Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up on Tuesday, February 1st and Wednesday, February 9th from 4:45 - 7:45 p.m. Look for scheduling information to be coming home from your child's teacher in the weeks to come. We love to see our parents at Conference Night. It's a great way to connect to our school community and learn more about your child's academic and social-emotional progress.

As the cooler temperatures arrive, here are the guidelines for outdoor recess. Students will go outside for recess when the temperature is 20°F or above and the wind-chill is 10°F or above. Children should always come to school prepared to go outside for recess. So, remember to get out your mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and heavier coats.

Please also remind your children that they are NOT to pick up snow or ice at school, during recess, or at bus stops. Snowball fights are fun when at home with a few close friends or family, but at school, at the bus stop, during recess, etc., throwing snow often results in someone getting hurt. We appreciate your help in supporting us in our efforts to keep everyone safe by having this conversation with your children. Thanks so much.

***Please note the following January 2022 events being held on ZOOM virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events in order for us to send you the Zoom invitation. 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.

Cuyahoga Works – Need help with your resume or interview skills? A Cuyahoga Works Career Counselor will be at the Strongsville Branch on Thursdays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. to meet with individuals in need of job search assistance. For more information, visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/Services/Cuyahoga-Works.aspx To schedule an appointment, please call (216) 475-2225.

English as a Second Language. IN PERSON Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Aspire Greater Cleveland is once again teaching IN-PERSON classes to help non-native speakers learn English and validate their skills. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. If you are interested in attending these ESOL classes, please call Aspire at 833.277.4732 to register.

Computer Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held in-person as well as some VIRTUALLY using the program Screenleap which requires a web browser and an internet connection. There is no additional software to download. Google Chrome is the recommended browser. A valid email address is required for registration. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. Registration opens 30 days before the start of the class and closes prior to the start of the class. To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, please visit
https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes/2021-Virtual-and-In-Person-classes.aspx

Zoom Virtual Toddler Storytime. Wednesday, January 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Preschool Age 3-5 Storytime. Tuesday, January 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Storytime Baby & Me. Wednesday, January 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Family Storytime. Thursday, January 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

A Kindness Blizzard
Start the New Year off with an act of kindness. Have your child take home a snowflake to decorate and carry out the good deed written on the back. Our Children’s Area Information Desk is decorated with special snowflakes with random acts of kindness printed on them. Have your child, ages 4 & up, take home a snowflake to decorate and carry out the act of kindness. Available at the Strongsville Branch while supplies last. “Kindness is like snow – It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahlil Gibran (Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist.)

Studio Orientation. Virtual. Saturday, January 15th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or Monday, January 31st from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Have you ever thought about recording your own music, making a video, digitizing memories and more? The Strongsville Branch Library is home to both Audio and Video Recording studios that can help you do just that! You must go through an orientation to use the spaces. These orientations will be held VIRTUALLY ONLY. Patrons 11 & up can participate in the orientation and must turn in the User Agreement form at the branch for the orientation to count. Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Blood Drive. Friday, January 21st / 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 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

Lunar New Year Concert. IN PERSON. Saturday, January 22nd / 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us at the Strongsville Branch to ring in the Year of the Tiger with Northeast Ohio's traditional Chinese orchestra! Using a wide variety of traditional instruments including the dizi (bamboo flute), erhu (fiddle), pipa (lute), and guzheng (zither), as well as gongs, drums, and cymbals, the Cleveland Chinese Music Ensemble's six veteran musicians will present a program of festive and captivating melodies from China's north, south, east, and west. The program will include explanations of the instruments as well as the stories behind the pieces. As an added attraction, audience members of all ages will be invited to try the ensemble's percussion instruments and join the group on stage for an interactive finale. Registration is required as space is limited due to social distancing guidelines.

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. IN PERSON. Monday, January 24th / 2:30 p.m.
The Monday Afternoon Book Discussion meets at 2:30 p.m. in the Library on the 4th Monday of each month. No registration required. New members always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.

Tween STEM: Oil Spill Science. Ages 9 – 12. Saturday, January 29th / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Learn about what happens during an oil spill, how they are cleaned, and about the environmental impact. Tweens will get a hands-on experience in a mock oil spill activity. All supplies will be provided. Due to social distancing, spots are limited, and registration is required.