60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Before welcoming students back to class this week, our teachers and staff were preparing for the school year through professional development sessions. Click HERE for this week’s episode to see the impact of professional development and the efforts of our staff to continue to be life long learners and better themselves to “Be The Difference” for their students.
PAIGE APPLEGATE, SHS JUNIOR, EARNS SILVER MEDAL AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Paige Applegate, a Strongsville High School junior, was a member of Team Ohio's 3v3 Women's Basketball Team, and earned a silver medal (2nd place finish) in the recent 2022 Special Olympics Summer Games held this summer in Orlando, Florida. Syd Merz of Strongsville coached Paige's team, made up of women from all over Ohio. Paige was joined by Seth Greenfelder of Brunswick as representatives from Strongsville's Special Olympics Team. Seth competed in track and field events earning a silver medal in the 100m and a gold medal in the 200m. This is the first time athletes from the Strongsville Special Olympics program have represented Team Ohio in the National Games' 40-plus year history. There were over 5,500 athletes from the U.S. and Caribbean countries participating in these games, which are held every four years. Congratulations Paige!
SHS ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR ANDY HIRE NAMED “TEACHER OF THE YEAR”
Congratulations to Strongsville High School Orchestra Director Andy Hire who recently received the Sister Rita Mackert “Teacher of the Year” Award by the Strongsville Knights of Columbus. This annual award is named after Sister Rita Mackert, a lifelong educator who taught in Strongsville for over 50 years, and is awarded to a teacher who goes above and beyond for students each and every day. Congratulations Mr. Hire on this well-deserved recognition!
JOIN THE “SCS CREW”
Attention parents of SMS and SHS students: SCS Crew is looking for new members! The SCS Crew is a talented team of video production members! Students in SCS Crew have the opportunity to be a part of the team that records district events throughout the school year - sports, concerts, Board of Education meetings, SHS Commencement, and MORE - for YouTube and our Strongsville City Schools TV channel. Click HERE for a video about SCS Crew! Interested students should contact Scott Benson (440.572.7032 / sbenson@scsmustangs.org).
STRONGSVILLE ALUM CREATES FREE LITTLE LIBRARY FOR STRONGSVILLE COMMUNITY
Caroline Niederhausen (SHS Class of 2022) recently accomplished her Girl Scout Gold Award by building a free little library at the Cherry Tree Village Apartment Complex, located off of Whitney Rd. Caroline said, "I loved reading when I was in elementary school and both of my parents are librarians so I always had easy access to books. I wanted students that might not be able to get to the public library easily have the chance to read books." The library is full of children's books for the residents of Strongsville. Feel free to visit the library and take a book or leave a book.
(pictured with Caroline is Strongsville Councilman Jim Kaminski)
POWERSCHOOL UPDATES
The PowerSchool Portals have been updated for the 2022-2023 school year. With this update to PowerSchool, parents will need to reset their passwords.
You can now access the PowerSchool Parent Portal through this new URL: https://ps-st.metasolutions.net/public/. You can also find the new Parent Portal link on our District’s website using the PowerSchool Link or through the “Powerschool For Families” link under the “Families” link. Please follow the instructions HERE to access your Parent Portal.
PowerSchool's dashboard provides parents and students with easy access to the following important information: Class Schedules, Grades, Attendance, Fees, Report Cards, Transportation
STRONGSVILLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS MATTRESS FUNDRAISER (SAT. 8/27)
The Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters (SIMB) are pleased to announce their 13th annual Mattress Fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 27th, from 10am-5pm in the SHS Cafeteria. The high school’s cafeteria will be converted into a showroom featuring all makes, models, sizes, and types of mattresses - even custom sizes for RV’s and boats! Mattresses can be delivered anywhere in the USA. You will find the same quality and service of the box mattress retailers at greatly reduced prices. This annual fundraiser generates funds that support the Strongsville Band and Orchestra students and program.
“HERE COMES THE BUS” APP
'Here Comes The Bus' is an app for SCS families to track busing information and routes for their student(s), as well as real-time notifications. The app and complementary website - available on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or personal computer - enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus on its daily route. Download the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app to monitor daily transportation information. Families that utilized the app last year will need to delete last year’s student information and add their current year information in order to receive the latest routing details and updates. Click HERE for additional information about the app.
FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL APPLICATIONS FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
After two years of free meals for all students in our District, through a federal government program, we will be transitioning back to free, reduced, and paid statuses for student meals. If you believe your family may qualify for free or reduced price school meals, we encourage you to complete a Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application online, which may be found HERE. The online form must be completed by Friday, September 30, 2022. If your situation should change as a result of lower income or increased family size, you may complete a new form at any time during the school year.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 7TH & 12TH GRADES
Please note the following immunization requirements from the Ohio Department of Health.
All students entering 7th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 7th grade:
One (1) dose of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
(A second dose of meningococcal vaccine will be required prior to entry into the 12th grade)
One (1) dose of Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis] vaccine
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All students entering 12th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 12th grade:
Two (2) doses of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
Incoming 7th and 12th graders will need to show proof of having received these vaccines before they can return to school for the 2022-23 school year (exemptions are provided for under law, call for more information).
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 7th graders
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 12th graders
Section 3313.671 of the Ohio Revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization will be excluded from school on the 15th day after entrance, until proof is provided.
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
Strongsville Rotary StrongFest (Sat. 8/27)
The Rotary Club of Strongsville is excited to present the inaugural StrongFest, presented by Sheiban Jewelers, on Saturday, August 27th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at the Strongsville Recreation Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to support our community - come and enjoy over 40 varieties of beer and wine from local, regional & national brands. Food trucks will also be there, plus live music with “Jump The Gun.” This fundraiser will benefit The Strongsville Town Center Initiative Project and other local charities that The Rotary Club of Strongsville supports. Click HERE for additional information and to purchase tickets.
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.
September Business Luncheon “Get to Know your City Council and School Board”
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
2022 Strongsville Community Business Expo
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
4:00pm - 5:00pm Business to Business Networking
5:00pm - 7:30pm Open to Strongsville Community
Come learn more about the businesses in our vibrant local business community!
Click HERE to register your business to participate
October Business Luncheon “State of the Schools Address” Presented by Dr. Cameron Ryba Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2022 Chamber Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 2, 2022
Strongsville Library
Please note the following August 2022 events being held on ZOOM virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events for us to send you the Zoom invitation. 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.
Attention atypical or less frequent library users…What kinds of materials, spaces, and services would you wish the Library had for customers to use? Do you have a moment to fill out a survey on your Library usage? We are working on our 10-year Facilities Master Plan and all voices are important if we want to successfully provide opportunities for all Library users to read, learn, create, and connect in the next 10 years. Please visit https://surveyhero.com/c/CCPLCommunity to complete this brief survey.
Did You Know? The Strongsville Branch Library now has available for use in our Library a Large Print Computer Keyboard. For those in need of a low vision large print keyboard, it is available to use with our computers, you can stop at the Adult Reference Circle for assistance and to borrow the keyboard for use.
English as a Second Language. IN PERSON Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Aspire Greater Cleveland is once again teaching IN-PERSON classes to help non-native speakers learn English and validate their skills. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. If you are interested in attending these ESOL classes, please call Aspire at 833.277.4732 to register.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library has resumed some 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.
Computer Classes Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held in-person as well as some VIRTUALLY which requires a web browser and an internet connection. There is no additional software to download. Google Chrome is the recommended browser. A valid email address is required for registration. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. 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://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes/2021-Virtual-and-In-Person-classes.aspx
Saturday, August 20th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Photoshop 2: Photo Retouching.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, August 22nd / 2:30 p.m. IN PERSON. The Monday Afternoon Book Discussion meets at 2:30 p.m. in the Library on the 4th Monday of each month. No registration required. New members always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Guide to Researching Your Home. Tuesday, August 23rd / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Strongsville Historical Society in partnership with Strongsville Branch Library, shares this look into researching the history of your home with a speaker from Cleveland Restoration Society. Are you interested in learning about how to research the history of your home and neighborhood? Jamie Miles, Preservation Programs Associate with the Cleveland Restoration Society, will discuss how to use the variety of resources available to you to trace your property's chain of ownership, learn about its builder or architect, find out how your neighborhood developed over time, or educate yourself on your home's historic style and architecture. Attend this presentation to dig in and get started on your research journey.
Blood Drive. Friday, August 26th / 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 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). 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).
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