COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEARNING EXCHANGE

Kindergarten readiness isn't only knowing how to share with classmates or count to 10. Sometimes, it's knowing where the bathroom is. It's practicing raising your hand. It's walking through the cafeteria. It's meeting the adults you'll see every day. And sometimes, it's learning that Mom or Dad won't always be right beside you.

A grocery store. Most of us think of it as just another stop on our weekly routine. It's where we pick up the food our families need, and then we're on our way. But sometimes we don't stop to think about the impact a grocery store can have on an entire community.

United Way Community School Directors are at the heart of the Community School Model. Every day, they connect schools with community partners, build relationships with students, support families through challenges, and create opportunities that help students inside and outside the classroom.

Behind every successful United Way Community School is a network of partners working together to support students and families.  That's where the partnership between United Way Community Schools and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania comes in.

Glasses. For some of us, they’re second nature. Others may never needed them. But as technology use continues to grow, vision concerns among children are becoming more common.

As another school year comes to a close, we want to recognize three retiring principals who have been strong supporters and champions of the United Way Community School Model. Their leadership has helped create school environments where students, families, staff, and Community School Directors can work together to meet the unique needs of each school community.

At Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, a United Way Community School, helping families feel connected doesn't stop at the school doors.

Recently, United Way of Erie County staff had the opportunity to present at two notable conferences, sharing lessons learned, best practices, and expertise developed through years of implementing and supporting the Community Schools Model in Erie County.

At United Way Community Schools' 3rd Annual Leadership Retreat, more than 225 student leaders from 17 schools showed us the answer.

McKinley Elementary, a United Way Community School, hosted its annual Color Blast Party, bringing together more than 400 students and family members for an afternoon full of color, connection, and community.

Teacher Appreciation Week was recently...but supporting teachers goes far beyond a single week of recognition.

Parker Lord Corporation, Corporate Partner at Erie High School, a United Way Community School, recently hosted a career panel for 11th and 12th grade CTE engineering students, focused on what opportunities can look like after graduation.

For more than 30 years, Housing Authority of the City of Erie has shown what it means to lead by example. Through United Way of Erie County’s Workplace Campaign, local companies and organizations rally their teams to give back, supporting efforts that strengthen our community through employee contributions.

Higher Education, Community Schools, and the Work of Generational Change. That was the message Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President of Gannon University, shared during last week’s United Way Briefing. It set the tone for a deeper conversation about what it really means to invest in our community.

On Thursday, March 26, students from nine United Way Community Schools came together for an evening of problem solving, quick thinking, and high energy as they competed in Challenge 24.

For Sam, a student at Harding Elementary, becoming a leader at school was always something they hoped for & that opportunity came to life through the Harding Student Ambassador program.

Learn how Marquis Wallace, owner of Anansi Collaborations, is bringing creativity and confidence to students at United Way Community Schools!