60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
One of our “Model Mustang” competencies is EMPOWERED. What does this mean for our students inside and outside of the classroom? Click HERE for this week’s episode as we visit with elementary and middle school teachers and students to learn how this very important skill is being developed.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PARENT FOCUS GROUPS
Strongsville City Schools is partnering with The Impact Group to develop a three-year strategic plan. One of the ways our parents and families of current SCS students can provide feedback is through virtual focus groups being held on Wednesday, November 16th at 10:00am and 6:00pm. Links for the virtual focus group meetings are below. There is no limit on participants, so please pick a time that works best for you.
Click HERE for the Wednesday November 16 / 10:00am Focus Group
Click HERE for the Wednesday November 16 / 6:00pm Focus Group
STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STRING ORCHESTRA PARTICIPATES IN NORTHERN OHIO STRING FESTIVAL
On Friday, November 4th, the Strongsville High School String Orchestra participated in the Northern Ohio String Festival at Baldwin Wallace University. The group performed on the stage of Gamble Auditorium, attended a clinic with Doug Droste (Orchestra Director at Baldwin Wallace University), and even had the opportunity to FaceTime with one of the composers whose piece that the group performed!
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MR. BRETT JORGENSEN, CAFETERIA & RECESS AIDE AT KINSNER ELEMENTARY
Mr. Brett Jorgensen handles two jobs within our District with the same approach - connect and build relationships, and have FUN doing it! Mr. Jorgensen (also known as “Mr. Awesome” by the students he interacts with on a daily basis) has been working in our District as both a bus driver (6 years) and as a Cafeteria and Recess Aide (3 years) at Kinsner Elementary. He has lived in Strongsville for 14 years and has three kids who have grown up in our District. Mr. Jorgensen has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Lorain County Community College.
“My favorite part of my job is the element of surprise working with students every day. It is very true that kids say and do the darndest things! Being able to positively respond and interact with students is important in my daily work. I appreciate the amount of experience everyone has around me. No matter what the situation is, I have all the help and support to handle anything that comes up,” said Mr. Jorgensen.
Thank you Mr. Jorgensen for being a positive influence on our students throughout their day, as both a bus driver and aide! #BeTheDifference
THREE SHS STUDENT-ATHLETES EARN GCC PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Congratulations to these three Strongsville High School student-athletes who have earned “MVP” honors in the Greater Cleveland Conference for their respective fall sports:
Julia Isham - Girls Cross Country
Natalie Kostalnik - Girls Golf
Dean Upholzer - Boys Golf
SMS PARENT SUPPORT MEETING (THU. 11/17)
A Parent Support meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Strongsville Middle School for parents who have students attending SMS. Strategies for acceptance and understanding for all students will be discussed, including general information, current programs offered to students, how to work with the school, and how to support your child if they feel isolated or uncomfortable.
This meeting is open to all parents/guardians of students attending SMS as a way to share information on an important topic. Speakers will include Jessica Boytim, Bryan Szczepanski, Celia Joyce, and Teresa Karsnak.
Out of respect for our student’s privacy we will not be discussing individual students or past events. If you have further questions, please contact Teresa Karsnak (Parent Mentor) at 440-572-6593 or tkarsnak@scsmustangs.org We look forward to seeing you on November 17th.
SHS THEATRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS “THE HOLIDAY CHANNEL CHRISTMAS MOVIE WONDERTHON”
'Tis the season for Hallmark movies! However, have you ever wanted to experience one of these holiday staples live? Now is your chance - the Strongsville High School Theatre Department proudly presents The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon by Don Zolidis, a hilarious parody that includes all the stereotypes and staples featuring our favorite holiday guilty pleasures. This show has everything - including Christmas trees, ice skating, hot cocoa, sledding, snowball fights, puppies, and MORE! Performances are on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 at 7pm in the SHS Auditorium. Advance tickets are on sale now - click HERE to purchase. Tickets will also be available at the door on performance nights (cash only) $10 - Adult, $5 - Student/Senior/SCS Employee
SMS JINGLE JAM! DANCE FOR 6TH-8TH GRADE (FRI. 11/18)
Don’t miss the next SMS dance - Jingle Jam! - on Friday, November 18 from 7:00pm - 9:30pm at Strongsville Middle School. Prizes, raffles, food, music, and FUN for 6th-8th grade students. Click HERE to purchase tickets in advance. Parent volunteers are also needed - click HERE for more information and to sign up.
DARE SKATING PARTY (TUE. 11/22)
JUNIOR DANCE TEAM CAMP (WED. 11/23)
The SHS Dance Team presents the 5th Annual Junior Dance Team Camp on Wednesday, November 23 from 12pm - 3pm at Strongsville High School! The camp is open to dancers in grades K-8 and includes: learning a dance to perform at halftime of an upcoming SHS Varsity Basketball Game (Date TBD), a T-shirt, a snack, and a 3-hour clinic with the SHS Dance Team. Click HERE to register for the Junior Dance Team Clinic and HERE for additional information. Students must register prior to the event.
SIMB BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Join Strongsville’s Band and Orchestra students at the North Pole for Breakfast with Santa! All of the holiday fun happens on Sunday, November 27 from 10:30am - 1:30pm at the Meadowood Clubhouse. Tickets are $15 and includes breakfast, pictures with Santa, face painting, and a 50/50 raffle. Click HERE to purchase event tickets. Proceeds benefit the Strongsville Instrumental Music Boosters.
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
BW Tech Camp – Create Your Own Holiday Light Show with Raspberry Pis
Baldwin Wallace University will host a BW Tech Camp – Create Your Own Holiday Light Show with Raspberry Pis - on Thursday, November 17 at 5:30pm. During the two-hour camp for students ages 12 to 17, participants will work in teams of two to learn how to interact with and program various electronic components using a Raspberry Pi to create their own holiday light show! The concepts covered will allow participants to program music, blink lights, and change the light color to the sounds they generate. From this experience, students will gain an understanding of how they can use software with hardware to work on exciting projects!
The camp is free, but registration is required as space is limited. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3FUwhnH. The camp will be held in the Austin E. Knowlton Center (370 Front Street) on the Baldwin Wallace campus.
Brixology Camp at Strongsville Rec Center
Step into the shoes of an engineer with the Brixology Engineering Program featuring Lego bricks. From carnival rides to drawing machines, mechanical animals to soaring towers, participants will explore exciting engineering careers and develop creative problem-solving skills. This series meets on Wednesdays from 5:45pm - 6:45pm beginning on November 16. Click HERE for the event flyer with additional information or register online at strongsville.activityreg.com.
Breakfast with Santa
Join us at First Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am - 11am when Santa comes to visit! Enjoy a pancake breakfast along with a craft. There may even be some elves there to help! While you are here you can even grab a photo with Santa, himself! Hope to see you there! Tickets are $10, for everyone 3 and up, and can be purchased at https://firstchurch.ticketspice.com/breakfast-with-santa
One-Day STEAM Classes at Strongsville Rec Center
Challenge Island is offering K-6th graders a fun way to celebrate the holidays with these one-day STEAM classes at the Strongsville Rec. Center.
Happy ThankSTEAMing! - November 14th / 5:45pm – 7:15pm
Kids will design and engineer a fabulous Thanksgiving parade day float as they learn about simple machines. And then we will have some fun with Turkey blasters as we explore elasticity in this fun turkey themed target game.
STEAMing through the Holidays - December 12th / 5:45pm – 7:15pm
Give kids the gift of engineering, imagination and creativity! We will get in the holiday spirit as we design and build spinning snowman and create snow flake copters. We will learn about penguins and engineer a penguin slide to race our penguins to see which STEAMteam® will have the fastest penguin?
Space is limited and registration is currently open. Click HERE for the event flyer. You can register by calling the Rec. Center front desk at 440-580-3260 or online at https://strongsville.activityreg.com
Winter Chess Camp - Strongsville Rec Center
Winter Chess Camp is coming to the Strongsville Rec Center! Winter Chess Camp (for ages 6 – 12 years) is a super-fun, high-energy chess experience in which kids celebrate a new chess tactic each day with silly videos, music driven puzzlers for prizes, colorful silicone TactixBands, and so much more! Winter Chess Camp meets for 3 hours in the afternoon for a full week - Monday, December 19 - Friday, December 23. Click HERE for the event flyer. Space is limited and registration is currently open. You can register by calling the Rec Center front desk at 440-580-3260 or online at https://strongsville.activityreg.com
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
November Business Luncheon
“Business Banking Trends & Forecasts for 2023”
Presented Tom Partridge, Northern Ohio Regional President, Fifth Third Bank
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
2022 Chamber Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 2, 2022
NEW VENUE! The Aviator Event Center (formerly the 100th Bomber Restaurant)
20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
December Holiday Luncheon
Music Provided by SHS Strings Orchestra, Directed by Mr. Andrew Hire
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
Strongsville Library
Please note the following November 2022 events being held on ZOOM virtually or in-person and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events for us to send you virtual Zoom invitations. 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.
*The Library and Administrative offices will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd and will remain closed on Thursday, November 24th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Friday, November 25th at 9:00 a.m.
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Strongsville Branch Library has resumed 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.
Studio Orientation. Monday, November 21st 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 in-person session.
Young at Heart Book Club. Tuesday, November 15th / 7:00 p.m. Register online. IN PERSON. A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The title for this month’s discussion is New From Here by Kelly Yang.
Southwest General Health Talk: Over the Counter and Through the Woods: What Does it All Mean? Wednesday, November 16th / 10:00 a.m. IN PERSON. Raquel Fricker, PharmD, will discuss Cold/Flu over the counter medications and non-pharmacologic options for symptoms. She will also talk about COVID-19 and how to differentiate between symptoms of Cold, Flu, and COVID in this presentation.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, November 16th / 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 Bewilderment by Richard Powers. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Preschool Science: Space. Ages 3 – 5 with a caregiver. Wednesday, November 16th / 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. IN PERSON. Exploration Station - Out in Space! Join us for stories, crafts and other hands-on activities about the moon, stars and space exploration.
Computer Classes IN PERSON. 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
Thursday, November 17th / 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon. Excel 2.
Wednesday, November 30th / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Excel 3.
Screens and Our Children: How to Teach Them Responsibility. VIRTUAL. Thursday, November 17th / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Learn the how-to's and what to be mindful of as you enter the digital age with your children. Find out how to determine when is too much versus what is appropriate. Learn how to teach your children when to terminate from screens versus parent management. Learn safe ways to navigate social media and what your children are doing on the internet. Join licensed clinical social worker, Rebekah Bryson with Purposeful Growth and Wellness as she explains ways to navigate screens with the young people in our lives.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, November 28th / 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 Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing as we Age by Mary Pipher. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Improve Your Wine Vocabulary. Monday, November 28th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. IN PERSON. In this class you will learn the proper way to evaluate wine by sight, smell, and taste. You will also learn some card-carrying characteristics of popular grape varietals so you can more easily identify them. With these tools you can increase your wine vocabulary, better understand what kinds of wine you prefer and why and take your first steps toward blind tasting. Allison Ritterspach is certified in Viticulture and Vinification from the American Sommelier’s Association. This event is for informational purposes only. Wine will not be served
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