Year-End Family Engagement Events Celebrate Students, Families, and School Pride
Across Erie Public Schools, United Way Community Schools helped close the school year with meaningful family engagement
events that brought students, families, staff, and community partners together in positive and welcoming spaces. These events are
more than celebrations. They help strengthen relationships, build school pride, and create trusted connections between families and
school communities.
At Harding, more than 500 guests attended the school’s annual SpringFest family engagement event. Harding also hosted its first
Dragon Showcase: An Evening Celebrating Art & Music, which featured performances by 4th and 5th grade band and chorus
students, the after-school Drumming Dragons program, and a schoolwide gallery walk of student artwork from Pre-K through 5th
grade.
McKinley hosted its annual Color Blast Party, one of the school’s favorite end-of-year traditions, welcoming approximately 400
people for music, Philly Water Ice, family activities, T-shirts, sunglasses, and support from McKinley staff, Women United, and
Rotary of Erie.
Wilson Middle School hosted its first Multicultural Fair, welcoming 160 people for student research displays, cultural food tastings,
and participation from community partners and local businesses.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning | Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities | Family Engagement and
Support
Vision to Learn Removes Barriers and Expands Access to Student Health Supports
United Way Community Schools continued to support student health and learning by helping bring Vision to Learn clinics directly into
schools. These services help reduce barriers for families by providing onsite eye exams, prescriptions, and glasses at no cost to
families.
In May, Erie High hosted a Vision to Learn clinic where 50 students received comprehensive eye exams and were fitted for new
glasses based on their needs. Pfeiffer-Burleigh also welcomed Vision to Learn. After school staff, the school nurse, teachers, the case
manager, and the Community School Director worked together to identify eligible students and support family permission slips. 23
students were served through the clinic, and glasses were delivered before summer break.
Strong Vincent Middle School also hosted Vision to Learn, providing onsite eye examinations for 20 students. All 20 students will
receive a free pair of glasses. Across these schools, the clinics helped address vision needs that can affect student learning,
attendance, confidence, and overall well-being.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning | Integrated Student Supports | Community and Neighborhood Partnerships
Student Voice, Leadership, and Creative Expression Help Students Build Confidence
Several May activities helped students take ownership of their learning, express themselves creatively, and contribute to their school
communities in meaningful ways. These opportunities support confidence, leadership, problem-solving, and connection to school.
At JoAnna Connell, GoIT Club students hosted a showcase night where they presented apps they created to families, teachers, and
community members. Students designed apps focused on language translation, decision-making, pet care management, and other
real-world uses. Many students shared that coding was challenging, but they were proud to work through the process and create a
finished product.
At Perry, 5th grade students completed their fifth mural in four years through a partnership with Erie Arts & Culture. The mural has
become a rite of passage for Perry 5th graders, giving students the opportunity to leave their artistic mark on the school before moving
on to middle school. At Lincoln, 5th grade students visited Grounded Print Shop with their art teacher, where they made their own
paper and explored different art techniques. Students earned the experience by helping younger Emotional Support students during art
sessions throughout the year.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities | Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning | Family Engagement and Support
Other Notable Highlights
Below is a snapshot of additional activities happening across Erie Public Schools through the Community School Model. These efforts are funded and/or coordinated by Community School Directors in partnership with school teams and community partners. This is just a glimpse of the work we do each and every month!
Diehl: Diehl held its annual Spring Fling, the school’s final family engagement event of the year. The outdoor event included
bouncy houses, a photobooth, carnival games, crafts, grilled hot dogs, and approximately 400 attendees.
East: East held an attendance Spring Fling dance for students who had one or fewer absences during the month of May.
Eighty-five students qualified, and 15 staff members supported the event. & Erie High Community School Director Bryan Barton joined East Middle School families and students for breakfast to talk about opportunities available at Erie High. Fifteen students who participate in the East food pantry also attended to help support their transition to high school.
Edison: Edison held its end-of-year carnival at Franklin Park, bringing together students, families, staff, more than 25
community partners, and 50 volunteers for a celebration of the Edison school community.
Erie High: Erie High Community School Directors supported students preparing for prom by purchasing 12 prom tickets for students who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to attend. CSDs also provided direct support to one senior student by helping reduce financial barriers connected to a prom dress and shoes. Erie High hosted its inaugural Wellness Fair, bringing together students, staff, and 20 vendors focused on mental, physical, financial, and emotional wellness. Students participated in activities and conversations about healthy habits, stress management, finances, and available community supports.
Grover Cleveland: Grover Cleveland held a schoolwide, month-long Penny Wars and collected $415 in honor of Relay for Life. On May 15,
the school hosted a Mini-Relay for Life walk and invited families and community partners to participate. Grover Cleveland also hosted two family engagement events focused on Mental Health Awareness Month, including Sunset Family Yoga Night and a family workshop on emotional regulation led by Barbra Green from Stillwater Wellness.
Harding: Harding 5th Grade Student Ambassadors and their families participated in an Ambassador Banquet Luncheon to celebrate
the accomplishments of 13 student leaders. That evening, Harding also hosted a PTO thank-you dinner to recognize
involved parents at the school.
Jefferson Elementary: Jefferson hosted its first Night at the Museum family engagement event on May 29. Families were invited to enjoy
interactive museum exhibits and dinner at no cost, thanks to United Way funding. More than 300 people attended the event
at experience Children’s Museum.
JoAnna Connell: JoAnna Connell partnered with Erie Arts & Culture to bring Theatre Club to K-2 students in Quarter 4. Students learned
about character development, the role of theater, and the qualities of a good audience member.
Lincoln: Lincoln wrapped up Quarter 4 after-school enrichment programming with Play On Playground Games, All About Animals
with Asbury Woods, Garden Club, and Sneaker Design with Erie Arts & Culture. In total, 126 unduplicated students participated in Community School after-school enrichment programming during the 2025-2026 school year.
McKinley: McKinley wrapped up several May programs, including Creator’s Club Remix, Garden Club, and the Educational Passport Program with Erie Arts & Culture. The passport program included visits from the Erie Philharmonic Petting Zoo, Hagen History Center, Erie Art Museum, and Erie Playhouse.
Perry: Perry partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to close out after-school sports clubs. Students and families gathered at Dick’s
field over three days for “The Perry Takeover,” which included field hockey for 1st and 2nd graders, flag football for 3rd and
4th graders, and a student versus parents and teachers kickball game.
Pfeiffer-Burleigh: Pfeiffer-Burleigh held its Summer Around Erie community resource fair on May 21. The annual event featured
neighborhood programs families can access over the summer, including the Martin Luther King Center, Inner City Neighborhood Art House, Boys & Girls Club, Trinity Center, Community Health Net, Safe Harbor, and the Erie County Library. The event also included summer reading resources, mental health awareness materials, summer safety activities, games, crafts, popsicles, and the school’s first black light Glow Art Show featuring student artwork and a family art station.
Strong Vincent Middle School: Strong Vincent welcomed 5th grade students from Harding, Grover Cleveland, and Perry for Step Up Day. Students toured the building, had lunch, selected Related Arts courses, participated in a “What to Know” and Frequently Asked Questions
presentation, and began building confidence for their transition to middle school.
Wilson Middle School: Thanks to a donation from Scott Enterprises, Wilson took 25 students to Splash Lagoon on May 18 to celebrate perfect
attendance during the second quarter. Lunch was provided through United Way funding.
Recent Strategic Partnership
Women United Support
Women United continues to support young women across United Way Community Schools through feminine
hygiene product drives that help stock Community Closets throughout the year. Last December, in addition to
donated products, more than $1,700 was raised to support students at all three EPS middle schools and Erie
High School. These efforts help eliminate period poverty by ensuring that female students have access to the
products they need during the school day and at home. Products are provided at United Way Community Closets
for pickup at any time, with no questions asked. This helps students feel supported, respected, and stay focused
on learning.
Collaboration with FEPS
Edison Elementary and Lincoln Elementary were recipients of Foundation for Erie’s Public Schools Innovative
Classroom mini-grants this last month. The FEPS mini-grants provide financial support to classrooms in need of
supplies, materials, and resources for special projects. The grants are designed to give school communities the
flexibility to bring new ideas and hands-on learning opportunities to their students. Coordinated through
Community School Directors and in alignment with Community School action plans, Edison will use their funding
to support their Explorer’s Club—a weekend field trip club where families and students can explore the Erie area
at no cost to the family. Lincoln will use their funding towards their in-school theatre exploration residency with
Anansi Collaborations.
Achievement Center at McKinley Elementary and Edison
Achievement Center of LECOM Health will be continuing their on-site therapy clinic at Edison Elementary for
another year. Additionally, McKinely will be piloting an on-site therapy clinic through the Achievement Center in
the 26-27 school year, bringing much needed support for families and students directly into the school building.
Increased Access to Health and Wellness Opportunities is at the core of the Community School model. This
exciting undertaking was the direct result of strong collaboration between the Erie’s Public Schools Student
Services Department, Achievement Center, United Way and the United Way Community School Director, and
McKinley administrative team.