Blue & White Newsletter - 10/27/23
Week of October 23, 2023
Passports Ready! Off to Africa We Go!
This week, Ms. Emily Corcoran’s, Ms. Yvette Ganoe’s, and Mr. Andrew Ruhland’s World Cultures classes at the High School began their Africa unit! Students used their passport to travel to Africa in the library with the wonderful help and guidance of our Media Specialist, Ms. Lyndsay Riedel!
Students worked their way through a variety of stations. They were able to complete sorting games, map puzzles, engage in language translation, color fruit and vegetable coloring pages, play Mancala, complete seven word summaries, and so much more! Students enjoyed the hands-on activities and were super engaged.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
On Wednesday, October 25th, Ms. Laura Livingston and Ms. Nicole Flowers took a group of 5th grade girls at Trimmer Elementary who demonstrate an interest in Math and STEM to Columbia Gas of York to participate in "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day." The girls participated in a team challenge to simulate a gas distribution system that used pipeline materials to transport golf balls, ping pong balls, and eggs 30 feet. Teams were recognized for earning the most points, being most cost effective, and demonstrating the best teamwork. Other activities included: a demonstration on water erosion, natural gas safety and why it is important to dial 811 before you dig, as well as how Columbia Gas workers find buried lines to address problems underground. A resounding message of the day was encouraging the girls to persevere and strive for their goals. Thank you, Columbia Gas of York and your awesome workers for this opportunity!
Another Successful Bulldog Pantry Distribution Night!
We had a great turnout for this month's Bulldog Pantry distribution. A special thanks to our National Honor Society students for donating candy bags to distribute, St. James Lutheran for their food donations, including fleece blankets, and Trimmer Elementary for their food/supplies drive.
A huge shout out to Jenny and Bella Flinchbaugh (pictured right) for their recent generous donation to the Bulldog Pantry. Not only have the Flinchbaugh's donated needed non-perishable items, but have also assisted in rallying community support.
We are grateful to be able to assist West York community families because of generous community donations! If you would like to donate to the Bulldog Pantry, please contact Ms. Amanda Burt, Life Skills Teacher, at amburt@wyasd.org. Here is a list of suggested items:
- Canned food like fruit, vegetables, soup, tuna, stews
- Pasta & sauce
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Cereal, oatmeal, pancake mixes
- Rice, stuffing, & potato mixes
- Granola bars
- Juice
- Condiments
- Paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, tissues, paper plates
National Make a Difference Day!
In honor of National Make a Difference Day (10/28/23), fourth and fifth grade students at Trimmer Elementary participated in a canned food and supply drive to benefit the West York Bulldog Pantry. Our Guardian Bulldogs presented information about the drive to their classrooms and Ms. Melissa Gordon and Ms. Laura Livingston held weekly challenges for students who donated at least one item. Overall, Trimmer filled 15 boxes of food and household items for the Bulldog Pantry. Way to go Trimmer Bulldogs!
Connecting With K'Nex Club
Trimmer Elementary's fall session of K'Nex Club, led by Ms. Laura Livingston and Ms. Donna Meeks, was a huge success! Seventy students in fourth and fifth grade participated in the club and learned about the design process. Students brainstormed ideas to solve real-world problems, developed blueprints, and built models to represent their ideas to solve those problems. Teams also had the opportunity to test their builds, make changes to their designs, and present their products to the group. All students worked hard, demonstrated good teamwork, and shared great ideas with their peers.
S'more Power to You: Marshmallow Rocket Launchers
The High School Life Skills class taught by Ms. Amanda Burt, participated in a marshmallow launcher challenge run by student teacher, Miss Abby Diehl. Students made launchers using popsicle sticks, plastic spoons, and rubber bands. The farthest launch won!! Students finished the challenge by getting a group picture in front of Ms. Bridget Toren's Drawing/Painting I's abstract art board.
Tasty Confections in the Baking and Pastry 1 Classes!
Ms. Anne Hedgcock's two Baking and Pastry 1 classes at the High School finished their term class with a cupcake competition. They did a great job creating beautiful and delicious cupcakes! Several faculty and staff members helped judge the students' cupcakes from both classes. Ms. Hedgcock was proud of all of them!
- Spidey Senses won Best Design
- Spooky Season won Most Delicious
- Fall Break won both Best Design and Most Delicious
Other items the students made were macarons, Choux pastry (cream puffs), and pie crusts which were used in quiches and cream pies. Ms. Hedgcock is looking forward to term 2 and what they will create!
Family Night In The Community
Our Fall Festival, Family Community Night at Sunset Lane Park, was a huge success. The students in the Autistic Support classrooms, along with their siblings and parents, had fun playing a variety of games, eating snacks, and socializing. Each classroom teacher coordinated a game and brought prizes. A huge shout out to the families and district staff that participated in our first Family Community Night!
Calling All Middle School Families - Our Fall Festival is Coming!
All WY Middle School families are invited to the 2023 MS Fall Festival on Friday, November 17th. Join us for music, food, games, crafts, and fun from 5:00 -6:30 p.m. This event is free to all WY MS families.
OCTOBER 27, 2023
9th/10th Grade:
Reagan Hughes
For always having a smile on your face!
11th/12th Grade:
Amari King
For all of your hard work in math class!
Faculty/Staff:
Mr. Andrew Shearer
For your help to make PSAT's run successfully this year!
It would not have happened without you!
Veterans Appreciation Night
The West York Area Middle School Student Council is hosting a Veterans' Appreciation Night at the Middle School on Monday, November 13, at 6:30, to honor and thank our veterans. There will be a short program and light refreshments afterwards. We invite all West York community veterans to join us for this night of appreciation. Questions can be sent to Ms. Linda Joseph at lljoseph@wyasd.org.
November Important Dates
- Tuesday, Nov. 7, MS/HS Picture Retake Day
- Thursday, Nov. 9, 3:15 PM, Wellness Committee Meeting
- Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:00 PM, HS Fall Play
- Friday, Nov. 10, Early Dismissal
- Saturday, Nov. 11, 7:00 PM, HS Fall Play
- Tuesday, Nov. 14, 5:30 PM, EPC Meeting
- Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7:00 PM, Board Work Session
- Wednesday, Nov. 15, 5:00 PM, Bulldog Pantry Distribution
- Friday, Nov. 17, First Day of Winter PIAA Practices
- Monday, Nov. 20, Trimmer Picture Retake Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 21, 5:30 PM, Cocurricular Meeting
- Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6:30 PM, Board Meeting
- Wednesday, Nov. 22 - 27, Thanksgiving Holiday Break
- Wednesday, Nov. 29, Wallace Picture Retake Day
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
IN AND AROUND THE DISTRICT
Bulldog Pantry
Volunteers Needed - Jr. Achievement YES! Program
10 More Volunteers Still Needed!
We are still in need of volunteers for the YES! program at the Middle School on Friday, November 10th. We are pleased to be able to offer this program to all MS students. To do so, we need a total of 48 volunteers. Thank you to those who have already registered. There is no experience necessary; everything a volunteer needs is provided, including training and support during the event. Past volunteers have shared that they had as much fun as the students and loved the opportunity to support our Bulldogs in these important life skills.
The YES! program is a half-day program with activities intended to help middle school students gain an appreciation for the importance that financial and career decisions will play in their lives as young adults.
JA representatives and WY teachers are on hand and available for assistance if needed. You can check out the Frequently Asked Questions and register to be a volunteer via the links below.
District Holiday Cards Design Contest
Designs Have Begun Arriving at the Administration Bldg!!
Deadline - November 1, 2023
Each year, we offer our students the opportunity to submit a design for the front of our District holiday cards.
One design will be selected from the elementary submissions and one from the secondary submissions. The artists of the two winning designs will be invited to the December 12th School Board Meeting to be acknowledged and to see their cards framed and displayed in the District Boardroom.
Please be sure your submission follows all of the following:
- Theme: “Winter” or “The Holidays”
- Paper Size: Minimum size: 4.25” x 5.5” Maximum size: 8.5” x 11” - Paper is available from your child’s Art Teacher
- Orientation: Portrait only. Landscape-oriented designs will not be considered.
- Eligibility: All K-12 students.
- Identification: The student’s name, grade, and building should be on the back of their submission.
- Deadline: All submissions must be received in the Assistant Superintendent’s Office by Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Students should give their design to their Art Teacher prior to November 1st.
UPMC Student and Parent Health Care Career Night
Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., and UPMC is holding a special event to help you and your parents/guardians learn about the many exciting and rewarding careers in the field.
Health care is not just nurses and doctors (though they are very important). Careers can range from direct patient care like nursing, or behind-the-scene work in a laboratory or pharmacy. There are a wide range of positions available – including some that just require a high school diploma.
UPMC staff from a wide range of areas will be there to share their firsthand experience and answer your questions. Also, various schools and universities will be there to discuss their health care programs.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about a rewarding career in health care. To register, visit https://forms.microsoft.com/r/wHkGrnzrL9.
For general questions, please email thompsonss2@upmc.edu.
- Complimentary admission to all home athletic events (excludes playoff events)
- Complimentary admission to all District concerts (most do not charge admission)
- One complimentary admission per cardholder to the High School Fall Play
Thursday, November 9th @ 7:00 p.m.
OR
Saturday, November 11th @ 7:00 p.m.
Visit the Golden Pass Table on Saturday for a fall surprise!
- High School Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 10th @ 3:00 p.m.
Exclusive for Golden Pass Holders - join us in the HS café at 2:00 p.m.
for holiday sweet treats before the concert!
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONCERT
Email BulldogMail@wyasd.org or Call 717-792-2796 ext. 1003 or 1004
Spring events will be announced in early January,
and will include the High School musical dinner and a show event!
Winter Sports Season Registration is Now Open!
All students in grades 7-12 who are interested in playing a winter sport must register and submit a PIAA physical via FamilyID.
To access FamilyID, click the blue link bar below, visit out website www.wyasd.org>Athletics>Sign-Up, or scan the QR Code.
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 (newest in bold):
- Cub Scouts (Boys & Girls ages 5-12)
- Cub Scout Pack 67 @ Dover United Church of Christ
- Contact: Mark Baker at baker126@gmail.com
- Cub Scout Pack 94 @ Shiloh United Church of Christ
- Contact: Melissa Kopp-Smith @ melissakopp16@comcast.net
- Girl Scouts
- West York Boys Club
- West York FREE Lacrosse Clinics
- WY Middle School
- November 11th and 19th
- 6:00 - 7:00 PM
- Contact: Tim McNicholas at mcnicholas.t@yahoo.com
- York JCC
- YMCA of York
- YWCA of York
Community Resources such as:
- United Way
- Community Progress Council
- Dream Wrights Center for Community Arts
Fundraisers Benefiting WYASD Students, Teams, and Clubs
Here’s a DELICIOUS way to support our Middle School PTSO!
Let Whitecomb’s Bakery bring some sweetness into your home! Here are the delicious options available:
- Fresh Baked Pies: Cherry, Apple, Pumpkin, Peanut Butter, and Shoo Fly
- Sticky Buns: Plain or with Walnuts
- Whoopie Pies: Chocolate filled with Vanilla Cream, Chocolate filled with PB Cream, Pumpkin filled with Cream Cheese
Click the brown bar below to place your order today!
Orders are due by Tuesday, October 31st.
Payment due at time of pick up (cash or check).
Pick up orders at the MS Cafeteria on Thursday, November 16th, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.