The Penn‑Trafford School Board opened its meeting with student recognitions and district updates, highlighting a large community Make‑A‑Wish fundraising effort and naming students of the month from elementary through high school.

Board members and the student representative praised the district’s participation in the December Make‑A‑Wish campaign. One attendee said, “I think the amount of money that you've raised with your programs is absolutely sensational.” District speakers referenced multiple reported totals during the discussion; the transcript records figures described verbally (for example, "530,000" and other amounts) but did not provide a single consolidated accounting.

The board recognized Catherine (Katie) Josephic, a 10‑year‑old fifth grader at McCullough Elementary, with teachers noting her academic performance, leadership and participation in chorus and gymnastics. Penn Middle School honored eighth grader Natalia Gunstrom for academic distinction and extracurricular leadership, and the high school presented Amelia Leitner as student of the month for volunteerism and academic engagement.

Administrators also briefed the board on elementary and middle‑school activities: kindergarten registration opened for the 2026 school year with more than 30 registrations reported at McCullough and a registration deadline noted as March 6; middle‑school fundraising (Landrum’s Light) was said to have raised about $4,500 to support local cancer patients; and career‑technical enrollment was reported at roughly 115 students in CWCTC courses.

The updates were largely ceremonial and informational; no formal board actions were taken related to programming or fundraising at the meeting. The board moved on to regular business after the recognitions.