Greetings CMSD Family and Friends,
As we come back from the Thanksgiving holidays, I am reflective about the kind of schools I want for our scholars. I think about schools where every child feels safe, both physically and emotionally, and where they have the support they need to grow into the best version of themselves.
Building a safe and supportive culture is at the core of our strategic priorities, and I’m proud of the steps we’re taking together as a district to make that vision a reality. Below are some of the measures we are taking and some of the progress made.
- Serious incidents and suspensions are significantly down in schools this year so far.
- This year, our district is a cell phone-free district. This isn’t just about taking phones away—it’s about giving our scholars the space to focus, connect, and fully engage in their learning. By removing the distractions of social media and texting, students are reporting they feel more focused, and discipline incidents are down. I recently had conversations with students who provided feedback, and shared the positive impact cell-phone free environments has had on their learning.
- Creating a safe and supportive culture means listening to our scholars. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to sit down with students over lunch to hear their concerns. These conversations are invaluable, offering solutions to challenges and a firsthand look at what our scholars are experiencing.
- With continuous improvement in mind, we’re always working towards strengthening our security measures with checkpoints at school entrances, and in 2025 we will be implementing a new badging system in some of our schools.
- We’re fortunate to have strong partnerships with the City of Cleveland, RTA, Cleveland Teachers’ Union, Cleveland Public Library, and the Cleveland Police Department. Together, we’re working on proactive solutions to ensure our scholars feel safe not just in the classroom but in their neighborhoods as well.
- Our Humanware Department is doing work to support our scholars’ well-being through counseling services, social-emotional learning programs, and trauma-informed practices.
All of these efforts are part of ensuring every scholar has a safe and supportive school culture. This work takes all of us, and I’m so grateful for the dedication of our educators, families, and partners who make it possible. Though there is more work to do, I truly believe the future of CMSD is bright because of the incredible work we’re doing together.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Warren Morgan
CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
