Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2016-17 Vol I, Iss 39)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
In This Issue - June 16, 2017
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
SHS Student Suraj Srinivasan Wins 1st Place in Science & Engineering Competition
Honors Courses - Summer Work
Fundraising for Families Impacted by Recent Accident
Mustang Spotlight - Surrarrer Elementary Art Teacher Debra Sue Solecki
Mustang Spotlight - Strongsville Schools Bus Driver Cheryl Richardson
SHS Commencement and Class of 2017 Top 5%
SCS Teacher Mike Rodak Named 2016-17 OACTE Gold Star Coordinator
SCS Director of Dining Services Michael Nowosielski Earns Dining Distinction Award
Strongsville City Schools Makerspace Camp Coming in August
SMS Earns Cleveland Clinic Banner School Distinction
Class of 2017 - Transferring Information from your SCS Account
SCS Treasurer George Anagnostou Receives OASBO Distinguished Service Award
Mustang Express Singin’ In The ‘Ville Camp
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
August 15, 16, 17 (8:00am - 12:00pm)
SCS Makerspace Camp for Incoming 4th & 5th Graders
Register HERE
Monday, August 21
Elementary School Open Houses
Tuesday, August 22
First Day of School
Grades 1-9 + Kindergarten Orientation
Wednesday, August 23
First Day of School
Grades K, 10-12
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Your achievements, both inside and outside of the classroom, were memorable. This year's commencement was a celebration of those achievements and we could not be more proud of our graduating seniors. Click HERE for this week’s episode featuring highlights of this year's graduation ceremonies for Strongsville High School's Class of 2017.
SHS STUDENT SURAJ SRINIVASAN WINS 1ST PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING COMPETITION
Strongsville High School junior Suraj Srinivasan recently won First Place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, California. ISEF featured 1,778 students from 78 countries competing in various science and engineering categories. The Biomedical Engineering category, where Suraj’s project was entered, was the second largest category with over 100 students submitting 82 projects. His research, "Mosquito-Inspired Insertion Guide Prevents Flexible Intracortical Microelectrodes from Buckling during Implantation,” earned him First Place. Suraj also received a $3,000 cash prize and will have the opportunity to name a minor planet as part of the MIT Lincoln Lab. Well done Suraj!
HONORS COURSES - SUMMER WORK
Students who are enrolled for an honors course in the next academic year are required to complete summer work that will be counted towards their first quarter grade. Assignments for Strongsville Middle School and Strongsville High School honors courses are posted on the individual school websites, accessed by clicking on the Summer Work link in the shortcuts column on the right hand side of each site. All work is to be done during the summer break. Any specific questions about the assignments may be addressed to the teachers of the particular course.
FUNDRAISING FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY RECENT ACCIDENT
The Strongsville community continues to keep the students and their families impacted by the recent accident in our thoughts. GoFundMe accounts have been established for the families of Kailee Mahyer, Sarah Attar, and Alyssa Collins. Also, “Take Them A Meal” signups have been established for all of the families: Kailee Mahyer, Sarah Attar, Alyssa Collins, Sydney Rosenthal, Morgan Debrand, and Katie Carroll. Thank you to the entire Strongsville community for continuing to keep the families in your thoughts.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - SURRARRER ELEMENTARY ART TEACHER DEBRA SUE SOLECKI
The first of two Mustang Spotlights this week features Mrs. Debra Sue Solecki, Art Teacher at Surrarrer Elementary. Mrs. Solecki has been teaching in our district for 26 years. She spent her first 25 years at Drake Elementary and is finishing her first year at Surrarrer. Mrs. Solecki’s undergraduate degree is from Bowling Green and she has earned a graduate degree from Cleveland State University. Outside of the classroom, she is a professional artist and encourages her students to attend local art events (her own exhibit opens on June 9th at Bay Arts).
“I enjoy teaching the ‘whole child’ by integrating other concepts into my art lessons. Helping students see how the world is connected is fun! We can travel the world, learn a little history through art or practice using math in our projects. When what they are learning in the classroom intersects with what I show them in art they get excited - I love to see their brains make those connections,” says Mrs. Solecki. “I love getting to know my students and watching them grow. As their art teacher, I have the privilege of working with them for many years and knowing their brothers and sisters. It is exciting to watch them discover their talents, find joy in the process and feel proud of something that they created.”
Thank you Mrs. Solecki for inspiring creativity in our students and helping them realize how art is an integral part of other school subjects!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - STRONGSVILLE SCHOOLS BUS DRIVER CHERYL RICHARDSON
Our second Mustang Spotlight this week is Mrs. Cheryl Richardson. Mrs. Richardson has spent two years in our District as a bus driver in our transportation department, and has driven routes for all grade levels. She also fits school monitoring duties into her schedule at elementary schools and the middle school. Prior to arriving in our District, Mrs. Richardson spent 42 years in the healthcare field. Among her responsibilities, she taught safety and customer service - which provide excellent foundations for her work in our District.
Mrs. Richardson says, “I love interacting with our students. It’s important to me that I provide a ‘hello’ when they get on the bus and a ‘have a good day’ when they get off the bus. My hope is that they remember that I am here for them and that those positive comments can carry them through any type of day they are having at school.”
“Safety is my number one priority. It doesn’t matter if I am transporting one student or fifty students, it’s our responsibility to maintain a safe environment when transporting our students,” she adds.
Thank you Mrs. Richardson for being the smiling face our students see each morning and afternoon and for the great care you take in making sure our students arrive safely to and from school.
SHS COMMENCEMENT & CLASS OF 2017 TOP 5%
Congratulations again to the Class of 2017! Strongsville celebrated its 119th Commencement earlier this month honoring the many achievements of this class. Student Council President Brooklynne Elliot, Phi Beta Kappa recipient Julia Foust, and Senior Class President Jaret Reimer, all presented speeches to the graduates.
This year’s Top 5% of the Class of 2017: Taylor Baszynski (The Ohio State University), Alexandra Bischof (Wright State University), Sydney Cornelius (The Ohio State University), Garrett D’Abato (The Ohio State University), Aabha Daryapurkar (The Ohio State University), Zachary DeLisio (The Ohio State University), Julia Foust (University of Pittsburgh), Emily Gaidos (The Ohio State University), Matthew Greaves (The Ohio State University), Brigid Hayes (The Ohio State University), Callahan Hinckley (University of North Carolina), Michelle Kahle (Cleveland State University), Christina Keares (The Ohio State University), Brianna Larkman (The Ohio State University), Lilliana Neal (Cleveland State University), Eric Noss (Bowling Green State University), Anne Papandreas (Pennsylvania State University), Megan Pederson (The Ohio State University), Kyle Perisutti (Baldwin Wallace University), Sydney Reik (The Ohio State University), Nicholas Simul (Baldwin Wallace University), Rohan Sinha (Case Western Reserve University), Samantha Stelnicki (The Ohio State University), Mary Stroemple (The Ohio State University), Krithika Sundaram (University of Akron), Rubab Syed (Case Western Reserve University)
SCS TEACHER MIKE RODAK NAMED 2016-17 OACTE GOLD STAR COORDINATOR
At the recent Ohio Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (OACTE) conference, Strongsville High School teacher Mr. Mike Rodak received the 2016-17 Gold Star Coordinator Award for his work in Career Based Intervention (CBI). Mr. Rodak leads the CBI program (Connections) at Strongsville High School, assisting students who are in need of extra support and helping them reach their fullest potential, both in and out of the classroom. With more than 300 similar programs throughout the state, Connections at SHS has been led by Mr. Rodak since 1997 and strongly supported by many local civic groups, including Strongsville Rotary and the Strongsville Optimist Club. At the same conference, one of Mr. Rodak’s students, Camerynn Bloom, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Camerynn intends to pursue a teaching degree and specifically wants to focus on being a science teacher for middle school students. Congratulations Mr. Rodak and Camerynn!
SCS DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES CHEF MICHAEL NOWOSIELSKI EARNS DINING DISTINCTION AWARD
Chef Michael Nowosielski, Strongsville City Schools Director of Dining Services, is the recipient of the 2017 Dining Distinction Award. The award was announced at the annual conference and expo for the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals and recognizes Chef Nowosielski’s commitment to this industry. ‘Chef Mike’ has been working in foodservice for over 20 years. He leads a team of 37 employees across 7 schools in our District, and is responsible for ensuring that the food offered to the students is fresh, healthy and tastes great. Congratulations Chef Mike!
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS MAKERSPACE CAMP
Attention incoming 4th and 5th graders - make plans to attend the SCS Makerspace Camp! You choose the day (August 15, 16, or 17) and we’ll provide the tools - from Ozobots to 3D printers and MUCH MORE. This camp will provide a chance for students to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and creative environment. This camp will also help orient students to the equipment coming soon to their building media centers. Click HERE for more information and the event flyer.
SMS EARNS CLEVELAND CLINIC BANNER SCHOOL DISTINCTION
Strongsville Middle School was recognized as a 2016-17 Cleveland Clinic Banner School. Becky Pollack, 8th grade Health and Physical Education teacher, implemented an “Adventures in Health Science & Medicine” program, designed to promote career exploration in health science and the study of medicine for students in middle school, which led to this recognition.
CLASS OF 2017 - TRANSFERRING INFORMATION FROM YOUR SCS ACCOUNT
Attention Seniors: Your Google Drive account, which includes Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, will be permanently deleted one year after graduation. Please plan on exporting any items you wish to keep and uploading to your personal Gmail account. No reminders will be sent - plan to do this now, while it is top of mind!
SCS TREASURER GEORGE ANAGNOSTOU RECEIVES OASBO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
George Anagnostou, Treasurer at Strongsville City Schools, has received a Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO). Mr. Anagnostou recently accepted his award at OASBO’s 61st Annual Workshop & Trade Show in Columbus. The Distinguished Service Awards Program is a series of awards recognizing one individual from each of OASBO’s five regions who has made a significant contribution to their profession. Each recipient also receives a $500 scholarship, generously sponsored by RBC Capital Markets, to grant to a senior in their school district. SHS Senior Sydney Cornelius was the recipient of this $500 scholarship.
MUSTANG EXPRESS “SINGIN’ IN THE ‘VILLE” CAMP
Girls and boys in grades 1-8 are invited to the Mustang Express “Singin’ in the ‘Ville” Camp! This exciting show choir camp is designed to provide a unique opportunity to learn to sing and dance onstage, just like the SHS Mustang Express Show Choir. Camp is held at Strongsville Middle School on August 14-17, from 9:00am-12:00pm each day. Snacks and camp t-shirt provided. Online registration is available at:
https://form.jotform.us/71276387784168
COMMUNITY EVENTS
TOM-AID Rock Concert
SHS student Tommy Handloser was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that requires an expensive bone marrow transplant procedure. In order to raise funds for the family, a rock concert has been organized. Three local Strongsville bands will be performing including: The Outer Waves, The Project, and Great Bustard. They will be taking the stage on Friday, June 23rd in the SHS auditorium. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. The show is being billed as “TOM-AID” a rock concert fundraiser to raise money for the Handloser family. Tickets can be purchased at the high school or online at: https://www.payforit.net/MakeItemPaymentEx.aspx
Click HERE for additional event details.
Orangetheory Fitness Offer
The new Orangetheory Fitness (18105 Southpark Center) is offering a free class to all Strongsville City Schools teachers, parents, and students. Click HERE for the details.
Summer Gedanken Institute for Problem Solving
(July 24 - 28, 2017)
Directed by BW physics professor Dr. Edwin F. Meyer and Meridith Witt, the Institute welcomes 12-17 year olds who find a difficult problem to be an exciting challenge rather than an unpleasant duty. Kids build problem-solving, communication and team building skills through challenging problems requiring long, careful, focused thought. Subjects include operations research, pattern recognition, risk management, probability, geometry, topology, game strategy and logic. Contact Dr. Ed Meyer at emeyer@bw.edu or (440) 826-2495 with any questions. Apply HERE.
KICK Diabetes 3v3 Soccer Tournament
Strongsville Soccer Organization presents the KICK Diabetes 3v3 Soccer Tournament on June 17 from 8:30am - 12:30pm at the Ehrnfelt Soccer Complex on Foltz Industrial Parkway in Strongsville. The tournament is open to girls ages 8-12 and all proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Click HERE for more information about registering a team for this worthwhile cause.
Kindness Camp 2017
Make plans for the first Kindness Camp (C’s the Day) June 19-23 at Albion Woods. The camp is open to students in grades 1-7 and focuses on opportunities to develop skills for balanced living and service. It’s a camp to also inspire caring, service, creativity and confidence and to encourage personal wellness, fitness, and promote healthy habits. Click HERE for the camp flyer or visit the camp website at:
https://sites.google.com/view/csthedaycamp/
Southwest General Safe Sitter Classes
Safe Sitter is a nationally recognized program, developed by a pediatrician, designed to teach both boys and girls, ages 11 -14, how to be safe and responsible sitters. Register for the following summer classes - all class times are 9:30am - 4:30pm: June 30 (Friday), July 21 (Friday), August 11 (Friday). Click HERE for additional details and registration information.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor its 75th annual Homecoming. This huge event, held on the Strongsville Commons from July 19-22, promises to be bigger and better than ever. A sponsorship of Homecoming is a great opportunity to express your support for our community and advertise your business. A larger crowd than last year is expected, especially on Saturday night featuring a fireworks display that can be viewed from the commons. Visit www.strongsvillechamber.com for additional information on Homecoming opportunities.
Strongsville Library
Please note the following June 2017 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 Summer story time sessions will be in session June through July! Please call the library for more information about our Summer story time sessions.
Build a Better World: Summer Reading Program. Saturday, June 3rd – Saturday, August 5th. All Ages!
Read all summer long & have a chance to win some great prizes! Pre-register now for our Build a Better World summer reading program. Readers of all ages can register to participate. Registration prizes will be available at your local branch beginning June 3rd while supplies last.
Strongsville Branch Library Fundraiser
The Friends of the Strongsville Branch Library have partnered with local roaster Red Cedar Coffee to sell Library Lovers' Brew at the branch, with sales supporting the Library. Twelve-ounce bags of ground regular and decaf are $8.99 each. Stop in and pick up a special gift for yourself and a friend!
2017 Strongsville Branch Library Reading Challenge!
We challenge you to resolve to read in 2017! Adults 18 and over – stop in to the Strongsville Branch Library today to pick-up a Reading Challenge bookmark. Complete the 10 reading tasks and be entered to win a Kindle Fire courtesy of the Friends of Strongsville Library. Contest ends December 1, 2017. One entry per person.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Keeping Your GI Tract Healthy. Tuesday, June 20th from 10:00 - 11:00 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 the Endoscopy nurses from Southwest who will discuss what to expect at an endoscopy or colonoscopy procedure. The ParkFit Mall Walkers Club is a combined effort of Southwest General and SouthPark 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!
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, June 21st . This month we will be discussing Be Frank With Me: a Novel by Julia Claiborne Johnson. Copies of the book will be available at the check-out desk. Registration for this program is not needed. Join us for an evening of great discussion!
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, June 26th. This month we will be discussing The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Addiction 101: Facts About Addiction & Treatment. Wednesday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Chemical dependency is a primary disease in which a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol. Learn about the substances most often abused, symptoms of chemical dependency and treatment options available. Presented by Mike Waggoner, BSN, RN, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Southwest General.
Teen Brain Under Construction: How Drugs and Alcohol Effect Brain Development. Thursday, June 29th at 7:00 p.m.
Neuroscientist have discovered a number of interesting facts about the teen brain and how it develops. Find out the startling facts of what drugs do to teen brains. Presented by Marlene Kurz, LPCC-S Southwest General Health Center Oakview Behavioral Health Services.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, June 30th 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.
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