Community members,

Western Wayne is taking part in the Pennsylvania School Climate Survey series provided by The Pennsylvania Department of Education. This survey will provide the district with formative and summative climate data for our needs assessments, program development, and short and long-term improvement planning. Participation in the survey is voluntary; responses are confidential. 

To access the survey as a community member–

1. https://www.paschoolclimatesurvey.org/main.aspx
2. Enter the code- WUI1QS
3. Click ‘invite code‘ to begin 
4. Click ‘save‘ once you complete the survey. 

Note: Parents or guardians of a current Western Wayne student are encouraged to complete a different survey. The parent/guardian survey link is https://bit.ly/3uLUCmn. 

Please contact the District Office with any questions. Thank you for your time. Survey links expire on June 30, 2021. 

Sincerely,

WWSD Administration

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In the spirit of Thanksgiving Western Wayne School District worked with several individuals and organizations to conduct a food drive to help families in need in their district this holiday season.
Mrs. Bernice Fiorella, Western Wayne School Board President, worked to coordinate the event with many others. Harry Howell has worked on this endeavor for the last twelve years with the American Legion and the veterans. This year Mr. Howell donated $500. Also, the Hamlin Rotary donated $500 dollars and Dave’s Super Duper in Honesdale donated over $1,000. There were also several other doners who wished to remain anonymous.
In addition, Jen Wargo from the Salem Township building did amazing work to coordinate the building, packing, and delivery of donated items with her husband and son. Sue Schlasta, Western Wayne social worker based at Evergreen Elementary, and the Western Wayne Guidance Department in all buildings coordinated the families in the district who needed assistance. Cindy Gibb and the Hamlin Rotary also helped to pack goods. The American Legion and veterans had their trucks ready to pick up at Dave’s Super Duper and some also helped to deliver to the Middle School. The Western Wayne CATS club helped to further organize items for distribution once they arrived at the Middle School.
High School CATS Club members who helped included: Zoey Goldman, 11th grade; Kaitlyn McDermott, 11th grade; Maggie Millon, 12th grade; and Makayla Gregory 12th grade.
“Our work is worth it just knowing that a family will have a good Thanksgiving dinner,” Makayla said. “It is good to help others and not expect anything in return.”
Fellow senior Maggie Millon agrees. “I like helping people out and being there for others like we are all one big Western Wayne family.”
All the many individuals involved in this effort to help Western Wayne families are so glad they could make Thanksgiving better for their fellow Wildcats.

Please see the updated requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Health that all students, staff, and visitors must follow:

Latest Guidance on masks – In Pennsylvania, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. Masks are mandatory in all public spaces. Have questions about mask wearing? View the Universal Face Coverings Order FAQ.

Travelers – By Order issued November 17, 2020, the Wolf administration is requiring that travelers entering Pennsylvania from other countries and states, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from other countries or states, have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 14 days upon entry into Pennsylvania.

According to the PA Department of Health:

MASKS:

• Masks are required to be worn indoors and outdoors when away from home
• When outdoors, a mask must be worn if you are not able to stay at least 6-feet away from someone not in your household the entire time you are outdoors
• When indoors, masks will now be required even if you are physically distant from members not in your household. This means you will need to wear a mask inside if with people other than members of your household.
• The order applies to every indoor facility, including homes, retail establishments, schools, gyms, doctors’ offices, public transportation and anywhere food is prepared, packaged or served.

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

• The departments of Health and Education have issued recommendations for colleges and universities to implement a testing plan for when students return to campus following the holidays. This includes routine testing and reporting protocols and posting data online about positive cases and positivity rates.
• Colleges and universities should have adequate capacity for isolation and quarantine and should be prepared to enforce violations of policies such as mask wearing and physical distancing.
• Every college and university should test all students at the beginning of each term, when returning to campus after a break, and have regular screening/testing throughout the semester.

HOSPITALS

• Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine has issued an advisory to acute care hospitals outlining expectations to care for Pennsylvanians who need care during the pandemic. Hospitals should also be working to move up elective procedures necessary to protect a person’s health and prepare to suspend them if our health care system becomes strained.

OUT-OF-STATE TESTING

• The Secretary of Health issued an order requiring anyone who visits from another state to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 prior to entering the commonwealth.
• If someone cannot get a test or chooses not to, they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Pennsylvania.
• Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to the commonwealth or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.
• This does NOT apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment.
• This order takes effect on Friday, November 20.

800 FREE MEALS OFFERED
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 | 2-6pm

First come, first serve until meals are gone
Wayne County Fairgrounds 270 Miller Dr.
Honesdale, PA

Food Distribution Open to Anyone in Wayne County
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: proof of Wayne County residency for your household

In partnership – The County of Wayne, Wayne County Offices of
Human Services, and The Cooperage Project are proud to offer the
USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA and Sysco will
be providing the boxes which will include a box of frozen meat, a
box of dairy, a box of produce , and a gallon of milk. This will be a
drive-thru event. Pull up, pop your trunk, and a volunteer will load it
with the food boxes.

The Western Wayne Board of Education will hold a Board Work Session

on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 (in case of inclement weather –

April 2, 2020) at 6:00 PM – Via Zoom video

conferencing.  Please check our website https://ww3.westernwayne.org/

for specific meeting information and the link to view the meeting.

The Western Wayne Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting will be

held on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 – 7:00 P.M. – (in case of

inclement weather – April 2, 2020) Via Zoom video

conferencing.  Please check our website https://ww3.westernwayne.org/

for specific meeting information and the link to view the meeting.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has canceled this year’s PSSA, Keystones, and PASA exams for all school districts.

Pre-K and Kindergarten registrations are postponed until further notice. 

The school districts in NEIU 19 have been working under the legal guidance to consider the current 10 day closure of schools as days off similar to snow/weather emergency days. The expectation is that the days will be made up in June, or other times if built in to a district’s calendar, so that the 180 day requirement may be met and continuity of educational services may be fulfilled. Typically, school work is not required during these days, although we are awaiting clarification from PDE on to what extent we may provide instructional and educational resources to our students. We will continue to operate under these conditions unless further guidance or mandates are provided from federal and/or state authorities. We also continue to maintain communication with NEIU 19 districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of Health, and other agencies to ensure we are following all recommendations and legal requirements. Should we receive information that dictates otherwise, we will inform you as soon as possible and implement the necessary requirements for the betterment of our students and staff.

Please see the following information that was distributed today by the Department of Education and the Department of Labor:

https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/AnswersToFAQs.aspx

https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/AnswersToFAQs.aspx

https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/File%20an%20Initial%20Claim.aspx

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time of uncertainty. Please stay healthy and safe.

Matthew Barrett, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Schools closed due to the coronavirus are able to provide free meals to all students through the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option. These meals are available for all families and to any child age 18 and younger.

The Western Wayne School District invites families and care-givers to drive through* and pick up meals for their children beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Lunch and breakfast for the following day will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Children must be present in order for meals to be provided. Please stay in your car and meals will be passed through based on the number of children in the car.

Pick up is available Monday through Friday at:

Evergreen Elementary Student Drop off area   
                                  11:00 am – 12:30 pm

 Robert D. Wilson Bus Loop
                            11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Lunches will include sandwiches, fresh vegetable and/or fruit, milk and a dessert treat. Breakfast bags will include fruit, juice, milk, cereal and assorted cereal bars.

We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of coronavirus by not congregating at the pick-up site once meals have been distributed, continue to wash your hands often, sneeze or cough into a tissue, and stay home if you are sick.

Contact the Western Wayne School District Food Service Department at 570-937-3085 or mliptak@westernwayne.org if you have questions about this service or if you need to make arrangements for medically necessary meal accommodations.

*Families who live in Waymart may walk to pick up their meals but are asked not to congregate at the pick-up site.