Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2017-18 Vol 2, Iss 3)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
In This Issue - September 1, 2017
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Two SHS Students Score 36 on the ACT Exam
Mustang Spotlight - Mr. Paul Cummins, Head Custodian at SMS
Strongsville City Schools Earn Recognition for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Student Services Parent Support Meeting
Online School Forms - Updating Your Student’s Information
Immunization Requirements for 7th & 12th Graders
Princess (& Prince) Tea, Hosted by SHS Mustang Express
SHS Football Season Tickets - Available NOW!
SIMB Mattress Fundraiser
Fun Run at Strongsville Cross Country Invitational
Strongsville Athletic Boosters Car Raffle
Green & White Fridays
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, September 4
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Thursday, September 7 - 7:00pm
Board of Education Work Session
SCS Administration Building (18199 Cook Ave.)
Friday, September 8
Team Strongsville Community Tailgate - 5:00pm - 6:45pm
Varsity Football Game SHS vs. Canton Central Catholic - 7:00pm
Thursday, September 21
Board of Education Meeting
Strongsville Early Learning Preschool Multipurpose Room (19543 Lunn Road)
Friday, September 22
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Development
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Students are settling into their classrooms and it has been a great first couple of weeks of school. SCS does not take lightly the transition for students as they move to the different grade levels and to the different buildings in our District. How does our high school handle helping the freshmen get acclimated? Click HERE for this week’s episode which highlights some of the ways the Class of 2021 is making the transition to the high school.
TWO SHS STUDENTS SCORE 36 ON THE ACT EXAM
Congratulations to Strongsville High School seniors Satya Nayagam and Hannah Schmidt. Both students scored a 36 on the ACT exam, the highest composite score one can earn. Of the more than 1.8 million students taking the ACT exam nationally, these two SHS seniors are among only 2,200 students earning this score. Satya and Hannah are in the top tenth of the top 1% of all students taking the ACT!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. PAUL CUMMINS, HEAD CUSTODIAN AT SMS
This week, the spotlight is on a very familiar face around the halls of Strongsville Middle School. In his 15th year working for the District, Mr. Paul Cummins has worked at every level of our schools, making sure that students, teachers, and staff have a safe, clean, and inviting learning environment. As Head Custodian at SMS, Mr. Cummins leads a team that fosters the District’s “One Team, One Goal” theme.
A 1986 Strongsville High School graduate, Mr. Cummins earned his biology degree from Cleveland State University. He is a member of the Strongsville community and will have a grandson starting in our District in a few short years.
“I am able to interact with all different kinds of students throughout the day. That is one of the best parts of my job - I am able to be everywhere in the building and not just in one classroom,” said Mr. Cummins. “ I’m very aware of the role our custodial team plays in the education of our students in the District. For example, if I don’t do my best job in cleaning an area around a student’s desk, what negative impact might that have on that day’s learning for the student? It takes all of us working together to give our students the very best opportunities and the best education possible.”
He adds, “We have an awesome staff here at Strongsville Middle School and I could not ask for a better crew to work with. They are truly dedicated to making SMS the very best it can be!”
Thank you Mr. Cummins for leading your team at Strongsville Middle School and your dedication to maintaining the positive learning environments for the students in our District!
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS EARN RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
Strongsville City Schools recently earned two awards for their financial reporting of the fiscal year ending 2016. Treasurer George Anagnostou completed a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), which received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. It is the highest form of recognition, representing a significant accomplishment in the area of governmental accounting and finance reporting. The Association of School Business Officials also awarded our District with its Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting, based on the submission of the CAFR. Congratulations to George and his entire department for these achievements!
STUDENT SERVICES PARENT SUPPORT MEETING
Don’t miss your chance to meet with the Director and the staff of Student Services on Thursday, September 14 at 7:00pm at the SCS Administration Offices (18199 Cook Ave.). Two new Special Education Coordinators have recently started working in our District and this event will be an opportunity for parents to meet them, as well as the other staff in our District’s Student Services department. Click HERE for additional details.
ONLINE SCHOOL FORMS - UPDATING YOUR STUDENT’S INFORMATION
Forms for the upcoming school year are now available online! This process replaces the paper forms (Emergency Contacts, Medical Forms, etc.) sent home at the beginning of each school year. You will use the PowerSchool Parent Portal (PASS) to access the online information update form. Click HERE for instructions on how to get started and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INCOMING 7TH & 12TH GRADERS
A reminder for parents of incoming 7th and 12th grade students about immunization requirements:
7th Grade Immunization Requirements
12th Grade Immunization Requirements
PRINCESS (& PRINCE) TEA, HOSTED BY MUSTANG EXPRESS
Attention kids of all ages, don’t miss the upcoming Princess (& Prince) Tea, hosted by Mustang Express (Strongsville High School’s Show Choir)! This fun family event will feature an exciting musical show, performed by members of Mustang Express, appearing as your favorite Disney characters! Don’t forget to wear your Princess (& Prince) attire, as there will be photo opportunities following the show. Choose from two shows - 12:00pm & 3:30pm - on Saturday, September 16 at Strongsville High School. More event and registration information may be found HERE.
SHS FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS - AVAILABLE NOW!
Don't miss out on any of the action on Serpentini Field at Pat Catan Stadium this fall, as new Head Coach Lou Cirino leads the 2017 SHS Mustangs football team. There has been a lot of excitement this off-season and you won't want to miss your chance to have the best seats in the stadium.
Season tickets are $60 for the 5 home game schedule. Stop by the high school athletic department during normal school hours to select your seats and pick up your tickets. We look forward to seeing you in the stands, cheering the Mustangs on to victory this year!
STRONGSVILLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS MATTRESS FUNDRAISER
On Saturday, September 9th, the Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters will be holding their 10th Annual Mattress Fundraiser. The event will be held in the SHS Cafeteria from 10:00am - 5:00pm, with all proceeds directly benefitting the students in the band and orchestra programs. Many name brand mattresses of all sizes, types, and even custom shapes (for boats, RV's, etc.) will be available, with shipping options to anywhere in the United States. The Mattress Fundraiser features greatly reduced prices with full manufacturer warranties, and delivery and set-up, along with special discounts for SCS employees and local heroes (Police, Fire, and US Armed Forces members). Make plans to visit the one-day mattress showroom at SHS on Saturday, September 9th to benefit our students!
FUN RUN AT STRONGSVILLE CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL
On your mark, get set, GO! Get ready for a fun run - open to students in grades K-6 - on Saturday, September 23rd at 8:30am at Strongsville High School. After the race, make plans to stay and cheer on the Mustangs Cross Country team as they compete against other high schools in the Strongsville Cross Country Invitational. Click HERE for the event flyer.
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CAR RAFFLE
Want a chance to win a 2017 Chevrolet Trax? Tickets are now on sale for this annual raffle. This year, all proceeds benefit our student-athletes in the District through the Strongsville Athletic Boosters. A limited number (only 3,000) of tickets will be sold for the drawing, which will occur on Friday, October 20th. Tickets are $20 each and members of the SHS sports teams have tickets available, or you can stop by the SHS Athletic Department or the SMS Main Office to purchase tickets for your chance to win! Special thanks to Serpentini Chevrolet of Strongsville for donating the vehicle for this raffle and for their continued support of our District.
GREEN & WHITE FRIDAYS
Show your Mustang spirit and pride every Friday by wearing green and white! Remember to upload your pictures to social media and use #Green&WhiteFridays
COMMUNITY EVENTS
CWRU's Lifelong Learning Program (Substance Abuse - Confronting Addiction)
Join Case Western Reserve University for this series about the growing issue of the Substance Abuse Epidemic. So much remains unknown and misunderstood about substance abuse. And much of the public continues to remain blind to issues they choose not to see. Attend one or all of these sessions and discover what effect this epidemic has on our local communities. Visit http://case.edu/lifelonglearning/substance-abuse/
for additional information on this important series.
Team Strongsville Community Tailgate
Friday, September 8
The Mustangs first home football game is right around the corner! Plan to arrive early on Friday, September 8th for the 5th annual Team Strongsville Community Tailgate. Enjoy food, fun, and a whole lot more from area businesses at this FREE, fun-filled, family-friendly kickoff to football season. The Community Tailgate will be held in the parking lot at the high school next to Pat Catan Stadium beginning at 5:00pm. Kickoff for the first Mustangs home game of the year (vs. Canton Central Catholic) is at 7:00pm. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Strongsville Fastpitch Softball Tryouts
Tryouts for the 10U, 12U, 14U, and Varsity Fastpitch Softball travel teams will occur on September 16-17 from 10am - 12pm at the Youth Sports Park Fields (21255 West Lunn Road). Click HERE or visit www.strongsvillefastpitch.com or call Tom Lang at 440.539.9007 for additional information.
Girl Scouts
There is power in every GIRL - unleash it at Girl Scouts. Try new things, take on challenges, build community, and inspire others - all through Girl Scouts. Open Houses for Strongsville Girl Scouts are coming up soon in September. Click HERE for more specific information on open house events in September.
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 is happening NOW. Click HERE for additional details and registration information.
Solo Squares Square Dancing
Interested in Square Dancing? Solo Squares will be holding 3 FREE square dancing sessions on Mondays (9/11, 9/18, 9/25), from 7pm-9pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church (276 Bagley Rd. / Berea). All ages are welcome - singles and couples! Lessons will begin in October. Join us for a great family activity - full of fun, friendship, and great exercise - all set to music!
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.
Chamber Golf Outing
Thursday, September 7
9:00am - 5:00pm
Weymouth Country Club
Business Luncheon (Q&A with Strongsville City Council & Board of Education)
Tuesday, September 19
11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Upcoming Events - Save the Dates!
October Luncheon - Tuesday, October 17th
Business & Community Expo - Wednesday, November 8th
November Luncheon - Tuesday, November 15th
Holiday Scholarship Dance - Friday, December 1st
Strongsville Library
Please note the following September 2017 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.
** The Library, all branches and administration, will be CLOSED in honor of Labor Day from Saturday, September 2nd through Monday, September 4th. Regular hours resume on Tuesday, September 5th, 2017.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our story time sessions are in full swing! Please call the library for more information about our Fall story time sessions.
Strongsville Branch Library Fundraiser - the Friends of the Strongsville Branch Library have partnered with local roaster Red Cedar Coffee to sell Library Lovers' Brew at the branch, with sales supporting the Library. Twelve-ounce bags of ground regular and decaf are $8.99 each. Stop in and pick up a special gift for yourself and a friend!
2017 Strongsville Branch Library Reading Challenge!
We challenge you to resolve to read in 2017! Adults 18 and over – stop in to the Strongsville Branch Library today to pick-up a Reading Challenge bookmark. Complete the 10 reading tasks and be entered to win a Kindle Fire courtesy of the Friends of Strongsville Library. Contest ends December 1, 2017. One entry per person.
Young at Heart Book Discussion. Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00 p.m.
A book club for adults who love Children’s and Teen books. Meets the first Tuesday evening of every month. Please register in person to pick up a copy of the book. Our next discussion will be Flora & Ulysses : the Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo. Pick up a copy of the book at the Children's Information desk and join us for a great discussion.
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 September upcoming classes:
Thursday, September 7th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Publisher 101.
Friday, September 8th / 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Word 202: Mail Merge.
Friday, September 8th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Word 301: Formatting Documents.
Robotics! Learn Arduino. Teens ages 10-18. Monday, September 11th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Teach an Arduino controlled robot to follow a path using software and light sensors. Learn how to tweak the code and change the robot's direction.
ACT/SAT Practice Test. Teens grades 8 – 12. Tuesday, September 12th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sylvan Learning will provide a practice ACT or SAT test for interested students. Registration is required. Can't make this date or want to try again? There will be another practice test on October 17th.
Play Learn and Grow. Ages birth to 3 years with Parent or Caregiver. Friday, September 15th from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Children will play with developmentally appropriate toys in a play group atmosphere while parents meet and learn from community health experts.
Friends of Strongsville Library Fall Book Sale. Saturday, September 16th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Friends of Strongsville Branch Library will hold their annual fall book sale. The Friends members only preview will be from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Friends memberships will be available for $8.00 at the door and are good for one year. The book sale will then open to the public from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 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 17th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. AND Monday, September 18th from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Friends of Strongsville Branch Library will hold their annual fall book sale. The bag of books sale will be on Sunday from 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. The bag sale will conclude on Monday and will run from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fill a Friends' provided bag with books for only 50 cents! While Supplies Last!
Using a Resistance Band at Home: Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk. Tuesday, September 19th 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 Wendy Zullo from Lifeworks. Join Wendy Zullo to learn the proper way to safely use a resistance band for working out. She will demonstrate ways to utilize a resistance band for strengthening and stretching exercises at home. 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!
Why Does it Hurt?: Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series. Wednesday, September 20th at 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 September speaker will be Robert Coale, MD, Orthopedics of Southwest General Hospital. Hear about the causes and problems that occur when your joints ache. Learn about advances in care, medications, rehab, and new surgery techniques. We will focus on the shoulder, finding the truth and dispelling the myths about your joints. Refreshments served.
Homework Mentor Open House. For School Age and their Families. Wednesday, September 20th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Come meet the homework mentor to find out all about the help available to your child. The entire family is welcome.
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, September 20th. This month we will be discussing Dead Wake: the Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. 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!
Just 4 U Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, September 23rd from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Join this group of teen volunteers to get involved in the library and your community. Stop by the Teen Desk for an application.
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, September 25th. Our September discussion title will be The Three Year Swim Club: the Untold Story of Maui's Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory by Julie Checkoway. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Money Matters: Fundamentals of Paying for College. Monday, September 25th at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for this important financial topic with speaker Jacki Medvick, Assistant Branch Manager of the Strongsville Citizens Bank. She will be speaking on the Fundamentals of Paying for College. Learn about the Financial Aid process and get an overview of the different options to pay for college. This new quarterly financial series is a collaboration with Citizens Bank and the Strongsville Branch Library. Every quarter, we will bring you a new Money Matters program to help you with your financial questions.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Tuesday, September 26th 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.
Three Penny Opera. Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Join Cleveland Opera Theater to learn about Three Penny Opera (Die Dreigroschenoper.) This lecture recital will detail the historical and musical significance this milestone of 20th century opera and music theater, as it rolls on unstoppably into the 21st. This presentation also features live musical examples from their upcoming production. Appropriate for both veteran opera-goers and novices alike, this is an opportunity to broaden your musical horizons.
Exploration Station: Magnets. Ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver. Friday, September 29th from 11:00 a.m. – Noon.
Children will explore and learn about magnets through play and hands-on learning.
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