Smith School Newsletter
December 1, 2020
December 2020 Events
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12/3 - PTO Meeting 7-8 p.m.
12/4 - Early Dismissal, 12:30 p.m.
12/8 - BOE Meeting 6:30 p.m.
12/21 Spirit Day: Red and Green Day
12/22 Spirit Day: Ugly/Holiday Sweater
12/23 Spirit Day: Elf Day
12/24 - 1/1/2021 - December Recess
Partial image of a clock with text time to learn
News From the Principal

Dear Families:

This holiday season, consider the gift of time. Time spent with your children will create memories that will last long after the novelty of this year's must-have toy or gadget fades. This year, more than ever, our children need to know that they are loved and supported.

Likewise, whether your child attends school in-person or remotely, time spent participating in learning is time well spent. Please reinforce with your child the importance of good attendance and active participation in learning. This will serve them well into their future.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season.  

Angela Wanish

Chromebooks

After much consideration, we have decided that we will be sending Chromebooks home with students each weekend and holiday break. This will allow our students and staff to be prepared to continue instruction without interruption in the event that we need to shift to remote learning.  

Chromebooks can and should remain in your child's book bag during the weekend. We are not looking to encourage additional screen time during your child's free time. Please make sure the Chromebook returns to school with your child on Monday. 

Thank you in advance for your assistance.  

Physical Education Fun
We’re off to a great start in PE! Please make sure your child has sneakers and warm clothes every day for PE. Depending on the weather, we could be inside or outside. 

In the beginning of the year, we worked on our kicking skills in our soccer unit. We’ve also completed many different fitness exercises using Tabata, AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible), and EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) warm-ups. 

While on remote, students worked on their dancing skills with Just Dance or their Capoeira skills. Capoeira is the Afro-Brazilian Dance Martial Arts. The student teacher, Mr. Gomez, was able to teach the history, language, and skills of Capoeira. Most recently, we’ve had students work on jump roping skills that require full body coordination and cardiovascular endurance.

In December, we will work on individual basketball skills, such as ball handling, dribbling, and shooting. In addition to students using hand sanitizer before and after class, we will not allow students to share basketballs and we will sanitize the basketballs after each class.

Lastly, congratulations to our Sportsmanship winners: Hunter Ledger, Elliana Totman, Maci Bennett, and Jack Caragher. Great job showing good sportsmanship in PE!
School Emergency Closing Info

The winter season is upon us and 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 data base.

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, WIII/I-100, AND WNTQ/93Q. We also maintain the latest information on our District web site: http://www.cortlandschools.org.
In the event of a 2-hour delay, please be advised of the following information:
  • Our school building opens to students at 10:30 a.m. Students should not arrive prior to that time as supervision is not available.
  • Morning bus routes run on a two-hour delay. If the bus typically arrives at your stop at 8:00 a.m., it will arrive at 10:00 a.m.
  • The YWCA Morning Childcare Program also runs on a two-hour delay. Students who regularly participate in this program may be dropped off at 8:45 a.m.

How would a 2-hour delay or a closing affect your family? Please be sure that you have a plan in place. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Library Updates

The library is extending the number of books that students can check out during this period of social distancing back to 2 books each week. After discussing the situation with teachers and librarians, we feel that as long as we continue to implement our quarantine protocols for books, we can still keep our students safe and healthy while also making sure students have more books to read each week.

Just a reminder to remote students, you have the opportunity to check books out of the library if you have a parent or guardian who can pick them up from school. You can place holds on books through our library catalog and we will let you know when they are ready. Make sure to let us know when you plan to pick up the book. You can drop it back off at school when you need to return it.

I hope that we all have the chance to continue our reading and doing our best. Keep it up, my friends!
News From The Nurse
Physicals
All 3rd graders and any 4th graders new to the Cortland School District, are required to have a physical examination. If your child has already had one and you have sent a copy to the nurse, you are all set. If your child needs a physical, please make an appointment to get one, then have it faxed to the nurse at (607) 758-4189. School physicals are scheduled every Tuesday morning. Any questions, feel free to contact the nurse at (607) 758-4184 or jprezioso@cortlandschools.org
Reminders
  • Email the nurse if your child is going to be absent or tardy.
  • Email the nurse of any phone number changes or health concerns.
  • Check your child's hair daily for any signs of lice/nits.
  • Pack a change of clothes for unexpected spills or accidents.
  • Keep your children home if they are sick.
  • Please note: All children who are sent home must have a COVID test and/or an alternate diagnosis from a Physician clearing them to return to school.


Tips to Fight Flu at Home and School...Read More
Jody Prezioso, RN – School Nurse
F.E. Smith Elementary School
Main Office: 607-758-4180
Health Office: 607-758-4184
FAX: 607-758-4189
Student playing a xylophone
Smith Music News

Our young musicians have been busy learning all kinds of instruments this year in music class. Fourth Grade in-school learners are learning about musical concepts through different instrument units. Depending on their class, students are either working on a ukulele unit and learning about harmony and chords, a bucket drumming unit learning about rhythms, or a xylophone unit and learning about melody and the major scale. Once they have worked their way through all three units, they will have a chance to put all of their learning together into a project. Third grade in school learners are currently creating their own quarter note and eighth note rhythms, and will soon be turning those rhythms into 2 note xylophone songs called, “Songs about Me”. All of our remote learners have been learning how to produce pleasant sounds on their recorders and how to play a few basic notes. That has led into beginning to learn about reading music notation and playing some songs. Remote students have also done rhythm work through drumming on their "Found Sound" drums. Finally, all learners have created different types of songs through a website called Chrome Music Lab. 

In November, students also worked on a gratitude song and decorated a Gratitude pumpkin with things they are grateful for.
Students bucket drumming
Students working on bucket drumming
to learn rhythm.
Bus Safety Tips

School bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of our nation’s students. More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day. Here are some tips from the National Association for Pupil Transportation to keep our children safe at the bus stop as well as on the bus.
Getting Ready for School
  • Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
  • Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.
  • Make sure children leave home on time so they can arrive at the bus stop before it is due, ideally at least five minutes early. Running after or in front of a bus is dangerous. Read more...
Now Hiring Bus Drivers
You can work in an exciting and rewarding atmosphere and be part of the #WeAreCortland team! Make sure to check our website for up to date information on job postings.
Positivity Project
Smith Intermediate students have been busy learning about the Positivity Project's Other People Matter Mindset (OPM), and the character strengths that help us develop and maintain positive relationships with others. Last moth we learned about; Perspective, Bravery, and Gratitude. This month we will focus on; Kindness, OPM- knowing my words and actions affect other, and Self-Control. You can learn your character strengths by taking the quiz at: https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths.
Order Apparel and Face Masks by Dec. 2

The online store is open!

Click on the flier to see the catalog.

Public Library
Offerings

School
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 Stay tuned for our newsletter next month!