At Burchfield Primary School, the start of the new school year brought a splash of color and personal storytelling to Monica McElwain’s fourth grade art class, where students crafted paper sculptures that were really small self-portraits in disguise. Each fold, cut, and hue carried meaning chosen by its maker: a pink arch representing a beloved sister, a blue fringe recalling a favorite day at the beach, and countless other techniques standing in for the people, places, and memories that make each student who they are.

The project is a reminder of how powerful arts education can be, not just for building technical skill, but for giving children a creative outlet to reflect on and share their own identities. It’s exactly the kind of learning experience that reflects Shaler Area School District’s commitment to educating the whole child, nurturing self-expression and personal growth alongside academic achievement.