Cortland Enlarged City Schools
District Newsletter, December 2021
Winter Weather Updates
The winter season is upon us and 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, please be advised of the following information:
- Barry, Smith, and Randall will open to students at 10:15 a.m.
- The Junior High and High School will be open at 9:25 a.m. for breakfast. Homeroom will then begin at 9:38 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.
Art Collaboration with SUNY Cortland
The Art Department had a very exciting collaboration with the SUNY Cortland Community Orchestra. This orchestra, which contains players from the student population, the faculty/staff and the Cortland community, performed a piece of minimalist music by Terry Riley called “In C” at their holiday concert on December 7. This piece is unusual in that the way it is written and the instructions for the players involved, make it sound different every time it is performed.
Students in Comprehensive Art made hanging sculptures called mobiles to be displayed at this performance, because mobiles are also constantly changing and our perception of them changes, depending on where we are standing, how they are hung and the wind currents that can move them.
This visual analogy for the music intrigued and inspired Ubaldo Valli, the orchestra conductor, and Judy Cogan, the CHS Art teacher working with him. The art students involved found highly creative and interesting solutions to the problem of how to create moving artwork.
Cortland High School Musical: Little Shop of Horrors
Cortland High Theatre's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" performed in November and was a great success. The cast put in hard work and long hours since mid-September learning lines, blocking, songs, harmonies and choreography. Behind the scenes, the crew constructed a large and impressive set taking full advantage of the newly renovated auditorium including the full fly system and pit musicians practiced and prepared to play this complete score.
Senior theatre officers Matt Honan, Jenna Diescher and Nick DeRado not only impressed audiences with their acting and vocal skills on stage, but each took on significant leadership roles that were instrumental to the overall success of the production including; building, painting, advertising and designing. Relative newcomers, Christina Stanton and Kaleb Krissel also displayed a level of commitments and enthusiasm throughout the process that shows that CHT will have a bright future.
Thank you to everyone in the Cortland Community who came out to see the show!!! Keep an eye out for future productions including a Junior High Musical in January, a Senior High Play in March, a Student-Written One-Act Play Festival in May and a Theatre Cabaret in June.
Photos from the show are posted below, thanks to Carlita Withers Photography.
Concerts Are Back!
The Randall Middle School Winter Concert was held December 8th at 6:00pm at the Jr./ Sr. High School. 130 students participated in various groups which included the 5th and 6th grade bands, choruses and orchestras as well as select chorus. This was the first school concert held in the newly renovated auditorium. The students performed magnificently and shared the joy of the holidays with family and friends. A huge thank you goes out from the Music Department to all those who attended and all those students who participated in creating great music!
Video Blasts from Superintendent Edwards
Digital Equity Access Survey
One thing that the pandemic has shown us is that having the internet at home is imperative for student learning in our time. If a school district is forced to go to an at-home Learning situation, students need high speed internet to connect with teachers and complete assignments.
Sufficient access to computing devices and high-speed internet, both in school and at students' places of residence, are essential for educational equity. New York State has asked each school district to survey families in order to assess if these technology essentials are met for our students.
Please take this short Digital Access Survey and submit your responses for each of your students. Thank you for your continued Support.Notes from the Board
The CECSD Board of Education meetings are posted on the district website and are open to the public. Because we know not everyone can make it to the meetings, we’d like to share some of the topics that have been discussed most recently:
2022-2023 Budget Calendar approved
Kristopher Williamson, Business Administrator for the district, presented the budget calendar for the year and the board voted to accept it. What this means is that the calendar for budget presentations is set and at every board meeting from now until when we typically vote in May, sections of the budget will be presented. This is helpful information and we encourage everyone to tune in to view the presentations.
November Tiger Paw Recipients
At the November 9th Board of Education meeting, Gavin Metcalf was recognized for being an outstanding student leader in the Tiger Tech program. Congratulations Gavin! At the November 23rd meeting, staff member Doug Kenyon was recognized for his dedication and unmatched work ethic at Cortland High School. Thank you for all you do Doug!
NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete School of Excellence Award 2020-2021
The board would like to congratulate all Cortland athletes and coaches who are dedicated both to their classwork and their team. Schools earn this status by having 75% of their varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. The plaque will be on display at the high school for all to see and celebrate. Way to go Tigers!
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30pm.