Local Students Celebrate Community Spirit Through Creative Partnership with Cortland Public Library

A heartwarming initiative has emerged from a collaboration between local educators and the Cortland Public Library, highlighting the importance of community engagement among young learners. Mrs. Christina Hegedus and Mrs. Michelle Ryan recently partnered with Tammy Sickmon from the library to create meaningful educational experiences for first and second graders. In November, the trio kicked off festivities for National Picture Book Month, with Tammy leading a program designed to instill a love for reading and storytelling in the young students. This engaging event set the stage for further discussions about community values and history. This month, the focus shifted to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mrs. Ryan guided the students in exploring Dr. King's dedication to community service, sparking a lively discussion on how they could embody those values in their own lives. Inspired by these conversations, Mrs. Hegedus and Mrs. Ryan developed a creative project for the students. They designed a bookmark template that encouraged the children to express positive messages and images meant to bring happiness to others. The bookmarks were then presented to Tammy at the Cortland Library as a thoughtful gesture of thanks for their support. This partnership enriches our students’ education but also fosters a sense of responsibility and care for their community.