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 Meeting | Monday, April 7
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Good Friday (Schools and Offices Closed) | Friday, April 18
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Board of Education Work Session | Tuesday, April 22
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Kindergarten Kickoff | Saturday, April 26
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Coffee with the Superintendent | Tuesday, April 29
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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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Students Return to SHHS with Special Guests
Shaker Heights High School welcomed students back on Thursday, and they were greeted with special guests. The Ohio Chapter of Crisis Response Canines were on hand to support our students and help create a welcoming environment at SHHS and the Innovative Center (IC) for Personalized Learning. Students enjoyed visiting with the dogs to get their day off to a positive start, along with the ongoing support from faculty and staff. As Interim Principal Isaiah Wyatt says, we are Stronger Together!
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Register for Kindergarten Kickoff on April 26
Kindergarten Kickoff is coming soon! 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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Update from #FinanceFriday
Have you seen the #FinanceFriday posts on the Shaker Heights Schools Facebook and Instagram pages? If not, check them out on Fridays. We will share the same information in the Sunday eNews.
You may have heard of House Bill 920. This Ohio law prevents school districts from automatically collecting more tax revenue when property values rise. HB 920 (passed in 1976) freezes tax revenues at the amount approved by voters, meaning schools do not receive additional funds due to inflation or property appreciation. This means districts must seek additional levies at regular intervals to keep up with rising costs. The last time Shaker was on the ballot for a full operating levy was 2014.
Check back with us again next week to learn more about school finance!
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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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Report Cards for Middle and High School Students
Report cards for the 3rd quarter will be available this week on the PowerSchool Portal. Families of students in grades 6-12 may login on Thursday, April 10, after 12 p.m. (noon), to view the report cards from the 3rd quarter grading period. Click this Help Doc for step-by-step instructions; email powerschool@shaker.org for assistance with PowerSchool Portal access.
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Golf Outing to Support Shaker Sports Boosters
Save the date for a golf outing to support Shaker Sports Boosters on June 27 at Highland Park Golf Course! This includes an afternoon of golfing and dinner to raise funds for our student athletes. Join us in supporting our students!
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Volunteers Needed for Senior Project Showcase
Shaker parents, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to evaluate Senior Project presentations on Thursday, May 29. This role can take as little as 20 minutes or as much as an hour — depending on how much time you can give. Click here to learn more.
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Donate $25 for ‘25
The Shaker Heights High School PTO is raising $18,000 to support several major activities: After Prom; Senior Clap Out; Black & White Photos. Your donation helps provide seniors with safe and memorable events at low or no cost. Please consider donating $25 or more for the Class of 2025 at this link.
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SHHS PTO Flower Sale Open
The Shaker Heights High School PTO Flower Sale is now 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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Mercer Students Sell Products at Meerkat Market
Third-graders at Mercer Elementary School sold their products at the Meerkat Market Day! Students have been studying the How We Organize Ourselves IB unit of inquiry. This is a project-based learning unit where the students become entrepreneurs and learn about our system of economics in a relevant and authentic way. They create a budget, decide upon and make a product, market the product and sell the product at the Meerkat Market Day!
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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 and Awareness Month. This week’s feature is in observance of Arab American Heritage Month.
Arab American Heritage Month, observed during the month of April in the United States, was established in 2017 as a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of the Arab American community. During April, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated, marking the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting and prayer for Muslims. This year’s Arab American Heritage Month theme is “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.”
Junior Noor Lasheen shared with me her experience and perspectives as an Arab-American who has lived in New York City and Saudi Arabia, but has called Shaker Heights home for the majority of her life. Noor described feeling welcomed during her elementary school years at Boulevard, but during her time in Saudi Arabia, she felt compelled to conceal her Western identity in order to fit in. Noor recalled enjoying living in New York City and attending an Islamic school while there. “I didn’t always feel like I could be my authentic self because the school was so traditional,” Noor said. As a three-year member of Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR), Noor enjoys sharing her culture and heritage with others as a way to break down negative Arab stereotypes and perceptions.
Additional Resources
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month in Cleveland
Facing History and Ourselves — Honoring Arab American Heritage, Stories and Changemakers
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Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
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Now Accepting Applications for Summer Opportunity Assistance Scholarships!
The Shaker Schools Foundation is excited to continue offering two scholarship funds designed to ensure equitable access to educational and sports opportunities beyond what is offered within the Shaker Heights City School District. This is a fantastic opportunity for students in grades 1-12 currently enrolled in the District. So far this school year, we’ve had the honor of supporting over 170 Shaker students! For more information about these exciting opportunities, please visit our website. We look forward to helping students make the most of their summer. Apply today!
Level the Playing Field Fund — This fund supports students in need of financial assistance to participate in youth team sports, including:
- Baseball
- Taekwondo
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Football
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Lacrosse
- Gymnastics
Beyond the Desk Fund — This fund offers scholarships for students seeking financial support to engage in a variety of enriching activities, including:
- Music Camps
- Dance
- Band Camp
- Gymnastics
- Theatre Camps
- STEM Camps
- Cooking
- Baking
- Workshops
Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Summer Recreation Jobs Available
Does your teenager need a summer job? Shaker Heights Recreation is hiring park attendants, lifeguards, pool cashiers, sports field crews and more. Visit shakerheightsoh.gov/jobs and scroll down to the Recreation category to learn more and apply.
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Chat with the Mayor on April 12
On Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., stop by the Van Aken District Market Hall, between On the Rise and Craft Collective, and have a personal chat with Mayor Weiss. Discuss neighborhood issues, City projects or whatever else is on your mind.
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Free Composting Starts April 22
The City is expanding its partnership with Rust Belt Riders to offer a free drop-off composting program for residents. Participants can drop off compost at bins located at Shaker’s five public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. The program launches on Earth Day (April 22). Learn more and pre-register.
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