Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2018-19 Vol 3, Iss 21)
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Strongsville.
IN THIS ISSUE - January 25, 2019
Important Dates to Remember
Kinsner Elementary - This week’s FOX 8 “Cool School”
Mustang Spotlight - Mr. Tim Burke, Maintenance Mechanic for Strongsville City Schools
Harlem Wizards Coming to Strongsville - Thu. 1/31 - Tickets Available NOW!
SHS Air Force JROTC Informational Night - Tue. 1/29 at 7:00pm
Elementary Nights at SHS Varsity Basketball Games
“We Are Strongsville” - Patrick, 5th Grade Student at Muraski Elementary
FREE Saturday Morning Youth Football Skills Clinics (NOW through 3/23)
Mark Your Calendar for Annual “State of the Schools” Presentation - Tue. 2/26 at 6:30pm
Strongsville Athletic Boosters “Night at the Races” - Sat. 2/9
New Webpages to Report Fraud and Non-Resident Students
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Saturday, January 26 - 7:00pm
Women’s Empowerment Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Tuesday, January 29 - 7:15am
Board of Education Special Meeting
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
Thursday, January 31 - 7:00pm
SCS All-Stars vs. Harlem Wizards Basketball Game
Advance Tickets Available in the Main Office at Any School
Monday, February 4 - 6:00pm
Board of Education Work Session
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
Saturday, February 9 - 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Strongsville High School Winter Formal
SHS Gymnasium
Tuesday, February 12
Parent/Teacher Conferences (SHS & SMS)
Strongsville High School: 3:15pm - 6:30pm
Strongsville Middle School: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 13 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Strongsville Middle School Literacy Night
Wednesday, February 13
Parent/Teacher Conferences (PreK - 8th Grade)
Preschool: 3:45pm - 6:45pm
Elementary Schools: 4:45pm - 7:30pm
Strongsville Middle School: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Monday, February 18
NO SCHOOL
President’s Day
Wednesday, February 20 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Strongsville High School Literacy Night
Wednesday, February 20
Parent/Teacher Conferences (SHS)
Strongsville High School: 3:15pm - 6:30pm
Thursday, February 21
Parent/Teacher Conferences (PreK - 5th Grade)
Preschool: 3:45pm - 6:45pm
Elementary Schools: 4:45pm - 7:30pm
KINSNER ELEMENTARY - THIS WEEK’S FOX 8 “COOL SCHOOL”
Congratulations to Kinsner Elementary, this week’s FOX 8 “Cool School!” FOX 8 visited Kinsner earlier this week and put together this VIDEO highlighting our school. Brett and Lizzy represented Kinsner on Thursday morning at FOX 8 studios, participating in the “Coffee Quiz” and accepting the “Cool School” award. Well done Kinsner Elementary!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. TIM BURKE, MAINTENANCE MECHANIC FOR STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Mr. Tim Burke, Maintenance Mechanic for Strongsville City Schools is in this week’s Mustang Spotlight. Mr. Burke has been working in our District for 19 years. He started as a bus mechanic in our transportation department and has been working for our maintenance department for the past nine years. Mr. Burke is also a member of the Strongsville community and has a son currently attending Strongsville High School.
Our maintenance team has accomplished a great deal of projects over the past couple of years, which has saved our District a considerable amount of money. Mr. Burke has been part of crews that have installed new sidewalks at Muraski and Kinsner Elementaries, and also built a retaining wall at Kinsner. These projects have been handled in house at a considerable cost savings, instead of having to contract the work out to third party companies.
“We have a great group of people working in our department. Their expertise in many areas helps our District accomplish things that other Districts might not have the ability to do on their own. I am very appreciative of my job and the people that I work with every single day,” said Mr. Burke.
Kudos to all of our maintenance workers and other District employees who spent this past weekend working extra hours to clear the snow from our parking lots and walkways, making sure that our buses were ready to go, and performing building checks for a safe return to school by our students and staff today.
Thank you Mr. Burke for your continued efforts as part of our maintenance staff in taking great care of our facilities!
HARLEM WIZARDS COMING TO STRONGSVILLE - THU. 1/31 - 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. Advance tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens (65+) and $12 for adults. Tickets are available in the main offices at any school in our District and also online at www.harlemwizards.com. We have an “all-star” team of SCS teachers, staff, and administrators ready to take on the Wizards - click HERE for a ticket order form.
SHS AIR FORCE JROTC INFORMATIONAL NIGHT - TUE. 1/29 AT 7:00PM
There will be an Air Force JROTC informational session at 7:00pm on Tuesday, January 29 at Strongsville High School in the "Little Theatre." A brief presentation about the program will be followed by a Q&A session. This class is co-taught by Lieutenant Colonel (retired) David Krempasky and Chief Master Sergeant (retired) Brad Buening who have over 60 years of combined military experience. This is not a class to attempt to recruit students to any branch of military service; instead, the class utilizes military values and principles to improve leadership skills, teach discipline, and help the young men and women of SHS become better citizens. So whether a student has an interest in the military or perhaps just wants to be part of something important here at the high school, our program might be a good fit.
ELEMENTARY NIGHTS AT SHS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES
Make plans to cheer on the Strongsville High School Girls & Boys Basketball teams at upcoming SCS Elementary Nights on Wednesday, February 6 (Girls) and Friday, February 8 (Boys). All elementary students are encouraged to attend these games for family fun and entertainment, and to cheer on the SHS Mustangs Basketball teams!
“WE ARE STRONGSVILLE” - PATRICK, 5TH GRADE STUDENT 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 Patrick, 5th grade student at Muraski Elementary - “We Are Strongsville!”
FREE SATURDAY MORNING YOUTH FOOTBALL SKILLS CLINICS (THROUGH 3/23)
Join Mustangs Football Coach Lou Cirino and his staff for FREE Saturday morning youth football skills clinics! Every Saturday, continuing through March 23, boys and girls in grades 1-8 will have the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun, competitive environment. Clinics will be 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!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR ANNUAL “STATE OF THE SCHOOLS” PRESENTATION - TUE. 2/26 AT 6:30PM
The annual SCS “State of the Schools” presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26 at 6:30pm at the Strongsville Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.). Dr. Cameron Ryba, Strongsville City Schools Superintendent, will provide an update on the present and future state of our District, followed by a Q&A session. This presentation is open to the public.
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS “NIGHT AT THE RACES” - SAT. 2/9
Join the Strongsville Athletic Boosters for their 2nd annual “Night at the Races” fundraiser on Saturday, February 9 from 6pm - Midnight at Michaud’s in Strongsville. Tickets are $45 each or $320 for a table of 8. Contact Ann Roff (karoff@att.net / 440.503.2890) to purchase your tickets. Proceeds benefit Strongsville Mustangs teams and student-athletes throughout our District.
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
Kiwanis “Read Around the World” Event - Saturday, 2/23
The KIWANIS CLUB OF STRONGSVILLE is sponsoring its annual "READ AROUND THE WORLD" program on Saturday, February 23rd from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Strongsville Community Library. Members of Kiwanis believe that the sooner a child gets interested in reading, the better the chance they have for success in school. The program and its activities are intended for PRE-SCHOOL and K – 3rd graders. There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE for children and their accompanying adult (parent, grandparent, etc.). Cookies and beverages will also be available at NO CHARGE.
Activities include:
Children will be free to “browse” and “check out” our huge inventory of children’s books.
Students from St. Joe's & John's Elementary, Strongsville Middle School, and Strongsville High School will be available to read to your child from a book the child selects from our inventory of children's books.
Mr. Protiva, librarian in the children’s section, will be reading a couple brief children’s stories. He is outstanding!
St. Joe’s & John’s students will be performing short skits based on children’s stories.
Strongsville Middle School students will be “face painting” throughout the morning
Appearances of several costumed characters from children’s literature
Finally, each child can pick out his/her favorite new book to TAKE HOME!!!
“Newsies” Auditions
Auditions for “Newsies” are being held on Sunday, February 10 at the Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School beginning at 9:30am. Click HERE for additional information.
Strongsville Jump Rope Club
Welcome back jumpers! Our second session of Strongsville Jump Rope Club will be held on Fridays, 5:00 – 6:30pm, January 25 & February 1 & 8 at Muraski Elementary School, with instructors from the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team. We hope you are able to join us! Please click HERE to register or contact Dot Hepp at dot.hepp@roadrunner.com or Pam Evans at messageforpam@gmail.com for more information.
Strongsville Early Childhood PTA Preschool Prom
Join us Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the Strongsville Middle School for our second annual Preschool Prom! A family friendly fundraiser with dinner, dancing, games and entertainment. Wear your fancy threads and smile for the photo booth! Play carnival games, win prizes, and visit our kid’s play area. Included in your price is one raffle ticket with an opportunity to win many fabulous prizes!! Bring Cash - Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event for more chances to win!! General Admission Tickets are $12 for children and $15 for adults (Children under 12 months are free). Purchase tickets online before February 3 at:
https://preschool-prom-february-9-2019-3-30p-6-00p-strongsville.cheddarup.com
Click HERE for the event flyer.
Strongsville Women’s League Game Night
Strongsville Women's League is hosting an evening of fun and assorted games at Wine Down and Sweets Café (14785 Pearl Rd.) on Wednesday January 30th from 7pm to 9pm. The event is free with snacks and beverages available for purchase. Ladies, bring a friend or two for a fun evening out!
NEO Flag Football League
Registration for the Spring 2019 session is now open and will close March 1st. Visit www.neoflag.net to register. Spring Divisions include: 1st-2nd Grades Combined, 3rd-4th Grades Combined, 5th-6th Grades Combined. Week one of this season will be the weekend of March 30th. The season concludes the weekend of May 5th and there are no games Easter weekend.
*Please register for the grade your child will be in during the 2018-2019 school year.
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.
February Luncheon - at Camp Cheerful
Tuesday, February 19
11:30am - 1:00pm
Camp Cheerful (15000 Cheerful Lane)
$20 per person
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 2019 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.
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.
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.
Building Competition. Saturday, January 26th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Come for our Fifth Annual LEGO™ bricks competition. Official entry forms and rules are available starting Wednesday, January 2nd. Entry forms must be dropped off by the deadline date of Wednesday, January 23rd by 9 PM. Drop off your creation between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26th. The public exhibition will be from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in these age categories: Preschool, grades K – 2, grades 3 – 4, grades 5 – 6, grades 7 – 12 and Family. See Children’s Staff for questions!
Sound Wave Art. All Ages! Saturday, January 26th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Frame a personally recorded sound wave. Using our Audio Recording Studio, participants will record themselves saying a short phrase that means something special to them or someone close. We will then print the sound wave of your simple recording and frame it to make a perfect and unique gift! No registration necessary, drop in while supplies last!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, January 28th at 2:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Monday of each month.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion title will be Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!
DIY Face Masks. For Ages 12-18. Tuesday, January 29th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Pamper yourself and make a luxurious face mask using common household ingredients. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture program's effectiveness. More information can be found at cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. All participants must complete a Release & Hold Harmless form.
Family Paint Night. Wednesday, January 30th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cherish time with your family by coming to our Family Paint Night! Create a joint painting where each family member will participate, creating an overall painting that will be meaningful for years to come! Registration is required and will open a month ahead of time - Please register as family units (one name per group).
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