Construction Update

Dr. Musser asked Mrs. Sherri Stull to provide an update on the high school renovation project. Work continues on ceilings, lighting, HVAC, piping, etc. throughout the building. Demolition has begun in the new IT area, and the office area is now complete. Administrative assistants and administrators have been moved into their newly renovated spaces. Four rooftop heating/cooling units must still be received and installed, including one for the auditorium. Work on wiring and installation of keycard access at Central Office begins on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Dr. Stephen Melnyk shared the latest renovation video, showing the use of educational spaces and the completion of the office areas.

Textbooks

Dr. Beth Haldeman presented a recap of the five textbook presentations that were given during the October 10, 2022 School Board work session. The process began last spring, when teachers sought out publishers, perused samples, talked to company representatives, and ultimately selected books that will address current curriculum and standards.

These textbooks, all utilized at the high school level, are now being formally presented to the board and will be available for public review for one month following the October Board meeting. The textbooks and estimated related costs will be presented for approval at the November School Board meeting.

The five courses presenting new textbooks for review include:

Algebra - 3-year upgrade of online materials
Astronomy - Textbook, copyright of 2020, to replace the current book with a copyright of 2002
Psychology - Textbook, copyright of 2019, to replace the current book with a copyright of 2000
Sociology - Textbook, copyright of 2014, to replace the current book with a copyright of 2003
U.S. Government - Textbook, copyright of 2018, to replace the current book with a copyright of 2008

All textbooks will allow for instruction on more current topics, and they will all address the current curriculum standards.

PSSA/Performance Update

Dr. Beth Haldeman presented a PowerPoint to review academic performance for the 2021-2022 school year. She started by sharing that Cocalico has a lot to celebrate with regards to academics. She mentioned standardized testing requirements were not waived for the 2021-2022 school year. PSSA participation for Pennsylvania was down 27% from pre-COVID years, and because PA Act 136 of 2020 waived banked scores for those who would have taken a Keystone exam in 2019-2020, these test waivers will impact Keystone Exam results through the 2023-2024 school year.

Dr. Haldeman continued by presenting various charts outlining student performance in PSSA exams, Keystone exams, SAT and ACT assessments, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, NOCTI exams, and key indicators of the Future Ready Index including attendance rates and graduation rates. Charts showed that Cocalico students consistently scored at or above established test benchmarks and at or above state averages.

Dr. Ella Musser explained the district's intentional work on improving math performance. After math standards had changed for state assessments, Cocalico students' scores dropped more than many other schools in the state. In response, Cocalico teachers and administrators worked hard over the past five years to implement new curriculum and instructional practices in the classroom. In addition, the district added a math component to the Title I program and hired a Math Implementation Coach. This past year, test scores improved, and Dr. Musser thanked the teachers and administrators for their hard work to address the needs of students in the district.

Data depicted in Dr. Haldeman's presentation on students' academic performance will be available on the district website following the presentation of the 2021-2022 Annual Report to the School Board at the November Board meeting. The Annual Report will be located by clicking on "Academic Performance under the "District" tab.

School Board Policies

Dr. Ella Musser discussed the next phase of policy reviews. She explained that she and other administrators have been working with PSBA and the district solicitor to review policy language. She shared that Board members have been given the policies, with clearly-marked edits, for discussion at the November School Board work session. The policies will be presented for approval of their first reading at the November School Board meeting and second reading at the December Board meeting. Additional edits can be made at any time throughout this process, and revised policies will not be implemented until they are approved at the December Board meeting.

Post-season Athletic Events*

Dr. Ella Musser mentioned a boys' district soccer game was currently in progress at the time of the Board meeting. Earlier that evening, the girls played their district match versus Solanco. As mentioned by Mr. Roger Czerwinski during his Eagle Excellence recognition, the Lady Eagles won their game 2-1, with the game winning goal being scored with 0.7 seconds remaining.

* Paige Reeser and Nicole Ochs, CHS students, qualified for the district cross country meet. The varsity football team is also in the hunt for a district playoff berth.

Recent/Upcoming Events

Dr. Musser reported on the success of recent events including the Homecoming game and dance, World Language Career Day, Elementary Math Nights, and the Elementary Roller Skating Party. She then mentioned upcoming events including the CHS Fall Concert (10/25 at Reamstown Church of God), NHS Induction (10/26), and the End of the Marking Period for CHS (10/28) and CMS electives (10/31).

Aevidum Students at NAPSA

On Monday, October 17, the CHS Aevidum club presented at the 56th Annual National Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NAPSA) Conference in Pittsburgh. Fourteen students and four advisors made the day trip to share videos and personal stories of their work with this nationally-recognized club that began in Cocalico in 2003. Dr. Ella Musser acknowledged the club's critical role in suicide awareness in the state of Pennsylvania.

"Music for Everyone" - Mrs. Melissa Voler

Dr. Musser called on Mrs. Melissa Voler to speak to the Board. Mrs. Voler is a resident of the district, had three daughters graduate from Cocalico, and is a Board member of Music for Everyone, an organization aimed at cultivating the power of music in education. The organization provides instrumental grants to all 16 districts in the county and is now adding grants for repairing all instruments.

Since 2006, Music for Everyone has donated 194 instruments to the music department at Cocalico. Mrs. Voler encouraged district representatives to continue applying for additional grants for the next school year. She thanked the district for their support of music in education.

Notes of Appreciation

Dr. Ella Musser shared a thank you note from a new teacher expressing her appreciation for the support given to all new professional staff in the district.The teacher especially appreciated the opportunity to observe in other classrooms and recognized the effort that was invested to make this happen.

Next, Dr. Musser shared a thank you from an elementary teacher for creating a Math Implementation Coach position to help teachers with the new math program. The teacher expressed her appreciation for the district's support of the new elementary math series through the help of the Math Coach.

Finally, Dr. Ella Musser shared notes from two building administrators thanking the School Board for allowing them to participate in a recent education conference. They are grateful for the professional development opportunities available for administrators and appreciate the time and resources devoted to professional growth.

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