Jan. 14, 2020 -- At the monthly regular Board of Education meeting on January 7, several student groups were recognized, District calendars for 2021 and 2022 were approved, and the Board approved a resolution opposing the expansion of EdChoice vouchers.
Middle School Spelling Bee Winners
Twenty-two student spellers from Roxboro and Monticello middle schools participated in the 10th annual CH-UH Middle School Spelling Bee in December. The students recognized were the highest-ranking spellers in the competition, several of whom will participate in the Cuyahoga County Spelling Bee on March 7:
Natalie Bier
Ruby Tugeau
Clara Walker
Nikolai Bell
Sophia Muller
Beth Woodside, who coordinated the Bee, was also recognized.
Power of the Pen Winners
Monticello Middle School hosted the District Power of the Pen Competition on December 14. More than 200 seventh and eighth grade writers across the Cleveland area participated. The following CH-UH writers placed at the competition:
8th Grade
Avery Bandy-Zalatoris
Ruby Tugeau
Laurel Buescher - placed 1st
Natalie Bier - placed 2nd
Helena Duffy - placed 8th
Juliet Duffy - placed 9th
Roxboro’s 8th Grade Team - received the 1st Place Trophy, coached by Joellen Denk
Tournament Coordinator Debbie Frost was also recognized.
“Stop the Hate” Contest Winners
Stop the Hate is a local essay competition presented by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage that challenges young people to consider the benefits of a more inclusive society, the consequences of intolerance, and the role of personal responsibility in effecting change. Year after year, our high school students have been entering this contest and bringing home prizes, and this year was no different.
Dr. Donna Feldman’s College Composition class wrote and performed “We Can Change Our World,” and Mr. David Jurns’s Freshman Honors English class wrote and performed “E.T.A.H.” Artists in residence from Roots of American Music worked with both groups to create the pieces.
The two groups tied for 1st place at the Stop The Hate Youth Sing Out competition, earning a $5,000 school-based grant to be used towards anti-bias education at Heights. The following participants were recognized:
Nasir Allen
Maple Buescher
Kennedy Clark
Grace Mangano
Emma Vail
District AP Honor Roll
Our district is one of 250 school districts in the nation and one of nine in Ohio being honored with placement on the 10th Annual AP District Honor Roll. To be included, Heights High had to maintain and increase the number of students participating in AP courses while also increasing and maintaining the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams since 2017.
The superintendent recognized the 2018-19 & 2019-20 teachers and staff responsible for this AP recognition, several of whom were in attendance.
Board Member Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month. During this month, board members across the nation are acknowledged for the tireless work that they do on behalf of their district’s students and community. Superintendent Kirby saluted board members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jim Posch, Jodi Sourini and Beverly Wright.
Also at the meeting, newly re-elected board members Jim Posch and Beverly Wright were sworn in for their second terms in office.
2019 Board President Jodi Sourini was elected by the Board as president once again for 2020. Vice President Jim Posch and Treasurer Pro Tem Beverly Wright will also retain these positions for 2020.
Julianna Johnston Senturia, Heights Schools Foundation Executive Director, delivered a report summarizing the foundation’s work over the last year. She was joined by Dr. Susan Carver, President of the Heights Schools Foundation Board of Trustees.
Dr. Paul Lombardo, Assistant Superintendent of HR & Operations, delivered the final reading of the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 District calendars. The two calendars were approved by the Board.
CFO/Treasurer Scott Gainer delivered his monthly five-year forecast.
Finally, the Board of Education approved a Resolution Opposing Expansion of EdChoice Vouchers.