York Haven Elementary School’s annual McTeacher night fund raiser is 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at McDonald’s, 4245 N. George St. Extended, Manchester.

Come see the teachers and Mr. March (principal) take orders. A portion of all orders will benefit York Haven Elementary School.

Coupons are required when placing an order. They can be picked up at York Haven Elementary, 360 Cassel Road, or at any school within the Northeastern School District.

For more information, call the school at 266-5007 or email Maria Pender at penderm@nesd.k12.pa.us.

Read More

Autism York is sponsoring its annual Autism Expo, Walk for Autism, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Central York High School.

The two-themed event is held indoors. The expo features a vendor fair, a talent showcase, a supervised children’s play area, and family activities. Admission is free. The walk is held on the gymnasium track. To become involved, go to www.autismyork.org and click on the Expo & Walk tab for participation information.

The event is a major fund raiser for the organization, to support the ongoing free programs offered to local families and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders.

For more information, call Stacy Kunkel at 578-5217 or email info@autismyork.org.

Read More

By TERRI REUTER
Publications/public information coordinator,
Southern York County School District

Students at Southern Elementary School opened their hearts and change purses for families in need recently by collecting spare change to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey.

The school was given one dollar in “seed money,” and the students were challenged to see how they could make it grow, first-grade teacher Georgia Draucker said. In just two weeks, $742.27 was raised to help the charity, which provides a home-away-from-home for families of children who are being treated at the Hershey Medical Center.

Students in every grade participated in the fundraising effort. First-graders wrote advertisements to promote the event and then read them during the morning announcements. Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades also collected the donation jars each day.

This was the first year that students collected money for the Ronald McDonald House charity. “Kids just gave because it was a kind thing to do for someone less fortunate,” Draucker said.

Read More

By TERRI REUTER
Publications/public information coordinator,
Southern York County School District

Glen Rock, Pa – Students at Southern Middle School danced, raced, and played games for seven hours recently to help children with cancer. As part of the Four Diamonds Fund, the school raised more than $18,000 to help combat childhood cancer. The Four Diamonds Fund, which began in 1972, assists children who are treated for cancer at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, along with their families.

During the fourth annual Mini-THON, the middle school students participated in an all-inclusive program that featured dodge ball, entertainment, games, music, crafts, and prizes. The students, however, had to stand for seven hours. They were entertained with a Zumba instructor, DJ, and the student bands, Frostbite and Black Jacks. In addition, the Bobby family, a local Four Diamonds family, visited with the student participants.

This year’s event raised $18,782.28, far exceeding the $12,728 that was reached last year, said Laura Szkudlapski, English teacher, and Southern Middle School Four Diamonds Fund advisor. Inspired by Penn State’s yearly dance event, THON, the Mini-THON was the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort.

“You should be very proud of your contribution,” she told students at a recent pep rally that was held in their honor. “Parents, students and community members were so generous.”

Read More

Northern Middle School’s Four Diamonds Mini-Thon, held Feb. 10, exceeded all expectations by raising $22,612 to benefit pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Following the theme of Penn State’s Dance Marathon, the original goal was $3,000 for this first-time event, which ultimately drew 352 students and 42 staff members who spent six hours on their feet competing in tug-of-war, karaoke, and “Are You Smarter Than A Middle Schooler,” pitting students against faculty with curriculum based questions, and concluding in a dance.

Students had to raise $25 to participate in the Mini Thon with top fund raisers Rachel Loyer, Grade 6, $401, Kate Golgan, Grade 7, $895, and Alyssa Swartz, Grade 9, $1,700.

Submit your own kid-friendly news and kid creations to the Junior Dispatch by e-mailing stories and photos to juniordispatch@yorkdispatch.com. Please see our Submission Information page for ideas on what you and your kids can offer to Junior Dispatch.

Read More