Gettysburg schools expand support for students in new year

A new school year is underway in the Gettysburg Area School District, and the district is putting more people and programs in place to help with challenges students may be facing outside the classroom.

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The district said it added two social worker positions this year, expanding the number of staff available to connect students and families with help.

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At Gettysburg Area High School, students are also helping one another through programs aimed at welcoming new classmates, building connections and recognizing when a peer may be struggling.

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The changes come as about 2,800 students return across the district. Gettysburg Area School District’s website lists enrollment at 2,846 students, along with 366 faculty and staff members.

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The first day of the 2026-27 school year was Wednesday, Aug. 19.

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The district said its social workers are continuing to connect families with community resources and help address barriers that could interfere with a child’s education. Those needs can include food and clothing assistance, housing resources and help applying for state assistance.

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“We’re actually finding a higher need than expected because we have people who are now able to reach out and support those families and those students as the need continues to grow,” said Jennifer Weigle, who has worked as a social worker in the district for about eight years,.

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One of those resources is Warrior Helping Hands, a community-funded program that can provide school supplies, clothing and hygiene items. It can also help families after an emergency or natural disaster.

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Whitney Eby is new to her social work role in the district this year. She said having social workers based in schools can make it easier for students to know where to go when they need something.

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“I’m most excited about just being able to support the families and the students here,” Eby said, “and just getting to be in one building, so that way the students know who they can go to for resources.”

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About 70 new students joined Gettysburg Area High School this school year, according to Principal Jeremy Lusk.

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"Warrior Ambassadors" help those students adjust. Student ambassadors can help new classmates find their classes, learn how to use their Chromebooks and navigate the building. They wear bright pink lanyards so other students can recognize them in the hallway.

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Livia Powell is one of the students who signed up to help.

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“I decided to join Warrior Ambassadors just because I love helping people, and I feel that it’s like a calling for me,” Powell said. “But I also really enjoy getting to meet new people, make new friends and stuff like that.”

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Another student-led program tackles a much more serious issue.

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Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Students are nominated by their peers as people who care about and support others.

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Senior Kennedy Herring said the program goes beyond its formal mission.

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“Hope Squad on paper is a suicide prevention program, but it goes a lot deeper than that,” Herring said. “It’s about creating a community, a safer place for all the kids and just having a unity of the student body.”

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For Principal Lusk, those students are demonstrating the culture the high school has been working to build through what it calls the “Warrior Way.”

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“Be here, be involved, be committed, be kind—and these two exemplify that, and just makes me happy,” Lusk said.

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There are several other updates for Gettysburg families this school year.

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Breakfast is free for all students during the 2026-27 school year, according to the district. Families can still apply for the free and reduced-price meal program for other meal assistance.

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The district also continues its 24/7 Chromebook and laptop initiative, which gives students access to devices for learning at school and home.

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Parents should also be aware of a change involving student photos and videos. Families who do not want their child’s individual image used in district print, video or other publications must submit a written request to their building principal at the beginning of the school year.

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The district is also operating under its 2025-28 comprehensive plan, which emphasizes a safe and caring learning environment and preparing students to graduate ready to “learn, work, serve, and succeed.”

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Originally published at https://local21news.com/community/back-to-school/back-to-school-gettysburg-schools-expand-support-for-students-gettysburg-area-school-district-high-school-education-pennsylvania-pa