Crazy days of summer....

Before I begin my blog, I would like to take this opportunity to update everyone on the negotiations between the District and the teacher’s union.  A Status of Negotiations link will be available on the District’s website (www.cchs.k12.pa.us) in the very near future.  Since the Fact Finder’s report has been publicly posted on the Pennsylvania Labor Relation Board website, the District believes it is important for the public to be aware of this information, and as such, is making it available on its website.

You know it is summer, really summer, when temps soar into the 90s, air conditioners run non-stop, and finding water to swim in or to keep hydrated is a priority.  These truly are the “lazy hazy crazy days of summer” as celebrated by singer/songwriter Nat King Cole. For better or for worse, these days are limited as, with the passing of the summer solstice, the amount of daylight has been getting shorter by a minute every day. 

As I have said in the past, summer is not necessarily a slower time for CCSD’s 12-month employees.  Greg Shaffer and his staff work very hard, both inside and out, in the heat of the summer, to get buildings and grounds in top shape for the beginning of the school year.  The administration is also hustling to prepare schedules, staff development activities, and bus routes/stops; they are restocking supplies, tending to curriculum updates and distributing updated records across grade levels and schools, and between districts. Then, based on population shifts, materials for the coming school year are ordered.  As you might expect, myriad meetings accompany these events. (I’m currently looking for a bumper sticker that says, “Have coffee, will meet.” Ah, well, meetings justify the coffee I enjoy; to adapt a quote from Henning Mankell in One Step Behind, “Meetings wouldn’t be possible without coffee.” (I’m currently looking for a bumper sticker that proclaims this truism.)

Even as we adults seek shade and air conditioning, our students are outside preparing for the start of soccer, band, football, cross country and other extra curricular student activities.  These amazing kids will be ready as they are at the start of every year, despite the heat and thunderstorms that accompany summer.

On a personal note, my wife and I have now completed the third and final leg of our summer trips to see the Big Ten universities (football stadiums).  This summer we drove to Nebraska, Minnesota and then to Michigan.  We had a great time, saw some beautiful cities, and ate some really good food like the “Jucy Lucy” burger featured on the Travel Channel—and ‘Jucy’ is not a misspelling.  It was great to get away with my best friend and travel without a set agenda.  Note: I imagine you reading this with sympathy for a wife who is obliged to participate in the accomplishment of this “bucket list” item. Rest assured that the trips included activities like shopping and sightseeing of the non-football variety.

Speaking of sports (always), I’m excited for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  They are only one game out of first place in their division, a tremendous improvement over their implosion last year after the All Star game. They have given me hope that the team will end its 20-year losing streak. I can’t say that I’m 100% optimistic about the chances that their neighbors, the Steelers, will enjoy a winning season without James Harrison. I remind myself that the enthusiasm of true fans is undeterred during team-building years, and that this may be one of them. NFL training camps are set to start next week and another football season will be here before you know it – finally!!  Naturally, with this heat wave, I don’t smell fall in the air yet but I do have my Steelers flag at the ready. Life continues to be good…

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

Dr. D.