60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our teachers continue to assess students throughout the year. As early as kindergarten, it is important to determine where students are excelling and where they might need some extra instruction. In Mrs. Medaglia’s kindergarten class at Whitney, she is working with Mrs. Ambroziak - Gifted Intervention Specialist - to provide additional accelerated instruction in math to continue to help our students grow. Click HERE for this week’s episode as we learn more about how this collaboration is benefitting some of our youngest learners.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. MELISSA FRIEDMAN, 5TH GRADE TEACHER AT SURRARRER ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Melissa Friedman has been teaching in our District for 17 years. Mrs. Friedman has taught at Zellers Elementary and Chapman Elementary, and is currently teaching 5th grade at Surrarrer Elementary. She earned her undergraduate degree from The College of Wooster and also a graduate degree from The Ohio State University.
“I love the unknown that each day can bring as a teacher. Kids are not widgets and even with the best laid plans, they throw you curveballs each and every day. You don't know what a student may say or do, so you always need to be on your toes and stay flexible. No two days are ever the same! I enjoy the interaction with the students each day. I looped with my current students (taught with them in 4th grade last year, and am now their 5th grade teacher) and this is the first time I have ever done that. There are so many advantages to having the same kids two years in a row. You already know their strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes from day one, so you can really hit the ground running at the beginning of the year. That feeling of a "class family" that builds over the course of a year is already present from the beginning and that has really been neat this year. Seeing the educational and emotional growth of the kids over the course of two years instead of one is a nice adventure to be on,” said Mrs. Friedman.
“There is so much parental support in our district and I truly appreciate knowing the support exists for whatever may be needed. I feel fortunate to work as a team with the parents for the benefit of their children. I enjoy making the school environment a positive one for all the students in my building, not just the ones in my homeroom. I also enjoy working on the PBIS committee in my building and coming up with new monthly incentives. I like using student feedback and help in creating PBIS goals and incentives that are meaningful and attainable for all the kids at Surrarrer.”
Thank you Mrs. Friedman for being a positive influence for our 5th grade students at Surrarrer Elementary! #BeTheDifference
KINSNER & SURRARRER ELEMENTARY NIGHT AT SHS WRESTLING MATCH (THU. 12/8)
Kinsner & Surrarrer Elementary families - don’t miss your special night at the upcoming Mustangs vs. North Olmsted varsity wrestling match on Thursday, December 8 at 6:30pm. All SCS students receive FREE entry to the match (Adult tickets are $7 each). Come cheer on your Mustangs!
* Stay tuned for additional elementary nights at upcoming wrestling matches this season!
SENIOR TAYLOR BASS SETS LADY MUSTANG BASKETBALL RECORD
Congratulations to SHS Senior Taylor Bass for setting the school record for career three-point FG's made (114)! Taylor broke the Lady Mustangs basketball school record last week in the team’s first game of the season against Shaker Hts. She has the opportunity to continue to build on that record for the remainder of the 2022-23 season - 114 and counting. Congratulations Taylor!
WINTER CONCERTS - WATCH THEM ON-DEMAND
Wonderful winter concerts showcasing our instrumental and vocal groups are being held over the next few weeks at all of our schools. If you can’t make it to a “live” concert or want to see an encore performance, click HERE for all of the concerts you can watch “on demand” now and throughout winter break.
SMS FOOTBALL INTEREST SURVEY - 2023 SEASON
In order for Strongsville City Schools to secure the necessary equipment for next year’s football season, our Athletic Department is asking families to fill out this survey. With supply chain issues continuing to be a factor, football equipment can be difficult to obtain in a timely fashion. We need to know now how much equipment is needed to outfit our HUGE class of current 6th and 7th grade football players as well as the rest of the potential SCS football players for the 2023 season. Even if you think your child might not be interested please have an exploratory conversation with them. Thank you!
WING DING FUNDRAISER FOR SHS WRESTLING PROGRAM (SAT. 12/10)
Don’t miss the upcoming “Wing Ding” fundraiser to support the SHS Wrestling program. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 10 from 4pm - 7pm at Mulligan’s (20880 Royalton Rd.). Tickets are $25 and available from any SHS wrestler or contact Coach Orlosky at torlosky@scsmustangs.org. Click HERE for the event flyer.
RIGHT AT SCHOOL - BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR SCS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILIES
Our District partners with the nationally recognized school enrichment provider, Right At School, to provide before- and after-school care for elementary students. Right at School offers before- and after-school care every weekday (Monday-Friday) at each of the elementary school buildings in our District. For additional program information, please click on the following links to access websites dedicated to each of our elementary school locations: Chapman, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, Whitney
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. 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).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Baldwin Wallace Holiday Math Mini-Camp (Sat. December 17)
Kick off winter break with amazing hands-on math fun at Baldwin Wallace’s Holiday Math Mini-Camp on December 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kindergarteners through sixth graders will enjoy holiday math-themed crafts, games, puzzles, and learning activities with brilliant and talented Baldwin Wallace University faculty and student mathematicians!
Drop off your kids at the Knowlton Center to get holiday errands and shopping done and we’ll have a blast! In addition, kids will have math takeaways sure to snowball into many more hours of fun to stay engaged with math over holiday break!
The camp is $70 per student, which includes lunch, crafts that can be holiday gifts, and take-home activities. A Sibling Discount of 10% off per additional child is available and will be automatically credited at checkout. Click HERE for the event flyer. Questions? Please email dcl@bw.edu
Breakfast with Santa
Join us at First Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am - 11am when Santa comes to visit! Enjoy a pancake breakfast along with a craft. There may even be some elves there to help! While you are here you can even grab a photo with Santa, himself! Hope to see you there! Tickets are $10, for everyone 3 and up, and can be purchased at https://firstchurch.ticketspice.com/breakfast-with-santa
One-Day STEAM Class at Strongsville Rec Center
Challenge Island is offering K-6th graders a fun way to celebrate the holidays with this one-day STEAM class at the Strongsville Rec. Center.
STEAMing through the Holidays - December 12th / 5:45pm – 7:15pm
Give kids the gift of engineering, imagination and creativity! We will get in the holiday spirit as we design and build spinning snowman and create snow flake copters. We will learn about penguins and engineer a penguin slide to race our penguins to see which STEAMteam® will have the fastest penguin?
Space is limited and registration is currently open. Click HERE for the event flyer. You can register by calling the Rec. Center front desk at 440-580-3260 or online at https://strongsville.activityreg.com
Winter Chess Camp - Strongsville Rec Center
Winter Chess Camp is coming to the Strongsville Rec Center! Winter Chess Camp (for ages 6 – 12 years) is a super-fun, high-energy chess experience in which kids celebrate a new chess tactic each day with silly videos, music driven puzzlers for prizes, colorful silicone TactixBands, and so much more! Winter Chess Camp meets for 3 hours in the afternoon for a full week - Monday, December 19 - Friday, December 23. Click HERE for the event flyer. Space is limited and registration is currently open. You can register by calling the Rec Center front desk at 440-580-3260 or online at https://strongsville.activityreg.com
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Please note the following upcoming events hosted by the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required for all events. Please call 440.238.3366 for more information or to register. Those interested in the following events may also visit the Chamber website (www.strongsvillechamber.com) to register and see additional event info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
December Holiday Luncheon
Music Provided by SHS Strings Orchestra, Directed by Mr. Andrew Hire
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
Strongsville Library
Please note the following December 2022 events being held on ZOOM virtually or in-person and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events for us to send you virtual Zoom invitations. 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 Library and Administrative offices will be closed December 24th & 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Monday, December 26th at 9:00 a.m.
**The Library and Administrative offices will be closed December 31st and January 1st for the New Year Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Monday, January 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library has resumed storytimes in-person. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories. Group is small and registration is required. Please register each child separately. Only the participating child and one caregiver will be admitted to the program (no siblings, please), due to social distancing space requirements. In-person programs may be held over Zoom if required by CDC and CCPL guidelines. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture this program’s effectiveness. Learn more about parent options at www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. To check for in-person storytime availability, please check our schedule online or call (440) 238-5530.
Cozy Family Winter Storytime. All Ages. Saturday, December 3rd / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. IN PERSON. Come in and enjoy a cozy afternoon at the library with stories and a craft. Families are invited to hear some winter tales, make a fun chilly craft, and have some hot chocolate. Come in out of the cold and enjoy our little “fireside” wintery escape. Children are welcome to wear their PJs! Registration is required.
Studio Orientation. Monday, December 19th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. / IN-PERSON. 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 or in-person sessions.
Raisin’ Canes Holiday Vaudeville Show. Monday, December 5th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON. Join us for this fun holiday show presented by Raisin' Canes! The Raisin Canes from Smallwood Activities Center (formerly Parma Senior Center) is a group of 64 to 80 years young vaudeville style performers. They have been entertaining libraries, senior groups, and more, and have been performing their routines since 1999! The audience will love this dancing, sing-along, and comedy vaudeville show for everyone!
How to Buy a Car. Wednesday, December 7th / 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. IN PERSON. Buying a new car is more stress-free the more you know. Learn about: figuring (and getting) a fair price, countering dealers' tactics, what and when to buy, leasing, handling a trade-in, hybrids, and battery electrics, and where to get more information. Taught by Howard E. Katz, Law Professor at Cleveland State University.
Teen Tote Bag Sewing Craft. Teens Grades 6-12. Thursday, December 15th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON. Join us for a fun night of sewing where we'll create a tote bag. We'll go over the basic pieces and functions of the sewing machines, then sew a tote bag. No experience necessary, beginners welcome!
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