CR WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE
Friday, October 19
REMINDER FOR HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS: MONDAY, OCT 22 - PLC TEACHER MEETING TIME - LATE ARRIVAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
High School Buses Still Run at Regularly Scheduled Time
First Period Begins at 8:18 AM on Monday
CR ALUMS - FINAL DAYS TO TAKE ALUMNI SURVEY - SURVEY CLOSES OCTOBER 20!
Council Rock is asking for alums to take approximately five minutes to complete our recently developed Alumni Survey. This survey will help district officials understand the experiences of Council Rock graduates' readiness to enter a college or career environment upon graduation.
Thank you, graduates, for your participation and for helping us to better serve the students of Council Rock.
DISTRICT TO INCORPORATE 3-HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE OPTION ON SNOW DAYS
KEYSTONE EXAMS OFF TABLE FOR NOW AS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed SB1095, essentially eliminating Keystone Exams as a mandatory graduation requirement for now. Once signed into law by Governor Wolf, the bill will allow school districts flexibility for students who do not pass all three Keystone exams. In brief, there will be several ways for a student to meet his/her graduation requirement. Options include the following:
- Meet or exceed a composite score across Keystone exams in algebra I, biology and literature, and demonstrate at least “basic” performance on each of the three exams;
- Meet or exceed local grade requirements in subjects tested by the Keystone exams and complete a subject-specific advanced placement, international baccalaureate or armed services vocational aptitude test, gain acceptance in a registered apprenticeship program or attain a career readiness certificate;
- Meet or exceed local grade requirements in subjects tested by the Keystone exams and present at least three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio, which is required for federal accountability under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Senate Bill 1095 was the culmination of recommendations from the Department of Education and collaboration with leaders in the education community, including teachers and administrators.
NOTABLE ACTIONS FROM THE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18TH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Rolling Hills Elementary School Additions and Renovations Project is seeking LEED Gold Certification. In addition to the basic HVAC commissioning services, enhanced commissioning is required to comply with LEED certification. The enhanced commissioning services begin during the design stage, as such, proposals were solicited from select commissioning firms. Fees associated with advanced commissioning will be offset by the ACE grant funds approved for this project.
APPROVED: Engage Fox Rothschild LLP for Labor and Related Negotiations Services
The Human Resources Department requested the approval of the School Board to engage Fox Rothschild LLP to provide labor and related negotiations services on behalf of the District for the negotiation of a successor agreement to the collective bargaining agreement between the District and the Council Rock Education Support Personnel Association.
UPCOMING BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING
ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE
High School Independent Study
English Elective
Middle School Math Acceleration
Thursday, Oct 25, 2018, 07:00 PM
Chancellor Center, Historic Classroom 1
GREAT NEWS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT
CR WELL REPRESENTED AT BUCKS IU STEAM ILLUMINATED DAY
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit hosted its first STEAM Illuminated Day on October 12, 2018. Several teachers from Council Rock School District were invited to share their STEAM-focused initiatives with approximately 100 educators from the area.
Andrea Mangold, 5th grade teacher at Holland Elementary and a NASA Solar System Ambassador, lead a session entitled NASA in the Classroom: Out Of This World Resources for Educators. Charyl Hills, Nikki Birkbeck, Lauren McCusker, and Kimberly Bender lead an Illuminated session on Kindercoders. Their presentation highlighted the progression of one Bee-Bot, a programmable robot, to now Bee-Bot hives(sets) in every kindergarten class at Council Rock. The support of the Council Rock Education Foundation and Renee Devlin, CR District Science Coordinator, allowed for the Bee-Bots to multiply. Maryann Molishus, gifted support teacher at Goodnoe Elementary School, shared how students are using Fab@School Maker Studio to learn about digital fabrication. This session showcased how digital fabrication can help support understanding and interest in math, while also encouraging collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. Through grants awarded by the Council Rock Education Foundation and the National Education Association Foundation, along with participation in the Fab@School Match Grant Program, Maryann has been able to bring the digital fabrication program, Fab@School Maker Studio, and fabrication stations to students in the Council Rock School District.
ACHIEVE STUDENTS RECEIVE INTERACTIVE FIRE SAFETY TRAINING
CR SOUTH NATIONAL MERIT PROGRAM STUDENTS HONORED AT OCTOBER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Council Rock North National Merit competitors to be recognized at the November School Board Meeting.
NEWTOWN ROTARY CONTINUES TRADITION OF GIVING FREE DICTIONARIES TO CR STUDENTS
CR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TAKE PART IN GOOGLE APPLIED DIGITAL SKILLS WORKSHOP
HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENJOYS ZERO GRAVITY JUMP ROPE ASSEMBLY
CREF NEWS AND EVENTS
CR FAMILIES RING IN FALL WITH GREAT FUN AT CREF PUMPKINFEST EVENT
The Council Rock community had a blast on Wednesday night at the CR Pumpkinfest presented by CREF! This districtwide event brought out over 700 attendees. CR kids, parents, and grandparents enjoyed fall fun that included unlimited wagon rides through the pumpkin patch, flashlight tag in the corn maze, a huge inflatable jumping pillow, a walk through the Barn of Horror Jr. & Alien Encounter 3D Jr., and toasty bonfires for roasting marshmallows. The event was a way to bring the CR community together and raise funds for our PTO organizations. Big checks will be presented to PTOs during halftime at the upcoming Harlem Wizards Game.
RAISING GREAT KIDS SPEAKER SERIES #1: CANDY FLAVORED ADDICTION AND PAYS SURVEY INFORMATION - TUESDAY NIGHT!
Join CREF on October 23 at Newtown Middle School at 7 PM to kick off their 2018-2019 speaker series with very important topics concerning our community today. First, a specialist from The Council of Southeast Pa will discuss the lure and dangerous effects of vaping on students. Next, attendees will hear the results of our 2018 PAYS survey which focuses on substance abuse and mental health issues. This informational parent workshop, sponsored by Jefferson Health, is FREE but does require registration. Register here.
Get Ready Council Rock: A high-flying, slam-dunking, rim-rattling basketball show is coming to town!
The world-famous Harlem Wizards will visit Council Rock South on Saturday, November 17 for an afternoon of great fun and fundraising. The Wizards will play a game against TEAM ROCK - a team of Council Rock School District teachers, principals, and administrators. This offers Council Rock families from across the school district a unique opportunity to come together as a community for a game that promises FUN for all.
The event will feature a variety of fun interactive extras to complement the Wizards' dazzling demonstration of hoops artistry: Pregame "Wiz Kids" warm-up, contests, comedy, awesome slam-dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways, and more. The game will conclude with the Wizards' signature dance extravaganza that will have the crowd on their feet!
"We are excited to welcome the Harlem Wizards to our Council Rock Community," says Dr. Robert Fraser, Council Rock Superintendent. "It’s a great opportunity to bring our Council Rock family together for an afternoon of fun. They are superb showmen who deliver fantastic entertainment for all ages for a great cause."
Founded in 1962, the Wizards have played over 15,000 games throughout the US that have raised over $25 million for schools and charitable causes. The Wizards have also played in over 25 foreign countries on five continents.
Tickets are priced as follows:
- Student Admission $15
- General Admission $15
- Door Tickets $20
- Courtside Reserved (Reserved ticket price) $30
- Courtside Plus ticket holders receive first or second row seating and meet privately with selected Wizard players before the game for a meet-and-greet and show. Only (60 of CSP seats) Courtside Plus tickets are available.
To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit (www.harlemwizards.com).
The home team players will be thrilled to play in front of family, friends, and fans, and spectators will delight in seeing their beloved teachers, principals, and community leaders run the court. Come out and cheer - you will not want to miss this fantastic experience that will benefit our most precious resource: The kids! Proceeds will benefit Council Rock PTO/PTA/HSA’s and the Council Rock Education Foundation. For more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities please contact Gail Acosta at 215-944-1023 orgacosta@creducationfoundation.org
CR EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
CR SOUTH FALL FESTIVAL
COMMUNITY NEWS AND FLYERS
LOWER MAKEFIELD POLICE OFFICER AND HIS K - 9 PARTNER IN CONTEST TO WIN NEW POLICE VEHICLE
The way the contest works is simple, the K-9 team with the most votes at the end of the month wins! 1 vote per person every 24 hours.