Technology Donations

Jackson Elementary continues to collect empty ink cartridges, old cell phones, laptops and cameras. If you have any to donate, please send them to the office. The deadline for the current promotion is April 30th. All qualifying items must be received by The FundingFactory by April 30th  for Jackson Elementary to receive credit. Thank you for your support!

To view a list of qualifiying items, please visit http://www.fundingfactory.com/admin/participant/qualifying_items.aspx

Cambria Elementary Language Club

We would like to announce that Central Cambria Elementary School and Bishop Carroll High School have collaborated and started a language club for the 5th grade.  This club will be taught by a handful of foreign exchange students from the Bishop Carroll High School.  Mrs. Adrienne Hoffman and Mrs. Amber Hollinger are working diligently to create lessons so that the students can learn Mandarin Chinese.  They will be focusing on how to say the word in Chinese and how to write it using their characters.  The foreign exchange students will come up ideas with and create new lessons every week. This is a wonderful opportunity that the fifth grade students are very excited  to participate in.  

Tori Flick and Mark Pavic Chosen As Finalists In The PAYSPI PSA Video Contest.

Our CCTV broadcasting students recently participated in the 2014 Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative PSA contest. This past week, the PAYSPI Advisory Board has spent time reviewing each submission and deciding which entries will move on to the public vote.

We’d like to congratulate Tori Flick and Mark Pavic, because their entries have been chosen as finalists in this year’s PAYSPI PSA contest for Youth Suicide Prevention!

Their entries will move on to be voted on publicly starting today.  Anyone interested in voting on the finalists, will have until Friday, April 4, at 12:00 noon, at which point, the voting will close. You may vote as many times as you would like. The PSA winners will be determined based on both their rankings in the PAYSPI Advisory voting and the public voting.

How can you vote and help Tori and Mark win this competition?  Go to: www.payspi.org and click on the contest image to view the finalists! There, you will find a link to vote.  Vote, have your students vote, encourage your friends and family to vote as well.  These students are really counting on you to help them win this competition!  

Hint—Mark’s video is the second video (video B) listed under the 60 second videos with the boy looking out the window and Tori’s video is the third video in the 30 second entries with the hands touching hope (video C).  You will need to vote in each category.

All winners will be honored on Suicide Prevention and Awareness Night at the Harrisburg Senators baseball game on Friday, May 16.

Central Cambria High School 2013-2014 Scholarship Applications

Please follow this link to the 2013-2014 Scholarship Application:

Scholarship Application 2013-2014

Immunization Resources

Attention Parents,

Our school's nurse, Michele Aurandt, received information regarding immunizations. If you click this link, http://www.ccsd.k12.pa.us/resources/parents/links_all.html , it will take you to our Parents Links page and you can click on the Immunization Resources link to view all the information.

CCHS Student Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

   Joshua Belsterling, a Junior at Central Cambria High School has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama.

   The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.   Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils.

   “The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial.

   “Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti.  “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”

   Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth. When asked why he goes above and beyond in so many ways, Josh responded, "I love doing it because it's a great way for me to share and live out my faith in God." The administration and faculty of Central Cambria High School congratulate Joshua on his exceptional contributions within the school and community. 

Cyber Patriot

CyberPatriot is the premier national high school cyber defense competition that is designed to give hands-on exposure to the foundations of cybersecurity. It was created by the Air Force Association to excite high school students about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Advisor Dr. Karwoski explains: “CyberPatriot is not a hacking competition. It teaches only defensive means of fixing vulnerabilities and hardening systems”.  The CCHS Cyber Patriot Team recently took 3rd place in the state competition – with 1st and 2nd place both going to York County School of Technology.    

CyberPatriot Team Members include:

Michael Campbell                            Andrew Regan

Hunter Fedora                                  Jacob Nagy

Stephen Marhefka                           Sean Snyder

STEM Offering

The first STEM class at CCHS is included in the 2014-2015 Course Catalog and students are making their selections under the guidance of Mrs. Dixon and Mr. Wilson.  The newest addition to our course offerings, “Exploring STEM Concepts” has been designed to provide students with an opportunity for inquiry, design, and exploration in the interrelated fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  These skills are necessary for today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders. Current and emerging jobs are requiring workers to have a greater ability to think critically, work independently, and collaborate as a team. This course will offer a creative and innovative way to problem-solve and apply what has been learned.

Central Cambria Faculty Members Take On CC’s Basketball Players!

On Wednesday, March 26, some of Central Cambria’s finest faculty and students will be competing in a faculty vs. student basketball game to benefit Relay for Life!  Festivities begin at 6:00pm.  There will be food, prize baskets, games for children, and most importantly, the two basketball games: female faculty vs. the girls’ basketball team and male faculty vs. the boys’ basketball team.  The cost is $3 for students and $5 for adults.  All profits benefit the Central Cambria Relay Team.  See you there!

Cards for Soldiers

Please click the link to open this post and then click the link below to see the "Cards for Soldiers" video taken at Cambria Elementary:


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Zt-a08ee2wOEk3YTQxRG9ncVU/edit?usp=sharing

Read Across America

Cambria and Jackson Elementary celebrated Read Across America Week during the week of March 3^rd.  The Central Cambria Education Foundation sponsored these special activities that were coordinated by the Title I Reading teachers in the district: Mrs. Forcellini, Mrs. Semelsberger and Mrs. Tibbott.  The goal was to get students excited about reading through fun-filled literacy activities, which included: a storyteller, an illustration presentation, a breakfast of green eggs and ham, an Art Presentation to connect literacy and art, 'Drop Everything and Read' and Bingo for Books.

Dr. Anne Creany was invited to both elementary buildings for a special storytelling presentation.  Her creative, interactive storytelling was a great way to kick-off this special week.

Mr. Brian Dumm, the Art Teacher at the Middle School, presented an illustration presentation.  Students helped design characters for Mr. Dumm to sketch.  The children observed the air brush technique and Mr. Dumm answered students’ questions about illustrating.

The Art Teachers, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Kirsch, created a presentation to display special artwork that centered around book themes.

This was the fourth annual Bingo for books in both buildings.  The children were permitted to get cozy and comfy in their pajamas to play bingo and win books!

CCMS THON Event

This past Thursday night, Central Cambria Middle School students and staff came together for THON Thursday.  This event, organized by CCMS Student Council and its advisors, was organized with the purpose of raising money for a charitable cause chosen by the council.  The event included a dodgeball tournament, game room, restaurant, door prizes, and a talent show.  For a full recap and pictures from the event, view the middle school blog: http://centralcambriamiddleschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/thon-thursday.html

Alcohol Awareness Poster competition sponsored by the PA Liquor Control Board

Congratulations to Julia Schaffer, Bailey Hildebrand, Emma Wess, and Heidi Hendrickson!

These 4 Drawing/Design students were recently awarded recognition for their efforts and drawings that they completed as a class assignment and which Ms. Irwin submitted to the annual Alcohol Awareness Poster competition sponsored by the PA Liquor Control Board.  The contest is held to advance student awareness of not only the negative consequences of underage drinking, but to also encourage and educate others to the many healthy, positive activities and benefits that students can experience without the use of alcohol .

These 4 students were among the 50 whose works were selected by the judges  from almost 1000  submitted entries from throughout the state of PA.  Bailey, Emma & Heidi’s posters have been selected for special recognition while Julia’s was chosen as a “Grade Winner”.  As a grade winner, not only will her poster be included in a special calendar distributed to communities across the state, she also received a monetary prize as well.

All 4 art students are invited to a ceremony honoring them and the other winners throughout the state. This awards ceremony will be held in mid- April at the State Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. All winning posters will be displayed in the Capitol Rotunda  for viewing.

Please congratulate these four girls to acknowledge their works being selected! 

Paul Seymour Recognized for Excellence

The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) is pleased to announce the 2014 Citation of Excellence Awardees, high school level: District 6 – Paul Seymour, Central Cambria School District!

PMEA grants the award annually to one member in each of the 12 PMEA districts to highlight curricula and excellent programs for other music teachers, to bring special recognition to these outstanding educators, and to recognize and reward excellence in music education. This year’s awardees will be recognized at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. during the 2014 PMEA Annual Conference on Friday, March 28 at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. The present PMEA membership of over 4,500 evolved from a small group of band directors dating from 1933. Today, the organization includes those engaged in music instruction at all levels, from preschool through college and university.  

Forensics

Congratulations to the CCHS Forensics team on their successful participation in three local meets held in December and January. Individual winners/categories from the regular season meets include:

*Hunter Fedora (Extemporaneous speaking)          *Christopher Nischalke (Extemporaneous speaking)

*Josh Belsterling (Commentary)                             *Cameron Hoffman (Commentary)

*Gina Bianucci (Informative)                                  *Lauren Buynack (Prose)

*Sarah Segear (Prose)                                           *Josh Hodgson (Prose)

*Christoff Trexler (Humorous Dramatics)                *Ashley Wilt (Serious Dramatics)

The top two competitors participated in the District 5 State Qualifying Tournament on February 28th at Richland High School. Special recognition to Chris Nischalke, Cameron Hoffman, Josh Belsterling, Ashley Wilt, Davey Beyer, Lauren Buynack and Sydney Flick for advancing to finals. Additional congratulations go out to Davey Beyer (2nd place- serious dramatic) and Cameron Hoffman (3rd place- commentary) who advanced to the state competition to be held March 28-29, 2014 at Susquehanna University. The coaches, Mrs. Kokus and Ms. Keegan, and the team would like to thank the administration and school board for their support throughout the season and of this worthwhile activity for the students.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Donors Choose Project Funded for Michelle Shirk

Mrs. Shirk’s students crave the warmth provided by sharing a good book with friends!  The students in her upper-level English classroom crave multiple copy books that they can read collaboratively, discuss, and interact with during Literature Circles. Her Donors Choose project requested funding for variety and choice in reading materials. Through the generous donations of donors, the total cost of $815 was funded.  Supporting the project was Jennifer from Maryland, who wrote: "I am a graduate of CCHS, and support the school district's mission for all children to be successful. English was my favorite subject in school, and anything that will help students become better readers, spellers, and writers, I fully support."

Hoops for Heart Event

Please follow this link to review activities  for the Hoops for Heart Event:

http://centralcambriamiddleschool.blogspot.com/2014/02/ccms-hoops-for-heart.html

Thanks to everyone associated with this successful event!

Jackson Elementary Students Study the United States. UPDATED*

The 4th grade students are completing their state projects for their Social Studies classes. They have learned many facts about the states that they have researched. They will also present their projects so other students learn about the facts.

Click the link below to see a Smilebox video!

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e4441774d44637a4e6a56384f446b344e7a51784e54593d0d0a&sb=1

First Lego League Robotics Competition

CCMS students in Mrs. Niebauer’s classes competed in the First Lego League Robotics Competition held at the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center on Saturday, February 22^nd.  Read our blog post for all of the details:

http://centralcambriamiddleschool.blogspot.com/2014/02/first-lego-league-robotics-competition.html