Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2025-26 Vol. 10, Iss. 4)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Our âIntro to Codingâ Class at Strongsville Middle School began last year and is quickly becoming one of the more popular classes at SMS. Students learn the basics of coding and how it impacts their daily lives. Click HERE to see one of the first hands-on activities of this class and what Mr. Zahar is hoping the students gain from this initial introduction to coding!
SHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2025
The Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the addition of seven members to the Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations to the following members of this yearâs Hall of Fame Induction Class:
Joe Gillette (Football and Boys Track) - SHS Class of 2019
JT Grahl (Hockey) - SHS Class of 2011
Kim Harris (Gymnastics) - SHS Class of 1989
Danny Kelly (Boys Basketball) - SHS Class of 2007
Brad Samelko (Boys Soccer) - SHS Class of 2000
Tobey Cook (SHS Boys Soccer Coach)
2002 Girls Soccer State Championship Team
Patricia Boros - SHS Athletic Wall of Fame Inductee
The Class of 2025 will be inducted into the Strongsville Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 18th at Strongsvilleâs Ehrnfelt Recreation Center (18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, OH 44136). Dinner and ceremony begins at 5:00pm. The group will also be recognized during the Friday, October 17th Strongsville High School varsity football game on Serpentini Field at Pat Catan Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00pm. Tickets for the induction ceremony are available on the Strongsville Athletic Boosters website.
BACK TO SCHOOL MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - SHOP ONLINE NOW THROUGH SUN. 9/7
The âBack to Schoolâ online SCS Team Shop is only open for a few more days - shop now through Sunday, September 7th! Thereâs lots of great Mustangs gear available, including personalized items! Click HERE to access the complete selection of Mustangs clothing and accessories. A portion of sales will be donated back to Strongsville City Schools.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SURVEY
Our Early Learning Preschool has formed a Community Connections Committee. This committee is working to foster deeper learning experiences by creating opportunities for real world connections and exposure for students at the preschool. One of the ways the committee is hoping to make connections with students is through community members visiting classrooms to share about their careers. They are also looking for organizations in the community that are willing to partner with the preschool in meaningful ways. Interested in learning more and making an impact with our âMini-Mustangs?â Click HERE to fill out a survey so that the committee can follow up with you!
SCS FEATURED JOB POSTINGS - JOIN OUR TEAM!
Strongsville City Schools is looking for our next great team members! We are currently hiring for several positions in our District, including the following positions: Moderate Intensive Aide at SMS, Substitute Teachers, Gameday Workers (Athletics)
You can see a full listing of available jobs in our District HERE.
#FOREVERAMUSTANG - ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT VIDEOS
* We will be featuring SHS alumni throughout the upcoming school year. Do you know an alumni in our Strongsville community (parent, community member, etc.) that would like to be highlighted? Please send an email with the SHS Graduate's name and contact information to dfoust@scsmustangs.org
We have many Strongsville High School graduates working throughout our District. Did their SCS education prepare them well? What was the motivation to return to the same District that they grew up in? For answers to those questions and more . . .
- Click HERE for a visit with Mrs. Monica (Moore) Cooney / SHS Class of 2008 and current Assistant Principal at Kinsner & Muraski Elementary Schools
- Click HERE for a visit with Mr. Jake Bokar / SHS Class of 2015 and current SMS 8th Grade Math Teacher
- Click HERE for a visit with Mrs. Laura (Parker) Gaba / SHS Class of 1987 and Mrs. Alana (Caraboolad) Bendetta / SHS Class of 2005 and current SHS French Teachers
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 7TH & 12TH GRADES
Please note the following immunization requirements from the Ohio Department of Health:
All students entering 7th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 7th grade:
* One (1) dose of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
(A second dose of meningococcal vaccine will be required prior to entry into the 12th grade)
* One (1) dose of Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis] vaccine
___________________________________________________________________________________________
All students entering 12th grade need to receive the following immunizations prior to entering 12th grade:
* Two (2) doses of Meningococcal [MCV4] vaccine
Incoming 7th and 12th graders will need to show proof of having received these vaccines before they can return to school for the 2025-26 school year (exemptions are provided for under law, call for more information).
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 7th graders
Click HERE for the form to confirm immunizations for 12th graders
Section 3313.671 of the Ohio Revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization will be excluded from school on the 15th day after entrance, until proof is provided.
RIGHT AT SCHOOL
Right At School provides care for SCS K-5 students before and after school at each of our elementary buildings, with a variety of plan options ranging from once a week to all five days. RAS provides homework support, a fun-based curriculum including American Sign Language, crafts, games and fun activities, afternoon snack, and so much more! For more information on registering with Right at School, visit rightatschool.com. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Matt Urbin, RAS Area Manager (matt.urbin@rightatschool.com / 440.902.1302).
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 Districtâs website. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (â1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Youth Fun Run - Saturday, September 20
For those with younger athletes looking for a fun cross-country event, make plans to attend the Strongsville Invitational on September 20th at Strongsville High School, where the âGohRun Stallion Stampedeâ will also take place. There will be two races: Younger runners (Grades K-2) start at 11:25am on an 800 meters course. Older runners (Grades 3-6) race on a one mile course at 11:50am. Sign up for the Stampede HERE.
âChess Is Funâ Class - Strongsville Rec Center
This chess class is open to youth ages 6-17. Boost IQ, focus, and strategy skills through fun, interactive lessons, and tournaments. Two sessions are available - taught by national expert Damon Rucker. Click HERE for additional information. Register at https://strongsville.activityreg.com
Friday Fun Nights - September 12 (7-9pm)
SUM1Youth presents Friday Fun Nights at the Strongsville United Methodist Church (13500 Royalton Rd.) on Friday, September 12th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. All youth in grades 6th-12th are invited for games, food, and fun! Click HERE for the event flyer. Questions? Email leanne.gruss@strongsvilleumc.org
FREE 'Learn to Play Lacrosse' Clinics
Donât miss the FREE âLearn to Play Lacrosseâ Clinics beginning Sunday, September 7th for boys and girls in grades 2-8. Please click HERE for registration.
This FREE opportunity is open to any student who wants to try playing lacrosse, as well as any returning players who want to keep their skills sharp! Please share this information to your neighbors, friends, & classmates! If you have any questions please reach out to Andrew Spreng, Boysâ Director (Andrew@stronglax.com) or Steve Smith, Girlsâ Director (Steve@stronglax.com).
Cub Scout Pack 226
Calling all adventurers in Grades K-5! Come join the scouts of Pack 226 as they kick off the
2025 Scouting Year with Kona Ice and fun activities!
When: September 8, 2025 at 6:45pm
Where: Strongsville United Methodist Church (13500 Royalton Rd. / Strongsville / 44136)
Adult Leaders will be on hand to answer any questions family members may have about Scouting. Click HERE for the event flyer. Additional questions? Contact Committee Chair, Casey Quinlan (pack226strongsville@gmail.com) / 301-514-4577
Strongsville Community Theatre - 5th Annual Scholarship Benefit Show (Tribute to the â70âs)
Strongsville Community Theatre (SCT) presents their 5th annual scholarship benefit show on October 24th and 25th - 7pm each night. Join Jimâs Little Big Band and the SCT Singers in a Tribute to the â70âs show at the St. Adalbert Keller Center (66 Adelbert St. / Berea). Early Bird Ticket Prices ($40 per person) are on sale now through September 30th. Visit strongsvillecommunitytheatre.com or call 440.879.8817 for reservations and additional event information.
The Karen Wellington Foundation Hosts Inaugural FUN Run (Sunday, 9/14)
The Cleveland chapter of The Karen Wellington Foundation, an organization whose mission is to put FUN on the calendars of women and families living with breast cancer, is hosting their 1st Annual 5k FUN Run (Walk) in the Bonnie Park area of the Strongsville Metroparks on Sunday, September 14th. Registration begins at 8:30am and the race starts promptly at 10:00am. You donât need to be a runner or a breast cancer survivor, just come for the FUN! Click HERE for additional event information.
Treehouse Berea Programming
Treehouse Berea is offering many activities and opportunities for students! From Coding to Robotics to Game Design - there's lots of great STEAM based enrichment experiences for kids ages 6-12. Visit treehouseberea.com to learn more or click HERE for the current flyer about fall programming and 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 at www.strongsvillechamber.com to register and see additional event info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September Business Luncheon
âGet to Know Your City Council, Board of Education, and Candidatesâ
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
11:30am â 1:00pm (doors open at 11:15am)
Members: $25/pp, Non-Members: $30/pp
Registration is Open
October Business Luncheon
âThe Story of Goodwillâ, Presented by Mark Trew, COO, Goodwill of Greater CLE and East Central Ohio
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
11:30am â 1:00pm (doors open at 11:15am)
Members: $25/pp, Non-Members: $30/pp
Registration Opens September 17, 2025
Mark Your Calendar
November Business Luncheon
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
11:30am-1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Registration Opens October 15, 2025
December Holiday Luncheon
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
11:30am â 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Registration Opens November 19, 2025
Strongsville Library
Please note the following September 2025 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 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 Program information by going to cuyahogalibrary.org and click on Research & Discover to use the Press Reader resource here:
https://cuyahogalibrary.org/research-discover/resources-a-z/pressreader
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.
Cuyahoga Works: Job & Career Services Schedule an individual career coaching session at the Strongsville Branch with one of our Career Services Coaches. Career Services Coaches are available by appointment on Tuesdays to help you discover your occupational interests, create an effective job search strategy, and prepare for job interviews. They can also provide tips that will help you develop top-notch resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Career Coaching is available by appointment ONLY! To schedule a FREE appointment at our branch, please call Cuyahoga Works Job & Career Services at (216) 475-2225 or email the team at Careers@cuyahogalibrary.org
IN-PERSON Storytimes. Storytimes are for Birth to Age 5 not yet in Kindergarten. No registration needed!
Baby & Me (Birth to 18 months with a Caregiver) - Mondays / 10:00 - 10:20 a.m. OR Thursdays / 10:00 - 10:20 a.m.
Preschool (Ages 3 - 5 not yet in Kindergarten with a Caregiver) - Mondays / 11:30 a.m. - Noon OR Tuesdays / 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m. - Noon
Toddler (Ages 19 - 35 months with a Caregiver) - Wednesdays / 10:00 - 10:25 a.m. OR 11:30 - 11:55 a.m.
Family - Thursdays / 7:00 p.m.
Grandparent and Me Craft. Saturday, September 6th /10:00 a.m. - Noon. All Ages. In honor of Grandparentsâ Day (September 7) come in for a fun, simple craft that grandparents and their grandchildren can work on together. No registration required. While craft supplies last.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Monday, September 8th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON or Saturday, September 27th / 10 a.m. VIRTUAL 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.
Teen Knit & Crochet Club. Grades 6 - 12. Monday, September 8th / 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Do you like to craft? Do you know how to knit, crochet, or hand sew? Join us in the TEEN SPACE and bring your own project to hang out with other teens who also love to make things! NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Teen Intermediate Sewing. Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, September 16th / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Come in and make a fun project! This is listed as an intermediate class, and prior sewing experience is expected. In order to participate in youth programs that could be considered harmful, Cuyahoga County Public Library requires parents to complete a Release & Hold Harmless Form.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, September 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 The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Toddler Sensory & Art Play. Ages 1 - 3 with a Caregiver. Friday, September 19th / 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Engage your little one's senses, develop skills, and build brain connections through open-ended art using a variety of tactile materials.
Blood Drive. Friday, September 19th / 10:00 a.m. â 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).
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, September 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 are always welcome. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be The Spectacular: a Novel by Fiona Davis. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
What's "Cooking" After School. Grades 1 - 4. Wednesday, September 24th / 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Join us for a fun cooking program. This monthâs culinary creation will be - DIRT IN A CUP. Registration required. Spaces are limited. This program may include activities that could be considered harmful. In order for your child to participate you must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form and return to the program location at least one week prior to the program start date.
School Age Craft: Slime! Ages 9 - 11. Thursday, September 25th / 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Create your own slime to beat the stress of a new school year.
Art 2 Go: Life, Death, & the Afterlife in Egypt. Tuesday, September 30th / 11:00 a.m. - Noon. The Cleveland Museum of Art comes to you! Explore the tombs of ancient Egypt like an archaeologist. You'll handle authentic artifacts from the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection and learn about mummification, burial practices, religion and everyday life through these artifacts. Interact with authentic works of art from around the world and across 5,000 years of human history. We'll focus on objects as primary source material, witnesses to history that you can handle and examine. Guided by your curiosity and wonder, you'll make observations, form connections and generate questions while museum educators share information about each object. This is not a lecture; it is a conversation. We want to know your thoughts and ideas! Discussion is highly encouraged!
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.scsmustangs.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