A brief summary of the topics presented and information shared during discussion is provided below.
District Website
The new District website has been unveiled, but please be patient as there are still tweaks being made. The website is intended to be much more user friendly and easier to navigate. The new website offers greater accessibility for visitors. Among the upgrades are descriptions of pictures/graphics for the visually impaired and access in multiple languages.
Feasibility
The District is still searching for a location in southern portion of District for a new 5/6 building. On a related note, closing was held on property adjacent to Crossroads Middle School. The District is awaiting a traffic study, and the acquisition of this property will provide for better site circulation with some relief of traffic on Fishing Creek Road. Dr. Stoltz hopes these changes could be in effect as early as the 2018-2019 school year.
Additional updates were given related to the Rossmoyne site and Lowther Field. A new Rossmoyne Elementary School will be built on the existing site. Although the start of the project has been delayed, the District hopes to open the school for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The District is reviewing options to make improvements to the softball field at Lowther Field that would be home to the Cedar Cliff Girls Softball program.
School Calendar
Dr. Stoltz shared a draft of the 2018-2019 calendar and explained the collaboration that occurs between other school districts and CPAVTS when drafting the calendar. Consideration is being given to semester end/start date and the PSSA testing timeframe (4/15 – 5/3). There was good discussion among the group about a day off after Trick or Treat night as well as having off January 2. A draft will be given to the School Board on January 11, 2018, and then it will be posted on the District’s website for community feedback. The calendar will be approved in the February/March timeframe.
West Shore Foundation
The WSF will participate in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community being held on the HACC campus on May 19, 2018. Schools are encouraged to sponsor teams, and the WSF will award a $500 Innovation grant to a school at each grade level having the highest amount in sponsorships. Registration will be open in February.
WSF is hoping to get 1,000 Facebook ‘likes’. Once that goal is reached, there will be a drawing from these 1,000 for a $200 Amazon Gift Card.