Nice job, Emma Nickerson! 🎳
Spirit Week will be 2/10 - 2/14 (leading up to mid-winter recess). Here are the different MHS dress up days for that week!
A special thank you to our students, Justin Gonzalez and Kameron Brown, who built this beautiful shelf unit, in Mr. Cole's shop class, for Mrs. Allessi to display her wintry decorations! #ValleyProud!
As part of our "Make The Valley Proud" campaign, we've highlighted various things this school year that we're proud of. Last week, we really showed how These Cougars CAN Roar by honoring another district's student athlete, on the court. Portville played CVCS last week and it was brought to our attention that one of their student's, Aidan DeFazio, may reach his 1000 point achievement at this basketball game! Not only did he achieve this great accomplishment in our gym but the game stopped to honor him. As the parents of Aidan stated in their thank you letter to us, "your announcer, coaches, student athletes, fans and even the refs made it seem like we were in our home gym." Another statement from Aidan's parents, "Your commitment to ALL students’ success will never be lost on Aidan or our family" really touched our hearts and we just had to share this sentiment that we received. It's clear that The Valley takes pride in what we do but this just shows how we truly care about others and their achievements as well. Congrats, Aidan! #ValleyProud #TheseCougarsCANRoar #1000ShotAchievement
CVCS Community!
If you're interested in FFA (Future Farmers of America apparel, you can place an order using this link! https://falconerprinting.chipply.com/cassadagaffa/store.aspx
Perfect for alumni, community supporters, and future FFAers!
https://falconerprinting.chipply.com/cassadagaffa/store.aspx
Hello Cassadaga Cougars! Please review this important message:
According to New York State Regulation Sub-Part 67-4, all school districts must regularly test for lead in their water systems. In line with recent updates to this sub-part, the acceptable parts per billion (PPB) reading for testing of lead in school drinking water was reduced from an acceptable amount of 15PPB to 5PPB. Following this change in acceptable levels, we tested our system. It is important to note that the deadline for this testing was not until December 21, 2025, with follow-up testing completed every three years. Cassadaga completed this task early in order to mitigate issues early, if testing showed that such measures were needed. Under the new lowered thresholds, we have faucets in both of our buildings that have tested above the minimally acceptable levels. Having received this information just yesterday afternoon, we are making immediate adjustments as we seek interventions to mitigate lead levels under these new expectations. Please be advised of the following:
1. We received this information yesterday afternoon and are moving swiftly to make adjustments. At this moment, we know that all of the impacted faucets are ones that were planned for removal or out of use at the time of testing. For example, SES installed bottle filling machines throughout the school building in recent years. The "drinking fountains" impacted at SES do not include any of these water points. The impacted fountains are outdated "bubblers" found in the classrooms that were planned for removal. We have shut off the valves at each and every one of the water sources that fell above the new level thresholds.
2. In addition to being shut off, the impacted faucets are being marked with a sticker that states "Do not use. Not potable."
3. Even if the faucets may have been out of use for some time, if the faucets were drinking water access points, we will have bottled water accessible for consumption in these areas.
Similar to our urgency to test early and mitigate swiftly, we also seek to be ahead of the curve and swift and transparent in our communications. Sub-Part 67-4 states that notification must go to staff, parents and the community within 10 days. We wanted to make sure that everyone had the information we had as quickly as possible. As such, we are notifying you immediately. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions and know that we will update you regularly as we move through this process. Please feel free to access information about Sub-Part 67-4 here --> https://regs.health.ny.gov/volume-1a-title-10/1942050456/subpart-67-4-lead-testing-school-drinking-water.
Reminder of tomorrow's Family Center event, "Academic Support & Communication" with our MHS principal, Mr. Tonelli. Please check in at the MHS office.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES!! PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS ENTIRE POST!!
This was noted on our instructional calendar but not on the district calendar that went home over the summer: January 24th is a HALF DAY for students (staff have a 1/2 PD day in the afternoon). Middle/High School students will be dismissed at 10:30AM. Elementary students will be dismissed at 11:05 AM (walkers) and 11:15 AM (bussed students).
For HS students, the January Regents scheduled is also attached.
SNOW DAYS!!!! It's been a wild winter so far, and CVCS has used 3 snow days. We originally had 4 days built into our approved calendar. To give us some wiggle room, we want to add 2 days to our tally. Here is how we will do this:
In the event that we take TWO more snow days before February 14th, we will immediately change March 7th to a STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY. The professional development day will be moved to June 27, 2025. We will also adjust May 23, 2025 to a STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY. This Friday before the Memorial Day weekend was already listed as a "take-back" day. What has changed is that we will make every attempt to leave the spring break intact. PLEASE NOTE, NONE OF THESE CHANGES ARE GOING INTO EFFECT AS OF YET. We just want to notify the community ahead of time, in case we end up using two more snow days by February 14th. We will update everyone if this happens and be sure everyone is clear on which days students/staff should report.
If you have any questions at this time, please reach out to the main offices, regarding the half day and regents exams, and the District Office, regarding the potential change in take-back days.
**ATTENTION**
*Have you ever considered a career in transportation?
*Would you enjoy and take pride in working with our district's children?
*Would you enjoy a career that allowed your day to have flexibility?
*Are you interested in a career that offers all the training that you'd require to get started?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions then we have a great opportunity for you!
Cassadaga Valley bus garage will be hosting an open house on Thursday, January 23, from 6:00-8:00 PM and Saturday, January 25, 9:00-11:00 AM. We will have two of our newest buses open and accessible to be walked through and looked over. We will also have current staff there to answer questions and show you around. We would love to see you there and help you get started in your new career!
CVCS Community! Even though it looks clear outside now, schools up north are seeing flakes flying and are anticipating and are canceling afternoon/evening activities for today. Out of an abundance of caution, we are canceling all afterschool/evening activities for today, January 13th, including the fitness center. Please travel safe, stay warm, and be well.
Congratulations to our Cougars with Character for December! They are doing a great job to make our school better! We are so proud!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S1aA28d1wYzL7vGWiyCi8ADZWXmKCxO5BIwxpehz7dk/edit?usp=sharing
Check out the January 2025 edition of The Cougar Post, developed by Sinclairville Elementary 4th and 5th grade students! https://5il.co/34l25
Ski Club will begin this Friday, January 10th, and will run for 8 weeks! Departure from Sinclairville Elementary will be at 3:45 PM with a return time to the elementary building at approximately 10:00 PM. Please reach out to Ms. Merrill with questions.
Just a reminder of this week's Family Center event, "Navigating Special Education Services and Supports" with CVCS Director of Special Education & Student Services, Rebecca Donnelly! All of our Family Center events are FREE and open to the public! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Raynor at (716) 962-8581 ext. 1301
Happy New Year! Please take a moment to read the updated superintendent message. We wish you a healthy, successful and a joyful start to the year. As we begin 2025, it’s the perfect time to look back and reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together while also looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Remember to smile a bit more, we need some sunshine in these cloudy months. We do have a lot to smile about – After all, it’s always a great day to be in The Valley!
Cassadaga Valley lost two great retirees recently; Alfred "Al" Carpenter and Ken Balling. Al taught at CVCS for 30 years, was an advisor for multiple classes, started the tennis team and coached until he retired. Ken taught at CVCS for 23 years, coached football, basketball and softball. Ken stayed involved with the community and spent nearly 50 years answering calls to duty as a Volunteer Firefighter, with Stockton Volunteer Fire Company (and in Florida where he lived part of the year). Both of these great teachers/coaches made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students here in The Valley and we couldn't be more grateful for their dedication to our students and community. Our deepest condolences go out to their families/friends.
https://www.post-journal.com/obituaries/2024/12/kenneth-w-balling/
https://chautauquatoday.com/obits/details.cfm?id=43184
CVCS community! Due to the inclement weather, the JV and Varsity boys basketball games have been canceled for this evening. The Fitness Center will also be closed this evening. Please stay safe and warm!
Happy New Year!
On 12/20, we had our second Middle School Incentive Program reward, for behavior at the 15 week mark. Students were able to watch the newest Grinch movie, have hot chocolate/cookies/candy canes, and also play board games during 7th and 8th period! #ValleyProud
Merry Christmas from The Valley!
