School District of Lancaster

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Amanda Winters, kindergarten and first-grade Emotional Support Teacher, at George Washington Elementary School, who has been with our district since 2016. Amanda's favorite part of her job is witnessing her students take ownership of their behaviors. She believes in empowering students by giving them the tools and confidence to make positive choices. When students realize that they have the power to regulate their own actions, it not only boosts their self-esteem but also helps them develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. This self-regulation is crucial for success both in the classroom and in life, and Amanda is proud to see her students grow in self-awareness. Watching them progress and develop the confidence to shape their outcomes is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role. What Amanda loves most about working at SDoL is the opportunity to learn from a diverse array of perspectives and cultures. She thrives in an environment where she is constantly challenged to adapt her approaches to ensure that all students feel seen, valued, and supported. By fostering an inclusive classroom, Amanda helps create a space where students can be their authentic selves, regardless of their background or any labels they may carry. Amanda holds both her undergraduate and master's degrees from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where she completed studies in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Deaf Education. Her strong academic foundation, combined with her experience in the classroom, equips her with the skills necessary to meet the unique needs of each student she works with. A colleague who nominated Amanda for this shoutout said: "Miss Wintersexemplifies passion for teaching, empathy, and dedication in supporting her students. It is incredible and inspiring to watch her in action. Her ability to engage a diverse multigrade class with varying needs is both impressive and inspiring. She meticulously understands each student's preferences, interests, academic strengths, and challenges, which enables her to effectively support their sensory, behavioral, and learning differences. Her skill in differentiating instruction is remarkable; she seamlessly balances addressing individual needs while managing classroom activities and tracking student progress. Her combination of rigor, warmth, and unyielding stamina sets a high standard. SDoL is fortunate to have such a committed and dynamic educator." This school year, Amanda has made remarkable strides in creating a structured classroom environment that fosters student success. Not only has she established a safe and productive learning space, but she has also trained all new staff members on effective classroom management strategies, ensuring that a consistent and supportive approach is implemented across the team. She is an example of the impact a teacher can have on their students’ lives! #SDoLPA #SDolProud #education

Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a member of the Little Rock Nine, will visit McCaskey High School on Nov. 11 and join a public lecture featuring Jane Elliott, whose appearance was announced in October. Due to health issues, Elliott, the pioneering teacher the educator known for her pioneering “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise on discrimination, will now be participating virtually. She will still offer elements of her lecture and take questions with Brown-Tricky. Minnijean Brown-Trickey’s actions in 1957 to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, marked a significant moment in American civil rights history. She entered Central High School under the observation of national television, facing resistance and armed guards. Her participation with the Little Rock Nine contributed to the desegregation of public schools in the United States. Since then, Brown-Trickey has been active in civil rights and social justice, receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, and recognition from the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, among others. Under President Bill Clinton, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Diversity at the Department of the Interior, and she continues to engage with youth through Sojourn to the Past, a program that educates high school students about the history of the civil rights movement. Read the full announcement in the comments. #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #education

This morning, our Champions for Our Youth brought their energy and encouragement to Burrowes Elementary School, greeting students as they walked through the doors. From high-fives to kind words, they set a positive tone for the day, reminding our young learners of the strength and support that surrounds them. Every child deserves a champion who inspires and supports them. It's these moments that build confidence and connection, empowering our students to approach each day with courage and curiosity. A big thank you to our Champions for inspiring smiles and starting our day strong! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #Education #community #communityaction #strongertogether

The School District of Lancaster is honored to receive the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the ASBO International of School Business Officials (ASBO) for our 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report! This marks our 13th consecutive year achieving this distinction, showcasing our commitment to transparency and responsible financial stewardship. “This award is a collaborative effort by the entire team and signifies the highest level of financial reporting by the district,” said Kimberly Reynolds, Director of Finance for SDoL. “We are thrilled to receive this distinction again this year and remain committed to upholding the highest standards in financial management.” Thank you to our Business Office and Finance team and our community for trusting us to support our students and district goals. We’re proud to serve Lancaster with integrity and accountability! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #teamwork #education #finance

As Americans head to the polls on Tuesday, November 5, Washington Elementary School is bringing the excitement of Election Day to our students! Through an interactive voting experience, our young Wolverines are learning the importance of civic engagement in a way they'll never forget. Students will cast their votes for a fun incentive day—choosing between Crazy Hat Day, Dress a Teacher Day, or Sports Team Day—rewards that tie into Washington’s “Strive for 95” attendance initiative, celebrating consistent attendance and community spirit! "This is a chance for students to see the power in their voice," Principal Patrick Muench shared. "It’s a way for us to teach them about a complex civic duty in a simple, memorable way." And it doesn’t stop there—students will bring home a QR code for their families to find local polling locations, encouraging parents and caregivers to head to the polls, too! After votes are cast, ballots will be counted, and the results will be announced the next day, giving students a real-life glimpse into the election process and the patience it sometimes requires. Read the full story on our website. #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #education #electionday

Wickersham Elementary has been named a 2025 RULER Spotlight School by Yale University, becoming the only school in Pennsylvania and one of fewer than 10 worldwide to earn this recognition! The School District of Lancaster's successful use of the RULER program, developed by Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence, is gaining global attention for helping students identify, express, and regulate emotions. This social-emotional learning approach uses tools like the "mood meter" and “charter” to build emotional skills, improve behavior, and boost academic performance. Within just one year, RULER has transformed Wickersham’s classrooms, helping second-graders reach 84% proficiency in math and 77% in English. Wickersham Principal Abby Rivera, who piloted the program, shared how RULER has become “part of the core” of their school culture, even shaping a family-like “Shamily.” This honor includes a year-long RULER subscription, enabling Wickersham staff to share their knowledge with educators worldwide. Join us in congratulating the Wickersham Wildcats! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #LancasterPA #education #socialemotionallearning

From the cheerful greetings at Hamilton Elementary this morning to pumpkin decorating at Milestones, and handing out goodies at Carter & MacRae, it’s been a spook-tacular day filled with community spirit and joy! We loved seeing all the creative costumes and happy faces around our schools today as our students and staff come together to celebrate the season. Remember to be safe out there tonight, whether you're trick-or-treating, enjoying a spooky movie, or showing off your best costumes. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween night! #sdolpa #sdolproud #lancasterpa

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Natalie Nolt, Media Studies teacher at McCaskey High School, who has been with the with the School District of Lancaster for 16 years. With her passion for media and commitment to her students, Natalie’s work is about empowering young voices and helping them discover the strength and responsibility that come with sharing stories that matter.   Natalie has transformed McCaskey’s Media Studies program into a space for students to learn, create, and connect with their community in meaningful ways. “Helping our incredibly talented and creative students use their media skills to represent all students at McCaskey is truly a joy and a privilege,” Natalie says. “Our staff works incredibly hard to support all of our students and help them fulfill their dreams. Every student has a place here.”   The Media Studies and Communications Program at McCaskey has long been a cornerstone of the school’s commitment to developing effective communicators. Over the years, the program has evolved from its roots in the 1990s to meet the demands of the digital age, covering topics from traditional broadcasting to cutting-edge social media management. Under Natalie’s guidance, students now gain hands-on experience in media production, showcasing school life and celebrating student achievements across McCaskey’s platforms.   From coordinating the "Tornado Alert" Morning Show to empowering students to take charge of McCaskey’s social media presence, Natalie has fostered a learning environment where students feel both valued and responsible. “The students deserve all the credit!” she humbly shares. “They continue to shine on our Morning Show, social media platforms, and Student Site.” The students’ work—thoughtfully crafted posts, engaging videos, and creative projects—offers an authentic window into the school, showcasing all the incredible classes, programs, and achievements at McCaskey. Natalie and her students are currently working on Pic Your Path, a project designed to welcome eighth graders and give them an exciting look at McCaskey’s opportunities and inclusive community.    A colleague shares, “Natalie Nolt is encouraging students to be empowered through the responsibility of representation in media. She leads the media program with compassion and by example. Students who participate in this program build their confidence through collaborative production, where mistakes are lessons and successes are celebrated by all.” Her leadership has created a culture where students learn to trust their voice, work through challenges, and embrace the impact they can make.    Natalie’s personal investment in her students’ success and her collaborative spirit continue to make a mark on McCaskey. Thank you, Natalie, for your steadfast commitment, your creativity, and the heart you bring to SDoL every day. You’re a true inspiration! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #teamwork #community #strongertogether

ICYMI: Jackson MS Hurricanes made a spook-tacular impression at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Halloween parade and were even featured on WGAL!    These talented students wowed the crowd with their hauntingly good performance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." With dedication and spirit, they mastered the choreography quickly, and their costumes, hair, and makeup were brought to life thanks to the amazing support from staff, parents, and fellow students. A special shout-out to Solise White and Evita Colon for guiding them through rehearsals and encouraging them every step of the way. #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #Lancasterpa #community #strongertogether

Teasia Peña has succeeded McCaskey High School Athletic Director Jon Mitchell, “who was a longtime instrumental figure in Tornado athletics. His fingerprints are all over that office, and so many of McCaskey’s athletic programs and facilities — not to mention Lancaster-Lebanon League wrestling and especially the advancement of girls wrestling as a varsity sport,” LNP | LancasterOnline’s Jeff Reinhart reported earlier. Mitchell “retired earlier this summer, leaving the door open for Peña to come home.” Peña had spent the last three years as the assistant athletic director at Lancaster Mennonite, where she also served as the girls varsity basketball coach the last three seasons. Teasia Peña is the first woman athletic director in httMcCaskey High School's history, but not the first woman to serve in that role in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Peña will oversee the installation of a new turf surface and an eight-lane track inside the Tornado’s stadium after football season ends, as well as other facility improvements. Having grown up in McCaskey’s youth sports programs, Peña now aims to build them up to ensure the long-term success of the Red Tornado varsity program. She hopes to be in her position long enough to see the fruits of that effort. “This is where I want to be. This is what I think of now when I think about my career. This is where I want to retire,” she said. The 2008 McCaskey graduate is decades away from that point. But her dedication to her alma mater bodes well for the future of McCaskey athletics, and we’re excited to see what Peña does in her new role. We expect the former standout Red Tornado student-athlete will be a standout athletic director. And we thank her for devoting her considerable talents to helping young people to reach their potential on and off the field, the diamond, the court, the mat, the track. We're happy to welcome Teasia home to the School District of Lancaster! We're looking forward to working with you McCaskey Red Tornado! #SDoLPA #SDoLproud #alumna #athletics #education #strongertogether