Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools

October 2017 Volume 3, Issue 2

The Monthly Update

PLANNING AHEAD

October 3

George Gross XC

Invitational at 4:00 p.m.

Meet the Board of

Education Candidates

Night, CH Village Hall

at 7:00 p.m.

October 4

Board of Education

Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

CVCC College Fair at

6:00 p.m.

October 7

Homecoming Dance in

HS Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m.

October 9

After Prom Meeting at

7:00 p.m.

October 11

PSAT (Grades 8-11)

and Senior Seminar

(12) during Periods 1-4

October 12

End of First Quarter

October 13

NEOEA Day, No

School

October 14

CH Community Corn

Roast at 4:00 p.m.

October 18

MS/HS Picture Re-

Take Day

October 19

Fall Choir and

Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m.

It may be October but summer is still holding on for dear life! Nevertheless,

pumpkin and apple spice are found in everything from lattes to Twinkies to hand

soap. The fall season will also take our students to the end of first semester and

from one co-curricular season to another. I am looking forward to the great

things our students will do in the upcoming weeks.

As most know by now, the Ohio Department of Education recently released the

2016-17 state report card. On the report card, districts and schools are rated with

letter grades in targeted categories that measure student achievement, student

growth and graduation rate, among other indicators. Allow me to state how very

proud I am of the efforts made by my students and teachers last spring. Our

significant improvements on the state report card in key areas such as student

growth and achievement were earned by very few districts across Ohio. In fact,

our Performance Index (Achievement) ranks us 39th out of 608 public schools

while our Value Added (Student Growth Prediction) Indicator ranks 59th,

overall. This is, in part, because of the support our families and communities

provide to our staff and students.

Although our results are outstanding, I must emphasize that our students are

more than just data points to be plotted, test scores to be plugged into equations,

or statistics to be assigned a letter grade. Our students are young people that not

only need to be educated as future leaders but also nurtured as valuable young

men and women. The relationships we build with our students as parents and

educators has a more profound influence on their future than the test scores they

produce.

We will always strive to improve, to be competitive, and to give our students

every opportunity to demonstrate their potential—not because it is best for a

report card but because it is best for our children. At Cuyahoga Heights, we

believe in the human element of education – we believe in our school. Thank you

for entrusting us with your children’s education.

Principal’s Message

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The Monthly Update

Helpful – To be helpful is to be of service. It is doing useful things for people, such

as things they cannot do for themselves, something they do not have time to do, or

just little things that make life easier.

This month, six students were recognized for demonstrating “helpfulness.” Those

students and their nominating teachers were:

Week of September 4—Maddie Krzynowek , nominated by Ms. Dragon

Week of September 11—Katarina Kiriazis, nominated by Mr. D’Orazio

Week of September 18—Lexi Baciak, nominated by Ms. Nolan

Week of September 25—Kyle Calvey, nominated by Mr. Martin

Week of October 2—Shayne Eaton, nominated by Mr. Rademaker

During September, high school student-athletes nominated by their coaches were recog-

nized as athletes of the week for excelling in athletic performance, leadership and

sportsmanship. Those student-athletes were:

Rachel Huff, Senior, Girls Golf

Alex Dean, Senior, Boys Golf

David Novak, Junior, Boys Cross Country

Sarah Kepchar, Junior, Volleyball

Lucas D’Orazio, Senior, Football

September Pride Tribe—Helpful

Athletes of the Week for September

Selected students in grades 6—12 were honored as being 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—Tabitha Spears

11th Grade—Lauren Adamo

10th Grade—Jordan Stefanko

9th Grade—Nolan Borowy

8th Grade—Zachary Bernstein

7th Grade—Sophia Janezic

6th Grade—Georgia Kattler

September Students of the Month

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The Monthly Update

On October 11, students in Grades 8 through 11 will take the PSAT during Periods 1-4

with a normal school day beginning fifth period. This assessment should be considered

a low-stakes test (except for those juniors pursuing the National Merit Competition),

intended only for us to determine what students authentically know on the college

readiness spectrum. The cost of the test for students is free.

Also on that day, we have planned an amazing Senior Seminar for our seniors. The

intention of the morning is to give Cuyahoga Heights seniors time and access to

individuals who can assist them in College and Career Readiness initiatives. We will

begin the day with John Michael, voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who will captivate

us with his journey toward his current position as the play-by-play announcer with the

Cavs.

Next, students will begin a three session College and Career Coaching experience.

College representatives from Cleveland State University, Baldwin Wallace University,

and Cuyahoga Community College will present college admittance information.

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Career Specialist, Mrs. Amy Hanratty, will be

available to assist students with updating their resumes or polishing their interviewing

language and skills.

School counselor, Mrs. Carolyn Douglas, will encourage seniors to utilize the Naviance

website: whether students are requesting a Letter of Recommendation from their

teacher, searching for national or regional scholarships, completing the Career Interest

Profile, or working on their college applications through The Common Application.

Finally, students will discover the opportunities and deadlines of Senior Project and

Graduation in May 2018 from the Class Advisors, Mrs. Sharon Seitz and Mr. David

Pesicka.

Note—Students in grades six and seven will have a normal academic day.

PSAT and Senior Seminar

Planning for Parent—Teacher Conferences

First Quarter grades will close on October 12. Because ongoing communication is so

important to a student's success in school, the faculty of Cuyahoga Heights Middle and

High Schools will be available for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, Novem-

ber 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Friday, November 3 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00

p.m. On the 3rd, Middle School and High School students will be released early from

school. Please consider attending conferences on one of these dates, especially if you

have questions or concerns about a particular subject or course.

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The Monthly Update

On Wednesday, October 4, the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) will host the

Cuyahoga Valley Consortium College Night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Over 100 col-

leges are expected to participate in this local college fair. College alumni or admissions

representatives provide information packets and are available to answer questions.

Nearly 3,000 students and parents typically attend this annual event.

This year, we will be inducting new students into NHS/NJHS in the fall rather than late

spring. In addition, NHS will now become an 11th— and 12th—grade organization

only while NJHS changes to grades 8 and 9 only. Eligible students have been notified

and the application process has begun. Here is a timeline of events and deadlines:

Applications Due—October 6

Tapping—October 27

Induction—November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Homecoming is right around the corner. Below is a list of all activities that accompany

this annual tradition.

Homecoming 2017

CVCC College Fair

Spirit Week MS & HS

10/2 - Monochromatic

(All One Color) Day

10/3 - Tourist Day

10/4 - Decades Day

10/5 - Athletes vs. Mathletes Day

10/6 - MEGA-Spirit Day

Pillar Decorating (Gr. 9-12)

10/4 - After School, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Voting for King & Queen (Gr. 9-12)

10/6 - During English Classes

Pep Rally & Queen/King Reveal (Gr. 6-12)

10/6 - 2:00 p.m.

Homecoming Game

10/6 - 7:00 p.m. vs. Fairport

Homecoming Ticket Sales

10/2 through 10/5 - $30 per ticket

Homecoming Dance (Gr. 9-12)

10/6 - Dance Decorating after School

10/7 - Dance, 7:00 p.m.

NHS/NJHS Fall Induction

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The Monthly Update

In early September, eighth grade students/families received information regarding the Washington,

D.C. Trip. The dates for the trip are March 21-23, 2018, which are adjacent to Spring Break. Here

is a summary of the trip:

Dates: March 21 – 23, 2018

Departure from CHMS: 6:30 a.m.

Return to CHMS: 9:00 p.m.

Management: Nowak Tour Company

Cost of Trip Includes:

Deluxe Mobile Coach

Eight (8) Meals

Panoramic Photo

Private Night Supervision

All Admissions

All Taxes and Gratuities

Online Trip Management

Hotel Information: Hyatt Place, 21481 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166, (703) 444-3909

Historical Monuments and Experiences:

Memorials – Iwo Jima, Air Force, Pentagon, WWII, Korea, Vietnam MLK, FDR,

Lincoln and Jefferson

Arlington National Cemetery – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Changing of the Guard

and JFK Gravesite

Smithsonian Museum – Air & Space, American History and Natural History

Holocaust Museum

National Archives

Gettysburg, PA

The first payment of $100 is due to Nowak Tours by October 13. The second payment of $100 is

due November 17. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Tartara or Nowak Tours.

8th Grade Trip - First Payment Due in October

Opportunities are available for seniors, student council members, and NHS or NJHS students

seeking community service hours. CHHS students are required to earn 60 hours for graduation.

By visiting the Cuyahoga Heights Schools website, clicking the “Guidance” tab and choosing the

“High School” link, students can find an updated list of community service events. If your senior

student has questions about his/her volunteer hours, please see a senior class advisor or guidance

counselor.

Please have students consider one of the upcoming volunteer opportunities:

Cuyahoga Heights Corn Roast

Towpath Marathon

Brooklyn Heights Scouts & Students for Seniors Leaf Raking Project

Brooklyn Heights Senior Chore Services

MetroHealth Volunteer Services

Community Service Hours - Volunteers Needed

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The Monthly Update

On September 7, ACT officially released test results to schools across the nation. As

you will notice, Cuyahoga Heights students once again earned scores that exceed

state average and national average. This continues to reflect the outstanding quality

of teaching, learning and parenting that takes place in our district. Congratulations

to all!

Note: What is College Readiness?—A benchmark score is the minimum score

needed on a subject-area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or

about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing

college courses.

ACT Results 2016-17

SUBJECT 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

English

School 22.8 22.9 22.4 21.4 21.3 22.1 22.7

State 21.2 21.2 21.4 21.4 21.2 21.1 21.1

Nation 20.3 20.1 20.4 20.3 20.2 20.5 20.6

Mathematics

School 24.6 24.0 23.5 23.0 23.0 22.3 24.2

State 21.6 21.6 21.7 21.7 21.5 21.5 21.5

Nation 20.7 20.6 20.8 20.9 20.9 21.1 21.1

Reading

School 24.3 23.6 24.2 22.6 21.6 23.2 23.6

State 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.4 22.2 22.1 22.1

Nation 21.4 21.3 21.4 21.3 21.1 21.3 21.3

Science

School 23.6 23.0 23.5 22.0 21.7 22.5 23.4

State 22.0 22.0 22.1 22.0 21.8 21.8 21.8

Nation 21.0 20.8 20.9 20.8 20.7 20.9 20.9

Composite

School 23.9 23.5 23.5 22.4 22.1 22.7 23.6

State 22.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 21.8 21.8 21.8

Nation 21.0 20.8 21.0 21.0 20.9 21.1 21.1

College Readi-

ness Percent

(All 4 Areas)*

School 47 51 * Benchmarks

English: 18

Mathematics: 22

Biology: 23

Social Science: 22

State 33 33

Nation 26 26

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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.

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 will also offer 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.

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

October 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 September 23-October 6, 2017 November 14, 2017

December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 4-17, 2017 December 21, 2017

Upcoming SAT Test Dates and Deadlines

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration SAT Scores Available

November 4, 2017 October 6, 2017 October 20, 2017 November 23, 2017

December 2, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 17, 2017 December 21, 2017

Cuyahoga Heights Schools

4820 71st Street

Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125

Phone: 216-429-5700

Fax: 216-341-3737

E-mail: myoung@cuyhts.org

The mission of the Cuyahoga Heights Schools is to provide a safe, secure, and

nurturing learning environment that graduates students who are college and

career ready, are critical thinkers, are culturally aware, and are prepared to

be successful citizens of the 21st century.

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

In mid-September, Mrs. Douglas conducted one-on-one meetings with senior students. During those meetings,

the following information was discussed and distributed to students: Records Release Form, Activity Survey,

College Application Processing Request Form, Common Application Schools, Naviance, College Visitation

Form, ACT/SAT Information and Selective Service Information. In addition, members of the junior class also

register with the Naviance program to begin the college planning process. All junior and senior students have

been assigned the task of completing a “Career Interest Inventory” by the end of January. Further, senior

students should check Naviance frequently for information on local, regional and national scholarships as they

become available.

Also, representatives from several colleges and universities will be present to meet with students throughout

the year. If interested, students should contact Mrs. Mudra in the Guidance Office. This month’s schedule is

as follows:

October 2—Wilmington College, 9:15 a.m.

October 4—University of Dayton, 10:00 a.m.

October 5—Notre Dame College, 11:39 a.m.

October 6—Slippery Rock University, 10:51 a.m.

October 9—Bowling Green State University, 10:45 a.m.

October 11—Baldwin Wallace University, 8:45 a.m.

October 11—Cuyahoga Community College, 9:15 a.m.

October 11—Cleveland State University, 10:00 a.m.

October 11—Walsh University, 12:15 p.m.

October 17—Central State University, 11:39 a.m.

October 19—Wright State University, 10:45 a.m.

October 24—University of Cincinnati, 12:15 p.m.

November 6—Heidelberg University, 12:15 p.m.

News from HS Guidance

Empowering students to reach new

HEIGHTS! Cuyahoga Heights

Local School District

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