November 6, 2020
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!
Visit our District Calendar online for a complete list of upcoming remote learning student activities, virtual events and athletic competitions.

Please note the following upcoming important dates:

  • Grades 5-8 A-Week Students | Attend Onsite Week of November 9
  • Half- and Full-day PreK A-Day Students | Attend Onsite Monday, November 9 & Tuesday, November 10
  • Half- and Full-day PreK B-Day Students | Attend Onsite Wednesday, November 11 & Thursday, November 12
  • Grades 5-8 B-Week Students | Attend Onsite Week of November 16
  • Board of Education Regular Meeting | Tuesday, November 17, 6 p.m. (Date Change)
  • Fall Conferences | Monday, November 23 & Tuesday, November 24; No School for Students
  • Thanksgiving Recess | Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27
Raider Cross Country Runners to Compete at State Championship Nov. 7
Good luck to our #9 seeded Raider Girls Varsity Cross Country Team of Avery Blaszak, Cami Blaszak, Anna Carpenter, Mia Compton-Engle, Andrea Harrison, Darby Murlin and Elizabeth Murlin, and to Raider Boys Varsity Cross Country runner Deandre Hall as they head south Saturday, November 7 to race in the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships in Obetz, Ohio! Deandre hits the starting line at 3 p.m., followed by the girls at 4 p.m. Run fast, Raiders! We'll be cheering you on from Shaker!
November Board of Education Meeting Rescheduled for November 17
The November Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 17. 

The meeting will take place onsite at Shaker Heights High School. In accordance with the District's COVID-19 protocol, no visitors will be permitted at the in-person meeting. However, in compliance with Ohio Revised Code provisions, the Board meeting will be live-streamed to the public beginning at 6 p.m. and available at the following links:


Residents are encouraged to submit public comments or questions regarding items on the agenda by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 through a comment form. Comments will be read into the record at the meeting.
Download the District App for Daily Health Assessment/COVID-19 Screening
All families should complete the District’s daily health assessment/COVID-19 screening each day prior to coming to school onsite. To access the health assessment tool:

  • Download the app in the App Store or Google Play. If you already have the app on your mobile device, please update it.
  • Families who do not have a smartphone can access the app online. 
  • Follow these instructions to create an account and to register your student. You will need your student’s ID number, available in your student’s ProgressBook or Abre account.
  • Complete the COVID-19 screening daily when your student returns to onsite learning.

Please contact your building office if you have questions. 
Student Health & Safety Guidelines
All families with students who will participate in onsite learning should review these Student Health and Safety Guidelines with their students. 

Students should be familiar with the District’s mask-wearing policies and hand washing/sanitizing and physical distancing guidelines so that they understand the positive role they can play in minimizing transmission of COVID-19 in our schools. 

We encourage families and students to review this information together and to discuss/address any questions before returning to school for onsite learning.
Breakfast and Lunch Free for All Students
As a reminder, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch is available free of charge for all Shaker Heights Schools students—whether onsite or online—for the 2020-21 school year.

Please encourage your students to pick up a meal at school or at one of our 20 distribution locations!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources
Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, the District’s Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, recommends the book, Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You to Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing by Anneliese Singh.

The Racial Healing Handbook offers practical tools to help you navigate daily and past experiences of racism, challenge internalized negative messages and privileges, and handle feelings of stress and shame.

Dr. Wilder invites your feedback and discussion on these resources. You may email her at dei@shaker.org.
Flu Vaccine Reminder
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine by the end of October.

Any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine is an option for vaccination. These include:

Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. Read more about flu vaccine benefits.
District Hiring Lunch Aides and Daytime Cleaning Staff
The District is hiring lunch aides for PreK-8 buildings as well as two daytime cleaners to assist with additional cleaning and sanitizing duties. 

Interested applicants can apply online: 
FACE Resources: Rent and Utility Assistance
MyCom, in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, can provide rent and utility payment assistance up to $3,000 to those who qualify. You may qualify if you are within 200% of federal poverty guidelines, have been impacted by COVID-19 or live in a qualifying community. Learn more and apply online.
NEW! Family Resources Page

Shaker Heights PTO is committed to providing resources and making connections to help support our students, families, faculty and staff. We have an updated page on our website dedicated to community information and resources, and we've added a PTO YouTube channel where you can watch archived meetings and speakers. Check it often for ways to connect, give and receive support. Visit the Family Resources Page.
We Need You - Because the Show Must Go On!
A Night for the Red & White, the annual gala in support of the Shaker Schools, has been a well-loved, successful tradition for 28 years. This year, the show must go on - but in a different way, due to the pandemic. This year’s event will be virtual, on Saturday, March 6 from 8-9 p.m. and will feature performances by Shaker students and surprise appearances by talented Shaker alumni. 

This party with a purpose typically attracts more than 600 attendees in support of the Shaker schools and requires many volunteers to make it a success. This year is no exception! Our first kickoff meeting takes place on Monday, November 16 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. There are many ways to help out, no matter how much time you have to give. We need help with logistics, event details, silent auction and raffle ideas, and getting the word out to encourage attendance and support. Have you attended other virtual events? We’d love to hear what you thought worked well. To volunteer or share your ideas, email the Red & White Committee.  Help us support our teachers and students!
Campaign Yard Sign Recycling

Don’t forget! Campaign yard signs can be dropped off at the Service Center for recycling on Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8 and 14-15 from 8 am to 4 pm. Signs should not remain in yards more than 45 days.
 
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The City of Shaker Heights is working to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our community, particularly as these issues intersect with the work of the City. Stay up to date on these efforts by visiting the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion webpage.