Mustangs in the Middle Newletter

• November 26-28 - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible students, supportive families, and dedicated staff. We are thankful for the trust you place in us each day and for the partnership we share in helping your children grow, learn, and thrive.

I hope this holiday brings your family time to rest, enjoy being together, and finding the gratitude in the things all around you. Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Mr. Telloni - Principal

6th Grade

8th Grade

SMS teachers are currently recommending students to take the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test to help determine the most appropriate middle school math placement and assess readiness for the rigor of an Honors math class. Parents also have the option to request that their student take this test.

If your student is not currently enrolled in an Honors or advanced 6th- or 7th-grade math class and you would like them to be considered for an accelerated math course, please complete this form. Students listed on this form will have the opportunity to take the test to determine eligibility for this pathway. The test will be administered in mid-January. Please submit your request by January 5, 2026, 4pm.

Need Food Assistance?
If your family is in need of food assistance, please reach out to our District Social Worker, Celia Joyce, at 440-268-5588 or cjoyce@scsmustangs.org. Celia will work directly with you to ensure support and resources are provided.

Please click HERE for the first edition of the Financial Fast Facts Newsletter from our District's Treasurer, Mr. George Anagnostou.

Over the last two school years, as part of the District's strategic plan, we launched Financial Fast Facts to keep our community informed about Strongsville City Schools' finances. What began as informative infographics evolved into a video series and now we are adding this newsletter.

This newsletter features information about the recent fall forecast, which was presented and approved by the Board of Education at their September 25, 2025 meeting and submitted to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

We hope this newsletter helps to further explain our District's finances. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please reach out to the SCS Treasurer's Office (ganagnostou@scsmustangs.org / 440.572.7021).

Attention Parents: SMS SkiClub is around the corner and we are super excited to have this opportunity available for our students again this season! We have information packets available for pick up in Mrs. Pietrocini & Mrs. Scotts rooms as well as the main office. The information about SkiClub and steps to register as well as the SMS Permission slip, Emergency Medical Form as well as Equipment Rental Liability form for BMBW are also included in that packet. Completed forms are due back to us by December 5th.

Those forms can also be found by joining the SKI CLUB GOOGLE CLASSROOM using

Code: ixlhavxl

Registration and payment to SLOPE DAYS BMBW is handled directly on their website.

BUS TRANSPORTATION IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST PAID 53 PARTICIPANTS- If you need transportation using our chartered bus to BMBW from SMS each week you MUST get that PAYMENT IN ASAP to secure your spot- even if you are still working on completing the online BMBW payment or other paperwork. Since we have limited spots, once the bus is full with the first paid 53 students- parents will have to transport their children if they wish to participate.

Completing the BMBW online payment DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A SPOT ON OUR CHARTERED BUS- You have to pay us ASAP and secure that spot so we know you are participating.

We are excited to see the kids having fun outside of our day to day! Please reach out if you have any additional questions. Thank you !

jscott@scsmustangs.org

spietrocini@scsmustangs.org

Online "Information Update" for the 25-26 school year is now available in your parent Powerschool account! This task must be done every school year, even if there have been no changes. Please complete this as soon as possible if you have not already. The Information Update form must be completed prior to your child receiving report cards, transcripts, participation in any extra-curricular activities, and field trips. You will use your PowerSchool account to access the 2025-2026 information update form.

How do I get started?

Log into your parent Powerschool Account.

1. Select the student you wish to register along the top

2. Choose the "Information Update" link within the Navigation Menu on the left

3. Enter the birthdate for the selected student

4. Complete the form and submit.

I can’t remember my login for PowerSchool

If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Forgot Username or Password” link on the Powerschool sign In page, please contact your school directly for assistance logging in to the Powerschool Parent Portal.

I don't have a PowerSchool account.

Contact your school directly at (440) 572-7090 for instructions on setting up your account.

Do I have to answer all the questions?

Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.

What if I make a mistake?

If you would like to make a change prior to submitting the form, you can either navigate back to the page using the PREV and NEXT buttons or if you are on the Review page click on the underlined field. If you have already submitted the form you will need to contact your student’s school so they can make the changes for you. I’ve completed the form, now what? Once you have finished entering your information click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions.

What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?

Yes you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or share) selected family information, which saves you time.

Help! I’m on the Powerschool infosnap form and I’m having technical difficulties. For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center or click “Help” from any form page or call Powerschool Registration Parent Support at (866) 752-6850.

As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code 50THANKS
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code 40THANKS
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code 30THANKS

Valid through 12/01/25

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account, find your student and order using your student's student ID number (if available at your school). Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

Get a jump on your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. Click HERE to visit the online Mustangs Team Shop and shop for the Strongsville fan on your holiday list. Choose from T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, Pickleball sets, and MORE! Many of the items can be personalized with name, number, and favorite sport. Delivery of items before the holidays! HURRY - the Mustangs Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, November 23!

Polaris is excited to announce that Explorer Club is back again for our local 4th, 5th, and 6th graders! The winter session runs December 9 and 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Polaris Career Center.

Registration for the December session is opened and we expect enrollments to roll in! See the attached mailer or https://www.polaris.edu/page/polaris-explorer-club for details.

Below is a list of the Explorer Club class offerings. Look at all the fun, hands-on career exploration activities the students will enjoy!

Class Offerings:

Anatomy Detectives

Build-a-Business

CAD Creators: 3D-Printing & Design

Code & Roll

Derby Dash Race & Build

Design & Press - Custom Creations

Mini Movie Makers

Pencils to Pixels

Rescue 911

Sweet Holiday Kitchen

The Art of Cooking

The Sign Lab

Tool Time

Who Dunnit?

Visit our website for course descriptions and to register today! Feel free to connect with me if there are questions about Explorer Club!

Courtney Wenzel

Polaris Career Center - Career Strategist

p: 440-891-7604

The SHS Dance Team presents the 8th Annual Junior Dance Team Camp on Saturday, November 22 from 3pm-5pm at Strongsville High School! The camp is open to dancers in grades PK-8 with unique camp experiences for various ages/levels including: a “Princess Dance Party” for grades PK-K, a Beginner “Mini Mustangs” level for grades 1-3, an Intermediate “Junior Mustangs” level for grades 4 & 5, and an Advanced “Elite Mustangs” level for grades 6-8. The camp includes: learning dance skills and a performance dance from the SHS Dance Team, a T-shirt, a special gift, and a Showcase for friends & family beginning at 5pm that day. Click HERE to register for the Junior Dance Team Camp and HERE for additional information. Students must register prior to the event (register by 11/14 to guarantee a T-shirt).

It's the perfect time to order your yearbook! Please note that this year's deadline is final to ensure the yearbooks arrive in time for students to sign each other's copies. You can find all the ordering details on the flyer below, and the form provided contains everything you need to complete your order. Don't miss out!

Order Form (Printable Version)

Please click on the LINK for the Veterans Day presentation.

Building is Open 7:30-3:30 Monday-Friday when school is in session.

School Counselors

• Mrs. Pietrocini -6th grade

• Mrs. Marozsan - 7th grade

• Mr. Greer - 8th Grade

School Information

Main Office: 440-572-7090

Building Secretary: Mrs. Hallie Malloy

School Attendance: 440-572-7090 Option 2

Attendance Clerk: Mrs. Lynn Haddad

Administration

SMS Principal: Mr. John Telloni

6th Grade Principal: Mrs. Tera Thomas

7th Grade Principal: Mr. Chris Howell

8th Grade Principal: Mr. Bryan Szczepanski

Parents/students have access to our anonymous reporting system. CLICK HERE to access. The more information shared when reporting, the better chance we have to investigate and support.