Wednesday Roundup | 2.22.23
Spotlight Image: Dr. Milbrand, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, recently served as a guest reader at Middlesex Elementary School. Photo courtesy Mrs. Nickey.
Calendar Reminders
- March 6, 2023 - School Board Meeting
- March 17, 2023 - No School (staff inservice)
- March 17-19, 2023 - Mountain View Musical
- March 18, 2023 - Echoes in the Dome
- March 20, 2023 - School Board Meeting
- March 27, 2023 - Modified Virtual Schedule
- March 31-April 2, 2023 - Eagle View Musical
- April 3, 2023 - School Board Meeting
- April 6-10, 2023 - No School (Spring Break)
* All events subject to change. Not an all-inclusive list.
News & Announcements
Skyward Login Process to Change
In an effort to streamline the Skyward login process, beginning March 1, 2023, users will be routed to a new login screen. The new login screen will require users to select their user group (Staff, Student, Guardian, System Admin) prior to entering a username and password. See screenshot for image of new login screen, effective March 1, 2023.
National Honor Society Induction
We're #CVproud to introduce you to our 103 newest National Honor Society inductees from Cumberland Valley High School. Congratulations! Photo courtesy Mr. Keith Ensminger, CVHS Computer Science Teacher and NHS Advisor.
Tech Tip: Email Safety (Phishing)
Phishing emails. Unfortunately we’ve likely all received one from time to time. But what exactly is a phishing email? It’s an attack that attempts to gain unauthorized access to your personal information, identity, money, etc. It’s becoming common for individuals across the country to receive phishing emails that appear to be from their local school district or district employee asking for information about either the recipient or their child. In some cases, the email appears legitimate at first glance.
Our Technology Department is noticing an increase in the number of phishing attempts where someone pretends to be a CV staff member trying to solicit information from guardians and community members. We offer the following tips as you determine if the email is legitimate.
Do you recognize the sender?
Don't just look at the display name. Look at the full email address. All direct emails from a Cumberland Valley School District employee will come from the domain @cvschools.org.
Do you recognize the receiver?
Is there more than one person in the “To:” field? Is your address listed in the “To:” bar? If not, you are probably Blind Carbon Copied (BCC) and that is a sign that it is a phishing email.
Are you expecting an attachment or link from the sender?
If the answer is no, do not click on the link or the attachment. If there is a link to a site, hover over the link (don't click on it) and look at the URL of the page it is going to. If the site is not a CV website (our website, Skyward, Schoology, Seesaw, SchoolMessenger, Smore, etc) do not click on it.
Question everything
If you are questioning the validity of the email, more than likely it is for good reason. If you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to the individual who allegedly sent the email to verify that they, in fact, are the original sender.
In addition, we will never send an email requesting things such as a social security number, driver’s license number, or personal bank account information. Should you ever receive an email requesting this information and are unsure of its legitimacy, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Technology Department or your child’s building main office.
Basketball Program Earns Sportsmanship Award
For the second year in a row, both our Boys and Girls basketball programs have been selected by the Central Pennsylvania Basketball Officials Association to receive the Crawford Hunter Sportsmanship Award.
The Crawford Hunter Sportsmanship Award is presented each year at the end of the basketball season in name of Crawford Hunter, a basketball official and prior member of the association who died suddenly. The award is given to the school whose entire sports program (varsity, JV, junior high) displays good sportsmanship through the entire season. Criteria include: game administration, bench decorum, player conduct, and facilities.
“As an athletic director, I can’t tell you how happy this makes me that the coaches for both teams run programs the right way," said Mike Craig, CV's athletic director. "Our coaches represent CV in a positive manner. They lead with class. I can’t say enough about their leadership with our basketball programs.”
Student Newspaper Article Spotlights CV Grad Turns CV Security Guard
Cumberland Valley High School's CV Eye (student newspaper) recently ran a feature story on a Cumberland Valley grad who returned to our hallways with hopes of making a big impact. We're proud to introduce you to School Security Guard Randol Thomas in the story below, written by CV Senior and CV Eye Staff Writer Ielon Raykhelson.
Last week CV Eye interviewed CV Security Guard Randol Thomas about the impact of his job on both him and this district. Many students have a vague idea of what he and his coworkers do throughout our day, and there are many who are interested in their stories.
Thomas’ impact on students is unique among his fellow security personnel because he’s a CV graduate. He’s “been through some of the same stuff [the students] have been through,” he provides students with a different type of emotional and physical security. He prides himself on the ways that he reaches out to every student possible and builds that relationship. “The biggest aspect of my job at CV is to build relationships with students,” which he gladly does every day he spends here.
He starts by doing a sweep of the building before the doors open then, while the buses and cars are arriving to the school, he directs the traffic. Securing doors, area scans, and numerous public safety checks help contribute to the proper use of their resources.
With growing concerns about the safety of students, teachers, and staff in our schools, safety is Thomas’ top priority. Along with his many certifications and training courses, he has had a great deal of experience with “crisis management, intervention, and unarmed security.” But Thomas says the relationships are most important. He says his relationship between a student and himself could potentially lead to a student's better behavior, which may help minimize the chance of an incident happening within our schools.
Thomas wants everyone to know one thing. “We are more than just security guards.” Thomas is constantly putting himself outside of his comfort zone, doing his best to talk to every person he can so that he can “make sure the students feel understood--everyone has a bad day.” He is always more than ready for a great conversation, whether it be serious or fun, at any time of his day. “Every interaction, every relationship you make is crucial to your development.”
From the Eagle Foundation: Enrichment Camp Offerings
The 2023 schedule is almost finalized. This summer the Eagle Foundation will offer 32 camps for students entering grades 1-12. The full schedule will be posted on the camps web page on Feb. 28, 2023.
Scholarships are available to those CVSD students who can demonstrate financial need. Please forward a short email (preferably by March 1) to bgabrielson@cvschools.org with the subject line "Camp Scholarship Request." Information to include:
- your student's name, school building, and current grade
- the parent name
- any financial assistance you are receiving now
Registration for CVSD residents will begin at 6 a.m. on March 7, 2023. Be sure to check out our camp packet and set your alarm to register on March 7 as many camps fill up quickly! Registration link will be included on the website.
Questions about any of the camps or the registration process? Send an email to Gabrielle Chidester (gchidester@cvschools.org) or call 717.645.7315.
Portrait of an Eagle: Student Spotlight
Students at Silver Spring Elementary School were recently honored for displaying Portrait of an Eagle characteristics throughout the school day. Meet Josie, a certificate recipient in second grade, who was recognized for consistently displaying respect (for staff, peers, and school rules), hard work, kindness, and empathy. Josie is a Portrait of an Eagle!
School Board News
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Unless otherwise advertised, all meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will take place in the District Office Board Room (6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg)
Monday, March 6, 2023
Monday, March 20, 2023
Monday, April 3, 2023
A full list of School Board and committee meeting dates is available by clicking here.
Quick Access
Board Agendas - Posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Committee Assignments - 2023 Board committee/advisory group assignments.
Meeting Minutes - Posted once approved by the Board of School Directors.
Watch Live - School Board meetings are live streamed to our website.
Additional Reminders
Spring Musical Tickets
Reminder: Below is information about our spring musical productions at CV High School and Eagle View and Mountain View Middle Schools.
Mountain View
The Descendants
March 17 and 18 – 7 p.m. | March 19 – 2 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Pricing: Adults $10, Students/Children $5
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/69945
Eagle View
Shrek Jr
March 31 and April 1 – 7 p.m. | April 2 – 2 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Pricing: Adults $10, Student/Senior (55+) $5
High School
Beauty and the Beast
April 26, 27, and 28 – 7 p.m. | April 29 and 30 – 2 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Pricing: Adults $20, Student/Senior (65+) $15
Reminder: Change to Start/End Times for Eastern Elementary Schools
District administration has been working over the past year to identify ways to return our eastern elementary schools to an earlier start time. With the identification of an additional transportation service and new drivers, we believe we are able to move Hampden, Shaull, Sporting Hill, and Winding Creek Elementary schools back to a 9:15 a.m. start time, with an end time of 3:55 p.m., beginning next school year.
Please click the Quick Access link below to view the anticipated 2023-24 instructional day schedule by building for each school across the district. (NOTE: Hours in which the building is physically open and students are permitted to enter for the start of the day vary by building.)
(Originally shared via January 25, 2023, Wednesday Roundup.)
Emergency Communication/Official Channels for Communication
It is important to ensure that you only look for communication via our official channels. Please click here to visit our website for a chart illustrating the various ways our stakeholders can connect through our official channels with individual staff, a specific school building, and the district.
Register for Text Alerts
Cumberland Valley School District uses text messaging as a mode of communication during inclement weather, emergencies, bus delays, and more. If you are a parent/guardian who is new to the District or if you have not previously signed up to receive text alerts, please sign into your Skyward Family Access account and complete the “Text (SMS) Notifications” form. For step-by-step directions, please click the "How do I register" link below.
Additional Quick Access Links
Technology HelpDesk
- Staff and Students - Please go to https://helpdesk.cvschools.org to sign in and create a Technology helpdesk ticket.
- Parents/Guardians may click here to create a Technology helpdesk ticket, as needed.