Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools

April, 2017 Volume 2, Issue 8

The Monthly Update

PLANNING AHEAD

April 3

NHS Application

Deadline

April 5

Board of Education

Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

April 10

Athletic Booster Club

Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

April 11

Job Shadow Day for

Juniors

George Gross

Invitational at 4:30

p.m.

Puerto Rico Trip

Parent Meeting at 6:00

p.m.

April 14

Spring Break Begins

April 24

Classes Resume

April 26

Board of Education

Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

April 27

CVCC New Students

Orientation at 11:15

a.m.

Music Booster Solo

Recital at 7:00 p.m.

April 29

Annual Cuyahoga

Relays at 10:00 a.m.

Happy April Cuyahoga Heights School’s Families! We have entered the final quarter of the

school year and the pace is picking up once again. In addition to spring sports competitions

hitting full stride, this is a particularly critical time for academics. The months of April and

May signify Ohio and AP Testing that both have influence on the future of our students.

As you are aware, Ohio students are required to take grade-level and subject area tests in

English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. State achievement tests

tell us how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s

Learning Standards. These tests help guide and strengthen future teaching so we can be sure

that we are preparing our students for long-term success in school, college, careers and life.

Test results also allow citizens to know how their local schools are performing compared to

others around the state.

For high school students in the Class of 2018 and beyond, per Ohio high school graduation

requirements, students must take high school end-of-course tests in English Language Arts I

and II, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, American History and American

Government. Scores on these tests are counted for graduation point requirements and to

determine college and career readiness.

In addition, students in grades 3 through 8 take subject area tests based on grade-level. Our

Middle School students will take tests in Social Studies (Grade 6), Science (Grade 8),

English Language Arts (Grades 6, 7, 8) and Mathematics (Grades 6, 7, 8).

Further, students who participate in the AP Program take summative tests in May. Students

who score a 3 or higher (out of 5) on an AP exam may be eligible for college credit based on

institution criteria. AP scores are recognized by both public and private colleges and

universities.

Cuyahoga Heights is committed to providing targeted instruction that gives students the

skills necessary to apply their knowledge effectively for the purpose of academic

achievement and growth. Prior to the administering of the 2016-17 assessments, all students

will be provided skills-based test prep based on data provided from last year’s assessments

and this year’s classroom performance. Also, AP students will be targeted for additional

skills-based test prep in anticipation of their exams. The test prep schedule requires CHHS

and CHMS to operate on an adjusted schedule during the month of April.

Once again, thank you for your support of our schools and our students. Our partnership is

vital to students’ success and achievement!

Principal’s Message

Tolerance is openness and respect for the differences that exist among people.

This month, four students were recognized for demonstrating honesty:

Week of March 6—Julia Harris, nominated by Mrs. Pitman

Week of March 13—Delaney Dalton, nominated by Mrs. Croftcheck

Week of March 20—Tommy Wilson, nominated by Mr. Sokol

Week of March 27—Nate Schroeder, nominated by Mr. Robinson

March Pride Tribe—Tolerant

Page 2

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—Jack Hopkins

11th Grade—Sophie Petras

10th Grade—Brandon Meade

9th Grade—Ashley Waryk

8th Grade—Presley Innocenzi

7th Grade—Tiernan DeFranco

6th Grade—Drew Dyer

March Students of the Month

During March, 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:

Brandon Meade, Wrestling

Mara Voytek, Swimming

Lexi Martin, 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.

HEIGHTS Students for March

The following Cuyahoga Heights students were selected for displaying characteristics that are helping our

school “Reach New HEIGHTS: Helpful, Engaged, Inspired, Grateful, Honest, Tolerant, and

Successful”.

Week of March 6—Eric Holler (HS) and Rodrick Terrigno (HS)

Week of March 13—Jordan Stefanko (HS) and Jeff Derbin (MS)

Week of March 20—Jacob Del Valle MS) and Adam Hurley (HS)

Week of March 27—Rylee Gorman (MS) and Alex Dean (HS)

Athletic Spotlight—March

Page 3

The Monthly Update

Prior to the administering of the 2016-17 state assessments, all students will be provided skills-

based test prep using data provided from last year’s assessments and this year’s classroom

performance. In order to accommodate this test prep intervention, an adjusted schedule will be

run during the month of April. We have created a test prep period after lunch each day.

Cuyahoga Heights High/Middle School

Intervention Bell Schedule

Convocation (5) 07:30 a.m. 07:35 a.m.

First Period (40) 07:38 a.m. 08:18 a.m.

Second Period (40) 08:21 a.m. 09:01 a.m.

Third Period (40) 09:04 a.m. 09:44 a.m.

Fourth Period (40) 09:47 a.m. 10:27 a.m.

Fifth Period (40) 10:30 a.m. 11:10 a.m.

MS Lunch (30) 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

HS Lunch (30) 11:13 a.m. 11:43 a.m.

Sixth Period (40) 11:03 a.m. 11:43 a.m.

Test Preparation Period (40) 11:46 a.m. 12:26 p.m.

Seventh Period (40) 12:29 p.m. 01:09 p.m.

Eighth Period (40) 01:12 p.m. 01:52 p.m.

Ninth Period (39) 01:55 p.m. 02:34 p.m.

April Test Prep Schedule

English Language Arts

6th Grade—April 3

7th Grade—April 4

8th Grade—April 5

9th Grade—April 6

10th Grade—April 7

Mathematics

6th Grade—April 10

7th Grade—April 11

8th Grade—April 12

Algebra I—May 4

Geometry—May 5

Science

8th Grade—April 25

Biology—May 3

Social Studies

6th Grade—April 26

Am. Government—April

27

Am. History 11—April 28

Am. History 10—May 1

Advanced Placement

AP Chemistry—May 1

(AM)

AP Psychology—May 1

(PM)

AP English Lit.—May 3

(AM)

AP US Gov’t—May 4

(AM)

AP US History—May 5

(AM)

AP Biology—May 8

(AM)

AP Calculus AB—May 9

(AM)

AP Calculus BC—May 9

(AM)

AP English Lang.—May

10 (AM)

AP Statistics—May 11

(PM)

Upcoming Testing Dates

During the 4th Quarter, students grades 6—12 will be participating in testing over several grade

levels and subject areas. Below is the tentative schedule for testing at the Middle and High

Schools:

Page 4

The Monthly Update

2016-17 ACT and SAT Dates

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline ACT Scores Available

April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 April 18, 2017

June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017 June 20, 2017

SAT Test Dates and Deadlines

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline SAT Scores Available

May 6, 2017 April 7, 2017 May 25, 2017

June 3, 2017 May 9, 2017 June 22, 2017

Opportunities are available for seniors 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.

Senior Volunteer Hour—April 28 Deadline!

Students who have met the eligibility requirement for NHS and NJHS were notified prior

to break and an informational meeting was held on March 20. As communicated, the

deadline to apply is April 3. This is a hard deadline and no applications will be

accepted after this date. In addition, Scholarship (academics) is only one of the four

pillars for induction. A committee of educators will meet in April to determine student

acceptance into these organizations based on scholarship, service, leadership and

character—all of which are equally important for acceptance into NHS and NJHS. The

rubric can be found in the student handbook. If you have questions, please contact Ms.

Buxton (NHS) or Mr. Pesicka (NJHS).

NHS and NJHS Application Deadline

Page 5

The Monthly Update

CHHS is pleased to offer three ACT Preparation Sessions. Students will receive the

following benefits from taking these classes:

Learn test-taking strategies

Take three timed practice tests in each subject area (excluding writing)

ACT format grading with test score calculation

Review results with an opportunity to ask questions

Session 1 classes will occur on the following dates and times:

Monday, May 15, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Science, Room 362

Sunday, May 21, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - English, Room 301

Sunday, May 21, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Reading, Room 301

Monday, May 22, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Math, Room 365

Session 2 classes will occur on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, July 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - English, Room 301

Wednesday, July 12, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Science, Room 362

Wednesday, July 19, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Reading, Room 301

Wednesday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Math, Room 365

Session 3 class will occur on the following date and time:

Saturday, August 13, 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Room 365

Students will take a full test in all four subject areas on this day.

CHHS students currently in Grades 10 and 11 who plan to attend college should

consider registering for all three of these sessions. Students interested in attending

Session 1 classes should call the High School Main Office at 216-429-5707 beginning

April 3. The deadline to register is May 1.

The only student requirement is to purchase and bring the Cracking the ACT with 6

Practice Tests, 2017 Edition: The Techniques, Practice, and Review You Need to Score

Higher book with you to the class, which can be purchased by clicking the following

link: ACT Prep 2017.

Please refrain from working on tests in the booklet because we will use these in our

review sessions. You may work with the online tests for your own review.

A big thank you goes out to the teachers who will be donating their time to help better

prepare our students for the ACT Test!

ACT Preparation Classes at CHHS

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

Planning Ahead—End of Year Events for Seniors

PROM

Ticket Sales - Monday, April 10 through Thursday, April 13 during Lunch

Early Release - Friday, May 12, 10:45 a.m.

Photos at Valley View Woods - Friday, May 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Prom at Botanical Gardens - Friday, May 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

After Prom at Kalahari - Leave at 12:00 a.m. and return at 6:00 a.m.

CEDAR POINT

Sunday, May 21

SENIOR PROJECT

Project Participation - May 15 through May 19

Presentations - May 23 beginning at Noon

SENIOR EXAMS

Non-Senior Project Students

May 22 & 23; May 24 (Make-up)

SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT

Monday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m.

GRADUATION PRACTICE

Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

SENIOR CLASS PHOTO & LUNCHEON

Photo - Thursday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Luncheon at Dave & Buster’s - Thursday, May 25 from 10:40 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

COMMENCEMENT

Seniors Report to Auditorium by 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 28 at 1:00 p.m.

Please contact Mrs. Zawadzki or Mrs. Croftcheck with questions.

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

Major Change to Ohio School Attendance Law - PLEASE READ

TRUANCY AND ATTENDANCE

"Habitual" and "Chronic" Truancy

HB 410 changes the manner in which a child of compulsory school age who is absent from school without

legitimate excuse may be prosecuted under the juvenile justice system. Under continuing law, a child is "of

compulsory school age" if the child is between 6 and 18 years old or if the child is formally enrolled in

kindergarten.

First, the HB 410 eliminates the law's distinction between "habitual truants" and "chronic truants" and,

accordingly, revises the way that a child may be adjudicated a delinquent child for habitual truancy. Under the

act, a child who has been adjudicated a "habitual truant" and who violates a court order regarding that

adjudication may further be adjudicated a delinquent child. The concept of "chronic truant" is eliminated.

HB 410 also revises the statutory definition of "habitual truant," using hours instead of days. Under the act, a

child is an "habitual truant" when absent without legitimate excuse for 30 or more consecutive hours, 42 or

more hours in one school month, or 72 or more hours in a school year. Formerly, an "habitual truant" was one

who was absent for five or more consecutive school days, seven or more school days in one month, or 12 or

more school days in a school year. Under former law, a "chronic truant" was a child who was absent without

legitimate excuse for seven or more consecutive school days, ten or more school days in one school month, or

15 or more school days in a school year. Such a child could be adjudicated a delinquent child.

School Policies on Absences

New or Amended Policy Required

The act requires each school district, educational service center, community school, and STEM school,

beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, to adopt a new or amended policy to guide employees in

addressing and ameliorating student absences.

That policy must include as an intervention strategy all of the statutorily prescribed actions "if applicable."

Under former law, the list of interventions was permissive.

While the substance of the statutorily prescribed interventions are largely retained, the act does require the

policy to provide a truancy intervention plan for any student who is absent with or without legitimate

excuse from the public school the child is supposed to attend for 38 or more hours in one school month,

or 65 or more hours in a school year. Prior law permitted a policy to provide a truancy intervention

program for an habitual truant.

The act also removes a requirement that each school district incorporate into the policy as an intervention

strategy the assignment of a habitual truant to an alternative school if an alternative school has been

established.

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

Major Change to Ohio School Attendance Law - Continued

Notice of Excessive Absences

The act requires that the attendance officer of a public school notify a child's parent, guardian, or

custodian if the child is absent with or without legitimate excuse from the public school the child is

supposed to attend for 38 or more hours in one school month, or 65 or more hours in a school year. That

notice must be made, in writing, within seven days after the date of the absence that triggered the notice

requirement.

Absence Intervention Team

Within ten days after the absences of a student surpass the threshold for an habitual truant, the act

requires a school principal or chief administrator or the district superintendent to assign the student to

an absence intervention team. Within 14 school days after the assignment, the team must develop an

intervention plan for that student in an effort to reduce or eliminate further absences. As par t of the

absence intervention plan, the district or school may, in its discretion, contact the appropriate juvenile court

and ask to have the student informally enrolled in the court's alternative to adjudication. If a district or school

chooses to have students informally enrolled in the alternative to adjudication, the district or school must

develop a written policy regarding the use of, and selection process for, that program to ensure fairness.

The act permits a school principal or chief administrator to establish an absence intervention team or series of

teams, and requires a district superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, to establish an absence

intervention team to be used by district schools that do not establish their own teams. Membership of each

team may vary based on the needs of each individual student, but must include: (1) a representative from the

child's school district or school, (2) another representative from the child's school district or school who knows

the child, and (3) the child's parent (or parent's designee), or the child's guardian, custodian, guardian ad litem,

or temporary custodian. The team also may include a school psychologist, counselor, or social worker, or a

representative of a public or nonprofit agency designed to assist students and families in reducing absences.

Each intervention plan must vary based on the individual needs of the student. But each plan must state

that the attendance officer must file a complaint in the juvenile court not later than 61 days after the

date the plan was implemented, if the child has refused to participate in, or failed to make satisfactory

progress on, the intervention plan or an alternative to adjudication. Furthermore, within seven days

after the plan's development, the district or school must make reasonable efforts to provide the student's

parent, guardian, custodian, guardian ad litem, or temporary custodian with written notice of the plan.

The State Board of Education must develop a format for parental permission to ensure compliance with the

federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, related federal regulations, and state law on student

privacy for use of each absence intervention team.

The act also expressly permits school districts and schools to consult or partner with public and nonprofit

agencies to provide assistance as appropriate to students and their families in reducing absences, even outside

the operation of an absence intervention team.

Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School

Major Change to Ohio School Attendance Law - Continued

Parental Engagement

The act requires the district superintendent or school principal or chief administrator to select the

members of an absence intervention team within seven school days of the triggering absence and

requires at least three meaningful, good faith attempts to secure participation of the student's parent,

guardian, custodian, guardian ad litem, or temporary custodian within that time.

The district must inform the parent of the parent's right to appear by designee if the parent responds to

the attempts to secure participation but is unable to participate for any reason.

If the parent, guardian, or custodian fails to respond, the school district must: (1) investigate whether

the failure to respond triggers mandatory reporting to the county public childrens services agency, and

(2) instruct the absence intervention team to develop a plan for the child without the child's parent,

guardian, or custodian.

Summary of Duties

The following table summarizes the responsibilities of a school district or school at each stage of the truancy

intervention process:

Triggering Instance Steps to be Taken

Student is absent (excused or unexcused) for 38 or more

hours in one school month or 65 or more hours in one

school year.

District or school's new policy must include

developing a truancy intervention plan for any

student who meets this absence trigger.

District or school must provide written notice to the

parent, within seven days of the triggering absence.

District or school may utilize any other intervention

strategies contained in the new policy.

Student is absent (unexcused) for 30 or more consecutive

hours, 42 or more hours in one school month, or 72 hours

in one school year.

District or school must assign the student to an

absence intervention team within seven days of the

triggering absence.

District or school must make three meaningful, good

faith attempts to secure participation of the parent and

investigate whether a failure to participate warrants a

report to child protective services.

Within 14 days of assignment of a team, the team

must develop an absence intervention plan. Within

seven days of the plan's development, the district or

school must provide written notice of that plan to the

parent.

District or school may contact the court about

informal enrollment of the child in an alternative to

adjudication.

Student refuses to participate or fails to make satisfactory

progress on absence intervention plan.

Attendance officer must file a complaint in the juvenile

court not later than 61 days after plan implementation.