Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 9)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - October 12, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Operating Levy FAQ’s
SHS National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Kristen Russ, Intervention Specialist at Whitney Elementary
SCS Quality Profile Mailed to the Community
SHS Cheerleaders “Parents Night Out” Fundraiser
Gametime Change for Tomorrow’s Varsity Football Game at Shaker Hts.
Community “Greet & Treat” Event at SMS - Mon. 10/29 (6:00pm - 7:30pm)
SHS Junior Golfer Lauren O’Neill Qualifies for District Tournament
SHS Distinguished Alumni Nominations
SCS Wellness Fair - Sat. 10/20 (10:30am - 1:30pm)
Win a 2018 Chevy Cruze!
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
DID YOU KNOW?
Strongsville City Schools celebrates diversity among its students and families. In our district there are over 225 students that receive English language support for the 27 different languages that are spoken. Our four English Learner (EL) teachers provide targeted supports and instruction to help ensure all students become proficient in English, while also maintaining students' unique heritage. On our most recent State report card, Strongsville City Schools English Learners surpassed the state target for meeting expectations in English Language Arts, Math, and in English acquisition. We are proud of the hard work of both our students and staff!
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, October 17 - 7:00pm
SHS Fall Orchestra Concert
SHS Auditorium
Wednesday, October 24 - 7:00pm
SHS Fall Choral Concert
SHS Auditorium
Thursday, October 25 - 7:00pm
SMS Fall Orchestra Concert (7th & 8th Grade)
SMS Auditorium
Friday, October 26
Early Release Day
Saturday, October 27 - 7:00pm
BOO’tiful Showchoir Showcase
SHS Auditorium
Click HERE for a complete listing of October events in our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
We appreciate the support of our community and families in our District. Each school continues to create various ways to engage and include individuals to help support the growth and development of our students. Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we learn more about a few examples of community engagement programs happening at Kinsner Elementary.
ISSUE 8 - STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS OPERATING LEVY
Issue 8 is the Strongsville City Schools operating levy on the ballot in November. The proposed 7.9 mill continuous operating levy will generate approximately $11.3 million annually for our District. The last operating levy for our District was passed in 2007. If passed, this operating levy will cost $23 per month for a $100,000 home. Visit www.strongnet.org/Issue8 for additional facts and FAQ videos about the upcoming levy.
SHS NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS AND COMMENDED STUDENTS
Congratulations to this year's two National Merit Semifinalists and five Commended Students representing Strongsville High School. National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students are chosen from a national group of over 1.6 million high school students in approximately 22,000 high schools, who qualify their junior year by taking the PSAT. The semifinalist group (approximately 16,000 students) represent less than one percent of high school seniors and are among the highest scoring entrants in each state. The five SHS Commended Students are among the approximately 34,000 students nationwide earning this honor.
Semifinalists: Ben Blickle & Shrina Jasani
Commended Students: Erin Horvath, Sakshsa Krishnan, Saaya Morton, Lauren Sapienza, Cole Ventresca
Strongsville High School National Merit Semifinalists & Commended Students
(L to R) Ben Blickle, Erin Horvath, Lauren Sapienza, Saaya Morton,
Shrina Jasani, Sakshsa Krishnan, Cole Ventresca
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MS. KRISTEN RUSS, INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY
Ms. Kristen Russ is in this week’s Mustang Spotlight. Ms. Russ is an Intervention Specialist at Whitney Elementary working with students in Kindergarten and 3rd grade. She has been a part of our District for 11 years, having also spent time at Zellers and Drake Elementary Schools. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Dayton, and she also has a graduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University.
When asked about what she likes best about working with Whitney students, Ms. Russ said, “I love the excitement that I see in the students at Whitney Elementary when it comes to their learning and overall personal growth. I see so many students strive to do well while working to reach their goals. I love the wonder and awe I see in them when learning and experiencing something for the first time. Whitney students show PRIDE in and out of the classroom and it makes me so proud to be a part of this school.”
She adds about the overall teaching and learning environment at Whitney, “I love working with the students and staff at Whitney Elementary school because of the variety of personalities and backgrounds. It's because of these unique backgrounds that the staff can collaborate so well with each other. In this collaboration, we are able to plan the fun, engaging activities that get the students actively involved in their learning. I also love how the students and staff participate in our spirit days - no matter how goofy we look doing it! I love having the chance to get to know our students and families from Whitney.”
Thank you Ms. Russ for being part of a great team at Whitney Elementary!
SCS QUALITY PROFILE MAILED TO THE COMMUNITY
This weekend, over 20,000 homes and businesses in Strongsville will receive this year’s Quality Profile in their mailboxes. The Quality Profile is a snapshot of our District highlighting a few of the many accomplishments by students, teachers, and staff throughout the past year. THANK YOU to the entire community for your partnership and contributions to the growth and development of our students, both inside and outside of the classroom. Click HERE to view this year’s Quality Profile for our District.
SHS CHEERLEADERS “PARENTS NIGHT OUT” FUNDRAISER
Help the Strongsville High School Cheerleaders raise some funds by participating in “Parents’ Night Out.” On November 10 from 6:00pm - 10:00pm, the cheerleaders will watch your children at SHS, while you enjoy a night out. Registration is required and must be completed by October 26th. Click HERE for additional information and to register.
GAMETIME CHANGE FOR TOMORROW’S VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME AT SHAKER HTS.
Please note: Tomorrow's (Sat. 10/13) Strongsville High School Varsity Football game at Shaker Hts. (Shaker Hts. High School - 15911 Aldersyde Dr. / Cleveland / 44120) kicks off at 1:00pm. This is a change from previous calendar listings.
GO MUSTANGS!
COMMUNITY “GREET & TREAT” EVENT AT SMS (MON. 10/29)
Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual “Greet & Treat” event at Strongsville Middle School on Monday, October 29 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and collect candy and treats in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable items for the Strongsville Food Bank that evening. We hope to see lots of families at this year’s “Greet & Treat” on October 29!
SHS GOLFER LAUREN O’NEILL QUALIFIES FOR DISTRICT TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to SHS 11th Grader Lauren O’Neill who qualified for the OHSAA Girls Golf District Tournament by finishing 3rd at Sectionals. The Girls Varsity Golf Team finished with a record of 5-5 in their conference and earned 7th place at Sectionals, missing qualifying for Districts as a team by 9 strokes.
Visit www.strongsvilleathletics.org to follow our Mustang student-athletes!
SHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI NOMINATIONS
Know of a graduate of Strongsville High School who is an exceptional businessperson, community member, charitable volunteer, educator, etc.? We are now accepting nominations for the SHS Distinguished Alumni program. A new class will be inducted in April, 2019. Nomination forms can be found HERE and are due no later than December 15. #foreveramustang
SCS WELLNESS FAIR - SAT. 10/20 (10:30AM - 1:30PM)
Don’t miss the Strongsville City Schools Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 20 from 10:30am - 1:30pm. The fair will include healthy food and drink samples, health screenings, fitness instruction and demonstrations raffles and prizes, and MORE! Hosted by the SMS Wellness Team, this fair will feature healthy living tips for the entire family! Click HERE for the event flyer.
WIN A 2018 CHEVY CRUZE!
The Athletic Boosters are once again holding their annual car raffle to benefit the Strongsville athletic program. Tickets are $20 each and available from student-athletes or at Strongsville Middle School. Only 3,000 tickets will be sold for the chance to win a 2018 Chevy Cruze, courtesy of Serpentini Chevrolet. Get your tickets before they are all sold out! Drawing will be held at the final home football game of the season (Fri. 10/26 vs. Brunswick).
STAY SAFE. SPEAK UP!
Strongsville City Schools encourages students, teachers, staff, parents, and other members of our community to report any instances of potential violence, bullying, self-harm or any other issue where students may be at risk. The Stay Safe. Speak Up! link is located in the shortcuts along the right hand side on the homepage of the District website (www.strongnet.org). It can also be found on the homepage of each of our individual building websites. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Strongsville Rotary Presents Human Trafficking Community Forum
The Strongsville Rotary Club, in cooperation with the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, will host a free community forum about protecting children from Internet predators. Protecting our children: What Internet predators don't want you to know – Rotary's Second Community Forum on Human Trafficking, will be held on Tuesday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m., at Strongsville Middle School. Click HERE for additional information about this important program.
Strongsville Historical Society Trick or Treat
The Strongsville Historical Society is hosting the 10th annual Trick or Treat in the Strongsville Historic Village for preschool and kindergarten-aged kids. Admission is one non-perishable food item or $1 per person donated to the Strongsville Emergency Food Bank. Children must be accompanied by adults. Strongsville Historic Village consists of eight historic buildings on two acres at the corner of Pearl Road and Zverina Drive just two blocks North of Royalton Road (Rte. 82). The “Villagers” will be in costumes appropriate for the “wee” ones. They will be handing out treats to the costumed guests. There will also be games and refreshments. This is an opportunity for the younger children to have a safe Halloween in the daytime. Reservations are a MUST by October 17, 2017. Please call 440-572-0535 for reservations and questions.
Boy Scout Troop 226 Open House
Attention 5th through 8th graders - Boy Scout Troop 226 wants you to have some fun with us! Come visit with us this year and see how you like Boy Scouting! We want you to try out Boy Scout Troop 226 this fall. Come join us for as many of these activities as you can! When you come to at least three activities, we’ll give you a Troop 226 t-shirt so you can start looking like a Boy Scout! You don't need to have been a Cub Scout to join Boy Scouts - come see what we're all about!
Tuesday, October 16 7:15 pm – 8:45 pm - Troop Open House - come see what we are about!
Click HERE for a flyer with additional Boy Scout Troop 226 opportunities and events.
For more information about our Troop, contact Mr. James Cook, Asst. Scoutmaster at 216-533-8695 or jamesryancook@live.com or visit our website http://www.troop226ohio.org.
Strongsville Recreation Center Fall Enrichment Classes
Computer Programing, Yoga, The Money Game, Winter Day Camp… just to name a few. The Strongsville Recreation center is now enrolling for their fall enrichment classes. Click HERE to check out all of our programs to see which ones are best for you. Call the front desk at 440-580-3260 to enroll today or visit https://www.activityreg.com/ for online registration.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Please note the following events hosted by the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required for all events. Please call 440.238.3366 to register or for more information. Those interested may also visit www.strongsvillechamber.com to register and to see more event information.
October Luncheon - “State of the Schools” with Superintendent Cameron Ryba
Wednesday, October 17
11:30am - 1:00pm
Holiday Inn - Strongsville
$20 per person
Business After Hours Event at Altenheim Therapy Rehab Center
Thursday, October 25
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Strongsville Community Business Expo
Thursday, November 1
5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Annual Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 7
Strongsville Library
Please note the following October 2018 events at the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration is required for most events. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our story time sessions are in full swing for the Fall! Please call the library or stop by the Children’s Desk for more information.
State of the Art Recording Studio Open to the Public!
The Strongsville Branch Library Audio and Video Recording Studios are now open to the public. Customers interested in using Garage Band, iMovie, and the Adobe Suite to create sound recordings, video recordings, and more are welcome to sign-up for studio time up to one week in advance. In order to use the studio, customers must first attend an orientation session. Drop-in orientations will be held on Tuesdays - Audio studio orientation from 2:30-3:00 p.m. Video studio orientation from 3:00-3:30 p.m. and Saturdays, Audio studio orientation from 9:30-10:00 a.m. and Video studio orientation from 10:00-10:30 a.m. No registration is needed. Please show up on time for these orientations. For more information on the studio and how to book studio time, please call (440) 238-5530.
Technology Training Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library is offering a new series of technology training classes for beginners to advanced users. We are also offering more evening classes. All classes are free. Registration begins 30 days before each class date. Classes are for adults age 18 and over. To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, please visit http://cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Technology-Training.aspx Here are the upcoming classes:
Wednesday, October 31st / 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Photoshop 1.
Wednesday, October 31st / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Illustrator 1.
Love Beyond the Grave. Monday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m.
The Haunted Housewives are back and have chronicled some of the world's greatest hauntings that revolve around a common theme of love. But it's not always the romantic type with chocolate and roses. They explore the heartwarming power of devotion, but also explore the seedier and more dangerous side of love. This presentation will highlight some stories from Love Beyond the Grave as well as a few of the Haunted Housewives own personal encounters.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Functional Fitness for Older Adults. Tuesday, October 16th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for this special wellness talk sponsored by Southwest Hospital. Join Dave Ferris, pharmD, from Southwest General to learn about popular medications and supplements as we play a fun and interactive game of Jeopardy. Come test your knowledge. Registration is requested. The ParkFit Mall Walkers Club is a combined effort of Southwest General and South Park Mall in Strongsville. The Club provides an opportunity for community residents to improve their health by walking for exercise in a safe interesting and climate-controlled facility. Walk at the mall first then come over to the Library for this informative wellness talk! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. New Members Welcome!
Our next discussion will be on Wednesday, October 17th. For this month, we are reading No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts. Books can be picked up at the check-out desk. Registration for this program is not needed. Join us for an evening of great discussion!
Immunization Screenings. Thursday, October 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Southwest General Hospital Pharmacy Team will be here for immunizations screenings and flu shots. Find out what immunizations you are eligible for or should think about receiving. Please call the Southwest Community Nurse line at (440) 816-5050 to register for a slot and for more information.
National Chemistry Week: Chemistry is Out of this World. For Grades 2 – 6. Saturday, October 20th from 2:00 -3:30 p.m.
Come join us for fun, hands on activities that let you get close to the action! Be prepared to get in and get messy. Led by volunteers from the American Chemical Society. We invite families to stay and participate. In order for your child to participant you must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form and return to program location at least one week prior to the program start date. The form and more information can be found here. http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Kids-Teens/Parents-and-Teachers/Parent-Options.aspx
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Meets the 4th Monday of each month at 2:30 p.m.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion will be held on Monday, October 22nd. Our next discussion title will be Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Strongsville Historical Society Presents: Political Campaigns of Yesteryear. Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
Join us as the Strongsville Branch Library and the Strongsville Historical Society have partnered for this special presentation. A brief Historical Society meeting will be held prior to the presentation. Strongsville Historical Society members Barbara Shearer and Jan Kappus will transport you through history as they describe and share an extensive collection of vintage campaign buttons of all shapes, sizes, verbiage, and more. This may be the most enjoyable and fascinating experience you have this coming election season! Refreshments served courtesy of the Strongsville Historical Society.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, October 26th from 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
In just an hour of your time you can help save up to three lives. Make sure hospital patients get the treatment they need. Donate blood today. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call the American Red Cross at (216) 431-3010.
STEAM - Chromatography Tie-Dye. For grades 3 – 5. Tuesday, October 30th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Learn about the science of chromatography – the process of separating colors and pigments – and use your new knowledge to make a work of art! Participants can bring something from home to dye that is cotton and white such as a t-shirt or pillow case. In order for your child to participant you must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form and return to program location at least one week prior to the program start date. The form and more information can be found here. http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Kids-Teens/Parents-and-Teachers/Parent-Options.aspx
Stay Connected with Strongsville City Schools
Strongsville High School * Muraski Elementary *
Strongsville Middle School * Surrarrer Elementary *
Chapman Elementary * Whitney Elementary *
Kinsner Elementary * Early Learning Preschool
Website: www.strongnet.org
Location: Strongsville City Schools, 18199 Cook Avenue, Strongsville, OH, United States
Phone: (440) 572-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/strongsvillecs
Twitter: @strongsvillecs