7th Grade News, February 23

This is conference week already (Wednesday, February 25, 4-7). It is hard to believe that we are a few weeks away from completing quarter 3. The year is flying by.

News and Notes

• Mark your calendars...our current 7th grade students will be going to Washington D.C. next year. There is an information meeting on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. See the flyer below.
• Friday, February 27, there will be an internet safety presentation for all students. Please see the letter below.
• The 7th grade field trip to the Great Lakes Science Center (March 20 or 27) will be here before you know it. Please be sure to log into a parent PowerSchool account and complete the emergency medical section. If nothing has changed, there should be an option at the bottom of the page to choose that. Students who do not have this form completed will not be able to go on the field trip
• Check out the new Voyager Corner below

That's all for this week.

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.

VOYAGER CORNER EDITION 2: SMS ART

For our 2nd edition, 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 Art link to check out some photos from the SMS Art Department!

February 9, 2026

Dear Parents of SMS Students:

This letter is to inform you that your student(s) 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.

Thank you,

In Mrs. Gloor's class, students created Mars Lander prototypes as part of the space unit that addresses the essential question: Is space exploration a daring adventure or dangerous risk?

We are very excited to announce the 2nd annual BuildHER event - for 7th and 8th girls interested in construction! This event will be held on Saturday, March 7th at Polaris Career Center. Spots are limited to 34 students.

Parents can register their children 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)

S - Safe

• Make the right choice.

• Use materials properly.

• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

T - Trustworthy

• Do the right thing, especially when it’s hard.

• Act with integrity and be honest.

R - Respectful

• Listen more, judge less, and embrace what is different.

• Follow classroom expectations and procedures.

• Use positive and appropriate language.

• Use electronics as a resource when permitted and practice user etiquette

O - Own It

• Accept responsibility for your actions.

• Take initiative to ask for and accept help.

• Attend all classes on time and bring your materials.

N - Never Settle

• Support the success of others.

• Be resilient and practice a growth mindset.

G - Get Engaged

• Be present physically and mentally.

• Collaborate actively and appropriately.

Let’s all strive to embody these values everyday at SMS. Remember, it’s not just about what we do, but how we do it!

Mr. Telloni message

Each week, we will be featuring one student from each team that exemplifies positive behavior at SMS. We continue to support students focusing on the pillars of our Model Mustang.

INNOVATIVE

RESILIENT

COLLABORATIVE

GLOBAL

EMPOWERED

These students are well on their way to becoming Model Mustangs and are making a difference at SMS.

Globetrotter Homework Calendar

A couple points to remember:

Detentions

• Morning, before school
• Will be served at 7:00 am and students need to report at that time to the main office
• If a detention is not served, they will be give a Saturday detention
• Saturday detentions will be held at the high school for 2 hours

Progressive Discipline for minor behaviors

• Students can receive 3 detentions then they will be issued a Saturday Detention
• Then students can receive 3 Saturday Detentions then they will be issued In-School Suspension
• Then students can receive 3 In-School Suspensions before out of school suspensions will be issued

**This does not include major behaviors according to the hand book.

Please access our handbook HERE . It is also available on the website. Students and parents should review this together. Students will also review this with staff as well the first week of school.

Email: chowell@scsmustangs.org
Phone: 440-470-7077