Happy New Year!

I hope that our scholars, families and educators were able to recharge during winter break and have returned ready to take on the critical classroom work that awaits us in the second semester.

Across the District, students are engaging in learning that is joyful, adventurous and centered on complex academic tasks. Creative approaches – along with parental support and regular school attendance -- help drive gains we continue to see on our state and national report cards.

We also benefit from the support of the Board of Education. Please join me in celebrating that dedication during January, which is School Board Recognition Month.

But even as we focus on the present, it is necessary to plan for the future.

Families of eighth-graders should be examining our many high school options and deciding which ones will best prepare them for college and career.

Community high school choice fairs are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30 at East Professional Center, 1349 E. 79^th St., and Thursday, Feb. 6 at Max S. Hayes High School, 2211 W. 65^th St. To learn more about high school and K-8 school choice and submit selections, go to choosecmsd.org.

After high school, CMSD graduates can take advantage of new Say Yes to Education scholarships. These game-changing scholarships pay up to full tuition, minus federal and state aid, to all public colleges, universities and Pell-eligible training programs in Ohio and more than 100 private colleges and universities across the country.

It is important for families to keep in mind that, to receive the scholarships, students must be continuously enrolled in a CMSD or eligible partner charter high school and live in the District or city of Cleveland from ninth grade until graduation.

Seniors should remember that besides applying for the Say Yes scholarship, they must apply to colleges or training programs and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

CMSD is among 20 U.S. districts competing to see which can get the highest percentage of seniors to submit the FAFSA. Learn more and find a link to the FAFSA.

The Board of Education recently approved long-term plans for programs and facilities that maximize use of our limited resources, put more students in higher performing schools and modernized buildings and deliver on a promise, made in The Cleveland Plan, to give every child in the District access to a quality education.

This will involve consolidations and closings, but families who are impacted should be assured that we will provide strong support as they adjust. The District is putting in place teams to address needs and arrange a smooth transition. To learn more about the plan or submit questions, go to qualityschoolsforCLEkids.org.

We look forward to working for and with you to ensure your child’s success now and in the future.

Sincerely,