On February 5, the CH-UH City School District held its annual State of our Schools Address at Heights High School. Superintendent Liz Kirby shared achievements from the last year and new initiatives taking shape. Kirby also reaffirmed the promise that CHUH schools will continue to provide each student with the care and support they need to succeed.
“Our district will always embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will continue to protect our students and fulfill our responsibility to give them the best possible education,” said Kirby.
During the Showcase of Excellence that took place prior to the address, students, staff, and parent volunteers from each school shared with attendees what makes their school outstanding.
Heights Barbershoppers Receive ‘Outstanding’ Ratings in San Antonio If you have seen them, then you already know: the Heights High Barbershoppers are outstanding, audience favorites. And now, it’s official!
The Men’s and Women’s Barbershoppers vocal music groups received ratings of ‘Outstanding’ at the Barbershop Harmony Society International Festival in San Antonio, Texas in late January. The Women’s Barbershoppers were named “Audience Favorite” and overall runner-up in the Women’s category.
District Names Jones Head Football Coach, Oxford Dean
Bryce Jones has been selected to serve as head football coach for Heights High School and dean of students at Oxford Elementary School.
Jones is a 2012 Heights High School graduate, where he played quarterback and defensive back and ran track for four years.
“Our students made our community proud by conducting themselves with poise and professionalism,” said director Jesse Lange, “while absolutely stunning the audience with their energy, musicality, and talent.”
In 2012, he was named the Lake Erie League MVP for both football and track.
Jones went on to play football for Boston College before transferring to the University of Akron for his final season. He began his professional football career in 2017 with the Houston Texans. Most recently, Jones was the cornerbacks coach for the University of Northern Iowa football program. Jones holds
90.3% four-year graduation rate for the Heights High School Class of 2023
81 Heights High students working their way toward earning an associate’s degree by the time they graduate high school
Partnership with Vision to Learn provides approximately 350 CH-UH students (and counting) with prescription eyeglasses at no cost District has adopted CharacterStrong as K-12 socialemotional learning curriculum
Scan the QR code to watch the State of our Schools Address on YouTube.
Letter From The Superintendent
Dear Heights Community,
February is Black History Month, and I was so proud to witness the wonderful celebrations that took place across our school district to honor the rich legacy of Black culture and contribution. Our schools hosted events featuring stunning performances and delicious food, and classrooms got creative with door decorating contests to mark the achievements and influence of Black leaders, events, and moments. As a culminating event, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, the Cleveland International Film Festival, and Building Heights, the District presented a showcase of films highlighting the richness of Black culture and history in a day-long film festival at Heights High School. Between screenings, Heights High student singers and instrumentalists entertained audiences. It was great to reconnect with many Heights community members at the event.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the growing concern in our community due to recent events and policy changes. As I noted in my State of our Schools address, Heights Schools remain Heights United: no matter what we face, we face it together. I believe that one of many
Heights Athletes Announce College Intent
Nine Heights High student-athletes from the Class of 2025 signed their official College Letter of Intent during two ceremonies held in front of their families, teammates, coaches, and friends.
Congratulations to the following students:
Basketball:
Iyan Bremer - Hilbert College
Football:
E’mere Atkins - Grand Valley State University
Brandon Caesar - University of West Virginia
Marquise Davis - University of Missouri
Mercelus Harris - Capital University
Da’Juan Jones - Baldwin Wallace University
Deshawne Phillips - Grand Valley State University
Jayquan Stubbs - University of Minnesota
Jaylen Ward-Effinger - Kings Prep Academy
District Considers New Name for Monticello
Monticello Middle School, like several CH-UH schools, was named for the street upon which it is located. While it is unclear why the street itself was named Monticello, it shares its name with a plantation owned by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson enslaved hundreds of people throughout his life, most of whom lived in bondage at Monticello.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the District has engaged in an important and thoughtful process regarding the potential renaming of Monticello Middle School, led in partnership with consultant Dr. Gregory Hutchings. This initiative aligns with the District’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion.
wonderful things about our nation’s public school system is that all children are entitled to public education, and I want to assure you that here in CH-UH, we will continue to provide a welcoming space where all students can thrive. Thank you for your continued support in this mission.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Liz Kirby
In late 2024, current and former students, staff, families, and community members had the opportunity to learn about the history of the Monticello plantation and share their opinions about renaming the school through focus groups, discussion sessions, and an online survey. Dr. Hutchings presented the findings from these outreach initiatives to the CH-UH Board of Education on February 4. While no action was taken at this meeting, the Board will continue its conversations during scheduled meetings and encourages additional feedback from the community.
Kindergarten Information Nights March 4-20
Beginning March 4, each Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District elementary school will host a Kindergarten Information Night for incoming and prospective families. Each information night will run from 6 to 7 p.m., on the following dates:
• Boulevard - Wednesday, March 5
• Canterbury - Wednesday, March 12
• Fairfax - Tuesday, March 4
• Gearity - Wednesday, March 12
• Noble - Tuesday, March 18
• Oxford - Thursday, March 20
• Roxboro - Wednesday, March 5
Kindergarten in CH-UH is full-day and tuition-free. Areas of instruction include music, art, Spanish, physical education, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Visit CHUH.org for registration information.
Scan the QR code to watch the presentation on YouTube
Families Receive New Coats, SEL Tools at HFRC
In partnership with Operation Warm, the District distributed more than 100 brand new winter coats to students on January 30 at the Heights Family Resource Center (HFRC). After the distribution, families attended a workshop on handling intense emotions, led by Arts Impact. The Heights Family Resource Center is located inside the Delisle Options Center and serves as a central hub for connecting CH-UH families to essential resources and support.
Heights High Salon Taking Appointments
After more than five years, the Cleveland Heights Cosmetology Salon has reopened its doors to the public. In December, the community celebrated with students and staff at the grand reopening. The Cosmetology program is one of 22 Career Technical Education programs offered to students in the Heights Career Tech Consortium.
The salon is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 216-320-2333 to make an appointment for hair, nail, and waxing services provided by Heights cosmetology students.
Gearity Eyes Silver PBIS Award
As of the 2023-24 school year, all CH-UH schools had earned the PBIS Bronze Recognition Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The team at Gearity Professional Development School sees this as just the beginning.
Gearity’s Tier 1 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) include rewards for students, from lunchtime karaoke to recognition in special assemblies. While Tier 1 is designed for the entire student body, Tier 2 focuses on about ten percent of students who need extra, individualized support. Gearity staff are working hard to make Tier 2 as impactful as possible.
“The goal is to maximize instructional time, minimize disruptions, and keep kids in the classroom learning,” said school counselor Heather Higham.
Fairfax Cabaret Continues to Thrill
The community filled the Heights High auditorium for a night of dazzling performances, creativity, and artistic expression during the Fairfax Cabaret, a 30-year tradition hosted by the school PTA, on February 7. Attendees also enjoyed dinner, a student art show, and a 50/50 raffle.
Scott’s 3 Things
At each regular Board of Education meeting, Chief Financial Officer Scott Gainer presents his “3 Things,” breaking down the complexities of school funding into useful and digestible bites. Here are a few recent topics:
1) Finance at a Glance
This is a new quarterly dashboard for the District. It provides high-level general fund financial data, sources of revenue, expenses, monthly cash balance, student enrollment, percentage of budget spent, and links to the five-year forecast and ACFR. It is available at CHUH.org.
Boulevard Students Make TV Debut
Boulevard 4th and 5th grade students got to step into the shoes of a meteorologist back in December during FOX 8’s Weather Class with Alexis Walters. Students presented live forecasts with Walters while discovering what it takes to forecast the day’s weather and work with a news crew.
Middle Schools Host Writing Competitions
Young writers descended on Cleveland Heights as both middle schools hosted Power of the Pen competitions. Monticello competed in and hosted the Lake Erie District 2 Tournament in January, while Roxboro Middle competed in and hosted the Northern District 2 Tournament in February. Four Rox Mid students advanced to regionals, which will take place in March.
Rox El 4th Graders Create Robots
Roxboro Elementary’s 4th graders are using empty tissue boxes, old water bottles, and paper towel rolls to solve the world’s problems. The project, which is part of an International Baccalaureate unit on “Sharing the Planet,” tied together English language arts, science and social studies instruction, while allowing the children to get creative and build something with their hands.
2) SORSA
SORSA stands for Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority. It is a non-profit, member-owned consortium that provides property, bus fleet, and educator liability insurance for public schools in Ohio. It is governed by public school administrators and managed by insurance professionals.
3) Ohio Schools Council (OSC)
The OSC is a jointly governed organization of more than 280 school districts and educational organizations. It was created for the purpose of saving money through volume purchases. CH-UH participates in the OSC electricity group purchase program and the prepaid natural gas program.
Read more at chuh.org/3Things.aspx
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Tiger Team Members of the Month
Each month, CH-UH recognizes employees who go above and beyond to inspire one another to create a culture of excellence in our district. Each Tiger Team Member of the Month was nominated by their colleagues.
Board of Education/Bus Depot/Millikin
October - Chayla Barnes (BOE), Nikia Black (IT)
November - Rebecca McDonald
December/January - Lunetta Clark
Boulevard Elementary
October - Cindy Baldauf
November - Beth Provitt
December/January - Raiven Davis
Canterbury Elementary
October - DeAndre Holt
November - Monica Michael
December/January - Amy Miracle
Fairfax Elementary
October - Allison Factor
November - Michael Green
December/January - Mary Catherine
Knight
Gearity Elementary
October - Rayna Fomby & LaTraceyona
Cameron
November - Deborah Buckley
December/January - Angela Hoang
Heights High
October - Michael Thornton
November - Melha Woods
December/January - Willie Newton
Monticello Middle
October - Matthew Minnillo
November - Stephanie Jackson
December/January - Kay Milkie
Noble Elementary
October - Monita Chancellor
November - Pam Wynn
December/January - Ernestine Underwood
Oxford Elementary
October - Romina Berardinelli
November - Gayle Barodofsky
December/January - Conrad Steward
Roxboro Elementary
October - Romina Berardinelli
November - Gayle Barodofsky
December/January - Conrad Steward
Roxboro Middle
October - Dionne Morrison
November - Almad Allen
December/January - Hannah Gilson
Important Dates
Thursday, Feb. 27-Saturday, Mar. 1: Heights High Swim Cadets Shows, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 1: Women’s History Month Begins
Monday, Mar. 3-Friday, Mar. 7: School Social Work Week
Tuesday, Mar. 4: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Boulevard
Tuesday, Mar. 4: Fairfax Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 4: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 5: Boulevard Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 5: Rox El Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Friday, Mar. 7: Maintenance Worker & Cleaner Appreciation Day
Saturday, Mar. 8: International Women’s Day
Sunday, Mar. 9: Daylight Saving Time Begins
Wednesday, Mar. 12: Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, Mar. 12: Canterbury Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 12: Gearity Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 13: High School Parent-Teacher Conferences
Customer
Thursday, Mar. 13: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Gearity
Friday, Mar. 14: Holi
Friday, Mar. 14: Oxford CLC Fantastic Friday, 5 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday, Mar. 18: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Oxford
Tuesday, Mar. 18: Noble Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 18: Board of Education Work Session, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 20: Spring Begins
Thursday, Mar. 20: Oxford Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 20: Cleveland Northeast Suburban College Fair, 7 p.m. at Heights High Friday, Mar. 21: Quarter 3 Ends
Thursday, Mar. 27: Records Day - No School For Elementary Students Only Thursday, Mar. 27: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences (PM)
Friday, Mar. 28: Professional Development Day - No School For All Students
Friday, Mar. 28: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences (AM)
Monday, Mar. 31: Eid al-Fitr
Monday, Mar. 31-Friday, April 4: Spring Break
Tuesday, April 1: Arab American Heritage Month Begins
Tuesday, April 1: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
Friday, April 4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
Monday, April 7-Friday, April 11: National Assistant Principal Week
Tuesday, April 8: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Boulevard
Thursday, April 10: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Gearity
Thursday, April 10: Reaching Heights Spelling Bee
Friday, April 11: Oxford CLC Fantastic Friday, 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 12: Passover Begins
Tuesday, April 15: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Oxford
Tuesday, April 15: Board of Education Work Session, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 18: Good Friday - All Schools Closed
Sunday, April 20: Easter
Monday, April 21: Staff Compensatory Day - No School For Students
Tuesday, April 22: Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Tuesday, April 22: Earth Day
Wednesday, April 23: Administrative Professionals’ Day
Thursday, May 1: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Begins
Thursday, May 1: Jewish American Heritage Month Begins
Thursday, May 1: Heights High Instrumental Music Finale Concert I, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 2: Heights High Instrumental Music Finale Concert II, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 2: School Lunch Hero Day
Saturday, May 3: Heights Community & Alumni Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Heights High
Monday, May 5-Friday, May 9: Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 6: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7: School Nurse Appreciation Day
Thursday, May 8: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Gearity
Friday, May 9: School Communicators Day
Friday, May 9: Oxford CLC Fantastic Friday, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 9: Heights High Jazz Night, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day
Friday, May 16: Heights High Vocal Music Spring Concert, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 18: National Speech Pathologist Day
Tuesday, May 20: Cleveland Food Bank School Market, 2-4 p.m. at Oxford
Tuesday, May 20: Board of Education Work Session, 6:30 p.m.
