Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2021-22 Vol 6, Iss 31)
We Are Strongsville
IN THIS ISSUE - April 8, 2022
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Mustang Spotlight - Mrs. Heather McGrath, Science Teacher at SHS
4th Grade Students at Whitney Elementary Earn Pizza Party and Autograph Session
Cleveland Guardians Mascot Slider Visits Strongsville Middle School
3=Free for Lunches Throughout Our District
Mustangs Cheer Camp
DARE Dance for 5th-6th Grade Students (Fri. 4/29)
“Train Like A Pro” 5K & Wellness Fair at Strongsville High School (Sat. 4/30)
Strongsville Lacrosse Youth Day (TOMORROW - 4/9)
SHS Spring Musical - “The Addams Family” (April 8-9)
Strongsville Education Foundation Annual “Jockeys & Juleps” Event
Kindergarten Registration Information (2022-23 School Year)
Strongsville Athletic Boosters Annual Golf Outing - Fri. 7/1
Class of 2022 / Senior Yard Banners
“Got Mulch” - Strongsville Football Backers Fundraiser
‘Magic Gives Back’ Event (Sun. 4/10)
‘Right At School’ to Offer Before- & After-School Care in Our District for 2021-22
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
Important Dates to Remember
TONIGHT (4/8) & TOMORROW (4/9) - 7:00pm
“The Addams Family” - SHS Spring Musical
SHS Auditorium
$10 Adults / $7 Students, Seniors, SCS Employees
General Admission Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door or in advance HERE
Thursday, April 14 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE
April 15 - April 22
NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
Thursday, April 28 - 7pm
Strongsville High School “Teen Idol”
Who will be selected as the next “Teen Idol” in this annual singing competition?
SHS Auditorium
Friday, April 29 - 6pm - 9pm
DARE Dance for 5th-6th Grade Students
Michaud’s Event Center (16808 Pearl Rd.)
Click HERE to purchase tickets and for parent volunteer opportunities
DID YOU KNOW?
The District's 'Model Mustang' incorporates "Innovative" as one of its five pillars. Students are encouraged to think innovatively as they problem-solve and teachers and staff are consistently developing ways to incorporate innovative lesson plans. Over the past few weeks, Mrs. Blackman's 8th grade pre-algebra class have challenged each other in a fun and innovative "Mathlympics" competition, focusing on practice math problems to prepare for standardized testing. Best of luck to all of our students throughout the next few weeks in the various forms of testing and assessments happening in our District.
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
The Strongsville Education Foundation has a mission of raising and disbursing funds to support and foster creativity, innovation and outstanding achievement for students, teachers, and the community served by Strongsville City Schools. Part of their efforts are providing grants to teachers and staff to enhance classroom learning. This year, the Strongsville Middle School math team received a Foundation grant for resources to assist students. Click HERE for this week’s episode to hear more about our District’s partnership with the Strongsville Education Foundation and their support of our SMS math teachers.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. HEATHER McGRATH, SCIENCE TEACHER AT STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Mrs. Heather McGrath has been teaching science at Strongsville High School for 15 years. A graduate of SHS, Strongsville has been home to her family for many years. “Over the past 30-plus years, I've witnessed the ebbs and flows to the growth and expansion of the city. One aspect never changed for me - the quality of our school system. It was fantastic when I graduated from SHS many years ago and it is still such an exceptionally strong school system that I remained here to watch both my older daughter and step son graduate from SHS as well. I am tied to this community through my teenage years, my husband's business, my older children's childhood, and my career. I have a vested interest in not only the city's but the school's success and take great pride in working here,” said Mrs. McGrath.
“Strongsville kids are the best. I enjoy getting to know how they think and learn. Every student is so unique and trying to figure out how to best teach the individual student is like a puzzle. In that respect, every day is different and brings new challenges that I truly relish figuring out. I appreciate being in a career that enables me to be creative and make real time educated decisions that better help my students understand the material. I love hearing their opinions and giving them voice and responsibility in how they learn. It is a remarkably collaborative and never ending process that results in progressive growth for both them and me!”
“I get to work with an extremely skilled, hard working, accomplished, and driven staff at the high school. Especially the science department, who is like family to me. The trust and respect we have built over the years, allows us to have open, honest dialogues about teaching pedagogies and strategies where we can continually strive to meet the ever changing needs of our students to help them to reach their full potential.”
Thank you Mrs. McGrath for being part of a great team at Strongsville High School! #WeAreStrongsville
4TH GRADE STUDENTS AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY EARN PIZZA PARTY AND AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Congratulations to Mrs. Moteleski's 4th grade class at Whitney Elementary. They were the BIG winners in the recent "Penny War" competition that raised money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a result of their generosity, Mrs. Moteleski's class earned a pizza party with SHS student-athletes, and included their very own autograph session! The Penny War at Whitney was part of the overall fundraising campaign led by SHS Junior Mackenzie Schulz, which ended up raising $85,000 for LLS.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS MASCOT SLIDER VISITS STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Strongsville Middle School had a special guest earlier this week, as Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider made a special appearance! Slider visited as part of a pep rally for students leading into testing for this week. It was a great way for students to be reminded that they are prepared and the entire SMS staff believes in them!
3=FREE FOR LUNCHES THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT
Did you know that students who pack their lunch can still receive FREE food items at school? Even if you are sending your student to school with food from home, they are still able to receive a fruit, vegetable, and milk for FREE! It's convenient and saves money for families - just pack the main item for lunch and let SCS Food Services take care of the rest!
MUSTANGS CHEER CAMP
SHS Cheer is excited to announce Mustangs Cheer Camp for students in grades 1st-8th. Join the high school cheerleaders for a day of learning new chants, cheers, jumps. Cheer camp attendees will get to cheer with SHS cheerleaders at the first Varsity Football home game on August 19th. Scan the QR code on this flyer for more camp details. If you have questions please email Coach Orlosky at jorlosky@scsmustangs.org.
DARE DANCE FOR 5TH-6TH GRADE STUDENTS (FRI. 4/29)
The annual DARE Dance for 5th & 6th grade Strongsville students will be held at Michaud’s Event Center (16808 Pearl Rd.) on Friday, April 29 from 6pm-9pm. Bring a box of Macaroni & Cheese and be entered into a Grand Prize raffle drawing! To purchase tickets and sign up for parent volunteer opportunities, click HERE.
“TRAIN LIKE A PRO” 5K & WELLNESS FAIR AT STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL (SAT. 4/30)
Are you ready to “Train Like A Pro”? Join us on Saturday, April 30 at Strongsville High School for a 5K Run and Wellness Fair. Click HERE for additional event details and the QR Code to sign up. Proceeds benefit the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) programs at Strongsville High School.
STRONGSVILLE LACROSSE YOUTH DAY (TOMORROW - 4/9)
Join in the fun as everyone is invited to youth day at the Strongsville High School Boys Lacrosse match tomorrow (Sat. 4/9). Enjoy the JV and Varsity SHS matches, along with youth games and activities for kids of all ages, on Serpentini Field at Pat Catan Stadium. Boys Varsity takes on Perrysburg High School at 2pm and family activities begin at 12pm. Enjoy this great day of Mustangs spirit with Strongsville Lacrosse!
SHS SPRING MUSICAL - “THE ADDAMS FAMILY” (APRIL 8-9)
Strongsville High School is proud to present The Addams Family Musical. The staff, cast, and crew are excited to bring these classic characters back to life. Come join Gomez struggle with his keeping a secret from Morticia, Wednesday bringing a "normal" boy and his parents home for dinner, Pugsley and Grandma bonding over potions, Uncle Fester meeting the girl of his dreams, and Lurch...being Lurch.
Performances are TONIGHT (Fri. 4/8) and TOMORROW (Sat. 4/9) at 7pm in the Main Auditorium at SHS. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door or online HERE. [$10 for Adults / $7 for Students, Seniors, and SCS Employees]
STRONGSVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL “JOCKEYS & JULEPS” EVENT
The Strongsville Education Foundation invites you to their annual “Jockeys & Juleps” event on Saturday, May 7 at 5:30pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Join the fun-filled night which begins with watching the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, followed by a “Night at the Races” fundraiser benefiting the Foundation. Click HERE for the event flyer or visit tinyurl.com/Jj-2022 to purchase tickets. The Strongsville Education Foundation raises and disburses funds to support and foster creativity, innovation, and outstanding achievement for the students, the teachers, and the community served by Strongsville City Schools.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION INFORMATION (2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR)
Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) requests for the 2022-23 school year are currently being accepted online. Parents interested in FDK should complete this request form. Please click HERE for complete information on kindergarten registration for the 2022-23 school year.
STRONGSVILLE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - FRI. 7/1
“Tee it up” at the annual Athletic Boosters Golf Outing on Friday, July 1 at Bunker Hill Golf Course. The outing includes 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the course, prizes, raffles, and MORE. Register your foursome at birdease.com/sab2022. Click HERE for the event flyer.
CLASS OF 2022 / SENIOR YARD BANNERS
Celebrate your senior with a graduation yard banner! The 5 ft. x 2.5 ft. banners come in three different designs and are perfect for celebrating members of the Class of 2022. Order yours today - click HERE for additional details. Proceeds benefit Strongsville Lacrosse.
“GOT MULCH” - STRONGSVILLE FOOTBALL BACKERS FUNDRAISER
Ordering mulch this year for your yard? The Strongsville Football Backers are holding their annual “Got Mulch” fundraiser, which includes members of the Strongsville High School football team installing your mulch. Click HERE for additional details and how to order.
‘MAGIC GIVES BACK’ EVENT (SUN. 4/10)
Make plans for the entire family to attend the ‘Magic Gives Back’ event on Sunday, April 10 at 3pm in the Strongsville High School Auditorium. This exciting show features the unbelievable magic and stunning illusions of world-famous Rick Smith, Jr. Initial proceeds from this event will go toward the Kinsner Elementary PTA. If over 600 tickets are sold, additional proceeds will benefit Strongsville Council PTA. Invite friends and win prizes, including a backstage “Meet & Greet” and an Oculus Quest 2 - click HERE for details. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
‘RIGHT AT SCHOOL’ TO OFFER BEFORE- & AFTER-SCHOOL CARE IN OUR DISTRICT FOR 2021-22
Our District is excited to announce a partnership agreement with the nationally recognized school enrichment provider, Right At School, to provide before- and after-school care for elementary students for the 2021-22 school year. Right at School will be offering before- and after-school care every weekday (Monday-Friday) at each of the elementary school buildings in our District. For additional information, please visit their website dedicated to the newly established Strongsville Schools program (https://rightatschool.com/districts/Strongsville-oh).
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 Historical Society - The History Hooligan’s Random Stories
Join the Strongsville Historical Society at the Strongsville Library (18700 Westwood Dr.) on Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm to hear a collection of historical takes in a non-academic style to inform and entertain the curious public. This is a free event open to the public. To learn more about the Strongsville Historical Society, visit www.strongsvillehistoricalsociety.org.
Heartbeats Jump Rope Team - Community Show (Sat. 4/30)
Celebrate 30 years of jumping with the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team and their Community Show on Saturday, April 30 at 7pm at Strongsville High School. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Arts in Strongsville ‘Spring Fling’ Fundraiser
The inaugural Arts in Strongsville ‘Spring Fling’ fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 14th at Harvest Saloon from 5pm – 8pm. Join us for an evening of food, drinks, friends, and fun! All proceeds will help Arts in Strongsville continue supporting Strongsville residents with scholarships to graduating high school seniors, our annual Spring Chalk Walk planned for May 21st, and the exciting Day at The Chalet event scheduled for September 18th. Mark your calendars now for these great events. Tickets are $30 each and include food, bottled beer, wine, and mixed drinks. We'll also have side boards, 50/50 raffle, and raffle baskets. For tickets, call Cindy at 216-973-1488 or 440-572-1291. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Safety Town Registration
Registration for Strongsville Safety Town is now open for Strongsville residents and/or those who attend a Strongsville school and will be starting kindergarten this year. Registration is online only - click HERE. Safety Town is not mandatory prior to entering kindergarten but is an excellent opportunity for the children to explore their community through class activities and field trips while learning important safety precautions. Weekly sessions begin on June 6. For more information, please see the “Parent Guide." Please direct specific questions to the Youth Program Coordinator: Marie McManus at the Strongsville Police Department: marie.mcmanus@strongsville.org or (440) 580-3257.
Strongsville Women’s League Art Contest
Strongsville Women’s League is holding an art contest for Strongsville residents currently enrolled in grades K-5th Grade. Have you ever thought about what makes your family yours? What are the traditions that create great memories year after year? This year the Strongsville Women’s League wants to know what makes your family unique. Please create an image which shows your favorite part of being you in your family. “My favorite tradition is…”. Entries will be accepted March 14 - April 14 and can be dropped off in the main office at any elementary school. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for grades K&1, 2&3, and 4&5 students. Artwork will be judged and prizes will be awarded on Friday, April 29. Good luck and have fun! Please contact Karen Burgund (kmbrona@aol.com) or Barb Toth (barbt4908@yahoo.com) with any questions or concerns. Click HERE for contest rules.
Arts in Strongsville “Chalk Walk” (Sat. 5/21)
Calling all artists! The 10th annual Arts in Strongsville “Chalk Walk” will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 10am-2pm on the Strongsville Commons (Corner of Routes 42 & 82). Cash prizes will be awarded for several age categories. Click HERE for the registration form - deadline to register is Wednesday, May 11.
Safe Sitter Class (Tues. 4/19)
Register now for the Safe Sitter Class scheduled for Tuesday, April 19 from 9am - 1:30pm in the Safety Town Building at the Strongsville Recreation Center complex. The class is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Click HERE for registration information.
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 to see additional details.
April Business Luncheon - Sponsored by Hot Chicken Takeover*
“Camp Cheerful Update”
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 11:30am - 1:00pm
Camp Cheerful, 15000 Cheerful Lane, Strongsville
*Picnic lunch provided by Hot Chicken Takeover
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 15, 2022 or when maximum seating capacity is reached
May Scholarship Luncheon
Recognition of Chamber Scholarship Winners and Students Entering the Military
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 6, 2022
Business After Hours at SouthPark Mall
Live 360 Degree Studio / 500 SouthPark Center
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
5:30pm - 7:30pm
June Business Luncheon
Strongsville Economic Development Update
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 11:30am - 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road
Mark Your Calendar:
Strongsville 80th Annual Homecoming Festival
Wednesday, July 13th - Saturday, July 16th, 2022
Strongsville Commons
Sponsorship Opportunities & 50/50 Raffle Tickets available at the Chamber Office
Homecoming Festival Fireworks Display
Saturday, July 16th at Dusk
Viewable from the Strongsville Commons
54th Annual Chamber Golf Outing
Friday, August 26, 2022
Shale Creek Golf Course
Strongsville Library
* Please note the following April 2022 events being held on ZOOM virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events for us to send you the Zoom invitation. 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.
**All Branches and Administrative offices of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 17 for the Easter Holiday. Normal hours will resume on Monday, April 18th at 9:00 a.m.
English as a Second Language. IN PERSON Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Aspire Greater Cleveland is once again teaching IN-PERSON classes to help non-native speakers learn English and validate their skills. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. If you are interested in attending these ESOL classes, please call Aspire at 833.277.4732 to register.
Computer Classes Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held in-person as well as some VIRTUALLY which requires a web browser and an internet connection. There is no additional software to download. Google Chrome is the recommended browser. A valid email address is required for registration. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. 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://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes/2021-Virtual-and-In-Person-classes.aspx
Strongsville Branch in-person classes:
Wednesday, April 13th / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Word 2.
Tuesday, April 19th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Word 1.
In-person Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library has resumed some Spring storytimes in-person. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories. Group is small and registration is required. Please register each child separately. Only the participating child and one caregiver will be admitted to the program (no siblings, please), due to social distancing space requirements. In-person programs may be held over Zoom if required by CDC and CCPL guidelines. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture this program’s effectiveness. Learn more about parent options at www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. To check for in-person storytime availability, please check our schedule online or call (440) 238-5530.
Zoom Virtual Preschool Storytime. Age 3-5. Tuesday, April 12th, 19th, and 26th from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.
Zoom Virtual Family Storytime. Thursday, April 14th, 21st, and 28th from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.
Studio Orientation. Saturday, April 9th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. / VIRTUAL or Monday, April 18th from 7:00 – 8:00 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 or in-person sessions.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, April 20th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON. Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Strongsville Branch Library. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be All the Little Hopes by Leah Weiss. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Blood Drive. Friday, April 22nd / 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 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).
Elephant & Piggie Storytime. Ages 6-7. Wednesday, April 20th / 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. IN PERSON. Let's read stories and laugh at author Mo Willems' characters Elephant and Piggie. We're play trivia and make a simple craft, too.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, April 25th / 2:30 p.m. IN PERSON. The Monday Afternoon Book Discussion meets at 2:30 p.m. in the Library on the 4th Monday of each month. No registration required. New members always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
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