Enrich MCSD

06/02/2022

Whether graduating from kindergarten or high school—and every class between—congratulations to all MCSD students!

Thank you, teachers, administrators, and board directors!

03/13/2022

12/19/2021

“That Naughty-Nice List that you got? There's no naughty kids, Nick. They're all good kids. But some of them are scared. And some of them don't feel listened to. Some of them had some pretty tough breaks too. But every kid deserves a present on Christmas.” — Fred Claus

12/11/2021

12/03/2021

Teachers: How are you coping with threats, school violence, the pandemic and more?

Teachers: How are you coping with threats, school violence, the pandemic and more?

Teachers have long been more than the people who are educating the next generation of students.

11/30/2021

How a California school is feeding kids in need and teaching them to eat healthy

On this , here’s a story of one school district’s garden that helps kids learn about farming, healthy eating, and puts food on their tables...

But, it’s not here in Mifflin County.

As TODAY continues to mark Giving Tuesday, Jenna Bush Hager reports on a school district in California that is not only helping feed kids in need, but is teaching them about healthy foods by gardening in the classroom. (Sponsored by Citi)

11/30/2021

11/09/2021

I always read the first few sentences before selecting a new book. I love this idea for a classroom! 💜📚

11/07/2021

As we head into a new school week, here’s to all the great teachers who spark interests and make learning enjoyable! 🙌

11/04/2021

Attention Parents/Guardians of MCMS Students:

Orders are now being taken for 2021-2022 yearbooks! Yearbooks ordered by December 31, 2021 will be discounted and cost $25.00. Starting January 1, 2022, book cost will increase to $30.00. This year's book will have more pages than in the past, but the price will stay the same! Yearbooks make a great gift, so take advantage of the savings and get some holiday shopping done. If you have any questions you can email Ms. Reese at [email protected]. You can order by visiting: https://www.balfour.com/pennsylvania/lewistown/mifflin-county-middle-school.

11/04/2021

11/03/2021

4 elected to Mifflin County School Board

ICYMI... MiffCo voters have spoken and voted for more of the same. Pre-pandemic, far too many didn’t tune in or attend meetings. I encourage everyone to pay close attention to school board meetings and be involved with your children’s education. Long after masks and vaccines are no longer the primary concern for parents, real issues like curriculum, enrichment opportunities, the employment of teachers, and success rates of students will remain. It is up to voters to hold board members and administrators responsible.

LEWISTOWN — Mark R. Baker, Don W. Wright, John E. Knepp II and Diane Stewart were chosen by voters Tuesday for seats on the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors for terms to begin in January, according to unofficial election results.

Baker, a Republican, was the leading vote getter with 6,473 votes. Baker was followed by fellow Republican Wright with 5,371 votes, incumbent Knepp, who cross-filed, with 4,404 votes and Stewart, who also cross-filed, with 3,855 votes, according to unofficial results.

Baker, Wright and Stewart are newcomers to the board. They will replace Kristen L. Sharp and Michelle Terry, who did not seek re-election. The third seat filled Tuesday opened with the resignation of board member Julie Maidens.

They defeated Democrats Rose Marie Schultz and Kristin A. Aromatorio, who received 3,258 and 1,718 votes, respectively, according to unofficial results.

A total of 318 write-in ballots were cast as well, according to unofficial results.

Once the vote totals are certified and made official, the winning four candidates will be sworn in at the board’s first meeting of 2022 to begin their four-year terms.

There are a total of nine seats on the board.

LEWISTOWN — Mark R. Baker, Don W. Wright, John E. Knepp II and Diane Stewart were chosen by voters Tuesday for seats on the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors for terms to begin in January, according to unofficial election results. Baker, a Republican, was the leading vote getter wi...

11/02/2021

As the polls prepare to close tonight, I would like to thank everyone for their support, feedback, and (even) criticism and hateful words over the past few weeks of my impromptu grassroots campaign.

I now know who my friends are. This process has also provided me with a lot of insight into how much (or little) members of our community value education.

Despite what tomorrow’s results show, I will continue to be an advocate for children, parents, and teachers in the Mifflin County School District. I plan to keep this page active in some form.

Be well and keep learning, everyone! ☺️

11/02/2021

That didn’t feel awkward at all! 🤣

11/02/2021

Don’t forget to vote today! Three men on the ballot will give the district more of the same. If you are happy with your child’s educational experience in MCSD, by all means, vote for more of the same. However, if you are not 100% sure that your children are getting the best education available to them, remember this while completing your ballot:

11/02/2021

Check out this great opportunity soon-to-be Little Huskies!

https://sites.psu.edu/earlylearningfriends/

11/02/2021

Leaving this right here tonight, as people who don’t know me and aren’t voting for me tomorrow react with hysterical laughter at posts on a page designed to promote a higher quality of education and more opportunities for their children...

11/01/2021

Christine Cunningham, professor of practice in the Penn State College of Education and the College of Engineering, recently launched Youth Engineering Solutions, a program designed to introduce engineering concepts to preK-12 students!

“Our team focuses on how to design curricular materials that create equitable learning environments because we believe that diverse experiences, ideas and approaches strengthen engineering solutions and create more equitable societies.”

Learn more about YES: bit.ly/COE-YES

11/01/2021

10/31/2021

I think I have made it very clear that my reasons for running for school board director are much less about masks and vaccines and more about actual educational matters. Things like quality curriculum, students’ successes, enrichment opportunities, and job satisfaction of teachers should be top-of-mind for parents, educators, and administrators. That said, we are still experiencing a pandemic and all humans are not yet eligible for the vaccine. So... if you want to vote for candidates that support mask mandates in K-12 schools, write my name in on your ballot this Tuesday and/or darken the circle next to Kristin Aromatorio! We both support masks in schools.

You may vote for UP TO 4 directors.

10/31/2021

Less than 1% of Mifflin County students, who take 8th grade Algebra I, pass it, compared to the state average.

80% of students in the district are making LESS academic progress than their peers in other schools in PA.

https://www.greatschools.org/pennsylvania/lewistown/mifflin-county-school-district/

10/31/2021

Masks and vaccines shouldn’t be the only deciding factors when people go to the polls on Nov. 2.

Mifflin County High School
#10,516 in National Rankings

Overall Score: 41.11/100

Learn more at: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/pennsylvania/districts/mifflin-county-school-district/mifflin-county-high-school-138202

10/30/2021

If elected, I will be:
1. An advocate for parents, students and teachers in the MCSD
2. Honest, professional and dedicated to improving the quality of education and overall experience in the district
3. Responsive to the questions and concerns of parents, students and teachers

As a school board director, I will promote:

🏬🏫👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👧👨‍👦*More community and parental involvement within the school district*

Cross-promotional initiatives with local small businesses and schools

Fun Run sponsorships in place of traditional field days

Restaurant-sponsored teacher appreciation lunches

School/Community garden to promote STEM and help feed local families in need

More opportunities for parents to obtain clearances and participate in school functions

Family lunches

Reading in classrooms

Donuts with Dad/Muffins with Mom

Fundraising opportunities that increase involvement

More talent shows

Parent/child dances

Cultural/community nights to promote diversity

Allow teachers to focus more on teaching and less on behavioral issues

Guidance counselors/community organizations to help improve family lives of students

📚📝✏️📓📕📆📗*Improved curriculum*

Earlier opportunities for foreign language studies in K-5

Comprehensive typing/keyboarding skills before 6th grade

More opportunities for advanced learners so that kids don’t fall through the cracks

🧑‍🏫👨🏻‍🏫👩🏻‍🏫💰*Increased job satisfaction among teachers*

Better starting salary to attract quality talent

Consider other options that maintain budget without increasing taxes, but provide for improved salaries

💪🏻🫀🏀🏈⚽️🏐⚾️🏑⛳️🤼‍♂️🏃‍♀️📣
*Opportunities to build healthier students and stronger athletes*

Daily physical education for K-12

Comprehensive, age-appropriate health/wellness education beginning in Kindergarten

Opportunity to substitute physical education requirement with seasonal school sports

In-season athletes would have practice time during school hours

Non-athletes would have regular physical education

👩‍💻💻*Improved accessibility on MCSDK12 .org

Transparent access to course offerings and curriculum for all grades

Easier to read updates (less letters, more graphics)

🎓🧑‍🏭👨🏻‍🏫👨‍🌾*Preparedness Programs for Post-Graduation Life*

More mentorships/informational programs about careers, college, technical schools, military, and life outside of Mifflin County.

Pair 11th and 12th grade students with members of the community and other businesses to job shadow/learn more about interests

College/career fairs onsite at MCHS/The Academy

More advanced placement and other opportunities to ensure graduates are equipped for university

10/30/2021

Burkburnett ISD awarded $750,000 to expand STEM program

This would have been my high school, had my family not moved to Mifflin County when I was in 7th grade. Another small town with similar school ratings.

I am curious if MCSD pursues or receives grants like this? If not, someone should be proactively researching and applying for grants like this.

$750k goes a long way for much-needed STEM!

This time next year Burkburnett High School students will be able to study Biomedical Engineering thanks to a new grant.

10/23/2021

Scroll down the page to read more about my vision for MCSD (posted on October 22). 👇 My candidacy is less about having an official seat at the table and more about wanting to see improvements and progress within the district. If any of the items on my list end up being implemented by other elected directors, I will consider it a “win” either way.

10/23/2021

It's been a busy two short weeks since I decided to run as a write-in candidate for school board director. As a full-time, working and involved single mother, I haven't had much time to put together my "platform," as silly as that word has always sounded to me. I realize some items on this list may be dependent on state/federal funding (and hence, nearly impossible to achieve). However, this is my "vision" and "wish list" for Mifflin County School District. Do with it as you wish. However, if you support these ideas, please share this post and my page. And, of course, consider writing my name in on your November 2nd ballot!

If elected, I will be:
1. An advocate for parents, students and teachers in the MCSD
2. Honest, professional and dedicated to improving the quality of education and overall experience in the district
3. Responsive to the questions and concerns of parents, students and teachers

As a school board director, I will promote:

🏬🏫👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👧👨‍👦*More community and parental involvement within the school district*

Cross-promotional initiatives with local small businesses and schools

Fun Run sponsorships in place of traditional field days

Restaurant-sponsored teacher appreciation lunches

School/Community garden to promote STEM and help feed local families in need

More opportunities for parents to obtain clearances and participate in school functions

Family lunches

Reading in classrooms

Donuts with Dad/Muffins with Mom

Fundraising opportunities that increase involvement

More talent shows

Parent/child dances

Cultural/community nights to promote diversity

Allow teachers to focus more on teaching and less on behavioral issues

Guidance counselors/community organizations to help improve family lives of students

📚📝✏️📓📕📆📗*Improved curriculum*

Earlier opportunities for foreign language studies in K-5

Comprehensive typing/keyboarding skills before 6th grade

More opportunities for advanced learners so that kids don’t fall through the cracks

🧑‍🏫👨🏻‍🏫👩🏻‍🏫💰*Increased job satisfaction among teachers*

Better starting salary to attract quality talent

Consider other options that maintain budget without increasing taxes, but provide for improved salaries

💪🏻🫀🏀🏈⚽️🏐⚾️🏑⛳️🤼‍♂️🏃‍♀️📣
*Opportunities to build healthier students and stronger athletes*

Daily physical education for K-12

Comprehensive, age-appropriate health/wellness education beginning in Kindergarten

Opportunity to substitute physical education requirement with seasonal school sports

In-season athletes would have practice time during school hours

Non-athletes would have regular physical education

👩‍💻💻*Improved accessibility on MCSDK12.org*

Transparent access to course offerings and curriculum for all grades

Easier to read updates (less letters, more graphics)

🎓🧑‍🏭👨🏻‍🏫👨‍🌾*Preparedness Programs for Post-Graduation Life*

More mentorships/informational programs about careers, college, technical schools, military, and life outside of Mifflin County.

Pair 11th and 12th grade students with members of the community and other businesses to job shadow/learn more about interests

College/career fairs onsite at MCHS/The Academy

More advanced placement and other opportunities to ensure graduates are equipped for university

10/23/2021

If you would like more information about any of the following candidates running for school board — as Maggie May has requested — I have shared three links below, so you may learn more about each of them.

Two of the three men on the ballot do not appear to have Facebook accounts that I have been able to find. One has a personal page, with a lot of hateful, discriminatory public posts, but I am declining to share the link, because he does not mention his school board candidacy or platform information (that I could see). I hope this information helps you make an educated decision on November 2!

Kristin Aromatorio:
https://m.facebook.com/avoiceforprogress/

Rose Marie Schulz:
https://www.facebook.com/roseforschoolboard2021/

Diane Stewart:
https://www.facebook.com/diane.w.stewart.9

Also, if anyone is curious:

I, personally, don’t think political affiliation should matter at all for school board officials. Shouldn’t we all want comprehensive, quality education and the best opportunities, health and safety for our K-12 students and teachers? 🤷‍♀️

10/14/2021

I took a quick break from work today to stop by the county courthouse to complete a write-in candidate form.

The proper spelling of my name is Danica Laub. Please strive to spell it correctly on your ballots.

However, thanks to the form I completed, more than a handful of other variations will also be accepted — Danika, Donica, Danica Ann, and Danica A. included. I’ve also listed “Lobb” as an alternative, but am hopeful most in this community are familiar with Laub, since I often get asked about my relation to more Laubs than I personally know.

10/12/2021

Since the turnaround time for a mass order of printed yard signs is 1-2 weeks, I have decided not to order signs at this time. Thank you to all who have requested them! I truly appreciate your support and willingness to display them in your yards! However, with only 3 weeks left until election day (and my tiny budget), I could not justify buying signs at this time. Plus, I really prefer to avoid potential waste when I can. ☺️

If anyone is in the market for signs though, I’ve found that locally, Lewistown Printworks has great rates! I will plan to order their services in the future!

If anyone would like to print their own signs (I only say this because some friends have asked about it), I’ve revised the sign for individual purchases (with friends of... added). This graphic is designed for a 24 X 18 yard sign.

In the meantime, the Bruno Board in Burnham at the intersection of Freedom Ave. and Logan Blvd. seems to be working very well!

10/12/2021

💜 Thank you, Bruno Boards, for such an amazing advertising opportunity! Our community is lucky to have this sustainable, attention-grabbing resource!

When someone like me decides to throw her hat in so late in the race, an electronic billboard saves so much money and time. In just a couple days, the return on investment has been great! 💜

10/10/2021

If you are a parent, student, or staff member in the Mifflin County School District, I want to hear from you!

What do you like? What don't you like? What would you like to see improved? How can the MSCD board members help you or your child(ren) succeed in the classroom, after graduation, and as a member of the workforce and society?

There are a lot of buildings in the school district filled with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds. My personal experience in the district includes life as a student (many, many years ago), a Parental Involvement and Home and School Association volunteer, and mother of a child currently enrolled in the district. However, I will be the first to admit I do not know everything about everything that happens in the district, so I am hopeful that you all can help enlighten me about the most significant education concerns in the district.

If you do not want to comment publicly, feel free to send me a private message. Thank you!

10/09/2021

10/09/2021

ICYMI... Beginning today, per the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health:

😷 When a school is notified about a positive COVID case, the school will immediately isolate the COVID-positive person from other students and staff if they are at school.

👩‍⚕️Principals and school nurses will work together to identify close contacts of the positive case.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦👨‍👨‍👦‍👦👩‍👧👨‍👦Parents/guardians of close contacts will be notified by the school about possible exposure and the close contacts will be excluded from school regardless of whether or not they are exhibiting COVID symptoms. The school will provide parents/guardians with the date the student can return to school.

🏥⚕️The school will then report positive cases and close contacts to the Department of Health.

📨📧 Letters provided by the Department of Health to the school district will be utilized and sent home with all positive cases and close contacts. These letters outline isolation and quarantine guidelines and recommendations.

10/08/2021

Pennsylvania Voting Information

Are you registered to vote on November 2??

The registration deadline for the General Election is October 18, 2021.

Pennsylvania voting information, upcoming election dates and voter registration deadlines.

10/08/2021

Coming soon to a corner or yard near you! 👇🥳

10/08/2021

When children have positive reinforcement and parental involvement at home, they work hard and enjoy school. When quality teachers see good work, they acknowledge it.

We need more results like this in Mifflin County!