G.C. Hartman Elementary

For the past several cycle rotations in the Elementary Library, students in third and fourth grade have taken time to read and study illustrations from this year’s Caldecott Medal winner, as well as several Honor books. Students then participated in a mock Caldecott vote to see if their selections aligned with the official results from the American Library Association.

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards in American children’s literature. In addition to the medal winner, the committee designates Caldecott Honor Books in recognition of outstanding illustrations. This year, the American Library Association awarded the Caldecott Medal to Cátia Chien for her illustrations in Fireworks.

G.C. Hartman students in third and fourth grade voted as follows:

Mock 2026 Caldecott Winner:

Don't Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson

Mock Caldecott Honor Books:

Cranky, Crabby Crow Saves the World, written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor

Stalactite and Stalagmite, written and illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer

Papilio, written and illustrated by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser

This literary unit provided a wonderful opportunity for students to read, analyze, and engage in meaningful discussion about award-winning literature.

3rd and 4th graders who earned their AR points were treated to donuts or pizza on Wednesday, May 28th. Pictured are a few 3rd graders enjoying their reward for their reading. 🍩🍕

Brian Knoebel from Knoebels Amusement Resort recently visited our 3rd graders to share the rich history of the park. Students learned that the land was originally purchased from William Penn’s son, and Brian even brought along the original deed, which is 253 years old. What an amazing opportunity to connect local history with such a well-loved destination!

Today, as the elementary school prepared to kick off its trip to Knoebels, students were welcomed by a special visitor upon arrival. Kozmo greeted everyone with hugs and high fives, helping to start the day with excitement and smiles. It was the perfect boost of energy to send our students off on a fun-filled adventure! 🎢

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! 🦆

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

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.

Mrs. Traugh’s class enjoyed a fun trip to the Elysburg playground, followed by a special lunch from McDonald’s. Students had a wonderful time playing, exploring, and spending time together outside the classroom!

We would like to extend a thank you to everyone who attended the K–6 Art Show this past Wednesday. Your support means so much to our students and helps celebrate the creativity, hard work, and talent they’ve demonstrated throughout the year.

It was wonderful to see so many families and community members come out to appreciate the incredible artwork on display. Thank you for making the event such a success! 🎨

Ava Kate Maciejewski (5th grade) put her love for reading into action by leading a book club with 3rd grade students. Students read "Out of My Mind," and Ava Kate created discussion questions and activities to engage the students throughout the book.

To celebrate finishing the novel, students watched the movie and enjoyed lunch and desserts provided by Ava Kate.

Mrs. Pfirman facilitated the book club.

Great job to Ava Kate and all of the book club members! 📚

Our 4th grade students had a great day exploring the wonders of Indian Echo Caverns! From fascinating rock formations to learning about the history and geology of the caves, it was a hands-on experience they won't forget.

Positive Behavior Popsicles! 🍭

Miss Haines’ kindergarten friends filled their class reward smiley jar, which meant it was time for another fun celebration! Yesterday was the perfect sunny day to celebrate their excellent behavior and commitment to following all of the ROAR rules with some yummy popsicles! ☀️🐯

Some of Mrs. Traugh’s students enjoyed a trip to Camp Victory today, where they participated in a variety of outdoor activities alongside students from other local school districts. 🌳

The annual SAVE Wellness Walk will be held district‑wide on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with a rain date of Friday, May 29, 2026.

SAVE Wellness Walk shirts are available for purchase to support the event. The online store will close at 11:00 PM on May 14, 2026.

Order here: https://clubhousecustomapparel.chipply.com/scasave/

🎨 K–6 Art Show at G.C. Hartman Elementary 🎨

We are excited to invite families and community members to the K–6 Art Show on Wednesday, May 6, from 5:30–7:30 PM at G.C. Hartman Elementary!

As we prepare for this special evening, our students have been hard at work behind the scenes. Second graders have helped prepare the netting that will be used to hang the artwork, while our first graders have been busy attaching clothespins to each piece. Their efforts have played a big role in getting the show ready.
There has been so much teamwork and collaboration happening in the elementary art room, and it has been wonderful to see students take pride in helping present their creative work.

We look forward to celebrating our young artists’ creativity with you!

Next week's Alternate Lunch at GC Hartman Elem will now be a Hamburger on a Bun. Our apologies for the abrupt menu change. Thank you!