60 Seconds with the Superintendent
This week (3/8 - 3/12) has been 'Say Something Week' in our District. This is a national initiative, in partnership with the Sandy Hook Promise. "Say Something Week" encourages school and youth organization staff to work collaboratively with students to plan and implement high-impact and engaging activities, which support a culture of looking out for one another. This week has also reinforced the power that students have to prevent bullying and dangerous situations - "See Something, Say Something" to a trusted adult. Click HERE to see more about the impact of “Say Something Week” at Kinsner Elementary School.
SCS RESPONSIBLE RESTART COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Our District has created the SCS Responsible Restart Comprehensive Guide - one document in one location outlining our District’s policies and procedures. This document should be used as a guide, allowing you to quickly find answers to your questions. The guide can also be found at www.strongnet.org/restart.
As we have seen throughout the pandemic, factors can change on a daily basis and this Guide will remain adjustable and flexible to respond to state and local health guidelines.
DR. RYBA TRAVELS TO COLUMBUS FOR SUPPORT OF STATE REPORT CARD REFORM
Dr. Cameron Ryba, Strongsville City Schools Superintendent, traveled to Columbus this week in support of introduced legislation, which would overhaul and improve Ohio’s school report card system. In 2019, Dr. Ryba was one of three Superintendents selected from across the state to be part of a specialized workgroup, led by State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport), that has collaborated over the past two years focused on state report card reform. Click HERE for the entire news release detailing this important legislative work.
WATCH ‘STATE OF THE SCHOOLS’ PRESENTATION ON DEMAND
The annual “State of the Schools” presentation was held recently. If you missed the live presentation, you can watch the recording HERE. This year’s “State of the Schools” highlights the ways our District has broken through barriers during this very challenging year and the various ways we are developing our students into “Model Mustangs.”
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. CANDIS SWIGER, EDUCATIONAL AIDE AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Candis Swiger is a familiar, smiling face in our District. Mrs. Swiger has worked in our District for 4 years at both Kinsner and Whitney Elementary Schools as a monitor and educational aide, and she has also volunteered for several years as a PTA President, PTA Recording Secretary, and a judge for SHS Cheerleading tryouts. A graduate of Kent State University, Mrs. Swiger is a resident of Strongsville and has four children currently enrolled in our District. All maintain a busy schedule of activities both in and out of the classroom.
“The best part of my job is forming relationships with the students. For me, making connections with each student to make the time we have together fun, engaging, and memorable is so rewarding. Making up silly dances, songs, or handshakes with each student so they feel loved, connected, and are having fun while learning makes my day! I enter each intervention with students with the mindset of wanting to be that safe space for them and making sure they are in a better headspace than when we started. I want each interaction to leave the students feeling confident, proud of their progress, and excited about learning. The best part about working for our District is the feeling of family among co-workers - this makes every day I come to work a great day,” said Mrs. Swiger.
Thank you Mrs. Swiger for always bringing a positive attitude and a constant smile in all of your interactions with students and staff in our District! #WeAreStrongsville
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED
Please consider assisting the Strongsville Police Department with School Crossing Guard openings they currently have available. For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Michael Campbell at 440.580.3224, or click HERE.
SHS MUSTANGS GYMNASTICS FINISHES 6TH IN STATE MEET
Congratulations to our SHS Varsity Gymnastics team. They placed 6th as a team at the OHSAA State Gymnastics Championships last weekend, recording the 5th highest team total score (141.45) in Strongsville history! Gymnastics team members include: Camryn Merrill, Julia Spicer, Sarah Schoenberger, Camryn Larissey, Brooke Zellers, Kelsey Kappel, Amelia Sage, Emma Hahn, Ava Ketterer and Sophia Rinas. Congratulations also to Junior Brooke Zellers for placing 12th in the state on vault with a 9.3!
SHS COLOR GUARD AUDITIONS
Auditions for the 2021 SHS Color Guard are coming soon and open to interested students currently in 8th - 11th grade. The SHS Color Guard performs in the fall with the Marching Mustangs. Auditions will be held in the SHS Main Gymnasium from 3pm - 5pm April 12-15 and April 19-21. Applicants must pre register with Mrs. Stroup (mstroup@scsmustangs.org) prior to April 12.
ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CALENDAR RAFFLE - WIN PRIZES THROUGHOUT APRIL!
Purchase tickets for the 2021 Strongsville Athletics Boosters Calendar Raffle NOW! Tickets are $10/each. Raffle drawings begin April 1st, with a winner chosen each day throughout the month of April. Prizes are worth at least $100/day. Purchase tickets from any Mustangs student-athlete, or click HERE. Proceeds benefit participating athletic teams.
WANTED: BUS DRIVERS
Strongsville City Schools is now hiring motivated, energetic, part-time professional substitute school bus drivers. This position features great pay ($16.19 per hour), flexible hours, no holidays, and is very rewarding. Requires a CDL Class B, with SP endorsement - TRAINING IS AVAILABLE!
If you would like to apply for a Substitute Bus Driver position, please complete this EXTERNAL application. When your application is complete, those interested, qualified candidates should contact the Transportation Department to schedule an initial interview at 440.572.7060.
OPT IN FOR TEXT MESSAGES FROM SCS
With the abundance of emails that we all receive on a daily basis, and some being directed to spam or becoming buried in other folders in your email account, it sometimes leaves you without knowing an email was sent. One way to address this issue is to send a text that alerts an email has been sent. Although our texting option is not new for the district, families must opt in to receive our texts. More parent opt ins are needed to make it an effective communication strategy. Please click HERE and follow the directions to opt in to our text messaging service.
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. The Stay Safe. Speak Up! link is located in the shortcuts along the right hand side on the homepage of the District website (www.strongnet.org). It can also be found on the homepage of each of our individual building websites. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Art Contest for Elementary School Students
Attention Elementary School Students! Have you ever thought about your favorite things in Strongsville? Strongsville Women’s League is holding an art contest for Strongsville residents in K-5th grade. Whether you’re in school, learning remotely, or home schooled, just create an image to answer ”I Know I’m In Strongsville When I See . . . “ (person, place, or thing). Entries will be accepted between March 15 - April 15 and can be dropped off in the main office at any of the five elementary schools. Artwork will be judged and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Click HERE for entry rules and guidelines. Good luck and have fun!
Strongsville Safety Village
Safety Village is a Strongsville Police Event designed to provide most of the same information delivered in Safety Town to the children of Strongsville that did not have a chance to attend Safety Town last year pre-kindergarten due to the Pandemic. This event is strictly for Strongsville residents who have completed kindergarten and will be starting 1st Grade in August. Registration is online only and begins on Monday, March 15th at 8:00am. HERE is the link for registration. For additional information about this program, click HERE.
Girls Go Med Day - Saturday, March 27
Are you a female high school student interested in pursuing a career in medicine? Learn more about what it is like to work in the healthcare field at GIRLS GO MED DAY! Girls Go Med, presented by student members of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) at NEOMED, will feature female physician speakers, interactive stations to provide students with hands-on experiences, and the opportunity to interact with current medical students. Girls Go Med Day will be held through ZOOM on Saturday, March 27 from 9am - 3pm. Click HERE for additional information and the registration link.
Strongsville Recreation Center Winter Programs
Check out these Strongsville Recreation programs for all ages - signups are currently happening! Click HERE for the list of activities to help keep active this winter and spring.
Connecting for Kids
Connecting for Kids (CFK) provides education and support to families who have concerns about their child. We serve all families, including those children with and without formal diagnoses. CFK offers educational programs, support groups, a Parent Match Program and numerous resources. Click HERE for the CFK programs being offered in March. You can register at connectingforkids.org/register.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Did you know that the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce, established in 1941, is one of the largest and most active Chambers in the state of Ohio? The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce provides members with an opportunity to be a part of the framework of the local business community. Through various business related activities and events, the Strongsville Chamber promotes and supports the growth of local businesses and the Strongsville area business community. The Strongsville Chamber offers a convenient way to network, locate business opportunities, and access a vast array of information vital to your business’s continued growth. Join the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce today by calling the Chamber office at 440.238.3366 or visit the Chamber website at www.strongsvillechamber.com.
Strongsville Library
* Please note the following March 2021 events being held on ZOOM virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events in order 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.
Preschool Story Time on Facebook! For ages 3-5 with Caregiver.
Join us on Facebook every Monday at 10:00 a.m. for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories. Our in-person storytimes are on hold until we can come together safely again, but you can still enjoy reading aloud with our children's librarians every Monday at 10:00 a.m. on the Cuyahoga County Public Library Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CuyahogaLib A children's librarian will be available to respond to storytime viewers' questions and comments on Facebook from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Recording Studio Update
The Strongsville Branch Library Audio studio is currently closed until further notice, but our Video studio is open to those that have already done an orientation. Coming soon – virtual orientations for those interested in using the Video studio! For more information on the studio and how to book studio time, please call (440) 238-5530.
Computer Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held VIRTUALLY using the program Screenleap 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/Virtual-Classes.aspx
Southwest General Health Talk: Decoding Nutrition Labels. Wednesday, March 17th / 10:00 a.m.
Join us for this virtual Zoom presentation! Join Wendy Zullo, Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist from Southwest General Hospital, for an informative talk on how to read nutrition labels. Learn how to choose more nutritious foods based on the information that is found on nutrition labels.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, March 17th / 7:00 p.m.
Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion has gone virtual and will be live on Zoom at 7p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our March discussion title will be Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Google Photos 101. Thursday, March 25th / 10:00 a.m.
Join us for this virtual Zoom presentation! Learn essential skills needed to use Google Photos for storing, editing, and sharing your precious photo memories. Follow along with your own laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or just watch the demonstration.
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