Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2023-24 Vol. 8, Iss. 37)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Field Trips are an important part of student growth and development. They provide opportunities for our students to experience things they might not otherwise have a chance to. Last week, some of our 7th graders participated in an in-house field trip at SMS, learning about their impact on the environment. Click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode to see the activities they had a chance to experience and how this enhanced their “global” mindset.
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT (BONUS EPISODE)
As part of her Senior Project, Giorgia Di Pierro wanted to explore careers in film making. She chose to shadow and learn more about the process of putting together weekly episodes of ‘60 Seconds with the Superintendent.’ Giorgia is an exchange student from Italy and developed an episode highlighting other exchange students at the high school and the impact Strongsville High School has had on them. Click HERE for the episode that was entirely produced by her - from recording footage and interviews to editing the episode into its final form. Giorgia said this experience has further reinforced her interest in studying film at the university level when she returns home this summer.
LUKE HUBER - SMS 8TH GRADE STUDENT - QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL MATH COMPETITION
Luke Huber, an 8th grader at SMS, recently qualified to compete nationally on the Ohio high school team in the upcoming American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) competition at Penn State the weekend of June 1. The ARML competition is held in four states and has teams of top math students participating from all over the country as well as some international teams.
Luke will be the only middle schooler representing Ohio. Ohio sends its top 45 high school math students each year to this prestigious event. Luke qualified for the team due to his high scores at the OCTM competition, the state OHMIO competition, the AMC 10, and by placing in the top 25% of the global high school Stanford Math Tournament. Luke has been attending regular training sessions with his team in Columbus and looks forward to representing Ohio. Best of luck Luke!
5TH & 6TH GRADE SCS STUDENTS EXPERIENCE FIRST-EVER POLARIS CAREER EXPO
This week, SCS 5th and 6th grade students had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever Polaris Career Expo at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The students joined 5th-6th graders from all of the six Polaris partner districts in an event showcasing the different programs Polaris has to offer, along with additional local businesses and organizations, to give students ideas about different career paths. Thank you to Polaris for providing this valuable experience to our students!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. LYNN WILSON, OFFICE SECRETARY AT MURASKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Lynn Wilson is finishing up her first year at Strongsville City Schools. Mrs. Wilson is Muraski Elementary’s Office Secretary and is usually the first smiling face visitors see when arriving at Muraski. No stranger to education, she has worked in similar roles in nearby K-12 schools for the past 15 years.
“I enjoy working with Muraski’s K-5 students. There is so much fun and joy in sharing the school days with these young scholars. Walking down the hallway and sharing in their excited little waves and hugs can only brighten your day. The energy they have, coupled with their bright imaginations, help me feel excited and ready to take on each new day with the same enthusiasm.”
“There is so much pride and positivity at Muraski. Our staff, PTA and families all working hand in hand for the betterment of the students we serve is a beautiful thing. I am overjoyed to be a part of the 'Big Green Machine’ - Go Mustangs!”
Thank you Mrs. Wilson for your passion and enthusiasm for making Muraski Elementary a great place for our students, staff, teachers, and visitors! #ModelMustang
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 2024-25 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.
LOCAL METEOROLOGIST AND SHS GRAD EXPLODES PAINT CANS WITH KINSNER 5TH GRADERS
Kinsner 5th graders had a special visit this week. WOIO Morning Anchor and Meteorologist Kelly Dobeck (SHS Class of 2012) returned to her elementary school and presented an experiment using baking soda, vinegar, and paint cans. How much of each ingredient when mixed together would make the paint cans explode and how high would the cans fly? Kelly talked with the students about her love of both science and math and credited her 5th grade math teacher, Mrs. Supelak, for her love of learning. Click HERE for a video of one of the "explosions!" #foreveramustang
LEXI SEILER - SMS 7TH GRADE STUDENT - NAMED JDRF YOUTH AMBASSADOR
SMS 7th Grader Lexi Seiler was selected by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in January to be one of their Youth Ambassadors for 2024. The JDRF Youth Ambassador program was created for children and teens living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are interested in becoming involved with the educational, fundraising, and volunteer efforts of their local JDRF community. Lexi was diagnosed with T1D in February of 2023 and has jumped in to not only research the disease, but also partnering with JDRF to advance life-changing breakthroughs for those with T1D, and ultimately working to find a cure. On April 26th, Lexi participated as both a youth ambassador and volunteer at the 2024 JDRF Cleveland Promise Ball, hosted at Cleveland Browns stadium, which raised over $600,000 to support research in finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
REUNION INFORMATION FOR SHS CLASS OF 1984 & 2004
Two special SHS class reunions are being planned this summer. The Class of 1984 celebrates their 40th reunion and the Class of 2004 celebrates their 20th reunion. If you are a member of either class, or know of individuals who graduated in 1984 or 2004, please pass along this information:
Class of 1984 (40th reunion)
Saturday, September 28 / 7pm-11pm
Strongsville Brew Garden
$35/person in advance; $40/person at door (Includes entry, food, and soft drinks + cash bar)
Click HERE to register or find the Class of 1984 reunion information on their Facebook page
Email Jen Taliak Sanderson (jensan210@gmail.com) with any additional reunion questions
Class of 2004 (20th reunion)
Saturday, August 3 / 6pm
Around The Corner (Lakewood)
Click HERE to join their Facebook page and receive updates about this event
Link to Purchase Tickets Coming Soon
#foreveramustang
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FROM CITY OF STRONGSVILLE
As part of the Town Center project, construction has started on a roundabout that will replace the three-way stop where Zverina Lane, Westwood Drive, and Roe Lane meet near the library. All buildings in the area will still be easily accessible, but will only be accessed from one entrance. Please note that during this construction (expected to last about three months):
+ The Communications Center, Historical Village, and Strongsville Food Bank will be reachable from Zverina Lane (access from Pearl Road - across from SMS)
+ The Police Station, City Council Chambers, Mayor's Court, and Strongsville Library will be accessible from Westwood Drive (access from Pearl Road)
+ The Recreation and Senior Center will be accessible from Royalton Road, using the entrance to the Greens of Strongsville shopping center
+ The walkway from Pearl Road (across from SMS) to the Library and Rec Center will be closed throughout this construction period - SMS students will NOT be able to walk past the Communications Center/Food Bank to get to the Library or Rec Center
+ The paper and plastic recycling bins that are normally outside the Strongsville Food Bank have been moved to the Rec Center parking lot
STRONGSVILLE 6TH GRADE CAMP - SEPTEMBER 13-15 AT CAMP Y NOAH
Attention all incoming Strongsville Middle School sixth graders! Join us at Camp Y-Noah in Green, Ohio for Sixth Grade Camp - September 13-15. Cost is $215 per camper and covers all weekend expenses. Deadline to register and pay is May 31. Click HERE to visit the website for detailed information, registration and payment instructions and chaperone opportunities. Please email sixthgradecamp@gmail.com with any questions! Please note that this 6th grade camp event is being run by parent volunteers, not by SCS or PTA.
“HERE COMES THE BUS” APP FOR SCS FAMILIES
"Here Comes The Bus" is an app for SCS families to track busing information and routes for their student(s), as well as real-time notifications.
The app and complementary website (www.herecomesthebus.com) - available on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or personal computer - enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus on its daily route.
Download the "Here Comes the Bus" app to monitor daily transportation information. Families that utilized the app last year will need to delete last year’s student information and add their current year information in order to receive the latest routing details and updates. Click HERE for additional information and instructions on utilizing the app for your student's bus routes.
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 KidsFest & Duck Race (Saturday, June 1)
Don’t miss the 11th annual Strongsville Rotary KidsFest and Duck Race on Saturday, June 1 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet in Strongsville. Enjoy pony rides, face painting, inflatables, and MORE! Duck Race begins at 2pm. FREE shuttle from the Strongsville Park-n-Ride. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Kindness Camp - C’s the Day (June 24-28)
A camp for kids in grades 1-7 dedicated to EMPOWERING kids to positively impact their communities through acts of kindness, INSPIRING kids to become leaders by growing in character, confidence and personal wellness, and CHALLENGING kids to practice mindfulness in thoughts, words, and actions with self and others.
Click HERE for additional information / Click HERE to register for the camp
A Leg Up Ballet Academy Presents “Sleeping Beauty” (Saturday, June 1)
Don’t miss “Sleeping Beauty” - a performance by A Leg Up Ballet Academy - on Saturday, June 1st at Strongsville Middle School. The performance includes many students from Strongsville City Schools! Show times are at 1pm and 5pm. Advance tickets ($20) can be purchased HERE. Tickets will also be available at the door ($25).
Strongsville’s Annual Rib Burnoff - Looking for Sponsors!
Help support a fantastic community event - the annual Strongsville City Club Rib Burnoff (June 20-22) - by becoming an event sponsor. Several levels of sponsorship are available. Contact Terry Toth at 216.780.4114 / TerryToth12@yahoo.com or visit www.strongsvillecityclub.org and click on “Sponsorship Opportunities.” Click HERE for additional information on sponsorship specifics.
Baldwin Wallace STEM & STEAM Summer Classes & Camps
Baldwin Wallace University offers diverse PreK-12 STEM and STEAM programs throughout the summer. These hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics foster curiosity and critical thinking, nurturing a love for discovery. Visit bw.edu/dclSTEM or click HERE for additional information.
Summer Swim Team Signups
Calling all swimmers! It’s time for summer swim team signups! If your child enjoys swimming and wants to be part of a fun team this summer, check out your development or rec center pool for swim team information. Strongsville is one of the few communities that has summer swim league. Kids get to enjoy a fun and laid back competitive experience. Practices start 5/28 - and the first swim meet is 6/13. Each team will have 7 swim meets - on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no meets the week of July 4th. Season ends with a city wide meet at the rec center on July 20th. Kids 5-18 are welcome to join. Kids must be able to swim across a pool unassisted. The Strongsville Swim League is restricted to Strongsville residents only. Sea Monkey Registration is open now and must be completed at the Rec Center. Other team registration varies by development - click HERE for more registration information.
Join Strongsville Special Olympics
Join the Strongsville Special Olympics family! Strongsville Special Olympics has a number of sports opportunities for ages 8 and up. Participants can gain new sports skills, attend annual dances and picnics, and make lifelong friends! Email strongsvillespecialolympics@gmail.com for additional information or click HERE.
Treehouse Berea Programming
Treehouse Berea is offering many activities and opportunities for students. From Battle Bots to Robotics to Minecraft Engineers - there's something for kids ages 6-13. Visit treehouseberea.com to learn more or click HERE for the flyer about the available activities.
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
May Scholarship Luncheon
Recognition of 2024 Chamber Scholarship Recipients and Students Entering the Military
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
11:30am – 1:00pm (doors open at 11:15am)
Registration is Open: https://strongsvillechamber.chambermaster.com/events/
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
82nd Annual Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 24 - July 27, 2024
Sponsorship opportunities available! Please call the Chamber office at 440.238.3366.
56th Annual Chamber Golf Outing
Friday, August 23, 2024
Shale Creek Golf Club, 5420 Wolff Road, Medina
Registration Opens Soon!
Strongsville Library
Please note the following May 2024 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 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 Program information by going to cuyahogalibrary.org and click on Research & Discover to use the Press Reader resource here: https://cuyahogalibrary.org/research-discover/resources-a-z/pressreader
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.
Storytimes:
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are on hiatus for the month of May! Check back in June for our Summer Storytimes schedule.
Play, Learn, & Grow. Ages 1 - 3 with Caregiver. Tuesdays, April 30th through May 28th / 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Boost your toddler’s brain through play! Join us for a 5-week series for caregivers and children ages 1 to 3, connect with your kids and other families plus get answers about your growing child.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, May 18th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, May 20th / 7:00 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 virtual session.
Canva Basics. Monday, May 20th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Canva makes graphic design easy. Learn to create social media content, flyers and infographics with this free and intuitive website. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent experience. Preferred: An account with canva.com (bring your password!)
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 Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, May 20th / 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 are always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Yellowface: a Novel by Rebecca Kuang. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Digital Navigator by Appointment. Tuesday, May 21st, Wednesday, May 22nd, and Friday, May 24th / 10:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch. Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you, or someone you know – connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment and more.
Teen Craft Night: Rock Painting. Grades 6 – 12. Tuesday, May 21st / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Using acrylic paint, design and decorate beautiful rocks. You can use your rocks to decorate a garden, adorn a bookshelf, or give them as a gift! In order to participate in youth programs that could be considered harmful, Cuyahoga County Public Library requires parents to complete a Release & Hold Harmless Form. To access the form and learn more about parent options, please visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.
School Age Craft: Rock Painting. Ages 9 – 11. Thursday, May 23rd / 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Paint a special rock for a friend, parent or to decorate your garden. You can be as creative as you'd like! Registration is required. Registration is required. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture this program’s effectiveness. 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 it to the program location at least one week prior to the program’s start date. To access the form and learn more about parent options, please visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.
Scavenger Hunt Day. All Ages. Saturday, May 25th / 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Stop by the children's desk during open hours to complete a scavenger hunt around the library for a small prize to celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day!
Teen Sewing. Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, May 28th / 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Learn the basics of sewing and make a fun project to take home! Sewing machines, sharp scissors, and needles will be used during this program. Beginners welcome!
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
Instagram: @strongsvillecs
Twitter / X: @strongsvillecs