Our first month of school is in the books. (Can you believe September is already over?) Our middle-high school gathered for the first of four seminar days designed to help students imagine their futures and start building them. The following message, adapted from the keynote address delivered to our high school students, shares what Thrive by 25 means for them and what it asks of us as a school.
Beyond the Diploma - Preparing Students to Thrive by 25: Their future, our responsibility
Think about one number: 25.
Not your child’s age today. Their age someday. Their actual life, not the perfect Instagram version.
Where will they live? What will they do? Will they be able to pay their bills, take a vacation, have hobbies and hope and fun? Will they have choices?
Those questions should shape what we do as a school.
We often ask students, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” That’s a pretty big question when you’re 14, 15, 16 or 17. Instead, let’s ask: “What kind of life do you want?”Then we can help them identify the education, training, work and experiences that might build it.
That’s the heart of Thrive by 25 and our four E’s: Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment and Entrepreneurship. Continuing their education. Serving their country. Securing work that pays enough to build a life. Creating an opportunity of their own.
There is more than one way to build a really good life. Their first choice doesn’t have to be their forever choice. But they need the skills to choose and to change direction.
Which brings us to reading.
Someday, your child will be looking at a lease, a loan, a job offer, an insurance policy or a business contract. Somebody will ask them to sign their name at the bottom. They better understand what they’re signing.
Reading isn’t just about getting a good grade in English. It’s about understanding choices, because choices are power, and we want that power in our students’ hands.
Our work must give students opportunities to communicate, solve problems, manage money, try things, mess things up and try again. And, yes, learn to work with somebody who drives them absolutely crazy. An extremely valuable life skill.
A diploma is the baseline. We want students ready for the life that comes after it.
We can’t build their futures for them. Our job is to provide the skills, opportunities, experiences and support so that someday, at 25, they can say with pride:
“This is my life. I built this.”
Read the full newsletter here: https://www.cvcougars.org/page/superintendents-message
Today is one of three days available for students to come get Homecoming ready!!
Stop by MHS room #131 from 2:15-3:15PM on 10/1, 10/8 or 10/15 to get homecoming attire, shoes and more!
Students visited Local 17’s training facility in Lakeview, NY, where they participated in hands-on activities and explored a variety of careers in the construction trades. Students had the opportunity to try their hand at equipment operation, plumbing, masonry, and roofing while learning from experienced professionals.
These experiences give our students a valuable look at the skills, training, and career opportunities available in the skilled trades. It’s a great example of how hands-on learning can help students connect their classroom experiences to real-world careers!
A big thank you to the WNY trade unions for welcoming our students and providing such a valuable learning experience!
Our Medical Director from Southern Tier Pediatrics will be visiting the middle/high school on November 5th to perform mandated physical examinations for current students in grades 6-12 and students participating in MHS sports who have not yet provided a physical examination to the school health office for the current school year.
Any questions should be directed to the MHS health office (716) 962-8581 ext. 1147
Meet our second returning student employee, Mia Fanara! This is Mia's second year as The Valley's Student Event Planner and she is very excited to begin working on more projects this year! Keep an eye out for information about Spring Thing! 💙❤️
#StudentInfluencerCatie #ValleyProud #ThisIsTheValley #SpringThing
🪩Homecoming week is approaching (10/19-10/23)🪩 Check out the fun days for spirit week! This years homecoming theme is Glow Gala!
#StudentInfluencerCatie #Hoco26 #SpiritWeek
Congratulations to our student winner, Atlas McCann, and our staff winner, Catherine Easton, from the High School Cafeteria! 🎉
Both winners received books, along with coupons to enjoy the Cougar Café and School Store. We love seeing our Key Club find fun and meaningful ways to spread a little kindness throughout The Valley! 💙❤️
The District received communication from a few individuals inquiring as to why their school tax bill was higher than what they would have expected with a 2.04% tax levy increase. In light of those questions, we would like to provide some additional information and resources.
The school tax rate is calculated based on a formula prescribed under the direction of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The tax rate is determined by dividing the tax levy by the total school taxable value x 1,000.
The school taxable value is provided to us by the Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Division, which they receive from each town assessor. The District does not have any influence over how school taxable values are established. The tax levy is the only part of the equation the District is responsible for determining.
The District would like the taxpayers to be aware that the 2026 true value tax rate is $10.238112 and is $0.286549 less than the prior year's tax rate. To determine the tax rate for each township the tax rate on true is divided by the town’s equalization rate. For example, if the equalization rate for a township is 100% the tax rate on true is applicable. If the equalization rate for a township is 64%, the tax rate applicable for that township would be $15.997050 ($10.238112 divided by .64).
Approximately two (2) percent of your tax bill increase is directly related to the tax levy increase. Any increase above that is a result of any one or potentially a combination of the following:
-Increase in Assessment as determined by your town assessor
-Removal of STAR Exemption, governed by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
-Decrease in Equalization Rate, governed by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
More information on how property taxes are calculated can be found at the following link: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/learn/proptaxcalc.htm
More information on equalization rates can be found at the following link: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/learn/eqrates.htm
If you received a STAR exemption on your tax bill last year, we encourage you to review your 2026 school tax bill and verify the exemption is on your bill for this year as some taxpayers have communicated that their STAR exemption was missing or less than previous years. If you have any questions about your STAR exemption please contact the New York State STAR Resource Center at 518-457-2036 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
More information on STAR can be found at the following link: https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/faqs.htm
If you have questions about any other exemptions we encourage you to contact your town assessor.
🥇 Altruismo — 1st place
🥈 Protoz — 2nd place
🥉 Reveur — 3rd place
👏 Sollevare — 4th place
Great job to all four houses for playing hard and cheering each other on!
Looking for something fun to do this winter? Join Ski Club and hit the slopes at Peek’n Peak every Friday for eight weeks of lessons and fun, beginning January 8th!
Discounted Pricing now available through October 31st. Pricing will increase on November 1st.
Anyone can purchase a ski pass through the CVCS - Peek’n Peak affiliate website. This means parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends can take advantage of the discounted pricing through the CVCS - Peek’n Peak affiliate website now available through October 31st. If Friday does not work for your family and you cannot attend Friday Ski-Club outings, choose a different day-pass, or choose an Infinity Pass and ski any day that fits your family’s schedule.
The MHS PTO is offering a $150.00 scholarship to three students participating in Ski Club for the 2027 season! All current and new Ski Club members are eligible to apply. Email middlecvpto@gmail.com to receive a copy of the scholarship application. Scholarship applications due by Oct. 9th.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. John Cole jcole@cvcougars.org 716-962-8581 ext:1121
Peek’n Peak contact: Theresa Crandall TCrandall@visitscott.com 716–355-4141 ext:7002
Hope to see you on the slopes!
Purchase your passes using the link below.
Your affiliate link: Cassadaga Valley
Username: Cassadaga
Password: Cassadaga23
#StudentInfluencerCatie
Proceeds to benefit the CVCS Ski Club!
Your willingness to be outside in all kinds of weather, help students and families, monitor the hallways, assist with buses and parent drop-off/pick-up, and make sure everyone gets where they need to be safely does not go unnoticed.
These times of the day can be busy, but their teamwork, patience, and positive attitudes help set the tone for our students each morning and ensure they head home safely each afternoon.
We truly appreciate everything they do to keep our arrival and dismissal procedures safe, smooth, and organized! 💙❤️🐾
Thank you for being All-In for our Cougars!
#ValleyProud
We were excited to welcome Inner Lakes Federal Credit Union to Mrs. Schrader’s Life, Money and Success class! Students received an informative folder of resources and even a squishy piggy bank 🐷 to help reinforce the importance of saving.
Students learned about:
💵 Checking and savings accounts
📈 Money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)
💳 The pros and cons of debit and credit cards
🛡️ Important ways to protect themselves from fraud and keep their money safe
A big thank you to Inner Lakes Federal Credit Union for helping our students build valuable financial knowledge and skills they can use for years to come! 🌟
