Riding on the March roller coaster….
People have different opinions about the month of March. As the transition point from winter to
spring, some view it as the beginning of spring while others still hope for
weather-related delays or cancellations (mostly students). Having had to
recommend 3 cancellations and 11 delays/early dismissals, I join parents in
hoping that we’ve seen the last of the game-changing snows for this year—yet I
remember vividly the surprise storm that hit our area on April 23 last year.
From an educational standpoint, March is the month in which
preparation for the PSSA begins in earnest. While some may feel that these tests are neither appropriate
nor a valid means of judging student success, they remain a mandate that
directly impacts our viability as a public school district. For this reason,
teachers and students redouble their efforts at this time of year.
As always, I am impressed by the tenacity of students and
staff in this regard. Somehow, even as students prepare for the spring sports, they
maintain their focus on academics. Just as coaches train their athletes in ways
that allow them to peak at just the right time for competition, teachers do an
excellent job of test preparation throughout the school year: in addition to
teaching critical concepts, they skillfully pace instruction to reduce test
anxiety and burn out. Teachers strive to ensure that students are peaking for
maximum performance just as the state tests begin.
March is also the time of year for the state-required severe
weather drill to take place in all school districts. We did this March 5th in each of our
buildings. All staff members have
emergency manuals that detail many possible scenarios and ways to react based
on location within the building.
We are also required to conduct bus evacuation and fire drills before
the end of March. Unfortunately,
we have to now be prepared and practice for another type of drill: active
shooter lockdown drill.
Since the Sandy Hook incident, many districts have revisited
and enhanced their security procedures.
Some of these processes are minor in cost (such as requiring all
personnel to wear ID badges, assigning parking spaces, etc.) and other measures
can be very pricey (School Resource Officer). Regardless of the cost or involvement, everyone needs to be
prepared and not behave as if it can’t happen in their district.
Central Cambria has taken a proactive lead by coordinating
an Active Shooter Drill in our HS/MS complex on March 8. This exercise was the first in the area
to involve all staff and about 80 student volunteers. Ten local agencies participated in the drill, and
surrounding schools were invited to observe. Below is the scenario in which the drill was conducted:
Prior to the drill, each student had
been assigned to be in specific rooms with a staff member(s). Each had been
given a role-play card (such as needing to go to the bathroom or wanting to
climb out a window during the lockdown, etc.).
At the start of the drill, two
suspicious men are seen in front of the high school. Mrs. McDermott, HS Principal and the maintenance supervisor go
outside to confront them; both are shot.
The two shooters shoot the glass at the main entrance and enter the
building. The school secretary
informs Mr. Klezek, the assistant high school principal, and they rush into a
secure room. From there he does a
school-wide call for a building lockdown.
As the 911 center spreads the word,
Cambria Township police are the first to arrive on the scene looking for the
shooters. As more police arrive,
one shooter is fatally shot while the other is in custody. The SERT (Special
Emergency Response Team) personnel then proceed to clear the building room by
room. The entire drill to take out
the shooters lasted only ten minutes but seemed like hours as the smell of
gunpowder and the blaring fire alarm made the entire drill seem all to
real.
The knowledge and experience gained by this drill were invaluable.
Guidance counselors were available to students with any concerns or issues related
to the drill. Kudos to our staff, Administration,
the Emergency Services Department of Cambria County and the law enforcement
agencies that contributed to the success of this drill.
On a much lighter note, congratulations and thanks to the
school volunteers and parents who helped make this year’s Supper for Science
another huge success. Teachers,
Board members and administrators all helped in various capacities among the
region’s local businesses. This
has become a wonderful community event!
And finally, what would my blog be without some mention of
sports. The Pens are on a five
game winning streak with Crosby being the NHL point leader. They are first in their division. And for football fans, there are only
31 days until the NFL draft and 188 days until the first college game, not that
I am counting. On a sad note (although
my son and son-in-law would disagree), James Harrison, OLB, was released by the
Steelers (heavy sigh). My wife had to remind me to remove the
black armband before I came to work today.
Enjoy Spring!
Dr. D.
