Special Message for Cortland Community
May 19, 2020
Distance Learning Will Continue Through June 17th
Due to the Governor’s executive order, May 22nd will be a day of distance learning rather than the vacation day as previously indicated on the school calendar. 

The last day of distance learning for students will be June 17th. This is slightly earlier than the traditional end of the school year because we continued with distance learning through April break and on May 22nd.

Through June 17th, the Distance Learning Portal will continue to function as the primary communication point. If you have printed materials to return, they can be placed in any of the purple newspaper vending boxes located at schools and food distribution sites. School library books can also be returned in the purple boxes. Please make sure that all work has your name, grade, and teacher’s name on it. Ideally, the work can be returned in the envelope in which it came. 
CNY Foodbank Distribution
Wednesday, May 20th
The CNY Food Bank is donating 1,000 boxes of fruit and vegetables to any Cortland family. The 25lb boxes of food will be distributed on Wednesday, May 20th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our usual food distribution sites (see the list below). Thank you, CNY Foodbank, and thanks to Bill Bros. Dairy for donating the truck delivery.
Picking Up Personal Belongings
and Returning Equipment to Schools
Plans are being prepared for the exchange of personal belongings and school equipment. This will occur during the last week of school. Detailed plans and schedules will be communicated soon by each school principal. 

Specific procedures for the return of personal belongings left at school when we abruptly departed will be conducted according to specific safety protocols. 

At the same time that personal belongings and any other year-end information is distributed, schools will be collecting Chromebooks, laptops, wifi devices, calculators, library books, and textbooks. Specific instructions will be coming from principals.
Graduation
The Cortland High School Class of 2020 Graduation is still scheduled for June 26th. Plans are proceeding for the special, socially distanced ceremony. Detailed plans will be communicated by the high school.
School Board Candidates Forum
The League of Women Voters School Board Candidate Forum will be online and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on May 26th. The Forum can be viewed by accessing this link . To submit a question for the candidates, please send an email to azupancic@cortlandschools.org during the event. The Forum will be recorded and available for viewing after the event.
NY Health Insurance 
New Yorkers who are without health insurance should apply now through NY State of Health. If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of a loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, or subsidized Qualified Health Plan coverage.
Food Service Continues
Breakfast and lunch continue to be available for every student, Monday through Friday, at locations across the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Note: food should not be consumed at the pickup locations. Locations include:
  • Barry Primary bus loop
  • Junior Senior High School bus loop
  • Parker School (parent drop-off area)
  • Penguin Trailer Park (11a - noon only)
  • Randall Middle bus loop
  • Rickard Street Apartments (11a - noon only)
  • Smith Intermediate bus loop
  • Virgil School bus loop
Budget Vote By
Absentee Ballot
Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 202.26, the annual budget vote and school board election has been scheduled for June 9, 2020, and will be held by absentee ballot only.

The public hearing on this year’s proposed budget will be held remotely on May 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Information on how to access the hearing will be posted on the District website at www.cortlandschools.org .

All qualified voters of the Cortland Enlarged City School District will be sent an absentee ballot together with a postage-paid return envelope and instructions for completing the same. To be counted, all completed absentee ballots must be received in the Office of the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on June 9, 2020. Read more...
Technology Help
Technology support for district devices and distance learning is available by sending an email to helpdesk@cortlandschools.org . You can expect someone to return your message from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Finishing Strong
As a community, we’ve all been working together to do something that’s never been done before. We’ve got one month left in the academic year, let’s continue our efforts and finish strong.