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”.
Welcome to the WESTERN WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT!
We hope that your child’s educational experience will be wonderful in every sense.
We are pleased to have you as partners in this educational experience. One of our goals is to see that the parents – like the students themselves – feel at home at Western Wayne. Should you ever have any questions or concerns about your child’s education, we encourage you to call the school and talk with those who might be of help.
We are glad to have you with us and we want to assure you that we will do our best to help your child experience academic, social and emotional growth. With your help and cooperation, this will be an excellent experience.
REGISTRATION DATES:
1. Lake, Salem, and Sterling Townships – EverGreen Elementary – Week of March 26, 2018
2. Canaan, Clinton, South Canaan Townships and Waymart Borough – Robert D. Wilson Elementary School – Week of March 26, 2018
For more information, please visit https://ww3.westernwayne.org/student-registration/
The American Legion essay contest gave our students a great opportunity to reflect upon what Americanism means. Through the process of writing the essay, the children realized ways that they display Americanism or Patriotism every day. Thursday night the winners were presented with a certificate and monetary award at the American Legion’s monthly meeting. The students were able to speak with the Veterans who were very impressed with all of the essays submitted. Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade winners! Maggie Kotchessa, Madison Trapanese, Matthew Moyer, Anthony Donnini, Meksha Patel, and absent from photo, Olivia Ford-Venticinque.
This week EverGreen Elementary had two more career speakers. Heather Chapman spoke with the 1st graders about being a pharmacist. The students got to see how the things they are learning in math and science are used by pharmacists every day in their job. Cristine Faustmann visited our 3rd grade classrooms, and spoke to the students about what an insurance investigator does. They got to try out their own investigative skills to solve a few cases.
On January 31, 2018, the third grade students at EverGreen Elementary were the proud recipients of new Scholastic Children’s Dictionaries. The Wayne County Community Foundation generously sponsors this project. Each dictionary is inscribed with both the student and donor’s names. Foundation Board Director Mr. Mark James presented the dictionaries, and the students could not have been more grateful. They are fascinated with the text features and illustrations of the beautiful dictionaries. The students will put them to good use for writing workshop and language arts activities.
EverGreen Elementary is happy to begin Career Presentations for the Kindergarten through 5th grade students. On January 23rd Jeannie Hedglin spoke with 2nd grade students regarding her career as a hair dresser. On January 24th Kim Altenhofen spoke with 3rd grade regarding her career as a Realtor. Over the next few months, there will be several more career presentations at each grade level.
EverGreen’s 5th grade student council decorating a “Wildcat Pride” tree in the EverGreen foyer.
Lance Maiocco, Allyson Irvine, Angelina Correa, Daymon McGuire, Natalia Borrelli, Meksha Patel, Addison Daniels, missing from photo Lauren Dramisino
On November 17, SPO Wayne Thomas presented to the EverGreen Elementary Kindergarten – 5th grade students about Internet Safety. Officer Thomas discussed 4 important rules to help students stay safe online. He also spoke with EverGreen students about netiquette and cyberbullying.
On October 24 the elementary schools celebrated Apple Crunch Day in their classrooms and were served apple crisp and apple slices for lunch. This is a nation wide event that encourages healthy eating habits. It’s an opportunity for teachers to teach their students how to use apples and other fruits to make fun and nutritious snacks. Teachers incorporated this day into their lessons and even used apples to create science experiments! Learning and healthy eating is beneficial and fun! If you want to make some apple snacks at home, just google, “Healthy snacks kids can make” and enjoy!
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9th Graders Explore Outdoor Education at Varden Conservation AreaJune 2, 2025On May 27, 2025, Western Wayne High School 9th grade students stepped outside the classroom and into nature during a day of immersive, hands-on learning at the Varden Conservation Area. This outdoor educational experience brought students face-to-face with real-world environmental science, thanks to the collaboration of expert educators from Lacawac Sanctuary, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Wayne County Conservation District, and Trout Unlimited.Students rotated through three engaging, station-based activities focused on local ecology. They examined macroinvertebrates in a pond ecosystem to evaluate water quality, practiced casting techniques during a fishing demonstration, and conducted chemical tests to assess stream health and pollution levels.A highlight of the day was the release of rainbow trout as the culmination of the Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (PA-TIC) program. Throughout the school year, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and his students raised trout from eggs provided by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The release was supported by the Pike–Wayne Chapter #462 of Trout Unlimited, with assistance from Chapter President Paul Ranello and Youth Advisors Don Strathy and Pat Guinnane.The environmental education team featured Nicole Seul, Director of Environmental Education at Lacawac Sanctuary, and Richard Arthur, Environmental Educator, who guided students through macroinvertebrate identification and their role as indicators of water quality. Theresa Black from PLEON (Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network) led students in chemical water testing and interpretation. DCNR Environmental Education Specialist Josh Heath, along with Trout Unlimited representatives Don Strathy and Pat Guinnane, introduced students to responsible fishing techniques and how environmental conditions influence bait and casting choices.Leading up to the field experience, students participated in classroom lessons about water quality, groundwater, surface water, and watersheds. These preparatory activities helped connect local environmental issues to broader ecological concepts, reinforcing the importance of water as a shared natural resource.This enriching day in nature was made possible through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant provided by the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation, whose president, Christine McClure, also attended the event. Accompanying the students were Western Wayne educators Dr. Mark Nebzydoski, Maria Phillips, Helene Tscheschlog, and Christine McClure.This collaboration between environmental organizations and local educators highlights the power of experiential learning and reinforces Western Wayne’s commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among students.Learn more about the partners involved:• Varden Conservation Area:www.vardenconservationarea.comFacebook – Friends of Varden Conservation AreaDCNR Varden Conservation Area• Lacawac Sanctuary:www.lacawac.orgFacebook – Lacawac Sanctuary• PA Trout in the Classroom (PA-TIC):www.patroutintheclassroom.org• Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimitedhttps://pwtu.org/
Pictures show Western Wayne ninth grade students engaged in immersive hands-on learning. [...]
Western Wayne Places Second and Third at State-Wide Stock Market GamesJune 2, 2025Western Wayne High School Students placed second and third out of 162 teams from all of the eastern half of Pennsylvania in the year-long Stock Market Games competition that lasted from September to April for all school students in Pennsylvania.
Western Wayne second place winners were Bryson Moscarelli, Nikita Rud, and Natalia Borrelli; third place winners were Mercedes Pedersen, Michael Olivo, and Anthony Canzano.
Mr. Ryan Onder, high school teacher, worked with these students to help them accomplish this achievement.
The Stock Market Game is an online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students grades 4-12 in the world of economics, investing and personal finance and that has prepared nearly 20 million students for financially independent futures. The Stock Market Game lets students build financial literacy and business skills through hands-on experience managing a virtual portfolio in a real-world market simulation.
Picture one, second place winners, from left: Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Natalia Borrelli, Nikita Rud, Bryson Moscarelli, and Mr. Ryan Onder.
Picture two, third place winners, from left: Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Michael Olivo, Mercedes Pedersen, Anthony Canzano, and Mr. Ryan Onder. [...]
Officer Thomas and Mrs. Gregorski Lead Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness LessonJune 2, 2025On Thursday, May 29, Western Wayne High School students in Mrs. Jessica Gregorski’s Child Development I classes (1st and 8th periods) participated in an impactful, STEM-based lesson on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) made possible by the fully funded DonorsChoose project, “Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: a STEM-Based Learning Experience.” This classroom project was generously supported by the SONIC Foundation, General Motors, and a private donor from Florida, and brought hands-on, real-world learning directly to our students.
In preparation for the activity, Mrs. Gregorski led in-depth classroom discussions and lessons on SBS. Students reviewed current research, watched powerful video clips of real-life interviews with survivors and families affected by SBS, and explored the emotional, physical, and legal consequences of infant abuse. Using the Ward Science Shaken Baby Syndrome Model, Mrs. Gregorski demonstrated how infant shaking causes severe brain trauma—providing a dramatic visual experience that deepened students’ understanding of this important topic.
To enhance the lesson, School Resource Officer Wayne Thomas—who brings over 25 years of experience from the Pennsylvania State Police, including extensive time working in criminal investigations—visited both classes to speak with students. He shared real-world experiences involving child abuse cases and opened the floor for student-led Q&A. Officer Thomas engaged students in meaningful dialogue about the importance of infant safety, the consequences of neglect and abuse, and how future professionals in education, healthcare, and mental health can help protect children.
This lesson made a lasting impression on students preparing for careers in early childhood education, medicine, social work, and counseling.
“Seeing the Shaken Baby Syndrome model in person made it all feel so real. Mrs. Gregorski’s lessons already made us think deeply, but hearing actual stories and seeing how fragile babies are really opened my eyes,” Gabby Bryant, a sophomore in Child Development I, shared. “I’ll definitely remember this in my future classroom.”
Jasmine Rodriguez, junior, who plans to get into law enforcement after high school, added,”Having Officer Thomas come in and talk to us made a big impact. His real-life experiences helped us understand how serious SBS is, and why it’s something we, as future teachers and caregivers, need to talk about more. It was one of the most powerful lessons we’ve had.”
Picture One, from left: Olivia Gries, Gabby Bryant, Dakota Douglas, Jasmine Rodriguez, and Madison Forgione.
Picture Two: Officer Wayne Thomas giving a presentation on Shaken Baby Syndrome to Mrs. Jessica Gregorski’s class.
Picture Three, Students from Child Development I, pictured with Officer Wayne Thomas and the Shaken Baby Syndrome model, from left: Addriana Cangas, Jasmine Ramos, Nathalie Ramos, Giuliana Velazquez, Phoebe Schmitt, Madison Forgione, Maggie Kotchessa, Jasmine Rodriguez, Gabby Bryant, Officer Thomas, Ethan Paugh, and Mrs. Jessica Gregorski. [...]
First Grade Hive learns all about bees from Dr. Jim Tickner. June 2, 2025Our First Grade Hive at EverGreen had the opportunity to learn all about bees from Dr. Jim Tickner. Students were given all the facts about what it takes to be a beekeeper. They also learned that being a worker bee is not an easy job! Students practiced their waggle dance and also had the opportunity to see all the tools and hives first hand. Such a cool experience that the students will be buzzing about for a while! [...]
