Mustang Moments

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

Thursday, December 21 - NO SCHOOL
Staff Professional Development / Records Day

Friday, December 22 - Wednesday, January 3 - NO SCHOOL
Winter Break

If you are planning to attend next week’s SHS Choir Holiday Concert, you will witness a tradition of more than 40 years, performed by Mustang Express. Our showchoir has been performing “Fruitcake” as part of their holiday concert set since the early 1980’s. For a glimpse into the history of “Fruitcake” and what it means to some of the current members of Mustang Express, click HERE for this week’s ‘60 Seconds’ episode.

There will be a virtual informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students (2024-25 school year) on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00pm. The virtual informational meeting will be live streamed HERE.

Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) requests for the 2024-25 school year will once again occur exclusively online. Online FDK requests will begin at 8:00am on Thursday, January 11.

Mr. Dan Barcy is in his third year as a Bus Driver for Strongsville City Schools. “Mr. Dan” - as he is known to his students and fellow drivers - attended Muraski Elementary, Center Jr. High, and graduated from Strongsville High School. His career in the healthcare industry took him to Florida for 35 years, before returning to Strongsville. “Strongsville has always been home to me, even though the city looks very different from when I grew up here,” said Dan. When he saw that our District was in need of bus drivers, he thought “it would be a blast - and it is!” While at SHS, Dan was a member of the percussion section of the Marching Mustangs - and he still plays drums in a local rock-n-roll band. He looks forward to the opportunities to now drive the current Marching Mustangs to their away performances during the football season.

“Being a school bus driver is a huge responsibility and one that I don’t take lightly. I get up every morning looking forward to coming to work. I love being able to greet students on my morning routes, and ending their day with a ‘have a good night’ on my afternoon routes. These moments are the highlights of my day. I get to know all of the elementary and middle school students who travel on Bus 73 - it’s great to have the opportunity to watch them grow and mature throughout the year.”

“Our transportation team works so well together. Recently, we had one of our buses experience a mechanical issue in the middle of our morning routes. Every bus and driver in that area adjusted their routes to make sure all students still made it to school on time. As soon as the driver called in the mechanical issue, our team of bus mechanics immediately jumped in and were on their way with another bus, so that our driver could continue with her routes for the rest of the morning.”

This morning, Strongsville Middle School welcomed business leaders from our community to share breakfast with students and have conversations about leadership skills and career advice. Students had the opportunity to participate in three rounds of small question and answer sessions with guests from a variety of industries and professional backgrounds. Keynote speeches were delivered by Fritz Micko, SHS Senior Class President and Jason Trusnik, Owner & Founder of Pro Sports Performance.

Thank you to the following community leaders who took the time this morning to meet with our SMS students: Cameron Ryba (Strongsville City Schools), Rachel Arzuaga (Cleveland Museum of Art), Jason Trusnik (Pro Sports Performance), Chief Thomas O'Deens (Strongsville Police), Jenni Pelko (Strongsville City Schools), Gordon Perry (HNTB Corporation), Lisa Leszynski (KeyBank), Lindee Flater (District Capital), Chief Jack Draves (Strongsville Fire & Emergency Services), Rana Mancini (Freelance Filmmaker), Frank Fabrizi (Fabrizi Trucking & Paving), Sarah Blystone (University Hospitals), Katie Gacka (thunder::tech)

We are excited to announce the second annual Reflections Art Show! Please join us in celebrating all of our amazing artists TOMORROW (Saturday, December 2nd) from 10:30am-2:30pm at the Strongsville Public Library. Every family that attends will be put into a raffle to win a night at Castaway Bay and other prizes.

Make plans to order from the Strongsville Master Pizza (13311 Pearl Road) on Tuesday, December 5th and help raise “dough” for the Strongsville High School Dance Team! Mention the SHS Dance Team when placing your order between 11:00am - 9:00pm and proceeds from the order will benefit the Dance Team.

Join Strongsville’s Music Students at the North Pole for Breakfast with Santa!

When: Saturday December 9th (9am – 12pm) Breakfast at 9am, Santa arrives at 10am

Where: Strongsville High School

Tickets: $20 (Includes Breakfast, Pictures with Santa, Crafts, and special performances by SHS Band and Orchestra students

Registration for the NEW Polaris Explorer Club is now open! 4th, 5th and 6th graders are invited to explore Polaris through a series of FUN, hands-on, after-school classes starting this December. All activities will take place at Polaris and feature our AMAZING teachers! Classes include the following: Cleared for Takeoff, Crime Scene Investigators, Glamour Me, Holiday 3D Printing – CAD, Jewelry Junction, Sweet Holiday Kitchen, The Art of Cooking, Tiny House Workshop, and Tool Time

Winter Session:

December 5-6 and December 12-13 (4:30pm - 6:30pm)*

*Optional early drop-off at 4:00 p.m. features BONUS career exploration activities!

$60 fee includes 2 classes and materials

Click HERE to register. Priority registration for Polaris partner school district students (includes Strongsville) is currently happening. Open registration starts November 1st. Note: Some sessions are ACE funding eligible. For additional information, call 440.891.7666 or email DKarberg@polaris.edu.

"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).

Join Strongsville Special Olympics + Volunteers Needed for Basketball Season

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.

Strongsville Special Olympics is seeking volunteers to help with their Basketball Skills Season. Students would supervise athletes as they travel around various stations, operate a skills station, and help encourage our athletes. The only training necessary is to be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude, and bring a smile! Our practices will be at the Strongsville Rec Center at 9 am on Sundays. 12/3, 12/17, 1/7 - 2/18. Please click here to volunteer and contact us at strongsvillespecialolympics@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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.

Pancakes & PJs with Santa
Please consider joining us at First Evangelical Lutheran Church (19419 Royalton Road) for our Pancakes and PJ’s with Santa Event on Friday, December 8th from 6:00pm - 8:30pm. We will have a pancake dinner, hot chocolate bar, a craft, and an opportunity to meet and get a photo with Santa! PLUS a Christmas Movie!

Tickets are as follows: Children 2 and under are $5.00; 3 and up is $15.00 . Everyone attending the event must purchase a ticket. Please click the link to purchase.

Pancakes and PJ's with Santa - First Evangelical Lutheran Church - OH (subsplash.com)

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December Holiday Luncheon
"Celebrate the Season" - includes performance by the SHS Women's Chorale
Ehrnfelt Recreation & Senior Center (Event Center), 18100 Royalton Road
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
11:30am – 1:00pm

2023 Chamber Holiday Scholarship Dance

Friday, December 1, 2023
Aviator Event Center & Pub, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH. 44135

Strongsville Library

Please note the following December 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 Library and Administrative Offices will be closed on Sunday, December 24th and Monday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, December 26th at 9:00 a.m.

*The Library and Administrative Offices will be closed on Sunday, December 30th and Monday, January 1st for the New Year Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, January 2nd at 9:00 a.m.

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 hiatus for the month of December. We will resume winter storytimes in January.

Teen Board Game Club. For Teens in Grades 6 - 12. Monday, December 4th / 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Come join a monthly group where we learn and play a new game each month! Just stop in! No registration required!

Christmas Holiday Symbols. Tuesday, December 5th / 7:00 PM Join us for this program as local nature speaker Chuck Jakubchak will discuss how many non-religious symbols have become part of our holiday tradition. You will learn why we decorate with wreaths and erect evergreens and discover the origin of related traditions like singing about roasting chestnuts, wishing for a white Christmas and admiring a slightly misfit reindeer.

Digital Navigators. Wednesday, December 6th and Saturday, December 9th - Call for Appointment. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch. Our Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you or someone you know connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment

Excel Basics. Wednesday, December 6th / 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This session will introduce spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Topics covered include entering data, using autofill and performing calculations using formulas and functions. Earn a Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate for this class with the successful completion of an assessment. Learn more about this certification. Prerequisite: Word Basics or experience using Excel.

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

Holiday Concert with the Corni Ones. Wednesday, December 6th / 7:00 p.m. The Corni Ones horn ensemble is a Cleveland area horn club that was formed in 2014. They will perform a program of holiday favorites the whole family will enjoy. The audience will also learn some history and interesting facts about the French Horn and there will be a Q & A session with the members.

Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, December 9th / 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL or on Monday, December 18th / 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.

CreativiTeen. Teens in Grades 6 – 12. Wednesday, December 13th / 3:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Drop-in to the TEEN AREA any time between 3:30 and 5:00 for a craft, technology demo, or other activity! No registration required. While supplies last.

Blood Drive. Friday, December 15th / 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).

Kindergarten Countdown: Nutrition. For children entering Kindergarten this Fall & their Caregivers. Friday, December 15th / 11:00 a.m. – Noon. Join us as we help your child build kindergarten readiness skills in a program aligned to Ohio’s Early Childhood Standards. This session, we will focus on nutrition.

Scrabble Tile Decorations. Thursday, December 14th / 7:00 p.m. Join us for a fun night of crafting to create your own Scrabble Tile decoration! All materials will be provided. Registration is required and begins on November 16th at 9:00 a.m.

The Making of A Christmas Story. Saturday, December 16th / 2:00 p.m. Local guest lecturer, Carl Quatraro, will be here to present this fun holiday program. From the Red Ryder BB gun to the Leg Lamp, here is the story of this how this Christmas favorite was made from director Bob Clark’s first idea in 1968 to the 2022 sequel.

Noon Year's Eve Storytime Special. Families. Saturday, December 30th / 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. You’re invited to ring in the New Year with us! If your little ones can't make it to midnight, stop by the library for a fun filled storytime filled with silly stories and songs. There will be a countdown to noon and an extra special ball drop to celebrate!

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