In This Issue
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DASD E-News Weekly 
January 3, 2020  

A Welcome to All Things New in 2020
                   
January 1, 2020, brought not only the start of a new year, but also the beginning of a new decade, and for Dallastown Area School District, the transition of new administration leadership. Together, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Heffler and I are truly honored to serve our school community in continuance of its outstanding legacy. 
 
Since 2006, I have served as a proud member of the school district's family, in my role as a middle school principal and assistant superintendent. It is again my privilege and honor to serve the school district in the capacity as the new superintendent of schools.
 
The Vision of the Dallastown Area School District is to "inspire and create pathways for student success." Although our Vision is a simple statement, it clearly articulates broad expectations that serve as a compass for our work and anchor for informed decision-making. I have witnessed our Vision in action and am proud of the opportunities afforded our students and broader school community. Our faculty, administration, staff, and board of directors continue to work tirelessly offering a student-centered program, keeping in mind a clear sense of fiscal responsibility. Although gratified by our many achievements and quality programming, I am fully committed to improving our school district every day.
 
This requires continued commitment of our Vision, and the deployment of creative strategic thinking and approaches to meet the realities of a new post-high school experience that our students face. In order to be successful in achieving our Vision, it will require support of our strong community, active family engagement, and employees who continue to be energized, engaged, and feel valued. I look forward to the journey together.
 
With sincere gratitude,
 
Joshua A. Doll, Ed.D., Superintendent
Keeping DASD Students Safe  
 
Last January, Dallastown Area School District launched its participation in Safe2Say Something (S2SS), a youth violence prevention program of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, as mandated under PA Act 44 of 2018. 
 
Since its inception, the state tip line has received 23,494 tips, of which the top three categories were Bullying/Cyberbullying, Cutting/Self Harm, and Suicide/Suicide Ideation. Tips totaling 1,921 came in for Drug Use/Distribution/Possession; 1,448 for Smoking (Tobacco, E-Cig, Vape) in School; and, 607 for Threats Against a School.
 
The method by which tips were reported included 3,585 through the Safe2Say Something website; 19,392 by mobile app; and, 517 by telephone call.
 
Categorized by intermediate units within Pennsylvania, of the 28, Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12-York County had the 12th highest number of tips reported with 856.
 
An insightful conclusion reported by Safe2Say Something following this first year of the program, "The majority of tips received have been primarily students struggling with mental health issues, including what our children are facing in school as they struggle with bullying, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm."
 
It is the district's mission to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff in a culture of care that is empowered to share suspicion and concern any time student safety could be at risk. In the event a trusted adult cannot be contacted or anonymity is preferred, the S2SS tip line offers three reporting options:
 
1. Call #1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729)
3. Download the App:  www.safe2saypa.org/download/
or App Store/Google Play search: Safe2Say Something  
 
For more information, access: Safe2Say Something
or Keeping DASD Students Safe 
 
For reporting questions regarding Dallastown Area School District, contact [email protected]
 
Take a look at the Safe2Say Something 2018-2019 Annual Report by accessing: The Result of Saying Something                   
Baby, It's Cold Outside

Winter is here! Remember to monitor TV and radio stations as well as the Dallastown website, www.dallastown.net, should weather conditions necessitate a change to the regular school and/or activity schedules.

Also, be sure that current telephone numbers are on file with your child's school so that  School Messenger inclement weather notifications reach you.
The Scientists Among Us
 
A tradition for 60 years, the Dallastown Area High School Science and Engineering Fair will be held Sunday, January 26th, in the science wing of the high school.
 
The public is invited to view more than 100 student submissions from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium .
 
Dallastown Area High School students have a long history of county awards and opportunities to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair based on their award-winning projects at the school level. We encourage community members to join us--surely you will be impressed with the creative and scientific knowledge that the student projects display.  
School Board Schedule 
 
Building & Capital Projects Committee
followed by Finance Committee
6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9
HS LGI Room

Human Resources Committee (closed to public)
8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9

Board Meeting
7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 16
HS LGI Room

Board Workshop: Team Retreat
8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 22
AD Board Room
Calendar Reminders
   
KEYSTONE EXAMS
Monday, January 6, through Friday, January 17

HS/MS/IS/ES NO SCHOOL 
HS/MS PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
IS/ES FULL DAY IN-SERVICE
Monday, January 13
 
HS/MS/IS/ES NO SCHOOL-DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY
Monday, January 20

BOARD WORKSHOP: TEAM RETREAT
8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 22
Administration Board Room
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