Smith School Newsletter June 1, 2020
Message from Principal Wanish
Dear Families:
June is upon us and we are officially entering the home stretch. Who would have believed back in September that our school year would play out the way that it has? While this is definitely the most unusual experience in my 30 years of education, I must say that I am very proud of how our staff quickly came together for our students t o provide continuing instruction through distance learning . I am equally pleased at how our students have responded to the new format and to all of you at home supporting their efforts. We could not have done it without you!

So, while our official school year is coming to a close, it is not over yet! Distance learning will continue through June 17. Teachers will continue to provide instruction and assignments. This is slightly earlier than the traditional end of the school year because we continued with distance learning through previously scheduled vacation days (April break and May 22).

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.  
 
Please keep your children focused and working so they can finish the year out strong.

Thank you - 
Mrs. Wanish
Last Day of School!
June 17th will be our official last day of school. This is the day that we will collect student chromebooks and distribute remaining student items (desk supplies, personal belongings) and report cards.

We would love the opportunity to see our students to say good-bye for the summer and to celebrate the end of the school year. On June 17th, our teachers and staff will be present around the front circle of our building. Families are asked to drive through our front circle to meet their child's teacher to receive the student's desk supplies, belongings and report card. Please return your child's chromebook and any library books s/he may have at this time.

In order to ensure that we are able to maintain social distancing protocols, we ask that you please remain in your vehicle. Additionally, we have designated the following times for each grade level:

8:30 - 11:30 Gr. 3
12:30 - 3:30 Gr. 4

Grade level staff will be present at the designated times to greet you and your child. If for some reason you are not able to come during the scheduled time, please call the Smith office to make alternate arrangements.

We look forward to seeing you on June 17th!
Moving?
If you have moved or are planning to move, please provide our office or the Kaufman Center, with your updated address. This is especially important as we plan classes for next year. If you move over the summer, please notify Kendra Chambers at the Kaufman Center @ 607-758-4100. Likewise, if your contact information has changed, or changes over the summer, please notify us so we can update our records.
Parent Request for Children’s Teachers:
Please be advised that according to our District policy, we do not accept parental requests for teachers. If you feel there are  extreme extenuating circumstances , please contact the building principal. Once again, your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

Per our District Policy:
“It is the purpose of the Cortland Enlarged City School District to offer a quality education program. In doing so, classes in grades K-12 are balanced and children are grouped heterogeneously in grades K-8. In order to maintain this balance, the CECSD will not honor requests from parents/legal guardians for specific teachers.”
NURSE NEWS
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. ( jprezioso@cortlandschools.org ) 
For COVID-19 specific information, please click on the link located on the district webpage. 
We miss you - stay healthy - wash your hands for 20 seconds every time - try not to touch your face, esp. eyes, nose & mouth - wear a face mask in public - social distance yourself 6 feet apart from others. 
Smith School Virtual Talent Show
Mrs. Shelley, our music teacher, has invited Smith School students to take part in a Virtual Smith School Talent Show. This talent show is to give our students a chance to "perform" in a safe environment, given our current reality with not being able to gather in school. Information about this event has been posted in the Music Google Classrooms. All students were invited into those online classrooms and should have access to the information. Approved acts will have their video shared through our Google Classroom and a Flipgrid link starting Monday June 8th.  Please be sure to read through all of the suggestions/rules/deadline dates on the Google Classroom with your child.   Click here for things you should know if your child wants to participate:
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following staff members who will be retiring at the end of this school year:

Mrs. Allen
Mrs. Curran
Mrs. Herbert
Mr. Hughes
Mrs. Richman
Mrs. Riley

Thank you for your many years of service. Best wishes in your retirement!
PE News
During the month of June we will be having virtual PE field days courtesy of OPEN PE and BSN Sports! Students should do three activities each week and they can do them as often as they want. Feel free to share a video of your child doing the activity to  iryon@cortlandschools.org  or upload them on our 3rd-4th grade PE google classroom, code: tybxe57.

Link to OPEN National Field Day:  https://openphysed.org/nationalfieldday
Link to demonstration videos of each activity:  https://openphysed.org/fielddayvideos

We know it might feel different this summer, but remember to get outside, play ball, or go for a walk with your family. It's important to stay active for at least 60 minutes a day! Have a happy and safe summer!! Lastly, congratulations to Mr. Hughes, who will be retiring from teaching and coaching at the end of this month!
District Budget Voting Information
Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 202.6 the annual budget vote will be conducted by absentee ballot only. You should have received an absentee ballot in mail. If you did not and wish to receive one please contact the District Clerk, Alicia Zupancic at 607-758-4100 X2202 or azupancic@cortlandschools.org .

Please fill out the absentee ballot by placing an X for “yes” or ‘’no” on each of the five propositions. In addition, please place an X for only two of the four people running for school board. You do not need to sign our put your name on the ballot. 

Once you are completed filling out the ballot, please place it inside the postage prepaid envelope and sign and date the back of the ballot envelope. Then, place it in the mail to the District by June 5th. We need all ballots received by 5 p.m. on June 9th. 

If you wish to hand deliver your ballot to the District, 1 Valley View Drive, Cortland, NY 13045, please place it in the ballot newspaper box outside the building. We ask that you kindly not enter the building to drop off the ballots. 

If you have any questions on how to fill out or ballot or how to mail the ballot back, please contact Alicia Zupancic, District Clerk, at Alicia Zupancic at 607-758-4100 X2202 or azupancic@cortlandschools.org .
Cortland Free Library
2020 Virtual Summer Reading program at Cortland Free Library is coming soon!
  • Registration begins Monday June 29 at cortlandfreelibrary.org
  • Every Monday we will have a virtual program starting with our Summer Reading Kickoff with Moreland the Magician.
  • Weekly prize drawings and Take & Make activities.

Check out our social media (Facebook:@cortlandfreelibraryyouth 
InstaGram:@cortlandfreelibrary) and website ( cortlandfreelibrary.org )for more fun and information.
Thank you
 
Thank you families for your support during our first year as Smith Intermediate School for students in Grades 3 and 4. While our physical time together was cut short, it was a pleasure getting to know your children. We look forward to greeting the returning fourth graders and welcoming the new third graders in the fall. Best wishes to those who are moving onto fifth grade. Stay tuned for information about our return in the fall...
Get Social With Us @CECSD_Smith
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