Smith School Newsletter
December 2, 2019
December 2019 Events
12/02 - Chess Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/03 - Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/05 - Student Council 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
12/05 - Band Ringing Bells at Tops 5:30 p.m.
12/05 - PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
12/06 - End of United Way Shoe Drive
12/09 - Chess Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/10 - Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/10 - Grade 4 MGR Theater 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
12/10 - BOE Meeting 6:30 p.m.
12/12 - Smith Winter Concert 6:30 p.m.
12/13 - Early Dismissal, 12:30 p.m.
12/16 - Chess Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/17 - Math Club 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
12/17 - Spirit Day - White Out/Snowflake
12/18 - Spirit Day - Ugly Sweater
12/19 - Spirit Day - Red and Green
12/20 - Spirit Day - Elf Day
12/20 - P2 Morning Program Celebration
12/20 - JH Band Performance 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
12/20 - Early Dismissal 2:55 p.m.
12/23 - 1/1/2020 - December Recess
Winter Concert Information

Our Winter Concert is Thursday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m. Students in grades 3rd and 4th grade chorus, orchestra and band will be performing.
Holiday Donations

It's that time of year again!! DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED!!

Santa will be arriving at the Cortland Waterworks in a few short weeks!  

Elf Helpers are collecting all the stuffed animals to prepare for all the little children who attend this event.

Donations:   NEW or gently used BUT clean, ready to hand out!  
We have  620  to start with, BUT are aiming to collect close to 1000   to be ready for the season .   We never know what the weather will be like.

Thank you in advance!
Santa & His Elf Helpers
School Emergency Closing Info

The winter season is upon us and it is time to think about possible closures and delays due to weather conditions. Our district’s automated calling system will notify families if school is closed or delayed.  Please be certain that your phone number is current in our data base.

Local news stations will continue to provide weather updates. Stations that carry information about Cortland Schools include: WSYR-9, WTVH-5, WSTM-3, News 10 Now, WBNG, WXHC/101.5, WIII/I-100, AND WNTQ/93Q. We also maintain the latest information on our District web site:  http://www.cortlandschools.org .
In the event of a 2-hour delay, please be advised of the following information:
  • Our school building opens to students at 10:00 a.m. Students should not arrive prior to that time as supervision is not available.
  • Morning bus routes run on a two-hour delay. If the bus typically arrives at your stop at 8:00 a.m, it will arrive at 10:00 a.m.
  • The YWCA Morning Childcare Program also runs on a two-hour delay. Students who regularly participate in this program may be dropped off at 8:45 a.m.

How would a 2-hour delay or a closing affect your family? Please be sure that you have a plan in place. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Give the Gift of Attendance

This holiday season, the best gift you can give your child is a good education. And the best place to get that education is in school. Every day. On time.

Building a habit of good attendance is your child’s ticket to success in school and eventually in the workplace. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after winter break. We know it’s tempting to extend your vacation by a few days on either side of the holiday. We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. The costs of plane tickets often influence when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. So make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. Give your child the gift of attendance – a habit that lasts a lifetime.
Student Council Happenings

Live Shoenited! The Student Council held a shoe drive during the month of November. We collected 2 large bags of shoes! Collected items will be donated to the United Way.
 
Thank you to all of the families that donated to a good cause!

Upcoming Spirit Days

12/17 - White Out/Snowflake Day
12/18 - Ugly Sweater Day
12/19 - Red and Green Day
12/20 - Elf Day
Library Updates

Our 4th graders started their Genre Project this month. They will be choosing a book from a different genre and then writing about those books. At the end of the project, the goal is to know more about the different genres and expand their reading interests. They will also have an opportunity to present a book to their peers. I am so excited to see the students sharing the books they have grown to love!

Our 3rd graders are learning how to navigate the library by using the call number to locate books. Right now, they are working with a partner to become an expert on one section of nonfiction. They are going to share what they learned by creating a Google Slide. It is awesome to see the students become independent library users!
News From The Nurse

  • School Physicals:   NYS mandates that students in grade 3 and new to the school district have a physical on file with the school. If your child has already had a physical since September 2018, check with the school nurse to make sure the school has a copy. If your child still needs a physical this school year, be sure to make an appointment with your health care provider or let the school nurse know that you want your child to have a school physical. Physicals are done on Tuesday mornings.

  • BMI: The Cortland Enlarged City School District has been randomly selected by the state to provide BMI% rate data withing the school district. The information will be taken from the previous year's health appraisals of students in grade 4. Each student's health examination is required to include Body Mass Index (BMI) and determination of weight status.
  • If you do not wish your child's data to be included in this survey, please contact the school health office. Information reported will be 4th graders: # o males and # of females for BMI Percentile categories: <5, 5-49, 50-84, 85-94, 95-98 and 99+. There is no personal information reported, just summary numbers.
  • Click her for the BMI Parental Agreement
 
  •  Attendance:  Please call the Nurse’s Office if your child is going to be tardy or absent and remember to send in a written excuse when your child returns.
 
  • Please keep the Nurse informed of any phone number changes (such as: home, cell, work and emergency contacts) and any new health concerns.
 
  • Please return borrowed clothing from the Nurse’s office.
 
  • Please check your child’s hair/head daily for any nits/lice. Treat and comb with nit comb for 21 days or gone.

  • Please keep your child home: 24 hours after a fever, vomiting/diarrhea, strep throat, pink eye, and impetigo.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with -
FIGHT Flu: At Home and School         
Jody Prezioso, RN – School Nurse
F.E. Smith Elementary School
Main Office: 607-758-4180
Health Office: 607-758-4184
FAX: 607-758-4189
Smith Music News

Ukuleles have been the instrument of choice in the music room for the past month and have been quite the hit! Students have learned how to take care of them, how to hold them correctly and how to strum on them with their right hand. They have had the chance to try a few different sizes of ukuleles. They are now learning how to finger a few basic chords with their left hands and working towards being able to switch between those chords to play along with songs. The students are also being introduced to different online resources that they can use if they want to work more on their own at home. Ukuleles are great instruments that are kid-friendly, affordable, and fun!
Bus Safety Tips

School bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of our nation’s students. More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day. Here are some tips from the  National Association for Pupil Transportation  to keep our children safe at the bus stop as well as on the bus.
Getting Ready for School
  • Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
  • Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.
  • Make sure children leave home on time so they can arrive at the bus stop before it is due, ideally at least five minutes early. Running after or in front of a bus is dangerous. Read more...
Now Hiring Bus Drivers, Automotive Mechanic Helper, Cleaners, and Secretary
You can work in an exciting and rewarding atmosphere and be part of the #WeAreCortland team! Make sure to check our  website   for up to date information on job postings.
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