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:
-
International Families and Friends Potluck Dinner | Thursday, November 21
-
PreK-12 Professional Day (No School for Students preK-12) | Monday, November 25
-
PreK-12 Professional Day (No School for Students preK-12 | Tuesday, November 26
-
Thanksgiving Break (Schools and District Offices Closed) | Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29
-
Detracking Webinar: Exploring the Qualitative Data with Dr. Margaret Thornton | Tuesday, December 3
-
Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, December 10
| |
|
Click on the appropriate link below for school-level and building PTO news:
| |
|
Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:
| |
Senior Athletes to Attend Division I Universities
Shaker Heights High School seniors B'Lise Bradley and Lizzy Favret signed earlier this week to continue their athletic careers at Division I universities! B'Lise will play volleyball for James Madison University and Lizzy will play basketball for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Many emotional family members and friends spoke highly of both athletes, noting their hard work and dedication to their sports. We are excited to see these ladies continue their success after graduation!
| |
All Are Welcome for International Potluck Dinner
You are welcome to join the International Families & Friends (IFF) for an evening of fellowship at our annual Potluck Dinner, to be held at Shaker Heights Middle School (20600 Shaker Blvd.) in the cafeteria on Thursday, November 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. You do not need to be an “International Family” to attend this event; it is for all families of all grade levels. Bring your friends, or come to make new friends! Please bring a dish of food to share. We kindly ask that you bring no beef, pork, nuts, or nut oils in your dishes. Here is our event flyer. Please complete our RSVP form so we know how many people to expect.
| |
|
Take the Woodbury Visual Preference Survey
Share your thoughts on Woodbury! Parents/guardians, students and residents of all ages are invited to take the Woodbury School Visual Preference Survey online through December 5.
Designers want to know the community’s preference for how the architecture of the main part of the Woodbury building (circa 1918 and will be renovated) blends in with the academic, auditorium and natatorium spaces to be newly constructed.
If, after taking the survey, you have images of other school projects blending renovation and new construction, please send them to info@cobaltgroupinc.com.
| |
Sign Up for Detracking Webinar on December 3
On Tuesday, December 3 from 7-8 p.m., the Shaker Heights Schools will host a Detracking Webinar: Exploring the Qualitative Data with Dr. Margaret Thornton. Dr. Thornton, an assistant professor at Rowan University, has conducted extensive research on detracking within the Shaker Heights Schools. She will share her findings and recommendations at the Zoom meeting. This event is a continuation of the Superintendent's Series on Detracking.
| |
Cavs Night with Shaker Schools Foundation
Join the Shaker Heights Schools and the Shaker Schools Foundation for a Cleveland Cavaliers game! All Shaker alumni, current students, and families are invited for a night out at the Cavs game against the Denver Nuggets on December 5 at 7 p.m. Buy your tickets and Go Cavs!
| |
Panorama Student Survey
After Thanksgiving break, all Shaker students in grades 3 through 12 will be taking the Panorama Student Survey. Panorama provides a computer-based survey composed of multiple choice and open-ended (free response) questions. The Panorama Student Survey gathers feedback from students about their classroom learning experience and their perceptions of the overall school environment. School leaders use the survey to learn from their students and plan for improvements. The survey takes about 20-30 minutes, and the responses to the surveys will be completely confidential. Additionally, if a student does not feel like they have enough information to answer a question, they will be able to skip the item altogether.
If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, you have the option to opt-out by completing the Testing form in the PowerSchool Portal by November 22. Please log into PowerSchool and click Forms from the list on the left. The title of the form is “Testing: complete this form only if your child will NOT participate.” Complete the section in the form for the Panorama Student Survey. At this time, you do not need to complete the other parts of the form.
| |
Theatre Arts Department Presents "Spelling Bee"
The Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Department will present "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" from November 21-23 at 7 p.m. This year, a combined cast and crew of over 40 students and adults have come together to bring this quirky story of adolescent angst and dueling definitions to the SHHS stage.
This co-curricular production engages students enrolled in multiple areas of the Theatre Arts Departments as well as musicians from our celebrated Music Department. The adult team includes Scott Sumerak (Director), Andrew Novak (Music Director), Jailyn Harris (Choreographer), Chuck Tisdale (Tech Director), Marina Wasserman (House Manager), and Laurie Brem (Box Office). Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for students and seniors. The shows will take place in the Large Auditorium at Shaker Heights High School, 15911 Aldersyde Drive.
Spelling Bee is rated PG-13 for mild language, and immature references to the realities of puberty and adolescence. Please familiarize yourself with the show before attending.
| |
Register for Cheer Clinic
This is a cheer clinic for ages 7 to 17! If you have a child who would love to learn cheer techniques from the Shaker Heights High School cheer team, please fill out the form below. There is also an optional opportunity to perform with the team on January 3 during the boys varsity half time. We have two clinics available; choose one or both!
Clinic 1: Monday, November 25 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration opens at 9:30 a.m.)
Clinic 2: Thursday, January 2 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration opens at 9:30 a.m.)
Cheer Clinic Combo: Both dates 11/25 and 1/2
Attendance at one clinic will allow the student to participate in the halftime performance.
Students need to wear athletic clothes and shoes and bring water. Snack and lunch will be provided. Souvenir t-shirts will be passed out before halftime performance on Friday, January 3. Registration is $35 for one clinic or $60 for both. Electronic Payment is accepted via Square using this links above. Cash is accepted during the school day at the high school until 4 p.m. each day. Please contact cheer coaches with questions at cheer@shaker.org@shaker.org.
*We cannot accommodate any children under the age of 7.
| |
Lomond's Cereal Box Challenge Domino Drop
Students at Lomond Elementary School were thrilled to watch cereal boxes drop like dominos throughout the hallways of the building last week. Classes competed to donate the most cereal boxes, all of which were donated to the Cleveland Food Bank. Students cheered as the cereal boxes fell down flights of stairs and through the hallways outside their classrooms!
| |
From the Margins to the Center, Vol. XXVIII — The History of Indigenous Peoples' Fight for Voting Rights
By William Warren, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools, and Sofijah Sullivan, Junior at Shaker Heights High School
As we continue to observe Native American Heritage Month, I had the opportunity to speak with Sofijah Sullivan, a junior at Shaker Heights High School. Sofijah is of mixed Native Indigenous heritage and was adopted at birth by White parents. Her mom, Shaker Heights High School journalism teacher Natalie Sekicky, advised that during the adoption process, it was discovered that Sofijah’s birth mother was of Native Indigenous descent. The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 requires Native Tribe permission for a child of Native Indigenous descent to be adopted by a non-tribal family. In 2023, the Supreme Court upheld a judicial challenge to the law, originally enacted to protect tribal sovereignty and protections for Indigenous children. Once permission was granted, Natalie and her partner were able to officially welcome Sofijah to their family, one that included Natalie’s Serbian parents and extended family.
Sofijah shared with me the difficulties she’s experienced speaking up in defense of Native heritage. “When the Cleveland professional baseball team changed their name to the Guardians, I felt like I was the only one speaking out about why it needed to happen,” she said. We also discussed how she felt going to school and learning about Native Americans through the context of history books that inaccurately depict their encounters with Europeans. Sofijah shared with me that many of her friends are adopted children, brought together by their shared experiences. In her spare time, Sofijah is on the swim team, is a part of Take Action and works on the Shakerite. She aspires to be a kindergarten teacher one day and advised that she will continue to speak up for Native Indigenous people and causes.
Additional Resources:
It's Past Time to Eliminate Racist Native Mascots
Research on Mascots
The Native American Mascot Issue: It’s About Honor
Name game: Why the Cleveland Indians Changed their Name and Why the Atlanta Braves didn’t
| |
|
Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
| |
Donor Appreciation Report Hot Off the Press | |
|
The Shaker Schools Foundation is thrilled to present our Fall 2024 Donor Appreciation Report, titled "Educate, Empower, Explore & Engage". This report highlights our accomplishments made possible by your unwavering support and commitment to investing in the futures of our Shaker students.
Our report also launches our Advancing Shaker Annual Appeal, inviting you to help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students. As we celebrate our 43rd year of supporting the Shaker City School District, we remain dedicated to fostering community resources that improve equitable access and enhance opportunities in and out of the classroom.
Donate today!
| |
Mental Health Response Service
Did you know the City is served by a crisis response team of behavioral health clinicians who assist individuals experiencing mental health distress and substance use disorders? Read more about First CALL.
|
Friday Night DJ Skates Extended to November 22
Get your weekend off to a good start with an evening of skating during an extended Friday Night DJ Skates session, from 7:45-9:45 pm at Thornton Park Ice Arena. Concessions will be available for purchase. Regular public skating admissions fees and policies apply.
| | | | |
