Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2019-20 Vol 4, Iss 34)
We Are Strongsville
In This Together Ohio
IN THIS ISSUE - May 1, 2020
Important Dates to Remember
SCS Remote Learning Plans & Resources
Watch Community Conversations ON DEMAND
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
SHS Students Inducted Into Polaris National Technical Honor Society
Building Access for Summer Cleanout
SHS Junior Faith Rider Qualifies for Nationals in National History Day Competition
Upcoming Board of Education Meeting (Thu. 5/7)
SHS Selects New Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach
Surrarrer Elementary Virtual Art Show
Weekly Food Pickup for Families In Need
Closure Of District Playgrounds & Fields
Signups for 6th Grade Camp (Fall, 2020)
Washington DC Trip for 8th Grade Students (Fall, 2020)
Railroad Track Safety - Ohio Operation Lifesaver
List of Strongsville Restaurants & Grocery Stores Offering Delivery & Takeout Options
2020 Census Reminder
“Heard Around Town” on SCS Website
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, April 6 - Friday, May 29
Remote Learning
All School Districts in Ohio Are Closed
Through the End of the 2019-20 Academic Year
Per Order of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
Thursday, May 7
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting (Work Session)
Meeting will be streamed online HERE
To submit Public Comment - click HERE *
*Please Note: Public Comment Form will be available on Thursday, May 7
*** ALL PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED SCHOOL-RELATED CONCERTS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 29 HAVE BEEN CANCELLED/POSTPONED.
*** SCS BUSINESS SERVICES WILL BE CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO HAVE SCS FACILITY RENTALS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TO DISCUSS CONTINGENCIES
SCS REMOTE LEARNING PLANS & RESOURCES
Ohio Governor DeWine has mandated the closure of all schools through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. Based on this decision, our students are currently engaged in remote learning. The District home page (www.strongnet.org), as well as each individual school home page, has the Remote Learning Plans and Resources link under both the “Headlines & News” area and the “Shortcuts” menu on the right side of each page.
Our overarching focus during this extended closure is to foster meaningful remote learning opportunities so student learning continues and we reduce gaps in knowledge as much as possible, so our students are as prepared as they can be for the 2020-21 school year.
WATCH COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON DEMAND
Over the past few weeks, we have held several Community Conversations which helped to provide updates and answer questions about our District’s extended closure and remote learning. If you missed any of these Community Conversations, the recordings are available on demand by accessing the SCS-TV webpage.
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).
SHS STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO POLARIS NATIONAL TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY
In last week’s edition of Mustang Moments, eight students were recognized as new members of the Polaris National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). We inadvertently missed nine additional students who earned that same recognition. Our sincere apologies for the omission of these students.
NTHS is America's highest award for excellence in career and technical education. Its mission is to honor student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence and enhance career opportunities for the organization’s members. Fewer than two percent of America's secondary students are nominated for membership into this prestigious organization. Nominees are evaluated based on scholarship, service, leadership and character. To be eligible, Polaris students must meet the following requirements: Earn all A’s in his or her Polaris program; Maintain a 95 percent or higher attendance rate; Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
Congratulations to all of our SHS students who were recently inducted into NTHS:
Matthew Budney (11th Grade - Engineering)
Katelyn DeBow (11th Grade - Exercise Science & Rehab Therapy)
Mariya Dydyk (11th Grade - Digital Art & Design)
Tyler Houghton (11th Grade - Precision CNC Machining)
Alexandria Kimmel (12th Grade - Criminal Justice)
Jacob Koshel (11th Grade - Engineering)
Nicholas Marimberga (11th Grade - Engineering)
Margaret Micko (11th Grade - Medical Professions)
Ryan Nelson (12th Grade - Electronics & Alternative Energy)
Rohan Patel (11th Grade - Engineering)
Alexia Scarvelli (11th Grade - Engineering)
Julia Spicer (11th Grade - Engineering)
Jessa Styles (11th Grade - EMT / Fire Training)
Liliya Svydenyuk (12th Grade - Medical Professions)
Seth Welch (11th Grade - Engineering)
Matthew Williams (12th Grade - Engineering)
Cameron Wolf (11th Grade - Engineering)
BUILDING ACCESS FOR SUMMER CLEANOUT
With the recent announcement of school districts in Ohio closing for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, and additional guidance regarding the stay at home order, we are now able to announce dates and times for building access for students to collect their belongings from classrooms and lockers over the next few weeks. Please see the links below for specific details on the plans for individual buildings. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal.
SHS JUNIOR FAITH RIDER QUALIFIES FOR NATIONALS IN NATIONAL HISTORY DAY COMPETITION
This past week, National History Day held its state competition (virtually) and SHS Junior Faith Rider qualified for the national competition! She created a website about Nazi book burnings which can be found HERE. Only two students per individual competition category from each state qualify for the national competition. Congratulations Faith and best of luck at nationals!
UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING (THU. 5/7)
The upcoming Strongsville Board of Education Meeting on Thursday, May 7th will be streamed online using BoxCast. The direct link for the meeting: https://www.strongnet.org/Page/12692 or individuals can watch from the Strongsville City Schools Channel on the BoxCast app available on AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV/Stick. Those who wish to submit ‘Public Comment’ may click HERE* (*Please Note: Public Comment Form will be available on Thursday, May 7)
SHS SELECTS NEW VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
Mr. Kevin Sapara will become the new varsity boys basketball head coach for Strongsville High School, pending Board of Education approval on May 7th.
Mr. Sapara has most recently coached Avon High School’s basketball program for the past eight seasons. Prior to Avon, he spent three seasons as varsity basketball head coach at Claymont High School (Uhrichsville, OH) and three seasons as a Graduate Assistant and Video Coach for the Cleveland State University Vikings Men’s Basketball Program.
Mr. Sapara is a graduate of Strongsville High School (Class of 2000) and earned his undergraduate degree at Muskingum College, where he played two years on both the Muskies basketball and baseball teams. He earned his master’s degree in Mild to Moderate Special Education from Cleveland State University. Mr. Sapara will be an Intervention Specialist at Strongsville High School. For the entire news release, click HERE.
SURRARRER ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL ART SHOW
Surrarrer Elementary Art Teacher, Mrs. Solecki, created a virtual art show for the families of Surrarrer. They were able to enjoy beautiful student artwork, which was created throughout the entire school year, from the comfort of their own homes. Click HERE for Surrarrer’s virtual art show!
WEEKLY FOOD PICKUP FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
Breakfast/lunch pick-up is available for families in need. These distributions will occur weekly on Wednesdays at Strongsville Middle School from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. On April 22nd & 29th, we will be providing families with food for the entire week. If you find yourself in need of support for your school children, please email Superintendent Ryba (cryba@scsmustangs.org) and share the names, schools, and grades of your children and we can provide the meals that are needed.
CLOSURE OF DISTRICT PLAYGROUNDS & FIELDS
As we are all working to do our part to adhere to Ohio’s Stay at Home order to slow the spread of COVID-19, as a school district, we must also review accessibility to District properties that have traditionally been open to the public. These include our fields, playgrounds, and athletic complexes. The Governor has directed that all playgrounds be closed. All district playgrounds now have signage stating that they are closed and we ask that all abide by this closure.
Based on additional guidance provided in the order, we have been monitoring the use of Pat Catan Stadium and Serpentini Field at SMS, as these are both school district properties. Unfortunately, we have had to make the decision to close both fields until further notice due to the large numbers of individuals that have been using the fields and failing to adhere to the social distancing requirements.
We know how difficult it is to find activities to do and keep us active and engaged during this time. However, we are asking that we all work together, utilize the wonderful Metroparks in our city, and follow the Governor’s order and our closure of these district properties, so that we are in a position to reopen them as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your help.
SIGNUPS FOR 6TH GRADE CAMP (FALL, 2020)
ATTENTION current 5th Grade students who will be entering 6th Grade at Strongsville Middle School in August.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 6th Grade Camp on September 11-13th at Skyview Ranch in Millersburg, Ohio! Register at: https://sites.google.com/view/sixthgradecamp
If you have any questions pertaining to this event, please send an email to:
sixthgradecamp@gmail.com
WASHINGTON DC TRIP FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS (FALL, 2020)
For 8th grade students interested in the Fall, 2020 Washington DC trip, Nowak Tours has modified their payment schedule to help accommodate families during this current pandemic. The new payment schedule is June 5th (1st payment), July 10th and Sept. 18th (final payment due). If you are interested in having your 8th grade student attend the trip in the fall, we highly encourage you to register your child on the Nowak Tours website (https://tm.nowaktours.com). You can register now, and make the payments by the dates mentioned above. We have had many questions about the cancellation policy regarding this trip. Nowak Tour's general cancellation policy is the following: Cancelling at least 45 days prior to the trip departure date will receive a full refund minus any non-refundable items in addition to a $35 processing fee for those cancellations processed through Nowak Tours. Cancelling within 15-44 days of the departure date forfeits 75% of the trip cost. Cancelling within 0-14 days of the departure date forfeits 100% of the trip cost. Optional Trip Insurance can be purchased. ** Please note - The Trip Insurance MUST BE PURCHASED PRIOR TO PAYING THE FULL TRIP BALANCE.** The optional trip insurance allows cancellation up to 48 hours before the trip to receive 75% of your money back.
Nowak Tours office is currently closed due to the state-wide mandate of closing all non-essential businesses, however they are still working remotely and available via email for any questions you may have (support@nowaktours.com).
RAILROAD TRACK SAFETY - OHIO OPERATION LIFESAVER
Did you know that Ohio ranks 9th in the nation for accidents on railroad tracks by both vehicle and pedestrian? Ohio Operation Lifesaver reminds everyone that as we continue to get outdoors to enjoy the weather, please remember that railroad tracks are for trains, not for people. #SeeTracksThinkTrain #RailSafety
LIST OF STRONGSVILLE RESTAURANTS & GROCERY STORES OFFERING DELIVERY & TAKEOUT OPTIONS
Ward 1 Councilman Jim Kaminski has compiled a listing of local restaurant and food locations offering pick-up and delivery orders, along with links to their website. Click HERE for a comprehensive list of Strongsville locations for prepared food. Councilman Kaminskii has also compiled a list of grocery stores open for business during the coronavirus stay-at-home period and whether they are offering delivery or curbside pickup. Click HERE for the listing of Strongsville grocery stores. **Please note that hours and services offered may have changed since compilation of this list. Please call businesses for verification.
2020 CENSUS REMINDER
Have you filled out your 2020 Census form yet? Don't wait - it only takes a few minutes. You should have recently received an envelope in the mail with a unique code listed inside. The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation and hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding, as well as provide data that will impact our communities for the next decade. Click HERE to get started. Respond TODAY! Get counted TODAY!
“HEARD AROUND TOWN” ON SCS WEBSITE
Have you heard something that you want more clarification about concerning Strongsville City Schools? Share your questions with us, we're happy to provide information to clear up any misconceptions! Visit the new “Heard Around Town” link on the main page at www.strongnet.org or click HERE to submit your question.
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