Western Wayne Students Receive YAC Grants

Wayne County Community Foundation, Youth Advisory Committee presented two separate grants to Western Wayne High School students Rachel Hoch and Sydney Hutchinson on Friday, January 24.

Ryanne Jennings and William Gershey, representing the Wayne County Community Foundation, presented the grants to the students.

Rachel Hoch, sophomore, received a grant to use for her senior project. The project involves her work with Western Wayne High School’s annual spring Catwalk fashion show themed “Tune into Fashion”. Rachel will work to plan decorations for the show along with sewing other projects for the event. She also will choose a charity to donate proceeds from the event to.

“I felt glad I wrote the grant,” Rachel explained. “I know the funds will greatly benefit our spring show along with the community that will get to enjoy seeing it.”

Fellow classmate Sydney Hutchinson, junior, received her grant for her senior project which is a 5K color run to take place at Western Wayne High School on May 16. More information on her project will be available at www.westernwayne.org in the spring. Sydney is a member of both the Cross County and track teams and has an interest in studying business in college. She believes that her project will combine all of her interests and give her some experience in event organizing.

“I’m excited to use the grant money to develop an amazing 5K event for the public to enjoy,” Sydney explained.

Western Wayne High School administration and staff feel proud of these students who received grants and encourage the community to come out and enjoy both of these upcoming spring events.

Picture one, from left, standing: Trina Barcarola (YCA), Mrs. Colleen Carmody, Rachel Hoch, and Brendan Fitzsimmons (YCA).

Picture two, from left, standing: Trina Barcarola, Mrs. Laura Wojnar, Sydney Hutchinson, Mrs. Annette Fox, and Brendan Fitzsimmons (YCA).

Robert D. Wilson third grade students receives dictionaries -Wayne County Community Foundation

Robert D. Wilson third grade students received dictionaries from the Wayne County Community Foundation and Forest City Rotary this month. The children were delighted to receive these beautiful dictionaries, one for use in school and the other at home.

Pictured representing the Wayne County Community Foundation is Mrs. Ryanne Jennings and Mr. William Gershey. The Forest City Rotary was represented by Mr. Richard Kresock, Ms. Ann Wolfe and Mr. Joe Smith.

A big thank you to these organizations for the wonderful gift.

Strengthening Families Program returning to Middle School

The Strengthening Families Program is returning to Western Wayne Middle School February 27, 2020. This amazing seven session program is offered to students of fifth and sixth grade and their families. It is designed to help families successfully handle stress, peer pressure and risky teenage behaviors. A supper is provided prior to each meeting, and babysitting is offered for younger siblings. Now is the perfect time to learn more about Strengthening Families and to register for the program. Contact Mrs. Bradley Middle School Principal, Mr. Pidgeon EverGreen Principal or Mrs. Miller Robert D. Wilson Principal.

Western Wayne Ambassador Program Off to Strong Start

This year Western Wayne High School has begun a student ambassador program. Ambassadors greet visitors to the high school and escort them to their destination in the building among participating in other school events. In November, the ambassadors went through a training with Julie Bialkowski from Penn State Scranton.
Senior Lenny Maiocco explained how students learned a variety of skills at the training like how properly to shake hands, how to introduce themselves, how to speak at an accurate volume, and how to be open in speaking to others along with how to dress in a presentable manner. In addition, all student ambassadors have Western Wayne blazers with the school emblem on them to wear to look uniform and professional for all of the events they participate in.
The following high school students are a part of the program:
Celeste Orchard, Madison McGlone, Jamie Bryan, Kaeli Romanowski, Skylar Long, Cyrah Bihler, McKenzie Laity, Miranda Montijo, Cassidy Asinski, Angelia Reggie, Trina Barcarola, Landon Firmstone, Zane Janiszewski, Alex Amorine, Asia Nichols, Sinclaire Ogof, Brendan Fitzsimmons, Zachary Rovinsky, Jack McAllister, Parker Howell, James Fryzel, Derek Mason, Lenny Maiocco, Alaina Maiocco, Abby Black, Sinaea Buford, Ashton Fitzsimmons, Morgan Coccodrilli, Sydney Peet, and Ezra Tetreault.
The students felt very excited to attend their first event, Curriculum Night in January. The student ambassadors had the pleasure of serving as escorts for 8th grade students and their families to give them a taste of what the high school has to offer. The following ambassadors attended Curriculum Night: Jamie Bryan, Cassidy Asinski, Miranda Montijo, Celeste Orchard, Trina Barcarola, Lenny Maiocco, Ezra Tetreault, Derek Mason, Brendan Fitzsimmons, and Landon Firmstone.
Senior Landon Firmstone was especially glad to share information about the Robotics Team to an eighth grader in his tour group. Landon is highly involved in the Robotics Team and feels privileged to help pass on the legacy of the club to future freshmen.
“You almost don’t realize how much you know about the school until you serve as an ambassador and have to pass on your knowledge about it,” Landon, who aspires to study business management in college, explained.
Fellow ambassador Jamie Bryan also made connections with students in her Curriculum Night group. Jamie is a proud member of the Western Wayne Marching Band and discussed how she met five students who have an interest in joining band in high school.
“It was great to relate to possible future band students,” Jamie said. “I hope I helped them to feel confident in their decision to join our band.”
Senior Class President Ezra Tetreault explained how he also took time during Curriculum Night to inspire young students.
“I really wanted to impress on them that they can be who they want to be at our high school,” Ezra explained. “Whether it is in band, Spanish classes, business classes, sports, everywhere you look there is another opportunity to find yourself at our school.”
In addition to the ambassadors attending Curriculum Night, they have also started giving high school campus tours to visitors from the community.
Senior James Fryzel was the first ambassador to give a tour. He escorted John Brennan and Paul Brown from the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center (CTTC). Brennan and Brown spoke to Theresa Lubash’s marketing class about the CTTC which is a place to help people start businesses. The students learned how at CTTC they provide business and technical support, guided access to funding for businesses, and space with no long-term leases among a variety of other services and resources.
James felt honored to be able to give the opening student ambassador tour to Brennan and Brown. He was able to show them around the high school before taking them to his marketing class where they gave their presentation. Just as James was glad to share his knowledge of Western Wayne with the businessmen he was also glad to gain knowledge from his experience with them as was his marketing class.
“I learned that hard work and dedication can get you far in the business world,” James explained. “I think it is important to learn from people who have experience.”
James’ marketing class will be working to gather ideas for CTTC’s marketing department and will make a trip to CTTC as a way to further enrich their business studies.
James and all of the other Western Wayne student ambassadors look forward to meeting and welcoming more community members into their school.
Pictured are the members of the Western Wayne Student Ambassador Program. Row 1 (l to r): Celeste Orchard, Madison McGlone, Jamie Bryan, Kaeli Romanowski, Skylar Long, Cyrah Bihler, McKenzie Laity, Miranda Montijo, Cassidy Asinski, Angelia Reggie, Trina Barcarola, Landon Firmstone, Zane Janiszewski, and Alex Amorine. Row 2 (l to r): Asia Nichols, Sinclaire Ogof, Brendan Fitzsimmons, Zachary Rovinsky, Jack McAllister, Parker Howell, James Fryzel, Derek Mason. Absent from photo: Lenny Maiocco, Alaina Maiocco, Abby Black, Sinaea Buford, Ashton Fitzsimmons, Morgan Coccodrilli, Sydney Peet, and Ezra Tetreault.

National Online Safety Resources

National Online Safety has put together some fantastic resources for parents about social media apps, online games, and trending issues so they can have informed discussions with their children. All resources, plus much more can be accessed from the National Online Safety website:
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/wake-up-wednesday/

Download Resources: http://bit.ly/2v8rsEX (additional resources available from National Online Safety website)

Visit the National Online Safety Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/

Western High School Students Participate in District Chorus Festival

Western Wayne High School Chorus students participated in the PMEA District Chorus Festival from January 15 through January 17. Sophomore Joanna Regalbuto qualified for the PMEA Region Chorus Festival, which will be held on February 26 through February 28 at the Greater Nanticoke High School. Pictured are the Western Wayne High School Chorus students who participated at this year’s District Chorus Festival. From left: Brad Wood, Alex Taylor, Dakota Beavers, Rhonda Fenkner, Andie Solimine, Joanna Regalbuto, and Trinity Williams.

Western Wayne Middle School Students Make Holiday Breakfast

Middle School students in Mrs. Dawn Krautter’s family & consumer science classes prepared foods for their teachers to enjoy for a holiday breakfast held the day before winter break. The students enjoyed prepared the dishes just as much as the faculty enjoyed having them. The breakfast was part of the school’s district wide 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.

Western Wayne High School Band and Chorus

The Western Wayne High School Band and Chorus entertained students and staff on the day before the holiday break per years long tradition. Everyone enjoyed the in-school holiday concert that lifted their spirits.

Western Wayne School Resource Officer Makes a Difference

“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 101^st 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, 1^st Battalion of the 109^th 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 Art Students Recognized in Artist of the Month Contest

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.