COVER THE BUS FOR SCHOOLS IN MOORE, OKLAHOMA

Please read the following press release regarding an effort taking place this week to provide aid to tornado victims in Oklahoma:

I’m sure you all know of the recent devastation that took place from the tornado that wiped out Moore City in Oklahoma.  Once again, the Central Cambria School District in collaboration with First Student, will be holding a fundraiser to benefit the schools in Moore City that were completely leveled.  In the fall we packed two buses for New Jersey residents who were devastated by the hurricane.  As usual, First Student and Central Cambria families and faculty always come through to help people in need.

All students will have a chance to “cover the bus” with buses.  The students can write a note to a student on this bus, and then cover our bus with them.  Any monetary amount will entitle a student to get a bus sticker to place on the bus.  All monies will be directly forwarded to the Moore City Schools.  Our plans are to have the  bus parked in front of the High School on Wednesday, May 29^th for the High School, Middle School and Cambria Elementary students.  On Thursday May 30^th, the bus will be parked at the Jackson Elementary for those students.  Your child’s teacher will be provided with the buses for your child to write a note, or simply sign their name and contribute to this very worthwhile cause.

SO, LET’S COVER THAT BUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cafeteria Balances

Our cafeteria management would like to remind all students and parents that all negative balances on lunch accounts must be paid before the end of the school year.  Beginning Monday, May 13th, students will not be allowed to charge items, including a meal, for the last three weeks of school.  Students must have money in their account or cash in hand to make any purchases in the cafeteria.  If you are unsure of your child's account balance, please contact the cafeteria or have your child ask a cashier during lunch.

Inaccurate News Story

Earlier today, it was reported to us that TV-10 news reported that a 6th grade student was arrested for writing the threat that was found in a bathroom last month.  If this report ran as described, you need to know that it is completely false and inaccurate, and there is no information implicating any of our 6th grade students with this incident.  The media did not receive that information from anybody here at school, and I am sorry that they chose to run an inaccurate story without having factual information.  It is our policy not to comment publicly on disciplinary matters involving students, but when false information is put out into public view I feel an obligation to set the record straight.

Parent Group Seeks Assistance

The following letter was read at our recent school board meeting this past Monday evening.  We have been asked to post this information for parents.  A group of parents is trying to raise funds to provide full-time police coverage of the middle school/high school campus for the remainder of the school year.  Please read this message and if you choose to contribute, send money into the middle school or high school office.  Thank you.

Dear Parents and Students,

We are a group of concerned parents who, in light of the written threat discovered on April 23, would like to hire a police officer for the middle and high school from now through the end of this school year.  A donation of just $2 per student would enable us to hire this additional protection for our children.  If you would like to contribute to this fund, please send your donation to school with your student(s) as soon as possible, as the current officer is at the school through today May 10^th.  We need to raise the funds now!  We are also asking any concerned community members to donate as well.  These Donations may be dropped off at the Middle or High school offices or mailed to: Central Cambria 206 Schoolhouse Road Ebensburg, Pa. 15931.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Concerned Parents of Central Cambria

Making the Best of a Situation - CCMS Style

As many of you know, the past two weeks have been eventful here at the Central Cambria Middle/High School campus.  As a result, today's attendance was well below our normal levels.  However, for the students who came to school today, we made our best effort to make it worth their time.  We began the day with increased security procedures as students came into school.  From there, we took a census of the number of students in attendance.  Once we knew the numbers we would be working with, our student council advisors came up with an impromptu plan of activities for the day.  We had what amounted to a Fun Friday event during school.  Students were allowed to sign up for several activities, including board games, playing sports in the gym, a crafts room, and a computer room.  We held two sessions of these activities.  We then had lunch in the courtyard adjacent to the cafeteria since it was a beautiful, sunny day, which our students were able to enjoy.  In the afternoon the kids went to the gym to watch a movie, followed by some games and dismissal from school.  I believe that those who came had one of their most enjoyable days of the school year.

I want to thank our teachers for their assistance in coming to school early this morning to assist with our increased security procedures, their flexibility in planning, facilitating, and leading activities throughout the day, and their leadership in making our students feel safe and secure at school.  I also want to thank our local and state law enforcement agencies for their presence, visibility, and cooperation.  

Today was not a story about some rogue criminal disrupting the school environment, inciting panic and fear, and bringing the educational process to a standstill.  Today was a story of cooperation, or maintaining normalcy in abnormal conditions, of coming together as a team and doing what is best for the students of Central Cambria.  I am proud of the team we have assembled at the Middle School, and of the groups who have assisted us in the past days and weeks.  I look forward to the remaining 22 days of the school year.