Western Wayne partners with Penn State Extension to provide Prosper to the families of Western Wayne School District. PROSPER is a model for bringing evidence-based prevention programs to schools and communities with the goal of strengthening families and building youth skills. PROSPER teaches skills and attitudes that foster improvements in family life which enhance parent-child communication. It also provides students with the necessary skills for planning, problem solving, and peer resistance against problem behaviors. Studies have shown that these protective factors help youth avoid substance use and risk-taking behaviors.
The Strengthening Families Program is set to begin February 12, 2019 at Western Wayne Middle School. Strengthening Families is for families with students in fifth or sixth grades. The program consists of seven sessions. Each session begins at 5:30 pm with a free family supper served at the Western Wayne Middle School. After supper, the children and adults participate in a variety of activities designed to improve parenting skills, build life skills in youth, and strengthen family bonds. Sessions conclude at 8:00 pm. Free babysitting is provided.
| Parent sessions include these topics:
Using love and limits Making house rules Encouraging good behavior Using consequences Building bridges Protecting against substance abuse Using community resources |
Youth sessions include these topics:
Having goals and dreams Appreciating parents Dealing with stress Following rules Handling peer pressure Reaching out to others |
A few slots for this session are still available.
“This is a fantastic program and I hope it continues for years to come!”
“My son had so much fun. He was sad when it ended.”
“We really had a great time together.”
“I liked the interaction with other families going through similar situations.”
“I learned we are not alone. Us moms and dads need to stick together!”
“It was fun and no pressure.”
If you are interested or would like to know more you may contact one of the following:
Mrs. Kristin Donohue, 800-321-9973 option 2
Mr. Justin Pidgeon, 800-321-9973 option 3
Mrs. Maria Miller, 800-321-9973 option 4
The spring PROSPER session will be starting in the Western Wayne School District on Tuesday, February 12th. This 7 week program is open to 5th and 6th grade children and families. See the attached registration form for more information.
Robert D. Wilson School Counselor, Erica Booth, was honored at the School Counselor Annual Conference hosted by the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association held at The Hershey Lodge and Convention Center on November 29. She was selected as Pennsylvania School Counselor of the Year, the equivalent of Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Booth is in her sixth year at Western Wayne School District, all of which were served at Robert D. Wilson Elementary. The PSCA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR (SCOY) AWARDS honor professional school counselors who have made significant contributions to their students and/or school districts through the development and implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs that are based on the ASCA National Model.
A South Canaan native, Booth is a dedicated educator who has spent 20 years of her life at Western Wayne including the time she was a student and later a professional. After graduating from the district she went on to graduate from Cedar Crest College in 2006 with a bachelor’s in biopsychology. She then received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Marywood University in 2008, and later took an additional 27 credits to receive her school counseling certification in 2012.
Following her collegiate education, her career path at the district seems like it was meant to be. While she worked as a mobile therapist for her Master’s Degree, she reconnected with Mr. John Kowalski, who was the school counselor at R.D. Wilson for over 20 years before Booth would take over the position.
“He was the one who suggested I become a school counselor,” Booth, who had Kowalski as a counselor herself when she was in middle school, explained. “That day, I called my old advisor at Marywood and put into motion what I would need to do to get my school counseling certificate. That same month that I received my certificate (May 2012) was the same month the RDW school counseling positon was posted. I truly believe there was some outside force driving my career path, and I share this story often with my students.”
Once securing the job as the R.D. Wilson guidance counselor, Booth wasted no time in making the position her own and creating and running various programs to benefit Western Wayne students.
Over the past six years, she has developed a complete comprehensive guidance curriculum for all students K-5. Each classroom receives 12-14 guidance lessons each year, which target the three school counseling domains: career, social-emotional, and academic. Many of the lessons are based off of her yearly needs assessments which review data to identify gaps in student skills. Three years ago, “guidance” was added into the specials rotation at the school to guarantee that students see Booth regularly. Data reports indicate student growth as a result of their guidance lessons.
Booth also brought the Olweus Bully Prevention Program to her district, which is the most widely-used and researched bully prevention program in the world. During her first year as a school counselor, she applied for a grant that would allow her to become an Olweus trainer and consultant and also paid for the startup supplies. She trained staff at R.D. Wilson in 2013 and then EverGreen and the Middle School the following year.
At R.D. Wilson, Booth, in addition, runs a very active Kindness Club with fifth grade students. They have developed countless projects to promote kindness in the school and community. Over the past four years, they received a local grant and numerous donations from the community to help their cause (about $500 total).
Last year, she worked with a few colleagues to also start up a Student Council at RDW. Fifth grade students receive a “Job Application” guidance lesson at the beginning of the year and then have the option to fill out an application for student council as well. This year, the five student council members and six kindness club members worked together to host a school-wide assembly as one of their projects.
These efforts are just some of the reasons why Booth was an excellent candidate for Pennsylvania School Counselor of the Year. She explained the rigorous application process for the award she would eventually win.
“The application involved numerous essays. In addition, I had to submit evidence for the items I wrote about. A major component asked how I have advocated for the school counseling profession. I shared videos of me speaking up at board meetings to share evidence and promote my program,” Booth explained. “I showed PowerPoints from just some of the workshops I have presented at our annual state conference (PSCA). I also discussed how I was an adjunct instructor for Marywood University, teaching “Developing and Managing Your School Counseling Program” to graduate level school counseling students.”
Booth feels very proud to have won this prestigious honor, but she emphasizes that the biggest reward of her career on a daily basis is the work she gets to do with Western Wayne students.
“This award is not about me,” Booth clarified. “It’s about the students. It is because of them and it is for them that I hold myself to the highest standard set by our state and our nation.”
Booth looks forward to a long career at Western Wayne. She described some of her favorite memories to date and can’t wait to make more.
“My favorite moments are those that involve either humor or pride. Every day, I find myself belly-laughing with students at the wonderful wit or profoundly innocent things that they say. When they are laughing, I know that they are happy. And isn’t this our ultimate goal?”
Robert D. Wilson School Counselor, Erica Booth, was honored at the School Counselor Annual Conference hosted by the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association held at The Hershey Lodge and Convention Center on November 29. She was selected as Pennsylvania School Counselor of the Year, the equivalent of Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Erica is in her sixth year at the Western Wayne School District, all of which were served at Robert D. Wilson Elementary. The PSCA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR (SCOY) AWARDS honor professional school counselors who have made significant contributions to their students and/or school districts through the development and implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs that are based on the ASCA National Model. Western Wayne Administration and staff are extremely proud of Erica’s great accomplishments in their district which have led her to receiving this honor.
Pictured are Western Wayne staff members with members of the Rotary who generously donated coats for students throughout the Western Wayne School District. From left: Matthew Fitzsimmons, high school guidance counselor; Diane Tansits, high school and middle school social worker; Tatiana Black, Rotary member; Susan Giguere, Rotary member; Terry Gunning, Rotary member; Renee Chernin, high school guidance counselor; Kasey Gribble, high school guidance counselor; Lisa Jacques, middle school guidance counselor; and Jennifer Bradley, high school assistant principal.
All four Western Wayne Schools (EverGreen Elementary, R.D. Wilson Elementary, the High School, and Middle School) benefited from a coat drive done by the Hamlin/ Lake Ariel Rotary. The Rotary donated several cases of coats to the schools. All of the schools received a variety of coats in different colors and sizes. The district is so grateful for this donation and knows its students will greatly benefit from these much needed coats. From left, Sue Schlasta, EverGreen Elementary social worker; and Tatiana Black, from the Rotary.
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Western Wayne’s Robert D. Wilson Elementary School hosted a special event the week of November 27. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab came to the school for students pre-kindergarten to fifth grade to enjoy.
The opportunity was afforded to the students through funding provided by the Wayne County Farm Bureau, a Soybean Council Grant and Robert D. Wilson PTA.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab creates an opportunity for students to learn about agriculture (Pennsylvania’s number one industry) in a fun and hands-on-way.
“With fewer children having a tie to farming, we created the Ag Lab program to help teachers educate more students about the importance of agriculture,” said PF President Rick Ebert.
Students enter the lab to perform science experiments that teach lessons focused on farm, food, fiber and the environment. Mobile Lab visits to schools are coordinated with the preparation of teachers and their classes for the science experiments. A certified teacher travels with the lab to lead each class in the science experiments. The lab is equipped with all the materials and supplies needed for the experiments.
Examples of the experiments that are taught in the lab include: germinating seed under different conditions, creating crayons from soybeans, and testing the water capacity of different soils. A Mobile Lab can educate up to 900 students and involve up to 30 teachers per week.
At R.D., first grade participated in an experiment called Popcorn Capers. Students engaged in conversation with Paula Brennan, Mobile Ag Lab Teacher, and enjoyed a story about corn, how it grows, where it grows, and its many uses. Students then completed a sink and float activity including a corn kernel and a popped kernel of corn along with a variety of other common objects with varying degrees of air (rice crispies, cheese ball, raisins to name a few).
In addition, Kindergarten participated in an experiment called Farm Charm where prompted by conversation, the students and teacher built a farm and made connections between the various components of a farm. Student made a Farm Charm to wear which symbolized all the components of a farm (sun, water, cows, pigs, chickens, soil and more).
All of the Western Wayne Elementary students and staff greatly enjoyed their experiences with the Mobile Lab and hope to have more of these unique educational experiences in the future.
Robert D. Wilson conducted the 4th Annual Turkey Trot November 29. 2019 thanks to the work and dedication of Elizabeth Musso, physical education teacher. Students enjoyed a variety of physical exercises stationed around the school and in the gymnasium. It a a tradition to get up and moving with friends and classmates. Students also had an opportunity to socialize and enjoy a Thanksgiving movie and popcorn supplied by the Robert D. Wilson PTA and prepared by office staff. It was a fun filled morning for all involved.
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On November 19th, students in the Kindness Club and Student Council hosted the annual Olweus Kickoff Event to promote kindness and teach anti-bullying strategies. After two months of planning, rehearsals, and preparation, eleven students in the fifth grade held a school-wide assembly which included:
– The Bully Circle: teaching the different roles that bystanders play in bullying situations
– The Wildcat Pledge: where all students pledged to be defenders of their school
– Kickoff Videos: pre-recorded by the student council- interviewing students throughout the school
– Classroom Match-ups: each classroom in the school was randomly paired with another. These classroom pairs will perform acts of kindness for each other throughout the year
– Kindness Dance: all students learned the special kindness dance: Throw Kindness Like Confetti!
A very special thank you to the students who made it all possible! They are a shining example of Wildcat Pride!
Kindness Club members: Audrey Agnello, Ayla Butrim, Magda Malcolm, Grace Moser, Trista Murphy, and Alexis Weist
Student Council members: Kera Edwards, Brendan Mistishin, Khloe Mistishin, Makayla Moser, and Madelyn Vinton
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduation – May 1, 2026May 1, 2026Congratulations go out to Donovan Gregorski and Emaan Tanveer on their recent Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduation!
Leadership Lackawanna’s seven-month Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program develops the leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills of high school juniors and provides real-world experiences in the areas of health care, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, non-profit organizations, and community service. Each year, a class of approximately 70 students, representing various geographic areas and schools, is selected to participate. The program begins in October and concludes with a graduation ceremony in May. Sessions are held one full weekday each month from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Upon completion of the TLT program, participants will have the necessary skills to become concerned and committed citizens who participate and invest in our community. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today turns aspiring teens into future adult leaders. [...]
Junior Information Night – May 13th – 6:00 PMApril 30, 2026On Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. the Guidance Department will be conducting JuniorInformation Night in the LGI. The purpose of this evening is to inform parents/guardians about:selecting a college/trade school/training program, college cost, the college admissions process,registration and deadlines for the SAT/ACT, general financial aid information, Maia, SmartFutures,military and job opportunities and other important information.
https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Information-Night-letter-to-parents-2026-1.pdf [...]
Student Council Attend Pennsylvania Association of Student Council Regional ConferenceApril 23, 2026Members of Western Wayne High School Student Council attended the Pennsylvania Association of Student Council Region H’s Annual Conference on Friday, April 17, hosted by Wyoming Valley West. There were hundreds of middle and high school students from area schools in the region in attendance.
Mr. Mason Wooldridge gave a presentation. Wooldridge encouraged students to remember that “things don’t happen to you; they happen for you” and encouraged them to take on challenges in life and know that everything is an opportunity for learning and growth.
In addition, Pennsylvania State Representative Mr. Alec Ryncavage, who represents the 119th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving parts of Luzerne County, also gave a presentation. He was a WVW graduate who spoke about feeling called to public service at a young age and the responsibility he holds for representing 65k residents and encouraged students to follow their calling.
Another part of the experience involved students attending three different workshops of their choice. The workshops all focused on student leadership, teamwork, mental health, fundraising, and making connections with a fun twist. For example, they were able to make slime, friendship bracelets, and participate in breakout rooms.
Finally, there was a College/Vendor Fair that had 44 tables at the event.
Front row, from left: Evan Davitt, Ava Fiorella, Layla Persaud, Leah Reeger, Raelyn Simpson, and Meghan Rath. Back row, from left: Haley McGuire, Lillian Gilchrist, Olivia McGlone, Jailah McRae, Mackenzie Wehrmann, and Alexis Gill. [...]
High School March Students of the MonthApril 23, 2026The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for March. Their teachers and administrators weighed in on the decisions. All of the students chosen hold a high standard of academic and personal excellence. They are true examples of the P.R.I.D.E. standards for PBIS at our school.
First, is our selected freshman Xavier James. He’s a hard worker who actively participates in class and is extremely polite and respectful. He always strives to push himself to be his best. He is described as respectful, polite, hardworking, and all-around great young man, strong athlete with a commitment to his academics, kind, gets along well with both classmates and teachers, and diligent. It is also noted that he works hard to stay on top of his sports and classes.
Next, Leah Reeger is our chosen sophomore this month. She always participates during class, does her own work, and wants to learn. She is described as polite, hardworking, dependable, a stand-out amongst her peers, helps others, kind, a role model, and has integrity. In addition, it is noted that she is creative, insightful, dedicated, mature, hard-working, and courteous.
In addition, Makenzie Chearney is this month’s featured junior. She is noted as hard-working, completes all assignments on time, helps her peers, intelligent, friendly, determined and caring.
Finally, Katarina Shumski is our senior spotlight this month. Katarina’s teachers say she quietly goes about her business and is impeccable with her organization, school work, and time management. In addition, they note she is hard-working, dependable, considerate, reliable, and dependable because she is always on task.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these March students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Katarina Shumski, Leah Reeger, Makenzie Chearney, and Xavier James. [...]
FBLA Students Shine at PA State Leadership Conference in HersheyApril 23, 2026HERSHEY, PA — Students from Western Wayne High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership, and professionalism at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference held this week in Hershey.
Throughout the multi-day conference, students participated in a wide range of enriching experiences designed to build career readiness and leadership skills. Attendees engaged in competitive events, attended dynamic leadership workshops, explored career pathways at the expo, and collaborated with peers from across the state. These sessions provided students with opportunities to strengthen their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, hallmarks of FBLA’s mission to prepare students for success in business and beyond.
Western Wayne proudly celebrates Grady Farley, who earned an impressive 4th-place finish in the event of Agribusiness, qualifying him for the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in June. This exceptional accomplishment reflects his dedication and expertise.
The chapter also congratulates Kaelyn Chearney for her 10th-place finish in Introduction to FBLA, showcasing her strong foundational knowledge and competitive spirit.
In the Business Ethics event, the team of Khloe Mistishin, Maggie Kotchessa, and Grace Moser advanced to the final round, demonstrating excellence in ethical reasoning, teamwork, and presentation skills at a highly competitive level.
Western Wayne FBLA members competed across a wide range of events, including:
Abigail Bell – Member at Large/Voting Delegate
Eli Bilski – Human Resource Management
Paul Borowski – Banking and Financial Systems
Julia Burry – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Robert Carrelle – Banking and Financial Systems
Kaelyn Chearney – Introduction to FBLA
Makenzie Chearney – Journalism
Roxanne Dugan – Healthcare Administration
Paityn Duprey – Business Communication
Grady Farley – Agribusiness
Madison Forgione – Future Business Educator
Raegan Fox – Member at Large/Voting Delegate
Lillian Gilchrist – Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Charlianne Hachikian – Business Law
Justin Jimenez – Real Estate
Madison Kizer – Advertising
Kaitlyn Kloss – Introduction to FBLA
Maggie Kotchessa – Business Ethics
Raeleigh Kromko- Computer Applications
Kelsey Lokuta – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Aiden Matthews – Banking and Financial Systems
Kyle Matthews – Introduction to Information Technology
Madelyn McClure – Organizational Leadership
Khloe Mistishin – Business Ethics
Grace Moser – Business Ethics
Madison Trapanese – Hospitality and Event Management
Graysen Valinski – Networking Infrastructure
Avery Vinton – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Bryn Vinton – Business Communication
Madelyn Vinton – Computer Applications
Annie Williams – Job Interview
In addition to competitive success, several students were recognized for their leadership contributions at the regional level. Madelyn McClure was honored for her service as the 2025–2026 Region 22 Treasurer and was officially welcomed into her new role as the 2026–2027 Region 22 President, a testament to her leadership and commitment to FBLA.
The chapter also recognizes Raegan Fox and Abigail Bell, who served as Members-at-Large and voting delegates, representing Western Wayne in important conference decisions and leadership proceedings.
The State Leadership Conference is an incredible opportunity for our students to grow as leaders, connect with peers, and apply their skills in real-world scenarios. As their adviser, I am extremely proud of their hard work, accomplishments, and the way they represented Western Wayne. Students were also accompanied by Mrs. Megan Rush and Mr. Tim McClure, who are themselves WW FBLA Alumni.
The Western Wayne FBLA chapter looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence and wishes Grady Farley the best of luck as he prepares to compete on the national stage this summer.
Picture one, front row, from left: Lillian Gilchrist, Madison Kizer, Kaelyn Chearney, Madison Trapanese, Khloe Mistishin, Grace Moser, and Maggie Kotchessa. Second row, from left: Madison Forgione, Madelyn McClure, Makenzie Chearney, Bryn Vinton, Annie Williams, Paityn Duprey, Madelyn Vinton, Julia Burry, Kaitlyn Kloss, and Avery Vinton. Third row, from left: Raegan Fox, Grady Farley, Abigail Bell, Eli Bilski, Kyle Matthews, Paul Borowski, Graysen Valinski, Robbie Carrelle, and Aiden Matthews.
Picture two, from left: Kaelyn Chearney, 10th-place finish in Introduction to FBLA; and Grady Farley, 4th-place finish in the event of Agribusiness. [...]
