Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 24)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - February 15, 2019
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Annual “State of the Schools” Presentation - Wed. 2/27 at 6:30pm (SMS)
Upcoming Family Literacy Nights at SHS & Elementary Schools
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Linda Koncz, Cafeteria Manager at Chapman Elementary School
SHS Seniors - Strongsville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Applications Due 3/1
5th Grade Parent Night at SMS (Thu. 2/28 - 6pm)
SCS Family First Night - Monday, March 4
Fourteen SHS Student-Athletes Make College Commitments
Harlem Wizards Game RESCHEDULED to Sunday March 31 at 4pm
See World Famous Magician Rick Smith Jr. Perform at SHS (Fri. 3/15 - 7pm)
SHS Project Support Chipotle Fundraiser (Tue. 2/26)
FREE Sunday Evening Youth Soccer Winter Skills (NOW through 3/10)
FREE Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (NOW through 3/23)
Strongsville Middle School Golf Club
Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
TONIGHT (Fri. 2/15) - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Rockin’ at the Rec Dance (6th - 8th Grade)
Ehrnfelt Rec Center
Theme: Wear Pink or Red!
Monday, February 18
NO SCHOOL
President’s Day
Wednesday, February 20 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Strongsville High School Literacy Night
Wednesday, February 20
Parent/Teacher Conferences (SHS)
Strongsville High School: 3:15pm - 6:15pm
Thursday, February 21
Parent/Teacher Conferences (PreK - 5th Grade)
Preschool: 3:45pm - 6:45pm
Elementary Schools: 4:45pm - 7:30pm
Thursday, February 21 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
“State of the Schools” Presentation
Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Click HERE for a complete listing of February events in our District
DID YOU KNOW?
Strongsville High School recently received national recognition from the NGPF (Next Generation Personal Finance). The Social Studies Department was given the "Gold Standard Award" for the required Financial Literacy course that all SHS students must take to graduate. SHS is one of only 600 schools in the country and one of 70 in the State of Ohio to receive this award!
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Chapman Elementary is spreading kindness throughout their building this month as part of a school-wide “Kindness Challenge.” Each day, students are encouraged to practice and/or initiate an act of kindness. Students (and teachers) are rewarded with hearts that are displayed on a large board in one of the main hallways at Chapman. Click HERE for this week’s episode, and find out more about Chapman Elementary’s “Kindness Challenge.”
ANNUAL “STATE OF THE SCHOOLS” PRESENTATION - WED. 2/27 AT 6:30PM (STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL)
The annual SCS “State of the Schools” presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30pm in the Strongsville Middle School Auditorium (13200 Pearl Rd.). Dr. Cameron Ryba, Strongsville City Schools Superintendent, will provide an update on the present and future state of our District, followed by a Q&A session. This presentation is open to the public.
UPCOMING FAMILY LITERACY NIGHTS AT SHS & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Don’t miss upcoming “Literacy Nights” at Strongsville High School and all of our elementary schools. This past week, SMS held their “Literacy Night” which included performances by the SHS Drama Club, a bookmark creation station, and a “Book Tasting” area for families to sample books. Upcoming Literacy Nights will include similar fun, family friendly activities centered around literacy. The elementary schools theme for these nights are “Lights, Camera, Read!” Please mark your calendars for the following Literacy Nights (and RSVP using the links below):
High School - Wed. 2/20 (4pm-6:30pm)
Chapman - Thu. 2/28 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Muraski - Thu. 3/7 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Surrarrer - Tue. 3/12 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Whitney - Thu. 3/14 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Kinsner - Thu. 3/21 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. LINDA KONCZ, CAFETERIA MANAGER AT CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Linda Koncz has been the Cafeteria Manager at Chapman Elementary since 2004. Mrs. Koncz started working for our District in 1997 in the cafeterias at both Kinsner Elementary and Chapman Elementary, but her ties to Strongsville run much deeper. Mrs. Koncz is a lifelong resident and graduate of Strongsville High School (Class of ‘73). Her husband is also an SHS graduate and they raised two sons who are SHS alumni. “I am forever grateful to have attended and now work for a premier school district that has benefitted my whole family in many ways,” said Mrs. Koncz.
She adds, “As Cafeteria Manager, it gives me great pleasure in helping our young students make healthy eating choices. Providing both breakfast and lunch couldn’t be done without the great staff here at Chapman. When you hear a student say ‘The food was delicious!’ you know you’ve had a great day! I am blessed to be at Chapman and thankful to work with a warm, caring, and supportive staff.”
Thank you Mrs. Koncz for all that you do for our students and for being part of a great staff at Chapman Elementary!
SHS SENIORS - STRONGSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE 3/1
A reminder to Strongsville High School seniors that Strongsville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 1. The Strongsville Chamber awards more scholarship money than any other local organization. Visit strongsvillechamber.com for the scholarship application.
5TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT AT SMS (THU. 2/28 - 6PM)
Strongsville Middle School will be holding a 5th grade parent night for parents of students who will be attending SMS next year. The meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the SMS Auditorium. Building Principal Steve Deitrick, along with other SMS Staff, will be on hand to talk about expectations (scheduling, Special Education Services, etc) for the upcoming 2019-20 school year.
SCS FAMILY FIRST NIGHT - MONDAY, MARCH 4
Mark your calendars for SCS Family First Night - Monday, March 4. Family First Night is a night for your family to spend time together. Whether it is eating dinner at the same table, creating a family activity or outing, or having a game night, Family First Night is about putting other activities and events on hold and getting back to the basics of family relationships. No homework or after school activities are scheduled for this night, giving families an uninterrupted night to spend quality time together. #SCSFamilyFirst
FOURTEEN SHS STUDENT-ATHLETES MAKE COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
Fourteen Strongsville High School student-athletes announced their commitments to continue their academic studies and athletic competition in college during a signing day event this past week at Strongsville High School. Congratulations to the following: Moe Abusway (Track & Field) - Columbia University; Sam Fillar (Volleyball) - Ohio Wesleyan University; April Gaukin (Soccer) - Notre Dame College; Taylor Griffin (Football) - University of Akron; Ryan Hartman (Baseball) - Ohio Northern University; Bob James (Baseball) - Hiram College; Nolan Kellogg (Soccer) - Baldwin Wallace University; Maxwell Kennedy (Soccer) - Bluffton University; Jonathan Major (Lacrosse) - Lindenwood University; Zach Massa (Lacrosse) - Ohio Northern University; Paige Meyers (Tennis) - Wittenberg University; Erin Sievers (Track & Field) - Ashland University; Gina Upholzer (Tennis) - Baldwin Wallace University; Kayla Wypasek (Soccer) - Northern Kentucky University
SHS Student-Athletes Making College Commitments
Front Row (L to R): Kayla Wypasek, Sam Fillar, Erin Sievers, Ryan Hartman, Taylor Griffin
Middle Row (L to R): Gina Upholzer, Paige Meyers, April Gaukin
Back Row (L to R): Maxwell Kennedy, Nolan Kellogg, Zach Massa, Jony Major, Moe Abusway
HARLEM WIZARDS GAME RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY MARCH 31 AT 4PM
The world famous Harlem Wizards return to Strongsville on Sunday, March 31. This is a makeup date for the postponed originally scheduled January 31 event. The Wizards will appear in the Strongsville High School Main Gym to take on an "All-Star" team of teachers, staff, and administrators in our District. Gametime is 4:00pm (Doors open at 3:00pm).
Advance tickets are available at any of the main offices in our District ($10 for students & senior citizens / $12 for adults). If you already purchased tickets in advance for the originally scheduled 1/31 event, please hold on to your tickets, as they will be valid for admission on March 31. Unfortunately, no refunds are available on advance ticket purchases.
We hope to see a great crowd for the Harlem Wizards game on Sunday, March 31!
SEE WORLD FAMOUS MAGICIAN RICK SMITH JR. PERFORM AT SHS (FRI. 3/15 - 7PM)
World famous magician Rick Smith, Jr. brings his “Magic Gives Back!” show to the Strongsville High School Auditorium on Friday, March 15 at 7pm. This Las Vegas-style Stage Variety & Illusion Show will be an entertainment experience that families can experience and enjoy together, including stunning illusions, audience participation, NBA dancers, and other surprise acts! Click HERE to purchase tickets to this memorable magic show!
CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER FOR SHS PROJECT SUPPORT (TUE. 2/26, 4-8PM)
Help support Project Support at SHS by making dinner plans at Chipotle. Project Support is a a club at our high school dedicated to providing students with disabilities the opportunity to enter the Strongsville community and have valuable and fun experiences with typical peers. Visit the Strongsville Chipotle (15029 Pearl Rd.) on Tuesday, February 26th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring in this FLYER, show it on your smartphone, or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Project Support.
FREE SUNDAY EVENING YOUTH SOCCER WINTER SKILLS (NOW THROUGH 3/10)
Join the Strongsville Lady Mustangs Soccer program for a weekly winter skills development opportunity. The skills sessions are open to girls ages 8-14 and are being held at Strongsville Middle School. These sessions are FREE and happen every Sunday from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
FREE SATURDAY MORNING YOUTH FOOTBALL SKILLS CLINICS (THROUGH 3/23)
Join Mustangs Football Coach Lou Cirino and his staff for FREE Saturday morning youth football skills clinics! Every Saturday, continuing through March 23, boys and girls in grades 1-8 will have the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun, competitive environment. Clinics will be held every Saturday from 9:00am - 10:30am in the Auxiliary Gym at Strongsville High School. No registration necessary - we will see you on Saturdays!
STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL GOLF CLUB
FORE! Join the Strongsville Middle School Golf Club. This club is for boys and girls in grades 5-8 and designed to develop the proper techniques in the golf swing as well as develop the skills for the short game and putting. No skill level is needed to be a part of the club. Club dates are every Tuesday and Thursday from April 9th – May 29th (6:00pm - 7:30pm each day). Cost is $100 for this club, which will be led by the SHS Boys & Girls Golf Head Coaches and supported by SHS Varsity Golfers. Click HERE for additional information.
WEBPAGES TO REPORT FRAUD AND NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
There are two pages on our District website for reporting fraud and non-resident students within our District. Our Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for individuals to anonymously report fraud, waste, and abuse within the Strongsville City School District. In addition, fraud can be reported to the Ohio Auditor of State at https://ohioauditor.gov/fraud/default.html.
Students of the Strongsville City School District must maintain residency in Strongsville. If you know of someone who is not a Strongsville resident, but continues to send their children to the Strongsville City Schools, please help us by calling and reporting to this number: 440-572-7048 You need not leave your name unless you so choose. A district official will investigate the situation based on your information. You may also email information to: notify@scsmustangs.org.
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 Jump Rope Club
Welcome back jumpers! Our third session of Strongsville Jump Rope Club will be held on Fridays, 5:00 – 6:30pm, February 22 & March 1, 8, 15, & 22 at Muraski Elementary School, with instructors from the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team. We hope you are able to join us! Please click HERE to register or contact Dot Hepp at dot.hepp@roadrunner.com or Pam Evans at messageforpam@gmail.com for more information.
Kiwanis “Read Around the World” Event (Sat. 2/23)
The KIWANIS CLUB OF STRONGSVILLE is sponsoring its annual "READ AROUND THE WORLD" program on Saturday, February 23rd from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Strongsville Community Library. Members of Kiwanis believe that the sooner a child gets interested in reading, the better the chance they have for success in school. The program and its activities are intended for PRE-SCHOOL and K – 3rd graders. There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE for children and their accompanying adult (parent, grandparent, etc.). Cookies and beverages will also be available at NO CHARGE.
Activities include:
Children will be free to “browse” and “check out” our huge inventory of children’s books.
Students from St. Joe's & John's Elementary, Strongsville Middle School, and Strongsville High School will be available to read to your child from a book the child selects from our inventory of children's books.
Mr. Protiva, librarian in the children’s section, will be reading a couple brief children’s stories. He is outstanding!
St. Joe’s & John’s students will be performing short skits based on children’s stories.
Strongsville Middle School students will be “face painting” throughout the morning
Appearances of several costumed characters from children’s literature
Finally, each child can pick out his/her favorite new book to TAKE HOME!!!
Strongsville Historical Society Fashion Show & Luncheon (Sat. 3/9)
The Strongsville Historical Society presents its annual fashion show and luncheon on Saturday, March 9. The event takes place at Don’s Pomeroy House - doors open at 11:30am and the luncheon begins at 12:00pm. Tickets for the event are $40. Money raised from this luncheon will benefit the Historical Society. Funds raised at the luncheon this year are earmarked for the general preservation and restoration of the buildings in the Historical Village. There is also an extensive raffle at the luncheon, consisting of gift baskets and gift items, including gift cards from area stores, restaurants and salons and spas. Tickets for the raffle are $1 each. For information on the luncheon, reservations and tickets, contact Pam Hughes at 440-773-6605 or Gina Cathcart at 216-403-9226.
NEO Flag Football League
Registration for the Spring 2019 session is now open and will close March 1st. Visit www.neoflag.net to register. Spring Divisions include: 1st-2nd Grades Combined, 3rd-4th Grades Combined, 5th-6th Grades Combined. Week one of this season will be the weekend of March 30th. The season concludes the weekend of May 5th and there are no games Easter weekend.
*Please register for the grade your child will be in during the 2018-2019 school year.
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.
Business After Hours Event - at BroadView EyeCenter (11925 Pearl Rd.)
Thursday, February 28
5:30pm - 7:30pm
RSVP (21 and over, please) at strongsvillechamber.com
Strongsville Library
***Please note the following February 2019 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 winter story time sessions are in full swing! 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.
Meet Author Comitia Williams. Saturday, February 16th from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Meet Comitia Williams, educator and new author, and hear about her first book- What are you Thinking? Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Williams explains how you can overcome the power of negative thinking by learning how to confront and conquer every negative thought. Blending practical insights and her own personal experiences this book will teach you how to overcome any negative thought, reach your greatest potential through positive thinking, and start living your best life.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Stroke Prevention & Awareness. Tuesday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for this special wellness talk sponsored by Southwest Hospital. Our speaker this month will be Maureen Moore, RN, BSN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator, from the Primary Stroke Center at Southwest General. She will present the signs and symptoms of stroke, share prevention strategies, and introduce Southwest General’s Grey Matters Stroke Prevention and Circulation Circuit Programs. 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. Wednesday, February 20th at 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 You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott. 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!
Southwest General Memory Screenings. Thursday, February 21st from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Are you saying “Sorry, I forgot” a little too often? It’s normal to forget a name from time to time. It’s not normal to keep forgetting days of the week, or when to pay bills or take medicine. Come to a free screening by the Community Nurses to see if you should consider seeing a doctor. A reservation is required. Interested individuals should contact Southwest to make an appointment at (440) 816-4037.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, February 22nd 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.
Read Around the World. All ages! Saturday, February 23rd from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Strongsville Kiwanis Club sponsors this annual event for all ages. Each child attending can choose a new book to take home and members of Kiwanis will be available to read books to them. The St. Joseph and John’s Builder's Club members will perform puppet shows throughout the event. There will also be face painting, storytelling, and light refreshments. No registration needed for this free event!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, February 25th at 2:30 p.m.
Meets the 4th Monday of each month. New Members Welcome!
Our next discussion title will be Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Goopy Gloppy Storytime. Ages 3 – 6 with a parent/caregiver. Wednesday, February 27th from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a hands-on storytime in which your senses will be heightened as we explore some crazy concoctions and listen to some messy stories.
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