Message From the Principal
I have to express sincere appreciation for the Randall community. During this difficult time it has been amazing to see families and teachers come together to support student learning. We have seen an unprecedented amount of positive communication. We understand accessing learning has unique challenges at this time. As a staff we have been trying to find balance between providing students with learning that is necessary for next year while not overwhelming families. We are also trying to provide exposure and opportunity for students to engage more deeply in areas of interest as time allows.
As many of you are likely already aware, earlier today Governor Cuomo announced that schools will maintain distance learning for the remainder of the academic school year. During this unprecedented time it is essential for students to remain engaged with their studies and complete assignments provided by their teachers. The daily work is necessary for students to be prepared for next year. A consistent daily structure that includes engagement with academics and physical activity is beneficial for their well-being.
This is a moment in time. While we know instructional minutes are valuable, this is a brief period in breadth of a student’s school-aged experience. We are committed to the safety, health, and well-being of our students. Support learning as best you can, understand that we care and miss your children, and reach out if you need anything.
Thank you for supporting student learning and maintaining open communication to ensure student needs are met.
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Photos and Videos Needed for Staff Appreciation Week!
Staff appreciation week is next week: May 4th to May 8th. We will be posted photos on our social media accounts daily, along with a culmination video that will go out on Friday. Please email your photos and videos to
photos@cortlandschools.org
.
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Parent Survey
As we continue our distance learning model we would appreciate feedback from families to guide our work. Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey.
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Postivity Project
For this month students will hear about leadership, gratitude, and bravery. As we focus on student wellbeing and emotional development these important characteristics can help shape students into individuals prepared to be grateful leaders who impact the world around them. Tune into morning announcements to hear more on these important character traits.
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Math Update
Are you looking for an additional challenge after completing your assigned math work? Have you always wanted to master the 3x3 Rubix Cube? Click
here
to view Mrs.Snyder’s second tutorial which will teach you the steps to solving the middle layer. In case you missed Part 1,
here is a rerun
.
If you master it up to this point, take a selfie with your Rubix and email it Mrs. Snyder at
ssnyder@cortlandschools.org
. I’ll be sure to share it far and wide. Stay tuned for the final tutorial coming next month!
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Sora and Public Library Connect
Your library is always working to expand its reach and impact with young readers, and connecting with schools plays an important part in this.
The Sora K-12 reading app does just this! Through its game-changing Public Library CONNECT feature, Sora empowers students to borrow age-appropriate ebooks and audiobooks from both their school AND local public library digital collections.
Ms. Charles made a brief
video
describing the program and how it works.
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News from the Nurse
We wish good health to all our families during this unprecedented time. As we work to ensure our current health, we also look to the future and want to share information regarding health requirements for the 2020-21 school year. Below is a list of current state mandates for students which must be completed prior to attending school in the fall. Therefore, please begin planning for your child's next well visit and required immunizations once routine visits are once again scheduled.
- All incoming Kindergarten students need Dtap, Polio, Hep B., MMR and Varicella (please refer to your provider for up to date requirements)
- Every 6th grade student requires the TDAP vaccine.
- Every 7th and 12th grader will need to receive the Meningococcal vaccine.
- When your child receives their vaccines, please make sure to have it signed by their provider.
- Every K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th,11th grader and new students to the district will need to have a current physical. Please send a copy to your nurse's office.
If you have current health questions, please feel free to reach out to your school nurse via email. For COVID-19 specific information, please click on the link located on the
district webpage
.
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News from the School Counselor
The beginning of the next school year will be here before we know it. I am currently meeting with each sixth grade student virtually to discuss their sixth grade year, along with moving up to the Junior High. If your student has not scheduled a time with me to meet, please have them contact me.
Thank you!
Ms. Hewitt
(607) 758-4170 ext. 7108
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C
ontacting the School
Our school buildings are closed to the public. On site staff in each of our buildings has been reduced to a small rotating group of essential employees. Teachers and office staff are working remotely from home.
Teachers have posted their contact information on the Distance Learning Portal which is accessible from the District website. A staff email directory is available from the Randall Middle website. As a general rule, staff email is the person's first initial and last
name
@cortlandschools.org
.
If calling our main office, please leave a voice message. We will make every effort to respond within a 24 hour period.
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Technology Needs
For those who received a Chromebook, please read through the directions that were provided with the device. You will need to connect to your own home WiFi. If you have any questions or problems using the Chromebook, you can email:
helpdesk@cortlandschools.org or call: 607-758-4188.
This same email may be used if you did not previously request a Chromebook, but would like one. Important to know: Chromebooks do not function without Wifi access.
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Food Service Continues
Breakfast and lunch will be available for every student, Monday through Friday, at locations across the community from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. Locations include:
- Barry Primary bus loop
- Junior Senior High School bus loop
- Randall Middle bus loop
- Smith Intermediate bus loop
- Virgil School bus loop
- Parker School (parent drop-off area)
- Penguin Trailer Park (11a - noon only)
- Rickard Street Apartments (11a - noon only)
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Special Areas Assignments
Each of our specialists (art, music, library) post weekly assignments for students to complete, as well as some extra ideas for enrichment.
Due dates for each of the assignments are meant to serve as guidelines. Feel free to complete the activities at your own pace.
PE teachers have provided quite a few resources, and ask that a weekly activity log be maintained and submitted. (This could be something as simple as went for a walk, rode my bike, etc)
The goal is for students to take time to be active everyday.
We encourage students to participate in the weekly assignments. Our goal is for students to find balance and take time to engage in art, music, library, and physical activity. These subjects can provide much needed escape, joy, and enrichment to the lives of students. If students have a particular interest in an area, there will be opportunities for deeper learning.
If you come up with other ideas/outlets for the special areas, that's okay, too. Feel free to share what your child is doing with his/her teachers. They would be happy to know what you've been up to.
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Do you want to have a Penpal?
Ms. Charles is searching for Penpals! Penpals write letters and send them through the Postal service to one another. They are fun to create and fun to receive! If you would like to be my Penpal, email me your address and I will pop a letter in the mail to you. Several students have been receiving letters from me over the last two weeks.
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Get Social With Us @CECSD_Randall
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