M 'n M

Parent Support Meeting

SMS Parent Support Meeting- Nov. 17th 6:30-7:30 PM

An optional Parent Support meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17th from 6:30-7:30 PM at Strongsville Middle School for parents who have students attending SMS. We will discuss strategies for acceptance and understanding for all students, which will include general information, current programs offered to students, how to work with the school, and how to support your child if they feel isolated or uncomfortable.

This meeting is open to all parents/guardians of students attending SMS as a way to share information on an important topic. Speakers will include Jessica Boytim, Bryan Szczepanski, Celia Joyce and Teresa Karsnak.

Out of respect for our student’s privacy we will not be discussing individual students or past events. If you have further questions, please contact Teresa Karsnak (Parent Mentor) at 440-572-6593 or tkarsnak@scsmustangs.org We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 17th.

Ohio Middle Level Team of the Year- SMS CAPATINS

Congratulations to our sixth grade team: Captains for being honored with a distinguished award, Team of the Year 2022, this past week in in Columbus. We are so proud of what they do for our school and students and for representing our school and district. Congratulations to: Joanne Scott, Lori Coulter, Katie Glueck, John Lipowski, Audrey Smolick, Cassidy Arsenault and Stacey Armstrong for their accomplishment, commitment and dedication to our students.

OMLA and OAEA Presentations

Strongsville Middle School proudly shared their research, skills and professionalism with other educators at state conferences this week. Congratulations to Mrs. Missy Novak, Ms. Anne Forkapa, Mrs. Chris Fitzgerald, Mrs. Carla Ganim, Mrs. MJ Wray, Mrs. Lisa Bluemel, Mrs. Karen Schindler for their time and dedication to their content, school and students.

Students are being challenged to make attendance to school and being in class on time a priority. 3 teams will be awarded Team of the Week as we work through this challenge. Winners are announced on Monday.

Here is how our parents can support this Progress Challenge and our Every Day Counts initiative.

Did you know:

Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with mistreatment or facing other serious problems.
By 6th grade, absenteeism is a sign that a student may drop out of high school.
By 9th grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores.
Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks.
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and keep a job.

What parents can do:

Help your child get into the habit and learn the value of regular routines.
Teach your child that attending school is nonnegotiable unless they are truly sick.
Build relationships with other families and discuss how you can help each other out (e.g., drop off or pick up children, translation assistance) in times of need or emergencies.
Identify non-academic activities (athletics, art, music, etc.) that can help motivate your child’s interest in school and learning and seek out those experiences.
Awareness: Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.

Veterans

Thank you to all of our Veterans for their service. We appreciate the opportunity to give thanks and celebrate you this past Friday- our annual parade was canceled due to weather, but the quick plan B in the auditorium was still a great event for all to enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us at SMS.

SHS DANCE TEAM

The SHS Dance Team presents the 5th Annual Junior Dance Team Camp on Wednesday, November 23 from 12pm - 3pm at Strongsville High School! The camp is open to dancers in grades K-8 and includes: learning a dance to perform at halftime of an upcoming SHS Varsity Basketball Game (Date TBD), a T-shirt, a snack, and a 3-hour clinic with the SHS Dance Team. Click HERE to register for the Junior Dance Team Clinic and HERE for additional information. Students must register prior to the event.

Attention Skiers and Snowboarders!

SMS is once again offering the opportunity for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to be part of our Ski and Snowboard Club. This is a learn-to-ski/snowboard club so you don't need to have any prior experience. Weekly lessons are included for all club members. Click HERE for an informational sheet with the details. Additional information and forms can be accessed in the SMS Ski Club Google Classroom. Anyone interested in being part of this club needs to REGISTER HERE. by November 22. Payment is not due until December 9.