Internet Safety Matters: Empower Yourself to Protect Your Child Online

Jesse Weinberger, former programmer, nationally recognized speaker and author of The Boogeyman Exists: And He’s in Your Child’s Back Pocket, 2nd ed., will be presenting to Parents/Guardians Only on March 26th from 6-8 PM at the Wallenpaupack Area High School Auditorium!

High School Student Chosen as a Winner of VIP Art Contest

Victims’ Intervention Program of Wayne & Pike Counties held their annual February Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) art contest recently and Western Wayne sophomore Elizabeth St. Louis was one of four winners who will have their art work displayed on billboards in the local community to raise awareness for this cause.  Elizabeth was the only winner from Western Wayne with other winners coming from neighboring schools of Wayne Highlands and Lehman Intermediate.  The winners also received Amazon gift cards and other prizes.

Debbie Cosentino, Children’s Program Manager, Victims’ Intervention Program of Wayne & Pike Counties, explained that the artwork for the contest fit the theme of “What does respect look like in a relationship?”

“The contest is allowing them to have a voice and an opportunity as a young adult to express how they experience and understand these relationships by knowing red flags early,” Cosentino explained.

She also discussed how the Victims’ Intervention Program hosts a yearly program at some local high schools including Western Wayne in which they meet with students in groups to discuss healthy relationships.

Cosentino was thrilled to be able to meet all of the Western Wayne students in the high school and middle school who entered the teen dating violence art contest.

One such student, freshman Layla Persaud explained that her entry which had puzzle pieces on it had a symbolic meaning for teen dating awareness month.

“It is about putting a relationship together on an emotional level,” she explained.  “All of the pieces come together and have a role and meaning.”

Western Wayne winner of the contest Elizabeth St. Louis agrees that there are many pieces to a healthy relationship and that communication is key when putting it all together which is what she revealed in her winning art submission.

“When a couple talks, they should take the communication to heart instead of letting it go in one ear and out of the other,” Elizabeth, honor roll student and wrestling team member, explained.  “Instead my picture shows how what is said should go straight to a person’s heart, because everything said in a relationship has great value.”

Elizabeth, who wishes to pursue elementary education in college, was surprised and honored to receive this recognition.  She was inspired to pursue art from a young age by her mom.  She especially enjoys painting, sketching, and water color with a focus on landscapes and nature overall.  

“I hope that the billboard of my artwork inspires others my age to listen in their relationships.”

High School Pic One:

Back row from left: Mrs. Jessica Gregorski, Family Consumer Science teacher; Khloe Mistishin, Phoebe Schmitt, Sophia Franchak, Ellyana Armstrong, Abigail Brown, Liliana Hayes, Holly Kellogg, and Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, High School Principal.

Front row, from left: Morgan Malloy, Emaan Tanveer, MaKennah Holbert, Debbie Cosentino, Children’s Program Manager, VIP; Julia Hart, Lily Kieva, and Layla Persaud. 

Middle School Pic Two:

From left: Cayden Clever, Mrs. Devon Farley, middle school art teacher; Mackenzie Hoke, and Aubrey Hendricks. Not pictured, middle school participant:  Trinity Leonard.

Winner Pic Three:

From left: Debbie Cosentino, VIP; Elizabeth St. Louis, High school winner; and Mrs. Jessica Gregorski.

District Receives Donation from Jersey Mike’s

Jersey Mike’s recently made a donation to the Western Wayne School District. They held a fundraiser during their grand opening which resulted in a donation of over $3,600 to the district.  The district is very grateful to the restaurant chain for their generous donation in support of our school community.

Pictured left to right: Casey Newcomer – WWMS Principal; Mike Tirko – Jersey Mike’s Regional Director; and Paul B. Gregorski II – WWHS Principal.

Band Director Earns PMEA District 9 Citation of Excellence

The Western Wayne School District would like to congratulate high school band director Mrs. Elaine Ort on being the recipient of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 Citation of Excellence. Mrs. Ort is the only band director in District 9 to be chosen for the award this year. This award is given to music educators who demonstrate high musical standards both inside and outside the classroom. She will attend an awards banquet at the PMEA State Conference in April to receive the official recognition.
In addition, Mrs. Ort has had the honor of being a member of America’s Bands Directors with her most recent appearance with this group at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The district is proud of Mrs. Ort’s past and most recent accomplishments.
Pictured is Mrs. Ort at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Please also enjoy this link to an appearance Mrs. Ort made on PA Live last year to discuss her accomplishments in music.


https://www.pahomepage.com/pa-live/western-wayne-band-director-performs-at-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/

Mental Health First Aid Virtual Trainings Cost: FREE

Mental 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.

Participants complete a 2.5 hour online self-paced course prior to the virtual training. The next training is on: Thursday, January 16 from 6-9 PM AND Thursday, January 23 from 6-9 PM.

Download the full flyer below.

Guiding Good Choices for 4th-6th grade parents and caregivers

Guiding Good Choices for 4th-6th grade parents and caregivers. Attend this FREE VIRTUAL five-session program to help your youth navigate the pressures and expectations of life during their teen years to succeed and achieve a brighter future.
Parents and caregivers can enhance their parenting skills by learning how to:

  • Promote health and well-being during the teen years.
  • Develop health beliefs and clear standards for behavior.
  • Deal with anger in a positive way and manage family conflict to strengthen bonds with youth.
  • Protect their children from substance abuse and other problematic behaviors.
  • Strengthen family bonds and increase youth’s involvement in the family through the teen years.
    Youth attend session 4 with their parents and caregivers.
    The program will be held on five Mondays: February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3 from 6 to 8 PM via Zoom.
    For more information or to register, e-mail or call Christy Tomascik at cat127@psu.edu or 570-814-2392.

GUIDING GOOD CHOICES

5th and 6th grade parents – Attend this FREE program to help our youth navigate the pressures and expectations of life during their teen years to succeed and achieve a brighter future.

See flyer for details!

Guiding Good Choices

Mental Health First Aid Virtual Trainings

Mental 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.

Download the flyer below for more details.

Prosper Virtual Training