Cayuga Heights Elementary School

CHES Updates

Hi CHES Families,

I hope you continue to be well as we head toward mid-August. Sometimes it's really hard to believe how fast time flies!

Together with the CHES PTA, we will be at West Village apartments playground this Wednesday night, August 13th, from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Take a look at our updated flyer for a rescheduled date due to last week's cancellation. I encourage you to check out the PTA's website, chespta.net, and consider joining for the upcoming school year (it's free!).

Many CHES staff teach during the summer at the ICSD's Project Innovation summer program; which ends this upcoming Friday, August 15th, with a Celebration of Learning! Congrats to all who participated. CHES staff have also been attending various types of professional development; as well as taking some (much deserved) time with family to rest and rejuvenate.

As September gets closer, I believe that students and staff alike are starting to think more about the first day of school (Wednesday, September 3rd). CHES will send our summer welcome packets through United States Postal Service mail on Friday, August 22nd. This packet will include a letter from your child's teacher, as well as lots of CHES and ICSD information.

See you soon,

Aileen

Updated Playground Night flyer

Important Dates:

August 13: Playground Night @ West Village Playground, 6:00-7:00pm

August 20: Playground Night @ CHES, 6:00-7:00pm (rescheduled)

August 27: Playground Night @ CHES, 6:00-7:00pm

September 2: Elementary Open House @ CHES, 1:00-2:00pm

September 3: First Day of School for Elementary Students

September 5: CHES PTA Ice Cream Social, evening

To view the full CHES events calendar, click here.

To view the ICSD district calendar, click here.

NYS School Cell Phone Legislation

You may have heard about the new law restricting the use of student personal devices during the school day (bell to bell") in New York state. I encourage you to read the ICSD's "District Download" to familiarize yourself with how this policy will be enacted in our school communities.

At CHES, the expectations remains the same: if a student brings a phone to school, it stays silent and zipped away in a backpack, or in the main office, throughout the school day. You can always get in touch with your child during the school day by calling the CHES Main Office (607-257-8557). The main office email can also be used to communicate about drop off, pick up, and other non-emergency information (CHES_main_office@icsd.k12.ny.us). Once the school year starts, communicating directly with your child's teacher is also a good idea.

Although this new legislation does not directly affect the day-to-day experience of students at CHES, I do think it brings up some pertinent questions about the prevalence and use (or over-use?) in our society and in our schools. Below are questions from the ICSD's District Download that may spark discussion in your family. You can share thoughts and reflections through the Let's Talk portal.

💬 Conversations You Can Start at Home

  • Are there any downsides to technology use that you've noticed or heard about?

  • How do you feel after spending time on social media?

  • What are some fun things the family can do that don't involve screens?

  • What does it mean to be a good digital citizen, and how can the family practice that?

Thank you for reading the CHES Updates