Parker Panther Press
May 31, 2019

June Events
6/03 PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
6/07 Kindergarten Celebration, 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
6/11 Field Day
6/14 Donuts for Dad, 8 a.m.
6/19 Cortland Crush Baseball Day
6/20 6th Grade Musical, 6:30 p.m.
6/21 CHS Senior Day
6/21 Early Dismissal, 12:30 p.m.
6/24 6th grade Graduation, 6:30 p.m.
6/25 Last Day for Students
Note from Ms. Swanson
Thank you to the Parker School Community and the entire community of Cortland for supporting A.B. Parker Elementary School for the past 91 years. Many memories have been made within these walls that will carry on in our hearts and minds forever. We have focused our thoughts this year around a Dr. Seuss quote, "Don't cry because it's over, SMILE because it happened." 
Looking forward to new beginnings!
Early Dismissal Dates
All K-6 students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on 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. As always visit our transition page to see what the most up to date and current plans for students and staff are.
Fourth Graders Study Colonial Trades
The fourth graders have been studying various jobs/trades from the colonial America time period. A carpenter was one of the trades. We had carpenter--Samantha Travis (who was a former Parker student) come in and share a slideshow describing her job as a carpenter. She shared many details and visuals with the fourth graders!
Field Day is June 11th
Field day is June 11th this year! Grades 3-6 will be in the morning. Grades k-2 will be in the afternoon. Students should come prepared (sneakers, shorts, t-shirts) for the fun filled day of bounce obstacles, water relays, games and more.
It is Not Too Early to Think About Summer Reading!
We would like to remind our students that summer is a great time to visit our local library and read!
Musical News
6th Grade have started preparing for their performance of the musical Peter Pan Jr. This will take place on June 20th at 6:30 p.m. Students are involved in all aspects of the show from acting, singing and dancing to costuming, building props, painting scenery and overseeing sound and lighting.
First Grade News
First Graders in Mrs. Canestaro’s class completed a sound-proof box engineering design project this past month! Students began by researching the science and relevance of soundproofing. We then determined which resources would be most effective to eliminate sound from entering inside the box so that we could make a materials wish list.

On the day we started to build our boxes students worked in pairs to create a box as sound proof as possible using their research and available materials. We tested the boxes by placing them next to a speaker playing a song while a recording device was placed inside the box picking up the sound intensity that reached the inside of the box. Using google’s new app, Science Journal , we were able to turn a cell phone into a decibel meter! We compared the scores and then students got a chance to make improvements based on how they saw the boxes perform on our first test run. Overall, students had a blast learning about engineering as applied to a culminating activity to our sound and vibrations unit in science.
Library Updates for June
There has been so much going on in our libraries to prepare for our transition to three elementary buildings. The librarians have been weeding, reorganizing, and sharing books and resources. Due to the many changes that will happen beginning in early June, we are asking that all library materials be returned by Friday, May 31st.

During the month of June, the libraries will be in flux. Some of us will have shelving removed and furniture replaced. In addition, all of the libraries will be boxing up books to send out to accommodate our new grade level centers. We will still be seeing/teaching classes but instead of checking out books, the students will have the opportunity to select and keep discarded books that the District will no longer need. In addition to these oldies but goodies, the students will have access to a variety of E-books.

To access the E-book collections, students can log on to the District web site at www.cortlandschools.org . A list of the databases with access information will be available in each of the elementary libraries for students to take home as a reference.

TUMBLE BOOKS : There are many books in this collection along with activities that help with comprehension including games and puzzles that are related to the books.

OVERDRIVE : Once your student finds a book that he/she is interested in reading, click the book and it goes into the student’s book bag. It can be downloaded from there.

MyON : This database tracks your student’s reading and periodically gives a reading assessment to show his/her growth across time.

These E-book collections are available year-round to our students. Please encourage your child(ren) to use these excellent resources.

Please email or call your librarian if you or your student(s) have any questions regarding E-book access and/or summer reading opportunities. We are always happy to help!

Happy reading!
Fifth Graders Launch PBL Project
Fifth Grade has launched their Project Based Learning Unit on Biomes. Students are working in research groups to create an infographic to inform the public about the dangers that face their biome.
Math Update
These students in Mrs. Snyder’s math WIN group use fun ways to practice digit formation.
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!
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