Parent - Week of 12/1

As the temperatures drop, please encourage your student to layer up. We’re seeing many students wearing winter coats in class, and those really do need to stay in lockers during the school day. A friendly reminder that wearable blankets, pajama pants, and slippers aren’t permitted at school.

If needed, students may be asked to change into appropriate clothing (including having items brought from home). Disciplinary action may be taken if dress code expectations aren’t followed.

Please also remind your student about proper lunchroom procedures. With the upcoming break, the lunchroom naturally gets louder, and we’re seeing more students standing or moving between tables. With over 400 students in the space at once, this becomes unsafe. Our four simple expectations help tremendously: stay seated, mind the volume, don’t throw anything, and clean up after yourself.

Finally—believe it or not—we’re already in Week 7, which means the semester is nearly over (I can’t believe we’re almost 50% through the school year!). Please have your student check PowerSchool for any missing assignments or opportunities for corrections. We want all of our Mustangs to end the quarter STRONG.

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.

We are 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 opens today 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

a: 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

w: polaris.edu

Lifetouch Discounts

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!

More about the Smilesafe program here.

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)

pdf

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14459926 Strongsville MS Print Flyer.pdf

Download

1.5 MB

Applaud our seafaring standouts! Our students of the week are identified from each team who truly embodies our Model Mustang values!

Any sixth grade student that would like an alternative to eating in the cafeteria is welcome to make reservations at The Lip Diner. Come relax, listen to music, and enjoy interacting with your friends from other pods! The Diner is open 5 days a week during the sixth grade lunchtime. Visit the link and sign up for the days you would like to come. We book a week in advance so make sure to sign up if you plan on attending (and you might notice that reservations won't open until the week prior). Students can access the link on the Class of 2032 Google Classroom.

*Note for students: If you are unable to use the links above, try to type in the tiny URL on your Chromebook (must be logged into their SMS account).