June 22, 2026
2-Hour Delay due to power outage at Cohen Elementary and Middle Schools on Monday June 22, 2026
Good morning, everyone!
Families, students, and staff, we are so sorry for the delay today; the start of our last week of classes for the 2025-2026 school year! Calling a 2-Hour Delay at the last minute is never a decision we want to make. We appreciate everyone’s ability to adjust the many plans this morning as we dealt with a power loss at the Cohen Complex.
The basic details from this morning were that we had a power failure of undetermined nature at the Cohen Complex around 6:25am this morning. Our Buildings and Ground staff attempted to reset the power and were unable to after several minutes. As you likely know, we cannot have students or staff in the buildings without power. As the minutes ticked towards the first students being picked up for school by our buses, and the power was still not coming back on, it was determined we needed to move to a 2-hour delay. That decision was made at approximately 6:45am and notification protocols were engaged.
We have since been able to restore power to move forward with school today and we believe we have identified the source of the power outage. It is being addressed.
We are sorry for the inconvenience that this has surely caused to morning routines for families and students, as well as our staff.
Thank you to our building staff as they have readjusted end of year activities for today. Thank you to our Transportation, Buildings, and Grounds staff for their work in adjusting this morning as well!
We now look forward to a great last week of school with its many end-of-year activities, culminating with our High School Graduation this Friday!
Have a great week everyone!
Mike Gill, School Superintendent
Cohen Elementary two hour delay reminders (6/22):
Two Hour Delay Start Time:
9:35 AM: student drop-off begins for all students
Pre-K-5 bus pick-up times are approximately 2 hours
later than normal times.
No breakfast will be served
● On two-hour delay days all students
(including Pre-K) can be dropped off
beginning at 9:35 a.m.
● Pre-K parents with students in other
elementary grade levels can drop-off their
children at the Pre-K entrance on
two-hour delay days only.
FIELD DAY-DATE CHANGE TO TOMORROW 6/16
Good morning,
Due to impending weather on Thursday, our Field Day will now be tomorrow 6/16.
All children must wear sneakers. Other shoes will not be permitted.
Please apply sunscreen prior to sending your child(ren) to school.
Children may wear hats and sunglasses.
If you’re packing, please remember your lunch.
We need to share drivers this afternoon, please be advised that Bus 105 will be about 20-25 minutes late to drop off this afternoon. Thank you for your understanding.
Tomorrow is Spirit Day and Flag Day! We invite all of our Cougars to join in the fun by wearing red, white, and blue to celebrate. Let’s show our school spirit and patriotic pride together!
Go Cougars!
Good afternoon,
Please disregard the last message about bus 102 and 105. All buses will be on time as scheduled tomorrow.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Otherwise, please wait at stops and be patient for pick ups.
Thank you for your understanding!
For tomorrow and Tuesday: Bus pick ups for Bus 102 students will be about 20 minutes late. Bus 105 pick ups will be about 40 minutes late. Transportation is short drivers and is sorry for the inconvenience. If you’re able to bring your child to school instead, please do so.
Otherwise, please wait at stops and be patient for pick ups.
Thank you for your understanding!
Our Cohen Carnival is tonight from 5–8 PM. Vendors will be setting up before dismissal, so parking will be limited especially near the playground as staff will be utilizing that lot as well. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Thank you for your flexibility, patience, and support during dismissal today. We greatly appreciate everyone's willingness to quickly pivot from our normal dismissal procedures for walkers and pick-up students.
This afternoon, our School Resource Officer (SRO), along with the outstanding Elmira Heights Police Department and support from neighboring law enforcement agencies, responded to an unexpected visitor—a curious black bear roaming near our campus facilities.
Shortly before dismissal, our furry friend decided to explore the area around our playground and bus port. While the bear remained outside of our fenced areas, it became interested enough to attempt a closer look by climbing part of the fence. Our fearless SRO helped encourage the bear to continue its journey back toward the woods and away from our schools.
While our young bear friend did appear to follow the Cohen Cougar Code by using the sidewalk when crossing the road, we felt it was best not to let them participate in dismissal activities any further!
But honestly, who can blame the bear? We do have some of the best schools, students, and staff around!
In all seriousness - following this close encounter, and out of an abundance of caution, we made the decision to transition dismissal procedures to parent or designee pick-up, eliminating the need for students to walk through the neighborhood while the area was being monitored.
We want to thank our students for their cooperation, our families for their understanding, and our staff for their adaptability. Thanks to everyone's teamwork, dismissal was completed safely and smoothly.
We would also like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to our School Resource Officer, the Elmira Heights Police Department, and all of the law enforcement agencies that responded and supported our campus today. Your professionalism, quick response, calm presence, and commitment to keeping our students and staff safe are deeply appreciated. Simply put—you are the best!
We appreciate your partnership and are grateful for a school community that always comes together when needed—even when the situation is a little more "bear-y" unusual than expected!
Sincerely,
Michael F. Gill, School Superintendent
Dear Cohen families,
Please be advised that a bear has been spotted in the area between the Cohen and Edison campuses.
We are taking this matter seriously and are closely monitoring dismissal procedures in coordination with Elmira Heights Police to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
At this time, our playground is closed until further notice as a precaution.
We will continue to keep you informed of any updates. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Cougar Families-
Be sure to check out our latest Cohen Elementary Paw Prints Newsletter for important updates as we head into the final stretch of the school year! This edition highlights exciting student activities, celebrations, and upcoming events, along with helpful reminders to keep your family informed and prepared. We are so proud of all our students’ hard work and can’t wait to finish the year strong together. Thank you for your continued support of our Cohen Cougar community! 🐾
Link to newsletter: https://sites.google.com/heightsschools.com/newsletter62026/home
TREAT WHEEL DONATIONS
Please consider donating to the Cohen carnival!
These can be dropped off at the Cohen Elementary lobby on the day of the carnival- 6/5
Thank you!
We had to combine bus runs today, bus 101 is running behind. They will be about 20 minutes late, thank you for your understanding!
Reminder- tomorrow 5/15 at Cohen Elementary
Cohen Elementary Reminder:
Tomorrow 5/5 is a half day:
Dismissal times:
PreK-10:30 Door #9
K-5th- 10:45
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we’re excited to share our May newsletter with you! This edition is full of important updates, upcoming events, and highlights of the great things happening in our school community. We encourage you to take a few moments to read through and stay connected as we wrap up a wonderful year together.
You can view the full newsletter here:
https://sites.google.com/heightsschools.com/newsletter52026?usp=sharing
