Mustang Moments

Monday, February 19 - NO SCHOOL
Presidents Day

Thursday, February 22 - 7:00pm
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE

Wednesday, February 28 - 6:30pm
SHS Band Winter Concert
Strongsville High School Auditorium

Tuesday, March 5 - 7:00pm
All-City Orchestra Festival - Part I
Strongsville High School Auditorium

Wednesday March 6 - 7:00pm
All-City Orchestra Festival - Part II
Strongsville High School Auditorium

On March 19, 2024 Strongsville City Schools will have a renewal levy on the ballot. Our District seeks the renewal of a 5.9 mill operating levy that was initially approved by voters in May 2019. This was the first time new operating money was authorized by the voters since November 2007.

The information on our website (click HERE) is intended to assist our community members in making an informed decision. Have a question about Issue 25? Click HERE to submit your question about the SCS Renewal Levy. Click HERE to watch a recent “Community Conversation” hosted by Dr. Cameron Ryba (SCS Superintendent), Mr. George Anagnostou (SCS Treasurer), and Mr. Richard Micko (SCS Board President) where they discussed the facts about Issue 25.

The annual “State of the Schools” event was held this week at Strongsville Middle School. After a presentation from SCS Superintendent Dr. Cameron Ryba, attendees had the chance to interact with students and staff, highlighting a variety of programs, classes, and extracurriculars. Click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode to see some of the highlights from this exhibition at our State of the Schools event.

Congratulations to Strongsville High School Junior Stephanie Speck for auditioning and being selected for a part as one of the "child spirits" in the international opera “Mozart's Magic Flute.” The opera has three children's parts and Stephanie earned the Soprano Part 1 role. Mozart’s Magic Flute comes to Severance Hall on May 16, 18, 24, and 26. Click HERE for ticket information.

Last week’s SCS Business Advisory Council meeting included opportunities for 11th grade students in our SHS Career Exploration Program to gain feedback in small group sessions with local business professionals. Review of resumes, participating in mock interviews, Q&A sessions about career pathways, and learning how to prep for interviews were some of the topics covered.

THANK YOU to our business leaders who are part of the SCS Business Advisory Council. You continue to help our students build skills and confidence, and are preparing them for future success!

Congratulations to the following Strongsville High School student-athletes who announced their college commitments in a Signing Day event at SHS last week. These individuals will be continuing their academic and athletic careers at the college/university level:

Vincent Adams - University of Tampa (Lacrosse)
Lucy DeLeon - Hiram College (Volleyball)
Logan Ensign - Capital University (Lacrosse)
Macy Felton - University of South Florida (Soccer)
Isabella Medrick - Baldwin Wallace University (Lacrosse)
Grace Paczko - Duquesne University (Soccer)
Avery Rymer - Buffalo State University (Volleyball)
Tina Varis - Elon University (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Recently, Strongsville High School students preparing for the Spring Musical (Chicago: Teen Edition) had the opportunity for a virtual Q&A session with Tony Award-winning actor Gregory Jbara (Billy Elliot: The Musical). Mr. Jbara was the first Billy Flynn replacement for the current long-running revival of Chicago on Broadway. He shared many great stories about Broadway, show business, the Tony Awards, work ethic, networking, Chicago, education, philanthropy, and character (both onstage and off). Mr. Jbara is also a regular cast member on the CBS hit show, Blue Bloods, currently filming its final season. He also appears in the Oscar-nominated film, Oppenheimer. His Broadway credits include Damn Yankees, Victor/Victoria, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Born Yesterday (which started at Cleveland Playhouse before touring and moving to Broadway in 1989).

Tickets for Strongsville High School’s upcoming spring musical - Chicago: Teen Edition (March 21-23), can be purchased online by clicking HERE.

This year's State of the Schools was held this past week. Dr. Cameron Ryba (SCS Superintendent) shared a presentation that not only highlighted student and staff opportunities and growth throughout our District, but also provided facts and answered questions about the financial outlook of SCS. Click HERE for a recording of his presentation. Click HERE for the presentation slides.

Mrs. Michelle Kuznik is in her 5th year working at Strongsville City Schools - all at Whitney Elementary. Mrs. Kuznik started as a lunch and recess monitor and then moved over to Whitney’s cafeteria. Her family has lived in Strongsville for 20 years and she currently has two children at Strongsville High School - both also attended Whitney Elementary. Mrs. Kuznik earned her undergraduate degree (BA in Sociology / Minor in Marketing) from The Ohio State University.

“I have a passion for working with kids, they make the best customers! At Whitney, we have such a large group of polite, kind, honest, and grateful kids - they always put a smile on my face. It is fun to work on real life skills in the cafeteria like manners, making eye contact, being patient while waiting in line, and memorization with their account numbers.”

Thank you Mrs. Kuznik for being a friendly and caring person in the cafeteria at Whitney Elementary School! #ModelMustang

At the January 25th Board of Education Meeting, the District’s Academic Calendars were approved for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. The calendars have been posted to our District website and can be found HERE.

ATTN 7th GRADE PARENTS: There will be a mandatory Parent Meeting for all parents who have students interested in registering for the 8th grade trip to Washington DC next fall. We will be reviewing trip details, answering questions, and sharing registration information. This year’s 8th grade Washington DC trip date is scheduled for November 2-4, 2024.

8th Grade Washington DC Trip
*Mandatory Parent Meeting*

When: Tuesday, March 12th @ 7pm

Location: SMS auditorium

Please direct all questions to: DC2024Trip@gmail.com

Our winter athletic teams at Strongsville High School & Strongsville Middle School continue to compete at a very high level. Here are some recent successes:
SHS Girls Basketball - The Lady Mustangs captured the Greater Cleveland Conference championship by defeating Medina 58-48 earlier this week! Their overall record was 19-2, including an undefeated record at home. The Lady Mustangs are the #10 seed in their Sectional/District bracket for the State Tournament. They will play the winner of the first round matchup between Garfield Hts. and Maple Hts. on Thursday, February 22 at 7pm in the SHS Main Gym.

SMS Girls Basketball - Congratulations to our two SMS girls basketball teams, who recently earned GCC Championships! The 8th Grade Girls Green Team defeated Mentor Shore en-route to their big win. Shore has lost just two games in the last two seasons. Both to this Lady Mustangs squad! The 7th Grade Girls Team defeated Medina Claggett to claim the top GCC Honors!

SHS Boys Basketball - 15-3 Overall Record / 7-3 Conference Record / Ranked 16th in the area and 25th in the state. The boys scored a HUGE home win (72-39) this past Tuesday against rival Brunswick in front of a near sellout crowd. They finish their regular season schedule with 3 more games at home (2/17 at 3pm vs. Akron East, 2/20 at 7pm vs. Holy Name, and 2/23 at 7pm vs. Cleveland Hts.). The Mustangs are the #10 seed in their Sectional/District bracket for the State Tournament. They will play the winner of the first round matchup between University School and Willoughby South on Saturday, March 2 at 7pm in the SHS Main Gym.

SMS Boys Basketball - Congratulations to the 7th Grade Boys team - they finished 2nd in their end of the year tournament - and the 8th Grade Boys team - they finished 3rd in their postseason tournament!

Gymnastics - Greater Cleveland Conference Champions! The Lady Mustangs Gymnastics team brought home the GCC Championship - and did it in record setting fashion. Their combined routines earned the 3rd highest team score in school history! Their postseason tournament begins on Sunday, February 18th at 5:30pm at Berea-Midpark Middle School - they are definitely a team to watch as they compete for a state title.

Hockey - Baron Cup Champions! Congratulations to the team as they captured the first Baron Cup Championship in school history last weekend. They begin the OHSAA State Tournament tomorrow (Saturday, February 17) at 6:00pm vs. Avon Lake at the John. M Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn (7600 Memphis Ave.).

Swimming & Diving - The Girls and Boys Swim and Dive Teams competed last weekend at the State Sectional Meet. The Girls finished 2nd out of 19 teams and the boys finished 3rd out of 19 teams. Individual and Relay qualifiers included:

Girls Top 5 Finishers:

Emmy Paul (3rd 50 free, 2nd 200 free relay, 4th 100 back, 4th 400 free relay)

Estelle Friedrich (4th 200 free, 1st 500 free, 2nd 200 free relay, 4th 400 free relay)

Amanda Weiss (5th 100 free, 2nd 200 free relay, 4th 400 free relay)

Sara Albrecht (2nd 200 free relay, 4th 400 free relay)

Owen Weiss (4th 200 free, 2nd 500 free, 2nd 200 free relay, 3rd 400 free relay)

Michael Rose (5th 50 free, 2nd 200 free relay, 3rd 400 free relay)

Oskar Zincenko (2nd 200 free relay, 3rd 400 free relay)

Jack Ingram (2nd 200 free relay, 3rd 400 free relay)

SMS Wrestling - The SMS Wrestling Team went UNDEFEATED this season while also winning three tournaments, plus finishing third in a 32 team tournament and having five wrestlers qualify for States. There is a chance for several more to qualify for states at the next OAC qualifier!

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.

Last Friday, Strongsville Middle School had 28 boys and girls soccer hopefuls commit to continuing at Strongsville High School! The signing event was highlighted with presentations from Coach Fadenholz (Girls Soccer), Coach Veris (Boys Soccer), and SCS Athletic Administrators. As part of this signing event, these SMS student-athletes committed to being champions, and always giving maximum effort, on the field, in the classroom, and in the Strongsville community.

Current 8th Grade students (SHS Class of 2028) and their families should have received information about upcoming deadline dates, as it relates to scheduling for next year. Please click HERE for a letter from the SHS Guidance Office outlining the important dates to remember over the next few weeks.

Doughnut lovers - here’s a treat for you, which also benefits the SHS Theatre Department. Order charitable, fresh to order, and perfectly glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts to support the upcoming SHS spring musical, Chicago: Teen Edition. From now until March 2, order a dozen (or more) doughnuts online HERE and 50% of orders will be donated back to the SHS Theatre Department. Orders MUST be made through the fundraising link and are NOT LIMITED to the local Middleburg Heights location - so please share with family & friends in other cities and states.

"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).

Strongsville Women’s League Community Forum - Protect Our Children: Human Trafficking 101

Baldwin Wallace STEM Adventures
Baldwin Wallace University’s Division of STEM Initiatives is hosting a variety of STEM programs and events this Spring for students in grades K-12 and families. Click HERE for the list of programs being offered on BW’s campus or visit bw.edu/DCLSTEM.

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 Coding 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.

*** 2024 CHAMBER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! ***
Graduating Seniors in the Class of 2024 who are residents of Strongsville are invited to apply.
Please visit the Chamber website at www.strongsvillechamber.com.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS
February Business Luncheon
“Aerozone Alliance: Where Innovation Takes Flight”
Presented by Hrishue Mahalaha, & Mary Jo Schmidt, Aerozone Alliance
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
11:30am - 1:00pm
Registration is Open, please visit www.strongsvillechamber.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
March Business Luncheon State of the City Address, Presented by Mayor Thomas P. Perciak Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Road
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 11:15am - 1:00pm
Registration Opens February 17, 2024

2023 Strongsville Homecoming Festival
July 24 - July 27, 2024

Strongsville Library

Please note the following February 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 Winter 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 Fall Program information here: https://www.pressreader.com/document/4050

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 on back in session in January! 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.

Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, February 17th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, February 26th / 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.

Minute to Win It Challenges. Ages 9 - 11. Monday, February 19th / 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. You have only 60 seconds to complete a variety of challenges to win it all. From stacking cups without using your hands to a marshmallow toss. Do you have what it takes?

Excel Advanced Methods and Tools. Tuesday, February 20th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Learn how to use some of the advanced functions available in Excel, including lookup, logical functions and conditional summary functions. Other topics include data validation, Goal Seek, Scenario Manager and Data Tables. Prerequisite: Excel Basics; Excel Functions Overview encouraged

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

Teen Craft Night: Rainbow Tassel Keychain. For Teens in Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, February 20th / 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Using macrame rope and embroidery thread, learn how to wrap and make a trendy rainbow tassel keychain.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, February 21st / 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 The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmer. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.

Blood Drive. Friday, February 23rd / 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).

Read Around the World. All Ages. Saturday, February 24th / 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Strongsville Kiwanis Club sponsors this annual event for all ages. Each child attending can choose a new book to take home. No registration is needed for this free event. Members of the Strongsville Kiwanis Club will be available to read books to the children. The St. Joseph and John’s Builder's Club members will perform puppet shows throughout the event. There will also be face painting, storytelling, and light refreshments.

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, February 26th / 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 Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.

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