8th Grade Update 2/9

Upcoming Presentation about Online Safety

SMS students will hear from professionals from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force at Strongsville Middle School on February 27, 2026.

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.

The best way for parents to keep kids safe online is to continue the conversation about online safety. By prioritizing open and repeated conversations about online safety, you can equip your student with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Technology and online trends evolve rapidly, making it impossible for parents to know everything. Having ongoing conversations about online safety allows you to stay updated on the latest trends, apps, and challenges kids might face. You can adjust your guidance accordingly.

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

For internet safety education or to make a CyberTipline report, visit https://www.missingkids.org

There is an opt-out policy whereby the parent/guardian may sign a form to withdraw his/her student from participating in this presentation. If you do not wish your student to participate, please either return this signed form to your student’s team teacher or send an email from your parent account with the necessary information from the opt out form to your student’s team teacher, and your student will receive alternate activities during the assembly with no penalty or work to make up. If you do not sign and return this form, your student will remain in the auditorium to take part in the presentation.

If you are opting your student out, please provide the opt out form or email to the team leader by February 20, 2026.

If you have any questions, you may contact your student’s grade level principal.

Reminder for parents dropping off students in the AM

I've attached our video that was created to demonstrate proper procedures when dropping off. This system has been proven to work in an efficient way when followed. Just a couple reminders:

1. Please use the road around the back of the building when dropping off in the morning.

2. If you are the first car, please pull all the way up in the drop off area giving space for 3 cars to unload at a time.

3. No passing at all to provide a safe space for students to unload.

Please make sure we have updated information for your student for the 25-26 school year. Please log in to PowerSchool and confirm enrollment details as soon as possible. Without this update, students may not be able to attend field trips or enjoy quarterly incentives off campus.

How to update information on PowerSchool -- please note, this must be done on a desktop.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Broughton, Technology Coordinator/Data Manager, at cbroughton@scsmustangs.org.

Thank you for your prompt attention!

Need Food Assistance?
If your family, a student, or a staff member 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.