13 minute read
Safer Heights Inspires Change and Engagement
CHANGE AND ENGAGEMENT
By Dorian Martin ’14
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My name is Dorian Martin and I am a lifelong resident of Cleveland Heights and CHHS alum, Class of 2014. I’ve been fortunate to see the city’s growth through the different stages of my life. Through the CHUH school system I’ve been able to make friends with men and women of many races and ethnicities. In kindergarten, I remember trading “Lunchables” for anything from African dishes to sushi. As an adult, I’ve seen Cleveland Heights from a different perspective. I see the cultural diversity and sense of community, but what I really see is an opportunity to be greater.
Unfortunately, last summer was filled with acts of brutality against AfricanAmericans from police. With the growing use of social media it’s becoming easier for the world to see what we’ve known to be true since the civil rights movement. On May 25th, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police and social media made his execution accessible on our cellphones. My friends and family were outraged that once again another white police officer might get away with killing an African-American man in cold blood. My friends and I protested in Cleveland Heights and were surprised by the turnout of community members. At city hall, the organizers and government officials spoke to the crowd. But the words from officials felt hollow and filled me with the uneasy feeling that nothing was going to change - and the cycle of systemic racism in this country, and specifically in my backyard, would continue.
After the march, we decided that now was the time to stand up and make our community greater. If we sat by and watched life after life continue to be lost, no change could come. With our voices, we started to finally address the issues that African-Americans experience in such a culturally diverse city. The color of your skin could determine how you are treated by police - who you’ve been taught since safety-town are supposed to protect us. Imagine how it feels when fellow citizens of this city clutch their purses or cross the street when they see us.
In June, we put our heads together to create a march of our own. This time the venue was the Coventry area, specifically the police department on Superior Road. We marched from Coventry Peace Park to the police station and back but we didn’t walk alone - at least 1000 people came to march with us and hear our stories. I am most proud that we gave a local family affected by police brutality the time to speak in front of the crowd to share their perspective. My goal in Safer Heights is to create a dialogue that will unite neighborhoods. Working together is the only way to ensure the vision of Cleveland Heights: that “all are welcome”. Learn more about Safer Heights and its work in the community at SaferHeights.com
Safer Heights is a Black youth led organization in Cleveland Heights.
We aim to confront injustice, racism, and violent policing by building power through direct engagement with our friends, family, neighbors and other members of the community. We can make Cleveland Heights safer for everyone, no matter the color of your skin. Through the power of grassroots organizing, we aim to challenge local policies that perpetuate racial inequity & by advocating for the reallocation of funds towards public safety alternatives to policing. We are committed to community empowerment and building a Safer Heights for our Black residents specifically, and ultimately for all residents.
March for Safer Heights June 14, 2020. Our first event brought around 1000 people to Coventry to stand with us to confront injustice in Cleveland Heights. Big thanks to @jj_icecreamandcafe for welcoming Safer Heights with open arms & allowing us to co-sponsor the shop’s 3rd annual Back-to-School Drive. Together we gave 100 backpacks and school supplies to the community. Safer Heights helps @Tigernation4strongschools pass out info on issue 69 on voter day.
OXFORD ELEMENTARY
Grant to Fund ‘Oxford HUB’ After School Program
The district premiered new after school enrichment programs funded by two additional 21st Century state grants: Oxford HUB and Boulevard Blast. Oxford HUB’s online program is designed to focus on social-emotional well-being and provide kids a fun gathering space while they’re isolated from friends and extended family. Each week is organized around a specific theme with guided activities, games and projects with opportunities for “sneaky learning.” The first week of the program was animal themed; students made nests out of natural materials they could find outside their homes like sticks, twigs, leaves and mud.
BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY
‘Boulevard Blast’ Focuses on Student Wholeness
Boulevard Blast, a new after school enrichment program, is organized around a weekly theme and goal of developing students academically, socially and emotionally. During Health and Wellness week, students practiced yoga, learned mindfulness strategies, and ate healthy snacks. For their first monthly service project, students painted their own versions of “The Ladybug Flower” by Cristin Coffey with supplies dropped off at their homes. The finished artwork was delivered to a local nursing home along with letters of encouragement for residents to enjoy.
GEARITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL
Extra Outreach to English Language Learner Families
Remote schooling has posed challenges for parents and students across the district but some of those challenges are greater than others. “When this was all starting back in March, I immediately realized that these families can’t understand all the district emails and probably have no idea what’s going on.” said Heather Higham, counselor at Gearity Professional Development School, who has been particularly concerned about the growing population of English Language learners at her school. Gearity began translating their entire school bulletin into written Spanish and audio-recorded translations each week along with making numerous home visits to assist individual families. One bright spot has been the addition of Spanish language instruction as a curricular “special” at Gearity as the new Spanish teacher Ms. Juana Cuervo’s assistance has been a lifesaver.
FAIRFAX ELEMENTARY
Students Bond Over Shared Virtual Lunch Breaks
At Fairfax Elementary School, a group of 4th grade students were so enjoying their Title I class on a particular Friday that they asked if they could stay online to eat their lunch together. Their teacher, Conny Meier, agreed and decided to bring her lunch along as well. They took a few minute break, each heading to their kitchens to fix a plate, and returned to laugh and share and bond in a relaxed atmosphere. They had such fun that they decided to make it a weekly Lunch Bunch. “We’re really thinking out of the box to create as many opportunities for students to build relationships as possible.” said Ms. Meier.
CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY
FAST Program Engages Families at Home
The Families And Schools Together program, known as FAST, has been a staple at Canterbury Elementary for more than a decade. FAST offers an opportunity for parents and children to bond with one another while making connections with fellow families, school staff and community partners. Ms. Napier, who has facilitated FAST at Canterbury for the past five years, stepped up to the plate to offer the eight week program remotely this school year. She delivered everything needed to participate to the homes of families, including activity materials and instructions so they could easily engage in fun family time and Giant Eagle gift cards to purchase ingredients and prepare a meal together. “The community meal is a huge part of the FAST program,” reports Ms. Napier, and she didn’t want to lose that; the act of eating a similar meal helps the families bond with one another and builds community.
ROXBORO ELEMENTARY
Parent Helps Students Map Black History in Cleveland
History is all around us. That’s the message that district parent Dr. Derrick Williams has wanted to drive home for the elementary students at Oxford and Roxboro Elementary Schools during Black History Month. For the past four years, the professor of Communications Studies at Tri-C and father to two Rox El students has created a dynamic video presentation titled “Mapping Black History in Cleveland: 20 People in 21 Minutes.” Accompanied by 1st grader Ella and 5th grader Meldrrick, the Williams family used photographs, maps and plenty of laughter to introduce students to 20 famous African Americans who have some connection to Cleveland.
NOBLE & ROXBORO ELEMENTARY
Students Perform “Rise Up”
Elementary music teacher Jenna Tucker engaged her 4th and 5th grade students at Roxboro and Noble Elementary in a series of lessons about how music heals and helps people express their gratitude, pain, hope or happiness. Ms. Tucker invited students to form a special “virtual choir” class to put their voices to good use. Students learned the vocal components of the inspirational song “Rise Up” by Andra Day as well as the technical skills necessary to record their individual parts for Ms. Tucker to combine them all into one project. The virtual performance can be seen on the district’s Youtube channel at: Youtube.com/CHUHSchools
MONTICELLO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Where Learners Become Leaders
For every month of Monticello Middle School’s Learners Become Leaders program, teachers infuse one AVID strategy and one IB Approach to Learning skill throughout the entire building. Aligned with each quarter’s theme, students attend speaker series featuring virtual visits from guest speakers and district leaders such as Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby, University Heights Mayor Michael Brennan, and Cleveland Heights Judge J.J. Costello. The program includes a Service Learning component, designed to grow students’ international perspective and capacity to think critically and act compassionately in a complex world.
HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Studio Art Paints Community Mural at Millikin
Heights High art students are adding a bit of beauty to the world during the coronavirus pandemic. Studio art teachers Laura Skehan and Nancy Rich partnered with community leaders from the Millikin neighborhood to create murals to adorn the side of the old school building near what is now a well-used playground and park. Eleven standout student designs that represented the neighborhood’s vibrancy and diversity were chosen for installation. Junior Thalia Lisowski, whose image of a girl measuring the height of a giant flower was included in the mural, was inspired by her own “experiences growing up in the Heights with art easily visible throughout local parks and neighborhoods.”
Students have had many “back-to-school” days this year with changes in format adapting to the pandemic. The majority of students were back to school in person in a “hybrid” format, and then phased in full time in person attendance over the course of the semester.
THE GREAT HEIGHTS ‘GIVE BACK’
A CLASS YEAR COMPETITION OF GENEROSITY
Announcing The Great Heights Give Back – a friendly competition amongst graduates. Throughout 2021, we’ll track all individual alumni and Class donations to Heights Schools Foundation’s “Highest Need Fund” that helps ensure today’s students have the same opportunities that we had. Each month, we’ll make awards to the top three classes who are the most generous graduates. Subscribe to Heights Schools Foundation’s E-news to make sure you see the rankings!
Your donations will go to the top priorities that help kids thrive in Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools today. Whether it is classroom grants to make teaching more effective and engaging, transportation to increase equity and access to programs afterschool, or scholarships for graduating seniors or remote learning centers – the fund is there to meet those strategic needs.
Awards will be based on number of donors as well as total amount given, and a special “class spirit” award will be given to classes that share the challenge through their class or reunion social media, email lists or website – just send us a copy or link at info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org to nominate your class.
Besides the generosity glow, and feeling good that your donations help students today have the same kinds of impactful experiences that you did, winning classes will get a special social media and E-News shout outs.
To help boost your class, make a donation and indicate it is designated for the Great Heights Give Back, along with class year and month. In addition to monthly winners, at the close of 2021, we’ll announce overall winning classes!
PLEASE ACCEPT MY DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $ _____________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Class of _______________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________
City / State / Zip _________________________________________________________________ Email _________________________________________
Mail your donation to: Heights Schools Foundation - 2155 Miramar Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118 or make your donation online at: HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org
REUNIONS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED, BUT RECONNECTION DOESN’T NEED TO BE!
Consider new ways to “see” old classmates.
Many classes have Facebook groups and others have websites. Creating a virtual meet-up, through emails, social media or services like Zoom is easier than you think, free or low cost.
Not sure how to find your classmates?
Join the main “Cleveland Heights High Graduates” group on Facebook, and put up a post asking people from your class to comment!
Planning a reunion event?
Update us on the details for future publications and our website. Send a note to info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org.
If you are the contact for your graduating class or reunion committee, email info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org
CLASS of JAN. & JUNE 1960
60TH REUNION
More Details to Follow
For more information
Alan Goodman: 216.456.2486 Email agoodman@aiglaw.com Sharon Leiberman Levey Email shrnlev@aol.com
CLASS of 1961
60TH REUNION
More Details to Follow
For more information
Allan Fried Email allanao@aol.com Dave Bunkin Email 0042rbd@gmail.com
CLASS of 1965
55TH REUNION
Postponed Until 2022 for the 75th Birthday Reunion More Details to Follow
For more information
Elaine Silver Email esilverrn@roadrunner.com
Please update your contact information at
clevelandheights65.com
CLASS of 1970
50TH REUNION
More Details to Follow
For more information
Enid Gurney Email enidgurney7@gmail.com
CLASS of 1971
50TH REUNION
October 8-9, 2021 More Details to Follow
CLASS of 1980 & 1981
40TH REUNION
Thanksgiving Weekend with Class of 1981 November 27, 2021 The Agora
For more information
Web chhsreunion.net
CLASS of 1990
30TH REUNION
For more information
CLASS of 1991
30TH REUNION
More Details to Follow
