8th Grade students and parents should attend Western Wayne High School’s Curriculum Night to hear about the different departments, courses, credit values and graduation requirements.
|
When
January 15, 2020 6pm – 7:30pm |
|
Where
Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium |
“A House is Not a Home” is a 1964 ballad made famous by Dionne Warwick in which she sings about how the most important part of a house is filling it with the people you care most for. This year, throughout the Western Wayne School District, faculty, staff, administration, and students are embracing the PBIS initiative which has the main purpose of creating a proactive positive environment for everyone in the school community.
PBIS is an ongoing effort of the Western Wayne School District to guide students in behaving and interacting with others in such a way as to promote an effective learning environment. A big part of creating a place where students can thrive is to have adult leaders that make the students believe school is like home in the respect that they can feel safe and cared for there.
School resource Officer Robert Robbins’ continued efforts at Western Wayne are one of the reasons why students feel so at home especially at the Middle and High schools.
Robbins has served in his position at Western Wayne since 2013. He takes extra time out of his day to get to know the students and let them know he is there for them. As a part of PBIS, students in the Middle School have been rewarded with being able to have lunch with Robbins. Many of them have enjoyed this perk.
“He listens to us,” eighth grader Ireland Swingle said. “It’s fun when I get to beat him at Uno. Spending time with him is something new, so it’s really fun.”
Robbins explained that he thinks playing cards with the students at lunch helps to break the ice.
“It’s actually great to sit with them,” Robbins said. “They open up, and you get to hear about what they like to do. They get to see a different side of me, and I get to see a different side of them.”
“He’s like a sports announcer when we play,” eighth grader Austin Barger said. “He’s really funny and really nice. He even gave me an Uno deck one time and I really liked that.”
Robbins explained how this year for the holiday season he sat with students at lunch and helped them color pictures to hang on the wall in the cafeteria.
“The students are encouraged to take them home with them,” Robbins explained. “However, any pictures that were left behind before the holiday, I took home and displayed at my house as a table cloth. They really mean something to me because they represent the quality time I get to spend with the students.”
Robbins discussed why he feels it is
so important to spend meaningful time with them.
“You don’t often know what kind
of or if any attention they are getting at home. I make myself available and I see a lot of
positives come from that. The students
don’t want to let any of the faculty down by misbehaving,” Robbins said.
Working with students to help guide them has been a part of Robbin’s job that he truly enjoys at Western Wayne. This type of work is a change from experiences he has had in work up to this point.
Robbins has a long career path that precedes his time at the district. Officer Robbins served in the United States Army in the 101st Airborne Division as a Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic at Fort Campbell Kentucky for two years. He earned the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.
Upon the conclusion of his active service, Officer Robbins joined the Pennsylvania National Guard and served in Alpha Co, 1st Battalion of the 109th Infantry Regiment. In this unit, he served as a Squad Leader, Vehicle Commander, was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the General S. J. Stewart Medal for service and NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon.
In 1991, Officer Robbins joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and served with the Security Police Flight at Willow Grove Naval Air Station. He was responsible for base security, Flight Operations Security, and the protection of aircraft and missile weapons sites. He earned the Rank of Staff Sergeant. He attended the Security Police Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in which he earned the title of Honor Graduate and was awarded the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal. Officer Robbins received an Honorable Discharge from all three branches he served in.
Officer Robbins is a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper, who served for 23 years and spent his entire career in the Patrol Unit. He was promoted to Corporal in 1999 and was responsible for nearly every facet of daily operations in a State Police Troop. He was stationed all over the State from Bucks County to Wayne County.
Now Robbins, especially through this year’s PBIS initiative, works to provide many positive experiences for the students of Western Wayne. For example, the day before the holiday break Robbins served as D.J. for all of the lunches in the Middle School and got to interact with students. He, also, did this at the end of the first quarter as another PBIS reward for students and it went over so well that administration wanted him to do it for the holidays.
Robbins surely serves as an example of the purpose of PBIS through all of his interactions with students throughout the district. Through his service to students he is also duly rewarded.
“Western Wayne has saved me in a sense,” Robbins explained. “I now get to see a lot of positive things that I didn’t always see in my career before this. I think this is what God has called me to do. I get to spend time with the kids and let them know they are safe here, cared for here, loved here, and can get help here.”
Western Wayne High School had four seniors recognized as winners of the Artist of the Month Contest for this year by the Scranton Times: Sadie Nahman, January; Shailyn Pugh, May; Allison McDermott, August; and Abby Wilcox, November.
In addition, Shailyn’s art was featured on the cover of Happenings Magazine for December. She explained how she created a holiday-themed picture for Happenings with a train, Santa, and presents done in colored pencil and acrylic.
“I was happy to have my work chosen for Happenings,” Shailyn said. “I love making art because you can create what you want and make it your own in different mediums.”
The piece Shailyn created for the Artist of the Month Contest is a piece titled “Nest.”
She explained how “Nest” has many details. Shailyn crafted a nature scene with a bird’s nest in an apple tree with eggs in it.
“I like to challenge myself with the pieces I make,” she explained.
Shailyn will next challenge herself with envisioning her senior collection for Western Wayne’s annual spring art show. She explained that her collection has a Hollywood theme because she enjoys making portraits of famous people.
Fellow senior Sadie Nahman also appreciates drawing people in her art work. She explained how her art for the Artist of the Month Contest involves children playing hockey in a winter scene.
“When I create art, I like that I can change the picture to be whatever I want it to be,” Sadie explained.
Fellow Scranton Times Artist of the Month Contest winner Abby Wilcox also designed art with a winter theme. One of her pieces is a scene with winter frost on the ground surrounded by birds and rabbits.
Abby also looks forward to creating her senior collection for the spring art show at Western Wayne. Her collection has a fantasy theme with many unrealistic colors.
“I chose this theme because I like using colors and exploring what it looks like to create images that don’t have to look realistic,” she explained.
Western Wayne faculty, staff, and administration are proud of the accomplishments of these aspiring young artists and encourage the community to look for their work in the Scranton Times to celebrate their accomplishments.
Western Wayne senior Trina Barcarola recently inked with The University of Virginia because of her vast track accomplishments. Trina is a Scranton Times Athlete of the Year for her numerous athletic achievements in track. She also was a member of the All-State Track Team last year. She won two gold medals in one day at the State Championship for pole vault and 100 hurdles.
Trina believes that many factors contribute to her success.
“My coaches and all of the support I receive from my family and friends is important,” Trina explained. “I also rely on hard work, and my center, above all else, is my faith.”
Trina belongs to multiple clubs such as National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth Advisory Committee, and is the president of her church youth group. Along with her athletic work with the track team, Trina has played volley ball on the Western Wayne team for three years. When she isn’t working on her athletic craft, she can be found creating designs in her Fashion II class at Western Wayne. As a senior in this course, she will design a collection for the school’s annual spring fashion show. Trina has titled her collection “Between the Lines.”
Western Wayne faculty and staff are thrilled for Trina to have received such a significant scholarship from VCA. Trina feels very excited to begin her college career.
“I’m most looking forward to taking the next steps in my life and growing as a person, student, and athlete.”
From left, standing: Justin Collins, head Western Wayne track coach; and Robert Amos, Western Wayne pole vault coach. From left, sitting, are members of the Barcarola family: Adriana Barcarola, John Barcarola, Trina Barcarola, Victoria Barcarola, Bernice Maiocco, and Johnny Barcarola.
Western Wayne senior Ezra Tetreault recently was accepted to the prestigious United States Coast Guard Academy.
Ezra is highly involved in the Western Wayne school community. He serves as president of the National Honor Society and is also student body president this year. In addition, he is greatly involved in FBLA serving as first vice president of this organization for the state of Pennsylvania. Along with playing football in the fall, Ezra is a member of both indoor and outdoor track with hurdling as his main event.
Western Wayne faculty, administration, and staff are proud of Ezra’s acceptance and all of his accomplishments. They wish him the best with the rest of his senior year and in the future.
The January edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
The EverGreen Student Council (Maria Gadous, Justin Jimenez, Cameron Press, Leighna Narvaez, President Skyla McGuire, and Isabella Kolp) added some Wildcat colors to the tree at EverGreen. Jason Vass and Sophia Floros are absent from the photograph.
The EverGreen Elementary Student Council and student body would like to say “thank you” to the PTA for this year’s holiday gift so students can show their pride!
The EverGreen Elementary students would like to thank the EverGreen PTA for purchasing a display case for the school store where students can purchase items with their cat cash.
Western Wayne music students in both band and chorus have been busy performing holiday concerts for their friends, family, and the community in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school. In the month of December, the 7th and 8th grade chorus and band had separate concerts. In addition, the high school chorus and band held a concert on the same evening. The community has another chance to see some holiday music from Western Wayne students at the joint sixth grade chorus and band concert on Thursday, January 9 at 7 pm. in the high school auditorium. Pictured is Elaine Ort conducting middle school band members at their recent holiday concert.
School Police Department participates in specialized, hands-on training.August 21, 2026This summer members of the Western Wayne School Police Department participated in specialized, hands-on training at the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI) to strengthen emergency readiness and threat response protocols.
Interactive Crisis Simulations: Officers engaged with PennSSI’s state-of-the-art multi-room simulator and 360-degree augmented reality technology, experiencing realistic emergency scenarios to test real-time decision-making and spatial awareness.
De-escalation & Tactical Response: The sessions emphasized practical de-escalation tactics, threat management, and building muscle memory for high-stress situations occurring on school grounds.
Crisis Communication & Incident Command: Training covered coordinated communication strategies within the Incident Command Structure, aligning police tactics with district administration and emergency management partners.
Behavioral Threat Assessment: Personnel expanded their knowledge on identifying concerning student behaviors, threat assessment frameworks, and applying trauma-informed protocols to keep schools secure without sacrificing a supportive environment.
This immersive training underscores Western Wayne’s ongoing commitment to proactive school safety, ensuring officers are equipped with the latest techniques to protect students, staff, and the surrounding school community. [...]
Senior Competes at FBLA National Leadership ConferenceJuly 6, 2026Western Wayne senior Grady Farley represented the school and the WW FBLA chapter at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the week of June 29th.
Grady earned the opportunity to compete at the national level in the Agribusiness event, where he demonstrated his knowledge, preparation, and professionalism among FBLA students from across the country. Competing at nationals is an outstanding accomplishment, and the district is proud of Grady’s hard work and dedication.
Pictured is Grady Farley at the FBLA National Leadership Conference. [...]
High School Student Secures Spot on the Great Wall of HonesdaleJuly 6, 2026Western Wayne High School junior Archer Long has secured a coveted spot on the Great Wall of Honesdale with his painting entitled 250 Years Under One Flag.This year’s competition theme, 2026: American Perspective, inspired artists to explore the nation’s history, identity, and future through original works of art. Archer’s selected painting is an American depiction of our nation’s history, illustrating the symbolism of westward expansion and industrial progress. It reflects the idea that our country’s freedom was forged through sacrifice and hard work, honoring the generations whose perseverance helped shape the United States.Each selected piece is digitally reproduced on an impressive 11-by-17-foot billboard vinyl panel and exhibited for one year at the intersection of 4th and Main Streets in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.More than a decade after its inception, the Great Wall of Honesdale has evolved from showcasing primarily local artists into a juried international exhibition featuring entries from around the world. The installation is enjoyed by the occupants of more than 5 million vehicles that pass the site each year and has become a popular tourist destination. Both the exhibition theme and artwork change annually, while each year’s collection remains permanently accessible online through the Wayne County Arts Alliance, where visitors can also learn more about each exhibiting artist. Please visit the website for more information: https://waynecountyartsalliance.org/windows-on-the-wall/Congratulations to Archer Long on this outstanding artistic achievement and the opportunity to share his work with thousands of visitors throughout the coming year.Pictured is Archer Long, Western Wayne High School junior, who secured a coveted spot on the Great Wall of Honesdale and is shown standing below his painting 250 Years Under One Flag. [...]
