Wickersham Elementary

This year brought new challenges for many local families. Funding to support refugee households was reduced, and SNAP benefits were paused at the same time national policy changes made food support unavailable to newly arrived neighbors. Wickersham teachers saw an opportunity not only to teach, but to act.

Wickersham Elementary School's second grade team led a school-wide donation effort for CWS - Lancaster Immigration & Refugee Program, an organization that welcomes refugees, immigrants, and humanitarian newcomers to the community. What began as a project-based learning assignment quickly became something larger, pulling in teachers, families, and students across the school.

When the donations were delivered to CWS, staff invited the students to see the organization’s newly launched food pantry. For many of them, it was the first time seeing how a community support system works.

This is the kind of learning that defines the School District of Lancaster. It reflects our values, our commitment to service, and our belief that students grow when they are invited to make a difference.

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