Cortland Enlarged City Schools
District Newsletter, April 2022
Superintendent's Video Blast
Check out this awesome blast featuring Mrs. Drake's JH Sewing Class!
Cows at the High School?
Winter Sports Season Celebration
Read about them all HERE.
District and Community Team Up to Provide Wellness Day for Staff
On our March 21 Staff Day, our staff engaged in great learning opportunities together to benefit our students and staff wellness. The morning sessions focused on trauma-informed teaching, engagement strategies and classroom management. In the afternoon, staff had the choice of attending a variety of wellness activities that ranged from fitness classes, games in the gym, yoga, crochet, art classes, nutrition and more. We want to thank our community partners, listed below who volunteered to teach these classes along with our own staff members who offered to lead sessions for one another. In addition to the sessions throughout the day, Guthrie Medical Center provided free health screenings to all staff who signed up and the Lourdes Mammogram parked in front of the HS for anyone who wished to have a free mammogram that day. We value the health and wellness of our staff and we know that being our best for students, starts with taking care of ourselves and each other. We plan to embark on more wellness days in the future, so if you know of any local business who would like to partner with us, please reach out to aviel@cortlandschools.org or ajohnson@cortlandschools.org.
Thank you to our community partners for your support:
Guthrie Medical Center
Lourdes Hospital
Martha Wells, PGA Professional at Skaneateles Country Club
Nicole Bowers, Yoga Flow
Taylor Foster Nutrition, Whole Bites Wellness
Janine Franco and Julie Pace, VINE Health and Wellness
Valerie Chapman, Hidden Mystery Room, Cortland Prevention Resources
Amanda Giles, CrossFit Cortland
Meghan Libous, Miss Meg’s Essential OIls
Shannon Allen, Massage Therapist
Chickie Artis, Massage Therapist
Prudy Prior, Massage Therapist
Madisen Tucker, Massage Therapist
Introducing our New Barry Primary Principal
As many of you know, our Barry Primary School Principal Lisa Kaup is retiring July 1. We would like to thank Mrs. Kaup for her dedication to the students of Cortland in her 11 years of service to the district. Her focus on each student’s well-being is so very appreciated. We wish her much happiness in her retirement!
We are excited to share that at the March 29 Board of Education, Phyllis Litzenberger-Klumpp was approved to serve as our Principal at Barry Primary School beginning July 1, 2022. Mrs. Klumpp has been a teacher here in the district for many years. She completed her Certificate of Advanced Studies at SUNY Cortland and her district and building level administrative internships previously here in the district. She has been an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Cortland, in literacy, and served as a Network Team Coordinator for OCM BOCES. We are excited to welcome Mrs. Klumpp to her new role and are grateful that she will continue to serve the district in the years ahead by helping us realize our journey - our focus on learning, our culture of collaboration, and our focus on students. We look forward to working closely with Mrs. Klumpp as the leader of our Barry Primary School Community leader and as a member of our leadership team. Mrs. Klumpp is pictured below with Mrs. Clark's first grade class.
Cortland Students at Syracuse Maker Faire
The group of Cortland students also got to take part in other STEM related events. Some of the things students were able to do there were soldering a light-up pin, making boomerangs, witness Nitrogen Oxide demonstrations, see blacksmithing demonstrations, and meet some of the droids from Star Wars.
It was an exciting and interesting event for our students to share their talents as well as be inspired by other CNY makers.
Have You Ever Thought of Becoming a Foster Parent?
Who can be a Foster Parent?
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have adequate housing for a foster child, which requires that your home meet health and safety standards.
- Be in good health.
- Have a steady source of income, which can include salary, pension, Social Security, or other means of financial support.
- Can work as a part of a team with the social services agency, other community agencies and the child's biological parents.
- Are willing to make a commitment to the child in your care.
- Understand that the primary goal of foster care for children is the reunification of the biological family, and that foster care is a temporary solution to the problem.
- Want to make a difference in a child's life.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent through Cortland County you can attend one of our orientation sessions with the Hillside Institute For Family Connections held on the first Monday of every month at 7:00pm through zoom. RSVP to Mackenzie Casson via email at mcasson@hillside.com or by phone at 315-209-7541.
Notes from the Board
Notes from the Board
The CECSD Board of Education meeting dates and times 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:
Tiger Paw Recipients.... At the March 29th Board of Education meeting, three individuals were recognized with Tiger Paw Awards. Trent Sweeney received an award for his participation in the SkillsUSA Regional Competition in the Diesel Equipment Technology Competition and was presented a Tiger Paw by Amanda Viel, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Amy Johnson, Chair of the Wellness committee and High School Health teacher and Amanda Viel, were recognized for their work in planning the most recent professional development day for staff. Their Tiger Paws were presented by Bob Edwards. Congratulations Trent, Amy and Amanda!
Junior High Highlights.... Principal Cafararo and Junior high staff and students presented the Board of Education with updates related to the 7th and 8th grade learning experience this year. Some of the highlights included homemade winter hats from Mrs. Drake’s 7th grade Home and Career Class well as a special musical French presentation by Monsieur Tran and his students. The music department shared a video they created to welcome the incoming class of new 7th graders next fall and Mr. Keefner’s modern band ensemble performed. Some important future events for students and families include the Junior High dance on April 27, and a 6th to 7th grade transition night planned for May.
CPEF Grants Awarded…. The Cortland Public Education Foundation (CPEF) presented awards to grant recipients which totaled $4,000 and benefited the Junior Senior High School Library and the Music Department among others. CPEF presenters were; Bob Russell - Vice President and Betsy Cheetham - Allocations Chair. Their mission is to enrich the quality of education for the students of the Cortland Enlarged City School District by obtaining and allocating funds for educational opportunities that extend above and beyond the district’s fiscal budget. Their primary fundraising event is an annual golf tournament on July 29, 2022.
2022-2023 Budget Presentation... Mr. Kristopher Williamson, Business Administrator for the district, continued his presentations related to the budget, highlighting the revenue update as well as the operations and maintenance and transportation budget updates. He also reviewed the instructional budget, special education budget, district support budget and propositions. His presentation at the April 18 meeting will include categorical budget breakdowns as well as the overview of a three-part budget. Presentations can be found on the Business Office Page of the district website. Please save the date for the Public Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 3 at 6pm in the Junior Senior High School.
Don't miss the next Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday, April 18, at 6:30pm.