At the start of the semester I created a video outlining the new building policies on hallway traffic and the new cell phone policy. There has been a significant improvement in the building on these issues as they relate to having a better learning environment. While enforcing rules has its place in school we want to encourage students to do the right thing via positive reinforcement.

As a school we want students to come to SHS to learn but also experience a positive environment in which doing the right thing is recognized and rewarded.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) is a tiered program that operates on the belief that the large majority of students are intrinsically driven to do the right thing. As part of this program we want to positively reinforce these students. The high school PBIS team has been working on a Matrix of behaviors that we want to use as the guide for all of our students. As part of the reinforcement our teachers will be referring students who are "doing the right thing". We will be giving out various prizes to students weekly who are demonstrating the Mustang Way!

Weekly rewards such as food, clothing, and other prizes will be given out to students identified by teachers as examples of the Behavior Matrix. I will be adding weekly pictures and updates highlighting our amazing students.

The SHS PBIS team is creating structures for reinforcing our students’ positive behaviors. We are excited to move forward with our first step for student reinforcement, the SHS PBIS Student of the Week!

• This LINK shows our Behavioral Expectations Matrix for classroom behaviors. We are currently working to get this Matrix to be displayed in our classrooms.

• These students will be recognized early the following week with incentives devised by students and staff.

• The PBIS Student of the Week nominee is different from Student of the Month. The Student of Month will be an academic-based award, while the PBIS Student of the Week will be based on students who are demonstrating consistent or markedly improved behavior in the classroom setting. For example, for a PBIS Student of the Week, you could nominate a student who has shown improvement in their attendance (Empowered) or a student who has been respectful in the classroom (Resilient).

Have questions about our District Operating Procedures for this school year? You can view a recorded presentation by Superintendent Ryba HERE and view the presentation slides HERE.

Did you know that students who pack their lunch can still receive FREE food items at school? Even if you are sending your student to school with food from home, they are still able to receive a fruit, vegetable, and milk for FREE! It's convenient and saves money for families - just pack the main item for lunch and let SCS Food Services take care of the rest!

Strongsville High School Senior wrestler Anthony Grecol recently placed 2nd in the 150 pound weight class at the Perrysburg Invitational. Anthony had to defeat several state qualifiers to get to the championship match of his weight class. As a team, the Mustangs finished 12th out of 30 teams. Congratulations Anthony and to the entire Strongsville High School Wrestling Team!

Don’t miss the 4th Annual “Night at the Races” fundraising event, benefiting Strongsville Athletic Boosters. “Night at the Races” is scheduled for Saturday, February 19 at Michaud’s Event Center - doors open at 6pm, dinner is at 7pm. It’s a fun night of food, beverages, and horse racing! Tickets are available now for $50 each or $360 for a table of 8. Please contact Stephanie Kunovich at 440.429.7954 or skuno14@yahoo.com to order tickets or click HERE. Horses are also available for purchase for $25 each. Winning horses for each race wins $50! To purchase horses, please email shsathleticboosters@gmail.com or click HERE. Call Strongsville Athletic Boosters President Keith Housum at 440.382.1824 with any questions about this upcoming event.

The ‘Magic Gives Back’ event has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, April 10 at 3pm in the Strongsville High School Auditorium. This exciting show features the unbelievable magic and stunning illusions of world-famous Rick Smith, Jr. Initial proceeds from this event will go toward the Kinsner Elementary PTA. If over 600 tickets are sold, additional proceeds will benefit Strongsville Council PTA. Invite friends and win prizes, including a backstage “Meet & Greet” and an Oculus Quest 2 - click HERE for details. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

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. Click HERE for additional Stay Safe. Speak Up! Information on the District’s website. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (​1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).