April 2, 2025

Earlier this week, we continued recognizing staff members who exemplify the Portrait of an Eagle competencies. Throughout the day, Superintendent Dr. Blanchard surprised them by presenting certificates and POE Challenge Coins to celebrate their dedication to their students and their efforts in promoting our core competencies.

Please help us celebrate the following staff members:

- Nicole Butler, School Nurse at EV, was recognized for her unwavering confidence as she transitioned from a hospital setting to the school healthcare environment, making the shift effortlessly. Her decisions to keep students healthy are always made with certainty, and her passion for their well-being radiates every day.

- Kim Dolbin, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher at EV, was recognized for her dedication to providing assignments and content that inspire rigor and critical thinking. She thoughtfully crafts each lesson to ensure her class periods are not only relevant but also challenging, encouraging students to take ownership of their future goals. Through her emphasis on choice, responsibility, and time management, she fosters an environment where critical thinking and growth flourish.

- Robin Florentin, Learning Support Teacher at Hampden, was recognized for her exceptional adaptability, always finding creative ways to meet the unique needs of her students. Robin’s dedication to both their academic and social-emotional growth shines through in her ability to continuously adjust and deliver the support they deserve. Her commitment to fostering a growth mindset ensures that every student believes in their potential and thrives in her classroom.

- Sue Kostelac, Building Sub (and CV retiree) at Hampden, was recognized for her incredible adaptability, stepping into any role with ease and enthusiasm, no matter what each day brings. Sue’s willingness to embrace whatever comes her way is a testament to her love for teaching and the invaluable experience she brings to all students. Her ability to jump in and make a difference in all areas of the school is truly inspiring.

Congratulations, and thank you for your commitment to Cumberland Valley!

Before they even set foot at the 2025 PA High School Speech League (PHSSL) States at Bloomsburg University, CVHS’ Speech and Debate team had already achieved a major victory—they were District 6 Champions! That momentum carried them to States, where out of a team of 13, five students advanced to the second day of competition.

Among the standout moments, Suhas Kothuru and Nathan Warrell made it to the final round and clinched 2nd place in Policy Debate. Huge congratulations to both for their outstanding achievement and to the entire team for their hard work and dedication throughout the season! We are incredibly #CVProud of them all!

The wait is over — Shrek the Musical opens tonight! Get ready for a wild and whimsical adventure as Shrek, the lovable ogre with a heart of gold, teams up with his talkative sidekick Donkey and a princess who’s anything but ordinary. With a cast of unforgettable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprises around every corner, this show proves that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and swampy shades of green.

Shrek the Musical runs April 2-4 at 7 PM and April 5 & 6 at 2 PM — don’t miss your chance to experience the magic! Purchase your tickets today.

Top left: Last week, 2nd graders from Silver Spring Elementary had an exciting trip to Hershey Gardens, where they explored the fascinating butterfly life cycle and marveled at the vibrant tropical butterflies. The students were in for a special surprise when they spotted basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal during their visit, adding a touch of celebrity magic to their day!

Top center: 6th grader Amandeep from Mountain View Middle School received an unforgettable hometown hero surprise when his sister, SPC Grewal, returned from an 11-month deployment overseas with the Army National Guard. The reunion was a special moment for Amandeep as he got to finally welcome his sister back home.

Top right: On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Suzy Hess, kindergarten teacher at Middlesex Elementary School, and Dr. Milbrand participated in a panel discussion at the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition’s Summit. Their session, titled "Supporting Educators: Implementing Evidence-Based Instruction in Schools and Districts," focused on addressing Pennsylvania's literacy crisis by promoting evidence-based literacy policy and funding. The event brought together educators, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders, with additional attendees including Mrs. Shaddock, Dr. Runkle, Ms. Miller, and Ms. Whiteko.

Bottom left: The 2nd Challenge of the Golden Gator Games focused on testing students' communication and problem-solving skills. Working with a partner from a different grade level, students read a favorite book together and then collaborated to respond to several common, challenging scenarios faced in school. The activity fostered teamwork and critical thinking across grade levels.

Bottom center: CV's Mock Trial team put up a strong fight at States this past weekend, winning the first round 4-1. In a very close second round, they narrowly lost 3-2 to Abington Heights. Despite the tough match, the team earned an impressive 6th place finish, and we are all #CVProud of their performance. Their dedication and teamwork throughout the competition were truly outstanding.

Bottom right: Mrs. McInroy's 1st grade class at Shaull Elementary is beaming with pride as their book, All About Animals, has been published! After diving into their CKLA Skills lessons, these young authors are thrilled to share their animal knowledge with the world. It's clear that our Eagles have some serious writing talent!

Mrs. Conrad's CV9 science class is rolling up their sleeves and diving into hands-on agriculture with an exciting Ag Experience. After collaborating on which crops to plant—cilantro, black seeded simpson lettuce, snow peas, and cucumbers—the class took on the challenge of designing a 12x12-foot garden plot. They carefully planned out planting layouts, ensuring each plant had the right amount of space, and researched every crop’s specific needs, from germination times to watering schedules. The students are learning the importance of attention to detail and the vital role of research in farming.

This project is a fantastic example of a Portrait of An Eagle lesson, where students demonstrate key skills like communication, adaptability, responsibility, and problem-solving. As they work together to ensure their crops thrive, they are building a solid foundation for success, both in the garden and in life. At the end of the year, their gardens will be judged alongside those of other CV9 science classes, adding a healthy dose of competition and excitement to this hands-on learning experience.

March was Music in Our Schools Month, and the talented CV Soaring Voices ensemble made it one to remember! Last week, they were invited to perform in the stunning Main Rotunda of The Capitol, a moment that showcased their incredible talent and passion for music. But the excitement doesn’t stop there – the Soaring Voices have been honored with a prestigious opportunity to perform as one of the featured groups at the upcoming Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Conference on April 11th!

This recognition is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the vibrant musical culture at CV. We can’t wait to see them shine on such a significant stage, representing their school and community with pride. We are #CVProud!

Check out their performance

Today is National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, and we want to give a huge shoutout to the incredible paraeducators who make a difference every single day at CV. You’re the multi-tasking educational rockstars who live to inspire and love to encourage. Your dedication, support, and unwavering commitment to our students doesn't go unnoticed. We appreciate each of you!

This Friday, we’ll be celebrating the incredible Librarians and Library Assistants at CV who create welcoming, creative spaces that ignite a passion for reading and learning in every student. From storytime to study time, they make every chapter of school life brighter and more exciting. Thank you for your dedication in fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of books!

Beginning in April, the Cumberland Valley School District will spotlight members of the Class of 2025 and share their future plans on the district’s social media platforms.

This initiative, called the #PortraitOfAnEagle Senior Spotlight, is designed to honor CV seniors and celebrate their next steps—whether that’s attending college, pursuing trade school, entering military service, or beginning a career they've prepared for during high school.

Click here for more information.

*Due to uploading an image, you will need a Google account to fill out the form.

The CV Band Boosters are excited to offer graduation signs for the CV Class of 2025! The online store is now live and will be open for orders through April 11th. Each sign is $20, and delivery will be coordinated with the Band Boosters on or around April 30th once the signs are complete. Celebrate the class of 2025 with a personalized sign!

Order your sign today!

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is NOW OPEN! To be eligible for enrollment, children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2025.

*Please note: Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Middlesex Elementary School will transition from a full-day to a half-day Kindergarten schedule. This adjustment will bring Middlesex in line with our other elementary schools, which currently operate on a half-day Kindergarten model.

Visit www.cvschools.org/registration for details and to get started.

Help spread the word with any CV families who have a future Kindergartener! We can't wait to welcome the Class of 2038!

From Our Transportation Department

Like many other schools locally and nationally, we are experiencing a significant shortage of school bus and van drivers at Cumberland Valley School District. This shortage has affected, and will continue to affect, the transportation services we provide to our students. Our contractors are actively working to hire new drivers, and we are committed to ensuring that all students receive a ride to and from school. However, please be aware that this may require last-minute modifications to routes and stop times, which we will communicate to parents as quickly as possible.

Notifications of delays will be sent via text and email to the contact information listed in Skyward. To ensure you receive these notifications, please verify that your phone numbers and email addresses are up to date in Skyward.

When we have information about delays exceeding 20 minutes, we will notify you as soon as possible. Please understand that our Transportation Office is often overwhelmed with calls and may not be able to answer all inquiries immediately. We kindly ask that phone calls be reserved for emergencies, such as a missing child. For non-urgent matters, please email us at transportation@cvschools.org.

If you know anyone interested in becoming a school bus or van driver for Cumberland Valley School District, please encourage them to reach out to one of our Transportation Contractors. There are great part-time opportunities available!

Transportation Contractors:

• Kauffman Bus: 717-737-3396

• Miller & Sons: 717-258-3371

• Rohrer Bus: 717-958-3811

Thank you for your understanding and support!

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Unless otherwise advertised, all meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will take place in the District Office Board Room (6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg)

• Monday, April 7, 2025

• Tuesday, April 22, 2025

• Monday, May 5, 2025

A full list of School Board and committee meeting dates is available by clicking here.

Updates:

• The Board of School Directors will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, for the purpose of discussing the 2025-2026 budget. The meeting will take place in the District Office Boardroom, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA.

• The Board of School Directors will hold an Intergovernmental Meeting with township, county, and state officials at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The meeting will take place in the District Office Boardroom, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Quick Access

• Board Agendas - Posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

• Committee Assignments - 2024-2025 Board committee/advisory group assignments.

• Meeting Minutes - Posted to BoardDocs approved by the Board of School Directors.

• Watch Live - School Board meetings are live-streamed to our website.