Did you Know?
The USDA recently announced that ALL students will be able to receive free breakfast and lunch until December 31, 2020 or until available funding runs out. This USDA program will be available for families as we return to our In Person / In Building Learning framework. Please note: elementary students wishing to receive breakfast/lunch must pre-register HERE for their meals by 10:00pm the day before the school day.
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
We are excited to welcome students back to our buildings on Monday, September 21! What should families expect during this phase-in week? Click HERE for this week’s episode as we hear from Mrs. Pinney (Chapman Elementary Principal), Mrs. Boytim (SMS Principal), and Mr. Wingler (SHS Principal) on the schedules and plans at the different grade levels.
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 - MRS. DANA HOOPINGARNER, FIRST GRADE TEACHER AT SURRARRER ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Dana Hoopingarner is a first grade teacher at Surrarrer Elementary School and in her fourth year teaching in our District. Mrs. Hoopingarner is a graduate of Strongsville High School who credits her love of learning to many of the teachers she had while in school (some she is now working with!). She earned her undergraduate degree from Ashland University and also has a K-12 Reading Endorsement from Heidelberg University.
“I always find that the beginning of the year is a super important time to create a positive learning environment and start building relationships with students. During this initial period of remote learning, doing that has brought on its own set of challenges. However, once you start making those connections they are even more rewarding - whether it be through a greeting in a morning meeting, a handwritten note, or just a simple smile to start building that welcoming environment. I love forming connections and building those relationships that help to make my classroom feel like a second home,” said Mrs. Hoopingarner
Thank you Mrs. Hoopingarner for creating a welcoming environment in your classroom and helping our first graders start the year in a positive way! #WeAreStrongsville
KATHERINE DIJULIUS (SHS CLASS OF ‘20) SELECTED FOR OWU GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Congratulations to Katherine DiJulius (SHS Class of ‘20) for being selected as one of only sixteen first-year students for the Global Scholars Program at Ohio Wesleyan University. This selective program recognizes students’ potential for high academic achievement and passion for international issues, and includes coursework and research projects throughout their four years at the OWU. The Global Scholars Program is part of Ohio Wesleyan’s Global Studies Institute, a hub where faculty and students from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts come together to explore issues from all academic disciplines and work toward real-world solutions. Congratulations Katherine - we look forward to hearing about your continued success in this prestigious program! #foreveramustang
GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Matthew Minnick (Boys Soccer) and Natalie Kostalnick (Girls Golf) for earning “August Athlete of the Month” honors from the Greater Cleveland Conference. During last month, Matthew recorded three goals and two assists in four games for the Mustangs Boys Soccer team. Natalie completed her first month of high school golf competition with an average of 37.5 for 9 holes and 78 for 18 holes. She shot a 1 over 72 at the GCC #2 Tournament at Ellsworth Meadows to win that tournament’s individual title. GO MUSTANGS!
BREAKFAST/LUNCH FOR SCS STUDENTS
Breakfast and lunch continues to be available for our students. As students return to in person learning, elementary students must pre-register for breakfast and/or lunch by 10pm the day before by clicking HERE. SMS and SHS students will be able to visit the cafeteria at designated times and choose their daily entrees and ala carte selections. Please note: in the Blended Learning framework, breakfast and lunch will only be available when students are in person / in building. Meals will not be provided to families during days that students are at home engaged in remote learning within the Blended Learning framework. As a reminder, The USDA recently announced that ALL students will be able to receive FREE breakfast and lunch until December 31, 2020 or until available funding runs out.
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, Chromebook information, and a 'Live Tech Chat' (available during school hours) to answer your questions. This is a great resource with lots of helpful information. Check out the ‘SCS Tech Corral’ by clicking HERE.
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).
THE U.S. CENSUS - HAVE YOU TAKEN THE TIME TO REGISTER?
Take the Census today for the good of our kids and community. When your family is counted, the programs that support you and your kids get more of the federal funding they need for the next 10 years. The Census is Important, Safe, and Easy. The Census closes on September 30th - visit my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Cub Scouts Join Night
For families interested in joining Cub Scouts, there will be an info night on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:45pm at the Strongsville United Methodist Church (13500 Royalton Rd.). The event will be held outside to ensure social distancing and Kona Ice will be on site. Join the Cub Scouts and enjoy building rockets, racing cars, outdoor adventures, and MORE! Click HERE for the event flyer.
Strongsville Trike & Bike
The Strongsville Trike & Bike, benefitting Velosano, will be held virtually on Sunday, September 27 at 10:00am. This event gives children ages 3-12 the opportunity to ride their bikes and fundraise - 100% of which directly supports pediatric cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Interested in participating? Register by Sunday, September 20 at give.ccf.org/strongsville. Click HERE for additional information.
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 – 52nd Annual Golf Outing
The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce will host its 52nd Annual Strongsville Chamber Golf Outing on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Shale Creek Golf Course in Medina. Registration begins at 8:30 am followed by a shotgun start at 9:30 am. The scramble-format outing also includes a boxed lunch, dinner following golf, skills contests and prizes. To register or for more information, please visit www.strongsvillechamber.com, or call the Chamber office at 440.238.3366.
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