A PDF version of the below information can be found here.

Welcome back!

We hope that everyone had a fun, safe, and enjoyable summer break and that you are ready for the start of the 2023-24 school year!

This document contains some important back-to-school information: what you might have missed over the summer, where to find important information, and more. It is not a comprehensive document, but rather is intended to give a district-wide overview of some key information as we start another school year. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your building principal and/or assistant principal(s), or the District Office (717-397-2421).

 

Get to Know PowerSchool!

Beginning this school year, CV will be using PowerSchool as its Student Information System (SIS), also known as a Community Web Portal (CWP). PowerSchool has replaced Sapphire.

Families received information about how to set up parent/guardian accounts as well as a PowerSchool user guide. That user guide is available online. Please be sure to read the user guide; we promise most of your questions can be answered by the information contained in that document! If you are still having issues, please direct questions to your student’s building.

 

New Faces

CV is welcoming a host of new staff members to its team this school year. On July 1, Dr. Daniel Hartman began his role as Superintendent, taking over for Dr. Dave Zuilkoski who retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year.  

Dr. Matthew Fox was hired as the new principal at CVHS and joining his staff this year are Charles Dembrosky and Ashley Johnston, who will serve as assistant principals alongside Dawn Eby.

In addition, Travis Jones will serve as the district’s second elementary assistant principal; Mr. Jones will work at both Brownstown and Leola Elementary Schools. Former Fritz and Smoketown assistant principal Kara Frazier will now serve as an assistant principal at the middle school and a search for Ms. Frazier’s replacement at the elementary level is underway.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the 40+ new teachers and staff members who will also join the district this school year!

 

District Communication

Families (as well as staff and teachers!) can expect to receive a variety of information throughout the year. In addition to “regular” emails, you can expect to receive communication from ParentLink, the district’s messaging platform. ParentLink allows the district to send emails, texts, and/or automated voice messages to our entire district or a very targeted audience, depending on the message and intended audience. ParentLink communication will most often come directly from your building principal, while some will be sent by Katie O’Dell, CV’s Public Relations Director. 

 

School Hours - Early Dismissal Time Change!

Below are the school hours:

• Elementary: 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
• Middle School: 7:35 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
• High School: 7:40 a.m. - 2:36 p.m.

Beginning this school year, early dismissal times for all buildings have changed! Below are school hours for an early dismissal:

• Elementary: 12:30 p.m.
• Secondary: 11:40 a.m.

 

Food Services Information

Here is some important information from our Food Services Department as we get ready to head back to school:

• Welcome Letters
• Free & Reduced Lunch Information
• Payment Information

Breakfasts are free again this school year for all students and any money remaining on student accounts from the previous school year WILL carry over into this school year!

 

Attendance

Excuse notes are required for all absences, tardies, and early dismissals. PowerSchool is unable to accept parent excuse notes at the current time; thus, a handwritten note must be submitted to your student’s main office within three (3) days of the absence or early dismissal. If excuse notes are not received within three (3) days after the child returns to school, the absence will be considered unlawful if the child is under 18. 

 

Health information

Like 2022-23, the 2023-24 health data sheets are available online. Note: grade levels do have specific requirements; this webpage has more information and please contact your building nurse with any additional questions! In addition, information on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (C.H.I.P.) can be found here. 

Finally, an informational video on how to access and complete the forms can be found here.

 

Where Can I Find Out What events are going on?

The district has calendars available online. There are both academic and activities calendars available in PDF format in addition to an html calendar. All calendars are updated as quickly as possible when events are added, removed, or changed, but if you have any questions, be sure to reach out to your student’s building or the event organizer. 

In addition, be sure to check out the District’s social media accounts: Facebook and Instagram. 

All parents/guardians and staff members will also automatically receive CV’s weekly e-newsletter, the Buckskin Blast, every Thursday afternoon when school is in session.

Athletic events can be found on our athletics webpage.

 

CVVA

Conestoga Valley’s Virtual Academy (CVVA) is a premier provider of local K-12 cyber education. CVVA has learning spaces in Fritz Elementary, Gerald Huesken Middle School, and Conestoga Valley High School. Interested in learning more or speaking to a CVVA staff member? Click here!

 

Have a question? It’s probably answered here:

If you have a question regarding almost any school-related issue, chances are it might be answered in the 2023-24 student handbook. The handbook is a board-approved document (approved June 19, 2023) and thus changes are not made to it during the year unless presented to and approved by the board. 

Also, be sure to check out the “Quick Links” section found on the district homepage as well as on each school’s individual webpage; information that needs to be frequently accessed can often be found in that section. And please be sure to take some time to explore the district and school webpages; there is a wealth of information on calendars, departments, events, etc.!