Randall Middle School
November 1, 2020
Events
11/1 Daylight Savings
11/10 5th Grade Careers in the Arts Workshops (the REV / MGR)
11/10 BOE Meeting
11/11 Veterans Day- No School
11/12 Picture Retakes
11/16 Randall PTO Meeting
11/24 BOE Meeting
11/26-11/27 Thanksgiving Recess
Note From The Principal
I am continually impressed by and grateful for the support of the school community here at Randall. This year has seen a multitude of challenges as we have transitioned between instructional models and explored new ways of teaching and learning. The continued innovation and creativity of our staff along with the support of families are essential to continued student success. 

Attendance and Routine
Whether your student is an in-person learner or a remote learner, daily attendance and engagement are essential. A consistent routine, dedicated work space, and period check-ins will go a long way in supporting learning, particularly for those who are learning from home. 

Quality Work
Our focus for the past few weeks and moving forward relates to responsibility. We are actively working to teach students about what it means to be a responsible learner who makes responsible decisions. Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency related to the following learning targets:

I can identify positive work habits.
I can complete assigned tasks based on expectations.
I can identify steps to be successful in completing a task.
I can complete a task based on identified steps.

One of our school-wide goals is related to responsibility. We will be working with students to ensure they are completing and submitting their best work every day. You can track your student's progress using the class dojo system. Every student has the opportunity to earn 2 points daily under the category, “quality work.” You can support by asking your child if they earned their points for the day. 

Thank you once again, for your support as we all work to ensure every student learns at high levels and is proficient on all skills needed for the next school year and beyond.
Positivity Project
This month, we examined three more character traits: Open-Mindedness, Forgiveness, and Creativity. We focused on how fostering these traits in ourselves can benefit us in and out of the classroom. In addition, we further examined our ¨Other People Matter¨ mindset, by ´Being Present and Giving Others My Attention.´ This has become more difficult (and more important) than ever, as we are all tuned into technology the majority of the day. You may want to ask your child what he/she has taken away from our P2 study this month. Your conversations may be quite thought provoking! :)
Nurse Update
Physicals: NYS Mandate
All 5th grade students and all new entrants in 6th grade are required to have a physical examination. This mandate applies to all students remote and in-person. 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 please notify the nurse via written note or phone @ (607) 758-4174. School physicals are available every Wednesday morning. 

Reminders:  
  • Practice social distancing--Stay 6 feet apart.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
  • Stay home if you are sick!!
  • Currently, all students sent home with signs of Covid-19 require a negative test result prior to their return to school. (This mandate is subject to change in accordance to the NYS Guidelines.)  

Symptoms of Covid-19 include: 
  • Fever
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Headache 
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea or vomiting 
  • Diarrhea
  • Poor appetite

Stay Well!
Nurse Neuman
Attendance
This past month has been a bit of a roller coaster as we adjusted to moving from in-person to temporary remote learning. Thank you teachers and parents, for your diligence in ensuring students were maintaining their educational routine. We want to assure you that our teachers and staff are continuing to make every effort to comply with health and safety regulations. For in-person and remote learners, please continue to have your child arrive to class in a timely manner. Remote learners, please continue to participate in class discussions and lessons. We understand that technical issues arise. Please communicate with your class teacher and Randall office staff to share any information regarding attendance. Let’s continue showing our care and dedication in providing students the educational, physical, and emotional support they need!

Please email our keyboard specialist, Laura Spencer (lspencer@cortlandschools.org), if you are a remote learning student who will be absent for an excused reason, such as a medical appointment. For in-person learners, an email or note sent with the student may service as notice.
Grade Level Interim Progress Reports
Grade level interim reports were sent home with your child this past Friday. If your child is learning remotely, they have been mailed home. This report provides information regarding their overall academic and social progress so far this year. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or would like to set up a conference.
Greeting from the Randall Psychologist
Hello Randall Families! My name is Judie Murphy and I am the new School Psychologist for Randall Middle School. I am very excited to be a part of this amazing team of educators! I can be reached via school email at jmurphy@cortlandschools.org or at 758-4170 x7011.
Happenings in Art!
Finding ways to make art digitally can be a challenge; but we have found a program that’s similar to Photoshop and the students are loving it. The first small project we did was a collage where the artists followed up to 10 prompts to create an image. Now that we know how to find images, save them, select them, copy, and paste them, we are working on learning how to add filters or change the colors of images to build a color wheel. 
Picture Retakes
Want to give your school photo a second chance? On November 12, Randall students and staff will be provided the opportunity to have their picture retaken throughout the day. Remote learners who wish to join may arrive at Randall between 4:00-5:00pm. 

Mrs. Snyder's Class Reward
Distance learning students in Mrs. Snyder´s fifth grade class got a chance to share their pets during the last 15 minutes of school on Friday, October 23rd. This was a class reward for having responsible work habits throughout the last few weeks. 
Spring Pandemic Electronic Benefit Food Transfer Benefits Still Being Distributed
All Cortland Enlarged City School District students are eligible to receive a payment as a result of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. Each student will receive $420 total for the months of March 2020 through June 2020. These are for the months when schools were required throughout the state to do all distance learning. The funds will be provided on a new or existing EBT card that can be used like a bank debit card to purchase food from participating stores. Students with existing EBT benefits should have already received these benefits via their EBT card. Students who do not currently receive EBT benefits should continue checking their mail for their EBT card. P-EBT benefits are not limited by immigration status and public charge rules do NOT apply. 

We recently learned that the payments are still being issued, even though it was expected that you would have received this benefit from the spring by now. All students are eligible because all Cortland students receive breakfast and lunch due to Community Eligibility. Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits will be issued automatically to all Cortland students. 

If you have questions about P-EBT food benefits, please email otda.sm.eisp.PEBT@otda.ny.gov or call the P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 1-833-452-0096.

Learn more:
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Many Programs!
Breakfast and Lunch are Provided for ALL Students!
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