Cortland Senior High School Newsletter
5/10/2018
Upcoming Events
  • 5/10: District Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m.
  • 5/23: Senior High Choir Concert, 7 p.m.
  • 5/28: Memorial Day, No School
  • 5/31: Senior BBQ, 4 p.m.
  • 6/01: Senior Trip
  • 6/02: SAT Exam
  • 6/04: Last Week for Library Book Exchanges
  • 6/05 to 6/22: NYS Regents Exams
  • 6/06: District Band Concert, 7 p.m.
  • 6/08: Senior Awards Banquet, 7 p.m.
  • 6/09: ACT Exam
  • 6/15 Final Due Date for Library Materials
  • 6/21: Graduation Rehearsal, 7 p.m.
  • 6/22: Graduation at SUNY Cortland, 7 p.m.
Thinking Ahead to College:
Attention Sophomores and Juniors
Will your teenager be off to college? The time to start planning is now! Use this guide to help her choose the right high school courses, find colleges that fit her needs, and figure out how to pay for it.

By sharing this information, you can start a conversation about how to make plans a reality. Begin to plot out classes because course requirements vary by college. Your teen should work with her school counselor and check colleges they are interested in to be sure they are getting the right fit, but at a minimum she’ll need:
  • Four years of language arts
  • Three to four years of math, including algebra I, algebra II, and geometry (which are covered on college entrance exams), and higher-level math like calculus or statistics for engineering or pre-med majors
  • Three to four years of science, plus physics or other higher level science for engineering or pre-med programs
  • Two to three years of social studies
  • Two to three years of the same foreign language
  • At least one semester of arts, such as painting, dance, music, or drama
Regents Week is Fast Approaching
With the June Regents week and the end of the year quickly approaching, many of our students will be taking final exams and or Regents exams. 

Is your teenager ready? Here are answers to questions parents often have about test taking in high school. Share this advice with your child to help them feel confident and perform well on test day.

Question: What does my high schooler need to keep in mind as he prepares for tests?
Answer: The first order of business is to know what will be on a quiz or an exam. Your teenager should pay close attention during class reviews and take any practice tests the teacher or textbook offers. To review notes, your child might type highlights from each day’s material into a computer file. Typing his notes will help him remember them better, and he can use the file as a study guide. Encourage your teen to pace themselves. Cramming is stressful and usually doesn’t result in real learning—only a temporary (and often spotty) memory of the material. Instead, they should start preparing for tests as soon as they are announced.

Question: Besides studying, what else should my child do before a test?
Answer:   Urge him or her to get ready the night before. They can load up her bag with any necessary test gear, such as pencils and eyeglasses. If permitted, they could bring a calculator (with extra batteries), a healthy snack, and a water bottle. Also, eating a good breakfast will give your teen energy and keep her from feeling anxious or shaky. Remind them that caffeine could cause them to feel nervous and jittery during a test. Suggest that your high schooler get to class early. They will then have a few extra minutes to take out supplies, look over notes one last time, and get focused.
Instructional Highlights
  • French 1 and 2 students are making infomercials to try and sell a product that they invent that will solve a problem. Students will use reflexive verbs as well as personal hygiene vocabulary words in their infomercial.
  • In Mr. Johnson's Biology class students are germinating seeds and growing tomatoes, cucumbers and hot peppers. They are also reading excerpts from Charles Darwin's diary and plotting his voyage on the HMS Beagle. In his Earth Sciences classes students are studying weather and erosion by simulating wind erosion (straws and piles of sand), water erosion ("making it rain" on clay-based mountains) and glacial erosion (ice and sand on glass plates).
  • Mrs. Bair's Bio students used pedigrees and their knowledge about genetics to determine who committed a crime and their possible motive.
  • Physics students will be doing a 5E lesson to build a conceptual model of electrical resistance to apply to household wiring.
  • In Mrs. Lippert's Earth Science classes, students are determining the velocity of water flowing in a stream at a 20 degree and 5 degree slope. They are also examining erosion and deposition features that develop in a meandering stream.
  • James Robinson completed a hands-on factoring activity in Algebra 1 classes for student engagement.
  • Mathematical Financial Management classes had Mike Shattuck, Senior Vice President at the First National Bank of Dryden, come to classes twice to talk about banking and loans. The class also had a panel discussion with the help of staff members to learn about their personal financial experiences.
  • The English Department, like all departments, is preparing students for end of year tests. Here are the biggies: AP Literature Exam: May 9th, AP Language: May 16th, ELA Field Test: May 22nd, ELA Regents: June 12th.
  • The English department is also preparing to wish Jean Pawlak well in her retirement from CHS. She will be deeply missed, but we know that she will enjoy spending time with her family, friends, and the folks who work and play at Disney World.
Celebrations
  • Spring is here and our music students are busy preparing for their concerts. District Orchestra concert is May 10, Senior High Choirs on May 23 and the District Band concert is June 6.
  • Jamfest will be at Homer Center for the Arts on May 24 from 6-10 p.m. featuring members of our Modern Band program.
  • Cortland Cultural Council's First Friday Art Show is being featured at the Library for the entire month of May. District-wide artwork from our area schools are being shown there.
  • Physics & Math students will head out to Darien Lake on Monday May 21st for Physics Day.
  • Science Phun Night is set for Tuesday, May 15th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in CHS room 281. The theme of the evening is "Systems & Systems Models".
Oh! The Places You'll Go: College & Career Update!
  • Lersissa Allen: TC3
  • Ben Andrews: Saint John Fisher College
  • Kristen Barber: SUNY Broome
  • Kyle Behrenfeld: University of Albany
  • Michaela Bidwell: Hilbert College
  • Julia Birdsall: Colgate University
  • John Blanchard: TC3
  • Sarah Bowker: Wells College and Keuka College
  • Angelo Brevetti - Career: Agriculture
  • Damien Brown: Alfred University
  • Teodora Buzea: SUNY Cortland
  • Connor Canfield: Geneseo
  • Bali Cornell: Utica College
  • Jesyka Davis: Syracuse University
  • Hannah Dearie: SUNY Cortland
  • Michaella Ferro: St. Rose, SUNY ESF
  • Jonathan Frederick: Cornell
  • Jon Gesin: SUNY Potsdam
  • Kelsey Gibbons: Coker College (SC)
  • Natalie Gier: Cornell
  • Kyle Harrington: TC3
  • Taylor Hart: SUNY Delhi and SUNY Canton
  • Kevin Hauck: TC3
  • Ben Jackson: TC3
  • Mckenzie Johnson: TC3
  • Nataliya Kostiv: TC3
  • Cameron Landon: TC3
  • Noah Lieberman: TC3
  • Marcus Linde: TC3
  • Samantha Lott: TC3
  • Alexandrea Lynch: Utica College and OCC
  • Kassandra Mack: TC3
  • Alexandra Marks: TC3
  • Shayla Marsh: Army National Guard
  • Timothy Mayberry: University of Buffalo
  • Brandon McClendon: Marines
  • Michael McNinch: TC3
  • Maya Moes: Alfred State
  • 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
CONGRATULATIONS

  • Antonia Murray: SUNY Binghamton
  • Alex Myers: Utica College, Wilkes University
  • Brian Ngo: SUNY Oneonta, LeMoyne
  • Taylor Oaks: TC3
  • Ben Pallone: TC3
  • Taylor Parente: Alfred University
  • Donovan Parks: TC3
  • Lauren Phetteplace: SUNY Delhi
  • Alaina Rabusin: Concordia
  • Zachary Redfield: TC3
  • Sophia Reyngoudt: Keuka College
  • Lucas Rivera: TC3
  • Leah Romer: MCC
  • Daniel Rosario: TC3
  • Victoria SchmidtBonacker: Army National Guard
  • Samara Scott: Hartwick, Keuka, OCC
  • Jade Shively: OCC
  • Joseph Sickmon-Lindberg: TC3
  • Sayphon Sitoulad: LeMoyne College
  • Tasia Smith: SUNY Purchase
  • Caitlin Snell: LeMoyne, Utica College, Keuka College
  • Jack Snyder: TC3
  • Justin Soler: RIT
  • Allee Soos: SUNY Cortland
  • Kathleen Starr: Siena College, Hartwick College
  • Owen Stem: LeMoyne
  • Tristan Stevens: Roberts Wesleyan, Houghton College
  • Nicolas Strobeck: TC3
  • Marissa Sweet: MCC, TC3
  • Cooper Swarthout: St. John Fisher College
  • Isabella Terrazas: TC3, Broome CC
  • Tramayane Towers: TC3
  • Jacob VanGorder: Alfred State
  • Damien Walker: TC3
  • Cameron Woodard: Alfred State, SUNY Brockport
  • Jerome Williams: NAVY
High School News and Notes:
  • May 28:  Memorial Day, No School for students
  • Parent/Student Portal: 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 continues to 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 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 runs 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 available in the Academic Center 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: There continues to 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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