Heights High welcomes students for first day of school

Senior Kyle Mattox and freshman Maple Buescher raised the flag before the start of school at the newly renovated Cleveland Heights High School. Photo credit: Lauren R. Pacini

After two years of extensive renovations, class is finally back in session at Cleveland Heights High School at the corner of Cedar and Lee roads.

On Aug. 21, parents, students and staff held a flag-raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. in the front courtyard, to start the first day of the new school year. Senior Kyle Mattox and freshman Maple Buescher unfurled and cranked the flag up the pole while the Barbershoppers sang the national anthem.

“This is a space that our students deserve. It is a space that our staff and teachers deserve, and it is definitely a space that our community deserves,” said Brian Williams, high school principal, at the ceremony. “We thank our community for restoring this gift to us. This marks a new era in Tiger Nation.”

“It is a great time to be in CH-UH and an exceptional time to be a part of this school district,” added Superintendent Talisa Dixon. “I am honored to be the superintendent in a community that has shown how much they value our district and our students with this new building.”

Students streamed steadily into the halls at 8 a.m., with many clutching in their hands a map and class schedule as they searched for their locker and first-period class. Shortly thereafter, all was settled and the school day began like any other, this time with the hope, excitement and cool air conditioning of the new building.

Just days prior, on Aug. 18, the district held the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at its annual Staff Convocation Day. Senior student leaders Peyton Marshall and David Matia cut the ribbon while their classmates, teachers, administrators, school board members and city officials from Cleveland Heights and University Heights looked on.

"We have now, possibly for the first time in 100 years, the best building for a public or a private high school in this region,” said Eric Silverman, board of education member and Heights High alumus, at the ceremony. “While I am not blind to the challenges you face every day, I ask that you, our staff, do everything possible to give us the reputation and student success that is good or better than this building."

Heights High will host a grand-opening community open house event on Sunday, Sept. 10, 1–4 p.m. A dedication program will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the main auditorium.

Scott Wortman

Scott Wortman is the supervisor of communications for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

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Volume 10, Issue 9, Posted 4:52 PM, 09.03.2017