Author: Brian Seaman

Lifesaving Help for Mental Health Awareness Month

More than 7,400 students in six area school districts received a treat with a message this month: snack packs with two lifesaver candies, resource cards listing organizations offering help for mental health issues, and a note that said “Be a lifesaver, let someone know help is within reach.”

            The packs, distributed for Mental Health Awareness Month by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Wayne/Pike Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI), went to students in grades 7 through 12 in Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, Wallenpaupack Area, Delaware Valley, Forest City Regional and East Stroudsburg school districts.

Western Wayne students received their snack packs the week of May 24.  The students were glad to get their treat and this important information.

 “This past year we saw so many changes in our daily lives, it was hard for everyone, but especially for young people,” said Carol Kneier, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, manager Wayne Memorial Community Health, a member of NSPI.  

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, between April and October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, hospital emergency departments saw visits from children for mental health needs rise sharply from the year before – up 24% for children aged 5-11 and 31% for young people 12-17.

“Our goal is to increase awareness about mental health and let students know that they are not alone and help is always available. The resource cards were designed to be handy – to fit in pockets and wallets—and to be conveniently accessed if and when needed.”

From left: Mrs. Jennifer Bradley, Western Wayne Middle School principal; Jean Tuttle, assistant to manager Wayne Memorial Community Health; Carol Kneier, manager Wayne Memorial Community Health; and Mr. Paul Gregorski, Western Wayne High School principal.

NSPI groups involved in the effort also included the Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Programs and Early Intervention and Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services.

Kneier reiterated the national message of NAMI,  “Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle.”

For more about Mental Health Awareness Month, visit the NAMI website Mental Health Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness  or for information about Pennsylvania’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan, visit PA SSPP.

Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program

We are informing you about the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program. This program was developed by the FCC to help provide internet service to low-income families who qualify. We want to make you aware that students in your household may qualify. Eligible consumers can receive up to $50/month discount for broadband services.

In order to qualify for the EBB Program, at least one member of the household meets one of the following criteria:

1. Participates in a Lifeline-qualifying government program such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits.

2. Participates in the free and reduced-price school lunch/breakfast program in 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year.

3.Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
Significant loss of wages in the year 2020

In order for the household to be considered for the EBB Program, they must complete a National Verifier Application Form through the website www.usac.org. Once approved they will then have to contact their approved internet provider and provide proof of approval.
Please note that all eligible households must individually be registered through the National Verifier, The Community Eligibility Provision does
not automatically grant approval into the EBB Program.

The official start date for EBB Program Wednesday May 12. Complete information regarding the EEB Program can found at www.fcc.gov/ broadbandbenefit.

Additionally, in an effort to identify the level of Internet access and connectivity that residents have within our school district, we are asking that you complete a short survey. The data collected will greatly assist our school district with obtaining local, state and federal broadband funding to provide additional resources to our students and families. The survey can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/broadbandsurveypa. Thank you in advance for your time in taking this survey!

High School Hosted Live Spring Chorus and Band Concert

Western Wayne High School came together on Saturday, May 8th, in an exhibition of the arts. The chorus concert took place in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium and the band concert followed in the high school gym. 

            The concerts showcased the groups’ musical abilities honed after months of hard work. Both the band and choir have faced challenges from a school year rife with uncertainty, but even through the difficulties of rehearsing in a pandemic the ensembles pressed onward and were proud to present a spring concert.

 As chorus member and band drum major Rhonda Fenkner puts it, “Generally in the music program we’ve had our struggles, but thanks to the work of administration and teachers we were able to put on a show and persevere.”

The choir, directed by Mr. Taber Starnes, performed “Gratias Deo”, “We Believe in Music”, “Bully in the Alley”, and “Shenandoah”, as well as “Here’s to Us” featuring 12th grade students and “Wade in the Water” featuring PMEA District Chorus students. The band, directed by Mrs. Elaine Ort, presented their performance From Mozart to Modern with the songs “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro”, “Irish Tune from County Derry”, “The Wrong Note Rag”, “Sunchaser”, and “Fate of the Gods”. 

The members of the band and chorus were pleased to have this opportunity to share their music with the community.  Attendees of the event had preassigned tickets, and all COVID safety measures were in place for the performances.

            A recording of the chorus concert can be found at the following link: https://youtu.be/e62QpzTlZ-w. As the school year ends, the Middle School chorus and band programs will also have concerts presented in much the same way as the High School music events. As they become available links to these performances will be posted on the Western Wayne web page https://ww3.westernwayne.org/

District Celebrates School Lunch Hero Day

  • From left: Sharon Fairclough, Martha Carutt, Jill Scaduto, Denise Williams, and Kristy Rusin.

Western Wayne Middle School students were treated to a lunch served by super heroes on Friday, May 7, for School Lunch Hero Day. The cafeteria workers dressed up in capes and masks for the occasion, but, in reality, these ladies serve as heroes to the students on a daily basis.
Jill Scaduto, who has worked in cafeteria service at Western Wayne for eight years, said she was excited to dress up for the kids.
“It is great just to know that we get to serve each student and that each one appreciates what we do,” Scaduto said.
Co-worker Sharon Fairclough, who has worked in cafeteria service at Western Wayne for fifteen years, agrees.
“I like my job because I get to spend time hanging out with the kids on a daily basis,” Fairclough said, noting that her own two children, both Western Wayne alumni, have since graduated.
The ladies look forward to continuing their work feeding the students of Western Wayne and plan to do some other theme days amongst themselves to brighten the kids spirits as the school year winds to a close.

Knoebels Ride Tickets: Sophomore Class Fundraiser

This is a fundraiser to benefit the Western Wayne sophomore class of 2023. If you have any questions please contact Trina Collins (tcarito@westernwayne.org), or Helene Tscheschlog (htscheschlog@westernwayne.org). ***PLEASE NOTE*** – This survey is being used to gather interest. – Order forms will be available in each of the building main offices, and monies collected by building secretaries. – Orders and payment must be in by May 14th. – Ticket books will be available for pick up during the week of May 21st.

To access the survey, please click on the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc00wchuYeD2LGrDwT9KmYrFAJPJr3KOr5DoFvsA5ZCHVAbWg/viewform?usp=sf_link

FBLA Members Inducted into National Business Honor Society

The National Business Honor Society is designed to recognize FBLA members who truly excel in academic preparation and will pursue an eventual career in the business world. Pennsylvania FBLA recognizes that to succeed as a true business leader, members need to be well prepared in terms of their academics, career skills, and leadership development.
Nominees must have an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, an overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 in a minimum of two completed business courses, demonstrated leadership, and have clearly defined career objective.
This year, two members of Western Wayne FBLA have been inducted into the National Business Honor Society. Lacey Falloon and Lenny Maiocco were recognized at the PA FBLA Virtual State Leadership Conference in April. Both received a membership certificate, an honor society pin, and honor cords to be worn at graduation. From left: Lacey Falloon and Lenny Maiocco.

Band Director to March in 2021 Rose Parade

Elaine Ort, band director for Western Wayne High School, will join band directors from across the country next January 1st in the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade.
A custom-designed animated float will lead a “marching band of band directors” up to 300 strong from across the country. The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio, is the sponsoring organization behind the project. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for more than 38 years.
The parade entry will convey the theme, “We teach music. We teach life.” The extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors are well known to their students, to parents and to school teachers and administrators. No matter where they teach and work—public and private schools, colleges and universities, the military, community bands—dedicated music educators and leaders work long hours to not only teach and direct music, but to teach life itself. Students’ lives in particular are positively changed by a motivational leader who taught, inspired and mentored them.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to march in the parade,” Ort said. “It is an honor to represent Western Wayne.”
Elaine Ort has devoted much of her life to the study and performance of music. A native of New England and graduate of Marywood University, Elaine is a member of the Scranton Brass Orchestra, the Providence Brass, the Schützengiggles Oompah Band, the Marywood University Wind Symphony, and performs often in musical pit orchestras throughout the region. As an educator, Elaine serves as the director of instrumental activities in the Western Wayne School District since 2014. At Western Wayne, her teaching responsibilities include sixth grade brass instruction, eighth grade band instruction, and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat High School Band. Under her direction and guidance the school continues to invest heavily in its music program, and was recently named a KHS America Academic Alliance Platinum school for its investment in instrumental education. It is the only school in Pennsylvania, and one of only 39 in the United States to have received that honor.
Complete details on the project are available on the Saluting America’s Band Directors website, BandDirectorSalute.org.

Junior Takes Honors in District and State Cosmetology Competitions

Western Wayne’s CTC cosmetology junior Madison Bower won the Gold Medal in the CTC District Cosmetology Competition and then went on to place third in the State Competition. Both competitions took place this past spring virtually.

At the district level, Madison competed in the nail competition. This is a notable accomplishment as she is one of very few juniors to participate and only Gold Medalists are invited to compete at the state level. At the state level, Madison also did the nail competition and placed third.
At first, Madison did not realize how prestigious the competitions she was a part of were.
“After winning gold in the district competition is when I found out how big this competition actually was. I googled SkillsUSA and saw all the opportunities I had with this type of competition. That’s when I started getting really nervous,” Madison explained. “I did nails every free second I had. My house smelled like a nail salon 24/7. I focused mainly on the nail art. But the state competition required much more. It wasn’t as simple as gluing on tips and a quick acrylic layer. We had to do a gel overlay as well as sculpted acrylics which is where you sculpt the nail itself with no tip. I also had to know all the nail health and nail care for the interview questions. Then the nail art for five nails with a theme.”
Madison’s hard work and preparations paid off with her third place win at the state competition.

“ I can’t wait for next year and the chance at coming back to a SkillsUSA competition either in the nail care or cosmetology (hair) part of the competition,” Madison explained. She is excited to compete in a variety of areas and demonstrate her skills.
Madison has been interested in the cosmetology field for many years. She discussed what first got her hooked.
“When I was probably 12 years old, I went swimming and my hair turned bright green,” Madison described. “No matter what we did the green wouldn’t come out, so my mom let me dye my hair, and it escalated from there. My hair has been every color you can think of. After that I started really getting into make up. I was always watching YouTube and trying out all types of makeup techniques. When I found out about CTC and that they had a cosmetology program, I knew when I was a freshman that I would apply to CTC for the program and see if this was the right field for me. I absolutely love it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Madison feels passionately about all aspects of cosmetology.
“ I love almost everything to do with cosmetology,” she explained. “I think my favorite part is just being able to be creative whether it’s with nail art, hair coloring, up-dos. I just love trying new things and see how it turns out.”
Madison plans to pursue the cosmetology field after graduation next year.
“My future goals are to attend college for a business degree as well as cheer in college and to work in a salon while earning my degree,” she explained. “ I’d also have to keep up on continuing education for cosmetology. Once out of school, I would love to open my own salon and possibly my own competitive cheer team. I have two loves, cosmetology and cheerleading.”
Pictured is Western Wayne junior Madison Bower with her gold medal and some of her cosmetology tools.