Dr. Nathan Cohen Elementary School

Thank You to Our Local Canine Units! We’d like to extend a big thank you to the dedicated canine units from Chemung and surrounding sheriff departments for participating in a training exercise today at Thomas A. Edison High School and Cohen Middle School. This collaborative effort supports both the ongoing training of these incredible teams and reinforces key elements of our school district safety plans. Today’s visit was focused solely on training—not a social event—and no students were present in the areas where the dogs and handlers were working. We are incredibly grateful for the work these professionals do every day to help keep our schools and communities safe. Thank you—and stay safe out there! #SchoolSafety #CommunitySupport #ThankYouK9s

ATTENTION: Calendar Updates: Unused Emergency Days -Due to the relatively mild winter, we are making updates to our school calendar for the remainder of the school year. Provided that we do not need to use any Emergency Days, the following changes will take effect. (see image attached)

All schools now closed for the Elmira Heights CSD, Thursday February 6, 2025. Schools are closed due to weather and road conditions during morning transportation window.

2 Hour delay: The Elmira Heights Schools are on a 2 hour delay today, Thursday, February 6th, 2025. We are still monitoring the weather as it develops for further changes. Please check back in to see if circumstances change.

2 Hour Delay: Elmira Heights Schools are on a 2 hour delay today, Friday January 31st, 2025.

With cold temperatures expected in the coming days, please ensure students are bundled up while walking or waiting at the bus stop. We will monitor the weather, but make sure our kiddos are prepared. Stay warm!

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!

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

🚨 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: 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! 🛠️

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.

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.

Thank you to our community for supporting our School Budget Vote!

Don't forget, it's School Budget Vote Day! You can vote at the TAE High School Gym until 8pm!

Save the Date for our Cohen Carnival on Friday 6/7. Please also follow instructions if you would like to donate to our cake wheel. Looking forward to an awesome event!

We love our School Nurses!! Happy School Nurse's Day to three of the best of the best here in the Heights!!!

Dear Elmira Heights Parents and Community Members, I am thrilled to announce that May 28th has been designated as a giveback day, resulting in a full day off for students. This decision stems from our not needing to utilize an emergency day in recent weeks. We hope this additional day off provides an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation for our students. As we enjoy the beautiful spring weather and approach the final stretch of the school year, it's a perfect time to reflect on the journey we've embarked on together. Despite the challenges, our community has remained steadfast in its commitment to our students' education and well-being. In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our dedicated educators for their unwavering dedication to our students' growth and success. Their passion and commitment truly make a difference in the lives of our children every day. Helping them Reach New Heights! Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let's make the most of the remaining weeks of the school year as we continue to support our students' journey. Warm regards, Michael F. Gill Superintendent of Schools