Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School (CHES) students, parents, and other family members turned out for a night of reading, learning, and fun on February 12. This year’s event, dubbed the GALA (Games, Art, Literacy, and Achievement), was an expansion of previous years’ events to reflect greater happenings in learning taking place at the school.
“In light of our school's achievement as a National ESEA Distinguished School, we changed the name to include literacy and achievement,” said technology teacher Gary Miller, who coordinated the event. CHES was one of 63 schools nationwide selected as a 2026 National Distinguished School for significant achievement gains economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.
“The Literacy and Achievement portion of the GALA was a celebration of books, reading, our district’s love of learning, and recognition of our school’s achievement as a National ESEA Distinguished School,” noted Kelly Cummins, preschool coordinator who assisted Miller in organizing the event. Other assistants included art teacher Sean Garrow and Melissa Meadwell, librarian.
Activities included games, such as Bingo and Connect Four, Candyland, and Trouble, student art displays, a Book Fair, and a sign-up to obtain a library card to theCuyahoga County Public Library. The PTO sponsored a 50/50 raffle and a basket raffle. Board games donated by CHES staff members were given away to lucky families.
Families were invited to shop at the Book Fair, enjoy story time with staff members, and see students bring their favorite stories to life during a “Dress as Your Favorite Book Character “contest.
Student artwork was displayed along the two main hallways leading to the cafeteria and gym. K-2 students made drawings using a printmaking style with water and markers. “It was exciting to share what we have been working on in the art room this year,” said art teacher Sean Garrow. “We have been learning about our Elements of Art and Principles of Design to create colorful compositions in kindergarten-second grade as well as building our connection to themes and personal artistic development in third through fifth grade.”
