The Solanco Education Foundation
Congratulations to the inaugural “Support Employee of the Year” award recipients!
We must note that our award committee faced an almost impossible task. SEF received so many strong nominations, which speaks volumes about Solanco’s support staff ranks. ALL the nominees (and the folks who took the time to share their stories) have our sincere thanks and admiration. And CONGRATULATIONS to these amazing ladies who received the award this time!
Paraprofessional
Nancy Baeza: Life Skills, Quarryville Elementary
When we walked onto the playground at Quarryville Elementary School to surprise Nancy Baeza with this award, she was standing next to a mock rock wall, encouraging a student who was literally trying to climb higher.
You couldn’t ask for better symbolism when it comes to why this Life Skills paraeducator is being honored.
“She works hard to connect with students and push them to their full potential,” according to her nomination.
And while most of the students on the playground were excitedly curious about our arrival, one was not. Nancy Baeza knew right away the reason for the student’s concern. That child is not a fan of balloons. Nancy Baeza knows her students.
“She is often tasked with working with students with communication needs and she finds a way to understand,” states her nomination.
Baeza requested that the balloons be tucked away until after dismissal so that the student could continue enjoying the day.
“Nancy goes out of her way to support all students,” according to her nomination.
Sometimes Nancy Baeza is looked to for support with translating for a parent. She also shares information and support at several meetings.
“It is rare that a paraeducator is involved in a parent meeting,” states her nomination. “Nancy stepped into this role and quickly saw a way she could support the educational team.”
Paraprofessional
Laurel Behm, hall/security monitor, Solanco High School
Laurel Behm is in her 11th year working at Solanco High School. There you’ll find her in the hallways, cafeteria and restrooms, working to ensure students are safe and that behavior is appropriate.
“Laurel has unofficially become the ‘lead’ for our team of security and hall monitors,” according to one of her nominations. “She helps create schedules, trains new employees and brings ideas, concerns and solutions to administration.”
She works hard to get to know students and is invested in the entire Solanco community, notes one nomination.
A second points out that when students aren’t where they are supposed to be and spot Mrs. Behm and her “trusty walky-talky” approaching, they might know they’re in trouble.
“But they also know she genuinely cares,” continues that nomination. “Her patient demeanor allows her to listen attentively to their elaborate stories before calmly guiding them back to where they’re supposed to be.”
That nomination goes on to call her “a cornerstone of our school’s community,” adding that “her dedication, kindness and ability to connect with students make her an indispensable part of our team.”
Clerical
Peg Huber, office secretary Swift Middle School
If you’ve ever rung the door buzzer at Swift, Peg Huber is more than likely the woman who let you in – and then quickly helped you.
“Mrs. Huber IS the connection between our community and the entire Swift Middle School staff,” states her nomination. “One might say this is due to her years of experience being the face that parents, students and visitors see when they enter our building.”
But that’s just part of it.
“This connection is the result of her warm smile, welcoming non-verbal cues and kind demeanor as she connects people from our community with the appropriate staff members,” the nomination continues.
Peg Huber handles a mountain of logistical tasks, not to mention the complicated emotions that can impact anyone – adults or students – that are involved in a middle school day.
“She models what it looks like to keep moving forward, knowing that this ‘storm’ will pass and each day brings new opportunity to be the best person that we can be,” states her nomination. It goes on to explain how Mrs. Huber knows that everyone has bad moments or bad days, but that she believes that doesn’t mean one should impact someone else’s day in a negative way.
“She empowers the students by encouraging them to do their best with what they have to offer that day, at that moment,” per the nomination. “She leads them through the lens of her exemplary actions and attitude.”
2024 Golf Outing Winners:
TEAM PRIZES:
1st place: Score 58
Mission Church – John Lapp, Mike Hoffman, David Lapp, Austin Hoffman
2nd place: Score 59
Team Tibbels – Sam Tibbels, Andy Sinclair, Joey Kuck, Andy Prichard
Mixed Team:
1st place: Score 64
Team Schiavo – Adam Schiavo, Charles Schiavo, Dan Schiavo, Michelle Blair
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES:
Longest Drive winners:
Men: Jarrod Sands
Women: Michelle Blair
Closest to the Pin winners:
Hole #7: Ed Balderston
Hole #13: Karl Frey
Hole# 16: Cary Vogt
Closest to the Line winner:
Huck Keays
Putting Contest Winner:
Rick Blevins
Backpack of Goodies Winner:
Mike Lichty
Thanks for making the 2024 SEF Golf Tournament a huge success!
It was a beautiful day.
Golfers gathered with friends at Tanglewood Manor Golf Club on Friday, August 16 to support Solanco Education Foundation helping to provide scholarships to high school seniors, reader-level baggie books for elementary students, support for educational activities for all grade levels, plus teacher venture grants and more.
2024 Golf Tournament Photos – Click here to view the photo gallery.
Plan now to participate in the 2025 Tee It Up for Education Golf Tournament.
2024 Solanco Strong Apparel On Sale Now Through October 6, 2024
Order Online Now – and Show Your Support for Solanco Strong!
Go online to https://solanco-strong-2024.itemorder.com/
2024 SEF Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the following students who were recipients of SEF Scholarships
Each student receives $1000 toward tuition for the first year and an additional $1000 the second year as long as the student maintains an appropriate grade average during the first year.
Opportunity Scholarship Winners
Cox, Gavin
Rose, Cody
Weder, Bradley
Futures Scholarship Winners
Eckman, Kristen
Grube, Holly
Todd, Aidan
SEF Scholarship Winners
Jassen, Brady
Martin, Taelor
Musser, Olivia
Sellers, Courtney
Kraynak, Gabriella
Culberson, Devon
Zook, Cameron
Eisenberger, Michael
Williams, Benjamin
Underwood,Owen
SEF Provides over $15,000 in Take Home Books Through EITC Donations
The Solanco Elementary Admin Team was excited to receive Take Home Book Collections for kindergarten and second grade classrooms! Jane Ausel and Brenda Roark recently presented the books on behalf of the Solanco Education Foundation. Photo in the masthead slider above.
Lancaster County Conservation School
Congratulations Colby!
The Solanco Education Foundation was pleased to accept an invitation to a delicious outdoor sponsor dinner held Sunday during the first night of the 2023 Lancaster County Youth Conservation School. There, one of our board members had the chance to chat with Colby Kurtz – the rising Solanco High School freshman being sponsored for the camp by SEF. Colby is a Boy Scout and avid fisherman who says science was his favorite class during his time at Swift Middle School.
Here’s a sampling of items on the agenda July 23-28 for Colby and the other campers: A biotic index stream survey, a controlled burn for field and meadow habitat, critical thinking exercises, an electrofishing survey, habitat construction, stabilizing a streambank, dove banding, lessons on forestry and a visit to Middle Creek. They’re camping not too far from the important bird flyway site. Sound like something you’d be interested in? If you’re going to be 14, 15 or 16 years old next summer, bookmark this site so you can apply in 2024. Have fun, Colby! For more info, visit https://lancasterconservation.org/youth-conservation-school
The Solanco Education Foundation will offer a limited number of scholarships for this event in 2024.
Our Mission
To inspire greater academic achievement in the Solanco School District by working with the community to generate funding which provides students and teachers with innovative, exciting and creative educational programs and opportunities.
General donations from the public sector and EITC business donations provide the financial resources needed.
Solanco Strong News
Solanco Strong provides critical and educational needs for students at or below the poverty level and their families, allowing students to achieve and thrive.
Click here to learn more about Solanco Strong and some of our Solanco Strong community donors.
2023 – 2024 Teacher Venture Grant Recipients – Congratulations!
Jessica Tipping (HS)
PROJECT :
Happy Atoms
WHAT IT IS:
This STEM project will cover all the of the STEM components: science, technology, engineering, and math. The Happy Atoms sets would allow the students to build three-dimensional models of assigned molecules and then use an app on their smartphone to identify its name and real-life application.
Emily Wagner (PR)
PROJECT :
Play without Words
WHAT IT IS:
This project will promote nonverbal learners’ independence and encourage increased communication by using communication boards, ultimately making playtime more enjoyable, introducing more vocabulary and promoting inclusivity.
Maria Young (PR)
PROJECT :
The Power of Play-doh
WHAT IT IS:
This project will encourage students to use their imaginations and think in new and innovative ways while improving hand-eye coordination.
Jennifer Thompson (HS)
PROJECT :
Halloween Hallways Animal Experience
WHAT IT IS:
During the community out reach program Halloween Hallways hosted by Solanco High School students visiting children and their families will interact with live animals in an experience to remember.
Nate Klansek (SM)
PROJECT :
Announcement Project
WHAT IT IS:
This project will introduce 8th graders to movie making include storyboarding, framing, lighting, and video editing. Students will be able to share their creations on the morning announcements.
Erin Martin & Erica Beichy (SM & SW)
PROJECT :
Ukulele-expansion
WHAT IT IS:
This highly popular musical program would provide students the next step in expanding their learning with a baritone ukulele.
Matt Himmelberger (SM)
PROJECT :
Sphero Robotics and Coding
WHAT IT IS:
This project, Sphero Robotics and Coding, utilizes resources and opportunities to engage students with hands-on robotics experiences in fun and exciting ways! This project will incorporate computer programming and robotics and allow students to either choose a provided coding challenge or design and develop their own.
Matt Jansen (SM)
PROJECT :
Passionate for Pickleball with Carrie Falduts
WHAT IT IS:
Solanco students will now benefit from the great aerobic exercise sweeping the nation…Pickleball! In addition to all the health benefits that come with exercise, pickleball promotes self-esteem and socialization.
Carrie Falduts (SM)
PROJECT :
Passionate for Pickleball with Matt Jansen
WHAT IT IS:
Solanco students will now benefit from the great aerobic exercise sweeping the nation…Pickleball! In addition to all the health benefits that come with exercise, pickleball promotes self-esteem and socialization.
Emily Miller (QE)
PROJECT :
Fluency and Fitness +
WHAT IT IS:
Fluency & Fitness+ helps students get in some movement breaks, while still learning. It’s the perfect way for the students to release some extra energy, without losing precious instructional time.
Leah Willis (PR)
PROJECT :
Managing Mindset Matters Phase II
WHAT IT IS:
The learning support program proposes to purchase games, lesson activities and a variety of room enhancing items to promote emotional regulation. The goal is to increase enthusiasm, discussion, interaction and retention of materials for students.
Teacher Venture Grant Reports
Click here to read evaluations from teachers who received Teacher Venture Grants
Educators interested in submitting a request for 2024-2025 SEF Venture Grants should contact Becky Guhl at becky_guhl@solancosd.org
For more information about Teacher Venture Grants please visit our Venture Grants Page.
More about the Solanco Education Foundation
The mission of the Solanco Education Foundation is to inspire greater academic achievement in the Solanco School District by working with the community to generate funding which provides students and teachers with innovative, exciting and creative educational programs and opportunities.
The top priority of the Solanco Education Foundation is to encourage educational excellence and academic enrichment for all students, kindergarten through 12th grade, in the Solanco School District.
The Solanco Education Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit organization that supports and enhances education in the Solanco School District by partnering with local residents, businesses, and organizations.
Since its founding in 2002, the Solanco Education Foundation has distributed over $300,000 for student scholarships, teacher venture grants, and education programs.
The Solanco Education Foundation has awarded:
- More than $110,000 in Student Scholarships
- Over 100 Teacher Venture Grants
- More than $150,000 in EITC funding
Click here for a brochure about the Solanco Education Foundation.
Contact Us
Get in touch with Solanco Education Foundation (SEF) by calling 717-786-5611.
For additional information, please contact SEF Executive Director, Becky Guhl. becky_guhl@solancosd.org
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