September 19, 2025

Dear CHS Community,

It is hard to believe we have crossed the midpoint for the first quarter of the school year already. With fall officially arriving on Monday, I encourage everyone to enjoy this final weekend of summer. 

As we transition into autumn and our fall activities reach their peak, I want to remind everyone about the importance of good sportsmanship. Whether we are cheering from the stands or competing on the field, let's continue to be the model of competitiveness and class. Our actions reflect not just on ourselves, but on our entire CHS community.

In all that we do - in our classrooms, at our events, and in our daily lives - our students and community must continue to represent the very best of CHS. This commitment to excellence was validated by our outstanding state report card performance released this past Monday, September 15. We are one of only 47 districts out of 607 to receive a 5-star rating, with all three of our schools also earning 5-stars. Collectively on the six rated components, we rank 20th overall in the state.

I cannot emphasize enough how proud I am of our students, staff, and community for this remarkable achievement. This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work that defines our school district every single day.

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

Exploring STEM Careers in Our Community & Region

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers offer exciting opportunities for problem-solving, innovation, and making a positive impact on the world. Many STEM professionals work right in our community, from healthcare workers and engineers to computer programmers and environmental scientists. Helping students explore these career paths early builds excitement for learning and shows them how classroom subjects connect to real-world applications. Here are some strategies for exploring STEM careers in our community:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Point out STEM workers during daily activities (pharmacists, mechanics, weather forecasters)

• Read books featuring scientists, engineers, and inventors

• Visit local science museums or nature centers

• Conduct simple experiments and discuss how scientists work

6th-8th Grade:

• Research local businesses that employ STEM professionals

• Attend community science fairs or technology demonstrations

• Connect with family friends or neighbors who work in STEM fields

• Explore how hobbies and interests might connect to STEM careers

9th-12th Grade:

• Investigate internship or job shadowing opportunities with local STEM employers

• Attend career fairs and speak directly with STEM professionals

• Research post-secondary programs that prepare students for STEM careers

• Consider how current coursework builds foundation skills for STEM fields

For All Students:

• Encourage curiosity about how things work

• Celebrate problem-solving and creative thinking

• Connect math and science learning to everyday applications

• Emphasize that STEM careers come in many different forms

Remember, STEM careers offer diverse opportunities for students with varied interests and strengths. Exploring these possibilities helps students see the exciting futures that education can create.

It all starts in Kindergarten — and our students are lucky to have such an incredible team leading the way! This week, we are proud to recognize our Kindergarten staff as our Champion Staff! These three dedicated educators play such an important role in laying the foundation for our youngest learners. Their patience, creativity, and endless enthusiasm create a welcoming environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day.

Please join us in celebrating our Kindergarten team — Mrs. Cichocki, Mr. Luginbill, and Mrs. Rex. Together, they bring energy, joy, and a strong sense of teamwork to our school community. We are grateful for the difference they make in the lives of our students and families.

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

Cuyahoga Heights Schools proudly announces the May 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, September 17. This monthly recognition highlights our students' diverse talents and dedication throughout the school year. Congratulations to all!

This past Monday, September 15, State Senator Jerry Cirino visited Cuyahoga Heights Local School District for a comprehensive tour of the district's facilities and programs. During his walk-and-talk visit, Senator Cirino observed classroom instruction, interacted with students and staff, and experienced firsthand the educational excellence that has earned the district 5-star ratings and a ranking of 20th out of 607 Ohio school districts. Senator Cirino expressed how impressed he was with our comprehensive, experiential, and intentional programming, as well as the overall "private school feel" of the facilities and learning environment. The visit provided an opportunity for district leadership to showcase the educational model that has made Cuyahoga Heights a destination for families seeking exceptional public education while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship and community values.

Thank you to Mrs. Brooke Niedzwiecki for hosting the fifth-grade students in the MS STEM lab. In support of the Science of Reading, the seventh-grade students are sharing their books about engineering careers. The eighth-grade students are sharing progress on their robotic coding projects. On Fridays, the ES and MS groups partner for a STEM building activity. This month, the challenge is to build the highest spaghetti tower that can support a marshmallow (with only 20 strands of spaghetti, 1 meter of tape, and 50 cm of string!)

We are thrilled to get started with 5th grade band and orchestra! If your child wants to sign up for band and/or orchestra, and you have not already, please follow the steps below.
 
1. Sign up by filling out the signup form

2. Review the meeting slideshow, complete with helpful links and information 

3. Arrange for an instrument and supplies for your student (this should be done sooner rather than later, since classes begin the week of Oct 6). The handouts in the Google Drive folder (linked below) will help you make the best decision for your family when choosing an instrument. The handbooks in the Google Drive folder describe the supplies and book you will need as well. Please, as a rule, do not purchase an instrument outright unless you consult with Mrs. Brown, Mr. Hamrick, or Mr. Bertolone first about the quality of the instrument. Reach out to Mrs. Brown and Mr. Hamrick to inquire about school owned instruments.

4. Review all handouts in the Google Drive Folder, including the Friday schedule, since band and orchestra rotate on Fridays 

5. Email Mrs. Brown, orchestra (gbrown@cuyhts.org) or Mr. Hamrick, band (nhamrick@cuyhts.org) with any questions.

P.S., please consider joining the music boosters and supporting us by purchasing Band on Demand tickets!

Music Boosters Membership Form

Band On Demand Tickets

Cuyahoga Heights Athletics is excited for the 2025–2026 games/matches this school year! Whether you’re a proud parent, student, alum, or community member, there’s an option to support our Red Wolves all year long.

🎫 General Admission Prices According to Chagrin Valley Conference policy:

Adults – $8
Students – $5
Seniors (60 & over) – FREE
Children (6 & under) – FREE
**Please note: All elementary-aged children and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.

📅 Season Passes – Save Time & Money!
Planning to attend several games this season? Consider purchasing a pass:

Fall Pass – $50
Winter Pass – $75
All Season Pass – $100

These passes provide admission to all home contests for their respective seasons.

🆓 Free Admission for CHS Students All Cuyahoga Heights students can register for a free student pass, granting unlimited entry to all HOME games throughout the year. This is a great way to build school spirit and support classmates on the field and court!

💻 How to Buy
Tickets and passes can be purchased online by following this link or scan the QR code on the flier below. Students, scroll to the bottom and click on "Have a passcode?" and enter your lunch code once, then follow the prompts. Cash is also accepted at the door.

Let’s fill the stands and show our Red Wolf pride all season long! Go Heights!

Get ready to experience the music magic with the Mighty Marching Red Wolves in an exciting new way! The Cuyahoga Heights Music Boosters are thrilled to announce Band on Demand — an exclusive opportunity for families and community members to enjoy a live performance by the Mighty Marching Red Wolves at your home or at a park within the district.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, September 26th, 2025 (Rain Date: October 10th, 2025)
Time: Around 4:30 PM
Location: At your home or a nearby park within the district
Ticket Price: $5 each or five tickets for $20!

This is a fantastic way to bring the sounds of the Mighty Marching Red Wolves right to your doorstep! Whether it's a private performance at your home or a fun event in the park, don't miss out on this unique experience.

How to Buy Tickets: Visit: cuyhtsmusic.ptboard.com Or scan the QR code on the flier for easy access to ticket sales.

We thank you for supporting the CHS Music/Drama Teachers and Students—your participation helps keep music alive in our schools!

Owen Schuckert (Class of 2022) has been named to the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team! This prestigious honor recognizes student-athletes who make a lasting impact on and off the field. Owen becomes just the third Blue Streak in history—and the second in as many years—to receive this award. We are incredibly proud of you, Owen! Read the full article HERE