The eScoop
January 26, 2018
The eScoop is a weekly publication of the Shaker Heights Middle School PTO.  
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SMS Weekly Calendar
Upcoming Events

February 6 | Incoming Grade 9 Orientation, 7pm, SHHS
February 9 | Coffee with the Principal, 9am
February 9 | Winter Social, 7pm

Visit the  Online Calendar  and filter by Shaker Heights Middle School for more upcoming events.
From Mr. Glasner
Hello Shaker families!

This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with all of our 8th grade students as we began the second semester. The assembly served as an opportunity to review our Middle School community expectations and to share information about the many exciting events that are planned for our 8th grade students this spring. Our 8th grade students serve as role models for our younger students and we are thrilled to see them continue to grow, develop, and prepare for their transition to 9th grade.

I also had the opportunity to attend our Middle School jazz concert last week. The concert included ensembles from Woodbury, the Middle School, and the High School, and it was amazing! We are lucky to have such a strong music program in our District and I want to commend our music faculty and students for a great performance.

Finally, I would like to note that our 8th grade Washington, DC trip is now full. Students who are still interested in signing up are encouraged to speak with Mr. Sears or their school counselor in order to get on the waiting list.
Thank you, as always, for all of your hard work and support.
I look forward to seeing you soon.


Sincerely,

From Your PTO Co-Presidents
The SMS PTO will be starting the nominating process for next year's slate. Velvet Landingham is our nominating chair and will be forming a committee to start filling the positions. 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 need people who are passionate about our school and welcome everyone. It's very 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!  

We hope to see many of you tonight at the Bottlehouse Brewery for the Washington DC trip fundraiser! The event starts at 7pm and is a great night to talk with other parents, meet the high school principal, and support this wonderful trip!   

SMS News & Events
8th Grade Washington, DC Trip Fundraiser TONIGHT!


Bottlehouse Brewing Company Event
Friday, January 26, 2018, 7-10pm

The Bottlehouse is located at 2050 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. This adults-only event will include a visit from the High School principal Jonathan Kuehnle. Light appetizers will be provided and we will also be raffling off a great item. Cost is $25 per couple or $15 per person. You may pay for this on PayForIt or you can pay at the door.

If you cannot partake in the above fundraisers, but would like to make a contribution there is a donation line item on PayForIt .

If you have questions, please reach out to any of the trip coordinators:


Washington, DC T-Shirt Sale

All proceeds from the t-shirt sale will go towards providing scholarships for 8th graders who need financial assistance to travel to Washington, DC. Available in adult small, medium, or large.

Shirts can be purchased via PayForIt.  
  1. Follow the link
  2. Log in if you're already a user
  3. Click on the Fundraiser tab
  4. Choose Shaker Heights Middle School

Cost for the shirts is $13. Once an order is placed on PayForIt and the size emailed to one of the coordinators (listed below), the t-shirts can be picked up at the Middle School main office via Stacie Shaw.

We will also plan to sell the t-shirts at Middle School events in the coming months.
Coffee with the Counselors

Please join the Woodbury & Middle School Counselors on Friday, February 2, from 8am- 9am, at Shaker Middle School in Room 45 for a discussion and tips to help your student improve with organization and study habits.

We hope to see you there!
Woodbury & Shaker Middle School Counselors
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.
Sustainable Shaker Event THIS SUNDAY!

Save the date! The  Sustainable Shaker Task Force  Task Force is organizing an interactive event at The Dealership on Sunday, January 28. Come on down to learn about recycling ( Cuyahoga Recycles  will help you recycle more effectively in 2018); solar power; electric vehicles (courtesy of  Drive Electric Northeast Ohio ); "green" electricity (from  Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council - NOPEC ); storm water management (and how it can help you save on your sewer bill from the  Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District ); and lots more. Please note the updated time: 1pm-5:30 pm.
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.

The best way to contact Mrs. Clouser is through email:  clouser_n@shaker.org

We have a new  Facebook  page for the Middle School & Woodbury Orchestra programs. Please “like” us.
The SMS St. Baldrick's team is off to a great start! 4 members have raised over $1,100. Join us in shaving our heads (or cutting 8" off for wigs) to raise money for childhood cancer research! Childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So we decided to do something about it by raising money for cures. 

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 .
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).

Information about the program is available on the High School/School Counseling page and on the Ohio Department of Education website
 
Contact Gabrielle Perrin, College Credit Plus Coordinator, with questions or for more information at perrin_g@shaker.org or 216-295-4220.
Incoming 9th Grade Orientation

All 8th grade students and their parents or guardians are strongly encouraged to join us for Incoming 9th Grade Orientation on Tuesday, February 6, 7pm-8:30 at Shaker Heights High School in the Large Auditorium.

This program will help you plan a high school course of study for the next four years. Special attention will be given to decisions that need to be made this spring in preparation for 9th grade. We will share information about graduation requirements, grade point average, attendance/behavior expectations, grade placement, college requirements, and more. 

All 8th graders will receive information about high school course options during meetings with the staff at the Middle School. Course selections will be finalized during March at individual meetings with 8th grade families and a high school counselor. Letters regarding these individual meetings will be sent in February, after Orientation.  

If students are unable to attend, parents should attend the meeting. If parents are unable to come and students are available, students should plan to attend. Our students perform best when counselors, teachers, parents, and students work together!

If you have questions, please contact Gabrielle Perrin at the High School at 216-295-4220.
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!

Annette Himes co-Chair
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!
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! 
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.
Helpful Links
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  smspto@gmail.com  to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! 
 
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