Help Hillside School Be A Winner!

Hillside Elementary School

School funding is all over the news these days.  Most of the news involves there not being enough funding to go around.  Here in the West Shore School District our taxes were raised for the 2012-2013 school year.  In Cumberland County, the school taxes went up 3.33%, while our York County neighbors had theirs raised 4.58%.  We hear about other districts cutting sports and kindergarten.  We are lucky that has not happened in our schools, yet.

As taxes go up, parents are being to asked to chip in for their children to be able to participate in sports and other activities.   West Shore School District has recently enacted an activity fees for middle and high school.  These fees range from $50 - $200, to cover sports, band, JROTC and more.  To find out more about the West Shore School District's activity fee, click here.

We seem to pay more and more, and get less and less for our tax dollars.  Schools are always looking for new ways to raise money.  There are the usual fundraisers, but sometimes we need something different.

So, it's summer, and school's out, why am I writing about school funding?  Our town's public elementary school, Hillside, is trying something new.  Avery Office Products has a promotion called "Avery Give Back to Schools."  Hillside is trying to win this promotion, but they need the entire community to get behind them and vote.  To win this promotion, they need community members to go to the Avery Give Back to Schools Website, login with your Facebook ID or register for a website ID.  After logging in, find Hillside by searching the name or zip code 17070.  You will click to vote, then verify your vote.  It's simple and it takes less than a minute.  Unfortunately, one vote on one day, won't be enough.  They need you to vote every day between now and September 14.  Please bookmark the Avery site, and when you check your email, or Facebook page, take a minute to vote for Hillside.  I will keep a link here on this page so you can easily connect with the promotion.

What will Hillside win?  If they are among the top 5 vote getters, they will receive $10,000 worth of Avery School Supplies, $1,000 worth of gift cards, and 25,000 Box Tops for Education coupons.   25 runner up schools win 10,000 Box Tops for Education coupons.  For just participating in the promotion, all schools have a chance of winning one of 10 prizes of 5,000 worth of Box Tops for Education coupons.

I know if we can get our community behind Hillside, they can be one of those top 5 winners.  Currently Hillside ranks in the 260's out of approximately 16,000 schools.  Thank you for helping Hillside be a winner!

Click here to vote for Hillside. 

PS:  Just learned you can vote more than once, if you vote for two different schools, so make sure you vote for New Cumberland Middle School, too!

West Shore Swimming Holes

Only the geese can cool off in New Cumberland.

As well all know, New Cumberland does not have a swimming pool.  I wish someone would have had the forethought to build a public pool somewhere in this borough over the years.  Up until a few years ago, the YMCA operated their outdoor pool just outside of town.  It wasn't great, but it was in close proximity to our town.  Over the years, that pool descended into disrepair and had to be closed.  My husband tells me that when he was a kid he would swim at a pool at the Army Depot, but I don't think that's an option anymore for us from town.  And, even though there is no swimming allowed in the Yellow Breeches from Borough Park, on occasion, you'll see people wading in or kids jumping in from the Fairview side.  (I do not recommend either of those actions, by the way.)  Unless you are fortunate enough to have your own pool, or get invited to a friend's pool, residents of New Cumberland have to head out of town to to take a dip.  So, where can we go swimming?

No swimming is allowed in the Yellow Breeches from Borough Park.

The Lemoyne Pool was totally revamped for the 2010 season.  Admission ranges from $3-$10, depending on what time you go.   Age 3 and under are free. Residents and non residents can purchase pool season passes.  The pool is handicapped accessible, features slides, a tot area and much more.  For more information click here to go to the Lemoyne Parks & Recreation website.

Lemoyne Pool

The Hampden Pool is a little further up the road.  Admission rates are $7-$13 depending on when you go, who you go with, and your age.  Kids age 2 and younger are free. Yearly memberships are available.  Features of the Hampden pool include a 550,000 gallon pool, tot pool, 120 foot slide and much more.  For more information about the Hampden pool, click here.

Hampden Pool

A favorite of my family's is the Boiling Springs Pool.  It's a  longer drive, but it's worth it.  This natural spring fed pool may be a little chilly, but on a hot day, you'll appreciate the coolness.  They have a total of 4 pools with varying depths, along with 3 water slides.  Admission ranges from $4-$12, depending on your age and when you go.   Age 3 and under are free.  Like the other pools, they offer a season pass.  Six times during the 2012 season, they offer  "$5 Fridays."  To find out when "$5 Fridays" happen, or more information about the Boiling Springs Pool, click here.

Boiling Springs Pool

If you are looking to get back to nature and take a dip in a lake, take a drive out to Gifford Pinchot State Park to use the Quaker Day Use Area Beach.   However, swim at your own risk, because the state no longer provides life guards.  This is an odd swimming area.  It is comprised of a grassy area along the lake, with a concrete wall that just drops down into the water.  A small chain link fence tops the wall  and has occasional gates through which you can enter to get into the water.  There is a children's play area near the beach, as well as a snack bar, changing rooms and picnic area.  Admission is free.  For more information about Quaker Day Use Area at Pinchot Park, click here.

Quaker Day Use Area at Gifford Pinchot State Park.

The municipalities of Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg have their own pools, too.  However, to use those pools you must  be a resident or live in one of the adjoining municipalities.  So, if you are from New Cumberland, you are out of luck.
Click here for link to Camp Hill Pool.            Click here for link to Mechanicsburg pool.

Camp Hill Pool

Mechanicsburg Pool

Even though New Cumberland does not have a pool, we have our choice of several places to swim in the immediate area.   We're on the cusp of summer, find a pool you like and dive in!