Mustangs in the Middle Newletter

• Monday February 10-Friday February 13 - Candy Grams on sale during lunch period

• Monday February 16 - NO SCHOOL Presidents' Day

• Wednesday February 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm

• Friday February 27 - ICAC School Presentation

• March 6-7 - James and the Giant Peach Jr. Spring Musical

Dear SMS Families,

I do hope that with this balmy weather today we are starting to turn the corner on this brutal winter and heading full steam toward spring. I understand that the last three weeks have been very cold and there has been an increase in cars going through the drop off line. As we go forward I ask that all families please follow our established drop off procedures and use the designated dropoff area rather than stopping in front of the building or even in the bus loop. Dropping off in the front creates traffic congestion and safety concerns, and it is unfair to families who are following the correct procedures and waiting their turn to get out. Just as importantly, our students are always watching. Following the rules as adults models responsibility, respect, and fairness for them. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our morning arrival safe and smooth for everyone. Remember our drop off doors open at 7:25am. I hope everyone has a blessed day and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your children.

Sincerely,

John Telloni - Principal

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

The SMS Drama Club is in rehearsals for James and the Giant Peach Jr - with performances scheduled for Friday, March 6 at 7:00pm and Saturday, March 7 at 2:00pm in the SMS Auditorium.

James and the Giant Peach Jr. is a magical musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved story: after losing his parents, young James Henry Trotter escapes life with his cruel aunts when a mysterious gift causes a gigantic peach to grow. Inside the peach he befriends oversized, eccentric insects including a brave Centipede, wise Grasshopper, gentle Earthworm, motherly Ladybug, and loyal Miss Spider. Together they embark on a daring ocean adventure, facing sharks, seagulls, and storms while learning about courage, friendship, and finding a family in the chaos! The score mixes lively, whimsical songs with tender moments, balancing humor and heartfelt emotion for audiences of all ages.

Make plans to see talented SMS students bring this musical to life! To purchase your tickets in advance, please click HERE.

On Friday February 27 SMS students will hear from professionals from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

In response to increasing internet dangers, former Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason applied for specialized grant funding from the United States Department of Justice in 1999 to launch the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Ohio ICAC Task Force is a collaboration among city, county, state, and federal law enforcement authorities focused on investigating and prosecuting internet crimes involving child predators and child exploitation. The Task Force is also dedicated to the education of parents and children about internet safety.

During ICAC Internet Safety Presentations, students will hear from the Ohio ICAC Statewide Outreach Coordinator to learn about age-appropriate safety regarding the following topics:

• Digital Citizenship

• Online Predators

• Cyberbullying

• Video Game Safety

• Inappropriate Content Online

• Social Media Best Practices

The intent of these presentations is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. Through age-appropriate education, we aim to empower students to recognize potential risks, make informed choices, and seek help when something online feels unsafe.

If you would not want your child to attend the presentations, please CLICK ON THIS LINK and fill out the form or email your child's team leader by February 20, 2026.

For more information on the Task Force visit https://www.ccprosecutor.us/what-we-do/

Welcome to Voyager Corner. SMS offers a wide selection of engaging encore classes (Art, Music, P.E., FCS, Polaris, Career Connections, Technology, and so much more). All of our encore teachers are part of the Voyager Team and we'd like to highlight some of the amazing things happening at SMS in our Voyager courses.

For our 2nd feature, we're sharing some of the amazing art that was created in SMS Art Courses during the first Semester! Check out some of the beautifully crafted ceramics from ART 6, ART 7, ART 8, and Modified Art, as well as the cornhole painting project completed by students in Crafts 8, plus so much more!

Click this link to check out some photos from the SMS Art Department!

Important Info Before Practice Begins:

Track & Field practice kicks off February 23rd, and we’re excited to get moving! Before your athlete can participate, please be sure the following items are completed:

• Final Forms must be filled out with Track & Field selected as the sport.

• A valid physical must be uploaded to Final Forms.

  • Physicals are good for 13 months.

  • If your athlete has already visited the doctor, the attached OHSAA physical form must be taken to the doctor’s office and completed, then uploaded.

Getting these items done early will ensure a smooth start to the season. We can’t wait to hit the track!

Help support this year's Blood Cancer United (formally Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) Student Visionaries. This year’s Student Visionaries team from Strongsville High School is being led by Anna Placeway, Emily Polo, and Eric Dubsky. The Student Visionaries of the Year program is a philanthropic youth leadership initiative in which high school students compete to raise funds for blood cancer research, advocacy, and support. Student leaders form a team and fundraise in honor of blood cancer survivors. They have created an amazing team, "Mustangs For A Cure" to help them reach a goal of raising $150,00 for Blood Cancer United. They have from January 23rd March 13th to accomplish this task! This year’s team has already been working hard to network with local business leaders, but in order to reach this goal it’s going to take the support of our entire community! How can you help?

1. Donate! Mustangs For A Cure Team Page *Online Donations NOW through March 13

2. Follow them on facebook, Mustangs For A Cure Facebook to cheer them on and follow their progress! Share their page and ask others to follow!

3. Share, attend and participate in their community events.

4. Connect them to local business leaders who may want to join us in their efforts to raise money for Blood Cancer United by emailing mustangsforacure@gmail.com

Please click on the LINK for guidelines from our District Nurses about when to keep your child home from school.

The Executive Function Presentation has been rescheduled to Wed, Feb. 18th from6-7 pm. It will still be at the media center at SHS.

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)

Cheer Tryouts – 2026–2027 Season!

Get ready to jump, stunt, and cheer—tryouts are coming! Step into the spotlight and let your spirit shine! Cheer tryouts are approaching, offering you the opportunity to support SHS, grow as an athlete, and build friendships that go far beyond the season.

Tryout Clinics: Learn all the material you’ll need to succeed at tryouts!
March 9–11
SHS Main Gym

Tryouts:
March 12
Starting at 4:00 PM
SHS Main Gym

Mandatory Parent & Athlete Meeting:
All athletes and a parent/guardian must attend.
February 10

Come ready to learn new skills, work as a team, and show your school spirit. We can’t wait to see your enthusiasm, dedication, and SHS pride—let’s make this season unforgettable!

If you have any questions contact Coach Orlosky at jorlosky@scsmustangs.org

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.

Click HERE for this month's edition of the Financial Fast Facts Newsletter from our District's Treasurer, Mr. George Anagnostou. This newsletter features information about where Strongsville ranks compared to other school districts in Cuyahoga County Effective Residential Tax Rates, and the December 2025 Financial Update. Since our District's fiscal year runs from July through June, December marks the halfway point of the fiscal year making this an important milestone to review our financial health.

Over the last two school years, as part of our 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 newsletters. Past Financial Fast Facts can be found HERE.

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).

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.