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| The First Day of School |
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The first day of school is like Opening Day of baseball season, but better. While every team starts the season undefeated in the Spring, only one wins the World Series in the Fall. It's a zero-sum game.
Not so with our kids as the new school year gets started. Each child's voyage is unique. Every child has the potential to grow and learn, make connections and friendships, build trust with teachers and fall in love with learning. So here's to the start of school, to opening new notebooks, binders and laptops and getting to work.
Thank you to all the adults who support, encourage and cajole our kids. There's nothing more important.
And with so much going on in each of our schools and across the district, you might want to check out the new Interactive District Calendar. It has everything in the printed District calendar, plus updates throughout the year. |
 5th Annual Heights Summer Music Camp a Hit
Judging by their comments, campers will bring to their schools both improved skills and plenty of energy and enthusiasm to making music!
Kimberly Wilkins and Tammy Tran, 2009 graduates of Heights High and the co-producers of String Theory Video Productions captured portions of their camp experience on video. You can view the short clip which captures the unique and memorable experiences shared among 10 to 15-year-old emerging musicians by visiting our home page, www.reachingheights.org.
[JH1]I reworded this paragraph because it was a little lengthy.
Experienced musicians and camp attendees Shoshana Klein, Maya Watkins joined forces with Yazmine Hyneman at the school district's summer enrichment program to produce a video advertisement about camp. Click here to see why they think Heights Summer Music Camp is a great place to spend a week. This is the fifth year that Reaching Heights has partnered with the school district to sponsor the week long music emersion experience for children who have completed grades 4 through 8 and have had at least two years of experience with their instruments. The purpose of the camp is to ignite student investment in making music by building their skills and helping them discover what is possible with consistent effort. It's a key element of the Reaching Heights commitment to sustaining the Heights Tradition of Musical Excellence! | |
| Patti Family Music Scholarship Concert |
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 A summer concert at A.M. McGregor Home on July 11 featured Patti Family Scholars and professional musicians. Vince Patti was a beloved music educator in the CH-UH district, in whose memory family members, former students and fellow musicians created the Patti Family Music Scholarship Fund. The fund provides private music lessons for students in grades 5-8 - preparing them for the high quality of Heights High bands and orchestras. In the 2008-09 school year, 30 students received scholarships.
A trumpet duet of Patti Music Scholars Casandra Espenschied and Samantha Espenschied performed Tallison West by John Edmundson.
Vince Patti's son Brian (on clarinet) and fellow professional musicians Diane Mather (cello) and Chris Hill (piano) played Beethoven's Trio in Bb Major, Opus 11 and Shubert's Ballet Music from Rosamunde. Mather and Hill also played Charlie Chaplin's Oh, that Cello. Dick Wooley and the TOPS Swing Band finished the evening with fun upbeat swing music.
To contribute to the Patti Scholarship fund, send your check to Reaching Heights, (Patti Fund in the memo line), 1991 Lee Road, #106, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, or donate online at reachingheights.org. Applications for 2009-10 Patti Scholarships will be available Oct. 1. |
| Cleveland Orchestra Violist Rides for Reaching Heights |
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 From June 20- 27 Reaching Heights Trustee and Cleveland Orchestra Viola player, Richard Waugh, rode his bike across America. He and Charlie Combs raced relay style to raise money for the Reaching Heights music programs. They raised $3,000 for the Reaching Heights music programs and broke the age group relay record by 14 hours.
The race blended two of Richard's loves, cycling and music. "My public school music education in Albuquerque led me to the Cleveland Orchestra," says Richard. "I know how important great music education is for kids." Reaching Heights offers music lesson scholarships, and sponsors a middle school honors concert and one-week summer music camp for CH-UH middle school students. Richard and his wife Rachael, also a musician, have a daughter Lilly who attends Fairfax Elementary School. A nine member crew supported the racers, including a blogger. Click here to read the blog or the Team Reaching Heights website.
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| Grants to Teachers |
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Five teams of Cleveland Heights-University Heights teachers received School Team grants and three teams received Community Connection grants in July for the 2009-10 school year.
School Team Grants of up to $1,500 support projects that address a specific achievement need. Community Connection Grants of up to $250 support projects that connect the school to parents or the community.
This year's projects reflect a district focus on literacy, using technology to support classroom learning and working to improve student behavior with positive behavior supports.
"These projects address important needs and are led by innovative teachers," said Executive Director Patrick Mullen. "The grant review committee always has a tough job - but in this challenging fundraising climate, it was especially difficult."
School Team Grants:
Legacy Book Club - Legacy at Heights High - $1,500, Karen Kastor, Project Manager
The Legacy staff will form lunch time book clubs for 20-30 students. The goal of the project is to improve students' reading ability, encourage recreational reading and promote the discussion of ideas found in literature.
Interwrite Mobi - Legacy at Heights High - $1,200, Mary McDade, Project Manager
The freshman social studies and English teacher will co-teach and use three electronic tablets to create interactive lessons for use in small student groups.
Bonding Before Bullying - Wiley Middle School - $1500, Heather Higham, Project Manager
150 6th grade students will attend relationship building programs at John Carroll University aimed at preventing bullying behavior. This will be followed by school year programs and a spring time culminating camp in Ashland Ohio.
A Book is Like a Garden Carried in your Pocket - Roxboro Elementary School $1500, Tara Grove, Project Manager
Chinese culture and language programs that include cooking, reading, storytelling and gardening will be offered for families and students. This will complement the school's '09-'10 Chinese pilot program.
Student Guided Learning - Boulevard Elementary School - $1,310, Lisa Loveland, Project Manager
A projector will translate student work on paper to an overhead screen for students to observe and discuss.
Community Connection Grants:
Youth of Promise - Monticello Middle School - $250, Sheldon Smith, Project Manager
Parent and community leaders will mentor 20-25 young men and encourage academic success and citizenship. A parent component will support parents in redirecting student behavior.
Leading Ladies - Heights High - $250, Sabrina Humphries, Project Manager
Female students are invited to participate in leadership, service, and citizenship activities to encourage academic success.
Stone Lab - Gearity Elementary School - $250, Joe Mendes, Project Manager
One 4th grade class and the Environmental Club will travel to the Ohio State Lake Erie biology laboratory for field projects.
Reaching Heights granted $7,010 for School team grants and $750 for Community Connection grants. In October the trustees will consider another group of proposals.
The next deadline for School Team and Community Connection grants is October 15. To apply for a grant, see the Reaching Heights web site. | |
| Heim Named Orchestra Director |
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 Daniel Heim is the new instrumental music teacher and orchestra director at Cleveland Heights High School. Heim has played the viola since age 8 and also plays the other stringed instruments, including the cello and bass. He comes to CH-UH from Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts in Akron. He was also a Teaching Assistant at Case Western Reserve and an intern at Beachwood high school.
He played with the Lubeck, Germany Philharmonic Orchestra and with the Blossom Festival Orchestra and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Heim's education includes a master's degree and licensure in music education from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's degree in viola performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. He also did a post-graduate study at the University of Michigan.
Heim will work with Brett Baker, Heights High's other instrumental music teacher, who leads the Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble and marching band.
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| Heights High New Parent Welcome |
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 The Parent Connection Council will host a New Parent Welcome on September 15 at 7 p.m. The event, in the Social Room at Heights High, will include: - how to effectively communicate with teachers - students talking about their first year at Heights High - extracurricular activity opportunities - tours of the school - an opportunity to meet the principals, teachers and experienced Heights High parents |
| Neighbors Helping Neighbors in an Emergency: THE CERT TEAM Heights |
The City of Cleveland Heights prepares for everyday emergencies like power outages and heavy storms. However, during a disaster, informed citizens are needed to help keep the community safe and healthy. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference.
The eight sessions CERT training course is designed to help citizens know how to protect themselves, their family and neighbors in an emergency situation. For more information see the federal CERT program.
All training sessions are on Thursday evenings at Cleveland Heights City Hall, 40 Severance Circle:
September 17, 7:00-9:00 pm - Disaster Preparedness
September 24, 7:00-9:00 pm - Fire Safety
October 1, 7:00-10:00 pm - Disaster Medical Operations - Parts 1 & 2
October 8, 7:00-9:00 pm - Light Search and Rescue
October 15, 7:00-9:00 pm - CERT Organization
October 22, 7:00-9:00 pm - Disaster Psychology
October 29, 7:00-9:00 pm - Terrorism and CERT
November 5, 7:00-10:00 pm - Course Review and Disaster Simulation
For a CERT application or more information, call Community Relations at 216-291-2323 or visit the City's website.
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| Teen and Adult Volunteers Needed at Lee Road Library |
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The CH-UH Public Library needs volunteers in September and October to help with the book and comic book/graphic novel sale. Proceeds of the sale will help purchase a library van. Interested volunteers can contact Nancy Levin, nlevin@heightslibrary.org. |
| Heights Youth Club After-School Programs |
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 The Heights Youth Club in partnership with The Boys and Girls Club offers fun and safe after school programs for CH-UH students in grades 1-12. The programs focus on academic support, character and leadership, health and life skills, the arts and fitness and recreation.
The club is located across from the high school at Washington Boulevard and Lee Road. Parents or guardians can register a student for only $10. The club hours are 2-8 p.m.
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| Family Liaison Needed |
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Heights Parent Center is looking for a Family Liaison to work in two CH-UH elementary schools partnering with the school staff to build bridges between families and the school. The main responsibilities will be to help families build their children's literacy skills. The Family Liaison position is part time (30 hours a week) and includes day and evening hours. For more information or to see the full job description visit the HPC website or download http://www.heightsparentcenter.org/downloads/FSC_Liaison_Job_Decription09-10.pdf |
| Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium |
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 Last August John Carroll University biology professor Miles Coburn was killed in a bicycle accident. His friends, family and colleagues organized a memorial bike ride and 600 people showed up for the Ride For Miles. The 2009 Ride for Miles will start at John Carroll University on September 12. It is a 15 mile non-competitive ride with live music and food. Registration is $20. Proceeds from the 2008 event will help support the Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium, presented by the John Carroll University Biology Department from September 8-12 in the Dolon Science Center at JCU.
The symposium is free and open to the public and includes One Degree of Change, an art show presenting a visual perspective on global climate change by artists Bradley Hart and Nancy Richardson-Davis.
- Tuesday, September 8, 4 pm: Creating a Carbon-Neutral Campus
5-7 pm Opening Reception for 1° Change
- Wednesday, September 9, 4 pm: Sustainable Business and a zero waste program
- Thursday, September 10, 4 pm: The Biodiversity Crisis and Amphibian Species Decline
- Friday, September 11, 4 pm: Evidence for Climate Change in the Arctic
- Saturday, September 12. 10am: Ride For Miles
The Ride For Miles and the Environmental Symposium are dedicated to educating students and the community about the urgency of environmental activism and bicycle safety, continuing the work of Dr. Miles Coburn. |
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