Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2016-17 Vol I, Iss 19)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
In This Issue - January 13, 2017
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Mustang Spotlight - Chapman Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Holly Piorkowski
Community Spaghetti Dinner - Friday, February 3
Kinsner MakerSpace
2017-18 Kindergarten Information Session + Deposits for Full Day
SHS Main Entrance Brick Pavers
SHS Alumni Questionnaire
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
TONIGHT (Friday, January 13) - 6:30pm-9pm
Rockin’ At The Rec Dance (6th - 8th Grade)
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Theme: 70’s/80’s
Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 17
Records Day - NO SCHOOL
Thursday, January 19 - 7pm
Board of Education Meeting (Administrative Offices - 18199 Cook Ave.)
Begin Accepting Full Day Kindergarten Deposits ($300) - 5:00pm
Kindergarten Informational Meeting - 7:00pm
Thursday, February 2 - 7pm
Board of Education Work Session (Administrative Offices - 18199 Cook Ave.)
Friday, February 3 - 5-7pm
Community Spaghetti Dinner
Strongsville High School
60 Seconds With The Superintendent
It has already been an exciting school year - and we are only at the halfway mark. Students are taking advantage of many learning opportunities provided by our fantastic teachers. Great collaborations are happening both inside and outside of the classroom. Our ‘60 Seconds with the Superintendent’ feature has covered much of this activity - click HERE for a recap of some of these features during the first half of the school year. We look forward to an exciting second half of the school year!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTEN TEACHER MRS. HOLLY PIORKOWSKI
Mrs. Holly Piorkowski has been a kindergarten teacher at Chapman Elementary School for her entire teaching career (20 years). She received her undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace and earned her graduate degree from Cleveland State. “Mrs. P.” even did her student teaching at Chapman!
Mrs. P. loves teaching kindergarten. “I enjoy laying the foundation for future learning. The children grow so much in this first year of learning. They go from learning how to hold a pencil and putting papers in a folder to reading and writing in one year. I really enjoy forming relationships with my students and their families.”
She adds about working at Chapman, “The relationships I have formed with colleagues are priceless. Our school is a very warm and welcoming environment. We truly work together for the success of our students.”
Thank you Mrs. Piorkowski for being an important part of our kindergarten students’ development at Chapman Elementary!
COMMUNITY SPAGHETTI DINNER - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Mark your calendar for Friday, February 3rd and join us for a Community Spaghetti Dinner at Strongsville High School from 5-7pm. Enjoy a great dinner and stay for the Mustangs Boys Basketball Game against Elyria. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12 (Kids 5 & under eat free!). Proceeds benefit the ‘Continue the Excellence’ campaign. Click HERE for the event flyer and to order advance tickets.
KINSNER MAKERSPACE
Kinsner Elementary is set to open a brand new MakerSpace! MakerSpace is an area that allows for creativity and innovation to occur. Within this MakerSpace area students have the freedom to design, engineer, fabricate, create, build and collaborate. MakerSpaces provide students with a place to tinker and develop something that may not be possible to create without a space with resources. This will be an area students may use after learning.com (technology instruction), during recess time, in an after-school club, or when working on a classroom project.
The Strongsville Education Foundation awarded a grant to Kinsner to help fund the startup of this MakerSpace. Purchases may include equipment for 3D printing, robotics, engineering, coding, circuitry, photography, sewing, and much more. However, there are many items that will still be necessary to make this an innovative, creative learning environment. A list of suggested items that are currently being asked for may be found on the Kinsner website under the MakerSpace link.
Other schools in our District are also preparing to bring MakerSpaces to their students. Stay tuned for more news about these exciting additions to the learning environments for our students, teachers, and staff.
2017-18 KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION SESSION + DEPOSITS FOR FULL DAY
For parents of students who will be attending kindergarten beginning in the Fall of 2017, please plan to attend an informational session on Thursday, January 26th at 7:00pm at Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Rd.). That same evening, deposits ($300) will be accepted by cash or check beginning at 5:00pm for families interested in securing a space for full day kindergarten. According to State Law and District policy, any child who becomes five years old on or before August 1, 2017 is eligible for admission into the Strongsville School District's Kindergarten program in August.
Individual registration will take place at Strongsville City Schools Administrative Office (18199 Cook Ave.). Registration times will be from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Dates for kindergarten registration are as follows:
Chapman Elementary - Monday, March 13, 2017 (at SCS Administrative Office)
Kinsner Elementary - Tuesday, March 14, 2017 (at SCS Administrative Office)
Muraski Elementary - Wednesday, March 15, 2017 (at SCS Administrative Office)
Surrarrer Elementary - Thursday, March 16, 2017 (at SCS Administrative Office)
Whitney Elementary - Friday, March 17, 2017 (at SCS Administrative Office)
Click HERE for additional information on Kindergarten registration.
SHS MAIN ENTRANCE BRICK PAVERS
As part of the expansion of Strongsville High School in 1998, brick pavers were purchased by donors and installed in the main entrance area. During recent construction and renovation at the high school, it was necessary for these brick pavers to be removed. For those who are interested in retaining their brick paver, they may be found on pallets in front of our Maintenance Department on Rademaker-Miller Lane.
Click HERE for the specific list of donors and brick pavers available for pick up through March 31, 2017.
SHS ALUMNI QUESTIONNAIRE
Are you an SHS graduate? Do you know an SHS graduate? We are working on building our alumni database in order to reconnect with those who have graduated from SHS, share with them the good stories of student achievement and other positive news about the District, as well as encourage them to return for alumni-specific events which will be planned in the future. Please share this LINK with any SHS alumni! #foreveramustang
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Southwest General Safe Sitter Classes
Safe Sitter is a national program that teaches students a variety of skills they need to stay at home safely and/or to babysit. It is for young people 11-14 years of age. Instructors are certified through the Safe Sitter program and are employed through Southwest General. This class includes American Heart Association CPR, as well as American Academy of Pediatrics First Aid. Click HERE for more information on upcoming classes.
Strongsville Early Childhood PTA Event
The Strongsville Early Childhood PTA is hosting the 13th Annual Preschool, Kindergarten and Childcare Open House. This is a free event! It will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 7:30pm - 8:30pm at the Strongsville Middle School.
Local preschools and childcare centers will be there and ready to meet with you! This is a great opportunity to explore options and interview different schools, all in one evening. Please visit www.secpta.org or www.facebook.com/secpta for additional information.
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.
January Business Luncheon
Tuesday, January 17th - 11:30am
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Learn how to grow your business with email and social media. Diane Helbig of Seize This Day and Constant Contact will be the featured speaker. Cost is $20 per person.
Women in Business Breakfast
New Year New You. Updating Your Look in 2017
Thursday, January 26th – 7:30am
Holiday Inn Strongsville
Are you looking for personalized skin care, color analysis, image or wardrobe tips? The featured speaker will be Anne Cannon, Executive Director BeautiControl and owner Uniquely YOU Image Consulting. Ms. Cannon works with men and women who desire to look and feel their best. Cost is $20 per person.
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 2017 events at the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration is required for most events. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. All events sponsored by our Friends of Strongsville Branch Library. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information.
The Friends of the Strongsville Branch Library have partnered with local roaster Red Cedar Coffee to sell Library Lovers' Brew at the branch, with sales supporting the Friends organization. Twelve-ounce bags of ground regular and decaf are $8.99 each. Stop in and pick up a special gift for yourself and a friend!
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our current story time sessions are in full swing! Please call the library for more information about our Winter story time sessions.
Technology Training Classes
Beginning in 2017, Cuyahoga County Public Library will offer 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 and to register, please visit http://cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Technology-Training.aspx
Power of Meditation Series. Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Meditation has been proven to strengthen memory, lower blood pressure, help with chronic pain, depression, anxiety and decrease stress. Join us for a four-week mini-series of meditation exercises facilitated by Kemper House. No experience necessary.
Just 4 You Student Friends Volunteers. Ages 10-18. Saturday, January 14th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Join Just 4 U Student Friends and get involved at the Strongsville Branch and in your community. Pick up an application at the Teen Desk.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: "Advance Directives" Tuesday, January 17th from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This month's speaker will be Chris Cameron LISW-S from Southwest General Hospital speaking about living wills, advanced directives and the legalities of these documents. Gain tips on how to have these important conversations with your family member. The ParkFit Mall Walkers Club is a combined effort of Southwest General and SouthPark 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!
LED Cloud Workshop. Teens ages 11-18. Tuesday, January 17th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join Progressive Arts Alliance for an exploration of simple circuits and art making. Participants will each create their very own cloud, lit by an LED, that they can clip on to their collar or backpack and take home.
Parents/guardians must complete a Release and Hold Harmless form. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture program’s effectiveness. More information can be found at cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.
Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series: Stick to Your New Year's Resolutions. Wednesday, January 18th from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Please join us for our bi-monthly Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series. Each month we bring a special speaker of interest to seniors and residents of Strongsville. Our January speaker will be Wendy Zullo from Life Works of Southwest General to learn different ways to stick with those New Year’s resolutions. She will discuss ways to stay motivated all year long! Refreshments served.
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, January 18th. This month we will be discussing The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai. Copies of the book will be available at the check-out desk. Registration for this program is not needed. Join us for an evening of great discussion!
Income Tax Talk. Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 p.m.
Join us as tax expert, Chuck Dixon from H & R Block, shares information on tax law changes and valuable information you need to know to file your 2016 Income Taxes. A Q&A session will follow his presentation.
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, January 23rd. This month we will be discussing Be Frank with Me by Julia Clairborne Johnson. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Meaningful Life & Work After Retirement. Tuesday, January 24th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Many people are discovering that retirement provides them with an opportunity to now do what they have always wanted. If this sounds like you, come to this workshop to find out about the opportunities available to you. Learn how to put your business acumen to work by becoming a mentor at SCORE, go back to school utilizing the 60+ programs colleges offer, and more.
2017 Building Competition. All Ages/Families. Saturday, January 28th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Come to our third annual LEGO™ bricks competition. Official entry forms and rules are available Monday, January 2nd. Entry forms MUST be dropped off by Wednesday, January 25 to be entered into the competition. Drop off your built creation 10:00 AM to 12 noon. The public exhibition and judging will take place from 12 noon to 3 PM. Prizes will be awarded for various age levels including a Family category this year.
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