How Extended Closure Will Impact Heights Schools

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Earlier this week, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all Ohio schools to suspend face-to-face learning through the end of the school year. The news prompted the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools to take creative action to honor graduating seniors at Heights High, but will also cause other changes in the district.

The district is in the midst of its Tier 3 learning plan, which will extend through the end of the year. The plan includes virtual live instruction, weekly schedules for classrooms, student support labs, self-paced activities, videos and more.

"Surveys were sent earlier this month to families and staff to learn more about their experiences with at-home learning and the closure as a whole. These survey results informed our Tier 3 plan, especially the components of the weekly schedule and live instruction," the district said in a news release.

Here are other ways the extended closure will impact the district:

• To date, the Heights Schools have distributed 1,400 Chromebooks to students for distance learning. District leaders are working on a plan for how and when those laptops will be returned.
• All spring sports have been canceled.
• The district will continue to distribute free meals for area children until the end of the school year. More than 100,000 meals have already been passed out.
• Strategic planning is ongoing. Planning and task force meetings will be held virtually and online surveys will collect information from stakeholders.

The district has postponed prom and commencement, with the hope the state will peel back many of its restrictions on social gatherings. School officials are also working on creative ways to honor the Heights High class of 2020.