Wyalusing Area School District

January 2020

Welcome to the next edition of RAM eNews, a product of the Wyalusing Area School District. This publication will be produced quarterly during the school year to keep community stakeholders engaged in our schools.

On December 18th, high school students were able to engage with employers from across the region as part of WVHS Career Day. Students interacted with representatives from 19 different businesses, corporations, and community agencies to gain a perspective about area career opportunities.

As the Wyalusing Area School District expands the exposure opportunities for students in career-related fields, Karen Long, Career Coach stays busy. Thanks to the efforts of Long and school administrators Dr. Deana Patson, Coordinator of Curriculum and Gary Otis, HS Principal as well the School Counselors, Mr. Edwards and Ms. Kirkpatrick, high school students have increased their awareness of career fields.

Of the nearly 200 students who attended the event, survey results showed three areas of concentration as most interesting;

1. STEM Careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

2. Health Science

3. Architecture & Construction

Wyalusing Area School District students began the 2019-20 school year with a greater level of excitement compared to previous school years. The excitement was generated by the charitable donation from the Kenneth and Caroline Taylor Family Foundation which was used to establish a one-to-one technology program for Wyalusing students. The term one-to-one refers to providing each student in a school or a district with their own computing device--one device for every student.

Chromebooks were the educational tool selected because they not only provide access to a wealth of information available on the internet but also enable collaboration, communication, investigation, and engagement in learning in all curriculum areas.

Wyalusing Valley Elementary students in grades 2 through 6 have been provided with a Chromebook and charging cart for in-class curriculum use. Wyalusing Valley Junior-Senior High School students have been provided with a Chromebook for mobility including classroom and at-home use which allows for extending a student’s learning beyond the regular classroom day. Improving access to technology is an important step in incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction into the K-12 curriculum which is a core interest of the donors.

The district is focused on providing teachers with on-going professional development activities that build their knowledge, integration skills, and comfort level in teaching in a one-to-one environment.

We are grateful to The Kenneth and Caroline Taylor Family Foundation for their generous donation that has enabled positive change in the educational opportunities for students in Wyalusing Area School District.

As part of the district's push for Career Readiness, 6th-grade students recently visited the NTCC (Northern Tier Career Center). The NTCC is owed and operated by the 8 member school districts of Bradford and Sullivan Counties.

Each year approximately 50 WVHS students in grades 11 and 12 attend the career center to further develop the skills that prepare them for careers right out of high school. This year, sixth-grade students toured the facility located in Northern Towanda to get a glimpse of the current offerings and to spark some interest in careers that may become a future employment opportunity.

WVHS is proud to announce the beginning of a new mentor program for 7th, 8th, or 9th-grade students who can benefit from a 'Big Horn Buddy'. Mr. Wincek is matching younger students with Juniors or Seniors that are academically strong, extracurricularly involved and willing to be a mentor and a leader.

Currently, there are five teams of students connected that meet once or twice a week. The younger students are growing and some of their success is attributed to the Big Horn Buddy program. Stay tuned to this program as more success stories develop!

Pictured to the right is Mr. Wincek, HS Asst. Principal along with student mentors Colton Miller, Emily Lewis, and Shane Fuhrey.

The 21st Century Learning Grant Program provides students in grade 2 through 8 with support, tutoring, and enrichment after school: Monday - Thursday. Contact Ms. Alicia Kirkpatrick if you're interested in getting your child involved.

Alicia Kirkpatrick

HS Counselor / Site Coordinator- Action After School Program

akirkpatrick@wyalusingrams.com

Email: akirkpatrick@wyalusingrams.com
Website: https://www.wyalusingrams.com/academics/high-school/high-school-guidance
Location: 11450 Wyalusing New Albany Rd, Wyalusing, PA, USA
Phone: 570-746-1600

WVHS Forscht Chapter of the National Honor Society recently inducted 12 new members. Students who have met high academic standards along with meeting criteria associated with Service, Character, and Leadership represent this year's group.

Congratulations to:

Cheyenne Anaya, Madison Armitage, Carina Beebe, Catherine Brown, Mitchell Burke, Emalie Caccia, Logan Carter, Grace Howard, Nikolas Kelly, Ellie Pisula, Clair Reed, Madalyn Valoroso.

Dr. Bottiglieri recently met with Secretary of Education- Pedro Rivera. During the conversation, the secretary highlighted many new mandates that are coming out of Harrisburg and several other items that are on the horizon.

Secretary Rivera spoke about potential changes to the teacher evaluation system, cyber/charter school laws, changes to PLANCON (Planning and Construction Reimbursements), as well as several of the mental health initiatives that are coming forward from the state level, just to name a few of the topics. Secretary Rivera visited Wyalusing back in August of 2017 and provided the opening day welcome address to the staff.

Several legislators from the region met with local superintendents to specifically discuss Cyber School Funding. There are several legislative bills that are being circulated around the chambers in Harrisburg... which one will surface as 'new law' is yet to be determined. However, the issue of cyber school funding and accountability is at the forefront of conversations between Superintendents and Legislators.

Representative Tina Pickett stopped by WVHS to put her touch on a large mural project being sponsored in part by the Wyalusing Area Education Foundation. Representative Picket was extremely impressed by the leadership of our very own Mrs. Shauna Case who serves as the HS Art Teacher.

Nick is a new school board member who has taken the oath of office in December 2019. Nick is a 2000 graduate of Wyalusing and is fiercely loyal to the green and gold. Nick and his wife of 17 years (Kristy) reside on Crow Hill. They are the proud parents of 5 children Taylor 2003, Nick Jr. 2005, Tacoma 2007, McKenzie 2009-2014, and Quinn 2011.

Nick has been employed at P&G for 13 years. Nick and his family are very active in the community and have a heart for service. They are members of Braintrim Baptist Church in Laceyville. Nick enjoys coaching youth sports and has done so for many years. Through sports and service, he has been fortunate enough to play a role in the lives of our youth, both at Wyalusing and surrounding districts, leaving a positive and lasting impression for years to come. In Nick's spare time he enjoys being active in our community, coaching and playing recreational sports, hunting, and fishing, enjoying the outdoors and most importantly spending time with family.

He looks forward to serving all of you on the school board and hopes he can live up to the expectations set by our prior board directors.

Email: nvanderpool@wyalusingrams.com

Abigail joined the Wyalusing team in December of 2019 after serving a school district in the Pocono region. Abigail grew up in a small town and attended Lake-Lehman Area School District. She is a graduate of Keystone College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a specialization in art therapy. She then graduated from Marywood University with a master's degree in School Psychology.

Abigail is passionate about furthering the academic, social, and emotional growth of our students. She brings a vast knowledge base in Response to Intervention programs and believes that all students can benefit from interventions that help improve overall academic abilities. Abigail is also trauma trained to help students learn emotional regulation to be able to access their curriculum successfully. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, outside activities, cooking, and traveling.

Email: abnalbone@wyalusingrams.com
Website: www.wyalusingrams.com
Location: 11450 Wyalusing New Albany Rd, Wyalusing, PA, USA
Phone: 570-746-1600

Mrs. Stephanie (Lordi) Heller has served as WASD Business Manager for the past 6 years. Stephanie is a graduate of Wyalusing and Bloomsburg University. Prior to leading the Business Office at WASD, Stephanie worked as an Accounts Payable Supervisor at Frontier Communications. Stephanie is married to Daniel and together they have two children, Devanie who is currently attending Shippensburg U. and Mitchall is a Sophmore at WVHS.

Recently, as part of the regional business manager organization, Stephanie volunteered several hours at a food bank along with other business managers as they packed items for those in need.

Email: sheller@wyalusingrams.com
Website: www.wyalusingrams.com
Phone: 570-746-1600

Eight of our very own Wyalusing Football Cheerleaders took to one of the biggest stages for an experience of a lifetime on New Year's Day to kick off the New Year.

Lindsay Carter, Daphne Fassett, Kenlie Mignon, Madelynn Muench, Tiffany Newton, Ellie Pisula, Amberlyn Spencer, & Chloe Tewksbury decided to try out in hopes to be selected as an All-American Cheerleader during Wyalusing's Summer Cheer Camp to prepare for the 2019 Football Season. Their determination paid off and they were selected to receive this high honor.

The selection as an All-American Cheerleader allowed them the opportunity to perform at halftime of the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL in which Alabama battled Michigan in front of 60,000 fans.

This experience was not cheap, but thanks to our local community members who supported these girls financially, they were able to fundraise a good portion of the funds needed. The girls are humbled by everyone's generosity and thank all of those responsible for making this dream a reality.

The Wyalusing Valley HS Girls Basketball Team dedicated many hours to fostering relationships with elementary students. Pictured below, student-athletes give back to their school and community. High School students read, tutored, and serve as role models for younger students at WVES.

Ms. Alt's third-grade class was the recipient of $1,000 thanks to big brother Cody Logan. Cody is the older brother of third-grade twins Ayden and Rylie Price and son of WVES teacher, Kenya Price. Cody works for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. J.B. Hunt donated funds towards classroom supplies and gave the students a special treat on a Friday afternoon.

Students were able to also learn a little bit about the career field offered at J.B. Hunt and were treated to snacks, t-shirts, classroom supplies and tours of inside the large truck. Of course, every student took the opportunity to blow the Big Horn as they moved inside the truck.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday- Schools Closed Monday, Jan. 20
  

• Teacher In-Service- Schools Closed Monday, Feb. 3

• WVHS Parent Transition Night- Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6:00 PM- HS Auditorium

Parents of students with special needs are encouraged to attend and learn about transitioning your students from high school to adult life.

Special Guest Speakers: Jeff Pelly, Transition Coordinator from BLaST IU17 and Mayme Carter from the Youth Advocate Program. They will be here to discuss current options for students beyond high school. Refreshments will also be provided. We hope to see you there.

• President's Day- Schools Closed Monday, February 17

• Teacher In-Service- Schools Closed Monday, March 16