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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Youth Ending Hunger Spaghetti Dinner at SHHS | Tuesday, December 9
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Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, December 9
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Winter Break (Schools Closed) | December 22 to January 2
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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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Signing Day for Two SHHS Football Players
Earlier this week, SHHS proudly celebrated Signing Day for Kingston Seals and Lyndon Chavis, who officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level! Lyndon will be playing football at Marietta College, and Kingston will play football at Bowling Green State University!
Families, friends and coaches gathered to cheer them on and honor their hard work, dedication and Raider pride. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish on and off the field!
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Lomond, Mercer Renovations Set for 2027-2028
After the Woodbury building reopens as the new Middle School, the next buildings we are planning to renovate will be Lomond and Mercer. These buildings were chosen for renovations first because they are our largest elementary schools, both in terms of square footage and student enrollment.
Based on our current schedule, Lomond and Mercer will close at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, and renovations will take place concurrently at both buildings throughout the 2027-2028 school year. While each building is under renovation, Lomond and Mercer students will attend classes for one year at the former Shaker Heights Middle School building, located at 20600 Shaker Boulevard. Both elementary buildings are planned to reopen for Grades K-5 in Fall 2028.
Please visit shaker.org/facilitiesplan for more information on the master facilities plan and these upcoming renovations. Information about community engagement opportunities will also be shared as we get closer to the design and construction process.
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Third Grade English Language Arts Results
Results for the Grade 3 ELA assessment administered in October are available in the Test Results section of the PowerSchool Parent Portal. This help doc may assist families with viewing students’ test results. More information about Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee is available here.
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Support Shaker Sports Boosters with Merch Holiday Sale
Support the Shaker Sports Boosters through their Shaker Merch Holiday Sale! Secure your hoodies, T-shirts, pajama pants, baseball caps, winter hats and tote bags (new this year!) Orders placed by Saturday, December 13 will be delivered before Winter Break. Click here to place your order! Text Laura at 216-870-2551 or email Amy at amybyram@gmail.com with questions.
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Ludlow Students Learn to Care for Themselves and Each Other
Students at the Ludlow Early Learning Center have been working on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Unit of Inquiry “Who We Are.” The main focus is “We care for ourselves and others.” Preschool teachers launched the unit with different activities, such as yoga pictured above, to get students thinking about how and why we need to take care of ourselves and others both physically and emotionally. Ludlow students will learn about healthy habits and how to be caring members of their classroom community throughout this unit. Way to go, Ludlow Leapers!
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From the Margins to the Center, Vol. LXI — Malala Yousafzai: The Hidden Figure of International Human Rights Day
By William Warren, Student Program Coordinator, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement, Shaker Heights Schools
December 7, 2025
On Wednesday, December 10, International Human Rights Day will be observed and celebrated around the world. This is a time to acknowledge the crucial role that human rights plays in assuring that citizens worldwide have acknowledged protections their nations are bound to defend – even during times of armed conflict. December 10th holds historical significance, as on this date in 1948, the newly-formed United Nations (UN) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This proclamation declared that certain rights and freedoms are applicable to all human beings, regardless of “nationality, place of residence, religion…or any other status” and should not be taken away or restricted without due process. Subsequent UN General Assembly resolutions addressing international human rights laws, constitutions and international treaties have all been inspired by the UDHR. December 10th is also the date that the Nobel Peace Prize award is officially presented, and has occurred on this date since December 10th, 1901.
The “hidden figure” being celebrated this week is Malala Yousafzai, a female Pakistani human rights and education activist. Born in the Swat Valley in 1997, Malala’s father Ziauddin was an advocate for female education rights, as the owner of a network of all-girls private schools. At the time, the Pakistani Taliban regime in charge of the area declared education for women illegal and had destroyed hundreds of schools. Malala drew inspiration from her father, and other popular human rights figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali and at the age of 11, began speaking out against the Taliban as a blogger for the BBC. In 2009, the New York Times made a documentary film about her life, entitled “Class Dismissed: Malala’s Story.” This led to worldwide recognition and made her a target for the Taliban. In 2012, a gunman attempted to assassinate Malala and she was struck in the head by gunfire. She eventually made a full recovery and in 2014, became the youngest person ever to be named Nobel Peace Prize laureate at the age of 17. Today, Malala continues to advocate for women’s education rights and freedoms around the world.
Additional Resources
Human Rights Day 2025 “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials”
The Malala Fund
Sources for Discovering Hidden Historic Figures
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Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
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Missed Giving Tuesday? There's Still Time, and Your Gift Goes Twice as Far!
With Tuesday’s snow day, many families may not have seen our Giving Tuesday message. We do not want you to miss the chance to hear directly from our Shaker students and families.
Watch our short video featuring students sharing what their Foundation funded experiences mean to them, from sports and arts to theater, chess, community classes, and more.
When you support the Shaker Schools Foundation, you are not only investing in our kids, you are strengthening our entire community. Your generosity opens doors for kids and supports the local community partners who uplift them. Through our Beyond the Desk and Level the Playing Field scholarships, we help cover a portion of the costs so students can participate fully in enrichment opportunities that inspire them to Educate, Explore, Empower, and Engage.
If you can, please consider making a Giving Tuesday donation today to help us continue opening doors for Shaker students. Thank you for doubling your generosity and for being part of what makes Shaker so special!
| | Quick Links: Opportunity Assistance, Enrichment Grants, Donations, More Info! Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. |
Shaker Shines Holiday Storefront Competition Underway
Shaker Shines, the City’s annual holiday storefront decorating contest – in partnership with the Shaker Heights Development Corporation – ups the stakes this year by making it a district-to-district competition. Each display represents respective commercial districts as a whole, and residents will decide which district shines the brightest. Online voting begins December 10. The competition runs through January 5.
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Open Call for Community Empowerment Grant Applications through December 31
Community Empowerment Grants of up to $2,500 are available for initiatives that foster engagement and belonging in Shaker Heights. Recently funded programs include Skatefest; youth lacrosse clinics; and a community design workshop. Submit your application no later than December 31.
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