World Renowned Folk Band Performs at High School

On Saturday October 10th 2022, Shane Cook and the Woodchippers performed for a large crowd in the Western Wayne High School Auditorium. The group performed music from the folk genre known as Old Time Fiddle music and was hosted by Wayne County’s Old Time Fiddlers who joined them for a number. Some pieces also featured a step dancer whose tap shoes would echo through the auditorium as he danced on a wooden board. Shane Cook, a Canadian and U.S. National Fiddle Champion, led the band. The group is also nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Western Wayne Stage Crew students had a great learning experience setting up sound equipment and working with the band.

SHINE After-School Program Returns on Thursday, Oct. 20 Celebration of Lights-On!

Wayne and Pike County, PA
October 2022
WP Workforce Alliance SHINE After School Program is celebrating Lights-On Afterschool on October 20th. The WP SHINE afterschool program will sponsor its annual Lights On Afterschool rally on October 20th at the Hamlin Fire Depart. The event will be one of thousands across America as part of Lights On Afterschool, the annual nationwide rally for afterschool programs organized by the Afterschool Alliance. This year, Lights On Afterschool will highlight the vital importance of community collaboration in small, rural areas. While helping students recover academically and socially from the pandemic, our communities have worked hard to fill in the gaps. Hundreds of students, parents, business, and community leaders from around Wayne and Pike counties joined together for Lights On Afterschool, a rally to celebrate the achievements of afterschool students and draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon. WP SHINE started in 2019 with a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education. It now serves 334 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, and STEAM enrichment. The program focuses on hands-on, project-based learning that emphasizes technological literacy. Entering the 4th year of operations, SHINE is celebrating the importance of afterschool programs by teaming up with local emergency services. As part of the service-learning curriculum, all SHINE centers will visit the Hamlin Fire Department to learn about the importance of emergency services, particularly in rural areas. Our students have spent the month learning about emergency services technologies and careers and the importance of volunteer programs. SHINE is excited to share this event with the Hamlin Fire Department and highlight the important work they are doing to keep our communities safe. Please contact your local fire departments to find out more about the work they are doing and how to get involved. Workforce Alliance SHINE encourages everyone in Wayne and Pike County to celebrate this event with us by turning their porch lights on at 4pm.

Lights-On will take place on Thursday, October 20th at 4pm.

Bus Safety Week AT Evergreen Elementary

On Tuesday, October 18th, Officer Palmer from the Western Wayne School Police and Mr. Peet discussed school bus safety with kindergarten through fifth grade students. Mr. Peet and Officer Palmer discussed rules of the bus, flashing light functions/meanings, proper behavior while riding a bus, and correct procedures when boarding and exiting a bus safely. Thank you to Henwood Bussing for providing the bus for this presentation along with Mr. Peet and Officer Palmer for their time and expertise on bus safety during National School Bus Safety Week. It’s important to note the critical role that school bus transportation plays in education and the link between schools, classrooms, and neighborhoods.

Fall Sports Physicals

Evergreen Elementary celebrates Fire Prevention Week

To celebrate Fire Prevention Week, firefighters from Hamlin Fire & Rescue, Lake Ariel Fire Department and Ledgedale Fire Company were at EverGreen Elementary on Friday, October 14^th to discuss fire prevention and safety with all students. Students were able to see firefighters in their turn-out gear, see different tools used to fight fires, and the different pieces of equipment each fire department has along with having lunch with some of the firefighters. Students learned valuable lessons that they will be able use in the event of an emergency.

We would like to thank Hamlin Fire & Rescue, Lake Ariel Fire Department, and Ledgedale Fire Department for coming to EverGreen Elementary.

Coffee & Conversation – Community happens over coffee

Are you familiar with the phrase, “Community happens over coffee”?

If you are interested in learning more about our district, consider joining us for Coffee & Conversation. We hope you will stop by the District office on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 9:00 am – 10:00 am for a cup of coffee and engage in an informal conversation.

Kindly RSVP at the link below by Wednesday, October 19th. We hope to see you.

https://forms.gle/fNvyBDkAC4xdiT8R8

Western Wayne Crowns Homecoming King and Queen

It was a beautiful night on Friday, Sept. 30, when the Homecoming Court took to the field before the home football game against West Scranton at Western Wayne’s Sharkey-Rossetti Stadium. The court crossed the field prior to the game escorted by their parents to be honored in front of their family and friends before hearing the winners. Seniors Luke Janiszewski and Cyrah Bihler were crowned Homecoming King and Queen respectively. Congratulations to all the members of our court this year! From left, Homecoming Court members: Lucas Putman, Faith Cavage, Kourtney Franklin, Kyle Guarino, Skylar Long, Luke Janiszewski, Homecoming King; Cyrah Bihler, Homecoming Queen; Dustin Ferraro, Niya Acosta, and Marshall Davis.

Western Wayne Hosts 7th Annual Car Show

The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club partnered with the Drama Club hosted their 7th annual Car Show on Sunday, Oct. 2. Despite the brisk weather, the community came out to support the students. Cars filled the parking areas by the football stadium and Hot Rod Club members were able to interact with the owners of a variety of classic cars. In addition, Drama Club students dressed in 50s attire mingled with attendees as old-time music played. There was even an alumni section of cars to be seen. Prizes were awarded to the best in show and over twenty raffle baskets were given to their lucky winners.
“I was thrilled to be able to have my truck in the car show,” Rebeccah King, Class of 2020 said, “I was a part of shop classes and the Drama Club when I was in school.”
The Hot Rod and Drama Clubs look forward to hosting another car show next year and hope to hold it in September of 2023.

Western Wayne Hosts 50th Anniversary Parade

The entire Western Wayne Community joined together on Saturday, September 24, for a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school. A number of groups marched some of which included the Western Wayne faculty and staff, members of the chorus in the middle school, high school, and chorus alumni, the Wildcat Marching Band, some local fire house companies, the members of the 2022 Homecoming Court, the Wildcat Cheerleaders, members of Wildcat sports teams, the Spanish Club, and others.
It was a beautiful day and community members lined up at the Western Wayne Middle and High School campuses to watch the parade that went around the school grounds.
“It was awesome to be back to celebrate this event with my friends in the music community at school,” Nick DeCandis, Class of 2022, said.
Western Wayne has a variety of other alumni events planned throughout the year and look forward to hosting more of our past students for these activities.

Western Wayne Invites Community to Homecoming

Pictured are members of the 2022 Western Wayne Homecoming Court (picture one), from left: Luke Janiszewski, Skylar Long, Marshall Davis, Niya Acosta, Dustin Ferraro, Cyrah Bihler, Kyle Guarino, Kourtney Franklin, Lucas Putman, and Catherine Cavage.

The Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend its annual homecoming game this Friday, Sept. 30.
The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against West Scranton will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court about a half hour before kick-off. The ten seniors on this year’s court feel extremely honored and excited to be a part of this ensemble.
Members of the court include: Niya Acosta, Marshall Davis, Cyrah Bihler, Dustin Ferraro, Catherine Cavage, Lucas Putman, Kourtney Franklin, Kyle Guarino, Skylar Long, and Luke Janiszewski.
All of our senior court members have been highly involved during their time at Western Wayne in a variety of clubs, sports, and other activities.
Senior Niya Acosta has done Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for three years; girls varsity tennis for two years, and National Art Honor Society (NAHS) for three years. Niya plans to attend a community college under a liberal arts program to pursue a degree in computer programming.
Next, Marshall Davis has played soccer since childhood; has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 102 for six years; National Honor Society (NHS) for three years; and absolutely loved his experience with Ultimate Frisbee when he was an underclassmen. Marshall plans to go to college for environmental studies and then attend law school to become an environmental lawyer.
Marshall really enjoyed his high school years at Western Wayne.
“I will remember most being part of an amazing group of people who manage to keep me in a good mood everyday,” he said.
Fellow senior Cyrah Bihler will also cherish the memories she made in school especially with her soccer teammates. Cyrah is a varsity soccer player for four years; FBLA for four years; NHS for three years (held the position of secretary), CATS Club for two years; wrestling manager for two years; Western Wayne Advisory Board Representative for CYS; and Lackawanna Student Athlete Leadership Program. Cyrah plans to attend college and major in physical therapy and continue her soccer career.
Also, highly involved in sports, senior Dustin Ferraro will remember the time he spent with his teammates the most fondly. Dustin is a triple-sport athlete who played baseball, soccer, and basketball for four years; FBLA for three years; and NHS for three years. Dustin plans to major in business in college.
Another senior also interested in a business-related career field after graduation is Catherine Cavage. Catherine has done FBLA for four years; NHS for three years; and is a member of Student Council. Catherine plans to attend a four-year university to major in fashion merchandising.
Next, senior Lucas Putman had done FBLA for four years; volleyball for three years; NHS for three years; Gold for two years; and Spanish Club for two years. He aspires to attend college and study abroad in the future.
Fellow senior Kourtney Franklin has been on Student Council for three years; NAHS for three years; and CATS Club for one year. She wants to attend Penn State for nursing and become a midwife.
In addition, senior Kyle Guarino has many fun memories of his time in school, especially when he was playing basketball in gym class with his friends. Kyle had played football for four years; basketball for three years; FBLA for four years; and Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for three years. Kyle plans to attend a four-year university to major in early education.
Fellow athlete, senior Skylar Long is also excited to be on the Homecoming Court. Skylar has done volleyball, basketball, track, FBLA, and has been a student ambassador all for four years; NHS for three years; Student Council and FCCLA for two years; and has been involved in Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. Skylar plans to attend college and major in either finance or statistics and continue with track and field.
Skylar discussed her favorite high school memory.
“It was having the opportunity to see a women’s Penn State volleyball game my freshman year with the whole volleyball team and getting to experience the main campus,” she fondly recalled.
Finally, senior Luke Janiszewski can’t wait to take the field on Friday night for the football game and Homecoming. Luke has been in varsity baseball for four years; varsity wrestling for three years; varsity football for three years; varsity basketball for one year; FBLA; and FCCLA. Luke plans to join the Marine Corp.
“I am glad to get to have the experience of being on the Homecoming Court with my friends for my senior year,” Luke said.
Luke and all of the members of the Homecoming Court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. for the homecoming festivities followed by the game.