Smith Intermediate Newsletter
December 31, 2020
Student in Mrs. Riley's class.
January 2021 Events

1/04 Classes Resume
1/07 PTO Meeting 7 p.m.
1/20 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Happy New Year 2021
Dear Families, 

Looking back on 2020 may give us a whole new perspective on New Year's resolutions. And while 2020 may not have been what we hoped for, there are certainly many experiences that we should continue as we move into the new year: 

  • Spend more time with family.
  • Spend less money.
  • Cook more meals at home.
  • Be involved in your child's education.
  • Appreciate the little things.
  • Explore the outdoors.
  • Wash your hands! 😊

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year!

Angela Wanish
Smith Intermediate School Principal
source: Freepic.com <a href="https://www.freepik.com/vectors/people">People vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com</a>
COVID Tracing Protocols in Our School

We remain diligent in our daily protocols for health and safety. Additionally, when we are made aware of a student or a staff member who has tested positive for COVID, there is a specific tracing protocol that we follow. We begin by identifying the date the individual first had the onset of symptoms, look to two days prior to that date, then compare that date to the last day(s) the individual was in attendance at school.  

Next, we begin to identify students and staff with whom the individual was in close contact. Per the direction of the health department, we typically consider close contact as being in an enclosed area (such as a classroom or on a bus) for an extended period of time. A casual passing in the hallway while wearing a mask would not be considered close contact.

Once we have identified the students and staff, we share that list with the health department to determine who will be required to quarantine. Currently, the quarantine period is 14 days after the last date of contact with the individual.

School personnel then notify all those who are required to quarantine in advance of the contact tracers from the health department. We believe that it is best practice for the school to call first, as the timeliness of the health department call can be dependent upon the volume of calls they are making within a region. Likewise, the timeliness of this entire process is dependent upon how soon an individual receives their results after being tested. 
Winter Weather
Closings & Delays
 
We are in full swing of winter. School closings and delays will soon be upon us. We depend on our automated phone system to contact our families.

If you are not receiving automated phone calls, please contact the main office at 758-4180 to make sure we have the correct phone number on file. We also use this system to call when children are absent from school so it is imperative to keep phone numbers up to date.

Winter Weather Safety
It is very tempting for children to want to climb on, around and/or slide down snow banks. But, when those snow banks are located near roadways or parking lots, it becomes a serious safety issue.

Please take time to discuss this with your child. Additionally, it is important for students to know that in winter weather visibility can be limited for drivers, making it difficult to see children. It is best to remain on the sidewalk, walk slowly and be alert to traffic. As for parents dropping off students at school, please adhere to the speed limit in the parking lot and bus loop for the same reason, limited visibility.

For students who ride a bus, it is important to remain on the sidewalk until the bus comes to a full stop. Use the handrail when boarding/exiting the bus, as the steps might become slippery. If an emergency occurs, remain seated and wait for directions from the driver.
flat board with rulers to guide item down the ramp
Spotlight on Mrs. Riley's 4th Grade Science Class
Students in Mrs. Riley's 4th grade science class investigated how different textures and surfaces can affect the motion of a sliding object. They first wrote their predictions about how the texture of the different surfaces would affect the motion of the object then they experimented with each surface.
The prediction.
flat board with rulers to guide item down the ramp
The experiment.
Entering findings into the science journal.
3rd Grade News
Mrs. Buchalla, Mrs. Comtois, Mrs. Morse, Ms. Elliott-Birdsall

Third graders wrote haikus that Santa Claus might write the day after Christmas. A haiku is a type of poetry created with a certain number of syllables in each line (five, seven, five).
I am full of treats
From all the children that have
Given them to me. 
--Rosylnn 

Everything is done
All the people are happy
All elves are tired. 
--Kelvin 

I’m lazy today.
I hope they enjoy their gifts. 
Stay on the nice list. 
--Isaiah 
Now it’s time to rest
From that long day with the kids
I’ll do it again
--Grace

Phew! I am tired
Playing games with Mrs. Claus
I’ll see you next year
--Derek

Just watching TV
I will need a bigger suit
Santa has gained weight
--Cameron
The reindeer need rest
That was some hard work tonight
Next year will be cool!
--Michael
4th Grade News

The 4th graders have been learning about poetry in ELA. They have been reading the book “Love That Dog” by Sharon Creech and reading real poems written by poets like Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams, and others. They used these poems as inspiration to try writing their own poems. When they learned that the Cortland Standard was going to be printing a “Poetry Page” in the paper on December 26, many of them wanted to submit their poems to the paper to see if they might be selected...and exciting news - 3 of our 4th graders were included in the paper’s “Poetry Page”! Congratulations to Landon Arnold, Jax Ellis, and Sadie Young! They are now officially published poets!
Art News

From Ms. Potter:
3rd graders studied frogs in ELA and had a chance to color some in art with chalk! 
From Mrs. Bieber:
Hello, I’m so happy to be back with you all! Ms. Potter did such a lovely job teaching our Smith art students! I returned on December 14 and look forward to many exciting creative adventures with you all! Our goal is to have fun, be flexible and do all we can to make the most of this year! Stay safe and well! 
frogs
Positivity Project

Smith Intermediate students have been busy learning about the Positivity Project's Other People Matter Mindset (OPM), and the character strengths that help us develop and maintain positive relationships with others. Last month we learned about; Kindness, OPM- knowing my words and actions affect others, and Self-Control. This month we will focus on; Optimism, Prudence, Perseverance, and OPM- supporting others when they struggle. You can learn your character strengths by taking the quiz at: https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths.
News From The Nurse
Physicals: NYS Mandate

All 3rd graders and any 4th graders new to the Cortland School District, are required to have a physical examination, a well-child visit. This mandate applies to all students remote and in-person. If your child has already had one and you have sent a copy to the nurse, you are all set. If your child needs a physical, please make an appointment to get one, then have it faxed to me. Letters were sent home 12/15/20 to the students needing a physical, if your child had a well-child visit within the year, please have a copy faxed to me. School physicals are scheduled every Tuesday morning. Any questions, please contact me. Jody Prezioso, PH# 607-758-3003 jprezioso@cortlandschools.org

Reminders:
• Email the nurse if your child is going to be absent or tardy.
• Email the nurse of any phone number changes or health concerns.
• Check your child's hair daily for any signs of lice/nits. Treat & comb.
• Pack a change of clothes for unexpected spills or accidents.
• Practice social distancing--Stay 6 feet apart.
• Wear a mask.
• Wash your mask.
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Stay home if you are sick!
• All students sent home with signs of Covid-19 will require written proof of a negative test or an alternative diagnosis prior to their return to school. 

Symptoms of Covid-19 Include:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting or diarrhea
pillo polo game
News From PE

Last month, students showed good improvement with their basketball shooting form: balance, eyes, elbow, and follow through. During December, students also worked on their dodging, fleeing, throwing, rolling, blocking, and building skills during some fun holiday games. In January, students will work on their coordination in a dance unit and striking (as well as hand/eye coordination) skills in our pillo polo unit. Pillo Polo is similar to field hockey and ice hockey. As you can see in the photo, the sticks are round at the bottom and padded.
Students will work on their stickhandling, forehand, and backhand skills in pillo polo.

Congratulations to our November and December Sportsmanship winners: Elle Farkas, Miles Bacigalupi, Lucas Cochran-Doughty, and Elise Totman!
sora reading logo
News From The Library

Students in library class continue to do their best both in-person and remote.

3rd grade students are learning techniques to find “Just Right” books for them. They are using the E-book service Sora to browse for books and use these skills to find challenging stories.

4th grade students are working on their skills in research, we are working with music class to find information on turtles. Students will then use these facts to create a presentation in library class and assist with their project in music!

Always remember students to take care of your books and your Chromebooks! We want to make sure that all these materials can be used for a long time.
Public Library
Offerings

School
Lunch Menu 
Get Social With Us @CECSD_Smith
 Stay tuned for our newsletter next month! 
Covid Tracking Picture Source: Freepic.com