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End of Year Letter from Superintendent Kirby

June 6, 2022


Dear CH-UH Families,


I hope you all had a wonderful final week of the 2021-2022 school year. I want to congratulate our Heights High School Class of 2022, who walked the stage on Wednesday evening in a joyous commencement ceremony at the Wolstein Center (video here). I am proud to say that these graduates have earned $16.2 million (and counting!) in college scholarships. I cannot wait to see how they will positively impact the world. 


Summer Programming & Reading 

The first session of our second annual Tiger Camp kicks off on June 21. Our teams and community partners have been working hard to put on another successful summer program, filled with enrichment and fun.


Between trips, sports, and sun-filled summer days, it’s important for our students to squeeze in time to read. Reading helps young minds grow and has been proven to help improve student outcomes. Take a look at the District's summer reading lists, letters and partner resources here. Track your student's progress with the Heights Libraries reading logs to enter to win prizes!


Title IX Updates

This school year, thanks to the advocacy of students and alumni, I was made aware of issues both past and present regarding sexual harassment and other Title IX issues among students. I want to thank those students for pushing us to engage in a deeper understanding of how and why these problems occur, and how we might help prevent them. 


Following the root cause analysis on sexual harassment that we conducted in the spring, the District has hired additional security monitors, conducted vulnerability assessments of all school facilities, and held additional listening sessions with student groups, among other action steps. Here are some of the related projects we are working on over the summer:


  • All staff, including sports coaches, will be trained in Title IX procedures and supportive measures by the start of the 2022-2023 school year. This training will take place annually thereafter.

  • I am forming an Advisory Committee for Title IX issues that will include students, parents and staff.

  • We are currently conducting an extensive review of our Title IX processes.

  • Our curriculum department is updating the District’s sexual education and consent curriculum within identified grade-bands, in alignment with state requirements.


Furthermore, a Dress Code committee has been formed and will work this summer to provide recommendations to the Board of Education on revisions to the current policy. The committee has student, parent, and staff representatives. The goal is to create a policy that is non-biased, reflects current norms, and aligns with the District's educational and equity goals. If you haven’t already, please take the Dress Code revision survey here.


We will continue to keep you informed of our progress and how our families and staff can contribute to this important work.


End of Year Surveys

To help plan for the 22-23 school year and gather feedback to reflect on this school year, I invite you to take the District’s End of Year Survey via the link below by Tuesday, June 7.


Family Survey


COVID-19 Communications

Friday, June 3 was the final day that the District sent COVID-19 classroom and building case notifications and updated the case tracker. The Ohio Department of Health lifted the requirement for schools to send these notifications and provide a public case tracker in March; however, the District felt it was important to continue sharing this information with families and staff through the end of the school year.


As we close out the 21-22 school year, I want to once again express my gratitude to you for living this year’s motto of RISE - Reunite, Inspire, Support, and Excel. We look forward to seeing our students again on the first day of school on August 23. I hope you have a fun, relaxing and refreshing summer with loved ones. Take good care and be safe.


Sincerely,

Superintendent Kirby