Blue & White Newsletter - 1/26/24
Week of January 22, 2024
Welcome to Elementary Encore Classes
Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting our elementary Encore classes. Encore classes consist of Art, Music, Health/PE, and Library/Media Center. This week, we are focusing on the Encore classes at Wallace Elementary School.
In Ms. Margaret Dickerson's Music Class, first graders are currently learning about drumming traditions in Ghana. In many African musical cultures, music is taught aurally. This means that musicians learn by listening and echoing instead of reading music notation. Students practiced this concept by listening to and echoing Ms. Dickerson, and then by listening to and echoing other students. Over the coming weeks, students will aurally learn a drum ensemble piece that is inspired by drumming traditions in West Africa.
They are also learning how to read and write rhythm notation. Students learned the song "Cobbler, Cobbler", learned that a cobbler is a person who makes or fixes shoes, and then practiced notating the rhythm of the song in small groups using their own shoes. Over the coming weeks, students will learn how to read and write the rhythms of quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests, and start reading and writing using music notation.
In Ms. Alyssa Daugherty's Art class, before releasing their creative energy into their lesson, students start each lesson by reciting their special mantra:
I am Positive.
I am Creative.
I am Mindful.
I am Amazing.
I am an Artist.
First grade students have been working on creating "pinch pot creatures" during Art class with Ms. Daugherty as they learned about the element of art-FORM as a part of this project. The students first did some brainstorming and designed a creature during a previous lesson. They then learned how to create a pinch pot out of clay and used different hand-building skills to turn their pinch pot into a creature. Many students chose different animals such as turtles, cats, and dogs; however, several came up with their own creative creatures. In this week's lesson, the students learned how to slip and score to attach the pieces together, such as paws, ears, tails, etc. Using the video projector, Ms. Daugherty was able to first show the students how to use their tool to slip and score their pieces and how to attached them to their pinch pot. It has been really fun to watch their creativity come to life!
Kindergarten students joining Ms. Heidi Wolf for their Media Class this week listened to the story, The Trouble with Trolls, as part of an author study on Jan Brett. Then, using the Engineering Design Process, they worked through steps to plan and create a snow-moving device to help the trolls solve a problem. They tested their devices by using shaving cream as "snow", making any necessary changes and improvements. Students showed perseverance and teamwork while working on their STEM projects!
During Health/PE class with Ms. Deborah Lehman this week, kindergarten students had their first basketball lesson on dribbling. They stood in their spot and dribbled five times with one hand, five times with the other, and five times switching hands. They then practiced walking and dribbling the basketball. The class did a great job for their first Basketball lesson. Over the coming weeks, they will expand their basketball skills.
Before the end of class, the students were able to play a favorite game - Cats & Dogs. It is a tagging game with one team being the cats and the other team being the dogs. The idea is to sneak up on the opposing team who initially have their backs turned, and then to run back to their safe area as the opposing team turns and begins to chase them. The team gets a point for every student they tag before they reach the safe area. The game focuses on fair play, teamwork, sportsmanship, and controlling their emotions during the game. Before heading back to their classroom teacher, they participated in cool-down stretches and relaxation breathing.
White Coat Ceremony
Project Lead The Way
The Project Lead the Way Biomedical Pathway, taught by Ms. Kirsty Houck at the High School, is a series of four courses available to our students as Science electives. The courses are:
- Principals of Biomedical Science
- Human Body Systems
- Medical Interventions
- Biomedical Innovations
This week, 13 students were presented with the White Coats! Although the title of doctor does not come along with this particular coat, it still holds the same prestige, the same recognition of hard work, and the same pledge to care for and help others. You are looking at the next generation of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, geneticists, ultrasound technologists, and more.
The following students received their White Coats:
Emily Bookhamer, Xander Boyer, Haylee Cooke-Jackson, Kaelyn Davies, Sarah Grubic, Justin Ket, Nomey Khan, Abigail Munufie, Kamrin Royer, Sierra Shupp, Addison Skimski, Angel Taveras, and Connor Whitesel.
What's in an Owl Pellet?
Ms. Tracey Elder's Fall Biology classes at the High School dissected an owl pellet to identify what types of species Barn Owls eat to enhance their learning in a lesson on Ecology. What is an owl pellet you might ask. Owls generally swallow their prey whole but are unable to digest certain parts such as bones, teeth, and fur. The owl’s gizzard packs the undigested parts into a ball called a “pellet” that they spit, or cast, back up. Owls generally cast about two pellets a day.
Valentine's Day is Fast Approaching!
National Jr. Honor Society (NJHS) members at the Middle School created Valentine’s Day cards for students in the ES, TES, and AS classrooms at Trimmer as their January service project.
The following 18 very talented High School artists will be participating in the upcoming YCASE Art Show: Emily Bookhamer, Abigail Cook, Brice Daratany, Kierstyn Fickling, Alayna Gobrecht, Janai Gonzalez Morales, Katherine Huang, Jackson Janasek, Donovan Keller, Alissa Lawson, Gabrielle Long, Jeiliana Lucena, Bella Newcomer, Jylise Paniagua-Torres, Kamrin Royer, Markese Russell-Coll, Brianna Tabasko, and Jaykalisbeth Torres Lebron.
Mark your calendars to enjoy the YCASE Gallery Walk where you can walk around downtown York to see all the art work submitted by students from around the county. The best date to attend is February 2nd for the YCASE First Friday Kickoff from 5:00-9:00 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 the Kickoff night at Marketview Arts in Gallery Hall at 37 W Philadelphia St. From February 4th - 11th, The Grotto Company Center is open for viewing Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
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.
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!
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.
Upcoming Dental and Physical Exams
An Important Reminder from our School Nurses
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:
- 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.
SATURDAY - 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.
JANUARY 24, 2024
9th/10th Grade:
Shelby Stough
For helping another student with everything!
11th/12th Grade:
Jaxon Neiman
For helping to hang up posters!
Faculty/Staff:
Ms. Karen Backus
For being a leader, and for distributing calculators for our department!
January/February Important Dates
- 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, 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.
LAST DAY AT LOWEST PRICES!
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 . . .
Sunday, March 3, 2024 @ 2:00
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