Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2019-20 Vol 4, Iss 3)
We Are Strongsville
IN THIS ISSUE - August 30, 2019
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Strongsville Construction at Intersection of Pearl Rd. & Royalton Rd.
“Heard Around Town” on SCS Website
Mustangs Online Team Shop - Order NOW through September 8th
Mustang Spotlight - Mr. Mike Walker, 5th Grade Teacher at Whitney Elementary School
SHS Alum Sydney Reik (Class of 2017) Makes Acting Debut in OSU Documentary
Strongsville Instrumental Boosters Fundraiser - Mattress Sale on Sat. 9/7
Online Ticketing for Mustangs Athletic Events
Strongsville Athletic Boosters Car Raffle
SHS Boys Soccer Fundraiser at Raising Cane’s - Mon. 9/16
SHS Cheerleaders Fundraiser - Sat. 9/7
Team Strongsville Tailgate + Mustangs First Home Football Game (Fri. 9/13)
Immunization Requirements for 7th & 12th Graders
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, September 2
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Holiday
Thursday, September 5 - 7:00pm
Board of Education Meeting
SCS Administrative Offices - 18199 Cook Avenue
Monday, September 9
Strongsville High School Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, September 11 - 7:00pm
Beginning Band and Orchestra Parent Meeting
SHS Auditorium
Thursday, September 12
Kinsner Elementary Fall Picture Day
Surrarrer Elementary Fall Picture Day
Friday, September 13 - 5:00pm - 6:45pm
Team Strongsville Community Tailgate
SHS Parking Lot Next to Pat Catan Stadium
(SHS Varsity Football vs. Brecksville-Broadview Hts. - 7pm)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
We are welcoming several new administrators to our District this year. In this week’s “60 Seconds with the Superintendent,” we meet the new Principal at Muraski Elementary - Mr. Mike Griffen. Mr. Griffen has been busy connecting with students throughout the summer and is already establishing important relationships with the students at Muraski. Click HERE for this week’s episode, and welcome one of the new faces at Muraski!
CITY OF STRONGSVILLE - CONSTRUCTION AT INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 42/82
Message from the City of Strongsville/Strongsville Police Department: Construction is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Routes 82 (Royalton Rd.) & 42 (Pearl Rd.) - Strongsville’s center of town - on Monday, August 26th. It will continue at least until the end of November. During the process, there will be times when all of the crosswalks will be closed at this intersection. Traffic will be backed up due to lane closures. We will do everything we can to keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible, but backups will happen. Bus schedules may also be impacted because of traffic congestion.
“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.
MUSTANGS ONLINE TEAM SHOP - ORDER NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 8TH
Get your Strongsville Mustangs "Back to School" gear, NOW through September 8th, at the online team shop. T-Shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and MORE - including personalized and sport-specific items - may be found HERE . Add to your “Green & White” wardrobe TODAY!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. MIKE WALKER, 5TH GRADE TEACHER AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mr. Mike Walker has taught in our District for 22 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and his graduate degree from Cleveland State University. Mr. Walker has worked at both Drake Elementary and Whitney Elementary schools, and currently teaches 5th graders at Whitney. “I am lucky enough to have worked with some amazingly talented and dedicated people for such a long period of time. I will forever love my Drake family, an all-star cast. And the staff at Whitney are a phenomenal group of people who I'm truly thankful for,” said Mr. Walker.
His fifth grade students are a special group to work with. “I enjoy working with this great group of students every year. Fifth graders start the year as elementary students, but I get to watch them as they grow and mature into middle school students. The amount of personal growth they achieve academically, socially, and personally throughout their fifth grade year is always very satisfying. I always look forward to seeing what paths they choose for themselves as they progress through Strongsville Middle School and Strongsville High School.”
Thank you Mr. Walker for being an important part of the growth and development of our fifth grade students at Whitney Elementary! #WeAreStrongsville
SHS ALUM SYDNEY REIK (CLASS OF 2017) MAKES ACTING DEBUT IN OSU DOCUMENTARY
Look for an appearance by Strongsville High School Alumnus Sydney Reik (Class of 2017) in the upcoming documentary about The Ohio State University’s legendary band - TBDBITL 141. Sydney is a junior at Ohio State, majoring in middle childhood education. She is also a trombone player and has been a member of this prestigious group for two years. Click HERE for the feature on Sydney and to see the trailer for this upcoming documentary. #foreveramustang
STRONGSVILLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS FUNDRAISER - MATTRESS SALE ON SAT. 9/7
The annual Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters Mattress sale will take place in the Strongsville High School Cafeteria on Saturday, September 7 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Strongsville City Schools Band and Orchestra Programs. This is a great time to purchase name brand mattresses of all sizes, including for RV's and boats, and bed-in-a-box. FREE DELIVERY to anywhere in the United States (including Hawaii)! Prices are very competitive compared to box retailers with additional discounts for military personnel, first responders, and SCS staff. This is a great time to replace that old, worn mattress, or to help college students upgrade from their uncomfortable dorm beds (delivered directly to them). Click HERE for the fundraiser details.
ONLINE TICKETING FOR MUSTANG ATHLETICS
Online ticketing is now available for Mustangs athletic events! Tickets may be purchased in advance for home events by clicking HERE. This site also works with other schools in our conference for online tickets for their events as well. Not a fan of technology? No worries - fans can still purchase tickets at the gate. With online ticketing, fans are able to use credit and debit cards for purchases, and - new this season - will also be able to use credit cards at the gate. As this new system is being implemented, please allow for some delays. If you have any questions with the online ticketing process, please contact the Athletic Department at 440.572.7102. GO MUSTANGS!
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CAR RAFFLE
Don’t miss out on your chance to win a 2019 Chevy Trax, donated by Serpentini Chevrolet of Strongsville. Strongsville Athletic Boosters are now selling raffle tickets with the drawing to be held during the October 4, 2019 SHS Varsity Football game on Serpentini Field at Pat Catan Stadium. Tickets may be purchased for $20 each - and only 3,000 will be sold. Tickets may be purchased in the Strongsville High School Athletic Department and Strongsville Middle School Main Office during regular school hours. In addition, tickets will be sold by our student athletes throughout the city and at various community events. All raffle proceeds benefit the Strongsville City School’s Excellence in Athletics Turf Project and our District’s sports programs. Thanks to Serpentini Chevrolet for their generous donation!
SHS BOYS SOCCER FUNDRAISER AT RAISING CANE’S - MON. 9/16
Don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy a great meal and help support the Strongsville High School Boys Soccer Team. Visit Raising Cane’s in Strongsville (14356 Pearl Rd.) on Monday, September 16th between 11:00am and 9:00pm. Just mention the SHS Boys Soccer Team when you order and 15% of your purchase will be donated back to this organization. HERE is the link for a great opportunity to help support these student-athletes!
SHS CHEERLEADERS FUNDRAISER - SAT. 9/7
Join the Mustangs cheerleaders in a FUNDrive by donating clothes, shoes, and more. This is a fundraising opportunity for our cheer team, based on the amount of items donated. Look for the U-Haul truck in the Strongsville High School parking lot on Saturday, September 7 from 9am-11am and bring clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, household accessories, toys and games. Click HERE for additional information on this fundraiser. Thank you and GO MUSTANGS!
(photo credit: Scott Mayberry)
TEAM STRONGSVILLE TAILGATE + MUSTANGS FIRST HOME FOOTBALL GAME (FRI. 9/13)
The Strongsville Mustangs varsity football team plays its first home game of the season on Friday, September 13th at 7pm. The Mustangs battle the Bees from Brecksville-Broadview Hts. on Serpentini Field at Pat Catan Stadium. Don't miss the Team Strongsville Community Tailgate beginning at 5pm in the parking lot next to the stadium. Click HERE for more information on this great event to kickoff the first Mustangs home game.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 7TH & 12TH GRADERS
Please note the following immunization requirements for the 2019-20 school year from the Ohio Department of Health:
All students entering 7th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 7th grade:
One (1) dose of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
(A second dose of meningococcal vaccine will be required prior to entry into the 12th grade)
One (1) dose of Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis] vaccine
All students entering 12th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 12th grade:
Two (2) doses of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
Incoming 7th and 12th graders will need to show proof of having received these vaccines before they can return to school for the 2019-20 school year (exemptions are provided for under law, call for more information).
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 7th graders
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 12th graders
Strongsville City Schools Health Services
Section 3313.671 of the Ohio Revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization will be excluded from school on the 15th day after entrance, until proof is provided.
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
“Meet the Candidates” Night - Mon. 9/9 - 6:00pm
Want to learn more about the candidates running for Strongsville City Council and Strongsville Board of Education? All four wards for City Council are contested and five residents are running to fill three Board of Education seats in November. “Meet the Candidates” Night is being hosted by the Strongsville Women’s League on Monday, September 9 at 6:00pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center (18100 Royalton Rd.). Candidates will be responding to questions submitted by the audience. The event will be moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Velosano Trike & Bike - Sat. 9/28
Don’t miss “Trike & Bike” benefitting Velosano Kids - a community initiative that gives kids ages 3-12 the opportunity to ride their bikes and fundraise to support pediatric cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “Trike & Bike” will take place on Saturday, September 28 at 9:00am at Volunteer Park (21410 Lunn Rd.). Click HERE for additional registration information or visit give.ccf.org/strongsville.
gOH Run Kids Running Fun program for fall 2019
Help your child gain confidence and build their fitness and character with the gOH Running Program. The program runs September 4 - October 24. Click HERE for additional details and to register.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Please note the following upcoming 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 in the following events may also visit www.strongsvillechamber.com to register and to see additional event information.
Business After Hours (Altenheim Therapy Rehab Center)
“Browns Tailgate Party” Hosted by The Altenheim & ESPN Cleveland
Thursday, September 5th – 5:30pm-7:30pm
September Business Luncheon (Event Center at the Ehrnfelt Recreation/Senior Center)
“Get to Know Your 2019 Candidates for City Council & School Board”
Tuesday, September 17th, 11:15am-1:00pm
51st Annual Chamber Golf Outing (Shale Creek Golf Course)
Friday, September 20th, 9:00am-5:30pm
Strongsville Library
Please note the following September 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 September 1 – 2 for the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our story times are in full swing for the Fall. 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 has Audio and Video Recording Studios 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.
Young at Heart. Tuesday, September 3rd / 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 Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes. Twelve-year-old June Harper, shocked when her parents go on a campaign to clear the Dogwood Middle School library of objectionable books, starts a secret banned books library in an empty locker.
Discuss & Design: Millennial Book Discussion. For Book Lovers Ages 18-35. Wednesday, 4th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Join our book club with a twist. Read the bimonthly book and come discuss it as we design something that complements the title or book cover. Books will be available at the circulation desk for checkout. Our September discussion will be Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse.
Knockout Parkinson’s: Rock Steady Boxing with Lifeworks. Friday, September 6th at 10:00 a.m.
Join Sarah Fox, LifeWorks Personal Trainer and Rock Steady Coach, for an informational seminar introducing the new Rock Steady Boxing program coming soon to LifeWorks of Southwest General. Rock Steady Boxing is a national program giving people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum. Learn how this program has been shown to help those with Parkinson's to lessen the physical as well as its psychological effects and symptoms.
Just4You Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, September 7th / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Get involved at the branch and connect with your community.
Bomb City, USA: The Danny Greene Era. Thursday, September 12th / 7:00 p.m.
Join us as local historian and master storyteller, Dennis Sutcliffe, shares this presentation on the Cleveland mob wars. Danny Greene and John Nardi tried to muscle in on the Cleveland Mob’s operations. The result was a bloody mob war that left Cleveland with the moniker “Bomb City USA!”
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Eating to Stay Healthy. Tuesday, September 17th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for this special wellness talk sponsored by Southwest Hospital. Join Wendy Zullo from Lifeworks of Southwest to learn about what you should be eating in order to stay healthy, have energy, and feel your best! 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! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Teen Trivia Night. Ages 12 – 18. Tuesday, September 17th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Calling all Teen trivia buffs! Compete in six, ten-question rounds to win great prizes. Play solo or with a team of up to 4 players. Light refreshments will be served. 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.
Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series: Cooking for One. Wednesday, September 18th / 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 next speaker will be Judy Steffes, registered dietitian from Southwest General. Join us for a class on how to cook for one or two without sacrificing health or taste! Refreshments served.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, September 18th / 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 Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. 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!
Toddler Fair. Children Ages 19 – 25 months with a Caregiver. Friday, September 20th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon.
Join us for a morning of hands-on sensory activities using common household objects. No registration required.
Friends of Strongsville Library Fall Book Sale Member Preview. Saturday, September 21st / 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Book Sale Open to the Public Saturday, Saturday, September 21st / 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friends’ memberships will be available for $8.00 at the door and are good for one year. Lots of books for sale - for all ages! Fiction, non-fiction, audio visual materials, magazines & more!
Friends of Strongsville Library Fall Bag of Books Sale. Sunday, September 22nd / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Bring your own reusable shopping bag that is no larger than 15x15 inches and fill it for only $1 dollar. Our plastic bags will be available at the sale if needed.
Monday, September 23rd / 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The bag sale will conclude on Monday. Fill a Friends' provided bag with books for only 50 cents! While Supplies Last!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, September 23rd / 2:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Monday of each month.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion title will be Clock Dance by Anne Tyler. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great discussion!
Fractured Fairy Tales: Family Story Time. All Ages. Wednesday, September 25th / 7:00 – 7:45 p.m.
Come in and hear new twists on some classic tales from a wolf with a bad cold to Goldilocks visiting three dinosaurs. Plus have a chance to create your own fractured tale. Registration required.
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, September 26th / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Word 1.
Thursday, September 26th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Word 2.
Friday, September 27th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Word 3.
Saturday, September 28th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Word Review.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, September 27th / 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.
Impacts of Sugar. Monday, September 30th / 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.
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