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McDowell High School

Welcome Back, Everyone!

Posted Date: 08/21/26 (08:15 AM)


As we prepare to begin the 2026–2027 school year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our entire school community. I hope your summer months were filled with rest, relaxation, and quality time with family and friends. Each August brings a renewed sense of energy and opportunity, and I am enthusiastic about all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead. Reflecting on the 2025–2026 school year, I am proud of the many successes our district achieved. Our students excelled academically, showcased their talents in the arts, demonstrated determination in athletics, and displayed leadership across numerous extracurricular activities. These achievements are made possible by the dedicated efforts of our MTSD team.

Throughout the summer and past year, our educators and staff have dedicated numerous hours to professional development, strategic planning, and collaboration all to ensure our students receive a high-quality educational experience. This summer, our leadership team has been actively working to refine our programs, evaluate our systems, and establish clear goals for the upcoming year. Our commitment to effective instructional practices, safety, and cultivating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued remains a priority. Above all, our primary focus continues to be building strong partnerships with families and the community to create a supportive and respectful foundation for student success.

We have designated the 2026-2027 academic year as the Year of Instruction. Our focus will be on refining and strengthening the effective instructional practices currently implemented in our classrooms. Through innovative teaching strategies, meaningful learning experiences, and intentional integration of technology, we aim to promote deeper thinking, authentic collaboration, and lifelong learning. By emphasizing strong instruction across all grade levels and departments, we will bring our Portrait of a Graduate to life in every classroom every day. Together, we will foster a culture of ongoing growth and excellence, ensuring that every student is well-equipped for success.

It is an honor to serve as Superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District. I am confident that 2026–2027 will be a year of growth, innovation, and collective achievement. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to contact me at (814) 835-5307 or via email at cavanagh@mtsd.org. Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish everyone a successful start to the new school year.
Respectfully,
Dr. Cavanagh

To view the PDF version of this letter, click here or on the image below.
A picture of the letter shared in this post from Dr. Cavanagh.