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:

• Coffee with the Superintendent | Monday, October 15, 7:30 a.m.
• Career Tech Education Fair | Saturday, October 19, 12 p.m.
• Board of Education Work Session | Monday, October 21, 5 p.m.
• K-12 Conferences (No School for Students preK-12) | Thursday, October 31
• K-12 Conferences (No School for Students preK-12) | Friday, November 1

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

• Shaker Preschool Post
• Boulevard Bulletin
• Fernway Forum
• Lomond Weekly
• Mercer Messenger
• Onaway Update
• Shaker Heights Middle School Memo
• Shaker Shaker Heights High School Weekly Update
• Innovative Center for Personalized Learning

Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:

• Weekly Board Packets
• Shaker.org News Feed
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Shaker Heights Schools
• 2024-25 School Year Information
• PowerSchool
• Breakfast & Lunch Menus
• Work at Shaker

Fernway Fourth Graders Dissect Cow Heart

Fourth graders at Fernway Elementary School dissected a cow heart earlier this week. A parent, who is also a local doctor, from Betsy Brindza's class led the heart dissection. The heart dissection supports content in module 1 of the Wit & Wisdom curriculum and ties to the inquiry-based learning that is integral to the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

Parents to Register on ParentSquare

Parents at some school buildings will receive an invitation to register for ParentSquare. If you have not yet registered for ParentSquare, you will receive an invitation to do so beginning on Monday, October 14. Some of the Shaker school buildings will be using ParentSquare to sign up for parent-teacher conferences. Registration with the ParentSquare portal is required to sign up for conferences.

Take the Family and Community Engagement Survey

We are asking for your help to make our schools better! Please take a few minutes to complete our Family & Community Engagement survey. We want to hear from you about how well our schools work with families and what we can do better. Your feedback is crucial as we assess how effectively we engage with families and our broader community, with a focus on equity, student learning and school improvement.

The survey will take about 10 minutes, and your responses are completely confidential. Participation is voluntary, but your insights will help us identify our strengths and areas for growth. To begin the survey, click here.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Gabrielle Johnson at The Ohio State University, who is assisting with this process, at johnson.10509@osu.edu.

Thank you for taking the time to help us improve our schools!

Grab a Coffee With the Superintendent

The next “Coffee with the Superintendent” session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Van Aken District in the Market Hall. 

This informal event is designed for community members to ask questions and for Superintendent Dr. David Glasner to share important information.

Update on Long-Term Master Facilities Plan

The Shaker Heights City School District is pleased to provide updates on the latest developments with the Ludlow and Woodbury renovation projects as a part of the District’s Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. The District's commitment to enhancing the educational environment for students continues to drive these efforts. Implementing the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan has been well underway over the past three months. To read the full facilities update, click here.

Lomond's Sensory Room Improves Students' Focus

Students at Lomond Elementary School enjoy visiting the Sensory Room. This room is equipped with various activities that help students calm their body and mind. The activities in the Sensory Room are designed to improve balance, movement, and spatial awareness. The room is purposively set up with decreased distractions and low stimulation. Students are able to self-regulate and increase their attention span over time. After visiting the Sensory Room, students return to the classroom ready to learn!

From the Margins to the Center, Vol. XXIII — Indigenous Peoples' Day

By William Warren, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools

The month of October acknowledges and celebrates several different communities and their heritage and history throughout time. Last week’s feature celebrated LGBTQ+ History Month. Features in the coming weeks will acknowledge Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Italian American Heritage Month. 

On Monday, October 14, Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be celebrated and acknowledged nationwide in honor of the history and culture of tribes native to American land prior to European colonization. Originally conceived in 1992 in Berkeley, California, this holiday was intentionally planned on the same day as the federal holiday observed in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Western Hemisphere. This was done to bring more awareness to the reality that Columbus’ explorations led to the oppression and genocide of native peoples, incorrectly identified as “Indians” and emphasizing that a celebration of Columbus Day is deeply problematic to the descendents of native tribes. 

As we observe this holiday, we acknowledge that Indigenous communities of the Americas experienced much violence and devastation throughout history; from wars and epidemic diseases ravaging their population to being forced from their homelands to relocate to reservations. Indigenous Peoples today continue to fight against racism and stereotyping, most notably against athletic teams and their offensive caricatures of Native-themed mascots, logos and team names such as Indians and Redskins. There is a rich Indigenous history right here in Ohio, home to several tribes like the Shawnee, the Erie, the Seneca and the Ottawa. We encourage all to take this opportunity to listen to native voices and experience Indigenous culture from those who know our current home as their first home.

Additional Resources:

Cleveland.com article on the modern Indigenous People’s community in Cleveland

Archaeological artifacts of native tribes of Ohio at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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

Provide an Opportunity Assistance Scholarship

The Shaker Schools Foundation’s Opportunity Assistance Scholarships allow qualified Shaker students in Grades 1-12 to try new experiences outside the classroom. 

• Beyond The Desk Scholarships support students seeking assistance to participate in educational classes, camps, visual or performing arts groups, and more.
• Level The Playing Field Scholarships provide support for students seeking assistance to participate in youth sports. 

The goal of these funds is to increase diversity and inclusion in all student enrichment activities and provide equitable access. The Foundation is pleased to have supported over 400 Shaker students since the inception of these scholarships. For more information and to apply, click here.

Learn the Results of the Listening Project

Well over 1,000 of you shared feedback on policing in Shaker through the Listening Project. Come hear the results of that study at City Council's work session at City Hall on Tuesday, October 15 at 7 pm., or via Zoom. Find the Zoom link in the agenda for the meeting at shakerheightsoh.gov/AgendaCenter.

Mayor's Chat with guest Tenille Kaus on October 19

Got a question for Mayor David Weiss or the City's newest council member Tenille Kaus? On Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., stop by the Shaker Heights Public Library Main Branch Cafè to chat with them about City issues.