Events
12/4: 1/2 Day AM K-12/PM Professional Development Day
12/8: BOE Meeting, 6:30 Kaufman Center
12/11 - 12/18: Hanukkah
12/24 - 1/1: December Recess
12/25: Christmas
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Note from Mr. Mack
Now that first quarter is complete, it is clear that some remote learners are still adjusting to the daily requirements involved with learning from home. Many students are struggling to engage in their classes and this is having an impact on their daily attendance and class requirements. When your son or daughter is learning remotely please make sure they're engaged each day, going to every class, are visible, and completing the work that is required for each class and submitting things when they are due. If they have an issue or concern please make sure they're emailing their teacher and/or counselor. Also, it is important that students check their school email twice a day. Important information from their teachers or from the school is sent out on a regular basis. In addition, it would be wise for them to check Google classrooms before and after school to make sure they're staying up on their assignments and to plan ahead.
Be safe and we look forward to seeing everybody back in school soon!
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New Media News
Students in New Media are working on the creation of forms - specifically cylinders. As they are creating realistic cups and pencils.
Students in New Media 2 are working on a stick figure cinema which needs to include a walk cycle, a run cycle and a jump cycle in their final animation.
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Science News
Students in Biology are working on microscopes, learning the parts and how to use them. Looking at specimens like onion cells!
In other Biology classrooms students have designed experiments to test how well masks stop the flow of air out of mouths and will be studying how materials move into and out of cells.
Anatomy students have looked at how the muscular and skeletal structure of a chicken wing is similar to our own arms by dissecting one - a chicken wing, not an arm 😉 and will be learning about the nervous system and get an in depth look into a cow eye.
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Wood Processing and Manufacturing News
Students in Wood Processing have been learning how to create Isometric and Orthographic plan drawings in preparation for a casework project, in which they will consider fasteners and mechanical joinery to create a strongbox.
Students in Manufacturing entered a new phase of the course during November; learning about lean-manufacturing management and user-centered, iterative process and product design.
Strongbox kits for fully remote students were made available for pickup in November. This is a tactile project that has been streamlined to accommodate the theory, practice, and relevant learning standards for both courses; and it can be completed at home!
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Renewable Energy News
Students in Renewable Energy have kits to begin building Vertical Axis Wind Turbines remotely. This involves constructing a generator as well as designing efficient blades to test against classmates performance.
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Math News
High school math students have been using Delta Math, Loom and flipped classroom videos to add a variety of remote instructional practices.
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Languages News
In Spanish 1, students are finishing their unit on Personal Identification. Students are doing an excellent job describing themselves and others!
In Spanish 2, students are finishing the unit on Sports and leisure. We will be starting our unit on Daily Routines and Health and Wellness as soon as we get back from Thanksgiving.
Students in French 4 & 5 have been writing letters to French pen pals in a town just outside of Paris. They have described themselves, learned about Halloween in France, and will be explaining American Thanksgiving traditions in their second letters.
French 1 & 2/3 have been working virtually with our student teacher, Mr. Lysak, to learn numbers, how to tell time in French, body parts, and sports.
The Life Skills language and culture class has been busy learning some questions and answers in ASL. We can ask and answer about our name and age, our favorite colors, where we live, and how we are doing. We have also learned some ASL vocabulary words for Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to learning to sign Jingle Bell Rock later this month!!
National French Week was November 3-10 and students painted the windows in the Bridge. We learned fast facts about the Francophone world and attempted to pronounce a French word of the day from the announcements.
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Physics
Students in Regents and Honors Physics are completing a project in projectile motion. They have the option to make a piece of art, take a photograph, build a catapult, study the history of how physics and catapults shaped the middle ages, and/or make a review video of the unit to demonstrate their understanding of the topics.
Just before switching to remote learning, AP Physics students started an engineering design project and built their own rockets to study velocity-dependent air resistance. Through distance learning we studied the complex physics and mathematics of air resistance. When we come back, we are going to utilize our new knowledge of air resistance to make specific improvements to the rockets to make them travel further.
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English News
Students in Research & Writing are exploring the craft of rhetoric by first reading and listening to persuasive texts and then identifying and critiquing the effectiveness of rhetorical techniques in those texts. Students will utilize some of these rhetorical strategies in their own persuasive writing.
Students in English 12 are studying Tuesdays with Morrie and exploring the complexities of human emotions and human connection.
Students in English 11 are examining the themes of power and censorship as they are presented in the novel Fahrenheit 451. Additionally, they are studying the influence and effect that technology has in our everyday lives.
Snaps, no claps, dim lights, berets, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee… While some of these things may be a bit different this year, the spirit remains. Students in Creative Writing are currently composing SLAM Poems for performance and submission to Muse-ings, Cortland High’s long-standing Literary and Art Magazine. All students in the High School are encouraged to submit original works (writing or art) for publication in this year's edition to smorgan@cortlandschools.org.
Students in 9th Grade English recently wrapped up their opening unit using short stories to analyze identity and cultural diversity in America. They are shifting to a novel unit to begin Quarter 2.
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Global
Students in Global classes have been learning about the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism from ancient India. As an engaging way to make connections to these religions, students had to develop their own personal karma (both good and bad) and dharma.
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Senior News
Seniors should be working on college applications to be submitted. Pay close attention to the due dates -- Counselor and Teacher recommendations can be submitted after the date. TC3 Instant Admit day 1 is Nov. 23. Juniors are encouraged to use Naviance to explore college/career opportunities.
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Athletics Department News
Fall Sports:
I want to congratulate the Athletes and Coaches for an outstanding season. Our teams competed in 77 contests this fall despite the many challenges due to COVID. I need to express a big thank you to parents, athletes, coaches, building and grounds, custodial staff, and Mrs. Theresa E Johnson for their hard work and flexibility during this ever changing season.
Winter Athletics:
Currently, Bowling is the only sport with state government permission to begin and is tentatively scheduled to start on 12/14/2020. Registration on Family ID will begin soon.
Our state athletic association, NYSPHSAA, has delayed the start of high risk sports; Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, and Volleyball; until January 4, 2021. In order to begin on January 4th, these sports will need permission and guidance from the Governor’s office.
Indoor Track and field is currently on hold due to a lack of adequate facilities during COVID times.
Please check our Athletics page on the district website for updates.
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Library News
Thousands of ebooks are available through Overdrive. Check out the library webpage and browse the library catalog or go right to Overdrive on the students symbaloo. There is a quick “how to” video on the library webpage if you need help or you can email Mrs. Hay, khay@cortlandschools.org if you have any questions.
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ~Ernest Hemingway
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News from the School Nurse
Physicals for grades 9 and 11 will start this month. Call your provider to schedule one or have one here at school.
As always, if your student is sick please keep them home. You can call directly to attendance if your child will be tardy, absent or dismissed early at 607-758-4084.
We also encourage all students to get a flu shot.
To keep everyone safe, keep wearing a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
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Title 1 at Cortland Schools
Title I (pronounced “Title One”) is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle, and high schools. Through Title I, the Federal government provides funding to school districts around the country based on the number of low-income families in each district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children who are behind in school. Schools where more than half of all students are low-income can operate a school-wide Title I project. This includes all Cortland schools. Read More
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There is always something exciting to do at the Cortland Free Library
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Lunch and Breakfast are Provided for
ALL Students!
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Get Social With Us!
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