60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our teachers are constantly challenging themselves to “Be The Difference” for their students. They are working on instructional strategies to further engage their students and provide opportunities for deeper learning. What does this mean and how is it being accomplished in our District? Click HERE for this week’s episode to hear examples from Muraski Elementary School and how all grade levels are involved in this exciting work.
CHICK-FIL-A RIVALRY WEEK - CANNED FOOD DRIVE (OCT. 17-21)
Strongsville hosts Brunswick in the "Battle for Boston Road" at Pat Catan Stadium on Friday, October 21 at 7pm. In addition to the competition on the football field, Strongsville High School and Strongsville Middle School will be collecting canned food in the days leading up to the big game. Students are encouraged to bring their non-perishable items from October 17 - October 21 in a food drive challenge with Brunswick High School. Items collected at SHS and SMS will benefit the Strongsville Food Bank. If Strongsville collects the most canned goods, they will win a pre-game meal from Chick-fil-A. This is a season-long high school football promotion, sponsored by Chick-fil-A - if Strongsville collects the most canned goods overall, the entire school will win Chick-fil-A. LET'S GO MUSTANGS!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. JANET SANSAVERA-SMITH, SPANISH TEACHER AT SHS
Mrs. Janet Sansavera-Smith has been teaching at Strongsville High School for 15 years. Mrs. Sansavera-Smith is a Spanish Teacher in the World Language Department and also advises the school’s Spanish Club. In addition to her work in the classroom, she is a member of both the PBIS and Building Leadership Team at the high school. Mrs. Sansavera-Smith has also worked with the Ohio Department of Education the past few years to build the model curriculum for World Language teachers and to develop and implement innovative project-based learning opportunities with other World Language teachers across the state. This work has led to her honors students creating a website for incoming native spanish-speaking students to feel more welcomed at Strongsville High School, including an overview of school rules and video tours of the building and community in Spanish. Mrs.Sansavera-Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Kent State University and graduate degrees from Cleveland State and Bowling Green State University.
“I love seeing my students grow in their Spanish skills throughout the year. I admire their resiliency and desire to improve day to day and year to year. It fuels me to keep doing what I do. Seeing them become more confident as the year goes on is rewarding on so many levels. I look forward to the day-to-day student interactions and building positive relationships with my students as we have fun together while learning,” said Mrs. Sansavera-Smith.
“I not only look forward to building a positive culture within my classroom, but outside of it as well. I've enjoyed planning pep rallies and other fun activities for our students, promoting the student council's spirit wear themes amongst my colleagues each Friday, supporting our students with special needs through promoting The Derby - our student run spirit shop - and Unified Sports games, helping to organize a staff tailgate, and working with my colleague, Mrs. McGrath, and administration to create a friendly week-long teacher competition each spring.”
Thank you Mrs. Sansavera-Smith for providing great opportunities for our students to learn a different language and being a champion for many of our Strongsville High School initiatives that continue to build a positive high school experience and environment for all of our students. #BeTheDifference
SCS FOOD SERVICES CELEBRATES NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK
This week was “National School Lunch Week” - the theme was “Peace, Love, and School Lunch.” It was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our cafeteria workers and thank all of our Food Services team for their efforts on a daily basis! Throughout the week, our cafeterias also featured guest servers, including Superintendent Dr. Ryba, Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Pelko, and many of our elementary school Principals.
“GREET & TREAT” RETURNS TO PAT CATAN STADIUM (MON. 10/24)
The Strongsville City Schools annual “Greet & Treat” event will be held at Strongsville High School’s Pat Catan Stadium on Monday, October 24 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and collect candy and treats in an outdoor, family-friendly atmosphere. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable items for the Strongsville Food Bank and other local food pantries that evening. We hope to see lots of families at this year’s “Greet & Treat” on October 24!
MUSTANG EXPRESS ROYAL TEA (TOMORROW - SAT. 10/15)
Attention kids of all ages, don’t miss tomorrow’s (Sat. 10/15) Royal Tea, hosted by Mustang Express (Strongsville High School’s Show Choir)! This fun family event will feature an exciting musical show, performed by members of Mustang Express appearing as your favorite characters! Don’t forget to wear your Princess (& Prince) attire, as there will be photo opportunities following the show. Choose from two shows - 12:00pm & 2:00pm - tomorrow at Strongsville High School. Tickets are just $5 at the door - it will be a magical event at SHS!
HALLOWEEN DARE DANCE (7TH & 8TH GRADE) - TONIGHT (10/14)
7th & 8th graders - don’t miss tonight’s (Fri. 10/14) Halloween DARE Dance! The dance will be held at Michaud’s Town & Country (16808 Pearl Rd.) from 6pm - 9pm. There will be prizes for best costume and best makeup, lots of dancing, and tons of fun! Bring a box of cereal for the Strongsville Food Bank and be entered into special drawings too! Purchase Tickets in advance HERE - tickets will NOT be available at the door.
SHS CRAFT FAIR (SAT. 10/29)
Join us at the SHS Craft Fair on Saturday, October 29th from 9am - 2pm at Strongsville High School. The Craft Fair will feature local artwork, homemade crafts, jewelry, and bakery items, plus Pampered Chef, LuLaRue, Scentsy, Norwex, Tupperware and much more! Admission is just $1 and all proceeds will benefit the SHS Cheerleaders.
SIMB BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Join Strongsville’s Band and Orchestra students at the North Pole for Breakfast with Santa! All of the holiday fun happens on Sunday, November 27 from 10:30am - 1:30pm at the Meadowood Clubhouse. Tickets are $15 and includes breakfast, pictures with Santa, performances by the Marching Mustangs, face painting, and a 50/50 raffle. Click HERE to purchase event tickets. Proceeds benefit the Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters.
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 Women’s League - Nicole Washington Essay Contest
Strongsville students in grades 7-12 have the opportunity to enter an essay contest and win cash prizes! The Nicole Washington Essay Contest, sponsored by Strongsville Women’s League encourages students to write about their differences and how it impacts daily life. Essays are due by 5pm on October 31, 2022. For additional contest details and essay prompts, please click HERE.
Baldwin Wallace Tech Camp - Building Web Based Games with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Thu. 10/27)
Baldwin Wallace University will host another BW Tech Camp on Thursday, October 27 at 5:30pm. During the two-hour camp for students ages 12 to 17, participants will work with a provided template to build a Halloween themed web-based game using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. The concepts covered in this class will allow participants to create their own game and the games will be hosted at the end of the camp so they can show their family or friends. Students may bring a USB drive to take their game home so they can continue to work on the game to customize the characters, colors, and gameplay. The camp is free, but registration is required as space is limited. To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2rnsvvyy. The camp will be held in the Austin E. Knowlton Center, located at 370 Front Street, Berea, on the Baldwin Wallace campus. Brought to you by the Baldwin Wallace Division of Community Learning. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Trunk-or-Treat at First Lutheran Church (Saturday, October 29th / 3pm - 5pm)
You are invited to First Lutheran Church's Halloween Trunk or Treat! The event takes place on Saturday, October 29th from 3pm - 5pm at First Lutheran Church (19419 Royalton Road). Join us for a safe and fun opportunity to show off your costume, wander through the creatively decorated cars to get some delicious candy and enjoy some cider and additional food/sweet treats. The event is free and registration HERE is optional! Looking forward to seeing all of the community's little ghouls and goblins!
Strongsville Stampede - One Mile Fun Run (Sunday, October 30)
Don’t miss the GOH Run Mustang Stampede One Mile Fun Run 2022 - Halloween Style! It’s a one mile cross country fun run for elementary students on Sunday, October 30th at 11:00am at Strongsville Volunteer Park. Elementary age students are welcome to participate in the one mile race. The Preschool Race is 1/2 mile and Kindergarten students may run either distance. Check-in and registration begins at 10:00am at the Pavilion. Arrive early to get your race tag and view the course, it is well marked. There is no entry fee, but donations will be accepted toward awards and supplies for the race. We will also be collecting food donations for the food bank. Questions? gohrunwithus@gmail.com Click HERE for race registration.
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.
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
November Business Luncheon
City of Strongsville - Economic Development Update
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
2022 Chamber Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 2, 2022
NEW VENUE! The Aviator Event Center (formerly the 100th Bomber Restaurant)
20920 Brookpark Rd. / Cleveland
Seating is Limited! Reserve Your Table Early!
Strongsville Library
Please note the following October 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.
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 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.
Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabric. Grades 2 – 6. Saturday, October 15th / 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Come join us for fun, hands on activities that let you get close to the action! Be prepared to get in and get messy. Led by volunteers from the American Chemical Society. This program may include activities that could be considered harmful. In order for your child to participate you must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form and return to program location at least one week prior to the program start date. The form can be found at:
http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Kids-Teens/Parents-and-Teachers/Parent-Options.aspx
Studio Orientation. Monday, October 17th 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 in-person session.
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
Tuesday, October 18th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Word 3.
Wednesday, October 26th / 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Excel 1.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, October 19th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON. Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Strongsville Branch Library. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Klara and the Sun by Kazou Ishiguro. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Friends of Strongsville Branch Library – Fall Bag of Books Sale! Saturday, October 22nd / 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. Friends Preview 9am-10am Bag sale - Fill a bag for only $2! Buy a membership at the door to enter one hour early! All current members, renewals and new members purchased that morning at the friends’ preview receive a coupon for a CCPL reusable bag (available at the front desk.) The sale opens to the public at 10:00 a.m. Only $2 to fill a bag (bring your own bag that is no bigger than 15 x 15 inches) We will have bags for as long as they last. Lots of books for sale - for all ages! Fiction, non-fiction, audio visual materials, magazines & more!
Friends of Strongsville Branch Library – Fall Bag of Books Sale! Sunday, October 23rd / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Fill a bag on Sunday for only $1.00! Please bring your own bag that is no bigger than 15 x 15 inches. Lots of books for sale - for all ages! Fiction, non-fiction, audio visual materials, magazines & more!
Friends of Strongsville Branch Library – Fall Bag of Books Sale! Monday, October 24th / 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Friends bag of books sale will conclude on Monday. All remaining items - fill a bag with books for only 50 cents! While Supplies Last!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, October 24th / 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 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Presidents’ Wives from Ohio. Tuesday, October 25th / 7:00 p.m. The Strongsville Historical Society in partnership with the Strongsville Branch Library will present this living history presentation with the Presidents' Wives from Ohio. Join us to see actors in full costume, as they present the eight First Ladies of the Ohio Presidents of the United States. Those in attendance will enjoy as they tell some interesting and little told facts of the lives of each of the First Ladies. Registration is required.
Meet Author Shelley Shepard Gray. Thursday, October 27th / 7:00 p.m. Join us when author Shelley Shepard Gray visits to discuss her new inspirational romance novel, Happily Ever Amish. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac’s Backs – Books on Coventry.
Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade. Ages 3 – 5. Monday, October 31st / 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. Enjoy a friendly Halloween gathering with stories, music, and a craft. Costumes are encouraged. Then we'll parade through the library to collect goodies to take home!
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