At Reaching Heights, we mobilize community resources to foster highly valued public schools that provide all Cleveland Heights-University Heights students a successful education.
Reaching Heights is grateful for the generous support provided by citizens across our community and beyond. Not only does your support make our work on behalf of excellence in our public schools possible, your gift of $10 or more qualifies you as a voting member of our organization. On Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m., we will hold our Annual Meeting at the Delisle Center for Educational Options (the former Taylor Academy) at 14780 Superior Rd. in Cleveland Heights.
All members will be asked to vote on nominees to join our Board of Directors for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2012, or to re-elect Directors for a second term. Our bylaws limit Board membership to two three-year terms. Board members will then elect officers for 2012.
But the business part of the meeting doesn't take long, and is followed by presentations that will be of interest to all. First, parents will recognize and thank teachers who have made a difference in their children's lives. These honorees are representative of the scores of teachers recognized each year as part of our Thank-A-Teacher program (you can thank a teacher online by clicking ). We will also hear a presentation detailing the work going on at the new Delisle Center from Jeffrey Johnston, the CH-UH district's Director of Student Services, and Brian Williams, the Delisle Center's Building Coordinator.
All that and light refreshments! We hope you can join us on Dec. 8.
First CH-UH Master Planning Community Meeting is Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m., at Heights High
All residents are invited to help launch the next phase of a crucial process that will help shape plans for our school district's facilities for the future.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Heights High Social Room, 13263 Cedar Road, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District holds the first public meeting of our Master Planning Team, partnering with architects Fielding Nair and studio TECHNE. This meeting is a continuation of the excellent work done by the School Facilities Committee, which consisted of 50 residents, teachers, and administrators, last year.
The November 30 meeting will provide an overview of the district's educational vision; describe the planning process that has been undertaken; and provide residents an opportunity to assist in defining priorities and goals.
This meeting, as well as future meetings, will provide a forum for the community to state their priorities and share their hopes so that the schools become beacons for the community. The entire family to share in this exciting process. We'll have pizza, refreshments, as well as fun activities (including 25,000 Lego's!) developed specifically for your children so you and they can actively participate in planning their schools. More information about the facilities process is here.
Show a Teacher Your Gratitute This Season
Tis the season of giving and who deserves your gratitude and good cheer more than your children's teachers? The Reaching Heights Thank-A-Teacher program recognizes teachers and fosters an atmosphere of appreciation. Parents and community members can pay tribute to a Heights teacher by making a contribution to Reaching Heights in honor of that teacher. Reaching Heights puts these gifts to good use by funding grants to school-based teams for projects that make wonderful things happen for Cleveland Heights-University Heights students. We also let the teacher's principal know about the honor.
Click or download, print, and mail a paper form to make your Thank-A-Teacher donation.
Changes Needed for Children to Achieve Excellence With Equity, Says Harvard Professor Ronald Ferguson
Dr. Ronald Ferguson of Harvard University, who spoke recently at Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights as part of the City Club of Cleveland's speakers series, has conducted more than three decades of research on how to
Dr. Ronald Ferguson
reduce economic and educational disparities in our schools. He believes we need a movement toward excellence with equity. "We need a culture change, a lifestyle change on a national basis" in our approach to education.
One important change he suggested: bring adults who are satisfied with their lives into classrooms to talk about the pathways they followed to grow from a fifth grader to a working adult. Employers and other organizations could help schools arrange monthly visits from adults in many professions with low to high incomes to give students "a whole menu of possible selves." He explained that our students need to know all available options for building successful lives so they can imagine themselves moving along similar paths. Read more of Dr. Ferguson's suggestions about parenting, adolescent peer culture, and the urgency for educational reform here. A video of his talk is available from the City Club of Cleveland here.
or more qualifies you as a voting member of our organization. On Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m., we will hold our Annual Meeting at the Delisle Center for Educational Options (the former Taylor Academy) at 14780 Superior Rd. in Cleveland Heights.
Social Room, 13263 Cedar Road, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District holds the first public meeting of our Master Planning Team, partnering with architects Fielding Nair and studio TECHNE. This meeting is a continuation of the excellent work done by the School Facilities Committee, which consisted of 50 residents, teachers, and administrators, last year. 
Heights in honor of that teacher. Reaching Heights puts these gifts to good use by funding grants to school-based teams for projects that make wonderful things happen for Cleveland Heights-University Heights students. We also let the teacher's principal know about the honor.