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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Spring Break | March 24-28
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Eid al-Fitr (Schools Closed) | Monday, March 31
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Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, April 8
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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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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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200 Attend Lomond Sneaker Ball
The Lomond PTO hosted a very successful Sneaker Ball on Friday night! Families danced in the cafeteria/auditorium and played games in the gym. The proceeds from this fundraiser go toward teacher appreciation gifts!
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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 Made the Red & White a Success!
Wow! We had a wonderful evening celebrating our Shaker students and schools! Thanks to all who bid, donated, attended and helped us raise funds to Educate, Empower and Engage Shaker’s preschool through 12th grade students!
We saw the Shaker Schools Foundation’s mission in action in so many ways…
- $42,060 in donations on our event gift thermometer
- 470 guests
- 139 Auction packages raising over $34,000
- 96 First-time attendees and young alums
- 86 Shaker Schools teachers, administrators and staff
- 66 student art pieces offered in the silent auction
- 25 musicians in SHHS Jazz Collective
- 22 choral ensemble singers
- 11 Raiderettes
- 6 SHHS string ensemble musicians
- 25 corporate sponsors
- 3 amazing emcees
- 2 excited raffle winners
- 1 impactful mission: to enhance access and opportunities for Shaker students!
Thank you, Shaker community, for showing up for Shaker students. We are so grateful!
Were you unable to join us this year? Check out photos, videos and our amazing mission video from the event! It’s not too late to support; you can make a monetary donation today! Your continued donations are crucial to our success and very much appreciated. Let’s continue to Educate, Empower, and Engage!
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Update from Finance Friday
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.
A majority of school funding in Ohio comes from local property taxes, which communities approve through levies. School districts rely on different types of levies to fund operations and improvements:
- Operating Levies: Cover day-to-day costs like teacher salaries, classroom materials and utilities.
- Permanent Improvement Levies: Fund repairs, technology upgrades and equipment (but cannot be used for salaries).
- Bond Issues: Used for large-scale projects like new school buildings and major renovations. These are repaid over time, similar to a mortgage.
Levy funds cannot be reallocated. Each type of levy is legally restricted to its approved purpose:
- Bond funds cannot be used for operating expenses.
- Operating levy funds cannot be used for building construction.
- Permanent improvement levies cannot cover salaries or routine operating costs.
This ensures that voter-approved funds are spent as intended. About 70% of revenue for the Shaker Heights Schools comes from local property taxes. Stay tuned for more information about federal funding for public schools!
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Statewide Tornado Drill on March 19
The week of March 16-22 is designated as Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. While tornadoes can occur at any time, late spring and summer are the prime season for tornado activity in Ohio. To prepare residents for the danger of tornadoes, a statewide tornado drill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19 at 9:50 a.m.
During the drill, communities across the state of Ohio will test their tornado sirens or other weather warning systems. In addition, an Emergency Alert System (EAS) warning message will be broadcast. This test and warning message may interrupt classes and meetings, but there is no need for concern.
Cuyahoga County will send a test message through the County’s ReadyNotify Emergency Notification System during the drill. If you have not done so already, please click here to verify your information, or re-register, in the upgraded ReadyNotify System. Additional emergency preparedness and safety information can be found here.
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Report Cards for Elementary Students
Report cards for the 2nd trimester will be available this week on the PowerSchool Portal. Families of students in Grades K-5 may login on Wednesday, March 19, after noon, to view the report cards from the 2nd trimester 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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State Testing Update
State achievement tests inform families and teachers of how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s Learning Standards. Every student in Grades 3-8 are assessed in English language arts and mathematics, using the assessment that corresponds to their learning standards. Students in Grades 5 and 8 are assessed in science.
End-of-course assessments (EOCs) are the state achievement tests that are administered to high school students upon completion of specific courses. This includes an Algebra EOC that some Shaker students take in middle school. To earn a high school diploma in Ohio, students must demonstrate competency on the Algebra and English language arts EOCs. EOCs in other subjects offer students the opportunity to earn graduation seals, another requirement to earn a high school diploma in Ohio.
State testing will begin after Spring Break. Each building will be in contact with families to share specific test dates. Additional information about the tests can be found here. Information about all of the assessments and our District assessment calendar can be found on the testing page of shaker.org.
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Traffic Survey for Middle School Families
A traffic consultant is conducting a study to determine traffic patterns for the new Middle Years Building at the current Woodbury site. As part of the traffic study, the consultant is doing a survey of how students travel to and from the existing Middle School and how they expect to travel when the school moves to the Woodbury site. Current Middle School families may click here to take the survey.
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Upcoming Lady Raiders Basketball Clinics
Learn basketball skills and techniques from Shaker Heights Middle School and High School coaches! Spring clinics will take place on April 4, 11, and 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the North Gym at SHHS. The clinics are open to girls in Grade 3-8. The cost is $20 per session or $50 for all three sessions. Click here to register.
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“Give & Take” Day for Used Sports Equipment
Shaker Sports Boosters, Shaker Heights Recreation, Shaker Youth Soccer, and Shaker Youth Baseball are co-hosting a used baseball/softball/soccer equipment “Give & Take” Day on Saturday, April 5 in the SHHS North Gym Lobby.
Please drop off any gently used baseball, softball, and soccer gear between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers will sort items from 1-2 p.m., then community members may visit from 2-4 p.m. to “shop” (at no charge) for gently used items.
Interested in helping? Parents/caregivers and high school students are welcome! Click here to sign up to volunteer.
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Field Hockey Clinics Start April 5
The Shaker Heights High School Field Hockey team will host clinics for K-8 athletes starting April 5! Clinics take place every Saturday from April 5 to May 10 from 8-9 a.m., with the exception of a clinic on April 27, which is a Sunday. The clinics will be held at the SHHS turf field, and in the South Gym in cases of inclement weather.
Athletes should bring tennis shoes, mouth guard, shin guards, water bottle, and a field hockey stick (extras will be provided). The cost is $100 for six sessions or $20 for drop-ins. Click here to register. Email Coach Ashley Boorstein at fieldhockey@shaker.org with questions.
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SHHS PTO Flower Sale Now 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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High School Theatre Arts Presents "Clue"
Last week, the Shaker Theatre Arts presented "Clue!" Many talented High School students participated in this performance to bring the classic murder mystery board game and ’80s movie to life on the SHHS Main Stage!
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By William Warren, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools
NOTE: The month of March acknowledges several communities and their contributions to history. During March, From the Margins to the Center will feature information and stories in observance of Women’s History Month, National Irish American Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This week’s feature highlights the Girls Empowerment Mentoring Program, currently at Boulevard and Mercer.
In observance of Women’s History Month, we continue to highlight the work being done in the Shaker Heights Schools to educate and inspire the future women leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. In the fall of 2023, the Girls Empowerment Mentoring Program (GEMP) was established within Boulevard, Woodbury and the Middle School with the goal to “motivate, inspire and teach.” Their mission is to “support adolescent multicultural girls in overcoming social barriers such as bullying, social emotional challenges, and low self-esteem.” Girls in Grades 4-8 come together under the leadership of female advisors within their respective schools, along with women from various other professions to expose the girls to opportunities they may not have been aware of beforehand.
I was invited into the GEMP meeting at Mercer where the Mercer and Boulevard groups were listening to a presentation from Susan Oguche, the executive vice president and chief communications officer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group, and Rocket Arena. Susan shared her career experience working in public relations for Procter & Gamble, Abbott, Sleep Number and Nike, and what she’s learned and experienced in her career. Mercer advisors Chante Thomas and Wendy Lewis, along with Boulevard advisor Sabrina Scott helped to provide context as to why Susan’s presence was important and the girls asked plenty of follow-up questions. Many of the girls said they enjoyed being a part of GEMP because “it teaches them that they can do anything they put their minds to.” Aside from several guest speakers, the Mercer group have made vision boards, worked on positive affirmation statements, and are currently reading Some Places More than Others by Renee Watson. A huge thank you to the GEMP for having me, and I look forward to the history these girls will make!
Additional Resources
Girls Equity and Empowerment Resource List
Other Examples of Empowerment Programs for girls in K-12 schools include:
Empowering Girls Voices at NGCS Middle School
Warner Girls Leadership Academy
Ruling Our Experiences
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Shaker Heights High School Alumni Hall of Fame Nominations Open!
Know of a deserving Shaker Alum who should be nominated for the 2025 Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame? Nominate them today! Anyone may nominate a Shaker alum for this honor. Please share! Nominations will be accepted online until April 7.
Please look for updates about our event by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Show us your photos! Enter the Preservation Month Photo Contest
Flex your photographic eye and submit your entries to the 2025 Preservation Month Photo Contest. Submissions will be accepted via Instagram using the hashtag #PreserveSH25 through May 31. The contest encourages residents and visitors to submit images that showcase what makes Shaker “Shaker.” Photos can highlight a particular architectural detail, landmark building, neighborhood, street, park, place to eat or shop, view, or anything else that represents Shaker Heights to the photographer.
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Check out the spring edition of Tree News
Find tips for new tree care, information on Arbor Day happenings and much more in the spring edition of Tree News, a publication of the Shaker Heights City Council’s Tree Advisory Board.
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