60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Last week, Dr. Ryba shared with our community the annual “State of the Schools” presentation. The event included a look at District finances and how we are investing in our students, reviewing our current facilities and what enrollment trends are indicating, and some strategic priorities which will further guide our work over the next three years. Click HERE for this week’s episode to hear some of these “State of the Schools” highlights.
NEW AUDIO LAB AT SHS - SIGN UP NOW & START CREATING!
Did you know that we have an Audio Lab available on the 2nd floor of the SHS Media Center for our 9th-12th grade students? This space features a professional grade workspace designed for all DJs, hobbyist/serious musicians, and Podcasters. Incorporating components found in recording studios across the country, powerful state-of-the-art computing, and renowned Digital Audio Workstation software by Presonus capable of anything from single voice recording to multitrack music production with vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and acoustic instruments - this lab has the tools you need for your project. Whether you are a recording "newbie" or someone who is experienced in audio production, we encourage you to unleash your talents for the world to hear! Click HERE for additional information and to reserve time in the Audio Lab to start creating! (** An experienced SHS staff member must be present to use the Audio Lab)
CRAFT FAIR AT SHS (SAT. 3/18)
Make plans to visit the SHS Craft Fair on Saturday, March 18th from 9am - 2pm at Strongsville High School. The Craft Fair will feature local artwork, homemade crafts, jewelry, bakery items, and much more! Admission is just $1 - all proceeds benefit the SHS Cheer Program.
SHS SPRING MUSICAL - “BYE BYE BIRDIE” (3/30 - 4/1)
Strongsville High School is proud to present the musical theatre classic - Bye Bye Birdie. Captivating audiences for over 60 years, Bye Bye Birdie explores the themes of love conquering adversity, youthful naivete, the dangers and demise of celebrity, and the struggles of growing up too early or too late. Come watch Albert and Rosie attempt to keep rock star Conrad Birdie (an Elvish Presley type) in the public eye as they travel to the suburban Sweet Apple, Ohio to allow a lucky girl “one last kiss” from Conrad before he enters the Army.
Performances are Thursday 3/30, Friday 3/31, and Saturday 4/1 at 7pm in the Strongsville High School Main Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door or in advance HERE. ($10 for Adult General Admission / $7 for Students/Seniors/SCS Employees)
T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER FOR THE STEPHANIE SCHOLTZ SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Stephanie Scholtz scholarship is in its 17th year of presenting a graduating SHS senior with $500 for their future goals.
Stephanie Scholtz was a Strongsville student who was persistent, caring, and rose above all of her many challenges. Each year, a graduating senior is honored with the Stephanie Scholtz Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student who is receiving special education support and displays the same qualities as Stephanie. The recipient of the scholarship will have the opportunity to use the funds to pursue their goals after high school.
Strongsville T-Shirts are being sold to raise money for this scholarship fund. Please click HERE to order. Separate order forms need to be completed for each t-shirt ordered (for example, if ordering 2 shirts, 2 separate forms need to be completed). Orders are due by Friday, March 24th, with money due by Friday, March 31st. Please send payment (cash or check made payable to “Strongsville City Schools”) to SCS Administrative Offices / 18199 Cook Ave. / Strongsville, OH 44136 / ATTN: TERESA KARSNAK
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. MIKE LOCKARD, MECHANIC / SCS TRANSPORTATION
In May, Mr. Mike Lockard will begin his 12th year working as a mechanic for our District’s Transportation Department. Mr. Lockard spent 23 years working at two auto dealerships before landing at Strongsville City Schools. He is part of a team of five mechanics that keep our fleet of buses and Maintenance vehicles running smoothly on a daily basis. In terms of buses, everything is handled in-house, except for windshield work.
“I love the problem solving part of my job. We work to diagnose problems and figure out how to get our vehicles back on the road as quickly as possible. We take great responsibility in making sure our fleet of buses is safe. My favorite part of my job are the people I get to work with every day - our team in the Bus Garage, the drivers we have working in our District - the people throughout our District are great to work with and that is part of what makes my job so enjoyable,” said Mr. Lockard.
Thank you Mr. Lockard for making sure our District vehicles are running safely each day! #BeTheDifference
SHS JUNIOR CAL KLINZING’S CAMPAIGN TO RAISE MONEY FOR LLS - FINAL WEEK
SHS Junior Cal Klinzing has been selected as this year’s Strongsville High School Student Visionary of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual campaign. It’s the FINAL WEEK of Cal’s campaign to reach his goal of raising $75,000 for LLS. LLS has a longstanding mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Help Cal reach his goal by donating at his LLS fundraising page before Saturday, March 18!
PARENT SUPPORT MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Come learn all that “Connecting for Kids” can offer you and your child! Connecting for Kids is a resource that provides education and support for families with a concern about their child. They can help with many types of concerns - from understanding a new diagnosis to family challenges like divorce, behaviors, anxiety, ADHD, and many others. They offer free services and programs to any family who has a child/children between birth-12 years old. For more info please see : https://www.connectingforkids.org
A member of Connecting for Kids will be joining us on Thursday, March 23 from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Strongsville Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.). They will share information about all of their services, programs and resources. They offer individual family support as well as many group activities and programs.
Please RSVP to SCS Parent Mentor Teresa Karsnak (tkarsnak@scsmustangs.org) by March 21st.
SCS BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL BUILDS SKILLS & CONFIDENCE IN OUR STUDENTS
This morning's SCS Business Advisory Council meeting included opportunities for 11th grade students in our SHS Career Exploration Program to gain feedback in small group sessions with local business professionals. Review of resumes, participating in mock interviews, Q&A sessions about career pathways, and learning how to prep for interviews were some of the topics covered.
THANK YOU to our business leaders who are part of the SCS Business Advisory Council. You continue to help our students build skills and confidence, and are preparing them for future success!
SHS ALUMNI LINDSEY THALL (SHS CLASS OF 2018) SETS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MAC RECORD
Congratulations to SHS Alumni Lindsey Thall (Class of ‘18) for recently becoming the only women’s basketball player in Mid American Conference history with 1,500+ points, 200+ 3-point FG’s made, and 200 blocks in her career. Lindsey earned her undergraduate degree in Biology/Pre-Med and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration at Kent State. She also competed with the Kent State women’s basketball team over the past five years, earning numerous team and conference accolades. #foreveramustang
STRONGSVILLE OPTIMIST CLUB - REVERSE RAFFLE EVENT TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND (TOMORROW NIGHT - SAT. 3/11)
Join the Strongsville Optimist Club at their annual Reverse Raffle Night to benefit the Optimist scholarship fund. The event is TOMORROW NIGHT (Sat. 3/11) from 6pm-11pm at the Columbia Ballroom. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.
STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS NIGHT WITH THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Strongsville City Schools Community Night is set for Wednesday, March 15th when the Cleveland Cavaliers battle the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Click HERE to purchase tickets for a great night of basketball in downtown Cleveland!
STRONGSVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION “JOCKEYS & JULEPS” EVENT (SAT. MAY 6TH)
The Strongsville Education Foundation’s 7th Annual “Jockeys & Juleps” event will take place on Saturday, May 6th from 5:30pm-10:30pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Watch the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, followed by a “Night at the Races” fundraiser benefiting the Foundation. Enjoy food and drink, raffles, and MORE! Click HERE to purchase tickets.
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, please click on the following links to access websites dedicated to each of our elementary school locations: Chapman, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, Whitney
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 Women’s League Art Contest for K-5th Grade Students
ATTN: K-5th Grade Students - Have you ever dreamed of what Strongsville could look like in the future? We would like you to share your vision in a drawing. Dream about an area in Strongsville and what it will be like in the future. Strongsville Women’s League is holding an art contest for Strongsville residents currently in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It doesn’t matter which school you attend (public, private, or home), you must live in Strongsville and create your image on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper. We are accepting entries beginning March 17 until April 17. Drop your artwork off in your school office drop box labeled Strongsville Women’s League Art entries. There will be first, second, and third place prizes in each group of K-1, grades 2-3, and grades 4-5 students. Artwork will be judged and prizes will be awarded on Friday April 21, 2023. Parents of the winners will be contacted by email the week of April 17. Good luck and have fun! Please contact Karen Burgund (kmbrona@aol.com) or Mindy Shirilla (mindyshirilla@sbcglobal.net) with any questions or concerns. Click HERE for official contest rules.
Easter Eggstravaganza (Sat. 3/25)
First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Strongsville presents their Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 25th from 9am -11am. There will be breakfast, a craft to complete, and eggs to hunt for! Ticket prices are as follows: FREE for 2 and under, $8.00 for ages 2-12, $10 for anyone over 13 years old. Everyone attending the event must have a ticket to attend. Purchase tickets with this link:
https://firstchurch.ticketspice.com/first-church-eggstravaganza
Strongsville Swim League
Splash, dive, and jump into FUN this summer by joining your local Strongsville Swim Team! This year’s summer swim season takes place May 30 - July 15. Deadline to register for the season is May 16. Visit the Strongsville Swim League website - https://strongsville.teampages.com - for additional information.
Strongsville Rec Center - Spring Break STEAM Learning Adventures
Register for Spring Break classes at the Strongsville Rec Center (April 11-13) featuring two Challenge Island activities. Road Trip USA Camp and Slime Squad Camp are open to kids of all ages. Click HERE for additional information and to register.
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
March Business Luncheon
State of the City Address, Presented by Mayor Thomas P. Perciak
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
11:15am - 1:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2023 Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 12 - July 15, 2023
Strongsville Library
Please note the following March 2023 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.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes in-person are in full swing! Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories. No registration needed!
Baby & Me. Birth to 18 months with Caregiver. Mondays / 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.; Thursdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Preschool. Ages 3-5 not yet in Kindergarten with Caregiver. Mondays / 11:30 a.m. – Noon.; Tuesdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays / 11:30 a.m. – Noon.
Toddler. 19 – 35 months with Caregiver. Wednesdays / 10:00 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.; Wednesdays / 11:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Family. All Ages with Caregiver. Thursdays / 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Seed Library Coming Soon! To spread knowledge of local food systems, cultivate skills required for sustainable food production, and to help make seeds more accessible to those in the community, the Strongsville Branch Library has partnered with the Cleveland Seed Bank to offer a selection of different varieties of organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable, herb, & edible flower seeds. Please stop by to pick-up your free seeds beginning in the Spring! Customers will be able to “check-out” 5 seed packets per month. Please call (440) 238-5530 for more information. This program sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library.
Sounds of the Bagpipes. Monday, March 13th / 7:00 p.m. Get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with melodies played by local bagpiper Colin Donahue! Mr. Donahue will narrate the rich history of the highland bagpipes, one of the world’s oldest folk instruments, and will perform some fun and popular pipe tunes!
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, March 15th / 7:00 p.m. Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion meets at 7p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
“Dirty” Garden Secrets. Thursday, March 16th / 6:00 p.m. Speaker Chuck Jakubchak will speak on the components of good garden soil and the things you can do to enhance your garden space. Program co-sponsored by the city of Strongsville Natural Resources Division and the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library.
Blood Drive. Friday, March 17th / 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. In just an hour of your time you can help save up to three lives. Make sure hospital patients get the treatment they need. Donate blood today. For more information or to make an appointment visit www.redcrossblood.org or call the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, March 18th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL OR Monday, March 27th / 7 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 or in-person sessions.
Spring Equinox Storytime. Ages 3 – 5 with Caregiver. Monday, March 20th / 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Spring into the Strongsville Branch to celebrate the Spring Equinox with stories and songs! Wear old clothes. We will dye hard-boiled eggs to take home!
Paper Wall Hanging. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, March 20th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Use decorative paper and other odds and ends to construct an embellishment for your wall.
Maintaining Your Home’s Exterior. Tuesday, March 21st / 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. From identifying problem spots and checking the home over each season - your home needs some maintenance. This presentation helps with finding out more about your home's materials, and advice on when to look over the various parts that keep your home secure, warm, and dry. This presentation comes from the Heritage Home Program, part of the Cleveland Restoration Society www.heritagehomeprogram.org
Young Tree Pruning. Thursday, March 23rd / 6:00 p.m. A presentation by professional arborist, speaker, and educator, Alan Siewert. Program co-sponsored by the city of Strongsville Natural Resources Division and the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library.
Toy Time! Ages 0 – 5 with Caregiver. Friday, March 24th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Drop in with your child for some quality play time with other children and our educational toys! Make friends, read books, and have fun! No registration required.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, March 27th / 2:30 - 4 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 always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Meet Author Julie Carrick Dalton. Tuesday, March 28th / 7:00 p.m. Join us when author Julie Carrick Dalton visits to discuss her latest novel, The Last Beekeeper. As a journalist, Julie Carrick Dalton has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Orion Magazine, Electric Literature, and other publications. A Tin House and Bread Loaf alum, and graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, Dalton holds a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.
Essential Oils Basics. Wednesday, March 29th / 7:00 p.m. Learn what aromatherapy is and how plant essential oils such as Peppermint, Rosemary, and more work for human medicinal application. Participants will make a product to take home. All materials will be provided. Registration required.
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