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
5th students at RDW Elementary engaged in a culminating self-portrait projectMay 28, 2025Fifth-grade students at Robert D. Wilson Elementary engaged in a culminating self-portrait project to conclude their elementary visual arts experience. Students used sculpture techniques to construct three-dimensional plaster models of their faces. Over the course of the unit, learners explored human facial proportions and studied influential portrait artists throughout art history to inform their progress. Students applied their knowledge of proportion, drawing and painting to add accurate facial features. Through the use of mixed media techniques, and creative problem-solving strategies, students personalized their sculptures with details such as hairstyles, eyeglasses, jewelry, and accessories. The 5th graders worked hard to synthesize years of art instruction to create this meaningful visual representation of their time and growth at RDW. Each student’s unique and individual personality shines through! [...]
High School Watershed Group Leads Fourth-Grade Environmental Education Program with Support from Community Grants May 28, 2025Lake Ariel, PA — Western Wayne High School’s Watershed Group is proud to announce the successful completion of a student-led environmental education initiative originally planned as a field trip to the Varden Conservation Area. This spring, thanks to grant funding and outstanding community partnerships, fourth-grade students at RDW and Evergreen Elementary Schools experienced a day filled with hands-on watershed education, led by professionals and high school mentors.This project is part of the long-standing Community Connections to Our Watershed program, which for over 20 years has connected students in northeastern Pennsylvania with local environmental experts and conservation educators. Each year, students explore watersheds, learn about clean water initiatives, and participate in forums alongside professionals from agencies committed to preserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources. More information about the program can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/CCTW2025This year’s participating schools include:• Lackawanna County Teams: Carbondale, Forest City, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands• Luzerne County Teams: Crestwood, Hanover, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming AreaWestern Wayne High School students participated in several preparatory field trips, including visits to Lackawanna State Park, Keystone College, the Old Forge borehole, and the Alliance Landfill, the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania American Water Treatment and Sewage Treatment Facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. These experiences helped students learn how to assess watershed health and explore solutions to protect local water resources. Support for these programs was provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania American Water Company, and the DCNR Watershed Education Program.The culminating event was presented at a student showcase held at Montage Mountain on May 6, 2025, where Western Wayne students unveiled their vision: an interactive field trip experience for all district fourth-grade students. They designed original ecology-based activities and coordinated programming with outside agencies to bring their vision to life.Originally planned for the Varden Conservation Area, the field day was quickly relocated indoors due to cold, wet weather. Thanks to the flexibility and determination of teachers, administrators, and partners, the program was successfully delivered on-site at both elementary schools—retaining all core educational experiences.Participating Agencies and PresentersThe program featured presentations and hands-on stations from a wide range of environmental organizations, including:• Lacawac Education Department: Nichole Seul• Lacawac Sanctuary PLEON Department: Theresa Black• Promised Land DCNR Environmental Education Specialist: Joshua Heath• Trout Unlimited: Don Strathy, Paul Guinnane• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (National Park Service): Anna Grismero All participating 4th graders received a free National Parks pass good for unlimited admission for them and their families during their 4th-grade year• Wayne County Conservation District: Olivia D’Amore• Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Rachel Morrow• Western Wayne High School Science Faculty: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D.• Community Connections to Our Watershed High School Student Leaders: Dakota Douglas, Aliyah Gregory, Giuliana VelazquezHigh school students acted as presenters, group leaders, and support staff, working closely with fourth graders during each 45-minute station rotation. Activities included a watershed model demonstration, casting skills with Backyard Bass, and a water chemistry/biology interactive lesson.Funding and Community SupportFunding for the program was made possible through two generous sources:• A mini-grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF), reviewed and awarded by the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee, which supported transportation and programming costs.• Additional funding for both the Varden classroom education and the in-school field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the Western Wayne Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting innovation and opportunity in the district.o For more information, contact Christine McClure, President, at 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436.Both the Wayne County Community Foundation and the Western Wayne Education Foundation play a crucial role in building long-term educational opportunities for students in the region.A Day of Fun, Learning, and ResilienceDespite the weather challenges, the program delivered an enriching experience filled with environmental discovery, hands-on activities, and expert instruction. Students were engaged, enthusiastic, and inspired by what they learned—and most importantly, they had fun doing it.Western Wayne High School extends its sincere thanks to all agency partners, grant providers, faculty, and students who made this unique educational day possible. The project is a testament to the power of youth leadership, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.
Picture One: Fourth grade students at EverGreen engaged in hands-on watershed education.
Picture Two: Fourth grade students at RDW engaged in hands on watershed education. [...]
Western Wayne Wins Wayne County EnvirothonMay 28, 2025Western Wayne High School students recently won The Wayne County Envirothon. These students include: Paul Borowski, Aiden Matthews, Logan Pauler, Robert Carrelle, and Phoebe Schmitt.
Envirothon is a hands-on environmental education and competition program for high school students, focusing on natural resource conservation and problem-solving. It involves students working in teams to demonstrate their knowledge of aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and a current environmental issue. Back row, from left: Aiden Matthews, Paul Borowski, and Robert Carrelle. Front row, from left: Logan Pauler and Phoebe Schmitt. [...]
Mental Health First Aid Virtual TrainingsMay 23, 2025Mental Health First Aid training is an 8-hour evidence-based curriculum created by the National Council for Mental Well-being. This course helps adults working with youth ages 12-18 to identify, understand, and respond to the early signs of mental health and substance use challenges using the ALGEE action plan. Please download the flyer below for more details. [...]
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.
