Dear Steelton-Highspire School District Families,

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the incredible sense of community that defines Steelton-Highspire. It is with immense gratitude and warmth that we the board extend a heartfelt Season's Greetings to you and your loved ones.

This time of year allows us to come together to celebrate the joys of the past, the present, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Our school district is not just a place of learning; it is a vibrant community where families, educators, and students collaborate to create a nurturing and enriching environment.

Throughout the year, we have witnessed the resilience and strength of our community, and it fills us with pride to be a part of the Steelton-Highspire community. The support of families like yours plays a crucial role in shaping the success and well-being of our students.

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate, let us cherish the moments of togetherness and gratitude. May the holiday season bring you joy, peace, and an abundance of love.

Looking forward to the new year, we are excited about the possibilities and opportunities that await us. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every student can flourish, learn, and thrive.

On behalf of the entire board, I wish you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Warmest wishes,

Micheal T. Wanner

President, Steelton-Highspire School District Board

Dear Roller Families,

As we approach the end of another calendar year, we want to take a moment to wish Season's Greetings to each and every one of you. The Steelton-Highspire School District extends its heartfelt wishes for a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones.

May this holiday season bring you warmth and happiness. As we reflect on the past year, we are grateful for the incredible Roller Community that makes our district so special.

In the coming year, may you find success, fulfillment, and joy in all your endeavors. We hope 2024 brings opportunities for learning, growth, and prosperity to your families. As always, we remain committed to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment for our students, and we look forward to the continued partnership with our Roller families.

We also wish you a safe and Happy New Year. May the year ahead be filled with positive experiences, good health, and great accomplishments.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Steelton-Highspire School District. We are grateful for your ongoing support and collaboration.

Dr. Mick Iskric, Jr.

Superintendent

On Sunday December 10, students from the elementary and junior high school were invited to Shop With A Cop. This community event was hosted by Ollie’s Bargain outlet in partnership with Middletown Police, Penn State University Police, and Penn State Harrisburg men’s basketball team.

On December 12th, members of the Steelton-Highspire elementary chorus went to the Middletown Home to spread a little Holiday Cheer. Theses student musicians did a wonderful job singing a wide variety of Christmas carols for the residents. Not only did they sing well, but they did an amazing job serving their community!

Ms. Keeney’s art classes have been hard at work this past month. Students studied American painter Wayne Thiebaud. They examined his works based on desserts and common food items. Then they had the opportunity to build, draw, or paint their artwork. Students were very engaged in the process. Some worked solo while others chose to work in groups. The cakes are on display resembling a bakery window.

Art students were able to work in collaboration with their peers to design a holiday tree. Many different design concepts were explored and students were engaged in the production of their mixed media creations.

Last Thursday, December 14th, elementary students and their families joined staff to celebrate Christmas Around the World. During the event, several holiday traditions from around the world were represented. Additionally, we engaged in some lively karaoke singing.

The 9th grade integrated science students in Ms Thorne’s class spent one of their days before break developing their engineering and critical thinking skills with a STEM challenge. Students were given one piece of regular sized paper, a pair of scissors and a glue stick and tasked with creating the longest paper chain. It was a great activity and there were many different approaches to solve this problem. It was fun to watch the students work together and think through what process would work best. After a class period we laid them all out to see who was able to create the longest paper chain.

12/13/2023

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today unveiled You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania—an automated phone number that individuals of all ages can call to hear pep talks, jokes, and words of encouragement from Pennsylvania students.

“The holiday season can be a time when people struggle with their mental health, and sometimes we can all use a little pick-me-up,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania was developed to spread cheer, promote resiliency, and encourage self-care. Users of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life—both in the Commonwealth and beyond—are encouraged to call the line anytime they need a pep talk.”

Callers can access the line at (717) 772-4737 and can select from menu options to hear advice, encouragement, and jokes from early elementary through high school students.

The fully automated phone line features pre-recorded messages from students in grades K-12 across Pennsylvania. The name, school, and location of the child featured on the recording is not shared with callers and all submissions are captured and added by Commonwealth employees.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64 percent of people with a mental illness say that their conditions worsen around the holidays. This can be due to several factors, including stress, loneliness, financial worries, shortened daylight hours, or increased substance use.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends the following strategies to support mental health around the holidays: paying attention to your feelings; developing a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad, or lonely; practicing self-care; connecting with community; supporting others; recognizing seasonal mood changes; avoiding alcohol and drugs; and knowing when to seek help.

If you need immediate support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.

MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov

Counselor for grades K-2: Mrs. Lopez, glopez@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 3-6: Mrs. Rash, jrash@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 7-9: Ms. Sunday, bsunday@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 10-12: Mrs. Albert, aalbert@shsd.k12.pa.us

College & Career Counselor K-12: Vacant

Guidance Administrative Assistant: Ms. Navickas, jnavickas@shsd.k12.pa.us

Please visit this link for information regarding upcoming SAT testing dates and registration instructions: https://www.shsd.k12.pa.us/Page/4845

• 12/23-1/2: Winter Break
• 1/10: Early Dismissal, Staff In-Service
• 1/15: No School, MLK Jr Day