Yogi Berra

May/June bring spring athletic playoffs, the Music on a Grand Scale fundraiser, the prom, and graduation. While some—parents, teachers, and students alike anxiously anticipate June 8 and the arrival of summer break, I have to say that, for me, the year sped by too quickly. It’s hard to believe that, at this time last year, I was nervously hoping to be a positive and suitable match for the educational needs/goals of CCSD. I humbly thank you for entrusting your children’s education to me—and for the terrific year we have had.

New York Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra once said “ If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” I believe that, at CCSD, we know where we are going and how to get there. 2009-10 has seen the start of many exciting initiatives and changes:
• RTII (Response to Instruction and Intervention) in the elementary schools
• Co-teaching in the secondary schools
• Realignment of gifted support services in the elementary schools
• Elementary and secondary parent advisory committees
• Standards Aligned System implementation, PSSA tutoring, Keystone Exams preparation, Writing Across the Curriculum
• Cooperative memorandum of understanding effort between the Union and District with the Race To The Top application
• Public computer lab use at Jackson and the HS is now available one night a week until the end of the school year
• The Middle School/HS renovation projects have been approved and are set to begin June 9, with completion in the fall of 2011
• The Jackson Elementary multi-purpose room addition has been approved and is set to begin June 9, with completion in the fall of 2011
• The addition of a Life Skills program at CCSD for the 2010-11 school year

Of course, there are other school-specific programs throughout the year which include hands-on instruction and opportunities for parent involvement.

Congratulations to our softball coach, Pat Stock, on a remarkable achievement of 500 wins. As with all our sports programs, the dedication and consistency of our coaches make our programs the envy of many other districts.

On another note, I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Aurandt’s Social Studies classes several weeks ago. His students raised many excellent questions about the workings of the school district, the community, and the world. Their depth of perception toward current hot topics impressed me. In addition to local questions related to my opinion of cafeteria- and PSSA-related questions, one student asked me to elaborate on my most embarrassing moment as an educator. Thinking of my responsibility as a role model, I pled the Fifth Amendment….

Spring is inthe air...

Several notable personalities are credited with saying, “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Can you name the author(s) of this quote?

I recalled the quote after a recent visit to our grandson and his parents. Jacob is now nine months old. We were naturally impressed by how quickly he is growing, crawling, smiling, etc., but we also spent some time with Jacob’s parents discussing his education, the school district in which they live, and plans to pay for his college education. This conversation reminded me that parents are working toward their children’s future success almost from day they’re born. Parents (and grandparents!) are planning for postsecondary options earlier than ever before. And, important to CCSD, parents really do research school systems prior to locating in a community.

CCSD is certainly not the only school district to adopt such programs/initiatives as RTI (Response to Intervention), ELO (Extended Learning Opportunities), PSSA tutoring, after-school tutoring, senior projects, and vo-tech programs. However, it is our sustained effort at improvement in these areas that keeps our school system on the cutting edge.
We work hard! Teachers have become skilled in cooperative teaching strategies and participate in ongoing training seminars. Students, faculty and families work together to build championship caliber athletic programs, nationally recognized music and arts programs. By consistently monitoring and assessing programs, curriculum, strategic plans, technology integration, etc., we provide the opportunity for success that parents want for their children.
I’m supremely pleased to note that your Board of Directors has taken the next step in renovating/expanding the High School/Middle School and will soon be voting on the Jackson Elementary multipurpose Room project. These projects will enhance the quality of education at Central Cambria School District.

Every school district faces many challenges, of course. I’m proud to work beside CCSD’s staff, Board of Directors, parents, students and community as we advance the high standards we have set for ourselves at Central Cambria School District. We have built a learning environment that realtors and relatives alike would recommend to newcomers.

By the way, as far as I’m concerned, the originator of the opening quote was Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame football coach of the Green Bay Packers. While you might think I’m a football fanatic, I hasten to remind you that Spring is, among other things, the harbinger of another great football season: the draft, Spring training, etc. Think Spring!
Dr. DiLeo

Winter thoughts...

Where has the time gone?! As the month of January comes to a close, I’d like to share some rambling winter thoughts…

I’ve said before that I find the drive “up the mountain” to be relaxing and beautiful. The scenery this month, as usual, has been breathtaking; I have to say, though, that on January 8, when I experienced a whiteout from the Gallitzin off ramp to Ebensburg, the trip was breathtaking for another reason altogether. Suffice to say that I’ve gained a new appreciation for the rumble strips that let me know my car was no longer on the highway….

Central Cambria staff and students have begun to intensify their preparation for the PSSA in April. As I visit the schools I witness an impressive variety of positive, meaningful teaching and learning activities taking place in the classrooms. Our staff has attended seminars and training/staff development sessions in order to help students succeed on the PSSA and to continue to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I’m excited to see such positive efforts toward this ever-rising challenge.

You may have heard of President Obama’s “Race to The Top” educational monies being competitively sought by 38 states. Pennsylvania has submitted its application for a share of the 4.35 billion dollars, of which our state is eligible to receive up to 400 million dollars. I am happy and proud to report that the CCSD Education Association and the CCSD School Board signed a memorandum of understanding that makes the district eligible to receive a share of the federal grant monies available through the Race to the Top (RTTT) program. Approximately 150 of the state’s school districts and 59 charter schools have submitted Memoranda of Understanding to PDE which, in order to be eligible for any Race to The Top money that may come to Pennsylvania, had to be signed by the union president, the Superintendent, and the Board president. A collaborative, “students first” perspective, shared by all stakeholders, makes an amazing difference when challenges and opportunities present themselves.

And finally, although it seems far away, several staff members have begun to plan a district-wide/community “Celebrate the Arts” fundraiser in May. The goal is to raise enough funds to purchase a new Baby Grand Piano. The CCSD Education Foundation is also supporting this worthwhile project. Look for more information in the coming months.

Enjoy what’s left of January as the winter continues to remind all of us to keep an “eye to the sky.” For my part, one eye will be on the rumble strips!