Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
February
2014
Principal’s Message
Principal
I am so thankful that the polar vortices of January
are over! It is so good to have everyone back in
school and in the swing of things again as we
move forward into February! I am hopeful that the
rest of the winter will be more gentle and kind, but
I am reading about a potential snow storm as I
type this in my office this evening. I am confident
that many of you heard, “I’m bored!” during those
days we were closed for the weather. For that
reason, I have a few tips to pass along to
everyone as to what to do to avoid the boredom of
winter when you are stuck at home with cooped
up kids. Try some of these fun and educational
activities at home:
 Read a book with your child by taking
turns reading each page or section,
depending upon the age of the child.
 Read a book and watch the movie version
together. Compare and contrast the two.
This could be as simple as The Cat in the
Hat or as complex as Harry Potter.
 Give your child a silly topic (spaghetti and
meatballs, penguins doing pushups, Mrs.
Houchen dancing with Mickey Mouse,
snowed in at school) and ask them to write
a poem, story, play, or song about the
topic. You do the same and then share
them with each other.
 Make a game out of practicing math facts.
Challenge your child and offer to do
something silly if they reach the goal. (I will
eat one jalapeno slice for every 10 facts
you get right in 30 seconds. You can eat
one potato chip for every fact you get right
in a minute, etc.)
 Create a science experiment out of baking
something
together.
Practice
Mrs. Joy Houchen
Principal
measurement, math computation, etc.
while you bake cookies.
 Look up the recipe for Flubber or play-doh.
Make it and play with it.
 Ask your child to show you something they
know how to do on the computer. They
may show you a website they use at
school and by teaching you how to use it,
learn themselves.
 Look at a map and plan your next vacation
together. It could be a real vacation or a
dream destination. Calculate the miles.
Plan your route. Discuss the differences in
time between flying and driving. Estimate
the cost of your vacation together.
These are just a few ideas for you. If you do not
like these, use this as a motivator to find
something fun and educational for you and your
children. Send in pictures and/or stories of what
you did together and we will share them later in
the year. You can send them to me in an email to
jhouchen@cuyhts.org or send them in to school
with your child. Most importantly, enjoy this time
you have with your children! They still want to
spend time with you! They still love to learn new
things! Trust me … time flies! Take a moment to
enjoy them while they are young!
Clever Crazes
The following students were award winners in the
Clever Crazes Christmas Holiday Contest winning
various prizes ranging from tennis shoes to gift
cards. As a school, we have earned $1500 to
purchase more physical education equipment!
Fourth Grade
Connor Gisztl
Angelo Kolcincko
Fifth Grade
Edward Gee
Joe Jakubczak
Kent Petras
Madelynn Stiegelmeyer
Darien Tillett
Jayden Urbassik
Chuckie Wilson
Third Grade ROCKS!
Please join our third grade "Rock Stars" on
Friday, February 21 at 2:15 for the play Third
Grade Rocks! Don't be "sedimentary" and come
get your "igneous" on in the elementary school
gym. It will be a "metamorphic" experience!
Swimming Begins
Pre-Kindergarten Registration
Registration for students enrolling in prekindergarten during the 2014-2015 school year
will take place on Friday, March 21. If you have a
child, or know of a child in our school district who
is eligible to attend next year, please call the
elementary school office at 216-429-5880 to make
an appointment for registration. Packets for
registration will be forwarded to parents and a
specific time for attending registration activities will
be reserved for each family. Children who will be
four years old on or before September 30, 2014
are eligible for the pre-kindergarten program.
Kindergarten Registration
This spring, we will be conducting kindergarten
registration on Friday, April 4, so that we can
accurately plan classes for next year. If you have
a child, or know of a child in our school district
who is eligible to attend kindergarten next year,
please call the elementary school office at 216429-5880 to make an appointment for registration.
Children who will be five years old on or before
September 30, 2014 are eligible for the
kindergarten program.
Staff In-Service Day
Just a reminder that students will not have school
on Friday, February 14, due to staff in-service.
Presidents’ Day
There will be no school for students on Monday,
February 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Grades kindergarten – fifth will be participating in
swimming during their physical education classes
from March 3 through March 21. Please be sure
to send your child to school with the appropriate
swim apparel.
School Closing
The AlertNow emergency notification system will
alert all staff and parents if school will be closed or
delayed. Our school closing information can be
seen on: TV Channels: 3, 5, 8, 19/43; and Radio
Stations: AM Channel WTAM 1100; FM Channels
99.5, 104.9, 105.7, 106.5, 100.7, 96.5. You may
also call our weather hotline for a recorded
message: (216) 429-5730, or go on-line to check
area school closings at www.cancellations.com.
In general, if schools are closed, all after-school
activities including athletic events and practices
will be canceled.
Looking Ahead…..
Please mark your calendars for the following
events!
Friday, March 7—Donuts for Dads
Friday, April 11—Grandparents Day
Friday, May 9 – Muffins for Moms
Calendar of Events
February 12
Wednesday
 Fourth grade Wax Museum 2-3:00 p.m.
 OAA Family Night 7:00 p.m. MS/HS caf
February 13
Thursday
 AM PK Valentine’s Day Party—10:30 a.m.
 Valentine’s Day Parties—2:30 p.m
February 14
Friday
 NO SCHOOL—Staff In-Service
February 17
Monday
 NO SCHOOL—Presidents’ Day
February 19
Wednesday
 Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
Ray Bahner-Ray Media Center
February 21
Friday
 Third Grade Musical—2:15 p.m.
Elementary School Gym
February 24
Monday
 Market Day pick-up 3:30—5:00 p.m.
Elementary School Cafeteria
March 3
Monday
 Swimming begins (through March 21)
Elementary Students of the Month
Board Of Education Recognition
Drew Dyer – Third Grade
Nominated by Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Currey, and Mr. Miller
Drew is a role model for the students in third grade. He tackles new challenges
seriously, eagerly and with a positive attitude. He shows perseverance in all that
he does. He has a kind, caring and friendly attitude that makes him a friend to
all. Drew consistently makes good choices in all parts of the school day! It has
been a pleasure having the opportunity to get to know and work with such a
fantastic person, classmate and student.
Kayla Vallee – Third Grade
Nominated by Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Currey, and Mr. Miller
Kayla is an extremely caring person. She is always willing to help anyone with
anything! Kayla works very hard on her schoolwork and is an enthusiastic
learner. She has the ability to brighten up anyone’s day with her smile and
positive attitude. Kayla is the kind of student that is always polite to peers and
adults both in and out of the classroom. Congratulations to Kayla on her
accomplishments this year!
“STAR” STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Super Talented and Amazing Redskins
January 2014
Displaying Extra Effort
Miss Petrunia
Grace Galek
Jelsie Garcia
Tyler Meadwell
Mr. Schiller
Logan Apathy
Erin Deka
Mr. Miller
Sam Borsuk
Ericka Henley
Mrs. Cichocki
Logan Fesler
Karissa Tritsarolis
Mrs. Harvan
Brooke Krajewski
Francesca Ross
Mrs. Fedor
Connor Gisztl
Madison Krzynowek
Mr. Luginbill
Anthony Grissman
Braden Mihal
Mrs. Kasmarcak
Amy Ellis
Angelena Mallos
Mrs. Rini
Madison Stepka
Jade Tommer
Ms. Reeves
Olivia King
Gavin Cline
Evan Wojtyszyn
Mr. Taylor
Massimiliano Chieffallo
Andrew McDonald
Mrs. Stafford
Jacob Artino
Jason Meadwell
Mrs. Bazydlo
James Blados
Tyler Herman
Mrs. Collins
Janasia Bridges
Michael Derbin
Mackenzie Horky
Abhijaya Singh
Miss Soeder
Thomas Burton
Kara Jesonosky
Justin Vokac
Mrs. D’Aquila
Donald Raymond
Vincent Snyder
Mrs. Currey
Christopher Costo
Bella Williams
Mr. Williams
Logan Cohara
Garrett Pazey
Anna Umphrey