The Shaker eNews is a weekly roundup of important information including District events, school newsletters and District, PTO Council, Shaker Schools Foundation and City news. Be sure to read the entire Shaker eNews each week to stay informed! | | The Shaker eNews is published weekly on Sundays. | | |
Visit our District Calendar online for a complete list of upcoming activities, events and athletic competitions.
Please note the following upcoming important dates:
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Board of Education Work Session | Tuesday, April 22
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Preschool Prospective Open House and STEAM Night | Tuesday, April 22
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Kindergarten Kickoff | Saturday, April 26
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Coffee with the Superintendent | Tuesday, May 13
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Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, May 13
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International Families & Friends Ice Cream Social | Thursday, May 22
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Click on the appropriate link below for school-level and building PTO news:
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Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:
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SHHS Coding Team Wins Big
Congratulations to the SHHS Coding Team for several wins at the Annual Association for Computing Machinery High School Programming Contest!
Nathan Ballman, Gideon Polster and Tyler Bordeaux had a First Place finish in the competition, which was held at Baldwin Wallace University. These students solved all eight of the computing problems presented at the competition. They faced 41 teams from 18 public and private schools.
At the same competition, Shaker’s Python team of Josephine Rich, Trent Kafcsak, Zach Nathenson and Jack Napuk performed well at their inaugural programming contest, capturing a Top 15 finish. Keep up the great work!
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Register for Kindergarten Kickoff on April 26
Kindergarten Kickoff is right around the corner! We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2038 at this fun, Districtwide event on Saturday, April 26 from 1-4 p.m. at Lomond Elementary School!
All incoming kindergarten families are invited to meet your school building principal and learn about volunteering, before- and after-school child care, transportation, PTO and more. Plus, receive a few surprises for your student!
Register for the event and visit shaker.org/kindergarten for more information for incoming kindergarteners and a link to enroll!
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Health Reminder: Measles Cases on the Rise
As measles cases increase across the country — including recent cases in Ohio — our Shaker School Nurses encourage families to review their children’s vaccination records, especially for the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Measles is a highly contagious virus, and with more travel expected in the coming weeks, prevention is key. Most children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine — one around age 1 and a second before starting kindergarten.
Vaccination helps protect not only your child, but also those who cannot be vaccinated due to age or health conditions. Please contact your healthcare provider if you have questions or need to schedule an appointment.
Learn more from the CDC.
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Preschool Open House April 22
Interested in preschool? Sign up to attend our Preschool Open House and STEAM Night on Tuesday, April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Onaway Elementary School!
Families will learn more about the preschool program as we get ready to open the Ludlow Early Learning Center in Fall 2025 and experience an evening of building, problem-solving and fun! The preschool team will also share more information on the curriculum, including science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).
Enjoy a light dinner and register on site for the 2025-2026 school year!
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Volunteer for Senior Project Showcase
Senior Project Showcase is a great way to spend one hour of your day on May 29! This volunteer opportunity is for all Shaker community members. No need to have a student in the Class of 2025 to participate.
Shaker parents, teachers, staff, and community members are needed to review and evaluate Senior Project presentations on Thursday, May 29 in the High School’s North Gym from 5:30-7 p.m. This role can take as little as 20 minutes or as much as an hour — depending on how much time you want to commit that evening.
- No expertise required!
- Volunteers need to commit to arriving by 6:15 p.m.
- You will have the chance to see what hundreds of students in the Class of 2025 have learned outside of the classroom through Shaker’s unique Senior Project Program. You will be so happy you volunteered for this activity!
- Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to participate. This is a great way to get a glimpse of this wonderful learning opportunity offered to our graduating seniors.
If you can arrive at 5:30 p.m., it is helpful, but arriving any time up until 6:15 p.m. is fine. The whole evaluation process takes 20-60 minutes. Click here to sign up. Questions? Email sarahmegenhardt@gmail.com.
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Sign Up for Champions Summer Camp
Champions is offering Champ Camp this summer! Each week will have a different theme, including innovation, movement, creativity, friendship and nature. The summer camp takes place from June 16 to August 1 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lomond Elementary School (serving the Shaker Heights City School District).
The camp is available for children ages 5-12 and costs $230 per week. Contact Site Director Malika Chandler at ch001682@discoverchampions.com for more information. Enroll online at discoverchampions.com at the Lomond Elementary location. Click here for a flyer with further details.
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Order Flowers from SHHS PTO Sale
The Shaker Heights High School PTO Flower Sale is open! Proceeds benefit Teacher and Staff Appreciation, Black Student Conference, Career Awareness Events, Spirit Days, Student Activity Fair, Innovation Center Requests, AP/IB Testing, After Prom, Bridges Summer Program, Senior Celebrations, MLK Day and more.
The pre-sale order deadline is May 6. Click here to order flowers online. Order early as favorites tend to sell out! Flowers must be ordered online this year. If you need assistance ordering your flowers, call, text or email Tiffany Goldstein at 216-577-5968 or goldeezgirl@me.com. Thank you for your continued support!
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Kindness Festival on May 4
The Family Kindness Festival is taking place on Sunday, May 4 at Beachwood High School! This free event full of music, art, entertainment, engagement and ice cream has several new elements this year. New features include family games, art tiles, printmaking, friendship bracelets, video games and more! The Family Kindness Festival is ideal for families with children age 5 and up. Click here to learn more.
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Athletic Director Michael Babinec Recognized for Meritorious Service
SHHS Athletic Director Michael Babinec received the Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Meritorious Service Award!
This honor “is presented to an active Athletic Administrator who has gone above and beyond their day-to-day duties to make an outstanding contribution to interscholastic athletics at the local, district, and state levels.”
Mr. Babinec is in his 25th year as an educator, all in the Shaker Heights Schools. He taught English for 20 years, and served as English Department Chair. He has coached Middle School basketball and baseball, and served as Head Varsity Baseball Coach from 2006-2020. He has been Athletic Director since August 2020.
Let's thank Mr. Babinec for everything he does for our student athletes!
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By William Warren, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools
Note: The month of April acknowledges several communities and their contributions to history. During April, From the Margins to the Center will feature information and stories in observance of Arab American Heritage Month, National Deaf History Month and Autism Acceptance Month. This week’s feature is in observance of Autism Acceptance Month.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that “approximately 1 in 36 children are identified as autistic.” Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of characteristics and behaviors that can be addressed with a variety of strategies, therapies, supports and treatments. April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate members of the neurodiverse community, and bring awareness to resources and services available for individuals and families supporting those with ASD.
Within the District, our Department of Student Services is dedicated to supporting students with autism through individualized services and inclusive practices. We provide a range of evidence-based interventions designed to meet the diverse needs of our students across educational settings. These supports include speech-language services, behavioral supports, occupational therapy services, etc. Our goal is to foster meaningful engagement, independence, and academic growth for all students.
In the Greater Cleveland community, University Hospitals’ Rainbow Autism Center provides comprehensive assessment and evaluation of children who show signs of ASD, and has support available to families caring for such children. Additionally, the non-profit organization Autism Speaks will host their annual Cleveland Walk in October to raise money for ASD research, support and advocacy.
Autism Acceptance Month also seeks to promote equity and inclusivity through education and access to eliminate the stigma associated with ASD, often perpetuated by stereotypes and misinformation.
Additional Resources
Autism In Black — advocacy, education and support for families of color with autistic children
Autism Society of Greater Cleveland — S.T.A.R. summer camp
Former NBA star Tony Snell opens up about his ASD diagnosis
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Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
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Help Us Bring the Ludlow Playground to Life!
The Shaker Schools Foundation is excited to continue supporting the Ludlow Playground project! This vibrant, inclusive space was created in partnership with our District, City, and community. This playground will serve as a hub for outdoor fun and connection, especially for our youngest learners at the Ludlow Early Learning Center.
Designed with equity and inclusivity in mind, the new playground will feature age-appropriate equipment for all, fostering joyful play and community engagement. It’s more than just a playground — it’s an investment in the neighborhood’s future.
Let’s build it together! The basic play structures are in place, but we need your help for the finishing touches! We’re raising funds for key features like benches, bike racks, picnic tables, and interactive musical elements. And thanks to a matching gift challenge, your donation to the Shaker Schools Foundation will go twice as far! Learn more and donate today!
Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Fair Housing Discussion at Shaker Library April 22
On Tuesday, April 22 from 6-7:30 p.m., learn about your fair housing obligations and best practices — from accommodations and modification for persons with disabilities, to hot topics including persons with criminal backgrounds. Featuring speakers from the Fair Housing Center, as well as the City of Shaker Heights. Location: Shaker Heights Main Library (16500 Van Aken Blvd.) This event is free! Click here to register.
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Arbor Day Tree Planting April 25
On Friday, April 25 at 9 a.m., residents of the Ludlow neighborhood and representatives of the Shaker Heights Schools will join the City and its Tree Advisory Board (TAB) to plant two serviceberry trees on Ludlow school grounds at the intersection of Ludlow and Southington Roads. The Onaway Elementary School Garden Club, sponsored by art teacher and TAB member Tim Kalan, will be our honored planters at our Arbor Day celebration. In the spirit of the month celebrating Earth Day, the students will be transported via the District’s electric bus!
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