February 7, 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!
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:

  • Board of Education Meeting | 6 p.m., Tuesday, February 9
  • Conference Day - No Classes for Students | Friday, February 12
  • Presidents' Day - Schools & Offices Closed | Monday, February 15
  • No Classes for Teachers & Students | Tuesday, February 16
  • Board of Education Work Session | 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 23
Grades 5-12 Onsite Learning Reminder

As a reminder, beginning Monday, February 8, students in Grades 5-12 who have selected onsite learning will do so full time. This means that onsite students will report to school every day, rather than following a hybrid rotation. 

Students who have opted to learn online will continue to do so.

Families should review the following building-specific information for your students: 

Please note: There will be no classes for all students in PreK-12 Friday, February 12 (Conference Day) through Tuesday, February 16. 
District Faculty and Staff to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Doses on February 16 and March 9

The Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio informed Shaker Heights Schools that District faculty and staff will receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, February 16. The second dose of vaccine will be administered on Tuesday, March 9. 

The District will share any possible changes to the learning schedule for March 9 as soon as it becomes available. Because some vaccine recipients experience a reaction to the vaccine after the second dose, the District may also consider learning schedule changes for March 10.
Woodbury Creating Change Returns

Woodbury Creating Change promotes empathy and social justice by using art to create social change. It involves students, staff, parents and the broader Shaker Heights community! This year, Woodbury Creating Change will pivot from a one-night celebration to a multi-week opportunity that engages our students and the community in multiple ways to give back to our local community and to create change. Watch this Woodbury Creating Change video to learn how you can support Woodbury Creating Change!
Two Students Named Winners in MLK Essay Contest

Congratulations to Boulevard fourth grader Emmy Thomas (left) and to Shaker Heights Middle School eighth grader Erin Ladson (right), both winners in the 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest, sponsored by East View United Church of Christ. 

Emmy won the first-place prize of $125 in the fourth- to sixth-grade division and Erin won the second-place prize of $150 in the seventh- and eighth-grade division. 

Emmy read her essay as part of the contest’s virtual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program. You can watch the video here.
Winter Weather Closures

The District will continue its practice of closing schools for snow days when conditions are particularly hazardous due to winter weather.
Watch the Raiders Online!

You can cheer on the Raiders via livestream on the Shaker Heights High School Live Games page! This week's lineup:

Tuesday, February 9  
  • Boys Basketball vs. University School, 4:30 & 6 p.m.

Friday, February 12
  • Boys Basketball vs. Richmond Heights, 4:30 & 6 p.m.
Six Senior Student-Athletes Participate in National Signing Day Virtual Ceremonies

Congratulations to our senior Raider Athletes who participated in National Signing Day virtual ceremonies in November and February! Each of these athletes has committed to continue their careers as student-athletes in college:
  • Eliza Bennett, University of Rochester, Field Hockey
  • Alex Benson, Tiffin University, Football
  • Maggie Carter, Indiana University, Field Hockey
  • Noah Foster, Wayne State University, Football
  • Jahdae Walker, Grand Valley State, Football
  • Maximus Wilson, Otterbein University, Football
Donate Gently Used Children's Books

The SHHS Class of 2024 is collecting gently used children's books for the Kids' Book Bank of Cleveland. Place your donations in the marked boxes inside the main entrances at the High School, Fernway, Boulevard and Lomond. Books may be dropped off during school hours through February 12. 
Apply for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch

The District encourages all families to submit an application for free- or reduced-price meal eligibility regardless of family income. The percentage of students qualifying for meals is a data point utilized by the federal government to provide the District with certain funds that benefit all students. There is no application deadline; families may apply at any time. One application must be completed for each household each school year. Families can learn more about Free/Reduced-Price lunch and apply online.
Download the District App for Daily Health Assessment/
COVID-19 Screening

As a best practice, the District asks that families resume the daily health assessment /COVID-19 screening when students return for onsite learning on January 19. Learn more about the daily health assessment/COVID-19 screener.
Student Health & Safety Guidelines

All families should review these Student Health and Safety Guidelines with their students. We encourage families and students to review this information together and to discuss/address any questions before returning to school for onsite learning.
PTO Code of Regulations Revision

Your feedback is appreciated! For the last year, PTO has been reviewing and consolidating our governing documents, last updated in 2009. We are pleased to share a draft of our revised Code of Regulations, a single document that will govern PTO Council and each of the eight school Units. To review this draft and to learn more about our research, rationale and plans for additional guiding documents, visit this PTO web page. If you have any questions, email PTO Council Presidents Sarah Divakarla and Stacey Hren at ptocouncilpres@gmail.com.
Get Your Red & White Swag!

Register for a Premium Access Pass to A Night for the Red & White on March 6, and you’ll receive The Show Must Go On Party Pack from Shaker businesses! Enjoy your evening with wine tumblers from Luster, a sweet assortment of candy, and a special Shaker Celebration Spice Mix from Spice For Life to make the perfect dip for crackers, pretzels, or veggies. You can also sign up to receive a charcuterie tray from Old Brooklyn Cheese Company, and a poster featuring Shaker neighborhoods from Cleveland Clothing Company (depending on the ticket level selected.) Only one pass per household is needed. Supplies are limited, so don’t delay.

Watch for our exciting announcement next week when we reveal our two amazing raffle packages! You’ll also be able to support students by bidding on silent auction items and participating in special restaurant nights leading up to the event. Stay tuned for details!
How Do You Learn About City News?

Please take this brief questionnaire to help us better understand how residents learn about City News. We appreciate your input.

COVID-19 Testing Offered Weekly Through February

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health and MetroHealth are offering free COVID-19 testing for individuals age two and older at the Shaker Heights Fire Station, 17000 Chagrin Blvd. Walk up or drive up.