Elementary Schools: Community Schools Spelling Bee Momentum
Across Erie’s Community Schools, spelling bees are creating a meaningful academic and family-engagement moment that students are proud of. Elementary Schools host building-level competitions, pairing students with adults for preparation. The spelling bee creates opportunities for students to learn public speaking, patience, and confidence.
At Diehl, a parent volunteer supported weekly after-school sessions and helped students prepare to compete, with Mercyhurst staff volunteering as judges and families invited to attend. Similar schoolwide events took place across the district, reinforcing a culture where academic effort is celebrated and students feel supported by both school staff and community partners. From EPS, Diehl, Edison, Grover Cleveland, Harding, Jefferson, JoAnna Connell, Lincoln, McKinley, Perry, and Pfeiffer-Burleigh all participated along with Iroquois Elementary from Iroquois School District.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
- Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities
- Family Engagement and Support
- Family and Community Partnerships
Middle Schools: Attendance Initiatives and Expanded After-School Options at East
East Middle School continued launching both new and ongoing attendance incentives to build consistent routines and reinforce the importance of being in school every day. The “New Year, Be Here” initiative rewarded students who maintained perfect attendance for the month, while “Strive for 5!” remained a weekly incentive for students who attend all five days during full school weeks.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
- Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning
- Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities
Other Notable Highlights
Below is a snapshot of additional activities made possible by United Way of Erie County through the Community School Model. United Way directs funding to these activities, which are coordinated and led by the Community School Director (This is just a glimpse - there’s so much more happening!).
- Diehl wrapped up its Intramural Soccer after-school program in January, with 12 co-ed 4th and 5th grade students participating. The team was coached by Phys. Ed. Teacher Chris Smith and supported by Community School Director Chris Fox and Mercyhurst student volunteers. Diehl students continued building skills and school pride when they competed in the Royal Indoor Soccer Tournament at Erie High on Sunday, Feb. 8.
- East launched two new United Way-funded after-school clubs in January: Model UN and ASL Club. These programs give students new ways to stay connected to school while building leadership skills, exploring global issues, and strengthening inclusive communication beyond the classroom.
- Edison hosted a Career Speaker Series that brought 25 community guests into classrooms for career exploration, creating high energy engagement and helping students connect learning to future opportunities.
- In collaboration with the District and the Athletics Department, Erie High launched spring intramural sports (basketball and soccer). Events will be held before school multiple days per week, creating a positive routine that promotes engagement and supports attendance.
- On January 14th, Erie High School hosted its third activity fair of the year, featuring eight student clubs. During the fair the clubs shared information and recruited new members. Approximately 400 students attended the activities fair.
- Grover Cleveland completed its Q2 Attendance Challenge, rewarding winning classes with an Erie Otters School Fun Day experience. This schoolwide effort reinforced consistent attendance with a positive, community-connected incentive.
- Harding hosted a Night at the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum exclusively for Harding families, drawing approximately 400 students and family members despite frigid temperatures. The event created meaningful connections outside of the school day and strengthened relationships among families.
- Jefferson hosted a school-wide Spelling Bee with strong family turnout and student pride. Winners advanced to represent the school at the community-wide competition, highlighting academic excellence and preparation.
- JoAnna Connell hosted its 2nd Quarter Awards Assembly recognizing academics and attendance. Over 150 students earned honors, and 176 were recognized for missing two days or less, reinforcing a culture where showing up and working hard is celebrated.
- Lincoln launched monthly therapy dog visits for Emotional Support and Autistic Support classrooms through Therapy Dogs United, providing predictable, relationship-based support that students and staff look forward to each month.
- McKinley hosted its first academic family night since before COVID: Math Mania Family Game Night. A total of 102 students and family members attended, which is a big jump from past academic events that only drew a handful of people.
- Perry continued “Sailors,” a targeted after-school reading support program for 1st and 2nd grade students, fully funded by United Way. Students are selected using BOY DIBELS data, grouped by skill needs in small groups, and supported with board-approved intervention resources to strengthen early literacy.
- Pfeiffer-Burleigh launched an Attendance All Star Challenge for January, reinforcing on-time daily attendance through a fun, schoolwide incentive tied directly to morning attendance routines.
- Strong Vincent coordinated mobile dentistry services in partnership with SMILES Pennsylvania, expanding access to dental care for students. In three days, 61 students received services including cleanings and preventative treatments, with referrals made for additional and urgent care when needed.
- Wilson hosted an Attendance All-Star Bingo celebration recognizing first-semester attendance efforts. A total of 138 students qualified, and community volunteers supported the event, reinforcing that attendance matters and students are noticed when they show up.
RECENT STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS:
United Way of Erie County continues its efforts to improve student walking safety. Thanks to funding provided to United Way through the PennDOT TASA grant program, a comprehensive education and awareness campaign (broadcast, streaming, social media, print, yard signs) took place through the Fall of 2025, reminding community members to play their part in keeping students who walk to school safe. As part of that TASA grant, and in collaboration with Gannon University, the City of Erie, the Erie County Data Center, and the Blue Coats, all the remaining EPS elementary schools were also GIS mapped for critical walking hazards, with over 10,000 identified. As a result, and thanks to a generous donation from Linda and Brian Graff, the City of Erie will now install the new Safer Walking Route signs for Perry Elementary in early spring.
United Way also provided all the walking hazard data to the City of Erie’s Safe Streets for All Planning grant consultants and participated in the steering committee, as well as the public input sessions, advocating for student walking safety strategy funding. In December 2025, it was announced that the City of Erie was awarded $20M in Safe Streets for All funding and $2M of it has been earmarked for student walking safety initiatives to be implemented in collaboration with Erie’s Public Schools and United Way. As a result, practical improvements like signage, crosswalk visibility, stop lines, and sidewalk repairs that make it safer for students and families to travel to and from school will be made in the coming years.