Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2017-18 Vol 2, Iss 21)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - JANUARY 26, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
State of the Schools Presentation - Available On Demand!
SHS Wind Ensemble Performance at Severance Hall (Sun. 1/28 - 6pm)
Whitney Elementary 2nd Grader Helping Police K9 Units
Mustang Spotlight - Danny Walls, Maintenance Department
Community Spaghetti Dinner - Friday, February 23 (5-7pm)
Women’s Empowerment Concert TOMORROW (Sat. 1/27 - 7:00pm)
‘Digital Danger’ Presentation at Strongsville Middle School (Monday, Feb. 5 - 6:30pm)
National Geography Bee Finalists at Kinsner Elementary
Free Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (1/27-3/24)
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
TOMORROW (Sat. 1/27) - 7:00pm
Women’s Empowerment Concert
Concert Features SHS Choirs and Local College Music Groups
Sunday, January 28 - 6:00pm
SHS Wind Ensemble Performance at Severance Hall
Tickets are $10 and available at the Box Office on the day of the show
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
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
This month is School Board Recognition Month throughout the State of Ohio. Our episode this week recognizes some of the decisions our Board has made over the past year, and the impact those decisions have had on our students and our District. Click HERE as we say ‘Thank You’ to Mr. Carl Naso, Col. Duke Evans, Mr. George Grozan, Mrs. Jane Ludwig, and Mr. Richard Micko for their leadership and continued efforts in support of our District.
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS PRESENTATION - AVAILABLE ON DEMAND!
Did you miss last 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.
SHS WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AT SEVERANCE HALL (SUN. 1/28 - 6PM)
Strongsville High School's Wind Ensemble will be performing at Severance Hall on Sunday, January 28th at 6:00pm. SHS is part of a full day of performances from local high schools and youth instrumentalists. Tickets are just $10 and are still available - contact SHS Band Director Brian King (bking@scsmustangs.org) if you are interested in purchasing tickets or tickets will also be available at Severance's Box Office on the day of the show. You have the flexibility of enjoying multiple performances or just our Wind Ensemble at 6pm.
WHITNEY ELEMENTARY 2ND GRADER HELPING POLICE K9 UNITS
Whitney Elementary 2nd grader Brady Snakovsky is raising money to outfit a police K-9 officer with a bulletproof vest. Brady wants to grow up to be a police officer and has started a GoFundMe campaign to supply this protective equipment to a four-legged member of law enforcement. In a few short weeks, Brady has raised nearly $3,000! FOX 8 recently interviewed Brady and provided some additional promotion for his efforts - click HERE for the story. Keep up the great work Brady!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - DANNY WALLS, MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Danny Walls has been with Strongsville City Schools for two years. Mr. Walls brings a vast amount of experience to his team in the Maintenance Department. He worked as a mechanic for 30 years and also as a Maintenance Engineer at SouthPark Mall for 6 years prior to joining our District. Mr. Walls has been a resident of Strongsville since 1983, and all six of his children are graduates of Strongsville High School.
“I really enjoy working in the Maintenance Department because our jobs are different every day. We could be plowing snow and salting parking lots in the morning and then move to plumbing work in the afternoon. Being able to help our staff solve problems and keeping our buildings in good working order is really important to me. When the weather is warmer, I am proud to be involved in improving the ‘curb appeal’ of our buildings, through things like cement work or by mowing grass,” said Mr. Walls.
“We have a great team of people to work with. Sometimes we work on projects alone, but there are other jobs that require the entire team to pull together. I love that we are all here to help make the schools a better place for our students and staff,” added Mr. Walls.
Thank you Mr. Walls for being part of an important team in our District, taking great care of our facilities and ensuring that we have the very best learning environments in our community.
COMMUNITY SPAGHETTI DINNER - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 (5-7PM)
Join us for a Community Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, February 23 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Strongsville High School. Bring the whole family for pasta - and stay for the Mustangs varsity basketball game vs. Solon at 7:30pm. Tickets are $7 for Ages 13 & Older, $5 for ages 6-12, & FREE for ages 5 & under. All proceeds from the Community Spaghetti Dinner benefit the Strongsville Athletic Boosters, in support of all of our student-athletes in the District. For advanced ticket information, please click HERE.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONCERT TOMORROW (SAT. 1/27 - 7:00PM)
Don’t miss a very special choir concert TOMORROW night (Sat. 1/27) 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.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE QUALIFIER AT KINSNER ELEMENTARY
Alex Marshall, a fifth grader at Kinsner Elementary School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. Fourth grader Jaimin Patel was the runner up. Fourth graders Alex Lang and Kendall Milligan and fifth graders Jackson Griffin and Elle Lescher also competed after winning their individual classroom competitions.
As school champion, Alex will take a qualifying test; up to 100 of the top Ohio scorers on that test will then be eligible to compete in the state Bee in Columbus on April 6th. The winner of the state Bee will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Bee national championship rounds May 20th-23rd. The first-place national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime subscription to National Geographic Magazine, a trip, and $500 cash.
Best wishes to Alex as he attempts to qualify for the state Bee!
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 TOMORROW (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.
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. Registration for upcoming classes, including February 19 and March 30, is happening NOW. Click HERE for additional details and registration information.
Strongsville Community Theatre - “Tribute to Broadway” Show
Strongsville Community Theatre announces a special benefit show on Friday, February 9th and Saturday, February 10th at the Strongsville Old Town Hall. It’s a “Tribute to Broadway” Show in support of the Strongsville Community Theatre. Hear some of your favorite vintage, as well as current, Broadway tunes performed by local and nearby talent. Make it a special night out and treat yourself to a pre-Valentine celebration and an evening of lighthearted fun and music. Performances are at 7:30pm each night. Visit www.strongsvillecommunitytheatre.com or call 440.879.8817 for ticket 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
February Luncheon - Community Opiate Outreach Program
Presented by Strongsville Police Chief Mark Fender
February 20, 2018
11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
April Luncheon - Recognizing This Year’s Class of SHS Distinguished Alumni
April 17, 2018
11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
** Please Note Revised Dates for Strongsville’s Annual Homecoming (July 25 - 28)
Strongsville Library
Please note the following February 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! Please call the library or stop by the Children’s Desk for more information.
Exploration Station: Balance! Friday, February 2nd from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Calling All Preschoolers! Come explore the big idea of balance with games and experiments.
Technology Training Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library is offering a new series of technology training classes for beginners to advanced users. We are also offering more evening classes. 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
http://cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Technology-Training.aspx
Here are the upcoming classes:
Monday, February 5th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. PowerPoint 101: Slideshow Creation
Tuesday, February 6th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Computers 101
Tuesday, February 6th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Internet 101: Basics
Young at Heart Book Discussion. Tuesday, February 6th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Meets the first Tuesday of the month (except where noted.) This is a book club for adults who love Childrens’ and teen books. Please register in person. The topic for the February discussion is...Orphan Train Girl by Christina Baker Kline. Ordered to perform community service helping an elderly woman, Molly, and embittered foster child, is welcomed by her ninety-one-year-old host who reveals her own past as an orphan while organizing personal mementos.
Passport to Better Health: Matters of the Heart. Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Southwest General Community Nurses present this evening speaker series designed for women. Talks will be held the second Thursday of each even month at 7 p.m. at Strongsville Branch Library. This month's talk will be presented by Amy Marke, RN from Southwest General. She will present a talk about women’s heart health. The community nurses will also perform BP/ glucose/ body fat & BMI screenings on all participants.
Wow Factor: 150 Years of Collecting Bold Clothes. Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Clevelanders use fashion to stand out in a crowd. Learn more about our city's trendsetters - who they were and where they shopped. Share in the images and stories that make up the Western Reserve Historical Society's current exhibit in the Chisholm Halle Costume Wing.
Chinese New Year Celebration. Grades K – 4. Saturday, February 7th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a celebration of Chinese New Year - The Year of the Dog - with stories games and crafts.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Heart Healthy Eating. Tuesday, February 20th at 10:00 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 Amy Dunbar, Registered Dietitian at Southwest General Health Center. Take this opportunity to take care of your heart. Ms. Dunbar will discuss heart healthy eating. Learn how to enjoy a low sodium low fat low cholesterol lifestyle. She will also teach us to interpret food labels in relation to heart smart eating! Registration is requested. 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.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Wednesday February 21st 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.
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, February 21st. This month we will be discussing Lilac Girls: a Novel by Martha Hall Kelly. 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!
Kiwanis Read Around the World. All Ages. Saturday, February 24th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Strongsville Kiwanis Club sponsors this event for all ages. Each child attending can choose a current book to take home and members of Kiwanis will be available to read books to them. The Sts. Joseph and John Builder's Club members will perform puppet shows throughout the event. There will also be face painting storytelling and light refreshments. No registration needed for this free event.
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, February 26th. Our February discussion title will be Hidden Figures: The Untold True Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation Into Space by Margot Lee Shetterly. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
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