Human Resources & Operations Update
Quarterly Newsletter - November 2020
Greeting from the Assistant Superintendent of HR and Operations, Dr. Paul Lombardo
Mission Statement: Supporting academic excellence through the recruiting, selection, development, and retention of highly effective staff.
Dear Staff,
I truly hope you are doing well and staying safe during this unique and challenging time. It is hard to believe that we have just finished the first quarter of the 20-21 school year. As we began the year, it was challenging for me to visualize what the year was going to look like. I know I am not alone with this perspective. There is no doubt that we all continue to face challenges in our work, but we have always maintained our primary focus in the HR & Operations Departments: the safety and security of students and staff.
Since March, our departments have been meeting in reopening groups and subgroups to work collaboratively to put in place the safest procedures and protocols for working and learning in CH-UH. For the most updated information related to reopening, visit our website CH-UH Reopening Information.
Please take the time to review district In-Person Instruction Protocols (Operations). Protocols emphasized are below:
- 7-Step Protocols For Entering District Buildings
- Board Policy 8450.01-Protective Facial Coverings During Pandemic/Epidemic Events
- Face Covering Exemption Form
- Mask Breaks
- Nurse Webpage
District Reporting Guidelines For COVID Positive Cases
On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Ohio Department of Health issued an order encouraging families and requiring schools and local health departments to report information about positive COVID-19 cases in children. The goals of the order are to provide communities with information to minimize the further transmission of COVID-19 and to allow local health officials to begin timely contact tracing. Parents/guardians are being asked to report to their schools new positive COVID-19 cases for their children enrolled in school, from preschool-aged through grade 12.
Districts and schools must notify affected students/parents (in the same classroom and building) and their local health departments within 24 hours of learning of the student and/or staff cases. The reporting template will only need to be submitted to the local health department on days when there are new cases to report, per the ODE.
When reporting, you will want to note the date of the positive test and the date when symptoms started.
Staff Protocols:
Call or email your school principal/supervisor regarding a positive diagnosis.
Principal/Supervisor with the assistance of the nurse will trace locations and provide names and contact information of those in contact (a contact is anyone who has been within 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for at least 10 minutes, including 48 hours prior to the first date of symptoms or 48 hours prior to the date of testing, if the case is asymptomatic) to Dr. Lombardo. Dr. Lombardo will report these findings to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
HR contacts the affected staff member(s) with the next steps.
Cathan Cavanaugh, Supervisor of Communications will send a memo to families and staff regarding the positive diagnosis using the template provided by the CCBH.
Student/Family Protocols
Families can report positive COVID-19 cases in their children by either reporting through the attendance line when calling their student in absent, or they may call or email the school principal regarding a positive diagnosis.
Principal/Supervisor with the assistance of the nurse will trace locations and provide names and contact information of those in contact (a contact is anyone who has been within 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for at least 10 minutes, including 48 hours prior to the first date of symptoms or 48 hours prior to the date of testing, if the case is asymptomatic) to Dr. Lombardo. Dr. Lombardo will report these findings to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Cathan Cavanaugh, Supervisor of Communications will send a memo to families and staff regarding the positive diagnosis using the template provided by the CCBH.
Your Human Resources Team
Dr. Paul A. Lombardo- Administrative Support
Assistant Superintendent of HR and Operations
216-320-2030
Employee Code of Conduct, discipline, grievances, evaluations, district compliance officer, policies, recruitment, etc.
Manages the development and advancement of HR and Operations, supervises managers of support operations business services, transportation, security, food services and information technology.
Carla Morris- District Support
Human Resources Specialist
216-371-7405
Data requests, Public School Works, academic/coaching supplementals, AESOP, leaves of absences, workers’ compensation, unemployment, transitional work assignments, Timeware issues, licensure LPDC, employee EMIS, etc.
LaShae Daniels- Certified Support
Confidential Administrative Assistant
216-320-2029
Job postings, employee maintenance, AESOP assistance, Applicant Tracking assistance, eFMLA, FFCRA, leaves of absences, loan forgiveness requests, employment verification requests, background checks, field placements, evals, badge management, master teacher, etc.
Maya Smith- Classified Support
Confidential Administrative Assistant
216-320-2031
Job postings, employee maintenance, AESOP assistance, leaves of absences, tuition reimbursements, Timeware, employment verifications, etc.
Health & Wellness
Healthy Tiger Nation
Mission Statement: To encourage and support the health and well-being of our Tiger Nation by promoting a healthier lifestyle long-term and making healthy living fun.
CH-UH encourages everyone to take advantage of the Healthy Tiger Nation events and offerings! For more information visit our website Healthy Tiger Nation.
IMPACT
The IMPACT Employee Assistance (EAP) & Work/Life Program is a benefit available to you and your family offering access to confidential, professional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All IMPACT counselors are qualified masters/doctoral level professionals.
For more information please visit our website Employee Assistance Program
Member Login: CHUH
Employee Access Center (EAC)
What can it do for me? EAC is a look into your Human Resources/Payroll profile. You have several links (located on the left after the login page) to choose from, including:
Demographic Information
Additional Information
Payroll Checks
Salary and Benefits
Leave Information
Print W-2s
Tax Information
Deductions and Benefits
How do I login? Simply direct your web browser (at home or work) to:
https://eac-efp.managementcouncil.org/eFP5.2/EmployeeAccessCenter/Web/MultDBlogin.aspx
Before logging in, set the District and Profile drop-down menus to Cleveland Hts-Univ Hts CSD.
What’s my user name? Your user name is your CH-UH email address.
What’s my password? Your initial password is your last four (4) digits of your social security number. It is recommended after your first login, that you change your password.
Reminders - Please make sure your address and contact information are up to date. This is particularly important as Payroll will be sending tax documents.
Classified Staff
Job Openings - Refer a friend or family member
"Grow Your Own" Program
In partnership with Cleveland State University, CH-UH has developed a “Grow Your Own” program as a long-term strategy to encourage and support classified staff members in attaining the educational requirements to become educators in our district.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the $50,000 Human Capital Grant from the Ohio Department of Education from 19-20 has allowed us to extend the remaining funds through 20-21! This will still be used for our "Grow Your Own" initiative.
The final application period for Spring 2021 classes at CSU closes on November 15, 2020.
Certificated Staff
Welcome New Staff Members!
Administration
- Ricky Watters - Coordinator of Safety and Security
Certified Teachers
- Veronica Adams - School Nurse
- Felicia Buday - Intervention Specialist - Roxboro Middle School
- Marcus Bush - Intervention Specialist - Roxboro Middle School
- Brooke Cicerchi - Pre K Intervention Specialist, Gearity PD School
- Allison Factor - Intervention Specialist, Fairfax Elementary School
- Abigail Pratt - Math Teacher, Monticello Middle School
Holiday Observances
2020
- November 26th, 27th
- December 23rd, 24th, 25th, 31st
2021
- January 1st, 18th
- February 15th
- April 2nd
- May 31st
Employee Access Center
Please click here to log in to the Employee Access Center (EAC). Review and update your address, if necessary, so we have the correct address for W-2's.
Master Teacher
Please click here to fill out the Master Teacher Program and Renewal Letter of Intent form. Forms must be received in the HR Department no later than the first Monday in December.
Tenure
In order to be eligible for the granting of a continuing contract, the bargaining unit member must have an appropriate certificate or license on file with the Board by March 20 of the year of tenure.
Please refer to Article 4, Section F of the 795 Negotiated Agreement.
Retirement Enhancement
Bargaining unit members who submit written verification of service credit earned as documented on their STRS or SERS Annual Statement of Account (bargaining unit members may use a combination of STRS and SERS Annual statements), shall be eligible to receive an additional payment of $700 during their 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, and 35th year of service. However, those employees who received a $1,150 retirement enhancement during one year of years 28-30, shall be eligible to receive only $470 in their 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, and 35th year of service. Those employees who received a $1,150 retirement enhancement during two years of years 28-30, shall be eligible to receive only $240 in their 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, and 35th year of service. Those employees who received a $1,150 retirement enhancement during their 28th, 29th, and 30th years shall not be eligible for any payments during their 31st-35th years. This additional compensatory payment will be paid in monthly increments during the contractual cycle. Bargaining unit members will submit the written documentation required in each of the five years on or before November 15 to be eligible for the retirement enhancement payment for that year.
Salary Reclassification
Please be aware the next salary reclassification due to additional coursework (e.g., moving from MA to MA+10) has a deadline of January 15, 2021. More information regarding Transcripts and Additional Training/Salary Schedule Placement can be found in Article 4, Section D of the 795 Negotiated Agreement. If you believe you have met the requirements for a change increase please complete this form.
Licensure Renewals
The Ohio Department of Education is opening the licensure renewal window later this year to give first priority to educators whose licenses will expire on December 1. Educators whose licenses will expire June 30, 2021, may submit their renewal applications beginning January 1, 2021.
As previously announced, the Department is providing flexibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic for educators to renew their currently expiring license(s). All licenses previously set to expire on July 1, 2020, have now been extended to Dec. 1, 2020. This license expiration extension allows educators additional time to complete their requirements for renewal.
Please direct questions to the Office of Educator Licensure.
Email: Educator.Licensure@Education.Ohio.Gov
Phone: 877-644-6338
Business Services & Facilities
The Business Department has been working daily to acquire and distribute the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to keep our students & staff safe. The Building Custodial, Cleaning Staff along with the District's Grounds and Trades have been working each and every day without missing a step.
No matter the Public Health designation, our Buildings & Grounds staff will continue to come to work and maintain our schools for food distribution and facility maintenance and cleaning.
Since the start of the pandemic our district has purchased more than $260,000 worth of PPE. That includes face masks, face shields, thermometers, gloves, signs, floor decals, new Purell soap & disinfectant dispensers, desk shields for students & teachers, machines that spray large surface areas for faster disinfecting large areas and we will continue to supply the PPE that is needed.
We have also hired engineering firm HEAPY to conduct a district wide Heating, Ventilation & Air-conditioning (HVAC) study. The study is focused on our system and the general functionality, overall condition, filtration, and cleanliness. The information provided will help our district to determine the best option for addressing the functionality of he existing buildings.
The District currently utilizes a web based work order system called School Dude. You can access the system at https://login.myschoolbuilding.com/msb
*Look for changes to the Maintenance work order system soon*
Transportation
Greetings, Tiger Nation, from the CH-UH Schools Transportation Department!
The CH-UH transportation team started transporting our non-public students daily the week of August 24th. We started transportation for our public SPED students the week of September 29th. At this time all students and staff entering the bus must wear a mask and use the provided hand sanitizer. Below is a list of current guidelines everyone is expected to follow.
All students will be required to wear a mask while riding the bus.
Parents/Guardians will be responsible for checking their students’ temperatures and monitoring for signs and symptoms of covid-19; students with a temperature above 100.1 degrees or showing signs and/or symptoms will need to remain at home.
Transportation will not transport sick students home as identified by the school. The Parent/Guardian will be solely responsible for picking up sick students.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for proper student hand washing and/or sanitizing before leaving home and entering the bus.
Students are required to use the provided hand sanitizer station when entering the bus.
Parents/Guardians will be responsible for monitoring proper social distancing at the bus stops.
All students are to enter the bus and go straight to their assigned seat when entering the bus at the bus stop and at the school.
Siblings will be required to sit together in the same seat.
Students will be directed by the driver as to the proper exit procedure when arriving at the school to help prevent crowding, pushing and close contact.
We are currently trying to provide adequate social distancing for all students. However, due to varying bell schedules, time constraints and limited resources, multiple students may be required to sit in the same seat, as allowable per law.
Winter Weather
Winter Weather is arriving, please remember:
- Have your child dress appropriately for the weather.
- Students should wait for the bus several feet further back from the road in a place of safety.
- Use the handrails when boarding and exiting the bus to help prevent slips and falls on icy steps.
- Do not play on snow piles at the bus stop.
- Do not chase or grab the bus while it is moving.
STOP: IT'S THE LAW!
If a bus has its red stop lights flashing, drivers have to stop. Students are either loading or unloading and may be crossing the street in front of the bus.
There has been a growing number of motorists that either just do not care or are too distracted to stop. We need to help keep our children safe and make sure everyone is aware that you must stop for School Bus Stop arms when they are deployed.
Food Service Department
Painting with Meal Pick Up
I Want Ice Cream!
Community Partnership with CH-UH
Welcome Back Tiger Nation!
The Food Service Department, AVI Foodsystems, has been working hard to provide meals to our students and community without skipping a beat during the pandemic.
The District has been very successful in providing meals from shut down in March. So far, we have provided more than 700,00 meals and counting to our students and community.
The District has had amazing community outreach from local business to help our students throughout this pandemic. We would like to recognize Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, Bialy's Bagels, GoGo Squeeze Apple Sauce, and Stone Oven Bakery who all donated generously this summer.
A very special "Thank You" to Zagara's Marketplace who has partnered with the District to provide an additional distribution pick up location Monday-Friday.
---
The USDA has extended the Seamless Summer Options Program all through June 2021. The District is providing Free Breakfast and Lunch to all students or community member 18 and under. Meals are available for pickup Monday-Friday (Friday pickup includes Saturday and Sunday meals). See Link.
In addition, starting November 3rd every Tuesday and Thursday we will be piloting the Oxford Mobile Meal Distribution. See Link.
The District was awarded a $65,000 grant from No Kid Hunger Alliance to help prepare for back to school feeding, whether it be eating in the classroom or mobile meal distribution.
Fun Tips on Staying Healthy and Hydrated During the Winter Months!
As the winter months settle in we become more sedentary. Our onsite Dietitian Kristen Totino recommends the following steps to stay healthy.
Stay in Bed! It is recommended that an individual to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. It is important to recharge your body and mind.
Steps In! To increase your step count, try to park farther away in the parking lot while shopping. Also, choose to take the stairs rather than the elevator. Both examples are ways to increase your daily step count.
Hydration Hydration Hydration! It is recommended that an individual drinks at least 8 cups of water a day. These small tips will help any individual reach this goal.
1. Carry a water bottle- sounds silly... but it does work and it is good for the environment.
2. Infuse your water- try adding fruit or citrus to give a different flavor profile.
3. Yes - drinking sparkling water or hot tea does count in your daily water intake!
Food Service Surveys:
Your Voice Matters! We encourage all feedback to our program. We are here to serve the students, faculty and staff. We will be conducting student surveys in December. Please visit the link and make your voice heard! https://www.chuh.org/SchoolDiningSurvey.aspx.
Information Technology
Technology to Support a Hybrid Instructional Model
Bandwidth
- Our bandwidth was doubled last year from 1 gig to 2 gigs.
- This will support virtual teaching via Google Meet when teachers return to the school buildings.
Chromebooks
- Students should bring their district-issued Chromebooks to school on their assigned days.
- The devices should be completely charged each night and carried with students in their bookbags.
- Technicians will visit classrooms and add protective cases to the Chromebooks as soon as we move to a hybrid schedule.
Labs
- To keep everyone safe, we need to limit shared technology.
- Most computer labs (with the exception of specialized CTE labs at the high school) are temporarily closed.
Support
- Staff, students, and families can reach the IT Support Line at (216) 397-5910.
- You are welcome to share the graphic below with our families.
Safety & Security
Safety and Security: A New Beginning
Greetings Tiger Nation from the Security Department.
My name is Ricky Watters and I’m the Coordinator of Safety and Security for the District. I’m experiencing a lot of great things with the district and I’m looking forward to meeting you personally. My plan as Coordinator of Safety and Security is to promote the District’s Mission, Philosophy, and Vision.
The CH-UH Security Department is currently being re-constructed to closely monitor the district issued equipment, as well as collecting inventory on who has access and alarm codes to the different buildings throughout the district.
This profession constantly demands thorough and up-to-date training for school security personnel. We will provide our monitors with the quality education and training needed to effectively perform their jobs in a wide variety of areas.
The CH-UH Security Department is committed to training our monitors within their world of work. Therefore, we have a lot of serious work ahead of us if we are going to accomplish this goal. I have started providing some great new training for our monitors so that they can provide the safest and most secure physical environment for all of our students, staff and visitors. By the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year, our monitors will receive the following training:
- American Heart Foundation CPR/First Aid Certification
- Emergency Management Introduction to incident Command system ICS-100 (completed)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-00700.a
- F.E.M.A. – Online Individual Preparedness
Possible future Certifications:
- 124 Hour Ohio Peace officer Training Commission Security Academy Certification
- 40 Hour A.P.C.O. National 911 Telecommunication I Certification
By the conclusion of the 2021-2022 School year, our monitors will have completed over 500 hour-Lifetime Certification from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTA) Security Academy.
The CH-UH Monitors pride ourselves on being good problem solvers, team players, detail-oriented and reliable. The monitors will receive a high volume of training and have the opportunity to network with other monitors within other school districts.
Please don’t hesitate to send me an email with any ideas, suggestions, questions or concerns that you might have. I’m so looking forward to working with all of you.
Thank you,
Ricky Watters
Coordinator of Safety and Security
Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District
Phone: 216.320.2063
Email: r_watters@chuh.org
Athletics
The CH-UH Athletic Department experienced a successful 2020 fall season. Players, coaches and families were extremely appreciative to be given the opportunity to compete. Highlights from the season include:
Boys XC Runner, Braedan Gallagher qualifies for Regional XC meet this Saturday, October 31. He is the first Boys XC runner to qualify since 2015. He is in the mix to qualify for the State Meet the following weekend.
Senior Adele Dooner competes in 3 Varsity sports during one season. Adele was a member of the Girls Golf, Tennis and XC teams. Competing in 3 Varsity sports during one year is impressive…doing it in one season is unheard of.
No known Covid cases reported amongst any of the fall sports athletes/teams.
Coaches, Athletes and Spectators all did a great job of following protocols put in place by the Governor, OHSAA and CHUH. Including passing several inspections.
Media Coverage on the additional measures CH-UH took to protect athletes.
2020-2021 Winter Season
The CH-UH Athletic Department is currently monitoring COVID within Cuyahoga County and around Northeast Ohio as we prepare for the Winter Season.
As of now OHSAA has stated to plan on winter sports starting on time (Girls Basketball has already started). Practices are modified and operating under Phase 3 of CHUH Return to Play Guidelines.
We have received game play and hosting recommendations from the Governor’s Office and OHSAA on winter sports protocols (waiting on bowling). Like in the fall CH-UH will submit to Cuyahoga County Board of Health by Friday, October 30.
CH-UH has developed its own modifications for each winter sport. Examples: roster limits, spectators limits, reduction of games/contests, reduction in number of opponents for meets/matches, purchasing of additional protective equipment and/or specialized sanitization products.
Winter Sports Include:
Boys & Girls Basketball
Boys & Girls Bowling
Ice Hockey
Indoor Track
Swimming & Diving
Wrestling
For complete schedule and athletic information visit our website: www.heightstigers.com
Watch our games via live stream at the district's YouTube channel.