60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Nineteen talented Strongsville High School students have been working diligently over the past few weeks to bring “A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play” to the stage of the SHS Auditorium on Saturday, December 12 at 7:00pm. This performance will allow our students to remain socially distanced and still demonstrate their theatrical talents in this special performance. The performance will be live streamed at https://tinyurl.com/SHSWinterPlay. Click HERE for this week’s episode, including a conversation with SHS English teacher and Director of this upcoming performance, Mr. Jenkins.
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.
WANTED: BUS DRIVERS
Strongsville City Schools is now hiring motivated, energetic, part-time professional substitute school bus drivers. This position features great pay ($16.19 per hour), flexible hours, no holidays, and is very rewarding. Requires a CDL Class B, with SP endorsement - TRAINING IS AVAILABLE!
If you would like to apply for a Substitute Bus Driver position, please complete this EXTERNAL application. When your application is complete, those interested, qualified candidates should contact the Transportation Department to schedule an initial interview at 440.572.7060.
SHS WINTER CONCERTS - ON DEMAND VIA SCS-TV
Don’t miss out on this year’s holiday music, performed by our high school student vocalists and musicians. Winter concerts will be live streamed, and if you miss any of them (like last night’s SHS Orchestra concert), you can watch on demand at https://www.strongnet.org/Page/12692
SHS Band Concert
Monday, December 7 (Symphonic Band at 6:00pm / Wind Ensemble at 7:30pm)
SHS Choral Concert
Wednesday, December 16 (6:00pm)
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. RACHAEL GRIFFEN, INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AT SURRARRER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Rachael Griffen is in her 2nd year as an Intervention Specialist at Surrarrer Elementary School. Mrs. Griffen has been part of the Strongsville community her entire life. Her husband also is a District employee. Mrs. Griffen earned her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and her graduate degree from Cleveland State University.
“As an Intervention Specialist at Surrarrer, I really enjoy seeing the growth and progress our students make over the course of the school year. What seems like small gains in the classroom are truly huge steps in the learning process, and I really love seeing the students get excited when they are successful. More so, I love the life skills lessons that we work on in the classroom. Cooking has become a weekly experience for the kids, providing them with an opportunity to engage with learning they can apply in their daily lives, said Mrs. Griffen.
“In my position and at Surrarrer, it really takes a team approach to supporting our students. Being a part of a team that includes general education teachers, other Intervention Specialists, educational aides, speech pathologists, OTs, PTs, counselors, and administration, all working together to support the individual needs of our students is something I value and appreciate about our school.”
Thank you Mrs. Griffen for helping our students develop valuable skills both inside and outside of the classroom! #WeAreStrongsville
“STRING EXPLOSION” AT STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Strongsville Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra concert may have been postponed, but we are proud of all of our students for working together as a team and making tremendous progress in just 6 short weeks!
While the video below only features 25% of our Orchestra Team, they did an amazing job representing our group!
CLICK HERE to view the SMS 6th Grade Orchestra perform their “String Explosion!”
UBUNTU AT SURRARRER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
What is “Ubuntu”? Surrarrer Art Teacher Mrs. Solecki brought this concept, which is a philosophy and a way of living in Africa, to her students. Ubuntu means “I am, because we are.” Her goal was to teach the spirit of Ubuntu by creating a collaborative work of art. If one student painted a rock and placed it outside would anyone notice? Maybe not. But if 400 students painted rocks and placed them together, would it get noticed? Definitely. Every Surrarrer student painted a rock using lines, shapes and patterns and created their very own “Ubuntu garden” outside of the main entrance of the school.
OPT IN FOR TEXT MESSAGES FROM SCS
With the abundance of emails that we all receive on a daily basis, and some being directed to spam or becoming buried in other folders in your email account, it sometimes leaves you without knowing an email was sent. One way to address this issue is to send a text that alerts an email has been sent. Although our texting option is not new for the district, families must opt in to receive our texts. More parent opt ins are needed to make it an effective communication strategy. Please click HERE and follow the directions to opt in to our text messaging service.
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.
STRONGSVILLE LACROSSE 2021 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Come be a part of America’s fastest growing sport. Strongsville Youth Lacrosse has been growing since 2008 and registration for the 2021 season is now open for boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades. Indoor practices begin mid-February and the outdoor season will run from late March through May. All experience levels welcome. For detailed information, please visit the registration site at https://www.strongsvillelacrosse.com/register/ . Due to social distancing guidelines, team rosters will be capped. Please register early to ensure your spot for the season.
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 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
Holiday Giving Project
Head Start Basketball and Pro Sports Performance are partnering up again this year for their annual "Holiday Giving Project" to make a positive impact in the community and bring some holiday joy to many families in need. Please click HERE for additional details on how you can donate and/or volunteer. Thank you for your support and generosity.
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts are looking for kindergarten students interested in joining area troops. Visit gsneo.org/join, call 800.852.4474, or click HERE for additional 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