Dear CHS Community, 

Winter weather closed school again this past Tuesday, and forecasters are predicting another significant storm this weekend. Winter Storm Fern is expected to impact over 230 million people across the country with heavy snow and ice affecting 34 states. Depending on weather outcomes (timing, duration, and snow amounts) and coupled with a regional rock salt shortage, parents should, at a minimum, make childcare plans for Monday in the event a calamity day is required. 

As I shared in November, I consult with the National Weather Service, emergency management officials, road maintenance teams, area superintendents, and our transportation coordinator when making closure decisions. While we have advantages that many districts do not, including buses stored indoors in heated garages, door-to-door pick up and drop-off, excellent drivers and maintenance staff, and outstanding village service departments, severe weather can still create conditions that require closure. Parents always have the right to make the final call about their child's safety. School closure information will be communicated as timely as possible through phone calls, emails, social media, our website, mobile app, and/or local news channels.

Beyond the weather challenges, we have tremendous reasons to celebrate. Our district has recently received two significant national recognitions that highlight the exceptional work of our students and staff.

Cuyahoga Heights High School has earned Silver recognition on the College Board's 2025 AP School Honor Roll for the third consecutive year. Our progression from Bronze to Silver over three years demonstrates consistent growth in college readiness and Advanced Placement program excellence.

Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School has been named a 2026 National ESEA Distinguished School, one of only 63 schools nationwide and one of only two schools in Ohio to receive this honor. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce nominated our elementary school in the category of Closing the Achievement Gaps between Student Groups.

Both recognitions reflect years of strategic, intentional work by our staff to ensure students receive rigorous instruction and the support needed to succeed. More detailed information about both honors can be found in the articles below.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

Curiosity is the foundation of all learning and innovation. When students develop genuine curiosity about the world around them, learning becomes joyful rather than obligatory. Fostering a love of discovery and lifelong learning prepares students not just for school success, but for fulfilling lives of continued growth and exploration. Here are some strategies for nurturing curiosity and a passion for learning:

Preschool-5th Grade:

6th-8th Grade:

9th-12th Grade:

For All Students:

Remember, the love of learning is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Curious minds never stop growing, discovering, and contributing to the world around them.

The Cuyahoga Heights 6th grade team is dedicated to inspiring students to become the best versions of themselves by promoting accountability, humility, and respect in everything they do. Working together as a unified team, they focus on building strong relationships, creating meaningful learning experiences, and fostering an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered to reach new heights both academically and personally.

With a strong commitment to collaboration, gratitude, and excellence, the team helps students develop skills that extend beyond the classroom, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence. Through hands-on learning, structured support, and thoughtful instruction, they guide students in organizing their thinking, reflecting on their work, and growing through both successes and challenges.

The 6th grade team’s passion for teaching, dedication to student growth, and genuine care for families and the school community continue to make a lasting impact on our students during this important transition year.

Nate Bryk
6th Grade Teacher
FUN FACT

Annamarie Loncar
6th Grade Teacher
FUN FACT

Lindsay Russell
6th Grade Teacher
FUN FACT

Jim Zurbola has nominated Joellen Podoll, Administrative Assistant to the Athletic and Activities Director, as January’s Staff Spotlight recipient. Please join us in congratulating Joellen when you see her.

If she weren’t the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic & Activities Director, Joellen Podoll says she probably would be an event planner. Yet, in supporting the daily operations of the athletic and extracurricular program, that is exactly what she does! Among her countless duties are reserving buses for the athletic teams and for field trips, overseeing the internal school calendar and  the website calendar, and performing a variety of other duties associated with helping student athletes and students involved in extracurricular activities to know where and when they need to be. 

Learn more about Joellen HERE.

Cuyahoga Heights Schools proudly announces the January Students of the Month. Each month, nine students are selected based on teacher nominations: one from each grade 6th-12th, and two from a particular grade level in the elementary school. These exemplary students, chosen for their outstanding achievements, were recognized at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, January 21. This monthly recognition highlights our students' diverse talents and dedication throughout the school year. Congratulations to all! Read the full article HERE.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

3rd Grade
DeKlon Metzgar

3rd Grade
Clara Sheppard

MIDDLE SCHOOL

6th Grade
Cataleya Taylor

7th Grade
Kevin Gamble

8th Grade
Eloise Streitman

HIGH SCHOOL

9th Grade
Abram Podoll

10th Grade
Avram Friedt

11th Grade
Breanna Dougan

12th Grade
Anthony Kondash

The Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education is accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board member Matt Rusch, effective January 21, 2026. The Board thanks Mr. Rusch for his service to our district and students.

About Board Service

Serving on the Board of Education is an important way community members can contribute to the success of our schools. Board members work alongside district administration to establish policy, oversee fiscal operations, and ensure our students receive an excellent education.

Board members typically meet twice per month for regular meetings, with additional special meetings as needed. Members are also expected to participate in professional development and invest time preparing for meetings. The impact board members have on our district is significant and requires someone passionate about public education and committed to serving our students.

Qualifications

To serve on the Board of Education, candidates must:

Timeline

The appointed member will serve until January 1, 2028. A special election for this position will be held in November 2027 for the remainder of the term through December 31, 2029.

How to Apply

Complete the online application by clicking HERE or by visiting our website homepage at www.cuyhts.org. The application requires contact information, a detailed statement of interest to the Board President (Mr. Gary Suchocki), and a current resume.

Questions?

Contact Superintendent Matt Young myoung@cuyhts.org, Treasurer Matthew Muccio mmuccio@cuyhts.org or Board President Gary Suchocki gsuchocki@cuyhts.org.

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

Cuyahoga Heights Local High School has earned Silver recognition on the College Board's 2025 AP School Honor Roll, marking three consecutive years of distinction and demonstrating sustained excellence in Advanced Placement programming.

Three-Year Progression:

The AP School Honor Roll, launched in 2023, recognizes schools based on three research-backed criteria tied to college success. Schools must meet or exceed all three criteria at their recognition level.

Class of 2025 Results:

This three-year trajectory reflects steady improvement in college culture participation, from 48% in 2023 to 54% in 2025, while maintaining exceptional performance in college credit attainment and college optimization.

Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. Even students who don't earn college credit benefit from early exposure to college-level expectations.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our AP team who work to make rigorous coursework accessible while supporting students through the challenges of college-level work. Most importantly, it demonstrates our students' willingness to challenge themselves academically and their success in doing so.

Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School was nominated by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and chosen as a 2026 National ESEA Distinguished School, one of only 63 schools nationally to receive this recognition. The school was nominated in Category 2: Closing the Achievement Gaps between Student Groups (view video here). This prestigious national recognition from the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators honors schools demonstrating exceptional work in equity and student achievement.

The nomination recognizes the school's comprehensive approach to literacy instruction and intervention, centered on its "walk-to-intervention" model implemented four years ago. This model fundamentally shifted the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) by having students move to targeted small-group instruction that precisely meets their needs. During intervention blocks, five to ten staff members work simultaneously with small groups of students, addressing specific skills identified through ongoing data analysis. Every classroom teacher, specialist, interventionist, and Title I staff member provides targeted instruction daily within this structure.

The school's success stems from several strategic decisions: adopting evidence-based literacy materials before state mandates required them, redesigning the master schedule to protect intervention time, using universal diagnostics to guide both core instruction and targeted support, and building staff capacity through job-embedded professional development rather than one-time workshops. Achievement gains have been particularly significant for economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities, reflecting the school's focus on closing gaps rather than simply raising overall scores.

Principal Joel Melvin and a team of elementary teachers will represent the school at the national ESEA conference in Denver, Colorado in February 2026, where all nominated schools will be officially recognized. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will provide up to $5,000 in additional Title I funds to support the team's attendance. The school will also present its practices at the Ohio state conference in April 2026.

This recognition reflects years of intentional, collaborative work by the entire elementary staff to ensure every student receives the instruction they need to succeed.

Zac Lowther, Jordan Martin, Brandon Eddy, Lauren Goetz, Jenna Stegmaier, and Meridith Chopka

Halftime of the January 17 Girls' Varsity Basketball game in the Flip Saunders Gymnasium provided the setting to recognize six new members of the Cuyahoga Heights High School (CHHS) Athletic Hall of Fame. Following the game, the Class of 2025 was formally inducted at a dinner attended by their families, friends, and supporters at Cuyahoga Heights Village Hall.

Read the full story HERE.

The CHS Music Boosters are excited to host a Valentine’s Day Crumbl Cookie-Gram Fundraiser, and we’d love your support.This delicious fundraiser is the perfect way to treat someone special while helping our talented music students.

Order Valentine-themed Crumbl Cookies with the following options:

Combo 1: 4-pack for $20 
Combo 2: 6-pack for $30 
Single Cookie: $6

Order by February 6. Cookies will be distributed during lunch or picked up after school on February 12.

All proceeds directly benefit the CHS Music Booster, helping support programs, performances, and student opportunities.

Simply scan the QR code on the flyer or click HERE to place your order today.

For questions, please email cuyhtsmusicboosters@gmail.com.

Thank you for supporting CHS Music Boosters—and making Valentine’s Day a little sweeter! 💕🎵

College Credit Plus MANDATORY Meeting

Any current student in grades 6-11 considering to take college level coursework this summer or next school year must attend the virtual informational meeting on Thursday, January 29th at 7:00 p.m. Both parent and student are required to attend this meeting in order to participate in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program for the upcoming year.  This meeting is required for each year of CCP coursework. If you will be unable to attend this meeting, please contact either Ms.Neidert or Mrs.Labenz in the counseling office. A  Zoom link will be sent out to all families through FinalForms on the morning of January 29.

Sixth grade students hit the ground running as they launched into the third quarter, literally keeping the motion and energy high during these chilly January days. To kick off the unit on motion and speed, students first explored key concepts through a virtual Moving Man simulation lab, building a strong foundation in distance, time, and velocity. They then took their learning to the gym for a hands-on Sprint Speed Challenge, where students collected real data, analyzed results, and made inferences about trends in speed. By combining digital simulations with active, student-powered labs, learners stayed engaged, warm, and energized while strengthening both scientific thinking and teamwork skills.

Submitted by Mrs. Lindsay Russell, 6th Grade Teacher

As winter weather continues across Northeast Ohio, the Office of Emergency Management has shared important safety tips to help families stay prepared and protected during cold temperatures and winter storms.

Residents are encouraged to dress in layers, wear hats and gloves, and choose waterproof footwear when outdoors. It is also important to prepare your home and vehicle by checking emergency supplies, ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and keeping fuel levels full.

During winter storms, families should stay informed through weather alerts, limit travel when possible, properly ventilate heat sources, and use caution when shoveling snow. Checking on neighbors and loved ones is also encouraged.

Cuyahoga Heights Schools thanks our community for taking steps to prioritize safety throughout the winter season.

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.

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

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

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.

Due to the forecast of inclement weather this weekend, the CHS Music Boosters have made the decision to postpone CHS Got Talent to ensure the safety of our performers, audience members, and volunteers. While we were looking forward to celebrating the incredible talents of our community, safety must come first.

We are excited to announce that CHS Got Talent has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and will still take place in the CHS High School Auditorium. All the fun remains the same, an evening filled with singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, musicians, and more. Admission will continue to be $5, with free entry for performers & volunteers. We will also have basket raffles, a 50/50, concessions, and more!

If you already signed up to perform or volunteer, your spot will carry over to the new date. Additional performers and volunteers are still welcome, and sign-ups remain open via the QR code on the event flyer or by clicking HERE to register your act. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We can’t wait to see you in February for a fantastic night of talent at CHS!

The Cuyahoga Heights Middle School wrestling team competed in the conference tournament at Independence on January 17, 2026. The entire team contributed to the overall score with strong performances and hard-earned wins. The following athletes placed in their respective weight classes:

Rhys Munoz - 6th place
Grace Collins - 5th place
Ayden Jasany - 5th place
Blake Kirchner - 2nd place

Congratulations to everyone on a great season! Go sign up for OAC districts!

Rhys Munoz
6th Place

Ayden Jasany, Blake Kirchner, Rhys Munoz, Grace Collins

Ayden Jasany
5th Place

Blake Kirchner
2nd Place

Della Shadd, a third grade student, had an outstanding performance at her recent gymnastics competition, earning first place in three of her events and securing the overall 1st place ranking. On January 11, 2026, she competed against 11 girls in her age group and demonstrated exceptional skill, focus, and determination. We are incredibly proud of Della’s hard work and dedication, and we congratulate her on this impressive achievement!.

Logan Apathy (Class of 2025) is currently attending Ohio University, where he is majoring in Business. We are proud to recognize Logan for earning a place on the President’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

To achieve this honor, students must earn a 4.0 GPA while completing a minimum of 12 semester credit hours. This outstanding accomplishment reflects Logan’s dedication, hard work, and academic excellence.

Congratulations, Logan!

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