It's hard to believe that we find ourselves at the halfway point of the school year with this December report. The pace at which the school year unfolds is truly quickened by the day-in-and-day-out accomplishments and strides being made by our students and staff in the District. One needed to have attended any of our winter performances at the High School, Middle School or elementary schools to see the true talents and skills of our students. These students who are part of our vocal and performing arts family are reinforcing important life skills such as time management, teamwork and delivering under deadlines, to provide parents and the community such fine performances. Congratulations to these students and their advisors who recently performed finely for all to see.
The 2nd Quarter comes to an end on Friday, December 20, 2019, and serves as our final day before Winter Break. Please keep in mind that Winter Break runs from Monday, December 23rd through Monday, January 6, 2020. Classes resume Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Our relationship with Marymount Hospitals and the Kiwanis continues to grow. Since our last meeting, the relationship between the two entities was demonstrated in both organization's generous donation of various personal care items to help jumpstart Hygiene Closets at each building. These Hygiene Closets are places where students can obtain items for personal care and can be accessed through the clinics. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health played a significant role in making the donations possible and we credit them, the Helping Hands Committee of Marymount Hospital and the Garfield Heights Kiwanis for their support. Thank you all very much.
On December 11, I had the opportunity to be in Dayton to accept PBIS awards from the Ohio Department of Education on behalf of each building in the Garfield Heights City Schools. The High School, Middle School, Elmwood, Maple Leaf and William Foster Elementary Schools each earned statewide recognition for their dedication to, and quality of, our Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. Each principal and staff team should be honored. The students who are demonstrating positive behavior each and every day have earned this award as well. Next month, we will be delivering these awards in a special ceremony on January 6 in the performing arts center. Special thanks goes out to Assistant Superintendent Sean Patton for playing a lead role in the PBIS implementation in the District.
Also, for the fourth year, the high school achieved the "Momentum Award." This award, given by the Ohio Department of Education, recognizes schools that achieve "A" status in the value-added area of the state report card. Congratulations to the high school for all of their hard work in attaining this award.
On a personal note, I would like to wish all of our families, students, staff, and community members a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This marks the midpoint of my first year as Superintendent, and I could not be more pleased with everyone's commitment to Garfield Heights City Schools.
