Westminster Students Design Engagement Program for Local School

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Students in Westminster College’s School of Education have designed a family engagement program for students and families in Wilmington School District. 

Westminster juniors majoring in early childhood and special education designed multidisciplinary activities and lessons designed around the school district’s “What’s the Buzz” theme. The program started April 6.

That week, more than 60 families attended an outside, COVID-friendly event at the school featuring learning stations with multidisciplinary tasks such as map reading and outdoor science discoveries which were accessible by QR codes.

Participating families and their children were invited to a final engagement experience on Earth Day on April 22. Families expanded their “What’s the Buzz” insights into an exploration challenge at the Westminster Field Station, Amish nurseries, their backyards and the Apple Castle in New Wilmington.

George Endrizzi, principal of the Wilmington Elementary School, and Title I teachers Jeannie Carr and Addie Hogg, a 2008 graduate of Westminster, were instrumental in facilitating the event.

“In short: wow,” said Endrizzi, a 2004 alumnus of Westminster’s Graduate School, in a statement. “The activities were fun, interactive and filled with wonderful bugs, songs, exercises and facts.”

“I spent some time today talking to students who participated in the ‘What’s the Buzz’ activities and 100% of the students were excited to share all that they learned and loved about the activities they did. They all had smiles on their faces when they spoke about the various stations,” Endrizzi said.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.