Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2017-18 Vol 2, Iss 28)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - March 16, 2018
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Kindergarten Registration Week (3/19 - 3/23)
Mustangs Team Shop - Order Now through Thu. 3/22!
Community Conversation: School Safety - Tue. 3/20, 6:30pm at SMS
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Nancy Surak, Secretary at Muraski Elementary
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Elementary Students Jump Rope & Raise Thousands of Dollars for the American Heart Association
SHS Mock Trial Places 3rd in State Competition
State of the Schools Presentation - Available On Demand!
Winter Athletics Success
Strongsville High School Teen Idol - TONIGHT (Fri. 3/16) at 7pm
SHS DECA Breaks Records - Sending 15 Students to National Competition
Free Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (Through 3/24)
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
TONIGHT (Fri. 3/16) - 7:00pm
Strongsville High School Teen Idol
SHS Auditorium
Monday, March 19 - Friday, March 23
Kindergarten Registration
Click HERE for additional details
Tuesday, March 20 - 6:30pm
Community Conversation - School Safety
Strongsville Middle School Auditorium
Tuesday, March 20 - 7:00pm
All-City Choir Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Wednesday, March 21 & Thursday, March 22 - 7:00pm
All City Orchestra Concerts
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Monday, March 26 - Monday, April 2 (Spring Break)
NO SCHOOL
*Click HERE for a complete listing of March events throughout our District
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our Early Learning Preschool students learned about eye health and safety this week through a fun, informative, and interactive program, courtesy of Dr. Scott Sedlacek, a local optometrist. Click HERE to see Dr. Scott teaching our youngest Mustangs about the importance of our eyes and how to keep them healthy and safe.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION WEEK (3/19 - 3/23)
Strongsville City Schools Kindergarten Registration Packets for the 2018-19 academic year are now available and can be picked up at the elementary building closest to your home. This enrollment package contains information regarding kindergarten registration, information about Safety Town, school transportation, and helpful hints you can use to prepare your child for kindergarten.
Please note the following kindergarten registration dates and times - all registration will take place at the SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.) from 8:00am - 12:00pm (no appointment necessary) on the following dates:
Chapman Elementary Kindergarten Students - Monday, March 19, 2018
Kinsner Elementary Kindergarten Students - Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Muraski Elementary Kindergarten Students - Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Surrarrer Elementary Kindergarten Students - Thursday, March 22, 2018
Whitney Elementary Kindergarten Students - Friday, March 23, 2018
**Before your registration date, please go to www.strongnet.org and complete the online registration for the 2018-2019 school year.
Please bring the following documentation for registration:
Student's Birth Certificate
Student's Immunization Records
Proof of Residency - One of the following: tax bill, mortgage coupon, gas, electric or sewer/water bill, insurance policy on dwelling, or a signed rental or purchase agreement
Verification of legal custody/guardianship (only if child is not living with both his/her natural parents): Certified Copy of Court Order or Court Appointed Guardianship
* All of the appropriate items listed above must be provided in order to enroll your child
If you have any questions, please call Sue Kochheiser, SCS Registrar, at (440) 572-7048. Kindergarten is mandatory in Ohio. According to State Law and District policy, any child who becomes five years old on or before August 1, 2018 is eligible for admission into the Strongsville School District's Kindergarten program this August.
MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - ORDER NOW THROUGH THU. 3/22!
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: SCHOOL SAFETY - TUE. 3/20, 6:30PM AT SMS
Our next Community Conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30pm. Please note the change in location from previous announcements - this event will be held in Strongsville Middle School’s Auditorium. School Safety is the topic and the Conversation will include a presentation by Superintendent Cameron Ryba and Strongsville Chief of Police Mark Fender, followed by a Q&A session for those attending.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. NANCY SURAK, SECRETARY AT MURASKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Nancy Surak, secretary at Muraski Elementary School, is in her 20th year with our District. Mrs. Surak started as a recess monitor and aide at Chapman, then became an Educational Aide at Surrarrer, before landing in her current position at Muraski. She has also lived in Strongsville for 33 years, where all of her children attended Strongsville schools.
“I love watching the smiling faces of our students as they arrive in the morning. When I am part of solving their problems - whether it’s repairing eyeglasses, calling parents for lunch money, or just comforting them during a bad day - I realize the meaningful impact I am able to have with our students,” says Mrs. Surak.
She adds, “There is never a dull moment being an elementary school secretary. My job requires me to work with all departments and interact with the entire staff. I am the first person to greet visitors when they enter Muraski and I try to make it a warm and welcoming environment.”
Thank you Mrs. Surak for all that you do for the students, teachers, and staff at Muraski!
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).
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS JUMP ROPE & RAISE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Elementary students picked up jump ropes over the past few months to raise significant dollars for the American Heart Association. More than $25,000 was raised by the students, including a record $11,000 amount from Surrarrer! Thanks to all of our Physical Education teachers and to our dedicated and motivated students for making a significant contribution to this worthwhile organization.
SHS MOCK TRIAL PLACES 3RD IN STATE COMPETITION
Congratulations to Strongsville High School’s Mock Trial team and their adviser Mrs. Papish for finishing in the top three in state competition last weekend. The competition began with 347 teams from across the state of Ohio. After advancing through Districts and Regionals, SHS qualified as one of 32 remaining teams in the state to advance to the three day State Mock Trial competition in Columbus. At the first day's competition, Strongsville defeated two of the long-time reigning champions from Indian Hill and advanced to the semi-finals where 8 remaining teams faced off in day two. Having won their first trial in the afternoon, they advanced to the quarter finals where they earned 3rd place. No Mock Trial team in Strongsville High School's history has ever advanced to this level in the competition. SHS students earning individual awards included:
Shyam Polaconda (Senior) - Three State Championship awards for Best Witness
Satya Nayagam (Senior) - Two State Championship awards for Best Attorney
Suraj Srinivasan (Senior) - One State Championship award for Best Attorney
Marquis Globokar (Freshman) - Special recognition by SHS Mock Trial teacher advisor and legal advisor for being one of only a few freshman girls to ever make it to the state quarter finals
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS PRESENTATION - AVAILABLE ON DEMAND!
Did you miss the recent ‘State of the Schools’ Presentation delivered by Superintendent Cameron Ryba? The entire presentation can be viewed online and on demand HERE. The Strongsville City Schools YouTube Channel features this presentation, as well as concerts, Board of Education meetings, and other school events, to be viewed whenever it is convenient for your schedule.
WINTER ATHLETICS SUCCESS
Did you know our winter athletics teams enjoyed great success, including:
8th Grade GREEN Boys Basketball - 16-1 Record / GCC Champs
8th Grade WHITE Girls Basketball - 17-2 Record / GCC Champs
8th Grade GREEN Girls Basketball - 3rd Place - GCC Tournament
7th Grade WHITE Girls Basketball - 16-2 Record / GCC Champs
SMS Wrestling - 6 wrestlers qualified for State Wrestling Meet
SHS Girls Varsity Basketball - Reached ‘Elite 8’ in state tournament
SHS Boys Varsity Basketball - District Runner-Up in state tournament
SHS Gymnastics - 5th Place at GCC Championships
SHS Swimming & Diving - GCC Champions (Girls) / 9 State Qualifiers (Boys & Girls)
SHS Hockey - 25 Wins - most in school history
We are proud of all of our winter athletics teams! As spring sports begin their season, don’t forget to visit www.strongsvilleathletics.org for the very latest news, pictures, and information about Strongsville Athletics. GO MUSTANGS!
STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TEEN IDOL - TONIGHT (FRI. 3/16) AT 7PM
Who will be crowned this year's Teen Idol? Join us for a night of fantastic vocal performances from our talented SHS students TONIGHT (Fri. 3/16) at 7:00pm in the SHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
SHS DECA BREAKS RECORDS SENDING 15 STUDENTS TO NATIONAL COMPETITION
Strongsville High School’s DECA program, an experiential marketing course for juniors and seniors, is sending a record-breaking 15 students to the National Competition in April. Congratulations to DECA teachers Mrs. Frenchik and Mrs. Mason and to the following students who earned 1st - 4th place finishes at the recent State Competition and will be traveling to Atlanta to represent Strongsville High School:
Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making (1st Place) - Maria Ong, Hannah Tulloch
Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making (1st Place) - Joanne Munshower, Julia Ostrowski
Quick Service Restaurant Management Series (1st Place) - Allison Mehmed
Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making (2nd Place) - Ali Awada, Jacob Selong
Food Marketing Series (2nd Place) - Alexander Lynch
Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making (3rd Place) - Olivia Colabianchi, Julia Fine
Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series (3rd Place) - Abbigail Moore
Quick Service Restaurant Management Series (4th place) - Nicholas Diaz
Hospitality Services Team Decision Making (4th Place) - Aya Mualem, Rylie Phillips
Automotive Services Marketing Series (4th Place) - Mitchell Midea
FREE SATURDAY MORNING YOUTH FOOTBALL SKILLS CLINICS (through 3/24)
Join Mustangs Football Coach Lou Cirino and his staff for FREE Saturday morning youth football skills clinics! These clinics are happening now and continue through March 24 - where boys and girls ages 7-14 have the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun, competitive environment. Clinics are held every Saturday from 9:00am - 10:30am in the Auxiliary Gym at Strongsville High School. No registration necessary - we will see you on Saturdays!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Team Strongsville Pancake Breakfast
Who doesn’t love pancakes? Please join us at Applebee's Grill & Bar on Sunday, March 18, between 8-10am for a delicious pancake breakfast! Strongsville Kicks-It, hosted by Team Strongsville, is helping in the fight to end childhood cancer by raising funds for Pediatric Cancer Research. This event will be fun for the entire family! Get your tickets soon...they will sell quickly! You can purchase tickets by emailing teamstrongsville@gmail.com! For more information, please visit www.kick-it.org to see how donations are helping children every day in their fight against cancer.
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
The third session of the Strongsville Jump Rope Club begins this month at Muraski Elementary School. Join us on Fridays from 5:00pm - 6:30pm for heart-pumping exercise and FUN! Don’t miss out!! Join our club to participate in the upcoming April Community Show with the Heartbeats! Click HERE to register or contact dot.hepp@roadrunner.com or messageforpam@gmail.com for additional information.
Summer Theatre Camp
Strongsville Community Theatre once again is offering a summer camp for kids in 2nd - 8th grade. This year's camp will run from June 11 to June 28, and will culminate in two performances of Disney's 101 Dalmations on June 29 & 30. Registration is now open. Registration materials are on the ‘Youth Theatre’ page of our website: www.strongsvillecommunitytheatre.com
Girls Fastpitch Fundraiser
Mulligan’s Bar & Grill is hosting an upcoming fundraiser for Strongsville Girls Fastpitch Softball. Join us on Saturday, April 14 from 6-8pm. $25 ticket includes pizza, pasta, wings, salad, and 3 drink tickets. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact Jackie Lang at 440.268.0558.
Panel Discussion on Autism
Join a FREE panel discussion answering questions about autism. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Lorain County Community College. Click HERE for additional event details.
Head Start Basketball Camp
The 26th annual Head Start Basketball Camps emphasize the FUN-damentals of basketball with individual attention given to each camper. The camps are directed by former Strongsville High School and Kent State University player Mike Klinzing who has more than 25 years of basketball camp experience. The camps are for boys and girls in grades K-8.
Head Start Basketball was recognized as the first Jr. NBA Program of the Month presented by Under Armour, as a result of their emphasis on teamwork, respect, sportsmanship, and teaching the fundamentals of the game in a fun, positive environment.
Head Start Basketball will hold four weeks of camp: June 11-15, June 18-22, June 25-29 & July 9-13 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m all at the Strongsville Rec Center. The cost for each one week camp is $85. Please contact Mike Klinzing at 216-392-4059 or at headstartbasketball@usa.net for more information. Or click HERE to register.
Northeast Ohio Flag Football League
Attention youth football players - there’s a new opportunity waiting for you! The Northeast Ohio Flag Football League is coming to Strongsville for boys and girls ages 5-12. Endorsed by SHS Head Football Coach Lou Cirino, the spring league is now forming. Click HERE for additional information on the Northeast Ohio Flag Football League.
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, including March 30, 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.
March Luncheon - Mayor Perciak's State of the City Address
March 20, 2018
11:15am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Business After Hours Event
March 22, 2018
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Buffalo Wild Wings - Strongsville
April Luncheon - Recognizing This Year’s Class of SHS Distinguished Alumni
April 17, 2018
11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
** Please Note Revised Dates for Strongsville’s Annual Homecoming (July 25 - 28)
Strongsville Library
Please note the following March 2018 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.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our Winter story time sessions are in full swing! Please call the library or stop by the Children’s Desk for more information.
New 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.
How to Keep the Uninvited at Bay: The Problem of Wildlife in our Gardens. Monday, March 19th at 7:00 p.m.
Do you have deer, chipmunks, skunks, or rabbits frolicking in your garden? Have they ever dined uninvited on your carefully-tended plants? This talk will focus on the problem of wildlife in our gardens and what we can do about it. Cuyahoga County Master Gardeners will introduce you to deer and rabbit resistant plants and suggest humane options for repelling and eliminating these pesky critters from our gardens.
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Do Men & Women Think Differently? Tuesday, March 20th 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 Marlene Kurz LPCC-S of Southwest General Health Center Oakview Behavioral Health Services. Ms. Kurz will discuss what research tells us about males and females: their similarities and differences. Registration is requested. 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! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Meet Author Atz Kilcher. Tuesday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Meet Atz Kilcher, star of the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier and author of the new memoir Son of a Midnight Land. Known to many as the patriarch of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-shortlisted program Alaska: The Last Frontier, Atz Kilcher is an artist, a writer, a musician, and the man who taught his daughter, music superstar Jewel, how to sing. His powerful new memoir, Son of a Midnight Land, details his life on the Alaskan frontier and the lessons he learned growing up with a hard father in a hard land. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.
Options for Hip & Knee Arthritis: Good Morning, Strongsville Speaker Series. Wednesday, March 21st 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 March speaker will be Larry Lika, DO orthopedics of Southwest General Health Center. Mr. Lika will discuss current approaches to hip and knee arthritis from non-surgical to surgical options. Learn how advances in technologies mean a quicker recovery and improved outcomes. Refreshments served.
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, March 21st. This month we will be discussing Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff. 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!
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 upcoming classes:
Thursday, March 22nd / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. PowerPoint 201: Objects
Friday, March 23rd / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Word 101: Basics
Friday, March 23rd / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Word 201: Tables & Images
Saturday, March 24th / 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Adobe Creative Cloud Photoshop & Illustrator 101
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, March 23rd 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.
Bouncy Ball Olympics. Grades 3 – 5. Saturday, March 24th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Become a Bouncy Ball Engineer! Perform experiments on the science of elasticity, engineer your own bouncy ball, and compete in the Bouncy Ball Olympics for fun prizes!
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, March 26th. Our March discussion title will be The Green Road: a Novel by Anne Enright. 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