CMSD Parent

Broadway star and Cleveland School of The Arts graduate Warren Egypt Franklin returned to Cleveland over the past holiday season to work. Performing in the traveling production of the Broadway hit Hamilton, Franklin played the roles of the rapidly rapping Marquis de Lafayette in Act I of the musical and a boastful Thomas Jefferson in Act II of the smash hit show. The show ended a six-week run at Playhouse Square on January 15th.

While in town, the 2015 Cleveland School of the Arts graduate, did more than work and perform the National Anthem at a Cavaliers game. He also found time for a heart-felt visit to his alma mater. Sitting on stage in the school’s Black Box Theater, he shared lessons about acting, life and growing up in Cleveland with nearly 150 inquisitive students. He described his journey from the Glenville neighborhood to CSA, to Baldwin Wallace University and then to his current role as a member of the touring company of “Hamilton.”

To say that Warren’s career is currently a high-flying act is a bit of an understatement. The young man, who deliberately made Cleveland his last scheduled performance in Hamilton, a span covering three years and 700 shows, is clearly going places. A starring role in a new television series is currently in the works.

A proud Scott Miller, the director of CSA’s theater arts program and CMSD educator who once taught Warren, moderated a vigorous question and answer session.

“I would not be who I am without CSA,” Warren told director Miller. “My mom moved us to Bedford (when I was a kid) and I rode the bus at 6 a.m. down to CSA. I felt I had more opportunity here than any other school.”

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Preschoolers at Luis Munoz Marin Dual Language Academy can now reach the newly installed Clevertouch screens thanks to Max Hayes High School students.

Preschool teacher Stephanie DeFelicibus says her students range in age from three to five years old and aren’t tall enough to reach the screen.

“Sometimes I have to pick a student up to reach the board,” said DeFelicibus.

That can be challenging, especially when a preschooler wants to trace their letters or numbers on a wall-mounted Clevertouch screen.

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CMSD produces big stories every year, but 2022 generated more than its share.

While the pending change in the CEO’s office leads the list, the runners-up were more than remarkable. And as usual, the pool of possibilities overflowed, leaving some contenders out of the Top 10.

Here are the results.

1. CEO Eric Gordon announced that he will step down when the current school year ends on June 30, 2023. Gordon, the longest serving CMSD superintendent in four decades, said the timing and conditions were right for making the transition to a new leader. He said he still had passion for the job but wanted to put the long-term interests of the District first.

2. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave the District an unsolicited, unrestricted $20 million gift that might rank as the largest private donation CMSD has ever received. The money will be used to create the Get More Opportunities Fund, which will pay for travel and other student experiences, staff development and one-time improvements – for example, athletic equipment, musical instruments and science labs.

3. Glenville won the first state football championship in CMSD history. The Tarblooders, who had made 18 previous playoff appearances and finished as runner-up twice, were honored with a parade that was followed by a community celebration at Public Auditorium.

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At a young age, Erica knew she wanted to be a writer. She also knew she had the talent.

“In the fourth grade, that's when I really started feeling like my writing started getting good,” said Erica, a Cleveland School of the Arts sophomore.

Over the past few years, Erica has continued to hone her craft and it has paid off. She, along with several other CSA students and a student from Cleveland School of Science and Medicine, recently won a total of 30 Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards. They accepted their awards earlier this month during a ceremony at The Cleveland Institute of Art.

Erica won a Gold Key, the highest regional award, for a poem she wrote and titled, “The Children of Venus.” She found inspiration for her poem after viewing the sculpture of Torso of Venus at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

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The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many students in need of academic help as they work to get back on track.

Effective this week, students in kindergarten through fifth grade can receive live online tutoring from CMSD teachers in reading and English Language Arts, math, science and social studies from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Starting Monday, the tutoring will also be available to students in sixth through 12th grades.

To schedule an appointment, parents or caregivers should go to ClevelandMetroSchools.org/tutor. You will need your child’s CMSD email address to register.

Feb. 1 Athletics Signing Day

Feb. 1 Senate League Swimming Championship

Feb. 6 K-12 School Choice Portal Reopens

Feb. 8 Segment 8 Community Meeting - Gallagher

Feb. 8 Senate League Girls & Boys Basketball Championships

Feb. 11 Senate League Wrestling Championship

Feb. 14 Civics 2.0 | Student Media Conference

Feb. 23 Chess Championship

Mar. 13 District Parent Ambassador Committee

United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 2-1-1 HelpLink is a free, anonymous referral service that handles calls from those who need help accessing resources such as housing support, utility assistance, mental health services, food and much more.

Using United Way's 2-1-1 HelpLink is a simple, friendly, free and confidential experience. People in need of assistance call 2-1-1, and one of United Way's 2-1-1 navigation specialists will ask a series of questions.

The navigation specialists develop customized plans using a database of more than 16,000 government, health and human services programs.

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CMSD's Ombuds Office can be an additional resource for parents trying to navigate District processes, resolve differences or overcome barriers. Learn more in this video.

A key component of The Cleveland Plan is shifting our culture to becoming more service-oriented, improving communication and customer satisfaction. Tell us about your experience today!

The CMSD News Bureau keeps you up to date at clevelandmetroschools.org/news and on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Website: ClevelandMetroSchools.org
Location: 1111 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH, USA
Phone: (216) 838.0000
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Twitter: @CLEMetroSchools