Activities

Funded through our Home and School, an author or illustrator is invited annually to spend the day with our students discussing, sharing, and demonstrating his/her craft.

At Salford Hills, we are the Blue Crew! That’s a great name for all the people that make our school great! Every kindergartener, every first grader, every second grader, every third grader, every fourth grader, every fifth grader, every helper, and every teacher are ALL on our Blue Crew Team! Together we will spread kindness, show our Salford Hills pride and build community!

An extension of Blue Crew is a small group of Blue Crew Ambassadors. Ambassadors (BCAs) are third - fifth grade students selected to lead Salford Hills with school spirit, enthusiasm, kindness and strong character. The BCAs participate in leadership opportunities during the school day as well as participate in some after school meetings. During these meetings, the BCAs are the voice of our student body, not only to share great ideas, but to put them into action!

Ecological concerns have always been important issues at Salford Hills. We’ve celebrated Earth Day in some way for many years. Our teachers share with students the necessity of promoting a balance between "man" and "environment". Students practice "earth-friendly" habits by recycling paper, some cardboard, lunch products, and plastics.  And "going green" grew new meaning when Salford Hills started our very own fruit & vegetable garden.

First, a little history. Inspired by two students who saw a need in our school to share environmentally friendly habits, we formed our C.R.O.P.S. (Cultivating Responsible Options for Positive Sustainability) committee. Soon, lunch procedures changed and recycling efforts doubled. Students participated in a trash-free snack day. Also important to our activities was initiating a vegetable garden which, in addition to having great educational value, we would be able to grow produce to swap and share in the summer. Assisted by local businesses, volunteers, and a few small grants, we grew peas, radishes, and lettuce. Eventually our garden and variety of produce expanded, and whenever possible we've shared that produce with students, whether it was pumpkin pies baked by fifth graders, lettuce and corn in the lunch line, or watermelon for every student to celebrate the start of a new school year. 

Encouraged by our success, plans expanded over the years, and so has our garden! Annually, we honor Earth Day by facilitating a number of activities and crafts. We continue to teach children about man’s effect on the environment. In addition, our plans for the garden have changed dramatically. Our Salford Hills Community Garden now features a 50x100ft. vegetable garden as well as some raspberry bushes on its fence line. Our hope is that by expanding our garden we will multiply our production of fruits and vegetables supplementing lunches for our students, for our families through summer swaps, and for Keystone Opportunity Center, a local food pantry. The garden is an expanded "outdoor classroom" as well offering hands on educational opportunities and supplementing our science and ecology curriculum.

Clearly we could not attempt such a venture alone. Throughout its almost 15 years, our garden has had a number of grants assist us financially, including one from Indian Valley Education Foundation (IVEF). Local businesses have responded with materials and manpower. Most importantly, we have community support within our school. Parent volunteers are always welcome during Earth Day activities, and typically over thirty families help in the summer by weeding, watering, and harvesting.

Our C.R.O.P.S. initiative presents many opportunities. The educational benefits are obvious. Important also is that the garden is a focal point for our school community to come together. Our families meld as we work toward a common goal. Additionally, we teach children the importance of helping others in our broader community, assisting those in need through food donations. Lastly, we have a calling in education to share with children that they are connected to a larger world. It’s a world where individuals and families and community must work together in harmony with nature and our environment. Our garden teaches the benefits of working together and social responsibility, a character counts trait that Salford Hills values beyond measure. Hopefully, using a trowel or weeding and sprinkling or collecting vegetables or taking food donations to a food bank will help students become the dedicated citizens we all desire for our children.

The Distinguished Reader medal is given to students in grades one through five who read at least 30 books a year, expanding their horizons by reading various authors and genre. Honoring their accomplishment, diligence, and hard work, we broadcast student names on the PA system so everyone celebrates together.

Partially funded by the Salford Hills Home and School Association, each grade level enjoys the opportunity to attend at least one field trip during the year.  Pre-Covid jaunts included:

• Kindergarten – Center Point Pond Fishing Adventure
• First Grade – Crayola Factory
• Second Grade – DaVinci Science Center and DeSales University Theatre
• Third Grade – Crystal Cave
• Fourth Grade – Harrisburg Capital Tour, The State Museum of PA, and Hershey
• Fifth Grade – Three Day Outdoor School Experience
   

Highlighting the day-to-day excellence students enjoy, our students walk their parents through a day sharing various projects and works of pride.

We celebrate our fifth graders by inviting families to drive through a cheering tunnel of Salford Hills teachers and staff members wishing students well as they journey to middle school. With fire trucks, noise makers, lights, and other visuals, it is truly a sensational event. At the end of the tunnel, fifth grade teachers share students' elementary portfolios, a cumulative reflective showcase of their work at Salford Hills. Families, most of whom have decorated their cars, enjoy a lasting memory of their Salford Hills experience and are encouraged about their unfolding chapter yet to come.

A club for fifth grade students who meet after school, Math 24 Challenge engages math concepts that are part of the First in Math program which is an integral component of our Math curriculum.

Classes begin each day with a Morning Meeting that involves a Greeting, a Morning Message, Sharing and an Activity.  Along with closing circles at the end of the day, these activities build a sense of belonging and community within the classroom.

MCIU Reading Olympics is a countywide reading event that encourages students to increase the quality and quantity of books they read for enjoyment. The Reading Olympics Program is based upon the belief that good reading habits form the foundation for a productive and successful life. Traditionally four to six teams of 4th and 5th grade students participate.

Funded through an annual book fair around Open House week, Salford Hills provides two free book distributions to students throughout the year. The children choose and keep several paperback books.