GREENCASTLE, Pa. — The Greencastle-Antrim School District school board members embraced the year’s theme, “Bring the Joy” when they met last week to discuss the upcoming school year. The first day of school will be Aug. 20.
Superintendent Dr. Lura Hanks announced the theme for the 2026-2027 school year, noting it stemmed from the “Portrait of a GA Graduate” video last year, where joy stood out as a common theme among Greencastle teachers responding to the question, “Why are you here?”
Board members reviewed the fourth of the five core competencies, with updates centered around balanced living. Created as part of the “Portrait of a GA Graduate” initiative, the five core competencies outline goals and skills students should achieve by graduation.
Competency four focuses on students’ physical and emotional well-being. Over the summer, guidance counselors, emotional support and wellness teachers worked together to define balanced living across grade levels, including topics such as screen time and media use.
Hanks introduced the “GA Thrive” initiative alongside competency four, highlighting collaboration among students, families and the community to support student wellness. The project includes additions and renovations at GA High School and GA Primary School, as well as construction of a new field house at the high school.
The board approved the construction documents phase and the naming rights and sponsorship catalog for the “GA Thrive” initiative, allowing the projects to go out for bid.
President Janon Gray extended condolences to the family of the late Elizabeth Wilson, who served as an educator in the district for 27 years. She died unexpectedly at age 57 in June. The board held a moment of silence to honor her memory.
Upcoming meetings, topics
At the next school board meeting on Aug. 20, members will vote for approval of policy updates. Policy 249 will be updated to include cyberbullying along with AI-generated images. Policy 702.1 is a new policy that will cover naming rights and sponsorships.
All curriculum updates made over the summer will be presented at the Sept. 17 school board meeting.
