Loveliest smile....

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.”

--William Cullen Bryant, “Indian Summer”

The leaves are (were) beautiful this fall, but a weekend of snow showers and high winds has whisked away many of the leaves in our area.  Someone told me, that snowfall before the ground is frozen is a sign of a mild winter.  While I’m unaware of any scientific foundation for such a statement, I can be hopeful that the heavy frost Monday morning, after the weekend’s snow showers, will be a harbinger of a relatively calm winter season. Greg, our maintenance supervisor, has assured me our supply of anti-skid and salt is in good shape and ready when needed; in addition, the Board approved a new loader for the maintenance department. With the other snow equipment in our garages, we should be ready for whatever degree of harshness Old Man Winter delivers this year. 

On the subject of weather, our athletes have benefited from perfect autumn conditions, performing exceptionally well: congratulations go to these competitors on their accomplishments:

·      Jeremy Eckenrode won the 2015 Boys District VI-AA Golf Championship.

·      Lauren Stevens won the 2015 Girls District VI-AA Golf Championship.

·      Hannah Swope & Julia Schaffer won the 2015 Girls District VI-AA Doubles Tennis Championship.

·      Jeremy Eckenrode, Alex Kiepert & Lauren Stevens qualified for the PIAA Western Regional Finals.

Good luck to our golf teams as they compete in the Western regional finals on 10-19-15, the girls as they participate in the team District 6 AA first round on 10-20-15, and the boys and girls cross country teams as they run for the LHAC Championship at Forest hills on 10-21-15.  Kudos to all the hard work and effort by the athletes and their coaches.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we are working to develop a long-range plan for improving and maintaining playing fields, parking lots and school grounds in general. The CCSD Grounds Committee has been busy prioritizing needs, checking for wetlands and getting cost estimates to help the Board determine what /when grounds projects will be completed. Because many factors must be considered, this work is not a quick process; I’m certain that the committee’s efforts will benefit many future generations of taxpayers and students.

The funding stalemate with the state has stretched to well over 100 days with no end in sight.  As I stated at our last Board meeting, CCSD is ”holding its own” with respect to its finances.  Our budget is being closely monitored to keep us operating in the black; however, if the budget stalemate continues into December or after the first of the year, I may need to assess all programs and the impact they have on our budget. This last-resort effort at staying solvent is no one’s desire; I will continue to monitor and manage finances in a conservative and prudent manner.

Let me offer this reminder that elections take place next month. I hope that, regardless of your political affiliation, you get out to vote.  Getting to know and understand the candidates and their views on hot button issues is an important part of casting your ballot.  As money gets tighter and tighter, incumbents and those running against them are scrutinized as they describe their plans for distributing funds to municipalities and agencies. Being a lifelong educator, I have always tried to vote for the candidate that I feel most sincerely support public education.  I confess that I hope you join me in my concern when you vote. 

Well, as I feared, the Pirates made it to post season only to lose in a one and done game.  To add salt to my Bucco-induced wound, the Pens lost their first three games and Crosby has forgotten where to place the puck to get a goal, and the injury bug has bitten the Steelers to the point that multiple starters are out for the season.  Thankfully Big Ben, who might have been lost for the season, will return in another game or two.  So far this arm of the Pittsburgh sports machine appears to be doing well enough to win.  It stings when I remember that a decent kicker could have won the Baltimore game – conversely, nothing could have helped them against the Patriots.  They are 4-2, which keeps them close to the Bengals who are 6-0.  With lots of football left I’m hopeful that Coach Tomlin’s mantra “next man up” will continue to work for the Steelers. 

With so many sporting events on TV this time of year, it is easy to miss going outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature.  Make time to take a fall walk or fall into a pile of leaves.  Take time to see nature’s last smile for  a while….

Until my next blog, please relish family and all that you hold dear. 

Dr. D