Strengthening Families Program returning to Middle School

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.

Western Wayne Middle School Students Make Holiday Breakfast

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.

Curriculum Night

8th Grade students and parents should attend Western Wayne High School’s Curriculum Night to hear about the different departments, courses, credit values and graduation requirements.

When January 15, 2020
6pm – 7:30pm

Where Western Wayne High School
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Western Wayne School Resource Officer Makes a Difference

“A House is Not a Home” is a 1964 ballad made famous by Dionne Warwick in which she sings about how the most important part of a house is filling it with the people you care most for. This year, throughout the Western Wayne School District, faculty, staff, administration, and students are embracing the 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. A big part of creating a place where students can thrive is to have adult leaders that make the students believe school is like home in the respect that they can feel safe and cared for there.

School resource Officer Robert Robbins’ continued efforts at Western Wayne are one of the reasons why students feel so at home especially at the Middle and High schools.

Robbins has served in his position at Western Wayne since 2013. He takes extra time out of his day to get to know the students and let them know he is there for them. As a part of PBIS, students in the Middle School have been rewarded with being able to have lunch with Robbins. Many of them have enjoyed this perk.

“He listens to us,” eighth grader Ireland Swingle said. “It’s fun when I get to beat him at Uno. Spending time with him is something new, so it’s really fun.”

Robbins explained that he thinks playing cards with the students at lunch helps to break the ice.

“It’s actually great to sit with them,” Robbins said. “They open up, and you get to hear about what they like to do. They get to see a different side of me, and I get to see a different side of them.”

“He’s like a sports announcer when we play,” eighth grader Austin Barger said. “He’s really funny and really nice. He even gave me an Uno deck one time and I really liked that.”

Robbins explained how this year for the holiday season he sat with students at lunch and helped them color pictures to hang on the wall in the cafeteria.

“The students are encouraged to take them home with them,” Robbins explained. “However, any pictures that were left behind before the holiday, I took home and displayed at my house as a table cloth. They really mean something to me because they represent the quality time I get to spend with the students.”

Robbins discussed why he feels it is so important to spend meaningful time with them.
“You don’t often know what kind of or if any attention they are getting at home. I make myself available and I see a lot of positives come from that. The students don’t want to let any of the faculty down by misbehaving,” Robbins said.

Working with students to help guide them has been a part of Robbin’s job that he truly enjoys at Western Wayne. This type of work is a change from experiences he has had in work up to this point.

Robbins has a long career path that precedes his time at the district. Officer Robbins served in the United States Army in the 101^st 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, 1^st Battalion of the 109^th 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.

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 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.

Now Robbins, especially through this year’s PBIS initiative, works to provide many positive experiences for the students of Western Wayne. For example, the day before the holiday break Robbins served as D.J. for all of the lunches in the Middle School and got to interact with students. He, also, did this at the end of the first quarter as another PBIS reward for students and it went over so well that administration wanted him to do it for the holidays.

Robbins surely serves as an example of the purpose of PBIS through all of his interactions with students throughout the district. Through his service to students he is also duly rewarded.

“Western Wayne has saved me in a sense,” Robbins explained. “I now get to see a lot of positive things that I didn’t always see in my career before this. I think this is what God has called me to do. I get to spend time with the kids and let them know they are safe here, cared for here, loved here, and can get help here.”

Western Wayne Middle School Hosts Turkey Trot

Pictured are the winners of the Turkey Trot held at Western Wayne on November 26. Kneeling left to right: Khloe Mistishin 6th grade 2nd place; Mia Gifford 6th grade 1st place; and Peter Race 6th grade 1st place. Absent from picture is Tristan Vivona 6th grade 2nd place.
Second row left to right: Alexis Basile 7th grade 2nd place; Tim Roberts 7th grade 1st place; Turkey (Ezra Tetreault, senior); Vincent Tomasetti 8th grade 1st place; and Lexi DeSiato 8th grade 2nd place.
Third row left to right: Aliya Fiorella 7th grade 1st place; Hayden Romanaskas 7th grade 2nd place; Frankie Leyshon 8th grade 2nd place; and Emily Romanowski 8th grade 1st place.

Western Wayne Middle School held a Turkey Trot for students on the morning of November 26 as a part of their PBIS initiative which involves successfully creating a proactive positive school environment in which students are demonstrating their Wildcat PRIDE daily.
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 community.
The Western Wayne Cross Country Team hosted the 130 students who completed the course. Middle School students paid Cat Cash to attend the Turkey Trot. Students earn Cat Cash in the areas of being prepared, respectful, having integrity, being dedicated, and being extraordinary in school.
Students earning Cat Cash and being able to participate in activities like the Turkey Trot is a part of PBIS at Western Wayne.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework for improving and integrating all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. It is a way to support everyone to create the kinds of schools where all students are successful.
PBIS is a commitment to addressing student behavior through systems change. When it is implemented well, students achieve improved social and academic outcomes, schools experience reduced exclusionary discipline practices, and school personnel feel more effective.
The Middle School students who participated in the Turkey Trot did many fun activities including: a wellness talk, warm-up, one mile run, raffles, music, refreshments, and cool down.
All of the students who attend had a great time at the event. Eighth grader Frankie Leyshon came in second place for the eighth grade boys. Frankie plays football, basketball, and baseball for Western Wayne.
“I really liked how organized the run was,” Frankie said. “I wasn’t out of breath because of the work I do in all of my other sports. It was fun to get to run with kids who do different sports than me like members of the wrestling team.”
Sixth graders Mia Gifford and Khloe Mistishin also really liked the event because they got to spend time outside of the classroom together with each other. The girls explained how they have been best friends for a long time and do not have many classes together during the school day. Therefore, they were excited to spend the Turkey Trot together.
“I was excited to get to spend time with Mia,” Khloe said. “I also really like the PBIS events because they give us a break from school work but we get to learn in a different way. I learned how to pace myself when running.”
Classmate Peter Race, sixth grade, agreed.
“I thought the Turkey Trot was great because it helps kids who want to be athletic do what they like,” Peter explained. “It was also really excited about the first prize.”
Peter, who won first place for the sixth grade boys, explained that all of the first place winners got a frozen turkey.
Mia won first place for the sixth grade girls and felt the same as Peter.
“My mom was shocked when I brought home the turkey,” Mia said. “We are looking forward to having it at Christmas time.”
Khloe who came in second place explained that one of her other favorite parts of the Turkey Trot was getting to interact with the members of the high school cross country team who hosted the event.
“It was really fun when all of the middle school students stood on the football field and danced to songs like the chicken dance and the cupid shuffle,” Khloe explained. “We got to follow along with the Cross Country team as they did the dances in front of us.”
Khloe also mentioned how the turkey did the dances. High school senior Ezra Tetreault dressed up in a turkey costume for the event and entertained the kids and took pictures with them.
The students all had a lot of fun at the event and look forward to other PBIS activities such as this where they can show their Wildcat Pride as the school year continues.

Winners of the Turkey Trot 2019

	Winners of the Turkey Trot 2019
Girls		Boys
	6th Grade
#1 Mia Gifford		Peter Race
#2 Khloe Mistishin		Tristen Vivona

	7th Grade
Aliya Fiorella		Tim Roberts
Alexis Basile		Hayden Romanaskas

	8th Grade
Emily Romanowski		Vincent Tomassoni
Lexi DeSiato		Frankie Leyshon

Western Wayne Celebrates Veterans Day

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, 7^th 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.”

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 101^st 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.

Pictured is Guest Speaker Officer Robert Robbins. Officer Robbins serves as a School Resource Officer at Western Wayne since 2013.

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.

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.”

E-cigarettes and Youth: What Parents Need to Know

Western Wayne elementary, middle, and high school students all participated in a fall activity day

From left are eighth graders Haley Walsh and Aurora Morris.
From left are sixth graders Magda Malcolm and Audrey Agnello.
From left are sixth graders Joey Tickner and Aedan Lampman.
From left are seventh graders Abigail Sadowski and Cedar Gilpin.

Western Wayne elementary, middle, and high school students all participated in a fall activity day at their respective buildings on Thursday, Oct. 31, as a reward for the students’ achievements and positive behavior in the first marking period 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. From left are eighth graders Taylor Maiocco, Brooke Kellogg, and Olivia Cottell.