Did you finish all of your school for the day? Still looking for something to do? Well, while you are at the computer, and missing sports like we do, log on to http://nfhslearn.com/courses/ NFHS has put together several courses for the athlete, and the best part is they are all FREE!
When we return to the 2020-2021 season show your coach what courses you took by printing out the certificate at the end of the course. Show your coach that during this unprecedented time, you still remained positive.
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
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.
The Western Wayne Middle School hosted a Minute to Win It event for their students in grades 6, 7, and 8 on Friday, February 14, as a part of the district’s PBIS initiative. Our PBIS initiative is successfully creating a positive school environment in which students are demonstrating their Wildcat PRIDE daily. Pictured, from left, are seventh grade students Lilli Maros and Aliya Fiorella, who served as special helpers during the Western Wayne PBIS event. Both girls said they really enjoyed helping out at the event and felt good to have a special role in the activities. The students look forward to other special events such as these.
Pictured from left, playing the Minute to Win IT game Stack Attack are: Austin Barger, Jake Moyer, Sean Owens, Lareina Tirado, Katherine Roedel, and Loucynthia Allen.
Pictured playing the Mintue to Win It Game Junk in the Trunk, from left, are: Lorenzo Leggio, Jayden Kellachow, and Karl Strasburger.
From left: Jennifer Bradley, middle school principal; Nicholas Fisichella, Antonio Fisichella, and Officer Robert Robbins, school resource office.
Western Wayne
students Antonio Mwaura Fisichella, Nicholas Gathama Fisichella, and
Paityn Lynn Duprey received individual Western Wayne School Police Exemplary
Citizenship Awards at the January, 2020, Western Wayne School Board meeting.
The Western Wayne School District Police Department takes pleasure in
presenting these awards to students who have done an outstanding job helping
others. School resource Officer Robert Robbins explained that the award
was first created in May of 2019 after a high school student did an exemplary
job helping a classmate during a medical emergency.
“We wanted to create a way to honor Western Wayne students who go above and
beyond upholding the Western Wayne principals of respect, integrity,
dedication, and extra ordinariness,” Robbins explained.
In May of 2019, Western Wayne high school student Giavanna Dawn Amy Rastello
helped a fellow classmate in the hallway suffering a medical emergency.
She summoned help and stayed with the student until help arrived.
Giavanna received the first Western Wayne School Police Exemplary Citizenship
Award for her caring, compassion, and quick thinking.
Robbins explained that the Exemplary Citizenship Award is not given out on a
monthly basis but only when a student does something deserving of this type of
award.
“This is just another way that the police department can give back,” Robbins
explained. “We are so grateful to be here and recognize the students.”
At the January 2020 Western Wayne School Board meeting, Western Wayne middle
school students Antonio Mwaura Fisichella and Nicholas Gathama Fisichella
received Western Wayne School Police Exemplary Citizenship Awards for their
actions on Tuesday, December 24, 2019, when they were witness to a car fire
outside of their home on the Mount Cobb Highway.
As the fire crew from Hamlin Fire and Rescue was clearing the scene, the boys
summoned Hamlin Deputy Chief Gene Koch and presented him with a donation from
their own savings. The students received the Citizenship Award for their
selflessness and generosity that reflect a great credit upon themselves, their
family, the Western Wayne Middle School, and the entire Western Wayne School
District.
In addition, at the January, 2020, board meeting, Evergreen Elementary student
Paityn Lynn Duprey received the Western Wayne School Police Exemplary
Citizenship Award for her service to the community for the past four
years. Paityn has held an annual Black Friday Bake Sale, with baked good
she prepared, to raise money to be used to purchase toys that she donated to
local toy drives for less fortunate children in the local community.
Paityn’s actions exemplify Western Wayne PRIDE. Most notably: respect, in
caring for her community; integrity, in her strong moral principle; dedication,
in continually striving to serve and improve quality of life for others; and
extraordinary; in her going above and beyond by putting others first.
All Western Wayne administration, staff, and the entire school community are
proud of these extraordinary students and hope that all of their selfless
actions inspire others to act in the same way.
The Strengthening Families Program is returning to Western Wayne Middle School February 27, 2020. This amazing seven session program is offered to students of fifth and sixth grade and their families. It is designed to help families successfully handle stress, peer pressure and risky teenage behaviors. A supper is provided prior to each meeting, and babysitting is offered for younger siblings. Now is the perfect time to learn more about Strengthening Families and to register for the program. Contact Mrs. Bradley Middle School Principal, Mr. Pidgeon EverGreen Principal or Mrs. Miller Robert D. Wilson Principal.
Middle School students in Mrs. Dawn Krautter’s family & consumer science classes prepared foods for their teachers to enjoy for a holiday breakfast held the day before winter break. The students enjoyed prepared the dishes just as much as the faculty enjoyed having them. The breakfast was part of the school’s district wide PBIS initiative which has the main purpose of creating a proactive positive environment for everyone in the school community. PBIS is an ongoing effort of the Western Wayne School District to guide students in behaving and interacting with others in such a way as to promote an effective learning environment.
ALL NEWS
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. [...]
High School April Students of the MonthMay 20, 2025The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for April. 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, Sadie Booths is our selected freshman. Sadie is a dedicated triple-sport athlete participating in track, soccer, and wrestling. In addition, Sadie is part of Science Olympiad and Envirothon. Her favorite subject is math. She aspires to get her teaching degree and come back to Western Wayne as a math teacher who also assists with sports.
“One of my inspirations is my middle school math teacher Mr. Hodorawis,” Sadie said, because he teaches math and coaches at the district.
Next, Emaan Tanveer is our chosen sophomore this month. Emaan has become highly involved in the district this year after moving here from New Jersey. She participates in wrestling, FBLA, NAHS, Spanish Club, and CATS Club. In addition, she takes a boxing class once a week in New Jersey to help enhance her athleticism for wrestling. Her favorite class is English, in which she especially enjoys writing fiction such as short stories and poetry. She also loves to draw with her preferred mediums of pencil and paper and paint.
Emaan wishes to be an entrepreneur when she gets older or to be a part of the FBI. She wants to attend either Boston University or Princeton University.
“I believe the stamina and discipline that I am learning through, especially my sports, is preparing me for my future dreams,” Emaan said.
In addition, Ian Ensley is this month’s featured junior. Ian is a member of the Chess Club and History Club. He greatly enjoys studying history and wishes to become a history teacher, welder or both when he is older.
“I really like to soak up details about the past, and I want to teach them to others one day,” Ian said.
Finally, Noah Vail is our senior spotlight this month. Noah has a variety of interests including music and cooking. He takes the advanced cooking class at Western Wayne this year. In addition, he is a member of both the Volleyball Team and Chess Club. He has played piano for six years and has been accepted to Marywood University to study musical therapy after graduation.
“I love to learn about mental health,” Noah explained. “I want to help people struggling with situations that I have faced. I want the knowledge I learn in college to guide me in helping others struggling with their mental health through music therapy.”
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these April students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Sadie Booths, Emaan Tanveer, Ian Ensley, and Noah Vail. [...]
Wayne High School May Students of the MonthMay 20, 2025The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for May. 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, Tori Walton is our selected freshman. Tori especially loves music. She is a proud member of the High School Marching Band. Her instrument is the baritone. She started with the marching band her eighth grade year by participating in color guard. Her favorite thing to do is play her instrument, and she aspires to be a high school band teacher one day like her band director at Western Wayne, Mrs. Elaine Ort.“Playing music helps me forget things I am feeling stressed about,” Tori explained.Next, Aiden Korea is our chosen sophomore this month. Aiden is in both Spanish Club and Envirothon. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. His favorite class is chemistry. His dad and other members of his family have pursued careers in pharmacy, and Aiden wishes to follow in their footsteps.“I really enjoy studying science,” Aiden said. “I think my advanced classes at Western Wayne have really taught me how to study and prepare for the intensity of college studies.”In addition, Aiden Burry is this month’s featured junior. Aiden and his family just moved to the district from Elk Lake this school year. He plays both basketball and soccer. His favorite academic subject is chemistry, and he aspires to pursue a pre-med track in college. In addition, he is a member of National Honor Society and volunteers at his church Nativity BVM in Waymart.“I want to pursue being a doctor, because I like helping others,” Aiden said. “I feel that my time on the soccer team is teaching me what it takes to step up to the plate and do my best work to achieve my future goals.”Finally, Lillian Bronson is our senior spotlight this month. Lillian came to Western Wayne when she started high school. She is involved in soccer, National Honor Society, and CATS Club where she holds the office of treasurer. Her favorite class is Spanish, because she enjoys the challenge of learning a new language. She has been accepted to Cedar Crest College for the fall and will major in environmental conservation. She absolutely loves nature and the outdoors and wants to be a conservationist as her career path.The Western Wayne School District congratulates these May students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.From left: Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Tori Walton, Aiden Korea, Aiden Burry, and Lillian Bronson. [...]
High School May Students of the MonthMay 20, 2025The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for May. 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, Tori Walton is our selected freshman. Tori especially loves music. She is a proud member of the High School Marching Band. Her instrument is the baritone. She started with the marching band her eighth grade year by participating in color guard. Her favorite thing to do is play her instrument, and she aspires to be a high school band teacher one day like her band director at Western Wayne, Mrs. Elaine Ort.
“Playing music helps me forget things I am feeling stressed about,” Tori explained.
Next, Aiden Korea is our chosen sophomore this month. Aiden is in both Spanish Club and Envirothon. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. His favorite class is chemistry. His dad and other members of his family have pursued careers in pharmacy, and Aiden wishes to follow in their footsteps.
“I really enjoy studying science,” Aiden said. “I think my advanced classes at Western Wayne have really taught me how to study and prepare for the intensity of college studies.”
In addition, Aiden Burry is this month’s featured junior. Aiden and his family just moved to the district from Elk Lake this school year. He plays both basketball and soccer. His favorite academic subject is chemistry, and he aspires to pursue a pre-med track in college. In addition, he is a member of National Honor Society and volunteers at his church Nativity BVM in Waymart.
“I want to pursue being a doctor, because I like helping others,” Aiden said. “I feel that my time on the soccer team is teaching me what it takes to step up to the plate and do my best work to achieve my future goals.”
Finally, Lillian Bronson is our senior spotlight this month. Lillian came to Western Wayne when she started high school. She is involved in soccer, National Honor Society, and CATS Club where she holds the office of treasurer. Her favorite class is Spanish, because she enjoys the challenge of learning a new language. She has been accepted to Cedar Crest College for the fall and will major in environmental conservation. She absolutely loves nature and the outdoors and wants to be a conservationist as her career path.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these May students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Mr. Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Tori Walton, Aiden Korea, Aiden Burry, and Lillian Bronson. [...]
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.
