The School District’s website, www.shaker.org, is your 24x7 source for news, lunch menus, forms, up-to-date calendars, homework help, registration for our e-newsletter, and other information. Bookmark it and visit often. (The Shaker Heights Public Library has computers available for public use.)

School Hours

School begins for students on Tuesday, August 28. Hours are as follows:

New Student/Family Orientations

Take advantage of these opportunities to get acquainted with the schools and fellow parents. Activity Fairs at the Middle School and High School showcase the many ways to get involved through clubs and other co-curricular activities. Each elementary school holds a “Coffee on the Lawn” at the beginning of the year so parents can get acquainted and sign up for volunteer opportunities.

Kindergarten Opening

The kindergarten year in Shaker Heights begins with a special schedule to help children adjust gradually to school. The schedule is as follows:

• Parent-child orientation in small groups on August 28 or 29. The school will contact you for an appointment.
• Half-day classes (9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) on August 30 and 31
• Full-day classes (9:15 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.) beginning on Tuesday, September 4.

Student Schedules

Student schedules and class assignments for grades K-8 are mailed home in August, along with supply lists. High school students will receive schedules at the beginning of school.

Transportation

Bus service is provided to students in grades K-8 who live a mile or more from their assigned school. If your student is eligible to ride a school bus, you will receive a mailing containing information about the stop and pickup time a few days before school starts.

Lunch

Students may bring or purchase lunch. We recommend prepayment so that students will not need to carry cash. Students who qualify may apply for free or reduced-price lunch. For more information, visit the Food & Nutrition Services home page.

Calendar

Each family with children enrolled in the Shaker schools will receive a PTO/School District calendar in the mail in August. The calendar is also posted online.

Reading Lists

View and download lists of required summer reading for the High School and recommended reading for all grade levels may be found at www.shaker.org/resources/reading.

Pre-Season Athletics and Band

High School fall sports and band camp begin in August. For information about band camp, call the Band Office at 216-295-4233. For sports information, call the Athletic Office at 216-295-4264.

Child Care

The Shaker Heights Community Life Department offers fee-based child care before and after school at Boulevard, Fernway, Lomond, Mercer, Onaway, and Woodbury. Hours are 7:00 to 9:15 a.m. and 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Rhonda Miller at 216-491-2583 or visit the Community Life Department's webpage.

Parent Organizations

Parent participation is welcomed and encouraged. Each Shaker school has a Parent-Teacher Organization offering many ways to become involved in school and to connect with other parents. All parents and guardians are automatically members of the PTO. There are no dues, but families are asked to contribute to the PTO Annual Fund to defray the cost of the annual calendar and other expenses.

Other helpful organizations include the Sports Boosters, Band Boosters, SMASH (support organization for choir and orchestra), Friends of the Shaker Schools Foundation (sponsor of the annual fundraiser A Night for the Red & White) and the Parent Resource Center at the High School. For more information, consult the back pages of the annual calendar or visit the PTO's webpage.

Special Education Resources

The Parent Mentor Program is a resource available to families who need information, guidance or support through any phase of the special education process.  Funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Education, the program provides asssistance to families of children with disabilities at no cost to the family. The goal of the program is to help families effectively navigate the special education process in partnership with school district personnel and to enable parents to make informed decisions on behalf of their children. To request support from the Parent Mentor, contact Holly Palda at 295-4372 or by email at palda_h@shaker.org.

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Site Map  |   September 6, 2007