Cortland Schools
District Newsletter, February 2024
Celebrating Black History Month
From Superintendent Edwards
Dear Cortland City School District Community,
Last month we celebrated the beginning of the New Year and our continuing progress through Winter and toward Spring. As a history teacher when we enter the month of February I am reminded of the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the rich tapestry of Black history and culture. Black History Month provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history, and most specifically in our country's history.
Just last week I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time in Albany at the Capitol Building with Senator Leah Webb. Senator Webb is a beacon of inspiration for me and she serves as a reminder to honor the leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers who have played, and who are currently playing, pivotal roles in shaping our world. Stories of those leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers, of their struggles and triumphs, leave an indelible mark on history and continue to inspire us today.
Senator Webb is not on her own doing this work - leading us forward. There are plenty of local and regional examples of individuals and groups who continue to show us the way. I encourage you to seek information about those in our community who are leading this work. I encourage you to think about our community, about all of our community members, and about what we want Cortland to be. I encourage you to engage each other in dialogue intended to learn more about each other. More than many other places, we are blessed to have a State University in our back yard, we are blessed to be in a small city, we are blessed to have access to resources and ideas and a community that values community. February is a particularly good month to think about and contemplate and highlight the significant achievements of Black figures across various fields. By doing so, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity that enriches our community.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let us also take this time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done in promoting equality, justice, and inclusivity. In our work this year we have framed this around "belonging". It is a moment to engage in meaningful conversations and initiatives that contribute to a more equitable and harmonious society.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to fostering a community of belonging. #WeAreCortland
Sincerely,
Bob Edwards
Winter Weather Protocols
When the winter season is upon us, it is time to think about possible closures and delays due to weather conditions. Our district’s automated calling system will notify families if school is closed or delayed. Please be certain that your phone number is current in our database.
Local news stations will continue to provide weather updates. Stations that carry information about Cortland Schools include WSYR-9, WTVH-5, WSTM-3, News 10 Now, WBNG, WXHC/101.5, and WNTQ/93Q. We also maintain the latest information on our District website: http://www.cortlandschools.org.
In the event of a 2-hour delay, all times are adjusted by 2 hours.
Normal Opening Times
Barry, Smith, and Randall will open to students at 8:10 a.m.
The Junior High and High School will be open at 7:00 a.m. Homeroom will then begin at 7:38 a.m.
Morning bus routes run on a two-hour delay. For example, if the bus typically arrives at your stop at 7:00 a.m., it will arrive at 9:00 a.m.
For students who regularly participate in the CDC Morning Childcare Program, the students may be dropped off at their normal start time of 6:45 a.m.
Check out the LEGO League Video Blast!
News from the District Nurses
Many parents ask, “When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?” This is not always easy to answer, we hope that these tips can help.
You should not send your child to school if they have:
Fever (24 hours fever free)
Vomiting (24 hours vomit free)
Diarrhea (24 hours diarrhea free)
Chills
Sore throat
Strep throat (on antibiotics 24 hours)
Super bad cold with a runny nose or bad cough
Pink eye (treated for 24 hours)
If your child becomes ill at school the school nurse will contact you to pick them up.
If you have an elementary student please remember to send in extra clothing for them to have.
News from the High School
From Principal Mack
Black History Month holds particular significance for Cortland High School as it provides an invaluable opportunity for us to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of African Americans throughout history and within the school community. The month-long observance serves as an essential opportunity to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and cultural heritage of Black individuals, fostering a sense of pride and inclusivity among students and faculty. Incorporating Black history into the curriculum at Cortland High School helps students develop a more nuanced understanding of the complexities and triumphs within the African American experience. It creates an environment that encourages open dialogue and mutual respect. By engaging in the celebration of Black History Month, Cortland High School reinforces its dedication to promoting diversity and cultural awareness. Embracing and acknowledging this history in our school contributes to the overall development of well-informed, empathetic, and socially conscious individuals.
News from the Junior High
Vitamin Z in Print
In the month of February, we will be hearing positive quotes relating to various character traits including, Forgiveness, Perseverance, and Love. The following quote is from the week of “Love” and the author is none other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love Harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
This quote reminds us that we have the choice to live our lives with either Love or with Hate. Let’s choose Love!
News from Randall Middle School
From Principal Quinn
February is Black History Month, and at Randall Middle School we do our best to celebrate the rich history and achievements of Black Americans in February and all year long. One of the ways we do this is to encourage our students and staff to celebrate diversity. We are all so different from one another, and this is what makes our school, community, and world a special place. We hope you will join us in celebrating diversity and honoring Black Americans and their contributions to black history that are made everyday, not just in February.
“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it everyday.”
~Winston Churchill
News from Smith Intermediate School
From Principal Block
ROAR Celebration in February
In February we will be celebrating and practicing diversity, inclusion, and equity! During our ROAR celebration, we will be inviting community members to join us in teaching our students about the meaning of diversity and giving them real-life experiences and exposure to cultures. Students will be creating self-portraits, listening to read-alouds, and more. Showing each other respect and being open-hearted are essential parts of life at Smith Intermediate.
“Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”
- Ola Joseph
News from Barry Primary School
From Principal Klumpp
At Barry Primary School, Black History Month is a time of celebration and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We proudly recognize the invaluable contributions of African Americans in education, from trailblazing educators to resilient students. This month, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces the rich tapestry of Black history, incorporating diverse perspectives into our curriculum, and promoting open dialogue about race and equality. Through educational initiatives, we aim to inspire our students to appreciate the importance of diversity, and we strive to create an inclusive and equitable learning community that honors the past, embraces the present, and builds a brighter future for all. Thank you for joining us in this meaningful journey at Barry Primary School. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion team is working to create some future events that will help promote this topic.
Tiger Paw Winners
First-Ever General Maintenance Classes are Full!
Special thanks to those in the community who donated building materials to the CHS Tech Department. Over 40 students have been scheduled to take our brand-new General Maintenance classes with Mr. Aldrich during the spring semester.
CHS Interns Getting Experience at Local Businesses
CHS students have begun their internship placements at ClockedIn Fitness, Cortland Fire Department, Cortland Standard, and with our in-district athletic trainer. If you see Addison Brown, Kaden Brown, Brenna Hogan, Daniel Jackson, or Sophie Mayer, be sure to ask them about their internships!
Congratulations to Olivia Vitello
Congratulations to Olivia Vitello for her science artwork piece being selected as a feature piece in the WonderWorks CNYART: New York Youth Art Gallery. Her artwork, “Projectile Motion Comic Strip” will be on display at WonderWorks in Syracuse for the next year!
NYSSMA Solo Festival
The NYSSMA Solo Festival is coming up on Saturday, March 23rd at Cortland High School. Students have elected to participate in this festival and are preparing a solo, scales, and sight reading to perform for an adjudicator.
Tri-M and Music Boosters are putting together an Arts and Talent Showcase on Friday, March 8th. They are looking for artists, musicians, dancers, poets, writers, etc. to participate. If any JSHS student or staff member would like to participate, please reach out to Ms. Miller at rimiller@cortlandschools.org
Mark your calendars! Senior high Band trip to Hershey Park for a performance/competition on May 10. Junior High trip to Symphoria on May 18 for a live-action performance of Jurassic Park conducted by Sean O’Laughlin.
Inaugural History Through Film Class
This year for the first time, the Social Studies department offered the elective, History Through Film, for any interested Junior or Senior. Through this class, students were able to gain an understanding of events that have shaped human history, as well as critically analyze films for their cultural bias and interpretation of historical events. Students completed projects such as writing screenplays, creating and filming their own short stories, and writing their own movie reviews.
PS I Love You Day
P.S. I Love You Day is held every second Friday of February, making our next celebration on February 9th, 2024. On this day we ask everyone to wear purple to stand up against bullying, help end depression, and ultimately prevent suicide. We hope that on this day you walk around your community, school, or work office and see a sea of purple. We hope that you hear nothing but positive messages that make you feel special, loved, and remind you that you are never alone.
This year we gave t-shirts locally printed with Upstate Merch in Whitney Point with every $15 donation to our group. We donate 25% of the profits to local organizations dealing with mental health - especially with teens and children, we donate 25% back to the PS I Love You, Inc. so that they can grow their scholarship program for seniors that participate. We have selected the Cortland County Child Advocacy Center as the recipient of our donation and will be giving them art supplies.
Muse-ings Submissions
Calling all High School Writers, Artists, and Poets! The time has come to compile original pieces composed/created at CHS during the 2023-24 Academic Year into yet another publication of CHS’s long standing Art and Literary Magazine, Muse-ings. Any student in grades 9-12 who has any questions about submitting your original work for possible publication in this year’s edition, please contact Mr. Morgan at the High School or via email (smorgan@cortlandschools.org) by the submission deadline.
Inspire Your Heart With Art Day
Student artists have been hard at work designing coffee sleeves for Coffee Mania! January 31st was “Inspire Your Heart With Art Day” and Coffee Mania passed out our hand-decorated sleeves to customers who ordered a hot drink. We loved having a chance to give back to our community and collaborate with one of our favorite local businesses!