Dear Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools Community,

Homecoming Week is upon our district, and the excitement of this annually anticipated and time-honored tradition is certain to fill our community with tremendous school spirit. The BBHCSD respectfully asks for everyone's participation to help keep our students safe and enjoying themselves in a constructive, fun environment. Here's what the community can expect the next several days:


• Thursday, September 18th: Annual Homecoming parade and bonfire departing the former Hilton site at 7 p.m., traveling Mill Road to the MS drive, and concluding in the field near the Board Office.
• Friday, September 19th: Homecoming football game, 7 p.m., before which our Court will be introduced and winners announced prior to kickoff at 6:40 p.m.
• Saturday, September 20th: Homecoming Dance at the outdoor stadium (weather permitting) at 7 p.m.

Thank you in advance for your help in the community to know about these details and to ensure a safe and successful Homecoming Weekend for our students.

BBHCSD Earns 5-Stars on State of Ohio Report Card!



The BBHCSD earned the high achievement of 5 stars on the State Report Card, which was released throughout the state earlier this week. In each of the six measurable components, including Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation Rate, Early Literacy, and College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness, our overall performance index greatly exceeds statewide standards and keeps the BBHCSD in a class of its own. You can visit a comprehensive summary of the BBHCSD's performance here at the Ohio Department of Education's website. Congratulations to the students for their performance and achievement, our devoted staff for demonstrating rigor in the classroom, and our families for continuing to elevate the importance of academics and your support with this accomplishment.

Congratulations National Merit Semifinalists!

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools would like to formally congratulate the following individuals who were recently named National Merit Semi-Finalists: Haylie Martin, Nakshatra Mohan, Koen Sustersic, and Madelyn Manley. These individuals are among the most academically talented students in the entire nation, who have scored in the top 1% of all applicants, and are among the top 16,000 students who participate in the PSAT/NMSQT. Haylie, Nakshatra, Koen, and Madelyn can move onto the finalist round by submitting a detailed application, confirming their PSAT performance with SAT/ACT scores, receiving a high school recommendation, and providing an essay. Finalists are then considered for one of approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships awarded each year. Please join the district in commending Haylie Martin, Nakshatra Mohan, Koen Sustersic, and Madelyn Manley.

HS Football, Cheer, & Marching Band Visit Elementary School



High School students participating in football, cheer, and marching band from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School took time from their Friday afternoon on September 5th and made a positive and meaningful visit to the Elementary and Intermediate School to say hello to students there. This visit came in advance of Elementary Night at the home football game later that evening during what has become an annual tradition of inter-grade connectedness that sees our district’s youngest students truly engaging with their upperclassmen Bees student peers. Great BBHCSD school pride is experienced during interactions such as this, and the district thanks the student participants, coaches, and principals for keeping this annual visit alive, strong, and valuable. See more pictures and read the full article here.

Special Guest Composer Visits Middle School, Shows Career Pathways



On Friday, September 12th, BBHMS students had an outstanding hands-on opportunity to hear from Carmel Dean, a Grammy-nominated composer, arranger, and music director from Australia to learn about experiences in this particular creative arts industry. Carmel Dean has worked on Broadway productions including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, American Idiot, and If/Then starring Idina Menzel, and most recently, she served as music supervisor and co-orchestrator for The Notebook musical, which earned a Grammy nomination this year. Her visit highlighted the many career pathways music can lead to—including for performing, composing, arranging, conducting, or directing. Our students were fully engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and walked away inspired by her journey and accomplishments. Creating clear pathways for future career readiness is an essential ingredient for student success, along with being a fun, meaningful, and memorable experience for all. 

Be Engaged Coffee Talks and Key Communicators Schedules! Please Attend!

An important part of our strategic plan is communications and engagement with the stakeholders of our community. After a positive response from last year, we're kicking-off our Coffee House visits tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th at the Coffee Club in Broadview Heights from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. to discuss the important matter of state budgeting and district finances. See the above graphic that helps to promote a topic per coffee house visit, rotating between Broadview Heights and Panera Bread in Brecksville. Hope to see you there to learn, to ask questions, and to engage.

Key Communicators Engagement Sessions for Evening Availability!

While our coffee house visits are intentionally intended for citizens who prefer a morning chat, or during-the-day opportunity to be engaged, our BEE Empowered Key Communicator sessions are designed for parents and others who find the evening more convenient! The BBHCSD kicks off its Key Communicators with our annual State of the Schools presentation at the High School on Tuesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. Follow up Key Communicators will be held in January and April at each of our buildings. Please attend for this chance to stay informed!

The Ledger & the Leader PODCAST Well Received. Next Edition Here!

Thanks to a great response from the introductory Ledger and the Leader podcast, we've recently posted our next edition that revolves around the very important topic of district finances. Treasurer Yaniglos and I spend the entire time discussing state budget impacts on district finances, the prospect of coming changes to the way schools are funded and much more. You can access the podcast on the district's webpage, or watch on YouTube as well. Please take a moment to grab an update on this important topic of financial matters.

Thought Exchange Survey Results for Your Information

Thank you to the parents and community members who took the time to share in our pilot thought exchange survey last month. Below are some of the results in which we take great interest, and would like to share with you. A continued emphasis on communications with feedback mechanisms are valued, and help to exceed trust levels and strengthen channels for early intervention. Individualized learning was also a point of common ground among participants, where results showed acknowledging diverse needs and styles of education help students reach their potential. Personalized attention can make a significant impact! Safety and environment emphasis creates a welcoming atmosphere, transcends physical measures and creates a stress-reduced setting. Survey results also shared that supporting high quality teachers positively shape student learning experiences as well. They are the backbone of the educational system, and when empowered, can profoundly elevate learning experiences. Finally, the potential harmful affects of excessive screen time was raised as a common ground point. Respondents cited the need for mindfulness of too much technology, and to remember that authentic interaction between students and teachers can be more impactful.

Wow! We thank you for your participation. Next month's survey will be included in my monthly email and I look forward to even more feedback!

Hoping to see you at tomorrow's Coffee Chat!

GO BEES!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey D. Harrison

Superintendent