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  • Schools No Longer Contact Tracing

    With the new 5-day isolation protocol and the delay with testing results,  Cortland County Health Department will no longer notify families when a child has to quarantine as a result of being a close contact of a Covid-19 positive person. The school district no longer has access to verified positive case information from the county and will not be contact tracing.  As parents, students and staff, we should understand that we will be exposed to someone with COVID 19 on a regular, if not daily basis.  We can all take preventative measures to keep ourselves safe by wearing masks when in public, washing our hands, staying away from others when not feeling well, and testing when sick. Marathon CSD is a resource for our families. We have two testing options for students:    Home COVID Tests or Rapid Tests Rapid tests can be obtained in the main office of either school or from the district office. Parents will also have the option to have tests sent home with them if they are sick. To confirm you are negative, both rapid tests must be completed according to the directions. (The second one done 24-36 hours after the first). PCR Tests Ms. Bana (HS nurse) can do PCR (cheek swab) tests.  If the student is out sick, parents can call and arrange to have the child’s PCR test done in the HS circle. Students remain in the car.  Samples usually take around 24-36 hours. Samples taken before 10 AM will be sent to the lab on the same day.  Tests done after 10 AM will go with the next day's courier bag. Parents must register each student prior to testing by going to   app.Clarifi-COVID-19.com .   A consent form must also be signed at the time of test collection. Results will be sent directly to parent email addresses. As a school district, we are preventing the spread of COVID 19 by having students and staff continue to wear masks and socially distance.  Surfaces are disinfected (both in school and on the bus) and the use of hand sanitizer/hand washing is promoted.  We hope you and your family stay well. Marathon CSD will continue to do whatever we can to keep students healthy and in school. 

    Friday, Jan 21 2022

  • 184 Letters

    An impressive 184 students made Honor Roll for the first quarter at the Jr-Sr High School this year.  When Ms. Marcolina met with the Senior High Student Council to determine what they wanted to do to celebrate this achievement, she expected to hear requests for a pizza party.  Instead, the students thought it would be neat to get a shout out from a teacher.  So, Jr-Sr High School teachers divided up the list of 184 Honor Roll students.  Over the next few days, Honor Roll students will receive an encouraging note from one of their teachers.  In these challenging times, may we all be mindful of being an encouraging voice to one another!

    Thursday, Jan 20 2022

  • Cold temperatures tomorrow - walkers can call for a...

    Due to cold temperatures tomorrow, any walker can be picked up by bus by calling the bus garage before 7:50 AM. The phone number for the bus garage is 849-3325. Stay warm everyone!

    Thursday, Jan 20 2022

  • Marathon Teacher Honored as New York Finalist for Ag...

    On January 19, 2022, the New York FFA and Nationwide honored Crystal Aukema, an agricultural teacher at Marathon Jr-Sr High School, as a finalist for the 2021-2022 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award. As a finalist, Mrs. Aukema was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of students, family, and agricultural supporters and now has the chance to be crowned as New York’s Ag Educator of the Year. Agricultural educators serve a critical role in preparing future generations for success. They also devote immeasurable time, and often their own resources, to help students pursue their passions. As the no. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.1, Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in seven states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Between August 1st and November 1st, 2021, the New York FFA and Nationwide collected nominations for New York’s top agricultural teachers from students, parents and community members across the state. Following the recognition of 11 finalists, a selection committee will honor one finalist as New York’s grand prize winner and Ag Educator of the Year. The winner will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to support the development of their program.   “As we continue to increase the number of Agriculture programs and FFA chapters across the state, it is vital to our success that we have outstanding agricultural educators and FFA advisors to meet the need,” said Derek Hill, New York FFA Director. “We are proud to partner with Nationwide to recognize the amazing working and dedication our agriculture teachers do across this state. Congratulations!” Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike. “As a company with deep roots in agriculture, we recognize the essential role agricultural teachers play in their communities and for the future of the industry,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to work with the New York FFA to recognize these selfless public servants for their many contributions to help prepare the next generation of leaders.” About Nationwide Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. About FFA FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education. For more information regarding FFA, please visit either www.nysffa.org or www.ffa.org.

    Thursday, Jan 20 2022

  • Mock Trials

    The 12th grade students in Mr. Perk's Participation and Government class began their mock trials this past week.  Students in the course are taking on the various roles within a court case.  Faculty and students serve on the jury and Mr. Perks is the honorable judge.  

    Tuesday, Jan 18 2022

  • Cotillion Court

    Congrats to members of our Cotillion Court, crowned this morning!  While the Cotillion Dance has been postponed, this week, students selected Juniors and Seniors for this honor.  Our "royalty" are wearing their crowns all day long...with more celebrations to come in the future!

    Friday, Jan 14 2022

  • Reminder - 2022-2023 School Budget Survey

    We are still seeking feedback on our 2022-2023 school budget. We would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to complete the survey below.   This will help us prioritize what is important to us as a district. BUDGET SURVEY * Information received by Friday, January 21st will be considered for the 2nd draft of the budget.  Information received after that date will be considered in the 3rd draft of the budget.

    Thursday, Jan 13 2022

  • CORTLAND COUNTY TEST KIT DISTRIBUTION SATURDAY 1/15/...

    Cortland County, NY – Cortland County has received an allotment of COVID-19 test kits from New York State for disbursement to the public. On Saturday, January 15, 2022, Cortland County officials will distribute test kits from the Cortland County Jr. Sr. High School, 8 Valley View Drive, Cortland, New York 13045. The distribution will begin at 4:00 P.M. and continue until the test kits are gone. Due to the limited number of test kits received, there will be a limit of one box of test kits per vehicle (two test kits are in each box) for Cortland County residents only. Please bring photo ID for proof of residency. This is a drive-thru event. Please follow the traffic signs, stay in your vehicle and follow the loop around the entire parking lot. To minimize any traffic jams, there will be one way in and out of the parking lot for this event. Remember to respect your fellow Cortland County residents and do your part to stop the spread of COVID. The Cortland County Health Department, in collaboration with New York State is hosting vaccination clinics this week at the Port Watson Mini Conference Center, 131 Port Watson Street, Cortland NY on January 13th, January 14th and January 15th. Registration for the upcoming clinics can be found at https://www.cortland-co.org/1009/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information

    Monday, Jan 10 2022

  • A Successful Weekend for Wrestling

    Congrats to our varsity wrestling team for winning a tournament in Corning over the weekend.  Our team won 4-0 -- two of the teams they won against were Class A schools.  Great job, wrestlers!  

    Monday, Jan 10 2022

  • Important Updates about COVID Isolation, Quarantinin...

    Cortland County has updated its guidance for those that have been exposed to COVID 19 and those that have contracted COVID 19.  The media release is attached as well as a summary described below: Media Release Highlights from Cortland County Public Health  If you tested positive for COVID-19, it may be several days until someone reaches out to you about your positive test results. County residents who test positive are asked to self-isolate and to notify their contacts. Those who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive are being asked to self-quarantine. Cortland County Health Department (CCHD) is now providing self-affirmation forms in place of the Public Health Director Orders that were previously sent by the case investigators and contact tracers. These new forms are legal documentation and may be used for release from isolation or quarantine. If you have a positive home test, report this to the Health Department by completing the new Home-Test Reporting Form for Cortland County residents. A follow-up PCR test is not necessary. Once you receive a positive test result, regardless of the type of test, you are considered a positive case and should isolate from others. Isolation Affirmation and Quarantine Affirmation forms can be found at: https://www.cortland-co.org/988/IsolationQuarantine-Requirements-Instruc .  Submit one of these forms if your child was isolated or quarantined due to COVID when returning to school. Isolation Guidance for General Population (those who have COVID-19): Isolate for 5 days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive specimen.  If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days. Quarantine Guidance for General Population (those identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 person): If not fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but not yet boosted, quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.   New Pfizer updates:   CDC now recommends receipt of a booster dose at least five months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series .   CDC now recommends that all adolescents ages 12 to 17 should receive a booster dose five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination series .    The planned clinics in Marathon, Truxton and Cortland are now able to provide boosters of Pfizer to ages 12 and over 5 months after their initial Pfizer vaccination series.  The registration link (below) has been updated.   https://www.cortland-co.org/DocumentCenter/View/11009/booster-dose-registratin-links   Parents/guardians are required to accompany anyone under 18.   Please spread the word!   Testing at school: Diagnostic (PCR) testing for those with COVID-like symptoms can now be done at school. Parents/guardians who wish to have their students tested must complete a consent form provided by the school nurse and create a personal account with Quadrant Laboratories at the following site: Quadrant Registration Portal . The tests being used are saliva-based PCR tests. This testing is at no cost to you, however, it will be billed through insurance if your child is tested as required by the Federal CARES Act.   Things are changing quickly. As we follow the updated guidance from Cortland County Public Health, we will keep you informed. Our top priority is keeping students in school whenever possible.  Please be patient. Together, we will make this work.   Sincerely, Rebecca Stone Marathon Superintendent  

    Friday, Jan 07 2022