Blue & White Newsletter - 2/2/24
Week of January 29, 2024
Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll
Congratulations to the following High School and Middle School students who have earned Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll for semester 1/second marking period of the school year! Well done and keep up the hard work!
To earn Distinguished Honors, students must have a GPA of 95% or higher (weighted GPA for HS) with no grade lower than an 88%. For Honor Roll, students must have a GPA of 88% or higher (weighted GPA for HS) with no grade lower than 80%.
Unleashing Mathematical Prowess with a Math Game - Breakout Adventure!
Students in Ms. Laura Livingston's fifth grade math enrichment groups at Trimmer Elementary just completed BreakoutEDU projects. Students chose a math topic that they felt they were experts in and created a digital or traditional style (lock box) breakout game. Students had to develop math problems that focused on their chosen topic and turn the answers to those problems into locks by creating digital images that provided clues for the lock combinations. This project even included writing. Students wrote introductory stories for their games that set the stage for players and identified the overall problem that breaking out would solve.
Fox Family Find
Forrest the fox has lost his family! They have been fox-napped by an evil, mysterious,
atrocious wolf named Shade, and can only be found by Forrest. Shade has set up
hidden clues and messages all around different territories, so Forrest can try to find his family.
Can he find them before time runs out?
He needs your help – and quickly – before it’s too late!
Digital games were shared with homeroom teachers to play with their classrooms and lock box games were played during class time. Students enjoyed introducing their BreakoutEDU games to their classmates and facilitating their games during class.
Post Graduation Transition Program
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program had two Bulldogs share their current experience and progress with students of Ms. Kristyn Rost, Ms. Amanda Burt, and Mr. Tim Frey classes at the High School.
Gabe Besore (2023 graduate) and current senior Tamarah Rankin, gave presentations showing their participation and success in the program.
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a unique, one-year, school-to-work program where students experience total workplace immersion. Students participate in employability and independent living skills instruction and are assigned unpaid internships within the WellSpan Health network.
Empowering Student Entrepreneurs: Managing and Thriving in Your School Store
Middle School student 'employees' of the Bulldog Boutique, under the guidance of Ms. Jessica Klunk, have been working hard all year to open and run our school store. Student employees determine the merchandise, manage inventory, advertise, and decorate for the seasons. All Middle School students are able to make purchases with their Bark Outs during Bulldog Block. This has been a great learning experience for the student employees and a fun way for all students to exchange the Bark Outs they earn for prizes.
Engineering Process - Character Traps!
First graders in Ms. Marlena Wagner’s class at Wallace Elementary worked on a STEM project after first brainstorming and planning it out. They had to build a safe trap for a story character to catch a new pet. They shared how they made improvements to their trap, as the last step in the Engineering Design Process. They all did a great job!
Summer Enrichment Opportunity Through PFEW
On Wednesday, Jan. 24th, a representative for PFEW (Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week), Mr. Nate Cooper, came to speak to Ms. Manda Meese's Introduction to Business classes at the High School, along with Ms. Anne Hedgcock and Ms. Emily Corcoran's classes, regarding a summer opportunity that is available for sophomores and juniors where they spend a week at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. Students are grouped with individuals from all over PA and become a pseudo business, competing against other pseudo businesses for a week of competition, learning, creativity, communication, decision-making, networking and excitement! If your sophomore or junior is interested in attending this summer opportunity, be sure to click on the flyer image to the left for more details and how to sign up. When registering, be sure to include the code JUSTAMERE in the referral code to get the reduced registration fee! Space fills up quickly so be sure to register as soon as possible if you are interested.
Wallace Elementary Celebrates 100th Day of School!
Last Friday, students and staff at Wallace Elementary enjoyed various activities in celebrating the 100th day of the 2023-2024 school year! As one student also shared, only 82 days to go! Whether they dressed as a 100-year-old person or had shirts with 100 items affixed, the building was buzzing with fun and excitement! Check out all of these smiling faces!
Awesome Facilities Staff - February Spotlight!
Be sure to check check out the Buildings & Grounds page of our website linked here to learn more about February's Awesome Facilities Staff we are highlighting in February!
Mr. Kevin Kleinosky (Lincolnway Elementary), Ms. Jackie Landman (Wallace Elementary), Mr. Aaron Harrison (West York Area High School), and Mr. Terry Witmer (Trimmer Elementary).
New Sticks!
Junior high field hockey coaches, Ms. Gabrielle Enoff and Ms. Emily Corcoran, want to extend a huge thank you to community member John Spadafora for his generous donation of brand new field hockey sticks for the team! Mr. Spadafora's daughter, Maggie, was part of our program a few years ago and now plays at York College. Mr. Spadafora continues to support our program to this day, and we cannot thank him enough!
Want to test out these new sticks or learn about the amazing sport of field hockey? If you are currently in 6th or 7th grade, reach out to Coach Enoff (gmenoff@wyasd.org) or Coach Corcoran (ejcorcoran@wyasd.org)! And stay tuned for updates about open fields in the next month.
YCASE Art Scholars Exhibition Kick-Off is TONIGHT!
The YCASE Gallery Walk kicks off tonight at 5:00 PM. Art work submitted by our West York students will be located in The Grotto Community Center located at 2 W. Market Street on the second floor. Light refreshments will be available during tonight's Kickoff night at Marketview Arts in Gallery Hall at 37 W Philadelphia St.
Athletic Fields Project - Informational Meeting
We are pleased to extend an invitation to the West York Area School District Community to attend an informational meeting to learn about the proposed WYASD Athletic Fields Project. At the meeting, you will see the plans and meet design team members, School Board Directors, and District Administration.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: West Manchester Township Building, 380 E. Berlin Road, York, PA 17408
Information about the project can also be found on the WYASD Website using the link below. Questions can be directed to BulldogMail@wyasd.org. Thank you for your continued support of West York Area School District.
Kindergarten Registration is Now OPEN!
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. We encourage families to register early. Simply click the image to the right and click on Create A New Account. Even if you already have students in West York, you will use the Create A New Account to begin the registration process for your incoming Kindergarten student. Children need to be five years of age by September 1, 2024, to be eligible for Kindergarten.
If you have any questions, please contact our Registration Office at 717-792-2796 extension 1216.
VFW Statue of Liberty Coloring Contest
The VFW offers many opportunities for K-12 students to participate in various contests that begin at the local level with designated winners advancing to district and state competitions.
Students in Grades 2-5 are invited to participate in the Statue of Liberty Coloring Contest. At the local post level, one winner will be selected from each of the four grade levels of those submitted to our local VFW Post 7374 and receive a $50 award and certificate. Their entry will then move on to the District level.
Click on the picture to download and print the entry coloring page or have your child stop at their School Office to pick up a coloring page. Be sure to include your child's name and grade when submitting an entry. The color page must be printed on white 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper and may not be manipulated in any way, such as printing it to be larger or smaller. Students may use any art medium in coloring/decorating the Statue of Liberty (crayons, chalks, markers, etc.). Be creative and have fun!
All entries can be handed in to your child's teacher who will forward them to the Administration Building for delivery to the VFW contest organizers.
Entries must be received by your child's teacher by Wednesday, February 6th.
MS Families - Join Us for Family Trivia Night!
All MS families are invited to join us for WYAMS Family Trivia Night on Friday, February 9th. Bring your collective knowledge of all things trivia! Doors open at 6:00 PM. Families will enjoy the fun of trivia and prizes. Concessions will also be available. Registration is recommended. Scan the QR Code in the graphic or click the graphic to access the registration form. We hope to see you there!
30 Horrible Catastrophes of Middle School Show
The West York Area Middle School is proud to present its 2024 play, 30 Horrible Catastrophes of Middle School! While poking fun at teenaged insecurities and superficial stereotypes, this fast-paced vignette-style play examines the obstacles and pitfalls of middle school and reminds all those who have already traversed that world that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be. This cheerful production will warm the heart of anyone who dares experience the 30 Horrible Catastrophes of Middle School!
Dates:
Friday, February 23 @ 6:30 PM
Saturday, February 24 @ 2:00 PM
Location:
West York Area Middle School
1700 Bannister Street
Admission: $3.00/per person - Tickets sold at the door.
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!
The excitement for this year's District musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, is building and our students have been rehearsing for weeks! Be sure to mark your calendar, invite your family and friends, and plan on attending this year's musical! With an amazingly talented cast, it's sure to be a show-stopper!
West York Area High School Auditorium
Dates:
- Friday, March 1 @ 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 2 @ 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 3 @ 2:00 PM
Tickets will go on sale in early February so stay tuned for those details coming soon!
If you have an elementary student who would like to be part of the cast, please reach out to our Play Director, Ms. Deirdre Casey, via email at dscasey@wyasd.org.
SAVE THE DATE - FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
FOUNDATION FOR THE WYASD
CASINO NIGHT!
If you are not familiar, The Foundation for the West York Area School District (WYASD) is a volunteer-led, 501c3 non-profit that serves the students of the District in partnership with the district and community.
The mission of The Foundation is to acquire and distribute funds to enhance educational opportunities for all students enrolled in the school district. The Foundation funds worthwhile programs which may not have been implemented due to budgetary constraints and provides scholarship opportunities for WYASD seniors.
Be sure to mark your calendar to save the date for the Foundation for West York Area School District's Casino Night. More details will be coming in the next few weeks.
If you, your employer, or an organization you are familiar with would like to be a sponsor of Casino Night, please click on the image below to see the details for sponsoring this AWESOME event! All funds raised go to support our students!
The Bulldog Breakdown
Check out this week's issue of the Bulldog Breakdown, a weekly recap of the prior week's athletic accomplishments and lists the upcoming sporting events.
Check out the latest issue by clicking the Bulldog image to the left.
February 2, 2024
9th/10th Grade:
Egypt McCowin
For giving her best on each assignment!
11th/12th Grade:
Colin Bower
For helping to put up posters! Thank you for your help!
Faculty/Staff:
Mr. Thomas Hoke
For being YOU!
February Important Dates
- Wednesday, February 7, HS Back to School Night (6:00 p.m.)
- Tuesday, February 13, Work Session of the Board (7:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, February 15, Athletic Fields Project Community Meeting (7:00 p.m.) Meeting will take place at the West Manchester Township Building. Click link for our Stadium Project webpage.
- Friday, February 16, No School for Students - Professional Learning Day
- Monday, February 19, School in Session - Snow Make Up Day for Jan. 16th Weather Closure
- Tuesday, February 20, Board Voting Meeting (6:30 p.m.)
- Wednesday, February 21, Bulldog Pantry Distribution Day (5:00 p.m.)
- Friday, February 23, MS Play (6:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, February 24, MS Play (2:00 p.m.)
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
IN AND AROUND THE DISTRICT
Local Blood Banks Need Your Help!
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Your blood donation is needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
Please click the image to visit the American Red Cross website for upcoming Blood Drives in our area or to schedule an appointment.
Your donation can save lives! Thank you!
LOST & FOUND
Our schools are accumulating many items in our Lost & Found areas. Please remind your child to check the Lost & Found if they are missing anything. If there is something specific, feel free to contact the school office and and make an inquiry.
Senior Recognition Ads for the 2024 Yearbook
If you would like to recognize your senior in their yearbook with a senior recognition ad, the deadline to do so if February 8th. Simply click on the image below, scroll down and select Order Recognition Ad under the Recognize Your Student section of the Jostens website.
Time to Order Your MS or HS Yearbook
Calling all High School and Middle School students!
Don't miss out on ordering your 2023-2024 Yearbook!
The yearbook captures today's memories to enjoy for a lifetime!
HIGH SCHOOL price through January 26th - $80.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL price through January 26th - $35.00
Click the image below to order your yearbook today.
- Complimentary admission to all home athletic events (excludes playoff events)
- Complimentary admission to all District concerts (most do not charge admission)
Join us for a complimentary luncheon & performance of the all-school musical production of . . .
Community Corner - Be Sure To Check It Out Often!
The Community Corner of our website offers families many helpful links to organizations or flyers about upcoming or ongoing community activities, clubs, and events. The information on this webpage changes frequently and those changes will be highlighted here as they occur. The latest updates are pictured below.
From our Home webpage, click on Community to access links to various organizations/community events.
Here are just some examples:
- Cub Scouts (Boys & Girls ages 5-12)
- Girl Scouts
- West York Boys Club - Winter Baseball Workouts and Spring Season Details!
- York JCC
- YMCA of York
- YWCA of York
Community Resources such as:
- United Way
- Community Progress Council
- Dream Wrights Center for Community Arts