Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools

March, 2018 Volume 3, Issue 8

The Monthly Update

Dear CHS Families,

As a principal and a father, I live a dual life, all day, every day. Both roles require that I fulfill certain responsibilities to

be equally effective. Finding the balance is a challenge, but one that I welcome and find gratifying beyond expression.

Because of my position as a principal, I am typically well informed about the mandates, policies, and requirements to

which my boys must follow to successfully earn a high school diploma, college admission, and a future career based on

their goals and abilities. As a parent, I tend to be in touch with the latest music, fashion, fads and trends – for better or for

worse. The two roles complement one another very well.

As I have communicated in the past, I place equal value on my responsibility as an educator as I do as a parent. When

my first son boarded the school bus for his first day of kindergarten, I realized that from that day forward he would be

less influenced by “dad” and more influenced by his peers and, more importantly, his teachers. I realized that I had to

trust that he would be safe. I had to trust that he would return home to me every day.

I knew that he would never be fully sheltered from some of the social bumps in the road with peers, or the occasional

frustration with schoolwork. As an educator, I know my children had to go through these things, with support, in order to

establish skills for coping, problem solving or conflict resolution. This is how they establish their identity, learn to set

goals, and learn to get back up after being knocked down. As a dad, I have allowed my boys to take their fair share of

lumps over the years, but I have done my best to nurture them through every defeat and attempt to turn it into a positive

life lesson.

I vividly recall two events that changed me forever. One was 9-11. I remember as a teacher watching with my honors

chemistry students those buildings collapse and realized that two oceans were no longer wide enough to fully secure our

nation from attack. We released school at noon on that day. I called my wife to check on her and my infant son. She

was watching Elmo with him all morning and had no idea – there were no smart phones back then to text or receive news

alerts. That day, I felt life shifting from one path to a more uncertain one.

The other event was Columbine. Never before had schools been the calculated focus of such acts of violence. Students

and faculty became the targets for reasons we had difficulty understanding. Schools were supposed to be a safe place for

children to learn and teachers to teach. We had routinely practiced fire and tornado drills from the day we entered

kindergarten. No one imagined at that time that lockdown drills and A.L.I.C.E. training would become part of standard

safety protocol. That day, my role as an educator took on the characteristic of protector. Since Columbine, school-

related attacks are approaching 210 incidents, according to one account. With the recent tragedies in public schools, my

thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their communities; however, at the forefront of those thoughts are my

own children and the students and families of the Cuyahoga Heights Local School District.

(continued on page 2)

Principal’s Message

Not a day goes by that I don’t tell my boys that I love them. I am not too proud to let them know my feelings. It doesn’t

make me any less of a man – it makes me a dad. I would do anything to protect them. I have started each of my three

school years at CHS addressing the student body. Each year, at opening day assemblies, I tell your students that I love

them. Some look at me as though I am from another planet. Others wonder, “Why would our principal say that to us?”

The explanation is simple. I assure them that if anyone walks through our doors and attempts to do harm, I will do

everything in my power to protect them. I would do this without thought, because I would want someone to do the same

for my family. I tell them that if that isn’t “love,” I don’t know what is. I anticipate most adults at CHS would do the

same.

Our district, in cooperation with safety personnel from our three villages, works diligently each day to keep our students

as safe as possible. Our staff has received intense professional development related to school safety. We practice

multiple scenarios with and without students. Local safety forces and the Ohio Department of Education have approved

our safety plan. As parents, you want to know more details. I get that. My boys attend Wadsworth High School, and I

have no specifics about their protocols and practices. Their administration and faculty has my trust, and I believe they do

their best, just as we do at CHS, to create the safest environment possible. We are committed to your children.

I met with my high school students briefly after the Parkland School Shooting in Florida. I reemphasized how much we

care about them. I expressed the importance of looking out for one another, not just your closest friends, but everyone.

A school district is a large family, and family takes care of one another. The most critical component is to follow what

local law enforcement emphasizes – If you see something, say something. I encourage you to do the same. Safer Schools

Ohio may be contacted 24/7 by phone or text at 844-SAFEROH (844-723-3764). In addition, my direct line is 216-429-

5835. Further, safety personnel in our villages are accessible by contacting the respective departments.

Thank you for sharing this moment with me. Reflections such as this sharpen my focus as a principal and soften my

heart as a dad.

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The Monthly Update

Principal’s Message (continued)

March is Mental Health Awareness Month

Hotlines & Helplines

Safer School Ohio: Phone or text to 844-SAFEROH (844-723-3764).

School Helpline (Anonymous tip line for school concerns): 800-418-6423 x 359

First Call for Help Community Resource Line 2-1-1 or 216-436-2000

Frontline Services 24-hour Crisis Resources & Response Team: 216-623-6888

Suicide Hotline 844-604-5433 or Text 741741 send message: 4HOPE

Recognize warning signs:

Feeling hopeless, helpless, lonely, disconnected

Alcohol or drug misuse

Withdrawal from family and friends or quitting activities which were previously important

Conversational signs: Talking about suicide or death, feeling trapped: “I can’t see any way out of this mess.” or feeling like

a burden: “They’d be better off without me.”

Sudden or extreme changes in eating or sleeping habits

Loss of interest in personal hygiene or appearance

A person who has been distressed suddenly becoming happier and calmer

Major loss or change in life factors (death of loved one, job loss, divorce, etc.)

March Information from Our School Social Worker

Honest students are courageous, truthful, sincere, trustwor thy, and capable of admitting

mistakes. This month, four students were recognized for demonstrating honesty:

Week of February 5—Nelia Akin, nominated by Mrs. Andreski

Week of February 12—Jordan Sturgill, nominated by Mrs. Zawadzki

Week of February 19—Josh Sanicky, nominated by Mrs. Russell

Week of February 26—Danny Keller, nominated by Mrs. Pitman

February Pride Tribe—Honest

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The Monthly Update

The following students have been selected in grades 6–12 as our Students of the Month. These students

perform exemplary in the classroom and are positive role models to their peers. Congratulations to the

following students:

12th Grade—Reilly McEntee

11th Grade—Grace Bodnar

10th Grade—Rodrick Terrigno

9th Grade—Hailey Moran

8th Grade—Alexis Baciak

7th Grade—Noah Phillips

6th Grade—Bradyn Rusch

February Students of the Month

During February, high school student-athletes nominated by their coaches were recognized as athletes of

the week for excelling in athletic performance, leadership and sportsmanship. Those student-athletes were:

Ryan Selig, Boys Basketball

Kenni Voytek, Gymnastics

Kara Whitehead, Girls Bowling

McKayla Spicer, Girls Basketball

Please visit the Cuyahoga Heights Calendar on our website for dates and times for all events and for an

opportunity to see our student-athletes in action.

Athletes of the Month—February

Empowering Students to Reach New HEIGHTS by being “Helpful, Engaged, Inspired, Grateful, Honest,

Tolerant, and Successful.”

* Dominic Belko * Andrew Juhnke * Sarah Nolan

* Andrew Borsuk * Morgan Juhnke * Bryonna Parks

* Danny Burns * Katie Keith * Josh Sanicky

* Julia Coleman * Nicolette Krocker * Tori Santiago

* Jared Cowling * Natalie Mischak * Tyler Schlick

* Jasmin Graver * Ce’chawn Moss * David Shull

* Bryce Navarra * David Stankiewicz

HEIGHTS Students of the Week during February

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The Monthly Update

Attendance Report—Keep It Up!

Grade Oct. Grade Oct. Nov. Nov. Dec. Dec. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb.

12 96.9% 8 97.4% 97.0% 97.1% 96.0% 97.7% 96.1% 95.7% 95.2% 97.0%

11 97.4% 7 97.1% 97.3% 96.8% 97.2% 96.6% 95.8% 92.9% 96.7% 96.4%

10 97.3% 6 96.8% 97.0% 96.8% 97.3% 95.4% 93.0% 92.0% 97.6% 96.8%

9 97.6% 97.5% 96.9% 94.8% 96.9%

HS Overall = 96.8% MS Overall = 96.4%

Ohio school districts must comply with the new attendance law, House Bill 410. This requires schools to

track student attendance in hours and places a 65-hour limit on student absenteeism, regardless of reason.

HB 410 also requires schools to have an attendance rate of 95% to fall within compliance.

Although February was another tough month of illness, we are still above the 95% threshold for the school

year. I want to take this opportunity to thank you and your students for working with us through this

transition, and, most of all, for improving attendance at CHS. Well done and keep it up!

The REACH Program is one of the highlights for academic achievement at Cuyahoga Heights Schools.

Recognizing Educational Achievement at Cuyahoga Heights (REACH) is a program that began in 1988 and

is an annual tradition for honoring the academic excellence of students who earn distinction.

This year, we will recognize students in grades 6 through 12 on Tuesday, March 13, with the REACH

Ceremony beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium and a FREE dessert and pastry reception to follow in

the North Gym. The evening will include musical selections from the Scarlet Angels and Choir programs

as well as participation by members of National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.

Students will be recognized for achieving different levels of REACH based on two semesters of GPA.

Those levels are:

Gold—3.750 to 5.000

Red—3.400 to 3.749

Gray—3.000 to 3.399

Students will receive a customized medallion based on the higher GPA from the second semester of 2016-

17 and the first semester of 2017-18. This tradition allows students to collect a medallion annually and the

collection will be worn on the graduation gown at Commencement. In other words, current 6th grade

students will have an opportunity to earn seven medals over their years at Cuyahoga Heights. Further,

seniors who achieve 7 semesters of Gold REACH will be honored with a personalized plaque. Students

will be notified by mail in late February of their official REACH status.

REACH Ceremony and Reception

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The Monthly Update

Planning Ahead—Testing

English Language Arts

6th Grade—April 18

7th Grade—April 19

8th Grade—April 20

9th Grade—April 16

10th Grade—April 17

Mathematics

6th Grade—April 30

7th Grade—May 1

8th Grade—May 2

Algebra I—May 3

Geometry—May 4

Science

8th Grade—April 26

Biology—April 27

Social Studies

Am. Gov. 11—April 24

Am. Gov. 12—April 25

Am. History—April 23

Advanced Placement

AP Chemistry—May 7

(AM)

AP Psychology—May 7

(PM)

AP English Lit.—May 9

(AM)

AP US Gov’t—May 10

(AM)

AP US History—May 11

(AM)

AP Biology—May 14

(AM)

AP Calculus AB—May 15

(AM)

AP Calculus BC—May 15

(AM)

AP English Lang.—May

16 (AM)

AP Statistics—May 17

(PM)

AP Euro. History—May

18 (PM)

AP TESTING—May 7-18

SENIOR SIGN OUT SHEET— May, 9, 10

or 11 (Will be handed out May 9 and due

by 3:45 p.m. on May 11)

SENIOR PROJECT FOR AP

STUDENTS—May 14, 16, 18-21

SENIOR PROJECT FOR NON-AP

STUDENTS—May 14-21

SENIOR EXAMS FOR THOSE NOT ON

SENIOR PROJECT—May 21, 22, 23

(Makeup)

PROM at CLEVELAND BROWNS

STADIUM—May 19 (6:00 p.m.)

AFTER PROM-KALAHARI—May 19

SENIOR PROJECT PRESENTATIONS—

May 22/23

SENIOR AWARDS—May 21 (7:00 p.m. in

the Auditorium)

GRADUATION PRACTICE, SENIOR

PICTURE, SENIOR LUNCHEON—May

24

GRADUATION PRACTICE, SENIOR

PARADE—May 25

COMMENCEMENT—May 27 (1:00 p.m.

in the South Gym)

Planning Ahead—Dates for Senior

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The Monthly Update

In Ohio, district and community schools must administer a state-funded College

Entrance Exam to juniors in Spring, 2018, as one of their three graduation options. Last

year was the first time school districts in Ohio were required to select and administer a

college entrance exam during the school day for the Junior Class. Last year, our school

district chose the ACT as our college entrance exam; however, for the 2017-18 school

year, Cuyahoga Heights will switch to the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) for the State-

Funded College Entrance Exam. This test administration will be at no cost to our

students and families. The test will be given on April 10.

Along with providing college entrance scores that are accepted at all colleges and

universities across the country, the SAT also offers many additional benefits for our

students and families. The SAT assesses students in reading, writing, language, and

mathematics. Ohio’s “remediation free” scores for graduation are 530 in mathematics

and 480 in evidence-based reading and writing.

Reflecting on the academic culture and history of our school district, it is very obvious

that the ACT college entrance exam is an embedded focus of instruction and

preparation for our staff and students. Our school district feels that we need to continue

to support students in their preparation of the ACT college entrance exam. This

tradition has always provided our students with opportunities to be successful after high

school and we wish to continue to service our students in an area that they have

traditionally excelled.

That being said, the Cuyahoga Heights School District has offered our Junior Class the

opportunity to participate in the ACT college entrance exam at no cost to our families

and students. We feel that this additional testing opportunity gives our students the best

chance to expand their potential for success as they prepare for their post-secondary life.

Registration has been completed with Mrs. Douglas. We are excited about these college

entrance opportunities for our students and the new direction in which we will serve our

students and families. As we get closer to the actual test administration dates, you will

receive information on both the SAT and ACT college entrance exam administrations

directly from the guidance office.

SAT and ACT Testing for Juniors

Upcoming ACT Test Dates and Deadlines

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration ACT Scores Available

April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 March 10-23, 2018 April 24, 2018

June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 5-18, 2018 June 21, 2018

Upcoming SAT Test Dates and Deadlines

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration SAT Scores Available

May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 24, 2018 May 18, 2018

June 2, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 22, 2018 July 11, 2018

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The Monthly Update

From the Ohio Board of Regents…

Ohio’s College Credit Plus can help you earn college and high school credits at the same time by

taking college courses from community colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to

promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready

students. Taking a college course from a public college or university is free. That means no cost

for tuition, books or fees. If you choose to attend a private college or university, you may have

limited costs.

Your high school may have an agreement with a local college for specific courses; however, you

can choose to take College Credit Plus courses from any college that offers a course that would

benefit your future. This could include online courses.

Process to Participate Runs From February 15 Through April 1:

Talk with your school counselor. Discuss your interest in taking college courses and how it

fits in with your overall academic plan and career goals.

Prior to March 1, your distr ict will provide information about the College Credit Plus

program to all students in grades 7-12. An informational session will be held and all colleges

and universities within a 30-mile radius will be invited to attend before March 30. If you

cannot attend, schedule an appointment with your school counselor.

By April 1, notify your school counselor if you intend to par ticipate in College Credit

Plus next year. After April 1, you will need permission from the school district superintendent

to participate.

You and your family should contact colleges for information, application forms, and criteria for

acceptance into College Credit Plus. Some materials are available from your high school

counselor and at the college’s website. You must go through the procedures established by the

colleges/universities to apply to College Credit Plus and to enroll in the course(s). You may have

to take a college placement test to make sure you are college-ready.

Prior to college class attendance, your high school counselor will assist you in determining a

course’s equivalency to a high school course(s).

College Credit Plus Deadlines

Washington is less than a month away! Thank you for attending our DC parent meeting. I hope

you found it to be informative. If you have further questions or need any paperwork, you can

access the forms online or contact Ms. Bacci in the main office, 216-429-5758. If you have not

already turned them in, please note the following forms are due:

Parent Field Trip Permission Form and Contact/Medical Instruction Form are due MARCH 1.

Permission to Administer Medication Form and all medications due to the nurse by MARCH

16. Any questions on medications, contact Pam Pack, RN, at 216-429-5884.

I am looking forward to an outstanding trip with our students!

8th Grade Trip—Forms Due

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

The CHHS Swim Team of Stefani Attewell, Mara Voytek, Victoria Kattler, and Kenni Voytek

competed in the District Championship meet on February 16, finishing in sixth place overall in

Northeast Ohio. Along the way, several personal bests were swam, school records set, and

history made. Here are the results of the District Meet:

Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay: M. Voytek, Kattler, Attewell, K. Voytek, 4th Place – 1:50.76,

School Record, State Qualifier

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle: Kattler, 28th Place – 2:12.16

Girls 50 Yard Freestyle: K. Voytek, 23rd Place – 26.48

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly: M. Voytek, 3rd Place – 56.56, School Record, State Qualifier

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly: Attewell, 7th Place – 58.83, State Qualifier

Girls 500 Yard Freestyle: M. Voytek, 5th Place – 5:06.59, School Record, State Qualifier

Girls 500 Yard Freestyle: Kattler, 21st Place – 5:56.12

Girls 100 Yard Backstroke: Attewell, 3rd Place – 57.42, School Record, State Qualifier

Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke: K. Voytek, 20th Place – 1:12.71

Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: M. Voytek, Kattler, Attewell, K. Voytek, 5th Place –

3:45.75, School Record, State Qualifier

At the State Meet on February 22 and 23, the girls competed in amazing fashion against the best

swimmer in Division II. Here are the results from the State Meet

Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay: M. Voytek, Kattler, Attewell, K. Voytek, 18th Place – 1:52.92

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly: M. Voytek, 22nd Place – 59.13

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly: Attewell, 25th Place – 1:00.12

Girls 500 Yard Freestyle: M. Voytek, 14th Place – 5:12.69—ALL OHIO

Girls 100 Yard Backstroke: Attewell, 10th Place – 58.70—ALL OHIO

Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: M. Voytek, Kattler, Attewell, K. Voytek, 23rd Place –

3:49.65

Congratulations to Coaches Laughlin and Voytek, to all of our swimmers, and to their families

on a remarkable season. CHS is proud of you!

Swim Team Competes at District & State Meets

The Cuyahoga Heights Schools will be hosting the Electrify Y our Strings Rock Orchestra

Experience on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Paul L. Baumgardner Theatre of

Performing Arts. Tickets are being sold at the Elementary and Middle School Main Offices for

$10.00 General Admission and $8.00 for Senior Citizens. Checks can be made out to Cuyahoga

Heights Music Boosters.

International performing artist Haydn Vitera will perform in-concert with Cuyahoga Heights

Schools string players in grades 4-12. The electrifying performance will feature exciting

arrangements of contemporary pop hits and classic rock favorites. As part of the Electrify Y our

Strings program, Haydn will spend the two days leading up to the night of the concert

rehearsing with and inspiring our students to explore their musical creativity. The entire

Cuyahoga Heights Schools community is invited to attend this special celebration of music and

creativity on Tuesday, March 6. We hope to see you then!

CHS to Host Electrify Your Strings

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