Photo (left to right): Adalyn Fox, Morgan Malloy, Liam Pauler, Mrs. Maria Shelp, Grace Owens, and Vincent Delaney
Officers of R.D. Wilson’s student council wanted to do something special for their school nurse, Mrs. Shelp. Recognizing that this has been an especially challenging year for nurses, they arranged for a surprise presentation during student lunch. A personalized poster and special gift basket were given along with some thankful words including:
“You had to make a lot of tough decisions throughout the year, and we appreciate that.”
“You’re an amazing school nurse, and it’s time that everyone knows it!”
The gift basket included some of Mrs. Shelp’s favorite things, such as Doritos, Swedish Fish, and Alice in Wonderland mask and necklace.
We would like to extend our appreciation for all of the medical staff working in our district and surrounding area. Thank you for all that you have done to keep us safe and healthy this past year!
The Department of Social Work at Kutztown University is conducting a statewide study titled “Access to Mental Health in Rural Pennsylvania” and is seeking parent of school age children to complete and online survey which should take about 15 min. The survey explores the demand for and access to mental health services. You can enter a random drawing to win a $25 Walmart or Target gift card by completing this survey.
We are also seeking parents to speak more in-depth about their experiences.
Online Parent Interview:
We are also looking to interview parents of school-age children about their experiences seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment for their children. The interview will last about an hour and you are paid $10 for your time.
You are eligible to participate in the interview process if: 1) You are a parent of youth 18 2) You have experience accessing mental health services for your child 3) You live in rural Pennsylvania.
If you are interested in participating in an individual interview, please contact the Juliana Svistova at 610-683-4330 to schedule a date and time to complete the interview.
This March the Western Wayne High School Chorus joined with school musical groups across the country to celebrate Music in our Schools Month. Please enjoy this performance about what music means to our students!
Saturday, March 27th 10:30am-1:30pm Pick Up at High School Band Doors
The Western Wayne Drama Club will host Cinderella’s Teatime Drive-Through Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, with a rain/ snow date of Sunday, March 28. The public is invited to join the cast and crew of our upcoming spring production of Cinderella at this event by driving through to get their meals.
Brunch will be served with a pick-up location of the high school band room doors. All guests are asked to wear face masks for the entirety of their magical experience with our cast.
Guests have their choice of three meals which include either a chicken-salad sandwich, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or ham and cheese sandwich. Meal, also, includes fruit, chips, drink, a beautiful souvenir teacup, and other special Cinderella-themed souvenirs. Meals cost $8 dollars apiece with all proceeds benefiting the students of the Western Wayne Drama Club. The Western Wayne Drama Parents Club are working to organize and run this event along with the students.
Orders are being taken in advance by emailing Mrs. McLaughlin, musical director, at jmclau@wwsd.io . Include your name, number, type of meals needed, and phone number. Please place orders by Friday, March 19.
The students will be in costume at the event to give a socially distanced greeting to guests. Young students and their family members may also participate in a socially distanced parade around the high school parking lot with members of the cast starting at 11:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to dress up as little princesses and princes. Cinderella will, of course, lead the parade! Following the parade, socially distanced pictures can be taken with cast members by a castle backdrop outside in the parking lot.
In addition, handmade Cinderella-themed face masks will be available for purchase in the drive-through line. There are beautiful sparkly blue and silver masks for ladies and royal blue masks for gentlemen. There are child-sized masks for four dollars apiece and adult sized masks for five dollars apiece with all proceeds also benefiting the students of the Western Wayne Drama Club.
The students have been in rehearsals for their production for several months and are excited to perform Cinderella later this spring. The show will be live streamed for the public to view online. More details regarding the date of our performances will be released at a later date.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work on a production,” senior Rhonda Fenkner, who plays Cinderella, said. “This is my fifth year participating in musical theater at school. Although we have faced many challenges this year, we have adapted, and are very excited to have the opportunity to have our brunch and performance.”
The Drama Club expresses their gratitude to the administration for allowing them to have the drive-through brunch event and to have the opportunity to stream their performance.
From left, Rhonda Fenkner, Cinderella, student director, and Drama Club secretary; Alex Taylor, Prince Charming and Drama Club president; and Lily Visceglia, Fairy Godmother, student director, and Drama Club vice president. Please note that all students are wearing face shields in photograph.
In second photo: Rhonda and Alex model the handmade face masks that will be available for sale at the drive-through brunch.
There was a wonderful story about Random Acts of Kindness week, which highlighted one of our students: Truly Zablocky in Mrs. Firmstone’s second grade class at Robert D. Wilson Elementary.
“Valentine’s Day and 100 days of school inspired RDW students. Every student filled in a heart to honor why they enjoy being in school. The hearts were arranged for display thanks to the RDW Student Council.”
Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released preliminary guidance for the phased reopening of Pre-K to 12 schools. Western Wayne School District intends to consider all of the guidelines put forth by PDE, CDC, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Our goal is to welcome students back to school in the fall. Surely, the safety of our students along with continued excellence in education will by our top priorities.
We are asking all parents/guardians to complete the following survey to assist us in the planning of the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. If you are unable to complete the survey online, please contact the District Office at 1-800-321-9973.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a statewide Support & Referral Helpline staffed by skilled and compassionate staff who will be available 24/7 to assist Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to community-based resources that can further help to meet individual needs.
The toll-free, round-the-clock support line is officially operational. The number to call is 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.
To create and staff the support line, DHS has partnered with the Center for Community Resources (CCR), an experienced regional crisis and call center provider based in Butler County and licensed to provide crisis services.
CCR staff are trained to be accessible, culturally competent, and skilled at assisting individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, co-occurring disorders and other special needs. Staff use the principles of trauma-informed care to listen, assess needs, triage calls, and provide appropriate referral to community resources to children, teens, adults and special populations.
CCR will collaborate with individuals, families, police, emergency medical teams, hospitals, schools, and human service providers on the local level to provide quality care to their community members.
Many other resources also remain available to Pennsylvanians in need of support, including:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454 Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741 Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357 Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-888-772-7227 National Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233
ALL NEWS
Band Performs at GDS Fair and Meets Kurt AaronAugust 29, 2024Kurt Aaron and Michael Olivo
Band and Color Guard perform at the GDS Fair.
The annual Western Wayne Marching Band and Color Guard performance at the GDS Fair was especially eventful this year because on the day of their performance Wednesday, August 28, WNEP’s Kurt Aaron and his infamous dog Ranger were also there doing live spots. Aaron briefly interviewed Western Wayne band member Michael Olivo, a senior. Michael proudly told the viewing audience about Western Wayne’s upcoming performance at the fair.
“It was really exciting to get to promote our band to a TV audience,” Michael said.
The students were thrilled to perform their 2024-25 Boy Bands themed field show for the audience along with playing some fan favorite stand tunes.
Drum majors this year are seniors Lia Hartman and Kalob Franko. This is Lia’s second season as drum major.
“We are all so grateful to be able to perform for the local community who is so supportive of us,” Lia said.
The Western Wayne Band is under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort who is now in her 11th season with the district.
The entire Western Wayne Band and Color Guard invite the local community to attend the first home game of the season for varsity football against Lackawanna Trail on Friday, August, 30, at the Sharkey-Rosetti stadium. Western Wayne will have the pregame show starting at about 6:45 p.m.; kick-off is at 7 p.m. [...]
Western Wayne to Host Annual Car Show Saturday, Sept. 7—NEW RAIN DATE! August 27, 2024The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2024 Annual Car Show on Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA, near the football stadium. Please note our NEW RAIN DATE is Sunday, September 15.Food to be sold at the concession stand. Registration fee is $10. Spectators are free. The Hot Rod Club will give prizes for best car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and best in show.In addition, the Drama group will sell a variety of concessions. There will also be a raffle of baskets and gift certificates generously donated by businesses and families in the local community.Drama Club student Robert Scramuzza is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the for the Car Show. He explained how the Drama Club students will be dressed in 50s attire for the event.“We wanted our presence at the event to go along with the variety of cars from the past that surely will be there,” Bobby said. “We hope that the public comes out to enjoy the cars and to have some good food and purchase some chances to win baskets and gift certificates.”Members of the Drama Parents Club are working to obtain a variety of items for the raffle at the Car Show from many very generous businesses and families in our Wildcat community. The students involved in the Hot Rod Club and Drama Club can use the funds raised from this event for their club activities.The Hot Rod Club meets on a regular basis to work on a variety of automotive projects after school and can use the funds for their projects among other activities.The Drama Club meets on a regular basis after school to work on a variety of projects and activities.“Drama Club gives students a place where they can express themselves,” club president Lillian Maros explained. “We are like one big family in our club and really enjoy coming together to work as a team on events such as the Car Show.”All of the members of the Hot Rod Club, Drama Club, and Drama Parents Club cordially invite the public to attend this fun-filled event on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the High School parking lot near the stadium. Come out and see some great vehicles, take some chances on our basket raffle, enjoy some food, and enjoy some time socializing. Rain date is Sunday, September 15. [...]
Freshman Orientation – Save the Date!August 8, 2024August 22, 2024 – 6:00-7:30pm – Veterans Memorial Auditorium, WWHS
Western Wayne High School welcomes the Class of 2028!
Information on the high school/ 9th Grade Transition
High School Survival Guide
Student’s class schedule
Tours
Refreshments [...]
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.