Superintendent's Update / Superintendent's Update

PA Academic Standards and the Common Core

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 5/7/2013

Within the past few weeks, it has come to my attention that specific groups within our state have raised questions about PA academic standards and the common core.
Please click on the attached link to read a fact sheet provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

PA Academic Standards and the Common Core

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Donegal Intermediate School: Air Quality Testing

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 4/5/2013

For Your Information:

The Donegal School District contracted EHC Associates, Inc., of Lancaster, PA, to conduct indoor air quality testing at the Donegal Intermediate School. This testing was conducted to ensure that air quality had not been compromised when a piece of equipment that contained a mold-like substance was left by contractors in an occupied area.

Tests were conducted to identify temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide utilizing a Gray Wolf IAQ monitoring devise along with spore trap air sampling in various classrooms and corridors in both A and B sections of the building. Results were compared against standards recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE.) A summary of test results includes the following:

1.       Spore tests for mold were well below acceptable ranges; indoor counts are less than those outside the building.
2.       The average temperature in 3 rooms was 1 degree below the recommended standards for this time of year. The maintenance department has reset ranges to correct this situation.
3.       The relative humidity reading in 3 rooms was below recommended levels; levels spiked above the recommended level for periods of time during the testing periods. Settings on air dampers have been adjusted to correct this situation.
4.       The Carbon Dioxide levels in 4 rooms occasionally spiked above recommended level for a period of time, then dissipated, throughout the testing periods. Spikes in Carbon Dioxide levels frequently occur based on the number of people in a room and/or physical activity. Additional balancing work has been conducted to ensure that the HVAC system responds more quickly to temporary increases in Carbon Dioxide.
5.       Carbon Monoxide readings in all rooms were below maximum levels throughout the testing period.

In summary, test results confirmed that air quality conditions met standards recommended by NIOSH and ASHRAE. Recommendations to adjust operation of the HVAC system to correct temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide spikes have been implemented.

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Donegal Intermediate School: Letter from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 4/5/2013

Letter from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates

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Donegal Intermediate School Update

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 2/22/2013

As you know, renovations are underway at Donegal Intermediate School. Several phases have been completed, and we are just about ready to move students from modular classrooms into their newly renovated ones within the brick and mortar building.

During renovations, some parents have asked about the ventilation system at the school. The original HVAC system used at Donegal Middle School (now the 5th and 6th grade side of Donegal Intermediate) was comprised of simple wall unit ventilators. The ventilators were often noisy and did not heat and/or cool the rooms evenly. These units have been replaced with an HVAC system that consists of a rooftop unit that serves each classroom. The new units are designed to maintain a constant ventilation rate and to maintain proper conditions throughout the year. Ventilation rates are based on regulations per PA building code and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. The national standard per classroom is a minimum of 200-250 CFM (cubic feet per minute). I understand that the newly installed system is providing 435 CFM of ventilation air to each renovated classroom.

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Fall Update

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 11/12/2012

1. DHS Tour: I understand that not everyone was able to participate in the August dedication and tour of our new Donegal High School. Therefore, another tour date has been established. On December 2, 2012, DHS will be open from 2 to 4 p.m.; students will be stationed throughout the building to assist. I look forward to seeing you!
2. DHS Gymnasium: The final work should be completed by Thanksgiving!

3. DIS: The renovation work is moving forward, and the current phase will actually be finished a few weeks early.

4. Strategic Plan: Currently, PDE requires districts to complete a strategic plan, now called the comprehensive plan. During the past months, Donegal's director of curriculum and instruction, has worked with multiple committee members to develop the required plan. It is available for viewing in the district office and on the district web page, www.donegal.k12.pa.us.

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Adequate Yearly Progress

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 8/24/2012
Each year our students participate in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, commonly known as the PSSA. Students in grades three through eight and grade 11 complete reading and math assessments, and they strive to achieve proficiency on these exams. From a school district perspective, we need to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In order to do so for the 2011-2012 school year, 78% of our students need to be proficient in mathematics, and 81% of our students need to reach proficiency in reading.

Proficiency must be shown in a category identified as All Students. In addition, students in sub categories must also reach proficiency; these sub categories include: White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Latino/Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Multi-Racial/Ethnic, Individualized Education Plan, English Language Learner, and Economically Disadvantaged. Specific percentages must also be achieved in student participation and graduation rate categories. If the specified percentages are not made in any of these multiple categories, the school does not make Adequate Yearly Progress.

Our results for the 2011-2012 school year are noted below.
- The Donegal School District made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
- Donegal High School made AYP in nine of its 15 categories. The school moved from the Warning stage to a category called School Improvement 1. An improvement plan has been developed to address the concern.
- Donegal Middle School made AYP in each of its 21 categories.
- Riverview Elementary School made AYP in its 17 categories and moved out of Warning.
- Maytown Elementary School made AYP in its nine categories.
- Donegal Springs Elementary School made AYP in its 17 categories and moved out of School Improvement 1 into a category called Making Progress.
As we begin this new school year, we have cause for both celebration and concern. We will continue to work together to solidify effective instructional practices, to strengthen the home-school connection, and to support increased academic achievement.
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Donegal High School Dedication

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 7/24/2012

Our new Donegal High School, 1025 Koser Rd., Mount Joy, PA, will be dedicated on Sunday, August 26, 2012.

The front doors will open at 12:40 p.m., and we will gather in the auditorium. The official ribbon cutting and related comments will begin at 1 p.m. At approximately 1:30 p.m. and until 4:30 p.m., the school will be open for tours, and light refreshments will be available in the cafeteria.

Please know that our gymnasium will not be completed at this time, and we will not have access to this area. However, the gym doors will be open, and we will be able to view the area and envision its completion.

We look forward to celebrating this special day with you!

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DHS: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 6/12/2012

Save the Date: August 26, 2012.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new high school will take place on August 26, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you at the ceremony and to providing tours of the building on this date.

As plans for the day are finalized, they will be posted on this site.

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Celebration on May 7th

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 5/4/2012

I look forward to the Donegal School Spirit celebration on May 7th at the Barnstormers' game (Clipper Stadium, Lancaster). The pre-game activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wear your Donegal green or Donegal apparel. When you see me at the game, hopefully you will take a moment to stop and say hello.

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Good News!!!

Posted by Sue Ursprung at 5/4/2012

On Wednesday of this week, I received a draft schedule for the completion of our new high school. The draft (we know that it could still change a bit) shows that the district can assume occupancy of most of the building in time for us to start the 12-13 school year. This is such wonderful news!!!

As I reviewed the draft schedule, dates were provided for substantial completion and for final completion. Substantial completion alllows us to occupy the building, and final completion is the date by which all of the punch list items have been addressed. Most of the building will be sustantially completed in July. The auxiliary gym remains a maybe as far as the start of the school year is concerned; however, as you might surmise, the main gym will not be ready in time. It should be substantially completed in October with final completion a month later. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather in the fall so that our students can participate in their physical education classes outdoors. We will, of course, develop an appropriate plan for inclement days.

The contractors, the architectural firm, and our district will continue to work together to meet the timelines of the draft schedule. As one of the involved parties stated to me, "No effort will be spared to achieve our mutual goal".

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