Almost a snow delay…..

Almost a snow delay…..

The calendar shows that we are still a month away from the winter solstice, but the ride to the District lately has been anything but Fall-like.   Father winter has once again come early to Pennsylvania, and with a vengeance. I have already received phone calls at 4:30 a.m. reporting slick but passable road conditions.  Snow and howling winds have found their way into our region. We've managed to avoid snow delays or cancellations so far, but they are almost inevitable around these parts. As always, this rule of thumb applies: if we have not called a delay/cancellation by 5:30, it is too late to get the word out. Making the right call can be most stressful for PA superintendents. As I continue to emphasize to parents, staff, Board members and, most importantly to students, the safety and welfare of all are paramount; decisions are always based on safety.

November is always a fast-paced month in education, as activities wax and wane.  Even as fall sports wind down, winter sports and this year’s school play, Godspell, are filling the void. Numerous staff development opportunities and student curriculum-based field trips also take place this month.  Kudos to our student actors, athletes and those who participate in the many opportunities we offer here at CCSD. A big thank you also goes out to the coaches and volunteers who give countless hours to our students; it is this preparation that enables our students to achieve to such high levels in these activities and events.

We have great news to report about our interactive playground grant application: our district was awarded almost $250,000 toward this initiative! With this award,  we will be able to break ground this summer.  It is bound to be an awesome community gem. Heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to all who worked on raising funds, donating their time and effort toward this wonderful goal. 

On a personal note, I celebrated my 60th birthday this month.  But I can honestly say that being Superintendent of such a great district has kept me feeling like a 30 year old.  I still enjoy my days and the great people I work with.  As my 90+-year-old dad says, “celebrating birthdays is better than the alternative.”

During this season, let’s all take time to give thanks for all the blessings and good fortune we enjoy, and to remember those who have lost their “home for the holidays.” I wish for all staff and students a happy, relaxing, and fulfilling holiday.  Cherish those close to you in the spirit of the season. Share fond memories—and make new ones—with family and friends. (And watch lots of football!)

Until the snow starts,

Dr. D.

But then fall comes, kicking summer out

 “But then fall comes, kicking summer out … as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed. It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair ….”
― Stephen King, 'Salem's Lot

King may very well have written these lines for those involved in education – students, teachers, and staff – as we have all “settled in” to familiar routines of teaching, learning, participating in school events and managing the educational process. It is hard to believe the month of October is coming to a close and that the end of the first marking period is less than two weeks away.  We have truly settled in by now.

As with every school year, there are new initiatives and directives that must be instituted for the current school year.  For example, our staff is currently working on the state mandated SLO (Student Learning Objectives) initiative.  The SLO in PA is written by individual teachers to the specific class, course or content area for which that teacher provides instruction.    Such initiatives are mandated and are meant to increase student productivity, learning and accountability among staff. However, such initiatives take time, training and resources for proper implementation.  With so much time devoted to preparing for the PSSA and Keystone exams, there is little time to implement new or added initiatives.  Sometimes being in education feels like an “all you can eat” buffet at which someone else is deciding what you will eat: even when your plate is full, food continues to be added, making it impossible to consume all that has been given to you.

As in every enterprise, educators realize that time is finite and moves on despite the amount of work that must be done or the number of tasks that vie for attention.  Teachers parse their time between teaching the skills needed for academic and personal success, preparing students for the rigors of state-mandated assessments, coaching, and mentoring—not to mention myriad record-keeping/documentation tasks that have become a hallmark of public education.

On the subject of teachers, I truly enjoy visiting each building several times a week (I wonder if teachers share my enthusiasm for this part of my routine).  On Friday, Oct.16 I was lucky to see the sendoff for the boys’ golf team as they headed to States.  The auditorium was rocking, and the golf team loved the appreciation of their friends and teachers.  With the hectic pace of a school day, it is easy to lose sight of the value in celebrating student successes.

Elections take place next month and 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 the 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 supports public education.  I admit that I hope you do the same when you vote. 

Congratulations to the CCSD boys’ golf team for winning the District 6 team championship.  Especially to Dom Stevens, who won the individual boys title.  Congratulations are also in order for Kourtney Cavalier on winning the AA District 6 girls’ single tennis title.  Kudos also to our boys and girls cross country team as they both won the LHAC championship.  Sydney Gilkey won the girls overall title and Bryce Descavish achieved second overall.  Good luck at states to all who have qualified!

Speaking of sports, the Steelers seem destined to have another lackluster season as they are at the .500 mark (3-3).  It is not good when people are already looking toward draft day as the team’s only chance for redemption. Who knows, perhaps they can turn things around – stranger things have happened (like getting crushed by the Browns – heavy sigh!).  The Buccos did well again this year and will, hopefully, go deeper into the playoffs next year.  And the Pens have started their long season.  Although they lost on Friday to Dallas, I am optimistic that they are picking up where they left off last year. 

With so many sporting events at this time of year, it is easy to not go out and enjoy the beauty of nature.  Make time to take a fall walk or jump into a pile of leaves.  Before long fall, Stephen King’s “old friend,” will depart and we will again be starting up the snow blowers and shoveling sidewalks.

Until my next blog, please take time to enjoy family and all that you hold dear. 

Dr. D

Thoughts about the leaves, winter, and sports…

Thoughts about the leaves, winter, and sports…

        

         School is in full swing as we move past the midpoint of September and, true to form, Mother Nature has seen fit to present us with beautiful “end of summer, back to school (sorry, kids)” weather. At the same time, I keep hearing disconcerting phrases about this winter, such as “polar vortex,” “la Niña,” “el Niño,” and “wintry mix.”  Of course the Farmer’s Almanac has predicted a brutal winter for the northeast with temps that will be below average and snowfall that will be above average—a perfect combination, right? 
But we’re ready: we have already received our first delivery of anti-skid gravel and salt.  But weather itself is an interesting occurrence in that we can’t legislate it, control it—or even predict it all to well—yet we’re happy to talk (complain) at great lengths about it.  Greg, our maintenance supervisor, has assured me that our snow removal equipment is in good shape and ready to tackle the October snow that is predicted. Recall October 2013 and we may indeed be wise to prepare ourselves….

Fall athletics at Central Cambria are in full swing. Because these months seem to pass so quickly, I hope we all find time to support our teams. I am in awe of the practice time the athlete/ students and coaches dedicate to their particular sport/activity.  Regardless of the weather and purely for the love of what they do, they practice hard and put forth consistent effort.  This is the first year for girl’s tennis at CCSD.  The team is young and the athletes are really showing their competitive spirit.  Go luck to all our teams and extracurricular participants. 

         Now, having talked about the people who matter the most, I would like to switch gears and talk about the Buccos, who are currently in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot.  They have already gone above the .500 mark for this year and appear to be peaking at the right time.  Who knows, we may be watching Pirate games into October.  The Pens start preseason in two weeks and have a new coach, so there is always hope for another great season of hockey. 

         Now onto the Steelers; as Myron Cope would say – “Yoi and double yoi!”  What is happening with the Steelers?  My 90 year-old dad and 88 year-old uncle insist that the head coach needs to go, but my eldest son says not so, as Steeler fans are spoiled and too quick to point the finger at the coach.  I am torn, trying to make sense of two 8-8 seasons and a recent (and still painful) bad loss to the Ravens.  Something is not working and there are only 14 games left.  Where is Chaz Noll when you need him?!  Let me note here, with hope in my heart for the current team, that the Great Coach Noll had a very rocky start. Several years ago, our family began to participate in a football fantasy league – aptly named Clan D.  As the commissioner, my eldest son Adam organizes the league and sets the draft.  Unfortunately, I am the sole team owner without a win (heavy sigh).  So I ask: is it my fault as the head coach of my fantasy team or is it the fault of my players?  You now see why I am reluctant to place blame solely on the coach or the players. (I know, I know… unlike Coach Tomlin and his staff, I am not even remotely responsible for the performance of my team, but this is the only way I can hold my head up when Clan D members start talking smack.) Regardless, I remain hopeful that both the Steelers and my fantasy team will soon win some games.

There is so much to be to be proud of at CCSD.  We have done wonderful things this year with the addition of a technology coach, curriculum director, math and reading literacy coaches, our Google Chromebook initiative, iPads for the elementary schools (all of this being done without raising your taxes) and a $203,000 Ready to Learn grant.  I believe students and their teachers are equally excited to implement these new tools and resources for teaching and learning.

As I sign off this month, I encourage all of us to enjoy the season, the sports and the pre-winter preparations -and thank a teacher, an administrator or School Board member for doing a great job in and for our district’s children.  Until next month,

                                             DR. D