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School Bus Stop Safety Tips

 

November 6, 2018

School Bus Stop Safety Tips

In light of recent events in Pennsylvania and around the country, bus stop safety is a major concern for our students and families.  Please review the information provided below to help keep our students safe when boarding and exiting their school bus.  It is also important to speak with your children about the following recommendations.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

The Pennsylvania State Police offer safety tips for children

Parents and guardians should keep reminding their children of the following:

  • When getting off a bus, look to make sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
  • Before crossing a street, take five giant steps out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen.
  • Wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
  • Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped.
  • With the onset of inclement winter weather approaching use more caution when crossing the road or standing near the roadway.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers advice on school bus safety for drivers

They include:

  • Being aware red flashing lights on buses indicate students are either entering or exiting a bus.
  • Motorists must stop at least 10 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and/or its stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.
  • Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (divided by a physical barrier or median, etc.), but they should remain alert for children.
  • Altering a route or schedule to avoid a bus route is one way motorists can help improve safety.
  • Motorists should always watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians, as well as reducing speeds in and around school zones.
  • Every corner is a crosswalk. Motorists should always watch and stop for pedestrians. The law applies to street corners for both marked and unmarked crosswalks (in other words, all street corners).

As a reminder, parents/guardians should remain with their children until the students board the bus, and also be present at bus stop locations for drop-off.

Western Wayne Starts Monday Welcome Initiative for Students

 

Just like droves of fans wait to welcome celebrity guests to popular morning television programs like Good Morning America, every Monday morning, administrators, school board members, parents, and community members line up outside of all Western Wayne  School District Buildings to welcome in students as they return after their weekend break.

The initiative is titled “Today’s a Great Day, to Have a Great Day…Can’t Hide That Wildcat PRIDE!”  This idea came from Mrs. Mindy Maros, a parent in the district, whose purpose with the initiative is to promote a positive environment for students to come to school, and to get parents involved in the school community in a positive way.

“Last year I read an article about a school in Indiana that did a similar program. I thought the idea was great; small time commitment, another opportunity for parents to be involved and it’s simple to do.  We aren’t asking anyone to teach algebra- just to help us create a fun, welcoming atmosphere on Monday mornings,” Maros explained.

She said it was a smooth process to get her ideas into action.

“I pitched the idea to Miss Faliskie and Mrs. Fiorella. They were enthusiastic and instrumental in the idea coming to fruition. From there, they took it to the Administration and we followed up with talking to parents at all the Open Houses this fall. All of our Great Days volunteers have been approved through our background clearances process.  We had shirts made through Custom Cured in our community, picked some fun songs and we’re off to a great start! We’re thrilled to not only have parents helping, but community members, as well,” Maros said.

The kick-off for the Monday welcome program at Western Wayne School District began on Monday, Oct. 15 and will continue throughout the year.

The high school band even joined in on the fun for the first day to play some lively music to get students excited to start their weeks at the middle and high schools.

“We are happy to play for the students to help make them feel more enthusiastic about the start of the week,” Mrs. Elaine Ort, high school band director, said.

The second week of “Today’s a Great Day” was just as successful as the first with many administrators, school board members, parents, and community members lining the walkways to the schools in the district to welcome the students back.  In the middle school, music was played throughout the loud speakers to help add to the positive energy created by the greetings given by the adults to the students.

Parent Bill McCormick, whose son is a high school student, joined in on the fun for the second week.  He found out about the opportunity through emails the district sends to parents informing of them of different school events.

“I just wanted to come out and support the school,” McCormick said.  “There are a lot of good kids here at Western Wayne and many good programs like this one.”

Fellow Western Wayne parent Nicole O’Donnell agrees with McCormick.

“I wanted to come and welcome students because I know some of them don’t have parents at home in the morning to greet them,” she explained.

Community members also attended to interact with students and spread positivity. Melvina Black is a retired teacher from New York City who learned about the initiative from Bernice Fiorella, president of the Western Wayne Board of Education.

Black is a master teacher who taught all subjects in grades Pre-K through sixth for 15 years before retiring from teaching.  Her degree is called Common Branches.

“I think greeting the students gives them a sense of pride and makes them feel welcomed,” Black explained.

She has enjoyed welcoming Western Wayne students to school at the two opening weeks of the initiative and plans to continue participating in this tradition in the future.  She has also agreed to be a tutor in the high school on some mornings and is excited to help Western Wayne students refine their academic skills.

Parent Sandi Beavers thinks it is wonderful that community members like Black want to take the time to greet and work with students in the district.  Beavers has two sons that attend Western Wayne and is highly involved in multiple parent groups at the district including the Band Parent and Drama Parent organizations.

“I enjoy working to make Western Wayne the best possible place it can be to meet the needs of all students,” Beavers said.  “The welcome initiative is just another way that I can help spread pride at Western Wayne.”

Maros is glad that parents like Beavers feel this way since this outcome was her intention with the program from the start.

“Our goal is that through this effort, our students will look forward to Mondays, feel encouraged and most of all that they will feel known and valued by their community. We also hope that our entire district will embrace this opportunity for personal connection in an era when digital connection is prominent.  When we take the time to pour into our kids and help them feel valued, it’s time well spent. Mondays can be tough, but when you add fun music, a word of encouragement and a few high fives, we can change Mondays into Great Days,” Maros discussed.

All administrators, school board members, community members, parents, and, most importantly, students look forward to continuing the welcome tradition throughout the school year.

Homecoming Game and Food Drive Set for Friday, Sept. 28

Following in a tradition that has been established over the past few years, the Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend to its annual homecoming game this Friday, September 28 and accept the challenge of helping others.  Along with coming to cheer on the students, they ask that spectators bring donations of canned goods and other nonperishable food items for a drive that will benefit those in need in Wayne County.

From left are the senior girls on Western Wayne’s 2018 Homecoming Court: Allison Mattern, Paige Barillo, Samantha  Atcavage, Maya Black, and Gianna DeBastiani.

Pictured are the senior boys on Western Wayne’s 2018 Homecoming Court.  From left, seated:  Nicholas McGlone and RJ Clemens.  From left, standing:  Jake Kunz, Dylan Walck, and Bryce Urian.

 

The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against Lakeland will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court about a half hour before kick-off. The ten seniors on this year’s court feel extremely honored and excited to be a part of this ensemble.

Members of the court include:  Jake Kunz, Maya Black, Nicholas McGlone, Samantha Atcavage, Dylan Walck, Gianna DeBastiani, Bryce Urian, Allison Mattern, RJ Clemens, and Paige Barillo.

The part of the homecoming game that senior Jake Kunz looks forward to the most is the support from his fellow Western Wayne students and community members in the stands while he plays.

“I look forward to seeing all of the kids in the stands having a good time,” Jake said.

Jake plays both football and basketball for Western Wayne along with being a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America.

He very much enjoys his time on the football team because he gets to spend time with his friends while working hard on the game.

Jake aspires to study business marketing in college.

Fellow homecoming court member Maya Black also likes playing sports for Western Wayne.

Maya participates in track and field.

“I really enjoy winning with my teammates and bonding through track,” Maya, who does the long, triple, and high jump events, explained.

Maya additionally is part of the Technology Student Association, NHS, and FBLA.

Next year, Maya wishes to attend Temple University to study broadcast journalism.

Maya is also involved in fashion classes at Western Wayne and looks forward to dressing up for the spirit week leading up to the game along with getting to wear her gown on Friday night.

Like Jake and Maya, homecoming court member Nick McGlone participates in FBLA as well.

Nick feels most proud of placing in the top five of last year’s FBLA regional conference.  This allowed him to go to the FBLA state conference in Hersey where his event was advertising.

Nick, also a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, looks forward to continuing his academic efforts at college next year and plans to soak in all of the excitement from the student section at the game.

“Everyone will be very hyped up,” Nick explained.

Likewise senior Sam Atcavage looks forward to feeling all of the positive energy at the game.

“I look forward to making a memory with my friends who are on the court,” Sam said.

Sam, who wishes to study nursing in college, also likes to bond with her friends in the various sports and clubs she participates in at Western Wayne.

She is part of the tennis team, indoor track club, and outdoor track, along with being a member of NHS and FBLA.

Sam has many great memories from her time on the tennis team.

“We have a small team and put in a lot of hard work while playing a fun sport,” Sam explained.

Fellow homecoming court member Dylan Walck agrees that some of his favorite high school memories come from the time he has spent in Western Wayne sports programs.

Dylan, who plays multiple positions on the football team, has a passion for the sport.

“I like the brotherhood we create,” Dylan, who plans to student pre-medicine in the fall, explained.  “It is a learning experience for all of us and we get to see the results on the field.”

Dylan greatly looks forward to the energy of the crowd at the homecoming game.

Dylan’s friend senior Gianna DeBastiani likewise looks forward to experiencing the excitement of homecoming with all of her classmates on the court.

“I look forward to hanging out with my friends,” she said.

Gianna plays on the volleyball and track teams at Western Wayne along with being a member of NHS, FBLA, and Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.

She has especially enjoyed her time on the volleyball team working with all of her teammates to have good seasons.

She plans to study business administration.

Homecoming court member Bryce Urian, like his classmates, has had a lot of fun in the many activities he participates in at Western Wayne.

Bryce performs with the Western Wayne Band along with being a member of NHS and the Video Game Club.

He wishes to study chemistry in college and really looks forward to adding to his high school experiences the honor of being on the homecoming court.

“I can’t wait to feel all of the spirit and enthusiasm on Friday night from the student section,” Bryce explained.  “They are all very supportive.”

Fellow band member Allison Mattern also looks forward to her time Friday night at homecoming.

“This will be a new experience for me,” Allison explained.  “I would have never thought that I would do this.”

Allison is a member of NHS, FBLA, PJAS, the Scholastic Team, and the tennis team.

She especially loves her experiences with the tennis team.

“We are a small team,” Allison, who wishes to study biochemistry next year, explained.  “We are all very competitive and challenge each other at practices while having a good time.”

Like his friend Allison, homecoming court member RJ Clemens likes to have a good time while participating in a variety of activities at school.

RJ is in NHS, PJAS, TSA, Political Science Club, Scholastic Team, Spanish Club, Envirothon, Band, Drama Club, musical theater, and the Reading Team.

RJ, who wishes to study science in college, is glad to participate in all of his academic clubs along performing a variety of lead roles over the years in Western Wayne musicals.

“I like learning from books I read and applying that information in competition,” RJ explained about his experiences with the Reading Team.

He looks forward to getting to dress up for all of spirit week, especially for the homecoming game.

Finally, homecoming court member Paige Barillo agrees with RJ that dressing up is one of her favorite parts of homecoming along with getting to spend time with friends and being recognized by her peers at the game.

Paige, who plans to study nursing in college, is involved in a variety of clubs and sports including NHS, PJAS, FBLA, Wayne Memorial Community Health Board, track and field, indoor track club, and the cross country team.

“I love the cross country team because it’s such a small team and we are so close with each other,” Paige said.

Paige and all of the members of the homecoming court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. for the homecoming festivities followed by the game.

Bring some canned goods to donate and contribute to the positive atmosphere of Western Wayne Homecoming.

2018 Homecoming Court

Members of the 2018 Western Wayne Homecoming Court include, from left:

Jake Kunz, Maya Black, Nicholas McGlone, Samantha Atcavage, Dylan Walck, Gianna DeBastiani, Bryce Urian, Allison Mattern, RJ Clemens, and Paige Barillo.

Western Wayne Comprehensive Plan

Every 3 years, a school entity must submit a professional education plan to the Department of Education for approval. The professional education plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days prior to Board approval and submission to PDE. The tentative plan is available for download below.

 

 

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY – INITIATIVE

We are excited to inform you of a new initiative- ‘TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO HAVE A GREAT DAY!  DON’T HIDE THAT WILDCAT PRIDE!  A few parents along with some members of our Board of Education would like to reach out to students weekly within all our buildings and let them know we care about and support them daily.  Please read the attached letter to see how to get involved.  Sign-Ups will be held in each school tomorrow (Elementary) and Thursday (MS/HS) at Open Houses.  Come out and help support our students.

Parent...Do you want to get involved

Created: 18 - 09 - 2018
Preview

Western Wayne to Focus on Pride in Differentiation for 2018-19 School Year

Western Wayne to Focus on Pride in Differentiation for 2018-19 School Year

“On the outside, always looking in/ Will I ever be more than I’ve always been?/ ‘Cause I’m tap, tap, tapping on the glass/ Waving through a window,” are the lyrics Western Wayne Senior R.J. Clemens sang at the first day of teacher in-service for Western Wayne faculty, staff, and administration on Wednesday, August 22.

R.J. sang “Waving Through a Window” from the 2017 Tony Award Winning musical Dear Evan Hansen at the request of administration as a closing piece of a presentation on Pride in Differentiation which is the district’s focus for the 2018-19 school year.  The song fit the occasion because it centers on a socially awkward teenage boy who struggles to be recognized among his peers and adults. In relation to this, all Western Wayne educators are dedicating themselves to acknowledging each of their student’s unique learning strengths and weaknesses and are working to provide interventions and support necessary for academic, social, and emotional success.

Pride in Differentiation will be seen in action in all parts of the Western Wayne educational system with teachers, counselors, and administrators all working toward the common goal of enhancing the educational experience of each specific student who attends Western Wayne.

“I feel honored to have been asked to sing a song with such a meaningful message to my teachers for my senior year,” R.J. said.  “I hope the message of noticing people around you who don’t really know how to interact with others resonates with them and helps to guide their planning for the new school year.”

Staff in attendance were also treated to watching a video presentation about how their efforts have affected Western Wayne students in a positive way in the past.

Senior Evan Coons spoke on the film regarding his many positive experiences at Western Wayne from his time in the school’s Early Intervention Program through his high school journey.

“I started out in Early Intervention at Western Wayne because I had trouble speaking well,” Evan explained.  “Even then, I was told I had potential.  Now I’m taking honors and AP classes and finding out that colleges are interested in me.  It’s amazing what school can do for you.”

Evan went on to explain what he takes away from his educational experiences at Western Wayne thus far.

“Whatever I put my mind to I can do,” Evan said.  “I am able to say that no obstacle is too big, and I want to say thank you to all of my teachers.”

Senior Rayiana Cook also shared her experiences with the faculty on the film.

She explained how she was born and raised in Philadelphia and went through many struggles in her life.  Rayiana came to Western Wayne in May of 2018 and felt very welcomed into the community.

“I noticed that my teachers respected me and wanted to help me learn,” Rayiana explained. “They pointed out my strengths and told me I can do whatever I have to in achieving my goals.  My teachers have given me confidence and made me feel that I am mature, very smart, and capable of doing anything I want with my life.”

Many student groups were present at the opening day in-service to inspire all present to think about truly seeing each student in their classroom just like Evan and Rhianna were. Athletes, cheerleaders, and students of all ages filled the aisles of the Western Wayne Auditorium as R.J. finished singing to surprise their teachers and get to see them a few days before the start of school.

Along with the singing and representation of student groups at the in-service, the group of about 400 professionals, who work at all buildings in the district, were then treated to an enthusiastic performance by the Western Wayne cheerleading squad.  The Pride Presentation was then closed by the entire audience of adults and students singing the Western Wayne Alma Mater together led by High School Band Director Elaine Ort.

“It was very powerful to hear everyone in attendance that day sing the Alma Mater,” Ort said.  “I think it really solidified how everyone will work together this year toward the goal of educating each individual student in their classrooms.”

Many Western Wayne Marching Band members performed at the Opening Day Presentation including from left: Damon Martzen, Lindsey Karwacki, Chris Wallace, and Bridgette Summers-Flannery.

From left: Sam Clemens, Ava Compton, and Brandon Davis, all members of the Western Wayne Drama Club, get ready to sing the Alma Mater.

Music Student Recognized for Achievements

Western Wayne Administration has recognized Lindsey Karwacki as an outstanding student.  Lindsey is a senior who is greatly interested in environmental science and has been highly involved in Western Wayne’s music programs throughout her high school career.  She also was a member of the Mock Trial team her sophomore year and will join the group again for her senior year. Pictured above is Lindsey as she conducts the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band during the half-time show performance at Western Wayne’s  recent game against Lake Lehman.  Senior Kat Moore also serves as drum major.

Lindsey is currently participating in the PiER Program through Lacawac Sanctuary.  PiER, pathways in ecological research, is an academic program focused on providing high-achieving high school female students with rigorous field and laboratory experiences at Lacawac Sanctuary and local universities under the mentorship of female college faculty and staff.   Through this program, students can work on specific science-based projects.  Lindsey’s project involves analyzing a body of water to better understand its state.  She will work with a team of other students to do this and will create a floating buoy system in the water to analyze it.

Lindsey says she has always been interested in environmental science because it peaks her interest and makes her want to know more about the field.

She plans to do just that next year in college.  She wishes to attend The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) with a major in environmental science and a minor in conservation biology. She hopes to be a research scientist working with a college in the future.

Along with Lindsey’s commitment to her academic studies, she also has dedicated her high school career to performing arts programs at Western Wayne.

Lindsey has worked on three Western Wayne musicals.  Her freshman year, she worked with hair, makeup, and stage crew for Shrek.  Her sophomore year she played Mrs. MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and her junior year she played Millicent in Nice Work if You Can Get It.  She plans to work with the stage crew and pit band for her senior year production.

Lindsey served as vice president of the Drama Club for her junior year and will continue this role as a senior.

When Lindsey isn’t serving as a leader for Western Wayne musical and drama students, she is working with the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band.

She has played percussion with the band for four years. As a senior she serves as a drum major and takes pride in working with her fellow students to develop their talents.

“My favorite part of being a drum major is being a part of the band itself and seeing everything come together as the students develop as musicians,” she said.

Lindsey looks forward to developing her academic and music skills for the rest of her senior year.