Issue: 1
October 5, 2015

SCASD eNews 
In This Issue
Teacher Feature
First Impressions
ROAR
State High Project
Security at State High
Christopher Bill in Concert
Faculty/Staff Wellness
Straight Talk
Homecoming Photos
Quick Links

Upcoming Events

For a listing of upcoming events, please see our calendar:
www.scasd.org/events
 






 





















 

 


Changing leaves, chilly mornings: A new school year advances into fall. Welcome everyone to another adventure full of discoveries, triumphs, challenges and surprises. Memories wait to be made; stories wait to be told. Potential hangs in the autumnal air. What will the students, teachers and staff members of one of the state's best districts do? What will they accomplish this time? Here's to a great year for all.

Please remember that you can share this newsletter with your friends by simply clicking "Forward Email" at the bottom of this screen.
"Every kid has a gift. You just have to know how to find it."

Agricultural Science Teacher Paul Heasley

To Paul Heasley, the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair is just another classroom.

During the school year, Heasley teaches agricultural science at State College Area High School and serves as the Little Lions FFA Chapter advisor.

But come fair time in August, he brings his passion for education to Centre Hall, trading his North Building room for dusty barns and show arenas.  Read more ...
First Impressions
 
SCASD Students Reflect on Start of the Year 
Here's what students had to say about their first week of school.
Read more... 
State High Project Updates   

Flashing beacons installed at Westerly Parkway
  • Massaro Construction Management Services and Crabtree Rohrbaugh and Associates have prepared separate final overall project cost estimates - $140,332,300 from MCMS and $129,441,575 from CRA. 
     
  • The district will receive two green building grants worth about $4 million, so the two net cost estimates are $136,396,307 (MCMS) and $125,506,182 (CRA).
     
  • Currently, the Board expects to open bids Nov. 5, review bids and alternates Nov. 9 and award bids Nov. 16. Construction should begin early next year.
     
  • Starting Oct. 5 and effective through the year, the traffic flow at the South Building will change. The entrance and exit to the front parking lot will be reversed to align with the back loop road, which will be one way from O'Bryan Lane to Westerly Parkway so that students can enter and leave school buses on the school side of the road. Back lot parking will be available to staff and visitors.
     
Sign up for project updates via e-mail or text: 
 
 Updates include timely news and features about project progress, parking and traffic, construction phasing, project milestones and more. Sign up here: www.scasd.org/shpsignup 

View the project Webcam: 
You can now view work in progress on the State High Project via Webcam, using this link: www.scasd.org/webcam 
A login is required:
Username: Guest (case sensitive: uppercase G)
Password: guest (case sensitive: all lowercase)

Extra Security Guards Boost
Safety and Stability at State High


A lot has changed this fall at State College Area High School - new bell schedule, relocated South Building main office, ongoing State High Project construction.

Another difference, clad in neat uniforms, is helping everyone smoothly adjust.

A quartet of private guards from the State College security firm of Payton & Associates now greet and escort visitors, assist students and monitor hallways and parking lots. They're split between the North and South buildings, boosting the school's security presence by joining staff security officers Rick Rudolph and Jason Walker and School Resource Officer Terry Stec.

School administrators and staff say the extra guards have been a successful addition so far. Read more ...
 Christopher Bill in Concert
Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Park Forest Middle School Auditorium
Christopher Bill    
 
YouTube sensation trombonist Christopher Bill will bring his pop and jazz stylings to Park Forest Middle School Oct. 27 for a fundraiser concert and student clinic.

Tickets are available at the door for $5, $3 for youth under 18.
Proceeds will benefit the PFMS Instrument Fund.

Bill recently topped 80,000 followers on his YouTube channel with his arrangements of popular music, such as Pharrell Williams' "Happy," that use looping and other technology. "This is all very new and cutting edge, and he has developed it into his own brand of music-making that has become extremely popular," PFMS Band Director Ronica Brownson said. "He really thinks outside the box." Read more ... 
Faculty/Staff Wellness Focus Point of the Month:
Milk/Calcium 

October brings another chance for SCASD faculty and staff to become healthier and possibly win a prize through The Wellness Focus Point of the Month.    

Last month's focus was fruits and vegetables, and 143 teachers registered, read helpful tips and tracked their progress eating the recommended number of daily servings with a resource booklet. When they reported their results, they were automatically entered for a monthly prize drawing.

October's focus is milk/calcium. Visit the faculty/staff wellness page on the district website today and get started toward a healthier future.
Straight Talk Presentation 

Drugs and Alcohol:
What's Out There and What You Can Do About It 

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Mount Nittany Middle School 
 
Presenters: Ali Turley, YSB Prevention Program Specialist &
Officer Kelly Aston, State College Police
 
Parents and caregivers of teenagers need to have the most up-to-date information about drugs and alcohol use in the community. Join us for an information session including a drug and alcohol overview, local drug trends, red flags for youth drug use, and tips for parents regarding how to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol.
 
This program will:
1. Make you aware of the drug and alcohol trends in Centre County
2. Teach you how to recognize warning signs
3. Give you tips of how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol
Featured photo: Homecoming Parade Oct. 1

The rain stopped just as the Homecoming Parade made its annual route from the high school to Memorial Field. This year's theme was Livin' the Dream in 20-16!
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We hope you enjoy this news from SCASD. Let us know your comments at info@scasd.org.

Sincerely,
State College Area School District