EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — Classes across East Cleveland City Schools were briefly interrupted on Wednesday for a celebration.

After nearly seven years of oversight from the state’s Academic Distress Commission, the district has officially been released and is once again fully in control of its operations.

“This isn’t a Cinderella story. This is a story of a community that decided that excellence is now the standard,” said East Cleveland City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Henry Pettiegrew.

He said turnarounds don’t come easily.

“We scratch. We claw. We grind (and) we hustle to get what we need,” Pettiegrew said. “And this community deserves this recognition today. Our teachers have gotten stronger. Students are performing better. It’s really amazing where we are today.”

The state placed him in the district in 2019 with a clear mission— to improve a failing district and boost academics so all students can succeed.

In September, around the time state report cards were released, he told me the district was using data to drive decisions, providing better support to teachers and communicating more with families.

“We’re knocking on doors. We’re having those real conversations, and if parents or students need particular things, supports or items, we’re right there to help,” Pettiegrew explained then.

He said teachers, students, and families rose to the occasion, applying focus and dedication.

Students earned a four-star rating in the progress category and an overall three-star rating on the most recent state report card. For the first time in more than a decade, the district is meeting state standards.

The district also met 16 of the 20 academic benchmarks set by the state, leading to its release from oversight. On Wednesday, a video played across the district in every classroom for what it called “We Are EC Day: Three Stars and Rising.”

In the video, Pettiegrew thanked everyone for the progress made. Congratulations also poured in from community members, business leaders, and celebrities, including Cleveland Browns player Shelby Harris.

Each student received a special school hoodie representing the mantra “Three Stars and Rising.” Staff members got a similar jersey.

“Throughout history, we commemorate when wonderful things happen and East Cleveland is no different,” Pettiegrew said.

He added that the district can’t and won’t let up on its path to continued success.

Pettiegrew said the district will be focusing hard on improving literacy outcomes and graduation rates, among other priorities. He said the goal is to match, if not exceed, the results from the last state report card on the next one.

Here’s a link to the full video the district released.

Damon Maloney is a Cuyahoga County and We Follow Through anchor at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on X @DMaloneyTV, on Facebook DamonMaloneyTV or email him at Damon.Maloney@wews.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — OHSAA girls basketball scores from Tuesday in Ohio, as provided by The Associated Press.

Ada 37, Lima Cent. Cath. 19

Amanda-Clearcreek 61, Bloom-Carroll 51

Archbold 51, Holgate 10

Ashland Mapleton 58, Ashland Crestview 40

Baltimore Liberty Union 58, Lancaster Fairfield Union 50

Bay (OH) 56, Westlake 29

Bluffton 49, Lima Shawnee 48

Bryan 72, Van Wert 34

Bucyrus Wynford 58, Sycamore Mohawk 55

Carey 48, New Washington Buckeye Cent. 33

Castalia Margaretta 48, Norwalk 28

Circleville Logan Elm 62, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 29

Cle. E. Tech def. Cle. Max Hayes, forfeit

Cle. Hay 89, Cle. Collinwood 4

Cle. John Marshall 68, Cle. Glenville 4

Clyde 46, Port Clinton 42

Cols. Eastmoor 54, West 39

Cols. Franklin Hts. 63, Bishop Ready 41

Cols. Grandview Hts. 59, Worthington Christian 39

Cols. Linden-McKinley 53, East 14

Cols. Walnut Ridge 53, Columbus South 28

Continental 47, Defiance Ayersville 45

Delphos Jefferson 41, Wapakoneta 40

Dublin Coffman 47, Marysville 38

Elida 52, Ft. Jennings 16

Gahanna Cols. Academy 66, Whitehall-Yearling 20

Grove City 43, Hilliard Bradley 17

Hamler Patrick Henry 54, Leipsic 23

Haviland Wayne Trace 35, Delta 26

Hilliard Davidson 42, Dublin Scioto 30

Independence 43, N. Ridgeville Lake Ridge 19

Ironton Rock Hill 30, Grace Christian, W.Va. 28

Jackson Center 55, Lima Perry 6

Johnstown 34, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 17

Kalida 50, Van Wert Lincolnview 34

London Madison-Plains 89, Tree of Life 10

McComb 56, McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 37

Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 47, Dola Hardin Northern 39

Mt. Vernon 64, Newark Cath. 37

N. Robinson Col. Crawford 41, Attica Seneca E. 37

Newark 60, Dublin Jerome 52

Norwood 47, Cin. Seven Hills 42

Oak Harbor 48, Pemberville Eastwood 22

Ottoville 47, Lima Bath 31

Paulding 48, Convoy Crestview 33

Portsmouth 46, Ashland Blazer, Ky. 32

Seton 46, Cin. Oak Hills 44

Sherwood Fairview 53, Metamora Evergreen 37

South Point 53, Portsmouth Notre Dame 49

Spencerville 32, St Marys 31

Streetsboro 56, Lodi Cloverleaf 48

Tiffin Calvert 57, Vanlue 28

Tol. Ottawa Hills 61, Lakeside Danbury 24

Upper Sandusky 52, Bucyrus 10

Utica 43, Pataskala Licking Hts. 39

Van Buren 36, Harrod Allen E. 27

Wauseon 43, Defiance 39

Cleveland Cavaliers fans are going to have to wait a bit longer until Max Strus makes his debut.

Strus suffered a Jones’ fracture in his foot during the offseason and has yet to suit up for the Cavaliers this season.

On Tuesday, the Cavs issued a statement that said Strus could be sidelined at least another month due to that injury to his left foot. According to the statement, Strus has made progress in his recovery, but additional time is required in order for the fracture to be fully healed.

“Strus will continue to advance in the rehabilitation and conditioning phase of his recovery along with ongoing medical treatment,” the statement from the Cavaliers said. “He is scheduled for a follow-up evaluation with Dr. David Porter, who performed the procedure, in conjunction with the Cavs’ medical and training staff, within the next four weeks.”

Following that evaluation within the next four weeks, further updates and next steps for Strus returning to the hardwood will be revealed.

Injury bug has plagued Cavs

The Cavs have dealt with a plethora of injuries this season, as Darius Garland was late to make his season debut due to the toe injury that he suffered in the postseason last year. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have both missed extended time as well.

Recently, the team has worked towards better health and has played better basketball. Unfortunately, the Cavs find themselves 20-17, just three games above .500 as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

A four week evaluation timeline could put Strus’ season debut after the NBA trade deadline on February 5. Even though the Cavs have struggled, they might have a difficult time making significant upgrades to their roster due to constraints set forth by the second apron.

Certainly, head coach Kenny Atkinson and President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman will be keeping their fingers crossed that the Cavs can keep their head above water until Strus returns. Last season, Strus started with the Cavaliers. Upon his return, he’s expected to come off of the bench, which could be an adjustment. 

Strus played in 50 games for the Cavaliers last season, averaging just under 10 points per game. His three-point shooting ability will be a welcomed addition to the Cavs, who have struggled from deep all season long.

Additionally, outside of Donovan Mitchell, Strus was Cleveland’s most reliable player during the team’s last two postseasons. The Cavs have a lot of pressure mounting to get through the second round this season. 

Surely, the Cavs will hope that Strus will be healthy enough to have an impact when games matter most. In the meantime, the team needs to make sure they’re in a comfortable postseason position.