Randall Middle School
Oct 1, 2020
Events
10/1 -15 Minute Early Dismissal Drill
10/8 - Picture Day
10/9 - Remote Learning Practice Day
10/12 - Columbus Day
10/13 BOE - Meeting 6:30pm
10/19 PTO - Meeting 6:00pm
10/27 BOE - Meeting 6:30pm
Note From The Principal
This has been an opening of school like no other. Students, families, and teachers have adapted to the challenges with grace and creativity. 

We are on a continually journey of growth and improvement. The challenges faced this year have forced us into new professional learning as a staff. We have been examining practices and working to ensure student learning of essential content. As we seek to improve, your input is valuable. If you have ideas or feedback to share, please do not hesitate to let me know. For your convenience, there is a feedback form linked on our Randall website, www.cortlandschools.org/randall. 

Thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to students and our mission of ensuring all students achieve high levels of learning. 
Student Pickup
Please note a couple of reminders regarding our pickup process:

Please remain in your car during the pickup process. In some cases, family members walking up from their car have caused a delay in the overall process. 

As space becomes available in front of you, please pull up. This allows us to read new pickup tags and keeps the process flowing. 

Allow those in front of you to pull up rather than go around them. In some cases we have missed reading a pickup tag because they have circumnavigated other cars who were further up in the line. 
Positivity Project
I can sum up positive psychology in just three words — other people matter. Period. Anything that builds relationships between and among people is going to make you happy.” -Dr. Chris Peterson

What is The Positivity Project?

The Positivity Project (P2) is dedicated to empowering America’s youth to build positive relationships by recognizing the character strengths in themselves and others. Over the course of this school year, your child will learn about 24 strengths already within each one of them. The program instills vocabulary and meaning through explicit teaching of each strength through Mr. Ashley’s morning message, and through class morning meetings. We will dedicate one week to each strength, in an effort to help students gain meaning through definition, examples, discussions, and exercises. P2 empowers students by acknowledging that the 24 character strengths are already a part of who they are as people. It helps them to realize that each and every one of them already have these strengths. So far, we have already talked about CURIOSITY and TEAMWORK. Ask your child to define these strengths for you, and talk with him/her about how they contribute to success at home and at school.
School Counselor
Hi from Ms. Hewitt, Randall Middle School’s Counselor! Throughout the school year, I will push-into classrooms for academic, social-emotional and career lessons. Our first lesson in 5th and 6th grade in September focused on managing our emotions. In October, we will focus on bullying and working through conflicts. If your student is a remote learner, they received an email to join our virtual counseling classroom.

Feel free to contact me if your student is in need of academic or emotional support.

Have a great school year!

Ms. Hewitt
(607) 758-4170 ext. 7205
News From The Nurse
Health Tips to Remember!!
Practice social distancing--Stay 6 feet apart
Wear a mask
Wash your hands
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes
Stay home if you are sick!!

Symptoms of Covid-19 Include:  
·    Fever
·    Nasal congestion or runny nose
·    Cough
·    Sore throat
·    Shortness of breath
·    Fatigue
·    Headache
·    Muscle aches
·    Nausea or vomiting
·    Diarrhea
·    Poor appetite

Stay well!--Nurse Neuman
Attendance
Attendance matters every day! While we understand that there are times in life, for various reasons, that a student may need to be absent, consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in academic success. Whether you are engaging in in-person or through remote learning being present and engaged is critical. 

Remote learners have the same expectations regarding attendance as our in-person learners. This schedule mirrors a regular school day and requires engagement during regular school hours. Late arrival will be documented as tardy and leaving early or not attending afternoon sessions will be marked as well. If a remote learner will be absent for all or part of a day, please contact the school.
Band Information
While we don’t currently have band rehearsals running, we are so excited to have lessons going this year! All band students have been invited to join the band Google classroom for either remote or in person learners. All information about lesson schedules and Google Meet links can be found there! Please contact Ms. Bennett with any questions or concerns: cbennett@cortlandschools.org 
Library
Cortland Free Library 
Books are just the beginning! 
4TH & 5TH GRADE BOOK CLUB 
Monthly meetings November - May on Zoom Registration is required. Contact the library to sign up! 
(607) 753-1043 
Book & Activity available to pick up starting 
Thursday, October 1 
First Zoom meeting Wednesday, November 11 at 6 p.m. 
(Zoom meeting not mandatory to participate but is encouraged)
The Public Library has
Many Programs!
Breakfast and Lunch are Provided for ALL Students!
Follow us on Twitter @CECSD_Randall