Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 25)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - February 22, 2019
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Annual “State of the Schools” Presentation - Wed. 2/27 at 6:30pm (SMS Auditorium)
Upcoming Family Literacy Nights at Elementary Schools
SHS Science Teacher Mr. Joe Yuska is an Ohio Lottery Teacher of the Month
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Karen Sherwood, Gifted Intervention Specialist at Kinsner
SHS Seniors - Strongsville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Applications Due 3/1
“We Are Strongsville” - Chapman Elementary Principal Ms. Moore
5th Grade Parent Night at SMS (Thu. 2/28 - 6pm)
SCS Family First Night - Monday, March 4
Mustang Swimmers Qualify for State Meet
Harlem Wizards Game RESCHEDULED to Sunday March 31 at 4pm
See World Famous Magician Rick Smith Jr. Perform at SHS (Fri. 3/15 - 7pm)
SHS Project Support Chipotle Fundraiser (Tue. 2/26)
FREE Sunday Evening Youth Soccer Winter Skills (NOW through 3/10)
FREE Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (NOW through 3/23)
Strongsville Middle School Golf Club
Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, February 25 - Friday, March 1
“Say Something” Week
Schools throughout our District will be encouraging students
to “See Something. Say Something. Stop Something.” and
raise awareness on social and emotional issues of our students.
Wednesday, February 27 - 6:30pm
“State of the Schools” Presentation
Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Thursday, February 28 - 5:30pm-7:00pm
Chapman Elementary Family Literacy Night
Thursday, February 28 - 6:00pm
5th Grade Parent Night at SMS
Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Monday, March 4
Family First Night
Tuesday, March 5 - 7:00pm-9:00pm
SHS Band Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Thursday, March 7 - 5:30pm-7:00pm
Muraski Elementary Family Literacy Night
Thursday, March 7 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
DID YOU KNOW?
Strongsville City Schools has earned the Meritorious Budget Award for the 2018-19 budget year. It is the third straight year Strongsville has earned this recognition. Last year, Strongsville was one of only four school districts in the entire state to earn this recognition. This annual award is presented by the Association of School Business Officials and recognizes the District’s commitment to sound fiscal management and budgetary policies.
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our entire District will be a part of the nationwide initiative ”Say Something” week (February 25 - March 1). Schools will be participating in activities and themed days, raising awareness and encouraging our students to “See Something. Say Something. Stop Something.” Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we visit with our Guidance Counselors and find out more about this important initiative.
ANNUAL “STATE OF THE SCHOOLS” PRESENTATION - WED. 2/27 AT 6:30PM (STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL)
The annual SCS “State of the Schools” presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30pm in the Strongsville Middle School Auditorium (13200 Pearl Rd.). Dr. Cameron Ryba, Strongsville City Schools Superintendent, will provide an update on the present and future state of our District, followed by a Q&A session. This presentation is open to the public.
UPCOMING FAMILY LITERACY NIGHTS AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Don’t miss upcoming “Literacy Nights” at all of our elementary schools. This past week, SHS held their “Literacy Night” which included performances by the SHS Drama Club, a podcast station for people to reflect on their most influential teacher, and an opportunity to meet Erin Sievers - SHS Senior who recently authored the novel “Broken Lights Can’t Shine” (available on Amazon!). Upcoming Elementary Nights will include similar fun, family friendly activities centered around literacy. The elementary schools theme for these nights are “Lights, Camera, Read!”Please mark your calendars for the following Literacy Nights (and RSVP using the links below):
Chapman - Thu. 2/28 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Muraski - Thu. 3/7 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Surrarrer - Tue. 3/12 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Whitney - Thu. 3/14 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
Kinsner - Thu. 3/21 (5:30pm-7pm) - RSVP HERE
SHS SCIENCE TEACHER MR. JOE YUSKA IS AN OHIO LOTTERY PARTNERS IN EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to SHS Science Teacher Mr. Joe Yuska for receiving one of the “Teacher of the Month” awards for January from the Ohio Lottery Partners in Education Program. Mr. Yuska’s nomination included the following: “Mr. Yuska is willing to step in and help all students; he has even helped with Math, English, and Social Studies. The students don’t hesitate to ask Mr. Yuska for help.” Thanks Mr. Yuska for being an outstanding teacher and making an impact with our students!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. KAREN SHERWOOD, GIFTED INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AT KINSNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Karen Sherwood, Gifted Intervention Specialist at Kinsner Elementary School, has been in our District for 17 years. Mrs. Sherwood has also worked at Allen Elementary and Drake Elementary. Prior to beginning a career in education, she was an accountant and financial analyst in the banking industry. A resident of Strongsville for 35 years, Mrs. Sherwood’s two children also attended Strongsville schools.
“Working as a Gifted Intervention Specialist means that I interact and collaborate with staff and students from all over the building, not just in a single classroom or grade level. On a typical day I teach math to three different grades, pull small groups of different ages for reading enrichment, and work with colleagues to provide materials to challenge their advanced students. I also run Kinsner’s Makerspace club, which brings me into contact with even more enthusiastic young minds. It’s all a fantastic opportunity to broaden my experience, and there’s never a dull moment - every day brings new challenges and new inspiration. I love teaching because I am always learning,” said Mrs. Sherwood.
Thank you Mrs. Sherwood for challenging our students to push themselves to reach and surpass their goals! #WeAreStrongsville
SHS SENIORS - STRONGSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE 3/1
A reminder to Strongsville High School seniors that Strongsville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 1. The Strongsville Chamber awards more scholarship money than any other local organization. Visit strongsvillechamber.com for the scholarship application.
“WE ARE STRONGSVILLE” - CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL MS. MOORE
What makes Strongsville City Schools a special place? Click HERE for thoughts from Chapman Elementary Principal Ms. Moore, as she talks about her school being an inclusive place, encouraging and developing all students! #WeAreStrongsville
5TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT AT SMS (THU. 2/28 - 6PM)
Strongsville Middle School will be holding a 5th grade parent night for parents of students who will be attending SMS next year. The meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the SMS Auditorium. Building Principal Steve Deitrick, along with other SMS Staff, will be on hand to talk about expectations (scheduling, Special Education Services, etc) for the upcoming 2019-20 school year.
SCS FAMILY FIRST NIGHT - MONDAY, MARCH 4
Mark your calendars for SCS Family First Night - Monday, March 4. Family First Night is a night for your family to spend time together. Whether it is eating dinner at the same table, creating a family activity or outing, or having a game night, Family First Night is about putting other activities and events on hold and getting back to the basics of family relationships. No homework or after school activities are scheduled for this night, giving families an uninterrupted night to spend quality time together. #SCSFamilyFirst
MUSTANG SWIMMERS QUALIFY FOR STATE MEET
Congratulations to the following members of the Mustangs Swim team who qualified for this weekend’s state meet in Canton:
200 Free Relay (Boys)
Andrew Arslanian, Ian Cox, Chris Pichette, Jadan Zaleski
200 Medley Relay (Girls)
Ryley Mayberry, Jordyn Homoki, Shaelyn Gadd, Camille Merimee
In addition, sophomore Jordyn Homoki was the Northwest District Champion at 100 Butterfly and set a new meet record of 55.54. Jordyn also was the Northwest District Runner-up in 100 Breaststroke with a time of 103.31. GO MUSTANGS!
HARLEM WIZARDS GAME RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY MARCH 31 AT 4PM
The world famous Harlem Wizards return to Strongsville on Sunday, March 31. This is a makeup date for the postponed originally scheduled January 31 event. The Wizards will appear in the Strongsville High School Main Gym to take on an "All-Star" team of teachers, staff, and administrators in our District. Gametime is 4:00pm (Doors open at 3:00pm).
Advance tickets are available at any of the main offices in our District ($10 for students & senior citizens / $12 for adults). If you already purchased tickets in advance for the originally scheduled 1/31 event, please hold on to your tickets, as they will be valid for admission on March 31. Unfortunately, no refunds are available on advance ticket purchases.
We hope to see a great crowd for the Harlem Wizards game on Sunday, March 31!
SEE WORLD FAMOUS MAGICIAN RICK SMITH JR. PERFORM AT SHS (FRI. 3/15 - 7PM)
World famous magician Rick Smith, Jr. brings his “Magic Gives Back!” show to the Strongsville High School Auditorium on Friday, March 15 at 7pm. This Las Vegas-style Stage Variety & Illusion Show will be an entertainment experience that families can experience and enjoy together, including stunning illusions, audience participation, NBA dancers, and other surprise acts! Click HERE to purchase tickets to this memorable magic show!
CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER FOR SHS PROJECT SUPPORT (TUE. 2/26, 4-8PM)
Help support Project Support at SHS by making dinner plans at Chipotle. Project Support is a a club at our high school dedicated to providing students with disabilities the opportunity to enter the Strongsville community and have valuable and fun experiences with typical peers. Visit the Strongsville Chipotle (15029 Pearl Rd.) on Tuesday, February 26th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring in this FLYER, show it on your smartphone, or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Project Support.
FREE SUNDAY EVENING YOUTH SOCCER WINTER SKILLS (NOW THROUGH 3/10)
Join the Strongsville Lady Mustangs Soccer program for a weekly winter skills development opportunity. The skills sessions are open to girls ages 8-14 and are being held at Strongsville Middle School. These sessions are FREE and happen every Sunday from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
FREE SATURDAY MORNING YOUTH FOOTBALL SKILLS CLINICS (THROUGH 3/23)
Join Mustangs Football Coach Lou Cirino and his staff for FREE Saturday morning youth football skills clinics! Every Saturday, continuing through March 23, boys and girls in grades 1-8 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!
STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL GOLF CLUB
FORE! Join the Strongsville Middle School Golf Club. This club is for boys and girls in grades 5-8 and designed to develop the proper techniques in the golf swing as well as develop the skills for the short game and putting. No skill level is needed to be a part of the club. Club dates are every Tuesday and Thursday from April 9th – May 29th (6:00pm - 7:30pm each day). Cost is $100 for this club, which will be led by the SHS Boys & Girls Golf Head Coaches and supported by SHS Varsity Golfers. Click HERE for additional information.
WEBPAGES TO REPORT FRAUD AND NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
There are two pages on our District website for reporting fraud and non-resident students within our District. Our Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for individuals to anonymously report fraud, waste, and abuse within the Strongsville City School District. In addition, fraud can be reported to the Ohio Auditor of State at https://ohioauditor.gov/fraud/default.html.
Students of the Strongsville City School District must maintain residency in Strongsville. If you know of someone who is not a Strongsville resident, but continues to send their children to the Strongsville City Schools, please help us by calling and reporting to this number: 440-572-7048 You need not leave your name unless you so choose. A district official will investigate the situation based on your information. You may also email information to: notify@scsmustangs.org.
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
Community Forum Addressing The Opioid Epidemic Affecting Our Community
The Strongsville Women's League invites you to join us for a forum discussing the opioid epidemic and how it affects our entire community. The forum will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Strongsville Library. This forum will encompass how the opioid epidemic affects our entire community - not just those who know someone afflicted with the addiction, but everyone - safety concerns, crimes, how it affects families, consequences, etc. Panel members include: Katie Kurtz, MSSA LISW-S - Medical Educator, The MetroHealth System, Office of Opioid Safety; Lt. Michael Campbell - Strongsville Police Department; Mike Astrab - Former Judge at Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Please learn more about the Strongsville Women's League by visiting: www.strongsvillewomensleague.org
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
Welcome back jumpers! Our third session of Strongsville Jump Rope Club will be held on Fridays, 5:00 – 6:30pm, February 22 & March 1, 8, 15, & 22 at Muraski Elementary School, with instructors from the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team. We hope you are able to join us! Please click HERE to register or contact Dot Hepp at dot.hepp@roadrunner.com or Pam Evans at messageforpam@gmail.com for more information.
Kiwanis “Read Around the World” Event (Sat. 2/23)
The KIWANIS CLUB OF STRONGSVILLE is sponsoring its annual "READ AROUND THE WORLD" program on Saturday, February 23rd from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Strongsville Community Library. Members of Kiwanis believe that the sooner a child gets interested in reading, the better the chance they have for success in school. The program and its activities are intended for PRE-SCHOOL and K – 3rd graders. There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE for children and their accompanying adult (parent, grandparent, etc.). Cookies and beverages will also be available at NO CHARGE.
Activities include:
Children will be free to “browse” and “check out” our huge inventory of children’s books.
Students from St. Joe's & 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 a couple brief children’s stories. He is outstanding!
St. Joe’s & 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 costumed characters from children’s literature
Finally, each child can pick out his/her favorite new book to TAKE HOME!!!
Strongsville Historical Society Fashion Show & Luncheon (Sat. 3/9)
The Strongsville Historical Society presents its annual fashion show and luncheon on Saturday, March 9. The event takes place at Don’s Pomeroy House - doors open at 11:30am and the luncheon begins at 12:00pm. Tickets for the event are $40. Money raised from this luncheon will benefit the Historical Society. Funds raised at the luncheon this year are earmarked for the general preservation and restoration of the buildings in the Historical Village. There is also an extensive raffle at the luncheon, consisting of gift baskets and gift items, including gift cards from area stores, restaurants and salons and spas. Tickets for the raffle are $1 each. For information on the luncheon, reservations and tickets, contact Pam Hughes at 440-773-6605 or Gina Cathcart at 216-403-9226.
NEO Flag Football League
Registration for the Spring 2019 session is now open and will close March 1st. Visit www.neoflag.net to register. Spring Divisions include: 1st-2nd Grades Combined, 3rd-4th Grades Combined, 5th-6th Grades Combined. Week one of this season will be the weekend of March 30th. The season concludes the weekend of May 5th and there are no games Easter weekend.
*Please register for the grade your child will be in during the 2018-2019 school year.
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.
Business After Hours Event - at BroadView EyeCenter (11925 Pearl Rd.)
Thursday, February 28
5:30pm - 7:30pm
RSVP (21 and over, please) at strongsvillechamber.com
March Luncheon - Mayor Perciak's State of the City Address
Tuesday, March 19
11:15am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
$20 / person
Strongsville Library
Strongsville Library
***Please note the following March 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.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our Spring story time sessions are in full swing! 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 Audio and Video Recording Studios are now 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.
Friends of Strongsville Library Spring Book Sale
Saturday, March 2nd – Friends’ Member Preview from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 2nd – Book Sale Open to the Public from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Friends of Strongsville Branch Library will hold their annual spring book sale. 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! For more information call (440) 238-5530.
Friends of Strongsville Library Spring Bag of Books Sale
Sunday, March 3rd from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, March 4th from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Friends of Strongsville Branch Library will hold their annual spring book sale. On Sunday, 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. The bag sale will conclude on Monday. Fill a Friends' provided bag with books for only 50 cents! While Supplies Last! For more information call (440) 238-5530.
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:
Monday, March 4th / 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Word 1.
Friday, March 15th / 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Word 2.
Friday, March 15th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Word 3.
Saturday, March 16th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Word 4.
Young at Heart. Tuesday, March 5th at 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 Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson. When six students are chosen to participate in a weekly talk with no adults allowed, they discover that when they’re together, it’s safe to share the hopes and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world.
Discuss & Design: Millennial Book Discussion. Open to Ages 18 – 35. Wednesday, March 6th / 7:00 p.m.
Are you looking for something fun and different to do with your friends? How about a book club with a twist? Read the bimonthly book and come discuss it as we design something that complements the title or book cover. Our book this month will be Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery. Books will be available at the circulation desk for checkout.
Diabetes Self-Management. Thursdays, March 7th through April 11th from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
A representative from Fairhill Partners in association with Southwest General Hospital will be here to present this 6-week series. Find practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue sugar control discover better nutrition and exercise choices understand new treatment choices and learn better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health. Set your own weekly goals and make a step-by-step plan to improve your health and your life. You must be able to attend all six sessions in order to register for this event.
Social Security Explained. Thursday, March 7th / 7:00 p.m.
Learn what type of benefits are available. The Society of Financial Awareness will explain the difference between full retirement age and delayed retirement. Filing for benefits, retirement planning strategies, and annuity type distinction will also be discussed.
Just4You Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, March 9th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Get involved at the branch and connect with your community.
Sounds of the Bagpipes. Monday, March 11th / 7:00 p.m.
Get in the St. Patty’s Day spirit with local bagpiper Colin Donahue! Local bagpiper, Colin Donahue, will narrate the rich history of the highland bagpipes, one of the world’s oldest folk instruments. Mr. Donahue will also perform popular pipe tunes that are sure to get you in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit!
Explore Light & Shadows for Preschoolers. Ages 3 – 5 with a Caregiver. Wednesday, March 13th / 7:00 – 7:45 p.m.
Hands-on activity stations allow children to explore the science of light and shadows. Play and learn together with flashlights, mirrors, and much more.
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