THE VISION ISSUE - City of Shaker Heights

SHAKER OBSERVER
A Fifth-Grade Reunion Only in Shaker
BY JONATHAN LIM,
SHHS CLASS OF '85
In 1977, Special Projects was a
ground-breaking effort that placed
25 fifth-grade students, selected
from each of the Shaker Heights
public elementary schools, in
a classroom setting designed
to maximize creative thinking.
Minority students made up 30
percent of the class and Ludlow
Elementary was chosen as the
host school. An aggressive curriculum
included French, Latin,
philosophy, and advanced math
and English.
Eight students from the original
Special Projects class reunited
for a weekend in August in San
Francisco, along with spouses
and teacher Jean McDowell. The
events included plenty of food and
an incredible walk down memory
lane. A fifth-grade reunion
Shaker Heights denizens are a
tight-knit community.
It was amazing how easily we
interacted with each other despite
the years we’d spent apart. We
laughed at old stories and got
caught up with each other’s lives.
Jean McDowell amazed us with
memories about each one of us –
and then she brought out the old
photos.
All of us in attendance attained
advanced degrees – a testament
to Ms. McDowell and the Shaker
Heights public school system.
Most important to me, these
turned out to be people of outstanding
character that I can’t wait
to see again. Bravo Shaker.
Top photos: The 1977 fifth grade Special Projects class. In the photo at left, author
Jonathan Lim (right), eats cake with classmate Kelly Chapman. The 35-year
class reunion was held in San Francisco in August.
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