The Muraski Tribune: Issue 3

Good Evening Muraski Families,

I hope you were able to enjoy an incredible weekend, after an awesome Friday night under the lights. It was such a pleasure to see so many Muraski families at the Community Tailgate and football game. It's always so much fun to be on the field with our students as the team runs out on to the field. Thank you to all that attended. Nights like those create incredible experiences for our children.

Please take a look at the information below. There is some great information about our PBIS programming. We have already had some amazing opportunities for our students. Those will continue this week.

Have a great Sunday!

Mike Griffen & Sam Lawrence

This week the students were jam-packed with excitement and learning. All week students participated in engaging activities to review expectations in all locations. Then they put it all together and displayed their knowledge of PRIDE during the Field Day event. It was a great way to build a positive culture while teaching expectations.

This section will serve to provide you with more understanding of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) at Muraski. This week we will cover: PBIS Language, Student Shout Outs, Upcoming Events, and PRIDE Extension.

PBIS Language- When you hear PRIDE we mean Prepared, Respectful, Inclusive, Determined, Engaged. These are the expectations that we hope to see students exhibit inside and outside of school.

Student Acknowledgement- Each week we hand out PRIDE tickets to students who show PRIDE at different points of the school day. The ticket earners then enter their tickets into a class raffle. Every Friday we call two names from each class to receive a reward. At the end of the month teachers recognize exceptional students in their class and they are invited to a Mustang Luncheon. That invitation is based on their efforts of showing PRIDE throughout the entire month.

Upcoming Events: Here are some things you won’t want to miss:

• August 28-September 1st in class review
• Sept 1st PBIS assembly

*Please discuss with your children their role in learning expectations in the classroom, and being engaged at the assembly.

PRIDE Extension: This is where we will house a tip or challenge to promote our understanding and development of PRIDE. Feeling overwhelmed with the information? Your child may be too. This week is a Tip: Learn with your child. Create a visual of PRIDE in your house and reference it in discussion with your child. I like posting the PRIDE words on the Fridge!!!

***Please note the following September 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 Office and all Cuyahoga County Library Branches will be closed Sunday, September 3rd and Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, September 5th at 9:00 a.m.

CCPL Fall 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/3479

Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, September 1st / 10:00 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.

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.

Young at Heart Book Discussion. Tuesday, September 5th / 7:00 p.m.
A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The title for our next discussion is The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins. No registration. Everyone Welcome!

Storytimes:
IN-PERSON Storytimes.
Strongsville Branch Library storytimes are back in session for the Fall. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. No registration.
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.

Crafter-Noon! Ages 3+. Saturday, September 9th / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
If you’re not sure what to do on a Saturday afternoon, look no further! Create a one-of-a-kind craft in our storytime room. While supplies last.

SW General Health Talk: Stroke Prevention & Awareness. Tuesday, September 12th / 10:00 a.m.
Join Maureen Moore, RN, BSN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator, from the Primary Stroke Center at Southwest General, as she presents the signs and symptoms of stroke, shares prevention strategies, and introduces Southwest General’s Grey Matters Stroke Prevention and Circulation Circuit Programs.

Computer Classes IN PERSON.
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
Tuesday, September 12th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Computer Basics.

Blood Drive. Friday, September 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).

Toddler Fair. Ages 2 – 3 with caregiver. Friday, September 15th / 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Indoor and outdoor activities will engage your little one’s senses as they build brain connections using items you have in your home. No registration required.

Digital Navigators. September 18th & 19th. Call to make Appointment.
Cuyahoga County Public Library’s 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 and more. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch.

Teen Craft Night: Fairy Lanterns. Grades 6 – 12. Monday, September 18th / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Teens! Come into the library for a little magic! Create a whimsical lantern that really lights up and showcases your own little fairy companion.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, September 20th / 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 Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.

Plant Swap. Thursday, September 21st / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Calling all gardeners and plant lovers! Join us for this special plant swapping event. Please bring at least one healthy, pest-free, beautiful plant, cutting, or seeds. Bring as many as you would like - the more the merrier! The plants can be potted or bare root—as long as you’re prepared to part with them. If bare root, please bring plant in a pot, bag, or a cardboard box if possible. Please also label plants or seeds as best as you can with any information about the plant such as name, sun/shade/size, etc.) Tickets will be given for each type of plant brought. Tickets will be randomly pulled to decide the order of selection for choosing your new plants.

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, September 25th / 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 The Taking of Jemima Boone: Colonial Settlers, Tribal Nations, and the Kidnap that Shaped America by Matthew Pearl. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.

Meet Author J.A. Jance. Thursday, September 28th / 7:00 p.m.
Join us when author J.A. Jance visits to discuss her latest novel, Blessing of the Lost Girls. J. A. Jance is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 60 works of contemporary mystery across the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, and the Ali Reynolds series, as well as six interrelated thrillers about the Walker Family and one volume of poetry. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry.

Please update your annual forms by September 1, 2023. To update forms, log in to Powerschool, select Quick Links, then find "Information Update 22-23" under Custom Links. Please call the office with any questions.

Update to Parent Portal: Parents and guardians will sign in with their username (email address) and their password. When logging in for the first time this school year, please click "Forgot Username or Password" link to reset your password.

Incoming kindergarten families: You should have received an email from Linda Konopinski (after registering) containing directions on how to create and access your parent account in our online Powerschool Unified Classroom Parent Portal. If you need this information again, please contact Linda Konopinski at lkonopinski@scsmustangs.org or 440-846-4137. This will be important to set up to access important information.

To determine eligibility for free / reduced lunch, as well as various additional state and federal program benefits inclusive of possible district student fees being waived, an application must be completed online at PaySchoolsCentral.com. HERE is a link with directions to apply.

It is important to note the following for those that qualify for Reduced Lunches in the 23-24 school year: The recently passed Ohio biennial budget includes a provision for the State to pay the meal charges for Reduced students ($0.30 for Breakfast and $0.40 for Lunch) effectively allowing them to eat for free. This will be in effect for the 23-24 and the 24-25 school years.

As a reminder, all school fees that have not been paid are now considered past due. To check the balance and pay outstanding school fees, go to Pay Schools Central by clicking HERE. In addition to Pay Schools Central, school fees can be paid by cash/check to your student’s building secretary or with the Treasurer's Office. If you have questions related to this, please contact the building secretary or Dawn Evangelista (devangelista@scsmustangs.org) within the Treasurer's Department. As we are approaching a new school year, as well as the start of fall sports, per Board of Education policy, the consequences for outstanding prior year school fees will prohibit students from participating in any school extracurricular activities (i.e., athletics, student council, school clubs, etc.), field trips, and school sanctioned dances / events that require a purchased ticket. For additional information on District Fee Collection Procedures and Consequences CLICK HERE.

As the start of school is just over a week away, all transportation information has been uploaded to PowerSchool. To view this information, you will need to use a web browser like Chrome, Safari, or Edge. Do not use the PowerSchool app. CLICK HERE for a short video tutorial on how to find your student’s transportation information.

Over the summer, the district expanded our partnership with Blocksi to include student content filtering and alerts. We no longer utilize SecURLy for these services. CLICK HERE to view an informational flier about joining the Blocksi Parent Portal to gain insights on your student’s online behavior with their scsmustangs account and set parental controls beyond the school school. If you have any questions, contact Dave Binkley, Director of Instructional Technology at dbinkley@scsmustangs.org.

Email: mgriffen@scsmustangs.org
Website: https://muraski.strongnet.org/
Location: Muraski Elementary School, Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH, USA
Phone: 440-572-7160
Twitter: @MuraskiPrin