September 1, 2016 Issue - CASD News and Happenings

CASD Community eNewsletter - September 1, 2016

Message from the Superintendant

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! We are pleased to offer you another year of our eNewsletter which we distribute to all of our district employees and to more than 12,000 community members. This newsletter strives to meet one of our three district goals which is to improve communications. This year we will publish one issue monthly.

In an effort to mirror our annual report/calendar’s theme, Oh, the places we will go, we are going to feature student standouts, volunteer spotlights, and we will continue to recognize and highlight employees as the opportunity arises. We are proud of all of their important accomplishments which contribute to making this district the public school of choice. The calendar, which also is an important communication tool for us, will be distributed in early September to every employee and student in the district and throughout the community.

To stay current about all of the happenings in the district, in addition to this eNewsletter, you can visit the district website at www.casdonline.org to find timely news events, schedules, as well as district and building events. We also encourage you to follow us on social media. Visit our CASD Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @CASD news.

I am always excited and pleased to welcome the start of a new school year. It’s a new beginning and a new opportunity. Oh, the places we will go! Please follow us on our journey this year.

Employee Spotlight: District Employees Receive Recognition at August School Board Meeting

At the August School Board meeting, board members recognized several district employees. Maribeth Andrews was congratulated by school board members for being recognized by the Shippensburg University Study Council as an Outstanding Teacher.

New Marion Elementary School Opens

More than 100 students were welcomed into a new Marion Elementary School. The new school, which is twice the size of the more than 100-year old school, has many exciting features including a multi-media room and library, a fully equipped cafeteria, a spacious gym and playground, and air conditioning.

Playground

Gymnasium

Cafeteria

Multi-media Room and Library

Former Teacher is Volunteer Historian for the District

In high school and college, Joan Bowen wasn’t interested in history. History, however, has become an integral part of her life.

Joan Bowen, a lifelong resident of Chambersburg, has a long history with district schools. She attended district schools through her elementary and high school years. Then, she taught in district schools and also served as a librarian for 40 years. Since her retirement in 1990, she has become involved and now is literally immersed in maintaining the district’s history.

The Scottie Mobile Project Helped Students Read During the Summer Break

Colleen Woy, intervention specialist at Scotland Elementary, kept the love of reading alive this summer for students in one Scotland neighborhood via the Scottie Mobile project.

CAMS North Has a Renovated and Expanded Cafeteria

Students Receive Back to School Supplies

Signs of season change are obvious in the Scotland Elementary garden

Data Reveals Real Progress in Closing the Achievement Gap

Administrators, faculty, staff, and students at Stevens Elementary have something to smile about. Data collected at the end of the last school year shows a significant improvement in efforts to close the achievement gap in grades K – 5.

The data, known as Virtual Comparison Group (VCG) data is collected at the end of each school year via an assessment tool provided by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). The data compares a school, as well as an individual student’s performance to other schools or students who are similar or ‘like’ them in terms of demographic indicators. Continue reading...

All School Board meetings and times are available here .

The Odysseyware Van Visited the District Recently

The Franklin Virtual Academy (FVA) will begin to use Odysseyware Academy curriculum this school year for their online learning needs. Its marketing van recently made a stop at the district’s administration building to meet with educators. “Odysseyware offers curriculum aligned to state standards for grades K – 12, but focuses on grades 3 – 12. The van has traveled to all 48 continental states and the program has thousands of educational partnerships in all 50 states with over one million students logging in daily,” said Scott Mader, educational consultant for Odysseyware. Continue reading...

FREE Online Resources for Parents

Discovery Education offers a wide variety of FREE family resources, including activities, contests and other resources such as homework help. You can access those resources at this link:

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/parents/

Tiny Trojan Lab Registration Open

The Tiny Trojan Lab, a preschool program located at CASHS, has openings. Students should be four by October and potty trained. The program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:30 AM and is free of charge. Please contact Mary Finucane at Marylou.finucane@casdonline.org or call 261-3322, ext. 8119 for more information and a registration form.

Naloxone may soon be available at District Secondary Schools

Administrators in the district anticipate they will soon get a supply of Naloxone to help remediate opioid overdoses. The first reading of the school board policy took place on Wednesday, August 24. This will be followed by a second reading and anticipated approval in October. Once approved, the district can apply to the state’s Department of Health for a supply that will be available at the Chambersburg Senior High School and also at both middle school buildings. “The purpose of the policy is to ensure that the district is prepared for a potential opioid-related overdose by establishing guidelines and procedures that govern the procurement and utilization of naloxone, as administered by properly trained and certified school nurses,” said Kristin Carroll, director of pupil services.

CASHS PTSA Food Drive Dates

Saturday 9/17 - Butcher Shoppe from 9-11 AM. For every 5 items donated, the Butcher Shoppe will give a 10% coupon.

Monday 9/19 - Essis and Sons Carpet will donate a free carpet square for every 5 cans donated.

Tuesday 9/20- Texas Roadhouse from 4-8 PM, You will receive a free appetizer with every 5 items donated.

Wednesday 9/21 - Homecoming Parade. The CASHS PTSA and LEO CLUB will have a float in the parade and be collecting items along the parade route.

Thursday 9/22- Brusters will give a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE coupon for every 5 items donated.

Friday 9/23- STUFF THE TRUCK at the home football game. All who donate 10 or more items will get into the game for free!