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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Board of Education Work Session | Tuesday, October 28
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PreK-12 Conferences (No School for Students) | Friday, October 31
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PreK-12 Conferences (No School for Students) | Monday, November 3
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Election Day (Schools Closed) | Tuesday, November 4
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Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, November 11
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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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Courtroom to Classrooms Visits SHHS
Shaker Heights High School welcomed the Eighth District Court of Appeals as part of the Courtroom to Classrooms program! Students had the rare opportunity to witness a real appellate court oral argument held live in our auditorium.
A panel of three judges, Judge Lisa B. Forbes, Judge Emanuella D. Groves and Judge Michael John Ryan heard the case and arguments from each attorney. Following the proceeding, students engaged directly with attorneys and judges in a Q&A session, gaining valuable insights into the legal system, judicial decision-making, and career paths in law!
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New Number for Texts from Shaker Heights Schools
We have a new number! All texts from the Shaker Heights Schools will come from 97178. Please save this number to your contacts. Messages will no longer come from our previous number, 54968.
This change was made to improve the reliability and speed of our text message delivery. Thank you for understanding as we make this transition!
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Update from #FinanceFriday
Welcome back to another #FinanceFriday! This time of year, you may be wondering, “What ballot issues have I seen recently from the Shaker Heights Schools?” Good question! This week, we’re looking back on the history of ballot issues for the schools. Let’s start in 2014.
The District’s last general operating levy was in 2014. Operating levies fund day-to-day expenses like salaries, utilities and classroom supplies.
In 2016, voters approved a bond levy. This levy was commonly known as a “Warm, Safe and Dry” bond issue to address immediate maintenance issues in our school buildings. These dollars allowed the District to maintain a safe learning environment for students.
In 2023, voters approved a bond levy for facilities upgrades and a 3-mill operating levy for preschool. The bond issue covers Phase 1 of the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan, which includes renovating Woodbury and building an addition to become the new Middle Years building and renovating the elementary schools. The 3-mill operating levy will be used for the operation expenses for the Ludlow Early Learning Center, since preschool programs do not receive state funding.
In November 2025, voters will see a new operating levy on the ballot, which would cover salaries, utilities and classroom supplies. Many school districts return to the ballot for new operating levies every 3-4 years. Due to prudent fiscal management, the Shaker Heights Schools have not placed a full operating levy on the ballot in 11 years. This 9.9-mill operating levy would cost homeowners $29 per month per $100,000 of assessed property value.
Don’t forget! Funds cannot be shifted or transferred for a different use. Funds received through an operating levy cannot be used for facilities projects, and permanent improvement funds collected through a facilities bond issue cannot be used to pay salaries.
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Take the Aramark Student Nutrition Survey
The Department of Student Nutrition is launching its first student viewpoint survey of the 2025-2026 school year. Students are encouraged to take the survey so Aramark can gather information and better serve the needs of the students and families. Click here to take the survey. The survey will be open through October 31.
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SHHS Hockey Team Raises $5,730 for Youth Challenge
For the 11th Annual Adapted Ice Breaker, the Shaker Heights High School Hockey Team raised $5,730 for Youth Challenge!
Youth Challenge brings together young people with physical disabilities and teen volunteers who inspire each other through adapted sports, recreation and social growth activities. The Adapted Ice Breaker serves as both a fundraiser for Youth Challenge and an opportunity for SHHS athletes to work directly with Youth Challenge participants.
This annual event has raised nearly $55,000 for Youth Challenge since its inception 11 years ago!
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From the Margins to the Center, Vol. LVI — Indigenous People’s Day Hidden Figure: Buffalo Calf Road Woman
By William Warren, Student Program Coordinator, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement, Shaker Heights Schools
October 26, 2025
The month of October acknowledges and celebrates several different communities and their heritage and history throughout time. Features this month have observed LGBTQ+ History Month and National Disability Awareness Month. This week, we will acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, which was observed on Monday, October 13.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated and acknowledged nationwide in honor of the history and culture of tribes native to the Americas 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 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.
This week’s “hidden figure” highlights the story of Buffalo Calf Road Woman. She was a Cheyenne tribal warrior during the American Indian Wars who fought bravely against the U.S. Army forces attempting to force Native Indigenous tribes from their lands. During the Battle of Little BigHorn, it is believed that Buffalo Calf Road Woman landed the blow that knocked General George Custer off his horse, leading to “Custer’s Last Stand.”
In observation of this holiday, we acknowledge that Indigenous communities of the Americas endured immense suffering, violence, and cultural devastation in the historical colonization of their lands; 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.
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
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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Congratulations 2025 Shaker Hall of Fame Inductees!
On Saturday, October 11, the Shaker Schools Foundation proudly welcomed nine distinguished graduates into the Shaker Heights Alumni Hall of Fame during a special dinner and induction ceremony at Shaker Heights Country Club.
The Class of 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Judge Adam B. Abelson, Class of 2001
- Joanie and Tom Adler, Class of 1958
- Cyrena Davis, Class of 1993
- Andrew Geronimo, Class of 2001
- Quiana Howard, Class of 1998
- Melinda Kassen, Class of 1974
- Robyn Minter Smyers, Class of 1987
- Brigadier General Jeff Watkins, Class of 1985
In addition to the evening celebration, each inductee took part in a special student assembly at the High School, where they shared their personal journeys and advice with today’s students. Following the assembly, inductees visited classrooms for one-on-one conversations, giving students the unique opportunity to connect directly with Shaker alumni and learn how their experiences at Shaker shaped their lives and careers.
This annual event is not only a time to honor outstanding alumni but also an important tradition that strengthens the connection between generations, past, present, and future.
The Shaker Schools Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees and thanks the many families, friends, and community members who joined us to celebrate their achievements. Read the Shakerite article and click here to view event photos!
Have someone in mind for next year’s Hall of Fame? Nominations open January 2026 on our website!
| | Quick Links: Opportunity Assistance, Enrichment Grants, Donations, More Info! Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. |
Final Lee Road Engineering Open House on October 29
Join the City’s planning team on Wednesday, October 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. at The Dealership, 3558 Lee Rd., to provide feedback on the engineering for Lee Road streetscape improvements. This will be the final opportunity for public input before construction starts in 2026.
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Lee Road Bikeway Open House on November 13
On Thursday, November 13 from 5:30-7 p.m., the City of Shaker Heights will host an open house about new bicycle facilities that will connect the Van Aken District to Lee Road. Make plans to join engineers and city planners to learn about these new facilities coming to Van Aken Boulevard and share your feedback. A brief presentation will precede the open house.
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