles.

Governor DeWine recently signed five property tax reform bills in December, and Cuyahoga Heights Schools residents may be asking whether their taxes are affected. The new laws provide major tax relief to Ohio school districts experiencing financial difficulties. About two-thirds of Ohio's school districts fall into this category and will see significant tax reductions for their residents. Cuyahoga Heights Schools does not qualify for this major relief because the district operates from a position of financial strength.

The district's unique advantage comes from its business tax base. Local businesses contribute approximately 75% of the school's property tax revenue, while homeowners pay only 25%. In most Ohio districts, these percentages are reversed where homeowners pay about 75% of property taxes while businesses pay 25%. This difference protects Cuyahoga Heights residential taxpayers from the sharp tax increases affecting homeowners in other communities.

However, all Ohio homeowners will see some tax savings starting in 2027 through an owner-occupancy credit, with those savings increasing each year through 2029.

A detailed webpage has been prepared explaining why Cuyahoga Heights operates differently from most Ohio districts, what the five reform bills do, when residents may see changes on their tax bills, and the district's successful advocacy against an earlier proposal that would have damaged financial stability.

Visit the webpage for complete information and watch the short explanatory video.

At the January 7, 2026 Board of Education meeting, the Cuyahoga Heights Schools Board of Education approved the 2026–2027 District Calendar.

Families are encouraged to review the calendar to assist with planning for the upcoming school year, including key dates such as school breaks, holidays, and days off.

View the calendar HERE.

We encourage qualified community members who are passionate about education and committed to serving our students to apply.

Board of Education Vacancy

Cuyahoga Heights Schools is proud to partner with Resource for Advancing Children’s Health (REACH) to provide vital mental health services for our students. Through this partnership, students have access to on-site support that helps remove barriers to learning and promotes overall well-being.

We are pleased to feature Geoffrey Belager (also known as Mr. Geoff), a REACH Mental Health Therapist, who serves as a school-based counselor at Cuyahoga Heights. In this role, Geoff works directly with students to support their emotional, behavioral, and social needs, areas that are closely connected to success in the classroom.

By meeting with students during the school day, Geoff is able to provide timely, individualized support in a familiar and comfortable environment. This allows concerns to be addressed early and helps students develop practical coping skills they can use both at school and at home. He also collaborates closely with families and school staff to ensure students receive consistent, well-rounded support.

This on-site approach to mental health care reduces barriers for families, strengthens school-home connections, and helps students feel understood, supported, and better equipped to manage stress and challenges. We are grateful for REACH’s partnership and for the meaningful work Geoff does each day to support the well-being and success of our students.

Geoffrey Belanger
Mental Health Therapist
FUN FACT

Fifth grade students are using three pounds of Play-Doh to make a scale model of the planets in our solar system (and Pluto, too!) To do this they have to read step-by-step instructions on how to cut the Play-Doh into smaller and smaller, equally sized pieces. This activity aligns with the Ohio Learning Standards for Science, 5.ESS.1.

Welcome to River City, Iowa! We are looking for the following items for our upcoming production, The Music Man. If you have something from this list you are willing to donate to the CHS Drama Club, please email Mrs. Brown: gbrown@cuyhts.org

Prop List of Items Needed - The Music Man

In the fall, 3rd-5th grade’s gifted math students competed in a math competition put in by Noetic Learning. Students competed amongst each other and against other student in their grade levels across the nation. Our top scorers from each grade levels are as follows: 

Student received their certificates, ribbons, and medals this week. Way to go mathematicians!

Evan Petel & Cody Kaliszewski

Austin Henry

Amelia Sheppard

Registration for the 2026-27 school year opened Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. on the Cuyahoga Heights Schools website, where families can find all required forms, step-by-step instructions, and details regarding necessary enrollment documentation.

We encourage families to register as early as possible to help ensure a smooth and successful start for our future Red Wolves. Registration will close on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

2026-27 Tuition Rates

* PLEASE NOTE: Kindergarten age eligibility has recently changed. Previously, the district required children to be age five by August 1. Under new Ohio legislation (HB 114), children must now be five years old by the first day of instruction. While Pre-K eligibility is not affected by this legislation, the district is aligning age requirements for consistency.

Who should register?

PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN registration is open to NEW resident and NEW tuition families

GRADES 1–12 registration is open to NEW tuition families ONLY

CHS PTO thanks everyone who helped us beat our earnings goal of $750. Please keep scanning your receipts to help us reach our new goal of $1200. New to Box Tops? Scan the QR code to sign up and start earning today.

To sign up or for more information:
wcichocki@cuyhts.org

Looking for a fun night out while your kids enjoy an evening of activities with friends? Parent’s Night Out 2 is back, and it’s all for a great cause.

This pajama-themed event is a fundraiser supporting the Class of 2026 After Prom. Parents can drop off their children in their coziest PJs and enjoy a worry-free evening while students are supervised by approved volunteers.

Event Details

Date: Friday, February 13

Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Location: Valley View Recreation Center

Cost: $35 per family

What’s Included?

*Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping make After Prom a safe and memorable experience for the Class of 2026.

Do you sing, dance, tell jokes, play an instrument, or have a unique talent the world needs to see? The CHS Music Boosters invite YOU to step into the spotlight at CHS Got Talent, happening January 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the CHS High School Auditorium.

This exciting community showcase is open to performers of all ages and all talent types, from musicians and magicians to comedians, dancers, and everything in between. Whether you're a seasoned performer or trying the stage for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to shine in front of a supportive audience.

Why perform?

⭐ It’s fun!
⭐ It’s a great way to share your passion and creativity.
⭐ It supports the CHS Music Boosters and local arts programs.
⭐ Performers get in FREE

Signing up is simple, just scan the QR code featured on the event flyer or click HERE to register your act. Don’t wait too long; performance slots may fill quickly.

Take the stage. Show your skills. Be part of something amazing!

Cuyahoga Heights Schools is proud to announce the 2025 class of inductees for the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to recognize individuals who distinguished themselves as athletes or who made outstanding contributions to the athletic program of Cuyahoga Heights High School. 

The 2025 CHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are:

Merideth Chopka
Brandon Charles Eddy
Lauren Goetz
Zacary Lowther
Jordan Martin
Jenna Stegmaier

Each of these individuals exemplifies the tradition of excellence and pride that defines Cuyahoga Heights athletics. Their accomplishments continue to inspire current and future generations of Cuyahoga Heights athletes.

The inductees will be formally recognized during halftime of the 1:15 p.m. Varsity Girls Basketball game on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Flip Saunders Gymnasium. Family, friends, alumni, and community members are encouraged to attend and help celebrate this special occasion.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 CHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees on this well-deserved honor!

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