Cortland Senior High School March Newsletter
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Upcoming Events
- 3/10: SAT Exam
- 3/29: Professional Development Day, No School for Students
- 3/30: No School for Staff and Student
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- From the Principal: School Safety
Though our country has seen sad and terrifying violence in our public schools over the past few years and we, ourselves, have been subjected to a recent threat, I still believe Cortland Junior and Senior High School is the safest place in the community for our students for a variety of reasons.
So much of what we are doing to ensure safety can only be accomplished through a partnership with our families and community. We continue to review and actively plan, prepare, and drill for situations that are perceived as dangerous or threatening. We will continue to be up to date on our school preparedness through these activities.
We want to remain “family friendly,” but it is necessary to be diligent in all we do on behalf of students and staff. Consider the following preventative measures already in place:
- Main Office - Visitor Registry:
- All visitors have to register with the front office before having permission to enter the building; this is currently done with the Raptor System, which tracks a variety of information, such as Registered Sexual Offender data. In addition, all visitors have to be “buzzed” into the office and out of the office upon entering. We now have a single point of entry.
- Video Cameras:
- We have dozens of cameras in our school to monitor activity inside and out. Through this system, we can capture video images to aid in our investigations and check on normal activities in and around our school.
- Controlled Access:
- All exterior building doors are locked and monitored by our school monitors.
- School Resource Officer (SRO) Program:
- Our district has enjoyed the assistance of the Cortland Police Department; Officer Reyngoudt is assigned to our schools to provide security, education, and build positive relationships.
- Cortland Fire Department / Cortland Police Department:
- Mandated fire drills ensure our students and staff are prepared for a quick exit of our buildings in the event of an emergency.
- Emergency Training:
- Each school in our district conducts a variety of emergency preparedness drills. Such training includes “shelter‐in‐place,” “lockdown,” in which an imminent danger towards students exists on school property; and, “lockout,” in which there is a dangerous situation away from the campus, but which could impact the campus (during lockout, routine within the school is maintained; however, doors are secured, with no one entering or leaving the facility, and no outside activities, such as recess or field day, are permitted).
- Building Safety Plan:
- This plan encompasses many issues designed to prepare the District for a variety of emergency events. School crisis management teams discuss these issues throughout the year in order to be prepared to respond in a timely and accurate manner should the need arise.
- Communications Plan:
- The District has a system in place whereby key administrators are informed of an emergency situation. In turn, parents and other stakeholders can be informed through the use of School Messenger and other forms of social media. The goal is to quickly and accurately communicate important information to first responders, District staff, parents and community members such that the safety of your children is maintained throughout an event.
We trust you will agree that we have the people, processes, infrastructure, and crisis communications plan in place throughout our district to help safeguard your children. If and when an emergency arises, our district staff will be thoroughly trained to respond in a timely and accurate manner. Of course, we consider the matter of school safety everyone’s business and we will be meeting with all the students this week to speak to them about emergency preparedness. Please keep your eyes open and report any unsafe condition or matter to your child’s principal, or any trusted adult...and always call 9‐1‐1 if an emergency exists. Together, we can continue to create a broad and effective security system for the safety of students and staff.
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Grading and Reporting Committee Update
The Cortland Enlarged City School District is examining its grading and report card practices. A committee of school, community, and college representatives is studying how we do things and will make recommendations for improvement. The committee is developing a purpose statement that will guide all of the grading and report card policies of the district. We are seeking feedback about the draft statement before it is finalize.
Please take a minute to provide us with feedback about our draft purpose statement. Thanks, in advance, for your help!
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High School News and Notes:
- March 29 and 30: No School for students
- Parent Portal/Student: 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 (758-4110).
- Activity Period: Teachers are available every day Monday through Thursday each week after school from 2:30 until 3:00 p.m. During this time, students can see teachers for extra help, study, or make-up class work.
- Extended Learning Time: 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 from 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 is titled Academic Tables.
- Math Help in the Morning: Every day, from 7:15 am until 7:45 am, 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.
- Late Bus Information: 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. Click here to see late bus pass information on our transportation department website.
- For updated practice and game information go to our Athletic website:
- 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.
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