October 17, 2021
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 for the 2021-2022 school year will release 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:

  • Conferences - No School | Thursday and Friday, October 21-22
  • Practical Tips for College Presentation (see below) | Thursday, October 21, 7 p.m.
  • Board of Education Work Session | Tuesday, October 26, 5 p.m.
  • Election Day - No School | Tuesday, November 2
  • Warm Clothing Gifting Drive | Sunday, November 14, 12-3 p.m.
Warm Clothing Gifting Drive

The Shaker Heights Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) is hosting a Warm Clothing Gifting Drive on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 12-3 p.m. in the Woodbury Gym.

We are seeking new or gently used coats, mittens/gloves, hats, snow pants, boots and socks for ages 5 years to adult. Please ensure the items are clean and in giftable condition, ready to pass on to a new owner.

Dropping Off Items
All items can be dropped off to the Shaker Heights Youth Center inside Heights Christian Church (17300 Van Aken Blvd) on Sunday, November 7 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or to the donation bin located near the main office of your student’s school. Please have all items to the school building no later than Monday, November 8. Any items that go unclaimed will be held on hand for schools to use for students or donated to the Family Promise of Greater Cleveland.

Attending the Warm Clothing Gifting Drive
The Warm Clothing Gifting Drive will be held in the Woodbury Elementary Gym in shifts to minimize crowds for COVID safety. Masks are required to enter the building. For families wishing to attend, please see the recommended schedule:

  • Families with students in grades PreK-4 may attend from 12-1 p.m.
  • Families with students in grades 5-8 may attend from 1-2 p.m.
  • Families with students in grades 9-12 and adults may attend from 2-3 p.m.

These times are recommendations. Families may attend outside of their recommended window if needed.
COVID-19 Test Kits Arrive to the District

In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Ohio is working to provide necessary resources, including COVID-19 test kits, for schools and communities. 

Because the requests for test kits has increased in recent weeks, the State has instituted a streamlined, expedited process to deliver kits to public school districts.

The District has received 1,100 rapid-test kits through the program, with the goal of providing 100 kits to each PreK/K-4 building and 200 for the three larger buildings. These at home antigen tests will be distributed to students and families through each school's health clinic. The tests have monitored administration to ensure a high degree of validity.

There is no cost to the District for the test kits and they are being distributed free of charge.

More details about availability and distribution to follow.
MAC Scholars Presents Dr. Greta Oliver, Practical Tips to Prepare for College

All Shaker Heights students and their families are invited to join us on Thursday, October 21 from 7-8:00 p.m. as the MAC Scholars present an interactive, virtual session with Dr. Greta Oliver. Dr. Oliver will be sharing valuable information for those students and their families preparing for college. Her discussion will allow students and their families to ask questions, as well as receive practical ways to prepare for many of the challenges students face with decision making, applying for college, financial aid, college roommates, where to go for help on college campuses, and many more topics that often can be overwhelming for new college students. This presentation is based on her book, “College Roadmap: Essential Tips for First-Time College Students and Their Families.”

Click here for the link to join this webinar presentation. Email patterson_n@shaker.org with questions.
Shaker Heights Livestream Athletic Schedule:

This week's schedule of livestreamed athletic events includes:
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  • Thursday, October 21 | Field Hockey, 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 23 | Varsity Football, 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 23 | Boys Soccer, 7 p.m.

All livestream events can be found on the Athletic Department website.
Reflection from the DEI Department Intern

Each month, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department’s student intern will share a reflection from her studies, interactions and conversations at the Innovative Center and beyond. To learn more about the DEI Department or share your thoughts, please email dei@shaker.org. 

Racism: Clocking Out
By Danielle Tall
As a student at Shaker Heights’ Innovative Center, I enjoy facilitating weekly discussions for the book Four Hundred Souls, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain, which takes on a four-hundred-year span between 1619 and 2019, to tell African American history from various perspectives. If one were to consider the amount of racism that has occurred in just those four hundred years, it would seem as if society has mastered it. In fact, it has. According to Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, it would take approximately 10,000 hours of intense practice to master complex skills. Theoretically, if the 10,000 Hour Rule were to be proven true, it would mean that in the four-hundred-year span that Four Hundred Souls expands on, America has mastered the art of racism more than 351 times over.
However, it has been scientifically proven that approximately 95% of brain activity resides in the subconscious portion of the mind. If society has mastered the art of racism over and over, then racism, whether internal or external, resides in the subconscious mind of each individual. But how much? What will it take for Shaker to undo this mastery and strive towards an anti-racist community? How many hours?
We are excited to announce and would like to welcome Erika LoPresti and Sharee Thornton as PTO Council Co-1st Vice Presidents. Erika and Sharee will become Co-Presidents of the PTO Council for the 2022-2023 school year.  

Michelle Jones and Randi Nathenson
Co-Presidents PTO Council
Thank You to Our Community!

As we celebrate the Shaker Schools Foundation’s 40th year, we are beyond grateful for the support of our community. Take a look inside our Annual Donor Appreciation Report to see all the ways you supported our students this past year.

Now it's time to come together to advance Shaker students even further, together! Your unrestricted gift to the Advancing Shaker Annual Appeal supports our areas of greatest priority and need. Or, you may choose to direct your gift to another fund, such as the Innovation Fund or the Educational Equity Fund, that aligns with your particular areas of interest.

Thank you for supporting our students!
Shaker 365 Video Archives

Visit the City’s YouTube page for archived videos highlighting Shaker Rocks, GrooveRyde, Hildana Park, The Dealership, Tips on Sustainable Living and much more.
Attend Public Meetings

Interested in learning more about important City issues? Attend a public meeting! Twice a month Council work sessions/meetings are now hybrid with the option to attend in-person or virtually. All other meetings remain virtual.  Executive Sessions are on the calendar but are not open to the public.