Mustang Moments
Strongsville City Schools News (2025-26 Vol. 10, Iss. 15)
60 SECONDS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
SHS science students recently had an opportunity to hear representatives from NASA detail their insight into to their “Moon to Mars” Mission. The NASA reps also answered questions from the students. Click HERE to learn more about this awesome learning opportunity at SHS!
SMS 6TH GRADE VIKINGS TEAM TEST THEIR “SURVIVAL SKILLS” IN STONE AGE SIMULATION
Students on the sixth grade Vikings Team have been learning about early civilizations in a unique way. They have been challenged to see if they would be able to survive in prehistoric times, using “The Survival Simulation.” Students imagine themselves living in the Stone Age and needing to make decisions that increase their chance of survival, such as where will they live and what will they eat. Through different rounds of the simulation, students earn points based on their decisions, which is logged into a reflection journal.
Through this simulation, students are learning how favorable characteristics of geography led to growth of early civilizations and how different environmental and economic factors caused the movement of early people, products, and ideas in the Eastern Hemisphere.
SHS FINANCIAL LITERACY & ECONOMICS TEACHER MRS. TOLLIS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Mrs. Tollis, Financial Literacy and Economics teacher at Strongsville High School, was recently selected by Jump$tart to represent SHS at their National Educators conference in Boston. Mrs. Tollis had the opportunity to network with over 200 teachers from 48 states and also meet two of her favorite financial experts (Tim Ranzetta and Yanely Espinal), while learning the latest in financial education and gaining many additional teaching resources to bring back to her classroom.
SURRARRER 3RD GRADERS VISIT POLARIS
Surrarrer 3rd Grade teachers (Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Dunton, and Ms. Scarton) have been working to build real-world connections for students throughout each of their CKLA units. What originally began as an idea to bring Polaris students to Surrarrer to create interactive stations as a culmination of the 3rd graders recent unit on the human body, quickly grew into something even better. Polaris loved the concept, but suggested bringing our students to them - and it was an incredible experience.
Surrarrer 3rd graders rotated through five different labs: Nursing, EMT, Veterinary Science, Dental, and Exercise Science. Polaris students had the opportunity to lead and teach, while Surrarrer students were able to apply what they learned in meaningful, hands-on ways.
The 3rd graders listened to real animal heartbeats, flossed teeth on dental mannequins, completed agility testing, used medical tools to take vital signs, and so much more. This experience allowed them to see how their classroom learning connects to real professions and extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. It also created a powerful connection between career readiness and community collaboration.
MUSTANGS HOLIDAY TEAM SHOP - ORDER ONLINE THROUGH SUN. 11/23
Get a jump on your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. Click HERE to visit the online Mustangs Team Shop and shop for the Strongsville fan on your holiday list. Choose from T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, Pickleball sets, and MORE! Many of the items can be personalized with name, number, and favorite sport. It's the LAST WEEKEND to order, with delivery of items happening before the holidays! HURRY - the Mustangs Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, November 23!
SHS SOPHOMORE LUKE HUBER PLACES 14TH IN STATE MATH COMPETITION
Congratulations to SHS Sophomore Luke Huber! Luke placed 14th out of 110 top math students in the state at the recent Ohio High School Mathematics Invitational Olympiad (OHMIO) in Columbus. Luke was among the over 1,000 students across Ohio to qualify for the OHMIO competition. He is also currently tied for first place in the state for the Ohio Math League, which is a series of monthly high school competitions that Strongsville competes in both individually and as a team. Luke has also scored high enough on the AMC 10 national contest, qualifying him for the AIME contest in February. The AIME is a USA Math Olympiad qualifier exam.
BALDWIN WALLACE PROFESSOR SHARES SPORTS INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES WITH SHS SPORTS MANAGEMENT CLASS
This week in the SHS Sports Management class, Dr. Charles Campisi - Professor at Baldwin Wallace University in the Marketing, Sport, and Hospitality Management Department - visited to speak to the students about the Sports Management industry. Dr. Campisi shared his experiences working in the field, what students can be involved with at BW as a Sports Management major, and provided great insights into what employers look for in this competitive field. The students were engaged and asked great followup questions. He even brought in a few surprises such as his Super Bowl ring and the Vince Lombardi Trophy from when he was on staff for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
#FOREVERAMUSTANG - NOMINATIONS FOR SHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Know an SHS graduate that has accomplished great things? We are accepting nominations for the SHS Distinguished Alumni - Class of 2026. Fill out this form to nominate a deserving SHS graduate for this honor. The selected class of Distinguished Alumni will be recognized at a dinner in April, 2026.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University is looking for parents and caregivers to join their Advisory Council for 2026. For more information and to apply, please visit the State Advisory Council website. The last date to apply is December 10th.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS / SCS NIGHT (SUN. 11/23 AT 6:00PM)
Don’t miss a special Strongsville City Schools Night with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The Cavs battle the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, November 23 - Tip off is at 6:00pm. For families that purchase tickets, SCS students will be entered into a drawing to be part of special events that evening. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
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
Breakfast with Santa - Saturday, Dec. 6th
First Lutheran Church of Strongsville invites you to join Santa for breakfast, a photo, and a Christmas craft on Saturday, December 6th from 9:00am - 11:00am. Tickets are $10.00 for anyone 2 and over, under 2 is free. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Strongsville Rec Center
Winter Chess Camp - This 4 day camp teaches the rules, strategies, and tactics of chess through fun, interactive lessons led by national expert Damon Rucker. Click HERE for additional information.
Mad Science Winter Camp - For Ages 5-12. Explore fun topics and experiments in sports, space, earth awareness, and mad messages. Click HERE for additional information.
Upcycle Academy - Fashion Pop Up Party - These upcycle 1-day workshops will help kids create their own designs in upcycled wear. Click HERE for additional information.
Register for any of these upcoming opportunities at https://strongsville.activityreg.com or by calling 440.580.3260
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 December programming and 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
Holiday Scholarship Dance
Friday, December 5, 2025
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Encore Event Center (formerly Michaud's)
16808 Pearl Rd.
December Holiday Luncheon
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
11:30am – 1:00pm
Ehrnfelt Rec & Senior Center (18100 Royalton Road)
Registration Opens November 19, 2025
Strongsville Library
Please note the following December 2025 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.
The Library will be closed December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
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: Are on hiatus for the month of December. Please see our website for storytime dates when we return in January 2026.
Gingerbread Man Design Contest. December 1st - December 7th Stop into the library to create your own paper gingerbread design. A winner will receive a gingerbread house kit which will be selected by library staff.
Teen Knit & Crochet Club. Grades 6 - 12. Monday, December 1st / 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!
Audio & Video Studio Orientation. Ages 11 & up. Monday, December 1st / 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.
Mindful Breathing, Gentle Movement. Wednesday, December 3rd / 11:00 a.m. Registration required. To prepare for this holiday season, we'll learn mindful breathing techniques and gentle movement postures you can turn to keep the anxiety and stress away! Mindful breathing enhances focus and reduces stress by centering attention on the breath, promotes relaxation and emotional regulation contributing to improved mental wellbeing. Combined with gentle movements we can learn to tap into our resilience, gain a greater sense of control, increase self-awareness, and establish a greater sense of calm, peace, and happiness within. Please bring a yoga mat or large towel. The practice will include movement between chair and floor, with modifications offered as needed.
Kindergarten Countdown: Alphabet and Writing. For Children entering Kindergarten next Fall & a Caregiver. Friday, December 5th / 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 the alphabet and writing.
Technology Training Class:
Google Docs and Slides. Monday, December 8th / 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Learn how to use Google Docs and Slides. This class will discuss tools and features to create and format documents and presentations. (Note: A Google account is needed to participate in the class). Registration is required.
Southwest General Memory Screenings. Tuesday, December 9th / 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Are you saying “Sorry, I forgot” a little too often? It’s normal to forget a name from time to time. It’s not normal to keep forgetting days of the week, or when to pay bills or take medicine. Come to a free screening by the Community Nurse to see if you should consider seeing a doctor. Call 440-816-4037 or email communitynurses3@swgeneral.com for an appointment.
Be Red Cross Ready: Disaster Preparedness. Tuesday, December 9th / 11:00 a.m. The Red Cross will teach you how to prepare for and respond appropriately to disasters likely to occur in your community. Be ready for hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. Instruction by certified Red Cross presenters.
Brain Break at the Library for Teens. Grades 6 - 12. Monday, December 15th through Friday, December 19th / 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Join us in the TEEN SPACE for activities to relieve stress and relax! No registration required!
Blood Drives. Friday, December 19th / 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. AND Tuesday, December 23rd / 1:00 - 6:00 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 and Art Play. Ages 1 - 3 with a Caregiver. Friday, December 19th / 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.
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