Shaker Heights Schools eNews | February 26, 2023

February 26, 2023

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 | Monday, February 27
Kindergarten Family Orientation Night | Tuesday, February 28
International Families Game Night | Thursday, March 2
Middle School - Seussical The Musical | March 3 and 4
Kevin Clayton Event | March 13
Board of Education Meeting | Tuesday, March 14
Rising Grade 7 Orientation | Wednesday, March 15
High School - The Spongebob Musical | March 16-18
A Night for the Red & White | March 18

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

Use these Quick Links to access the following District information:

Tickets on Sale Now for Our 31st Annual Gala, A Night for the Red & White: A Benefit for Shaker Schools

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 7 pm

We are less than a month away from Shaker’s annual benefit, A Night for the Red & White, when our community gathers for a fun night out to support Shaker students.

Did you buy your event tickets yet?

When: March 18, 2023, 7PM, Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Focus: Funds raised will remove barriers and support inclusion for a wide range of experiences inside and outside the classroom for Shaker students.
Attire: Dress to dazzle in your casual cocktail to funky formal attire!
Entertainment: Spotlight on Students showcase, featuring Shaker students and emcee David Pogue, followed by dinner, dancing and online bidding on spectacular silent auction items!
Hilton discounted rooms available until 2/28/23: https://book.passkey.com/go/SHS22

RAFFLE PACKAGES REVEALED! Purchase your tickets today!!

Our raffle theme is Go the Extra Mile for Shaker Schools! The Shaker Schools Foundation is offering THREE exciting raffle packages this year:

#1 BE MILES AWAY- GLAMOROUS GETAWAY TO PARIS OR LONDON
Learn more
#2 SMILES FOR MILES- FULL ADOLESCENT ORTHODONTIC BRACES PACKAGE
Learn more
#3: LOG YOUR MILES- LIFE TIME FITNESS FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
Learn more

This is a great opportunity for Shaker supporters - nearby and across the miles - to support opportunities for Shaker students in and out of the classroom.

Raffle tickets are $100 each. Only 200 tickets for each raffle will be sold. The raffles will close at 10 pm on Saturday, March 18. Winners will be announced at A Night for the Red & White - you need not be present to win.

Kevin Clayton to Speak on March 13

Save the date! The Shaker Schools Foundation, Shaker Sports Boosters and Shaker Athletic Department are excited to host Kevin Clayton on Monday, March 13, for a talk about DEI strategies and athletics, and his foundational experience as a Shaker student. Kevin is the Senior VP, Head of Social Impact and Equity for the Cavs, as well as a Trustee of the Shaker Schools Foundation and a Shaker Schools alumni! We hope you'll join this great event!

Shaker Heights High School Presents The Spongebob Musical

The Shaker Theatre Arts Department proudly presents The Spongebob Musical, a collaboration that features songs from a variety of artists including Jonathon Coulton, Sara Bareilles, John Legend and Panic! At the Disco. Showtimes are March 16 and 17 at 7 pm and a matinee performance on Saturday, March 18 at 2 pm, in the Large Auditorium at Shaker Heights High School.

A company of over 40 students and adults has come together to bring this family-friendly underwater adventure to life. Directed by Department Chair, Scott Sumerak, this co-curricular production engages students enrolled in multiple areas of the Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Department. The production team also includes Chuck Tisdale (Tech Director), Nick LaPete (Music Director), Jai Harris (Choreographer), Vanessa Cook (Costume Coordinator), Marina Wasserman (House Manager) and Laurie Brem (Box Office).

Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for students and senior adults and are on sale now at www.shakertheatre.ludus.com, and will be available at the door on performance days.

Patrons at the Associate level receive two complimentary tickets - redeem by calling the Theatre Arts Department office at 216-295-6357 and leaving a voicemail.

International Families Game Night on March 2

The Shaker Heights Schools ELL teachers and International Families are hosting a night of fun & games on Thursday, March 2, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Shaker Heights Middle School! Activities include BINGO (with PRIZES!), board games, crafts, a Book Walk and more! Families are also invited to bring a favorite game or two from home if they would like!

Snacks and drinks will be provided.

This event is for ALL families from ALL of the Shaker Heights Schools. We hope to see you there on this FUN night!

We ask you to please complete this survey so we know how many people to expect. Children MUST be accompanied by adult family members.

Are You Kindergarten Ready?

Attention incoming Kindergarten families! There are many events approaching to help you prepare to send your child to Kindergarten, so mark your calendars!

Family Orientation Night (virtual) - Feb 28 at 7 p.m.
Enrollment Opens - March 1
Kindergarten Information Night - March 21 at 6 p.m.
Kindergarten Kickoff - April 15 from 1-4

Visit shaker.org/kindergarten for more details, the Zoom link for the February 28 Orientation Night, registration for Kindergarten Kickoff and more!

PLUS: Join the Early Childhood Enrichment Center (ECEC) & Carol Nursery School for "Making the Transition from Preschool to Kindergarten" - an evening featuring an panel of community child development experts who will guide a discussion about school readiness. This program will take place on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:45 p.m. at the Shaker Family Center (19824 Sussex Road, entrance and parking in rear of building off of Lomond). RSVP is recommended - 216-991-9761

Shaker Heights Schools to Host a Dyslexia Simulation

Through a collaboration between the Department of Exceptional Children & the Family & Community Engagement Center, the Shaker Heights Schools is the second annual Dyslexia Simulation on Wednesday, March 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Upper Cafeteria of the Shaker Heights High School. A FREE spaghetti dinner will be available prior to the event, beginning at 5 p.m. for all registered attendees. Free babysitting will also be available in the lower cafeteria for children ages 5 and up.

What is a Dyslexia Simulation?

Through a series of simulations, participants will experience the challenges individuals with dyslexia confront when performing language-related tasks. This hands-on workshop is designed to improve understanding and encourage the use of effective teaching techniques and accommodations. It is designed to help individuals gain a better understanding of the needs of and empathy for those children and adults who struggle with dyslexia.

How will the Dyslexia Simulation work?

The International Dyslexia Association will set up six different simulation areas and have volunteers to run each area of the simulation.

Registration Required!

Space for this event is limited and advance registration is required. Click here to register. This event is free and open to anyone interested in joining.

Shaker Heights Excels at Shakespeare Monologue Competition

Last weekend, the Shaker Heights Theatre Arts Department hosted the English Speaking Union's Cleveland Branch Shakespeare Monologue competition. Schools from across the Cleveland area competed for the chance to represent the region at the National Finals at the Lincoln Center in New York City this April.

Shaker Heights sent two students to compete, and they placed first and second in the competition! Senior Spencer Payton competed with a Constance monologue from King John, taking second place, and sophomore Vivian Meghenhardt won the competition with Rumor's introduction to Henry IV part 2.

Vivian will represent Cleveland in New York City at the Finals. This is Shaker's 3rd regional champ/national entry in a row! Congratulations!

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 Van Aken Bikeway Survey Through March 1

Take the online survey to share your ideas for a biking/walking path connecting the Van Aken District and Lee Road. The survey is available through March 1.

Recreation Department’s S.T.E.A.M Play Preschool Program Begins March 11

Join the Recreation Department for an exciting, new program designed for preschoolers entering Kindergarten in Fall 2023. S.T.E.A.M Play will feature fun and engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math experiments and activities that will spark your child’s curiosity. Sessions will take place on Saturday mornings from 10 am - 12 pm at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building and will begin on Saturday, March 11. The cost for the six week session is $85. Learn more and register here.