District-Wide Elementary School Soccer Tournament Brings Schools Together at Erie High
United Way Community Schools brought six elementary schools together for a district-wide soccer tournament at Erie High School on Sunday, February 8, creating a high-energy day centered on wellness, teamwork, and belonging. Building on six weeks of after-school soccer programming, students from Jefferson, Diehl, JoAnna Connell, Perry, Grover Cleveland, and Edison competed in a positive, inclusive environment where sportsmanship and connection mattered just as much as the scoreboard.
More than a single event, the tournament served as a shared celebration of school community. Students had the chance to meet peers from other buildings, interact with caring adults, and experience structured, school-linked enrichment that
reinforces confidence and collaboration. By creating space for coed play, movement, and relationship-building, the tournament supported the desired outcomes of the Community School Model and gave families another meaningful reason to feel connected to their school community.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities | Family Engagement and Support
Career Connections Create Real Post-Graduation Momentum
Erie High School hosted its 2nd Career and Job Fair on Thursday, February 19, connecting 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with local employers, career pathways, and opportunities for jobs and internships. With participation
from more than 20 organizations across industries like healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, manufacturing, education, and financial services, the fair created a one-stop experience for students to explore what’s possible after high school and ask direct questions of professionals doing the work right here in Erie.
For many students, experiences like this make the future feel more concrete. Instead of reading about careers, students could have real conversations, learn what training or certifications are needed, and start building the confidence to take next steps. Through the Community School Model, Erie High’s Community School Director helped coordinate the logistics and partner engagement needed to bring this event to life, ensuring students had access to the kind of exposure and relationships that support life preparedness and long-term success.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
School Transitions and Life Preparedness
Reading Culture Scales Through Community Volunteer Power
Perry relaunched the Perry Page Turner Reading Club with a goal of 100 volunteer reader visits in the first 100 days and surpassed it with 200+ visits. Volunteers included School Board members, EPS leaders, community partners, and families, building a shared culture that makes reading visible, exciting, and relational for learners. Next up: a schoolwide goal to collect 500 books to send home with students to extend literacy beyond the school day.
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 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 hosted a Family Game Night, welcoming families for an evening of fun, connection, and relationship-building. Families rotated through a variety of games provided by the School-Wide Support and Title I team, creating an easy, welcoming way for students and caregivers to spend quality time together at school. Snacks, drinks, and raffle prizes were provided through United Way Community Schools to help make the event accessible and enjoyable for all who attended.
East:
East hosted a schoolwide Black History Month performance featuring the Drama Club, Chorus, Warrior Band, Gospel Choir, and Cheer Team, with a public show and a student encore - an energizing celebration of heritage, talent, and community.
Edison:
Edison’s Adult Wellness Initiative continues to grow, providing meaningful support for families and staff. In one powerful example, a parent arrived overwhelmed and left a brief counseling session smiling and encouraged - an impact that extends well beyond the school day.
Erie High:
Through the Royal Threads program, students partnered with Sew Royalty to design Erie High-themed letterman jackets and completed custom pieces they created themselves - an experience that connected creativity, pride, and hands-on learning.
Grover Cleveland:
With United Way support and Community Closet donations, Grover Cleveland provided winter items to more than 20 families, including coats, boots, hats/gloves, and basic clothing. This support reached beyond students to households.
Harding:
Harding’s 5th Grade Student Ambassadors organized a schoolwide donation drive for the ANNA Shelter and presented collected items on behalf of the school - student leadership turning compassion into action.
Jefferson Elementary:
Jefferson welcomed 100+ participants for Donuts with Dudes, bringing fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and other male role models into the building for a positive morning of connection and support.
JoAnna Connell:
JoAnna Connell’s Soccer Club competed in the Royal Soccer Tournament and earned 2nd place after a strong match with Jefferson, highlighting student growth, teamwork, and the power of supportive coaching.
Lincoln:
Lincoln 5th graders began a multi-week Shakespeare residency with local artist Marquis Wallace, building theater and performance skills that will culminate in students acting out a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
McKinley:
McKinley’s Dudes & Donuts drew 175 attendees, its largest yet, and included an interest survey to capture what supports and resources families are looking for, turning a popular event into actionable insight.
Perry:
Perry launched a beginner Drone Club for 2nd and 3rd graders, teaching safe operation and flight skills with a goal of completing an obstacle course; families will be invited to see progress at the end of the club.
Pfeiffer-Burleigh:
Pfeiffer-Burleigh’s Winterfest featured corporate partner volunteers, hands-on family stations, a sensory-friendly space, and mental health resources—creating a welcoming event that strengthened connection and belonging.
Strong Vincent Middle School:
Quarter 3 after-school programming launched with high participation across multiple clubs including cooking, book club, gaming, and sports, supported through coordinated partnerships and volunteer involvement.
Wilson Middle School:
Wilson’s “Lunch with a Leader” welcomed 60 students for a guest presentation and meal, reinforcing student engagement and exposure to community leadership through purposeful enrichment.
Recent Strategic Partnership
A core component of Community Schools is leveraging partnerships in thoughtful, strategic, and results-driven ways. This means continually exploring how school districts and United Way can work differently, and better, to address the gaps schools have identified.
A recent example of this work in action is the district’s 2026-2027 Cooperative Budget Planning process. This reimagined approach recognizes United Way investments as integral school resources and more intentionally embeds the Community School Model into district planning. United Way partnered closely with district leadership to assess funding priorities, analyze existing resources, and identify critical gaps.
Throughout the month of March, Executive Principals will lead a series of collaborative budget planning meetings alongside school wide specialists, PBIS team members, and Community School Directors. These conversations are designed to align funding decisions with school improvement plans and community school action plans, with particular focus on strengthening family engagement and PBIS implementation.
Within Erie’s Public Schools, our United Way Community School Model provides a K-12 continuum of support. This shift toward a district-wide and forward-thinking planning process is a powerful example of collective impact in action, where shared ownership, aligned resources, and intentional collaboration are driving better outcomes for students and their families.