BRES Employee Receives PASR Grant to Support 2nd Grade Pen Pal Program

On Monday, November 25, 2013 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Trudi Hepler attended the BR Board of Education Meeting and received $150 Educational Support Grant from the PA Association of School Retirees (PASR). PASR representivtes in attendance to present the award were Mr. Robert McNamara (former BR Superintendent) and Ellen Holdredge (PASR Susquehanna County Chairman).

Mrs. Hepler wrote the grant request to support a Pen Pal project she started with Kathleen Hilling (Teacher at Susquehanna Community SD) in 1999. Every month the classrooms from Blue Ridge and Susquehanna send letters with a craft or treat to each other. At the end of the year the two schools get together for "Meet Your Pen Pal Day." This project promotes letter writing skills, communication, and a special bond between schools who now can join each other in HS on athletic teams through a partnership between the two schools.

Pictured (L-R): Ellen Holdredge, Trudi Hepler, Robert McNamara