First 10 Lancaster

On Saturday, October 28th from 11-2 at The Lancaster Science Factory we will host the 1st Annual National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Event ‘Lead-Free Kids.’

This event will focus on a vast array of topics related to lead poisoning prevention through interactive displays and activities!

This includes free on-site point-of-care lead screening for children 6 and younger through LEMSA, free soil sample testing for lead through Franklin & Marshall College as well as free household item lead testing through Lead-Safe Lancaster.

With the generous support of a grant from the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health's Women’s Lending Circle they are also able to offer free admission to the Lancaster Science Factory for at least the first 200 people!

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child aged 4-7? Want to empower your child with essential problem-solving skills? Look no further! We're excited to invite you to our upcoming workshop, where we'll teach you how to nurture your child's thinking abilities and encourage them to explore their own solutions.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to equip your child with the skills they need to tackle life's challenges. Register now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/48mlvSU

The City of Lancaster is looking for feedback from residents and visitors to Lancaster City as they develop their Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space (CPROS) plan. Feedback will help guide how the plan integrates the City’s parks, public areas and natural resources.

Project • Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan The Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, or CPROS will help make the City's parks and public spaces better. The plan will make it easier for people to access things like parks, playgrounds and nature areas and focus on areas that a...

SELF-CARE SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE

Self-care is NOT selfish! It is a necessity, not a luxury. When you care for yourself you are able to give your family, friends, and colleagues the BEST of YOU instead of what's left of you. So this month we challenge you to engage in at least one small act of self-care daily. By doing this, you will not only be supporting your personal well-being but also setting an example for those you love.

Elizabethtown Area School District’s new superintendent, Karen Nell, knows that in the polarized climate facing educators today, relationships are key and sometimes community members will have to agree to disagree.

Nell sat down with LNP | LancasterOnline to share her perspective on maintaining positive relationships and how to pace herself in a position she hopes to keep for years to come.

'Agree to disagree': A Q&A with Karen Nell, Elizabethtown Area's new superintendent Elizabethtown Area School District’s new superintendent, Karen Nell, knows that in the polarized climate facing educators today, relationships are key and sometimes community members will have to agree to disagree.

“I remember we had four incandescent bulbs in each classroom,” Brabson said of attending classes at the building in 1944. “Nothing was bright. It was just kind of dull.”

It’s been 79 years since Chip Brabson stepped foot in the Wickersham Elementary School building as a kindergarten student and, of course, now everything is different.

That might partially be because a lot can change from 1944 to 2023 but, after two years of renovation, the School District of Lancaster elementary school is vastly different for those who frequented the hallways as recently as 2021.

The $17.5 million renovation and expansion of Wickersham began in June 2021 to modernize the roughly 100-year-old structure. With the expansion, Wickersham added more classroom space, particularly for pre-kindergarten and English language development.

Abby Rivera became principal at Wickersham in 2022 but has worked 15 years in several schools across the district. The changes to Wickersham, she said, were “mind-blowing.”

Modernization of the building included installing a new air-conditioning system - one of the changes most praised, creating more flexible seating arrangements in classrooms, building a new playground and renovating both the library and gymnasium.

Additionally, the updated building is accessible for people with disabilities and utilizes more energy efficient natural lighting.

SDL celebrates completion of 'much-needed' renovations to Wickersham Elementary School It’s been 79 years since Chip Brabson stepped foot in the Wickersham Elementary School building as a kindergarten student and, of course, now everything is different.

“We focus on student learning so much,” Raff said. “But we need to also focus on how teachers learn because when teachers are equipped with excellent learning skills and strategies, then ultimately students benefit at the end. That’s really at the heart and soul of what I do.”

Penn Manor School District seems to have a knack for supporting exceptional teachers.

There’s Katie Harnish, who traveled to Antarctica in 2022 through a National Geographic fellowship; Maria Vita who received a teaching excellence award from the American Psychological Association in May; and Elizabeth Raff, the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

And to further deepen its support, the district has promoted Raff to a spot where she’ll work with elementary school teachers to help boost their skills. She was promoted from sixth-grade teacher to the newly created role of elementary learning facilitator where she observes teachers in the classroom and provides feedback, co-teachings and provides one-on-one advice.

The special programs and events she is experiencing into January as part of her teacher of the year award are playing a key role in supporting elementary teachers.

'Backbone of our community': Pa. teacher of the year Elizabeth Raff highlights work of educators Penn Manor School District seems to have a knack for supporting exceptional teachers.

New Conestoga Valley School District Superintendent Daniel Hartman doesn’t deny that challenges from staffing shortages to an increased need for student supports have become pronounced for schools nationwide in the wake of the pandemic.

Yet he’s optimistic that with great challenges comes positive change.

Hartman sat down with an LNP | LancasterOnline reporter to discuss why he’s excited to become the district’s lead administrator.

'Positive change': A Q&A with Daniel Hartman, Conestoga Valley's new superintendent New Conestoga Valley School District Superintendent Daniel Hartman doesn’t deny that challenges from staffing shortages to an increased need for student supports have become pronounced for schools nationwide in the

As the 2023-24 school year approaches, four new superintendents are settling in Lancaster County school districts, with some overseeing construction projects renovating or adding buildings.

Who and what is new in Lancaster County schools for the 2023-24 school year

Lancaster County’s public schools, private schools and colleges are readying classrooms for the 2023-24 school year.

Here are start dates for schools that confirmed their schedules with LNP | LancasterOnline:

Here's when the first day of school is at public, private and post-secondary schools for 2023-24 Lancaster County’s public schools, private schools and colleges are readying classrooms for the 2023-24 school year.