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The Shaker Schools Connection
A Message from the Superintendent
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For every year that I've been an educator, the last month of school seems to move at a pace that's twice as fast as all the others. Here at Shaker Schools, our students and faculty are busy with fourth-grade IB Exhibition, 10th-Grade Personal Projects, Diploma Programme Extended Essays, Senior Projects, end-of-year celebrations, honors and awards ceremonies, among others. It's an exciting time, and for me, it's fulfilling to see the hard work of our students and staff come together.
And now that the weather has finally improved, the District looks toward the summer to begin some much-needed construction and renovation projects. We thank the residents of Shaker Heights for their support of our schools with their tax dollars, without which these projects would not be possible. Be sure to have a look at
Summer Construction Projects at Shaker Schools below. You'll see that seven of our eight buildings have various projects planned, including flat roof and water line replacements, accessibility improvements, parking lot renovations and security updates. These projects do impact student learning, as they fulfill our District goal to provide a learning environment that's warm, safe and dry for all. Please note that some of our parking lots will have limited spaces this summer, as construction vehicles will be using the lots. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
One note of congratulations to Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins, who was appointed by the Board of Education last month to serve as the Interim Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Wilkins has been the Assistant Superintendent of Business, Operations and Human Resources for the past four years. He is highly qualified and well-positioned to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to execute the final year of our five-year strategic plan. As the Board embarks on its search for a permanent superintendent next school year, I am confident that Dr. Wilkins will carry on with all of the important work we've started here at the District. You can
learn more about Dr. Wilkins below.
Finally, I encourage all families to review the District and building-level calendars
online or in our Shaker Schools app. As I mentioned, there are so many exciting opportunities to see our students in action and to celebrate their accomplishments this month. Many of you have already signed up to join my Farewell Chat with Leon Bibb---all are welcome to attend, though we ask you to
register in advance to help with planning.
I hope you all enjoy these final five weeks of school and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
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 Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins to be Appointed Interim Superintendent
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 The Shaker Heights Board of Education announces the selection of Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins as Interim Superintendent for the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Dr. Wilkins brings management experience that includes strengths in human resources, strategic planning, logistics, project management and security services. He currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations and Human Resources and will return to that role when his service as Interim Superintendent concludes.
Read more about Dr. Wilkins
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Join the Superintendent's Farewell Chat on May 10
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Join Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. and former local news anchor Leon Bibb for a Farewell Chat from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 in the High School Small Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public, however registration is required as seats are limited.
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Summer Construction Projects at Shaker Schools
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 There are several construction projects at our schools from June 7-August 17. Please be aware that there will be limited parking at the schools while the construction workers are on site.
We expect congestion in and around the High School oval, as the following parking lots will be closed for the summer construction period:
- High School south parking lot
- High School north parking lot
- Onaway Elementary School parking lot
During the construction period, the SELF and Shaker Heights City Summer Recreation Programs will run according to schedule in the respective buildings. Walk-in routes to the buildings will be identified. Participants and employees should plan accordingly to gain access to the buildings.
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Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11
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We encourage you and/or your student to take a moment during Teacher Appreciation Week to show your thanks to a special teacher, whether that's here in Shaker, or maybe from your days as a student long ago. Look for our Teacher Appreciation Week posts throughout the week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram---please comment with your kind thoughts about your favorite teachers! Be sure to use the hashtag #iamshaker.
Also, many buildings host special events by classroom or teacher. Please be sure to check with your school or visit the District calendar online for Teacher Appreciation Week events.
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The NAMM Foundation Honors Shaker Heights Schools with Best Communities for Music Education Designation
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Shaker Heights Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Shaker Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Read more about this distinction.
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IC Partners with Cosmic Bobbins to Offer "Innovative Product Creation" Program
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The Shaker Heights Schools Innovative Center for Personalized Learning has partnered with Cosmic Bobbins to offer "Innovative Product Creation" on May 3 and May 10. This program will prepare High School students to engage in innovative product creation that impacts their local community. Students will learn the fundamentals of hand sewing, sewing machine operation, sustainability, and how to apply these skills to entrepreneurial engagement and creating items that are marketable and/or retail-ready. The sessions will run from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Cosmic Bobbins, 13226 Shaker Square. To register your student, email
[email protected] or call 216-295-6275.
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Registration for SELF Session I Ends May 31
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SELF camps are filling up, but there are still spaces in available in several popular programs: Lake Erie Ink; World Language Exploratory Camp in German & Latin; You Are a Poet and You Didn't Even Know It!; Ceramics; Shaker Show Choir; Bridge to Algebra; and Cognitive Tutor. Registration for June session ends May 31. Registration for July sessions ends June 18.
Learn more and register now online
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Art Exposed IX at the Library Opens May 11
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Shaker Heights High School and Middle School Art Departments, in partnership with Shaker Heights Public Library, invite Shaker families to an exhibition of outstanding student artwork in a gallery setting. Artwork representing the depth and breadth of the curriculum, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphics, drawing, photography, jewelry, and mixed media, will be on display May 11 through May 23. The work of more than 400 students will be included in the show.
Join opening night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11 and meet our student-artists while enjoying refreshments. Celebrate students' accomplishments with an awards presentation at the beginning of the night, and shop for unique student-designed ceramics and jewelry throughout the evening. We hope to see you there!
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May Music and Vocal Performances
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 Mark your calendars to attend one of our band, orchestra or choir concerts in May!
- May 2, 7 p.m.: Woodbury Grade 5 Band Concert
- May 3, 7:30 p.m.: High School Orchestra Concert
- May 7, 7 p.m.: High School Music Composition Concert
- May 7, 6:45 p.m.: Grade 5 Orchestra Concert
- May 7, 8 p.m.: Grade 6 Orchestra Concert
- May 14, 7 p.m.: Middle School Choir Concert
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High School Choirs and Principal Jonathan Kuehnle to Join Sing Out!
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On Thursday, May 24, 45 students from the High School Choirs and Principal Jonathan Kuehnle will join Sing Out!, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's biennial chorale benefit performance. This year's performance will take place at Severance Hall and the theme is "The Time is Now." The chorale includes prominent members of the Cleveland community, who lend their voices in an uplifting performance that raises awareness, inspires change and raises funds to support the Rape Crisis Center's work. The High School choir members will perform as the event's featured choir.
Read more about the event.
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Spring Break Travel Roundup
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Catch up on other Shaker.org news you may have missed:
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Employee Spotlights-Eileen Blattner & Mary Lynne McGovern
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When Shaker Heights High School Guidance Department chair Eileen Blattner and her colleague, academic advisor Mary Lynne McGovern, retire next month, they'll have a combined 81 years of experience with Shaker Schools. Both women have longstanding ties and devotion to Shaker: Mrs. Blattner went to Shaker Schools, graduated from the High School in 1963 and is a member of the Shaker Heights High School Hall of Fame. Mrs. McGovern has been a longtime resident whose three children attended Shaker Schools, as well as three of her grandchildren. Most important, they both share an unwavering devotion to the countless High School students they have guided, mentored and supported over the years.
Read our Employee Spotlights with Eileen Blattner and with Mary Lynne McGovern.
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Senior Honors and Recognitions
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Congratulations to these five Shaker Heights High School seniors (pictured below, left to right) who have earned the following honors and college scholarships:
- Ose Arheghan Receives Princeton Prize in Race Relations &
Earns OSU Morrill Scholarship
- Daniel Crouse Earns Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship
- Emma Duhamel Named University of Cincinnati Arts & Sciences Honors Scholar
- Sam Rosenthal Earns Prestigious Kovner Fellowship
- Trisha Roy Named OSU Eminence Fellow
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Middle School PenOhio Team Members Advance to State Tournament
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The Middle School PenOhio Team (formerly Power of the Pen) had a strong performance at the regional tournament, hosted by Shaker Heights Middle School, on April 21.
The seventh-grade team took second place overall and the eighth-grade team finished in first place overall.
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Student Spotlights: Michael Duncan and Aaliyah Williams
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Michael Duncan
Congratulations to Middle School seventh grade-student Michael Duncan on his third place finish at the Ohio National Geographic Bee on April 6. Last year, Michael finished 11th in the state as as Woodbury sixth grader.
"I have rarely seen a school Geography Bee champion work as hard as Michael did to prepare for the bee. He really took the challenge seriously, and wanted to do everything he could to win the bee," said Middle School Geography Bee advisor Mike Sears. "His mother and father were also incredibly supportive on his journey. I'm excited to work with Michael again next year, and see if he can win the bee as an 8th grader."
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Aaliyah Williams
Congratulations to sophomore Aaliyah Williams, who was selected to participate in the 2018 Telluride Association Sophomore Seminar (TASS) at the University of Michigan. The highly selective six-week program accepts only 56 students, who participate in one of four seminars held at either Cornell University of the University of Michigan. Aaliyah will participate in the seminar, The Culture of Politics of Race and Media and Literature.
"The topics of these seminars are right up my alley," says Aaliyah. "I hope to learn what it really means to be an activist in this day and age, and I'm incredibly excited to meet other students with the same passions as mine."
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IB in Action: Fourth-grade Exhibition is Underway
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Fourth-grade students at all five elementary schools have begun to research their IB Exhibition projects. Topics this year include habitat preservation, gender equality, racial inequity and sharing the planet, among others.
Attend one or all of the IB Exhibition Nights. The events are open to all Shaker families:
- Lomond: May 22 | IB Exhibition and Concert
- Mercer: May 23 | IB Exhibition and Concert
- Boulevard: May 24 | IB Exhibition
- Onaway: May 24 | IB Exhibition and Reception
- Fernway: May 30 | IB Exhibition and Art Show
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Shaker School Bus Drivers Compete in Local Road-e-o
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On Saturday, April 21, four Shaker school bus drivers competed in the North Region School Bus Road-e-o held at Orange High School. The Shaker Team included: Stacey Doucet, Chari Rudolph, Erin Spevak (Head Judge), Cathy May and Brittany Worley.
The competition included 87 participants from the North Region who tested their knowledge and driving skills.
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Shaker Schools Foundation News
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The Shaker Schools Foundation is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame Class of 2018 through June 1. We invite nominations of Shaker Schools
alumni whose contributions reflect the ideals of a Shaker education, as well as a commitment to the Shaker Schools.
Nominations may come from the community at large. The nominee must be a Shaker graduate who is:
- Distinguished in his or her field(s) of endeavor
- Making significant contributions to the community (whether local, state, or national)
- A positive role model to Shaker students
- Committed to the Shaker ideals of excellence, equity and exploration
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FROM THE CITY OF SHAKER HEIGHTS
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| Preservation Month Photo Contest |
The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission seeks submissions to its sixth annual Preservation Month Photo Contest. The contest was created in honor of National Preservation Month, which is celebrated each May by preservation organizations across the country. In a nod to the widespread use of cell phone cameras and social media, this year's contest will be on Instagram. Submissions will be identified by using #PreserveSH18. Learn how to enter at
bit.ly/contestdetails18.
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Make it a Shaker Memorial Day Weekend!
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Kick off the festivities with the Ribbon Run on Saturday, May 26 at 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Shaker Heights Police Department, this family-friendly 5K run/2 mile walk starts and ends at the Green Rd. RTA Station. All proceeds benefit University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. Learn more and register at bit.ly/2HjN3yG. Then on Monday, May 28 at 9 a.m. join friends and neighbors for the Memorial Day parade. The event starts with a brief ceremony at the City Hall flagpole, then continues with the annual parade along Van Aken Blvd. westbound to Thornton Park. Details at www.shakeronline.com/news-and-events/memorial-day.
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Have a comment, suggestion or concern? Share it with us using our new Feedback form on the District's website,
www.shaker.org
. Simply choose the "Contact" drop-down menu at the top of the website and click on "Feedback." You can select the particular department you want to receive your message.
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15600 Parkland Drive, Shaker Heights OH 44120
shaker.org ยท 216-295-1400
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