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.

Progress Reports

Mid-term progress reports will be distributed to all students during 8th period on Monday, May 6, 2013.  If you have concerns regarding your child's grades, please contact the teacher of the class.  If you have further questions, contact Mr. Santini.

Parent Information

This afternoon, I met with our students to provide them with an update on the investigation into the written threat that was discovered last week.  Students were given a letter to take home summarizing much of that information.  If your child did not share that information with you, please call or email me tomorrow and I will make sure you receive a copy.  The highlights of the letter are as follows:

• We have taken several steps to ensure the continued safety of your child while at school.  This includes an increased police presence, including an officer assigned to the middle/high school complex for the remainder of this week.
• This Friday, students will not be permitted to bring backpacks or other bags to school.  Bags with athletic/sports equipment needed for after-school activities will be checked upon arrival and kept in a secure location.  Any bags that students bring to school could be subject to random search.
• If parents are uncomfortable sending their child to school this Friday, it will be considered an excused absence providing that a signed excuse is turned in on Monday.

If you or your child have credible information that would assist in the investigation, please contact me as soon as possible.  

Thank you,

Mr. Santini

Sweet Frog Spirit Fundraiser

Central Cambria will be competing in the Spirit Week held by Sweet Frog. All you need to do to compete is to go get a Sweet Treat at Sweet Frog in Johnstown and wear your CC gear!  The Central Cambria Education Foundation will receive a percentage of sales on Sunday, May 5th from 6:00 - 9:30pm for anyone who visits Sweet Frog and mentions that they are from Central Cambria.  In addition, the school district with the most spirit sales for the day they are assigned will receive an extra $250 donated to their school district, bragging rights, and an appearance by the Sweet Frog at the winning school district.  So show off your school pride and help a great cause!

Fun Friday Recap

This past Friday, the Central Cambria Middle School hosted its inaugural Fun Friday event.  The event was designed as a benefit for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Admission cost was $5 at the door.  The evening started out with a short kickoff assembly in the auditorium to explain the schedule and rules for the night.  Students were able to participate in a number of activities.  There was a movie room, an arts and crafts room, and a game room which students could move freely between throughout the night.  The commons area served as a Zumba room, and many students got their blood pumping with this activity throughout the night.  In the gym, the first event was a dodgeball tournament, which featured some impressive skill and dexterity by the winning team.  Our 3 on 3 basketball tournament was cut short before a winner could be determined due to the talent show.  Speaking of the talent show, this event served as the grand finale of the evening.  We had 12 acts with the courage to get up on stage and perform in front of their peers, each with their own unique skill and ability.  Overall, the experience was very positive for everybody involved, and we hope to continue our Fun Friday next year.

Upcoming Events

Here is a listing of upcoming events at the Middle School:

May 1 - Camp Cadet assembly for 8th grade students

May 2 – 6^th grade field trip to Altoona Curve

May 6 – Progress reports for 4^th marking period sent home with students

May 16 – Middle School chorus and band concert

May 24 – Fit & Fun Day – all middle school students

May 28 – 7^th grade field trip to Outdoor Odyssey, pending school board approval

May 28 – 9/11 Assembly, speaker & film – 8^th grade students

May 29 – 8^th grade field trip to Flight 93 Memorial, Quecreek

May 30 – Middle School Awards Assembly

May 30 – Kennywood trip – 8^th grade students – after awards assembly

May 31 – 8^th grade picnic at Duman’s Lake – all 8^th grade students

June 4 – Last day of school for students.  High School commencement at St. Francis

Scheduling Meeting for 8th Grade Students

A meeting will be held for parents of current 8th-grade students regarding scheduling for next school year.  This meeting will take place Thursday, April 4th at 6:00 p.m. in the high school/middle school auditorium.  High school guidance counselors will present information related to the scheduling process for 8th graders.  All 8th grade students will be scheduling their elective courses for the 2013-14 school year on Monday, April 8th in their social studies classes.