The Heights Magazine - May 2020

T S H T G I I G E ER H

R

MAY 202 0

A Publication for Tiger Nation

S

AROUND THE WORLD

ON THE COVER | The grand prize winning art piece appearing on the

IN THIS ISSUE

cover is by Heights High student Fiona Macke, grade 11, titled after the theme

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

4 | Alumni Say Travel Around the World was Life-Changing

7 | Tigers Living Around the World

Heights students have traveled around the globe, and visiting students have made lasting connections while visiting Cleveland Heights. In fact, some students even found love.

8 | Homecoming Weekend – Tiger Nation Shows Up in Record Numbers

“Tigers Around the World.” Fiona was awarded a $250 cash prize and her original art piece earned a permanent place in the Historic Archives.

14 | District News and Updates 18 | Shark Tank Classroom Grants 20 | Historic Archives Update 22 | Reunion Info 23 | Art Contest Winners

Community members, students and families, local businesses and alumni came together to celebrate our schools. This weekend of activities is growing each year!

10 | Tiger Tales of Serendipity Coincidence - or fate? Tigers are there when you need them, in the most unexpected places. Read these tales of tigers who connected across generations to find another Heights graduate, just when they needed it the most.

12 | Golden Tigers Reunion – Our Elder Tigers Luncheon

4

10

A wonderful gathering of Golden Tigers took place in the Fall. To be a “Golden Tiger” you must have already celebrated your 50th Heights Reunion - Class of 1969 and earlier, we’re talking about you!

MAY 2020 | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 2

EDITORS Julianna Johnston Senturia ’87 Executive Director Heights Schools Foundation JJS@heightsschoolsfoundation.org

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Betsy Friedlander ’90 Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91 Vivian Gatta Joy Henderson Abbie Sender

Cathan Cavanaugh Supervisor of Communications

Charlie Swift ’14

CH-UH City School District c_cavanaugh@chuh.org

Drew Dallet, Boom Creative

DESIGN BY www.boom-creative.com

STAY CONNECTED TO CHUH CHUH.org Twitter @CHUHschools YouTube @CHUHschools Facebook @CHUH Instagram @CHUHschools ALUMNI INQUIRY 216-397-3871 BOARD OF EDUCATION 216-371-7171

STAY CONNECTED TO HSF Twitter

@HSFoundation1

YouTube @HeightsSchoolsFoundation Facebook @HeightsFoundation Instagram @HeightsSchoolsFoundation Read The Heights Magazine online at HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org.

To comment or change an address, please email info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org or call 216-397-3871.

The Heights Magazine is published two times a year and is a joint project of the Heights Schools Foundation and the CH-UH City School District.

8

THE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION LOOKING BACK HELPS US SEE WHERE WE ARE HEADING We’re living in challenging times, between extended school closures, ‘stay at home’ orders and quarantines, it can be hard to see when things might return to some sense of ‘normal’. At the publishing of this issue, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools are closed, and we know that our educators are working hard to keep the learning going in every way they can.

Luckily, we are all adjusting quickly, and at Heights Schools Foundation, we’re working from home offices to find new and improved ways to connect - even when we can’t bring people together in person. As you probably know, we’ve had to cancel events this spring and some reunions are being rescheduled.

To stay in touch and learn about updates to events and more, find us on Twitter @HSFoundation1, Facebook @HeightsFoundation, and Instagram @HeightsSchoolsFoundation. You can receive our monthly E-News by sending a quick email to info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org, or by updating your contact information on our website.

This year’s seniors at Heights, the Class of 2020, are especially

Heights Schools Foundation Trustees PRESIDENT Dr. Susan D. Carver ’78 VICE PRESIDENT Steven Haynie ’91 TREASURER Meghan Zehnder McMahon ’90

on our minds. We know they are resilient and will be ready to graduate, but we also know how disappointed they are missing out on spring sports and other traditions we all remember from senior year. We’ll be placing a commemorative engraved brick in the front yard of Heights to mark the moment for this class. Further, we hope to increase the number of scholarships available to these seniors. If you’d like to join us in making

SECRETARY Peter Shriver ’90

a special gesture for these

Rachael Collyer ’11 Adam Fried ’87 Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91 Tiffany Somerville Glaspy ’90 Dan Heintz ’85 Timothy Jones ’92 Elizabeth Kirby, Superintendent Hank Kornblut ’81 Ed Long ’89 Laura Schwartz Loebl ’87 Shanice Settle ’06 Margaret Rothschild Slesnick ’79 Kelly Thomas ’83 Charles Turnbo ’08 Mike Weissman ’52

consider a gift to support

graduating seniors, please these efforts by visiting HeightsSchoolsFoundation. org. Join us in welcoming this class into the ranks of over 55,000 alumni!

We’re set up to keep Tiger Nation connected!

Reach us at info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org

heights Alumni Say... “ Travel Around the World was Life-Changing” Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91

JACOB DIJKSTRA class of 1964

Jaap (Jacob) Dijkstra traveled nearly four thousand miles to fall in love on a football field. It was August 1963, when the exchange student from the Netherlands went to his first marching band practice. There, across the field, he saw Heights High senior Rosa Shifrin. “It was love at first sight,” he says, laughing. But it’s not a joke, because the two 1964 graduates, whose daughters graduated from Heights High in the 90s and whose grandsons are currently at Roxboro Elementary School, have been married for nearly 50 years.

4

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

sam klein

martin johannessen

Chilean exchange student Octavio Zapata, Class of 1986, also fell in love during his time at Heights High.

Instead of ending up stateside, his girlfriend Martha Thompson flew down to Santiago over winter vacation after her first semester in college and never left. The two live in Chile and have five children.

But Heights High’s longstanding exchange program leads to more than just marriages. “It was completely life-changing,” said 1985 graduate Sam Klein, who spent the summer before senior year in Costa Rica despite not speaking Spanish. His host family only had one request for their assigned student: that he not be tall. When 6’4” Sam met his very short family, they were certain there’d been a mistake!

But the experience opened up a whole new world to him. He majored in Spanish, taught it overseas, married a Korean woman, and raised his children speaking Spanish at home and French at school outside Washington D.C. “It is exactly what A.F.S. hopes for.”

Martin Johannessen spent the 1988-89 school year at Heights High, returning again in 1996 when the economy in his native country of Denmark went downhill. He thought he’d get a job and stay for a few years but then he met Diana Cox “in true Cleveland Heights style” at Brennan’s Colony. The high school classmates, both Class of 1989, are now married and living in Cleveland Heights with their three children.

class of 1985

1988-89

MAY 2020

5

adrienne yelsky class of 1964

Heights High boasts one of the oldest American Field Service programs in the country and has also welcomed students from other programs over the years. There are currently ten foreign exchange students at Heights, hailing from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

Adrienne Yelsky, parent of Heights graduates and a former teacher and A.F.S. adviser, has hosted sixteen exchange students over the years. Twelve have returned to Cleveland to visit and she’s been to see them in Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Argentina, and four in Chile.

“These kids just keep coming back,” said Yelsky. One former exchange student was headed from Uruguay to Oregon and said he’d only go by way of Cleveland! “I’m not going to the U.S. without seeing my host mom.”

Miles & janine walker class of 2007 & 2011

Carla Bailey, the Cluster Coordinator for all of A.F.S.’ Muslim students, was a single mom when her son Miles Walker came home from Mrs. Yelsky’s class at Heights and announced he wanted to go to Japan.

“I thought it was ridiculous,” she said. But he was persistent and she relented. He came home from his summer studying Japanese “a changed kid. It built so much confidence in him.”

Then they started hosting. “I figured we might as well make this program diverse,” said Bailey, who is African American. She’s hosted twenty exchange students in the years since and sent her daughter Janine Walker to Thailand for 11th grade. “We’ve always loved adventure but A.F.S. took it to a different level.” She and her children have visited their exchange students in Morocco, Mozambique, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Janine, who finished Heights in 2011 and is now getting her Masters in London, even has a baby named after her in Thailand. “A.F.S. opened up the world to them.”

6

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO YOU’LL FIND A HEIGHTS TIGER! Rabbi Levi Lauer

Marian Bontempo

“ I have lived in Israel since 1976, first in Jerusalem, the last few years in Qesariya… My concern for making social justice a priority of Jewish devotion led to founding ATZUM-Justice Works (ATZUM.org) in 2002... I have two daughters and grandchildren.”

“ I am presently a producer/director for BBC News in London, England.

However, I also worked for CBS “60 Minutes” in London covering their stories in Europe, eastern Europe and Asia; for ABC News in London; and another British television network.

As a TV journalist I have been able to travel much of the world and had the privilege of going behind the scenes and meeting extraordinary people and hopefully made a difference along the way.”

(AKA Larry) Class of ’63 ~ Israel

Kenna Roberts Class of ’88 ~ England

“ For the last 15 years I’ve worked for T. Rowe Price. The first three years in Baltimore and then I moved with them to head up EMEA Marketing in their London office. I met my husband here ten years ago and we have an eight year old son... Living in London has been brilliant with a rich diversity of cultures, lots of great travel and amazing foods from every country imaginable.”

Leslie Bishko Class of ’79 - Canada

“ I moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1993 as a PhD student researching animation and dance, and am now an Associate Professor of Animation at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, teaching filmmaking, storytelling, character development and movement... I love Vancouver’s natural environment and cultural offerings.”

Class of ’72 ~ England

Prof. Itzhak Rosner Class of ’67 ~ Israel

“ I am officially retired... but in fact I’m working full time, as a private consultant and a senior physician in the department of rheumatology at the Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, a department I created in 1988, and headed for 3 decades, one of only 2 inpatient rheumatology units in Israel. We enjoy our 5 children and 10 grandchildren.”

Beata Wiggin

Class of ’73 ~ Germany & The Netherlands “ I’m living half of the week in Duesseldorf, Germany and Almere, The Netherlands... nearing retirement in my job as personal assistant to renowned German literary author and filmmaker Alexander Kluge.”

Ada Pesch

Thalia (Cathy) Perry

“ I’m still living and working in Zurich as Concertmaster of Philharmonia Zurich. I go to Cleveland at least twice a year to visit... Every year 1979 classmates Julie Franklin and Katy Logan (now Rundquist) come to visit me in Zurich.”

“ Along with teaching music, I teach yoga, pilates and as you see here, AcroYoga (acrobatic yoga under the name “AcroDuOM”). The mountains in the background are the french alps near Evian (you might know the mineral water).”

Class of ’79 ~ Switzerland

Class of ’78 - Switzerland

MAY 2020

7

HOMECOMING WRAP-UP Homecoming has long been a tradition on high school and college campuses across the country, celebrating students past and present. We know that Tiger Pride runs deep, so in the Heights, we make our own tradition. We are alumni and students, but we are also community members, families, business owners, educators and support staff.

Heights Schools Foundation recognizes this and is proud to have once again sponsored our Community and Alumni Homecoming Weekend 2019. Events kicked off Friday night when more than 1,000 parade participants marched down Lee Road and entertained spectators with chants, music, dancing and floats. This year’s parade winner was a tie between the Transportation Department and Boulevard Elementary School.

Parade on-lookers lined the streets and gathered at our ‘Family Rock the Block’ party, featuring games, snacks, spirit decor and music by Heights Alum Jettie Lee. Others watched from the pre-game party at alumni-owned The Wine Spot. Local merchants throughout the Heights

offered specials and discounts and many featured Tiger Nation IPA, brewed exclusively for HOCO19 by alumniowned Market Garden Brewery.

In the sold-out Crawford Stadium, the Bedford Bearcats were no match for our mighty Tigers on the varsity football field as they easily triumphed to a 39-6 victory. Older alumni and community members celebrated at alumni-owned The Social Room. The following day was complete with a community open house and tours of the High School, where the class of ‘89 celebrated their 30th reunion.

The success of HOCO19 would not be possible without the generosity and support from the CH-UH City School District, our local law enforcement agencies, city officials, local merchants, alumni and community volunteers. As we continue to build our own traditions, may the R.O.A.R. of Tiger Nation be heard throughout The Land! Save the date for next year’s #HOCO2020, October 16-17, which will include new ‘virtual’ ways to connect.

Betsy Friedlander ’90

TIGER NATION SHOWS UP IN RECORD NUMBERS

ROAR HOMECOMING WEEKEND

OCTOBER 11-12, 2019

8

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

THANK YOU TO OUR CELEBRITY PARADE JUDGES KATHY BLACKMAN ’86 Hall of Famer & Grog Shop/B-Side owner

J.R. BREMER ’97 Hall of Fame member & Coach

LARRY HOON Legendary Wrestling Coach

LIZ KIRBY Superintendent

R MAY 2020

9

Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91

Class of ’88

Sean Sullivan

10

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

Class of ’83

Adam Fleischer

T

igers, Tigers Everywhere. It’s the theme of this issue and it plays out for many of us in real life. For Sean Sullivan, class of 1988, finding fellow Tigers came at a life and death moment. The CH-UH teacher was struggling with unexplained fatigue and lack of energy in 2014. He had visited ten doctors, each one unable to pinpoint the cause of his ailments.

But Sullivan, who relayed this story when he was inducted into the Heights High Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018, was persistent, visiting doctor after doctor and specialist after specialist.

And finally, one diagnosed him with a rare and nearly undetectable cancer. And that doctor, “the one who saved my life when no one else could,” was none other than Eric Shapiro, class of 1975.

But the story doesn’t end there. A year and a half later, Sullivan required a second surgery and as he was being wheeled into the operating room on a gurney, a voice said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Sullivan. We got you.”

Turns out this medical technician was a former first grade student of Sullivan’s at Oxford School.

Now cancer-free, Sullivan, the science specialist at Gearity Professional Development School (formerly Belvoir) says these two men “are in my own personal Heights High Hall of Fame.”

But for Adam Fleischer, class of 1983 it was a flash of green in the desert that he will never forget. The then 19-year old Air Force medic was stationed in Del Rio, Texas after graduating from Heights in 1983.

“It was like being on the moon,” Fleischer says of the extremely remote pilot training base he suddenly called home. “I had come from this wonderful city and was now stuck in the middle of nowhere. I hadn’t seen my family in over a year and was completely miserable.”

Far from what he’d expected to be doing as a medic, Fleischer spent his days and nights delivering the babies of the wives of newly married pilots. When the regular physician went on vacation, the Air Force brought in a temporary colonel from another base for a two-week shift. As Fleischer prepared for yet another delivery, in walked this new physician, wearing scrubs, sneakers, and a white t-shirt emblazoned with the classic City of Cleveland Heights logo, tree branches growing out of a green “CH”.

Like an oasis in the desert, Fleischer glimpsed a touch of home. Despite the difference in their rank (“I was a one-striper,” he says, “and shouldn’t have even spoken to a colonel”) the two Heights grads shared an instant connection, spending the next two weeks reminiscing about home.

“He was as happy to see me as I was to see him. It still brings tears to my eyes.”

Adam Fleischer would love to remember the name of the Colonel who wore the Cleveland Heights t-shirt that he met in Texas just to say ‘thanks.’ Can you help us find out who it is? Send any information to info@heightsschoolfoundation.org.

Other Tiger Interactions...

...might not save lives, but they can certainly make days. Carol Caddy Pundai, class of 1966, works out regularly in a gym near her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One day she was checking in when the physiologist behind the desk looked at her t-shirt and asked, “What Heights?”

“Oh, it’s in Ohio,” she said barely looking up. “Ok, WHAT Heights?” he repeated, because this was

Joe Gatz, class of 1987. The two had gone to the same junior high, sledded on the same hills, and even shared the same Latin teacher.

Gabe Schaeffer, class of 1994, had a similar experience when he met a fellow Tiger through a work project in Boston. They discovered that Schaeffer and his family now live on the very street where this man had spent his childhood.

MAY 2020

11

EVENTS WRAP-UP

GoldenTIGERS REUNION 2019: A WONDERFUL DAY OF TIGER PRIDE

On Friday, October 25th, 2019 the Landerhaven Ballroom was full with our Golden Tigers (alumni who have already celebrated their 50th class reunion). Heights graduates spent the afternoon catching up over Caldrons, drinks and great food! Taking a break from her busy schedule, we were fortunate to have CH-UH City Schools Superintendent Liz Kirby stop by to meet with this special group of alumni and offer remarks on the state of the schools. Also in attendance, long-time educator and alum, Mark Sack provided the key note address and Q&A from attendees.

12

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

SPECIAL THANKS TO Mike Weissman ’52, Larry Shaw ’66 and Sherrie Duerr ’64 for working with the Foundation to create such a memorable afternoon. As we look forward to our 4th Golden Tigers Reunion in 2020, we welcome any alumni who would like to help spread the word and suggest vitural plans as we continue to grow this meaningful event.

Please email info@HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org if you are interested.

MAY 2020

13

DISTRICT NEWS EARLY CHILDHOOD

Noble Preschool Earns Five-Star Rating The preschool program at Noble Elementary School has once again been awarded a five-star rating by the Ohio Department of Education’s Step Up To Quality division.

Step Up To Quality is a tiered rating system created to recognize and promote early learning programs that meet quality standards over and above basic licensing requirements.

“Noble Preschool’s many highlights include its implementation of Conscious Discipline and high-quality classroom space, which was prepared intentionally to meet students’ individual needs,” said Early Childhood Specialist Danielle Foran. “I am thrilled to see that the hard work and ingenuity of our early childhood educators is noticed and valued.”

BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY Boulevard Receives Momentum Award

Boulevard Principal Mike Jenkins likes the word “momentum.” “It shows that we’re on our way to our goal and, even if we haven’t made it yet, we’re enthusiastic—and strategic—about getting there.”

Boulevard Elementary School is indeed enthusiastic and strategic about reaching their goals and has been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education with a Momentum Award. This honor was given to schools across the state who earned all A’s in every applicable subgroup of the Value Added categories, which include all students, gifted students, students with disabilities, and students in the lowest 20% of achievement.

Mr. Jenkins attributes his school’s significant success to the hard work and dedication of his teaching staff. “This is the fruits of their labor,” he said. “I’m their cheerleader and I give feedback and set policy, but this is their victory.”

CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY

FAIRFAX ELEMENTARY

Students at Canterbury know a thing or two about synesthesia, or more specifically, chromaesthesia—seeing colors or shapes while listening to music. The school practices Mindful Music every morning and students are often encouraged to close their eyes, let their minds wander, and “picture” the music.

They recently had an opportunity to put this skill, and their knowledge of classical music and mixed media art forms, to good work under the guidance of art teacher Holly Spooner. Students in grades 2 through 5 created visual images to accompany the Cleveland Suburban Symphony Orchestra’s Concert for Families at the Maltz Performing Arts Center on December 8th, 2019. The Orchestra managed to project each image on a screen behind the musicians either during the performance or during intermission.

Mindy Hamilton’s special education class led a building-wide initiative to collect postcards from every state in the country. Hamilton and fellow teachers promoted the initiative using social media to connect with friends and sent students home with flyers so that their families could do the same.

The whole school cheered when new states were announced over the PA system each morning and everyone enjoyed walking down the hallway that displayed the growing collection. It took a couple of months to complete the mission but by the end, students had covered every state many times over including Washington, D.C. and about thirty foreign nations.

Comparing geography and facts about populations across the country, students eagerly awaited the arrival of each day’s mail, always hoping to check a state off of their master list. The nation’s first official state, Delaware, proved the most elusive. “The first state was the last to come,” said student Miriam, with a touch of irony in her voice.

Canterbury Creates Art for Symphony Orchestra

14

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

Fairfax Students Collect Postcards from Every State

DISTRICT NEWS GEARITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL

NOBLE & OXFORD ELEMENTARY

Students at Gearity have the opportunity to become actual scientists, from ecologists and meteorologists, to paleontologists and engineers, twice each week when they visit their building’s science lab. Students further embraced those professional roles in their Capstone Presentations, a thrice-yearly event that allows students to “show what they know” and caps off the first trimester’s worth of learning, especially in the areas of science and English language arts. As parents and community members visited the classrooms, students made individual presentations highlighting what they’ve learned in specific topic areas.

Fifth graders Amiah Lackey and Demi Hill felt they gained a deeper understanding for their topics than they would have with a traditional textbook or worksheet. “When you’re doing worksheets, you’re just putting words down on the paper,” said Amiah. “It’s better with the project because you can actually see all of it and see all of it,” said Demi.

Fifth grade classrooms from Oxford and Noble Elementary came together to celebrate culture in an Early American styled feast. The idea came about as Mrs. Beckles, Ms. Marbury, and Mrs. Maric got together to co-plan the 2nd Unit of their Social Studies curriculum. Perfectly timed with the holiday season, these teachers saw an amazing opportunity to bring their classrooms together to celebrate the conclusion of Unit 2 and help the soon-to-be middle schoolers get to know each other.

Students conducted research to create recipe cards and shared them with parents to cook an Early American themed dish to be celebrated at the class lunch. From tamales and homemade donuts to an array of desserts, the food was plentiful.

“Academic learning doesn’t always have to happen in a classroom behind a textbook,” says Mrs. Maric, “it is so important that students experience hands-on learning and creative instructional lessons.

ROXBORO ELEMENTARY

MONTICELLO & ROXBORO MIDDLE

Gearity Students Present STEM Capstone Projects

First Graders at Roxboro Elementary Study the Sun What can you learn just by sitting outside on a sunny day? Quite a lot, according to Kim Bischof’s 1st graders at Roxboro Elementary School after completing a science unit called The Sun is our Principal Source of Energy.

After observing close-up images of the sun, the students came up with a long list of questions and “wonderings.” They wanted to know what the sun is made of, how hot it is, how big it is, how far away from earth it is, and whether they could touch it.

Students conducted an experiment where they placed three cups outside in the sunlight on a mild day; one cup with water, one with soil, and one with air (i.e., an empty cup).

They learned how to read a thermometer and recorded the starting temperatures of each, returning each hour to record additional data points and eventually graphing their results. They were impressed with how quickly the temperatures rose in all three cups and how quickly they decreased when moved back into the classroom.

After exploring everything from how plants and animals rely on the sun’s light and heat to how their black shirts get hotter to the touch than their white socks, students culminated their unit by drawing and labeling a natural cycle that is impacted by the sun.

5th Graders Celebrate Early American Civilizations

Students Propose Green Infrastructure Solutions

We’ve all seen it: puddles of water gathering around the clogged drains in our driveways, rivulets of water running down the sidewalks, and standing water pooling in our yards.

That’s stormwater runoff and it’s a problem. 7th grade students in Lee Ann Chambers and Sarah Cusick’s science classes at Monticello and Christine Smrdel and Joshua Luton’s at Roxboro have solutions.

The students began their Earth’s Water unit by visiting the Cleveland MetroParks’ Watershed Stewardship Center to better understand stormwater runoff and explore green infrastructure options to lessen its impact. Students priced out the options, from installation of permeable pavers in their parking lots to planting and maintaining rain gardens in front of their schools, sketched prototypes of their ideas, designed 3D models on top of GoogleEarth images of their buildings, created slideshows detailing their proposals, and presented them to their classmates, teachers, and guests from the Board of Education.

MAY 2020

15

DISTRICT NEWS HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

DELISLE OPTIONS CENTER

Students at Heights High School have the opportunity to take a wide variety of elective courses. Students can enroll in electives that grow their passions, advance their future careers, or expand their world view.

The @akiva scholars-in-residence program recently sponsored a visit from nationally acclaimed educator, actress, playwright, and teaching artist Susan Stein. Ms. Stein visited Heights High on January 15 and 16, meeting with College Credit Plus Creative Writing and College Composition classes, Honors World History classes, and the Minority Student Achievement Network.

Ms. Stein introduced students to firsthand accounts of both the Holocaust and slavery, opening the door to myriad questions, comments, and observations. Many of the teens were excited to read diary entries from people other than Anne Frank, in what Ms. Stein refers to as “history that has previously been hidden from us.”

Ms. Stein emphasized the fact that the diaries students read were written in the moment while the true horrors of the Holocaust were not yet known. Michael, a Heights High student, was struck by this idea and captured the sense of suspense and growing dread he felt while reading the diaries by saying “It felt like there was a bomb under the table waiting to go off but only I knew it was there.”

The Delisle Options Center celebrated its 8th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon this holiday season. Students, families, and building staff gathered around a virtual fireplace to share a moment of community and partake in a holiday meal potluck style.

Each student was encouraged to bring in a dish or dessert to be served at the luncheon.

Mr. Holland carried on his yearly tradition of deep-frying six whole turkeys for the event.

Fred Walker, from the district’s IT Department, brought in his famous sweet potato casserole. Students and parent volunteers decorated the event space and graciously served food to all of the guests. Dr. Brian Williams, Options Center Coordinator, feels this annual event is a great way to continuously “engage families in school and learning.”

Students Read Holocaust Diaries With Susan Stein

LET’S SHOW THE CLASS OF 2020 HOW MUCH WE CARE This year’s seniors at Heights, the Class of 2020, are especially on our minds. Heights staff are working hard to ensure that kids are on track. They are resilient and will be ready to graduate, but we also know how disappointed they are about missing out on spring sports and other traditions we take for granted from senior year.

More than ever, these graduating seniors need help with scholarships. The Heights Schools Foundation will increase the number of scholarships available to these students this year with your help. Join us in welcoming the Class of 2020 into the ranks of over 55,000 alumni by making a gift today. Visit www.heightsschoolsfoundation.org or use the envelope found in this magazine.

16

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

Students Celebrate Thanksgiving with Annual Potluck

PLease

take your

and furnish the future

SeAt

The historically restored 1926 Heights High Auditorium, known as the Dina Rees Evans Center for the Performing Arts, is a careful blend of traditional decorative details with new sound and lighting technology. We welcome the community in for events and performances, and now, we invite you in to place a memory in this beautiful theater.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTS ALL OF THE WORK OF THE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INCLUDING TARGETED GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS THAT HELP KIDS THRIVE! YES! I WOULD LIKE AN ENGRAVED DECORATIVE METAL PLATE Name________________________________________ Class of____________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________ Email_____________________________________________

Producer $1,000

Director $500

Patron $400

Artist $300

Understudy $300

Extras $250

PLEASE FILL IN DESIRED TEXT. SPACES AND PUNCTUATION ARE CONSIDERED CHARACTERS.

Mail your donation to: Heights Schools Foundation - 2155 Miramar Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118 or make your donation online at: HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org

DEADLINE TO PURCHASE COMMEMORATIVE PLATES IS AUGUST 7, 2020 TO BE PLACED FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND MAY 2020

17

(Left to right) Winning teachers for Boulevard Elementary: Sherri Bellini, Laura Preston ’95, Julie Walker ’96

YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK Classroom Enrichment Engages Students

H

eights Schools Foundation awarded more than twenty classroom enrichment grants totaling $11,055 at its Annual ‘Height Shark Tank’ event. Each year, brave staff volunteer to participate in this pitch competition for funding, while also sharing great ideas and best practices with colleagues across the district’s ten school buildings. The staff win grants, but the real winners are the more than 2,000 students served through the program. The event is possible thanks to generous donations from Rox Arts in Tiger Nation: A Creative Arts and Sciences Fund of the Heights Schools Foundation, the Class of 1970 in honor of their 50th reunion, as well as many alumni and other supporters.

With much creativity and ingenuity, teachers districtwide pitched ideas to our “sharks”, a savvy three-judge panel composed of CHUH Board Member Malia Lewis, CHUH 21st Century Grant Coordinator Meghan Zehnder McMahon, ’90 and New Heights Coordinator Steve Walker, ’94.

Enrichment programs, materials and events engage kids, just like they did when you were a student - that’s

18

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

why it is so important. Grants supported study abroad to Costa Rica and cultural events for Chinese New Year that expand opportunity and open minds. Funded programs to enhance life-skill curriculum included: “Do It Yourself” building kits for Roxboro Middle students with moderate to intensive disabilities to hone fine-motor skills and a cooking project for multi-handicapped students at the High School to augment culinary skills and nutrition knowledge. Another High School grant supported a marketing class’s attendance at the CAVS’ Annual DECA Career Day to gain exposure to behind-thescenes business models. Boulevard Elementary received funding to bring calming materials and techniques into classrooms that build community. Creative arts and science projects included supporting Gearity School’s investment in providing all students with access to Ozoabots, little robots that blend the physical and digital worlds and teach kids programming.

To make a difference for students today, please consider making an investment that will last a lifetime.

ANNUAL FUND

(Left) Monticello Art Educators Angelique Troy and Martha Bayliss pitch community garden project. (Middle) Heights High Marketing Educator Sarah Parker. (Right) Tammy Heldon with the wiggle stool.

(Left to r ight) ‘Sharks’ Panel of Judges: Meghan Zehnder McMahon ’90, Steve Walker ’94, CH-UH Board Member Malia Lewis

Tammy Heldman makes a pitch for ‘wiggle stools’ for her active students at Gearity.

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

MAY 2020

19

S MEMORIiE y r o t s H t & Importan S

by Abbie Sender

In Celebration...

of our success in organizing and preserving precious items, you’ll find a look back in time through photos of the front pages of May Black & Gold issues across the decades.

20

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

MAY 2020

21

REUNION INFO CLASS OF 1999

CLASS OF 1968

SAVE THE DATE FOR TIGER GATHERINGS! Upcoming Reunion Information

Due to the evolving situation, please visit the reunion page at HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org for updated information or email betsy@heightsschoolsfoundation.org with any questions.

CLASS OF 1978

CLASS of JAN. & JUNE 1960

CLASS of 1971

August 14, 2020 Evening Meet & Greet

More Details to Follow

August 15, 2020 Dinner

CLASS of 1975

60TH REUNION August 14-16, 2020

For more information

Alan Goodman Email agoodman@aiglaw.com CLASS OF 1988

Sharon Leiberman Levey Email shrnlev@aol.com

CLASS of 1965

55TH REUNION Reunion Postponed Until 2022 for the 75th Birthday Reunion For more information

Elaine Silver Email esilverrn@roadrunner.com Web clevelandheights65.com

CLASS of 1970

50TH REUNION Reunion Postponed Until 2021 More Details to Follow

50TH REUNION October 8-9, 2021

45TH REUNION Reunion Canceled

CLASS of 1980

40TH REUNION Labor Day Weekend 2020 For more information Facebook facebook.com/chhs80 Web chhsreunion.net

CLASS of 1990

30TH REUNION Reunion Postponed to Homecoming Weekend October 16-18, 2020 For more information Facebook ../groups/chhclassof1990 Email chhs1990reunion@gmail.com

For more information

CLASS OF 1989

Enid Gurney Email enidgurney7@gmail.com

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION TRAVIS KELCE CLASS OF 2008

Planning a Reunion Event?

Update us on the details for future publications and our website. Send a note to info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org.

CLASS OF 2008

22

THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE

If you are the contact for your graduating class or reunion committee, email info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org We often receive requests to reach out to other classes to consider combining years for reunions.

Thalia Lisowski, Grade 10

Fiona Macke, Grade 11

Arianna Richards, Grade 11

This winter, current Heights High art students were invited to submit entries for consideration for a cover art contest. We enjoyed seeing the range of interpretation of the theme and art forms including oil paint, pastels, multi-media and digital imaging. We’re grateful for the collaboration of Heights teachers Laura Skehan and Sarah Perz. We congratulate all those who entered and celebrate the talent of current Heights students, including top prize winners (above), and all those earning honorable mention (below).

Lydia Maicki, Grade 11

Bidya Rai, Grade 11

Malique Mauldin, Grade 12

Arden Lindberg, Grade 11

Simone Beard, Grade 12

Shifra Zonana, Grade 11

Hayden Connor-Kuntz, Grade 12

Amanda Long, 11th Grade

John Jackson, 11th Grade

Adele Dooner, Grade 11

MAY 2020

23

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 4114

2155 Miramar Boulevard University Heights, Ohio 44118 HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org

SAVE THE DATE FOR #HOCO2020

ROAR OCTOBER 16-17, 2020

We are planning many news ways to come together around Homecoming Weekend, including easy ways to connect virtually and digitally whether we can be together in person or not.