On March 16th the EverGreen PTA distributed books to all students. The students were grateful for the donated books and an opportunity to choose a new book!
Around the Schools
VOTE for WWMS Student Video: “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”
Please visit the link below to find and VOTE FOR the video our WWMS students created to show everyone “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”
https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/northeast-pa/
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” contest voting begins at 12:01AM March 19, 2018 and concludes March 21, 2018. Please consider voting!
FASHION SHOW: NEW DATE June 6th – CATWALK for HUNGER
Due to the weather, the fashion show has been rescheduled to June 6th from 6 – 8 pm in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the High School.
$2 for Adults, $1 for Students
ALL proceeds donated to the Wayne County Food Pantry
Western Wayne Musical Students Perform at Annual Dr. Seuss Night
Western Wayne’s musical theater students performed for the community at the annual Dr. Seuss night event held at the R.D. Wilson School on Thursday, March 1. Students performed selections from their upcoming production of the musical comedy Nice Work If You Can Get It that is set in the 1920s and features the music of Gershwin. Western Wayne will present Nice Work If You Can Get It on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28 at 7 pm., and Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. at the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Auditorium at Western Wayne’s High School, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel. From left, standing: Samantha Pritzlaff, Marty Spewak, Calla Shaffer, R.J. Clemens, Lily Visceglia, Honour Shaffer, and Sydney Peet. From left, kneeling: Victoria Petrosky, Emily Barone, Bridget Oppelt, and Lindsey Karwacki.
Honoring Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd / Read Across America
In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd and Read Across America, Pre-Kindergarten Students at EverGreen Elementary had a fantastic week of whimsical reading activities as they enjoyed the author’s unique rhyming and imaginative characters! After listening to the story, The Cat in the Hat, students created their very own edible hats! Take a close look. Can you guess what they used for their creations? Stacking healthy fruit was their challenge! Pre-K students used kiwi for the base. Then they created a striped pattern with slices of strawberry, banana, strawberry, banana, and finally a strawberry slice to top it off! Yum!
Middle School Students Work Cooperatively as Leaders and Learners
At the Western Wayne Middle School some eighth grade students are taking part in a special endeavor where they get to work as student leaders by assisting some of their peers to do research. These students were given an option to use some of the time during their academic lab period to work with peers in a special education classroom to assist them in doing research for a science project.
Mr. Todd Pauler, middle school teacher, and Mrs. Elizabeth Bellush-Moore, special education teacher, collaborated for the unique project which students are taking part in during the third quarter. Pauler thought it would be a good way for all students involved to learn from one another.
“Classrooms are social environments that rely heavily on students being able to interact, socialize and communicate with others effectively and appropriately. This can be a challenge for all students but especially students with autism and other learning disabilities,” Pauler explained. “So, the main goals of this cooperative activity are to help students gain these social skills, to not be overwhelmed by the process and to become aware and accepting of the different needs that some of us may have. The secondary goal is to learn about different wetland animals.”
Pictured are some of the students and the teachers who participated in this special cooperative-learning project at the Western Wayne Middle School. From left, standing: Mrs. Elizabeth Bellush-Moore, Emily Shemanski, Riley Kennedy, Gabby Ostolaza, Owen Kotchessa, Kennedy Mistishin, Becca Boots, and Mr. Todd Pauler. From left, sitting: Braydon Christian, Daisy Ann Kuniegel, Colin Cordier, Brody Cleveland, and Jamey Christopher.
Students at R.D. Wilson are learning about the Growth Mindset!
Third grade students recently received a 3-part guidance lesson series with Ms. Booth, entitled “Brain Works.” Through these lessons, students learned:
– Our skills grow when we form stronger neural connections
– Our brains get smarter when we are challenged (not when things are easy)
– Neuroplasticity: our brains are more malleable than scientists once thought
– Perseverance and grit are important for brain growth and success
These concepts were presented through Power Point presentations, educational videos, class discussion, and hands-on demonstrations. In the photos, students are learning how brain connections start off weak (students holding thread) but with practice grow stronger (students holding rope).
Research shows a strong correlation between the Growth Mindset and student effort/success. For more information visit: www.mindsetworks.com/science/
Evergreen Career Presentations – Ashley Skorupa
Ashley Skorupa presented to the 5th grade class today regarding her career as a photographer. She spoke with the students regarding the importance of math and art. She also answered several questions regarding the professional requirements of a photographer. Following her presentation, Mrs. Skorupa took a professional picture of the 5th grade class for their yearbook.
Evergreen “Tooth Fairy” Presentation
At EverGreen Elementary the Pre-Kindergarteners and the second grade students had a special visit from the “Tooth Fairy” and her “Toothbrush Friend” to help celebrate National Children’s Dental Health month.
The students learned how to properly brush their teeth to avoid cavities, compared and contrasted different food items that are healthy for our teeth, as well as learned that they need to brush their teeth twice-a-day, for two minutes. They even had the opportunity to brush a dragon’s teeth and tongue! The teachers and students would like to thank Sprout Dental for presenting us with this lesson!
Kindergarten and Third Grade Body Safety Program
On February 21st, our friend from VIP provided a program about body safety to Kindergarten and Third grade students. She discussed what safety means, good secrets vs bad secrets, and who to tell. She also read the children’s book “Good Touch, Bad Touch”.
ALL NEWS
Students Present Aquaponics Challenge Project at Regional BanquetMay 7, 2026On May 5, 2026, students from Western Wayne High School proudly presented their student-led environmental education project at the Community Connections to Our Watershed banquet, held at Montage Mountain. Their project, an Aquaponics Challenge System, was designed, researched, and implemented entirely by the student team.Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). In this balanced system, fish waste provides essential nutrients for plant growth, while the plants naturally filter and clean the water for the fish. The Western Wayne team developed their system to demonstrate how this closed-loop approach can support both food production and water quality.As part of their project, the students raised trout from eggs to approximately three to four months old before preparing them for release into a local stream. A major focus of their work involved addressing water quality challenges, particularly nitrate buildup from fish waste. Through research and problem-solving, the team explored ways to improve natural filtration within their system, including redesigning components and upgrading equipment such as water pumps to maintain optimal conditions.The project also emphasized key components of the Aquaponics Challenge, including system design, environmental monitoring, and community outreach. Students utilized technology such as climate control tools and irrigation systems while also connecting with local organizations and professionals for support. In addition, they worked to share their knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging others in understanding sustainable practices and watershed stewardship.This presentation was the culmination of months of work as part of the Community Connections to Our Watershed program, a regional environmental initiative that has been in place for over 20 years. Each year, teams of five students and one teacher from schools across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties participate in the program. Coordinated by the education teams at Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks, the program immerses students in watershed science through field experiences and collaboration with environmental professionals.Throughout the year, the Western Wayne students participated in field trips to Keystone College, Lackawanna State Park, the Old Forge borehole, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lacawac Sanctuary, Pennsylvania American Water treatment facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. These experiences deepened their understanding of how human activities impact local watersheds and helped inform their aquaponics system design, particularly in understanding the relationships between aquatic organisms, plants, and water quality.This year’s Community Connections to Our Watershed program included schools from across the region: Carbondale, Forest City, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands in Lackawanna County; and Crestwood, Hanover Area, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton Area, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area in Luzerne County.The program is made possible through the support of Pennsylvania American Water Company, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the DCNRWatershed Education Program.Picture one, from left: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D., advisor; Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, Aidyn Graci, Aliyah Gregory, and Giana Graci.Picture two, the group from Western Wayne making their presentation, from left: Aliyah Gregory, Giana Graci, Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, and Aidyn Graci. [...]
Science meets nature: Students release trout at Varden Conservation AreaMay 6, 2026Students in Wayne County are getting an up-close look at nature with an opportunity to study what’s right in their backyard.
https://www.wnep.com/video/news/local/wayne-county/science-meets-nature-students-release-trout-at-varden-conservation-area/523-3cf2ef49-624d-4f00-95cd-f2573064bf60 [...]
Western Wayne Hosts Prom with Support of Local BusinessesMay 6, 2026Western Wayne hosted their annual prom with “A Starry Night” theme at a new venue this year New Leaf Farm in Waymart on Saturday, May 2. The event focussed around local community businesses who hosted food trucks for the event including: Lupo Russo, 2 Ways One Passions, and Pop-Pop’s Grill and Catering. The students also enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Ms. Michele Dugan along with cotton candy donated by Mrs. Paula Lamberton
There were 225 students and guests in attendance. Event sponsors included: Ariel View Inn (AVI), Leeward, Waymart Hotel, Iron Hill at 1940,and Meadowbrook Stables, and For the Birds, who provided flowers.
The students in attendance enjoyed this new experience. Senior Maggie Kotchessa thought this unique prom experience was a great idea.
“I really loved all of the food choices,” Maggie, who decided on a pulled pork sandwich from Pop-Pop’s, said.
Her classmate Norman Phillips’ grandfather owns Pop-Pop’s, and he was excited his family business could be a part of the event.
“It was really neat having my grandfather there doing what he loves,” Norman said. “He usually travels around to do a number of different gigs, and it was really neat having him at our prom.”
In addition to the variety of food items at the event, the students also were treated to a mocktail bar. Junior Madelyn McClure wrote a grant through the Wayne County Community Youth Advisory Committee and the district used the money to fund the mocktails for prom.
Also, the community donated a variety of gift cards for the students as prizes. Each student in attendance got a raffle ticket for a chance to win.
The 2026 Prom Court included: Vinny Baldini, King; Audrey Agnello, Queen; and
Mia Gifford, Hannah DeStefano, Olivia Haines, and Sofia Ochlan served as attendants.
The students enjoyed this unique prom experience and thank the district for their continued support of student events.
Picture one: Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Vinny Baldini, King; and Audrey Agnello, Queen.
Picture two:: Olivia Haines, Hannah DeStefano, Vinny Baldini, Audrey Agnello, Mia Gifford, and Sophia Ochlan. [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 4, 2026The May 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!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2026.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Annual Art Exhibit & Spring Concerts on May 9May 4, 2026Western Wayne’s annual art exhibit and spring concerts will take place on Saturday, May 9.
The art exhibit will run in the high school gymnasium from 2 to 5 p.m. It will mainly feature high school artwork with special displays by our seniors. In addition, a select sample of middle and elementary student artwork will be on display.
The concert schedule is as follows: the sixth-grade concert will begin at 11 a.m.; the seventh- grade concert will begin at 1 p.m., the eighth- grade concert will begin at 3 p.m.; and the high school concert will begin at 5 p.m. with all concerts in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.
There will be concessions for sale in the high school cafeteria throughout the day. All events are free of charge. Please join us in the celebrating the arts in our school. [...]
