Is it Elsa or Phil?

Our district’s snow delay/cancellation policy is outlined on the district’s home page under the link Guidelines for School Delays/Closings.   With several weeks of winter left, we are slightly above average in the number of cold/snow/ice delays, early dismissals and cancellations this year! I imagine that superintendents are rather unpopular when this happens and I know that my decisions about weather-related schedule changes will not please everyone. However, 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. 

One might say that this brutal February is payback for a relatively calm January. The last ten days of the month promise to remain very wintry and cold.  The chart below compares snow events between 1/1/15 through 2/18/15 with snow events of the same period in 2014:

	2014	2015
Delays	7	6
Early dismissals	1	6
Cancellations	6	3

Our final day of school is now June 8 (subject to change, of course).  Having raised three children in Central PA, I am aware of the inconvenience of delays, cancellations and early dismissals; however, I believe all will agree that it is far better to err on the side of caution, when making wintertime school decisions, than to risk the safety of our children. 

Our technology coach, in collaboration with the building principals, has developed an online tech survey for our secondary students and a paper/pencil tech survey for our elementary students’ parents.  The object is to garner information about Internet connectivity and accessibility within our district’s boundaries.  There has been much discussion about “flex days,” which PDE states can be used for snow makeup days; flex days involve using the Internet or some other means to deliver instruction to students when school is cancelled for snow or other emergencies.  Our district is exploring possibilities with respect to some type of virtual snow day scheme.  This survey is a first step toward gaining information about areas of need as we explore alternative educational options for use during this time of year.

At this time of year, many educators look anxiously for news of the governor’s proposed budget.  Despite increases in costs, for eight years, we have been working with allocations basically equal to 2007 funding monies.  I am encouraged by our new Governor’s commitment to facilitate a fair funding formula and to replace the money taken from districts over the last 4 years.  Although he is dealing with a Republican legislature, Governor Wolf appears to be fair and determined to do what is right for, as he put it, “one of our most valuable resources” (children).  He will present his budget on March 3.

News from the Federal level gives us a second reason to cheer: it appears that Congress is beginning to develop language for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.  Included is a strong push to give local districts more control over educational decisions and to reduce mandatory testing.  As discussion about this issue continues in the months ahead, I am at least encouraged by their willingness to finally address this issue.

Kudos to our athletes and the season they have had.  It is always refreshing to see how CCSD athletes from one sport cheer on the athletes of another sport; it was heartwarming to see the reception our girls’ cross country team and their coaches received before the start of a girls’ basketball game.  Central Cambria is truly a tight knit family, on so many levels!

The Board of Directors has approved Physical Education as the first course for summer that is not for credit recovery.  This will be open to all incoming 9^th to 12^th graders. Each of two sessions will run for three weeks.  Students are already beginning to sign up for the course.

As I look out my window, I recommend keeping gas in your snow blower and ATV, and having your shovel at the ready until that first sighting of a robin.  Stay safe and warm, enjoy the weather. I know who is responsible for the current Winter Fest – it is Elsa, from Frozen.  Punxsutawney Phil is thrilled he is not being blamed this year!

And now for some sports talk.  Hockey is a great winter sport; it gets me through the months between football seasons.  But it seems that, lately, the Pens have been using the wrong end of their hockey sticks.  Sigh. Football seems like a distant dream as the snow and cold temps continue to dominate the Northeast. But I take heart in the fact that as of this date – February 20 – there are only 69 days, 4 hours and 32 minutes (not that I am counting), until the NFL draft on April 30. Let’s hope the Steelers can shore up some of their weaknesses. 

Happy shoveling!

Dr. D.

Time to test...

Once again, testing begins….

It’s again the time of year for weather delays and school cancellations.  As a reminder, and for those of you not familiar with our weather-related delay/cancellation procedure, you can find it 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 and available for any concerns, issues or suggestions. 

Students recently finished their winter Keystone testing and will soon begin the PSSAs.  Regardless of any person’s opinion about such things, testing is mandatory and cannot be eliminated or changed without action from the federal government.   Even as staff and students do a commendable job preparing for the rigors of mandated tests, it is stressful for all parties before, during and after the testing.  Parents  can help reduce any test anxiety their children have by discussing the rationale behind the tests and the preparation they have received, and by making sure that,  during testing week, they have a good breakfast (at home or school) and get plenty of sleep.

January is the month during which our nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and the work he did in the area of Civil Rights. January is also School Director’s 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 these are not  “paid” positions; expecting nothing in return, Board members make many important, 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.   

As mentioned at our January board meeting, the Board will vote on adding a summer PE course to the high school’s course offerings. The offering will make it possible for interested students to take additional electives during the school year.  At an enrollment cost of $75, participants will attend for two hours per day for three weeks in June. If approved, it will be available to any incoming 9^th grader and above.  Transportation will be the responsibility of the student.

There is excitement in the air as the governor-elect begins to tackle the many fiscal issues of our state, particularly those in the area of education.  The budget shortfall, pension issues and a fair funding formula are just a few of the many issues Governor Wolf will face.  Late February/early March is the time when the governor announces his education budget; most, if not all, educators hope this year will be more promising than were the past several years.

I want to express deep appreciation for the recent work of our guidance counselors and school psychologist. They provided grief counseling services for students affected by the sudden and unexpected passing of Daniel Kochara, a senior at the high school.

Even with the mild winter we have enjoyed thus far, we have had two snow delays, one cancellation and one early dismissal; surprisingly, this is a near mirror of the time period in January 2014.  Of course, there is still plenty of winter left, so don’t put away those shovels or snow blowers yet!

Sigh. The Super Bowl is set and I wish the Steelers were playing—heavy sigh!  As you probably know, I am not a fan of either team.  I guess I am just hoping for a competitive game. In April I will join the many Steeler fans who are now looking to the draft for relief and hope. Fortunately, the Pens seem to be having another great season – just the sport to get through these long wintry nights.  And finally, as an alumnus of PSU and at the risk of insulting those who disagree with me, I admit to being glad to see that the PSU sanctions have been lifted and that 111 wins have been returned to JoePa’s credit.

Stay warm and enjoy the time of year.

Dr. D.

No snow cancellations.....

Whew, we made it through December with no snow cancellations! This is much better than last year when, before Christmas break, our area saw many inches of snow and very cold weather.  Sunday is the official start of winter and my twins’ birthday; (Happy 31^st Birthday, Morgan and Tyler!).  With 2015 only days away, it is hard to believe how quickly this school year is moving. 

Although students and staff do not come back from Christmas break until January 5^th, our facilities will hum during that time with myriad activities, practices and events.  Greg Shaffer and his wonderful crew will be on campus salting, shoveling and plowing as needed.  

The musical production, Godspell, was very well done and equally well-received.  Mrs. Wolfe, Mr. Nagy and Mr. Seymour, the cast and countless others whose work made this possible, deserve tremendous praise for a marvelous show.  To go from “student group” to “theatrical troupe” in such a short time is amazing. With such dedication, commitment and hard work by all, our district continues the proud Red Devil tradition of providing an outstanding fine arts program.  An important note: the Board approved the re-instatement of a Theater Arts Club and sponsor.  This club will eventually become a part of our HS curriculum, and a boon to future productions. 

As always, students and teachers will return from the holiday break ready for the fast pace of January. With the need to meet PDE mandates, the focus will be on preparation for the PSSA, Keystone Exams and SATs. Truly, there is no time for those in education to indulge in the winter blues. Maybe this is a blessing….

College bowl games begin soon.  Watching college football is a passion of mine (in case you didn’t know) and I try to watch every possible game, even when we are visiting my mother-in-law (with the hope that she will read my blog, this is my way of encouraging my wife Judy to indulge me yet again).  Like many fans, I’d been waiting/hoping for a playoff championship game so I’m pumped for this game. Sadly, though, bowl season signals the imminent end of college football for another season (time to wear my black armband).  But on a positive note, the Steelers seem to be peaking at the right time. I hope my optimism is justified over the next few weeks.

Thanks to my oldest brother Dan for helping me drag a nice big eight point out of the woods.  Each year the deer seem to get heavier….

Enjoy the holidays – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please hug your family and tell them you love them….  Dr. D.