Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2023-24 Vol 8, Iss 20)
SCS RENEWAL LEVY - MARCH 19
On March 19, 2024 Strongsville City Schools will have a renewal levy on the ballot. Our District seeks the renewal of a 5.9 mill operating levy that was initially approved by voters in May 2019. This was the first time new operating money was authorized by the voters since November 2007.
Since 2019, the last time Strongsville City Schools had a renewal on the ballot, the Auditor of State has established new guidelines with regard to school levies and how information can be shared from Ohio school districts to local communities for ballot issues. It is important that Strongsville City Schools provides the facts for upcoming ballot issues. The information on our website (https://www.strongnet.org/community/scs-renewal-levy) is intended to assist our community members in making an informed decision. Have a question about Issue 14? Click HERE to submit your question about the SCS Renewal Levy.
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
E-Sports is now an extracurricular opportunity available to students at Strongsville High School. E-Sports is more than just students playing video games - click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode to see the skills our high school students are building while competing in E-Sports!
SHS LADY MUSTANG WRESTLERS COMPETE IN HISTORIC FIRST HOME MEET
Did you know that there is a Lady Mustangs Wrestling Team at Strongsville High School? It's the first year that this team is competing and they held their first home match yesterday, defeating rival Brunswick! Congratulations and best of luck as this team continues to build a new program and opportunity for SHS student-athletes!
ONLINE REQUESTS FOR FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN (2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR)
Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) requests for the 2024-25 school year are now happening exclusively online. Click HERE for information on full day kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year.
A virtual informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students (2024-25 school year) was also recently held. This informational meeting can be watched on demand HERE.
ORDER KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SHS SPRING MUSICAL
Doughnut lovers - here’s a treat for you, which also benefits the SHS Theatre Department. Order charitable, fresh to order, and perfectly glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts to support the upcoming SHS spring musical, Chicago: Teen Edition. From now until March 2, order a dozen (or more) doughnuts online HERE and 50% of orders will be donated back to the SHS Theatre Department. Orders MUST be made through the fundraising link and are NOT LIMITED to the local Middleburg Heights location - so please share with family & friends in other cities and states.
STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING ALUMNI NIGHT - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
SHS Wrestling Alumni Night will take place on February 9th at 7pm in the SHS Main Gym. Let’s pack the stands with wrestling alumni! All alumni will also receive free admission to the match - please register HERE.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. BRAD ZAHAR, 5TH GRADE TEACHER AT CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY
Mr. Brad Zahar teaches 5th grade at Chapman Elementary and has been working in our District for four years. Mr. Zahar is a Strongsville High School alum (Class of ‘07) and also attended Kinsner and Center Middle School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his graduate degree from Baldwin Wallace.
“I love the smiles and stories fifth graders bring to class each day. No day is the same and it's always a joy to see students accomplish their goals. I like seeing students take on challenges and become engaged with the learning process. When students can become intrinsically motivated and take ownership of their learning, it gives them tools needed to become lifelong learners.”
Thank you Mr. Zahar for helping our 5th graders at Chapman continue to grow and develop and preparing them for middle school! #ModelMustang
“HERE COMES THE BUS” APP FOR SCS FAMILIES
"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 (www.herecomesthebus.com) - 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 and instructions on utilizing the app for your student's bus routes.
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 and/or to enroll your student, please click HERE.
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
Internet Safety, Social Media, and Cyberbullying - Community Forum - Thursday, 1/25
On Thursday, January 25, 2024 the Strongsville Women's League will present "Protect Our Children: Internet Safety, Social Media and Cyberbullying" at 7:00pm at the Strongsville Recreation Center. Our speakers will include: John Dolinar, who will address Information Technology Security Breaches and Personal Home Computer Security; Zachary Irwin, from Southwest Healthcare, who will address the effects of social media; and a representative from the FBI who will address cyberbullying. Our moderator for the evening will be Kristi Capel of Fox 8 News. The Strongsville Women's League (SWL) is a civic group in Strongsville dedicated to enriching the lives of Strongsville residents through volunteer service, leadership, fundraising, and friendship. SWL is a member of the GFWC Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs.
Volunteer Opportunity for High School Students
A Special Wish Foundation Northeast Ohio is once again partnering with SouthPark Mall to host the Princess Ball event on Sunday, February 11th. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards granting a Big Wish for a deserving A Special Wish child in northeast Ohio. The event is in need of volunteers and looking for high school students to assist. Details are below:
Volunteer Schedule:
Registration: 7:00 am – 7:15 am
Shift Meeting + Station Assignment: 7:15 am – 7:45 am
Volunteer Shift: 7:45 am – 12:30 pm
*Total volunteer hours = 5.5 hours
To sign up for this volunteer opportunity, please email Robin at robin@aspecialwishneo.org – please include your preferred t-shirt size in the email to receive a volunteer t-shirt at registration.
The FBI Cleveland Future Agents in Training (FAIT) Academy
The FBI Cleveland Future Agents in Training (FAIT) Academy is now accepting applications for the 2024 session. The FAIT 2024 Academy is scheduled for June 10-13. FAIT is a 4-day program for high school rising seniors (Class of 2025), that live within the FBI Cleveland Division area of responsibility. FAIT is a chance for students learn about and receive an inside look into the FBI. Students selected for the FAIT Academy spend four interactive days at the FBI Cleveland Field Office and at a local offsite location in downtown Cleveland, participating in both classroom and hands-on activities. Classes offer insight into a number of topics and specialties including criminal, cyber threats, and terrorism. Students learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, and a variety of professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and solving cases. After completing the class, students are more aware of challenges their communities face, and better understand how the FBI serves their community. Graduates are encouraged to serve as young ambassadors for the FBI.
Selections are competitive, as we receive hundreds of applications each year competing for 45 spots. Participants are selected based on eligibility requirements, an anonymous reading and scoring of their personal essay. Click HERE for additional information. Click HERE for an applicant checklist. Applications - click HERE - will only be accepted via email, as ONE submission by January 31, 2024, to fait.cv@fbi.gov.
Kiwanis ‘Read Around the World’ Event - Sat. 2/24
The Kiwanis Club of Strongsville is hosting its annual ‘Read Around the World’ event on Saturday, Feb. 24th at the Strongsville Community Library. Doors open at 10:00am and close at 12:30pm. The event is intended for preschoolers through 3rd graders and includes short skits, puppet shows, and face-painting. Each child visitor will enjoy refreshments and take home a new children’s book of their choice. All is free!
Join Strongsville Special Olympics + Volunteers Needed for Basketball Season
Join the Strongsville Special Olympics family! Strongsville Special Olympics has a number of sports opportunities for ages 8 and up. Participants can gain new sports skills, attend annual dances and picnics, and make lifelong friends! Email strongsvillespecialolympics@gmail.com for additional information or click HERE.
Strongsville Special Olympics is seeking volunteers to help with their Basketball Skills Season. Students would supervise athletes as they travel around various stations, operate a skills station, and help encourage our athletes. The only training necessary is to be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude, and bring a smile! Our practices will be at the Strongsville Rec Center at 9 am on Sundays (1/7 - 2/18).
Please click here to volunteer and contact us at strongsvillespecialolympics@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Youth Lacrosse - Spring Registration
Come be a part of America’s fastest growing sport! Strongsville Youth Lacrosse has been growing since 2008 and registration for the 2024 season is now open for boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades. Indoor practices begin in mid-February and the outdoor season runs from late March through May. All experience levels welcome. All information is included on the registration site - click HERE.
Treehouse Berea Programming
Treehouse Berea is offering many activities and opportunities for students. From Battle Bots to Coding to Minecraft Engineers - there's something for kids ages 6-13. Visit treehouseberea.com to learn more or click HERE for the flyer about the available activities.
Strongsville Library
Please note the following January 2024 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 Library and Administrative Offices will be OPEN on Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 15th regular business hours.
CCPL Winter 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/4050
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.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are on back in session in January! Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. No registration needed.
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.
Saturday Crafter-Noon! Ages 3+ with Caregiver. Saturday, January 13th / 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. If you’re not sure what to do on the first Saturday afternoon of the month, look no further! Create a one-of-a-kind craft in our storytime room. While Supplies Last!
Minute to Win It Challenges. Ages 6 - 8. Monday, January 15th / 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. You have only 60 seconds to complete a variety of challenges to win it all. From stacking cups without using your hands to a marshmallow toss. Do you have what it takes?
Excel Functions Overview. Tuesday, January 16th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. For those already familiar with Excel, this class will introduce a variety of functions, including text functions and summary functions. Additionally, learn about paste special, sorting and filtering with data. Prerequisite: Excel Basics
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
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, January 17th / 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 Honor by Thrity Umrigar. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
"It's a Toss Up" Game Night. Grades 1 - 4. Wednesday, January 17th / 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Challenge yourself and others with various tossing based games including Toss Across and horseshoes.
Puzzle & Board Game Swap. Thursday, January 18th / 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Join us to swap puzzles and board games! Have you completed all your puzzles and are looking for something new? Played the same games over and over? Bring those puzzles or board games in and swap them for something new and exciting! Please bring the original box if possible and include any special information if needed. Tickets will be given for each puzzle or board game brought. Tickets will be randomly pulled to decide the order of selection for choosing your new games or puzzles. Registration is requested.
Blood Drive. Friday, January 19th / 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).
Kindergarten Countdown: Counting. For children entering Kindergarten this Fall & their Caregivers. Friday, January 19th / 11:00 a.m. – Noon. Join us as we help your child build kindergarten readiness skills in a program aligned to Ohio’s Early Childhood Standards. This session, we will focus on counting.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, January 20th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, January 29th / 7:00 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 session.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, January 22nd / 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 are always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Our Missing Hearts: a Novel by Celest Ng. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Teen Sewing. For Teens in Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, January 23rd / 6:30 - 8 p.m. Sewing machines and needles will be used during this program. Learn the basic parts and functions of a machine, practice basic stitches, and make a fun project! All materials and equipment are provided. No prior experience necessary.
Family Puzzle Connection. Tuesday, January 30th / 7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Join us for a spirited night of puzzle piecing competition! Each family will work on assembling 300-piece puzzles in a given amount of time. Please register as a family.
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
Instagram: @strongsvillecs
Twitter / X: @strongsvillecs