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| Music Lesson Scholarship deadline October 31st |
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Reaching Heights is proud to offer scholarships for private music lessons to 5th-8th graders enrolled in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School district's instrumental music program. Scholarships are available for part of the cost of 20 weekly half-hour music lessons to be taken between January and July 1, 2009. Applications must be postmarked by October 31, 2008 to be considered. More information can be found at http://www.reachingheights.org/program-pattifundapply.html
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| Delisle Named State Superintendent |
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 The 19-member Ohio Board of Education voted unanimously on Oct. 14 to hire CH-UH Schools Superintendent Deborah Delisle to be Ohio's next superintendent of public instruction. "I deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with the State Board on the selection of Deborah as our next state superintendent of public instruction," said Governor Ted Strickland. "I believe Deborah is exactly the right person for the job at the right time. I look forward to working with her to accomplish our shared goal of building a world-class education system for Ohio students."
Delisle replaces Susan Tave Zelman, who is leaving the state's top education job after nearly 10 years to become senior vice president in charge of education with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C.
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| Monticello Students use Technology to Learn |
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 This month, Monticello students and their families met to receive school-issued laptop computers as part of the District's One-to-One Teaching and Learning Initiative. Students received several hours of training on how to use and care for the computers and families learned about their responsibility.
Teachers at Monticello have been learning how to incorporate laptops into improving instruction, making school more engaging, and connecting with timely relevant global resources. Roxboro Middle and Wiley 8th-graders will receive laptops in early 2009. Each summer students will return their laptop to the district for updating and maintenance, much as they return text books.
Funds previously used for textbooks and other curriculum materials were used to purchase the laptops and Federal E-Rate dollars added wireless capability at each Middle School.
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| Student Leaders Welcome Freshmen to Heights High |
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 Heights High Junior Jasmine Penn, a basketball player and published poet, thought it was cool when she was recommended to be mentor to an incoming freshman. She is one of 100 juniors and seniors selected last year to be Link Crew Leaders, an initiative supported by Reaching Heights. Last spring, the leaders were trained in team building, leadership, and strategies to give freshmen skills they'll need to succeed.
When incoming freshman Andre Welch was invited to freshman orientation - at 8:30 a.m. on one of the last days of summer, he was dubious. Jasmine, one of his Link Crew Leaders, called before the orientation to introduce herself and answer questions. As it turned out, Andre thought the orientation was pretty good, even fun. He especially liked starting school knowing ten other freshmen and two friendly experienced students.
Each pair of Link Crew Leaders mentors 10-12 freshmen. At the orientation, leaders organized activities to introduce the freshmen to them and to each other, toured the school and used creative tactics to make it fun. Jasmine and Co-Leader Shelby Scott played a paparazzi and a celebrity while giving the inside scoop on the building. Through the school year, Link Crew Leaders will work with freshmen on academic and social skills needed for success in school.
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| Early Voting Available Through November 3 |
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 Every day between now and Monday, Nov. 3, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will be open for early voting. The Board of Elections is located at 2925 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland, and is open for voting: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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| Expand Your Concept of Clay Through October 25 |
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 The work of ceramic artist William Brouillard is on display at the Heights Arts Gallery through October 25. Majolica, named for the island of Majorca, is earthenware clay with white glaze, usually tin-based, that has been decoratively painted with bright colors. Earthenware is not as hard as stoneware or porcelain, so many examples of majolica have not survived or have been damaged.
Heights Arts Gallery. open Wed.-Sat. noon-9 p.m., is located at 2173 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, a few doors down from the Cedar Lee Theatre.
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| New Coalition Supports Schools as Community Hubs |
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 A new coalition of educators and more than 100 community organizations has produced a "Community Agenda for America's Public Schools." The group seeks to restore schools as cornerstones of community life by embracing partnerships in areas such as health, extended learning, counseling, mentoring, the arts, community service, internships, and workforce development. Such partnerships also can create real-world learning opportunities that prepare students to be active participants in our democracy.
The Community Agenda is built on four core beliefs:
ˇ Communities and schools are fundamentally and positively interconnected. Engaged communities build strong schools; effective schools are essential to strong communities.
ˇ Schools can make a difference in the lives of all children. The quality of schools matters. High academic standards, rigorous curricula, high-quality teachers, effective school leadership, aligned tests, accountability, and strong professional development are important factors for student success.
ˇChildren do better when their families do better. We recognize this inextricable connection and actively support the strengthening and empowering of families.
ˇThe development of the whole child is a critical factor for student success. Children grow into successful adulthood through high-quality instructional opportunities in school and out of school; by exploring their talents and interests through experiences that stretch their aspirations; and by receiving the social, emotional, and physical support they need to succeed.
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| Funding Cut for Education Awareness Campaign |
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 Early last year, billionaires Bill Gates and Eli Broad pledged to spend up to $60 million through their foundations on the nonpartisan Strong American Schools campaign to make education reform a top issue in this year's presidential election. Given the electorate's focus on economic issues and other priorities, the foundations have decided to stop funding the campaign, dubbed Ed in '08 after spending $24 million.
A Puget Sound Business Journalstory detailing he campaign's background and fate can be found at http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/09/29/story1.html?b=1222660800^1706214&page=1
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