The annual Rusty Rail Food Drive between Sayre and Athens, where students participate in a friendly competition, raised about 16,000 canned goods altogether. The Sayre Area School District Student Council and the Athens Area School District Future Farmers of America compete to see which school can raise the most canned goods. The cans will be donated to the local South Waverly Salvation Army Food Pantry. Each grade level at Snyder Elementary also competes with each other to see who can collect the most food items within the building for some extra motivational fun.

The student council donated $700.00 that they have raised so far this year, which included the money from staff dress-down days. Typically, the sixth grade holds the title for the most canned goods brought in at Snyder Elementary. This year sixth grade and second grade tied and will both be rewarded with a classroom party provided by the Snyder PTG. It is a great way for the classes to come together to do something good for the community. 

Along with the food drive, the community has a local parade, then Athens and Sayre high school football teams play against each other in a football game. At the game it was announced that Athens raised 4,000 cans and Sayre raised 12,000 cans, which is triple the amount Athens raised! This shows that we really are a small school with a big heart. 

Many student council members joined to make a difference in the community. Some people rely on goods from the local food pantry, and the people running the pantry told Mrs. Romberger that our donations help many people and even help keep the food pantry running. The student council has been working very hard to encourage others to donate, collect canned goods, and deliver them to the food pantry. Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Romberger, is also the Student Council advisor. She said that her favorite part of leading the student council here at Snyder is “Seeing the kids give back to their community and having them see that their actions mattered and made a difference.” 

September: Ms. Riley

October: Mrs. Lezak

1. Why did you become a teacher?

Ms. Riley- "I like to learn and love school. I didn't always like math growing up, but found out later that I really love it."

Mrs. Lezak- "I always wanted to be a teacher and help kids. I also like to challenge kids and to see their potential."

2. What is something interesting about yourself?

Ms. Riley-"I went to England for school."

Mrs. Lezak- "I ran 3 marathons."

3. What is your favorite thing about school?

Ms. Riley-"When the students work hard and they have a lightbulb moment."

Mrs. Lezak- "The students make me happy. They are the best part of my day. I also love the staff I work with!"

This summer, a group of adults including teachers and staff came together to clean up the Amphitheater or Outdoor Science/Learning Center. This space is located behind our Snyder Elementary and is a space that teachers can bring the class for different educational lessons or even a brain break and rewards. 

Mr. Howie and a group of adults took several days to perfect the outdoor space for students and teachers to use by cleaning up garbage and trimming/removing weeds, branches, etc. First grader Nevaeh Lichtenfels hasn't been there yet but said, "I like everything about the Amphitheater and hope to go there soon with my teacher."  

If you're wondering how your teacher can bring you to this outdoor space, Secretary Mrs. Baggerly said that there will be a Google form for teachers to sign up and reserve the space. Third grade teacher Mrs. Rancourt said, ¨I love the Amphitheater because you get to hear all the sounds of nature while you are learning. ¨

Recently, Miss Higley and her 5th grade class had the chance to spend some time in this space. She said there was a bulletin board available that could make for a nice reading area which is exactly what they used it for. Miss Higley used that time to read and just observe what was around them. Some of the students even started coming up with ideas on creating a new club where students can help keep the place clean and add to it so more students are able to enjoy it.

"I liked going out because it gave us a chance to explore and come up with ideas on how to improve it, too," said Cameron Shaw.