April 2019 Events
4/1 – Select Band and Orchestra 3:30/CHS
4/1 – 4/2 ELA Testing gr. 3-8
4/4 – 4/5 ELA Test Make-ups
4/3 – Select Chorus 3:30/CHS
4/5 – End of 30-Week Marking Period
4/6 - NYSSMA Solo Festival/CHS
4/7 – PTO Family Bowling Day 2:00PM – 4:00PM/Cort Lanes
4/8 - Select Band and Orchestra 3:30/CHS
4/9 – BOE Meeting 6:30PM/KC
4/10 - Select Chorus 3:30/CHS
4/10 – Art Show & Open House 6:30PM-7:30PM
4/11 – PTO Meeting 7:00PM/Library
4/12 – Report Cards go Home
4/15 – 4/19 NO School, Spring Break
4/22 – MGRT, Gr. 1
4/22 - Select Band and Orchestra 3:30/CHS
4/22 - 5/28 Student Council Food Drive Begins
4/23 – SDM Meeting 3:30PM-4:30PM/LIB
4/23 – BOE Meeting 6:30PM/KC
4/24 - Select Chorus 3:30/CHS
4/29 - Select Band and Orchestra 3:30/CHS
4/30 – 5/1 Math Testing Gr. 3-8
|
|
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
While we remain focused on teaching and learning for the remainder of this school year, we are also busy planning and preparing for our transition to next year's new three building configuration. As you are aware the configuration is as follows: Barry Primary (Gr. K-2), Smith Intermediate (Gr. 3 & 4), and Randall Middle (Gr. 5 & 6).
During our last professional development day elementary instructional staff had the opportunity to spend the day together at the school in which they will be teaching next year. This allowed us to begin to get to know one another and to begin to establish a culture for the building. Our work included discussing our mission and vision for our school, exploring instructional teaming concepts, and learning about some of the day to day procedures and expectations.
Transition work will continue throughout the spring and into the summer months. This month our grade level teams will be coming together to continue work on the vision for our schools by identifying their collective commitments to the teaching and learning cycle.
Please know that, even with all the work going into planning for next year, we are still committed to and focused on ensuring that teaching and learning continue through the end of this school year.
|
|
Early Dismissal Dates
All K-6 students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on May 14 and June 21. This is AFTER all students have had their lunch. Our faculty and staff will be using this time to prepare for the transition to three elementary schools. Please reach out to the principal with any questions.
|
|
Notes from the Nurse
- Please remember to call the Nurse or Main Office when your child is absent, tardy or leaving early and send in a written note.
- Please update your phone numbers, work numbers and emergency contact phone numbers with the Nurse or Main Office.
- Please wash and return any clothing borrowed from the Nurse as soon as possible. Sizes are very limited.
- If your child is sick please keep home until free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for 24 hours or on medication for Strep throat, Pink eye, Impetigo. Until symptom free.
- Any questions, please call the nurse* 607-758-4184
|
|
Vaccine Requirements
According to New York State Education Law and Public Health Law, every student attending school must be immunized.
All 5th Grade students entering 6th Grade, or when turning 11 years old, must show documentation of the Tdap vaccine before the start of the school year in September.
All 6th Grade students entering 7th Grade, must show documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine before the start of the school year.
New York State Law requires students be excluded from school without required immunizations. The school nurse will require documentation of the vaccine. Documentation may be sent in or faxed by the health care provider any time. The school nurse expects documentation be submitted prior to the start of school in September.
Documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine means:
- Written medical documentation of having received the Tdap vaccine from your healthcare provider or the health department. Health Care Provider’s signature and date is required.
- Written medical documentation of having received the Meningococcal vaccine from your healthcare provider or the health department. Health Care Provider’s signature and date is required.
GET A JUMP START AND SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD’S APPOINTMENT NOW! THANK YOU!
|
|
Tardy
When your child comes in late, please send in a note or stop in the office to fill out a tardy slip and get them signed in.
It is important to note that any time your child is absent, you must provide a written note stating the reason for the absence. While it may be an excused absence, we cannot mark it as such until we receive a written note from the parent or guardian.
|
Crossing Guard
All students who walk should cross Wheeler Ave. with the crossing guard. Likewise, if you pick up your child, please cross at the designated areas as well.
|
Bicycles
If your child wishes to ride a bike to school, we recommend that he/she be capable of riding a bike safely and that the bike is an appropriate fit for the child. Students who choose to ride their bikes to school should keep the bike locked at the school racks throughout the day. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged bikes. Students are not permitted to ride their bikes during the school day. Written parent permission is required for any bus student who wishes to ride his/her bike to school. Per NYS law, all children under 14 must wear a helmet
|
|
Parking Space
Please remember to park in designated areas only. For the safety of our children, it is imperative that you do not park in the designated drop off/loading area. This area is marked with a double yellow line. Likewise it is equally important that you adhere to the parking sign on Wheeler Ave. Thank you for your cooperation
|
Cell Phones
Please be advised that cellphone use is prohibited during the school day. Students should not be calling, texting, accessing the internet or taking photos with their cellphone during school hours. The school is not responsible for cellphones that are lost stolen or damaged. If your child needs to make a phone call during the school day, s/he may come to the office to do so.
If your child chooses to bring a cellphone to school, it needs to be turned off throughout the school day and stored in their backpack. If your child uses a cellphone during the school day, or the phone creates a disruption to the learning environment, school personnel will hold the phone until the end of the day. In repeat instances, you will be called to pick up your child's cellphone at the main office.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your support of a positive learning environment for children.
|
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on school property…unless they are invited classroom guests! This is a safety, as well as a sanitary issue. (All animals visiting the school must be up-to-date on their vaccines).
|
|
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
|
|
RECESS
Weather permitting, our students go out daily for recess. Temperatures are often unpredictable at this time of the year. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play.
SANDALS AND FLIP-FLOPS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT RECESS.
Also, please keep in mind our District’s student dress code. Garments which are extremely brief, spaghetti straps and bare mid-drifts are not permitted. Likewise, clothing with sayings which are sexually suggestive and/or depicting cigarettes, alcohol or drugs are all prohibited. As always, hats and other headwear (scarves, handkerchiefs) are not allowed. Footwear should be appropriate for walking/playing and provide appropriate protection for feet. Thank you for your assistance.
|
|
New Address
We know that many families have moved to a new address this school year. In order to be certain that your child is properly enrolled for the upcoming school year, it is important that we have your most current address on file. If your address has changed since the start of the 2018-19 school year, please be certain that we have your correct address on file. Likewise, if you are planning to move prior to next school year, please notify us in writing. Thank you for your attention to this detail.
|
|
Band News
Congratulations to the band students participating in NYSSMA solo festival! Danica Fox, Lillian Riotto, Emilee Wakula, Addison Skinner, Alexis Bobik. Cole Hudson, Cailiyah VanDee.
Students will perform their music on Saturday, April 6th at the Cortland Junior Senior High School.
|
|
The String Corner
Smith Orchestra is preparing for our Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 29th. We have been working on several new pieces and scales in orchestra as well! Smith Orchestra rehearsal is on Tuesday mornings from 8:15-8:55 AM- don’t forget to practice every Tuesday! :)
Upcoming Events:
Smith Spring Concert: Wednesday, May 29th @ 7:00 pm. All orchestra students please arrive no later than 6:30 pm for tuning and warm-ups.
Select Orchestra, Select Band, & Select Chorus Concert: Thursday, May 16th @ Cortland High School @ 7:00 pm. All orchestra students please arrive no later than 6:30 pm for tuning and warm-ups.
Darien Lake Trip: Saturday, May 18th for Select Orchestra, Select Band, & Select Chorus Concert.
Smith Orchestra Beginners!
Our 3rd Grade Beginners have started string lessons! They are learning good violin and viola position and how to care for their instruments!
Insert photos
Emilee and Olivia are having fun in string lessons so far! :)
|
|
Interested in Playing at String Instrument? (3rd-6th grade)
Please let me know if you would like to play the violin, viola, cello or bass! I have plenty of school rentals available and still need a few cello and bass students here at Smith from grades 3rd-6th! Contact Mrs. Capano at (607) 758-4180 or email
acapano@cortlandschools.org
if you are interested in joining the orchestra program! Next year, Mrs. Capano will continue to teach 3rd-6th grade orchestra at both Smith and Randall schools.
|
|
Shout Out
Thank you to the Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM) at SUNY Cortland. The SUNY students provided our school with an assortment of healthy snacks. These snacks are to help with students who may have forgotten or who do not have a snack.
|
|
|
|
Get Social With Us @CECSD_Smith
|
|
Stay tuned for our newsletter next month!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
