Did you Know?
Teresa Karsnak is the Parent Mentor for Strongsville City Schools and has worked in our District for 19 years. Ohio is the only state to employ Parent Mentors and funding for these positions are through a grant from the Ohio Department of Education. Parent Mentors provide support to families of students with disabilities, at risk students, and students on a 504 Plan. They also help to support our District staff who serve our students. In addition, Parent Mentors guide families through the special education process, help families understand their rights and responsibilities, attend IEP/ETR meeting with parents, provide resources and information to families and the child’s staff/school, listen and support families and teachers on an individual basis, and offer information on workshops and speakers for families. All Parent Mentor services are free of charge and available to support you and your child. Should you have any additional questions or would like more information, please contact Teresa Karsnak by email (tkarsnak@scsmustangs.org), by phone (440.572.6593), or on Facebook (Strongsville City Schools Parent Mentor).
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our Food Services Department has been extremely busy over the past few weeks, providing healthy meal options to all of the students in our District. From providing meals when we began the year in Remote Learning 2.0, to the switch to in person learning, to offering meal pickups for those students in SOLO, Chef Mike Nowosielski and his Food Services team have logistically managed several different meal delivery methods, depending on the learning framework. Click HERE for this week’s episode, as we hear more about the ways SCS students are receiving breakfast and lunch this year - and for FREE through a USDA program until the end of December (or until national funding runs out) .
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.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. KYLE KIFFER, ASSISTANT TREASURER AT STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Mr. Kyle Kiffer, Assistant Treasurer for Strongsville City Schools, is a graduate of Hiram College and worked with the Ohio Auditor of State before arriving in our District. In his relatively short time with SCS (1 ½ years), Mr. Kiffer has led the implementation of two systems - EqualLevel and PASS - which have created greater efficiencies. EqualLevel is an eProcurement platform that streamlines purchases by employees. PASS is a revenue documentation platform that our secretaries use to record cash and check payments, and to process credit card transactions. Both have already led to significant cost savings.
In between his busy work schedule, Mr. Kiffer has also completed ten marathons and is a three-time Ironman - a 140.6 mile grueling triathlon that consists of a 2.4-mile swim,112-mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. Having been an endurance swimmer in college, he has made the transition to triathlon to keep himself “active!”
“I am very lucky to be working with fantastic individuals that come to work every day and work hard. Even though the Treasurer’s Office does not have direct contact with students on a day-to-day basis, I am very proud to know that we contribute to the business and financial workings of the District to help contribute to positive outcomes for the students, staff, and Strongsville Community,” said Mr. Kiffer.
He added, “Organization, prioritization, education, and execution are pillars that I work by every day. Being flexible, taking ownership, and collaborating with my fellow co-workers are essential to help the district be more efficient and have a positive impact on others.”
Thank you Mr. Kiffer for being a valuable part of the Treasurer’s Office and helping our District continue to determine ways to be financially prudent for our community. #WeAreStrongsville
SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE ORGANIZED BY TWO SCS STUDENTS BENEFITS CLASSROOMS
Last spring, as part of the National American Miss Pageant, SHS 10th grader Sophia Kreze organized a school supplies drive. When COVID-19 restrictions were put into place, Sophia had to figure out how to distribute these school supplies. With the help of her sister, SMS 8th grader Ava, the two have helped to create an SCS School Supplies Closet for students in need. Our District’s teachers have access to the closet for students who may need a set of supplies for class. Sophia and Ava also were able to donate a supply of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to Strongsville’s Special Education Department. Thank you Sophia and Ava for your act of kindness that will benefit many students in our District! (Pictured L to R: Dr. Ryba, Sophia Kreze, Ava Kreze)
SHS SENIOR MICHAEL LEE EARNS GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (GOLF)
Congratulations to SHS senior Michael Lee on earning the Greater Cleveland Conference player of the year for boys golf! SHS golfers who also received GCC All-Conference recognition were freshman Dean Upholzer and sophomore Daniel Lee. Congratulations to all three Mustang golfers on an outstanding season!
SCS TECH CORRAL - YOUR TECH SUPPORT WEBSITE
Our Instructional Technology Department and Curriculum Department have partnered in the creation of the 'SCS Tech Corral.' The site includes reference guides and 'how-to' videos for a number of common programs and software our students and teachers are utilizing. This is a great resource with lots of helpful information. Check out the ‘SCS Tech Corral’ by clicking HERE.
SHS Dance Team Auditions (Fri. 10/9 - 5pm)
Attention extensively trained dancers in grades 9-12 - don't miss SHS Dance Team Auditions! Auditions will be held on Friday, October 9th at 5pm in the SHS main gym. Click here for all audition information and registration. You must register in advance to audition. Contact: mcunningham@scsmustangs.org with any questions.
STRONGSVILLE PTA COUNCIL CLOTHING DRIVE FUNDRAISER (THU. 10/29)
Strongsville PTA Council will be hosting a clothing drive on Thursday, October 29 from 4pm - 7pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Rd.). This clothing drive is a fundraiser to earn money for scholarships for the Class of 2021. They will accept any clothing, accessories, blankets and other soft goods. No electronics, home goods, etc. will be collected at this time. Everything must be in secured garbage bags. Please wear a mask! Social distancing rules will apply for help unloading your donations. Special thank you to Parma movers for generously donating a truck to collect and transport the donations!
SHS HOMECOMING PEP RALLY (THU. 10/8 - 7pm)
The SHS Varsity Football Team will battle the Medina Bees in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs on Friday, October 9 at Medina. A pep rally will be held at Pat Catan Stadium on Thursday, October 8 at 7pm for varsity football players, varsity cheerleaders, and marching band members. Our “Marching Mustangs” will be performing and the 2020 Homecoming Court will be announced. Senior varsity football players, cheerleaders, and band members will also be recognized. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pep Rally is only open to these three groups and their families. However, the Pep Rally will be livestreamed for the community. Details on how to access the link will be communicated next week.
The Chick-fil-A food truck will also be at Strongsville High School on Thursday, October 8 from 4:30pm - 8:00pm. The Food Truck will be available to the community and feature drive through service - all proceeds from sales will benefit Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters.
(Photo courtesy of Scott Mayberry Photography)
PCs FOR PEOPLE
PCs for People recycles business electronics and provides refurbished computers and low-cost internet to under-resourced households and communities. This program provides financial aid to families in Cuyahoga County with K-12 students by distributing 10,000 free computers and 5,000 hotspots through a partnership with participating Cuyahoga County and Cleveland Public Libraries. Registrations are currently open for the week of October 5th so families can gain access to a computer in their home within a few weeks! Get started right away by registering at www.pcsforpeople.org/ohio/
SPECTRUM INTERNET ASSIST FOR QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS
The Spectrum Internet Assist program provides reliable, high-speed internet access at an affordable price for those who qualify.
Eligible low-income households can receive discounted 30 Mbps high-speed internet, along with Security Suite and an internet modem, at no additional charge. Spectrum Internet Assist requires no contracts - visit
https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist.html for additional details about this program.
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
Strongsville Basketball League Tryouts
Tryouts for the Strongsville Basketball League will be held on Sunday, October 4 for boys and girls in grades 3-6. Tryouts will be held at Strongsville High School at the following times:
4pm - 5pm / 3rd Grade + 4th Grade (Boys and Girls)
5pm - 6pm / 5th Grade (Boys and Girls)
6pm - 7pm / 6th Grade (Boys and Girls)
A mandatory parent meeting will be held in the SHS cafeteria at 4:15pm. Tryouts will be closed to parents. OHSAA COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during the tryouts. Click HERE for the event flyer and additional information.
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 October. You can register at connectingforkids.org/register.
Eager Engineers
Eager Engineers is offering live online interactive classes! Join us live, on Zoom for both Lego and Citibloc adventures! STEAM concepts are built into every project, with new projects each class. Visit www.creativeclasses.org to register or click HERE for more information.
Great Lakes Science Center Learning Lab
Great Lakes Science Center’s new Learning Lab program supports working parents who need daytime childcare for their school-age children. The program provides a safe, supportive environment where children can do their schoolwork virtually. Many of the Science Center’s health and safety procedures for programming during the pandemic were developed for Camp Curiosity, which served more than 1,000 children this summer. The program is open to children in grades K-8. Click HERE for more information or visit GreatScience.com.
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.
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