Standing Up for Public Education

Last year at this time our district had several snow delays and cancellations. This year (knock on wood) we have had only one delay. Although we still have many weeks of winter left, it does not appear that we are having a typical snow/ice/delay/cancellation year – yet! For those of you not familiar with our delay/cancellation weather procedure, it can be found on the district’s home page, under the link Guidelines for School Delays/Closings. I realize 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.

January is the month when our nation celebrates Martin Luther King’s birthday and all the work he did in the area of Civil Rights. January is also School Director’s recognition month. Our district is blessed with very competent, caring and involved school directors. Although this is not a “paid” position, Board members are charged with making many important, sometimes unpopular, decisions. Their tutelage and experience help to guide our district. Each director has the best interest of students, the district and the community at heart. They base their decisions on information, not on emotion. I am proud to work with each of them. At a time when state monies dwindle and public education is under fire from every side, the school board works diligently to maintain a quality education for all of CCSD’s students.

January is also a good time to redouble our efforts to educate those groups that bash public education. They need to recognize the successes among our students and those across the state. Case in point: Pennsylvania has shown eight consecutive years of improvement in student achievement in math and reading. Locally, the achievement scores of Central Cambria students continue to improve, as evidenced by our district consistently achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the standard by which the Department of Education measures successful teaching and learning. Success can also be seen in the fact that Cambria elementary school was awarded a $600,000 competitive grant for the i3 initiative (Investing In Innovation), which is an inquiry based science initiative. And we cannot minimize the many triumphs of our district’s fine arts and musical programs as they continue to garner regional and state awards and produce outstanding musicians.

So I encourage you to share the successes your child has experienced, either currently or as an alumnus. Let’s all “Stand Up For Public Education.”

Since we all know how Pennsylvania weather can change, 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.

(I can’t write a blog without referencing football – which has now been put back on the shelf as I look forward to next season. FYI: as of this date – January 18 – there are 68 days until the NFL draft on April 26.)

Dr. D.