Cortland Senior High School February Newsletter
2/6/2018
Upcoming Events
  • 2/19: Winter Recess Begins
  • 2/23: Winter Recess Ends
  • 2/26: Classes Resume
From the Principal: Our Pledge To You!
As we move into the second half of the year, the staff at Cortland High School wants to reaffirm our commitment to our students. Here some highlights of our commitment to you:
  • Our Mission: Every student, every day: Inspire, Respect, Engage.
  • We will help all of our students achieve high levels of learning required for success in college or career.
  • The school is characterized by a collaborative culture in which educators take collective responsibility for helping all students learn at high levels.
  • Students will be provided with a guaranteed and viable curriculum unit by unit.
  • The learning of each student will be monitored on an ongoing basis through daily assessments in the classroom and through team developed common formative assessments.
  • The school must maintain and create a strong partnership with parents and provide them with the information they need to monitor and support the learning of their children.
  • The staff will constantly seek out the most promising practices that support student learning.
  • Our Vision: Every child will graduate with the knowledge and skill necessary to be productive and contributing member of society.
  • The policies, programs, and practices, of Cortland High School reflect its commitment to helping all students learn at high levels.
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Instructional Highlights
  • 10th grade students are in the midst of a nonfiction unit with an emphasis on education, values and learning.
  • Spanish 4 students made advertisements for a technology store (online or actual) marketing different products and what they could be used for by using the conditional tense.
  • Family and Consumer Sciences are a part of the CTE Curriculum Review Process. Please take a moment to take one of the surveys to help us update and create high school courses that help prepare students for future education and employment in the fields of health and food sciences, child care, business, and technology and many other opportunities! The link to these surveys can be found on the district main page. Thank you!
  • In music, students are exploring modes using the piece "Odysseus and the Sirens" by Dana Wilson as the vehicle. We are also comparing and contrasting American March and British March forms.
  • Physics Phun night will be on Monday, February 26 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. in room 281 at Cortland High School. A pot-luck dinner will be served, so please feel free to contribute a snack, drink, or dessert. Come and enjoy a night of demos, lab ideas, and good discussions in all areas of physical science.
  • Chemistry will be hosting a student teacher from SUNY Cortland starting the end of January till mid-March.
  • The Business Department is excited as we continue to pilot the new Sports Management Course. We are one of the few high schools in New York to have such a course.
  • Mathematical Financial Management is now a course that can fill an entire year if students in grades 10-12 so choose. It is split into MFM 1 and MFM 2 so that students can chose to take 2 after successful completion of 1.
  • New Media 2 classes will be making designs based on monster drawings done by first graders.
  • New Media classes are creating logos for the athletic department.
  • AP Language and AP Literature students are continuing to prepare for the AP Exams which occur in April. Students are learning about rhetorical devices and practicing writing rhetorical and literary analysis essays.
  • ELA teachers are compiling and sharing active learning strategies. 
  • French 1 students are learning about Carnival in Quebec. They will be studying the celebrations and traditions that take place during this festival and comparing them to holidays that we celebrate in the United States. They will also be making maple taffy, a traditional treat eaten during carnival, weather permitting.
  • Senior High Orchestra is working on adding musicality to their ensemble music. We are also having the band come over once a week to work as a full orchestra.
  • The Technology Department continues to develop new and exciting projects. We are continuously seeking to add to equipment to our courses to create the best learning environment on the cutting edge of technology. An example of this is the addition of a Laser Engraver in Mr. Herting’s Wood Production Lab. This tool will allow fine, computer generated designs to be laser cut into a variety of materials.
  • We are also in the process of curriculum review and we are asking all current students and alumni to complete a survey linked to the district web page. The results of the survey will help to guide us in looking at existing and potential curriculum. Please feel free spread the word.
Celebrations
  • Maya Moes artwork entitled “Neil Patrick Harris” won a silver key award at the Scholastic Art and Writing Award Ceremony. 
  • The following students participated in this year’s All County Choirs:
  • Soprano: Michaella Ferro, Jennifer Newman, Olivia McKenna, Emma Brackett
  • Alto: Mackenzie Brackett, Tara McMahon, Katie Phetteplace, Jared Smyth, Kara Perkins, Jenna Saltsman
  • Tenor: Jon Gesin, Gui Borges, Tim Mayberry, Hunter Sherman, Cameron Landon
  • Bass: Chris Allen, Conley Egnor, Michael Williams
  • James Robinson, Carol Brafman, Dan Camillo and Abbey Albright attended the the Math Leadership meeting at OCM BOCES to learn about the Next Generation Math Standards that will be in classrooms during the fall of 2020.
  • Natalie Gier, Chris Allen, Mackenzie Brackett, Conley Egnor, Jon Gesin, Jason Gore, Charlie Rowe, Tristan Stevens and Lauren Phetteplace represented Cortland High School in the Senior High Area All State Orchestra, Mixed Chorus, Treble Choir and Band on February 2 and 3.
  • Charles Canestaro: 2017 Glen Schuster Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Charles Canestaro recieved an annual scholarship honoring Glen Schuster, Founder and Director of U.S. Satellite Laboratory.
  • Information on Glen Schuster: Glen was a tremendous advocate for STEM Education and held the highest respect for classroom teachers. In 1991, Glen founded U.S. Satellite Laboratory and set out to provide direct connections between research scientists and students. He was awarded several federal grants from NASA, NOAA, and NSF including the NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project in partnership with Teachers College, Columbia University. Curriculum developed under Glen's unique vision provides an authentic view on science and math topics. Programs include NASA-funded Project 3D-VIEW, Signals of Spring, and Weather Data Learning Center; NSF funded SPRINTT (Climate Change); NOAA-funded Signals of Spring ACES and many others. Glen was most proud of his co-authorship of Marine Science: The Dynamic Ocean, a data-driven research course that truly implements his vision for research scientist and learner connections. Since 2009, hundreds of teachers participated in STEM teacher development through the NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project to earn a graduate certificate in STEM education, often as part of a Master's degree.
Oh! The Places You'll Go: College & Career Update!

  • Lersissa Allen: TC3
  • Michaela Bidwell: Hilbert College
  • John Blanchard: TC3
  • Sarah Bowker: Wells College and Keuka College
  • Angelo Brevetti - Career: Farming
  • Connor Canfield: Geneseo
  • Jonathan Frederick: Cornell
  • Jon Gesin: SUNY Potsdam
  • Natalie Gier: Cornell
  • Taylor Hart: SUNY Delhi and SUNY Canton
  • Ben Jackson: TC3
  • Mckenzie Johnson: TC3
  • Marcus Linde: TC3
  • Alexandra Marks: TC3
  • Timothy Mayberry: University of Buffalo
  • Brandon McClendon: Marines
  • Ja-Shia Moore - TC3
  • Reanna Moran: Eastern Mennonite University and Radford University
  • Alexander Morgan: LeMoyne College, St Bonaventure, St John Fisher

  • Summer Mullen: TC3
  • Mackenzie Mulverhill: TC3
  • Antonia Murray: SUNY Binghamton
  • Alex Myers: Utica College, Wilkes University
  • Taylor Oaks: TC3
  • Lauren Phetteplace: SUNY Delhi
  • Alaina Rabusin: Concordia
  • Zachary Redfield: TC3
  • Sophia Reyngoudt: Keuka College
  • Lucas Rivera: TC3
  • Leah Romer: MCC
  • Victoria Schmidtbonacker: Army National Guard
  • Samara Scott: Hartwick, Keuka, OCC
  • Jade Shively: OCC
  • Joseph Sickmon-Lindberg: TC3
  • Tasia Smith: SUNY Purchase
  • Caitlin Snell: LeMoyne, Utica College, Keuka College
  • Justin Soler: RIT
  • Kathleen Starr: Siena College, Hartwick College
  • Tristan Stevens: Roberts Wesleyan, Houghton College
  • Nicolas Strobeck: TC3
  • Marissa Sweet: MCC, TC3
  • Isabella Terrazas: TC3, Broome CC
  • Tramayane Towers: TC3
  • Damien Walker: TC3
  • Jerome Williams: NAVY
High School News and Notes:
  • February 19th - 23rd:
  • No School - Winter Recess
  • Parent Portal/Student:
  • The Cortland Junior Senior High School continues to offer a program that allows the parents/guardians of our students to have access to essential information about their child’s work at school. Cortland families will continue to be able to access academic information regarding student progress through the Internet. We have switched to a new student management program called schooltool that includes a Parent and Student Portal. We have been “live” since October 2nd. Please call the main office for more information (607-758-4110).
  • Activity Period:
  • Teachers are available every day Monday through Thursday each week after school from 2:30 until 3:00. During this time, students can see teachers for extra help, study, or make-up class work.
  • Extended Learning Time:
  • The Cortland Enlarged City School District will again provide separate Academic Tables for the High School. This program is designed to provide a place for your child to get a start on, and help with, their daily homework assignments. Although Extended Learning Time is a scheduled extra-help/tutor time that is available to all students, schools will encourage the participation of students who would benefit for the extra time and support. While homework will sometimes be addressed, that is not the focus of the sessions. The program is designed to help students be successful in their learning. It will run Monday through Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00. Bus passes will be given to all students who wish to take the late bus home. Academic Tables (Extended Learning Time) began on September 25th. The schedule is available online in the Senior High Section under the “Helpful Links” tab and will be titled Academic Tables
  • Math Help in the Morning!
  • Every day, from 7:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m., we have a certified math teacher in the Academic Center available for all of your math needs. The help is offered for any student that may be stuck on a homework problem or has a need to review a concept, or study for a test. Please feel free to stop in the Academic Center before school for any math questions.
  • Need a Late Bus?
  • Again this year, there will be a 3:15 p.m. bus and two 4:30 p.m. late bus runs (Monday through Thursday). Bus routes and stop times for the High School have been posted on the District website under transportation.
  • For updated practice and game information go to our Athletic website:
  • http://www.cortlandschools.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=1981
  • Athletics:
  • E-Mail Notification of Game Changes - You can "subscribe to team updates" in Schedule Galaxy and receive an email every time there is a game change whether due to inclement weather or the need to reschedule a game for any reason. Sign up today for this great feature and be notified of all changes to a team’s schedule. You can also sign up on the district's home page under the "District News - ED Emailer" for email notifications from the Athletic Department or any school events, happenings, etc. What better way to stay informed and up to date with news from your child's school.
Changes Made to 3-8 State Tests
Changes have been made at the State level regarding the administration of tests and the use of data:
  • Tests are now shorter (two sessions rather than three)
  • More time to complete tests (all students have extended time if needed)
  • Test scores do not affect teacher evaluation scores
  • New state standards were developed with educators to replace Common Core
  • More test questions are being released so teachers can use them
  • More New York State teachers and administrators have been involved in test design
These changes are evidence that the Commissioner and State Education Department listened to parents and educators to make some major changes to the tests in New York.
There have also been changes at the Federal level with the replacement of the “No Child Left Behind” act with the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA). There are two parts of the new law that have a significant impact on us: attendance and participation rates on the 3-8 and Regents tests. The threshold for the participation rate on these tests is 95%. This means that unless 95% of our students take the state tests, our district will not be considered to be making the student achievement progress toward which we are working so diligently. Naturally, when it comes to attendance, all students should be in school, everyday! Learning isn't optional!


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