Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2017-18 Vol 2, Iss 14)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
In This Issue - November 17, 2017
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Senate Bill 8
SHS Financial Literacy Team Earns “Gold Standard” Award
Mustang Spotlight - 6th Grade Captains Teaching Team at SMS
SHS Distinguished Alumni Nominations
Mustangs Team Shop - Order Now Through 11/21
SHS Hockey Game to Benefit Cleveland’s “Rockin’ Wildcats” Team
‘Junior’ Dance Team Clinic
Say “CHEESE”burger for Lunch on Tuesday, 11/28 & Help the Strongsville Food Bank
‘Where I’m From’ Strongsville T-Shirt to Benefit SCS
SIMB Fundraiser at Five Guys - Wed. 11/29 (5-8pm)
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Tuesday, November 21 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Strongsville D.A.R.E. Ice Skating Party
OBM Arena (15381 Royalton Rd.)
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24 - NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Holiday
Click HERE for a complete listing of November events in our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Kindergarten students are growing and establishing their foundations of learning on a daily basis in our District. Click HERE as we visit this week with Mrs. Gaul and Mrs. Gardner, full day kindergarten teachers at Muraski, and see some of the exciting things happening in their classrooms.
SENATE BILL 8
Senate Bill 8 (SB8), recently approved by the Senate, would reinstate a portion of the Tangible Personal Property (TPP) dollars vetoed from the most recent state budget. If SB8 is approved by the House and the Governor, $767,479 of TPP dollars would be given back to Strongsville City Schools for FY18. Thank you to Senator Matt Dolan for listening to our District, and others around the State of Ohio, about the significant impact TPP dollars have on school budgets.
Please take the time to reach out to State Representative Tom Patton (614.466.4895 / rep07@ohiohouse.gov) before the House votes in early December and let him know how important SB8 and the TPP dollars are for our District.
SHS FINANCIAL LITERACY TEAM EARNS “GOLD STANDARD AWARD”
Strongsville High School has received national recognition from the NGPF (Next Generation Personal Finance). The Social Studies Department recently received the "Gold Standard Award" for the required Financial Literacy course that all SHS students must take to graduate. SHS is one of only 600 schools in the country and one of 70 in the State of Ohio to receive this award. Congratulations to Financial Literacy teachers Beth Tollis, Sean Black, Erica Powell and Steven Genther and Social Studies Department Chair Allison Papish for this recognition!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - 6TH GRADE CAPTAINS TEACHING TEAM AT SMS
This week’s Mustang Spotlight features the entire sixth grade ‘Captains’ teaching team at Strongsville Middle School. Mrs. Stacey Armstrong (Intervention Specialist), Mrs. Lori Coulter (Social Studies), Mr. John Lipowski (Science), Mr. Sean Mason (Math), and Mrs. Joanne Scott (English Language Arts) are a very experienced group, having a combined 88 years worth of teaching throughout our District. All feel that they are in a special place working at Strongsville Middle School with a great group of students and an extremely caring staff. Through an extremely difficult time, they are thankful for the support they have received from students, teachers, staff, and the community.
What do they like best about working with students?
Mrs. Armstrong: “I love to see the growth my students make from year to year. I work hard to build confidence in each and everyone of them. I strive to show them that they have the ability to do anything they put their mind to.”
Mrs. Coulter: “They challenge me every day to become a better person, and they make me laugh even when I don't want to.”
Mr. Lipowski: “I enjoy making learning meaningful and enjoyable.”
Mr. Mason: “I love working with students at the Middle School because students at this age are experiencing one of the most unique and inspired time of their lives as they explore a new chapter in their evolution as young adults.”
Mrs. Scott: “Working with middle school students is rewarding in different ways each and every day. Seeing the kids smiling faces and letting them know we genuinely care about each and everyone of them is a blessing to experience.”
What’s the best part about working at SMS?
Mrs. Armstrong: “I honestly work with the best team. We are a family and we instill that in our students as well. We have shown our students that we can persevere over the challenges we face and that we will be better because of it.”
Mrs. Coulter: “I have an incredibly talented and supportive staff to work with. My team teachers are my second family, and I could not be more fortunate to work for the enthusiastic and challenging building administrators. I am thankful everyday for my job.”
Mr. Lipowski: “Every day brings something new - an opportunity to make a difference in a student’s day, an opportunity to make an impact on the growth and development in a young person’s life.”
Mr. Mason: “We are a tight team of teachers and students who really like to have of fun while learning and experience the joys of life together. As a team of teachers we share the value of getting to know our students on a meaningful level. The teachers on the Captain's team compliment each other in ways that serve to help our kids understand and respect the diversity and the importance of working with people to collaborate to solve problems, support each other and have fun in the process of enjoying the joy of learning and exploring our time on this planet.”
Mrs. Scott: I love working at SMS. It is a fabulous place to work everyday. The administration, staff, and students are amazing to work with, and we are a big family! Everyone cares about each other and supports one another!
Thank you to the Captains teaching team at Strongsville Middle School for being positive role models for the students at SMS and making an impact on their growth and development!
SHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI NOMINATIONS
Know of a graduate of Strongsville High School who is an exceptional businessperson, community member, charitable volunteer, educator, etc.? We are now accepting nominations for the SHS Distinguished Alumni program. A new class will be inducted in April, 2018. Nomination forms can be found HERE and are due no later than December 15. #foreveramustang
MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - ORDER NOW THROUGH 11/21
Do you have a Strongsville Mustangs supporter on your holiday list? Are they in need of some updated Mustangs gear? Click HERE to visit our special, limited time Mustangs Team Shop for short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies. All merchandise can be personalized! Hurry - Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Tuesday, 11/21.
SHS HOCKEY GAME TO BENEFIT CLEVELAND’S “ROCKIN’ WILDCATS” TEAM
The SHS Mustangs hockey team will be skating against the Cleveland Rockin’ Wildcats on Saturday, December 2 at 6:30pm at Strongsville’s OBM Arena (15381 Royalton Rd.). The Cleveland Rockin' Wildcats are members of the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) and one of only 2 teams in Ohio participating in the ASHA. This program serves individuals with special intellectual or developmental needs through the sport of hockey. There will be an opportunity for fans to make a donation at this event - to assist with travel expenses for the Wildcats to participate in an upcoming New York tournament.
‘JUNIOR’ DANCE TEAM CLINIC
Don’t miss the upcoming ‘Junior’ Dance Team Clinic open to students in preschool through 8th grade. The clinic will be held at Strongsville High School on Wednesday, November 22 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Click HERE for additional information and to register.
SAY “CHEESE”BURGER FOR LUNCH ON #GIVINGTUESDAY (TUESDAY, 11/28) & HELP THE STRONGSVILLE FOOD BANK
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (Tuesday, 11/28), #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. This year, Chartwells and Strongsville City Schools are joining #GivingTuesday by donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of cheeseburgers at each school during lunch on Tuesday, November 28 to the Strongsville Foodbank.
‘WHERE I’M FROM’ STRONGSVILLE T-SHIRT TO BENEFIT SCS
Limited edition Strongsville t-shirts are now available at ‘Where I’m From’ in SouthPark Mall. All of the proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be donated to the Strongsville Education Foundation, and specifically for the funding of field trips for PreK - 5th and 7th grade students. The t-shirts retail for $29 and are a high quality, super soft, ultra comfortable tri-blend material and 100% made in the USA. Adult and youth sizes are available, both in-store and online at: https://whereimfrom.com/product-category/the-ville-fundraiser/
Get your “Ville” t-shirts today!
SIMB FUNDRAISER AT FIVE GUYS - WED. 11/29 (5-8PM)
Make plans to have dinner at Strongsville’s Five Guys restaurant on Wednesday, November 29 from 5-8pm. Proceeds from that night’s sales will benefit the Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters! Click HERE for the event flyer.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Safety/Self-Defense Workshop
Please join us for an informational safety seminar on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00pm at Strongsville’s Pathway Church (21211 Drake Rd.). Patrolman Marianna Hansen is a 23 year veteran of the Strongsville Police Department. Many Strongsville residents have attended and benefitted from her seminars. Although a few physical techniques will be discussed, practicing at home is encouraged. Tips for all ages and physical abilities will be provided. Some topics are sensitive; please use your own judgement in bringing teens. This seminar will enhance your safety outlook on your environment. All materials provided are free. Please wear purple in honor of two Strongsville women gone too soon, Melinda Pleskovic and Christal Shaver. Any donations received will be given to these women's families.
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
Welcome back jumpers!! Our first session of the Strongsville Jump Rope Club is winding down. Remaining dates are Friday, December 8th & 15th from 5:00pm – 6:30pm at Muraski Elementary School, with instruction from the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team. We hope you are able to join us!! Please contact Dot Hepp at dot.hepp@roadrunner.com or call/text 216-924-1475 for more 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 the final class of this session (December 28) is happening NOW. Click HERE for additional details and registration 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.
Holiday Scholarship Dance - Friday, December 1st
December Luncheon - Tuesday, December 19th
Strongsville Library
Please note the following November 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.
** All branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library will close at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22nd and remain closed on November 23rd in honor of the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Friday, November 24th at 9:00 a.m.
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.
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 November upcoming classes:
Thursday, November 30th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. PowerPoint 201: Objects.
Just 4 U Student Friends. Ages 10-18. Saturday, November 18th 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.
GI Health & Diet: Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk. Tuesday, November 21st 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 D. Newton Muthunayagam MD, from Westside Gastroenterology speaking on GI Health & Diet. 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!
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, November 24th from 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.
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, November 27th. Our November discussion title will be They May Not Mean to But They Do: a Novel by Cathleen Schine. 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