Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2019-20 Vol 4, Iss 19)
We Are Strongsville
IN THIS ISSUE - January 10, 2020
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
4th Grade Whitney Student Brady Snakovsky Earns Spot on ‘Cleveland’s Most Interesting People’ List
Applications Now Being Accepted for Open Seat on Strongsville Board of Education
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Holly Fischer, Cafeteria Worker at Kinsner Elementary School
Youth Hockey Night - TOMORROW (Sat. 1/11)
Ronell Warmuth (SHS Class of 2019) Named 2020 National YoungArts Foundation Finalist in Classical Vocal Performance
Strongsville Varsity Girls & Boys Swimming & Diving Teams Capture Greater Cleveland Conference Championships
2020-21 Kindergarten Informational Meeting + Full Day Requests
SHS Senior Kirsten Eppele is Finalist for Greater Cleveland Sports Commission High School Female Athlete of the Year
Early Learning Preschool Open House + Peer Intent Form
Save the Date - Strongsville Athletic Boosters “Night at the Races” (Sat. 2/22)
“Heard Around Town” on SCS Website
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, January 16 - 6:00pm
Kindergarten Parent Informational Meeting
Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Road)
** Info meeting for parents of incoming Kindergarten students for the 2020-21 school year
Click HERE for additional information
Friday, January 17 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Rockin’ At The Rec Dance (5th - 8th Grade)
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Theme: Neon
Saturday, January 18 - 2:00pm
Women’s Empowerment Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Monday, January 20
NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)
Click HERE for a complete listing of January events in our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mrs. Gaul, 1st grade teacher at Muraski Elementary, is using FlipGrid which is giving students another way to practice their reading skills. Students record themselves reading differentiated texts and Mrs. Gaul has the ability to share these videos with the class. Students have also been logging in to FlipGrid at home and sharing readings they are doing with their parents. Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we learn how FlipGrid is impacting learning for this first grade class.
4TH GRADE WHITNEY STUDENT BRADY SNAKOVSKY EARNS SPOT ON ‘CLEVELAND’S MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE’ LIST
Brady Snakovsky, 4th grader at Whitney Elementary, has been named one of “Cleveland’s Most Interesting People” in Cleveland Magazine’s annual list. Brady is the founder of a non-profit - “Brady’s K9 Fund” - which raises money to provide bulletproof vests for police dogs. Brady has raised more than $150,000 in donations and helped vest 143 canines. Click HERE to read more about the outstanding work Brady is doing in the community. Congratulations Brady!
APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR OPEN SEAT ON STRONGSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Applications are now being accepted for the open position on Strongsville's Board of Education. Applications may be found on the District website (www.strongnet.org) or at the SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.). According to Ohio law, people serving on Ohio school boards must be 18 years old, district residents, and registered voters. Deadline for applications is Wednesday, January 15 at 4pm.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. HOLLY FISCHER, CAFETERIA WORKER AT KINSNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Holly Fischer works in the cafeteria at Kinsner Elementary School. Mrs. Fischer began as a substitute in our District in 2014. She worked at all of our schools as a Monitor, Cafeteria, and Special Education Aide. Mrs. Fischer studied at Franciscan University and finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and History at Notre Dame College of Ohio. She has also worked for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
A resident of Strongsville for 16 years, Mrs. Fischer has three boys who attended Chapman Elementary and currently one of her sons is a junior at Strongsville High School. “I was excited to start working in our District. All of our schools are wonderful and very welcoming,” said Mrs. Fischer.
“I love my job in the Kinsner cafeteria. My co-workers are a delight to work with and it is a pleasure to serve our enthusiastic, curious, hungry, nice, and fun students! As a Kinsner community, we work hard to emphasize to ‘Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.’ This helps to make it a productive day for our students, including making the lunch line go quicker, so that each student has time to enjoy lunch with their classmates.”
Thank you Mrs. Fischer for your positive attitude and helping to make lunch periods part of an overall great experience for our students at Kinsner Elementary! #WeAreStrongsville
YOUTH HOCKEY NIGHT - TOMORROW (SAT. 1/11)
Strongsville High School’s varsity hockey team battles Cleveland Heights tomorrow (Saturday, 1/11) at OBM Arena (15381 Royalton Rd.). It’s also ‘Youth Hockey Night’ - don’t miss the festivities including sign making, pizza, high five tunnels, the opportunity for future SHS players to sign the “Wall of Fame” and try on a jersey, meet & greet with SHS varsity players, raffle baskets, and MORE! Make plans to support the Mustangs and attend this fun family-friendly night! GO MUSTANGS!
RONELL WARMUTH (SHS CLASS OF 2019) NAMED 2020 NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION FINALIST IN CLASSICAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Ronell Warmuth, Strongsville High School Class of 2019, and freshman at New England Conservatory of Music, has been named a 2020 National YoungArts Foundation Finalist in Classical Vocal Performance, the organization’s highest honor. Ronell has been recognized for his artistic achievement and joins 686 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary, and performing arts. He was selected by an esteemed discipline-specific panel of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. This year’s award winners represent the top 9.5% of applications across ten artistic disciplines. YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most prestigious programs for emerging artists in the United States in which they will have opportunities for creative and professional development throughout their entire careers. #foreveramustang
STRONGSVILLE VARSITY GIRLS & BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING TEAMS CAPTURE GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Saturday, January 4th at the Busby Natatorium on the campus of Cleveland State University, the Mustangs Boys and Girls Swim & Dive Teams made history - each team earned first place finishes in the Greater Cleveland Conference Meet. The Boys and Girls teams have not accomplished this together (winning their conference meets, respectively) since the 2005-2006 season when the Mustangs were members of the Pioneer Conference. This marks the first time in Greater Cleveland Conference history that a school has captured both the Boys and Girls Swim & Dive championships. Best of luck to both teams as they continue to compete and prepare for the upcoming postseason meets!
2020-21 KINDERGARTEN INFORMATIONAL MEETING + FULL DAY REQUESTS
Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) requests for the 2020-21 school year will once again occur exclusively online. Online FDK requests will begin at 8:00am on Friday, January 17. There will be an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students on Thursday, January 16 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Road). Please click HERE for complete information on kindergarten registration for 2020-21.
SHS SENIOR KIRSTEN EPPELE IS FINALIST FOR GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION HIGH SCHOOL FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to SHS senior Kirsten Eppele, who is a finalist for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission High School Female Athlete of the Year. Kirsten is one of three Northeast Ohio female student-athletes who will be recognized at the annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards night on January 22. Kirsten is a four year student-athlete on the Mustangs Volleyball team and a four year starter on the Mustangs Softball team. She has committed to The Ohio State University to continue her academic and softball career. Last year alone, Kirsten broke nine school records in softball - congratulations and best of luck Kirsten!
EARLY LEARNING PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE + PEER INTENT FORM
For families considering enrolling their student in the Early Learning Preschool, please plan to attend an Open House at our Lunn Road location (19543 Lunn Rd.) on Friday, January 17 from 9:30am - 11:00am. Can't make this Open House? Call 440.572.7046 for a personal tour of our school.
Already decided on our Early Learning Preschool? Please click HERE for the 2020-21 Preschool Peer Intent Form. Online applications will be accepted beginning on Thursday, January 16, 2020. In-person applications will be accepted beginning at 9:30am on Friday, January 17, 2020. Lottery drawing will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
SAVE THE DATE - STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS “NIGHT AT THE RACES” (SAT. 2/22)
Mark your calendars for the third annual “Night at the Races” event to benefit Strongsville Athletic Boosters. This event will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 7:00pm at Michaud’s. Tickets are $45 and include dinner and drinks. Click HERE for the event flyer.
“HEARD AROUND TOWN” ON SCS WEBSITE
Have you heard something that you want more clarification about concerning Strongsville City Schools? Share your questions with us, we're happy to provide information to clear up any misconceptions! Visit the new “Heard Around Town” link on the main page at www.strongnet.org or click HERE to submit your question.
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 Historical Society Soup Supper
The Strongsville Historical Society invites you to a Soup Supper on January 28, 2020 at the Walter Ehrnfelt Recreation and Event Senior Center in Strongsville. This event brings together Strongsville area folks for an evening of good company while warming their tummies with soup accompanied by bread and rolls, beverages and desserts. Doors open at 6 PM. There is plenty of free parking. The cost is $12 per person. Make checks payable to the Strongsville Historical Society; attach a note with your name, phone number, and number of tickets requested. Send checks to the Strongsville Historical Society, 13305 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, OH, 44136. Deadline to purchase tickets is January 24, 2020; a few tickets will be available at the door. Contact Jan Miller to make your reservations at 440-567-7222.
The Strongsville Historical Society and Historic Village invites you to become a member by calling 440-572-0057. Please learn more about the Strongsville Historical Society by visiting www.strongsvillehistoricalsociety.org.
Engineering Challenges Carnival
Join Case Western Reserve University students for a fun-filled day of hands-on STEM-based activities and demonstration on Saturday, February 15 from 11am - 3pm on CWRU’s campus. The carnival is free and open to the public - no registration is required - Pre-K to 8th grade students and their families are welcome. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Junior Browns Spring Flag Football League
Join the Junior Browns Spring Flag Football League! Divisions for boys and girls in 1st - 6th grade. Games on Sundays, beginning April 5th. Click HERE for more information or visit www.strongsvillefootballbackers.com to register.
Boy Scout Troop 226 Open House
Do you have a son in grades 6 and up who is interested in adventure, leadership development, service or personal growth? Boy Scout Troop 226 invites all boys grades 6 and up to join us for an open house on Tuesday, January 14th. This is a great opportunity to learn what scouting is all about...no previous scout experience necessary. Troop 226 offers monthly campouts, themed camps, fun games, week-long summer camp, high adventure camp, opportunities to advance to Eagle Scout, and skill development like fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, archery, hiking, first aid & life saving, communication skills, team building, and much more. Join Troop 226 on Tuesday, January 14th, at 7:15 p.m. at Strongsville United Methodist Church, 13500 Royalton Rd., Strongsville. For more information about Boy Scout Troop 226, visit our website then select "OH" and "226" from the drop down lists.
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
Happy New Year, Jumpers!! Our second session of Strongsville Jump Rope Club will be held Fridays, 5:00pm – 6:30pm, Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, and Feb 7, 2020 at Muraski Elementary School. During classes, we have instructors from the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team! We hope you are able to join us!!
Please click HERE to register, or contact Deanna Gill at dgill.jump@gmail.com or Pam Evans at messageforpam@gmail.com for more information. Hope to see you there!
Allison Rose Foundation - Yellow Brick Road Celebration
The Allison Rose Foundation is hosting its 2nd annual fundraiser, the Yellow Brick Road Celebration, on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm at the Embassy Suites in Independence. We are raising funds to contribute to the new Cleveland Clinic Food Allergy Center of Excellence, and to expand our educational curriculum, create additional awareness campaigns, contribute to research and advocate for change to save lives. Visit https://www.allisonrosefoundation.org/ourevents/ to register and for additional details about this event.
Cleveland Clinic’s K-12 Education Internship Programs
Cleveland Clinic’s K-12 Education Internship Programs Department works to improve health and wellness, promote academic achievement, and foster career preparedness for students in grades pre-K through 12. Cleveland Clinic Internship Programs and School Programs provide a wide range of authentic learning experiences at Cleveland Clinic facilities, in schools, and through technology-mediated activities. Aligned with academic content standards and centered around real-world applications, these programs leverage organizational resources and community partnerships to support student success, both inside and beyond the classroom, empowering our community’s next generation of leaders. Please visit www.ccf.org/k-12 to learn more about these summer experiences and programs and all other offerings available to students.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Please note the following upcoming 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 in the following events may also visit www.strongsvillechamber.com to register and to see additional event information.
January Business Luncheon - Holiday Inn Strongsville
Tuesday, January 21 - 11:30am
“Fighting Fraud in 2020 – What Small Businesses and Older Adults Need to Know”
February Business Luncheon - Polaris Career Center’s Savour Restaurant
*Limited Seating for this Event
Tuesday, February 18 - 11:30am
Enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the award winning students in the Polaris Chef Training Program.
Mark Your Calendar! 2020 Homecoming Festival
Wednesday, July 15th – Saturday, July 18th, 2020
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 2020 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 times are in full swing for Winter. 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 has Audio and Video Recording Studios 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.
Ohio Means Jobs. Tuesdays / 9 – 5:30 p.m.
An Ohio Means Jobs Employment Specialist is available for job placement and individualized job planning services. Please call ahead to confirm the Job Specialist's availability.
Just4You Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, January 11th / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Get involved at the branch and connect with your community.
Aromatherapy: The Basics of Essential Oils. Tuesday, January 14th/ 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Carolyn Smilor, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, will cover all the basics of essential oils. Learn how to use essential oils while gaining insight into their health benefits. Study safety, carrier oils, properties, methods, terminology, and how to buy quality oils.
Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series: Keep Going! How to Stay Motivated All Year. Wednesday, January 15th / 10:00 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. Join Wendy Zullo from LifeWorks of Southwest General to learn how to keep your resolutions going strong. She will discuss ways to stay motivated all year long! Refreshments served.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, January 15th / 7:00 p.m.
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. New Members Welcome! For this month, we are reading The Book of Dreams by Nina George. 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!
ESOL/Citizenship Orientation. Friday, January 17th / 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Aspire Greater Cleveland provides free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and citizenship classes at Strongsville Branch Library. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. For more information and to register, please call 833.ASPIRE2 or visit aspiregreatercleveland.org.
Balloons by Blake. For Families – All Ages. Saturday, January 18th / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Come see Blake Parhamovich with his Comedy Variety Show! This show includes magic, juggling, balloon twisting, and a whole lot of audience participation! Sponsored by the Friends of the Strongsville Library.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: DO & Osteopathic Treatment. Tuesday, January 21st / 10:00 a.m.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for this special wellness talk sponsored by Southwest Hospital. Our discussion this month will discuss - Osteopathic manipulative treatment or OMT. OMT is a series of hands-on techniques used by osteopathic doctors to help diagnose illness or injury and facilitate your body’s natural tendency toward self–healing. Ashley C. Fuentes, MS, DO, will discuss osteopathic medicine & the many benefits of OMT. 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! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Winter Luminaries. For Teens Grades 6 – 12. Tuesday, January 21st / 7:00p.m.
Create a winter luminary for the cold winter nights ahead using simple materials.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Wednesday, January 22nd / 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.
ESOL Class. Thursdays & Fridays / 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Aspire Greater Cleveland provides free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes at Strongsville Branch Library. Classes will be every Thursday and Friday through June 12th, 2020. Interested Students must attend the ESOL/Citizenship orientation session on January 17th before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. For more info, call 833.ASPIRE2 or visit aspiregreatercleveland.org.
Cricut Basics. Monday, January 27th / 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us to learn the basic design functions of the Cricut Design Space and how to use the Cricut Maker machine. Sponsored by the Friends of the Strongsville Branch Library. Space is limited and registration is required. Open to adults 18 and over. All classes start promptly - we cannot hold seats for students who arrive late. Recommended prerequisite: Computer Basics or experience using a mouse. An email account is required to create an account on Cricut Design Space.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, January 27th / 2:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Monday of each month.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion title will be The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great discussion!
Discovering Art: Line & Shape. Grades 1 – 3 with a Caregiver. Wednesday, January 29th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Explore how lines are used in art to create shapes and express ideas. Try a variety of tools and techniques at hands-on art activity stations.
Computer Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced users. Many of our classes offer Northstar Digital Literacy Certification. 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 https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes.aspx
Here are the upcoming classes:
Wednesday, January 29th / 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Computer Basics
Thursday, January 30th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Internet Basics
Friday, January 31st / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Email Basics
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