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Robb Elementary highlights pre‑K readiness and student mentoring program
Summary
Robb Elementary staff and students presented program improvements and community partnerships to the Keystone Central School Board, highlighting rising kindergarten benchmarks, a new IMTSS partnership and a student‑to‑student mentoring program that pairs third‑grade mentors with younger students.
Robb Elementary staff and students presented to the Keystone Central School District Board on Nov. 13, describing improvements in early childhood readiness, new supports and a student mentoring program.
Tyler Barth, who introduced the presentation, said the Champions pre‑K program focuses on foundational skills and social‑emotional learning while coordinating closely with kindergarten teachers. "We believe in the importance of early childhood education," site director Lex Weiser said, explaining the program’s daily centers, STEM activities and emphasis on self‑help skills such as putting on coats and using zippers and buttons. Barth told the board the school’s kindergarten benchmark data are at their highest levels in five years.
Barth also noted recognition from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network: Robb Elementary was selected to participate in a multiyear effort to build and sustain an integrated multi‑tiered system of support (IMTSS) with intermediate unit partners and national experts.
Students described the school’s Student‑to‑Student (S2S) mentoring program. Third‑grader Evie Kaye said being a mentor taught her to listen and lead: "This responsibility has taught me how to listen to others better and become a stronger leader." Multiple third‑grade mentors described checking in each morning with a younger partner, asking how they feel, and sometimes practicing a secret handshake. Leaders said 26 third‑grade mentors currently serve paired kindergarten–second‑grade students and that the program has expanded to other district schools.
Barth outlined additional partnerships and supports at Robb: a Bringing Up Grades (BUG) collaboration with the Lock Haven Kiwanis, student‑teacher partnerships with local universities, a school care closet providing clothing and hygiene items, Title I family night programming and an upcoming mobile dental clinic. He said the school’s average daily attendance is about 95%, up from 78% four years ago, and credited the building culture and staff.
The presentation concluded with an invitation to the public to attend upcoming Robb events, including a holiday concert downtown and a January wellness day.
