Is it Elsa or Phil?

Our district’s snow delay/cancellation policy is outlined on the district’s home page under the link Guidelines for School Delays/Closings.   With several weeks of winter left, we are slightly above average in the number of cold/snow/ice delays, early dismissals and cancellations this year! I imagine that superintendents are rather unpopular when this happens and I know 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. 

One might say that this brutal February is payback for a relatively calm January. The last ten days of the month promise to remain very wintry and cold.  The chart below compares snow events between 1/1/15 through 2/18/15 with snow events of the same period in 2014:

	2014	2015
Delays	7	6
Early dismissals	1	6
Cancellations	6	3

Our final day of school is now June 8 (subject to change, of course).  Having raised three children in Central PA, I am aware of the inconvenience of delays, cancellations and early dismissals; however, I believe all will agree that it is far better to err on the side of caution, when making wintertime school decisions, than to risk the safety of our children. 

Our technology coach, in collaboration with the building principals, has developed an online tech survey for our secondary students and a paper/pencil tech survey for our elementary students’ parents.  The object is to garner information about Internet connectivity and accessibility within our district’s boundaries.  There has been much discussion about “flex days,” which PDE states can be used for snow makeup days; flex days involve using the Internet or some other means to deliver instruction to students when school is cancelled for snow or other emergencies.  Our district is exploring possibilities with respect to some type of virtual snow day scheme.  This survey is a first step toward gaining information about areas of need as we explore alternative educational options for use during this time of year.

At this time of year, many educators look anxiously for news of the governor’s proposed budget.  Despite increases in costs, for eight years, we have been working with allocations basically equal to 2007 funding monies.  I am encouraged by our new Governor’s commitment to facilitate a fair funding formula and to replace the money taken from districts over the last 4 years.  Although he is dealing with a Republican legislature, Governor Wolf appears to be fair and determined to do what is right for, as he put it, “one of our most valuable resources” (children).  He will present his budget on March 3.

News from the Federal level gives us a second reason to cheer: it appears that Congress is beginning to develop language for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.  Included is a strong push to give local districts more control over educational decisions and to reduce mandatory testing.  As discussion about this issue continues in the months ahead, I am at least encouraged by their willingness to finally address this issue.

Kudos to our athletes and the season they have had.  It is always refreshing to see how CCSD athletes from one sport cheer on the athletes of another sport; it was heartwarming to see the reception our girls’ cross country team and their coaches received before the start of a girls’ basketball game.  Central Cambria is truly a tight knit family, on so many levels!

The Board of Directors has approved Physical Education as the first course for summer that is not for credit recovery.  This will be open to all incoming 9^th to 12^th graders. Each of two sessions will run for three weeks.  Students are already beginning to sign up for the course.

As I look out my window, 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, enjoy the weather. I know who is responsible for the current Winter Fest – it is Elsa, from Frozen.  Punxsutawney Phil is thrilled he is not being blamed this year!

And now for some sports talk.  Hockey is a great winter sport; it gets me through the months between football seasons.  But it seems that, lately, the Pens have been using the wrong end of their hockey sticks.  Sigh. Football seems like a distant dream as the snow and cold temps continue to dominate the Northeast. But I take heart in the fact that as of this date – February 20 – there are only 69 days, 4 hours and 32 minutes (not that I am counting), until the NFL draft on April 30. Let’s hope the Steelers can shore up some of their weaknesses. 

Happy shoveling!

Dr. D.