Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2023-24 Vol. 8, Iss. 29)
ISSUE 25 (SCS RENEWAL LEVY) - MARCH 19
On March 19, 2024 Strongsville City Schools will have a renewal levy on the ballot. Our District seeks the renewal of a 5.9 mill operating levy that was initially approved by voters in May 2019. This was the first time new operating money was authorized by the voters since November 2007.
The information on our website (click HERE) is intended to assist our community members in making an informed decision. Have a question about Issue 25? Click HERE to submit your question about the SCS Renewal Levy. Click HERE to watch a recent “Community Conversation” hosted by Dr. Cameron Ryba (SCS Superintendent), Mr. George Anagnostou (SCS Treasurer), and Mr. Richard Micko (SCS Board President) where they discussed the facts about Issue 25.
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Scott Sedlacek has been visiting our Early Learning Preschool for several years, with his eye safety message to our preschool students. We appreciate Dr. Scott and all of our local businesses willing to make connections with our students and help them grow and develop. Click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode as we learn more about the impact of Dr. Scott’s message with our preschool students.
MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - ORDER NOW THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST
Looking to add to your "Green & White" wardrobe and get some updated Mustangs gear? Click HERE to visit our special, limited time Mustangs Team Shop for short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and MORE! Personalized merchandise is also available. Hurry - this Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, 3/31!
SMS STUDENT SELECTED AS YOUTH AMBASSADOR FOR THE TOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Jason Monahan, an 8th grade student at Strongsville Middle School, was selected as one of only 64 youth ambassadors for the Tourette Association of America. Jason, who has Tourette Syndrome, attended training in Washington D.C. March 4 - 5 and then went on Capitol Hill to meet with representatives from Congress and the Senate to advocate for funding for research and public health education. He now gets to advocate within our community to raise awareness of Tourette Syndrome.
DECA STATE COMPETITION RESULTS - 13 STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL COMPETITION IN ANAHEIM, CA
The 2024 Ohio DECA State Competition was held last weekend with approximately 3,000 students from across Ohio participating. Among the qualifiers, 55 Strongsville High School students attended and competed, including taking a test and completing a role play presentation for their specific topic/discipline. Students with high scores from the first round of role play presentations completed another role play in the second round. Of the 31 SHS students who competed in the second round, 27 placed within the top 10 of their event. The top 5 teams/individuals in each event qualified for the DECA National Competition in Anaheim, CA in April. SHS had 13 students qualify for the national competition! Congratulations to ALL of our competitors, including the following students who finished in the Top 10 in their categories:
SCS SUPERINTENDENT DR. RYBA RECEIVES “COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD” FROM MAYOR
Congratulations to Dr. Cameron Ryba, Strongsville City Schools Superintendent, for receiving the “Community Partner Award” at this week’s State of the City event. This is an annual award given by the Mayor to an individual who has shown commitment to the community’s well-being and improved the quality of life of Strongsville residents. Dr. Ryba was recognized for the work he has initiated to connect Strongsville students to the local business community, especially through the District's Business Advisory Council. Through Dr. Ryba’s efforts, Strongsville City School students have learned the skills and qualities employers seek through in-person interactions with the business leaders. The connections established by Dr. Ryba have benefitted the Strongsville business community as they continue to focus on workforce solutions and establishing a pipeline to local talent.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. MARY DEIGHTON, 2ND GRADE TEACHER AT CHAPMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Mary Deighton has taught for 19 years in our District. Mrs. Deighton teaches 2nd grade at Chapman Elementary and has also worked at Muraski, Surrarrer, and Allen Elementary Schools during her time with SCS. She has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from Cleveland State University. After having her last child she went back to school and took undergraduate classes in education. She also earned a Master’s Degree in special education from Baldwin Wallace.
“I enjoy seeing my second graders grow and become independent thinkers throughout the school year. It’s also wonderful to see second grade students being inclusive with their classmates and willing to help out when needed. Working at Chapman for so many years has given me the opportunity to see former students also grow into independent students and learners”.
“I love working with a great team of dedicated teachers and staff members at Chapman. As a team we create a positive learning environment for all our students. I am lucky to work in such a positive environment.”
Thank you Mrs. Deighton for being part of a great team at Chapman Elementary! #ModelMustang
SCS TEXTBOOK / MATERIALS REVIEW
Our grades K-5 Music, 6-8 Math, 6-8 English Language Arts, and 7-8 Social Studies textbook/ materials adoption process is underway. Our professional staff at each level have thoroughly evaluated and vetted their top selections, based on eight months of committee work and professional development time allocated to the departments. Teachers reviewed and evaluated materials based on suitability, accuracy, and relevance in the context of the intended educational level and subject matter, assurance of academic quality and alignment to Ohio standards, ethical and cultural considerations, instructional design and pedagogical strategies employed in the materials.
Any Strongsville parent/community member may review the materials in person at the Strongsville Administrative Office during normal business hours (8:00am - 4:00pm) from March 18th - March 28th. We will have a survey to complete in order to provide input as we move through the adoption process. Please ensure you bring your license or state ID for building entry. Please use the linked Google form to sign up in advance, so we have materials ready. If you are not able to attend during the listed times, please fill out the survey and mark that you would like to complete an online review. The online resources will be available for review through April 18th.
Sign Up HERE to review textbooks/materials.
SMS BOYS GOLF CAMP - REGISTER NOW!
Boys in grades 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and interested in improving your golf skills - don’t miss this year’s Strongsville Golf Camp, designed to develop the proper techniques in the golf swing as well as develop the skills for the short game and putting. The camp will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays in April and May at Columbia Hills Country Club (16200 E. River Rd. / Columbia Station). Learn from the SHS Varsity and JV Coaches, as well as the SHS varsity golf players. Click HERE for the registration form and additional information.
CRUMBL COOKIES FUNDRAISER FOR SMS 8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP TO CEDAR POINT
8th grade students at SMS will have the opportunity to spend a day at Cedar Point at the end of May. This trip offers a fantastic opportunity for students to bond, create lasting memories, and celebrate the culmination of their middle school journey. To help offset some of the costs associated with the trip we have teamed up with Crumbl Cookies in Strongsville for a sweet "March Madness" fundraiser. Every Wednesday in March Crumbl will donate 15% of orders when this flyer is shown or ‘Strongsville Middle School’ is mentioned when you pick up your order on Wednesdays. Enjoy a treat and help out the SMS 8th graders!
“HERE COMES THE BUS” APP FOR SCS FAMILIES
"Here Comes The Bus" is an app for SCS families to track busing information and routes for their student(s), as well as real-time notifications.
The app and complementary website (www.herecomesthebus.com) - available on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or personal computer - enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus on its daily route.
Download the "Here Comes the Bus" app to monitor daily transportation information. Families that utilized the app last year will need to delete last year’s student information and add their current year information in order to receive the latest routing details and updates. Click HERE for additional information and instructions on utilizing the app for your student's bus routes.
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 and/or to enroll your student, please click HERE.
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
Wed. March 20th Community Forum - Teen Mental Wellness / Presented by Strongsville Women’s League
On Wednesday, March 20th the Strongsville Women's League presents "Protect Our Children: Teen Mental Wellness" at 7:000pm at Strongsville Middle School (13200 Pearl Road). Our speaker will be Gina Marek, founder and president of the non-profit MY FAV FIVE App. The MY FAVE FIVE App helps individuals aged 13 and older identify, connect, and build relationships with trusted people in their lives while developing healthy coping skills. Gina founded her non-profit to honor her son Jacob who died by suicide at the age of 15 in 2016. With the help of supportive friends, the idea of the MY FAVE FIVE App evolved as a way for Gina to channel her grief and work to fulfill her son’s purpose of helping others. The initial idea for the MY FAVE FIVE App was to help teens create their own networks of support. However, after seeing the isolation and depression caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gina enhanced the App in early 2022 to be able to offer the App to everyone. This event is free and open to everyone, those in Strongsville as well as members of the surrounding communities. The subject matter is most appropriate for individuals aged 13 and older.
Baldwin Wallace STEM Adventures
Baldwin Wallace University’s Division of STEM Initiatives is hosting a variety of STEM programs and events this Spring for students in grades K-12 and families. Click HERE for the list of programs being offered on BW’s campus or visit bw.edu/DCLSTEM.
Let’s Build Blocks! Competition
The Home Builders Association is sponsoring a student contest (Grades K-6) at the upcoming Home & Remodeling Expo (Saturday, 3/23 - Sunday, 3/24) at the IX Center. Students will have the opportunity to create their own design out of a kit of blocks (supplied). Contest registration is due by Friday, March 15th. Call 216.447.8700 if you have questions. Click HERE for additional registration information.
Join Strongsville Special Olympics
Join the Strongsville Special Olympics family! Strongsville Special Olympics has a number of sports opportunities for ages 8 and up. Participants can gain new sports skills, attend annual dances and picnics, and make lifelong friends! Email strongsvillespecialolympics@gmail.com for additional information or click HERE.
Youth Lacrosse - Spring Registration
Come be a part of America’s fastest growing sport! Strongsville Youth Lacrosse has been growing since 2008 and registration for the 2024 season is now open for boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades. Indoor practices begin in mid-February and the outdoor season runs from late March through May. All experience levels welcome. All information is included on the registration site - click HERE.
Treehouse Berea Programming
Treehouse Berea is offering many activities and opportunities for students. From Battle Bots to Coding to Minecraft Engineers - there's something for kids ages 6-13. Visit treehouseberea.com to learn more or click HERE for the flyer about the available activities.
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
April Business Luncheon*
Hosted by Polaris Career Center
"Unlocking Potential: Leveraging Polaris Students as Interns and Strategies for Employee Retention" - Presented by Maureen Lehman, Director of Workforce Services
Polaris Career Center – Savour Restaurant, 7285 Old Oak Blvd., Middleburg Heights
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
11:30am - 1:00pm
*Limited Seating; please register early
May Scholarship Luncheon
Recognition of 2024 Chamber Scholarship Recipients and Students Entering the Military
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
11:30am – 1:00pm
Registration Opens April 17, 2024
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Business After Hours
Hosted by SouthPark Mall at The Hooley Kitchen & Pub, 500 SouthPark Center
Thursday, May 16, 2024
5:30pm-7:30pm
82nd Annual Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 24 - July 27, 2024
Sponsorship opportunities available. Please call the Chamber office at 440.238.3366.
Strongsville Library
Please note the following March 2024 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.
CCPL Program Guide The Cuyahoga County Public Library program guide is now digital! Want to find out about all the amazing library programs and resources happening around the system? You can view our Program information by going to cuyahogalibrary.org and click on Research & Discover to use the Press Reader resource here: https://www.pressreader.com/document/4050
Seed Library Returns! In order 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 once again 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 on the first day of Spring, March 19th. Supplies are limited. Please call (440) 238-5530 for more information or visit https://www.hummingbirdproject.org/seed-libraries to see all participating locations in Greater Cleveland. Please also save the date for a Master Gardeners presentation on April 18th and our Spring Plant Swap on April 25.
English as a Second Language Classes by Aspire Greater Cleveland. If you need to learn English or improve your language skills, we can help. Aspire Greater Cleveland offers FREE beginner, intermediate and advanced-level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. Strongsville Branch will be hosting morning classes on Thursdays and Fridays. Please call 833.ASPIRE2 (1.833.277.4732) to register or visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/services/adult-education/aspire-greater-cleveland for more information.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are back in session! Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. No registration needed.
Preschool. Ages 3 – 5 not yet in kindergarten with caregiver / Mondays at 11:30 a.m. – Noon or Tuesdays at 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. – Noon.
Toddler. Ages 19 – 35 months with caregiver / Wednesdays at 10:00 – 10:25 a.m. or 11:30 – 11:55 a.m.
Baby & Me. Birth – 18 months with caregiver / Mondays at 10:00 – 10:20 a.m. or Thursdays at 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.
Family. All ages with caregiver / Thursdays at 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, March 16th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, March 18th / 7:00 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 session.
STV Historical Society Presents: Home Rehab 101. Tuesday, March 19th / 7:00 p.m. Those that own older homes, this presentation is for you! We will go over the tips and tricks that we have found over the years of helping homeowners through their rehab and renovation projects. From planning what to start with to checking if a final inspection has been completed - we are going to cover it all! This program is brought in partnership with the Strongsville Historical Society. A brief historical society business meeting will be held prior to the presentation.
Adobe Photoshop: Photo Retouching. Friday, March 8th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Expand your knowledge of Photoshop and explore tools for retouching and correcting photos. Topics include using selection tools, patch tools, adjustment layers and layer masks. Prerequisite: Photoshop Basics or experience using Photoshop.
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. 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://cuyahogalibrary.org/classes-events/computer-classes
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, March 20th 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 The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, March 25th / 2:30 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 are always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Hello Beautiful: A Novel by Ann Napolitano. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Digital Navigators. Tuesday, March 26th / 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 27th / 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Friday, March 29th / 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch. Our Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you or someone you know connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment.
Teen Craft Night: Pipe Cleaner Bouquets. For Teens in Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, March 26th / 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Learn how to cut and bend pipe cleaners to make flowers and turn them into a miniature bouquet!
School Age Craft: Pipe Cleaner Bouquets. Ages 9 – 11. Thursday, March 28th / 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Use pipe cleaners to create a simple or elaborate bouquet to show off or give to a loved one. Registration is required and begins March 11th.
Egg-Stravaganza. Ages 4 – 6. Friday, March 29th / 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. We will have an egg-cellent time dying and decorating hard-boiled eggs provided by the library. The egg-citing news is that you get to take them home with you. Ages 4 - 6. Registration is required and begins March 11th.
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
Instagram: @strongsvillecs
Twitter / X: @strongsvillecs