Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights [9-6-11]

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

• Books-A-Go-Go
• Leaders in Training
• Master teachers
• Graduates
• State report card
• Pathways to Choice
• Race to the Top
• High school student council
• “Tiger Nation”
• Football team
• Heights High vocalists and musicians

All board members were present.

Books-A-Go-Go

Superintendent Heuer recognized this new summer program, created in partnership with the Interfaith Council, and the custodial staff for their extra work in accommodating the program. The theme was to maintain a strong relationship between the schools and families, especially when schools were not in session. Every Thursday evening this summer, elementary schools were open to students and their families for dinner and various education activities, including reading. Kelly Stukus, coordinator of literacy, reported that Books-A-Go-Go was a resounding success, with a total of 2,075 student and parent visits, 1,875 books checked out, 1,667 meals served, and more than 70 volunteers.

Leaders in Training

Superintendent Heuer recognized the success of another new program, Leaders in Training (LiT). Cindy Schmidt, a district social worker and LiT coordinator, reported that 35 students, ages 13 to 18, participated in the six-month program, which included a library internship and a leadership camp with the Institute for Creative Leadership in University Circle. In a video shown to the board, students said that the experience went far beyond their expectations.

Master teachers

Superintendent Heuer congratulated fifteen teachers who achieved Master Teacher status in June 2011.

Graduates

Thirty-one students who completed summer classes and passed the Ohio Graduation Test graduated. Board Member Karen Jones requested data on how many students in the 2011 class still needed to complete graduation requirements.

State report card

Although adequate yearly progress targets were not met, improvement occurred. Roxboro Elementary School achieved an excellent with distinction score, Wiley Middle School went from academic watch to effective in two years, and although Monticello Middle School remained in academic watch, it did receive the additional value-added measure.

Pathways to Choice

Joseph Micheller, director of special programs and compliance, summarized the new educational theme, Pathways to Choice. The schools are being realigned with one of three pathways: Creativity, Discovery, or Society, with each building having a designated pathway. Within the high school, the small schools will be aligned. Each pathway addresses three intellectual capabilities: 1) critical thinking and problem-solving, 2) communication and collaboration, and 3) creativity and innovation. Although the core curriculum will be the same, the instructional approach will differ among the paths. Each student and family can select any school, and students will be able to change paths and schools. Implementation of the realignment and instruction will be staggered, and every school will have migrated to its pathway by 2016.

Race to the Top

The Ohio Department of Education approved the district’s two-year plan and budget. The plan focuses on the common core curriculum standards, the database, teacher leadership, and the transition to the new state standards.

High school student council

Kristen Kelly, the high school student council advisor, and Leondra Taylor, student council president, presented changes in the student council structure designed to achieve a higher quality of student leaders by improving leadership, providing a greater student voice, and providing more civic involvement. Both presenters attended the Star Leaders National Student Conference in St. Louis, which they said was invaluable in developing ideas for improvement.

“Tiger Nation”

The new slogan, “Tiger Nation,” has caught on well and reflects the idea that all students in grades K-12 are one community.

Football team

So far the Cleveland Heights High School football team has won its first two games, and the team is ranked 22 in the Plain Dealer Top 25.

Heights High vocalists and musicians

Eight Heights High vocalists were selected for the Ohio Music Educators Association 2012 All State Choir. Ten musicians were selected to play with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and perform in the 9/11 concert at Public Square.

LWV observer: Cassandra Talerico-Kaplin

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse, and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an e-mail to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.