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The Muraski Tribune: Issue 5
Important Dates and Information for the 23-24 School Year
UPDATE FROM THE PRINCIPALS
Update from the Principals
Good Morning Muraski Families,
We are off to another great week at Muraski, where we are well into the school year, working hard to learn and grow together each day. We have spent a great deal of time teaching expectations for our school, you will see more in the PBIS Pulse, while supporting students with their academics in the classroom. All in all, it has been a wonderful start. Please take a look at everything happening in our building and around the district.
Let's have a great week!
Sincerely,
Mike Griffen
The PBIS Pulse: Updates on All things PRIDE
From our Field Day to our Assembly, students were able to vision cast their ideal school:
When students follow this, they have a chance of being recognized and acknowledged for contributing to a positive culture at the school.
- Students can earn PRIDE tickets if they are caught showing PRIDE in any area of the school. The students put their names on a ticket and keep it in a container in their classroom. At the end of the week 2 names are pulled per class to earn a reward.
- Every month, students can participate in a Mustang Luncheon. Based on student behavior and going above and beyond to show PRIDE every moment of every day, one student from every class can be invited to a Mustang luncheon once a month during their lunch period. They get to hang out with other winners, eat great food, listen to awesome music and perhaps get challenged to a dance battle with the principals.
- Also once a month, as a building student participate in the Monthly incentive usually put together by our very own PTA. This event reminds students of what it can feel like when we are all showing PRIDE. It also serves to be a great way to build a connected community.
Accountability:
Not everything goes as planned. Sometimes when we make mistakes or make not good choices, students are held accountable in order to help them identify appropriate behaviors. Consequences act as a form of restoration which gives students a chance to learn and make the situation better. We aim to start with 1-1 conversations and think sheets, but as the behavior becomes more severe or the student does not respond well to the reflection, more intense consequences may arise in order for the student to understand and develop appropriately. If it gets to that point, we communicate to families so that they are involved with how we address the behavior moving forward.
Upcoming PRIDE Incentives:
- Monthly Incentive: Pie & a Picnic Friday, September 29th. More information coming soon.
- PRIDE Luncheon: Wednesday, September 27th
Gifted Testing: 2nd & 4th Grade Families
A Note About Encore Grading
M= Standard Met
P= Progressing to Standard
N= Standard Not Yet Met
In order for our system to turn the student’s performance into standards- based grading, we have to put it in as a percentage. Each grade level and department has standards that students are working toward and this is what is being evaluated.
Although you may see a percentage, please ignore the percentage and look at the progression toward the STANDARD (M, N, P). Grades are not utilized in the sense that a traditional grading system uses them. You will see somewhere between a 50% and a 100%, but again, focus on the M, N, or P, as that is the official mark; the percentage is just a placeholder.
'STARTS WITH HELLO' SPIRIT WEEK: 9/18-9/22
THE FLYER SECTION: PTA & UPCOMING EVENTS
Thank you to everyone who attended our first PTA meeting last week! If you were unable to attend and would like to sign up to volunteer for any committees, please fill out this form and the committee head will be in touch when they need help! Remember, you can volunteer as little or as much works for you!
The Strongsville Stampede 2023
GOH Run and the Strongsville High School Cross Country teams are hosting a youth fun run on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Strongsville High School's Cross Country course. There will be two races starting at 12:30pm for our younger runners (grades K-2) who will race 800 meters on grass. The older group (grades 3-6) will race on a one mile course at 12:50pm. Runners and families - please report directly to the starting line near the tennis courts at SHS. The Stampede Fun Run is FREE. CLICK HERE to register in advance for the Fun Run. Donations of non-perishable food items for the Strongsville Food Bank and donations toward GOH Run youth running events will be accepted on the day of the race.
The Strongsville High School Cross Country Invitational Meet takes place before the youth races, so arrive early to see the high school student-athletes race!
RED, WHITE, & BLUE CALENDAR
Strongsville Public Library: September Events & Activities
Support your Local Library
***Please note the following September 2023 events presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. 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.
**The Administration Office and all Cuyahoga County Library Branches will be closed Sunday, September 3rd and Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, September 5th at 9:00 a.m.
CCPL Fall Program Guide
The Cuyahoga County Public Library program guide is now digital! Want to find out about all the amazing library programs and resources happening around the system? You can view our Fall Program information here: https://www.pressreader.com/document/3479
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, September 1st / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL
Have you ever thought about recording your own music, making a video, digitizing memories and more? The Strongsville Branch Library is home to both Audio and Video Recording studios that can help you do just that! You must go through an orientation to use the spaces. Patrons 11 & up can participate in the orientation and must turn in the User Agreement form at the branch for the orientation to count. Register online to attend the virtual session.
English as a Second Language Classes by Aspire Greater Cleveland.
If you need to learn English or improve your language skills, we can help. Aspire Greater Cleveland offers FREE beginner, intermediate and advanced-level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. Strongsville Branch will be hosting morning classes on Thursdays and Fridays. Please call 833.ASPIRE2 (1.833.277.4732) to register or visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/services/adult-education/aspire-greater-cleveland for more information.
Young at Heart Book Discussion. Tuesday, September 5th / 7:00 p.m.
A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The title for our next discussion is The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins. No registration. Everyone Welcome!
Storytimes:
IN-PERSON Storytimes.
Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are back in session for the Fall. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. No registration.
Preschool. Ages 3 – 5 not yet in kindergarten with caregiver / Mondays at 11:30 a.m. – Noon or Tuesdays at 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. – Noon.
Toddler. Ages 19 – 35 months with caregiver / Wednesdays at 10:00 – 10:25 a.m. or 11:30 – 11:55 a.m.
Baby & Me. Birth – 18 months with caregiver / Mondays at 10:00 – 10:20 a.m. or Thursdays at 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.
Family. All ages with caregiver / Thursdays at 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Crafter-Noon! Ages 3+. Saturday, September 9th / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
If you’re not sure what to do on a Saturday afternoon, look no further! Create a one-of-a-kind craft in our storytime room. While supplies last.
SW General Health Talk: Stroke Prevention & Awareness. Tuesday, September 12th / 10:00 a.m.
Join Maureen Moore, RN, BSN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator, from the Primary Stroke Center at Southwest General, as she presents the signs and symptoms of stroke, shares prevention strategies, and introduces Southwest General’s Grey Matters Stroke Prevention and Circulation Circuit Programs.
Computer Classes IN PERSON.
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Registration opens 30 days before the start of the class and closes prior to the start of the class. To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, please visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/classes-events/computer-classes
Tuesday, September 12th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Computer Basics.
Blood Drive. Friday, September 15th / 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 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 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Toddler Fair. Ages 2 – 3 with caregiver. Friday, September 15th / 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Indoor and outdoor activities will engage your little one’s senses as they build brain connections using items you have in your home. No registration required.
Digital Navigators. September 18th & 19th. Call to make Appointment.
Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you – or someone you know – connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment and more. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch.
Teen Craft Night: Fairy Lanterns. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, September 18th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Teens! Come into the library for a little magic! Create a whimsical lantern that really lights up and showcases your own little fairy companion.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, September 20th / 7:00 p.m.
Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion meets at 7p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Plant Swap. Thursday, September 21st / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Calling all gardeners and plant lovers! Join us for this special plant swapping event. Please bring at least one healthy, pest-free, beautiful plant, cutting, or seeds. Bring as many as you would like - the more the merrier! The plants can be potted or bare root—as long as you’re prepared to part with them. If bare root, please bring plant in a pot, bag, or a cardboard box if possible. Please also label plants or seeds as best as you can with any information about the plant such as name, sun/shade/size, etc.) Tickets will be given for each type of plant brought. Tickets will be randomly pulled to decide the order of selection for choosing your new plants.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, September 25th / 2:30 p.m.
The Monday Afternoon Book Discussion meets at 2:30 p.m. in the Library on the 4th Monday of each month. No registration is required. New members always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be The Taking of Jemima Boone: Colonial Settlers, Tribal Nations, and the Kidnap that Shaped America by Matthew Pearl. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Meet Author J.A. Jance. Thursday, September 28th / 7:00 p.m.
Join us when author J.A. Jance visits to discuss her latest novel, Blessing of the Lost Girls. J. A. Jance is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 60 works of contemporary mystery across the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, and the Ali Reynolds series, as well as six interrelated thrillers about the Walker Family and one volume of poetry. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.
Updating School Forms
Please update your annual forms by September 1, 2023. To update forms, log in to Powerschool, select Quick Links, then find "Information Update 22-23" under Custom Links. Please call the office with any questions.
Update to Parent Portal: Parents and guardians will sign in with their username (email address) and their password. When logging in for the first time this school year, please click "Forgot Username or Password" link to reset your password.
Incoming kindergarten families: You should have received an email from Linda Konopinski (after registering) containing directions on how to create and access your parent account in our online Powerschool Unified Classroom Parent Portal. If you need this information again, please contact Linda Konopinski at lkonopinski@scsmustangs.org or 440-846-4137. This will be important to set up to access important information.
Application for Free & Reduced Lunch and Breakfast
It is important to note the following for those that qualify for Reduced Lunches in the 23-24 school year: The recently passed Ohio biennial budget includes a provision for the State to pay the meal charges for Reduced students ($0.30 for Breakfast and $0.40 for Lunch) effectively allowing them to eat for free. This will be in effect for the 23-24 and the 24-25 school years.
School Fees
Transportation Information: Bussing
As the start of school is just over a week away, all transportation information has been uploaded to PowerSchool. To view this information, you will need to use a web browser like Chrome, Safari, or Edge. Do not use the PowerSchool app. CLICK HERE for a short video tutorial on how to find your student’s transportation information.
Support the Use of School Tech at Home: Blocksi
Right At School: Before & After Care
Mike Griffen
Email: mgriffen@scsmustangs.org
Website: https://muraski.strongnet.org/
Location: Muraski Elementary School, Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH, USA
Phone: 440-572-7160
Twitter: @MuraskiPrin