Candy Cane Lane is a ‘store’ set up in our Snyder school to allow kids to shop for family and friends for the holidays. This year, Mrs. Moore worked hard reaching out through social media and to local companies in the community to raise money for Candy Cane Lane. This money allowed kids to buy items for their loved ones, even if they did not bring in money. In total, Mrs. Moore raised $5,500 that provided an opportunity to every student in the building to shop this year.

“I started this project because I wanted every student to be able to shop. I was really excited to see students happy with their full bags,” said Mrs. Moore.

In addition to the money raised by Mrs. Moore, Coach Blythe and the basketball team held a toy drive in support of Candy Cane Lane to provide more gifts at the store. Members of the community also came together and adopted classes throughout the building to provide each student in the building with a gift.

“I was overjoyed and happy about the opportunities that each child was getting to buy for their family and be given a special gift just for themselves,” said fifth grade teacher Miss Higley. 

“I love being able to play the saxophone and getting this chance to be able to play in front of everyone,” said 6th grader Gabriel Frisbie. 

Being in Band or Choir is very important to many students who participate. It takes a lot of dedication and practice to get better. Not only is it important, it can help with a lot of other different things! Being involved in these activities may relieve stress, boost confidence and self esteem, and provide opportunity for long lasting friendships! 

Every year, the Band and Choir students have the opportunity to perform in a concert for family, friends, and teachers. The Band and Choir students have been practicing for their concerts since September, but many students practice their skills on their own time throughout the year. On December 13, these hardworking students performed their songs, instruments, and their talent in front of the entire auditorium filled with both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Kaylee Kmetz thinks that the songs brought a lot of joy to everyone in the community. 

“Learning the words for the songs can be very challenging but it's all worth it in the end,” states sixth-grader, Kaylee Kmetz. 

The hard work these Band and Choir students have to put into preparing for this performance, and the time and effort they put in shows how much these activities mean to the students. It takes skill, practice, and dedication to be in Band and Choir. 

“Being in these groups means you have to be practicing every night or every other night with your songs or instruments,” said sixth-grader, Ashlyn Johnson. 

Have you met Ollie? Walking around you may have seen Mr. Handrick, Director of Student and Academic Affairs, with a dog trailing close by. This dog is Ollie. Ollie has been training as a therapy dog for our school district. 

Ollie’s owner, Mr. Handrick, said he “thought it would be nice for kids to have a dog at school.” He also noted that “Dogs have been proven to help when people are having a bad day.” 

Some classes are working on having Ollie come in so they can read books to him. This helps some students that may be shy to read in front of other kids and helps them get more comfortable. Ollie also sometimes stops by different classrooms to catch students being good for some one on one petting time. 

Mr. Handrick has had Ollie for about 1 ½ years. Mr. Handrick said that as a therapy dog Ollie walks around the school with him, goes to meetings, visits kids who are having a bad day, and sometimes goes to classrooms as a reward. 

Ollie is a golden doodle. That means he is part golden retriever and part poodle. Ollie is the first therapy dog Mr. Handrick has trained. “The hardest thing about taking care of Ollie,” Mr. Handrick said, “is walking him on cold and rainy days.” Mr. Handrick is very happy that Ollie can be in our district and said he "loves seeing a kid who’s having a tough day smile when they see Ollie.”

Something new seen at Snyder this year is a Coffee Cart organized and run by Miss Wayman and her class. The Coffee Cart provides coffee or hot chocolate to teachers and staff who wish to purchase a hot drink in the building every Friday.  

Students in Miss Wayman’s class get the opportunity to collect orders, make, and deliver coffee to staff in the building. Miss Wayman said that she started this project because, “It’s a great skill for students to learn… they’re socializing and it will be a good skill to have later in life.” 

Miss Wayman mentions that she started the Coffee Cart because, “It’s something that the staff get to enjoy and the students enjoy serving it.” Miss Wayman also said, “They all work together and have specific jobs. One specific student doesn’t run [the Coffee Cart], but we rotate who pushes it.”

Fourth-grader Hunter Hall and fifth-grader Blaze Granger mentioned that their favorite part of helping with the Coffee Cart is making the coffee. Both boys think that helping with the Coffee Cart is fun, and they enjoy making the coffee.

Ms. Owen noted that she “thinks it’s wonderful” that she can get coffee from students in the building, and that it’s great for the kids who do it.

This is the story of a 50-year-old school. H. Austin Snyder Elementary is a small school with a big heart. On Friday, November 12th, Snyder Elementary held an assembly to recognize past staff members that worked in the building, presented historical information and photos, celebrated the significance of the school for the 50th Anniversary of the building. When asked about the school students attend turning 50 years old, many had great things to say about Snyder Elementary. 

Jayce Vanhousen in Mrs. Conden’s first grade class said, “I like that the teachers and my friends make me feel safe and special.”

The assembly began with introductions and greetings from Snyder building Principal, Mrs. Murrelle, and Sayre Area School District Superintendent Dr. Daloisio. The guest speakers spoke about Mr. H. Austin Snyder and what his role was. His granddaughter, Diana Adam-Podgornik, shared many memories provided by her parents and grandparents about her grandfather's memories of his time connected to the early days of Snyder.

“My grandfather was the Superintendent of all of the schools, and I love that about him,” Mrs. Adam-Podgornik said.

Mr. Farley, Representative Tina Pickett and Mayor Tim Hickey also made an appearance and took part in the recognition of 50 years of Snyder Elementary. Their acknowledgment speeches were followed by the sounds of Sayre Band and Chorus members performing a happy birthday song joined by students and past and present Snyder staff.

The very first principal of Snyder Elementary, Mr.Yanuzzi, also attended the anniversary celebration and spoke about his fond memories and time spent in Snyder’s first years as a school. The pictures he displayed really gave current students an idea of what the school first looked like and how much time and effort went into building this school. 

Mrs. Murrelle, the current Snyder Elementary Principal said, “I love being Principal. I love the hard work that the teachers and staff put in to make the students be the best they can be.” 

The assembly focused on the rich history about Snyder Elementary. Throughout all the 50 years of the school being here, students and staff have come and gone each year bringing more life and history to this special building. When asked about their school, many students commented that it was a safe place for them to learn and felt like home.

Luke Thompson in Mrs. Murrelle’s third grade class said, “The teachers make me feel happy, safe, and heard. That's what I love about Snyder Elementary.”