Blue & White Newsletter - 1/19/24
Week of January 15, 2024
January is Board Appreciation Month!
At the January 16th School Board meeting, Dr. Todd Davies, Superintendent of Schools, recognized the Board for School Director Recognition Month and presented each Director with a certificate of appreciation. The Building Principals presented each Director with a gift on behalf of all of their buildings, and Mr. Jeff Ludwig, Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds, presented each Director with a pen holder created by the High School Tech Ed Department.
Visit the Board page of the website, where you can learn more about our Directors. We recognize and thank our current Board of School Directors:
Mr. Lynn Kohler, President (seated December 2015)
Mr. Dan Rice, Vice President (seated December 2021)
Mr. Todd Gettys, Treasurer (seated December 2007)
Mr. John Hamme (seated December 2023)
Mr. Shawn Harlacher (seated December 2021)
Ms. Jeanne Herman (seated December 2011)
Mr. Wes Myers (seated December 2021)
Ms. Brandy Shope (seated December 2019)
MathCounts - Because Math Does Count!
Our MathCounts team at the Middle School went to Central York Middle School to compete against teams from other local districts. At this event, there were 99 competitors representing eight districts around the county. Lleven Bray tied for 10th place in the individual portion of the event. Several members of the team will be representing West York at our next Regional Competition next month.
The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that reaches students in grades 6-8 in all US states and territories with two extracurricular math programs. Their goal is to make learning math fun. They believe middle school is a critical juncture; their programs build problem solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future.
Group picture below (L-R): Conny Chacha, Kaden Strausbaugh, Camden Plappert, Quinn Shope, Eden Reinoso, Mitchell Mummert, Nathan Street, Lleven Bray, Luke Van Vorst, Mallory Lubas, Derrick Steele, and Jacob Altland.
Teachers Advancing Their 'Leader In Me' Knowledge
Teachers at the High School participated in Part 2 of the Core 2 Leader in Me workshop on Friday. You might ask, what is Leader in Me? As shared on the Steven Covey Leader in Me website:
What is Leader in Me?
Founded on the belief that everyone has the potential to lead, Leader in Me is a comprehensive framework that nurtures student leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success. This proven approach empowers students, educators, and families with essential leadership and life skills, preparing them to excel.
This leadership development curriculum is now in both our Middle School for all students and our High School as part of our 9th Grade Academy.
Drum Roll Please . . .
This Year's Spring Musical is . . .
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.
Braving the Elements!
Ms. Melissa Lamparter, Reading Specialist, and Ms. Stephanie Hartlaub, Teacher's Aide, at Wallace Elementary got bundled up for morning arrival car duty on Wednesday, the coldest day of January!
Another Successful Distribution Date for the Bulldog Pantry!
Wednesday night's Bulldog Pantry distribution was another huge success. We are grateful for everyone who continues to donate to the Pantry that in turn allows us to support our WY families! Our next distribution is February 21st.
If you would like to learn more about the Bulldog Pantry, both how to donate or to receive support, please visit the Bulldog Pantry website by clicking the image below. Questions can be directed to Ms. Amanda Burt via email to amburt@wyasd.org.
Upcoming Dental and Physical Exams
An Important Reminder from our School Nurses
Dental and physical exams will be performed at our school buildings over the upcoming several weeks.
Dental exams will be performed on students with signed parent permission from the beginning of the school year as well as those missing the required dental screening for Kindergarten, 3rd and 7th grades. Dental exams will be performed on the following days:
- Middle School - February 12
Physical exams will be performed on students who are missing the required physical exam for Kindergarten, 1st, 6th, and 11th grades. Physical exams will be performed on the following days:
- Middle School - 1/25 and 1/26
- Wallace - 2/8 and 2/9
- High School - 2/22 and 2/23
Please contact your child's school nurse with questions.
Time to Plan for 2024 Kindergarten Registration!
If you would like to receive email updates specific to activities and registration for the 2024-2025 Kindergarten class, please click the image below and complete our form. Any questions regarding transition activities and/or registration can be directed to Wallace Elementary by calling 717-764-6869. If you have family, friends, or neighbors who reside within the West York Area School District, feel free to share this information with them!
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
You may have noticed that the Blue & White Newsletter hasn't been sharing the AWESOME activities and outcomes/scores from our athletic groups. The WYASD's Athletics Department publishes the Bulldog Breakdown, a weekly recap of the prior week's athletic accomplishments and lists the upcoming sporting events. Each week's Blue & White will include a link to the most recent issue of the Bulldog Breakdown, just in case you've missed the text/email distribution.
Check out the lastest issue by clicking the image.
FAFSA Events - Federal Student Aid Demystified!
Join Penn State York's Financial Aid Coordinator, Kristen Fowler, for an overview of the changes to the financial aid application process. This FAFSA Information Session is scheduled for Saturday, January 27th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and will take place in Polli Hall, Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration, Penn State York, 1031 Edgecomb Ave., York, PA 17403.
They are also offering a FAFSA Completion Workshop to complete your FAFSA at the workshop with support resources available for answers to your questions in real time. Please register in advance for this session, scheduled for Thursday, February 8th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Admissions Office, Main Classroom Building at the same address as shared above. To register and to see other informational events at Penn State, click the flyer image to the right.
If you have any questions, you can email them at ykadmission@psu.edu or call them at 717-771-4040.
Junior Achievement is Coming to the High School!
Volunteers Needed!
We need your help! On Thursday, March 14th, Junior Achievement of South Central PA will be at the High School with their STEM Summit Program. Students will be participating in the day-long event designed to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The goal of the STEM Summit is to inspire students to pursue an academic STEM focus in the remainder of their high school courses. After the completion of the STEM Summit, guidance counselors have a foundation to work with students on appropriate course work.
For this day to be a success, we will need volunteers to facilitate ONE of the STEM activities for the day as students rotate through various stations. You do not need to have a STEM background to be a GREAT volunteer! You also do not have to be an approved school volunteer to help with this day. Please feel free to share this opportunity with friends, neighbors, and colleagues who may be interested in helping the students of our school.
Junior Achievement will provide online training as well as on-site support to all volunteers. A light breakfast and lunch will also be available for volunteers. Please consider volunteering and join us as we spend the day empowering and inspiring our students. This opportunity is only possible with the support of wonderful volunteers like you.
You can check out the Q&A here for questions you may have.
You can click on the flyer below to register as a volunteer.
CARE Awards will return next week!
January/February Important Dates
- Thursday, January 25, Wellness Committee Meeting (3:15 p.m.)
- Friday, February 2, Early Dismissal
- 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, Stadium 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
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.
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 - $75.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL price through January 26th - $35.00
Don't delay and miss this low pricing! 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 . . .
Save the Date: Sunday, March 3, 2024
More details coming soon!
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