Every week I try to focus on something that we are proud of at Strongsville High School. I've focused on our high level testing and academic scores the past few weeks but today I want to focus on our students who attend Polaris Career Center. Polaris offers one and two year programs that prepare students for the workforce in professions that provide great jobs and opportunities. That is not the only story however as many of our Polaris students also attend college. Student enrollment since 2021 has more than doubled due to so many of our students not only getting certifications in areas like auto mechanic, CNC machining, construction trades but also those who go into EMT, culinary, nursing, and many other college bound professions.

You can check out the programs for our students at: https://www.polaris.edu/o/pcc/page/polaris-campus-programs

I had the opportunity to visit some of our students at Polaris and see them in action this past week. Strongsville City Schools is always looking at ways to expand student pathways to better provide options for our students. If you have a 9th or 10th grader at SHS make sure that your child takes the 10th grade field trip and looks at the options that Polaris provides for our students.

Bill Wingler

Principal: SHS

bwingler@scsmustangs.org

The Environment Club has plans for a recycling drive. Our current plan is to run the drive from the 23rd of October (Wednesday) to the 1st of November (Friday). Cardboard boxes will be placed in each class where paper may be recycled. Whenever the paper is collected, which will be done by members of the club, it will be weighed to determine amount recycled. The class with the most recycled by the end of the drive would get cookies or some other treat (given to the teacher to be distributed throughout the day to their classes).

We have found a nearby recycling center which members of the club will drop off the material at. All handling of the recycling itself with be done my members of The Environment Club, meaning little intervention needed outside of the club.

Issue 53 will be on the November 5th ballot. Issue 53 replaces the previous 5.9 mill renewal levy for our District. Since Issue 53 is a 4.9 mill continuous levy, it will lower the tax rate for Strongsville residents, while still investing and offering more to students and families, as well as keeping the District financially stable through the 2028-29 school year.

Have additional questions about Issue 53? Click HERE to submit your question.

We continue to focus on supporting positive behavioral systems to make SHS students be STRONG as students. By and large this approach along with consequences for students has led to an improved, safer, and better learning environment.

We still have a few issues that seem to need a more dedicated intervention to correct.

1. This week we had delivery attempts, during the school day, from door dash. Keeping the school safe is paramount to student success and having adults come to doors at the high school looking for students is not a safe practice. In both cases the students received consequences. If any food is brought to the school from a delivery service the food we be returned without delivery to the student.
2. Skipping classes is still an issue. When we drill down into the data the largest group of offenders are freshman and a small number make up a large percentage of the skips. These students will be receiving stricter consequences and required parent meetings.
3. Students should never be in a stall with another student in the restrooms. Any students in a stall with another student will receive a 1 day suspension for the first offense.
4. Students (about 30 of them) continue to try to park in lots that they should not be parking in. We have issued about 250 tickets to those students. We also currently have their license plates and will be monitoring the lots for their cars. Continued parking without a pass will result in cars being towed.

The goal is to have a safe, drug free, student centered learning environment. In order to maintain a positive environment for all 1830 students we will maintain expectations for student behavior within the code of conduct.

Bill Wingler - Principal

Sue Harb, Eric Kassel, and Heather McGrath - Assistant Principals

Congratulations to SHS' own Isabella Pacheco who was named Miss Latina Image Ambassador. This is part of the Latina Image Leadership Program.

Here is a description of the program directly from their site:

Latina Image Leadership Program builds leaders by inspiring and educating young Latina women ages 13 to 17 to achieve their full potential through the power of sisterhood.

Upon completion of the program, many of the participants will become ambassadors and represent Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center at community and cultural events. This allows them to put into practice the skills and knowledge that they have learned and will carry with them for a lifetime.

The participants will be taken through an intense 6-month course in which they will learn:

• Student Voice
• Art Expression
• Interview Skills
• Social Etiquette
• Civic Engagement
• Positive Self - Image
• Personal Development
• Academic Responsibility
• Social Media Responsibility
• Social-Emotional Development
• Elements of: Diction, Dance, Modeling, Photo-pose

This month's version was hosted by our own Superintendent Dr. Ryba.

If you didn't get a chance to see it yet check it out and see if you know the 5 songs.

The annual PTA Reflections contest is happening now. This year’s theme is “Accepting Imperfection” and students in grades PreK-12 can submit entries in a number of different categories - including Photography, Visual Arts, and Film Production. Meetings for interested students and families begin on Thursday, October 24th at the Strongsville Public Library from 6:45pm - 8:00pm for grades K-6. Click HERE to sign up for the 10/24 meeting. Click HERE for additional Reflections Contest information.

Make plans to enjoy “spooky” performances from some of the top high school show choirs in the area - including our very own Mustang Express - in the annual ‘BOO’-tiful Show Choir Showcase on Saturday, October 26 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.

The Strongsville City Schools annual “Greet & Treat” event will be held at Strongsville High School’s Pat Catan Stadium on Monday, October 28 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and collect candy and treats in an outdoor, family-friendly atmosphere. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable items, especially cereal, canned fruits, canned vegetables, and Macaroni & Cheese, for the Strongsville Food Bank and other local food pantries that evening. We hope to see lots of families at this year’s “Greet & Treat” on October 28!

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).