Rain, rain and more rain....

Rain, Rain and more rain…



If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring? After so many days of rainy, inclement weather in May, I am sure everyone would like to conjure up an answer to that question. For my part, “all rain and no sun” have led to a quieter-than-usual ending to the school year.

This is the time of the school year during which I conduct senior exit interviews and gather information for my graduation speech. I truly enjoy sitting down with a cadre of seniors to ask them about their time at Central Cambria, I hear what they liked, didn’t like, how the pork chopettes and Hollywood squares were, and many other tidbits that I really should put in a book some day. Soon to leave the district for good, seniors feel no need to hold back on their opinions and comments.

Many had questions of their own: about the middle school students coming into their building next year, how the cafeteria will be structured to handle the larger number of students, even about budgetary issues (I knew these kids were sharp). The majority of the people who met with me said that they feel well-prepared for life after high school. Many expressed sadness that their time at CCSD was coming to a rapid end (sorry, teachers, they specifically named their friends as being the people they will miss the most). I interview 20-25% of the senior class for two reasons: first, of course, I want to share their responses with their parents, teachers, relatives and friends during my graduation speech. The second reason for the interviews is actually much more important: I want to know, from their own perspective, how our students rate our performance as educators and mentors.

Many thanks to those who took the budget survey on our district homepage. Almost 800 respondents provided insight into common priorities and concerns as we work through our budget for next year and the years to come. Again, I encourage you to contact our local legislators to let them know how the governor’s cut in funding to basic education will have a negative impact on young people across the state. I believe that our solidarity is one very important reason that Harrisburg is at least now listening to the concerns of constituents associated with education as families, community members, taxpayers, and educators.

Congratulations to all graduating seniors, as well as to their parents, relatives and friends on their achievements as they move forward. June 9th will mark the start of their journey into the “real world.” All of us at Central Cambria wish them happiness and satisfaction in their future endeavors.

Dr. D.