"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence
Monday, October 10 as I drove up to work, the leaves were at their peak colors. They almost looked surreal to me. After the rain and wind on Wednesday, many of the leaves had been blown from the trees. The leaves turning colors and blowing around happens in such a short period of time, we barely notice them because of all the preparations we do for the eventual onset of winter. It’s too bad that our nature is to fully appreciate something only after it is gone. I truly miss the leaves.
Education, as a year-round “sport” that changes constantly and provides new challenges and opportunities, is similar to the fall season. We work at the start of the school “season” to prepare our students for the rigors of the curriculum in their new grade level; with no time to notice, students gain new skills and understandings to meet accountability requirements. Then they move on. And we truly miss them.
Fortunately for my love of both the fall season and the school cycle of teaching and learning, the cycle continues, and I get to experience both again. Further, to make these phenomena a little easier to take, we are fortunate to know with confidence that the trees—and our children—get taller and stronger every year, showing us that a lot of good comes with the passage of the seasons.
Teachers and administrators follow a similar but lengthier path: because CCSD staff members are actively engaged in improving their skills, they successfully respond to the changing needs of students and state and produce stellar results, as shown on state assessments and audits.
Congratulations to our Red Devils football team on their first victory; getting that first win on Homecoming Night was the icing on a great game. When I am approached about our football teams’ record, I like to ask them about what Chuck Noll’s record was at the end of his first season in 1969?” (Do you know what it was?) It was 1-13. Of course we all know he was the only coach to go on and win four Super Bowl rings. My point is that success does not usually happen overnight. I might also point to several pro football teams whose owners see fit to replace a new coach after one or two poor seasons; with little continuity in coaching, these teams don’t seem to fare much better even under “new and improved” coaches. I see our youth athletes working hard at every practice, and coaches spending more time watching films, scouting opponents and putting in extra time at practices to prepare for the next game. I applaud all of our coaches as they not only prepare our athletes for the next game, meet or tournament, but as they prepare them for a lifetime of fair play and ethics through sports.
Mark your calendars: the official dedication of our middle school will be held Tuesday, October 25 at 6pm. The event will showcase how proud we are of this building as a safe environment in which our students blossom and grow.
Until next month’s blog, enjoy each day, each season and each Steeler game (I had to put in a plug for the Steelers as they need all the help they can get).
Dr. D
Monday, October 17, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The first day of Fall....
The first day of Fall…
As I have stated in the past, autumn is one of my favorite seasons, partly because I’m fortunate enough to live in Pennsylvania. Here we experience the beautiful leaf changes, the crisp mornings, and the brilliant blue skies of the new season. (More later about the second reason that I love this time of year.) I have even greater appreciation for the beautiful setting of our district as I look out over the well-kept facilities we maintain for our students and our community.
There are many days and evenings that I see members of the community walking around the track or the school grounds, watching soccer, football games, cross country meets, etc. It is important to know that CCSD is a viable and accessible part of the community.
There are many area groups who request the use of our facilities; they seem to truly appreciate the effort we put into providing clean and contemporary buildings for our students and for our community. Our schools are the meeting place for Girl Scouts, youth basketball practices, Basket Bingo for our boosters, and many other community activities. As evidence of the collaborative relationship we are proud to foster, we have gotten a favorable public response to the plan for the YMCA to manage our pool schedule this school year.
My point in all of this seemingly random rambling is this: those who live in and around our district, who do not have any children in our schools, reap many benefits from the fine facilities we work hard to maintain. By adhering to our five-year maintenance schedule, we address upkeep issues in a timely fashion, thereby preventing buildings from lapsing into expensive disrepair. Keeping the district in top shape is much less costly than fixing emergencies that come from years of neglect or oversight.
I commend the men and women who maintain the fields, parking lots, buildings, classrooms, etc. They do this on a daily basis with no regard for recognition, but their dedication allows so many to enjoy our district and all its activities and facilities.
What would my blog be without some mention of my second (primary? I’ll never tell…) reason for loving the fall season? Now that the Steelers have actually decided to play football (note Game #1) rather than just participate, fall is in full swing at my house.
Take time to enjoy the season and the region; perhaps the grounds of CCSD would be the perfect Fall walk. Whatever you do this season, I encourage all of you who read my blog to be proud of CCSD and what we have to offer.
I hesitate to bring this up at the start of this wonderful season, but now is the time to clean that snow shovel, tune up the snow blower and get an extra bag of salt…we all know what follows Fall. Enjoy the season!!
DR. D
As I have stated in the past, autumn is one of my favorite seasons, partly because I’m fortunate enough to live in Pennsylvania. Here we experience the beautiful leaf changes, the crisp mornings, and the brilliant blue skies of the new season. (More later about the second reason that I love this time of year.) I have even greater appreciation for the beautiful setting of our district as I look out over the well-kept facilities we maintain for our students and our community.
There are many days and evenings that I see members of the community walking around the track or the school grounds, watching soccer, football games, cross country meets, etc. It is important to know that CCSD is a viable and accessible part of the community.
There are many area groups who request the use of our facilities; they seem to truly appreciate the effort we put into providing clean and contemporary buildings for our students and for our community. Our schools are the meeting place for Girl Scouts, youth basketball practices, Basket Bingo for our boosters, and many other community activities. As evidence of the collaborative relationship we are proud to foster, we have gotten a favorable public response to the plan for the YMCA to manage our pool schedule this school year.
My point in all of this seemingly random rambling is this: those who live in and around our district, who do not have any children in our schools, reap many benefits from the fine facilities we work hard to maintain. By adhering to our five-year maintenance schedule, we address upkeep issues in a timely fashion, thereby preventing buildings from lapsing into expensive disrepair. Keeping the district in top shape is much less costly than fixing emergencies that come from years of neglect or oversight.
I commend the men and women who maintain the fields, parking lots, buildings, classrooms, etc. They do this on a daily basis with no regard for recognition, but their dedication allows so many to enjoy our district and all its activities and facilities.
What would my blog be without some mention of my second (primary? I’ll never tell…) reason for loving the fall season? Now that the Steelers have actually decided to play football (note Game #1) rather than just participate, fall is in full swing at my house.
Take time to enjoy the season and the region; perhaps the grounds of CCSD would be the perfect Fall walk. Whatever you do this season, I encourage all of you who read my blog to be proud of CCSD and what we have to offer.
I hesitate to bring this up at the start of this wonderful season, but now is the time to clean that snow shovel, tune up the snow blower and get an extra bag of salt…we all know what follows Fall. Enjoy the season!!
DR. D
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back to School
Giving thanks….
Giving thanks for going back to school?! Why?! I could cite many reasons, but I will limit myself to a select few.
I am thankful and proud that our district will start the school year on the positive coattails of having once again met and/or exceeded AYP last year. Kudos to all the staff and students for the hard work and preparation that went into the pre-PSSA classroom activities.
I am thankful that Jackson Elementary has a beautiful multipurpose room and an elevator. The staff and students will get many years of use from this room.
I am thankful that we have a new middle school. It is truly breathtaking when one first walks in the main entrance. Renovations of rooms in the high school are also done and offer a very nice learning environment.
I am also thankful when I see so many student athletes and band members practicing on school grounds. I am always amazed at the commitment shown by these young adults who practice unflaggingly regardless of extreme heat, drenching rain, and numbing cold.
I am thankful for the efforts of our regular maintenance staff and summer help. Moving furniture and materials from the previous middle school to the new building more than doubled the workload for these people. We should all take time to thank Greg Shaffer and his staff for the extra effort they expended this summer in preparing for the opening day of school.
So, even though some may not be thankful for this time of year (kids, you know who you are), there are many reasons to return with a smile on your face. I do know some parents are beginning to smile a little more broadly as we approach the opening day of school.
Not to disappoint, what would my blog be without some mention of football at this time of year? With the NFL lockout ending (thankfully), I can now begin to look forward to my gridiron fanaticism with glee. As I had said last year at this time, “for me, the anticipation of the season is in some ways better than the season itself: once it starts I know it will end in a couple months.” But I am still thankful that, as we start another year of education, football is finally here.
I wish each student and staff member a wonderful, productive and safe school year. Let’s hope we have a beautiful fall with vibrant colors and that the winter snows take their time getting here.
DR. D
Giving thanks for going back to school?! Why?! I could cite many reasons, but I will limit myself to a select few.
I am thankful and proud that our district will start the school year on the positive coattails of having once again met and/or exceeded AYP last year. Kudos to all the staff and students for the hard work and preparation that went into the pre-PSSA classroom activities.
I am thankful that Jackson Elementary has a beautiful multipurpose room and an elevator. The staff and students will get many years of use from this room.
I am thankful that we have a new middle school. It is truly breathtaking when one first walks in the main entrance. Renovations of rooms in the high school are also done and offer a very nice learning environment.
I am also thankful when I see so many student athletes and band members practicing on school grounds. I am always amazed at the commitment shown by these young adults who practice unflaggingly regardless of extreme heat, drenching rain, and numbing cold.
I am thankful for the efforts of our regular maintenance staff and summer help. Moving furniture and materials from the previous middle school to the new building more than doubled the workload for these people. We should all take time to thank Greg Shaffer and his staff for the extra effort they expended this summer in preparing for the opening day of school.
So, even though some may not be thankful for this time of year (kids, you know who you are), there are many reasons to return with a smile on your face. I do know some parents are beginning to smile a little more broadly as we approach the opening day of school.
Not to disappoint, what would my blog be without some mention of football at this time of year? With the NFL lockout ending (thankfully), I can now begin to look forward to my gridiron fanaticism with glee. As I had said last year at this time, “for me, the anticipation of the season is in some ways better than the season itself: once it starts I know it will end in a couple months.” But I am still thankful that, as we start another year of education, football is finally here.
I wish each student and staff member a wonderful, productive and safe school year. Let’s hope we have a beautiful fall with vibrant colors and that the winter snows take their time getting here.
DR. D
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