Superintendent's Briefing

The beginning of the school year was more exciting than usual as Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin visited Central Dauphin Middle School on Aug. 27. The governor was celebrating a new bipartisan state education funding plan that creates an adequacy formula that provides more revenue to public schools that need it most. Governor Shapiro was joined for a ceremonial bill signing by Superintendent Eric Turman, President of the CDSD Board of Directors Michael Jacobs, Central Dauphin Middle School teacher Kim Pearl and student Heidi Bertsch, as well as state legislators.

Along with the speakers, the CD and East High bands performed and CD and East High cheerleaders brought their energy to the event!

• Meet the Board: https://www.cdschools.org/our-district/school-board/board-of-school-directors
• Meeting Dates: https://www.cdschools.org/our-district/school-board/board-meeting-dates
• Contact the board with concerns: boardmembers@cdschools.org or the Board President directly Mike Jacobs at mjacobs@cdschools.org.

What region of Central Dauphin do you represent, and what is your connection to the school district?

I am proud to represent Region 3, which includes West Hanover Township and part of Lower Paxton Township. I was appointed in June 2020 and re-elected in November 2020 and 2022, I was selected by my board colleagues to be president in December 2023. My connection to the district includes one recent graduate in 2024 and a current junior at Central Dauphin High School. I have lived in the district for 22 years.

What is your profession?

I am a government affairs professional and lobbyist representing health care companies nationwide. My focus is primarily on state legislative and regulatory activities. The companies I represent include nursing homes, hospitals, and health care technology.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I love to watch my kids play soccer, play golf and travel with my family. As a Penn State grad, I enjoy attending football games in the fall and supporting other PSU athletic teams.

Tell us a little bit about your family.

My family and I live in West Hanover Township. I have two boys, ages 18 and 16. My oldest son is a freshman at Purdue University pursuing actuarial science. My youngest son is a junior at Central Dauphin High School and a member of the varsity soccer team. We also have a Goldendoodle named Zoe.

• The CDSD transports 14,430 students to 84 schools (19 public, 33 non-public/charter, 15 alt-ed, 17 Pre-K/Early Intervention).
• There are 162 bus runs (768 routes within those bus runs – each bus run can have anywhere from 1-5 schools to transport; each school is considered a route).
• CDSD encompasses 144 sq. miles.
• CDSD Buses drove 2,141,859 miles during the 2022-2023 school year.

• https://www.cdschools.org/parents/home-access-center-instructions
  

NutriPacks is a direct food distribution program for all students in the Central Dauphin School District. Nutripacks provides weekend food and nutritional information to families for 30 weeks during the school year and are dedicated to helping food insecure children have the resources to thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Enrollment for the 2024 - 2025 school year is now open: https://www.cdsdnutripacks.org/enroll

This school year, every student in the district can receive lunch at no cost. Superintendent Turman said he is proud of the district's work to create the program that means students in all 19 schools have access to healthy food.

The lunches are in addition to the universal no-cost breakfasts the district provides. This is something the administration and school board have supported for a long time.

This means that all 12,500 students in the district, regardless of their family’s income, which school they attend, and without filling out any paperwork, can get lunch.

Congratulations to CDHS Seniors, Maura Campbell and Vanessa Wehinger for being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. This is the highest award youth can earn from the U.S. Congress.

Maura and Vanessa are pictured with U.S. Representative Scott Perry presenting the Gold Medals at his Harrisburg office on August 21. Additional information on the award can be found here: https://www.congressionalaward.org/

The CDSD is proud to recognize East Middle School music educator, Mrs. Amanda Wilson, who was honored by the American Choral Director’s Association of PA (ACDA-PA) with the Eileen Hower Award in recognition of her dedication to the art of middle school choral music. Congratulations to Mrs. Wilson!

CDHS AP SCHOLARS - Damdin; Anya - AP Scholar, Gurung; Cristina - AP Scholar, Hager; Braylin - AP Scholar, Hicks; Garrett - AP Scholar, Patel; Neehaan - AP Scholar, Rusten; Tristen - AP Scholar, Sherman; Jarod - AP Scholar, Bowden; Tessa - AP Scholar, Gates; Benjamin - AP Scholar, Ghosh; Kunal - AP Scholar, Ross; Sophia - AP Scholar, Shah; Saumya - AP Scholar, Shingara; Nathan - AP Scholar, Burd; Emma - AP Scholar with Distinction, Eberly; Robert - AP Scholar with Distinction, Augustine; Albert - AP Scholar with Distinction, Clark; Vaughn - AP Scholar with Distinction, Gibbons; Nathaniel - AP Scholar with Distinction, Jacobs; Aidan - AP Scholar with Distinction, Laing; Lael - AP Scholar with Distinction, Watkins; Brad - AP Scholar with Honor, Giri; Monica - AP Scholar with Honor Mcwane; Kameko - AP Scholar with Honor, Bassta; George - AP Scholar with Honor, Flanagan; William - AP Scholar with Honor, Plesco; Sydney - AP Scholar with Honor, Sembrot; Joseph - AP Scholar with Honor

The school board is excited to start the school year with many new and positive changes for our students, teachers and families.

As you likely read in the newsletter, we are proud the district is providing no-cost lunches for all of our students. This will make a real difference. It’s hard to learn on an empty stomach. We also were thrilled to show off Central Dauphin Middle School to Governor Shapiro and talk about the state’s new funding plan that will help our school district.

Superintendent Eric Turman has been leading the district for three months, and we are thrilled to have his energy and great ideas. Also, at the administrative level, we have more changes. I want to congratulate Dr. Sarah Box on her new position as Assistant Superintendent for Academic Operations and Dr. Erika Willis, who is now Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. Both are currently transitioning into their new roles and will fully take over on November 1.

As we wind up September, one of the school board’s main priorities is finalizing the districtwide comprehensive plan that will be completed by the first quarter of 2025. We are also deeply involved with a long-range facilities plan that will include completing our goal of installing air conditioning in every school building. We are working with a new architect on our plan.

With all of this in mind, there is even more to come. Look for information in the months ahead on other ways the school district is moving forward.

If you want to reach out to the school board, email us at boardmembers@cdschools.org

All The Best,

Mike Jacobs, Central Dauphin School Board President

Tell Me a Bit About Yourself?

I am very student focused. I believe that all kids can achieve at the highest level.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

I am excited about learning the district because its large, and I will be creating opportunities to bring people together to achieve a common goal.

Do you have any hobbies or interests?

I enjoy spending time with my children. Additionally, I enjoy training and working out and any activity, such as yoga, that involves mindfulness.

October 11, 2024, Teacher Inservice Day, No School for Students

October 14, 2024 Teacher Inservice Day, No School for Students

Access the complete online school calendar using this link: https://www.cdschools.org/all-events