Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2022-23 Vol 7, Iss 30)
Be The Difference
IN THIS ISSUE - March 24, 2023
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Three SHS Seniors are National Merit Finalists
SMS 7th Grader Luke Huber Places in “Magnificent 16” for State Math Competition
New Audio Lab at SHS - Sign Up Now & Start Creating!
SCS State of the Schools Presentation - Watch it On Demand!
It’s “March Mammal Madness” Time at Strongsville High School!
SHS Spring Musical - “Bye, Bye Birdie” (3/30 - 4/1)
SHS Junior Cal Klinzing Raises Over $94,000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Mustang Spotlight - Mr. Tim Mattson, SCS Skilled Maintenance
Strongsville Alum Part of Mount Union Cheerleading at National Championship Game
Strongsville Boys Golf Camp for Middle School Student-Athletes
SHS Band & Choir Earn Superior (I) Ratings at OMEA Competition
Strongsville Summer Youth Soccer Camp - Register Now
Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters Wing Ding (Sat. 4/29)
Strongsville Education Foundation “Jockeys & Juleps” Event (Sat. May 6th)
SHS Cheer & Mascot Tryouts - NEXT WEEK (3/27-31)
Right at School - Before & After School Care for SCS Elementary School Families
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, March 30 - Saturday, April 1 - 7:00pm Performances Each Night
SHS Spring Musical - “Bye Bye Birdie”
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Purchase Advance Tickets HERE or at the door on event night
($10 for Adult General Admission / $7 for Students/Seniors/SCS Employees)
Wednesday, April 5 - 7:00pm
All-City Choir Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Watch the live stream HERE
Thursday, April 6 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE
Friday, April 7 - Friday, April 14
NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Chapman Elementary has many resources to assist students of all abilities to learn and grow. One of the goals is to promote inclusive learning environments by integrating students with moderate and intensive needs into the classrooms with their typical peers. Click HERE for this week’s episode to hear about the many ways Chapman is supporting students of all abilities.
THREE SHS SENIORS ARE NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS
Congratulations to three Strongsville High School students who were recently named National Merit Finalists - Bhavya Anoop, Avery Scullin, and Raina Sinha. They qualified for the prestigious National Merit program based on their PSAT scores and are among the top .8% students in the country being recognized with this top award. As Finalists, Bhavya, Avery, and Raina will also compete for various scholarships in the National Merit program.
SMS 7TH GRADER LUKE HUBER PLACES IN “MAGNIFICENT 16” FOR STATE MATH COMPETITION
Luke Huber, a seventh grade student at Strongsville Middle School, recently placed 15th out of 162 participants at the state level in the Mathcounts middle school competition. To qualify for the state competition, Luke first competed against more than 80 students in the Northeast Ohio chapter competition, where he placed 2nd! A total of 1,235 students competed in the Ohio chapter competitions, placing Luke in the top 1% of all competitors. Well done!
NEW AUDIO LAB AT SHS - SIGN UP NOW & START CREATING!
Did you know that we have an Audio Lab available on the 2nd floor of the SHS Media Center for our 9th-12th grade students? Click HERE for a promotional video created by Mr. Bent’s Sport Management class and featuring music created by students in the Audio Lab! This space features a professional grade workspace incorporating components found in recording studios across the country. Whether it’s vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, drums or acoustic instruments - this lab has the tools you need for your project. The Audio Lab is open to recording "newbies" or someone who is experienced in audio production - we encourage you to unleash your talents for the world to hear! Click HERE for additional information and to reserve time in the Audio Lab to start creating! (** An experienced SHS staff member must be present to use the Audio Lab)
SCS STATE OF THE SCHOOLS PRESENTATION - WATCH IT ON DEMAND!
The annual “State of the Schools” presentation was held recently. Dr. Ryba spoke about the various ways our District is investing in our students and staff, provided initial details on the District’s Strategic Plan, and presented an in-depth look at the challenges our District faces with our elementary schools due to projected increases in enrollment. A recording of the presentation is now available to view on demand - visit the SCS-TV page on the District website.
IT’S “MARCH MAMMAL MADNESS” TIME AT STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL!
While March Madness has started on the basketball court, "March Mammal Madness" has started in the Biology Department at Strongsville High School. This world-wide competition features a tournament-style bracket pitting different mammals (and other non-mammal species) against each other. Animal armor, temperament, and environment are some of the factors that go into determining winners of each faceoff.
Mr. Mott, SHS Science Teacher, organizes Strongsville's participation, which includes students and staff evaluating strengths and weaknesses of each animal to fill out their brackets and then learning why an animal either does or doesn't make it to the next round. Who wins the Striped Hyena/Fire-Footed Rope Squirrel matchup? Or the Veined Octopus/Puffer Fish battle? Follow the brackets at https://libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalMadness/2023mmm-results
SHS SPRING MUSICAL - “BYE BYE BIRDIE” (3/30 - 4/1)
Strongsville High School is proud to present the musical theatre classic - Bye Bye Birdie. Captivating audiences for over 60 years, Bye Bye Birdie explores the themes of love conquering adversity, youthful naivete, the dangers and demise of celebrity, and the struggles of growing up too early or too late. Come watch Albert and Rosie attempt to keep rock star Conrad Birdie (an Elvish Presley type) in the public eye as they travel to the suburban Sweet Apple, Ohio to allow a lucky girl “one last kiss” from Conrad before he enters the Army.
Performances are Thursday 3/30, Friday 3/31, and Saturday 4/1 at 7pm in the Strongsville High School Main Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door or in advance HERE. ($10 for Adult General Admission / $7 for Students/Seniors/SCS Employees)
SHS JUNIOR CAL KLINZING RAISES OVER $94,000 FOR LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
Over the past seven weeks, SHS Junior Cal Klinzing has been raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as Strongsville’s representative in the annual “Student Visionaries” program. Out of the 33 Student Visionary teams, representing high schools throughout Northeast Ohio, Cal raised an incredible $94,616 - placing him 2nd in the area for his efforts. Overall, the Student Visionaries raised $821,458 for LLS.
THANK YOU Strongsville for supporting Cal’s campaign and helping to raise money in the fight against blood cancer.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. TIM MATTSON, SCS SKILLED MAINTENANCE
Mr. Tim Mattson has worked in our District for 14 years. A skilled maintenance worker with an Associates Degree in Pipe Welding, Mr. Mattson has also been a resident of Strongsville for 34 years and has had two children graduate from Strongsville High School.
“I face different challenges and problem solving daily. Every day is something different. I take pride in our work and get enjoyment out of completing the job, and seeing the finished product. Our Maintenance Department handles a variety of jobs, and we always step up to the different challenges we face daily. I really like the teamwork it takes to complete the tasks and the camaraderie with the guys in our shop,” said Mr. Mattson.
Thank you Mr. Mattson for being part of our District’s fantastic Maintenance Department and always stepping up to tackle the different projects to keep our facilities operating efficiently. #BeTheDifference
STRONGSVILLE ALUM REPRESENTS UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION AT DIII BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Strongsville High School graduate (Class of 2020) Sammi Orlosky had the privilege to be a member of the cheerleading squad for the University of Mount Union at the recent NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship game. Sammi has been a cheerleader for the record-setting Mount Union’s Men's Basketball Team this season. This was the first time in school history that the Men’s Basketball Team made the Sweet Sixteen, Final Four, and the National Championship Game. Sammi is thankful for her SHS Cheer Coaches (Coach Swaney, Coach Haberkorn and Coach Kelly) for all of their years of coaching and advice in high school, that helped provide the path to cheering at the collegiate level. #foreveramustang
STRONGSVILLE BOYS GOLF CAMP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES
5th-8th grade boys have the opportunity to develop their golf skills at the Strongsville Middle School Golf Camp. The camp will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout April and May and is designed develop the proper techniques in the golf swing as well as develop the skills for the short game and putting. Camp Directors and Instructors include the SHS Boys Varsity and JV Coaches, as well as current members of the SHS Boys Golf Team. Click HERE to register for this upcoming camp.
SHS BAND & CHOIR EARN SUPERIOR (I) RATINGS AT OMEA COMPETITION
Congratulations to the SHS Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band for receiving Superior (I) ratings at the recent OMEA District Contest and qualifying for State Contest in April!
Congratulations to Women's Chorale and SHS Cantorum for receiving Superior (I) ratings at the recent OMEA District IV contest. They also are advancing to the State OMEA Contest in April.
STRONGSVILLE SUMMER YOUTH SOCCER CAMP - REGISTER NOW
Improve your soccer skills - dribbling, juggling, passing and shooting - at the Strongsville Youth Summer Camp for boys ages 6-11. The camp will be held July 10-13 from 9-11:30am each day at the Foltz Soccer Complex (Fields 1-3). Former Ohio State Buckeye, Professional Soccer Player, and current SHS Boys Head Coach Kyle Veris will lead the camp with current SHS Boys Soccer players also providing instruction. Click HERE for the camp flyer.
STRONGSVILLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS WING DING (SAT. 4/29)
Don’t miss the “Wing Ding” at Harvest Saloon on Saturday, April 29 (5-8pm) to benefit the Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters (SIMB). The event will feature food and drink, raffles, and lots of FUN! Tickets are $35 in advance and all proceeds from the night will benefit SIMB and their support of our instrumental music program. Click HERE for the event flyer.
STRONGSVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION “JOCKEYS & JULEPS” EVENT (SAT. MAY 6TH)
The Strongsville Education Foundation’s 7th Annual “Jockeys & Juleps” event will take place on Saturday, May 6th from 5:30pm-10:30pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Watch the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, followed by a “Night at the Races” fundraiser benefiting the Foundation. Enjoy food and drink, raffles, and MORE! Click HERE to purchase tickets.
SHS CHEER & MASCOT TRYOUTS
Interested in trying out for next year’s cheerleading squads or being “Marty the Mustang” at Strongsville High School? Plan to attend a parent informational meeting on Monday, March 6 in the SHS Auditorium at 6:00pm. Tryouts will be held March 27-31. Click HERE to register for tryouts. Questions? Reach out to Coach Orlosky (jorlosky@scsmustangs.org).
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 Youth Lacrosse Fundraiser
Please consider supporting Strongsville Youth Lacrosse as we start our adventure to find our permanent home in Strongsville. This project has the goal of both beautifying our city even more AND providing a permanent place for our youth program to grow and thrive. We are hosting a fund raiser (our first) on April 1st. Even if you don’t have a child who plays, but just want to help, please consider reaching out or donating to a fantastic project HERE!
Ticket sales will end 3/26 in order to provide an accurate headcount.
https://www.strongsvillelacrosse.com/program/fund-our-field-event/2365
Easter Eggstravaganza (Sat. 3/25)
First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Strongsville presents their Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 25th from 9am -11am. There will be breakfast, a craft to complete, and eggs to hunt for! Ticket prices are as follows: FREE for 2 and under, $8.00 for ages 2-12, $10 for anyone over 13 years old. Everyone attending the event must have a ticket to attend. Purchase tickets with this link:
https://firstchurch.ticketspice.com/first-church-eggstravaganza
Heartbeats Community Show
Don’t miss the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team perform a FREE community show at Strongsville High School on Saturday, April 22 (7pm). The Heartbeats Jump Rope Team was founded in 1992 to promote the sport of jump rope as fun, healthy, competitive, and entertaining for people of all ages. Bring the entire family for an exciting evening of fun-filled entertainment - you won’t believe your eyes! Click HERE for the event flyer.
Safety Town Registration
Parents of incoming Kindergarten students, don’t miss registering your children for Safety Town. Click HERE for additional information on Safety Town. Click HERE for a Parent Brochure. Click HERE for the registration link.
Strongsville Women’s League Art Contest for K-5th Grade Students
ATTN: K-5th Grade Students - Have you ever dreamed of what Strongsville could look like in the future? We would like you to share your vision in a drawing. Dream about an area in Strongsville and what it will be like in the future. Strongsville Women’s League is holding an art contest for Strongsville residents currently in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It doesn’t matter which school you attend (public, private, or home), you must live in Strongsville and create your image on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper. We are accepting entries beginning March 17 until April 17. Drop your artwork off in your school office drop box labeled Strongsville Women’s League Art entries. There will be first, second, and third place prizes in each group of K-1, grades 2-3, and grades 4-5 students. Artwork will be judged and prizes will be awarded on Friday April 21, 2023. Parents of the winners will be contacted by email the week of April 17. Good luck and have fun! Please contact Karen Burgund (kmbrona@aol.com) or Mindy Shirilla (mindyshirilla@sbcglobal.net) with any questions or concerns. Click HERE for official contest rules.
Strongsville Swim League
Splash, dive, and jump into FUN this summer by joining your local Strongsville Swim Team! This year’s summer swim season takes place May 30 - July 15. Deadline to register for the season is May 16. Visit the Strongsville Swim League website - https://strongsville.teampages.com - for additional information.
Strongsville Rec Center - Spring Break STEAM Learning Adventures
Register for Spring Break classes at the Strongsville Rec Center (April 11-13) featuring two Challenge Island activities. Road Trip USA Camp and Slime Squad Camp are open to kids of all ages. Click HERE for additional information and to register.
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
April Business Luncheon
What To Look For When Choosing A Senior Living Community
Generations Senior Living of Strongsville (18960 Falling Water Road)
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
11:30am - 1:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2023 Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 12 - July 15, 2023
Strongsville Library
Please note the following March 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.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes in-person are in full swing! Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories. No registration needed!
Baby & Me. Birth to 18 months with Caregiver. Mondays / 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.; Thursdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Preschool. Ages 3-5 not yet in Kindergarten with Caregiver. Mondays / 11:30 a.m. – Noon.; Tuesdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays / 11:30 a.m. – Noon.
Toddler. 19 – 35 months with Caregiver. Wednesdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.; Wednesdays / 11:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Family. All Ages with Caregiver. Thursdays / 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Seed Library Coming Soon! To spread knowledge of local food systems, cultivate skills required for sustainable food production, and to help make seeds more accessible to those in the community, the Strongsville Branch Library has partnered with the Cleveland Seed Bank to offer a selection of different varieties of organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable, herb, & edible flower seeds. Please stop by to pick-up your free seeds beginning in the Spring! Customers will be able to “check-out” 5 seed packets per month. Please call (440) 238-5530 for more information. This program sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, March 27th / 2:30 - 4 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 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Monday, March 27th / 7 p.m. 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 this in-person session.
Meet Author Julie Carrick Dalton. Tuesday, March 28th / 7:00 p.m. Join us when author Julie Carrick Dalton visits to discuss her latest novel, The Last Beekeeper. As a journalist, Julie Carrick Dalton has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Orion Magazine, Electric Literature, and other publications. A Tin House and Bread Loaf alum, and graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, Dalton holds a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.
Essential Oils Basics. Wednesday, March 29th / 7:00 p.m. Learn what aromatherapy is and how plant essential oils such as Peppermint, Rosemary, and more work for human medicinal application. Participants will make a product to take home. All materials will be provided. Registration required.
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