Welcome Back, CH-UH Staff!

Our annual Back to School Resource Fair is this Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Heights High School. It is sure to be a beautiful day celebrating the start of a new school year with families, staff, and many community partners.

As we transition into the new school year, we are excited to welcome our students back to Tiger Nation. Below is some information I want to share as we prepare for the start of school.

The next several days will be filled with deep learning and connection. Please see the August 13 email from Christopher Keating for professional learning schedules.

I look forward to seeing all of our staff on August 18 for Convocation Day, where we will reconnect with one another and share important information for the coming school year, including our recent District-level reorganization (plus the reveal of our next biennial District theme). Additionally, don't forget to wear your best Tiger Nation gear/black & gold for a spirit contest! The winning building will receive a special prize. You won't want to miss it!

The school calendar is available to view in various formats on the Calendars page on the District website, CHUH.org. Please review the important dates, including holidays, professional development days, and parent-teacher conferences.

Print copies of the wall calendar are being sent to each school this week for staff.

Our District's goal is to decrease chronic student absenteeism by 3 percentage points each year through 2027-2028. As we work to meet this goal, we are focusing on a strong start to attendance, especially in the first quarter. Research from Attendance Works indicates that the start of the school year is the most important component to setting students on a strong course for attendance.

Staff are currently making personal phone calls to families whose students were chronically absent last year. We want families to hear from someone who knows their student, cares about their success, and can help connect them with support if needed.

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all our students and staff. We take Title IX, as well as any other issues involving student safety and wellbeing, extremely seriously. As part of our ongoing efforts, we will continue to conduct our annual Title IX training for students and staff to ensure awareness of our Title IX policies and procedures.

Q&A: Understanding Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

How does the district handle Title IX cases?

Our district has a dedicated Title IX coordinator who oversees investigations and ensures that all reports of sex-based discrimination are addressed promptly and effectively. We provide training to staff and students to promote awareness and prevention.

How do I issue a Title IX complaint?

Reporting options include the following:

• Directly report to any staff member or administrator

• Directly report to the District Title IX Coordinator

• Call the Safe School Helpline at 1-800-4-1-VOICE (1-800-418-6423) ext. 359

• Submit a Sexual Harassment Complaint form via the District site here or here.

Information on our Title IX processes can also be found here.

As we embark on this new school year, we are enthusiastic about the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. We look forward to working together to create a supportive and enriching environment for our students. Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to our school community.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Liz Kirby

The District has adopted a plan for communications with persons with disabilities, which is available here. The plan establishes procedures to ensure that the District's communications with persons with disabilities, including applicants, participants, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as its communications with others.