Cortland Schools

Dear Cortland School Community,

As we step into the enchanting month of December, I am delighted to announce our collective theme for this special time: the "Season of Caring." This is a time when our community comes together to embody the true spirit of empathy, kindness, and support for one another. This Season of Caring isn't solely about festivities and decorations; it's a reminder to extend our care and compassion to those around us, especially during this joyful but sometimes challenging period. We have been experiencing just this sort of thing in the past few weeks as I have witnessed staff in our buildings rise to the cause of a particular family in need. Thank you all, for what you do!

I encourage each and every one of us—students, staff, and parents—to embrace this theme by:

• Cultivating Kindness: Let's actively seek opportunities to be kind to one another, whether through a smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture. Small acts of kindness can make a profound difference.

• Supporting Each Other: During this time, let's lend our support to those in need. Whether it's offering a helping hand, being a listening ear, or providing assistance, our collective efforts can create a nurturing environment for everyone.

• Spreading Cheer: Let's share the joy of the season by creating moments of happiness for those around us. Whether through sharing stories, celebrating achievements, or simply spreading positive energy, let's illuminate each other's lives.

• Fostering Inclusivity: Let's ensure that everyone feels valued and included within our school community. Embracing diversity and different perspectives enriches our experiences and strengthens our bonds.

Thank you all for all that you do in support of our Cortland Tigers. Please come enjoy a concert, a PTO or booster club meeting, a workshop, or a game. Cheer our students on and let them know you care!

May this Season of Caring bring joy, peace, and a sense of togetherness to our wonderful community.

Bob Edwards

When the winter season is upon us, it is time to think about possible closures and delays due to weather conditions. Our district’s automated calling system will notify families if school is closed or delayed. Please be certain that your phone number is current in our database.

Local news stations will continue to provide weather updates. Stations that carry information about Cortland Schools include WSYR-9, WTVH-5, WSTM-3, News 10 Now, WBNG, WXHC/101.5, and WNTQ/93Q. We also maintain the latest information on our District website: http://www.cortlandschools.org.

In the event of a 2-hour delay, all times are adjusted by 2 hours.

Normal Opening Times

• Barry, Smith, and Randall will open to students at 8:10 a.m.

• The Junior High and High School will be open at 7:00 a.m. Homeroom will then begin at 7:38 a.m.

• Morning bus routes run on a two-hour delay. For example, if the bus typically arrives at your stop at 7:00 a.m., it will arrive at 9:00 a.m.

• For students who regularly participate in the CDC Morning Childcare Program, the students may be dropped off at their normal start time of 6:45 a.m.

Stopfinder gives parents and guardians access to view and share their student’s bus stop assignments.

With Stopfinder GeoAlerts, app users can create alert zones at any stop or school or along your student’s route. Stopfinder users will be notified when their student’s bus has arrived at or departed from an alert zone. Know where the bus is and know your student has arrived at or departed from any location along their assigned bus route.

StopFinder is now here in Cortland!

Tutorial Video LINK

Easy Instructions LINK

Click on the photo to see the Weekly Blast with teachers and staff telling use what they are thankful for.

School physicals have started. If your child is in pre-K, or grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11, a current physical needs to be on file. If not, your child will be added to the list of needing a school physical. Screenings have also started, students in the above-mentioned grades will also need hearing and vision screenings.

Please do not send a sick or injured child to school with the intention that they will be diagnosed, and treated by the nurse. The school nurse is not a medical diagnostician.

Any child displaying the symptoms of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rashes, sore throat, ear pain, productive cough or wheezing, drainage from wounds, redness or drainage from eyes should not come to school until seen, diagnosed, and treated by their physician along with a note for them to return to school.

If your child is sick or needs to leave school early for an appointment, please call the attendance offices at each school.

We want to wish you all a fantastic Holiday season!!

From Principal Mack

Caring for others

Caring for others is not only about helping and putting the needs of others before our personal interests, but it is also the ability to hear, understand and recognize others' needs and feelings.

Here are some famous quotes on caring:

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”

— Margaret Mead

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.”

— Jackie Chan

“The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.”

— Carson McCullers

“The simple act of caring is heroic.”

— Edward Albert

From Principal Zarcone

It is the Season of Caring at the Cortland Junior High School. We ask our students to be kind and caring all the time, but there is something about the holiday season that makes many people perform more acts of kindness than they usually do. We will continue to live by the principles of our R.O.A.R matrix (Respectful, Open-Hearted, Act Safely, and Responsible). The Positivity Project character traits that will be covered in the next few weeks include; Kindness, Supporting others, Self-control, and Optimism. These are all great character traits to go along with the holiday season of caring.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

From Principal Quinn

At Randall Middle School we do our best to keep an "Other People Mindset" as we use ROAR (being Respectful, Open-Hearted, Acting Safely, and Responsible) throughout our days at school and in our community. Students and staff take pride in caring about others, and this is even more evident during this Season of Caring. We consider others who may be in need, whether it be in need of food, shelter, clothing, financial resources, or warm and kind loved ones. Our school staff supports Season of Caring programs such as gifts for children in foster care, the Cornell Elves program, and food banks. We hope that you will join our Randall Middle School community in having a positive, impactful "Other People Mindset" as you celebrate during this Season of Caring! The ripple effect of our kindness and positive impact on others can be endless!

From Principal Block

As we enter the month of December at Smith Intermediate, we are excited to join our community and families for the season of caring.

Our 3rd and 4th grade winter concerts are this month, which will be the highlight before the New Year begins. The third-grade concert is on December 13th. This show will be split into two times with three classes in each show to help with the number of audience members in the cafeteria at a time. The first show will begin at 6:00 and the second show will begin at 7:00. Each show will last for about 30 minutes. There will be a flyer coming out with specific details about your student's concert times and expectations. On December 20th, our 4th grade students who are in chorus or play an instrument will perform at 6:00 in the High School auditorium. There will be a flyer coming out with specific details for this concert. We will continue to practice ROAR, being respectful, open-hearted, acting safely, and being responsible at school and on the bus. We will continue to celebrate students who are demonstrating ROAR by recognizing them as "terrific tigers".

-Report cards will come home on December 8th

From Principal Klumpp

To care means making ourselves aware of the needs and feelings of others and then taking action to help them. It means taking the time to stop thinking about ourselves, to put the spotlight on somebody else’s needs and to think “What can I do to make that person’s life a little better or easier?” Step outside yourself for a bit to look around and deliberately look for chances to be kind, thoughtful and helpful. It is amazing to realize just how many chances there are in a day to be caring toward others, when we take a minute to look outside ourselves. Start with the small things like holding a door open for somebody, visiting a lonely relative, offering to help with somebody else’s task or offering for somebody to step in front of you in line. Do it with a smile and you’ll be amazed at how easily you can make other people smile along with setting a good example for others to follow. At Barry Primary we continue to work on the little things to show we care for others: saying please, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, by helping a friend when they are in need, by demonstrating the parts of our ROAR throughout the day. By demonstrating that we care helps strengthen our relationships and develop meaningful emotional connections with others. When we allow ourselves to show care to those around us, we are truly allowing ourselves to live happier, more complete lives

Cortland Theatre did an amazing job with their production of Cinderella. The enchanting fairy tale came to life on stage, leaving the audience in awe with its mesmerizing set, outstanding acting, and captivating live music. From the moment the curtains lifted, theatergoers were transported into a world of magic and wonder. The elaborate and visually stunning set design created a breathtaking backdrop for the beloved story. The attention to detail was evident in every scene, from Cinderella's humble cottage to the grandeur of the royal palace. The set truly brought the enchanting fairy tale to life, leaving the audience spellbound. The acting prowess displayed by the cast was nothing short of amazing. Each actor fully embodied their characters, portraying the depth and emotions of the beloved tale. Cinderella's innocence and grace, the wickedness of her stepmother and stepsisters, and the charming charisma of the prince—all were portrayed with such authenticity that the audience couldn't help but become fully immersed in the story. What truly set this production apart was the level of audience engagement. The talented cast effortlessly drew the audience into the story, making them feel like active participants rather than mere spectators. The humorous interactions, heartfelt moments, and magical surprises left the audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting each scene. Adding to the enchantment was the presence of live music. The talented orchestra, skillfully led by the conductor, brought the melodies to life, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. The harmonious blend of instrumental arrangements and melodic scores elevated the overall theater experience, providing an auditory feast for the senses. The Cortland Theatre's production of Cinderella has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on both young and old alike.

Winter is in full swing, and students in the Cortland Enlarged City School District are gearing up to showcase their extraordinary musical talents in multiple Winter Concerts. With a diverse lineup featuring Modern Band, Chorus, and Multiple Orchestras, these concerts promise to captivate audiences with an array of musical genres and styles. The air is thick with anticipation as students eagerly prepare for this grand celebration of music, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. The Winter Concerts will be a testament to the remarkable talent and dedication of all of the district's student musicians. Audiences can expect wonderful events and memories. Students have worked tirelessly practicing at home and school to showcase their talents to the public. The Winter Concerts at Cortland are not only a celebration of music but also an opportunity to foster a sense of community and pride among students, faculty, and families. As the curtains rise, the anticipation mounts and the first notes fill the air, the Winter Concerts will undoubtedly create memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Come and be a part of this unforgettable event that showcases the immense talent and passion of all of Cortland's rising stars.

Congratulations to Isaac Schmohe, Quintin Hill, Amelia Fisher, and Cole Hudson on their phenomenal performance at Junior High Area All-State last month!

Congratulations to Isaac Schmohe, Cole Hudson, and Michaela Cullen on their outstanding work in the pit orchestra for Cinderella!

Students who are interested in participating in this year’s NYSSMA Solo Festival on Saturday, March 23rd should get in contact with their ensemble teacher if they haven’t already.

Attention all musicians, artists, dancers, writers, poets, etc: Tri-M and Music Boosters are putting on an Arts and Talent Showcase on Friday, March 8th. Any students or teachers who have a skill they would like to show off should contact Ms. Miller at rimiller@cortlandschools.org to sign up!

Mock trial has begun and students participating in this club are in the process of learning legal terminology commonly used in a court setting, how to build a legal argument, and of course, objections!

CHS Mock Trial will compete against other schools arguing a criminal case this year in multiple competitions up at Nottingham High School in Syracuse. With 15+ student members in the club, Mrs. Bottle and Mr. Colt (club advisors) are eagerly awaiting for the competition to begin.

The Barry UPK and Kindergarten teachers are hosting a family literacy information night on Tuesday, January 9th, 2024. Doors open at 5:30 and the learning begins at 6! Come and learn about the science of reading and how your child is learning to read! Refreshments and child care will be provided! Hope to see you there!

The Smith art students are working hard as a TEAM to create a safe, nurturing, positive, respectful atmosphere to allow for personal expression, problem-solving, and discovery-making. They can earn points every class time as an incentive to receive a reward for being team players, which is an all around choice day. Here are some images from those special days.

In this season of caring the high school ceramics and sculpture class would like to thank our larger community for its support. As this is a new class this year we submitted a grant through Donor’s Choice in order to get soapstone, carving, and the tools needed for this form of sculpture. On Giving Tuesday we achieved our $600 goal and our grant was fully funded! It’s wonderful to see our larger art community and local family help us out. We look forward to sharing pictures of our final products.