The eScoop
February 9, 2018
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Upcoming Events
February 19 |
No School, Presidents' Day
February 22 |
Choir Concert, 7pm
Visit the
Online Calendar
and filter by Shaker Heights Middle School for more upcoming events.
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Hello Shaker families!
I would like to send a big thank you to the PTO and our Raider Rainbow Run for supporting our Middle School. Two weeks ago, thanks to your support and involvement, the PTO raised over $3,000 at our DC trip fundraiser! This money, along with the funds that were raised during the Rainbow Run, will go to scholarships for students participating on the 8th grade trip to Washington, DC. Thank you!
Funds from the Rainbow Run have also gone toward supporting student engagement across subject areas and grade levels. Specifically, we are using the funds to help enhance independent reading libraries in 7th and 8th grade Language & Literature classes. We believe strongly that reading skill development is critical to academic success in all subject areas. As a result, we want to make sure that all students have easy access to appropriate, interesting and challenging independent reading books. We are excited to expand our independent reading libraries in our classrooms.
We are also using the Rainbow Run funds to purchase a tabletop carving machine to supplement our Design “Maker Space.” The carving machine will add to the 21st century tools that students have access to in order to solve real world problems together in teams.
Thank you again to all of our parents and community members—our students and teachers appreciate your support!
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
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From Your PTO Co-Presidents
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The SMS PTO will be starting the nominating process for next year's slate. Please consider being part of the PTO by chairing an event or taking a leadership role. You can do as much or as little as you want! We welcome everyone as it is important to us to have diversity within the PTO so we can hear different ideas, collaborate together and take action with the SMS staff to support our children! Velvet Landingham is our nominating chair and will be forming a committee to start filling the positions. If you are interested, please email
Velvet
.
The High School PTO is also starting their nominating process for all their positions. The current and incoming high school PTO Presidents have created a
survey
and would love to get your feedback. See below for more information.
The Father/Son Shindig is coming up on Sunday, February 25, at 2pm at the Middle School. It is a great event filled with many different activities for our male students and their dads, grandpas, or other male caregivers. Look for more information to follow!
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Middle School Programming 2018–19
The Middle School Administration and Counseling staff are beginning the programming of student schedules for the 2018–19 school year. An informational mailing was sent home the week of January 22 to all rising 7th and 8th grade parents. Parents are requested to complete the Fine Arts Selection form for their students by
no later than February 16, 2018
. You will need your student's Shaker Google email account information to complete the course selection form.
Parents/Guardians of current 6th grade students should complete this form
Parents/Guardians of current 7th grade students should complete this form
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New SMS Visitor Sign-In Protocol
A new visitor protocol will be implemented at the Middle School beginning on Monday, January 29. When entering the school building, all visitors will be required to show their driver's license or state I.D. at the security podium by the main entrance, which will then be scanned into the electronic visitor registration system. Please come prepared with the required identification when visiting the school.
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We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world, void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice. There should be no indulgence in undue eulogy of the Negro. The case of the Negro is well taken care of when it is shown how he has far influenced the development of civilization.
—Carter G. Woodson
Dr. Woodson did not view Negro/black history as being a stand-alone discipline but as the missing segment of world history, which would eventually be integrated into the curriculum and taught with appreciation and respect.
It has been a historically exciting 80 years, during which time black people have influenced, enhanced and contributed to American and world history, yet Dr. Woodson's dream is still deferred. Will it be fulfilled in time for our grandchildren to benefit? I wonder.
—David Townsend, February 2006
Source: Black History Pages
Carter G. Woodson is the founder of Negro History Week which grew into Black History Month. The quote and others attributed to him, denote that he intended for Black History to become integrated into our National American History. some would say we have made some strides, but few would argue (I suppose) that integration has taken place on a significant level.
Recently, I was watching Jeopardy and noted that the category often avoided and causing the most missed questions were in Black History. I further noted that the questions were reasonably basic, and aside from those centering on MLK or Rosa Parks proved troublesome for the contestants. It was puzzling to me that contestants could qualify for an intellectually challenging game show, come from careers requiring a wealth of knowledge, and miss basic questions regarding foundational contributions of African Americans in History. Carter G. Woodson would definitely be disappointed. However, there are ways to address this lack. This issue will provide some fun and/or alternative ways to learn about Black History. Get ready for a good time!
Online Games
BrainPop—access via
shaker.org
(search information databases). Locate under videos and choose Social Studies, the category Afr. Amer. History will appear. Access from home using Username: shaker and Password: shaker 216.
PBS Kids—
pbskids.org/AAworld
. Several interactive games ranging from historical to contemporary content.
Neighborhood Venue
A Cultural Exchange Parent/Teacher Resource Center—Locally owned and operated bookstore with many culturally relevant items for purchase.
Cleveland Makes National History
Western Reserve Historical Society—Carl & Louis Stokes Making History. Honoring Mayor Carl B. Stokes and his brother, Congressman Louis Stokes, the exhibit builds on their legacy of leadership, advocacy and action.The stories of the political careers of Carl & Louis Stokes will illuminate and define broader issues in African-American and American urban history.The lives of Louis and Carl Stokes intersect with major, critical changes in the history of Cleveland and the United States. Carl Stokes was the first African-American mayor of a major American city.
https://www.wrhs.org/explore/exhibits/carl-louis-stokes-making-history/
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Orchestra Concert Coming Soon!
Our Next Concert is just around the corner!
Our next concert is Monday, February 12. Students have been working in small chamber ensemble groups for our IB Unit “With or Without You.” This concert will present students playing small ensembles.
Make sure your child is practicing at home and performance ready. Mrs. Clouser available during Raider Time to give coaching sessions to ensemble groups.
Concert Dress
- Black pants (belts too)
- Solid white blouse or button down shirt
- Black socks
- Black dress shoes
- Dark neck tie for boys
Dates
All take place at the SMS Auditorium and start at 7pm. Students should be tuned and ready for warm up at 6:30.
Monday, February 12
| 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras
Wednesday, April 25 |
National Anthem Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago Cubs. Progressive Field
Auditioned Group, extra tickets available for purchase
Monday, April 30
| 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras
Saturday, May 12
| 8th Music in the Parks.
Adjudicated Contest & Cedar Point. All day event. Details TBA.
We have a new
Facebook
page for the Middle School & Woodbury Orchestra programs. Please “like” us.
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Band Boosters
All the bands put on fantastic concerts last week. Links to their recordings are on the class Facebook Pages.
Enjoy!
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The SMS St. Baldrick's team is up to six members and has raised over $2000. Join us in shaving our heads (or cutting 8" off for wigs) to raise money for childhood cancer research!
St. Baldrick's (the 2nd highest donor to children's cancer after the government) is having an event March 25 in Cleveland Heights specifically for kids. Team Shaker Middle School is looking for students to become shavees (or get their hair cut) and others to support them in this endeavor. This is a really fun event that does something wonderful for children in need. Shaker elementary schools have formed teams along with many Cleveland Heights schools, with a friendly competition as to who can raise the most money.
Please join us for this fun and worthwhile event. For more information, to join, or to donate, go to our
Team Page
or contact
Elizabeth Roeder
.
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College Credit Plus (CCP) offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in High School. This is called "dual credit," since a student earns both high school and college credit for the same course.
Did you know...
Students must complete a Letter of Intent to Participate in College Credit Plus by April 1, 2018, to participate in the 2018/19 school year. The Letter of Intent must be submitted to the College Credit Plus Coordinator at Shaker Heights High School. Students must complete a new Letter of Intent each year they participate. The Letter of Intent indicates interest, but does not lock a student into participating in CCP. The 18/19 letter will be available at the January 10 meeting (see below).
Contact Gabrielle Perrin, College Credit Plus Coordinator, with questions or for more information at
[email protected]
or 216-295-4220.
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8th Grade Parents/Guardians: Interested in HS PTO Next Year? Please Get Involved!
We want your participation in the HS PTO (High School Parent Teacher Organization). Our mission is "facilitating the active and informed involvement of ALL parents and families to achieve the educational success and well-being of ALL children."
Never been part of PTO leadership before? It's never too late to get involved. PTO is a great way to meet other parents and share your ideas. The nominating committee is meeting soon to put together a slate of officers and chairpeople for next school year.
Email co-Chair
Maria Hunter
to let us know you're interested in getting involved, or feel free to contact any of the nominating committee members listed below. Thank you!
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Support our Student Athletes
Wondering where your (or another family's) student athlete is making their mark on the world of sports any given afternoon? Check out the
SMS Sports Master Schedule
for all the information!
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Box Tops
Welcome back! SMS has been very fortunate to have amazing parents and students who are diligent about collecting Box Tops. If you have a stash of Box Tops that you have been collecting over the summer, please send them into the office. Each Box Top collected earns the school 10 cents. That adds up quickly!
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Heinen's Teaming Up for Education
Don't forget: when you use your Tasteful Rewards Card throughout the school year, Heinen's will donate 1% to Shaker Middle School. Be sure to select SMS as your preferred school this year, either online at
Heinens.com/schools
or in-store at the Customer Service Desk.
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The Shaker Heights Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is dedicated to facilitating the active and informed involvement of all parents and families to achieving the educational success and well being of children. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Shaker Heights Schools PTO. Add
[email protected]
to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
You may
unsubscribe
if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
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