December 22, 2021

Here is a link to the Superintendent's Update: 

Superintendent's Update - 12.22.21

Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
Superintendent of Schools
Centennial School District

December 14, 2021

Please see the communication regarding CSD's updated masking and COVID mitigation revisions effective December 15, 2021: Superintendent's Update 121521

Thank you,

Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
Superintendent of Schools 

December 13, 2021

November 24, 2021

Dear CSD Family:

During my transition to CSD in September 2020, our leadership team started identifying the WHY regarding the current student outcomes in CSD. 

Our goal has and continues to be focused on creating a system that supports continuous improvement and growth for both students and staff. CSD's current performance level did not occur overnight. 

Last week we provided an Executive Summary of the many developments that have come from the Pennsylvania Department of Education during the past 15 years, how the Centennial School District responded to those developments, and how those responses and other influences - both internal and external - have impacted our current student academic performance. In addition, recent and ongoing District efforts to improve student growth and achievement are presented.

Please take a moment to view the video by clicking here to learn more about the proposed changes to our middle school program.

Thank you for your continued support, and enjoy your Thanksgiving. 

Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
Superintendent of Schools 
Centennial School District

• • • November 3, 2021
      
      

      Dear Centennial Community,

       

      As you may have heard, many school districts, including ours, have experienced unexpected cancellation of food and supply contracts, lack of availability of certain foods, the unexpected substitution of food products, and increased food and supply prices. In an effort to keep our school community informed, please view the following video that provides additional information regarding the situation.

       

      Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging time.
      

       

      Sincerely,

      Dr. Dana T. Bedden

      Superintendent of Schools

      
      October 7, 2021

    Hello Centennial Faculty and Staff:

    
    

    Over this school year, several of you have inquired about any possible liability regarding the requirement to comply with the masking in school order and accusations of child abuse. 

    
    

    Yesterday, superintendents received the attached jointly signed guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (please see the attached document)>

    
    

    Would you mind reading and sharing as desired for your information? However, in short, with citations included, it says the following:

    
    

    DHS’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families has received requests for confirmation that masking, in line with guidelines from health officials, is not a form of child abuse. While Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law describes obstructing a child’s breathing as child abuse, mask-wearing for children 2 and older does not obstruct breathing and is not child abuse. Research overwhelmingly shows that mask-wearing doesn’t limit breathing or oxygen levels.1 Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics has reinforced the safety of masks for children2 , especially those who cannot yet get vaccinated, and the organization has also recommended that all school staff and children over 2 wear masks to allow for safer in-person learning.3  

    
    

    1 David G. Hill, M.D., American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/blog/covid-masks 

    2 Kimberly M. Dickinson, MD, MPH & Theresa W. Guilbert, MD, MS, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Mask-Mythbusters.aspx 

    3 American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2021/americanacademy-of-pediatrics-updates-recommendations-for-opening-schools-in-fall-2021/  

    
    

    Regardless of my thoughts or feelings and my respect for each person's individual thoughts and feelings, the following exist for all of us as CSD employees:

    
    

    • CSD legal counsels have advised the school district that we should be following the state guidance (which says to follow the federal guidance) on masking in order until any other ruling is provided.  

    
    

    • As previously shared, any licensed educator per the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission is required to adhere to the following:

    Professional educators shall abide by the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § § 1-101 - 27-2702), other school laws of the Commonwealth, sections 1201(a)(1), (2) and (4) and (b)(1), (2) and (4) of the Public Employee Relations Act (43 P. S. § § 1101.1201(a)(1), (2) and (4) and (b)(1), (2) and (4)) and this chapter.

    
    

    • All CSD employees are required as a condition of employment to adhere to school board policies: 

    Policy 317   https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/csd/Board.nsf/Public#

    Policy 317.1  https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/csd/Board.nsf/Public#

    Policy 317.2  https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/csd/Board.nsf/Public
    
    

  • September 1, 2021

  • Dear CSD Parents/Guardians,

    Please be advised that based on the weather information (significant weather impact, flooding, etc.) provided tonight during our countywide call and recommendations from the county emergency system, at this time, CSD will operate on our Virtual (Remote) Instructional Model tomorrow, September 2, 2021.  

    Students should have their district-issued device and device charger. In grades K-1, this is an iPad; in grades 2-12, this is a Chromebook. 

    Should something change (ex: power outages), an update on school status will be provided early tomorrow morning regarding the status of our instructional model for tomorrow, September 2, 2021.

    Thank you and stay safe,

    Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
    Superintendent of Schools

  • • September 1, 2021
      

      Dear CSD Parents/Guardians, Please be advised that based on the weather information provided this afternoon, there is a possibility that CSD may have to operate on our Virtual (Remote) Instructional Model tomorrow, September 2, 2021.   Students should have their sure district-issued device and device charger. In grades K-1, this is an iPad; in grades 2-12, this is a Chromebook.  For grades K-5 students, each device issued to the student has two chargers, one that stays in school (already in the carts in your room and stays there) and one that stays at home for the year. The building techs dropped off the second charger for each student today, which parents have been asked to keep at home. So if we are in school tomorrow (or upon return), the students should bring back to school the district-issued device (iPad or Chromebook).  An update on school status will be provided later this evening or early morning regarding the status of our instructional model for tomorrow, September 2, 2021. Thank you and stay safe, Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA Superintendent of Schools

• August 26, 2021
  
  Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden featured Fox 29's Good Day Philadelphia segment, "Your Classroom Comeback: Centennial School District Returns to School."
  

• August 25, 2021
  
  Here is a link to the Superintendent's Update Newsletter: 
  
  Superintendent's Update - 8.26.21
  
  Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
  Superintendent of Schools
  Centennial School District