Smith School Newsletter
November 1, 2019
November 2019 Events
11/4 Chess Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/5 Grade 3 Vision Screening 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
11/5 Math Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/6 Grade 3 Vision Screening 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
11/7 All County Band to Cincinnatus 8:50 a.m. - 1:35 p.m.
11/8 End of 10 Week Marking Period
11/8 Veteran's Day Assembly 8:30 a.m.
11/11 NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
11/12 NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences
11/12 BOE Meeting - Kaufman Center 6:30 p.m.
11/14 Student Council 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
11/14 PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
11/18 - 11/22 Box Top Contest
11/18 Chess Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/19 Math Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/20 Picture Retakes 8:45 a.m.
11/22 P2 Celebration
11/25 Chess Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/26 Math Team 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
11/26 BOE Meeting - Kaufman Center 6:30 p.m.
11/27 - 11/29 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Recess
Veteran's Day Assembly
In honoring local Veteran's and military members, the Smith Intermediate School will be holding an assembly and service project to help Veteran's at the VA Hospital. The Fourth Grade Showstoppers will be performing for family and friends on November 8, 2019, at 8:30 a.m.. Also Smith Intermediate School has hung up a "Veteran's Tree" in the front foyer filled with photos.

In addition to the assembly and the "Veteran's Tree", students are also collecting certain items that are on the VA Hospital "Wish List" up through our assembly on November 8th.

Items include:
Body Powder
Nail Clippers
Shaving Cream
Denture Grip
Denture Cleaner
Stamps
Coloring Books for Adults
Word Find / Crossword Puzzle Books
Sweatpants/Sweatshirts (Size M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)
Magazines (less than 3 months old)

Questions can be directed to Heidi Shelley at hshelley@cortlandschools.org or by calling Smith Intermediate.
Parent-Teacher Conference Day
Parent-Teacher Conference day is Tuesday, November 12th. A good parent–teacher conference focuses on how well a child is doing in school. It also explores ways in which a child can do even better. As parents, you can get ready for the conversation by reviewing your child's homework, tests, and other notices before the conference. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the teacher.  Please be sure to let us know if you will be using our childcare.
Picture Re-Take Day
Wednesday, November 20 th is school picture re-take day. This will take place from 8:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Group pictures will follow in the afternoon.
Recess
Winter weather is fast approaching and is often unpredictable. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play. Except during extreme conditions, all students spend some time outside on the playground during the day. The fresh air and exercise is very healthy as long as a student is dressed properly. Please make sure your child leaves home every day dressed for outdoor play – boots, hats, mittens/gloves are really a must. Labeling these items with your child’s name will be extremely helpful if your child ever misplaces any piece of clothing. For your information, we go outdoors through the winter as long as the temperature, including the wind chill, is 20 degrees or more.  
Reminders
Birthdays & Other Occasions
Please refrain from sending balloon and flower arrangements to school. They will not be delivered to classrooms as it creates a distraction and often hurt feelings for other students. Additionally, floral and balloon arrangements cannot be transported on the school bus.

Lost & Found
Our lost and found collection grows daily. Writing your child’s name inside a garment is one way to ensure it will be returned if it should become lost. If your child is missing a clothing item, please have them stop by to look through our collection.

Parking
Please note that there is NO PARKING in the designated Fire Lane in front of the school. Vehicles parking in the fire lane will be ticketed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in keeping our students safe.
Innovation Lab
Our Innovation Lab officially opened in October! Students have enjoyed stopping in during recess to play, tinker, and build. It is a lot of fun to watch the students work together to solve problems.
Positivity Project
Smith Intermediate students have been busy learning about the Positivity Project's Other People Matter Mindset, and the character strengths that help us develop and maintain positive relationships with others. So far we have learned about; Curiosity, Teamwork, Open-Mindedness, Integrity, and Perspective, Next month we will focus on; bravery and gratitude as well as OPM2- knowing my words and actions affect others. Many of our fourth grade classes have taken the character strength quiz to identify their own top strength. You can learn yours by taking the quiz at:  https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths .  

We are excited that our Positivity Project t-shirts arrived last month! A big thank you to our PTO for providing our shirts for every student. All are encouraged to wear their t-shirts on the day of our monthly celebrations as a whole school which will be on the last Friday of each month.
News From The Nurse
  • Call the Nurse’s office if your child is going to be tardy or absent (758-4184)
  • Send in a written excuse when your child returns
  • Keep the nurse informed of any phone number changes and health concerns
  • Wash and return all clothing BORROWED from the nurses’ office
  • Check your child’s hair DAILY for any signs of lice/nits
  • Pack a change of clothes for unexpected accidents


Third Grade Butterfly Unit
Over the past several weeks, the 3rd grade students have learned how to care for living creatures while raising butterflies. They learned the four stages of the life cycle of a butterfly: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and butterfly. The students enjoyed this unit and were happy to release the Painted Lady butterflies.
Music News
String Corner

All Orchestra students have started Lessons and Orchestra rehearsals. Every string student needs to bring their instruments:
4th Grade Purple Team Days 1 & 5 
4th Grade White Team: Days 1 & 2
 
We are still accepting new string students. Please see the link on the district page on the Music Department tab for the sign up sheet! You can also call Mrs. Capano at Smith at (607) 758-4180 x3550 or email at acapano@cortlandschools.org
Band News

Congratulations to these Smith Intermediate band members :

  • Georgy Antonov
  • Anelia Corbin
  • Brooklyn Gambitta

They were selected to participate in the All County Concert Band Thursday, November 7th, at Homer Intermediate School.
Art News
4th graders have been working hard in the Smith Intermediate Art Studio creating Native American pictographs (stories with symbols) on faux animal hides made out of paper bags. They had so much fun with these, which is quite evident in their work. They are all so unique and personal. They did a wonderful job sewing the edges, too. Here are some examples from Juliana and Emma in Ms. Masklykin’s class, and Logan and Sophia in Mrs. Perks’ class. The work is adorning the hallways! Great job, young artists!
Public Library
Offerings

School
Lunch Menu 
Get Social With Us @CECSD_Smith
  Stay tuned for our newsletter next month!