Superintendent Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr., has announced the members of the newly formed Equity Task Force. Dr. Hutchings and the two co-chairpersons of the Task Force, Lisa Vahey and the Rev. Colin Jones, made the selection from a group of 25 finalists. The group includes 11 educators, nine community members and two students. These members will serve a two-year term.

More than 80 residents and staff members applied to serve on the task force, which is charged with identifying, understanding and taking action on equity issues in our schools. They will work alongside the two Shaker Heights High School student-members, both of whom are involved in the Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR). The Task Force will identify equity issues, particularly those that relate to race, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on policies that will enable us to remove barriers to student success. The formation of this group and its ability to continuously foster equity through the coordinated efforts of our schools, our community and our young people is an important step to ensuring that the dialogue we have on race is not only productive, but lasting. 

Read more about the Equity Task Force.

Senior Olivia Forsyth admits her self-portrait, which she painted last year in Meryl Haring's painting class, is not her favorite piece. But she does appreciate its value as a learning experience. "Doing this painting gave me a better understanding of how to use oil paints," she says. 

In 2015, the Mercer PTO invited students to come up with ideas for spending the PTO budget. The students came through with some big ideas that benefited the whole Mercer community. Those included a Magic Treehouse in the Mercer library, a school play, and a new after-school club that all students could join.

 

The Meerkat Club, as it is now known, has been a big success. This past year, more than 275 students participated in the after-school club, which provides late bus service and has no activity fee. Their most popular activity involves assembling activity kits for children who are hospitalized over the holidays. University Hospitals was the beneficiary in 2015 and the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital received the kits in 2016.  

 

Read more about the Mercer Meerkat Club.

The tradition continues, but moves to the Shaker Plaza parking lot while construction of Shaker's new downtown progresses. Enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, beer, wine, cocktails, kids activities, and an evening with your friends and neighbors. Sponsored by Scene Magazine, a portion of the beer and wine sale proceeds benefit Shaker-based non-profits. Admission is free and the event is bike- and pet-friendly. 

2017 Beer Gardens will be held 6-10 p.m. on June 16, July 21 and August 18. 

When she was in the seventh grade, Boulevard Kindergarten teacher Denice Benton signed up to volunteer at a school for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities in her native Philadelphia. She had no personal connection to anyone with disabilities, she only knew she wanted to help. 

Over time, her desire to help led her to study special education as an undergraduate student at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, pursue a master's degree, and ultimately, live a life that's focused on nurturing, both in her day job and in her spare time.