Southern Columbia Area School District

Fullington School Bus Company recently recognized several courageous students with plaques for their actions following the September busing accident. Their bravery, cooperation, and quick, selfless efforts played a vital role in ensuring the safety of others. Pictured are Lillian Hinkle and Yanqiu Chen. Grayson Reck, also honored for his efforts, is not pictured.

The following students have been recognized as 8th Grade SoCo Stars for the month of April:

Ashlynn Sharkuski – Mathematics

Ashlynn Sharkuski is nominated as the April SoCo Star for Mathematics. Ashlynn has been one of the most consistently hard-working students, demonstrating steady progress throughout the year regardless of challenges. Ashlynn’s perseverance stands out and serves as a strong example of leadership for others. This work ethic and determination distinguish Ashlynn among peers. Congratulations on a well-deserved nomination.

Logan Turofski – Science

Logan Turofski is selected as the SoCo Star in Science for the month of April. Logan consistently comes to class well-prepared, engaged, and ready to contribute thoughtful questions and insightful comments. Logan’s positive sense of humor enhances the classroom environment, while consistent respect for peers and adults reflects strong character and decision-making. Congratulations.

Jonathan Palmer – Social Studies

Jonathan Palmer is nominated as a SoCo Star for the month of April. Jonathan approaches each class with enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn, consistently showing kindness and encouragement toward others. Jonathan works diligently, even when faced with challenges, and remains actively involved in class discussions. A genuine passion for American History and a commitment to completing work on time make Jonathan a valued member of the class.

Patrick Starr – ELA

Patrick Starr is selected as the SoCo Star for ELA. Patrick consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and strong work ethic, putting forth effort in all tasks. Patrick works well with others, participates regularly, and shows responsibility by staying current with assignments, including making up missed work. A willingness to seek help and give full effort is evident each day. Great work.

Ashley Wlodarczyk from Rohrbach’s Farm hosted a planting activity for Mrs. Long’s middle school students. Students learned about the environmental impact on crops this year and how to care for their plants. 🌱

Yesterday, students across the district in grades K–12 participated in a Wellness Walk organized by the Student Support Team in partnership with SAVE. The event built on the tradition of the SAVE Walk while placing a stronger focus on overall wellness and positive mental health. Throughout the day, students had the chance to take a meaningful break from their regular routines by walking, participating in wellness and mindfulness activities, listening to guest speakers, and spending time relaxing and recharging. The goal was to reinforce the importance of taking care of both physical and emotional well-being, and it was a great opportunity for students to step back, connect, and focus on their health.

On May 15, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist hosted a Nature Day for first-grade students at the school’s Nature Trail. With the support of volunteers from Bloomsburg University, along with Southern Columbia teachers Steve Roth and Mike Williams, students rotated through a variety of engaging stations.

Activities included Stream Study, Pollinators, Nature Bingo, Wild Critters, and Forestry, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore and learn about the natural world.

On May 21, Mr. Williams’ 7th grade Geography class hosted SCA’s Pre-K students for a celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Student-led activities included learning about the American flag, exploring a map of the United States, coloring their own maps, and painting rocks red, white, and blue.

The event concluded with a special rendition of “Happy Birthday” to America, followed by students blowing out candles on cupcakes.

Mr. Deljanovan’s Adventure Sports class recently partnered with the 4th grade classes for an exciting Duck Derby. Each fourth-grade student entered their own duck, racing them down Roaring Creek to see which one would come out on top.

Congratulations to Liam Whitmire from Mr. Rooney’s homeroom for having the fastest duck! 🦆

Southern Columbia Middle School is proud to recognize our 5th Grade May SoCo Stars of the Month. These outstanding students were selected for consistently demonstrating self-control, tolerance, academic integrity, and resilience within the school setting. Their positive attitudes and strong character make them excellent role models for their peers.

Congratulations to our May 2026 honorees: Dustin Searfoss, James Straub, Brexten Cymbala, Leanne Stine, and Arabella O'Donnell. We are proud of your accomplishments and extend our congratulations to you and your families!

Congratulations to Ethan Reed, 12th grade, on capturing the PIAA Class AA State Championship in Javelin with an outstanding throw of 219' 2"! Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off—way to bring home the gold, Ethan!

Southern Columbia Area School District is accepting applications for:

Anticipated K-12 School Counselor for 2026-2027 School Year
7th Grade Science Teacher - Starting 2026-2027 School Year
Elementary Secretary - Full-time (Level I)
Full-time Paraprofessionals
Middle School Secretary
Special Education Secretary

Please check out www.scasd.us and click on Employment for more information!

Mrs. Diehl’s homerooms teamed up with Mrs. Serafini’s 2nd period class yesterday for a hands-on history activity at the stadium as part of SCA’s America 250 celebration. Students worked together to place key historical events in the correct order, bringing the past to life in an engaging and interactive way!

Today the middle and high school history departments worked together to organize a special activity celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Secondary students and teachers teamed up to create interactive lessons for elementary students that were both engaging and easy for younger learners to understand. These activities focused on important events, people, and ideas from American history.

The event was a great way to bring different grade levels together and help younger students learn about the country’s past in a fun and meaningful way. It also gave older students a chance to take on leadership roles and connect with the elementary students. Overall, the day helped build school-wide collaboration while celebrating the history and growth of the United States.

Contributor: Alyssa Conner, Journalism Staff Member

MS Bond and Fishing Creek Transportation are sponsoring a Driver Recruitment Night for Southern Columbia Area School District student transportation! Looking for a rewarding opportunity to serve the community and make a difference for local students? MS Bond and Fishing Creek Transportation are looking for dedicated drivers to join the team transporting Southern Columbia students. 📍 Southern Columbia Area School District Parking Lot 📅 May 26 ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Enjoy: 🌭 Hotdogs, hamburgers, & drinks 🚌 Bus Rodeo Games 🏆 $500 prize for the Bus Rodeo winner! Whether you or someone you may know have experience or are interested in getting started, this is a great opportunity to learn more about driving for Southern Columbia and serving students in our community!

The History Club hosted its annual chess tournament this spring, featuring two months of intense competition and several surprising upsets. When the final match concluded, Johnny Barnette claimed the championship, with Ethan Reed finishing as runner-up. Johnny earned a medieval-style chess set, while Ethan received a $20 Sheetz gift card. Congratulations to both players on an outstanding tournament! ♟️

Good morning. Bus 16 will be delayed approximately 10 minutes this morning, May 20. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Lunch Menus for the remainder of the year have been posted. Due to the end of the school year approaching, some of these menu items may or may not be available, depending on inventory and delivery schedules. As changes are necessary, we will do our best to communicate which items will be impacted. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Criminal Justice students recently participated in Emergency Preparedness Day at FCC Allenwood. Students had the opportunity to view live demonstrations and speak with professionals working at the local, state, and federal levels in law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, and other related fields.

Claire Leisenring has earned recognition as Citizen of the Month for her outstanding character, positive attitude, and commitment to the school community. Claire consistently shows respect and kindness to her peers and teachers, while also demonstrating a strong work ethic in the classroom. She leads by example, takes pride in her work, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to others.

Good morning. Bus 4 and Bus 20 are combined this morning. As a result, Bus 4 will be approximately 15–20 minutes late. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The SCASD Board of Directors will hold the following meetings this evening in the High School Library: 6:00 - Activities Committee, 6:30 – Curriculum Committee, 7:00 – Board Meeting. The meetings will be live streamed on the SCASD YouTube Channel.
YouTube Live Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbqwZvHFZTI
Board Docs: https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/scol/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DSWNPH60E586