Randall Middle School
Newsletter, April 2022
News From the Principal
News:
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We have many exciting things happening at Randall Middle School as we transition into Spring. Our students are learning at high levels in all academic subject areas, and also with social-emotional learning (SEL). Behaviors that promote learning and behaviors that promote positive social interaction are two areas that we engage in explicit instruction in each classroom. Just like academic learning, some students might need more time and support to show proficiency with SEL. Thankfully, our teachers are members of a vibrant professional learning community where we are able to collaborate to ensure that we know what all students need to learn, how we will know they’ve learned it, how we will respond when some haven’t learned it yet, and how we can extend learning for those who have learned it. This applies to academic and social/emotional learning.
Your student’s report card recently came home with updated grades for the second trimester. The Cortland Enlarged City School District K-6 report cards now use standards-based grading. Standards -based grading emphasizes essential skills and determines which specific learning targets your student has shown proficiency with, and which learning targets may need more targeted instruction. This article helps to clarify the differences between traditional report cards and standards-based grading.
When you review your student’s progress on academic and social/emotional learning, make note of areas your student has shown progress, and which might be areas of focus for the final trimester. Having discussions at home about your student’s academic and SEL goals for the final trimester is a great way to emphasize high levels of learning while also celebrating the progress your student has made so far.
Here’s to a super third trimester!
With Purple Tiger Pride,
~Mrs. Juli Quinn, Randall Middle School Principal
Junior High School Orientation
Dear Parents/guardians of incoming 7th graders:
On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Cortland Junior High School will be hosting an orientation for all incoming seventh graders, parents, and guardians. The orientation will take place in the CHS auditorium beginning promptly at 6:00pm.
The purpose of the orientation is to welcome all current 6th graders who will be 7th graders in the fall of 2022. Parents and students will be able to meet staff members, hear about certain programs such as foreign language, music and athletics, and ask questions regarding the transition to the junior high school. While parents meet with me in the auditorium, students will be given a tour of the building by staff members.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the orientation, please contact the Junior High School office at 607-758-4190.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Cafararo
7-8 Principal
Cortland Junior High School
607-758-4190
The Dangers of Vaping
You might find this hard to believe, but in the past three weeks, I have collected numerous vapes from fifth and sixth grade students at Randall Middle School. Several of these belonged to parents and caregivers, and students had taken them and were using them and sharing them with peers. Our students are viewing vaping as a more fashionable and “healthy” alternative to smoking. Did you know:
The amount of nicotine in one vape canister is the same as an entire pack of cigarettes?
Students are much more susceptible to nicotine addiction because their brains are still developing.
News From the Nurse
Physicals
All 5th graders and any new admits to the Cortland School District, are required to have a physical examination. 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 the nurse at (607)-758-4179. If you prefer a school physical, call the nurse. School physicals are scheduled every Tuesday morning. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the nurse at (607) 758-4174 or jneuman@cortlandschools.org
Cortland City Schools have been selected by the state to provide BMI % data within the school district. The information will be taken from the health appraisals of students from the 2020/2021 school year. Each student’s health examination is required to include Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category (WSC). If you do not wish your child’s data (no personal identification) to be included in this survey please contact your school health office.
Reminders
Call the Main Office if your child is absent or tardy.
Update phone numbers, contacts & health concerns.
Check your child's hair daily for any signs of lice/nits.
Pack a change of clothes for spills or accidents.
If your child needs medication in school, get a Doctor's order, bring in the medication, and sign paperwork.
Keep your children home if they are sick.
All children who are sent home from the nurse must have a COVID test and/or an alternate diagnosis from a Doctor.
COVID testing consent forms available online
COVID tests Registration https://app.clarifi-covid-19.com
P2
This month, we focused on Social Intelligence, Love of Learning, and Purpose. This past week, we had a little fun with Humor. Don’t forget that “P2 for Families” is an easy and effective way to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. It is differentiated for grades Pre-K – 2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each character strength includes 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to drive conversations around character at home. Click here P2 For Families
Password= P2
Alaska Iditarod
“Mush! Gee! Haw! Woah!”
For those of you who don’t speak sled dog and musher, that means “Go! Right! Left! Slow down!”
This past month all of us here at Randall have learned about the Iditarod that takes place every year in Alaska, including the trail, the mushers, the dogs and the history. Each class also picked a musher to support during the race, and Mrs. Hausman’s 5th grade class picked the second place finisher! We also were so lucky to have a former iditarod racer, Mrs. Karen Land, come and speak to our whole school about what it is like to race in the iditarod, train sled dogs, and live the musher life. (And yes, that is Miss Evans in the clothes a musher wears on trail!!)
In more general news, we are continuing research and creation skills during library class, with our fifth graders creating informative posters on endangered animals and sixth graders making pamphlets to teach younger students about career opportunities.
We also encourage everyone to continue reading, and to find a good book to “spring” into!
~ Miss Evans