Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2023-24 Vol 8, Iss 1)
Inspiring & Empowering Our Learners Today To Build Tomorrow's Leaders
IN THIS ISSUE - August 11, 2023
Important Dates to Remember
First Day of School Signs - #ModelMustang
School Supply Lists
Mustangs Team Shop - Shop Online Now Through Sun. 8/27
SCS & SEA Agree on Three Year Contract
SHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee Selects 8 New Members - HOF Banquet on 9/30
5th Grade Band & Orchestra
Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters Mattress Fundraiser (Sat. 8/26)
Blocksi Parent Portal
Busing Information
Immunization Requirements for Students Entering 7th & 12th Grades
Right at School - Before & After School Care for SCS Elementary School Families
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, August 16
First Day of School (Grades 1-9 + Kindergarten Orientation)
Wednesday, August 16 (4:00pm - 6:00pm)
Early Learning Preschool Open House (Both Chapman and Lunn Rd. Locations)
Thursday, August 17
First Day of School (Kindergarten + Grades 10-12)
Thursday, August 17 (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Strongsville Middle School Open House
Monday, August 21
First Day of School (Preschool)
Tuesday, August 22 (6:30pm - 8:30pm)
Strongsville High School Open House
Wednesday, August 23
Elementary School Open House Events
Click HERE for the scheduled times at each individual school
Thursday, August 24 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL SIGNS - #MODELMUSTANG
We want to see pictures of students celebrating their first day of school! To help with your first day pictures, we have created printable signs for your students. Click HERE for signs for all of our grades and schools. No matter how you are documenting the memories of the first day of school, make sure you tag your social media posts with #ModelMustang. Good luck to all of our students on this very special day of the school year!
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
School supply lists can be found on our District website and on each of the individual school pages. The lists are under the "Find It Fast" tab on any of our website pages. Click HERE to find a complete listing of supply lists for each school and grade level. Please note - there are NO specific supply lists for Strongsville High School. Teachers will communicate any supply needs to SHS students during the first week of school.
MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - SHOP ONLINE NOW THROUGH SUN. 8/27
The “Back to School” online SCS Team Shop is now open through Sunday, August 27. Shop for lots of great Mustangs gear, including personalized items! Click HERE to access the complete selection of Mustangs clothing and accessories. A portion of sales will be donated back to Strongsville City Schools.
SCS & SEA AGREE ON THREE YEAR CONTRACT
During the summer, Strongsville City Schools and the Strongsville Education Association finalized and agreed to a three-year contract. This contract will be in effect from August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2026. The agreement exemplifies the District goals of attracting, developing, and retaining a premier teaching staff that strengthens student academic achievement and growth, while doing so in a manner that is financially responsible and sustainable. Click HERE for the full news release.
SHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE SELECTS 8 NEW MEMBERS - HOF BANQUET ON 9/30
The Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the addition of eight members to the Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Members of this Hall of Fame Class of 2023 include:
Kelsey Bittinger (Volleyball) - SHS Class of 2014
Jason Januszewski (Wrestling) - SHS Class of 2001
Lindsey Thall (Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field) - SHS Class of 2018
Kyle Veris (Soccer) - SHS Class of 2001
Molly Washko (Swimming & Diving) - SHS Class of 2014
1998 Girls Soccer State Championship Team
Mike Knapik (SHS Cross Country Coach)
Dan Martin - SHS Athletic Wall of Fame Inductee
The Class of 2023 will be inducted into the Strongsville Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Strongsville’s Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Dinner and ceremony begins at 5:00pm. Click HERE to purchase event tickets.
FIFTH GRADE BAND & ORCHESTRA
Attn: Fifth Grade Students & Families . . .
Beginning instrumental music classes for band and orchestra will start the week of Sept. 11. Within the first week of school, students will attend an instrument demonstration at their school given by the band and orchestra teachers. Afterward, they will bring home an informational letter and a student interest form that is to be returned to their homeroom teacher. Shortly after the demonstration, students will have the opportunity to touch, hold, and try their favorite options while being provided specific recommendations from the teachers. There will also be a beginning Band and Orchestra Informational Meeting for parents and students on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00pm in the Strongsville High School Auditorium. Don’t forget - when you see and hear the SHS Bands and Orchestras or Marching Mustangs, they all started playing in the fifth grade!
STRONGSVILLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS MATTRESS FUNDRAISER (SAT. 8/26)
The Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters (SIMB) are pleased to announce their 14th annual Mattress Fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 26th, 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. For more information, text MUSTANG23 to 216.435.6900
BLOCKSI PARENT PORTAL
Over the summer, our district expanded the partnership with Blocksi to include student content filtering and alerts. We no longer utilize SecURLy for these services. CLICK HERE to view an informational flier about joining the Blocksi Parent Portal to gain insights on your student’s online behavior with their scsmustangs account and set parental controls beyond the school. If you have any questions, contact Dave Binkley, Director of Instructional Technology at dbinkley@scsmustangs.org.
BUSING INFORMATION
All transportation information has been uploaded to PowerSchool. To view this information, you will need to use a web browser like Chrome, Safari, or Edge. Do not use the PowerSchool app. CLICK HERE for a short video tutorial on how to find your student’s transportation information.
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
________________________________________________________________________
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 2023-24 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 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
Strongsville Rotary StrongFest (Sat. 8/19)
The Rotary Club of Strongsville is excited to present the 2nd Annual StrongFest, presented by Sheiban Jewelers, on Saturday, August 19th from 4:00pm-9:00pm 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. Visit StrongFest.com for additional information and to purchase tickets. Click HERE for the event flyer.
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.
Strongsville Chamber Golf Outing
Friday, August 25th - Shale Creek (5420 Wolff Rd. / Medina)
8:30am Registration / 9:30am Shotgun Start
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Strongsville Library
Please note the following August 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.
CCPL Summer 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 Summer Program information here: https://www.pressreader.com/document/3479
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are on hiatus for the month of August. Storytimes will resume in September.
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.
Computer Classes IN PERSON. 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
Monday, August 21st / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Excel: Charting and Formatting.
Violin: Up Close and Personal. Monday, August 14th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. An engaging hour of immersion into the violin, the queen of instruments! A professional violinist for over 35 years, violinist Mary Beth Ions is a fervent believer in the power of music to inspire and heal. She will share her music with those of all ages. From Baby Shark to Mozart, she will delight listeners with a wide variety of beloved musical favorites!
Blood Drive. Friday, August 18th / 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).
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, August 12th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL OR Monday, August 21st / 7 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.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, August 16th / 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 Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Teen Craft Night: Felt Succulents. Teens in Grades 6 – 12. Tuesday, August 22nd / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Use felt and wire to create adorable little succulents! Then use paint to design a pot for your succulents to "live" in! Register NOW!
A Century of Cycling: The Evolution of the Bicycle over 100+ years. Tuesday, August 22nd / 7:00p.m. Join us for a fascinating presentation on the evolution of the bicycle over the past century and its impact on society! From the early days of the penny farthing to the sleek road bikes of today, we'll explore the technological advancements that have made cycling more efficient and accessible. Discover how the bicycle has played a key role in transportation, recreation, and even women's liberation. Co-sponsored by the Strongsville Historical Society and the Strongsville Branch Library.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, August 28th / 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 always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Hamnet: a Novel of the Plague by Maggie O’Farrell. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Sewing Basics for Teens. Teens Grades 6 – 12. Wednesday, August 29th / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Learn the basic parts and functions of a machine, practice basic stitches, and make a small pillow. All materials and equipment are provided. No prior experience necessary.
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