September 2018 District Newsletter

September Dates

9/03: District Buildings Closed for Labor Day
9/04: Welcome Back Staff
9/04: Virgil K/1 Sneak Peak, 4:30 p.m.
9/04: Parker Back-to-School BBQ, 5:00 p.m.
9/05: First Day of School for Students
9/11: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
9/11: Barry Curriculum Night, 6:00 p.m.
9/13: Junior High Open House, 6:30 p.m.
9/13: Smith Grade 2-6 Meet the Teacher Night, 7:00 p.m.
9/20: Parker Curriculum Night, 6:00 p.m.
9/21: Homecoming Football Game, 6:30 p.m.
9/25: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
9/27: Randall Meet the Teacher Night, 6:45 p.m.
9/27: Virgil Open House, 6:30 p.m.

Visit the 2018-2019 Calendar

Message From

Superintendent Hoose

Dear parents and students:

I am very excited about both the 2018-19 school year and the future for all students, staff, and the community of Cortland. As you are aware, we are in the midst of a major reorganization of buildings and grade levels across the District. Over the course of the year we will be honoring the history and traditions associated with Parker and Virgil elementary schools, while looking forward to the opportunities these changes afford us. As a unified school district with our financial house in order we will eventually be able to replenish our reserves and use our resources to modernize and maintain our facilities.

We have an amazing staff who stand ready to enhance the lives of your children through educational, social, and emotional growth. They spend many hours every year in professional development and writing curriculum designed to make the learning process an engaging and enjoyable experience.

We welcome your involvement in your child’s education. Your participation and partnership creates the most favorable conditions for success. We all want the same thing: an educational environment that creates a better future for our young people. Encourage your student to become involved in the many opportunities available to them such as sports, music, clubs, and other activities. Involved students are successful students.

I look forward to seeing all of you over the course of this next year and wish you and your child all of the success and opportunities available at Cortland. #WeAreCortland

Thank you,

Michael J. Hoose, Superintendent

Tools for Learning:

Classroom Supplies

Cortland Enlarged City School District is committed to high levels of learning for all students. We strive to provide engaging and equitable learning environments for everyone. So that all students have everything they need for learning, the District will continue to provide all of the supplies and equipment needed for our classrooms. Families do not have to purchase supplies for their children to bring to school.

Experience informs us that families are often frustrated by the financial burden and difficulty in meeting the different requests of multiple teachers. At the beginning of the school year, families are often purchasing apparel as well. Easing the stress and burden of school supplies can help.

The District has identified the supplies necessary for classroom learning. We are able to leverage the power of bulk purchasing to purchase necessary supplies for a fraction of what families would have to spend on their own. Therefore, we do not ask families to purchase the supplies. Through a combination of taxpayer support, state and federal money, and community support all students will have the supplies they need, ready in the classroom. All materials that students need for school, with the exception of backpacks and art smocks, are provided.

Fuel For Learning:

Community Eligibility Program Expands to Grades 7-12

In an effort to ensure that all students are afforded an optimal learning environment, the District will provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The District will be extending the Community Eligibility Provision of The Healthy and Hungry Free Kids Act, which is a federally-funded program, to all students K-12. Last year the program only served students in grades K-6. Francis Zaryski, School Lunch Manager said, “extending the program to all students in Cortland City School District and BOCES programs will give all students the opportunity to receive benefits regardless of household income.”

The savings to our families are significant, as each family will save up to $750 a year for each student. A la carte options will still be available for students and can be purchased using cash or My School Bucks.

Kim Vile, Business Administrator for Cortland Enlarged City School District said, “We are excited to provide breakfast and lunch to every student K-12 at no cost to the student or their family. The research shows student engagement, academic performance, and attendance increases when students nutritional needs are met." Read more..

Fall Sports Preview

With the summer days getting ever so slightly shorter, Cortland student-athletes have taken to the fields and started training for the rapidly approaching fall sports season. We sat down with all of our varsity head coaches to discuss the coming fall season. The following will give you a glimpse of what’s to come during the upcoming fall sports season!

Girls Soccer

This is Ilona Ryon’s fourth year as head Varsity coach.

Ryon said, “the timing feels right this year. I think we are going to have one of the best seasons because we have a large group of returning athletes mixed with energy from the newcomers.”

The team is hoping to do well in sectionals this year. For those who wish to support the team, they are hosting a pancake breakfast September 23rd from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Elks Club on Homer Ave. Tickets are available at the door. Their next game is September 6th at Oswego at 5 p.m.

The Transition to Three Elementary Schools

Early in June, after more than a year of study and community participation, the Board of Education decided to transition to three elementary schools beginning in the 2019-2020 school year: Franklyn S. Barry Elementary School, F. E. Smith Elementary School, and Randall Elementary School. The Board determined that Barry will house grades K-2, Smith will be comprised of grades 3 & 4, and Randall will be comprised of grades 5 & 6. We have begun to prepare for the transition to three elementary schools.

While it is premature to make any announcement at this point, it is anticipated that both the Virgil and Parker buildings will continue to be used by the community, although in a different capacity than as a public school.

A District committee will be formed to advise the district on the development of an elementary vision. The committee will consider traditions, celebrations, logos, images, identities, etc. of our elementary schools.

The District’s facilities study webpage will be changed to reflect timely information about the transition.

Transportation plans will begin to be readied in the fall, after we get this school year started. Prior to the development of specific routes, families will be asked to provide information about any before-school and/or after-school care arrangements. Students will be transported from/to any of the other schools for before/after care.

Coordination with before-school and after-school care providers will begin well in advance of the reconfiguration. This will allow the providers to make any adjustments to their approval documents to prepare for any additional children.

#WeAreCortland

There are many ways to stay in touch with Cortland Enlarged City School District. Each month, the District and all schools publish a newsletter. These newsletters are sent to you via email to the email addresses we have on file (please call your school office to update your email address if there are any changes).

Our website, cortlandschools.org, continues to be the hub of information. News stories are frequently posted and that is where you can find District and school calendars. Contact information and links to departments and services are also available on the website.

In addition to the website, we employ a service called SchoolMessenger to quickly send out information about school closures or other important timely information. Messages go out in the form of phone calls, emails, and/or text messages. Anytime there are changes to phone numbers or email addresses, please let your school office know.

We also use social media to keep you informed of news and events. Each building has a Twitter account that you can follow, as does our art, theatre, music, and athletics department. The District has an overall Twitter account, too. Schools also have Facebook pages. We use the hashtag #WeAreCortland. Here is the list of accounts:

@ CECSDistrict

@ CECSD_SH

@ CECSD_JH

@ CECSD_Barry

@ CECSD_Smith

@ CECSD_Virgil

@ CECSD_Parker

@ CECSD_Athletics

@ CECSD_Music

@ CECSD_Art

@ CECSD_Theatre