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:

• Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, February 10
• Coffee with the Superintendent | Thursday, February 12
• Lomond Meet the Architects Night | Thursday, February 12  
• K-12 Conferences (No School for Students PreK-12) | Friday, February 13
• Grades K-5 Sweetheart Dance | Friday, February 13
• President’s Day (Schools and Offices Closed) | Monday, February 16
• Mercer Meet the Architects Night | Tuesday, February 17
• Superintendent's Series on Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement | Wednesday, February 18

Click on the appropriate link below for school-level and building PTO news:

• Ludlow Leaflet
• Boulevard Bulletin
• Fernway Forum
• Lomond Weekly
• Mercer Messenger
• Onaway Update
• Shaker Heights Middle School Memo
• Shaker Heights High School Weekly Roundup
• Innovative Center for Personalized Learning
• Shaker Schools Foundation

Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:

• Weekly Board Packets
• Shaker.org News Feed
• Inclusive Excellence & Engagement at Shaker Heights Schools
• Long-Term Master Facilities Plan
• 2025-26 School Year Information
• PowerSchool
• Breakfast & Lunch Menus
• Work at Shaker
• Ohio Public School Funding 101

Middle School Hosts Rising Grade 6 Nights

Fifth-graders from all five elementary schools recently visited Shaker Heights Middle School for Rising Grade 6 Nights! Students had the opportunity to meet their new principals and learn about the transition to middle school. Students toured the building to see where their classes will be, and asked questions about starting at a new school. We are excited to welcome these students at the Middle School this fall!

Enrollment Open for the 2026-2027 School Year

Families may now enroll their incoming students in the Shaker Heights Schools! Visit shaker.org/enroll to get started. Be sure to select the button for “2026-2027” when registering.

Watch the Superintendent’s Series on Generative AI

The first installment of the Superintendent’s Series on Generative AI took place earlier this week. District Technology Integration Coach Dr. Lauren Priestley presented on how AI is enhancing learning and teaching in the Shaker Heights Schools. Visit shaker.org/superseries to watch the recording.

Join us on Wednesday, February 18 for the next installment of the Superintendent’s Series on the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement! This event begins at 6 p.m. in the Fernway Room at the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library.

Coffee with the Superintendent on February 12

Join us on Thursday, February 12 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Van Aken District for Coffee with the Superintendent! Connect with Superintendent Dr. David Glasner to share your feedback and gather important information about the schools. There will also be Woodbury renderings posted for the community to see the new look when it reopens as the new Middle Years building in Fall 2027!

Join us for Meet the Architects Nights at Lomond and Mercer

Lomond and Mercer are the next schools to be renovated as part of our Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. These renovations are slated for the 2027-2028 school year. Please join us for two upcoming events to kick off the design phase for Lomond and Mercer! Architects from GPD Group and Robert P. Madison International will present information on the project timeline and scope of work. Members of the District Buildings & Grounds crew will provide guided tours of the buildings to show opportunities for improvements through the renovations. These events are open to the community, so bring your family and friends!

Lomond: Meet the Architects

Thursday, February 12

6-7:30 p.m.

Lomond Cafeteria/Auditorium

Mercer: Meet the Architects

Tuesday, February 17

6-7:30 p.m.

Mercer Cafeteria/Auditorium

French Students Visit Djapo Cultural Arts Center

Grade 6 students in Ann Radefeld’s French class visited the Djapo Cultural Arts Center! As part of the students’ recognition of Black History Month, the class participated in a West African Cultural Experience. This included lessons in West African music, dance and food! Thanks to the Shaker Schools Foundation for supporting this event!

From the Margins to the Center, Vol. LXVI — Hidden Figures of Black History Month: Wayne Collett and Vince Matthews

By William Warren, Student Program Coordinator, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement, Shaker Heights Schools

February 8, 2026

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are underway this week in Italy. With such a large and diverse international audience tuning in, Olympic athletes have often used this opportunity to protest socio-political injustices. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos most famously protested the racism and discrimination they and other Black Americans endured by raising the “Black Power” fist while the U.S. National Anthem played. 

The “hidden figures” of this week’s FMC feature staged their own protest during the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany. Just like Smith and Carlos, Wayne Collett and Vince Matthews ran track for the U.S. Olympic team. Several events influenced their protest during the 400 meters medal ceremony – the pro-apartheid nation of Rhodesia being allowed to compete despite protest from several African nations, social injustices at home and abroad and the unfair treatment they experienced with their coach, Bill Bowerman. While on the podium, Matthews and Collett turned their back to the American flag being raised, chatted with each other and gave the Black Power salute towards the end. The U.S. Olympic Committee initially refused to send Matthews and Collett home, but the The International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatened to disqualify every U.S. athlete unless they were immediately expelled from the team. When interviewed about the protest, Collet said “I couldn’t stand there and sing the words because I don’t believe they’re true.” News of their protest was overshadowed a week later by an act of terror that led to the murder of 11 Israeli athletes, including Shaker Heights native David Berger ’62. 

In the immediate aftermath of the protest, IOC banned Collett and Matthews for life. Both men went on to have successful careers; Matthews worked in real estate and Collett became a lawyer and both were elected to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. The IOC eventually lifted their ban in 2022. 

Additional Resources

Sources for Discovering Hidden Historic Figures

Blackpast: The 1972 Olympics Black Power Salute 

Remembering a Forgotten Protest

Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:

The Red & White Raffle is Now Open! Ready for a European Rhapsody?

Imagine yourself sipping espresso in a Roman piazza, exploring the historic streets of Prague, or catching a sunset in Athens. The choice is yours, and the odds have never been better! For just $100, you could choose your dream getaway for two! Select your dream trip – Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Paris, Rome, Madrid or Athens!

Your 5-day journey (Value: up to $5,000) includes:

• Airfare: Round-trip for two
• Luxury Stay: 4 nights in a 4-star Superior Hotel
• Seamless Travel: Private airport transfers included
• Authentic Dining: A signature dinner at a traditional local restaurant

Raffle tickets are $100 each. Only 250 tickets will be sold. The raffle closes on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10 p.m. EST. The winner will be announced at the event. Need not be present to win. Must be 21 & over. Proceeds benefit all students at the Shaker Heights Schools. Get your tickets today!

We know you don’t want to miss this unforgettable night of creativity, community, and Shaker pride. At A Night for the Red & White, enjoy the inspiring Center Stage Showcase, PreK-12 artwork, exciting raffle and silent auction items, great food, and dancing with Gumbo Dance Party, all while supporting Shaker students. All are welcome to join us for our 34th A Night for the Red & White on Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at The Agora Theatre and Ballroom! Purchase event tickets here! Invite your friends and neighbors, all are welcome! Discounted tickets are available for staff, first-time attendees, and young alums.

Support Shaker Schools Foundation at March 3 Cavaliers Game

Join us for Shaker Schools Foundation Night at the Cleveland Cavaliers game on Tuesday, March 3 vs the Detroit Pistons. The Shaker Heights Middle School Step Team will be performing on the court during the pregame. Come out and support the Shaker Schools Foundation and cheer on our Cleveland Cavaliers. Purchase your game tickets here!

Quick Links: Opportunity Assistance, Enrichment Grants, Donations, More Info! Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Black History Month via the Shaker Life Archives

The City of Shaker Heights is celebrating Black History Month by sharing articles from Shaker Life magazine archives about African American movers and (of course) Shakers. Keep an eye on the City’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to read about these influential figures. The series kicked off this week with a profile of SHHS Principal Isaiah Wyatt.

Submit Your Preservation Award Nominations

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission is now seeking nominations for the 2026 Preservation Awards program. Exterior projects on any building in Shaker Heights that were completed after March 2024 are eligible. Submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2026. Learn more and submit a nomination.