2 Hour Delay: Elmira Heights Schools are on a 2-hour delay today, December 16, 2024
Happy Spartamas! Tomorrow Begins the 12 Days of Spartamas Fun!
Winter weather could hit as early as Friday morning—avoid Snow Day FOMO by being the first to know when school is closed! Stay ahead of the game and get the *Elmira Heights CSD App* today!
Whether it's snow days, school closures, important calendar updates, or the latest sports schedules, the *Elmira Heights CSD App* is your go-to source for everything you need.
Want the most up-to-date info directly to your phone? Get the app, and make sure you **accept push notifications** to get instant updates the moment they happen.
Here’s how to stay in the loop:
1. Search for *Elmira Heights CSD* in your app store and download it.
2. When prompted, select “Allow” to enable push notifications.
3. Open the app, go to the bottom menu, and tap on *Settings*.
4. Make sure your settings are turned on and select your school building to receive notifications.
Get the app and be the FIRST to know about school updates, emergencies, and everything in-between!
November's Fun Fashion Friday Themes!
Happy October Spartans!
Cohen Middle School will have its first half day on Wednesday, October 2nd. Dismissal will begin at 11:30AM.
Do not hesitate to reach out to the main office if you have any questions.
Have a great day!
Show some Spartan Pride for our district wide Spirit Week, starting Monday, September 30!
Let's Go Spartans!
Happy Friday Spartans,
We are reaching out to let you know that construction on our main office is officially complete. Our new main office will be fully operational starting Monday, September 23. We look forward to welcoming you into our new space.
Have a wonderful weekend, Spartans!
Dear Elmira Heights School Community,
In light of recent events and local concerns about social media threats to neighboring schools over the past few days, we want to take a moment to share some best practices for school safety and discuss how we can work together to ensure the well-being of our students, staff, and visitors. We understand that this topic may create anxiety for many, but our goal is to foster open communication to enhance safety for everyone. This letter is lengthy, but the safety and security of our schools are of utmost importance to us all.
First, I want to clarify that our situation has not changed in the last 24 hours. We have not received any threats directed at our schools. Some nearby schools have experienced "Swatting" threats—false, non-credible threats intended to cause disruption. We are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to work with the Elmira Heights Police Department through our School Resource Officer.
As a school community, we are committed to providing a secure environment. One of the most effective ways to strengthen our security is through collaboration with you—parents, students, and staff. Open communication helps us remain informed, vigilant, and responsive. Whether you are securing doors, reporting unusual behavior, or having safety discussions with your children, every effort strengthens the security of our schools.
We recognize that these are challenging times and that many of us feel a loss of control over events happening around us. However, we do have significant control when it comes to school safety. By securing our buildings and fostering a strong network of trust within our community, we can create the safest environment possible.
In recent years, we have made significant investments to improve our school security, including:
• Enhancing main entrances to serve as single points of entry, with secure vestibules for safely processing visitors.
• Adding and upgrading cameras across our facilities to improve surveillance and monitoring.
• Implementing Raptor software to screen visitors by scanning state-issued identification for background checks.
• Upgrading doors and windows to improve security while also enhancing climate control in our buildings.
• This fall, we are introducing the "See Something, Say Something" initiative, which will include new communication channels for students, staff, and the community to report concerns. More information on this will be shared soon.
One of the most visible and impactful security improvements has been the reintroduction of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Our partnership with the Elmira Heights Police Department has always been strong, and now we have their presence in our schools daily. This relationship ensures that our communication with law enforcement is clear, constant, and vigilant, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication to our safety.
We understand that school safety is not a destination but an ongoing process. We remain fully committed to continuously improving our safety protocols to benefit our students, staff, and community. We also recognize that these conversations can create heightened anxiety. However, the more we understand our procedures and responses to potential threats, the more confident and comfortable we can feel. Knowing what steps are in place and how we all play a role can ease some of the uncertainty surrounding this important issue.
In the coming days, we will provide additional resources and guidance to help you engage in meaningful conversations with your children about school safety, as well as specific procedures we follow to address safety concerns in our schools.
Through shared understanding, we can build trust and reinforce the sense of community that strengthens our schools. Together, we can ensure our students "Reach New Heights in Learning" while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Thank you for your continued support, vigilance, and partnership in keeping our school safe. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Gill
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira Heights School District
Hey Spartans! Our amazing PFO is running a contest. Sell the most Chocolates and you have a chance to earn a $50 Gift Card! Take a look at the attachment for more information!
Thank you PFO!
🚨 Community Update: This morning, the Sheriff’s Department conducted SWAT team training on the West side of the Village of Elmira Heights. We were informed through our Elmira Heights Police Department and School Resource Officer. Please note that this is just a training exercise, and there is no cause for concern. We appreciate their proactive approach and ongoing commitment to keeping our community safe. 👍👮♂️ #CommunitySafety #Teamwork
Attention Spartans! We are excited to welcome you back in action for the First Day of School tomorrow, Thursday, September 5th! Doors open at 7:55AM. The Tardy bell is 8:08AM. The first day of school is always a memorable one. Come with a smile, curiosity, and a drive to make this your best school year yet!
Pictured here is our amazing 8th grade National Junior Honor Society Students. These Spartans took a few hours out of their day to go over lesson plans with the main office and assist in our 6th Grade/New Student Orientation. Thank you for your service and leadership, NJHS!
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend, Spartans!
Attention Spartans! One last reminder that tonight is the 6th Grade/New Student Orientation at CMS! Doors open at 5:45 with Orientation starting at 6:00. NJHS Students please use door six for our 4:30 meeting. Looking forward to seeing many of you back in our halls tonight!
Let's Go Spartans!
During the August Board of Education Meeting, Eli Kirby was presented the Reach New Heights Award from President Sullivan, Superintendent Gill, and Principal Foley. Eli Reached New Heights by receiving a perfect score on her Living Environment Regents Exam!
Congratulations, Eli! Continue to Reach New Heights!
🚧 Attention: Cohen Campus Closure Updates 🚧
Please be informed that the Cohen campus, including the playground and courts, will be closed on weekdays from 7am to 4pm for ongoing road, parking area, and building construction improvements. Limited access will be available after 4pm, with no vehicle access permitted on campus during this time or after.
We kindly ask everyone to respect our neighbors when accessing the campus. Additionally, please note that there may be intermittent closures in the evenings as well. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this period of enhancement.
🚧 Attention: anticipated Cohen campus closures. Please be patient with our progress! Renovations are coming to the roads and parking lots at Cohen Campus. The Recreation Area, playground, and courts will be closed from 7am to 4pm on affected days. Access to roads and parking lots on campus will also be restricted at times for safety reasons. These closures will begin after July 10th and could extend into August, depending on weather and project completion. Additional work on the Cohen Building may require further closures. Keep an eye on our website and social media for the latest updates! 🛠️
Spartan Families,
CMS will have a half day on Friday, June 21 due to the heat advisory. 8th grade students will still go bowling in the morning and return to school for lunch prior to the building dismissing at 11:30AM.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to me.
Stay cool,
Brandon Foley
CMS Principal
Good afternoon Elmira Heights parents and community,
Due to the heat advisory in effect now through Friday June 21st, Elmira Heights School District's elementary and middle schools will operate on half-day schedules. Friday classes at the middle and elementary will follow our regular half-day schedule. More specific information will be posted soon.
Regents exams will proceed as scheduled for high school students in air-conditioned spaces at the high school.
We recognize that this decision will bring relief to many, though it may also pose challenges for families. The Cohen complex building becomes uncomfortably warm when temperatures rise into the mid to upper 80s. The heat index warning continues to be calling for temperatures to exceed 100 degrees, necessitates this adjustment.
Further details regarding dismissal schedules will be communicated soon by individual school buildings. They will operate on the same schedule as we are today.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.
CMS Spartans,
A reminder that the CMS Spring Concert is still taking place tonight at 7:00PM in our auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 and musicians should report directly to the cafeteria.
If you are unable to attend the concert, you can still watch the show by clicking on the livestream link found on the front page of our school website in the top-center blue tab.
See you tonight!
Brandon Foley
CMS Principal
Due to the heat advisory in effect from noon on Tuesday, June 18 through Thursday, June 20, Elmira Heights School District's elementary and middle schools will operate on half-day schedules. Wednesday is already a day off of school across New York State in observance of Juneteenth. On Tuesday and Thursday, classes will follow our regular half-day schedule. More specific information will be posted soon.
Regents exams will proceed as scheduled for high school students in air-conditioned spaces at the high school.
We recognize that this decision will bring relief to many, though it may also pose challenges for families. The Cohen complex building becomes uncomfortably warm when temperatures rise into the mid to upper 80s. The heat index warning over the next few days is calling for temperatures to exceed 100 degrees, necessitates this adjustment.
Further details regarding dismissal schedules will be communicated soon by individual school buildings.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.