It’s true: summer has come and gone.

It’s true: summer has come and gone.  The staff have been meeting for in-service presentations, and many have come in even earlier than this in order to prepare their rooms for the arrival of their students on opening day. As I’ve said before, you can be most proud of the professionalism inherent in CCSD’s teachers. The campus has been abuzz with activity: football camp, band practice, cross country training sessions, distribution of supplies and numerous last-minute building preparations.  Thanks to Greg Shaffer and his crew of hard workers, all buildings have been thoroughly cleaned and arranged, and the field house and the surrounding grounds look great for our fall sporting events.  Understandably, practices were suspended on August 21 as a precaution during the solar eclipse.

Among the changes over the summer to prepare for this school year, two of the most notable are a newly hired Tech Director and a School Police Officer.  Kenneth Krott has signed on as Tech Director, leaving the tech coach position he had held in Altoona. Ken has an extensive background in technology and is Google certified; he is also adept at using and instructing Google Chrome Books.  Best of all, Ken’s previous experiences show that he is adept at extending his knowledge and skills to teachers through one-to-one and team teaching, coaching and in-service sessions. While Ken will work out of the high school, he will be a visible part of the district in all buildings. As for the School Resource Officer, Cambria Township elected to discontinue its partnership with CCSD in providing a School Resource Officer. Because Nate Stohon, formerly our SRO, proved to be indispensable in handling emergency and potentially dangerous situations, the Board has hired Mr. Stohon as a CCSD employee in the capacity of School Police Officer. Given recent events across the country—occurring anywhere and at any time—Mr. Stohon will work to provide our staff, students and parents a safe environment.

Media night was Friday, August 18.  Although the weather was not the best, it was well attended.  In football news, Coach McGregor completed the overnight week-long camp August 18.  He had great things to say about the work and determination of all involved.  The team scrimmaged Johnstown on August 19 and, although no score was kept, coach McGregor told me the team scored and held Johnstown scoreless – a great portent, I think.  Good luck to the team this season.

In personnel news, we have seven new staff members.  Lynn Wilson will continue as science coach for the high school and middle school. Ms.  Dane Domonkos will be the elementary math/literacy coach.  Both are being paid from the Ready to Learn state grant. Also, while already a familiar face across the district as principal of Jackson Elementary School, Dr. Tricia Murin will assume the post of high school principal. Her experience and familiarity with district processes will be a great help to teachers, staff and students. Of course, her departure from Jackson had a domino effect on positions: Joe Strittmatter, formerly the district Tech Director, has assumed Tricia’s post at Jackson, leading to the hiring of Ken Krott. I am confident of great things happening in all of these new positions.

A yearly reminder for all who use our campus roads during the school day: following the same schedule as last year, the gate will be closed during the school day.  The gate is used to protect the campus and to reduce the amount of traffic on our road system while school is in session.

         Our high school auditorium is still a work in progress. We have been told that remaining work will take about 4-6 weeks.  It will be quite an impressive facility and well worth the wait; our talented students as well as their dedicated teachers and parents deserve this fine facility. If you wish to donate to the Auditorium improvement project please contact me either by phone (814-472-8870), email (vdileo@cencam.org) or stop in my office.

(Not so) surprising, the government of PA remains gridlocked on how to fund the budget they passed. The state is dangerously close in not being able to meet the bills to which it has committed funds.

Sports are a great way for me to divert my frustration at the State Department’s repeated missteps. I enjoy every season of the year—despite my outbursts aimed at the TV when my armchair coaching is ineffective, sports are a source of stress release for me. On paper, the Steelers seem poised to have a great season even as they deal with issues off the field (LeVeon Bell, Martavis Bryant), as well as the injury bug afflicting several players.  I am hopeful that they make a strong run at the Super Bowl this year and that the injuries are minimal.  Big Ben will do his part, but he can’t do it alone, and he won’t be around forever. 

As the fall season approaches, I hope you enjoy all that autumn has to offer. See you at Potato Fest!

  

                                                  DR. D

Dog days of summer….

Dog days of summer….

The term “Dog days of summer” dates back to the ancient Romans who applied the label to the hottest, most humid days of the year.  Romans associated the hottest days of summer with Canis Major (Large Dog), the brightest, and therefore hottest, star in the constellation. While in this clime, August is generally hotter than July, the last ten days or so have certainly been ‘dog days’.  Yet despite the hot and humid weather, our summer crew continues to make everything clean and ready for the first day of school.  Many of our fall sports athletes are also working out either on their own or with small groups.  Kudos to these dedicated workers/athletes for persevering despite the weather.

As I write this month’s blog, there are fewer than six weeks before the school year begins and, for better or for worse, the days themselves are limited as, with the passing of the summer solstice, the amount of daylight has been getting shorter by a minute every day.  

The governor has again let a budget pass without his signature but, unsurprisingly, the legislators and governor passed it without defining the means for actually funding the budget. Each year, the state budget debacle puts me in mind of the movie “Groundhog Day:” with no end in sight, the same scenario keeps playing over and over again.  Like a check written on an account with a zero balance, the small increases for basic and special education are valueless. Districts remain in limbo as long as the money to support the paper increases is unavailable.  This is wrong on so many levels.  For one thing, you and I would certainly not enjoy the privilege of writing IOUs while we get our finances in order, nor would we expect our creditors to pay off the things for which we agreed to pay; I question our system of checks and balances when this budget situation has continued for so long. Equally offensive is that, while legislators debate over bills to allow teachers to be armed in schools, or how to manage delinquent lunch accounts, school districts must fund their expenses at increasingly precarious risk to their students and communities. As I write this, I ask that, as I present the following update, you appreciate the ability of CCSD—at least for now—to manage and even improve the facilities used by the children in its care. While the balancing act has moved from the balance beam to the high wire, we remain strong and determined to give our students the tools for success.

The new bleachers for the multi-purpose field, as well as goal posts and soccer nets, are being assembled; a 6-feet-high fence will be installed along the field that borders the road. Barring a long dry spell that slows progress, the goal is to use this field in the fall. The auditorium renovations are coming along nicely as well: the floors have been scrubbed clean of old glue and debris and the new carpet has been installed; curtains/rigging work will be completed this week.  The re-upholstered seats look great and should be installed mid-August. This capital improvement project is possible through the Central Cambria Education Foundation and contributions from community members and local businesses. HintJ: There is still time to donate or purchase a seat. For details see www.cceducationfoundation.org.

  

On the subject of sports, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been lackluster as they are at the midway point of the season and six games behind the Brewers.  Pitching has been more than a little disappointing. Here’s hoping the second half of the season is kinder to our Buccos.

Since it is July yet, I have yet to fly my Steelers flag.  I always promise my wife not to rush the summer by counting the days until kickoff (49 days left for college and 54 days left for NFL football—that’s not counting, folks, it’s monitoring). I’m excited that the NFL training camps start next week; the defensive players the Steelers have added to their team have a lot of potential. Filling his shoes will be a tall order, I’m sure but, as good as he is, Big Ben will not be around forever; the front office will need to find an understudy in the near future. Until then, it is my hope, and that of all of Steeler Nation, that the Steelers make a Super Bowl run this year. 

Enjoy your families and what is left of July… go Bucs!

Dr. D.

Happy Summer

Happy summer, everyone!!  Hopefully, the season will warm up and allow us all to relax and recharge before the fall.  A little less rain would certainly help our maintenance staff and summer employees as they are already working very hard to clean all buildings and grounds.  The bleachers are here for the new multipurpose field, as well as the soccer nets, player benches and football goalposts.  A six-foot-high  fence will border the part of the field that abuts the road.  Once these upgrades are completed, we anticipate full use of this field for our fall sports practices and games. 

Our auditorium renovation fundraiser, “A Cause for Applause,” is moving along nicely.  Buying a seat (or two or three – no limit!), is a great graduation gift or a special way to remember a loved alumnus of CCSD.  The following link leads to a letter explaining what is being done and how you can donate: https://docs.google.com/a/ccsd.k12.pa.us/document/d/17ucx6THz1KKAyCplSLkZTYdNsYcVd1leXuX_Ea6u40g/edit?usp=drive_web

All seats are being reupholstered, new carpeting is being laid, and some surfaces are being painted. In addition, we are installing new rigging, stage curtains, sound board system and lighting.  The desk seats in the rear of the auditorium, as well as the wood on the walls, is being replaced.  This joint venture capital improvement project is possible through the Central Cambria Education Foundation and contributions from community members and local businesses.  For details see www.cceducationfoundation.org

Congratulations to the 133 seniors who recently graduated and to their families for being a positive part of their educational lives.  My interview with a cadre of these talented seniors was both enlightening and informative.  As usual, a wonderful group of seniors has graduated from Central Cambria.  While their influence and presence here will be greatly missed, I’m confident that we’ll hear great things about them over the years.  The ceremony can be viewed at our web site www.cencam.org.

June 30 will be the last day for Deb Dixon, our payroll clerk and Mrs. McDermott, our HS principal.  Both have been great to work with and have done many wonderful things for Central Cambria.  Their talents and presence will be greatly missed by all who have come to know them.  Good luck with retirement!!

My wife and I recently attended my niece’s wedding in Nashville.  What a great time to be a Pens fan!  I brought enough Pens gear to outfit a small country. Nothing like walking into a honky tonk establishment in Nashville wearing a Pens shirt and getting your picture taken with the local singer (she begged me not to post the photo because “I could lose my job.”)  The Nashville fans were very gracious and were very proud of their Preds. 

 

On the subject of sports, OTAs (Organized Training Activities) are now over for football rookies and training camp starts July 24. Hope springs eternal as I look for the Pens’ win to spark our Steelers to take serious aim at the Super Bowl.  I never wish a season away, but I am so ready for some football. 

Enjoy your families and what is left of June… go Bucs!

Dr. D.