Our Path to First Choice No. 3
"Educate and Empower Students for Future Success"
Our Path to First Choice No. 3 September 14, 2022
Here's Our Path note for this week. Thank you for all you do for our learners!
WASD Leadership Model
WASD First Choice Pyramid
WASD Strategic Plan
"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude -Oprah Winfrey.
Our Path Note Topic
COVID-19 caused us to become innovative problem solvers very quickly. It would be hard to identify another time in the history of public education that things collectively changed so quickly and radically. Every teacher and child learned how to teach and learn using new technology, both digital and otherwise. Every classroom had to adjust learning protocols and examine use of time, resources, and even space itself. Grading and assessing practices had to adjust and we had to truly acknowledge that all kids learn differently. We tried things that worked really well and things that completely flopped. As a district, we did incredibly innovative things for our kids, our community, and our school system despite overwhelming obstacles. We sprinted on our path towards First Choice.
Now, as things settle down and we reduce or remove many of the protocols that required that innovation, we have a unique opportunity. We can choose to go back to “normal” and rebuild the weight bearing walls that typically slow progress and innovation in schools. This would be easy for many of us and for our community because it feels safe and comfortable, almost proof that we have made it “back”. Alternatively, we can take a step back and purposefully examine which walls and practices we really need to rebuild and which we should celebrate being gone. This will be harder and will require greater communication, vulnerability, and trust because it won’t always go as planned or be perfect. I challenge you to choose this path anyway. I challenge you to reflect on your own instructional and leadership practices and our whole school system over the last two years and ask, what are you proud of? What changes do you see that we should “lean in” to on our path towards First Choice? Where are there opportunities to protect and grow innovative thinking, teaching, and learning in WASD? How can we work together to empower and educate individuals for future success?
#BoroStrong!!
School Board Information
- September 14, 2022 1PM Policy Committee
- September 19, 2022 5:30 PM Budget Committee
- September 20, 2022 5:30 PM Facilities Committee
- September 27, 2022 7 PM Regular Board Meeting
- October 11, 2022 7 PM Regular Board Meeting
Can you answer this?
Teacher Advisory
One teacher per school building is the representative at the meetings. If more than one person volunteers in one building, the names are put in a basket, and Jane Helman will pick the name as she has in the past. Maybe she'll be willing to do it again!
The meetings are one time per month, and start about 3:45 to 4PM and go until 5PM. Although it is only an advisory, many suggestions and recommendations have come to fruition due to the advisory. It is also a great way to learn how some things work that you didn't realize.
If you are interested, please email Tod. We hope to start the first meeting by the end of September.
Thanks!
Support Staff Advisory
For several years now we've held a support staff advisory to provide the administration with an additional method of feedback about district policies, practices, and issues pertaining to the support staff.
For 2022-23, we are continuing this program so that we can learn more about the concerns and problems that our support staff experience.
If you are interested in participating in the 2022-23 advisory, please complete the attached google form: https://forms.gle/EfRsDWX64muJ15Vb7
Piece of the Puzzle
This Week's Piece of the Puzzle is Clayton Avenue's Robin Kline. Robin started the second half of the 21/22 school year. She is quiet, but efficient, and she helps anyone who asks. She is very kind to visitors and has been a wonderful addition to WASD.
Join us in congratulating Robin Kline as this week's Piece of the Puzzle!
New Policies
Suggested revisions and new policies come from the PA School Board Association, board members, staff, administration and others. The proposed policy goes to the Policy Committee for review. The Policy Committee will either approve the proposed policy to go to full board for review and adoption or will deny or wait for a different time to revisit it.
Even though it will not be weekly, stay tuned for any new and/or recently adopted policies in this section.
Moving First Choice Ahead--Share with Tod
This is a recognition of those that share lessons and activities being done in or out of the classroom that demonstrate the use of newly promoted WASD professionally developed strategies and other activities that support First Choice. Those activities can be in any Pillar--Academic, Whole Child, Career and/or Innovation.
If you have something to share. Email it to Tod!
Challenge Answer
For Our Staff
Our WellSpan WASD Clinic
Unfortunately, due to the staffing challenges during the COVD-19 pandemic, WASD and WellSpan decided to close the clinic. Nevertheless, WASD will continue to work with WellSpan and others to provide opportunities for vaccinations and the flu shot for our WASD employees. WASD will continue to explore better ways to improve health care services for WASD staff.
Other Health News
Freedom from Smoking Classes - FREE - see attached flyer!
WellSpan Mobile Mammography in Mercersburg Nov. 18th , 11am to 5pm. Financial assistance available. See attached flyer for details.
Franklin County Library System Events Calendar. Free movies, language classes, guitar lessons, story time and more---including books!
Other resources:
Franklin County Food Resources Nutrition Mapper
Franklin County Behavioral Health Providers Mapper
Franklin County Recreational Facilities Mapper
Healthy Franklin County events calendar (you can submit events for FREE)
Mental Wellness Blog
Please see Healthy Franklin County's most recent blog on Mental Health Awareness Month in the link below. Feel free to share with your contacts!
https://www.healthyfranklincounty.org/mental-health-awareness-month
WellSpan Health will be offering FREE Virtual Breathing Technique Workshops on Sept. 20th and Sept. 29th.
Learn more about intentional breathing and practice several breathing techniques to bring a sense of calm and peace.
Find more information in the attached flyer and register in the links below:
Sept. 20th- https://www.wellspan.org/events/details/Breathing-Technique-Workshop---VIRTUAL/7404
Sept. 29th- https://www.wellspan.org/events/details/Breathing-Technique-Workshop---VIRTUAL/7405
An Opportunity
WellSpan Health is offering their next FREE year-long Virtual National Diabetes Prevention Program (Prevent T2) beginning on September 27th at 6:00 p.m.
This program has been proven to help those with pre-diabetes make lifestyle changes that can cut the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by more than half. A Prevent T2 lifestyle coach will help you lose weight, become more physically active and reduce stress.
Register today if you:
-Have ever been told by your doctor that you have pre-diabetes and/or at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
-Are 45 years or older.
-Overweight.
-Have a family history of diabetes.
-Are physically active less than 3 times per week.
-If you had diabetes while pregnant.
If you think you may be at risk or have already been told by your physician that you have pre-diabetes, join us and attend the introduction session on September 27th to find out more about the program.
The first class is scheduled for October 4th at 6:00 p.m. It is highly recommended that anyone interested in this program attend this introduction session first. If you are NOT able to make the September 27th introduction session or if you have any questions, please call (717) 262-4602.
Register for the year-long class here: https://www.wellspan.org/events/details/National-Diabetes-Prevention-Program-Prevent-T2-Introduction-Session----VIRTUAL/6303
Our Path to First Choice from the Superintendent
Email: tod_kline@wasdpa.org
Website: https://www.wasd.k12.pa.us/
Location: 210 Clayton Avenue, Waynesboro, PA, USA
Phone: 717762-1191