Highland Elementary School -

During our final school board meeting of the 2025-2026 school year, we are proud to recognize many students for a variety of commendable achievements in both athletics and academics. Well done, Mountaineers!

If your child turns four years old by September 1, 2026, they are eligible to participate in our Mighty Mounts Academy! Learn more and sign up at easdpa.org/MightyMounts

Now that summer is upon us, we thought you might find this safety information helpful.
Additionally, with construction taking place at both Fulton and Highland Elementary Schools this summer, those playgrounds are currently closed. Thank you for your understanding and continued best wishes for a safe and happy summer break!

REMINDER: Tomorrow - Thursday, June 4 - is the last day of school for students.

Dismissal times:
Middle School 11:55 AM
High School 12:00 PM
Elementary Schools 12:40 PM
Intermediate School 12:45 PM

Our graduating seniors were welcomed with enthusiastic cheers, handmade signs, and countless high-fives from our youngest learners lining the halls when they returned to their elementary schools today. Along the way, they reconnected with former teachers, revisited old classrooms, and reflected on how far they’ve come. This heartwarming tradition is cherished by students, staff, and especially our graduates. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Today, two Highland Elementary School students earned the opportunity to serve as "Principals for the Day." They are enjoying this special experience with Mr. Esbenshade and making memories they'll treasure for years to come.

Congrats to our elementary students who received Mountaineer Recognition Awards. From earning 1st place in the Coding Content to qualifying for the PA Invention Convention and much more, students had a special visit from Dr. Troop today to recognize a variety of achievements.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! We look forward to welcoming our Mountaineers back to school tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26.

Congrats to the top finishers in the annual Math 24 Competition. Over 200 EASD students in grades 3-5 took part in the fast-paced, tournament-style math challenge where students compete to use four given numbers and basic arithmetic operations to make exactly 24. The competition builds mental math, number sense, and quick problem-solving skills through increasingly difficult rounds. We celebrate all who participated and recognize our finalists for their outstanding performance.

Calling all rising fourth grade families...

It’s National Library Week! This year’s theme, “Find Your Joy,” celebrates the power of libraries to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

We’re proud of our Ephrata Area School District learners and educators who make our libraries vibrant spaces for discovery every day. Thank you for turning pages into possibilities and helping every student find their joy!

Another Reading Olympics in the books!
• 42 students
• 7 teams
• 56 competition questions
• 159 total books finished
• 161 days preparing and practicing
• 33,947 pages read

After three playoff rounds, here are the results:
First Place – The Last Chapter (EIS) – 27 points (Tie-Breaker Win)
Second Place – The Reading Renegades (HES) – 25 points
Third Place – The Title Titans (AES) – 23 points

Congrats to these deserving Mountaineers and thanks to all who support their love of reading!

Thank you to our generous community and Giant for "rounding up at the register" to help ensure all students are well fed and ready to learn!

If you think their hands are full, you should see their hearts! 💜💛 Thank you to our team of paraprofessionals for the meaningful work they do to support our students and staff.

Kindergarten students are exploring life long ago and how it has changed over time. They studied historic artwork like The Crossing of the Delaware and recreated the scene with a classroom “tableau.” Students also learned the song You’re a Grand Old Flag while discovering important flag rules, including never to let it touch the ground and folding it properly with the stars on top. A special thank you to Mrs. McEllhenney for demonstrating how to respectfully lower and fold the outdoor school flag!

Did you know this week marks the 100th day of school! Our kindergarteners are celebrating in many innovative and creative ways!

Kindergarten registration is open for the 2026-2027 school year! Visit www.easdpa.org/kindergarten and register early to get a free t-shirt!

Our Mountaineers have been celebrating their very own Super Bowl – make that SOUPERBOWL! Students and staff at Highland Elementary School gathered items for Mountaineers’ Table, showing what kindness and empathy truly look like. Even more impressive? Students donated over $900 in Mount Money, a school-based currency (not real money) reward system, earned by demonstrating positive behaviors and LRG traits to help purchase additional items for those in need. That’s a win no matter the score. GO MOUNTS!

Shout out to our amazing team of EASD School Counselors and the important work they do to support our students!

Today, Ephrata High School students in the Women in STEM Club led Highland second-graders in a fun, hands-on science lesson to create "lava lamps" and discuss density - sparking curiosity and inspiring future STEM leaders.