Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2024-25 Vol. 9, Iss. 30)

Inspiring and Empowering Today's Learners to Build Tomorrow's Leaders.
IN THIS ISSUE - April 11, 2025
Important Dates to Remember
60 Seconds with the Superintendent
Revised 2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Mustangs Online Team Shop - Order Your Strongsville Gear TODAY!
The “Model Mustang Experience” - Feedback Request
Jeff Eicher Earns OHSBCA Assistant Coach of the Year Award
“Mustang Talks” Student Podcast
Mustang Spotlight - Aaron Phelps, Social Studies Teacher at Strongsville High School
SHS Band & Orchestra Students Perform at Disney Over Spring Break
Electrify Your Symphony - TOMORROW (Saturday, April 12)
SCS Food Services - Feedback Survey
SMS Drama Club - Upcoming Performances (Friday, April 25 & Saturday, April 26)
SHS Dance Team Auditions
SHS Advanced Drama & Theatre Class FREE Performance - Wednesday, April 23
Jostens Gives SHS Yearbook “Look Book” Honor
Order Your Mustangs Gear from “The Derby”
HUDL TV Broadcasts - Utilize Promo Codes To Watch SCS Athletic Events
View Your Student’s Online Activity With Blocksi Parent Portal
Right at School
Stay Safe. Speak Up!
Community Events
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
TOMORROW (Saturday, April 12) - 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Electrify Your Symphony
Two Shows - 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Strongsville High School Auditorium
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the 3:00pm show (doors open at 2:30pm)
[SMS 6th Grade Orchestra (2nd Period), SMS 7th Grade Orchestra, & SMS 8th Grade Orchestra]
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the 7:00pm show (doors open at 6:30pm)
[SMS 6th Grade Orchestra (10th Period), SHS String Orchestra, & SHS Freshman Orchestras] (combined)
Friday, April 18 - NO SCHOOL
Thursday, April 24 - 7:00pm (6:15pm - Executive Session)
Strongsville Board of Education Meeting*
SCS Administrative Offices (18199 Cook Ave.)
* SCS Board of Education Meetings are live streamed HERE
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
A special concert happens tomorrow (Saturday, April 12) involving many of our middle school and high school orchestra students. Electrify Your Symphony provides opportunities for our talented musicians to “let loose” and perform pop/rock music, under the direction of nationally-known cellist Greg Byers. How have our students been preparing for this energetic concert? Click HERE to see the workshops and fun our students have had leading up to their performance!
REVISED 2025-2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
PLEASE NOTE:
At last month's Board of Education meeting, a revision to the 2025-26 academic calendar was approved. One reason for the revision was to correct an error that was recently discovered with the previously approved calendar. The error occurred in our day count for April 2026. We had accounted for 18 student days when there were only 16.
We had to determine where to add back those 2 days. We didn’t want to shorten winter or spring break, and adding a 2-day week to the end of the school year in June was not desirable. Therefore, the finalized option was to add them to the start of the school year. To add back in those 2 missed instructional days, the only change made was to start 2 days earlier in August. Students will now start the same week, but on a Monday instead of a Wednesday.
In addition to this correction, we also updated the date of Commencement to reflect the change that we have implemented this year to move to the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. Click HERE to access the updated and approved 2025-26 calendar.
We apologize for the error and changes to the calendar. It is our hope that this change does not disturb your plans for the final days of summer break.
Thank you for your understanding.
MUSTANGS ONLINE TEAM SHOP - ORDER YOUR STRONGSVILLE GEAR TODAY!
Looking to add to your "Green & White" wardrobe and get some updated Mustangs gear? Click HERE to visit our special, limited time Mustangs Team Shop for short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and MORE! Personalized merchandise is also available. Hurry - this Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, 4/20!
THE “MODEL MUSTANG EXPERIENCE” - FEEDBACK REQUEST
JEFF EICHER EARNS OHSBCA ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Congratulations to Jeff Eicher, longtime SCS educator, for being named the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) Assistant Coach of the Year! Jeff was awarded this honor by his coaching peers and was selected as the top assistant in Ohio for Divisions I-III. With over 40 years of coaching experience, Jeff has been an invaluable asset to our basketball program and has played a crucial role in our success, including being part of the coaching staff for all four SHS basketball OHSAA regional appearances.
Jeff's dedication to our student-athletes goes beyond the court. He has helped nurture and grow so many young men and women in our community into exceptional adults. His passion for the game and commitment to mentoring our players is truly inspiring.
Please join in celebrating this well-deserved recognition for Coach Eicher!
“MUSTANG TALKS” STUDENT PODCAST
MUSTANG SPOTLIGHT - AARON PHELPS, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT STRONGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Aaron Phelps has been a Social Studies teacher at Strongsville High School for 12 years. Mr. Phelps earned his undergraduate degree from Kent State University and also has a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Missouri's Harry S. Truman School of Government and Public Affairs.
“I enjoy my students' energy and positivity. I find it creates a feedback loop for me, where I become more optimistic about their future and help push them to succeed further than they have before. I am extremely fortunate to work on an amazing team continuing to develop our AP Human Geography course at Strongsville High School. Dan Collins has been instrumental in the improvement of every part of our course over the past five years and Natalija Buchwald has brought her energy and anthropology expertise to the team for the past two years. I look forward to working with these two for as long as we can because we have the opportunity to help a lot more students see themselves as college-bound, plus have the chance to send some students with college credits already in their back pocket when they leave SHS.”
Thank you Mr. Phelps for continuing to provide classroom experiences that prepare students for success, no matter what pathway they decide to follow after graduation from SHS! #ModelMustang
ELECTRIFY YOUR SYMPHONY - TOMORROW (SATURDAY, APRIL 12)
The Strongsville City Schools Orchestra Directors are excited to announce another amazing performance experience for our string orchestra program TOMORROW (Saturday, April 12). Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) is a music education phenomenon that FIRES UP students, teachers, and local communities by injecting a high voltage dose of energy and much-needed funding into a school’s music education program. This intensive experience boosts student self-esteem and motivation, increases school-wide, family and community engagement, and helps raise money for participating schools. Created by international recording artist, electric violinist, and music education advocate Mark Wood, EYS accomplishes this by having a team of teaching artists work with music students to put on real life, real world rock concert, with ticket sales directly benefiting the participating music departments. Tell your neighbors, family and friends about this awesome event being held in our Strongsville High School Auditorium TOMORROW (Saturday, April 12), with performances at 3:00pm & 7:00pm!
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the 3:00pm show (doors open at 2:30pm) featuring SMS 6th Grade Orchestra (2nd Period), SMS 7th Grade Orchestra, and SMS 8th Grade Orchestra
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the 7:00pm show (doors open at 6:30pm) featuring SMS 6th Grade Orchestra (10th Period), SHS String Orchestra, and SHS Freshman Orchestras (combined)
SHS BAND & ORCHESTRA STUDENTS PERFORM AT DISNEY OVER SPRING BREAK
Strongsville High School Band and Orchestra students spent part of their Spring Break in Orlando performing at Disney! More than 160 students from the SHS Marching Band, the Symphony Orchestra, the String Orchestra, and the Freshman Orchestra had the opportunity to showcase their musical talents to visitors at the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. Students also had the chance to participate in a soundtrack session and a sight reading clinic, set to the music of the animated movie “Tangled.”
SCS FOOD SERVICES - FEEDBACK SURVEY
The SCS Food Services department is interested in gathering both student and parent feedback about your experiences with breakfast and lunch in our District, in order to continue to meet the needs and wants of our students and families. Click on the specific links below to help Food Services plan for future school years.
Elementary School Parents - Food Services Survey
SMS / SHS Parents - Food Services Survey
SMS DRAMA CLUB - UPCOMING PERFORMANCES (FRIDAY, APRIL 25 & SATURDAY, APRIL 26)
Don’t miss the SMS Drama Club performances of “Everything You Wanted to Know About Middle School (But Were Too Busy Being Stuffed in a Locker to Ask)” on Friday, April 25 (7pm) and Saturday, April 26 (2pm) in the SMS Auditorium. “Everything You Wanted to Know . . . “ is a short comedy about a day in the life of your typical middle school students. Only, is any day really typical in a middle school? With pirates in the cafeteria, zombies in the hallway, and a bear on the loose, these kids are just learning to survive! This is the first performance by the NEW Drama Club at SMS, made possible by a generous donation from the Strongsville Community Theatre.
Click HERE to purchase your tickets - ONLY $5 - in advance.
SHS DANCE TEAM AUDITIONS
CLICK HERE to register for the upcoming 2025-26 SHS Dance Team Auditions (registration required). There will be a parent & athlete audition information meeting on Wednesday, 4/23 at 6pm in the SHS Media Center. The audition clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 6th from 4-7pm and the audition will be Friday, May 9th at 5pm in the SHS Main Gym. Auditions are open to current 8th through 11th grade students. Dancers will learn the audition material at the clinic and come prepared to perform it at the audition. This team is made up of the most highly skilled and trained dancers at SHS. They perform at home varsity boys basketball games and compete at the regional and state level in the categories of jazz, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, and pom. For more information about the team and tryouts, follow them on Instagram: @shsdance_team.
Questions? Contact Coach Grimm at: mgrimm@scsmustangs.org
SHS ADVANCED DRAMA & THEATRE CLASS FREE PERFORMANCE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
Mr. Jenkins' SHS Advanced Drama & Theatre students are excited to present their public performance of Complaint Department & Lemonade by Kamron Klitgaard.
People will complain about anything — not almost anything, but absolutely anything! In this rapid succession of hysterical grievances, the complaint department takes on everything from Oreo icing to kleptomania and from songs stuck in the head to the price of cheese and on and on and on. Could there be a glimmer of hope for anyone in charge of a complaint department?
There is only one chance to catch this hilarious one-act play: Wednesday April 23 @ 7pm in the SHS Auditorium. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. The play should only run 30-35 minutes. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Jenkins (jjenkins@scsmustangs).
JOSTENS GIVES SHS YEARBOOK “LOOK BOOK” HONOR
Congratulations to the SHS students who produced the 2023 Strohigan and to their advisor Mrs. Heather Keirn. This edition of the annual SHS Yearbook was recently included by Jostens in their “Look Book” - a design book that the company sends out to all of the schools they publish yearbooks for. The yearbooks featured in this Jostens Look Book serve as models and inspiration for other schools. Selection for the Look Book is a national achievement and honor!
ORDER YOUR MUSTANGS GEAR FROM “THE DERBY”
Order awesome Mustangs Gear from ‘The Derby’ at Strongsville High School! ‘The Derby’ is a student operated spirit shop located in the SHS cafeteria, providing job training opportunities for students to develop skills necessary for future success - including independence, workplace readiness, job training, communication, problem solving, and leadership!
Check out ‘The Derby’ for items to add to your Strongsville wardrobe - made by SHS students. Items can be personalized and orders can be placed if the item is not available. Items can also be delivered to individual schools or picked up at the high school. SHS students can shop and order at ‘The Derby’ during lunch periods (10:00am - 1:30pm). All proceeds are given back to the Life Skills Employment Readiness Program for continued vocational training. Online orders can be placed using the QR code below or by clicking HERE. Contact thederbyshop@scsmustangs.org with any questions on custom apparel.
HUDL TV BROADCASTS - UTILIZE PROMO CODES FOR DISCOUNTED PRICES TO WATCH SCS ATHLETIC EVENTS
Stream and watch SHS athletic events from the SHS Main Gym on the new HUDL TV. Simply search for Strongsville High School at fan.hudl.com or download the HUDL Fan app in your app store. Right now, you can utilize the following promo codes and receive special discounts for Mustang Athletics action on HUDL TV:
$5 Off All-Access Day Pass: Enjoy all Mustang games with a day pass for just $7.50 using the promo code Mustangs$5.
$100 Off Annual Pass: Get unlimited access to Mustang Athletics for the entire school year for just $95 with promo code Mustangs$100.
Both promo codes are reusable and valid through the Winter Sports season, so don't miss out! Catch every play, cheer on your favorite teams, and save while you stream. Stay tuned in and show your Mustang pride through HUDL TV!
VIEW YOUR STUDENT’S ONLINE ACTIVITY WITH BLOCKSI PARENT PORTAL
Our District has expanded its partnership with Blocksi to include student content filtering and alerts. We no longer utilize SecURLy for these services.
Click HERE to view an informational flier about joining the Blocksi Parent Portal to gain insights on your student’s online behavior with their scsmustangs account, as well as set parental controls beyond the school. If you have any questions, contact Dave Binkley - Director of Instructional Technology - at dbinkley@scsmustangs.org.
RIGHT AT SCHOOL
Right At School provides care for SCS K-5 students before and after school at each of our elementary buildings, with a variety of plan options ranging from once a week to all five days. RAS provides homework support, a fun-based curriculum including American Sign Language, crafts, games and fun activities, afternoon snack, and so much more! For more information on registering with Right at School, visit rightatschool.com. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Matt Urbin, RAS Area Manager (matt.urbin@rightatschool.com / 440.902.1302).
STAY SAFE. SPEAK UP!
Strongsville City Schools encourages students, teachers, staff, parents, and other members of our community to report any instances of potential violence, bullying, self-harm or any other issue where students may be at risk. Click HERE for additional Stay Safe. Speak Up! Information on the District’s website. Reporting incidents can be made anonymously online or through a toll free number (1-866-listen2me / 1-866-547-8362).
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Head Start Basketball 2025 Summer Camps
Join your friends at Head Start Basketball Camp for our 33rd summer! Now's the time to register so you don't miss out on a great week of basketball skill development, games, contests, and fun. Click the link to get registered! https://headstartbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps
Head Start Basketball Camps are held at the Strongsville Recreation Center
June 16-20, 2025 – Boys and Girls currently in grades 1-6 (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
June 23-27, 2025 – Boys currently in grades 1-6 (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
July 7-11, 2025 – Girls currently in grades 1-6 (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
July 14-18, 2025 – Boys and Girls currently in grades 1-6 (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
Contact Camp Director Mike Klinzing at 216-392-4059 or headstartbasketball@usa.net for more information
Treehouse Berea Programming
Treehouse Berea is offering many activities and opportunities for students! From Coding to Robotics to Game Design - there's lots of great STEAM based enrichment experiences for kids ages 6-12. Visit treehouseberea.com to learn more or click HERE for the current flyer about available activities.
Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
Please note the following upcoming events hosted by the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required for all events. Please call 440.238.3366 for more information or to register. Those interested in the following events may also visit the Chamber website at www.strongsvillechamber.com to register and see additional event info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April Business Luncheon
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
11:30am – 1:00pm
Members: $25/pp, Non-Members: $30/pp
Registration is Open
May Scholarship Luncheon
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
11:30am – 1:00pm
Members: $25/pp, Non-Members: $30/pp
Registration Opens April 16, 2025
Business After Hours
The Hooley Pub & Kitchen at SouthPark Mall (500 SouthPark Center)
Thursday, May 22, 2025
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Members: Free, Future Members: $10/pp
Registration is Open
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
83rd Annual Strongsville Homecoming Festival
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Saturday, July 26, 2025
Strongsville Commons
Firework Display on Saturday, July 26th at Dusk
57th Annual Chamber Golf Outing
Friday, August 22, 2025
Shale Creek Golf Club
5420 Wolff Road, Medina
9:30am – 6:00pm
Registration is Open
Strongsville Library
Please note the following April 2024 events presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information.
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 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.
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Monday, April 14th / 7:00 p.m. IN PERSON 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.
Teen Craft Night. Grades 6 - 12. Tuesday, April 15th / 6:30 -8:00 p.m. Come in and learn about watercolors! We will practice some techniques and then look for inspiration to create our own watercolor masterpieces! 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. The Release & Hold Harmless Form must be completed and returned one week prior to the start of the program.
Digital Navigator Appointments. Wednesday, April 16th / 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. OR Wednesday, April 23rd / 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call us at 216.749.9420 to make an appointment with one of our Digital Navigators at a CCPL branch. Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you – or someone you know – connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment and more.
Blow off some S.T.E.A.M. After School. Grades 1 - 4. Wednesday, April 16th / 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Ignite your curiosity and creativity through this exploration of all things STEAM. Discover the elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands on activities and exploration. Boost your problem solving and teamwork skills in this program.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, April 16th / 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 Wedding People by Alison Espach. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
What's Behind That Big Grey Wall? - A Walk Through Gardenview Horticultural Park. Thursday, April 17th / 7:00 p.m. The Strongsville Historical Society and the Strongsville Branch Library have partnered to offer this special presentation. Speakers Dain D. Finke and Marla Tooman will be at the Library to share What’s Behind that Big Grey Wall? A Walk Through Gardenview Horticultural Park’s Past, Present, and Future. If you have never been to this hidden gem, join us to learn all about the Gardenview Horticultural Park as they prepare for their Spring Grand Re-Opening. A brief historical society business meeting will begin this presentation. Registration is requested.
Blood Drive. Friday, April 18th / 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).
Egg-stravaganza. Ages 4 - 6. Friday, April 18th / 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. We will have an egg-cellent time dying and decorating hard boiled eggs provided by the library. The egg-citing news is that you get to take them home with you! 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 and return to the program location at least one week prior to the program start date.
School Age Craft: Yarn Art. Ages 9 - 11. Thursday, April 24th / 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Try something new! Relax after school with watercolor art. Try different watercolor techniques to create unique masterpieces!
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, April 28th / 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 All the Colors of the Dark: a Novel by Chris Whitaker. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk.
Learning from Our Gardening Mistakes. Tuesday, April 29th / 7:00 p.m. Join us for this gardening presentation by the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County. Every gardener faces challenges in their landscapes. Our speaker will share lessons learned from their own gardening experiences.
Stay Connected with Strongsville City Schools
Strongsville High School * Muraski Elementary *
Strongsville Middle School * Surrarrer Elementary *
Chapman Elementary * Whitney Elementary *
Kinsner Elementary * Early Learning Preschool
Website: www.scsmustangs.org
Location: Strongsville City Schools, 18199 Cook Avenue, Strongsville, OH, United States
Phone: (440) 572-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/strongsvillecs
Instagram: @strongsvillecs
Twitter / X: @strongsvillecs