Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 17)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - December 14, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
SHS National Honor Society Students Volunteer at Cleveland Food Bank
Changes to Full Day Kindergarten Requests For 2019-20 School Year
Mustang Spotlight - Ms. Emma Northeim, Kindergarten Teacher at Muraski Elementary
Calamity/Snow Day Procedures
Chapman Elementary “Winter Wonderland” - TONIGHT (Fri. 12/14), 5-8pm
Harlem Wizards Coming to Strongsville - Thu. 1/31 - Online Tickets Available NOW!
Transportation Changes For SHS Students During Exam Week (Dec. 17-20)
“We Are Strongsville” Videos - Gibson P., 8th Grade Student at SMS
SHS Distinguished Alumni Nominations
New Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout the year, all of the schools in our District participate in a number of charitable opportunities, as students learn the value of giving back to their community. This time of the year, many of the schools are holding drives to collect coats, blankets, socks, and food to make the holidays a bit brighter for our local families in need. Thank you to all of the students, families, teachers, and staff in our District for your continued generosity.
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, December 17 - 7:00pm
All City Orchestra Concert (5th & 6th Grade)
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Tuesday, December 18 - 6:00pm
Strongsville Middle School Holiday Choir Concert + Art Show
SMS Auditorium
Wednesday, December 19 - 10:00am
Kinsner Elementary Holiday Band, Orchestra, & Choir Concert
Wednesday, December 19 - 2:00pm
Muraski Elementary Holiday Band & Orchestra, & Choir Concert
Friday, December 21
Monday, December 24 - Friday, January 4
NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
The Art Explorations class at the high school is an opportunity for students with special needs to participate in class with typical peers. An annual project - “The Art of Giving” - has quickly become a tradition, with students making and delivering holiday ornaments to staff at SHS and the Administrative Offices. Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we visit with SHS teacher Mrs. Moon, and Intervention Specialist Ms. Leonard to hear more about this project.
SHS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
Recently, Strongsville High School National Honor Society students had the opportunity to volunteer at the Cleveland Food Bank, as part of the international “Giving Tuesday” event. 27 students and 3 NHS advisors donated their time packing grocery bags for distribution at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio. Thanks to our SHS students and teachers for making a difference in the community! Click HERE for the full story.
CHANGES TO FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN REQUESTS FOR 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR
Please note the following change for full day kindergarten requests for the 2019-20 school year - all full day kindergarten requests will occur online. Online requests will begin at 8:00am on Friday, January 18. There will be an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students on Thursday, January 17 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Road). Please click HERE for complete information on kindergarten registration for 2019-20.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MS. EMMA NORTHEIM, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT MURASKI ELEMENTARY
Ms. Emma Northeim is in this week’s ‘Mustang Spotlight.’ Ms. Northeim is in her 2nd year of teaching, having started her career with Strongsville City Schools. After earning her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University, Ms. Northeim started at Chapman and is now a Kindergarten teacher at Muraski Elementary.
Ms. Northeim’s class is very similar to other Kindergarten classes, “Our classroom is a safe space to make mistakes, learn, and grow. We work on learning how to be the best students, friends, and classmates we can be. In our classroom, students are also able to build their love for learning, so they can be lifelong learners.”
She adds, “Even though all of my students come from different backgrounds, they each bring their own personality, energy, laughter, and joy to our classroom - there is never a dull day in Kindergarten! My students always know how to make me smile. Starting my career in Strongsville, I am thankful for both my supportive colleagues and parents in the community. Both are always willing to help. When we work together, we are able to make and provide the best experience possible for our students.”
Thank you Ms. Northeim for the energy and enthusiasm you bring to our Kindergarten students every day and helping foster a love for learning.
CALAMITY/SNOW DAY PROCEDURES
With the winter weather season upon us, it’s a good time to remind our District about the procedures for calamity / snow days, should inclement weather occur. Correspondence was recently emailed to all families in our District - if you missed it, please click HERE for the entire letter and outline of procedures for calamity / snow days.
CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY “WINTER WONDERLAND” OPEN TO COMMUNITY - TONIGHT (FRI. 12/14), 5-8PM
The Strongsville community is invited to visit the Winter Wonderland at Chapman Elementary TONIGHT (Fri. 12/14) from 5pm - 8pm. The Winter Wonderland includes an opportunity to purchase amazing gifts (ALL for $1!) for everyone on your holiday list, with proceeds benefiting Chapman Elementary PTA. Click HERE for the event flyer. We look forward to having you celebrate the holiday season with Chapman Elementary at their very special Winter Wonderland!
HARLEM WIZARDS COMING TO STRONGSVILLE - THU. 1/31 - ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
The Harlem Wizards basketball team is making a tour stop in Strongsville! Get ready for a fun-filled family event on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm in the Strongsville High School Main Gymnasium. Online tickets are now available HERE - click on the January calendar and the game on 1/31. Tickets make great holiday gifts for the family!
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES FOR STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING EXAM WEEK (DEC. 17-20)
In an effort to be more efficient, Strongsville High School will be changing the procedures for transporting students during exam week (December 17-20). In order to have your student transported during exam days, you must fill out the form located HERE. Students will be transported to prearranged sites that are located nearby his or her regular stop. Please talk to your student concerning the days and times (mornings and afternoons) that he or she needs to be transported for exams and then fill out the "Request for Transportation Form (Exam Week)" which is also on the web site. If you have any questions, please contact the transportation office at 440-572-7060.
“WE ARE STRONGSVILLE” VIDEOS - GIBSON P., 8TH GRADE STUDENT AT SMS
Look for “We Are Strongsville” videos throughout the year, as we visit with students, teachers, parents, and community members about what makes our District and community a special place to live, learn, and grow! Click HERE for a message from 8th grade SMS student Gibson P. - “We Are Strongsville!”
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
NEW WEBPAGES TO REPORT FRAUD AND NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
There are two new 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 second session of Strongsville Jump Rope Club will be held on Fridays, 5:00 – 6:30pm, January 11, 18, 25 & February 1 & 8 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.
Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp
The Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp emphasizes the FUN-damentals of basketball with individual attention given to each camper. The camp focuses on skill development and is a fun and enjoyable experience for each and every camper! The camp is directed by former Strongsville High School and Kent State University player Mike Klinzing who has more than 25 years of basketball camp experience. The Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp will be held from 1:30—4:30 p.m. December 27 & 28 at the Hoop Guru Courthouse which is located at 1669 West 130th St., Hinckley, OH 44233, Building #5. In order to assure individual attention for each camper the camp will be limited to the first fifty applicants. The cost of the camp is $45. Please contact Mike Klinzing at 216-392-4059 or headstartbasketball@usa.net for more information or click the following link to register:
https://headstartbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps/807055-head-start-basketball-holiday-camp-west-2018
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.
December Luncheon - Holiday Celebration
Tuesday, December 18
11:30am - 1:00pm
Holiday Inn - Strongsville
$20 per person
Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to support Operation Toy Soldier
Strongsville Library
Please note the following December 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.
*All Branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed December 23rd through December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday, December 26th at 9:00 a.m.
*All Branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed December 31st and January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday, January 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
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 on hiatus for the month of December. We will start up our Winter Storytime Sessions again after the New Year in January. 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.
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, December 19th. For this month, we are reading Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. 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!
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, December 21st / 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.
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