Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 16)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - December 7, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Strongsville City Schools Join Together in the Spirit of Holiday Giving
Changes to Full Day Kindergarten Requests For 2019-20 School Year
Mustang Spotlight - Mr. Steve Vachon, Head Mechanic - SCS Transportation Department
Calamity/Snow Day Procedures
#foreveramustang - Tiffany Horvath (SHS Class of ‘03) Inducted Into Ohio University Athletic Hall of Fame
Chapman Elementary “Winter Wonderland” Open to Community - Fri. 12/14, 5-8pm
Harlem Wizards Coming to Strongsville - Thu. 1/31 - Online Tickets Available NOW!
Transportation Changes For Strongsville High School Students During Exam Week (Dec. 17-20)
“We Are Strongsville” Videos - Mrs. Edwards & Mrs. Koval, 3rd Grade Teachers at Muraski Elementary
SHS Distinguished Alumni Nominations
New Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
DID YOU KNOW?
Our District uses Securly to keep students safe on their school-issued devices. As part of the solution, parents will now have access to the free SecurlyHOME app. On December 14th, you will receive a “Welcome Email” from Securly, and you will be able to download the App. You’ll also start to receive a weekly email report each Monday containing a sample of your child’s online activity over the previous week.
HERE is a letter explaining the app and how to access information. Please note that you will need to activate an account before you receive reports and access additional information. Visit this PAGE on our District website for additional videos and helpful links regarding the Securly app.
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, December 10 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Middle School Holiday Orchestra Concert
7th & 8th Grades
SMS Auditorium
Wednesday, December 12 - 6:30pm & 8:00pm
Strongsville Middle School Holiday Band Concerts
6:30pm (6th Grade + Jazz Band Green)
8:00pm (7th & 8th Grade + Jazz Band Green)
SMS Auditorium
Thursday, December 13 - 9:45am
Surrarrer Elementary Holiday Band & Orchestra Concert
Thursday, December 13 - 7:00pm
Strongsville High School Holiday Band Concert
SHS Auditorium
Click HERE for a complete list of December events in our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our District has been able to increase instruction time at Strongsville Middle School in 6th & 7th grade English Language Arts and in 7th grade Math classes through creative adjustments to students’ schedules, without any additional cost to the District. These schedule adjustments have provided opportunities for both students and teachers to enhance learning and further enrich skills. Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we visit with SMS teachers Mrs. Quien, Mrs. Hrabnicky, Ms. Ruman, and Ms. Turek to hear more about this positive change.
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS JOIN TOGETHER IN THE SPIRIT OF HOLIDAY GIVING
A huge thank you to our entire District for their support of an Adopt-a-Family program, benefiting Ohio Guidestone and local families in need. Based on a grass roots initiative started by Strongsville parent Margaret Bosela-Klinzing a few years ago, Margaret reached out to Strongsville High School and its student-based Leadership Academy this year to support the program and, ultimately, make the holidays brighter for additional deserving families. With outreach coordinated by Leadership Academy students, 149 Ohio Guidestone families will be receiving presents during this holiday season, including necessities and gifts. Every school in our District participated, as well as athletic teams, PTA groups, Department staffs, and civic organizations. Thank you to all who donated and for your generosity - it is most appreciated!
CHANGES TO FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN REQUESTS FOR 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR
Please note the following change for full day kindergarten requests for the 2019-20 school year - all full day kindergarten requests will occur online. Online requests will begin at 8:00am on Friday, January 18. There will be an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students on Thursday, January 17 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Muraski Elementary School (20270 Royalton Road). Please click HERE for complete information on kindergarten registration for 2019-20.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. STEVE VACHON, HEAD MECHANIC - SCS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
There’s a small team of individuals who are directly responsible for keeping our buses - and other maintenance trucks in the District - running. The group of five mechanics are led by Head Mechanic Mr. Steve Vachon. Mr. Vachon has been with Strongsville City Schools for 12 years, after 27 years as a mechanic at two local auto dealerships. His team of mechanics come from similar backgrounds, which helps tremendously. They are a tight-knit group who Mr. Vachon describes as “very adaptive” and able to keep up with the ever-changing technology of vehicles. Mr. Vachon and his mechanics take care of all repairs on the fleet of nearly 80 buses in the District, including brakes, body work, re-painting, and anything else necessary to continue to keep our buses safe and operational for transporting students.
If they have questions or want to learn about best practices, many local districts and vendors call Strongsville because of the experience and reputation of Mr. Vachon and the team of SCS mechanics. “I love working with my co-workers. They are the best mechanics I know,” said Mr. Vachon.
Thank you Mr. Vachon for leading our team of mechanics and helping to keep our students (and bus drivers) safe on their way to and from school each day!
CALAMITY/SNOW DAY PROCEDURES
With the winter weather season upon us, it’s a good time to remind our District about the procedures for calamity / snow days, should inclement weather occur. Correspondence was recently emailed to all families in our District - if you missed it, please click HERE for the entire letter and outline of procedures for calamity / snow days.
#FOREVERAMUSTANG - TIFFANY HORVATH (SHS CLASS OF ‘03) INDUCTED INTO OHIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to Tiffany Horvath (SHS Class of 2003), a recent inductee in the Ohio University Kermit Blosser Athletic Hall of Fame. While at SHS, Tiffany was a member of the 2002 state championship girls soccer team and the 2002-2003 Pioneer Conference champion girls basketball team. Her athletic career in soccer continued at Ohio University, where she earned an honorable mention for the All-American Freshman Team in 2003, was a three-time member of the All-Mid American Conference (MAC) Second Team, was named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice, and ranks third in career shots, goals, and total points in Ohio University history. Tiffany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s of business administration from Ohio University in 2007 with a dual major in finance and marketing. She received her CPA in 2009 and earned her MBA in finance from Ohio State in 2016. She was recently promoted to Director, Financial Planning & Analysis at Cardinal Health. #foreveramustang
CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY “WINTER WONDERLAND” OPEN TO COMMUNITY - FRI. 12/14, 5-8PM
The Strongsville community is invited to visit the Winter Wonderland at Chapman Elementary on Friday, December 14 from 5pm - 8pm. The Winter Wonderland includes an opportunity to purchase amazing gifts (ALL for $1!) for everyone on your holiday list, with proceeds benefiting Chapman Elementary PTA. Click HERE for the event flyer. We look forward to having you celebrate the holiday season with Chapman Elementary at their very special Winter Wonderland!
HARLEM WIZARDS COMING TO STRONGSVILLE - THU. 1/31 - ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
The Harlem Wizards basketball team is making a tour stop in Strongsville! Get ready for a fun-filled family event on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm in the Strongsville High School Main Gymnasium. Online tickets are now available HERE - click on the January calendar and the game on 1/31. Tickets make great holiday gifts for the family!
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES FOR STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING EXAM WEEK (DEC. 17-20)
In an effort to be more efficient, Strongsville High School will be changing the procedures for transporting students during exam week (December 17-20). In order to have your student transported during exam days, you must fill out the form located HERE. Students will be transported to prearranged sites that are located nearby his or her regular stop. Please talk to your student concerning the days and times (mornings and afternoons) that he or she needs to be transported for exams and then fill out the "Request for Transportation Form (Exam Week)" which is also on the web site. If you have any questions, please contact the transportation office at 440-572-7060.
“WE ARE STRONGSVILLE” VIDEOS - MRS. EDWARDS & MRS. KOVAL - 3RD GRADE TEACHERS AT MURASKI ELEMENTARY
Look for “We Are Strongsville” videos throughout the year, as we visit with students, teachers, parents, and community members about what makes our District and community a special place to live, learn, and grow! Click HERE for a message from Mrs. Edwards & Mrs. Koval - 3rd grade teachers at Muraski Elementary - “We Are Strongsville!”
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, 2019. Nomination forms can be found HERE and are due no later than December 15. #foreveramustang
NEW WEBPAGES TO REPORT FRAUD AND NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
There are two new 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
Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp
The Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp emphasizes the FUN-damentals of basketball with individual attention given to each camper. The camp focuses on skill development and is a fun and enjoyable experience for each and every camper! The camp is directed by former Strongsville High School and Kent State University player Mike Klinzing who has more than 25 years of basketball camp experience. The Head Start Basketball Holiday Camp will be held from 1:30—4:30 p.m. December 27 & 28 at the Hoop Guru Courthouse which is located at 1669 West 130th St., Hinckley, OH 44233, Building #5. In order to assure individual attention for each camper the camp will be limited to the first fifty applicants. The cost of the camp is $45. Please contact Mike Klinzing at 216-392-4059 or headstartbasketball@usa.net for more information or click the following link to register:
https://headstartbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps/807055-head-start-basketball-holiday-camp-west-2018
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.
Annual Holiday Scholarship Dance
TONIGHT (Friday, December 7)
7:00pm - Midnight
Michaud’s
$50 per person
December Luncheon - Holiday Celebration
Tuesday, December 18
11:30am - 1:00pm
Holiday Inn - Strongsville
$20 per person
Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to support Operation Toy Soldier
Strongsville Library
Please note the following December 2018 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.
*All Branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed December 23rd through December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday, December 26th at 9:00 a.m.
*All Branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed December 31st and January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday, January 2nd 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 on hiatus for the month of December. We will start up our Winter Storytime Sessions again after the New Year in January. 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.
Polar Express at the Library. For Families! Saturday, December 8th / 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Wear your pajamas to hear the story The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Enjoy cookies, make a craft, and take a themed family photo in front of our green screen! Registration is required. For families--- PLEASE only register the children.
Addiction Overcome. Monday, December 10th / 7:00 p.m.
Glenbeigh Alumni Coordinator, Pawley Bornstein, shares openly about his recovery from addiction. Prior to working at Glenbeigh, Bornstein was the host of the wildly popular “Maxwell Show” on WMMS-FM.
iMovie Basics. Wednesday, December 12th / 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Take our iMovie Basics course to get a more in-depth look at iMovie and what you can do with the software. We will go over various components of creating a personalized video that you can take away valuable points from to create your very own movie in your free time!
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, December 19th. For this month, we are reading Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. Books can be picked up at the check-out desk. Registration for this program is not needed. Join us for an evening of great discussion!
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, December 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 (216) 431-3010.
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