Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2017-18 Vol 2, Iss 20)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - JANUARY 19, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Early Learning Preschool Earns 5 Star Rating in ‘Step Up to Quality’ Program
for 2nd Straight YearState of the Schools Presentation - Available On Demand!
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Jessica Call, Itinerant Intervention Specialist
at Early Learning PreschoolWomen’s Empowerment Concert (Saturday, Jan. 27 - 7:00pm)
‘Digital Danger’ Presentation at Strongsville Middle School (Monday, Feb. 5 - 6:30pm)
Good Luck to Strongsville Students Competing in the Annual Tri-C Rock Off
Strongsville Board of Education Elects President & Vice President for 2018
Strongsville High School Summer Basketball Camps
Free Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (1/27-3/24)
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, January 25 - 7:00pm
Board of Education Meeting
Strongsville Schools Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
Saturday, January 27th - 7:00pm
Women’s Empowerment Concert
Concert Features SHS Choirs and Local College Music Groups
Thursday, February 1 - 6:00pm
Board of Education Meeting
* Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Monday, February 5 - 6:30pm
“Digital Danger Project: Drawing the Line with Social Media”
Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Thursday, February 8
Parent/Teacher Conferences (after school / hours vary by building)
* School Still in Session
Wednesday, February 14
Parent/Teacher Conferences (after school / hours vary by building)
* School Still in Session
Click HERE for a complete listing of January events in our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
This week, community members had the opportunity to hear updates about our District from Superintendent Cameron Ryba during the annual ‘State of the Schools’ Presentation. If you missed the event, click HERE for information on how to view the presentation online.
EARLY LEARNING PRESCHOOL EARNS 5 STAR RATING IN ‘STEP UP TO QUALITY’ PROGRAM FOR 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR
Congratulations to our Early Learning Preschool - the staff has earned five star status in the State of Ohio’s “Step Up To Quality” program for the second straight year! “Step Up To Quality” is a tiered quality rating and improvement system created to recognize and promote early learning and development programs that meet and exceed quality standards for health and safety licensing requirements. This is the highest rating awarded by the state. Click HERE for the news release with additional details on this fantastic accomplishment.
Early Learning Preschool Staff Earns 5 Star Rating in
State of Ohio's 'Step up to Quality' Program for 2nd Straight Year!
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS PRESENTATION - AVAILABLE ON DEMAND!
Did you miss this week’s ‘State of the Schools’ Presentation delivered by Superintendent Cameron Ryba? The entire presentation can be viewed online and on demand HERE. The Strongsville City Schools YouTube Channel features this presentation, as well as concerts, Board of Education meetings, and other school events, to be viewed whenever it is convenient for your schedule.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. JESSICA CALL, ITINERANT INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AT EARLY LEARNING PRESCHOOL
Mrs. Jessica Call is an Itinerant Intervention Specialist at our Early Learning Preschool. She is in her 5th year working for our District and at the Preschool. Mrs. Call has her undergraduate degree from Walsh University and is working on her Masters Degree from Bowling Green State University. A resident of Strongsville, Mrs. Call enjoys going to work at the Early Learning Preschool, where her son is also a student, and is thankful she has the opportunity to work in the same city in which she lives.
As an Itinerant Intervention Specialist, Mrs. Call provides Special Education services for preschool students who not only attend the Early Learning Preschool, but also those who attend daycares and preschools throughout the community.
“I love working with young children,” says Mrs. Call. “They are amazing, work hard and nothing is better than seeing them learn new skills. Working with preschool students was my dream job upon graduating college, and it is fantastic being able to do something that I love everyday!”
She adds, “The best part of my job is working with families and collaborating with others to help students be functional in their environments.”
Thank you Mrs. Call for being a positive influence for our youngest Mustangs!
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONCERT (SATURDAY, JAN. 27 - 7:00PM)
Don’t miss a very special choir concert on Saturday, January 27 at 7:00pm. The 2nd Annual Women’s Empowerment Concert, including Strongsville High School choirs and local college music groups, will take the stage at Strongsville High School’s auditorium. Tickets are $8 each and will be sold at the door. Guest speakers will also share positive uplifting messages throughout the evening performance. The finale will consist of all the young women participants, nearly 250, joining together in a memorable combined performance.
‘DIGITAL DANGER’ PRESENTATION AT STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (MONDAY, FEB. 5 - 6:30PM)
The Strongsville City Schools Counseling Department presents an upcoming event on Monday, February 5 at Strongsville Middle School that parents will not want to miss - ‘Digital Danger Project: Drawing the Line with Social Media.’ Do you feel like your child is engaging in increasingly risky online behavior? If you think your child is safe online, think again. Although technology is a wonderful tool, new digital dangers are emerging and prevention practices and policies are struggling to keep up. Join Officer Don Stanko, a Franklin County police officer, as he presents to parents about the newest digital dangers involving social media. The night will also include parenting tips on how to keep children safe in an ever-increasing digitally dangerous world.
GOOD LUCK TO STRONGSVILLE STUDENTS COMPETING IN THE ANNUAL TRI-C HIGH SCHOOL ROCK OFF
Three different bands with Strongsville City Schools connections are among the 51 bands and solo acts competing tomorrow in the annual Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Good luck to the following groups as they look to advance to the “Final Exam” on February 17:
The Blue Aces: Lilly Dunn, 14, guitar, freshman; Alex Manson, 13, drums, seventh grade; Casey Delventhal, 17, bass, guitar, senior; Brendan Burdick, 13, bass, guitar, backing vocals, eighth grade; Rachel Jacob, 14, keyboard, freshman
Borderline Obvious: Casey Delventhal, 17, lead vocals, guitar, senior; Britta Hammitt, bass, senior; Griffin Kennedy,17, drums, senior; Josh Serna, 17, lead guitar, senior
Soundproof: Justin Godoy, 16, drums, junior; Cade Cubbison, 16, guitar, junior; Nick Zarach, 17, bass, junior; Stephanie Gaidos, 15, vocalist, sophomore
STRONGSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTS PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT FOR 2018
Strongsville’s Board of Education elected its President and Vice President at last week’s initial meeting of 2018. Mr. Carl Naso was voted as President and Col. Duke Evans was voted as Vice President for this upcoming year. This is the fifth year Mr. Naso will serve as Board President, and the first year Col. Evans will serve in his leadership position. Mr. George Grozan, Mrs. Jane Ludwig, and Mr. Richard Micko are the other elected members of Strongsville’s Board of Education. At this same meeting, both Col. Evans and Mr. Grozan were sworn in for their second 4-year term on the Board, after being successfully re-elected by Strongsville voters in last November’s election. Click HERE for the complete news release.
STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMPS
Registration is now open for the 2018 Strongsville High School Summer Basketball Camps! Offering six weekly sessions this summer, your youth basketball player will have the chance to learn fundamentals and play competitive games under the direction of the Strongsville High School boys and girls varsity coaching staffs, as well as current Mustang basketball players.
Each session is $70 per camper, and if you register two or more campers in a session the price is only $60 per camper. Click HERE for the registration form.
We hope you will make plans to join us this summer for the Strongsville Youth Basketball Summer Camps! Go Mustangs!
FREE SATURDAY MORNING YOUTH FOOTBALL SKILLS CLINICS (1/27-3/24)
Join Mustangs Football Coach Lou Cirino and his staff for FREE Saturday morning youth football skills clinics! Beginning on Saturday, January 27 and continuing through March 24, boys and girls ages 7-14 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!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Strongsville Kiwanis “Read Around the World” Event
Join the Kiwanis Club of Strongsville on Saturday, February 24 from 10:00am - 12:30pm at the Strongsville Library for their “Read Around the World” event. The program and its activities are intended for preschool and K – 3rd graders. This is a FREE event for children and their accompanying adult (parent, grandparent, etc.). Activities include:
Children will be free to “browse” and “check out” our huge inventory of children’s books
Students from St. Joseph & 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 children’s stories
St. Joseph & 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 characters from children’s literature in costumes.
Each child will have the opportunity to pick out his/her favorite new book to TAKE HOME!!!
Northeast Ohio Flag Football League
Attention youth football players - there’s a new opportunity waiting for you! The Northeast Ohio Flag Football League is coming to Strongsville for boys and girls ages 5-12. Endorsed by SHS Head Football Coach Lou Cirino, the spring league is now forming. Click HERE for additional information on the Northeast Ohio Flag Football League.
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
The second session of the Strongsville Jump Rope Club begins this month at Muraski Elementary School. Join us on Fridays from 5:00pm - 6:30pm for heart-pumping exercise and FUN! Click HERE for additional information.
Preschool Prom
The “Under the Sea” Preschool Prom is scheduled for Sunday, February 11 from 3:30pm - 6:00pm at Strongsville Middle School. The Preschool Prom is a fun-filled, energetic dance geared for preschool-aged children and their families. Enjoy dinner, dancing, entertainment, raffles, and MORE! Click HERE for additional details and ticket information.
Case Western Reserve University Engineering Carnival
Make plans to attend the upcoming Case Western Reserve University Engineering Carnival. It’s a FREE event geared toward PreK - 8th grade students and their families. The Carnival happens on Saturday, February 3 from 11am - 3pm in the Thwing Building on the CWRU campus. Click HERE for more information and the event flyer.
Lego Bricks Competition
The fourth annual Lego Bricks Competition will be held on Saturday, January 27th at the Strongsville Library. Official entry forms and rules are available starting Tuesday January 2, 2018 at the Strongsville library and must be dropped off at the library by the deadline date of Wednesday January 24th by 9pm. Drop off your creation between 10:00am - 12pm on Saturday, January 27th. The public exhibition will be from 1pm - 4:30pm. Prizes will be awarded in the following age categories: Preschool, Grades K-2 , Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-12th and Family. Also this year, the artwork of nationally known Lego mosaic artist Wayne Peltz will be on display and the play area will be open for free Lego Play. Please contact Michelle Rapacki or Tim Protiva at the Strongsville Library (440-238-5530) for further 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.
2018 Networking Night at the Great Big Home & Garden Show
February 8, 2018
4:00pm - 6:00pm
April Luncheon - Recognizing This Year’s Class of SHS Distinguished Alumni
April 17, 2018
11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 2018 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.
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 for the month of January. Please call the library or stop by the Children’s Desk for more information.
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 22nd.
Our January discussion title will be The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Meet the Author: A.J. Tata. Wednesday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Meet the acclaimed author of the Threat series and Jake Mahegan thrillers. Having served 28 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as a Brigadier General, acclaimed author Anthony J. Tata parlays his years of combat and operational experience into exciting, realistic thriller novels. His books include the popular Threat series and action-packed Jake Mahegan series. His latest, Direct Fire, brings the war on terror to America with Mahegan caught in the crossfire. Tata is also a frequent foreign policy guest commentator and has been featured on Fox News, CNN, NBC and CBS News. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Thursday, January 25th 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. All Ages. Saturday, January 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Compete in our fourth annual LEGO bricks competition. Entry forms and rules are available January 2 and are due Wednesday January 24. Prizes!
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