Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 18)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - December 21, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Whitney Elementary’s #grinchforgood Food Drive
Changes to Full Day Kindergarten Requests For 2019-20 School Year
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Kim Weers, 4th Grade Teacher at Surrarrer Elementary
Congratulations Dr. Ryba!
SHS Distinguished Alumni Nominations
Harlem Wizards Coming to Strongsville - Thu. 1/31 - Online Tickets Available NOW!
Two SHS Student-Athletes Commit on National Signing Day
Strongsville Middle School Book Drive Benefits the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
Strongsville Athletic Boosters “Night at the Races” - Sat. 2/9
“We Are Strongsville” - Mrs. Errington, 4th Grade Teacher at Whitney Elementary
New Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, December 24 - Friday, January 4
NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
Thursday, January 10 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
Friday, January 11 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Rockin’ At The Rec Dance (5th - 8th Grade)
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Theme: Superhero
Thursday, January 17 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kindergarten Informational Meeting
Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Road)
Monday, January 21
NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
The winter sports season is underway and many of our teams will be competing throughout the Winter Break. Make plans to attend an event and support our SHS student-athletes. Competing in sports contributes to the growth and development of our students. In this week’s episode, we visit with the captains of each winter sports team and hear what being involved in SHS athletics means to them. We also welcome our new Athletic Director, Denny Ziegler, as he begins after the New Year. Click HERE for this week’s episode.
WHITNEY ELEMENTARY’S #GRINCHFORGOOD FOOD DRIVE
Special thanks to Whitney Elementary for their efforts in helping the Strongsville Food Bank this holiday season. Whitney’s Student Council organized a "#grinchforgood" food drive for the entire school and it was a great success! Students and families “grew their hearts” by donating 800 items to the Strongsville Food Bank, surpassing their goal of 750. Congratulations to Whitney’s third grade classes for collecting the most items during the food drive. Great job one and all!
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 - MRS. KIM WEERS, 4TH GRADE TEACHER AT SURRARRER ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Kim Weers is a 4th grade teacher at Surrarrer Elementary School and in her 19th year teaching in our District. An alumnus of Strongsville High School, Mrs. Weers earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her graduate degree from Marygrove College. She has spent all but one year of her teaching career in Strongsville, and has also taught at Kinsner Elementary.
“Teaching has become more than just teaching concepts, but getting students to realize their potential and to believe in themselves. What I like best about working with our students is being part of that process, and getting to witness their growth. Having been in our District for a number of years, it is always gratifying to see where their education has taken them. I have former students who have become teachers, meteorologists, and doctors, just to name a few,” says Mrs. Weers.
She adds, “What I love about being a teacher at Surrarrer are the relationships I have built with the students and their families, and the relationships I have built with all of my colleagues. I enjoy walking into Surrarrer each day knowing I get to surround myself with passionate students, parents, and staff.”
Thank you Mrs. Weers for continuing to encourage our students to reach beyond their potential and helping them achieve success in the classroom!
CONGRATULATIONS DR. RYBA!
Congratulations to Strongsville City Schools Superintendent Cameron Ryba, as he recently completed his doctoral coursework and successfully defended his dissertation (“A Study of the Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Practices and Collective Teacher Efficacy”) at the University of Akron. Congratulations Dr. Ryba on earning your PhD!
SHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI NOMINATIONS
Know of a graduate of Strongsville High School who is an exceptional businessperson, community member, charitable volunteer, educator, etc.? The deadline for nominations for the SHS Distinguished Alumni program has been extended until January 15. A new class will be inducted in April, 2019. Nomination forms can be found HERE. #foreveramustang
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. Need that last minute holiday gift? Tickets make great stocking stuffers for the family!
TWO SHS STUDENT-ATHLETES COMMIT ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
Congratulations to SHS football players J.D. Duplain and Joe Gillette for signing national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers. J.D. will be attending Michigan State University and Joe will be attending Lafayette College. We look forward to continuing to hear about your success both inside the classroom and on the football field!
STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK DRIVE BENEFITS THE CLEVELAND KIDS’ BOOK BANK
We are proud of students at Strongsville Middle School who have just completed a book drive, collecting 1,441 books for the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank. SMS exceeded their goal of collecting at least one book to represent every student in the building (1,281). Special thanks to Mrs. Randall and Mrs. van Besouw and their Literacy in the Community classes, for coordinating this book drive and helping to make this significant donation to the Kids’ Book Bank.
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS “NIGHT AT THE RACES” - SAT. 2/9
Join the Strongsville Athletic Boosters for their 2nd annual “Night at the Races” fundraiser on Saturday, February 9 from 6pm - Midnight at Michaud’s in Strongsville. Tickets are $45 each or $320 for a table of 8. Contact Ann Roff (karoff@att.net / 440.503.2890) to purchase your tickets. Proceeds benefit Strongsville Mustangs teams and student-athletes throughout our District.
“WE ARE STRONGSVILLE” - MRS. ERRINGTON, 4TH GRADE TEACHER AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY
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 Whitney Elementary 4th grade teacher Mrs. Errington - “We Are Strongsville!”
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.
January Luncheon - at the Strongsville VFW
Tuesday, January 15
11:30am - 1:00pm
Strongsville VFW #3345 (17900 Strongsville Blvd.)
$20 per person
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 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.
**All Branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed January 1st for the New Year’s Day 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 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.
Discuss & Design: Millennials Book Discussion. Wednesday, January 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Attention millennials! Are you looking for something fun and different to do with your friends? How about a book club with a twist? Read the bimonthly book and come discuss it as we design something that complements the title or book cover. Open to those ages 18-35. Books will be available at the circulation desk for checkout. Our next discussion book is Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb.
Cleveland: Then & Now. Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Pairing vintage photos with their modern-day viewpoint, Laura DeMarco, author of Cleveland: Then and Now will take you on a tour through the many dramatic transformations of this vibrant city.
Young at Heart. Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Meets the First Tuesdays of the month. A book club for adults who love Children and teen books. Please register in person. The topic for the next discussion is The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance. 1979 Newbery Medal Winner.
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:
Thursday, January 10th / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Computer Basics.
Thursday, January 10th / 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Excel 1.
Friday, January 11th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Excel 2.
Saturday, January 12th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Excel 5.
Indoor Winter Picnic. Ages 2 – 5 with a parent/caregiver. Friday, January 11th / 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
There is a wintery chill in the air. A perfect time for an indoor winter picnic. Families will need to bring their own lunch and a blanket to sit on. We will bring the stories and a bunch of fun! Please only register the children attending.
Just4You Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, January 12th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Get involved at the branch and connect with your community.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Sleep Well. Tuesday, January 15th 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 Victoria Cho of PharmD. She will talk about ways to improve your sleep hygiene and discuss medications that may cause insomnia and medications that may help! 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.
Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series: Keep Going - How to Stay Motivated. Wednesday, January 16th at 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. Our January speaker will be Wendy Zullo from LifeWorks of Southwest General to learn how to keep your fitness resolutions going strong. She will discuss ways to stay motivated all year long! Refreshments served.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, January 16th 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 The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. 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!
Jungle Terry. All Ages! Wednesday, January 16th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join us at the library for live animals and fun as we welcome the one and only Jungle Terry! Get close with a crocodile, slither with a snake or touch a turtle. Be prepared for a wild time.
Impacts of Sugar. Monday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m.
This program will be presented by Strongsville Heinen's Dietitian and Wellness Consultant, Debbie Piper RD, LDN. She will share information on the impact of sugar and its significance in your diet.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Wednesday, January 23rd from 1:00 – 7:00 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.
Building Competition. Saturday, January 26th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Come for our Fifth Annual LEGO™ bricks competition. Official entry forms and rules are available starting Wednesday, January 2nd. Entry forms must be dropped off by the deadline date of Wednesday, January 23rd by 9 PM. Drop off your creation between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26th. The public exhibition will be from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in these age categories: Preschool, grades K – 2, grades 3 – 4, grades 5 – 6, grades 7 – 12 and Family. See Children’s Staff for questions!
Sound Wave Art. All Ages! Saturday, January 26th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Frame a personally recorded sound wave. Using our Audio Recording Studio, participants will record themselves saying a short phrase that means something special to them or someone close. We will then print the sound wave of your simple recording and frame it to make a perfect and unique gift! No registration necessary, drop in while supplies last!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, January 28th at 2:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Monday of each month.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion title will be Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
DIY Face Masks. For Ages 12-18. Tuesday, January 29th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Pamper yourself and make a luxurious face mask using common household ingredients. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture program's effectiveness. More information can be found at cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. All participants must complete a Release & Hold Harmless form.
Family Paint Night. Wednesday, January 30th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cherish time with your family by coming to our Family Paint Night! Create a joint painting where each family member will participate, creating an overall painting that will be meaningful for years to come! Registration is required and will open a month ahead of time - Please register as family units (one name per group).
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