IEP Services during COVID-19 Closure:
March 30, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities,
Cato-Meridian Central School District is invested in ensuring that our students with disabilities receive individualized support during this extended closure. To better support student achievement and goal development during this time, we will be offering teletherapy and direct video chat sessions with our students.
Your child’s special education teacher and/or related service provider will be contacting you in the next few days to set up times to provide direct instruction to your child via video conferencing or teletherapy. We believe that direct special education services in addition to the continuous learning opportunities currently available will better support ...
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Update Regarding Spring Sports:
March 16, 2020
Hello Cato-Meridian Families and Athletes,
I would like to update you on the upcoming spring sports season given all the changes that have taken place over the last few days.
The official start date for both modified and varsity sports will start on April 14, 2020. Modified sports sign-ups will continue until April 1, 2020, so make sure you get registered. Practices can begin on April 14 and we will send out a practice schedule as we get closer to that date. No practices or team get-togethers can happen before that date - our buildings and grounds will be closed to teams.
I am attaching a letter from John Rathbun , Head of Section III Sports, which outlines his expectations and guidelines as we move forward.
We will keep ...
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Odyssey of the Mind Prepares for Competition:
Students in Odyssey of the Mind program at Cato-Meridian Middle School are putting their minds to work for this year’s competition season.
This year, students are working hard on several creative problem-solving competitions, including several featuring balsa wood. Working with balsa wood is somewhat new to the students, but Odyssey of the Mind coordinator and coach Deb Harrigan said the students are working through the process well.
“It was a change for them. But they really took with it and have done really well,” said Harrigan.
Eighth graders Kaydence Morrissette and Nadia Dudley have been in Odyssey of the Mind since they were in third grade. Morrissette, who is working on the marionette dragon, ...
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Robotics Team Success:
Five Cato-Meridian Middle Schoolers squared off against 48 other teams during the state-wide VEX IQ Challenge in Syracuse.
The group, led by middle school teacher Kevin McGowan, came in 16 th place during the competition. During the “Squared Away” challenge students were tasked with stacking cubes to gain points.
The students, who have been working hard to get to this moment, built a robot from scratch. There were two components to the robot – driving the robot with a remote control and programming it. Sixth grader Devin Pollock said building the robot has been his favorite part so far.
“It’s a lot of problem-solving and teamwork. We all have to work together to figure it out or ...
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Cato-Meridian Middle School student Rylee Napolitano wins Odyssey pin contest:
Cato-Meridian sixth grade student Rylee Napolitano’s creativity and talent will be on display at this year’s Region 11 Odyssey of the Mind Competition, as the pin she designed will be presented to each student at the competition.
Napolitano’s design features an octopus. She chose an octopus because it reminded her of the teamwork that is needed to succeed in the competition.
“Each tentacle of an octopus represents the seven teammates and coach on a team,” Napolitano said. “The same way the tentacles work together to hunt, our team works together to solve long-term and spontaneous problems.”
Her design also highlights this year as the 40 th anniversary of Odyssey of the Mind. The Region 11 competition is slated for Saturday, March 21. ...
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Cato-Meridian Senior Marcus Ramacus Hits 1,000 Points:
Prior to tipping off against Manlius Pebble Hill last Friday, senior Marcus Ramacus needed just nine points to become the third Cato-Meridian boys basketball player to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau.
Ramacus wasted little time, hitting an early three-pointer and scoring on two contested layups. Ramacus later drove to the net but was fouled and sent to the free throw line.
On his first free throw attempt, Ramacus showed poise as the shot went in nothing but net, securing his 1,000 point. The crowd erupted in celebration and teammates surrounded Ramacus as he became the first Cato-Meridian boys basketball player to hit the milestone since Dave Johnson in 1997.
After reaching the 1,000-point mark, the game was halted for a quick ceremony. Johnson, who was high ...
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White Finds Success in Wrestling and Classroom:
Cato-Meridian senior Hunter White is putting the finishing touches on an already stellar high school wrestling career as he prepares to compete in the Section III Championships.
White had a 34-2 record on the season heading into the Sectional finals, the third consecutive year he’s eclipsed the 30-win plateau. In total, White has racked up more than 150 wins during his high school career. But for White, the number of wins doesn’t outweigh the loses.
“I could be undefeated this season. I have those two loses, but they were really close matches,” said White.
White attributes much of his individual success, and the success of the entire wrestling team, to his coaches. White said when you simply listen to the advice of a coach, things usually ...
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Students Dazzle During Holiday Band Concert:
Students in the Cato-Meridian Central School District recently dazzled during a Holiday Band Concert.
The concert, which was attended by hundreds of proud family members and friends, featured performances by the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, and high school concert bands.
Each band took turns playing a variety of holiday classics, such as "Carol of the Bells," and selections from "Fiddler on the Roof." Time was also taken to congratulate the All-County Band selections.
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Spanish Club Fundraiser Update:
The Spanish Club pizza sale delivery will be distributed upon return to school. Questions/concerns may be addressed to Mrs. Casper-Sheehan at casper@catomeridian.org . Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Update Letter #2 from the Superintendent - 3-15-2020 - Click Here:
Good Evening Everyone,
Here are a few updates for students and parents:
Wednesday's Preschool Registration can be done over the phone. Please call the elementary school to register on Wednesday. We will require a copy of your birth certificate and other materials at a later date.
Parents and Students will be allowed to enter the school on Monday from 9-5 to pick up textbooks and personal items. Please enter through the main office. Again, it is from 9-5 Monday.
We are delivering materials on the High School PM Bus run schedule. Please be patient as the drop off times will vary a little. The variation is due to Pre-K-12 stops, not just HS stops. Even if you do not ride the bus, we will still drop off the materials ...
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Spectrum Annouces Free Internet for Families with Students:
On Friday, Spectrum announced to the general public they are willing to provide free internet service and wifi (for 60 days) to students and families impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the event of widespread school closures. The District is not endorsing Spectrum, but in light of these current events the District will be sharing all opportunities that will make it easier for students to access online learning platforms. In an effort to provide you with information to take advantage of Spectrum's offer, we would like to share the following:
Please follow this step by step process:
1. Please dial 1-855-243-8892
2. State the following when prompted - "I don't have an account."
3. State the following when prompted - "Set-up ...
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Community, Consistency & Caring Aid Cato-Meridian’s High Graduation Rates:
New data released last week by the New York State Education Department found that Cato-Meridian Central School District had the highest high school graduation rate within the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES region in 2019, continuing the district’s sustained success with graduation results.
With a 95 percent graduation rate, it marked a two percent increase over the district’s 2018 figure and the eight consecutive year that Cato-Meridian surpassed the 90 percent plateau.
In speaking with district personnel, Cato-Meridian’s continued success related to graduation rates can be attributed to several key factors, including the efforts of all three schools within the district.
“This is the combined efforts of everyone, not just the high school. It’s great to take ...
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