Schools

CHHS offers college-level neuroscience course

According to Kenyon College, Cleveland Heights High School is the only school in the state, and one of a handful across the country, to offer its students a college-level neuroscience class. The one-semester course, new to Heights this year, is taught by Nicole Zubik. It provides students with four college credits from Kenyon, plus credit for one full year of high school science.

More than that, Introduction to Neuroscience: Perspective and Emotion gives students a glimpse into how their brains work. They ponder questions such as, Can we control our emotions or only how we react to them? and, What’s happening in our brains when we feel sad, angry, or happy?

Zubik brings everything back to hard science, connecting content to human brain development. The students appreciate that what they’re learning is relevant to their lives. “We actually learn how science relates to our emotional well-being,” said Nico, an 11th-grader.

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Volume 16, Issue 4, Posted 10:49 AM, 04.02.2023

Wiffleball tourney will benefit Heights baseball

The Heights community is invited to participate in the first annual wiffleball tournament, to benefit Heights High baseball. The tournament will be held on the turf field at Denison Park on Sunday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Anyone is welcome to create a team and register. Teams can comprise four to six players of any age and ability.

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Volume 16, Issue 4, Posted 10:50 AM, 04.02.2023

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights

MARCH 7, 2023, regular meeting

 

  • Recognitions and awards
  • School Spotlight
  • Diversity and equity
  • ELA curriculum
  • Policies B 
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Board comments and announcements

 

Present were President Beverly Wright, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, James Posch, and Jodi Sourini. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

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Volume 16, Issue 4, Posted 9:55 AM, 04.02.2023

March 14 forum will consider COVID's impact on Heights schools

On March 14, 6–8 p.m., a community forum will explore "Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools and COVID – Achievements and Needs."

The forum will take place at the Heights High cafeteria, at 13263 Cedar Road.

The forum's panel will comprise CH-UH City School District teachers, counselors, and administrators who will speak from their professional experiences and perspectives, uniquely grounded in the Heights’ schools.

Each panelist will speak for about five minutes and take written questions from the audience.

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Volume 16, Issue 4, Posted 11:14 AM, 03.13.2023

CH-UH kindergartens host March info nights

Beginning March 14, each Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District elementary school will host a Kindergarten Information Night for incoming and prospective families. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet school principals and teachers, ask questions, and take tours of the buildings.

To find the school that corresponds to your address, use the district’s online interactive boundary map, at www.chuh.org/InteractiveBoundariesMap.aspx.

Each information night will run from 6 to 7 p.m., on the following dates:

Boulevard - Tuesday, March 14
Canterbury - Wednesday, March 15
Fairfax - Thursday, March 16
Gearity Professional Development - Tuesday, March 21
Noble - Thursday, March 16
Oxford - Thursday, March 16
Roxboro - Wednesday, March 15

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Volume 16, Issue 3, Posted 10:12 AM, 02.28.2023

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 2-7-23

FEBRUARY 7, 2023, regular meeting

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • African-American History and LGBTQ+ Pride months
  • School Spotlight: Roxboro
  • ELA curriculum recommendations
  • Policies group B
  • School funding and policy
  • Announcements

 

Present were President Beverly Wright, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, James Posch, and Jodi Sourini. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

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Volume 16, Issue 3, Posted 10:23 AM, 02.16.2023

Fairfax Cabaret returns on Feb. 24

After a three-year hiatus, the Fairfax Elementary School PTA's Cabaret fundraiser will return on Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., and take place at the Heights High auditorium.

Students in kindergarten through grade five will showcase their wide-ranging talents for family and community members.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a pre-event dinner catered by Eugene's, which is owned and operated by Mike and Annie Schoen, a Fairfax family. There will be three meal options and sides, with prices ranging from $8 to $9. Tickets for the cabaret are $20 for the front row, and $10 for all other seats, and may be purchased online at www.fairfaxpta.org.

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Volume 16, Issue 2, Posted 12:22 PM, 02.13.2023

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 1-3-23

JANUARY 3, 2023, organizational and regular meetings

 

  • Election of officers
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Committee assignments
  • Board comments and announcements

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The organizational meeting for election of officers was followed immediately by the regular meeting. The organizational meeting lasted about 20 minutes, the regular meeting was about 45 minutes, and the entire session was 1 hour 5 minutes.

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Volume 16, Issue 2, Posted 2:56 PM, 01.13.2023

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 12-20-22

DECEMBER 20, 2022, special meeting

 

  • Library board appointment
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Superintendent’s report
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Title IX expansion
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., essay contest
  • School facilities announcements

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting started at 5:30 p.m. to interview and appoint Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Board Trustees. The board then went into executive session, and the regular work session subsequently began at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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Volume 16, Issue 2, Posted 2:58 PM, 01.13.2023

Kirby to address State of our Schools on Feb. 1

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby will deliver the 2023 State of our Schools Address on Feb. 1, 7 p.m., at Cleveland Heights High School.

The in-person event is open to the public. The event will also be broadcast live via the district's YouTube channel.

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Volume 16, Issue 1, Posted 10:18 AM, 12.29.2022

Triskaidekaphobia? Not at Roxboro's spelling bee

Back in-person, after nearly three years of online spelling, the 13th Annual Roxboro Middle School Spelling Bee was held in the school's auditorium on Dec. 6. Eight spellers, all sixth- and seventh-graders, competed for prizes and their name on the bee trophy. 

Brie Bourbeau, champion and seventh-grader, will represent Roxboro at the regional bee, which will be online. Spellers from Ohio and Michigan will compete in the event. Sixth-grader Marcus Shabalala was Roxboro’s second-place winner. He will be the alternate for the regional event. Congratulations also went to sixth-grader Gloria Chasney, who earned third place.

In addition to the three winners, Eliana Kennedy, Mila Seitz, Jachin Anderson, Jadien Richards, and Addie Craft competed. Participants were required to spell some difficult words, including bruise, traditional, donkeys, squinched, wrestle, unacknowledged, defunct, retribution, reenactment, configuration, intubated, counterfeit, and Brie’s winning word—fumatorium.

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Volume 16, Issue 1, Posted 10:15 AM, 12.29.2022

Student musicians rise to challenge of the 'pit'

When we think about musicals, probably the first thing that comes to mind is the singers who take center stage. But there are many more people involved in creating a musical. Among the significant contributors are the musicians in the pit orchestra.

In Heights High’s November production of "Sister Act," 26 student instrumentalists took on the challenge of the pit.

According to Dan Heim, Heights High’s director of orchestras, playing in the pit requires a level of skill beyond what is needed in regular school ensembles. Heim should know; an accomplished professional violist, Heim was for several years a full-time orchestra member at Germany’s Theatre Lübeck, where, he said, “Probably two-thirds of the services were in the pit. We’d do operas, operettas, and musicals.”

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Volume 15, Issue 12, Posted 1:58 PM, 11.30.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 11-1-22

NOVEMBER 1, 2022, regular meeting

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Progress in health instruction
  • Purchase orders
  • Expansion of Title IX protections
  • Announcements

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. 

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Volume 15, Issue 12, Posted 3:14 PM, 12.05.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 10-18-22

October 18, 2022, work session

 

  • Advanced Placement program update

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. 

Advanced Placement program update

The superintendent and members of the administrative and teaching staff presented information on the Heights High Advanced Placement (AP) program. Four teachers presented their curriculum for the AP classes they teach: Biology, Spanish, Computer Science, and Studio Art.

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Volume 15, Issue 12, Posted 3:17 PM, 12.05.2022

HSF names Heights alumna new director

The Heights Schools Foundation (HSF), the nonprofit fundraising arm of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, has named Laura Schwartz Loebl its new executive director.

A 1987 graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, Loebl has built a 30-plus-year career in nonprofit development and marketing, corporate communications, and sales. Prior to joining HSF, she was the Development Director at Mandel Jewish Day School in Beachwood.

“As a proud alumna and champion of Tiger Nation, I’m thrilled to take on this important role of leading the Heights Schools Foundation,” said Loebl. “It’s a tremendous honor to be able to serve the schools and the community that have done so much for me.”

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Volume 15, Issue 12, Posted 1:37 PM, 11.15.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 10-11-22

OCTOBER 11, 2022, regular meeting

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Consent agenda.
  • Superintendent comments and announcements
  • Treasurer’s report
  • State board resolution

 

Board President Malia Lewis and Board Members Dan Heintz, James Posch, and Beverly Wright were present. Jody Sourini was not present. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting ran for one hour and eight minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 11, Posted 2:06 PM, 10.31.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 9-20-22

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022, work session

 

  • Progress on strategic plan goals
  • GEAR-UP update

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, and Board Members Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted about 1 hour 30 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 11, Posted 2:09 PM, 10.31.2022

Heights Hall of Fame inducts 10

On Sept. 17, the Heights Schools Foundation and the CH-UH City School District inducted 10 Heights High graduates into the Cleveland Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame (HOF), as part of homecoming weekend.

The 2022 inductees are Peter Bendix '04, Al Carr '84, Diana Cohen '97, Nancy Eppler-Wolff '71, Tenessa Gonzalez-Jennings '98, Habbebah Rasheed Grimes '95, Stan Silverman '65, Jerome White '88, Juliana Woda '92, and James Wyban '69.

Addressing their families, friends, and current Heights High students, each member of the new 2022 Hall of Fame cohort shared how their experiences at Heights shaped their successful futures.

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Volume 15, Issue 10, Posted 11:24 AM, 10.01.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 9-6-2022

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Board action
  • Superintendent’s comments
  • Treasurer’s report (Three Things)
  • President’s report
  • Board comments

 

Present were Board President Malia Lewis and Board Members Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting ran for about an hour.

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Volume 15, Issue 10, Posted 2:48 PM, 09.15.2022

RoxArts is now Mobius; launch party set for Oct. 1

RoxArts, the nonprofit organization that began more than 40 years ago at Roxboro Elementary School as REAP, has announced a new name and brand: Mobius. Its new tagline: Arts + Science for all.

Mobius raises funds and provides educational programs in performing and visual arts and in sciences for all elementary and middle school students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

To celebrate the new energy, new school year, and new name, the organization will host its Mobius Launch Party on Saturday, Oct. 1, 7–10 p.m., at Coventry PEACE Campus.

The new name comes from the Möbius strip, a continuous, single-sided surface with no boundaries. It can symbolize the intertwining of arts and science.

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Volume 15, Issue 10, Posted 3:25 PM, 09.19.2022

Volunteer through Reaching Heights to support public schools

Reaching Heights has three volunteer programs that encourage community members to volunteer in the Heights public schools. Each program is unique and offers different ways to support district students.

One and Done is a single-event volunteer program in which community volunteers help with book fairs, literacy nights, food distribution events, gardening, and more. These are “one and done” commitments, with no pressure to take on future volunteer work.

Role Models speakers share their personal stories of professional success with the district's fifth-grade students. This inspires CH-UH students, and helps them envision their full potential. Role Models programs engage and energize CH-UH students by providing positive examples of the successful community members who share their pathways to success.

Many Villages Tutoring Program supports the academic progress of students through a structured and targeted tutoring program. Many Villages volunteers provide one-on-one support in CH-UH elementary schools, and receive the training, orientation, ongoing feedback, and heartfelt appreciation necessary [to make it] a great experience for all involved. Many Villages tutors must pass a background check and commit to weekly sessions throughout the school year.

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Volume 15, Issue 9, Posted 3:30 PM, 09.01.2022

Heights High Homecoming Parade returns to Lee Road

The Homecoming Parade, a communitywide celebration of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, will return this September after a three-year hiatus.

The parade will kick off the 2022 Homecoming Weekend celebrations on Friday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m., marching north on Lee Road from Fairfax Elementary School to Tullamore Road.

All school groups, clubs and teams are invited to participate, as are area nonprofits that want to show their support for Tiger Nation.

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Volume 15, Issue 9, Posted 11:55 AM, 08.31.2022

COS principal looks back at first year

Loretta Pilla knows something about being the new kid in school. The Communion of Saints School (COS) principal, who recently wrapped up her first year at the school, fell in love with education when she was in third grade.

Pilla and her family had emigrated from Italy to Boston when she was 8. Despite the culture shock of moving to a new country and learning English, she thrived. She earned a degree in education at Boston College, where she met her husband. They moved to Cleveland, which Pilla said is “the perfect place to raise a family.” The couple has three children.

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Volume 15, Issue 8, Posted 9:23 PM, 07.27.2022

CH-UH and Tri-C partnership supports adult learners

In addition to educating Heights students from pre-K through grade 12, the CH-UH school district also supports adult learners through a partnership with Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) Aspire/Options program, which houses its hub in the district's Delisle building. 

Salome Harris is the coordinator of Tri-C’s eastside Aspire sites. The program provides non-collegiate community-based adult learning, free of charge.

Courses include literacy and math skills, field training, high school equivalency diplomas, and English language for new learners. From that hub at Delisle, Harris coordinates services from East Cleveland to Willowick, and in between. 

Cleveland Heights program locations have included Heights High, Delisle itself, and the Noble Neighborhood Library. The Lee Road Library is in the process of becoming an English class site, as well.

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Volume 15, Issue 8, Posted 9:20 PM, 07.27.2022

Student self-portraits go beyond skin tone

This spring, elementary students across the CH-UH district had an opportunity to paint self-portraits under the guidance of professional artist Debbie Apple-Presser, in a project titled “Together We Rise.” The project, funded by local arts funding organization RoxArts, was designed to show how students, despite all that they have been through over the past two years, have come out even stronger.

The children couldn’t use any of the colors traditionally associated with skin tone; there was no brown, tan, black or white paint available to them. Instead, they used red, blue, green and purple to express their inner selves—their feelings and identities that go far beyond race or skin tone.

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Volume 15, Issue 7, Posted 10:05 AM, 07.01.2022

Boyd Bey and Gentry are 2022 Ron Register Scholars

In late May, at an awards program at Cleveland Heights High School, two talented and accomplished Heights graduates, Troy Gentry and Keonshae "Shae" Boyd Bey, were named recipients of the 2022–23 Ron Register Scholarship Awards. Each receives a cash award of $2,500.

Boyd Bey excelled academically, and was captain of the football and wrestling teams, and a member of student council and the track team. He maintained a better-than-B GPA, and was involved in community activities assisting the less fortunate. He worked with and on behalf of the homeless, helping out at a local food pantry, and organizing a winter coat drive.

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Volume 15, Issue 7, Posted 10:15 AM, 07.01.2022

COS theater returns with 'Little Mermaid'

Following two seasons of darkened lights and shuttered curtains, Communion of Saints School’s (COS) drama program returned to the stage in May, when 49 children in grades K–8 sang and danced in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, JR.” 

Sea animals, seagulls, merpeople and royals, all took to the spotlight. Bright costumes flashed before painted sets. The student stage crew behind the scenes helped ensure that everything ran smoothly. After months of rehearsing, the show went off without a hitch.

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Volume 15, Issue 7, Posted 10:41 AM, 07.01.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 5-17-22

MAY 17, 2022

 

  • Staff petition and hiring of new staff 
  • Career and Technical Education program focus group results
  • Minority Student Achievement Network presentation

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted about 2 hours 15 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 7, Posted 11:04 AM, 06.20.2022

LEI workshops offer college-essay prep

In January 2012, Lake Erie Ink (LEI), a writing space for youth based in Cleveland Heights, set out to help high school juniors and seniors prepare to write their college-application essays. Ten years after that inaugural workshop, LEI continues to offer students essay-writing support.

Starting in June, LEI will offer “What’s Your Story? College Essay Workshops” to help young people write essays and build confidence in writing about themselves.

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Volume 15, Issue 6, Posted 10:08 AM, 05.26.2022

COS scavenger hunt strengthens community connections

For the second consecutive year, Communion of Saints (COS) school families hit the streets of Cleveland Heights for a scavenger hunt, solving clues about their city while supporting local businesses.

In 2021, following numerous pandemic cancellations, COS’s parent-teacher organization looked for a way to bring families together safely, and help local businesses that had struggled due to the pandemic. 

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Volume 15, Issue 6, Posted 10:07 AM, 05.26.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 5-3-22

MAY 3, 2022

 

  • Public comments
  • Bus depot bids
  • Academic goals
  • Resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 616
  • Treasurer’s report

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted about one hour and 45 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 6, Posted 8:54 AM, 05.16.2022

Church/business partnership supports Heights football team

Two Cleveland Heights churches, Christ Community Church and City Church, have partnered to provide meals for the Cleveland Heights High School football team.

Their "day-before-game meals”outreach program began in 2021 to serve young people in the community, and help build nutritional energy and stamina. 

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Volume 15, Issue 5, Posted 5:27 PM, 05.01.2022

COS students meet with CH author

Communion of Saints School (COS) has established a new Author & Illustrator Speaker Series. Seeking to bring an awareness of books and their creators to students, the program strives to develop lifelong readers, creative thinkers, and perhaps future authors and illustrators.

COS launched the series on April 5, welcoming author Tricia Springstubb. Spending most of her day at the school, Springstubb, who lives in the neighborhood, shared her deep love of reading and knowledge of writing with the students.

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Volume 15, Issue 5, Posted 5:25 PM, 05.01.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 4-5-22

APRIL 5, 2022 - regular meeting

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Paper format authorized for test
  • Policy Group C
  • ESSER funds
  • Academic goals
  • Health services
  • Sex-based harassment
  • Treasurer’s report
  • President’s report

Present were Board President Malia Lewis; members Dan Heintz, James Posch, and Jodi Sourini; Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby; and Treasurer Scott Gainer. Beverly Wright was absent. The meeting ran two hours and eight minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 5, Posted 2:52 PM, 04.18.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 3-15-2022

MARCH 15, 2022, work session

 

  • Communication audit analysis
  • Memorandum of understanding, teachers’ contract
  • Retention of OSBA membership
  • Update on pandemic masking

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted about 50 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 5, Posted 2:57 PM, 04.18.2022

Students allege district mishandling of sexual assaults

Since December 2021, hundreds of CH-UH students have organized to protest the school district administration’s response to reports of incidents of sexual violence. 

The impetus for student action coalesced in December, when a female Heights High student posted on social media her account of being sexually assaulted at the high school, and what happened when she reported the assault to the school’s administration. She wrote that she was told it was a “he said/she said” situation; she was not offered supportive resources, nor was she informed of her Title IX rights. (The Title IX law ensures a public school environment free of sexual harassment.)

Among those who read about her experience was a 2020 Heights High graduate, who said that she, too, had been sexually assaulted at the school, and received a similar response from the school administration when she reported it.

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Volume 15, Issue 4, Posted 11:42 AM, 04.02.2022

Heights High is home to indoor track champions

Cleveland Heights High School is proud to call Ohio’s fastest 400-meter runner one of its own. Senior Marius Coleman won Division 1's 400-meter dash at the Ohio Indoor Track State Championship at Spire Institute on Friday, March 4. 

His impressive time of 48.58 set a new indoor record for Heights High and was nearly half a second faster than his previous best. Coleman’s victory topped off a successful night and season for the Heights Tigers, whose boys’ team finished the state meet ranked eighth out of 68 teams throughout Ohio. Qualifying in five events, every Heights competitor clocked a personal best to close out the indoor season.

Freshman Jane Mueller competed in the girls’ 1,600-meters, knocking seven seconds off her time, while senior Braedan Gallagher finished 13th in the state in the boys’ 1,600-meter, with a personal best time of 4:24.

Two boys’ relay teams, both consisting of Coleman, Jacob Rice, Keonshae Boyd Bey, and Jeremiah Dillard, had impressive races, coming in third overall. But it was the boys’ 4 x 200-meter relay that Coleman said especially motivated him in his individual race.

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Volume 15, Issue 4, Posted 9:29 AM, 03.29.2022

Kirby to deliver State of our Schools Address March 16

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby will deliver the 2022 State of our Schools Address on March 16, 7 p.m., at Cleveland Heights High School.

The in-person event will be open to the public; attendees are asked to wear a mask.

Kirby will discuss strategic-planning updates, achievements and notable events from the past year, and the major new initiatives taking shape. The event will also feature musical performances by students, and building highlights.

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Volume 15, Issue 4, Posted 3:23 PM, 03.09.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 3-1-2022

MARCH 1, 2022, regular meeting

 

  • Recognitions
  • Public comments
  • District calendars
  • Equity training plans
  • New COVID protocols
  • Fair School Funding Plan report
  • Ohio House Bill 327
  • Announcements

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted one hour.

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Volume 15, Issue 4, Posted 4:24 PM, 03.14.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 2-15-22

FEBRUARY 15, 2022, work session

 

  • 2026 strategic plan update
  • Academic update 
  • Board discussion of the update 

 

Present were President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting began at approximately 7 p.m. and ended at approximately 9 p.m.

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Volume 15, Issue 4, Posted 4:28 PM, 03.14.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 2-1-22

FEBRUARY 1, 2022, Regular Meeting

 

  • MLK essay contest winners
  • OSBA resignation from NSBA
  • Superintendent's and treasurer’s reports

 

Present were Board President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, James Posch, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted two hours, 47 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 3, Posted 2:03 PM, 02.14.2022

'Vouchers Hurt Ohio' lawsuit is topic of Feb. 23 forum

Vouchers Hurt Ohio is a coalition of 100 Ohio school districts that filed suit on Jan. 4, 2022, challenging the constitutionality of Ohio’s two EdChoice voucher programs. Vouchers give families state funds to pay for private school tuition.

The lawsuit claims the growth of vouchers has hastened segregation, and depleted the pool of public funds available to finance a high-quality public education as required by the Ohio Constitution. It challenges the legality of the state operating two systems of education. Five school districts are named as lead plaintiffs: Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Richmond Heights, Columbus, Barberton, and Lima.

The public is invited to an online forum on Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., to learn more about the litigation.

School board members from plaintiff districts will discuss the impact of private education (EdChoice) vouchers on public school funding, their motivation for filing suit, the substance of their claims, the desired relief, and next steps for concerned citizens.

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Volume 15, Issue 2, Posted 10:25 AM, 02.01.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 1-4-2022

JANUARY 4, 2022, Organizational and Regular Meeting

 

  • Oath of office and election of officers
  • OSBA Membership 
  • Testimony before the state board
  • Student reports
  • Public comments
  • COVID update
  • School calendar 
  • Policy readings
  • Treasurer’s report

 

Present were President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. Dr. Paul Lombardo, assistant superintendent, attended virtually. The meeting lasted two hours and 55 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 2, Posted 8:44 AM, 01.18.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 12-21-2021

DECEMBER 21, 2021 -  Regular Session

 

  • Community comments on safety 
  • Sexual assault concerns
  • Pandemic update
  • Announcements

Present were President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Jodi Sourini. Ms. Wright was absent. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted 20 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 2, Posted 12:06 PM, 01.11.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 12-15-2021

DECEMBER 15, 2021, Work Session

 

  • Work session purpose
  • December social media threats 
  • Student walkout concerning sexual misconduct allegations 
  • COVID-19 concerns 

 

Present were President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Ms. Lewis attended virtually, and Ms. Wright arrived five minutes after the consent agenda was approved. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted one hour and 15 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 2, Posted 11:55 AM, 01.11.2022

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 11-30-2021

NOVEMBER 30, 2021 – special work session

 

  • Calendar changes

 

Present were Board Vice-President Malia Lewis, Dan Heintz, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Board President James Posch was absent. Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer were also present. Part of the meeting was in executive session to discuss personnel issues. The public session lasted 16 minutes.

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Volume 15, Issue 1, Posted 11:24 AM, 12.21.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 11-16-2021

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 – special meeting

 

  • Financial reports
  • Substitute teachers

 

Present were Board President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The board met in executive session to discuss personnel concerns and financial reports for part of the evening and met for approximately 25 minutes in a public meeting.

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Volume 15, Issue 1, Posted 11:21 AM, 12.21.2021

Heights alumnae bring health screenings to families

When we think of blood pressure and burgers together, it’s usually not for a good reason. Two Heights High graduates put a positive spin on the combo, however, at an October health-screening event held at Monticello Middle School.

Twin sisters Jen and Jessica Macklin both had participated in the Career Technical Education program in pharmacology when they were students at Heights High. They graduated in 2003, and went on to earn doctorate degrees in pharmacy.

Partnering with the CH-UH City School District, the two women launched Hands-On-Health to provide information and health screenings to families enrolled in the district's "21st Century" grant-funded, after-school programs.

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 4:12 PM, 12.01.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 11-3-2021

NOVEMBER 3, 2021, regular meeting

 

  • Superintendent and treasurer contracts
  • New positions
  • Equity, OSBA withdrawal from NSBA 

 

Present were President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 9:23 AM, 11.23.2021

48 Heights High students and graduates named AP scholars

The College Board has recognized 48 members of Cleveland Heights High School’s classes of 2021 and 2022 for their outstanding performance on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The College Board, which administers the AP tests, honors students across the country who score at a consistently high level on its annual exams.

The board named 28 Heights High students as AP Scholars for earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams. Those students are: Vincent Bellini, Vanner Bochik, Isabella Bradley, Patricia Chen, Adele Dooner, Patrick Dooner, Maria Fehn, Zak Ferguson, Emmet Fluharty, Braedan Gallagher, Grant Gober, Claire Hall, Andrew Heintz, Ella Herr, Nathan Keller, Leo Kenealy, Derek Korane, Eryn Lawson, Leela Manne, Nathalie Nicol, Elly Obondo, Wolfe Pehowic, Julian Postak, Gabrielle Price, Joseph Russo, Michaela Schomisch, Rowan Trammell, and Meridith Vandall.

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 3:36 PM, 10.11.2021