The Muraski Tribune: Issue 17

Good Morning Muraski Families,

This is our last week before a well deserved and much needed winter break. I know our students are very excited for the break, and we have planned several fun and exciting activities for them to close out these last three days.

I hope that you are able to rest, relax, and spend time with friends and family over the break. It is so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Running from different houses, trying to fit in every holiday activity NE Ohio has to offer, and still finding time to enjoy our families can prove to be difficult. The time we spend with our families and those that we truly care about is what really matters. Take the time, slow down if you can, and everything possible to enjoy the break with your children. This time goes so fast. Enjoy some time making memories when and where you are able!

Remember, our students last day is Wednesday, December 20th. Staff will have a Professional Development day on Thursday, December 21st where no students will be in attendance.

Our SEL Event, T-Shirt Tie-Dye will held on Monday, December 18th.

We will have our December PBIS Incentive, as well as the Winter Parties on Wednesday, December 20th.

We are looking forward to an fun and exciting final week before break.

Sincerely,

Mike Griffen

This December our 5th graders are completing a passion project! They are spreading awareness about all the sweet animals that are up for adoption at the local animal shelters - Cleveland APL and Berea ARF. Students are eager to create posters for the individual animals! This year in addition to writing posters students are hosting a donation drive to collect pet supplies needed at the shelters. Today, at the start of the day, kiddos will be delivering fliers for you to send home with your students. If you would like this to be a silent drop off just take the fliers! If you would like the fifth grader to tell you class about their project and what they are collecting please let them know and they would be happy to share with the class! Each morning we will have fifth graders stop down your halls to collect items so you do not have to store any donations. Thank you so much for your support - please let me know if you have any questions!

Please make sure you click the button below the image after you register on the website. You must fill out the additional form if you are going to join ski club.

Join us for a "Dough-Nations" fundraiser night by placing a PICK UP or DELIVERY order from Donatos Pizza in Strongsville (14694 Pearl Rd.) on Monday, December 18th from 4-8pm. 20% of sales will be donated back to Muraski Elementary! Order online at donatos.com or call 440.638.5919. Be sure to mention Muraski Elementary/Code 536 when you place your order.

IMPORTANT: Attached are the updated food guidelines for parties. If you have specific questions regarding this new policy, feel free to reach out directly to Mr. Griffen. And, as a result of this new plan, we will not be inspecting food/snacks as we check you in before the party.

The overview of the revised policy is as follows:

• There is no longer a specific list of foods
• No homemade foods allowed
• Room parent must adhere to allergies in their classroom (you should have received allergy information for your class in your Room Parent folder at the beginning of the school year)
• Ingredient labels must be available for packaged foods
• Room parents are still the only people allowed to bring food in on party days
• The brands mentioned at the end of the updated policy are suggestions if someone has a large number of allergies in their class, they are not required to purchase those brands

Holiday Sale is Underway!

The official Muraski store has launched a Holiday Sale! Spirit wear makes for great holiday gifts for the entire family, including these customizable designs for Mom, Dad, Grandparents and more!

This sale features limited-time savings of 20% sitewide! Orders over $75 will receive free shipping, and those below that will ship for just $5! Shop Now!

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.

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