From the pages of “Lancer Life” (Summer 2026) 

Walk through the halls of Donald E. Schick Elementary School during language arts instruction and you will quickly feel the energy in the K-2 classrooms. Students are engaged and eager to participate as teachers guide lessons filled with conversation, decoding practice, writing, repetition and encouragement. Across each classroom, young readers are building confidence and discovering the joy of learning to read.

Whether students are working in small groups, reading aloud with a partner or practicing new phonics skills together, every lesson is designed with one goal in mind: building strong, confident readers.

At the center of that work is Enhanced Core Reading Instruction, known as ECRI.

Implemented as an enhancement to the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum this year, ECRI provides teachers with research-based instructional strategies that strengthen foundational literacy skills while giving students consistent opportunities to practice, respond and grow.

ECRI has become more than just a program. It has become a daily part of instruction.

“And we’re already seeing positive results,” said Terri Deitrick, Title 1 coordinator and reading specialist. “Students are becoming more confident, more engaged and more comfortable with the daily routines because there’s consistency from classroom to classroom.”

WHAT ECRI LOOKS LIKE

In classrooms across the building, instruction is intentional, structured and highly interactive.

“You’ll hear teachers and students working together through structured routines and repeated practice that help build reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension,” Deitrick said.

Teachers lead students through routines focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension — all critical components of early literacy development. Students respond as a group, practice sound patterns, read connected text and receive immediate feedback from their teachers.

The routines are designed to maximize engagement and provide repeated opportunities for students to master essential reading skills.

“The students are responding actively and working collaboratively,” said Jaime Feerrar, second-grade teacher. “There’s a lot of structure, routine and consistency, but there’s also a lot of energy in it, which keeps everybody actively engaged.”

“That consistency creates a common language for both students and teachers — and ultimately our families,” Deitrick said. “Instead of spending time figuring out how a lesson works, students can focus their energy on learning and growing as readers.”

Students move fluidly between whole-group instruction, collaborative practice and individualized support. Teachers use data to identify student needs and adjust instruction to ensure every child receives the support necessary to succeed.

“My students have grown to trust the predictability of the ECRI program as well as trust their own growth in the process,” said Tonya Knittle, first-grade teacher. “Some children who may have reading difficulty early on are now more confident and ask to read more.”

Kindergarten teacher Maggie Brooks says ECRI routines also have led to significant growth in students’ early literacy skills, particularly in decoding and reading confidence.

Brooks noted that incoming kindergarten students arrive with varying letter-sound knowledge, making it challenging to bring everyone to the same starting point. Now, she sees students building automaticity with letter sounds and progressing more quickly into decoding and reading fluency.

“It has empowered them to become stronger readers much sooner than we typically see in kindergarten,” Brooks said.

She also said students are more eager to participate in reading activities and are developing a stronger sense of independence as readers.

“I’ve seen their confidence soar because they feel more equipped,” she added. “They want to read — they look forward to reading.”

SUPPORTING TEACHERS, SUPPORTING STUDENTS

A major strength of the program’s implementation has been the commitment of faculty and staff.

Teachers have spent significant time training, collaborating and refining instructional practices to ensure consistency across grade levels. That collaboration allows educators to share strategies, examine student growth and continuously improve instruction.

“What we’ve been doing this year is using mini professional development, which has been very beneficial because our teachers aren’t out of the classroom for extended periods of time,” said Head Principal Marc Walter. “It’s small doses — in about an hour, hour-and-a-half trainings — which they then can immediately take back to their classroom and use.”

District leaders praised the efforts of the building’s staff for embracing the work focus.

“I commend our teachers, paraprofessionals and administration for their commitment to strengthening instruction and intervention practices in support of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Brooke Beiter. “The progress we’re already seeing is a reflection of the excellent work happening in our classrooms each day.”

A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

By investing in evidence-based instructional practices during the earliest school years, Schick Elementary is helping students build a foundation that will support them throughout their academic journey.

“I think what’s most beneficial right now is that our students aren’t going to have to learn new strategies and new processes and procedures when they transition from each grade level,” Walter said. “They’re already going to be carrying those skills with them from the grade level prior, and we’re going to have a level of instructional consistency across our building, which will then help our students moving forward and will also help our teachers collaborate between each other in their grade levels and also between grade levels.”

As students continue to grow as readers, Schick Elementary teachers remain focused on meeting learners where they are, celebrating progress and ensuring every child has the tools needed to succeed.

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At top, Schick Elementary second-grade student Quentin Gallagher reads along the page during an ECRI routine in Jamie Feerrar’s classroom last spring. Above, first-grade grade teacher Tonya Knittle teaches an ECRI lesson to her students. 

 

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (SEPT. 1, 2026) — Loyalsock Township High School’s military flag display now represents all six branches of the U.S. armed forces, thanks to the initiative of one LTHS junior.

After noticing that the U.S. Space Force was the only branch not represented on the display outside the high school, junior Gia Biacchi decided to do something about it. More than 100 hours of work later, Biacchi’s service project culminated Monday with a ceremony dedicating the new Space Force flag in front of the entire student body.

Although rain prevented the flag from being raised during the ceremony as planned, the dedication marked the completion of Biacchi’s effort to add the newest branch of the U.S. military to the school’s display.

The ceremony included performances by the LTHS band, participation from members of the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County and representatives from the other five branches of the military.

Biacchi’s project grew out of her participation in the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference last spring, where students are challenged to complete 100 hours of service in their communities. The project was made possible in part through a donation from Jung Martial Arts Family Center, a veteran-owned business that provided the new Space Force flag.

“I’m fortunate to come to a school that supports student initiatives,” Biacchi said.

She chose the project after realizing that Space Force was missing from the school’s military flag display and felt it was important that the newest branch of the armed forces be represented alongside the others.

“The current flag displays were initiated through a student project,” said Richard Cummings, secondary principal, who opened Monday’s ceremony and worked closely with Biacchi on the effort. “It is only fitting that the students continue this tradition to keep our military flag display updated. The district has always been a strong supporter of our United States military as well as community service.”

“Today, Loyalsock Township High School is doing more than finishing a flag display,” said Staff Sgt. Conner Bentley, a U.S. Air and Space Force recruiter. “You’re recognizing history while it’s still being written.”

Bentley encouraged students to view the Space Force flag as a symbol of future possibilities, noting that the Space Force did not exist when many of their parents and teachers were in high school. He said today’s students can pursue careers in areas such as cyber operations, intelligence, engineering and space systems, while other careers and challenges they will encounter may not yet exist.

“I hope this flag honors the guardians serving today, inspires the people who may serve tomorrow, and reminds everyone who sees that service comes in many different forms,” Bentley added.

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AUG. 26, 2026) — Students at Donald E. Schick Elementary School will have a little extra support heading into the new school year thanks to a recent donation from WeCare at Sycamore.

WeCare representatives visited Schick Elementary Tuesday afternoon to provide 75 school supply bags for students. The donation will help provide needed school supplies to students as they begin the 2026-27 school year.

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Aug. 5, 2026) — With the start of the 2026–2027 school year approaching, the Loyalsock Township School District is inviting students and families to attend a variety of orientation events and open houses before classes begin.

These events provide an opportunity for students and families to become familiar with their school, meet teachers and staff, explore classrooms and learn more about the programs and opportunities available for the upcoming year.

The district’s schedule is as follows:

Donald E. Schick Elementary School

• Aug. 25: Little Lancer Welcome, 5-7 p.m.
• Aug. 27: Meet the Teacher Night, 5-7 p.m.

Designed specifically for incoming kindergarten students and their families, Little Lancer Welcome provides an opportunity to tour the school, explore classrooms and common areas, climb aboard a school bus, play on the playground and become familiar with the school before the first day of classes.

Loyalsock Township Middle School

• Aug. 18: Sixth Grade and New Student Orientation, 11 a.m.
• Aug. 27: Back-to-School Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Loyalsock Township High School

• Aug. 19: Freshman and New Student Orientation, 1-4 p.m.

The first day of school for students is Monday, Aug. 31.

Families are encouraged to attend their school’s scheduled event to help students feel comfortable, connected and prepared for a successful start to the new school year.

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Aug. 5, 2026) — The Loyalsock Township School District (LTSD) finalized its administrative changes for the 2026-2027 school year Wednesday night with the hiring of Devin Way as assistant principal at Donald E. Schick Elementary School.

Way fills the assistant principal position created by Megan Renninger’s appointment as principal of Schick Elementary earlier this summer following Marc Walter’s transition to principal of Loyalsock Township Middle School.

A Pittsgrove, N.J., native, Way joins LTSD from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Kenai, Alaska, where she has served as principal of Tustumena Elementary School, a Title I PreK-6 school, since 2022. In that role, she led academic programs, teacher development and student support services while overseeing school operations, budgets and professional learning. She also served as a member of the district’s CKLA Principal Cohort, helping lead literacy initiatives and instructional practices across the district.

Prior to becoming a principal, Way served as the district’s lead early literacy specialist, providing instructional coaching and professional development for PreK-2 educators across multiple Title I schools. Her teaching experience also includes elementary schools in the Marshall Islands and Pennsylvania.

Way earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Lamar University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester University. She also holds principal certifications in both Alaska and Pennsylvania.

“Coming home to the East Coast to serve as Schick Elementary’s assistant principal is truly a dream come true,” Way said. “I look forward to fostering a love for reading and building strong positive behavioral supports for our students.”

Additional administrative changes include Dr. Rachelle Ackerman’s transition from middle school principal to supervisor of curriculum and instruction PK-12.

Dayne Waller has assumed the newly created role of principal of teaching and learning for grades 6-12.

Leadership at Loyalsock Township High School remains unchanged, with Stephen Hafele continuing as principal and Richard Cummings serving as secondary principal.

“High-performing schools begin with strong leadership,” Superintendent Dr. Brooke Beiter said. “We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Way to Loyalsock while also recognizing the talented administrators within our district who have taken on new leadership responsibilities. Together, this team brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to student success and a shared vision in providing an exceptional educational experience for every student.”

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AUG. 19, 2026) — The Loyalsock Township School District welcomes four new faculty members to its Lancer teaching team as part of its 2026-27 new faculty induction program.

The new educators are:

• Grace Andrews, business and computer information technology teacher, Loyalsock Township High School
• Rebecca Hatchell, social studies teacher, Loyalsock Township High School
• Caleb McCombie, STEM teacher, Loyalsock Township Middle School
• Heather McCaslin, long-term substitute special education teacher, Loyalsock Township Middle School

The district’s induction program provides mentoring and professional development to support educators during their first year. The program is designed to help new teachers become familiar with the district, develop their skills and support student learning.

“We are excited to welcome these educators to the Lancer team,” said Dr. Rachelle Ackerman, the district’s supervisor of curriculum and instruction, who oversees the induction program. “We look forward to supporting them as they begin this new chapter and to seeing the positive impact they will have on our students and schools.”

Several current faculty members are also beginning the school year in new teaching roles.

• Vanessa Gresh, third grade teacher, Donald E. Schick Elementary School
• Brandon Mulaski, social studies teacher, Loyalsock Township High School
• Jaime Smith, first grade teacher, Donald E. Schick Elementary School
• Jamie Thomas, social studies teacher, Loyalsock Township Middle School

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Above, from left, are this year’s new faculty members, Caleb McCombie, Heather McCaslin, Grace Andrews and Rebecca Hatchell.

 

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AUG. 19, 2026) — A little Lancer pride took to the streets of downtown Williamsport Tuesday night as members of the Loyalsock Township School District’s cheerleading squad, marching band and color guard participated in the Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade.

The Lancers brought plenty of school spirit, music and maroon to the annual celebration, helping welcome players, families and fans from around the world to the Williamsport area for the Little League Baseball World Series.

It was another great opportunity for our students to represent LTSD and be part of one of the community’s most celebrated summer traditions.

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AUG. 24, 2026) — Loyalsock Township School district kicked off the 2026-27 school year with Meet the Lancers Night, bringing students, families and the community together at Kenneth M. Robbins Stadium for an evening of fun and Lancer pride.

The event featured all LTSD athletic teams and student activities, along with community organizations, family-friendly activities and carnival-style games hosted by our high school students. It was a great way to come together, reconnect and celebrate the start of a new school year.

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2026-27 Student Transportation Registration

The Loyalsock Township School District Transportation Department is preparing bus routes and schedules for the 2026-2027 school year.

Transportation Registration Required

All students who plan to ride district transportation must register, even if they rode the bus during the previous school year.

To register your child, click here.

Important Reminder for Incoming Sixth-Grade Students

Students entering sixth grade who previously rode Bus 6 or Bus 11 are no longer eligible for district transportation. Those students will be considered walkers or parent drop-offs.

New Bus Numbers for 2026-27

Thanks to the support of the Board of Directors, the district has purchased three new school buses. While bus routes will remain the same, bus numbers will change. Families should watch for additional information later this summer.

Bus Assignments

Once transportation schedules are finalized, families who have registered will receive their student’s bus assignment, including:

• Morning and afternoon bus stop locations
• Approximate pickup and drop-off times

Bus notifications will be mailed in early August.

Questions?

For assistance, please contact the Transportation Department at [email protected].

 

New-Look ‘Lancer Life’ Now Available

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (JUNE 25, 2026) — The latest edition of Lancer Life, Loyalsock Township School District’s community newsletter, is now available.

Featuring a refreshed design and renewed focus on storytelling, the redesigned publication highlights many of the achievements, milestones and memorable moments that defined the spring semester and conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. Readers will find stories celebrating the Class of 2026, student accomplishments, district honors, academic and extracurricular successes, and the people and programs that make up the Lancer school community.

Featured stories include:

• Graduation 2026 and commencement highlights
• Students bound for Brown and Princeton universities
• Building Confident Readers: Early literacy success at Schick Elementary
• National and state recognition for the district’s music programs
• Distinguished Alumni honoree Dr. Eric Rauff
• Student achievements in academics, athletics and the arts
• Career readiness initiatives and community partnerships
• Spring sports recaps and record-setting performances
• Photo features capturing memorable moments from across the district

The updated publication reflects the district’s commitment to sharing the stories, accomplishments and experiences that define life at LTSD and strengthen connections with students, families, alumni and the community.

Download the Summer 2026 Issue