For this initial meeting, there were no agenda items. Instead,
members were given the opportunity to ask questions about subjects that
concerned them. A brief summary of the topics presented and
information shared during discussion is provided below.
Safety Training and Active Shooter Exercise
A combination of planning, training, and partnering with others
is the best way to ensure that if an emergency does occur in our
schools, it can be resolved as quickly and as safely as possible.
Last spring District administration began researching the Run, Hide, Fight
model for dealing with intruders to our facilities, including active
shooters. Training has since been conducted using this model and a video
produced by Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 and distributed by
the South Central Task Force. The video, which is approximately 20
minutes in length, was designed to assist area school districts in
preparing for active shooter/armed intruder situations and has been the
foundation for our District-wide training.
School board members, administrators, teachers, and staff first
viewed the video by IU 13. Student training was then carefully
considered, primarily based on age and grade classification. Our
elementary students (Grades K-5) will not watch the video,
but will learn and review emergency procedures. By the end of October,
our secondary students (Grades 6-12) will have seen the video,
reviewed rally points, and participated in scenario discussions. For
operational security reasons, the video will not be shared publicly.
In addition to trainings facilitated by the video, in July the
administrative team and local law enforcement conducted a practice
exercise by simulating the presence of violent intruders at Cedar
Cliff. In August, principals conducted building level trainings with
teachers and staff.
Unfortunately, when it comes to responding in these situations
there are many variables and not one right answer. The District
continues to take measures to prevent emergencies, but if a situation
would occur, it is critical that everyone involved is prepared to make
quick decisions to keep themselves and others safe. Parents have an
invaluable role in preparing students for emergencies. Specifically,
parents can reinforce with their children the importance remaining calm
and following directions given by adults during emergency situations.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
The Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model is
a proactive approach to discipline promoting appropriate student
behavior and increased learning. The system is based upon a
three-tiered model.
The first tier (universal) serves as the foundation upon which
the other two tiers are built. This tier provides a system of supports
to all students in a school based on preventative practices emphasizing
teaching and reinforcing expected student behaviors. Tier two
(secondary) provides targeted interventions to support students
classified as “at-risk,” who require more intervention than is
typically provided within tier one universal support. Supports in tier
three (tertiary) offer the most intensive level of intervention for
students with the most significant behavioral/emotional support needs.
Key elements of each tier include:
- Interventions are planned and positive rather than reactive and punitive
- Conditions (antecedents) contributing to inappropriate behavior are carefully managed or eliminated
- Multiple
opportunities for positive, corrective feedback are created while
negative critical feedback is limited or eliminated
- Prosocial behaviors are taught directly, practiced frequently, and routinized so that they become automatic
An overview of the PBIS model was presented to the entire
administrative team in June of 2014 and schools were invited to
participate in a partnership with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit
(CAIU). All three of the middle school principals embraced the idea of
bringing PBIS to their schools and will be participating in the CAIU’s
initiative understanding it calls for a commitment of at least three
years. Teams at each middle school were formed and began training in
early September.
Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land Football Game – October 31
This year’s Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land football game falls on
Halloween with Red Land designated the home team. (If you are
wondering, trick or treat for Goldsboro and Wormleysburg residents is
also on October 31; however, Fairview, Lower Allen, Lemoyne, New
Cumberland, and Newberry have scheduled trick or treat for Thursday,
October 30.)
While Red Land and Cedar Cliff may be rivals on the field, they are partners
when it comes to caring for their community. The schools are teaming
up with Volunteers of America to help "kickoff" their annual Holiday
Toy Drive. Fans attending the October 31 game are asked to bring a new,
unwrapped toy to be donated to the toy drive and later distributed to
needy children in the District. Also scheduled for the evening, the
District’s Partners in Education will be recognized prior to opening kickoff.
The night promises to be exciting with lots of “treats” in and
around West Shore Stadium, and with so many expected to attend,
District administrators are taking additional safety and security
measures to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.
Fundraising/Facilities Usage
For District purposes, fundraising is any solicitation and
collection of money by students for any purpose. Before student groups
and parent organizations can hold a fundraiser, they must submit a
request form and get approval. Four Board policies are often referenced
when considering approval of a fundraiser and determining if any fees
will be charged for the use of District facilities.
These policies are reviewed and revised periodically to ensure
they are compliant with laws and other regulations, to make sure they
meet the intended goals of the policy, and to respond to feedback
received from the community.
District guidelines for fundraising are determined by these
policies and should be reviewed prior to submitting a request for
fundraising activities. Guidelines, and the fundraising request form
that must be completed, can be found on the District website under on
the Community tab.
As groups plan their fundraisers, they may also find the list of
prohibited fundraising activities available on this webpage useful.
West Shore Foundation (WSF)
As a related item to the discussion on fundraising, a question was raised about support for classroom technology through the West Shore Foundation
(WSF). District Voice members expressed interest in learning more
about the Foundation’s mission and role in supporting students. (At the
WSF meeting on September 23 representatives from the Foundation were
invited to attend a District Voice meeting.)
Twitter
Dr. Stoltz shared that one of the District goals for this year
focuses on community involvement, in which communication with a variety
of stakeholders plays a significant role. In an effort to effectively
engage and communicate in a timely manner with the public, parents,
students, etc., the District has incorporated the use of social media
and most District schools now have Twitter accounts. The two most recent
District additions to Twitter were the high school athletic
departments. Please “follow us” on Twitter for updates on school and District events.
Community members are reminded they can submit ideas for future topics of discussion to any District Voice representative.
Next Meeting: November 5, 2014