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! Important note: There will be no eNews on December 29 and January 5 due to Winter Break. The eNews will resume on Sunday, January 12. | |
The Shaker eNews is published weekly on Sundays. | |
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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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Winter Break | December 23 to January 3
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The HBCU Experience | Wednesday, January 8
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Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, January 14
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Schools and Offices Closed) | Monday, January 20
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PreK-12 Professional/Clerical Day | Tuesday, January 21
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Coffee with the Superintendent | Tuesday, January 28
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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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Onaway Students Make Luminaries
Students at Onaway Elementary School gathered in the gym on Friday to display their luminaries and sing a song about peace with Music Teacher Christine Fader. The luminaries were made out of decorated paper bags and battery-powered tea candles. The students sounded beautiful and they were thrilled to see their luminaries glow!
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Upcoming Family Nights for Rising Grade 6 and Grade 9 Students
A series of Family Nights for rising Grade 6 and Grade 9 students and families have been scheduled for early 2025. These orientation sessions will provide valuable information for families and students transitioning to the Middle School and High School for the 2025-2026 school year. The Middle School will host Rising Grade 6 Family Nights for the five elementary schools on the following dates:
- Onaway: January 8
- Lomond: January 13
- Fernway: January 14
- Boulevard: January 27
- Mercer: January 29
All sessions will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. The sessions will feature an administration-led overview of the Middle School and a tour of the school, as well as games and activities for students. Additionally, the High School will host a Rising Grade 9 Family Night on February 6 at 7 p.m. Details about this event will be shared in the near future.
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2025-2026 Pending Calendar Updates
The 2025-2026 calendar is under review with revised dates. The Board of Education is expected to approve the revised calendar at the January 14 board meeting. If approved, the new start and end dates would be August 20, 2025 and June 4, 2026. Winter Break would be December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026 and Spring Break would be March 23-27, 2026. The District is also closed for Eid al-Fitr on March 20, 2026.
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HBCU Experience on January 8
Middle and High School families are invited to learn more about Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) through a keynote address, alumni panel discussion, and breakout workshops. The HBCU Experience takes place on Wednesday, January 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Shaker Heights High School in the Large Auditorium. Click here to register. This event is coordinated by the Shaker Schools Foundation and the SHHS School Counseling Department.
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Informational Meeting for Adults Visiting South Africa
In addition to the student trip to South Africa, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is planning a Spring Break 2026 trip to South Africa for adults in the Shaker Heights community. There will be an informational meeting for the adult trip on January 15 at 6 p.m. in the Small Auditorium at Shaker Heights High School. Contact Kim Davis at 216-295-6219 or davis_k@shaker.org to register for the student or adult trip to South Africa.
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Winter Camps Support Shaker Heights Gymnastics
The Shaker Heights Gymnastics Team is hosting two camps for children over Winter Break. The Slumber Party Camp is Thursday, December 26 from 12-4 p.m. and the New Year’s Eve Party Camp is Tuesday, December 31 from 12-4 p.m. Both camps are open to children ages 5-14 and take place at Jump Start Gymnastics, 23700 Mercantile Road in Beachwood (in the rear of the National Biological building). New and current students are welcome; the cost is $60 per camp. All proceeds will benefit the Shaker Heights Gymnastics Team and other local school gymnastics teams. Parents may enroll their children online through the Jump Start Parent Portal.
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Students Spread Positivity at Good News Forum
Students at the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning (IC) host a Good News Forum to spread positivity. Developed in response to frustration with negative news stories in the media, students gather uplifting videos of news from around the world to watch and discuss with their peers and teachers at the IC. This week, students and teachers served brownies and hot chocolate prior to the start of the discussion!
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By William Warren, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools
The holiday season has finally arrived; a time where many of us will celebrate and fellowship with our families, friends and loved ones. I’d like to take this time to say thank you to everyone for your support of our “From The Margins to the Center” (FMC) series. Whether you have spent time reading our weekly features, shared them with your network or learned something new – we appreciate it! Thank you to our Shaker Heights Schools faculty, staff and students for their contributions to FMC, and their willingness to tell their stories. Stay tuned as FMC will return in 2025 to continue to commemorate and recognize the “historical and current lived experiences and contributions of marginalized and minoritized communities.”
From all of us in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, please have a safe, restful and fulfilling winter break and happy holidays to all!
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Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
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You’re Invited: A Night for the Red & White | |
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We are thrilled to invite you to be a part of something truly special — our upcoming fundraising gala for Shaker Heights City Schools: A Night for the Red & White on March 8, 2025, at 7 p.m. This year, we’re excited to host the event at the stunning Agora Theater and Ballroom.
Our mission for this year’s event is to support initiatives across all grade levels – from Pre-K through 12th grade – that will help us Educate, Empower, Explore, and Engage.
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with:
- Appetizers, cocktails, and dinner
- Live music with DJ from Gumbo Dance Party
- A silent auction, with exciting online bidding options
- Two amazing raffle packages
- A K-12 art show as well as student performances
Tickets are available now! Learn more and purchase tickets here. Discounted tickets are available for first-time guests, young alumni, and Shaker schools employees. We can’t wait to see you there!
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December Mayor’s Report: Year in Review
Mayor David Weiss wraps up 2024 with a progress report on City projects including Horseshoe Park, the Lee Road Corridor and the City’s mental health response program – First CALL.
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MLK Celebration Events in Shaker Heights
Mark your calendar and plan to join your Shaker neighbors for Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration events. On January 16 at 7 p.m. at Shaker Heights Middle School, we’ll enjoy an arts-inspired evening with live music, dance, poetry and visual art. On January 19 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Dominic School, we’ll enjoy a catered community meal and conversation. Read more about these events, centered on the theme, Many Voices, One CommUnity.
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