But then fall comes, kicking summer out

 “But then fall comes, kicking summer out … as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed. It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair ….”
― Stephen King, 'Salem's Lot

King may very well have written these lines for those involved in education – students, teachers, and staff – as we have all “settled in” to familiar routines of teaching, learning, participating in school events and managing the educational process. It is hard to believe the month of October is coming to a close and that the end of the first marking period is less than two weeks away.  We have truly settled in by now.

As with every school year, there are new initiatives and directives that must be instituted for the current school year.  For example, our staff is currently working on the state mandated SLO (Student Learning Objectives) initiative.  The SLO in PA is written by individual teachers to the specific class, course or content area for which that teacher provides instruction.    Such initiatives are mandated and are meant to increase student productivity, learning and accountability among staff. However, such initiatives take time, training and resources for proper implementation.  With so much time devoted to preparing for the PSSA and Keystone exams, there is little time to implement new or added initiatives.  Sometimes being in education feels like an “all you can eat” buffet at which someone else is deciding what you will eat: even when your plate is full, food continues to be added, making it impossible to consume all that has been given to you.

As in every enterprise, educators realize that time is finite and moves on despite the amount of work that must be done or the number of tasks that vie for attention.  Teachers parse their time between teaching the skills needed for academic and personal success, preparing students for the rigors of state-mandated assessments, coaching, and mentoring—not to mention myriad record-keeping/documentation tasks that have become a hallmark of public education.

On the subject of teachers, I truly enjoy visiting each building several times a week (I wonder if teachers share my enthusiasm for this part of my routine).  On Friday, Oct.16 I was lucky to see the sendoff for the boys’ golf team as they headed to States.  The auditorium was rocking, and the golf team loved the appreciation of their friends and teachers.  With the hectic pace of a school day, it is easy to lose sight of the value in celebrating student successes.

Elections take place next month and I hope that, regardless of your political affiliation, you get out to vote.  Getting to know and understand the candidates and their views on hot button issues is an important part of casting your ballot.  As the money gets tighter and tighter, incumbents and those running against them are scrutinized as they describe their plans for distributing funds to municipalities and agencies. Being a lifelong educator, I have always tried to vote for the candidate that I feel most sincerely supports public education.  I admit that I hope you do the same when you vote. 

Congratulations to the CCSD boys’ golf team for winning the District 6 team championship.  Especially to Dom Stevens, who won the individual boys title.  Congratulations are also in order for Kourtney Cavalier on winning the AA District 6 girls’ single tennis title.  Kudos also to our boys and girls cross country team as they both won the LHAC championship.  Sydney Gilkey won the girls overall title and Bryce Descavish achieved second overall.  Good luck at states to all who have qualified!

Speaking of sports, the Steelers seem destined to have another lackluster season as they are at the .500 mark (3-3).  It is not good when people are already looking toward draft day as the team’s only chance for redemption. Who knows, perhaps they can turn things around – stranger things have happened (like getting crushed by the Browns – heavy sigh!).  The Buccos did well again this year and will, hopefully, go deeper into the playoffs next year.  And the Pens have started their long season.  Although they lost on Friday to Dallas, I am optimistic that they are picking up where they left off last year. 

With so many sporting events at this time of year, it is easy to not go out and enjoy the beauty of nature.  Make time to take a fall walk or jump into a pile of leaves.  Before long fall, Stephen King’s “old friend,” will depart and we will again be starting up the snow blowers and shoveling sidewalks.

Until my next blog, please take time to enjoy family and all that you hold dear. 

Dr. D