Our district’s snow delay/cancellation policy is outlined on
the district’s home page under the link Guidelines
for School Delays/Closings. With several weeks of winter left, we
are slightly above average in the number of cold/snow/ice delays, early
dismissals and cancellations this year! I imagine that superintendents are
rather unpopular when this happens and I know that my decisions about
weather-related schedule changes will not please everyone. However, when it
comes to our children, student safety is a far greater priority than
convenience. As always, my phone,
door and email system remain open and available for any concerns, issues or
suggestions.
One might say that this brutal February is payback for a
relatively calm January. The last ten days of the month promise to remain very
wintry and cold. The chart below
compares snow events between 1/1/15 through 2/18/15 with snow events of the
same period in 2014:
|
|
2014
|
2015
|
|
Delays
|
7
|
6
|
|
Early dismissals
|
1
|
6
|
|
Cancellations
|
6
|
3
|
Our final day of school is now June 8 (subject to change, of
course). Having raised three
children in Central PA, I am aware of the inconvenience of delays,
cancellations and early dismissals; however, I believe all will agree that it
is far better to err on the side of caution, when making wintertime school
decisions, than to risk the safety of our children.
Our technology coach, in collaboration with the building
principals, has developed an online tech survey for our secondary students and
a paper/pencil tech survey for our elementary students’ parents. The object is to garner information
about Internet connectivity and accessibility within our district’s
boundaries. There has been much
discussion about “flex days,” which PDE states can be used for snow makeup
days; flex days involve using the Internet or some other means to deliver
instruction to students when school is cancelled for snow or other
emergencies. Our district is
exploring possibilities with respect to some type of virtual snow day
scheme. This survey is a first
step toward gaining information about areas of need as we explore alternative
educational options for use during this time of year.
At this time of year, many educators look anxiously for news
of the governor’s proposed budget.
Despite increases in costs, for eight years, we have been working with
allocations basically equal to 2007 funding monies. I am encouraged by our new Governor’s commitment to
facilitate a fair funding formula and to replace the money taken from districts
over the last 4 years. Although he
is dealing with a Republican legislature, Governor Wolf appears to be fair and
determined to do what is right for, as he put it, “one of our most valuable
resources” (children). He will
present his budget on March 3.
News from the Federal level gives us a second reason to
cheer: it appears that Congress is beginning to develop language for the
reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.
Included is a strong push to give local districts more control over
educational decisions and to reduce mandatory testing. As discussion about this issue
continues in the months ahead, I am at least encouraged by their willingness to
finally address this issue.
Kudos to our athletes and the season they have had. It is always refreshing to see how CCSD
athletes from one sport cheer on the athletes of another sport; it was
heartwarming to see the reception our girls’ cross country team and their
coaches received before the start of a girls’ basketball game. Central Cambria is truly a tight knit
family, on so many levels!
The Board of Directors has approved Physical Education as
the first course for summer that is not for credit recovery. This will be open to all incoming 9th
to 12th graders. Each of two sessions will run for three weeks. Students are already beginning to sign
up for the course.
As I look out my window, I recommend keeping gas in your
snow blower and ATV, and having your shovel at the ready until that first
sighting of a robin. Stay safe and
warm, enjoy the weather. I know who is responsible for the current Winter Fest –
it is Elsa, from Frozen. Punxsutawney
Phil is thrilled he is not being blamed this year!
And now for some sports talk. Hockey is a great winter sport; it gets me through the
months between football seasons.
But it seems that, lately, the Pens have been using the wrong end of
their hockey sticks. Sigh.
Football seems like a distant dream as the snow and cold temps continue to
dominate the Northeast. But I take heart in the fact that as of this date –
February 20 – there are only 69 days, 4 hours and 32 minutes (not that I am
counting), until the NFL draft on April 30. Let’s hope the Steelers can shore
up some of their weaknesses.
Happy shoveling!
Dr. D.
