SHAKER LIFE | WINTER 2015 51
“Phase Two, which will begin next year, will expand options for students who may have
a scheduling conflict that prevents them from taking a particular course, or to allow them
to take an elective the High School does not offer -- like Arabic, for example. Phase Two
will also include an expansion in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and
mathematics through increased collaboration with community partners such as businesses,
colleges, and universities.
“Phase Three will expand the Center’s role by creating a professional learning hub
for Shaker Heights staff. We may, for example, provide cohorts of Shaker staff with the
opportunity to take university courses at the Center.”
The mission of the Family Engagement Center is to provide a place where parents
can interact, learn more about navigating the system, obtain information about
community resources, and have online access to their student’s information, such as
grades and assignments.
The IC opened its doors at the beginning of the school year, thanks to a
partnership with the City of Shaker Heights, which provides the building space rentfree.
Significant funding from the Shaker Schools Foundation, along with a host of
private donors, helped bring the District’s vision for the IC to fruition. (See sidebar.)
“Establishing an online learning center has been a priority for our District since
I arrived last year,” says Superintendent of Schools Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. “This is
an important step in expanding the opportunities for students beyond the traditional
school day. We are very grateful to the City and our funders for making it possible.”
Over the summer, the lower level of
the Community Building was transformed
into a learning lab, and outfitted with wifi,
computers, and furniture that can be
arranged for independent or group work.
(Recreation programs that formerly used
the space have been relocated.)
Says Mayor Earl Leiken, “The
members of City Council and I were
delighted to be able to find a space in
a city building to accommodate the
IC. This is a good example of Shaker’s
governmental entities working in
partnership to achieve goals that benefit
the whole community.”
The Family Engagement Center is
one example of how the IC is serving all
Shaker families. This partnership between
the School District and the Shaker Heights
PTO Council has launched a series of
informational events focusing on topics
like measuring school quality, family
wellness, and technology. A dedicated
Family Engagement space within the IC will
offer a number of resources to help parents
support their students’ development
throughout the Pre K-12 years.
“We are very excited to be
partnering with our District to engage
families in the holistic educational
approach we value in Shaker,” says Tracy
Peebles, who is PTO Council co-president
this year with Jeff Isaacs.
Opening the IC has allowed the
District to bring back students who had
left the school system in order to attend
North Coast Academy, an online learning
center located in Richmond Heights. The
students are happy to be able to pursue
their Shaker diploma at the IC, using the
certified Ohio Online Learning Program.
The District also realizes savings to its
operating budget from re-enrolling the
students here.
Being closer to home is a major plus
for the students. The relocation not only
eliminated the commute to Richmond
Heights – up to an hour each way on
public transportation – but also gives
students opportunities to meet with their
guidance counselors and attend events at
the High School. They also benefit greatly
from face-to-face instruction time with
blended-learning tutors who are specially
trained to support them.
Shaker Heights PTO Council, led
by co-presidents Tracy Peebles
and Jeff Isaacs (above), worked in
partnership with the Administration
to create the Family Engagement
Center housed at the IC.