Pequea Valley JULY 1, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 7,160 HOMES
Pequea Valley Math Teacher Find Your America250 Earns IU13 Honor Adventure BY LOGAN MOYER
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equea Valley Secondary (PVS) teacher Kate Stoltzfus was recently named as Secondary Math Teacher of the Year by the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 and the Lancaster County STEM Alliance. Stoltzfus, who teaches Algebra I, Honors Algebra II and AP Statistics, was recognized for her honor at an awards ceremony in May. “It’s incredibly honoring,” said Stoltzfus, who has been teaching in the district since 2015. “I work very hard, but so do so many around me. I’m just so grateful to work for a district that recognizes their faculty who works hard and supports their staff.” Stoltzfus was nominated for the award by PVS principal John Trovato, who referred to the teacher as the “Mary Poppins of Math.” “She strives to reach each kid where they are at, and helps to push them to reach their potential,” Trovato said. “She is a leader in the school, a role model for her colleagues, and a person that has the utmost respect of the entire staff.” She also serves as the lead facilitator (department chair) for the math team at PVS, as well as serving as a TRIBE leader. Stoltzfus said that she elects to teach Algebra I for two main reasons: to be in-tune with the challenges her colleagues are facing, and to be involved with state testing. Stoltzfus also runs support groups for some of Pequea Valley’s middle school students, which is an added
program from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 4, at the Brinton House, 17 Green St., Christiana, which is the group’s headquarters. “It’s been around the Fourth of July, but this is the first year that it’s actually on the Fourth of July,” said CHS member Patti Shrom. “So that kind of makes it extra special for us.”
Before you can teach students, you must first reach them. Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D) has the curriculum, the forward thinking and the professors to challenge active minds. “People often know PCA&D as an art school, but what they may not realize is how deeply connected we are to workforce development, community partnerships and the regional economy,” said PCA&D president Andy Barnes. “Our graduates work across industries because creative thinking is valuable everywhere. Employers increasingly need people who can communicate visually, solve problems collaboratively and think innovatively. We’re also proud to be an active partner in downtown Lancaster. PCA&D contributes to the city’s cultural energy, supports local organizations and creates opportunities for community engagement through exhibitions, events and educational programming.” PCA&D, which is located at 204 N. Prince St., Lancaster, offers eight undergraduate degree programs, as well as continuing education opportunities and certificates in a wide array of design, art and creative disciplines. This fall, the college will be offering a new degree program in creative writing. “ E d u c at i o n h e l p s p e o p l e develop not just knowledge, but perspective,” said Barnes. “It teaches us how to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others and
See Porch pg 3
See Art & Design pg 6
Stoltzfus has taught within Pequea Valley School
PEQ
CHS to Hold “Saturdays on the Porch” Event on Fourth of July
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BY LOGAN MOYER
The event will feature live music by the Christiana Singers, an a capella and four-part harmony group that are all alumni members of the LanChester Chorus.
PCA&D Creatively Develops Real People BY JEFF FALK
See IU13 pg 4 District since 2015.
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VOL LXII • NO 28
It’s an uncharted Saturday for the Christiana Historical Society (CHS). CHS, which has held a “Saturdays on the Porch” program every first Saturday of the month from April through November since 2024, will hold a special edition of the
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