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.

Spring Fling Dance

Since our Valentine's Dance had to be postponed due to weather and other events scheduled over the past month, we have moved the dance to this Thursday.  It is now the Spring Fling, and will take place from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Parents are asked to drop students off at the front entrance of the high school, where the buses park.  The dance will be held in the cafeteria.  Students will be dismissed out the same entrance.  The cost of the dance is $2 per student, paid at the door.

Writing PSSA

The Writing PSSA test for 8th grade students began this week.  Students completed the first two sections of the test on Monday, and will finish sections 3 and 4 on Wednesday.  This is the first of several tests our 8th grade students will be completing this spring.  In April, 6th through 8th grade students will take the reading and math PSSA.  8th grade students will take the science PSSA at the end of the month, and some of our 8th graders will take the Algebra I Keystone Exam in May.  For 8th grade students, this spring will mark the last time they will take PSSA tests, as they will take Keystone Exams when they get to the high school next year.

Ski Club Announcement

Parents and Guardians,

The ski club will be going to Blue Knob on Wednesday, February 27^th and Friday March 1^st.  I know this is short notice, but we are trying to get our remaining two trips in so we do not conflict with the start of spring sports practice next week.

Thanks for your cooperation,

Bill Corrente - Advisor

Upcoming Events

We are back at school on another wintry morning, and I wanted to share with you some upcoming events taking place at the Middle School this week.

Ski Club - this week's trip will take place on Wednesday of this week.  It has been moved due to Friday's weather forecast and Thursday's Valentine's Dance.  Students will depart and return at their usual ski club times on Wednesday.  All students were notified of this change two times today, and given a letter to take home to parents.

Valentine's Dance - Due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, our Valentine's dance will not be taking place this Thursday.  We will be holding a "Spring Fling" dance in early March.  More details on the time and date will be forthcoming once they are determined.

Box Tops For Education - Our final round due date is this Friday, February 22, 2013.  This is the last date that you can turn box tops in during the 2012-13 school year.  You may continue to collect them to be turned in next fall.  So far, it is a heated race among our top 3 classes to see who is going to come out on top in our final round, and earn the privilege of being dismissed to the lunch lines first for the next month.  Mrs. Lashinsky, Mrs. Dickert, and Mr. Moore's classes make up our top 3 as of the time this post was written.

Mid-Term Progress Reports - Progress reports for the 3rd marking period will be sent home with all students this Friday.  Please ask your child to see this and review it when they come home on Friday.  If the weather would cause a cancellation on Friday, these will be sent home on Monday of next week.