Our
thoughts should be about the leaves and sports, but…
School
is in full swing as we move past the midpoint of September. Unfortunately, in the midst of rooting
for our favorite team or waiting for the beautiful fall colors, we must pause
to mourn and wonder as another mass shooting has rocked our country. This time, it was a shooting at the
Navy Yard in Washington, D. C.
Twelve people were killed and others wounded. As the shooter was also
killed, we may never know the motives for his actions. With our lives centered on our children
and our students, such a tragic and unnecessary event dampens the air of
excitement that accompanies the start of the new school year.
Sadly,
incidents like mass shooting have made it necessary for many school districts, including
Central Cambria, to enhance their security systems. Prior to the start of the
year we reviewed procedures for safety procedures, shelter-in-place drills,
lockdowns, and building evacuations.
No longer are schools content to practice only fire drills. All buildings now require that an
official ID be presented when a student is being picked up; in the event of a
need to actually travel beyond the office area, visitors must leave their IDs in
the office if. This practice
ensures that, if IDs have been retrieved, visitors have exited the building. As
onerous as this may be to visitors and those taking children to appointments,
the potential consequences of taking lightly the safety of our students and
staff is incalculable. Forgive us for
these relatively minor inconveniences….
Here
at Central Cambria, we pride ourselves on being prepared for the weather and
the related circumstances that may occur. It is now that Greg Shaffer, our
maintenance supervisor, checks our supply of salt and anti-skid materials,
prepares plows, snow blowers and snow brushes to make sure everything is ready
for the upcoming winter. Plowing almost 100 miles of roadway and parking lots, in
addition to clearing countless sidewalks, can be a daunting task but Greg and
his crew make it look easy by preparing so thoroughly for the onset of rough
weather.
Fall athletics at Central Cambria are in full swing.
Because these months seem to pass so quickly, I hope we all find time to
support our teams at every opportunity.
It
is with great joy that I say “TGFF!” which stands for “Thank Goodness for Football.” After watching the Steelers’ lackluster
performance thus far, perhaps I should say Thank Goodness for the Pirates! Yes,
the Buccos are currently tied for first place in their division and will
finally finish with a winning season, breaking a 20-year stretch of finishing
under .500 for the season. Who
knows, we may be watching Pirate games into October – stranger things have
happened. (One final note about the Steelers: as a true fan, I am sorely
disappointed when they have a bad game or a poor season BUT I root for them
nonetheless. Like errant children, they are my boys and they’ll come around….)
Enjoy the teams, the season and the region; perhaps
the grounds of CCSD would be the perfect fall walk. Whatever you do this
season, I encourage all of you who read my blog to be proud of CCSD and the
benefits your public school district has to offer.
As
for my Clan D fantasy league team, I am 1-1, having lost to my brother this
past weekend. However, my
wonderful wife (who claims to be Football challenged) is dong very well with an
impressive team.
So, as we all enjoy the season, the sports and the
pre-winter preparations, please keep those who have suffered a loss at the Navy
Yard shooting in your thoughts and prayers.
DR.
D
