Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools March, 2018 Volume 3, Issue 8 The Monthly Update Dear CHS Families, As a principal and a father, I live a dual life, all day, every day. Both roles require that I fulfill certain responsibilities to be equally effective. Finding the balance is a challenge, but one that I welcome and find gratifying beyond expression. Because of my position as a principal, I am typically well informed about the mandates, policies, and requirements to which my boys must follow to successfully earn a high school diploma, college admission, and a future career based on their goals and abilities. As a parent, I tend to be in touch with the latest music, fashion, fads and trends – for better or for worse. The two roles complement one another very well. As I have communicated in the past, I place equal value on my responsibility as an educator as I do as a parent. When my first son boarded the school bus for his first day of kindergarten, I realized that from that day forward he would be less influenced by “dad” and more influenced by his peers and, more importantly, his teachers. I realized that I had to trust that he would be safe. I had to trust that he would return home to me every day. I knew that he would never be fully sheltered from some of the social bumps in the road with peers, or the occasional frustration with schoolwork. As an educator, I know my children had to go through these things, with support, in order to establish skills for coping, problem solving or conflict resolution. This is how they establish their identity, learn to set goals, and learn to get back up after being knocked down. As a dad, I have allowed my boys to take their fair share of lumps over the years, but I have done my best to nurture them through every defeat and attempt to turn it into a positive life lesson. I vividly recall two events that changed me forever. One was 9-11. I remember as a teacher watching with my honors chemistry students those buildings collapse and realized that two oceans were no longer wide enough to fully secure our nation from attack. We released school at noon on that day. I called my wife to check on her and my infant son. She was watching Elmo with him all morning and had no idea – there were no smart phones back then to text or receive news alerts. That day, I felt life shifting from one path to a more uncertain one. The other event was Columbine. Never before had schools been the calculated focus of such acts of violence. Students and faculty became the targets for reasons we had difficulty understanding. Schools were supposed to be a safe place for children to learn and teachers to teach. We had routinely practiced fire and tornado drills from the day we entered kindergarten. No one imagined at that time that lockdown drills and A.L.I.C.E. training would become part of standard safety protocol. That day, my role as an educator took on the characteristic of protector. Since Columbine, school- related attacks are approaching 210 incidents, according to one account. With the recent tragedies in public schools, my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their communities; however, at the forefront of those thoughts are my own children and the students and families of the Cuyahoga Heights Local School District. (continued on page 2) Principal’s Message
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Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools
March, 2018 Volume 3, Issue 8
The Monthly Update
Dear CHS Families,
As a principal and a father, I live a dual life, all day, every day. Both roles require that I fulfill certain responsibilities to
be equally effective. Finding the balance is a challenge, but one that I welcome and find gratifying beyond expression.
Because of my position as a principal, I am typically well informed about the mandates, policies, and requirements to
which my boys must follow to successfully earn a high school diploma, college admission, and a future career based on
their goals and abilities. As a parent, I tend to be in touch with the latest music, fashion, fads and trends – for better or for
worse. The two roles complement one another very well.
As I have communicated in the past, I place equal value on my responsibility as an educator as I do as a parent. When
my first son boarded the school bus for his first day of kindergarten, I realized that from that day forward he would be
less influenced by “dad” and more influenced by his peers and, more importantly, his teachers. I realized that I had to
trust that he would be safe. I had to trust that he would return home to me every day.
I knew that he would never be fully sheltered from some of the social bumps in the road with peers, or the occasional
frustration with schoolwork. As an educator, I know my children had to go through these things, with support, in order to
establish skills for coping, problem solving or conflict resolution. This is how they establish their identity, learn to set
goals, and learn to get back up after being knocked down. As a dad, I have allowed my boys to take their fair share of
lumps over the years, but I have done my best to nurture them through every defeat and attempt to turn it into a positive
life lesson.
I vividly recall two events that changed me forever. One was 9-11. I remember as a teacher watching with my honors
chemistry students those buildings collapse and realized that two oceans were no longer wide enough to fully secure our
nation from attack. We released school at noon on that day. I called my wife to check on her and my infant son. She
was watching Elmo with him all morning and had no idea – there were no smart phones back then to text or receive news
alerts. That day, I felt life shifting from one path to a more uncertain one.
The other event was Columbine. Never before had schools been the calculated focus of such acts of violence. Students
and faculty became the targets for reasons we had difficulty understanding. Schools were supposed to be a safe place for
children to learn and teachers to teach. We had routinely practiced fire and tornado drills from the day we entered
kindergarten. No one imagined at that time that lockdown drills and A.L.I.C.E. training would become part of standard
safety protocol. That day, my role as an educator took on the characteristic of protector. Since Columbine, school-
related attacks are approaching 210 incidents, according to one account. With the recent tragedies in public schools, my
thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their communities; however, at the forefront of those thoughts are my
own children and the students and families of the Cuyahoga Heights Local School District.
(continued on page 2)
Principal’s Message
Not a day goes by that I don’t tell my boys that I love them. I am not too proud to let them know my feelings. It doesn’t
make me any less of a man – it makes me a dad. I would do anything to protect them. I have started each of my three
school years at CHS addressing the student body. Each year, at opening day assemblies, I tell your students that I love
them. Some look at me as though I am from another planet. Others wonder, “Why would our principal say that to us?”
The explanation is simple. I assure them that if anyone walks through our doors and attempts to do harm, I will do
everything in my power to protect them. I would do this without thought, because I would want someone to do the same
for my family. I tell them that if that isn’t “love,” I don’t know what is. I anticipate most adults at CHS would do the
same.
Our district, in cooperation with safety personnel from our three villages, works diligently each day to keep our students
as safe as possible. Our staff has received intense professional development related to school safety. We practice
multiple scenarios with and without students. Local safety forces and the Ohio Department of Education have approved
our safety plan. As parents, you want to know more details. I get that. My boys attend Wadsworth High School, and I
have no specifics about their protocols and practices. Their administration and faculty has my trust, and I believe they do
their best, just as we do at CHS, to create the safest environment possible. We are committed to your children.
I met with my high school students briefly after the Parkland School Shooting in Florida. I reemphasized how much we
care about them. I expressed the importance of looking out for one another, not just your closest friends, but everyone.
A school district is a large family, and family takes care of one another. The most critical component is to follow what
local law enforcement emphasizes – If you see something, say something. I encourage you to do the same. Safer Schools
Ohio may be contacted 24/7 by phone or text at 844-SAFEROH (844-723-3764). In addition, my direct line is 216-429-
5835. Further, safety personnel in our villages are accessible by contacting the respective departments.
Thank you for sharing this moment with me. Reflections such as this sharpen my focus as a principal and soften my
heart as a dad.
Page 2
The Monthly Update
Principal’s Message (continued)
March is Mental Health Awareness Month
Hotlines & Helplines
Safer School Ohio: Phone or text to 844-SAFEROH (844-723-3764).
School Helpline (Anonymous tip line for school concerns): 800-418-6423 x 359
First Call for Help Community Resource Line 2-1-1 or 216-436-2000