Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2016-17 Vol I, Iss 31)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
In This Issue - April 14, 2017
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Make Your Voice Heard With State Representatives in Columbus
Mustang Spotlight - Surrarrer Elementary Intervention Specialist Mary Wolf
SCS Recognized as a “Best Community for Music Education” for 4th Straight Year
Strongsville Middle School is a FOX 8 "Cool School"
Strongsville High School Student Newspaper, The Lantern, Earns Several Awards
SCS Receives $20,000 Grant from GPD Group Employees’ Foundation
Immunization Requirements for 7th & 12th Graders for the 2017-18 School Year
"Electrify Your Strings" Concert Coming to Strongsville
Community Conversation with Superintendent Ryba at SouthPark Mall - Tues. 4/25
Strongsville Middle School Tennis Club
Strongsville Athletic Boosters Golf Outing
- Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, April 17
NO SCHOOL (Holiday Break)
Tuesday, April 18 - 7:00pm
12th Grade Academic Awards Night
SHS Auditorium
Monday, April 24 - 7:00pm
10th Grade Academic Awards Night
SHS Auditorium
Tuesday, April 25 - 7:00pm
11th Grade Academic Awards Night
SHS Auditorium
Wednesday, April 26 - 7:00pm
All-City Band Concert (#1)
SHS Auditorium
Thursday, April 27 - 7:00pm
All-City Band Concert (#2)
SHS Auditorium
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Jeff Martinelli and Mr. Mark Demmerle, both members of our Physical Education staff at Strongsville Middle School, have gone “above and beyond” to secure grants and funding to upgrade the archery equipment used in our PE classes. Our SMS students will benefit from their efforts for years to come. Click HERE to see our students (and our Superintendent) and their archery skills in action!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVES IN COLUMBUS
Over the past few weeks, Strongsville City Schools Administrators have traveled to Columbus and testified before the House Finance Subcommittee & Committee on Primary & Secondary Education. They have been able to share testimony regarding the impact of Governor Kasich’s proposed budget reductions on public schools around the state, which amounts to a $3.5 million reduction of state funding dollars for Strongsville City Schools in just one year. Superintendent Ryba’s full testimony may be found HERE.
Please make your voice heard and express your disappointment and opposition to the Governor’s proposed budget reductions. Your opinion matters and we encourage you to reach out to both State Representative Thomas Patton and State Senator Matt Dolan. Below are links to letters that can simply be printed, signed, and mailed. If email is preferred, the letters can be copied and sent to Representative Thomas Patton (rep07@ohiohouse.gov) and Senator Matt Dolan (dolan@ohiosenate.gov).
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - SURRARRER ELEMENTARY INTERVENTION SPECIALIST MRS. MARY WOLF
Mrs. Mary Wolf is an Intervention Specialist at Surrarrer Elementary School. Mrs. Wolf has been in our District for seven years. Prior to her work at Surrarrer, she was a Classroom Behavior Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic School for Autism and was also a Special Education Aide in Oregon.
Mrs. Wolf attended Miami University for her undergraduate degree and has also earned a graduate degree from Cleveland State University. She has enjoyed becoming a part of the Strongsville community. “Even though I'm not a Strongsville resident, I consider this community a home away from home. The families with whom I've worked over the years are invariably down-to-earth, kind, and generous.”
Mrs. Wolf adds these thoughts on the connection to her students and families, “Because I work with students in small groups or in a one-to-one setting, I really get to know them personally. The best part is teaming up with students to figure out ways to have a blast together while working on something that can be otherwise challenging and no fun at all. I really like the way that professional relationships evolve into close friendships, so that I wake up in the mornings and look forward to seeing some of my best friends. I love the fact that as an Intervention Specialist, I get to work with students and their families for multiple years. Collaborative, caring relationships are forged over the years, and these relationships mean a lot to me.”
Thank you Mrs. Wolf for taking the time to develop strong relationships with your students at Surrarrer and helping them grow in many different ways!
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS A “BEST COMMUNITY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION” FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has once again recognized Strongsville City Schools with a distinction of “Best Communities for Music Education.” It is the fourth straight year the District has earned this award. This year, Strongsville is one of only 527 (Top 4%) school districts nationwide to be recognized by NAMM in 2017. Congratulations to our staff, teachers, students, parents, and our entire community for earning this honor - and thank you for your continued support of our music programs!
STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A FOX 8 “COOL SCHOOL”
Congratulations again to Strongsville Middle School for being recognized as a “Cool School!” Eighth graders Ryan Kahn & Chloe Worthington visited the FOX 8 morning show yesterday, representing SMS and our entire District very well! Click HERE for the FOX 8 story on SMS and the many ways it is indeed a “Cool School!”
THE LANTERN, STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL’S NEWSPAPER, EARNS SEVERAL AWARDS
Congratulations to the student staff of Strongsville High School’s newspaper, The Lantern. Their advisor, Ms. Mary Erste had this to say about their recent results in the Ohio Scholastic Media Association (OSMA) Competition at Kent State University, “This talented group came together to produce a consistently well-rounded student newspaper. They have shown both individual and collective improvement in student voice and these awards are a testament to how much of a professional and hard-working group they really are.”
In addition to winning Honorable Mention for overall newspaper, the following students won OSMA awards, competing against high school entries from the entire state:
Hannah Moskowitz (Senior) won Honorable Mention in News Writing for her story on the freshman 1-1 Chromebook adoption
Kelly DiSanza (Senior) and Michael Gallagher (Freshman) won Honorable Mention in Team News Writing for their piece on the improvements at the Strongsville Middle School
Sarah Palocko (Senior) won Honorable Mention for her Column Voice in her "Seasons of Sarah" column where she comments on cultural traditions around the world
Joanne Munshower (Junior) won Excellent for her Column Voice in her "Munshower Mishaps" where she relays humorous and embarrassing stories about everyday teenage life
Grace Mutti (Senior) won Excellent in Reviews for her review on Jodi Picoult's book Small Great Things including a quote from the author herself
Natalie Vennetti (Senior) and Ryan Ventor (Senior) as a team won Excellent in Reviews for their restaurant review on Pizza Fire in Strongsville
Brandon Kagan (Senior) won Honorable Mention in Sports Coverage for his story on Strongsville Baseball in the April issue and also won Excellent in Sports Feature for his story on the Stampede class and group
Congratulations to all for these well-deserved awards!
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOL RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT FROM GPD GROUP EMPLOYEES’ FOUNDATION
The GPD Group Employees’ Foundation recently announced nearly $515,000 in grant awards, including a $20,000 grant for Strongsville City Schools. The grant dollars awarded to Strongsville will help in the creation of “SHS Makes!” - a Strongsville High School MakerSpace area that features project-based learning labs to provide innovative spaces centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEM / STEAM). We can’t wait for the MakerSpace area at SHS and the creative outlet this will provide our students now and in the future!
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 7TH & 12TH GRADE STUDENTS FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR
Please note the following immunization requirements from the Ohio Department of Health:
All students entering 7th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 7th grade:
One (1) dose of Meningococcal [MCV4]
One (1) dose of Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis] vaccine
All students entering 12th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 12th grade:
Two (2) doses of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
* If the vaccine is administered on or after the student’s 16th birthday, only one (1) dose of MCV4 is required.
* If the student is in 12th grade and is 15 years of age or younger only one (1) dose of MCV4 is required.
7th and 12th graders will need to show proof of having received these vaccines before they can return to school for the 2017-18 school year (exemptions are provided for under law, call for more information).
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 7th graders
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 12th graders
Strongsville City Schools Health Services
Section 3313.671 of the Ohio Revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization will be excluded from school on the 15th day after entrance, until proof is provided.
“ELECTRIFY YOUR STRINGS” CONCERT COMING TO STRONGSVILLE
”Electrify Your Strings” is coming to Strongsville High School! Renowned violinist Haydn Vitera will be performing with the SMS and SHS Orchestras on Friday, April 21st. There will be two shows – early show at 6:00 p.m. and the late show at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 for General Admission and $15.00 for Reserved Seating. Advanced tickets are available by clicking the links below:
LINK for 6pm show
LINK for 8pm show
For additional questions and information, please email: simborchestraparent@gmail.com. A direct link for ticket sales and volunteer opportunities is also available HERE.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AT SOUTHPARK MALL - TUESDAY, APRIL 25TH
Join Superintendent Ryba at the next Community Conversation on Tuesday, April 25 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at SouthPark Mall. The focus will be on our District’s Student Services and Special Education services and offerings. This is an informal setting to have your questions answered. Andy Trujillo, our Director of Special Education, will also be there to answer questions and provide additional insight.
STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TENNIS CLUB
Strongsville Middle School, with the support of Strongsville High School and the SHS Girls & Boys Tennis teams, is starting a SMS Tennis Club. The club is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls and boys interested in having fun, learning how to play tennis, and exercising! The club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15pm - 4:30pm beginning April 25th. Click HERE for more information and the required emergency medical form to participate.
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS GOLF OUTING
FORE! The Strongsville Athletic Boosters are hitting the links in their annual golf outing and invite all golfers (and even non-golfers) to participate and raise funds for Strongsville’s athletic program. This year’s outing is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th at Cossett Creek Golf Course in Brunswick. Registration and more details may be found HERE.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Arts in Strongsville Family Chalk Walk
The 7th Annual Arts in Strongsville Family Chalk Walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 20th from 9:00am - 1:30pm at the Strongsville Commons (Corner of Route 82 & Route 42). Cash prizes will be awarded for various age categories! Click HERE to register for this event.
Strongsville Elementary Jump Rope Club - FREE Show
Don’t miss the amazing talents of the Strongsville Elementary Jump Rope Club! They will be performing at Strongsville High School on Saturday, April 29 at 7:00pm. These jumpers, with representatives from all of our District’s elementary schools, are ready to thrill audiences with their freestyle routines that showcase dance, gymnastics and acrobatic moves - all done while jumping rope! Special guests will be the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team, known throughout the USA and World for their championship jumping. This is a FREE show for all ages. Click HERE for the event flyer.
SHS Junior Optimist Club Health Fair
Don’t miss the upcoming Health Fair, hosted by the SHS Junior Optimist Club on Saturday, April 22nd from 1:30pm - 4:00pm at the Strongsville Library. The Health Fair features a nutritionist, yoga sessions, martial arts demonstrations, goodie bags, and prize raffles! Click HERE for the event flyer.
Girl Scout Daisy Garden Journey Program
Attention girls entering kindergarten in the fall - join the Daisy Garden Journey program! On four days in June (20, 22, 27, and 29) from 6:30pm - 8:00pm, girls will meet at the Strongsville Backyard Preserve for crafts, games, songs, and caring for the Girl Scout garden. Click HERE for additional information.
Team Strongsville Night at Chipotle
Make dinner plans at Chipotle (15029 Pearl Rd.) on Tuesday, April 18th from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Chipotle is donating 50% of that evening’s proceeds to Team Strongsville and the Kelly Kinney “Pay It Forward” Grants. Bring this FLYER to Chipotle on April 18th and support this very worthwhile cause! For more information on the Kelly Kinney “Pay It Forward” Grants, click HERE.
Ursuline College Volleyball Camps
Attention youth volleyball players - looking to sharpen your skills this summer? Ursuline College has several camps designed to improve skills for young athletes in grades K-9. Click HERE for more information on the youth volleyball camps offered by Ursuline College.
Head Start Basketball Camps
The 25th annual Head Start Basketball Camps for boys and girls in grades 1-6 will emphasize the FUN-damentals of basketball with individual attention given to each camper. The camps will not only provide a fundamental base for each player, but will also be a fun and enjoyable experience for each and every camper! The camps will be 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 CAMPS will be held at Strongsville High School. There are four weeks of camp to choose from: June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, & July 10-14, 2017. Each camp runs from 1:30—4:30 p.m. The cost of the camp is $85. Please contact Mike Klinzing at 216-392-4059 or headstartbasketball@usa.net for more information or click the following link to register: http://headstartbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps
Olmsted Performing Arts Musical
Olmsted Performing Arts presents an upcoming musical for the entire family - The Little Mermaid - April 21-23 at The Elyria High School Performing Arts Center. To purchase tickets, call 440.973.4363 or visit www.opatickets.com
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.
April Business Luncheon
Tuesday, April 18th - 11:30am
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Luncheon features guest speakers Beth Gantz & Lisa Hutson. $20 per person. Register at www.strongsvillechamber.com
All Chamber Day Golf Outing
Monday, May 8th - 11:00am
Weymouth Country Club
Register HERE
Business After Hours
Wednesday, May 10th - 5:30pm
SouthPark Mall
RSVP HERE
Transition Bootcamp
Introducing Transition Boosters 2017! These booster sessions are intended to provide information on the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities. Families, individuals with disabilities, educators, and other professionals are invited to attend these sessions at no charge. Please see this FLYER for additional details and session offerings.
Strongsville Library
Please note the following April 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 Cuyahoga County Public Library will be CLOSED in celebration of Easter on Sunday, April 16th. Regular hours resume Monday, April 17, 2017.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our current story time sessions are in full swing! Please call the library for more information about our Winter 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.
Just 4 You Student Friends Volunteers. Ages 10-18. Saturday, April 15th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Join Just 4 U Student Friends and get involved at the Strongsville Branch and in your community. Pick up an application at the Teen Desk.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: "Sarcoidosis in Older Adults" Tuesday, April 18th from 10:00 - 11:00 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 Doctor Lash from Southwest General Hospital speaking on sarcoidosis - muscle wasting in seniors. The ParkFit Mall Walkers Club is a combined effort of Southwest General and South Park 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! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Code it! Video Game Design. Teens in grades 6-12. Tuesday, April 18th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hone your coding skills at this workshop, where you will learn to edit code to tweak an existing game and make it your own.
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, April 19th. This month we will be discussing Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrick Backman. 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!
Princess and Knight Parade. Ages 3-6 years old with Family. Saturday, April 22nd from 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Once upon a time, Princesses and Knights came from far, far away to the land of Strongsville for a magical ball and parade held in honor of the queen. All in attendance are required to wear "formal dress." Listen to stories, do a craft, and learn manners are a must. Center based activities for the whole family.
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, April 24th. This month we will be discussing Being Mortal: Medicine & What Happens in the End by Atul Gawande. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
Investing for Beginners. Monday, April 24th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
It’s Money Smart Week! Whether you’re approaching retirement age, just starting out on your own, or somewhere in the middle, you’ve begun to think about your financial future. The next step is to do something about it, but where do you begin? Financial planners from Skylight Financial Group will help you understand basic investing terms and explain how to build a portfolio.
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Tuesday, April 25th from 1:00 – 700 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.
Hearing Screenings. Thursday, April 27th from 9:00 a.m. – Noon.
Southwest General Community Nurses are hosting a free hearing screening which will be offered by ENT Health Services, Inc. from Southwest General Health Center. Please call 440-816-4037 for an appointment.
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