Board of Education Work Session Recap
March 21, 2018 -- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education met for its monthly work session on Tuesday evening. The work session featured a presentation by high school and middle school MSAN students in addition to a safety discussion with the middle school administrative team.
A complete video of the meeting will be posted on the District’s YouTube channel within the next 10 days.
MSAN Presentation
A group of high school MSAN students and a trio of middle school MSAN students presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday.
The middle school students outlined their group’s action plan, titled “All In”, which centers on the goal of creating a more open-minded and accepting school environment. The MSAN students are striving to achieve this by interacting and mentoring sixth graders through presentations and activities.
The middle school students who spoke at the Board meeting were eighth graders Ashton Everette, Neiko Foster, and Nathaniel Tyler.
The high school group recapped the national MSAN student conference CH-UH hosted this past October. The conference included speakers Jeff Johnson and Jamie Almanzan, college campus tours at Case Western, Cleveland State, and Kent State, and a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The high school MSAN students also outlined the organization’s two current action plans. First, MSAN students are mentoring freshman boys in a program they call “Boys 2 Men”. The mentorship includes a focus on brotherhood, academic excellence, accountability, positive attitudes, and relationships.
Second, MSAN students are also mentoring ninth grade girls in a program called “Tea Talk”. The mentorship focuses on healthy relationships, sisterhood, priority setting, anger management, and creating upstanders.
The high school students also spoke about recent initiatives including the “I Am AP” Fair, cultural diversity programs, and community service.
The high school students who spoke at the Board meeting included:
Issa Augustin-Glave (10)
Jalen Chesney (12)
Jaylin Coleman (12)
De'leah Gray (10)
Josephine Johnson (12)
Hasson Lewis-Majied (12)
Christine Roberts (12)
Mikaiah Truitt (12)
Other high school students who contributed:
Taylor Cody (9)
Damari Loretz (10)
Taylorr Thomas (11)
Middle School Safety Discussion
The Board members welcomed the administrative team from Heights Middle School to discuss safety issues at the school. Principals Patrick McNichols and Dr. Jeff Johnston, assistant principals Racquel Armstrong and Denise Lackey, and dean of students James Dubsky were at the meeting.
The administrative team outlined the current issues at the school including having efficient lunch periods for students, efficient student movement throughout the building, the need for alternative options for students who aren’t succeeding in the traditional classroom setting, developing a common culture among students and staff, students who don’t respond appropriately to directions and discipline, the misuse of social media, and the heightened focus on safety in light of the school’s recent security threats and fire alarm.
The principals outlined some measures they are taking currently to address these issues including holding behavior expectations meetings with students, providing social emotional support for students, recruiting students to be peer role models, promoting and rewarding positive behavior, and hosting a “Family Room” with parent resources at the Middle School Conference Night on March 27.
The administrative team is also planning to host a middle school forum to have an open discussion with families. More information will follow about this event.
The principals outlined a number of initiatives that are in the planning stages for next school year including a proposal for an alternative options setting, a peer role model program for eighth graders to mentor sixth graders, altering the class schedule to create more efficient lunch periods, and further implementing restorative justice techniques in the discipline process.
For complete information about this work session, watch the video that will be posted on the District’s YouTube channel within the next 10 days.