Schools

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

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 9-28-2021

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 - work session

 

  • Third reading of policies, group A
  • Hiring bus drivers and substitute teachers

 

Present were members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Jodi Sourini. President James Posch was out of town and Beverly Wright was unwell and participated remotely. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was brief, lasting five minutes.

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 3:02 PM, 10.20.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 10-5-2021

OCTOBER 5, 2021, regular meeting

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions 
  • Student Cadre report
  • Shared facilities update
  • Joint boards and councils meeting
  • Coalition
  • Board comments

 

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 9:18 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 2:56 PM, 10.20.2021

RoxEl PTA celebrates literacy with first read-a-thon

The Roxboro Elementary School (RoxEl) PTA held its first read-a-thon in September. The event followed more than five years of PTA and school partnerships designed to encourage literacy, and expanded on Roxboro's 2021–22 school-year theme: #RoxREADS. 

The 10-day event encouraged students to pledge to read for at least 20 minutes each night—with the schoolwide goal of reaching 46,000 total reading minutes during the event. RoxEl students surpassed that goal, reading a total of 72,035 minutes, or 1,200 hours. The top reader for the school, fifth-grader Oliver Costello, read for 2,160 minutes. Students who read and logged their reading minutes were rewarded with raffle tickets for prize baskets. Prizes were also awarded to the top readers in each grade; to Costello, as top reader for the school; and to seven additional students who each read for more than 1,000 minutes.

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 11:06 AM, 10.01.2021

Heights High students and alums beautify yards of seniors

When Heights High students and recent graduates joined with youth leaders this summer to freshen up the lawns of Heights seniors, everyone benefitted. The teens learned landscaping and professional business skills; neighborhood yards were beautified, and, in one case, a woman’s slide into depression was averted.

The program, WAVE: We’re A Village of Efficacy, is the brainchild of community leaders Steve Walker and Jerod Johnson. The two have worked together for years with children and teens in the Heights, teaching, mentoring, and guiding them as they improve both their neighborhoods and their lives.

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 10:30 AM, 09.28.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 8-17, 31-2021

AUGUST 17, 2021, Work Session

 

  • Financial report
  • Pandemic relief fund survey results
  • Strategic plan evaluation

 

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

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 12:15 PM, 10.01.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 9-8-2021

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 – Regular Meeting

 

  • Public comments
  • Recognitions and awards
  • Consent agenda
  • Superintendent’s report
  • Air conditioning
  • 2026 Strategic Plan
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Wiley property
  • Board comments

 

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

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 12:13 PM, 10.01.2021

Cross-country teams run 250 miles in 24 hours

Members of the cross-country teams at Monticello and Roxboro middle schools joined Heights High’s cross-country and track runners for a 24-hour relay at Heights High on Aug. 7 and 8. Raising funds for the Cleveland Heights Running Boosters, the students ran 250 miles during the 24-hour period.  

They arrived at the track on Saturday morning, carrying tents, sleeping bags, board games, and playing cards. As the clock struck 9 a.m., they began logging their miles, one or sometimes two students running four laps at a time before handing the baton off to the next runners. All participants ran more miles than they had before, and some ran faster than ever, including junior Henry Turner, who logged a personal best in his seventh mile, then beat that pace in his eighth.

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 9:54 AM, 08.31.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 8-3-2021

AUGUST 3, 2021, regular session

 

  • Recognitions and awards
  • Summer programming and strategic plan goals
  • COVID protocol recommendations
  • Debt refunding 
  • State budget impact
  • Announcements

 

Present were President James Posch and members Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Dan Heintz was absent. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:47 p.m. A sound problem occurred during the opening three minutes during the video recording.

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 12:40 PM, 08.23.2021

Heights High announces 2021–22 administrative team

Cleveland Heights High School has named two new assistant principals for the 2021–22 school year—Taylor Smith and Brandon Towns. They join the schools’ interim administrative principal, and two other assistant principals.

“This group is like the pieces of a puzzle coming together—they bring years of experience in top-notch organizational leadership, teaching, communication, technology, coaching, and more,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby. “Most importantly, these individuals have a passion for providing a high-quality education to each and every student, helping them grow into young adults ready for college and career.”

Taylor Smith, 10th-grade assistant principal

Smith served the Brooklyn City School District (BCS) as the technology coordinator (2016–21), implementing professional development and technology integration across the district. Smith also was dean of students for BCS (2019–20). In that role, Smith instituted Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for the student body, and worked with teacher teams across grade levels.

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 1:03 PM, 08.09.2021

Heights High's Taylor Evans wins national award

Taylor Evans, a Heights High junior, has been named the GEAR UP Student of the Year by the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships. She is the lead intern/ambassador for Heights High’s GEAR UP 2 New Heights program. 

GEAR UP—Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs—aims to increase the college and career readiness of low-income students. It currently serves more than 523,000 students in 46 states. The award is given to one student in the U.S. who embodies the GEAR UP mission to “Excel, Prove, and Mobilize.”

“Taylor was selected out of hundreds of thousands of GEAR UP students across the country, and she is incredibly deserving of this honor,” said Bob Swaggard, the CH-UH City School District’s director of curriculum and instruction. “She’s a wonderful student and we are all so proud of her.”

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 12:28 PM, 08.09.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 7-6-2021

JULY 6, 2021 regular session

 

  • Recognitions and rewards
  • Update on academic goals
  • Resolution on education in systemic racism
  • Treasurer’s report
  • In-person public meetings required
  • Board announcements

 

Present were President James Posch and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

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Volume 14, Issue 8, Posted 11:19 AM, 07.16.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 6-29-2021

JUNE 29, 2021 work session

 

  • Online learning recommendations
  • Academic update
  • Blended learning policy
  • Treasurer’s report

 

Present were members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright. President James Posch was absent. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. and was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 8, Posted 11:22 AM, 07.16.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 6-15-2021

JUNE 15, 2021 work session

 

  • Board approvals
  • Blended learning policy
  • College and Career Task force recommendations
  • Board comments

 

Present were President James Posch and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Beverly Wright. Jodi Sourini attended virtually. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 8, Posted 11:26 AM, 07.16.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 6-8-2021

JUNE 8, 2021, regular session

 

  • Public comments
  • 2021-2022 instructional model 
  • State school funding plan
  • Board comments

 

Present were Board President James Posch and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Beverly Wright. Jodi Sourini was absent. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and lasted about an hour and ten minutes.

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 11:51 AM, 07.16.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 5-18-2021

MAY 18, 2021, work session

 

  • Career and technical education student support
  • Social-emotional learning (SEL)
  • Fair Schools Funding Plan

 

Present were Board President James Posch and members 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 adjourned at 9 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 11:49 AM, 07.16.2021

Heights High's Buescher named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Heights High senior Maple Buescher has been named a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar. She is one of 161 high school seniors in the country, and one of three in Ohio, to receive the award. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the names of the scholars on May 13.

Each year, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects the students “based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.”

“I am thrilled that Maple has received this great honor. She has always been committed to education, serving her community and learning as much as she can about the world," said CH-UH City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby.

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 10:06 AM, 05.25.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 4-20-2021

APRIL 20, 2021, work session

 

  • School-community partnerships
  • Noble community learning center
  • Performance audit update
  • COVID vaccine clinic
  • Tiger Camp

 

Present were board President James Posch; members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright; Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby; and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 6, Posted 9:05 AM, 05.11.2021

Kirby to deliver State of our Schools Address April 15

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby will deliver the virtual 2021 State of our Schools Address on April 15.

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 and remarks from students.
 
"I'm looking forward to sharing the district's accomplishments over the past year, as well as how Tiger Nation came together to overcome the monumental challenges we faced with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kirby.

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Volume 14, Issue 5, Posted 12:35 PM, 04.11.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education 3-16-2021

MARCH 16, 2021 Work Session

 

  • Full five-day reopening
  • Update: board strategic planning 

 

Present were Board President James Posch, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, Beverly Wright, Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby, and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 5, Posted 9:29 AM, 04.13.2021

Two Heights seniors are national scholarship finalists

Heights High seniors Maple Buescher and Xavier Routh have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

"Being named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist is a tremendous achievement,” said CH-UH City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby. “I'm proud of Maple and Xavier and excited to see all that they continue to accomplish." 

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. Buescher and Routh qualified for the award because of their performances on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). They were named semifinalists in September.

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Volume 14, Issue 4, Posted 1:55 PM, 03.08.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education regular meeting 3-2-2021

MARCH 2, 2021

 

  • Recognitions
  • Public comments
  • Public reading, policy group A
  • Resolution to waive standardized testing
  • COVID monitoring and school reopening
  • Equity update
  • Elementary achievement trends
  • Fair School Funding Plan plank
  • Five-year forecast

 

Present were Board President James Posch, members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright, Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby, and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. and was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

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Volume 14, Issue 4, Posted 1:51 PM, 03.23.2021

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education work session 2-16-2021

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

 

  • Student progress under virtual instruction
  • Performance audits

 

Board President James Posch and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Beverly Wright were present. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. This was the first "in-person" meeting of the board for the 2020-2021 year. It was held in the high school auditorium so members of the public could socially distance. Board President Posch and several administrative staff members attended virtually, which caused some minor audio issues. The meeting was also livestreamed on the district's YouTube channel.

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Volume 14, Issue 4, Posted 9:56 AM, 03.10.2021