The Muraski Tribune: Issue 15

Good Afternoon Muraski Families,

I hope you all are staying warm and enjoying the snow/cold days with your children. It's been a wild winter, and while I know the additional days create some chaos with schedules, the call for a snow day for a kid is one of the great surprises that can come.

There isn't a whole bunch new in this week's newsletter, but please take a look as there is an upcoming PTA event at our school.

Stay warm!

Mike Griffen

Know an SHS graduate that has accomplished great things? We are looking to recognize alumni that have made a significant impact in their professional career and/or in their community and are currently accepting nominations for the SHS Distinguished Alumni - Class of 2026. Fill out THIS FORM to nominate a deserving SHS graduate for this honor. This year’s selected class of Distinguished Alumni will be recognized at a special event in April 2026.

Does your child need help with organization, time management, working memory or problem solving? The Parent Mentor Office is offering a presentation on Wed. January 28th at 6-7PM at SHS Media Center. Drew Kuzmickas will share information on executive function and how we can support our children who struggle in this area. Please RSVP to Teresa Karsnak at tkarsnak@scsmustangs.org or 440-573-2584 by Jan. 27th.

Below, you will find information related to everything you need to know about Food Services, Breakfast & Lunch at Muraski and links that you will need to access.

Breakfast Prices: $2.00

Lunch Prices: $3.00

IMPORTANT: If you are a family that could utilize assistance for free or reduced lunch, please see that link below and fill out the necessary forms.

Policy for Free & Reduced Lunch

Free & Reduced Lunch Application Instructions

Free & Reduced Lunch Application

Pay Schools Parent Guide

Pay Schools Link

Shared Food Guidelines

*The Library and Administration Offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 31st and Thursday, January 1st for the New Year's Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Friday, January 2nd at 9:00 a.m.

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

Storytimes:
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.

Teen Knit & Crochet Club. Grades 6 - 12. Monday, January 5th / 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!

Young at Heart. Tuesday, January 6th / 7:00 p.m.

A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The title for our next discussion is The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Please call the branch to register.

Mindful Breathing, Gentle Movement. Wednesday, January 7th / 11:00 a.m.
Take time for yourself with breath and movement to reduce stress and restore calm. The practice will include movement between chair and floor, with modifications offered. Bring a yoga mat or towel. Registration is requested.

Kindergarten Countdown: Scissor and Fine Motor Skills. For Children entering Kindergarten next Fall & a Caregiver. Friday, January 9th / 11:00 a.m. - Noon.

Join us as we help your child build kindergarten readiness skills in a program aligned to Ohio’s Early Childhood Standards. This session, we will focus on using scissors and fine motor skills.

Teen Chess Workshop. Grades 6 - 12. Saturday, January 10th / 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Join National Chess Expert, Damon Rucker, teaching teens the rules and tactics of chess through tournaments and challenges to foster healthy competition and critical thinking.

Blood Drive. Friday, January 16th / 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 Sensory & Art Play. Ages 1 - 3 with a Caregiver. Friday, January 16th / 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.

National Popcorn Day. Families of All Ages. Monday, January 19th / All Day.

Feel free to POP in and celebrate National Popcorn Day with some games and of course, popcorn! No registration required.

Teen Craft Night: Junk Journals. Tuesday, January 20th / 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

For Teens (grades 6-12): Come join us in the Teen Space to learn about what a junk journal is and make your own! 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.

What's "Cooking" After School. Grades 1 - 4. Wednesday, January 21st / 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

This month’s culinary creation will be - Making Butter. 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.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, January 21st / 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 Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, January 26th / 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 Broken Country: a Novel by Clare Leslie Hall. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.

Technology Training Class:
Excel Basics. Friday, January 30th / 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Learn the essentials of Excel. Topics include entering data, using autofill and performing calculations using basic formulas and functions. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent experience.

Toys and Tots. Ages 2 and under with Caregiver. Friday, January 30th / 11:00 a.m. - Noon.

Tots and their caregivers are welcome to stop in to play with toys from the Library's Toy Collection. Have fun and make friends!

Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Saturday, January 31st / 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.

Fax Line

Attendance Line

Bus Transportation

Counseling Office

Clinic