The Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District announced that Jeffery Talbert has been hired as assistant superintendent. Talbert is currently the superintendent of Osnaburg Local Schools in East Canton, Ohio, a district ranked Excellent with Distinction by the Ohio Department of Education. Talbert’s official contract starts August 1, but the district will employ him on a daily basis prior to August 1, dependent upon his availability.

The computers distributed to approximately 1,500 students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District have the same anti-theft capabilities used by the Lower Merion School District (Ardmore, Penn.) to spy on students.

Cleveland Heights High School is expanding its school day to increase instructional time for students. This change takes effect in August, at the beginning of the 2010 –2011 school year. The new school day will last from 8:25 a.m. to 3:33 p.m. Currently, the Heights High school day is seven periods long, with an optional 35-minute period where students can seek extra academic assistance.

It’s never too early to start planning for post secondary education. Cleveland Heights High School (13263 Cedar Road) will host the 16th Annual Cleveland Northeast Suburban College Fair on Thursday, March 11, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet guidance staff, college admissions officers, and alumni representatives from over 140 colleges, universities and technical schools at the fair. Students and their families are invited to gain information about a wide variety of schools, specifics about student life on campus, programs and majors at each school, admissions and financial aid.

Heights High English teacher Sylvia Stewart-Lumpkin was nominated for the WEWS Terrific Teacher Tribute by a former student. “She’s a tough teacher, but when you walk out of her class, you are so much smarter than you were when you walked in. She makes you earn everything,” the student, who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote.

Stewart-Lumpkin was recognized on WEWS Channel 5’s morning show, Good Morning Cleveland, on Feb. 8. Watch the video clip at http://www.newsnet5.com/news/22508031/detail.html.

Jackie Elfvin is the administrative assistant in the Office of Communications and Community Engagement for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

 

WORK SESSION- JANUARY 12, 2010

All board members present.

Extension of the elementary school day

Superintendent Heuer explained the need for more instructional time in the elementary schools and how the district compared with other school districts. According to the superintendent, his plan to extend the student day until 3:30 p.mm (except for Tuesday) could be done within the contract with the teachers’ union.

There’s a pattern to learning in Sharon Riley’s 5th-grade class, and her student Mallea Simmons can describe it: “First, we see Mrs. Riley do the work, then we do the work and talk about it with each other.” Talking and thinking about the work is important.

This was clear when four of Riley’s students were at the Smartboard, an interactive white board. Students took turns reading paragraphs and then, as a group, chose one of three answers that identified the topic sentence of the paragraph. This required understanding and analysis of the text.

There is controversy in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District over a potential invasion of privacy.

Sparked by a situation in the Lower Merion School District in Ardmore, Pa, where the parents of a 16-year-old sued the district for allegedly using the “TheftTrack” feature in a school-issued computer to spy on students and their families, local families are worried that the same thing could happen to them.

The Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District will host its annual Kindergarten Information Night Thursday, March 11, at Boulevard Elementary School (1749 Lee Road) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This informational evening will be an opportunity for parents to meet CH-UH kindergarten teachers and have questions answered about the kindergarten program and the school district. Topics to be discussed include kindergarten readiness, kindergarten curriculum and related services. Parents will learn more about the before and after school programs, student services, food service, transportation and more.

The Cleveland Heights High School Swim Cadets will present this year’s show, “Swim Cadets Save The Day ,” on March 4, 5 and 6th at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s pool (13263 Cedar Road). Tickets are $6.

After the earthquake struck in Haiti, Boulevard Elementary art teacher Kelley Wachhaus decided to get her Cleveland Heights students involved in helping Haitian families. With the enthusiastic support of Principal Larry Swoope, Wachhaus got to work making hundreds of plaster heart pins. 

All students grades kindergarten through 5th grade used their creativity to produce one-of-a-kind heart pins that will be sold for $2 each to benefit the American Red Cross’s efforts in Haiti. 

Boulevard students will have the satisfaction of knowing that their art will help make a difference in the lives of families devastated by the earthquake. The school is partnering with Heights Arts, a nonprofit community arts organization that cultivates a strong, diverse, and collaborative arts community. 

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District and The Music Settlement will provide an update on plans for the former Coventry Elementary School site at a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd. (at Mayfield Road).

Douglas Heuer, superitendent of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, delivered the State of the Schools Address on Thursday, Feb. 4, at Cleveland Heights High School.

He made the following major points in his speech:

• CH-UH teachers and staff are working hard to improve academic achievement. This work includes enhancing teacher effectiveness and instruction, as well as increasing instructional time.  
• The district needs to reshape its infrastructure in order to truly meet the needs of a 21st-century education.
• The cities of Cleveland Heights, University Heights and South Euclid need to partner with the district so it can improve community outreach and continue to attract and retain good students and families.

Eight Cleveland Heights High School football players and one lacrosse player signed letters of intent on Wednesday, Feb. 3.  It was National Signing Day in college football, the first day that Class of 2010 high school recruits can sign binding letters of intent with college programs.

Presentations were made by Athletic Director Kristin Hughes, Superintendent Douglas Heuer, Head Football Coach Jeff Rotsky, and Girls Head Lacrosse Coach Terry Saylor.

Athletic Director Kristin Hughes said to the crowd of students, parents, and reporters, “Signing Day is one of my favorite days of the school year because it represents everything that is good in athletics. It will always be the goal of this athletic department to get our players to the next level in their academic and athletic careers.”

Coach Jeff Rotsky spoke with passion and excitement as he stated, “Every player in our program should aspire to be sitting up here during their Senior year. The student-athletes we celebrate today possess a vision that encompasses academic and athletic success.  We are so proud of them and wish them the best of luck.”

Angee Shaker is the coordinator of communications and community engagement for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

Sophie Fleischer, a second grader at Canterbury Elementary, has been named a finalist in a national package design competition sponsored by Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Apple-Dip. Her design was one of three chosen in the 1-to--8-year-old category. More than 1,500 designs were entered nationwide.

If Sophie wins, Canterbury Elementary School art program will receive 10 Wacom Bamboo Tablets (for drawing on computers). The winner will be determined by the number of votes registered at Marzetti’s sweepstakes Web site, www.udipsweepstakes.com. 

A recent report based on U.S. Census data raised eyebrows among those with connections to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. It indicated that 39 percent of eligible K-12 students in the district are enrolled in private schools—the highest such rate in Ohio.

A look at more detailed projections from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that's only part of the story. There is a dramatic difference in the way the district's two communities Cleveland Heights and University Heights utilize the schools. 

Superintendent Douglas Heuer will deliver the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District’s annual State of the Schools Address on Thursday, Feb 4, at 7 p.m. in the Cleveland Heights High School Social Room, 13263 Cedar Road. Superintendent Heuer will recap the previous year and show how CH-UH educators are working to prepare all students for success and build on the district’s progress.

One of the goals of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is to provide a first-class education to its students to prepare them for the future. Part of achieving that goal is providing students and parents with the technology to communicate with educators and stay informed and involved in the classroom. Infinite Campus is a district-wide program that will offer new opportunities for educators, parents and students.

Infinite Campus is the official grade book for the district. Until now, it has been used only internally, but  it is now open to parents of students in grades 6-12. The parent portal for grades 3-5 will open in the fall of 2010. 

DECEMBER 15, 2009

All board members present.

Recognitions

·  Vincent Nemeth, physical education teacher at Monticello Middle School, was recognized for receiving a $10,000 grant to improve student health.

·  Students from the 2009 summer STRETCH program were recognized for their Heights Mural Arts course and the mural for the boardroom.

·  Michael Cicero was recognized by CH Council Member Ken Montlack, School Board President Kal Zucker and Superintendent Doug Heuer for his board service.

The City of Cleveland Heights has announced the winners of the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay, Art & Poetry Contest.

Contestants, who included students from kindergarten to Grade 12, produced essays, poems and posters on the topic: “What does Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy mean to you?” 

Winners were recognized and had an opportunity to read their entries at the City’s annual Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Jan. 13.

Congratulations to the following students:

The R.E.A.L. School at Heights High School was decorated in orange during the week of Nov. 9-13 to publicize the “Not For Sale” campaign sponsored by Stephanie Ashford’s African-American literature classes.

Whent the unit on the literature of slavery was completed, Ashford shared some staggering statistics with her students about the number of people who are victims of modern-day slavery in the United States and worldwide.

The 85 freshmen in the Mosaic Experience small school at Heights High will visit the Kent State University Campus on Thursday, Feb. 4. Mosaic teachers planned the trip to help freshmen see the opportunities open to them if they go to college.

“If our freshmen can see themselves on a campus enjoying the exciting academic and social life available, they might be be more motivated to succeed in high school,” said Mosaic science teacher Rick Gurski.

On Nov. 22, Cleveland Heights High School senior Reggie Evans received the second-place award in Facing History’s Young Artists Speak Up art exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland. The exhibit runs through Feb. 26 and is part of Facing History’s Choosing to Participate community programming.  

Reggie won for his self-portrait set in his Noble neighborhood, with the stars and planets visible. Reggie describes his style as realism with flair. He started taking art classes at Cleveland Institute of Art when he was 10 years old.

Winners of the American Math Competition 8, held in November, were announced recently by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

The American Math Competition 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice exam in mathematics, designed to help students develop and enhance their problem-solving skills.

On Nov. 17, when the exam was held for this school year, 93 of the district’s 5th grade ACT math students and 335 of its middle school students participated.

The CH–UH City School District has been recognized as a model for providing students with 21st- century skills, such as communication, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking.

The Hanover Research Council recently released a report profiling 15 public school districts from across the country and two independent high schools in Ohio, all identified as providing students with these skills.

CH-UH and the other districts were cited for their traditionally high graduation rates, assessment scores and attendance rates.

Matt Zucker and Nataja Roberts, two Cleveland Heights High School seniors, have been named semifinalists in the first round of the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and 46th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program. Zucker is a National Merit semifinalist and Roberts is a National Achievement Scholarship semifinalist. 

Heights High seniors Alexandra Miller and Lewis Pollis have been named National Merit Commended students, and seniors Erin Morris and Jaiye Sampson are National Achievement Outstanding Participants. 

The Heights High staff will present a proposal tonight, Jan. 19,  to the Board of Education to add an 8th period to the school day, according to Joy Henderson of Reaching Heights.

Three Cleveland Heights High School students have their artwork included in the 2010 Cuyahoga County Regional Exhibition of the National Scholastic Awards. The exhibit opened Jan. 10 and will run through Feb. 6 at the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Reinberger Galleries.

Congratulations to the following students: 

Eric Brock – 1 Gold Key Award for painting, 1 Gold Key Award for portfolio

Reginald Evans – 1 Silver Key Award for drawing

Saralila Kalafat – 1 Gold Key Award for printmaking, 1 Silver Key Award for drawing

Eric Brock was honored by having his entire body of works selected as a portfolio finalist.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education has tabled a decision to extend the elementary school day until April. The board received a proposal to extend the school day by 25 minutes at its Dec. 15 board meeting.

Currently, the school day runs from 8:45 a.m to 3:05 p.m., with a 2:05 p.m. early release day on Tuesdays. Students in kindergarten through third grade receive five hours of instructional time a day, while students in fourth and fifth grade receive five hours and fifteen minutes a day, due to one less fifteen minute recess period. This is the shortest amount of time in school districts in the region, with other elementary school days up to an hour longer. The proposal moved dismissal time to 3:30 p.m., keeping the Tuesday early release day.

Deborah S. Delisle, superintendent of public instruction, announced that third-grade teacher Natalie Wester has been named the 2010 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).

Delisle made the surprise announcement and presented Wester with a certificate during an all-school assembly at Gearity Professional Development School, where Wester teaches.

“Providing students with the tools they need to succeed in life is the most important accomplishment for any educator,” Delisle said. “Natalie, our 2010 Teacher of the Year, excels at giving every student a strong foundation, recognizing hidden potential and guiding students to find excellence within.”

The Knowledge Master Open (KMO) is a computerized and timed test that covers 15 areas from Arts, Biology, and Psychology to History, Math and Literature. It is a fast paced competition that encompasses 200 questions, and 577 schools participated all over the world. The team is made up of MSSP (Middle School Scholars Program) students who qualified for the team after taking a test with their MSSP teachers.

Roxboro Middle School placed fourth in the state of Ohio, and in the top 30 percent of the entire competition worldwide, receiving a score of 1240. This makes the school eligible to take a team of four students, plus alternates, to the National Academic Competition at either New Orleans, Chicago, or Washington, D.C.

Just before the Heights High School boys’ basketball team took on Bedford High School on Dec. 19, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights schools honored outgoing University Heights Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Adele Zucker for her longtime support for the Heights boys’ basketball team and all Heights athletics. 

“Adele Zucker and her husband Henry have been our most vocal and dedicated supporters for years, and we truly appreciate their commitment to our student-athletes,” said Superintendent Douglas Heuer. “As Councilwoman Zucker prepares to retire from University Heights City Hall, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank her and congratulate her for her service.”

Mrs. Bee's Book Club has been a great hit this year at Fairmount Co-op Preschool.

Four- and five-year-olds who are going to kindergarten next year have been learning how to read during this extended-day program, which is offered once a week. The preschool is located at Fairmount Presbyterian Church.

Michelle Bee, an elementary teacher with a master’s degree in reading and training in the Wilson Reading Program, teaches the class. The focus is on kindergarten reading readiness as well as fostering the love of reading.

Students practice letter sounds. Using the Wilson Reading method, they learned how to tap the sound of each letter. They use their fingers to blend the sounds into words. Learning about authors and doing crafts and games are included in the lessons. So is learning words by sight.

In an effort to provide a positive learning experience for young students, the Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District is proposing to extend the elementary school day by 25 minutes. Instead of ending at 3:05, the school day would end at 3:30 p.m.

"The fact is, our district has a significantly shorter school day than the nearby districts recently surveyed," Superintendent Douglas Heuer said. "We don’t have enough time devoted to instruction. This puts our students and teachers at a disadvantage."

Following the notorious fight in 2008 between famous singers Rihanna and Chris Brown, which landed Rihanna in the hospital, Leading Ladies, Inc. began discussions about dating relationships at Cleveland Heights High School.

These discussions ultimately led to a violence prevention program called “Respect,” which was sponsored by the Akron Children’s Hospital. The group's motto is: “Expect Respect. Accept Nothing Less!”

During the week of Dec. 14, the Cleveland Heights High Leading Ladies held its inaugural Violence Prevention Blue Ribbon Campaign.

NOVEMBER 17, 2009—work session

Update of district policies

The policy notebook needed an update --the last update was in the 1980s and some policies go back to the 1970s. John Britton, the board’s consultant on district policy services from NEOLA, stated that certain updates had to be made at the end of each legislative session, to incorporate changes in laws and their interpretation. The board was essentially finished with the series 2000 polices that dealt with educational programming, such as class size and homework. Currently, the board has been dealing with the series 5000 policies that concern students and their rights and responsibilities. Ahead of them is the series 9000, which deals with communication with various sectors of the public, such as students, staff, parents, and the general public. The board plans to finish this last series in the spring.

Physical Education at Monticello isn’t just the typical gym class. Instead, it’s about promoting a lifestyle of fitness, and the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has taken notice for a second year in a row. Physical Education teacher Vincent Nemeth has been awarded silver-level recognition for his commitment to the health and wellness of his students.    

“It’s all about instilling a better understanding of how every aspect of our lives is affected by what we eat, how much we exercise, and the confidence we all gain from living a healthy life,” Nemeth said. “A lot of schools have a weight room, but not a true fitness circuit. We chart our data, compare classes, and know that students have better results earlier in the day than after lunch. This information is helpful in winning the war against obesity, and we’re eager to share what we learn.”

The Cleveland Heights High School Guidance Department and the Parent Connection Council are hosting a series of workshops to help parents and guardians prepare their student for college. 

"These workshops are targeted toward parents of students in grades 6-10, but any parent is welcome to attend," said Kristie Cooper, school counselor. "We want parents to know about college requirements so they can help prepare their students for a future that includes some kind of skilled training after high school."

Demonstrating their creative writing skills at the “Power of the Pen” district tournament at Monticello Middle School on Dec. 12, the Roxboro Middle School 8th grade team placed first in the area and the Monticello 7th grade team came in third.

At the 7th-grade level, 7 of the 15 medal and trophy winners were students from Wiley, Roxboro, and Monticello. At the 8th-grade level, 6 of 15 winners were from the CH-UH middle schools.

The city of Cleveland Heights lost an ambassador of love last month. Rose Bucklan, whom many knew as “Aunt Rose,” was a resident of Cleveland Heights for 54 years. Seventeen of those years she spent as an assistant teacher for Caroline Siegel’s first grade class at Coventry School.  

In the classroom, it was Rose’s job to help students with their reading, writing, and arithmetic. When a child’s mind struggled to add two numbers, Aunt Rose was there to help him or her find the sum. Where she made the largest impact, however, was with a child’s heart. It was when a child was worried he wasn’t smart enough or felt she had no friends, that Rose worked her magic.  The frequently asked question, “Can I have a hug, Aunt Rose?” was like an “open sesame” as Aunt Rose’s arms would spread wide and become a safe haven for every child who knew her.

You may have seen Rose Bucklan’s sweet face, flashing that broad beautiful smile, telling jokes, or singing as she walked through the halls of Coventry Elementary School, clad in her jeans and sweatshirt. She may have been small in stature, but she was big on loving-kindness.

Aunt Rose, as she was fondly known, served as a tireless volunteer for 17 years, from the 1980s into the 2000s. She lit up my first grade classroom and warmed the souls of all who were lucky enough to know her—children and adults alike. Rose Bucklan had time for every child and a way of making each one feel special.

As former principal Linda Gay used to say, "If we could only clone you, Rose, and place one of you in each classroom." Yes, our schools sorely need an Aunt Rose in each classroom, wiping tears, giving hugs and encouragement, solving problems and calming fears.

First graders at Roxboro Elementary say ni hao (hello) and zai jian (goodbye) when entering and leaving their classrooms. They raise their hands enthusiastically, eager to respond with shi! (yes) or bu shi! (no). Roxboro Elementary kindergarten and first grade students receive Chinese language and culture instruction four times a week.

Instructor Grace Chen comes to the CH-UH district from Olmstead Falls, where she taught Chinese for eight years. She is excited to join the district, and says the staff and community members have been extremely welcoming and supportive.

Ruffing Montessori School invites parents to attend an open house on Jan. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the school, 3380 Fairmount Boulevard. This is an opportunity to meet with faculty and other parents who can answer questions about the curriculum for children from 18 months of age through eighth grade.

Cuban artist Augusto Bordelois spent two days at Heights High in Olivia Fatica’s Spanish classes following up on class research and discussions about two notable Spanish artists—Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso.

Bordelois not only spoke to the students about these artists, their styles, and the time period of their work, he also discussed Cuban culture, including the differences among Spanish speakers and the Cuban approach to time. “Cubans are less worried about being on time for events,” he said.  

He also worked with students as they created a pastel drawing based on each artist’s style. Dalí inspired a surrealist nightmare, Picasso a cubist picture of a shoe.

Heights Parent Center's Family-School Connection is offering a new parenting series called Parent Roundtables. These sessions are divided into the Women's Roundtable and the Men's Roundtable. Sessions are being held at Boulevard Elementary, 1749 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. All parents in the community are invited to attend.

Just before the Heights High School boys’ basketball team takes on Bedford High School, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights will honor outgoing University Heights Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Adele Zucker. Councilwoman Zucker will be recognized for her longtime support for the Heights boys’ basketball team and all Heights athletics. 

 “Adele Zucker and her husband Henry have been our most vocal and dedicated supporters for years, and we truly appreciate their commitment to our student-athletes,” Superintendent Douglas Heuer said.  “As Councilwoman Zucker prepares to retire from University Heights City Hall, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank her and congratulate her for her service.”

Natalie Wester, a 3rd grade teacher at Gearity Professional Development School in University Heights, was selected as the 2010 Ohio Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent Deborah Delisle made the surprise announcement at Gearity this morning.

The honor came as no surprise to Gearity Principal Sherry Miller. “This is such an exciting and well deserved recognition!” Ms. Miller said. “Natalie Wester believes all students are geniuses and treats them that way. She has very high expectations for our students and for herself as the lead learner. Ms. Wester walks into the building everyday prepared to both challenge and nurture all of our students.”

There will be a district Power of the Pen Writing Tournament at Monticello Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seventh and eighth grade teams from Monticello, Roxboro, and Wiley Middle Schools will be competing against other area middle schools to see which writers will qualify to compete at the regional competition. There will be approximately 20 schools competing.

In addition to the writing competitions, entertainment will be provided by Jeff Altonen’s students as well as Kellen Walker, a Monticello and Heights High alumnus. Monticello Middle School PTA will be selling refreshments through the day. The Lady Cardinals, the Monticello Girls’ Basketball Team, will also have a bake sale from 8 – 10 a.m.

Eighty-five Cleveland Heights High School students raked leaves, removed weeds, and swept sidewalks on Saturday, Nov. 14. Sixty of the students raked leaves for Cleveland Heights senior citizens in a partnership between the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging and Heights High School. The senior citizens appreciated the help; they could not do the work themselves and were thrilled to have young, strong workers helping them. 

“The students were such enthusiastic and fast workers!” Cleveland Heights senior citizen Doris Charpentier said. “I loved seeing the kids out helping others.”  

The volunteers included the swim team, coached by Jim Miller, and Jon Stephens’ social studies class. While the swimmers and the social studies students were raking, 25 members of the baseball team prepared their field for next year’s season. They removed weeds, edged the infield and cleaned the dugouts.  

The Cleveland Heights High School Alumni Foundation will host its annual Holiday Cocktail Party and Winter Gala on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Heights Rockefeller Building at the corner of Mayfield and Lee Roads.

In his first school-based forum with a parent group since he joined the school district this year, Superintendent Douglas Heuer participated in a special town hall meeting on on Oct. 19, 2009 hosted by the Boulevard Elementary School PTA.

Boulevard Principal Lawrence Swoope opened the meeting by giving positive results from a School Climate Survey that parents filled out on Curriculum Night. PTA Co-President David Tabor noted the recent school grounds beautification and the development of Spanish and Chess After School Enrichment Programs.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District’s growing relationships with Chinese educators are paying dividends for CH-UH students through expanding programs and courses.

Dr. Maria Montessori was known for closely observing children, giving them freedom with responsibility and getting rid of a system of punishments and rewards in the classroom.  Nationally-recognized author and parent Trevor Eissler will speak about the Montessori principles of education for children – and how they also apply to parents in the “real world.”  His talk is on Monday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Montessori School at Holy Rosary in the Little Italy neighborhood, 12009 Mayfield Road, Cleveland.

Heights High reaches out to the homeless and needy           

After touring the Men’s Shelter in Cleveland, Heights High Choir members were so moved by the plight of the city’s homeless and others in need, they felt compelled to take action.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Heights High A Cappella Choir, along with the Catch the Spirit Chorale and a professional orchestra, will perform a holiday concert at the homeless shelter while the men eat lunch. The Heights High Student Council will serve the lunch.

Accolades continue to roll in for teachers and staff at the Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District. Natalie Wester, a third grade teacher at Gearity Professional Development School, was selected as one of five finalists for the 2010 Ohio Teacher of the Year.

The honor came as no surprise to Gearity Principal Sherry Miller. “This is such an exciting and well deserved recognition!” Ms. Miller said. “Natalie Wester believes all students are geniuses and treats them that way. She has very high expectations for our students and for herself as the lead learner. Ms. Wester walks into the building everyday prepared to both challenge and nurture all of our students.”

Study of school facilities

Superintendent Douglas Heuer said he would seek approval for an agreement with the Ohio School Facilities Commission Early Local Partnership Program at the November meeting. The agreement is a commitment to a study of school facilities, which would include the physical state of buildings, building capacities and student enrollment forecasts. When asked which buildings would be included in this study he said he would check, but thought it would encompass only buildings currently in use.

Fairmount Coop Preschool is celebrating Beverly Dobrea's 23rd year teaching. Beverly currently teaches the Pre-K class and runs the Parents Day Out extended day program. The school appreciates Beverly's long tenure and hopes she will continue to enrich the children's lives for years to come.

Photos by Christina Hidek

Gearity and Canterbury elementary schools held a kindergarten open house on Nov. 13 for the parents of preschool children. Parents met with teachers, principals, and PTA parents to learn about the excellent educational programs offered in the CH-UH public schools.    Sherry Miller, principal at Gearity appreciates parents who want to visit and learn more about Gearity before their children start kindergarten. At Gearity “every child belongs to every teacher” according to First Grade Teacher Darrell Lausche. Lausche said what makes Gearity unique, in addition to excellent educational programs, is the community. The neighborhood setting allows children to walk to school and play with their schoolmates after school. It is also affordable.

On Jan. 25, the first day of the second semester for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, parents of students in grades 6-12 will gain access to the district’s “Infinite Campus” program, with an Internet portal that provides information as it is being entered by teachers, counselors and staff.

When the annual State Report Card was released to the public in August 2009, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District didn't make the honor role.

The results were a lot like last year; the district met or exceeded 10 out of 30 academic proficiency standards, receiving the designation of “Continuous Improvement” – the equivalent of a C letter grade.

Among districts classified by the state as "large-urban poor," CH-UH schools received the second-highest ranking out of 15. The classification is based on student population, not that of the community.