60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Billy Williams, a senior at Strongsville High School, designed, created, and installed a Communication Board at the Early Learning Preschool for his Eagle Scout project. This board helps our non-verbal students communicate their feelings, wants, and needs on the playground. Click HERE for this week’s episode to hear how Billy’s personal experiences helped to bring this Communication Board to life and how it will help our preschool students for years to come.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PARENT FOCUS GROUPS
The District has partnered with The Impact Group to support the development of our next strategic plan. A major component of the strategic planning process will be gathering feedback from parents. All parents will have the opportunity to complete a survey throughout the month of November, as well participate in Focus Groups run by The Impact Group. We would love for you to participate and share your feedback as this plan is developed. Focus groups for parents will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 16th at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Save the date and be on the lookout for additional details that will be shared in the next few weeks.
RIVALRY WEEK + GREET & TREAT MAKE SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS TO STRONGSVILLE FOOD BANK
THANK YOU to the students and families who participated in the Chick-fil-A Rivalry week food drive and also brought donations to the Greet & Treat event. SHS & SMS filled 109 bins of food items in their challenge vs. cross-town rival Brunswick. In addition, at this week’s Greet & Treat event, nearly 1,000 food items and $451 in cash donations were collected for the Strongsville Food Bank. Thanks again to Strongsville for your continued generosity!
BIBIBOP FUNDRAISER FOR SHS THEATRE PROGRAM
On Thursday November 3, Strongsville High School’s Theatre Program will be holding a fundraiser at Bibibop (15191 Pearl Rd.) from 10:30am to 9pm to help support its live, in-person fall production of The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon. Please consider grabbing a bowl to help recoup many of the funds necessary for props, set pieces, licensing rights, makeup, etc. 20% of the event sales will be donated to the SHS Theatre Program. You must mention the fundraiser during checkout. Click HERE for the flyer for more information and for instructions for online orders.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - JUDY JURCAGO, DATA INPUT SPECIALIST / SCS TREASURER’S OFFICE
Judy Jurcago has worked in our District for 14 years in a number of different capacities. Judy has worked in elementary cafeterias at both Kinsner and Zellers, has been a monitor at Strongsville High School, and is now a Data Input Specialist for the Treasurer’s Office. She is also an alumni of Strongsville High School (Class of ‘78) and both of her children are Strongsville graduates. Judy believes that “living and working in Strongsville has given me a greater knowledge of how our District works.”
“I’ve always been interested in numbers and taking on projects. One of the best parts about my job is being able to interact daily with different people throughout our District to problem solve, answer questions, and help guide and train our staff in important procedures,” said Judy.
“I work with a great group of individuals in the Treasurer’s Office. It’s a pleasure to come to our offices every day. We work well together and always look for ways to help each other out. Recently, I also had the opportunity to step out of my role in the Treasurer’s Office and assist with other departments. I truly enjoyed my time with the Transportation Department. As new and hectic as it was, I was able to see firsthand how well they also work together and was able to learn new parts of our District from a different perspective. Plus I had the chance to meet a new group of people who have a passion for their job. It also helped reinforce that every job in our District is important and that we are all working toward common goals.”
Thank you Judy for your willingness to help our staff in many different ways and continually working to improve our District! #BeTheDifference
GREET & TREAT PHOTO GALLERY
The annual SCS "Greet & Treat" event was held earlier this week. Our schools, clubs, organizations, and SCS affiliated groups enjoyed seeing the creative costumes and connecting with so many families in our District! Thanks to everyone who participated and made donations to the Strongsville Food Bank. Click HERE for a gallery of pictures from the event night.
“SOCKTOBER” WEEK AT STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Strongsville High School Senior Leadership Council will be collecting new mens, womens, and childrens socks in lunch periods during the week of October 31 to donate to those in need in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The two grade levels that donate the most socks will earn the chance to compete in the Staff v. Student Volleyball Game in November. There will also be fun sock themes throughout the week!
Mon. 10/31 - Mismatched Socks
Tue. 11/1 - Twin Socks
Wed. 11/2 - Spooky Socks
Thu. 11/3 - Socks & Sandals
Fri. 11/4 - Class Color Socks
PTA PROJECT REFLECTIONS INFORMATIONAL MEETING (THU. 11/3)
Do you enjoy art, music, and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films, and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Project Reflections! This year’s theme - “Show Your Voice” - calls for your own unique interpretation through the arts. Please come out to a parent/student meeting Thursday November 3rd at 7pm at the Strongsville Library in Conference Room B. This meeting is for students Preschool-12th grade and their parents to learn more about Project Reflections. Questions? Feel free to contact Katie Drake at drake4jc@gmail.com
DARE SKATING PARTY (TUE. 11/22)
SHS CRAFT FAIR - TOMORROW (SAT. 10/29)
Join us at the SHS Craft Fair TOMORROW (Saturday, October 29th) from 9am - 2pm at Strongsville High School. The Craft Fair will feature local artwork, homemade crafts, jewelry, and bakery items, plus Pampered Chef, LuLaRue, Scentsy, Norwex, Tupperware and much more! Admission is just $1 and all proceeds will benefit the SHS Cheerleaders.
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
Strongsville Women’s League - Nicole Washington Essay Contest
Strongsville students in grades 7-12 have the opportunity to enter an essay contest and win cash prizes! The Nicole Washington Essay Contest, sponsored by Strongsville Women’s League encourages students to write about their differences and how it impacts daily life. Essays are due by 5pm on October 31, 2022. For additional contest details and essay prompts, please click HERE.
Trunk-or-Treat at First Lutheran Church (Saturday, October 29th / 3pm - 5pm)
You are invited to First Lutheran Church's Halloween Trunk or Treat! The event takes place on Saturday, October 29th from 3pm - 5pm at First Lutheran Church (19419 Royalton Road). Join us for a safe and fun opportunity to show off your costume, wander through the creatively decorated cars to get some delicious candy and enjoy some cider and additional food/sweet treats. The event is free and registration HERE is optional! Looking forward to seeing all of the community's little ghouls and goblins!
Strongsville Stampede - One Mile Fun Run (Sunday, October 30)
Don’t miss the GOH Run Mustang Stampede One Mile Fun Run 2022 - Halloween Style! It’s a one mile cross country fun run for elementary students on Sunday, October 30th at 11:00am at Strongsville Volunteer Park. Elementary age students are welcome to participate in the one mile race. The Preschool Race is 1/2 mile and Kindergarten students may run either distance. Check-in and registration begins at 10:00am at the Pavilion. Arrive early to get your race tag and view the course, it is well marked. There is no entry fee, but donations will be accepted toward awards and supplies for the race. We will also be collecting food donations for the food bank. Questions? gohrunwithus@gmail.com Click HERE for race registration.
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
Business After Hours - Hosted by Northern Ohio Business Center
17406 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
5:30pm - 7:30pm
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. Saturday, November 12th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. / VIRTUAL or 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 virtual or in-person sessions.
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