60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Due to the pandemic, our District’s Chromebook order was delayed several months. In order to distribute Chromebooks to our freshman class, we had to shuffle around devices from our 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. Now that our Chromebook order has finally been delivered, our District re-establishes its 1:1 status. What does that mean for our District? How does this return of Chromebooks impact our youngest learners? Click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode to hear more about the continued integration and importance of technology in our classrooms.
SCS RESPONSIBLE RESTART COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Our District has created the SCS Responsible Restart Comprehensive Guide - one document in one location outlining our District’s policies and procedures. This document should be used as a guide, allowing you to quickly find answers to your questions. The guide can also be found at www.strongnet.org/restart.
As we have seen throughout the pandemic, factors can change on a daily basis and this Guide will remain adjustable and flexible to respond to state and local health guidelines.
2021-22 KINDERGARTEN INFORMATIONAL MEETING + FULL DAY REQUESTS
There will be an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students (2021-22 school year) on Wednesday, January 13 at 5:30pm. The virtual informational meeting will be live streamed HERE.
Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) requests for the 2021-22 school year will once again occur exclusively online. Online FDK requests will begin at 8:00am on Thursday, January 14. Please click HERE for complete information on kindergarten registration for the 2021-22 school year.
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES BY OUR TALENTED 5TH GRADERS
We are proud of our incredible musicians across the District! Check out the links below and enjoy amazing performances by our 5th grade orchestra students. Special thanks to Elementary Orchestra Directors Mrs. Rogers (Chapman, Kinsner, and Surrarrer) and Mr. Hire (Muraski and Whitney) for organizing these December concerts under very unusual and challenging circumstances - and especially for helping our students continue to share their talents.
Chapman Orchestra December Concert
Kinsner Orchestra December Concert
Muraski Orchestra December Concert
SHS STUDENTS SURPRISE TEACHER WITH THANK YOU MESSAGES
Strongsville High School French Teacher Mrs. Bendetta received a very meaningful surprise right before Winter Break. During her French III Honors Class, students took the time to coordinate a special “Thank You” via their remote learning session. “As a teacher, I often wonder if I'm doing enough - especially during this pandemic. Just that thoughtful "thank you" meant the world to me. I love what I do because of the wonderful students I have. They have been nothing short of amazing during this challenging year. I'm very thankful for them,” said Mrs. Bendetta.
Click HERE for the FOX 8 news story covering this surprise message.
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - MS. KIM TAYLOR, ORCHESTRA TEACHER AT STRONGSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ms. Kim Taylor is in her 7th year teaching music to our middle school students. Ms. Taylor has worked at Albion Middle School and is currently teaching 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Strongsville Middle School. With an undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University and a graduate degree from Cleveland State University, she has been an active performer in pit orchestras for musical theater productions in Northeast Ohio for over 20 years, as well as a private music teacher.
“My favorite part of working with our Strongsville Middle School music students is watching them evolve into independent musicians and seeing them apply their skills to play the music they enjoy, while working with other students to problem solve and create meaningful experiences. I really enjoy when the ensemble evolves from a teacher/student environment to more of a collaboration between musicians as my role shifts more to being a coach,” said Ms. Taylor.
“What I like best about my job is how much fun the kids and my colleagues are to be around every day. Creating memories like decorating the classroom for various holidays, dressing up in costumes, creating team building games, and putting on concerts that are of excellent quality and entertaining are the best parts of my job.”
Thank you Ms. Taylor for being part of a fantastic music department at Strongsville Middle School and giving students an opportunity to grow their creativity and showcase their musical talents! #WeAreStrongsville
POLARIS - SOPHOMORE VIRTUAL VISITS
Attention sophomores! Polaris high school enrollment season is heating up, and we are bringing sophomore visitations to you! Click HERE to meet our teachers and explore our programs. This is a great first step toward becoming part of the Polaris family!
WANTED: BUS DRIVERS
Strongsville City Schools is now hiring motivated, energetic, part-time professional substitute school bus drivers. This position features great pay ($16.19 per hour), flexible hours, no holidays, and is very rewarding. Requires a CDL Class B, with SP endorsement - TRAINING IS AVAILABLE!
If you would like to apply for a Substitute Bus Driver position, please complete this EXTERNAL application. When your application is complete, those interested, qualified candidates should contact the Transportation Department to schedule an initial interview at 440.572.7060.
OPT IN FOR TEXT MESSAGES FROM SCS
With the abundance of emails that we all receive on a daily basis, and some being directed to spam or becoming buried in other folders in your email account, it sometimes leaves you without knowing an email was sent. One way to address this issue is to send a text that alerts an email has been sent. Although our texting option is not new for the district, families must opt in to receive our texts. More parent opt ins are needed to make it an effective communication strategy. Please click HERE and follow the directions to opt in to our text messaging service.
SCS TECH CORRAL - YOUR TECH SUPPORT WEBSITE
Our Instructional Technology Department and Curriculum Department have partnered in the creation of the 'SCS Tech Corral.' The site includes reference guides and 'how-to' videos for a number of common programs and software our students and teachers are utilizing. This is a great resource with lots of helpful information. Check out the ‘SCS Tech Corral’ by clicking HERE.
STRONGSVILLE LACROSSE 2021 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Come be a part of America’s fastest growing sport. Strongsville Youth Lacrosse has been growing since 2008 and registration for the 2021 season is now open for boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades. Indoor practices begin mid-February and the outdoor season will run from late March through May. All experience levels welcome. For detailed information, please visit the registration site at https://www.strongsvillelacrosse.com. Due to social distancing guidelines, team rosters will be capped. Please register early to ensure your spot for the season.
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. The Stay Safe. Speak Up! link is located in the shortcuts along the right hand side on the homepage of the District website (www.strongnet.org). It can also be found on the homepage of each of our individual building websites. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts are looking for kindergarten students interested in joining area troops. Visit gsneo.org/join, call 800.852.4474, or click HERE for additional information.
Great Lakes Science Center Learning Lab
Great Lakes Science Center’s new Learning Lab program supports working parents who need daytime childcare for their school-age children. The program provides a safe, supportive environment where children can do their schoolwork virtually. Many of the Science Center’s health and safety procedures for programming during the pandemic were developed for Camp Curiosity, which served more than 1,000 children this summer. The program is open to children in grades K-8. Click HERE for more information or visit GreatScience.com.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Did you know that the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce, established in 1941, is one of the largest and most active Chambers in the state of Ohio? The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce provides members with an opportunity to be a part of the framework of the local business community. Through various business related activities and events, the Strongsville Chamber promotes and supports the growth of local businesses and the Strongsville area business community. The Strongsville Chamber offers a convenient way to network, locate business opportunities, and access a vast array of information vital to your business’s continued growth. Join the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce today by calling the Chamber office at 440.238.3366 or visit the Chamber website at www.strongsvillechamber.com.
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