COMING HOME: A LEGACY OF LEARNING AT ELROY ELEMENTARY rentwood Borough SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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This year at Elroy Elementary School is unlike any other. As we celebrate 105 years of learning, memories and community, we also prepare to say goodbye to the building that has meant so much to generations of students, families, and educators.
For four remarkable teachers, this final year carries an even deeper meaning. Each of them once entered Elroy’ s doors as a student— and years later returned as an educator, dedicating their careers to the very school that helped shape who they are today.
Returning to Elroy to teach has been a fullcircle journey, made even more special by the opportunity to work alongside former teachers and mentors. That transition— from student, to teacher, to colleague— has strengthened their sense of belonging and deepened the continuity that defines Elroy’ s legacy. In their own words, they reflect:“ It is a unique and rewarding experience to return to your roots and teach alongside your formal mentors. Transitioning from a student to teacher dynamic to a peer relationship has brought a profound sense of community and continuity to Elroy. We feel that it helped us
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Clockwise from upper left: Mindy Golvash, Sheri
Duing, Christine Dietz, Amy Smith, Tracy Rittiger
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· Tracy( Nodaros) Rittiger, brings 35 years of dedication to nurturing curiosity and confidence in young learners.
· Mindy( Dolinski) Golvash, has spent 32 years helping students find their voices through reading and writing.
· Sheri( Strawniak) Duing, has devoted 27 years to preparing students for the next chapter of their academic journey.
· Christine( McSwigan) Dietz, has welcomed Elroy’ s youngest students with warmth and care for 26 years, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Additionally, among the district’ s elementary school teachers, Elroy first grade teacher Amy Smith attended Moore Elementary as a student. Moore teachers Shannon Shubert( 1st grade) and Rebecca Wilson( 3rd grade) also attended Elroy as students, along with numerous Brentwood Middle and High School teachers who were students at one of the two long-time and cherished elementary schools.
As Elroy Elementary marks its 105th year and its final year within its walls, these educators embody everything the school stands for: commitment, connection and community. Their stories remind us that while buildings may change, the heart of Elroy lives on through the people who learned here, taught here and
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relate better to our students over the years during our careers. Here’ s to our heartfelt journey at a school that holds so much history!”
That history lives on in their classrooms every day. The four Elroy teachers who also attended Elroy as students:
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have loved this school.
This year, we honor the past, celebrate the present and carry Elroy’ s legacy forward to the new Brentwood Elementary School, forever rooted in the memories made within these halls.
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In Mrs. Jamie Dobson’ s 5th grade science class at Elroy Elementary, holiday fun met high-level STEM learning during an engaging LEGO Robotics design challenge. The problem was simple, but creative: How could the Grinch steal the Christmas presents?
Before students even touched the LEGO kits, Mrs. Dobson reminded them of an important engineering principle. Students first completed a planning and design sheet where they sketched their ideas and explained how their creation would work. As she told them,“ Engineers don’ t just jump in. They plan first so their ideas make sense.”
Working in partner teams, students designed, built and coded gadgets, vehicles and tools to help the Grinch carry out his sneaky plan. The room quickly filled with conversation, problem solving and collaboration as students tested ideas, revised designs and worked through challenges together. The creativity on display was impressive. One group engineered a grabbing arm that could reach down from Mount Crumpit to pull presents from houses without going inside. As one student explained,“ It grabs the presents from really far away so he doesn’ t have to go inside.”
Another team designed a suction cup device to quietly remove windows instead of using the chimney. They shared,“ The chimney would be loud, so this way he can take the window off and grab the gifts.”
16 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL
CATCHING THE GRINCH WITH CODE: ELROY 5TH GRADERS TAKE ON A LEGO ROBOTICS CHALLENGE
A different group built a claw strong enough to lift multiple presents at once. One student proudly noted,“ We made it stronger so it can grab more than one present.”
One group created a vehicle with lights to help the Grinch see decorations at night and target homes filled with gifts. A student explained,“ When the lights turn on, he can see which houses have the most stuff.”
Throughout the lesson, Mrs. Dobson encouraged perseverance and independence. When designs didn’ t work the first time, she reminded students,“ If it doesn’ t work the first time, that’ s okay. That’ s part of engineering. You try it, fix it and try again.”
Students embraced that mindset. As one student reflected,“ It didn’ t work at first, but we changed it and tried again.”
What looked like a festive activity was actually a rich STEM experience. Students applied engineering design, coding, critical thinking and communication skills while strengthening their ability to collaborate effectively with a partner. They were able to explain their thinking, adjust their plans and take ownership of their learning.
In the end, it wasn’ t just the Grinch who was on a mission. These Elroy 5th grade engineers demonstrated that with creativity, teamwork and perseverance, they can solve even the trickiest challenges.
Mrs. Dobson’ s class showed how STEM learning can come alive through imagination, thoughtful planning and hands-on exploration.