Wednesday Roundup | 10.18.23
Spotlight Image: Students in Mrs. Soule’s PM Kindergarten class at Shaull Elementary School recently participated in the school's fun run. Photo courtesy Mrs. Jenna Lehman.
Calendar Reminders
- October 25 - End Marking Period 1 (secondary)
- October 27 - Elementary Fall Socials (Gr. K-5)
- November 1 - High School Band, Choir, Orchestra, PRISM Concert
- November 2 - CVHS Financial Aid Night
- November 6 - School Board Meeting
- November 7 - Virtual Day for CV9 ONLY
- November 7 - Eagle Foundation online auction begins
- November 8 - Eagle Foundation Harlem Wizards game
- November 9 - CVHS community Veterans Day program
- November 10 - NO SCHOOL for students (Staff Act 80 day)
- November 16 - End Trimester I (Elementary)
- November 17 - NO SCHOOL for students (Staff Inservice)
- November 18 - CV Mini-THON 5K Turkey Trot
- November 20 - School Board Meeting
- November 22 - Early Dismissal (students) - Kdg NOT in session on this day
- November 23-27 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)
* All events subject to change. Not an all-inclusive list.
News & Announcements
School Board Appoints New Superintendent
The Cumberland Valley School Board of Directors unanimously voted at their meeting on Monday, October 16, 2023, to extend an offer to Dr. Mark Blanchard as the new Superintendent of Cumberland Valley School District.
Dr. Blanchard, who has an extensive background in educational administration and an eight-year tenure in the district, is poised to lead with vision and distinction.
Boasting degrees that range from a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education/English to a doctorate from George Washington University, Dr. Blanchard's academic prowess is matched by his practical experience. His educational journey has seen him evolve from an English teacher in Shiremanstown, PA, to his most recent role as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in CV.
Under his leadership, the 9th Grade Academy at the former Good Hope Middle School was brought to fruition, a move that has reshaped the educational experience for students and has positively impacted the student experience and academic success across grades 9-12 at CV.
Heather Dunn, President of the Cumberland Valley School Board of Directors, highlighted the advantages of the Board's decision: "Promoting from within not only showcases our trust in the exceptional talent we've nurtured over the years but also translates to considerable cost savings for the district. Dr. Blanchard's deep-rooted understanding of CV’s mission and operations, and his established local relationships, merged with his vast educational insights, make this decision both fiscally prudent and strategically sound."
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. Blanchard remarked, "It's a privilege to step into this role. The students, staff, and community here in CV fuel my passion to cultivate an environment of innovation and unwavering excellence. I look forward to furthering the work we have already begun to elevate the student experience and outcomes in our schools."
Dr. Blanchard is set to take the reins as CV’s superintendent effective December 4, 2023, succeeding the dedicated tenure of the outgoing superintendent, Dr. David Christopher.
Hop Aboard the S.S. American!
You're invited to hop aboard the S.S. American!
Cumberland Valley High School Musical Productions proudly presents "Anything Goes" April 10-14, 2024, in the Performing Arts Center at CV High School. Online ticket sales begin on January 29, 2024. Stay tuned to this newsletter or www.cvmusical.com for more information.
Ticket prices are as follows: Adults: $20 | Students/Senior Citizens (65) - $15
Please hop aboard, as you don't want to miss this amazing show!
Congratulations to our 2023 Homecoming Royalty, Jody Mikhail and Jahmeir Dominick.
Jody is the daughter of Magdin Sadek and Amgad Mikahil. She is a member of the CV Girls Wrestling team, CV’s Entertainment Committee for Mini-THON, and High School Key Club. Jody enjoys volunteering within her church. She will attend college next fall to study psychology.
Jahmeir Dominick is the son of Kimberly Fisher. He is on the varsity football team. He plans on going into the military upon graduation and then attending college.
Special thanks to first responders from across the region who visited our schools recently to share fire safety tips with our students as part of Fire Prevention Week. These activities are still occurring this week in many of our buildings.
Pictured: Students at Green Ridge and Silver Spring Elementary Schools.
CV High School Photography I Gallery
Students in Mr. Shaun Bollinger's Photography I class at Cumberland Valley High School have been working on compositions showcasing positive and negative space. We're #CVproud to showcase some of their photography, both above and the full gallery available by clicking here.
Congratulations to CV High School's Laahini Addagatla, Arnav Chatrathi, and Krish Mittal, all of whom have been named as National Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalists.
They are among the 1,514 students - or 1.45% - selected from more than 103,800 applicants from across the country to continue through the selection process based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
CV Dream Team vs. Harlem Wizards
Don’t miss out on your chance to see the CV DREAM TEAM of teachers and staff take on the Harlem Wizards on Wednesday, November 8th at the CV High School Dome. Doors open at 5:30 and the game begins at 6:30. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/CVEFHarlemWizards.
Portrait of an Eagle: Student Spotlight
Students in Mrs. Morgan Newkirk's first-grade class at Sporting Hill Elementary School recently crafted graphic organizers that are filled with their hopes and dreams, boosting their confidence for the future. Special thanks to our staff who are inspiring the leaders of tomorrow ... today. They are a Portrait of an Eagle!
Photos courtesy Mrs. Newkirk.
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, November 6, 2023
- Monday, November 20, 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
Bus Safety Program Launched Oct. 16
CV is taking action to safeguard its most precious cargo: our students. Alarming statistics show in 2021, there were over 250 illegal bus passes in a single day in Pennsylvania, and the state estimates each bus is illegally passed while stopped twice per day.
With BusPatrol, the district has initiated a robust school bus safety program that officially rolled out on October 16, 2023. Every bus is now equipped with advanced photo enforcement cameras, capturing those who risk students’ safety by passing buses, which are automatically shared with law enforcement. We hope this makes all drivers think twice before making a dangerous decision.
BusPatrol is also about enhancing the safety of our entire community. When our roads are safer, everyone benefits. Residents can take pride in a district that not only prioritizes education but also actively contributes to a safer, more secure neighborhood.
CV’s commitment goes beyond the classroom. We’re dedicated to the safety of every student on every journey.
For more on this safety initiative, visit www.cvschools.org/transportation.
Like and Follow CV on Social Media
If you haven't already, you are welcomed and encouraged to follow us on our official social media platforms - including our new Instagram page - for the latest celebrations, news, and updates.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVschools
Instagram - NEW!: https://www.instagram.com/cumberlandvalleysd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CVSDnews
Reminder: Emergency Contact/Health Information, Signoffs in Skyward
At the start of each school year, we ask families to please update important student/emergency contact information and complete annual signoffs in Skyward.
If you have not already done so, we ask that you please take a few moments to complete this information for each of your students.
Signoffs include information regarding publicity/directory releases, handbooks, and more. It is important that you please take a moment to complete all of these sign-offs by logging into your Skyward Parent Family Access Center and clicking the “parent signoff” tile. The tile will be marked as completed once this information is submitted.
In addition, we ask that you ensure emergency contact and health information is accurate and up to date in Skyward. Please note that you may also update this information throughout the year should contact/health information change.
Please utilize the "Guardian Information Update" form should you need to change your email address and/or phone number throughout the school year.
Please note that you can only access and complete Skyward forms through a web browser (not the Skyward mobile app).
If you are having difficulty logging into Skyward, please use the “forgot username/password” link, which will send an automated email with your username and link to reset your password. When logging in to change your password, please be certain to use the username exactly as listed in the automated email. If that does not work, please submit a Technology HelpDesk ticket. Please reach out to your child's school should you have specific questions about the sign-offs.
Reminder: 1:1 Device Insurance
Device Insurance: We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the details of our 1:1 Device program and of the annual device insurance option that is available to you and your student.
It is the belief of the District that supplying a device for all students in grades K-12 is essential to their learning and development. Consistency in grade-level devices is essential to the implementation of our curriculum, instruction, and assessment, while also allowing for sufficient support operations. After reading this entire email, please review more specific information about the program on the Technology section of our website under the 1:1 Technology Program page and its subpages.
The District owns and values each device and requires students to follow usage guidelines and to use care and caution in handling the device. These guidelines are on the 1:1 Technology Program Device Care and Support webpage. The devices do have a manufacturer warranty to cover any manufacturer defects or malfunctions. Students and families will be responsible for the full cost of any loss or damage to their device unless you purchase insurance through the District at a cost of $25 per student/year. This optional insurance will help to decrease the out-of-pocket expenses families may have related to device damage.
Cost waivers are in place for families facing economic hardship and families with four or more students. If you are a family facing economic hardship and have been approved through the free/reduced lunch program, you must still add the optional insurance in Skyward. The discount will take place after the optional fee is added. If it does not, you should verify your free/reduced lunch application status through our Food Service Department. If you are a family of four or more students, you should add the optional insurance for all of your students, but only pay for three of them in Revtrak. After completing the payment, please email Kerry Johnson at kjohnson@cvschools.org with the name(s), grade(s), and building(s) of the additional student(s) so the fee can be waived in Skyward.
Reminder: Reaching CV by Telephone
Main number: 717-697-8261 (follow prompts to reach buildings/departments)
CV High School: 717-506-3555
CV9: 717-506-3372
CVVA: 717-697-8261
Eagle View Middle School: 717-506-3955
Mountain View Middle School: 717-697-1960
Green Ridge Elementary School: 717-766-4911
Hampden Elementary School: 717-737-4513
Middlesex Elementary School: 717-249-5586
Monroe Elementary School: 717-697-0028
Shaull Elementary School: 717-506-3415
Silver Spring Elementary School: 717-506-3755
Sporting Hill Elementary School: 717-761-5052
Winding Creek Elementary School: 717-620-2525
Reminder: Emergency Notifications, Text Messaging, Official Channels
Emergency Notifications: In cases of an emergency in a specific building or across the district, CV will issue communication to the appropriate stakeholders through telephone, email, text message, and/or website alert. Parents/Guardians should ensure that their contact information is always up-to-date in Skyward, as this is where we will pull information for our notifications and alerts. Notification to schedule changes due to inclement weather will also be issued via the above mentioned methods.
Register to Receive Text Messages: Cumberland Valley School District uses text messaging (for parents/guardians and staff) 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.
Official Communication Channels: It is important to ensure that you 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.
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CVschools | Twitter: www.twitter.com/CVSDnews | Instagram: www.instagram.com/cumberlandvalleysd
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.