Mustang Moments

TONIGHT (Thursday, March 28) - 7:00pm

Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE

Friday, March 29 - Monday, April 8 - NO SCHOOL
Spring Break

Strongsville Middle School 8th Grader Luke Huber recently competed at the state-level Mathcounts competition. Luke placed 14th out of 172 top math students in Ohio. These 172 students were the top scorers of over 1,000 students who competed in the regional competitions across Ohio last month. This is Luke’s second time he has placed in the state Mathcounts’ “Magnificent 16.” Congratulations!

3rd & 4th graders at Kinsner had the opportunity to learn golf skills, thanks to Mrs. Weir and her connection with First Tee Cleveland. First Tee volunteers visited and provided a two day lesson in PE about the basics of golf. Students had the chance to learn the basics about their stance, how to swing a club, and then were able to chip and putt at targets set around the gym.

First Tee provides full lessons and equipment to qualifying school districts. Mrs. Weir is hoping to bring golf to future PE classes across all of our elementary schools.

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!

Mrs. Peggy Kmetz (also known as ‘Mrs. K’ to her students and families) has worked for 29 years at Strongsville City Schools. Mrs. K, a Speech Language Pathologist for our Preschool, has also worked at Chapman and Muraski Elementary Schools and Albion Middle School. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and also has a Master’s Degree from Miami University. Mrs. K has been a resident of Strongsville for 37 years and has two sons who graduated from Strongsville High School.

“Being able to witness the joy and enthusiasm of students when they are communicating and interacting is one of the best parts of my job. My goal for each student I work with is for them to know that they have something important to say - whether they are using words, sentences, sign language, or communication devices. I also want every student I meet to feel confident and know that they are respected for who they are.”

“I have had the opportunity to work with so many remarkable and caring staff members while working for Strongsville Schools.The ability to interact and learn from educators, parents, the preschool team at Chapman and Lunn Road, and most importantly our youngest learners, is a gift. I also am so proud to be a public school educator and have the opportunity to work with so many diverse and amazing learners.”

Thank you Mrs. Kmetz for your dedication to our District and for the positive impact you have made on so many students in our community! #ModelMustang

Congratulations to Strongsville High School Junior Tristen Nye - he is the Ohio All-Around State Champion for Men’s Gymnastics! Tristen competed last weekend at Bowling Green State University and earned the highest combined scores on all 6 apparatuses - placing first in the all-around competition. He placed in the top 3 in 5 of the 6 individual events: 1st on Vault, 2nd on Pommel Horse, 2nd on Rings, 2nd on High Bar, and 3rd on parallel bars. Tristen has qualified for the Regional Meet in Champaign, IL (April 4-7), where he hopes to eventually qualify for the National Meet in Daytona, FL (May 9-12). Best of luck Tristen!

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 288, "Erin's Law," in January 2023, requiring school districts to implement curriculum for child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention from grades K-12 starting in the 2023-2024 school year. The law mandates developmentally appropriate instruction for students in grades K-6.

Starting in late April to May, elementary school counselors will teach two lessons in classrooms using the Child Protection Unit within our Second Step curriculum. This was selected for its age-appropriate content and approval by the Department of Education and Workforce. These lessons aim to increase awareness of warning signs in relationships and to prevent abuse. Our school counselors will present the curriculum in a safe and age-appropriate manner during their regularly scheduled classroom counseling lessons.

Concepts in Grades K-1 include understanding stranger danger, creating boundaries, and knowing who trusted adults are. Concepts in Grades 2-3 include knowing that safe touches help you feel cared for and unsafe touches hurt your body/feelings. Concepts in Grades 4-5 include being responsible for your own safety, discussing ways to stay safe, creating boundaries, and understanding your body belongs to you.

Parents/guardians can opt-out their child from the child protection curriculum by signing a permission form and returning it to their child's teacher. If the form is not returned, your child will participate in the counselor's lessons.

If you wish to opt out, please return the K-3 opt-out permission form and/or the 4-5 opt-out permission form to your child’s teacher prior to April 15.

https://bam.finnlyconnect.com/registration/activityitem/3263

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.

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 2024. Order yours today - click HERE for additional details. Proceeds benefit Strongsville Lacrosse.

"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.

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.

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).

Kiwanis Club of Strongsville Open House (Wednesday, April 10)

The Kiwanis Club of Strongsville invites you to their Open House and Membership Drive on Wednesday, April 10 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at TGIFridays (18400 Royalton Rd.). Complimentary appetizers will be served! Guests are welcome to stay for the monthly meeting and dinner following the Open House. The mission of Kiwanis is to improve the quality of life for the children and families of Strongsville.

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 Robotics 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 April 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://cuyahogalibrary.org/research-discover/resources-a-z/pressreader

Seed Library! 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. Sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library. 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 25th.

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 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.

Teen Board Game Club. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, April 1st / 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Come join a monthly group where we learn and play a new game each month! Just stop in! No registration required!

Young at Heart Book Discussion. Tuesday, April 2nd / 7:00 p.m. A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The title for our next discussion is Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow. No registration. Everyone Welcome!

School Age Circuits and Makey Makey. Grades 1 – 3 with Adult Caregiver. Wednesday, April 3rd / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Learn how to wire a basic circuit and create a hand-steadiness game using simple electronics. Registration is required.

Toddler Art & Sensory Play. For Ages 1 – 3 with Adult Caregiver. Friday, April 5th / 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Engage your little one’s senses, develop skills, and build brain connections though open-ended art using a variety of tactile materials.

Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, April 6th or April 20th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, April 29th / 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.

Solar Eclipse Viewing 2024. Monday, April 8th / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the continental United States. Glimpse the full glory of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, visible only when the Sun’s disc is completely covered by the moon. The Strongsville Branch Library will set up an eclipse viewing area outside the Strongsville Branch Library. Join us for some fun eclipse activities and more. Open to All Ages! No registration required.

CreativiTeen. Teens in Grades 6 – 12. Wednesday, April 10th / 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Drop-in to the TEEN AREA any time between 3:30 and 5:00 for a craft, technology demo, or other activity! No registration required. While supplies last.

Crafter-Noon. Ages 3 and up. Saturday, April 13th / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. If you’re not sure what to do on the second Saturday afternoon of the month, look no further! Create a one-of-a-kind craft in our storytime room. While supplies last.

Teen Writing Workshop: Whipping Up a Great Story. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, April 15th / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. How do you whip up a great story? Start with the best ingredients. Young adult mystery author JPC Allen will show teen writers how complex characters, vivid settings, gripping plots, and captivating themes can be mixed together to concoct stories readers will love. Through examples and writing prompts, teens have the chance to develop their own ingredients that will make their stories unique. Sponsored by the Strongsville Friends of the Library

Teen Craft Night: Yarn Art. Grades 6 – 12. Tuesday, April 16th / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Using markers, yarn, and glue, "paint" a beautiful masterpiece on canvas board! The possibilities are endless! In order to participate in youth programs that could be considered harmful, Cuyahoga County Public Library requires parents to complete a Release & Hold Harmless Form. To access the form and learn more about parent options, please visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.

PowerPoint Basics. Wednesday, April 17th / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Geared toward the beginner, this class offers an overview of Microsoft PowerPoint, a software program for designing creative presentations and slideshows. Create a simple presentation and learn how to add text, images and transitions to slides. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using PowerPoint. Earn a Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate for this class with the successful completion of an assessment. Learn more about this certification.

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, April 17th / 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 Friends like These by Kimberly McCreight. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.

School Age Craft: Yarn Art. Ages 9 – 11. Thursday, April 18th / 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Take inspiration from famous art pieces or create your own yarn masterpiece on canvas. Registration is required. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture this program’s effectiveness. This program may include activities that could be considered harmful. In order for your child to participate you must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form and return it to the program location at least one week prior to the program’s start date. To access the form and learn more about parent options, please visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.

Embracing Life in Your Garden. Thursday, April 18th / 7:00 p.m. Not enough buzz in your garden? Bring your garden to life! In this presentation Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County will offer tips and techniques for welcoming pollinators and other beneficials to your vegetable garden and landscape.

Blood Drive. Friday, April 19th / 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).

Kindergarten Countdown: All About Me. Friday, April 19th / 11:00 a.m. – Noon. Join us as we help your child build kindergarten readiness skills in a program aligned to Ohio’s Early Childhood Standards. This session, we will focus on the topic All About Me!

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, April 22nd / 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 The Wager: a Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.

Teen Tech Night: Fun with Fabrication. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, April 22nd / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Take a look at a laser cutter up close, learn about what fabrication even is, and build your own structure using pre-cut pieces. In order to participate in youth programs that could be considered harmful, Cuyahoga County Public Library requires parents to complete a Release & Hold Harmless Form. To access the form and learn more about parent options, please visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options.

Digital Navigators. Tuesday, April 23rd / 1:30 – 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, April 27th / 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 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.

Transformation of the Strongsville Fire Department: From Bucket Brigade to Fire and Emergency Services. Tuesday, April 23rd / 7:00 p.m. This presentation will include the evolution of the Fire department in Strongsville. From the bucket brigade efforts as early as 1820, to the volunteer firemen who organized the Strongsville Fire Protection Association in 1922, to the transformation into one of the most respected and accomplished fire departments in Cuyahoga County. We will discuss some of the biggest fire events within the Strongsville borders and highlight some of the founding fathers and leadership that helped shape the fire service into the great fire department that it is today. This special presentation, in partnership with the Strongsville Historical Society, will be presented by Guest speaker Lieutenant Brian Tomcany of Strongsville Fire and Emergency Services.

Southwest General Health Talk: Rotator Cuff Injury & Management. Wednesday, April 24th / 10:00 a.m. Daniel Kana, DO, from NOMS Southwest Orthopedics, will discuss the progression of Rotator cuff disease. Topics will include impingement, tendonitis, acute and chronic tears, and treatments including surgical repairs and reverse total shoulder replacement.

British Royal Scandals. Wednesday, April 24th / 7:00 p.m. Royal Expert Julie Koenig is joining us at Strongsville to discuss British Royal Scandals from the recent past. She'll shed light on Queen Elizabeth II's speech in 1992, Windsor Castle burning down, the day Diana died and the life of Princess Margaret. All are welcome!

Spring Plant Swap. Thursday, April 25th / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Calling all gardeners and plant lovers! Join us for this special plant swapping event. Please bring at least one indoor or outdoor healthy, pest-free, beautiful plant, cutting, or seeds. Bring as many as you would like - the more the merrier! The plants can be potted or bare root—as long as you’re prepared to part with them. If bare roots, please bring plant in a pot, bag, or a cardboard box if possible. Please also label plants or seeds as best as you can with any information about the plant such as name, sun/shade/size, etc.) Tickets will be given for each type of plant brought. Tickets will be randomly pulled to decide the order of selection for choosing your new plants.

Play, Learn, & Grow, Ages 1 – 3. Tuesday, April 30th / 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Boost your toddler’s brain through play! Join us for a 5-week series for caregivers and children ages 1 to 3. Connect with your kids and other families plus get answers about your growing child.

Battle for the Ballot: Cleveland's Suffragist Movement. Tuesday, April 30th / 7:00 p.m. There is no complete record of the brave, often unmated women who fought for their right to vote and finally triumphed in 1920. Learn about a band of women who dedicated themselves to the public interest and grew into an organization that won the respect and confidence of the nation. This program will tell the story behind the Cleveland women who advocated for suffrage and went on to help establish the League of Women Voters. Presented by the Western Reserve Historical Society.

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