The recent shootings at schools in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have again put school safety on the front page. Prior to the shootings, the Shaker schools had begun reviewing and, where warranted, updating procedures to protect staff members and students. The areas under review include access control, emergency communications, evacuation procedures, lockdowns, and other safety protocols contained in the District?s critical events plan. In keeping with a new state law, the District is working with the Shaker Heights Police Department to plan and carry out safety drills in the schools during this school year.

Shaker Heights PTO will host a second annual community-wide health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 7 at Shaker Heights Middle School, 20600 Shaker Boulevard. The fair will feature interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and speakers from the health professions on subjects ranging from healthier meal preparation to prevention of sports injuries. FREE and open to students and adults of all ages.

The PTO, Caring Communities Organized for Education, and the Shaker schools are teaming up to present a conference called ?Mission Critical: A Family Guide to Academic Success,? from 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. on October 28 at Woodbury Elementary School. Designed for parents and students who are new to the District or who want to know more about navigating the system, the event will offer information and workshops on literacy, free learning resources, hands-on science, study circles, MAC Scholars, the unwritten rules of adolescence, organizational skills, and more. The keynote speaker will be Calvin Terrell, nationally known for his powerful and engaging message on how parents/guardians can support their children?s learning. Snacks will be provided and those attending will be able to enter a drawing for a home computer. Reservations are recommended. Contact Pat Neville by e-mail or phone (295-4332) to reserve your space.

"Making the Grade: Helping Our Kids Succeed," a documentary featuring several Shaker students, will be rebroadcast Saturday, October 28 at 1 p.m. on WKYC-3. The hour-long program highlighted members of Shaker's highly successful Federal Reserve Challenge economics team, as well as young author Bridget O'Dwyer ('06). The program, the third in an annual series, represents a collaboration among WKYC, Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland, KidsOhio.org, The Center for Families and Children, Invest in Children, Chuck and Ilana Horowitz Ratner, and Forest City Enterprises.

On Monday, October 9, the Shaker Heights schools will open their doors to the community for Tour Your Schools Day. Residents and prospective residents are welcome to drop in at any of the schools between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to see teachers and students in action. Please join us.

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