Blue & White Newsletter - 11/3/23
Week of October 30, 2023
Real Life - Getting Prepared!
Juniors at the High School engaged in several fun activities through the Junior Achievement Real Life program held on October 24th. Students learned through fun activities how to create a budget, how to shop and compare prices, how to make financial decisions, and how to prepare for a career. These real life activities were presented in fun and engaging ways. From a board game similar to The Game of Life, to a Jenga-like game where each block was paired with a real life question about topics such as interviewing and employment skills, to the higher or lower game in Let's Make a Deal! The budgeting station was quite eye-opening in considering living expenses and the income needed to accommodate their lifestyle preferences. Thank you to all of our volunteers who made this day possible and to Mr. T.J. Meese, Business Education Teacher, who led the planning and coordination of this event.
B - I - N - G - O !!
Book Bingo is always a huge hit! Last week, Wallace Elementary hosted their annual Book Bingo event, a Title 1 and 3 Parent and Family Engagement event. Lead by our Wallace Reading Specialists, Ms. Melissa Lamparter, Ms. Jacquelyn Niemiec, and Ms. Fran Reinhard, our Wallace families enjoyed a wonder pasta and salad dinner prepared by our AMAZING Food Services Department followed by literacy-focused Bingo games. Who needs B2 or O72 when you can learn about character traits and call spaces like funny, curious, respectful, kind, strong, and even grumpy! Our Wallace Bulldogs left with backpacks with several books to add to their home libraries and a few other treats as well! Thank you to several classroom teachers who came to play along with our students and to Ms. Marianne Panopoulos for cooking such a delicious dinner!
Trimmer's Future Engineers at Work!
Students in Trimmer Elementary's MATRIX class are currently working through the Engineering Design Process to Plan, Create and Improve bridge structures in our Bridge Building Unit. Students have researched the look and design of real world bridges, and are using that information as inspiration while working cooperatively in small groups! Bridge structures are tested for both height and weight bearing, and students are encouraged to redesign and rebuild to improve as needed! We could have some future engineers in our midst!
Meet Our Second and Third Shift Super Heroes!
We have amazing "behind the scenes" employees in our Buildings and Grounds Department, under the leadership of Jeff Ludwig - Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, who work hard every day (and night) to assure a safe and clean learning environment for our students. You can now "meet" them by visiting our Facilities Page of the District website and clicking on "Employee Spotlight.". We'll spotlight four-five team members each month, so be sure to check back in December!
Featured this month are:
- Mr. Keith Orr
- West York Area High School
- Mr. Jacob Landis
- Lincolnway Elementary School
- Mr. Anthony Redding
- West York Area Middle School
- Mr. Scott Strohm
- Trimmer Elementary School
Lincolnway Book Club Breakfast
Ms. Shelly Geller, Gifted Teacher, hosted a Book Club Breakfast with a group of 3rd graders at Lincolnway Elementary who love to read chapter books. This month, the group chose to read Frindle by Andrew Clements. They looked for signals that the author gave us to figure out the message in the story. Halfway through the book, they posted their thoughts on Flipgrid. After finishing the book, the students met for breakfast, hot cocoa, and insightful book discussion.
From L to R: Calia Mullens, Xiamara Smith, Tabitha Agravante, Piper Desenberg, Mya Deaver, Charlie Gausmann, Madison Kushla, Karter Seres-Taylor, Samiyah Bailey, and Annabeth Goss-Hildebrand
The Halls of Halloween
The High School ESL class enjoyed a creepy listening activity in a dark auditorium. Several of the students, new to the U.S., have never experienced this holiday phenomenon. Ms. Bethany Rodriguez blended Halloween culture with the thrills and chills of learning English. They were excited, interested, engaged in the Halloween culture and LOVED all things "spooky"!
Annual York Halloween Parade - Well Done Bulldogs!
On October 29th, our West York Area High School Mighty Bulldog Marching Band, lead by Mr. Rod Meckley, participated in the annual York Halloween Parade! They filled the street with music, energy, and tons of Bulldog spirit! Parade groups and spectators were thrilled that the weather cooperated in providing a dry day!
Outside Perspectives - Guest Speakers Share Their Experiences
Ms. Amanda Burt's Learning Support class at the High School had several guest speakers visit their classroom this week, including a couple of West York alumni!
- Mr. Horace Valcarcel - 2020 WY graduate - He is employed full-time at Autumn House, a personal senior care organization. He talked about becoming employed after graduation and the successes and challenges.
- Ms. Julia Liddick - Office of Vocational Rehabilitation - She talked about interview skills and did some role-playing with sample interview questions.
- Mr. Gabriel Besore - 2023 WY graduate - He talked about attending Project Search after graduation and what he has learned along the way.
Thank you to our guest speakers for sharing your experiences with our students as they begin to look beyond their graduation!
The 1950's Have Returned!
Students in Ms. Amy Versailles' class at Lincolnway Elementary celebrated the 50th day of school on October 27th with 50's music, dancing "The Twist," and making root beer floats!
No X-Ray Machine Needed!
Students in Ms. Karin Hall's 4th grade class at Trimmer Elementary earned a reward for their hard work. They worked on an activity to create "x-rays" of their own hands, using construction paper, black crayons, and oil to make the bones look translucent (the wax repels the oil in areas of the paper that you do not want the light to shine through). We discussed the science behind this. A subsequent task was practicing writing 'the steps in our process' (sequential order). The students had a great time with this fun learning activity!
Ready, Set, LAUNCH!
NOVEMBER 3, 2023
9th/10th Grade:
Micah Weiss
For taking notes for a student who had to leave class for an appointment!
11th/12th Grade:
Leyanna Rodriguez
For helping in Biology with science stations!
Faculty/Staff:
Ms. Katie Lalic
For covering a fellow teacher's class when she was in a crunch!
Annual Career Expo
Next week, students at the High School will have the opportunity to visit our annual Career Expo! Students in each grade level will be assigned a time to attend the event and meet local businesses, agencies, etc. They will have time for career exploration and possible future job opportunities!
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.
West York Area High School - Fall Play!!!
Join us for this year's High School Fall Play, "Night of the Arts." A variety show with acting, singing, and dancing, looking at theatre through the ages.
Show Dates: Thursday, November 9th, and Saturday, November 11th.
Show Time: 7:00 p.m. each date
Tickets: $5.00/pp at the door
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
UPMC Student and Parent Health Care Career Night
Tuesday, November 7th
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 treat!
- 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!
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
TONIGHT IS Powder Puff Game Time!
Support the class of 2023 and the class of 2024 by attending tonight's Powder Puff game with your $2.00 admission fee.