60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mrs. Katie Hawk has been a part of our District her entire life. She is an SHS Graduate, and has spent her entire educational career at SCS (elementary teacher at Whitney and Surrarrer, Literacy Coach for the District, Assistant Principal at Kinsner and Muraski) - SCS is truly home for Mrs. Hawk. Prior to the school year, she was named Principal at Whitney Elementary. Click HERE for this week’s episode to learn more about Mrs. Hawk and the excitement she has for the Whitney community.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. LEAH GIBSON, 1ST GRADE TEACHER AT MURASKI ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Leah Gibson is in her fourth year as a first grade teacher at Muraski Elementary. Before coming to Strongsville City Schools, Mrs. Gibson worked in education for 24 years in Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree from Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. Even though she has Texas roots, she loves the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, and Cleveland Monsters!
“The best moments in my classroom are when students realize they have learned something or accomplished something they either didn't know they could do, or were having a hard time completing. The look on their faces when they realize what they have done is priceless,” said Mrs. Gibson.
“I love working with my first grade team of teachers and collaborating with them to create resources and activities that engage and challenge our students, while meeting the learning standards and goals we have set for them. We see each other's strengths and value them to make our team strong in growing to be better everyday, no matter how many years we have been teaching. I am blessed to work with kind, amazing people in the entire Muraski family.”
Thank you Mrs. Gibson for being part of a great team at Muraski and helping our first graders grow and develop! #BeTheDifference
MUSTANG EXPRESS ROYAL TEA
Attention kids of all ages, don’t miss the upcoming Royal Tea, hosted by Mustang Express (Strongsville High School’s Show Choir)! This fun family event will feature an exciting musical show, performed by members of Mustang Express appearing as your favorite characters! Don’t forget to wear your Princess (& Prince) attire, as there will be photo opportunities following the show. Choose from two shows - 12:00pm & 2:00pm - on Saturday, October 15 at Strongsville High School. Tickets are just $5 at the door - it will be a magical event at SHS on October 15!
Strongsville Stallion Stampede - Saturday, September 24
GOHRun and the Strongsville High School Cross Country teams are hosting a youth fun run on Saturday, September 24 at Strongsville High School's Cross Country course. The Strongsville Invitational will take place before the youth races, so arrive early to see the high school student-athletes compete. The Fun Run is FREE. We will accept donations of non perishable food items for the Strongsville Food Bank and donations toward GOHRun youth running events. There will be two races starting at 12:30PM for our younger runners (K-2) who will race 800 meters on grass. The older group (3-6) will race one mile at 12:50PM. Runners must check in and pick up their race bib/tag for timing and results. Wear the bib on the front of your shirt. Check in will be at the tennis courts at the east end of the stadium. Click HERE to register for the Strongsville Stallion Stampede on Saturday, September 24.
MUSTANG FALL ATHLETICS - RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Julia Isham (Girls Cross Country) - the senior cross country student-athlete ran in the Mentor Invite race last weekend and finished in First Place, narrowly missing the Meet Record with a time of 17:58.89.
Dean Upholzer (Boys Golf) - the junior golf student-athlete recently won the Golfweek Junior Tour event at Forest Akers in Michigan with back to back 2 under par 70’s. Dean sunk a 25’ birdie putt on the first playoff hole for the win!
Boys & Girls Varsity Soccer - Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Rankings for Week #1 / DI Soccer: Mustang Boys (#2), Lady Mustangs (#1)
JOIN THE “SCS CREW”
Attention parents of SMS and SHS students: SCS Crew is looking for new members! The SCS Crew is a talented team of video production members! Students in SCS Crew have the opportunity to be a part of the team that records district events throughout the school year - sports, concerts, Board of Education meetings, SHS Commencement, and MORE - for YouTube and our Strongsville City Schools TV channel. Click HERE for a video about SCS Crew! Interested students should contact Scott Benson (440.572.7032 / sbenson@scsmustangs.org).
FALL MUM SALE - MURASKI PTA FUNDRAISER
Purchase fall mums to beautify your yard and help raise money for Muraski Elementary PTA. The 8” mums are 3 for $25 - choose from yellow, red, white, orange, and purple. Click HERE to order. Hurry - deadline to order is Monday, September 12 (Mums will be delivered on Thursday, September 15).
PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE SHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
This year’s Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony for the Class of 2022 will be held on Saturday, October 22, beginning at 5:00pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Celebrate the accomplishments of: Jessica Carey (Roberts) (Girls Soccer) - SHS Class of 2004; Kyle Cobb (Boys Golf and Boys Basketball) - SHS Class of 2006; Cassie Martin (Girls Track & Field and Girls Basketball) - SHS Class of 2016; Deverin Muff (Boys Basketball and Boys Track & Field) - SHS Class of 2010; Nick Skully (Boys Basketball and Football) - SHS Class of 2001; Russ Jacques (SHS Football Coach); 1997 Boys Soccer State Championship Team; Bob Serpentini - SHS Athletic Wall of Fame Inductee. Purchase your tickets for the dinner & induction ceremony HERE. #foreveramustang
“HERE COMES THE BUS” APP
'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 - 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 about the app.
FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL APPLICATIONS FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
After two years of free meals for all students in our District, through a federal government program, we will be transitioning back to free, reduced, and paid statuses for student meals. If you believe your family may qualify for free or reduced price school meals, we encourage you to complete a Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application online, which may be found HERE. The online form must be completed by Friday, September 30, 2022. If your situation should change as a result of lower income or increased family size, you may complete a new form at any time during the school year.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 7TH & 12TH GRADES
Please note the following immunization requirements from the Ohio Department of Health.
All students entering 7th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 7th grade:
One (1) dose of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
(A second dose of meningococcal vaccine will be required prior to entry into the 12th grade)
One (1) dose of Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis] vaccine
________________________________________________________________________
All students entering 12th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 12th grade:
Two (2) doses of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
Incoming 7th and 12th graders will need to show proof of having received these vaccines before they can return to school for the 2022-23 school year (exemptions are provided for under law, call for more information).
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 7th graders
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 12th graders
Section 3313.671 of the Ohio Revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization will be excluded from school on the 15th day after entrance, until proof is provided.
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
Princess Ball - Sunday, September 11
The 6th Annual Princess Ball which will take place on Sunday, September 11th at SouthPark Mall between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. The event takes place in the mall's food court area. There will be 10+ Fairytale Princesses provided by Second Star to the Right. Each princess will have a customized station and will be available for a meet-and-greet. Please be ready to snap adorable photos of your kids with the Fairytale Princesses. Fox 8's Kristi Capel will be the host for this morning event! Click HERE to purchase tickets for the event. Please note, that all attendees will need a ticket to enter except children 2 years of age and under. 100% of the proceeds will benefit A Special Wish Northeast Ohio, a local organization dedicated to granting the wishes of Northeast Ohio children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Strongsville City Club - Breakfast on the Covered Bridge (Sun. 9/18)
Please join the Strongsville City Club for the 39TH ANNUAL “Breakfast on the Covered Bridge” event on Sunday, September 18 from 7:30am - 12:00pm. It has been a hit with all who attend and come back year after year! Additional details are available at the Strongsville City Club website
LOCATION: Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge in the Cleveland Metroparks
ADMISSION: Adult Donation: $10.00 Advance / $11.00 Day of Breakfast; Kids 10 & Under: $5.00 Advance / $6.00 Day of Breakfast
ADVANCE TICKET SALES: Tickets are available at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center or from Strongsville City Club Member Bill Ritchie (440) 238-5770
Arts in Strongsville “A Day at the Chalet” (Sun. 9/18)
Arts in Strongsville presents its annual “A Day at the Chalet” event on Sunday, September 18 from 12pm - 5pm at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet in Strongsville. The Day at the Chalet is a free event featuring hands on crafts, arts, activities, and live entertainment for the whole family. Great raffle prizes, too! Hamburgers, hot dogs, soda and water will also be available for purchase. Free parking and shuttle from RTA Park-N-Ride at Pearl/OH Turnpike. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Strongsville Historical Society - Harvest Festival & 60th Anniversary Celebration
What: Harvest Festival & 60th Anniversary Celebration
When: September 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Strongsville Historic Village / 13305 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, OH
Enjoy demonstrators sharing their unique skills, a farmer’s market, food & refreshments provided by food truck-style vendors, a petting zoo, and children’s games. All buildings will be open for peeks into the past 150 years. FREE ADMISSION!
The Strongsville Historical Society and Historic Village invites you to become a member by calling 440-572-0057. Family, corporate, student, senior and individual memberships are available. Please learn more about the Strongsville Historical Society by going to www.strongsvillehistoricalsociety.org. Also, visit and follow our Facebook page for more information.
Baldwin Wallace Tech Camp - Programming Self-Driving Robots (September 29)
Baldwin Wallace University is hosting BW Tech Camp – Programming Self-Driving Robots on September 29 at 5:30 p.m. The camp is designed for students ages 12 to 17 and attendees will work in pairs. Parents are welcome to team with their student for this fun, hands-on camp. During the two-hour camp, students will learn how to program a robotic vehicle using an Arduino. They will learn how to control the robot’s speed, direction and motors, along with using sensors to allow the robot to detect obstacles and avoid them. The camp is free, but registration is required as space is limited. To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2rnsvvyy. The camp will be held in the Austin E. Knowlton Center, located at 370 Front Street, Berea, on the Baldwin Wallace campus. Brought to you by the Baldwin Wallace Division of Community Learning. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Strongsville Basketball League Tryouts - Sunday, October 9
The Strongsville Basketball League is looking for boys and girls in grades 3-6 to compete in the SBL. Tryouts will be held on Sunday, October 9 from 3pm - 7pm at Strongsville High School. Click HERE for additional tryout details.
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.
September Business Luncheon “Get to Know your City Council and School Board”
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
2022 Strongsville Community Business Expo
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
4:00pm - 5:00pm Business to Business Networking
5:00pm - 7:30pm Open to Strongsville Community
Come learn more about the businesses in our vibrant local business community!
Click HERE to register your business to participate
October Business Luncheon “State of the Schools Address” Presented by Dr. Cameron Ryba Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2022 Chamber Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 2, 2022
Strongsville Library
Please note the following September 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 the Administrative offices of Cuyahoga County Public Library will be closed on Sunday, September 4th and Monday, September 5th for the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume normal Library hours on Tuesday, September 6th 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.
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. Saturday, September 10th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. / VIRTUAL or Monday, September 19th 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.
Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation. Tuesday, September 13th / 7:00 p.m. Karli Keene is a travel concierge with ET Family Travel, specializing in all things Disney and beyond. She will explain the process of planning a Disney vacation, including when to go, where to stay, making dining reservations, booking Genie+ reservations (formerly known as FastPass), using MagicBands, Disney "extras" like character experiences, saving money, and so much more!
A Dawg Pound Presentation. Thursday, September 15th / 7:00 p.m. Calling all Cleveland Browns fans for this fun and interactive presentation on the history of the Cleveland Browns! Author, Marty Gitlin, who covered the Browns as a sportswriter for nearly three decades as an award-winning journalist, hosts this wonderful program. He will cover the most interesting and greatest teams, players, and events in the history of the storied franchise. Marty will tell engaging stories and play exciting game highlights. He will cover the entire history of the Browns from their birth in 1946 to today. Included are legends such as Paul Brown, and Bernie Kosar, triumphs such as the championships of the 1950's and 1964, devastating playoff defeats of the 1980's and the loss of the team in 1995 following decades of frustration after its return.
Toddler Fair. Ages 2 – 3 Years Old. Friday, September 16th / 11:00 a.m. – Noon. Indoor and outdoor activities will engage your little one’s senses as they build brain connections using items you have in your home.
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
Tuesday, September 20th / 10:00 a.m. Noon. Word 2.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, September 21st / 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 The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, September 26th / 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 The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Blood Drive. Friday, September 30th / 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 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). 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).
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