60 Seconds with the Superintendent
This week, Strongsville Middle School students took the opportunity to help the Strongsville Historical Village with some cleanup work on their property. The students partnered with Strongsville Rotary and Schonhut Landscaping to help move mulch, weed flower gardens, and prune trees on the grounds of the Village. Click HERE for this week’s episode as we see how these community connections help our students learn and grow.
STRONGSVILLE RECEIVES $450,000 SAFETY GRANT FROM STATE OF OHIO
Strongsville City Schools will receive $450,000 as part of the latest round of Ohio’s K-12 School Grant Safety Program. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced the 624 schools receiving $42 million in state funding support for physical safety and security upgrades. Strongsville City Schools will be using this grant money to purchase additional security cameras for school buildings, to acquire “Stop the Bleed” first aid kits for all school buses, and to purchase and install security film on doors and windows.
Over the past five years, Strongsville City Schools has invested over $1.5 million in safety and security for our school buildings, including full-time School Resource Officers at Strongsville High School and Strongsville Middle School and, in partnership with the Strongsville Police Department, police presence at the District’s five elementary schools and preschool building. Inclusive of this most recent grant, SCS has been awarded over $850,000 in safety grants.
Click HERE for the complete news release on this Ohio safety grant.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MRS. KELLY BARRETT & MRS. KIM KOCH, TITLE I READING SPECIALISTS AT WHITNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Kelly Barrett and Mrs. Kim Koch are Title I Reading Specialists at Whitney Elementary School. Together, they have more than 30 years of experience in elementary buildings throughout our District. Mrs. Barrett earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo and her graduate degree from Bowling Green State University. Mrs. Koch earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University.
“As a Title I Reading Specialist, I have the privilege of working with students in grades kindergarten through third grade. The best thing about teaching reading is watching students grow and become more confident in their reading throughout the year. When something clicks for them, it is magic! Reading has always held a special place in my heart and I love being able to spend my days teaching students how to read. My position allows me to collaborate and connect with many teachers at Whitney. I am also blessed to have another Title I Reading Specialist in our building, Mrs. Koch. We are able to bounce ideas off of each other and make a great team. I would not be the teacher I am today without the support and relationships I've made along the way here at Strongsville City Schools.” - Mrs. Barrett
“Reading and Language Arts have always been my niche! So any time I get to teach students the rules, strategies, and tricks to help them decode words, read more fluently, and understand text, I'm in my happy place. Whitney holds a special place in my heart because it was actually my Elementary School when I was growing up. At Whitney, I work with a wonderful family of coworkers who respect each other and always have the best interests of students in mind. I am so very lucky to have the best Title I Reading Intervention Specialist as my partner. Mrs. Barrett serves as my sounding board, planning buddy, creative inspiration, and friend all day, every day. I feel that our similar drive and mindset has helped us to target our instruction and really transform the Title I Reading Program over the last few years into something we are both very proud of.” - Mrs. Koch
Thank you Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. Koch for your passion and dedication to helping our Whitney students build strong foundations in reading! #BeTheDifference
STUDENTS WILL BE KEEPING THEIR DISTRICT CHROMEBOOKS THIS SUMMER
Students in grades 3-12 will be keeping their Chromebooks over the summer break. Students will be responsible for keeping the Chromebooks and their cases in working order for use next year. If your student does experience any issues with their Chromebook over the summer, please click HERE or visit bit.ly/scssummertechticket to submit a Tech Ticket. A Tech Department member will contact you within two business days to assist. If your student is leaving the district over the summer, they will need to turn in their Chromebook on the last day of school. Please click HERE or visit bit.ly/scscbl to submit your student’s name to inform our department to collect the Chromebook. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Binkley at dbinkley@scsmustangs.org.
QUICKMED OFFERING FREE PHYSICALS TO STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS FAMILIES
QUICKmed Urgent Care is offering free school physicals for SCS families this summer. Physicals include any sports physical or yearly physical that your child may need going into the 2023-2024 school year. If interested, please call their Strongsville office to make an appointment at (440) 472-0900. Click HERE for additional information.
DINE OUT AT MASTER PIZZA & SUPPORT THE STRONGSVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION (THU. 5/18)
Don’t miss your chance to dine out at Master Pizza in Strongsville (13311 Pearl Rd.) on Thursday, May 18 from 11am-8pm and support the Strongsville Education Foundation. A percentage of event sales will be donated back to the Foundation and their mission of raising and disbursing funds to support and foster creativity, innovation and outstanding achievement for the students, the teachers and the community served by the Strongsville City Schools. Remember to mention Strongsville Education Foundation when ordering!
STRONGSVILLE 6TH GRADE CAMP - SEPTEMBER 15-17 AT CAMP Y NOAH
Attention all incoming Strongsville Middle School sixth graders! Join us at Camp Y-Noah in Green, Ohio for Sixth Grade Camp - September 15-17. Cost is $200 per camper and covers all weekend expenses. Deadline to register and pay is May 31. Click HERE to visit the website for detailed information, registration and payment instructions and chaperone opportunities. Please email sixthgradecamp@gmail.com with any questions!
CAMP DISCOVERY AT POLARIS (JUNE 12-15)
Summer is just around the corner and once again it’s time to explore Polaris at Camp Discovery! Each year, this interactive, thrill-packed summer camp gives students entering the sixth, seventh and eighth grades a chance to experience what Polaris is all about in a fun, hands-on environment. This year, classes will run June 12-15, 2023, and will feature both morning and afternoon sessions at a cost of $120 per student, including all supplies, lunch each day and a FREE camp t-shirt. Popular classes fill up quickly so interested students are encouraged to enroll ASAP at www.polaris.edu/campdiscovery. Click HERE for more information!
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 2023 Art Contest Winners
This year’s winners of the annual Strongsville Women’s League Art Contest were awarded their prizes on April 21. Their artwork is currently on display in the lobby of the Strongsville Recreation Center until May 19th - stop by and see the incredible talent of our students this year. We are so proud of all the children who entered. The judges choices are as follows: From Muraski - Lillian E. (1st Grade), Samhita M. (5th grade), and Prisha K. (5th grade)i; From Surrarrer - Alessandra H. (Kindergarten); From Chapman - Julia S. (2nd Grade); From Kinsner - Maya M. (3rd grade); From St. Joseph & John’s - Lila H. (5th grade); From St. Ambrose - KT B. (2nd grade). Way to go! All art work will be returned to the respective school offices on May 22, 2023. Thank you all to the students for participating and supporting this program.
Arts in Strongsville “Chalk Walk” (Sat. 5/20)
Calling all artists! The 11th annual Arts in Strongsville “Chalk Walk” will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 10am-1pm on the Strongsville Commons (Corner of Routes 42 & 82). Cash prizes will be awarded for several age categories. Event day registration begins at 9:30am on 5/20. Click HERE for additional information.
Memorial Day at the Strongsville Historical Village
The Strongsville Historical Village will be open on Memorial Day from 12:00pm - 2:00pm for the public to visit the village’s buildings and grounds following the Memorial Day parade and service at the Freedom Trail. Visitors will be able to participate in many activities to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Also, don’t miss the model train display and patriotic crafts for kids during this Memorial Day celebration!
Strongsville Rotary Kids Fest & Duck Race
Don’t miss the 10th annual Strongsville Rotary Kids Fest and Duck Race on Saturday, June 3 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet in Strongsville. Enjoy pony rides, face painting, inflatables, and MORE! Duck Race begins at 2pm. FREE shuttle from the Strongsville Park-n-Ride. Click HERE for the event flyer.
Nike Basketball Camps
Register for the Nike Basketball Camps at SSC The Courts (19388 Progress Dr.). Two weeklong sessions (June 19-22 and July 31-August 3) are open to boys and girls ages 8-15. Click HERE for additional information or call 1-800-NIKE-CAMP.
Kindness Camp - C’s the Day
A camp for kids in grades 1-7 dedicated to EMPOWERING kids to positively impact their communities through acts of kindness, INSPIRING kids to become leaders by growing in character, confidence and personal wellness, and CHALLENGING kids to practice mindfulness in thoughts, words, and actions with self and others.
WHEN: July 17-21 (1:00pm - 4:00pm) / WHERE: Albion Woods Picnic Area
Click HERE for additional information / Click HERE to register for the camp
Kids Running Camp - gOH Run!
When: Monday, July 17 - June 21 (9am-11am) / Where: Albion Woods Picnic Area in the MetroParks
Camp is for kids in KG-8th Grade; cost is $60 and includes a shirt, camp materials, daily prizes, awards, and lots of fun! Click HERE for additional information and to register!
Baldwin Wallace Summer Camp Programming
Baldwin Wallace is offering summer camp programming in a variety of areas, including STEM, music, theatre, arts, athletics, and education. For more information or to register, families can visit BW’s Division of Community Learning at https://dcl.bw.edu/divisions/ or click HERE.
Safety Town Registration
Parents of incoming Kindergarten students, don’t miss registering your children for Safety Town. Click HERE for additional information on Safety Town. Click HERE for a Parent Brochure. Click HERE for the registration link.
Safety Town Volunteers Needed
Calling all 6th-9th grade students! If you are interested in volunteering to help with this year’s Safety Town, signups begin on Monday, April 17 at 5pm. Click HERE for additional information. Students must be a Strongsville resident or attend school in Strongsville to be eligible to volunteer.
Strongsville Swim League
Splash, dive, and jump into FUN this summer by joining your local Strongsville Swim Team! This year’s summer swim season takes place May 30 - July 15. Deadline to register for the season is May 16. Visit the Strongsville Swim League website - https://strongsville.teampages.com - for additional information.
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 & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Hooley Pub & Kitchen (SouthPark Mall)
Thursday, May 18, 2023
5:30pm - 7:30pm
(21 & Over)
May Business Luncheon
Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Awards & Recognition of Students Entering the Military
Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
11:30am - 1:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2023 Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 12 - July 15, 2023
Strongsville Library
Please note the following May 2023 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.
*The Administration Building and all Library Branches will be closed on Sunday, May 28th and Monday, May 29th in honor of the Memorial Day Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 30th at 9:00 a.m.
All Together Now – 2023 Summer Reading Challenge – June 3rd through August 13th. Sign-up for our reading challenge beginning May 1st. To learn more, visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/srp to register or check out our YouTube video for more information! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErqUzDPnN7s
Seed Library! 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 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 the Strongsville Branch to pick-up your free seeds! Customers will be able to “check-out” 5 seed packets per month. Please call (440) 238-5530 for more information. This program sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library. While supplies last.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, May 13th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL OR Monday, May 22nd / 7 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.
Mom and Teen: Make Your Own Jewelry Set. Monday, May 15th / 7:00 p.m. Bring your mom and join us to make a matching wire wrapped ring and pendant set to celebrate Mother's Day. No experience required!
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
Wednesday, May 17th / 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Photoshop 2: Photo Retouching
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, May 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 Whisper Network: a Novel by Chandler Baker. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library
Grooving with Pete the Cat. Ages 3 – 8. Wednesday, May 17th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Children and their families are invited to an evening of fun stories, music and crafts inspired by Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat. Get your groove on with Pete! It’s all good!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, May 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 always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be Dimestore: A Writer's Life by Lee Smith. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Southwest Health Talk: Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Diabetes. Tuesday, May 23rd / 10:00 a.m. Monica L. Kravetz MSN-Ed, RN, Diabetes Nurse Educator from Southwest General Health Center, will share simple tips to help you prevent Diabetes and take control of your health.
Down by the Old Mill Stream Run. Tuesday, May 23rd / 7:00 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks Historian, Judy MacKeigan, will share this presentation on the history of the Mill Stream Run Reservation. Among the many features of Mill Stream Run Reservation are the first refrigerated toboggan chutes in the United States, old quarry lands turned into lakes, and Camp Cheerful, where people of all abilities can experience the joy of summer camp. Learn about this reservation and its long and interesting history. Program presented by the Strongsville Historical Society in partnership with the Strongsville Branch Library.
Calling All Pokemon Trainers! All Ages. Wednesday, May 31st / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Bring your family, bring your friends, and explore more than 15 PokeStops and Gyms between the library and the Strongsville Rec Center. Drop a few lures, join in a raid, and catch ‘em all.
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