Coronavirus Update: Strongsville Schools Will Close Friday

STRONGSVILLE, OH — The Strongsville City Schools will close early on Friday and will not re-open until April 6, the district announced. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all Ohio schools closed for three weeks on Thursday.

On Friday, the schools will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to give students and staff the chance to gather their belongings. Grab-and-go lunches will be available to students from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the Strongsville Middle School. Meals will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis until supplies run out. Families should use the Strongsville Middle School parking lots and follow the loop and meals will then distributed to families in cars.

"Building principals will be reaching out to families tomorrow to share options and resources for students to engage in educational activities during this break. These activities are optional for students and families. Meaning, there will not be assignments that must be completed and turned in upon return on April 6th," Superintendent Cameron Ryba said on Thursday evening.

DeWine ordered all public and private schools to close, starting Tuesday, March 17. All schools must be closed for at least three weeks.

"As we work through this unprecedented order from the governor, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through the complexities of this extended closure. We will update you via email as new information becomes available," Ryba said.

Ohio now has five confirmed cases of coronavirus, COVID-19, DeWine announced Thursday afternoon. As the virus continues to spread in Ohio, officials are banning any gathering of more than 100 people and are giving Ohio students an extended spring break of three weeks, starting Tuesday, March 17.