October 23, 2022

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:


  • Board of Education Work Session | Tuesday, October 25
  • Election Day, no school for students | Tuesday, November 8
  • Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, November 8

Click on the appropriate link below for school-level and building PTO news:


Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:


Bus Route Changes for Middle School, Woodbury


Several bus routes for students attending the Middle School and Woodbury Elementary School are being adjusted beginning next week (week of October 24) to improve arrival times and to ensure students receive the benefit of a full instructional day. Parents or guardians of students at the Middle School and Woodbury who ride the bus are encouraged to check the Here Comes the Bus app to ensure they know the most up-to-date bus schedule for their students. 

District Seeks Parent Mentor


  • Are you the parent of a student with an IEP?
  • Are you interested in helping other parents and families better understand the special education process and become better advocates for their students?
  • Does a part time job with a flexible schedule fit the needs of your family?


If your answer to these questions is yes, please consider applying for the position of Shaker’s next Parent Mentor. To view the job description or apply, please visit the Parent Mentor Job listing on our website. For more information regarding the position, please contact Elizabeth Kimmel in the Department of Exceptional Children. 

Warm Clothing Gifting Drive


The Warm Clothing Gifting Drive is returning this year. As the temperatures change and you head to your coat closets, please place aside any gently used coats, hats, mittens/gloves, boots and snow pants that may no longer fit or are no longer needed. We will conduct a collection for new and gently used items for infants through adults. Please ensure items are clean and in giftable condition.


To donate:

Gifted clothing items can be dropped off in the main lobby of all Shaker Heights School Buildings and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building from the start of the school day until the end of the school day beginning on Monday, October 31 through Friday, November 4.


To receive:

The Warm Clothing Gifting Drive will take place on Sunday, November 13 at Shaker Heights High School North Gym from 12-3 p.m.

Shaker Raider Wrestling Club Meeting and Demo


The Shaker Raider Wrestling Club is holding an informational meeting and demonstration on Thursday November 3 from 6-7 p.m. in the wrestling room at Shaker Heights High School.


All students in grades K-6 are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Fred Schumacher (fschumac92@gmail.com) or Hank Kornblut (hkornblut@ohiowrestling.net) or visit  https://www.facebook.com/shakerraiderwrestlingclub/

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications


The USDA has announced that free meals will no longer be offered to all students beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Lunches at Shaker Heights Schools will only be provided for free or reduced cost to families that are deemed eligible after submitting an application for free- and reduced-price eligibility.


Families may also qualify for fee waivers for the ACT, PSAT, SAT and AP tests if qualified for free and reduced-price meals. If you have additional questions about free and reduced-price meals or the application process, contact Deirdre Storms at 216-295-5593. Refer to Free/Reduced-Price Meal for more information, frequently asked questions and a link to the online application.


Shaker Heights Schools will continue to provide breakfast to all students at no cost for the 2022-2023 school year.

District Holds Health and Benefits Fair


The Shaker Heights Schools held the 2022 Health and Benefits fair for District faculty and staff on Friday, October 21 at the Shaker Heights Middle School gymnasium.


Open to all faculty and staff, attendees could stop by and chat with benefits providers, have a free Biometric Screening conducted, sample a few healthy food options, get a flu or COVID vaccination or even get a relaxing chair massage!


The event was well-attended and well-received by staff and a great way to encourage health and wellness for Shaker Heights faculty and staff members!

Equity Unscripted Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5


"How Has the School Year Been Going, Part 1?"


Listen in as we hear from two principals new to their roles this year - Woodbury principal Eric Forman and Onaway principal Dora Bechtel. They share with us how they prepared for the start of the school year, what is different this year, what is the same, what kind of culture they are hoping to create in their buildings and their focus on curriculum and instruction as we make our way through the 2022-23 school year.


Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equity-unscripted/id1591709256

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38RmSzYCNgrPFoBdnTUPiX

Audible:  https://www.audible.com/pd/B08JJMMGJ5


Episodes will release every other week on Sundays throughout the year. Episodes include a range of topics that impact the efforts of the Shaker Heights Schools to achieve educational equity.

Thank You for Supporting the Travel Assistance Fund


The Foundation would like to thank everyone for their support of our International Travel Assistance FundOur travel fundraiser was a HUGE success! All the proceeds raised will make international travel a reality for many more Shaker students! A huge thank you to Sara Chengelis, SHHS Student and Campus Activities Coordinator. She is dedicated to the District’s vision of Inclusive Excellence and partnered with the Foundation to make this fundraiser a success! Congratulations Sara! We would also like to thank the Van Aken District and Craft Collective for hosting our event!


Donations are still being accepted. Please visit us at shakerschoolsfoundation.org/travel-assistance.

A Night for the Red & White!


Volunteers are needed for our 31st annual gala which will take place on March 18, 2023 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Please email Erica Verderber at verderber_e@shaker.org if you would like to join one of our many committees. For more information on our event, please visit shakerschoolsfoundation.org/events.

Staying Connected


We want you to stay connected. In order to receive PTO emails and access to the directory, faculty/staff and families are asked to create an account on Membership Toolkit. There are no fees to join the PTO. A Membership Toolkit account will give you access to the district family directory. Once you are registered, you will have the opportunity to decide what, if any, of your family information is included in the directory. Visit www.ShakerPTO.org to register.


Sharee Thornton & Erika LoPresti

PTO Council Co-Presidents

Take the Doan Brook Restoration Survey by October 24


There's still time to provide some preliminary feedback for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's restoration of the Doan Brook near Horseshoe Lake Park. This is your opportunity to weigh in on the future of this park. Please take a few minutes to share your input with the design teamThe deadline to participate in the survey is Monday, October 24.

Shaker Heights Police Officer, Firefighter Receive Rotary Award


Congratulations to Shaker Heights Police Department Detective Brian Walsh and Shaker Heights Firefighter Joseph Leibin, recipients of the 2021 Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year awards presented by the Rotary Club of the Heights of Greater Cleveland. Rotary President Adam Davis and member John Sobotincic led the awards program at Firehouse #1 on Wednesday, October 19. The Fire & Police Awards have been presented for nearly 30 years.