High School Students Attend SUNY Cortland Leadership Summit:
On September 11th, 2018 six students from Cortland High School attended the “Next Generation Leadership Summit” at SUNY Cortland. This event was put on my program coordinator and Cortland native, Dr. Kevin Mack. Auburn, Homer, Whitney Point, Marathon, Marcellus, and Moravia school Districts also sent student representatives.
Three main questions drove the discussions. Those questions were:
As a student leader, how can you help create a positive culture?
What is the difference between being a leader and holding a position of leadership?
What skills do you need to be a successful student leader?
Amy Johnson, Health teacher and Link Crew leader at Cortland High School, accompanied the students to the Summit. Johnson said, “I choose the ...
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Meet Marie Meagher:
A new face to the District Office this year is Director of Special Education, Marie Meagher. Marie is a native of the Southern Tier and grew up in Binghamton, NY. She currently resides in Endwell with her husband and two sons.
Marie wanted to work in Cortland because she feels her educational values strongly align with District philosophy that “all means all” regarding student achievement.
Marie became an administrator after serving as a school psychologist for the last nineteen years. She felt her experience as a school psychologist would serve her in a leadership position. In her current role as the Director of Special Education, Marie wants to make sure she advocates for all students with disabilities and their families. Marie said, “my favorite part of this ...
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Transportation Crunch Felt at CECSD:
Heading into the 2018-2019 school year, our transportation department is still facing a severe shortage of drivers. We have been actively attempting to recruit drivers via our website, social media, and face-to-face at school functions such as concerts and open house events. Despite our efforts, we have not received enough interest to fill the immediate vacancies.
The bus driver shortage situation is not unique to Cortland; as other schools around the state and nation are also faced with the same dilemma. One neighboring district has even had to hire a professional charter bus company to transport athletic teams, an expensive and short term solution.
Here at Cortland, we have attempted to put a temporary fix or bandaid on the problem by having mechanics and office staff drive ...
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Cortland Remembers 9/11/01:
Today, Americans join together with somber tributes in remembrance of the 2,976 people that perished in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 seventeen years ago. Citizens and students of Cortland, NY were no exception as they gathered this morning in Courthouse Park.
First responders, including police and firefighters, gathered around Courthouse Park to see the dedication of the new memorial and listen to the speakers. In the center of the park, the memorial is composed of two metal towers reaching towards the sky. This new memorial, due to a generous donation from the Trolley Museum in Kingston, NY, has been constructed using artifacts from the World Trade Center site. It resembles two steel towers constructed of twisted metal emerging from the rubble ...
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First Day of School Video:
We had a great first week! Nervousness was quickly replaced with smiles as schedules, lockers, and cubbies were successfully navigated.
Let the learning begin! Here's a snapshot of the day, in a short video.
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Cortland CECSD Welcomes New Staff:
On August 27, new teaching staff participated in orientation and mentoring meetings. Teachers were welcomed by Superintendent Michael Hoose, and Board of Education President Janet Griffin.
Theresa Rutkowski is one of our new teachers at Barry Elementary. She said, “I am so excited to join the team at Barry. Everyone has been so welcoming. One of the benefits is having veteran fifth grade teacher Karen Matteson being my mentor. With her guidance, I know that I am going to have a productive year!”
Another teacher, Ellen Walpole, is excited to start at the Senior High School. Ellen taught English last year in the Rochester City School District. Ellen is originally from Central NY and is excited to return home and begin the year as part of the Cortland team!
Below ...
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Fall 2018 Sports Kick Off:
With the summer days getting ever so slightly shorter, Cortland student-athletes have taken to the fields and started training for the rapidly approaching fall sports season. We sat down with all of our varsity head coaches to discuss the coming fall season. The following will give you a glimpse of what’s to come during the upcoming fall sports season!
Girls Soccer- Ilona Ryon, Head Coach
This is Ilona Ryon’s fourth year as head Varsity coach.
Ryon said, “the timing feels right this year. I think we are going to have one of the best seasons because we have a large group of returning athletes mixed with energy from the newcomers.”
The team is hoping to do well in sectionals this year. For those who wish to support the team, they are ...
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Tools for Learning Provided For All Students:
Cortland Enlarged City School District is committed to high levels of learning for all students. We strive to provide engaging and equitable learning environments for everyone. So that all students have everything they need for learning, the District will continue to provide all of the supplies and equipment needed for our classrooms. Families do not have to purchase supplies for their children to bring to school.
Experience informs us that families are often frustrated by the financial burden and difficulty in meeting the different requests of multiple teachers. At the beginning of the school year, families are often purchasing apparel as well. Easing the stress and burden of school supplies can help.
The District has identified the supplies necessary for classroom learning. ...
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Barry Elementary Welcomes New Principal:
The Cortland Enlarged City School District is pleased to announce that Mr. Jordan Ashley is the new principal of F. S. Barry Elementary School. Mr. Ashley grew up in Liverpool, NY, and comes to Cortland from the Syracuse City School District where he served as dean of students at two different schools.
Mr. Ashley earned his Bachelor’s degree in music education from Houghton College. He went on to earn his Master’s of Science in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration and Supervision from SUNY Oswego. Prior to becoming an administrator, Mr. Ashley was a music teacher.
Mr. Ashley enjoys working with elementary aged children. He credits his passion for education and his desire to positively ...
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Community Eligibility Program Expands to Grades 7-12:
Cortland Enlarged City School District is committed to high levels of learning for all students. We strive to provide engaging and equitable learn ing environments for everyone. In an effort to ensure that all students are afforded an optimal learning environment, the District will provide breakfast and lunch, at no cost, to all students in Kindergarten through Twelfth grade.
The District will be extending the Community Eligibility Provision of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which is a federally-funded program, to all students K-12. Last year the program only serviced students in grades K-6. Francis Zaryski, School Lunch Manager said, “Extending the program to all students in Cortland Enlarged City School District and BOCES programs will give all students the opportunity ...
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Athletics Department Is Awarded NYSPHSAA School of Excellence Report:
The Cortland Enlarged City School District is thrilled to announce that the varsity athletic program has again been named a designated Schools of Excellence for its classroom achievements. Cortland is the only school District in Cortland County that has been awarded this honor and joins a select list of 101 schools in NYS that recieved this distiniction.
In order to be named a School of Excellence, a school must have 75 percent of its varsity teams earn scholar-athlete status (earning a grade point average of 90 or above). Cortland is proud to have 20 of its 24 varsity teams qualify for this award.
“I am extremely proud of the commitment the Cortland student-athletes have shown to their academic success,” Athletic Director Tim Wagoner said. “Cortland Athletics ...
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Summer Reading at the Park in July:
The Family Reading Partnership of Cortland County will once again host "Summer Reading at the Park" at Randall School Park on Wednesdays in July beginning July 11th. Children and families can come choose free books to read at the park and to bring home to keep. "Summer Reading at the Park" will take place from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Randall Park near the Summer Lunch Program. Children and families can come back on July 18th and July 25th to select additional books to keep. This is the second year of the project, and it’s off to a great start.
The mission of the Family Reading Partnership of Cortland County is to encourage pleasurable family literacy experiences from birth and to provide children in the community with access to books. Volunteers such as ...
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Summer Meals for Kids:
The Summer Food Service Program serves up free, healthy meals for kids and teens at favorite summertime places near here. Anyone ages 18 and under can drop by when breakfast, lunch, or snacks are served – no sign-up or paperwork is needed. All kids and teens are welcome!
Wava Bush, Cook Manager for the Cortland Enlarged City School District said, “the summer meal program has been going well so far. Kids have benefitted from the free breakfast and lunch and have been enjoying the free food.”
The Summer Food Service Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New York State Education Department. In past years, the program has served over 200 million free meals across the country over the summer months, with over 6,000 meals served throughout ...
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High School Commencement:
As the graduates filed into the SUNY Cortland Park Alumni Center, the orchestra played the traditional commencement march “Pomp and Circumstance.” Parents, relatives, brothers and sisters looked on as the Class of 2018 took their seats. The ceremony opened with a welcome by Principal Joe Mack, followed by the Senior Class Officers leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the Cortland Alma Mater. Class of 2018 salutatorian, Tristan Stevens, spoke next and gave a piece of advice to the rows of graduates seated below him when he stated that “learning from your mistakes only makes you stronger.” Janet Griffin, School Board President spoke next, encouraging students “to try new things, be opened minded, explore and think positive thoughts.” ...
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Summer Reading Information:
Summertime is a fun time for readers of all ages! Research has shown that children who spend time reading during the summer months not only avoid the “summer slide” in learning, but also score higher on reading achievement tests than those who do not participate.
Annette Herbert, Library Media Specialist said, “The effect of the “summer slide” is staggering. Kids who lose reading skills over the summer will end up two years behind their reading peers by the end of sixth grade. There are many opportunities to prevent that “slide” that are easily accessible to your children. ”
We have a wonderful public library right here in Cortland. They have a summer reading program that is fun, informative, and relaxing. ...
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103 Seniors Graduate with College Credit:
We are proud to announce that 103 Cortland Seniors earned college credit while still in high school! This opportunity is made possible through the CollegeNow partnership between the Cortland Enlarged City School District and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). We commend the students for their excellent work.
School counselor, Kindra Catalano said, “I am extremely proud of these students. Earning college credits is something we encourage. Our partnership with TC3 allows students to earn credit, at a decreased cost or no cost at all; significantly cheaper than the traditional cost per credit. Many of these students may be able to complete their Bachelor’s degree in less than four years, potentially a huge savings.”
Overall, this year’s seniors have ...
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5th and 6th Grade Students Compete in Olympics at the HS:
The drizzling rain did not stop the smiles, fun, and friendly competition from happening at the fifth and sixth grade Cortland Olympics on June 6th. Students from the five elementary schools picked a country to represent, made t-shirts and flags, and prepared for the games.
As students arrived at the stadium, high school students greeted them by forming a human tunnel for students to run through. Each class then got a photo by the Cortland Athletics banner. The national anthem then played and the games began!
Classes rotated through multiple stations including typical track and field events such as the shot put, long jump, and 4x100m relay. Non-traditional events also were held such as the potato sack race, tug o’ war, water balloon toss, hula hoop challenge and egg relay. ...
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Deeper Learning Project Presents at School Board Meeting:
On Tuesday June 5th, students and teachers involved in the Deeper Learning Project presented the results of their year-long effort to the Board of Education.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Jeff Craig, started the night off with explaining that the purpose behind the Deeper Learning Project is to increase student engagement. Craig said, “Here at Cortland we have identified student engagement as one of priorities to improve instruction. The top ten ingredients of student engagement are: relationships, active learning strategies, technology, hands-on learning, student interest, relevance, real world connections, collaboration, student choice, and student discussion. All these ingredients were all part of the Deeper Learning Project. Teachers were able ...
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Spring Sports Wrap Up:
After a long hibernation made longer by a late start to spring, students are finally trading in their boots and coats for sandals and sunblock. Before the school closes in June and students officially start their summer break, it is important to reflect and recognize our student athletes. The short “spring” was jam packed with excitement as most of the Cortland Athletics teams made it to the sectional qualification level.
With schedules winding down, we sat down with all of our varsity head coaches to reflect on the spring season. The following rundown will give you a glimpse of the results of our spring athletics program.
BASEBALL
After a slow start to the season, 0-5 in the team’s first five games, the squad turned it around at home against ...
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Electrify Your Strings:
E LECTRIFY YOUR STRINGS! ROCK ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
COMES TO CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT STRINGS AND ST. MARY’S SOAR
WORLD-RENOWNED ELECTRIC VIOLINIST MARK WOOD TO PERFORM WITH STUDENTS
June 12, 2018 at 7:00pm
Cortland Junior-Senior High School
FREE ADMISSION
International recording artist and Emmy award winning composer Mark Wood, an original member of the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, is bringing his groundbreaking music education program Electrify Your Strings! (EYS) to Cortland Junior-Senior High School. This exciting event will transform the student musicians into a full-fledged Rock Orchestra! Mark will be performing with the students on his handcrafted 7-string ...
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