CYSD E-News Weekly  
August 28, 2015 

Welcome Back, CYSD!
K-12 Students Start A New School Year  


Central York School District is pleased to welcome our K-12 students and families to a new school year!

Thank you to ALL our families who shared "FIrst Day" photos with us on our Facebook Page or via Twitter. If you have photos you'd like to share of the first day - or week - please keep posting them to www.Facebook.com/CentralYorkSD.
You can also tweet them to us @centralyorksd.
 
Above, Roundtown Elementary School students celebrate their arrival for the first of school. Photo Courtesy Matt Miller, Principal, Roundtown Elementary School.
QUICK LINKS
Annual Notices
Athletic Schedules
Budget/Finance
Curriculum
District Calendar
District Website
Facebook
Forms/Documents
Menus
Online Grades
Policy Manual
School Board
Student Handbooks
Twitter 



CALENDAR REMINDERS 
    
Please note the following important upcoming calendar items:

There will be NO SCHOOL for CYSD Students and District offices will be CLOSED Monday, September 7, 2015, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.   



 

Back-to-School Information for Parents/Guardians & Students






Central York School District provides much information to parents/guardians and students during the first week of school to help you have a smooth start to a new school year.

The "Parents and Families" tab on the District website's homepage includes links to many items that are accessed frequently now and throughout each school year, including the following:
  • Athletic Schedules
  • Aquatics Programs
  • Calendars
  • Cafeteria/Food Services Programs
  • Forms & Documents
  • Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
  • iPad Insurance
  • Online Grades Access
  • Online Meal Payment Access
  • Online Season Ticket Purchasing
  • Policy Manual
  • Student Handbooks
  • Subscribing to E-News Updates
  • Volunteer/Clearance Information
 There are many additional resources available on the District website under the "Parents and Families" section, as well as on each school's website, under the same "Parents and Families" tab. If you have a question or concern - or need a resource or item not included here - please contact us for assistance.

Apply Online for Free/Reduced Lunch Applications   

Central York School District participates in the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Students from families who qualify (under federal guidelines) will receive lunches and breakfasts free or at a reduced cost. In addition, qualifying Kindergarten students will receive free milk at snack time.

All students in grades K-12 may purchase free or reduced meals through the point-of-sale system. Parents/guardians and students may complete the application online via the following link: 2015/2016 Free/Reduced Breakfast/Lunch Program.

These applications may be filed at any time throughout the school year for any family experiencing net income changes. All information is confidential; discrimination is not permitted in accordance with district, state and federal requirements. New applications must be submitted annually. Applications are also available in all school buildings for families who do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home.

CYSD Transitions to Posting Flyers Online  

Central York School District receives information from many community organizations offering opportunities to participate in activities and events designed for children and/or families. 

Effective the start of the 2015-2016 School Year, flyers will no longer be sent home with our elementary (K-6) students in backpacks. Instead, all flyers will be posted on District and school websites, which are available to all  families and community members. Copies are available in each school's office for families without Internet access. 

These flyers are posted on our website for your review and reference.

Please click here to visit the Community Flyers website and view opportunities for students and families now available in our area.  

CYSD Schools Will Host
Back-to-School Nights in September   
 
All schools in Central York School District will hold special, evening "Back-to-School" sessions for parents and guardians throughout September 2014.

These evenings are opportunities for our students to bring parents and guardians to visit their classroom, and school and meet their teachers, principals and staff. Back-to-School Nights are wonderful opportunities for parents and guardians to become acquainted with what our students experience in a "typical" school day.

Please see the dates, and times, below, and watch for information sent home directly with from your  child's school and teacher.

Central York High School
Thursday, September 10
6-8PM

Central York Middle School
Thursday, September 17
6:30-8PM

North Hills/Sinking Springs Elementary Schools
Tuesday, September 15
6:30-8PM

Hayshire/Roundtown/Stony Brook Elementary Schools
Wednesday, September 16
6:30-8PM

School Picture Dates for 2015-2016  

Central York School District has scheduled School Pictures for the 2015-2016 School Year on the following dates. Please watch for information on purchasing pictures and other details from your child's school or teacher in the coming days.
  • Hayshire/Stony Brook Elementary School Pictures - Thursday, September 3
  • North Hills/Roundtown Elementary School Pictures - Friday, September 4
  • Sinking Springs Elementary School Pictures - Wednesday, September 9
  • Central York High School Pictures - Thursday, September 10
  • Central York Middle School PIctures - Friday, September 11


Standardized Testing Update (2014-2015) 

This past spring, Central York School District administered a new PSSA for learners in Grades 3-8 in English Language Arts and Mathematics. This assessment was the first PSSA to be fully aligned to the more rigorous PA Core Standards, which the State Board of Education adopted in Fall of 2013.
These new PSSAs were designed to be more rigorous than previous assessments in alignment with more rigorous standards approved in 2013. 

In addition, because the new standards were not adopted until Fall of 2013 and implemented during the 2014-2015 school year,  some learners across Pennsylvania - including learners in Central York School District - were tested on material that was a full grade level ahead of the current grade at the time of the assessment.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has released preliminary reports on student performance (across the state) indicating an overall, statewide decline in student performance on standardized assessments.
PDE has advised parents/guardians to note the following key points about the new PSSA when reviewing student scores later this fall:
  1. The assessment administered in Spring of 2015 was the first PSSA to be fully aligned to more rigorous PA Core Standards (adopted by the state Board of Education in 2013).
     
  2. The heightened difficulty of the PA Core and the limited time between final adoption and implementation of the new PSSA have resulted in fewer students scoring proficient or advanced across the state. Other states have experienced similar results when making the transition to more rigorous standards.
     
  3. A thorough transition to the new standards requires time to develop new curriculum, train teachers, and provide resources to support the new curriculum. The 2014-15 school year marks year one of what will be a multi-year transition. With time, and as student and teacher familiarity with the new PA Core grows, student performance should steadily improve.
     
  4. A decline in your student's performance level does not indicate that he/she is learning less. This was a new assessment and therefore is not an "apples-to-apples" comparison with previous scores or reports.
     
  5. It is not useful to compare student scores on this assessment to student scores on previous assessments because they are aligned to different standards. The result son the 2015 test are a snapshot and will set a benchmark for future academic growth.
Click here to read more and access additional resources and handouts for parents/guardians.

Community/Adult Education Brochure Now Available Online 

Central York School District offers a variety of fun and educational programs for community members through our Community/Adult Education Program.

The Fall 2015 Community/Adult Education Programs are under way.

Click here to download a brochure and registration form.


Important Information on Changes to the District's Volunteer Program for 2015-16  
 

Central York School District is grateful for the hundreds of parents/guardians and community members who volunteer your time and share your talents with our schools each year. We value your commitment and want to make you aware of some important information on changes to state laws regarding volunteers who work with children in a setting such as our District.

These laws have sparked changes to our policies and procedures to ensure we are in compliance as required by the state.

 

State Law Changes to Volunteer Definition/Clearance Process 

New state laws have expanded the definition of a volunteer and changed the clearance requirements for those wishing to volunteer in education, non-profit organizations, churches and recreation groups, to name a few. The main changes include the following:

  • New clearances are required every 3 (three) years

  • Volunteers should participate in "Mandated Reporter" training

Changes to District Volunteer Program Due to State Law 

In order to be in compliance with the state law, Central York School District has made the following changes to its Volunteer Program. These changes will take effect July 1, 2015:

  • Volunteers must now renew their Volunteer Status Annually and will receive a District-issued badge good for one school year.

  • The District will not reimburse for clearances.

The Volunteer Registration Process - Effective July 1, 2015

  • Volunteers will complete a Registration Packet, which can be received online or at any school office or the Educational Service Center.

  • Volunteers will work with a District employee at the Educational Service Center to complete the Volunteer Registration process, including the following steps:
    • Bring state-issued Photo ID to and all paperwork (completed) to the ESC
    • Receive Volunteer Badge at the ESC
    • Be entered into the District's Volunteer Database

  • The following procedures for volunteers will also remain the same:
    • A Google Document will be used to verify Volunteer Status if ever in question (this will be renewed annually)
    • Volunteers must check-in at a school's main office prior to each volunteer visit
    • Volunteers must wear their badge clearly displayed on their person while volunteering
    • Athletic Volunteers will require School Board approval before serving.