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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Yom Kippur (Schools and Offices Closed) | Thursday, October 2
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Alumni and Community Band Day | Friday, October 3
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Tag Day | Saturday, October 4
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Board of Education Meeting | Thursday, October 9
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Coffee with the Superintendent | Friday, October 10
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Raider 5K and Fun Run | Saturday, October 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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Mercer Promotes Kindness with "Start with Hello"
Students at Mercer Elementary School recently took part in "Start With Hello," a national initiative created by Sandy Hook Promise to promote kindness, connection, and inclusion in schools. The program empowers students to reach out to others who may feel lonely or left out — with a simple "hello" being the first step toward creating a safer, more connected school community. To show their support, Mercer students wore green, the color of the movement, and participated in activities that build empathy and encourage everyone to be a friend.
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Coffee with the Superintendent on October 10
Make sure to stop by “Coffee with the Superintendent” on Friday, October 10! This informal session is designed to provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and for Superintendent Dr. David Glasner to share important information. This event will take place from 7:30-9:30 a.m. in Market Hall at the Van Aken District (next to On the Rise). We hope to see you soon!
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Update from #FinanceFriday
We’re back with another #FinanceFriday! This week, we’re continuing our series called “Impact in Action,” featuring how taxpayers’ dollars are supporting our students.
This year, we are officially launching our new K-5 literacy materials called Wit and Wisdom! Teachers are incorporating the lessons into their IB unit planners, helping students grow as readers, writers and thinkers. While the Wit and Wisdom adoption began in response to recent Ohio legislation requiring the selection of certain English Language Arts materials, our teachers, parents, and students are giving rave reviews about its early impact!
Enjoy this short video from last year’s pilot classrooms, where students and teachers helped bring the Wit and Wisdom curriculum to life. This language comprehension program uses diverse texts from different cultures and time periods, focuses on knowledge-building, strategic questioning, and learning to take action in the world, all while integrating art, science and social studies — a perfect match with IB. Wit and Wisdom exposes all students to complex texts!
A state grant covered the cost of piloting the materials and some supplementals. The cost to add the new resources comes from a category we call supplies and materials, which makes up 2.93% of the District’s total expenditures. This may seem like a small percentage, but it plays a big role in supporting our classrooms and operations!
Teachers and students recently celebrated the implementation of Wit and Wisdom with launch parties. We can’t wait to see the impact across our elementary schools this year!
Stay tuned for the next installment of #FinanceFriday!
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Support Shaker Athletics at Boom’s Pizza
Raider Nation and Boom’s Pizza at the Van Aken District are excited to partner on a "Round Up + Give" initiative for the entire month of October in support of Shaker Heights Athletics. Customers are encouraged to visit Boom’s Pizza in Shaker Heights and round up on their orders. Boom’s Pizza will donate all of those "Round Up" proceeds directly to Shaker Athletics. Thanks to Boom’s Pizza for their generous support of Raider Athletics!
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SHHS Alumni/Community Band Returns on October 3
The SHHS Alumni/Community Band returns on Friday, October 3, under the Friday night lights! We’ll also have our first ever Alumni Raiderette Feature. Anyone with a connection to “The Pride of Shaker Heights” can join. Alumni, band parents, staff members, Shaker residents, you name it! All musicians in our extended community are welcome, including SMS students if they are accompanied by a participating adult or current band member.
For alumni and community members joining the Raiderettes, a choreography video from our current Raiderettes will be shared for you to learn on your own before the rehearsal. For alumni and community band participants, band directors will follow up with links to the sheet music, audio recordings and videos.
Alumni and community members are welcome to hang out with the band after half time. Click here to sign up for this event, and wear your Shaker gear!
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Attendance is Key to Student Success
As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to thank you for your partnership in helping students Show Up and Shine! Attendance is recorded in PowerSchool and reported to the State by instructional time, so every minute counts! When possible, please try to make appointments for your student before or after school hours.
Remember to call or email the school office to report absences. As another option, we encourage you to conveniently report absences online through the PowerSchool Portal. Login at https://ps-sh.metasolutions.net, and select Attendance Monitor from the left sidebar. (Please note that this option is only available on the web version of the Portal, not the PowerSchool app.) Click to view this Attendance Monitor Help Doc.
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Youth Players Invited to SHHS Boys Soccer Youth & Senior Night
All Shaker Heights elementary and middle school students are welcome to the SHHS Boys Soccer Youth & Senior Night on September 30 at 7 p.m. The game and event will take place at the Shaker Heights High School stadium. Free admission for youth players in soccer jerseys. Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. if you’d like to watch the Senior Ceremony and learn more about our senior players and their soccer journeys. Please arrive by 6:50 p.m. to walk out with a player during pre-game announcements (look for a volunteer by the field after the ceremony concludes.) Youth players are invited to play soccer on the field at half-time.
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SHHS Students Attend Homecoming Pep Rally
Shaker Heights High School held a pep rally to get excited for Homecoming weekend! Students enjoyed a performance by the Marching Band, Raiderettes, Flag Corps, and Cheerleaders, then participated in games and received Shaker gear to show their school spirit!
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From the Margins to the Center, Vol. LIII — Discovering The Hidden Figures of International Underground Railroad Month
By Lawrence Burnley, Ph.D., Chief Inclusive Excellence and Engagement Officer
In addition to Hispanic Heritage Month (see Vol. LII) which is celebrated September 15 to October 15, September is also International Underground Railroad Month. Historic figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman are widely known for their significant contributions to the abolition of slavery and the Underground Railroad. Their courage and brilliance they demonstrated in their efforts to end slavery is well documented and celebrated.
There are two lesser known, perhaps even hidden, figures whose amazing courage and contributions to the Underground Railroad are noteworthy. The first is Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Ms. Shadd Cary was an abolitionist, teacher, lawyer and activist. She holds the distinction of being the first Black woman in North America to become a newspaper editor and publisher. She achieved this by editing and publishing The Provincial Freeman, Canada's first anti-slavery newspaper, in 1853.
The second figure we honor and celebrate for his contribution to the incredible legacy of the Underground Railroad is Reverend Leonard Andrew Grimes. Rev. Grimes was a prominent African-American abolitionist and pastor in the 19th century. He served as a key figure on the Underground Railroad, helping countless enslaved people escape to freedom. In recognition of his role in the abolitionist movement, Rev. Grimes was inducted into the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro, New York on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Additional Resources
Sources for Discovering Hidden Historic Figures
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
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Stay up to date by following the Shaker Schools Foundation on the following social media platforms:
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Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony on October 11
Join us on Saturday, October 11 at 6 p.m. at Shaker Heights Country Club for the Shaker Schools Alumni 2025 Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony! Nine inductees will be welcomed into the Hall of Fame, and all community members are welcome to attend! Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Purchase your tickets today, seating is limited! The newest 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
These nine distinguished graduates will be honored for their impact in fields such as public service, health equity, environmental advocacy, and more.
| | Quick Links: Opportunity Assistance, Enrichment Grants, Donations, More Info! Please follow the Shaker Schools Foundation on our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. |
Registration for Fall Skating Classes Opens October 5
Sharpen your skills on the ice this fall at Thornton Park Ice Arena! The Recreation Department offers a full range of Learn to Skate classes for ages 18 months through adult, with options for beginners through advanced levels. Registration for the Fall 2 session will be available from October 5-11, with classes starting October 14. Click here for more information.
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