Category: Lyter News

Best Community for Music Education: 10 Years

Montoursville Area School District Receives National Recognition for Championing Music Education- 10 Consecutive Years

Montoursville Area School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education. This is the district’s 10th year in a row receiving this recognition.

The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs. In 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools—including public, private, charter and parochial institutions—have been recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.

Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving musical communities. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

Peer Mentoring Programs Strengthen Connections Across Our Schools

MASD continues to celebrate the power of mentorship through two thriving peer‑to‑peer programs that connect students across grade levels and buildings.

High School members of the Key Club have partnered with 4th graders at each elementary school to form monthly pen‑pal relationships. In addition to exchanging letters focused on a different positive character trait each month, the pen pals also meet face‑to‑face three times a year—in the fall, winter, and spring. These gatherings give students the chance to build real‑world connections, deepen their conversations, and bring their written exchanges to life. The program strengthens communication skills for all participants while allowing older students to serve as encouraging role models for their younger peers.

At Lyter Elementary, mentorship extends even further. Intermediate students in grades 3 and 4 have taken on the role of “Kinder Buddies,” supporting kindergarten and first grade students through monthly meet‑ups. Together, they practice early reading skills, phonemic awareness activities, and the foundations of friendship. These moments of connection help build confidence in young learners while giving older students meaningful leadership opportunities.

Both programs reflect the district’s commitment to fostering community, character, and collaboration—one relationship at a time.