In an effort to minimize travel for families, we will no longer serve meals five days per week. However, families will still receive meals for all five days. Starting Monday April 6, breakfast and lunch meals will be provided at RDW and Evergreen Elementary Schools from 11:00 am -12:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Multiple meals will be distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays to cover the next day. We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of Coronavirus by not congregating at the pickup site once meals have been distributed. Please continue to wash your hands often and stay home if you are sick.
Designing balloons worthy for the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade and constructing a house that could withstand the big bad wolf’s
huffing and puffing are just two
applications of STEAM that Western Wayne teachers tested out in their
classrooms this year.
Elizabeth
Watson, Western Wayne principal of STEAM, explained how STEAM is working at the
district this year. Watson was recently
selected STEAM Ambassador for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“I have
been working in the classrooms with teachers and designing lessons to help them
come up with other ideas on their own,” Watson said. “It all boils down to project-based
learning.”
Western
Wayne fifth grade teacher Joanne Connolly did a STEAM project with her students
at Evergreen Elementary that was a week-long problem-solving activity called
“Balloons Over Broadway.”
Connolly
described the event. “Due to a helium
shortage, the students were then tasked with engineering a new way to keep the
balloons afloat without helium,” she said.
“We incorporated science by learning about the properties of helium and
its importance in many applications other than balloons. Students learned that helium is used in the
cooling process for the magnets in an MRI machine, for example.”
Connolly
gave more information about the week-long event. “Students then worked in small groups to
engineer a design to keep their balloon afloat,” she said. “Next, a parade was held, and students then
voted for the most creative balloon and the most functional design.”
Connolly
and her students were both very excited about the results of their STEAM
project.
“As a
teacher it is exciting to watch the students problem-solve and work
collaboratively for a common goal,” she explained. “The incorporation of STEAM into our
classrooms has sparked a new excitement for learning, tremendous conversations,
and more students getting to share their unique talents.”
Watson
agrees that the STEAM lessons this year are really engaging the students.
“Kids
are loving the things we are doing,” Watson explained. “It is good motivation for them to work hard
in class.”
Another
Western Wayne elementary school teacher Sarah Wood, from Robert D. Wilson
Elementary, has also been incorporating STEAM in her classroom.
Wood
explained how the students did a The Three
Little Pigs unit and used STEAM. “We
start each unit reading the book, then identifying a problem or science element,”
she explained. “After The Three Little Pigs, we talked about
wind and what made the different materials in the book hardier to the wolf’s
attempts at knocking them down.”
Wood
further explained the students’ STEAM work.
“The students then experimented with hay, sticks, and bricks to see which were more easily blown away by
their breath. Their final project was to
build a house that could stay standing when blown with a hair dryer.”
Wood’s
students also completed another STEAM project.
“The
second unit was the Gruffalo. Students
programmed robot mice to make their way through a maze and past the characters
that wanted to hunt it down,” she explained.
“We started the programming with paper arrows, then gradually introduced
punching code into the mice.”
In
addition, Wood described another STEAM project in her class.
“Another
unit was on the Gruffalo’s Child. In this
unit, we looked at shadows,” she explained.
“We experimented with making shadows on the wall and then built a shadow
box theater from cereal boxes and wax paper to retell the story to the
parents.”
Wood
truly believes that her students benefit from STEAM.
“I
believe that STEAM can give different students a chance to shine,” Wood
explained. “I did a coding lesson with
first grade this year as part of the Pennsylvania CS grant initiative, and it
was fun to see students who struggle with reading or math discover that part of
learning that comes naturally to them.
They became the experts to their friends and were able to be the ones
who shared knowledge instead of being the receiver.”
Watson
is thrilled that students in Wood’s classes and so many others in the Western
Wayne School District are benefiting from learning through STEAM. She explained that thinking through STEAM
lessons can be helpful to students in today’s day and age.
“Today’s
students understand what ‘debugging’ means,” Watson explained. “Through STEAM students learn that stumbling
blocks are part of the process of learning.
They essentially learn about revision and how sometimes the only way to
fix or improve something is by toiling and persevering through it. Creating inventions in the real world is a
process that takes years, and students can learn this concept through STEAM.”
Watson
feels excited that so many Western Wayne students are being exposed to lessons
and projects associated with skills needed for possible careers in STEAM areas
that they may want to pursue.
“There
are so many jobs that are available in technology fields, engineering fields,
etc.,” Watson said. “The sooner they get
a feel for what they like then we can tie it in other places and set them on a
career path early on.”
Kids of all
ages can enjoy a night of entertainment to include the reading of children’s
books, performances from the upcoming Western Wayne Drama Club’s production of Once Upon a Mattress, and even a
performance by local magician David Black.
Western Wayne’s Robert D. Wilson
Elementary School PTA will host Read Across America Night on Thursday, March 5,
beginning at 4:45 p.m. The event is free of charge to the public. There will be tours of the RDW building and
opportunities to stop in classrooms to hear stories read by RDW staff and
friends from 4:45 until 5:30 p.m.
In addition, concessions will be
available for purchase from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
At 6 p.m. Western Wayne Drama Club students will perform excerpts from
their upcoming spring show Once Upon a Mattress
with performance dates set for April 17, 18, and 19. The musical is the classic story of the
princess and the pea.
Senior Sydney Peet plays Queen
Aggravain in the show. Her character is
determined to keep her son Prince Dauntless, played by senior Honour Shaffer,
from marrying an unsuitable bride.
Sydney has really been enjoying playing the role of the queen who is
quite out spoken.
“I enjoy playing a character who is
set in what she wants and not afraid to get her point across,” Sydney, who is playing her third role in a
Western Wayne musical and has played various roles in community theater,
said. “I hope the audience likes our
performance of “Sensitivity.” This is
the queen’s solo in which she tries to come up with an unfair way to test the
new princess in the kingdom suing for her son’s hand in marriage.”
“Sensitivity” is just one song from Once Upon a Mattress to be performed at
Read Across America Night.
Another Western Wayne senior who is
excited to perform is Sydney’s costar Honour Shaffer. Honour looks forward to performing in “The
Swamps of Home” at Read Across America.
“I really think the audience will find
this number entertaining because the princess tells a story about growing up in
an unconventional swamp kingdom that she and everyone else on stage comes to
find fascinating,” Honour, who is playing his fourth role in a Western Wayne
musical, explained.
Senior Andie Solimine plays the role
of Princess Winnifred. She feels very
happy to be playing a lead role for her senior year having been in two musicals
prior to this one at Western Wayne.
“I love to sing, act, and dance,”
Andie said. “I really look forward to
sharing what we have been practicing each day with the community.”
The final act of the evening will be a
performance by local magician David Black at 6:30 p.m.
The RDW PTA, cast of Once Upon a Mattress, and everyone
involved in Read Across America Night encourage the public to attend this fun
event for kids of all ages.
The 3rd & 4th grade students
at RDW learned about German cuckoo clocks and the art of clock making in Art
class. They watched videos about the craftsman of the Black Forest, and talked
about the relationship between the environment & natural resources of a
region, and the art the people of that region create. The students learned
about carving as subtractive sculpture as well as the inner workings of a
clock. Students then practiced a variety
of skills to make their own cut paper cuckoo clocks. They folded hinges to
create working doors, they used an accordion fold to make their cuckoo bird pop
out of the door. They also made an
accurate analog clock face complete with numbers and moving hands, as well as
pine cones for weights, just like the real thing! Classes discussed the importance of using
good craftsmanship to ensure a sturdy and attractive finished product. Students
then added embellishments and personal touches to their clocks using markers,
colored pencil, cut paper and cutout shapes.
“First grade students enjoyed ‘Art and Author’ event at RDW. Grandparents were treated to their grandchildren’s writings, a valentine snack and a beautiful art display. We hope you enjoy the artwork too!”
Robert D. Wilson third grade students received dictionaries from
the Wayne County Community Foundation and Forest City Rotary this month.
The children were delighted to receive these beautiful dictionaries, one for
use in school and the other at home.
Pictured representing the Wayne County Community Foundation is
Mrs. Ryanne Jennings and Mr. William Gershey. The Forest City Rotary was
represented by Mr. Richard Kresock, Ms. Ann Wolfe and Mr. Joe Smith.
A big thank you to these organizations for the wonderful gift.
Pictured are veterans demonstrating the proper folding of the flag with 13 folds.
As a tradition for many years, Western Wayne
administration, faculty, staff, and students joined together on Wednesday,
November 13, to celebrate veterans in the community with a special in-school event
that featured music from the high school band and chorus, wise words from a
veteran guest speaker, and this year the event had the added component of a special
presentation of the meaning of the 13 folds in the American flag.
Many local veterans attended the presentation at Western Wayne. Some of which had special connections to Western Wayne students. Marty Reingold, Vietnam veteran, attended with his wife Marsha to spend the day honoring veterans with their grandson sophomore Matt Reingold.
Marty Reingold and his wife Marsha shared the Veterans Day assembly at Western Wayne High School with their grandson. From left: Marty Reingold, Vietnam veteran; Matt Reingold, sophomore at Western Wayne; and Marsha Reingold.
Marsha
explained that they have taken part in the Veterans Day assembly at Western
Wayne for the past four years.
“Matt
is very proud of his papa,” Marsha explained.
“We are so happy to be here with our grandson. It is very rewarding to see the school do
things for our service men and to witness the camaraderie.”
Matt
agreed with his grandmother.
“The
best part about today is being able to honor the veterans,” Matt
explained. “Especially my grandfather.”
Another
veteran that felt proud to be at the event with his grandchildren was Roger
O’Brien, a United States Navy veteran. O’Brien explained that it was his first
time at the Veterans Day event at Western Wayne. However, he had heard about it from his
granddaughter Rebeccah King, who is a senior this year, and performed with the
chorus and band at the event.
O’Brien also had a number of other grandchildren at the event who have attended Western Wayne. His grandchildren Johnathan Robbins, 7th grade, and Summer Schaal, granddaughter, were with O’Brien before the presentation to welcome him to the school.
Roger O’Brien shared the Veterans Day assembly at Western Wayne High School with his grandchildren. From left: Johnathan Robbins, 7th grader at Western Wayne; Roger O’Brien, United States Navy veteran; and Summer Schaal.
“I am a
very proud grandfather,” O’Brien said.
“I promised them I would come.”
O’Brien
traveled to Western Wayne from New Jersey for the event, and he was happy to
discuss his time in the service with his grandchildren.
“I
practically traveled around the world as a gunner on a cargo ship,” O’Brien
explained. “I was in Russia twice. I was shipped to the West Coast and was
headed to Okinawa, Japan, but they surrendered before we got there. We saw plenty.”
O’Brien
discussed how he received many honors for his military service.
“I have
a number of medals and ribbons for my time in the service which I have shown to
my grandchildren,” O’Brien explained.
Reingold,
O’Brien, and many other veterans processed into the auditorium to begin the
event.
Highlights of the event include some beautifully performed patriotic pieces by the Western Wayne High School chorus and band. The veterans also were treated to a breakfast and lunch prepared by students in Mrs. Stephanie Zoppi’s culinary classes. In addition, during the assembly, a group of local veterans demonstrated and explained the meaning of the 13 folds in an American Flag when it is presented to a loved one at a military funeral service.
Students in Western Wayne’s FCCLA Club helped to greet Veterans for the event. From left: Paige Bell, Zoey Goldman, Kennedy Mistishin, Jaquelyn Morris, and Jaden Gregory.
The symbolism of each of the folds was explained in a very moving presentation. They represent a variety of meaningful parts of military service, faith in God, and faith in America. For example, the second fold signifies a belief in eternal life; the seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces; and the final fold, when the stars are uppermost, is a tribute to our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
Pictured are veterans demonstrating the proper folding of the flag with 13 folds.
As a
closing to the assembly, the students, veterans, and faculty in attendance
heard from guest speaker Officer Robert Robbins. Officer Robbins served in the United States
Army in the 101st Airborne Division as a Light Wheel Vehicle
Mechanic at Fort Campbell Kentucky for two years. He earned the Army Achievement Medal, Good
Conduct Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.
Upon the conclusion of his active service, Officer Robbins joined the Pennsylvania National Guard and served in Alpha Co, 1st Battalion of the 109th Infantry Regiment. In this unit, he served as a Squad Leader, Vehicle Commander, was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the General S. J. Stewart Medal for service and NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon.
Pictured is Guest Speaker Officer Robert Robbins. Officer Robbins serves as a School Resource Officer at Western Wayne since 2013.
In 1991, Officer Robbins
joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and served with the Security Police
Flight at Willow Grove Naval Air Station.
He was responsible for base security, Flight Operations Security, and
the protection of aircraft and missile weapons sites. He earned the Rank of Staff Sergeant.
He then attended the
Security Police Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in which he earned
the title of Honor Graduate and was awarded the Pennsylvania Commendation
Medal. Officer Robbins received an
Honorable Discharge from all three branches he served in.
Officer Robbins is a
retired Pennsylvania State Trooper, who served for 23 years and spent his
entire career in the Patrol Unit. He was
promoted to Corporal in 1999 and was responsible for nearly every facet of daily
operations in a State Police Troop. He
was stationed all over the State from Bucks County to Wayne County.
Today, Officer Robbins
serves as a School Resource Officer here at the Western Wayne School District
and has diligently done so since 2013. Robbins
is beloved by Western Wayne students and faculty alike. He has a very meaningful presence throughout
the school keeping it safe and helping to guide students.
Robbins also has the honor of being the newest
voice of the Western Wayne Wildcats at their football and basketball games
where he has taken over as announcer after the passing of Western Wayne’s beloved
veteran teacher Mr. Jim Rebar.
As
Robbins talked to the students, he discussed his upbringing in Honesdale where
he was one of seven children in what he described as an average family. Robbins went on to marry his high school
sweetheart and have three children. He
then explained his journey through the military. Next, Robbins told the students what the
military had done for him and how it shaped him as a person.
“I
discovered that there were things I never thought I could be capable of doing
from my time in the military,” Robbins explained. “For example, I conquered my
fear of heights. I had to jump out of helicopters in my time in the service. My time in the military really shaped my
life.”
Robbins
quoted “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and discussed how he feels it is very
meaningful to him as a veteran. He then
told the students how important it is for them to be thankful for veterans and,
if possible, for them to try to do service for the community to give back.
“We
should live a life that we have earned from what was sacrificed for us,” he
said. “It important for us to say thank
you to veterans and to provide service to the community if we can.”
His
closing words were very meaningful and memorable.
“God
bless you,” he told all in attendance.
“God bless America.”
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. [...]
High School Students Explore Cutting-Edge Medical Science at Penn State College of MedicineMay 20, 2025 Western Wayne High School science students embarked on an educational field trip to Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA, this past April. The visit, made possible through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (PA-AHEC) and supported by the Western Wayne Education Foundation, offered students an immersive, hands-on experience with groundbreaking medical technologies and healthcare professions. Students were accompanied by Mrs. Christine McClure, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski, Mrs. Denise Johnson, and Mr. Matthew Fitzsimmons.
Throughout the day, students engaged in an array of interactive learning experiences. In the genomics lab, they explored the role of genetic sequencing in modern medicine. At the MRI and Cryo-Electron Microscope Core Facility, they witnessed the advanced imaging tools used to visualize the molecular structures of cells and tissues with astonishing precision.
A highlight of the visit was a stop at the Technology Center, where students learned how 3D printing is revolutionizing medical education by creating lifelike organ models. They also stepped into the human body—virtually—using state-of-the-art virtual reality technology to take a guided tour through major organ systems and diseases that affect those systems.
The experience extended beyond the lab as students participated in a professional panel featuring a nursing student and a public health doctoral candidate who gave students an insight into their journey from high school to healthcare and encouraged students to keep moving forward to follow their dreams. Students also had the opportunity to learn about child life services at Penn State Health’s Children’s Hospital and mental health services provided through Penn State Children’s Hospital’s Child Psychiatry and Behavioral Health department. These experts shared their career journeys, provided insights into their fields, and answered questions about working in healthcare today.
Another exciting moment came during the tour of the Life Lion medical helicopter. Students met with the flight crew—including the flight nurse, paramedics, and pilot—who explained how rapid-response care and critical patient transport services are conducted across the region.
“This trip opened our students’ eyes to the wide array of opportunities in healthcare and science,” said Christine McClure, who coordinated the trip. “The level of engagement, from both the professionals and our students, was truly inspiring.”
The field trip was coordinated in partnership with PSU College of Medicine’s liaison through PA-AHEC, whose mission is to strengthen the healthcare workforce in underserved areas by connecting students to academic and professional opportunities. Additional funding from the Western Wayne Education Foundation helped ensure that students had access to this enriching experience.
For more information about education through PA-AHEC or to support future science initiatives, please visit https://www.paahec.org/.
Kneeling, from left: Maggie Kotchessa, Raegan Fox, Audrey Agnello, Abigail Washine, Madelyn McClure, and Abigail Bell.
Row one, from left: Mrs. Denise Johnson, Alana Swingle, Laylah Epstein, Roxanne Dugan, Jade Wetherington, Beja Marcel, Grace Moser, Sydney Sosa, and Grady Farley.
Row two, from left : Mrs. Christine McClure, Norman Phillips, Jason Vass, Jasmine Rodriguez, Hayley Cordero, Cedar Gilpin, Emaan Tanveer, Scott Kurent, Madelyn Vinton, Mia Arcadipane, Hayden Mundrake, Madison Trapanese, Logan Vinton, Logan Pauler, Mr. Matt Fitzsimmons, Khloe Mistishin, Alicia Wertman, and Dr. Mark Nebzydoski. [...]
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.