Weather of March

March is always an interesting weather month.    Snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain and sunshine, and temperatures ranging from sub-freezing to summer-warm are all present in the month of March.  This year the lion that came in at the start of March seems reluctant to make room for the lamb that signals the end of winter. I am sure Mother Nature’s plan still includes warmer weather in Cambria County—eventually.

This has been a typical winter for CCSD students: we’ve had five cancellations, four delays and one early dismissal.  Currently, our last student day will be June 5.  Mrs. McDermott hopes that an end to cancellations will allow the graduation ceremony to take place on June 2.    Graduation will once again be held at the Stokes Field House at St. Francis.  As in years past, my May blog will include some interesting information about the graduating class of 2017 during the month of May.

Pennsylvania’s weather has delayed the administration of the PSSAs and Keystone Exams until April; between these and the usual spring activities, the remaining school year is bound to wind down at breakneck speed for students, teachers and administrators.  With the arrival of spring, we are excited to see how, after improvements were made to these playing surfaces last fall, our athletes perform on the baseball and softball fields this year. The multipurpose field appears to have weathered well through the winter; now we’ll see how strong the grass is when it comes up and how well it takes hold.  The plan is to use this field in the fall. 

2016-17 has been a wonderful year with so many students giving stellar performances in sports and extracurricular activities.  Our wrestlers, swimmers, and boys and girls basketball teams did a great job in Districts, Regionals and State finals.  Seven choral students advanced to state PMEA competition and six middle school students will go to San Diego CA, for the national Lego competition. Our hockey team went to the LHAC finals and lost to an opportunistic Altoona team.  They had a phenomenal season.  Max Murin is the first wrestler in CCSD history to be crowned state gold medalist twice, and our boys basketball team went further into PIAA play than any other boys basketball team at CCSD.

And as ever, March is the month for budget debates/battles at the Legislature.  Governor Wolf’s budget address in February has raised concerns about how much and when public schools will receive funding.  I urge you to contact your local representative at the state level to tell them they need to do their job and pass a fair, fiscally sound budget in a timely manner.

Speaking of the Governor, Mr. Wolf hosted a round table discussion on the state’s opioid crisis in our District on Thursday, March 16.  This was the first time a sitting Governor has ever been at CCSD.  His determination to address this crisis was very apparent.  It was an honor to have him at our District.  He also made a point of meeting Max Murin to congratulate him on his wrestling accomplishments.

Finally, while most people happily see March as the time that Spring is finally in the air, we fanatics see this season as a harbinger of legitimate reasons to think and talk about football.   NFL free agency trades continue, and there are just 36 days until the draft begins. All of these events are hitting the airwaves and adding to the notion that football is back. And many colleges, including PSU, have begun spring practices.  As I wait (patiently?) for football, I’m happy to note that our Pittsburgh Pens are providing us with excellent hockey performances. They are in a good position to secure a wild card spot for the playoffs. 

As time marches on at an increasingly rapid pace, it won’t be long before many of us will be avoiding the heat and complaining about cutting the grass. If you’re like me, objections will be minimal as we embrace the pleasures—and the challenges—of every season.

Until next month,

Dr. D.

Still Winter

This month is an excellent time to review our district’s snow delay/cancellation policy as outlined on the district’s home page under the link Guidelines for School Delays/Closings.  To date, we have had four delays, one early dismissal and two cancellations (see below).  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. 

                                    2014               2015               2016               2017

Delays                        7                      6                      2                      4

Early Dismissals     1                      6                      1                      1

Cancellations           6                      3                      1                      2

At this point, the final day of school is May 31, 2017.  We are using Holy Thursday, April 13, as one of our make-up days.  Because vacation plans can be affected by these additional days, we will be prompt to post snow make-up dates as they become necessary. As ever, while this winter has been comparatively benevolent, we will assume nothing about what is to come.

The Governor has delivered his yearly budget address.  As in the past, Basic Education Funding will receive an increase ($100 million dollars) and Special Education monies will increase by $20 million dollars.  While this sounds like a great boon to education, our district would receive, above what we received last year, just $48,000 for our Basic Ed Funding and $16,000 for special education expenses.  I acknowledge that any funding to support Pennsylvania’s 1,763,000 public education students is better than it had been in recent history; yet, I must also say that this is a pittance in comparison to the rising costs in healthcare, special education, pension payments, and day-to-day increasing costs. We can be thankful that the Governor does not plan to increase any personal taxes this year; instead he is looking to eliminate wasteful spending, consolidate services, and close programs. This is a gamble on his part, making assumptions that these cost savings will reduce the state’s crippling $2 billion dollar budget deficit.  Although the House and Senate-led GOP like the plan to hold the line on tax increases, they have expressed reservations about some of the Governor’s proposals.  Hopefully, a budget that is fair and equitable is passed before the end of June—that in itself will be an improvement over past practices.

Kudos to the hard work and subsequent successes of all our athletes and those involved in extracurricular activities. Both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will be in District 6 playoff games during the week of February 20. Good luck to our wrestlers as they compete in D6 this weekend in Altoona.  Congratulations also go to our chorus and concert students who have fared well in regional competition.  Go get ‘em, Red Devils!

As usual, I like to end my blog with some sports talk. With football out of the news and off the screen, I can only wait for the free agency set to begin. In the meantime, my focus turns to the Pens. Their recent resurgence gives hope to a successful stand through the playoffs; on February 16, Sid the Kid reached a milestone 1000 points on home ice.  Unfortunately, the Caps look stronger than ever.

Sorry.  My mind inexorably strays back to football. Although the season seems to be a long way off, the April draft is not so far away. With Big Ben hedging on his return to the field next year (although I think he will), the Steelers need to start scouting for an heir apparent.  While he does have 3 years left on his contract, there’s no guarantee he will be there for all of those years.  Cross your fingers that the black and gold management team drafts well this year. 

Enjoy what is left of Old Man Winter’s visit to Cambria County!

Dr. D.

Winter comes and goes… and comes again.

Winter comes and goes… and comes again.

With temperatures in the 50’s one day and in the 20’s the next day, winter this year seems to be riding a roller coaster.  To date we have had three delays and one early dismissal –representative of a fairly benign winter by Ebensburg standards. As a reminder, and for those unfamiliar with our procedures, you can find the district’s weather-related delay/cancellation protocol on the district’s home page under the link Guidelines for School Delays/Closings. We all know what an inconvenience weather delays and cancellations can be but, when it comes to our children, safety is a far greater priority than convenience.  As always, my phone, door and email system remain open/available for any concerns, issues or suggestions. 

As is the case each year, senior staff members face the decision to retire or not to retire.  This year, at the January Board meeting, our high school Principal, Kimberly Ann McDermott, submitted a letter expressing her intent to retire.  Although everyone can be replaced, the process for Kim’s replacement will be a challenge for several reasons.  Aside from the remarkable job she has done academically in the HS, she chairs many committees; Safe Schools, Wellness, graduation, and National Honor Society are just a few of the committees that have benefited from her participation.  In addition to a plethora of other HS specific duties, Kim is also the Title IX point of contact for the entire district.  Hers is also the pleasant voice you hear on your phone when the District sends a Skylert call to families. Kim epitomizes the image of a dedicated Red Devil: Kim has made it her mission to attend most of the high school’s after-school activities, events, state meets, etc. On a personal note, after 40 years in education, I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with many administrators; Kim is one of the top administrators with whom I have ever worked.  Her calm demeanor and intuitive awareness of the needs of those in her care have actually added to my own interpersonal skills. As much as we will miss her, we all wish her a long, happy, healthy retirement.

Although testing continues to be mandatory for students in grades 3-8, and is required once at the high school level, PDE is developing a new standard to measure success on the state assessments.  PDE has developed the Future Ready PA Index as a measure of success.  It seems that, rather than looking at test scores in isolation, PDE is focusing on student growth as a better indicator of academic success. Several devices are being considered as indicators of success: locally selected assessments, English Language proficiency assessments, attendance records, evidence that a student is closing the achievement gap, and college and career measures.  If approved on the state level, the launch date for this standard for measuring academic success is Fall of 2018.

January is School Directors’ Recognition Month, a good time to formally say thanks to our school directors. Our district is blessed with very competent, caring and involved school directors. Their commitment is doubly impressive when we note that theirs are not “paid” positions; expecting nothing in return, Board members make many important and sometimes unpopular decisions.  Their experience and guidance help to lead our district.  Directors have the best interest of students, the district and the community at heart.  Their tireless commitment to the District is noteworthy and very much appreciated.   

With the governor presenting his budget address February 7, the legislature is considering the passage of a bill that does away with property taxes.  Don’t high five or chest bump just yet.  The plan is to raise the personal income tax and sales tax on everything, including items not currently taxed, (from 6% to 7%). The caveat to this bill is that property taxes can continue to be collected if a District has debt – and CCSD has debt left remaining from the construction of the middle school.  Only eight of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts are debt-free. The upshot is that, even as your personal income tax would go up and the sales tax would increase, you would continue to pay property taxes. It is for this reason that I feel this is not a good bill for Pennsylvania.

As I write this blog, the Steelers are four days away from competing against the Patriots at New England for the AFC championship on Sunday, January 22.  Coach Tomlin and Big Ben have never beaten the Patriots on their home field.  However, Pittsburgh is 5-0 against teams they play a second time.  Am I superstitious?  Absolutely!  Am I hopeful?  Always!  Am I nervous? Shaking in my boots! Let’s hope the “Killer “Bs” can do their magic and beat the Pats. 

Until next month, stay warm and enjoy the time of year.

Dr. D.