October 24, 2025

Dear CHS Community,

As we approach the final week of October, our calendar is filled with activities that highlight the many dimensions of student life at Cuyahoga Heights Schools. From elementary performances to parent conferences to athletic achievements, this week offers numerous opportunities to engage with and celebrate our students.

Next week brings two exciting events to our elementary school. On Thursday, our first graders will present their annual performance of NUTS!, a beloved CHES tradition that combines science and music into an engaging learning experience. Friday features our Fall Festival Costume Parade, adding to the festive atmosphere as we move through autumn.

First quarter report cards are now available for review. As previously communicated, Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 6 and 7 across all three buildings, with an additional elementary conference date on November 13. I encourage all families to take advantage of these opportunities to discuss your student's progress with their teachers.

Recently, our third graders completed the Grade 3 English Language Arts state assessment. We are proud of the effort demonstrated by our students, teachers, and staff in preparing for this important test. Their dedication and preparation reflect the commitment to excellence that defines our district.

Our fall sports season is reaching its conclusion. Tonight, we honor our football, cheerleader, and marching band seniors during the final home game against Brooklyn. The football team continues their season as they advance to the Division VI playoffs next weekend. Additionally, we wish Joee Cichocki the best of luck as she competes in the Division IV cross country regional championship on Saturday.

Thank you for your active involvement in your students' lives and education, for choosing our outstanding school district, and for being part of a community we can all be proud of. Your continued support makes everything we accomplish possible.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

Managing Screen Time for Healthy Learning

In our increasingly digital world, managing screen time has become essential for student health, focus, and academic success. While technology offers valuable learning tools, excessive or poorly managed screen use can interfere with sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face interactions. Finding the right balance helps students use technology productively while maintaining overall wellness. Here are some strategies for managing screen time effectively:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Set clear daily limits for recreational screen time

• Create tech-free zones in bedrooms and during family meals

• Balance screen activities with outdoor play and hands-on learning

• Monitor content to ensure age-appropriate and educational value

6th-8th Grade:

• Distinguish between educational and recreational screen use

• Establish homework routines that minimize digital distractions

• Teach the importance of taking regular breaks from screens

• Model healthy screen habits in your own behavior

9th-12th Grade:

• Help them recognize signs of excessive screen use affecting sleep or grades

• Encourage self-monitoring and personal responsibility for screen choices

• Discuss the impact of social media on mental health and time management

• Support finding offline hobbies and social connections

For All Students:

• Use parental controls and monitoring tools appropriate to age

• Keep devices charging outside bedrooms at night

• Encourage the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds

• Create family agreements about technology use and expectations

Remember, technology is a tool that should enhance learning and life, not dominate it. Healthy screen habits developed now will benefit students throughout their lives.

Our fifth-grade team plays a key role in helping students grow academically and prepare for middle school. Following the Ohio Learning Standards, they guide students in developing strong reading and writing skills, mastering key math concepts like fractions and decimals, and exploring science and social studies through inquiry and discovery.

Beyond academics, they help students build confidence, independence, and teamwork—skills that will serve them for years to come. The dedication, care, and creativity this team brings to their classrooms make them true champions for our students every day.

Click on the fun fact under each photo to learn something about them!

Cuyahoga Heights High School students had the opportunity to participate in the Annual E4Me event held at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio in Independence. This experience served as a follow-up to their classroom lessons on career planning with Mrs. Regula, Career Specialist from Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.

During the event, students explored their postsecondary options of Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment, and Entrepreneurship and gained valuable insights to help guide their future goals and decisions.

Calling all actors! Join the high school/middle school drama department in this year’s production of The Music Man. Auditions will take place on October 27 and 28 after school. To sign up, add your name to the sign-up sheet posted outside the orchestra room. You must also pick up an audition packet from Mrs. Brown in the orchestra room. Email Mrs. Brown, the director, for more information.

As the fall sports season wraps up, we’re proud to recognize our student-athletes who earned All-CVC honors! See below for our First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention selections.

Joee Cichocki finished 13th at the District meet and will advance to the Regional meet on 10/25 at Boardman.

Antonio McCladdie will play in the CVC Boys Soccer All-Star game on Monday 11/2 at 6pm at Wickliffe.

Mari Hopkins will play in the CVC Girls Soccer All-Star game on Monday 11/2 at 7:30pm at Wickliffe.

Camryn Barnes will play in the CVC Volleyball All-Star game on Thursday 11/6 at 7:30pm at Wickliffe.

https://www.chagrinvalleyconference.com/2025-cvc-all-star-game-rosters/

If I could please have the following individuals stand up:

• Freshman, Jon McCann

• Junior, Jamir Whitt

• Junior, Zhou Wei Ni (HONORABLE MENTION IN THE CVC VALLEY DIVISION)

• Junior, Matt Kitral (HONORABLE MENTION IN THE CVC VALLEY DIVISION)

 And can I have our graduating seniors stand up:

• Ayden Archazki

• George Michaels

• Tristan Li

• DJ Jones

LET'S HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE INCREDIBLE STUDENT ATHLETES!

The Brooklyn Heights Service Club is having a Halloween Dance/Costume Party for 4th through 8th graders on October 25, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Brooklyn Heights Community Center.

If you would like your tween to attend the Halloween Dance/Costume Party, RSVP by October 22, 2025.  There will be a $5 admission fee for all non-residents of Brooklyn Heights (which will be paid in cash on the night of the dance). Due to the capacity limit at the community center, we need to know the number of students who will be attending before the event. Everyone must be registered before the event.  

(PLEASE NOTE: If we are at or near capacity on the 25th, we will not be able to let anyone in who is not on the list)

Please email justjanet1972@sbcglobal.net with your name, child's name, address, email, and phone number, or click HERE.