January 2020
Congratulations to senior Aaliyah Williams, who was among five American Visions nominees in the Scholastic Art Competition for her painting, "African Diaspora over English Breakfast" (pictured above). Read more below about all of our student-artists awards and nominations in the Scholastic Art Competition.
The Shaker Schools Connection
Inside this Issue...
January #IAMSHAKER Spotlights
Student News
Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
District News
Raider News


#IAMSHAKER Spotlights
najeeStudent Spotlight: Najee Lockett

Shaker Heights High School senior Najee Lockett started wrestling when he was in the first grade and quickly learned that he had a knack for the sport. After his first year of competition, at only eight years old, he placed second in the state. Fast forward nine years and Najee found himself prominently featured on the podium again --- last year, he was the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament runner-up in the 170-pound weight class. 

Najee has remarkable focus for an 18-year-old. He admits to sacrificing the typical teenage social life so that he can focus on school and wrestling. An honors and AP student who has committed verbally to wrestle at Cornell University, Najee has one goal for wrestling this year: to be the state champion in the 170-pound weight class. 


Shaker Heights High School senior Najee Lockett.
LindaEmployee Spotlight: Linda Thompson-Williams

Middle School Head Security Monitor Linda Thompson-Williams (known to most by her nickname, LT) has kept a watchful eye over thousands of her "babies" since she joined the District in 2008, but last spring, the tables were turned: she had millions of eyes watching her as she pursued her true passion, gospel singing, as a contestant on the BET gospel singing competition/reality show "Sunday Best." 

This year, Ms. Thompson-Williams returned to her day job at the Middle School, but she still spends hours each day outside of work fine-tuning her skills as a gospel singer-songwriter in the hopes of landing a recording contract. 


Ms. Thompson-Williams on stage during her appearance on BET's Sunday Best.
alumniAlumni Spotlight: Michael Bowen and Sarah Brandon Bowen

Michael Bowen (SHHS, '05) and Sarah Brandon Bowen (SHHS, '07) know a thing or two about building sustainable relationships. Take theirs, for example. The couple first met at Shaker Heights High School in 2003 when Mr. Bowen was a junior and Ms. Brandon Bowen was a freshman. The two became good friends and maintained that friendship off and on, occasionally reconnecting socially and exchanging text messages, but in 2013, they decided that their relationship was more than platonic. The couple married in 2018 and just last year, they purchased their first home together in the Mercer neighborhood. 

Today, this young Shaker Heights couple is working on building another relationship that they hope is equally long-term and fulfilling. Last year, Mr. Bowen and Ms. Brandon Bowen became involved with the Shaker Schools Foundation, and they hope that other young alums --- who live in Cleveland and beyond -- will follow their lead. 


Michael Bowen and Sarah Brandon Bowen, SHHS alumni who recently moved back to Shaker Heights.
Student News
refugeeIB in Action: Onaway Fourth Graders Learn about Refugee Camps

On Thursday, December 19, Onaway fourth graders participated in an exploration of some of the modern day struggles of refugees fighting for a better life for their families. Below, the students dragged tarps (weighed down by fellow students) into place before using them to build temporary shelters. For sure, the lesson was IB in action.  

Onaway fourth-grade students preparing to build tarp shelters.
Aaliyah Williams' "African Diaspora over English Breakfast."
artists Student Artists Earn 52 Awards in Regional Scholastic Art Show

Congratulations to the student-artists at Shaker Heights Middle School and High School whose artwork won the highest number of awards --- 52, in all --- in the regional Scholastic Art Show. Our students earned 24 Honorable Mentions, 11 Silver Keys, 16 Gold Keys, one Silver Portfolio and one American Visions nominee.

Senior Aaliyah Williams was one of five American Visions nominees from the region for her painting, "African Diaspora over English Breakfast." The American Visions Medals are the highest regional honors given to one artist from each region.

The student winners will be honored at the Scholastic Art Competition Ceremony and Exhibition Opening on Saturday, January 18 at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The artwork will be on display through Friday, January 30. Click here to read a list of all student winners. 
ap2018-19 Results for AP Program Honors

The College Board's Advanced Placement program has released 2018-19 AP test scoring data that indicates Shaker Heights High School students continue to excel in the program. 

cleartPhotography Students' Work on Exhibit at CLE Airport

Congratulations to Shaker Heights High School Advanced Photography students Maya Peroune, Kayla Lowery and Grace Farrell, whose artwork was selected for exhibition in CLE Loves Art at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Youth Art Gallery. Maya's "The Upside," Kayla's "Downtown Cleveland" and Grace's "The Beauty of Nature" will be featured. 

Click here to read more.

Left to right, The Upside, Downtown Cleveland and  The Beauty of Nature.
unitedshadesDistrict Will Be Featured on Upcoming "United Shades of America"

W. Kamau Bell, the host of CNN's "United Shades of America," posed for pictures last month after meeting with SGORR students at Shaker Heights High School. Mr. Bell --- a comedian and political provocateur --- and his crews visited our schools for an upcoming episode on public education. United Shades of America airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. on CNN. Learn more about United Shades of America.
Mr. Bell, with members of SGORR.
ssacSSAC Visits The Woodlands

The Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee shared some holiday cheer with residents at The Woodlands last month for the assisted living facility's social hour. Students gave the residents #IAMSHAKER t-shirts and then paired up to play games. Before leaving, everyone joined in for a group singalong. Thank you to the residents of The Woodlands for your warm welcome and hospitality!
Members of the SSAC visit with a resident at The Woodlands.
Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
faceJanuary FACE Academy Quick Study: Caring School Community

Learn more about the District's social-emotional learning program, Caring School Community, at the next FACE Academy Quick Study. 

Attend one of two evening one-hour sessions: 
  • Tuesday, January 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Shaker Heights Middle School, Room 45 (in the auditorium wing next to the choir room)
  • Wednesday, January 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Lomond Elementary School Auditorium
The session on January 21 will be facilitated by Middle School music teacher  Rebekah Sharpe and Onaway teacher Kenya  Gest, and the session on January 22 will be facilitated by Lomond Assistant Principal Tina McCauley.  RSVP online today ! 

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel to watch a video of our first FACE Academy Quick Study, All About Abre!
winterreadJoin the Winter Reading Challenge!

Our friends at the Shaker Heights Public Library have a challenge to kick off 2020: read every day in January and February. Join readers of all ages across Shaker and sign up for the Winter Reading Challenge today! Students, teachers, adults, click here to sign up and then share what you're reading on social media with #WinterRead 2020.
Dr. Emmitt Jolly
jollyEmmitt R. Jolly Joins Shaker Heights Board of Education

Emmitt R. Jolly, Jr. will be sworn in as a member of the Shaker Heights Board of Education at the Board's regular meeting on Tuesday, January 14. He was elected to the Board in November 2019 and succeeds retiring two-term Board member William L. Clawson.

Dr. Jolly and his family moved to Shaker Heights in 2009 from California, where he had been working as a postdoctoral fellow in molecular parasitology at the University of California, San Francisco. Since then, he has been an assistant, and then tenured associate professor of biology at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Jolly's research focuses on the parasitic schistosome worm, which causes schistosomiasis, a global disease affecting over 200 million people across 76 countries.

clawsonBill Clawson Retires After Eight Years of Board Service

Bill Clawson
Since joining the Board of Education in January 2012, retiring Board member Bill Clawson has worked with 10 different Board members and four superintendents, served as Board president for three years (2014, 2015 and 2016) and actively helped to pass one District operating levy, a permanent improvement levy and a bond issue. He also helped to introduce the PreK program Shaker's First Class, the SELF summer program and efforts to better market our accomplishments with residents and Realtors.  

edchoiceHow to Take Action Against EdChoice

There's still time to  take action against the EdChoice voucher program. Board of Education President Jeff Isaacs, Board Vice President Heather Weingart, Shaker Heights Schools Superintendent David Glasner, SHTA President John Morris and PTO Co-Presidents Nicol Coxon and Kimberly Harris have co-written a letter that encourages community members to contact local legislators and the governor's office to persuade them to consider short-term, common-sense solutions to improve EdChoice. The letter includes a sample letter that you can cut and paste. Read the letter here and take action today!
resoluteStrategic Planning Update

All families and staff can stay up-to-date on the District's Strategic Planning Process by visiting our special website section Shaping Shaker . 

You may also review our Strategic Planning Communications, and share your constructive Strategic Planning Feedback online.
marchNo School for Students on Monday, January 20

Please n ote that all schools and District offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We encourage all students, staff and community members to join in the MLK Day of Beloved Community. 

LMKSeeking K-6 Students for Lunch Menu Kids

If your K-6 student likes to be on camera, sign him/her up to be a Lunch Menu Kid! Each school day, you can find our Lunch Menu Kids on Facebook reading the day's K-6 lunch menu. 

No auditions or experience necessary, just a willing student! If your student is interested, send an email to news@shaker.org and we'll send you a script!
delaysReview the School Closure/Delayed Opening Communications & Procedures

As winter weather heads our way, please be sure to review our School Closing/Delayed Opening Communications and Procedures.
Raider News
RaiderCalRaider Athletics Calendar

Catch our High School and Middle School Raider athletes in action this month.  View the January Athletics competition calendar.  

Be sure to follow our Raider athletics news on our  Athletics website  or follow us on Twitter  @raidersofshaker .
cavsBuy Your Tickets to Watch the Raider Girls Basketball Team (and the Cavs!) at Rocket Mortgage Field House

Buy your tickets to cheer on both the Cleveland Cavaliers AND the SHHS Girls Basketball Team at Rocket  Mortgage Field House on Monday, January 20! The Cavs take on the Knicks at 5 p.m., followed by our Raiders against the Beachwood Bison at 8 p.m.! Tickets are $45 for the lower bowl and $19 for the upper bowl --- one ticket gets you admission to both games! 

Buy tickets before January 13 on PayForIt or complete this order form and pay cash or check (payable to Shaker Heights Girls Basketball).  All tickets will be distributed electronically via Flash Seats.

Let's go Cavs and Raiders!
January Events
equityEngage in Educational Equity Learning Opportunities in January and February

mlkMLK Day of Beloved Community is Monday, January 20

Come together to build CommUnity and serve those in need on Monday, January 20 from 10 a.m.-noon at Shaker Heights High School for the MLK Day of Beloved Community. All Shaker Heights Schools students, teachers, staff and their families are encouraged to attend! Other community members are welcome, too!

Click here to review the schedule of events and to learn how you can donate to help make care kits for several local agencies that serve those in need.
improbableplayersImprobable Players Prevention Education Theater Performs for Students and Public on January 23

Shaker Heights Schools and the Shaker Schools Foundation (through a generous gift of the Class of 1950/51) welcome the Improbable Players --- a theater group whose work focuses on addiction, alcoholism and the opioid epidemic --- for two in-school performances and one evening public performance on Thursday, January 23. 

Improbable Players will hold one performance for Middle School students and one performance for High School sophomores and juniors on January 23. The evening performance is free and open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. at the High School Large Auditorium. Parent discretion is recommended, but the program is appropriate for students in Grades 6 and up. 

perfartsJanuary Concerts

High School Winter Concert in Dance: 7 p.m., January 10, High School Large Auditorium

Woodbury & Middle School Jazz Band Concert: 7 p.m., January 15, Middle School Auditorium

Middle School Winter Band Concert I: 7 p.m., January 29, Middle School Auditorium

Middle School Winter Band Concert II: 7 p.m., January 30, Middle School Auditorium
SSFShaker Schools Foundation News
Happy New Year from the Shaker Schools Foundation! 

YouTube

As we begin a new year, and a new decade, the Shaker Schools Foundation is filled with gratitude for the many gifts we have received on behalf of our students and teachers. Time and again, this generous community has supported our mission of providing the "extras" that make a Shaker education truly exceptional for all of our students. See just a few of the projects your support has made possible (and see which students you know!) in a short video produced by Shaker alumna Maddie Hertz, Class of 2015. Best wishes to you in 2020 from your friends at the Shaker Schools Foundation! Click here to watch the video!
redwhiteA Night for the Red & White is March 7, 2020 

Come for the fun and support our Shaker students at  A Night for the Red & White on March 7, 2020, 7 p.m. at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

Many thanks to our volunteer leaders for our 28th annual gala: Sarah Brandon Bowen, SHHS Class of 2007; Mity Fowler, mother of three Shaker Heights Schools students; Boulevard parent Lauren Martin; and Marla Walker, mother of two Shaker graduates and two current Shaker students.

This party with a purpose provides enrichment for all Shaker students in every school, with a particular focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit  shakerschoolsfoundation.org/events. For questions: 216-295-4319 or  verderber_e@shaker.org.
citynewsFrom the City of Shaker Heights

Subscribe to the City's YouTube Channel

Did you know the City produced a video highlighting the IB Programme at Onaway Elementary School? Watch the video here. Have you missed any of our previous videos? Sign up for the City's YouTube Channel.
 
Winter Recreation Activities/Pool Pass Registration

The winter temperatures may put a damper on outdoor activities, but there's an abundance of things to do indoors via the  Shaker Heights Recreation Department. Winter registration is now underway.  Also,  residents can dive into savings by taking advantage of early-bird rates for Thornton Park pool passes from January 2-April 9.  Learn more .
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