Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2019-20 Vol 4, Iss 37)
We Are Strongsville
In This Together Ohio
IN THIS ISSUE - May 22, 2020
Important Dates to Remember SCS Remote Learning Plans & Resources More Than $58,000 in Local Scholarships Awarded in SHS Senior Salute “Project Lead the Way” National Recognition for SMS After Prom Drawing for SHS Seniors TONIGHT (Fri. 5/22) Honors Summer Work for Secondary Students SHS Theatre Department Video Facial Coverings Requirement for SCS Buildings and Facilities Stay Safe. Speak Up! SMS Receives Banner Award from Cleveland Clinic Chromebook Return - Thursday, 5/28 at SMS SCS Summer School Details Thank You to Master Pizza for Donating to SCS Families in Need Recognize Your Graduating Senior in The Strongsville Post Weekly Food Pickup for Families In Need Closure Of District Playgrounds & Fields 2020 Census Reminder “Heard Around Town” on SCS Website
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, April 6 - Friday, May 29
Remote Learning
All School Districts in Ohio Are Closed
Through the End of the 2019-20 Academic Year
Per Order of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
Thursday, May 28 (8:30am - 7:30pm)
Chromebook Return for Elementary School and SMS Families
Strongsville Middle School
* See specific details in newsletter below
Sunday, May 31 (10:00am - 6:00pm)
Strongsville High School Commencement
SHS Campus / Pat Catan Stadium Main Entrance
Thursday, June 4
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting
Meeting will be streamed online HERE
*** ALL PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED SCHOOL-RELATED CONCERTS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 29 HAVE BEEN CANCELLED/POSTPONED.
*** SCS BUSINESS SERVICES WILL BE CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO HAVE SCS FACILITY RENTALS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TO DISCUSS CONTINGENCIES
SCS REMOTE LEARNING PLANS & RESOURCES
Ohio Governor DeWine has mandated the closure of all schools through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. Based on this decision, our students are currently engaged in remote learning. The District home page (www.strongnet.org), as well as each individual school home page, has the Remote Learning Plans and Resources link under both the “Headlines & News” area and the “Shortcuts” menu on the right side of each page.
Our overarching focus during this extended closure is to foster meaningful remote learning opportunities so student learning continues and we reduce gaps in knowledge as much as possible, so our students are as prepared as they can be for the 2020-21 school year.
MORE THAN $58,000 IN LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN SHS SENIOR SALUTE
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and those seniors who are receiving scholarship money to further their academic and military careers. Over $58,000 is being awarded in local scholarships to the Class of 2020! Scholarship recipients are being recognized in this year’s Senior Salute virtual ceremony (click HERE). There are videos and audio presentations embedded throughout so please be sure to enable sound on your device before viewing. #foreveramustang
“PROJECT LEAD THE WAY” NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR SMS
Congratulations to Strongsville Middle School for being recognized as a 2019-20 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. SMS is one of just 176 PLTW Gateway programs across the country to receive recognition this year. The PLTW recognition program honors districts and schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs, empowering students to thrive in an evolving world and achieving exemplary results from this PLTW Gateway program.
AFTER PROM DRAWING FOR SHS SENIORS TONIGHT (FRI. 5/22)
Thanks to Strongsville High School PTA for providing our students with a special ‘After Prom’ raffle. All seniors are automatically entered in the drawing for fantastic prizes, including a TV, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. And it's easy to win - just tune in to the SHS PTA channel on YouTube tonight at 11pm where they will be announcing prizes and winners! #StrongsvilleProm2020
HONORS SUMMER WORK FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
For students taking honors or AP courses in the middle or high school next year, please make sure to visit the webpage of the middle school and/or the high school to see if summer work is expected for that course. If you have any questions about this work, please contact SCS Director of Curriculum Erin Green at eringreen@scsmustangs.org
SHS THEATRE DEPARTMENT VIDEO
With The Addams Family Musical becoming postponed due to COVID-19, Mr. Jenkins (SHS Drama Club/Theatre Department Advisor) still wanted to provide an opportunity for these talented high school theater students to express themselves. It was decided that a recitation of Shakespeare's St. Crispin's Day Speech (from Henry V) would be the best (public domain) source to highlight. This is one of Shakespeare’s most inspirational speeches. Before they march off into battle, severely outnumbered by the French, (Prince) Hal motivates his anxious and downtrodden “band of brothers” by stating that he would not want to fight with any other men than those before him; that this is an unfortunate event, but they will become stronger and tighter after to this obstacle; and that this day will never be forgotten. Click HERE and enjoy this ‘mini-performance’ by our SHS theatre students.
FACIAL COVERING REQUIREMENT FOR SCS BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Based on guidance sent out by the state last week (“Require all persons on school grounds and utilizing school transportation to wear facemasks.”), all students, parents, and other visitors must wear facial coverings upon entering district buildings, except for those individuals with specifically documented legal, life, health or safety considerations. You will not be allowed to enter a district facility without a facial covering. Please take note of this updated requirement during any upcoming building/locker cleanout days. Facial coverings will not be provided by the district. Please note: For SHS Commencement, graduates and their family members will not be required to wear facial coverings.
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).
SMS RECEIVES BANNER AWARD FROM CLEVELAND CLINIC
Strongsville Middle School has been recently recognized as a 2019–2020 Cleveland Clinic Banner School. This award recognizes noteworthy success in leveraging community resources to advance student learning. Cleveland Clinic K–12 Education offers school programs designed to promote health and wellness, academic achievement, and career preparedness for students in grades K through 12. It takes ambitious teachers and encouraging administrators to deliver these opportunities to students. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Demmerle, and Mrs. Novak and their Adventures in Health Science and Medicine® and Worldwide Classroom® programs, SMS earned this prestigious distinction.
CHROMEBOOK RETURN - THURSDAY, 5/28 AT SMS
Since our Remote Learning began in March, the Department of Instructional Technology has been focused on making our quality technology available for our students. While you enjoy your summer break, the Department of Instructional Technology will continue to work hard to maintain and improve our district's technology infrastructure. One of our most important summer projects is physically inspecting, updating, repairing, and replacing student Chromebooks. That is why we are requiring all Chromebooks and chargers that were borrowed for Remote Learning to be returned on Thursday, May 28th.
In accordance with the state recommended social distancing protocols, the table below designates times for a drive-through device drop-off based on your student’s last name.* You will also find a map, below, with the traffic pattern we will be using.
Overdue Media Center books or school-owned textbooks can also be returned at our drive-through device drop off at the same time.
Fees will be assessed for any Chromebooks and/or chargers that are not returned or that have been found to be damaged beyond normal wear and tear, in accordance with our Chromebook check-out agreements signed previously. All parents who owe late fees and/or replacement part fees will be contacted by July 1st. These fees will then be added to your student’s account.
As a district, we are currently planning how to best address the technology needs of our students during the 2020-2021 school year. Once plans are finalized, the Department of Instructional Technology will be ready with updated devices. We will communicate how our devices will be distributed to students and schools in August.
*If you are unavailable at your assigned time or if you have any questions, please contact Dave Binkley at dbinkley@scsmustangs.org.
SCS SUMMER SCHOOL DETAILS
Due to the current mandates and social distancing guidelines, we have cancelled elementary summer school in our buildings. For secondary students, we will only be conducting PLATO classes and for credit recovery only. There will be no summer school health or physical education classes held in our buildings. For additional information and registration for these select secondary courses, please click HERE.
THANK YOU TO MASTER PIZZA FOR DONATING TO SCS FAMILIES IN NEED
As you may know, during this extended closure our District has been providing meals to SCS families in need on a weekly basis. In this week’s distribution, we received free pizza vouchers donated by Master Pizza to include in the meals provided to families. THANK YOU Master Pizza for your generous donation and support! #WeAreStrongsville
RECOGNIZE YOUR GRADUATING SENIOR IN THE STRONGSVILLE POST
The Strongsville Post is offering a free special series to recognize the Class of 2020. Interested seniors will need to fill out the form at www.thepostnewspapers.com/grads and upload a photo. A special page will run in an upcoming edition of The Strongsville Post highlighting each senior and their accomplishments!
WEEKLY FOOD PICKUP FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
Breakfast/lunch pick-up is available for families in need. The final distribution for the 2019-20 school year will occur on Wednesday, May 27 at Strongsville Middle School from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and we will be providing families with food for the entire week. Thank you to all of the Food Services staff and additional SCS volunteers who helped this program continue during our extended closure.
CLOSURE OF DISTRICT PLAYGROUNDS & FIELDS
As we are all working to do our part to adhere to Ohio’s Stay at Home order to slow the spread of COVID-19, as a school district, we must also review accessibility to District properties that have traditionally been open to the public. These include our fields, playgrounds, and athletic complexes. The Governor has directed that all playgrounds be closed. All district playgrounds now have signage stating that they are closed and we ask that all abide by this closure.
Based on additional guidance provided in the order, we have been monitoring the use of Pat Catan Stadium and Serpentini Field at SMS, as these are both school district properties. Unfortunately, we have had to make the decision to close both fields until further notice due to the large numbers of individuals that have been using the fields and failing to adhere to the social distancing requirements.
We know how difficult it is to find activities to do and keep us active and engaged during this time. However, we are asking that we all work together, utilize the wonderful Metroparks in our city, and follow the Governor’s order and our closure of these district properties, so that we are in a position to reopen them as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your help.
2020 CENSUS REMINDER
Have you filled out your 2020 Census form yet? Don't wait - it only takes a few minutes. You should have recently received an envelope in the mail with a unique code listed inside. The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation and hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding, as well as provide data that will impact our communities for the next decade. Click HERE to get started. Respond TODAY! Get counted TODAY!
“HEARD AROUND TOWN” ON SCS WEBSITE
Have you heard something that you want more clarification about concerning Strongsville City Schools? Share your questions with us, we're happy to provide information to clear up any misconceptions! Visit the new “Heard Around Town” link on the main page at www.strongnet.org or click HERE to submit your question.
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