Welcome to our first eNewsletter of 2015! News from around the district includes design work for the State High Project, school events and achievements, along with the latest Straight Talk for Parents topic.

Please remember that you can share this newsletter with your friends by simply clicking "Forward Email" at the bottom of this screen.

Teacher Feature

Introducing one of the District's many wonderful teachers each month

Melanie Lynch

Health Education Specialist

Melanie Lynch is an active person, but she loves nothing more than sitting behind a desk.

Angled like an elbow, nicked from wear, it's more than a workstation for the State College Area High School health education teacher. It's the heart of her North Building room, a spot for confiding conversations and counseling, her version of Lucy's booth.

In her chair, she listens to students seeking advice about their family and personal lives. She sorts through anxieties and issues. She hears about dreams for the future. Read more...

Welcome to Chris Rosenblum,

Communications Director

It's a good thing Chris Rosenblum loves telling stories because he has a lot of great ones waiting for him.

Rosenblum, the new State College Area School District director of communications, came to the district in January from the Centre Daily Times, where he worked for almost 20 years as an award-winning reporter and editor and continues to write a Sunday column. In his new role, he's excited about joining the SCASD community, spotlighting teachers and students and sharing their successes with the public. Read more...

State High Project

See more: www.scasd.org/statehighfuture

Submit your questions or comments about the State High project here. A project team member will get back to you.

Delta 60% Design Review: Please mark your calendars

A community-wide 60% review of the State High Project is planned for February 18 at 6 p.m. in the State High South Building Auditorium. Please join us!

Our community. Our children. Our future.

Thank you, SCASD School Board of Directors!

It's always nice to know you're appreciated, as State College Area School District school board members were recently reminded. At the start of the board's Jan. 26 meeting, three student leaders commended board members for their service in honor of School Director Recognition Month in January. Read more...

Follow SCASD Food Services on Facebook!

Receive the "inside scoop" on school menus, nutrition, program updates, promotions, and more!

Straight Talk for Parents Series:

Depression and Mental Health

Tuesday, Feb. 17 - 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mount Nittany Middle School

Presenter: Joseph Wiedemer, MD

Please check out Jana Marie Foundation's Candid Conversations: Depression for more information.

Additional resources can be found online at Schlow Library.

Academic Calendars

For your planning convenience, here are the links to the approved academic calendars for 2014-15 and 2015-16:

Calendar for 2014-15 Academic Year

Calendar for 2015-16 Academic Year

February 16 and May 22, 2015 were designated as snow days, and so school will be in session during those days due to weather-related school closings on January 26 and 27, 2015.

Weather-related notifications

Notifications of weather-related school closings and delays are made through these channels:

the District home page
our Facebook page
our Twitter feed
local news and media outlets
our rapid notification system for parents and guardians

For more information please see our Guidelines for Weather-related Closings and Delays.

We hope you enjoy this news from SCASD. Let us know your comments at info@scasd.org.

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Sincerely,

State College Area School District