McCaskey’s resilient class of 2024 reflects on its journey
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Several speakers talked about their experience entering high school in a pandemic, and navigating the challenges of remote learning.
Tiyya Geiger, a student school board representative who plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania, joked about the school’s slogan, “All roads lead to McCaskey,” but said she takes great pride as a member of the class of 2024.
“Our bodies may have strayed on their paths to end up on this road, but I promise, they took you to exactly where you belong,” she told her classmates. “As we continue to travel, I can’t wait to see which roads lead us back.”
A poignant moment in the program was the recognition of the school’s eight retirees, including “Brother” Frank Albrecht, who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, but who attended the graduation in person in spite of his diagnosis.
Brother Albrecht “embodied Tornado Pride for over 40 years,” said student speaker Myasija Rivera, “and he has impacted each one of us here tonight.”
She reflected on three of his personality traits—persistence, positivity, and inspiration—and encouraged the class to embrace the traits in any community.
A musical quintet of Lilly Houck, Leo Modern, Raka Jenik, Anna Starliper, and Owen Wilson performed Coldplay’s “The Scientist.”
During the ceremony, the school inducted Vanessa Grant as the 50th member of the McCaskey Hall of Honor, the highest award a graduating senior receives. An outstanding student academically, Grant earned international awards as a member of the Mock Trial Team, anchored the WMCC news, and worked at Willow Valley. She plans to attend Harvard in the fall.
The night’s first speaker, Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace, spoke to a graduating class that included her daughter.
“There is one special one among you tonight I have known since the moment of her birth,” she said. “Often, it’s the people who love you who can be the guide to your best self.”
Nearly half of the Class of 2024 plans to attend college in the fall, attending schools such as Harvard, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Vassar, Drexel and Penn State. Others are joining the U.S. military, including the Navy and the National Guard.
A large number of students, nearly one in three, plans to enter the workforce, in careers ranging from the skilled trades to transportation to senior care.
The program concluded with a brief fireworks display as graduates tossed their caps in the air.
Class of 2024 Profile
648
Graduates
28
Distinguished Honors
58
High Honors
87
Honors
28
Dual Enrollment
24
IB Diploma Candidates
6
AP Scholars
1
National Merit Finalist
3
National Merit Semifinalists
50.6%
Postsecondary Education
Always smiling, Hall of Honor inductee described as having “unparalleled work ethic”
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Calling her humble, kind, and caring with an unparalleled work ethic, Dr. Reese said the Harvard College-bound Grant “proudly wears her McCaskey Pride.”
During her time at McCaskey, Grant excelled as a member of the Mock Trial team, earning a top award in international competition. She said it was one of her proudest accomplishments in high school, along with anchoring the WMCC Morning Show and earning her IB Diploma.
“I feel so proud to see all the progress we have made over the past four years,” she said of Mock Trial. “I love all the competitions we have gone to, and I’m just excited to see where the club will go next.”
As an undergrad, she plans to major in comparative literature, and she hopes to go on to law school. She’d like to work in international law.
Being named to the Hall of Honor “felt like an acknowledgement of all the hard work” she put in during her high school career, she said.
“It made me feel amazing to see that I had made an impact on McCaskey,” she said. “I care a lot about the community at McCaskey, and it just makes me so happy to be in the Hall of Honor because I know how much it means.”
Now, her smile will be seen at McCaskey for years to come.
Construction on Burrowes Elementary marks start of Phase IV of facilities plan
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The district celebrated a groundbreaking at the site in May.
The new site is designed to alleviate traffic concerns, allow for improved vehicle and pedestrian circulation, and provide sheltered play areas away from public roads. The new 53,000 square foot building will feature modern classrooms with lots of natural light, flexible spaces for student work and meetings, and high-efficiency HVAC systems.
Burrowes is the first of five schools to be renovated or reconstructed over the next five years. Price Elementary is scheduled to be reconstructed on the site of the current Lancaster Recreation Commission building. Renovations are also scheduled for Wheatland Middle, King Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, and Carter & MacRae Elementary.
At the same time, the district will conduct major renovations to athletic facilities at McCaskey High School and Wheatland.
In all, this phase of the facilities plan is estimated to cost $200 million.
SDoL's new five-year strategic plan
A message from Superintendent Dr. Keith Miles
Dear SDoL Community,
It is an honor to lead the School District of Lancaster. I want to thank you for warmly welcoming me to this vibrant, inclusive community that I now call home.
Over the course of my first year, I have seen and learned from many of you what makes our schools special as well as the areas where we can continue to grow. I am grateful to the 49 members of our strategic planning committee, half of whom were district parents or caregivers and community leaders. The resulting five-year strategic plan includes a new mission and vision and sets ambitious targets in Academic Excellence, Culture of Belonging, Family and Community Engagement, Talent Optimization, and Organizational Excellence. You can view the full plan on our website at the link below.
I look forward to sharing more about our plans to meet these targets in the coming year. Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school district!
Sincerely,
Keith Miles, Ed.D
Superintendent of School
School District of Lancaster
Acheivements & Innovations
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Standout Students & Staff
Congratulations toE.R. Martin eighth grader Kyleah Leaman, who represented the state of Pennsylvania in June with her project “China’s One-Child Policy: A Turning Point in History” at the National History Day contest at the University of Maryland. Kyleah was one of six students to qualify for the state competition, along with Austin Booc, Sophia Eaton, Sophia Miranda, Daevianny Rodriguez-Ruiz, and Danija Dixon Talton.
Congratulations to Christopher Cruz-Hernandez, a junior at McCaskey High School, who was a state finalist for Pennsylvania Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year. Chris represented the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster in competing against eight others from across the state. Chris has been a part of the Boys and Girls Club since he was 6 years old, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment.
The Price Elementary chess team, made up of students Ayden Lausell, Michael Lausell, Josiah Melendez, Luis Sanchez Virola, and Anthony Vargas, finished second out of 20 teams in Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 Chess Tournament in April.
Congratulations to Logan Fleetman, who won first place in the Latin American Alliance Spanish Poetry Contest among students in Spanish 1 and 2. In all, six McCaskey students placed first, second or third in their respective categories.
Congratulations to Jackson Middle School music teacher Cara Weil, who received the prestigious Citadel Heart of Learning Award for her exceptional dedication and commitment to her students and the community. The Citadel Heart of Learning Award, presented annually by Citadel Credit Union, celebrates educators across the Greater Philadelphia area for their outstanding contributions in and out of the classroom.
The African American Cultural Alliance of Lancaster honored SDoL superintendent Dr. Keith Miles, director of schools Dr. Camille Hopkins, and school board president Robin Goodson at its inaugural Black Excellence Awards Gala. In accepting their awards, the three leaders talked about their commitment to addressing the educational disparities that affect the Lancaster community and to ensuring that each student reaches their fullest potential.
Innovative Education
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology “adopted” more than 200 kindergarten students from Burrowes, Fulton, Price, and Washington elementary schools in its Adopt-a-Kindergarten program. Stevens faculty, staff, and students from various programs visited the four schools throughout the year to lead hands-on STEM activities, introducing students to future careers in trades and technology. The program concludes with a special graduation ceremony.
In SDoL’s 2024 STEM Fair, students showcased innovative projects aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues facing the Lancaster community. Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace took the time to review the projects, which showcased student technical skills as well as their desire to make a positive impact on our community and beyond. Congratulations to the top winners in each category: Ima Jones and Prisha Upreti from Wharton Elementary, “How to Recycle and Reuse Styrofoam” (Trash and Litter); Zoe Fair, Asa Witmer, and Victoria Mills from Wheatland Middle School, “Which Plant Would Absorb the Most Water in a Rain Garden?” (Stormwater Management).
Wheatland Middle School hosted a district-wide STEAM-A-Palooza, a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The event featured interactive exhibits, workshops, and displays of student creativity and innovation.
Eighth graders from Jackson Middle School and Lincoln Middle School participated in the inaugural Poet-Tree at the Ware Center in May. The students collaborated with members of the community to create poetry during breakout sessions before the event culminated in a performance in the Ware Center’s Steinman Auditorium.
McCaskey High School hosted the Lancaster City Human Relations Commission to facilitate discussion of topics related to mental health, healthcare transition, legal support, and discrimination awareness.
Students in McCaskey’s health careers program visited the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute in May with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. The students met various health care professionals, saw the radiation therapy machine, learned about chemotherapy, and heard from genetic counselors.
Burrowes Elementary hosted a special career day event featuring Claudia Deitch, reentry and community outreach specialist, and Richard Oliver, youth engagement coordinator, from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The visit was organized to complement the school’s ARC core unit for second graders which focuses on the theme “Jobs in My Community.”
Fulton Elementary hosted a College & Career Day celebrating the work of first responders. The event welcomed a variety of professionals, including Lancaster City police officers, police social workers, firefighters, paramedics, and medical professionals who shared their experiences and knowledge with students.
Some McCaskey High School students visited Muhammed Ali’s longtime training camp in Pennsylvania with one of the boxing great’s leading biographers, Jonathan Eig. The author of “Ali: A Life,” considered by some as one of the best sports books of all time, met the students at McCaskey on April 5 and then traveled to Fighter’s Heaven, where he held a book discussion and toured the facility with students.
For the 14th year in a row, the NAMM Foundation named the School District of Lancaster one of the “Best Communities for Music Education.” Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students.
In April, SDoL elementary schools welcomed the VanGo! Museum on Wheels giving students the opportunity to engage with museum-quality arts and crafts right at their doorstep. Since its inception in 1992, VanGo! has been bringing enriching art experiences to communities with limited access to traditional museums. Arriving in a 34-foot custom Winnebago, VanGo! transforms the traditional museum visit into an engaging mobile exhibition. Complete with onboard galleries, group assemblies, and hands-on activities, the program ensures that students encounter the world of art right at their school.
Strong Community
Jackson Middle School Student Council organized a Color Blast Run in May to raise money to support a series of causes, including Breast Cancer, ALS, and Leukemia. In all, the students raised more than $1,000.
On April 13, a group of volunteers, including community members, neighbors, and Wharton Elementary families, planted 13 large native canopy trees on the Wharton campus. This effort was made possible through a partnership between the Wharton Wonder Garden Committee, the Lancaster City Alliance, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
McCaskey’s Black Student Union and National Honor Society joined forces to hold a Community Day to raise money for ALS research in honor of “Brother” Frank Albrecht, who retired at the end of the year while battling the disease. Students enjoyed a fun field day and raised more than $3,000.
Willow Valley Communities raised more than $13,000 at its annual Cornhole for a Cause Tournament in April. The funds support the district’s college and career program and first-generation college students.
As part of the 2024 Feeding School Kids campaign, Giant Food Stores donated nearly $7,000 to the School District of Lancaster. The campaign, which ran from January 1 to March 31, engaged customers and members through various means such as rounding up at the register, donating CHOICE points, and participating in in-store vendor promotions.
In March, Wharton Elementary organized a weeklong food drive to support the Lancaster Food Hub. Together, the school collected more than 900 items, weighing just over 1,000 pounds.
Tornado Time
It was an outstanding spring for the McCaskey girls track team. The team won the Section 1 title, the Lancaster-Lebanon League championship for the fourth year in a row, and the PIAA District 3 championship. The girls finished 10th at the PIAA state championships.
Among the standout performances, top billing goes to Genesis Castro, who won state gold in the discus, as well as gold at the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships.
The 4×100 relay team of Damani Corsson, Aasly DeLeon, Corrine Miller, and Isabel Roman won the L-L League championship, the District 3 championship, and took bronze in the state championships.
Freshman Jada Lubin medaled in javelin at the state championships, finishing eighth.
Isabella Shertzer won gold in the 800 meters at the L-L League Championships for the fourth consecutive year.
Gabby Thiry set the school record in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:45.10.
Congratulations to the McCaskey unified track 4×100 relay team, which won first place at the Penn Relays. Congratulations also to Bernard Melvin who won the Special Olympics boys 100 meters!
SDoL Budget by the numbers
The school board in May approved a proposed final budget of $279.6 million for the 2024-2025 school year. The board will vote to approve the final budget on June 18. This budget is contingent on a significant investment in school funding by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Provided the state upholds its obligation to dequately fund our district, we will be able to continue to invest in our current programming along with new investments in our strategic objectives.
Even though our expenses continue to rise as we refine and improve our programming, the overall budget only increased by $500,000, or 0.02%. That’s because the district used its federal pandemic relief funding, which expires in September 2024, in strategic ways to avoid a “fiscal cliff” that would cause a need for major programmatic changes and/ or position reductions. This budget demonstrates a good balance of advancing our strategic objectives while maintaining programs and services proven to deliver student outcomes.
$279.6m
Total expenses
$277.3m
Total revenues
$6.8m
Increase in state funding
1.75%
Real estate tax increase
$5.80
Monthly tax increase for avg. homeowner