Garfield Heights City Schools highlights student-led blood drive, Cavs outreach and student author

In a district video message, Garfield Heights City Schools highlighted three student-focused events: a student-run American Red Cross blood drive at Garfield High School’s auxiliary gym, a Cleveland Cavaliers community outreach visit to Maple Leaf Elementary School, and the publication of a book by eighth-grader Micaiah Patterson, the district said.

The district said the blood drive was organized by the high school’s Students of Service organization. Students checked donors in, assisted certified technicians during donations and distributed snacks afterward. Garfield Heights City Schools said the American Red Cross partners with the district and offers incentives based on the total amount of blood collected; those incentives have in the past translated into scholarships for students, the message said.

The Cleveland Cavaliers community outreach team visited Maple Leaf Elementary School earlier in the week. The district said players and staff demonstrated basketball drills and used the visit to emphasize teamwork, following directions and school spirit.

The video also noted that Garfield Heights student Micaiah Patterson, an eighth grader, published a book of original writings and poetry. The district said Patterson discussed the work in an interview with Danielle Wiggins of WKYC Channel 3 and that Patterson was encouraged by Garfield High School dean of students William Foster and former intervention specialist Selena Sutton. The district said it will share the story with the community when the publication is available.

"These students are why we do what we do," the district said in the message, adding that the highlighted activities illustrate community partnerships and student achievement.

No formal actions or decisions were recorded in the video message; the clip served to publicize recent student activities and community partnerships rather than to propose policy or district action.