Cambria County College Fair

Mrs. Gironda and Ms. Swope (school nurse representative) accompanied 57 seniors to the Cambria County College Fair at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center on Tuesday, September 13th, 2016.      A variety of postsecondary institutions and employers attended the fair, including colleges, universities, technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools, branches of the military, banks and local businesses.  Students were afforded a 45 minute time block to visit the information booths of schools of their choice.  Students commented that the program provided options for post-secondary schools that they had not previously considered.  Mrs. Gironda noted that students also represented Central Cambria well, and were respectful and inquisitive during their interactions with the various representatives.  

Mr. Cirelli and CCHS Students Travel To Europe With EF Tours

24 students will be traveling to Europe this summer July 16 – 25 with Mr, Cirelli and EF tours. The 10 day tour will include visits to London, Paris, Florence, and Rome. While on tour students will be immersed in the culture of each city as they visit local sites, interact with citizens, and enjoy local cuisine. Sites to visit include Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, the Latin Quarter in Paris, the palace of Versailles, the Louvre, the Duomo, the Vatican, and much more. Coming off the heels of this tour, Mr. Cirelli is planning a trip to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy for 2018.

Memory Walk at JE

The class of 2016 was greeted by Jackson Elementary students, faculty, and staff as they took a walk down memory lane. Good luck to all our graduates!

Fedorchak Lab Visit

  Six senior students visited the Fedorchak Lab at the Eye and Ear Institute at the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 28^th.  Taylor Boring, Rachael Genesi, Shane Hunt, Hannah McGlynn, Ian Ostrowski, and Hannah Swope were chosen to participate in the event from a very competitive group of students interested in science and engineering. 

            The lab that the students toured is named after Dr. Morgan Fedorchak who is a professor of Ophthalmology, Chemical Engineering, and Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine and the Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration.  The goal of the Fedorchak Lab is the development of materials that restore or protect the gift of sight.  Dr. Fedorchak is the daughter of our superintendent Dr. DiLeo who graciously set up this experience for our students. 

Dr. Fedorchak started the morning by presenting about career options and pathways in the fields of science and engineering.  She went on to share information about different cutting edge research projects that she has been involved in.  Dr. Fedorchak focused on her current research involving ocular drug delivery for glaucoma patients.  She took our students on a tour of her lab and had an experiment based on her current research set up for the kids to participate in.  Dr. Fedorchak also took the students on a tour of some other labs in the Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh. 

The students had a lot of great questions for Dr. Fedorchak, and she provided them with excellent answers and insight on many different STEM related topics.  It was an amazing opportunity for our students to see cutting edge research in action!  The kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Thank you to Dr. Fedorchak, Dr. DiLeo, and Mrs. McDermott for making this event happen!  

Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts Tour CTC and WRI

On April 22^nd, both Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts classes participated in a tour of Windber Research Institute (WRI) and Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC).  The field trip was generously sponsored by the Central Cambria Education Foundation.  The students were exposed to cutting edge science, technology, and engineering that is taking place right in our own backyard!  The students met many different scientists and engineers and were able to get a firsthand look at what their careers involve.  It was an outstanding trip for all those who participated.  Thank you again to the CCEF for making this trip possible!

St. Francis University WWII Presentations

On Friday, April 22^nd, my students were able to connect with history in a way most high school students are never able to.  Dr. Sarah Myers from St. Francis University and her Public History students brought in World War II Artifacts that were actually used during the war.  The items were displayed throughout my classroom and students were able to travel to each station in order to gain insight into the various topics.  The topics that the St. Francis students presented on were WWII uniforms, WWII weapons, WWII propaganda, WWII Letters Home, WWII Medals, WWII Medical Kits, and WWII Music.  My students had a blast interacting with living pieces of history and made the WWII Era something much more than just a story.  I have been in touch with Dr. Myers and she informed me that they will be opening a WWII Museum in Loretto, that will include all of the pieces that they brought to my class as well as much more.  Overall, the presentations were amazing and made Friday one of the most impactful days I’ve had as a student or an educator.  

STEM Professions Day at UPJ

On Wednesday, April 13^th, twenty Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts students attended STEM Professions Day at UPJ.  The event kicked off with a welcome at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center.  The students chose to attend three different workshops from choices such as:  Candy Electrophoresis, Marshmallow Mechanics, How to Detect a Lie, Concrete Canoe, Technology in Nursing and Allied Health, Water Rocketry, and CSI: Pitt-Johnstown.  UPJ provided lunch for the students and then hosted a science show for the afternoon session.  Professor David Willey is a physics professor at UPJ.  He is also known as the “mad-scientist”.  Professor Willey put on an hour long show demonstrating many science principles in a very entertaining and “explosive” manner!  It was great trip filled with lots of fun and learning! 

CCHS Presents "#wordsheal" Program at JE

Central Cambria High School students came to Jackson Elementary School to present the #wordsheal  program.  This program taught 4th and 5th grade students about cyber bullying  and  how to keep themselves safe online and be kind to others.  A big thanks to Mrs. Shirk and the CCHS broadcasting students.

Dr. Woods Visits Anatomy and Physiology Classes

Dr. Thomas Woods, Central Cambria School Board Member and St. Francis University faculty member guest lectured during the CCHS Anatomy & Physiology classes.  Dr. Woods, a part of SFU Physician Assistant Program faculty, presented cardiovascular topics to the class ranging from heart disease, stents, catheterization and other heart related information.  He illustrated techniques on human cadaver hearts that are utilized in the medical field for treatment of coronary stenosis created by plaques and explained how by-pass surgery is conducted.  Dr. Woods’ presentation helped students see real life situations dealing with the human cardiovascular system.  His knowledge of both the cardiovascular system and the medical field has helped to inform students who are trying to make career decisions about entering the many medical disciplines available to them.  Many thanks to Dr. Woods for bringing in the heart and brain specimens and taking his time to present this valuable information to the Central Cambria High School anatomy students. 

CCSD Community BBall

On Friday, March 18th the Central Cambria community joined together for a night of entertainment to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. The evening featured three basketball games, along with children’s crafts and activities, door prizes, and a basket raffle. In the very first Junior High boys vs. girl’s game, it was the girls who came out victorious! In the female student vs. faculty game, it was the students who took the win, and in the final game, it was the male faculty members who secured the win for the 3rd year in a row! Excellent job to all players’ young and old(er)! A huge THANK YOU to all those who helped make this event successful by donating their time, resources, skills, food, and beverages. Together we raised $2576.25 in support of finding a cure for cancer! None of this would have been possible without the help and dedication of a supportive and caring administration, faculty, student body, and community.

Special Education Plan

You can view the new Special Education plan by clicking on the link in the quick links section on the right side of our site pages or by clicking on this link, New Special Education Plan.

Law/Current Events Classes Conclude Miranda Week

On Thursday, February 25^th the Law/Current Events class concluded Miranda Week (one part of our current unit on the criminal investigation process) by utilizing one of our greatest resources. Officer Nathan Stohon came into our classroom and gave the students a glimpse of reality should they travel down the wrong path at some point in their lives. The arrest is obviously a vital component of the investigation process and while the students did have a pleasant time “being arrested”, our hope was to try and ensure that students understood the overall process, and hopefully, as well, never find themselves in handcuffs again. Officer Stohon’s expertise proved invaluable as I was able to hand the class over to him at certain points and allow him to convey the information on a different level than just teacher to student. I look forward to hopefully bringing Officer Stohon back in to my classroom in the near future to help put a real world spin on some of the things we are going to be talking about.

Healing Patch Grief Support Group to be Offered at CCHS

Did you know that 1 out of 7 children will experience the death of a loved one by the time they graduate from high school? (Home Nursing Agency, 2015).  The impact of grief can be debilitating if a child does not have the coping skills necessary to effectively deal with the changes caused by the loss.

The guidance counselors are planning on bringing the services of the Healing Patch to CCHS in the near future to assist grieving students. The Healing Patch is a peer support program administered by the Home Nursing Agency for children who have suffered the death of a loved one.  Trained grief counselors from the Healing Patch will facilitate a support group for interested students with parent/guardian approval.  The service will be provided at no cost to the participants.

If you know someone who might benefit from participation in a support group which addresses grief and loss, please contact the Central Cambria Guidance Office at 814-472-8860 (option 3) for information.  A guidance counselor will then be in touch with you regarding the registration process.

“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”  - Helen Keller

CCHS AP History Students Visit Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C

On March 2^nd, 41 Central Cambria AP History students and 5 chaperones visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. This was made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Students were given the opportunity to connect to the past through the stories, artifacts, and primary sources available. They also had the opportunity to chat with two Holocaust survivors who were there that day. As part of the grant, students created written and visual reflections on their experience. These will be displayed at the Beth Shalom Synagogue in Johnstown, PA. In this way,  the entirety of the trip was a powerful experience that gave students a renewed appreciation for past events and the importance of the long duration of history, while forging connections across space, time, and religion.

CCHS Prom

Junior-Senior Prom
Saturday, May 7, 2016
6:30 – 10:30 PM
Carrolltown Fire Co. Banquet Hall

Grand March at 5:15 PM
Central Cambria High School

Reservations will be taken
March 9th –  March 18th
$40 a single/$80 per couple

Ought to Be a Law Presentation

Mr. Joe Klezek’s and Mr. Barry Gresh’s Civics classes were fortunate to have Debbie Birch, Beth Thomas, and Charlie Vizzini from State House Representative Frank Burns’ 72nd District office in to speak about the government process. In particular, the focus of their visit was to educate students on the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law. Students were able to discuss the format through which a bill is presented, as well as role play the duties and responsibilities of specific high ranking officials such as the Speaker of the House, Floor leaders, and Whips. At the climax of the presentation, students were able to put forth pieces of their own legislation that would be debated on the “House floor”, which led to interesting discussions on numerous subjects such as: Keystone Testing requirements and Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet laws. Students were able to debate differing viewpoints and got a glimpse of just how convoluted the political process can be. The information provided by the representatives from Mr. Burns’ office will undoubtedly supplement our students’ curriculum here at the high school and will serve to bolster their understanding of the political process that will be put in front of them in the very near years to come.

Challenge Program Rewards Students for Success

The Challenge Program Orientation/Fall Awards Assembly was held on Friday, January 29 in the CCHS Auditorium.  Sara Deyarmin of the Challenge Program and Dorothy Bailey of S & T Bank hosted the event.  S & T Bank has sponsored Central Cambria High School for the past several years and thus provides the funding for the Challenge Program Awards for our students. The mission of the Challenge Program is to build sustainable Business/Education partnerships while introducing careers to high school students.  TCP motivates students to develop solid work habits required to succeed in school and their future careers.

Following a skit which depicted the awards categories and starred eight of our musical theatre students, the awards were presented to those students who met the Challenge Program criteria during the 2014/15 school term.  The winners were:

Academic Excellence:  Sydney Gilkey (Sophomore 14/15); Michelle Hildebrand (Junior 14/15)

Perfect Attendance:  Travis Brothers (Sophomore 14/15); Shane Hunt (Junior 14/15)

STEM:  Michael Walwro (Sophomore 14/15); Ian Ostrowski (Junior 14/15)

Community Service:  Tiffany Jones 14/15); Emmily Michaels (Junior 14/15)

Academic Improvement:  Katlyn Gehosky 14/15); Cruz Daughenbaugh (Junior 14/15)

Ron Kostelnik Honored

The NFL’s celebration of the 50^th Super Bowl landed in the Central Cambria Gym on Friday, January 15^th, as the Red Devils’ honored alumnus Ron Kostelnik. The District was the recipient of a commemorative engraved gold football in honor of Ron’s legendary play with the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowls I and II.

A large contingency from the Kostelnik family was present. Ron’s wife Peggy was presented the golden football in honor of Ron’s astounding accomplishments. The Central Cambria Athletic Department retired Ron’s high school jersey of #69, a standing ovation from the large crowd followed, in honor of the Kostelnik family.

The school community also raised money for the American Heart Association at the game, as Ron lost his life to a heart attack. A special thanks to the Kostelnik family for traveling the far distances to make this a memorable evening for Central Cambria Athletics. 

A HUGE Thank You to Mr. Randy Wilson, Mr. Steve Gironda, Ms. Deb Yesenosky, Mr. John LaMark, and Mr Brian Dumm who made this event a wonderful community event for CC!  

CCSD Book Fair

The Central Cambria MS and HS Book Fair will be held February 16-19, 2016 in the MS/HS Library.
Volunteers Welcome: call 814-244-1210

R.O.C.K. Program Visits Mr. Wagner's Chemistry Class

On December 16, 2015, students from the St. Francis “R.O.C.K.” program came to work with and present their program to Mr. Wagner’s Chemistry classes.  “R.O.C.K.” stands for Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids and is an excellent program to get high school students interested in science oriented college programs and careers.  The St. Francis students performed demonstrations and hands on activities with the students involving liquid nitrogen and the gas laws.  The students absolutely loved the program and took a real interest in the hands on chemistry that was being presented.  Towards the end of the presentation, Mr. Wagner’s students got to indulge in a tasty treat as they were able to make ice cream with the liquid nitrogen.  Mr. Wagner and his students would also like to thank Mrs. McDermott and Mr. Paronish for allowing the St. Francis students to come in and present the R.O.C.K. Program.