East High School Newsletter
October 28, 2026
Principals Message
Dear East Community,
There are so many wonderful things happening at East! Here is a quick snapshot of our Flames in Action:
Music Department Concerts: The incredible talents of our Music Department were on full display last week. Our Band and Orchestra students delivered outstanding performances, and their hard work as ensembles truly shone through. Tonight, it is time for our Chorus and Chorale to take the stage. Please join us for the Fall Chorus Concert at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
3rd Annual Trunk or Treat: Yesterday’s Trunk or Treat was a huge success. Organized by our National Honor Society and Student Council, with participation from several student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams, it was a fantastic evening. Thank you to all the community members who came out to join in the fun!
Day of Service: Seniors recently participated in a Day of Service, volunteering across 7 different community locations. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to give back locally while earning required service hours toward graduation.
Upcoming Family Conferences: Family Conferences will take place on November 18th and December 3rd. These conferences offer a valuable opportunity to partner with your child’s teachers and support their success in the classroom. Registration for the November 18th conference night is open now through October 30th. Please check your WITS mail for registration details.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!
With East Pride,
Courtney M. Charleson-Smith
Halloween - Kick Off the Food Drive!
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Day of Service, 10/21/26
Maple East
Kevin Guest House
Brothers of Mercy
StrongWILL Food Pantry - Thanksgiving Market
StrongWILL Food Pantry is pleased to host a Thanksgiving Market on Saturday, November 21, from 9:00 AM to Noon in the Mill Middle School cafeteria.
This special event is designed to support local families who could use a little extra help this holiday season. Families will have the opportunity to shop at no cost for Thanksgiving groceries, including a turkey and traditional holiday sides, with items such as boxed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pies, to prepare a holiday meal at home.
Families interested in participating are encouraged to contact their school social worker for more information.
Alumni Association
NYSSMA Area-All State
Congratulations to all of our incredible young musicians at Williamsville East High School!
We had a total of 44 musicians will represent Williamsville in this year's distinguished NYSSMA Area-All State music groups:
16 were selected for the Junior High Area-All State (Grades 7-9)
Students selected: Noah Gammiero-Whou, Leah You, Emiliano Ikonomou-Diaz, Joowon Kim, Zimo Wen, Andrew Yuan, Ellie Zhang, Sreshta Dhumalrao, Zoe Gugler, Mehreen Khan, Rebecca Ojeda, Charles Hu, Aanya Sharma, Ojasvi Jindal, Olivia Chang, and Archer Levin.
28 selected for Senior High Area-All State (Grades 10-12)
Erika Lyu, Mili Krishna, Justin Yu, Abigail Baetzhold, Gianna Cianflone, Julie Li, Gryson Bae, Abigail Gunawan, Benjamin Lliguicota, Emma Zu, Jasmine Barkowski, Shahd Khoury, Sophia Cong, Harold Hinklin, Samar Waddanakeri, Oluwasemilore Akinlua, Franklin Chang, Praveen Karunaratne, Shumi Liu, Sophia Liu, Jessica Park, Snigdha Chakravarti, Muling Lu, Peter Schmude, Ben Watson, and Mihir Gupta.
Alternates: Maya Swaluk and Ovi Sawant.
Congratulations!
Trunk or Treat, 10/27
Williamsville Wall of Fame
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 - Wall of Fame Inductees! These distinguished alumni will be inducted on Friday, November 13th and also have a chance to visit their high schools to speak with students!
Williamsville East High School
Adam Kreutinger Puppeteer, Artistic Designer, and Teacher – Class of 2006
Frances Dixon – Colonel, United States Air Force – Class of 2002
Nicole Blackwell – Administrative Director of Legal Services at Mental Health Advocates of WNY - Class of 2001
Williamsville North High School
Adam Haas – Air Force Officer & Healthcare Transformation Leader - Class of 2005
Dr. Amanda Edwards –Team Sports Psychologist for the Buffalo Sabres – Class of 2002
Victoria Dillon – A Strategic Communications, Media Relations, and Public Affairs Professional – Class of 2001
Williamsville South High School
Stephanie Mulhern Ogorzalek – National and Global Leader on Gender Equality and Women's Rights – Class of 2007
William “Craig” Macy – Deputy Commissioner of the Buffalo Police Department - Class of 1999
Dr. Melissa Milkie – Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto & Professor Emerita, University of Maryland – Class of 1983
Dr. John C. Tangeman – Medical Director, Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo – Class of 1975
WEHS PTSA News & Events
WEHS PTSA NEWS & EVENTS
We're closing out October and welcoming November with plenty of opportunities to celebrate our students, support East traditions, and make a difference in our school community. Here's what's happening!
UNDERCLASS SCHOOL PHOTO RETAKES | NOVEMBER 5TH
- Students needing photo retakes will have another opportunity on Thursday, November 5th.
Red Ribbon Day
RED RIBBON DAY | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH
- Wear red and join East in celebrating healthy choices and a drug-free future!
JOHNNY C'S DINE-TO-DONATE | NOVEMBER 4TH
- Take a night off from cooking! Support East at Johnny C's from 4–8 PM on November 4th.
- Mention "WEHS Post Prom" when ordering online or by phone and 20% of sales will be donated to our Post Prom event!
- Order online at: https://tinyurl.com/JohnnyCsOct2026
FALL FARMERS MARKET | NOVEMBER 2ND–6TH
- Our Fall Farmers Market returns to Student Street next week! Donations and volunteers help make this beloved East tradition possible. We'd love your support!
- Sign Up to volunteer or donate at: https://tinyurl.com/FarmersMarket-Fall26
THANKSGIVING PIES & DESSERTS | ORDER BY NOVEMBER 20TH AT 6 PM
- Make Thanksgiving sweeter while supporting Post Prom 2027! Muscoreil's Gourmet will donate 15% of qualifying orders to our fundraiser.
- Order by November 20th at 6 PM online at muscoreils.com/shop.
- Select Lancaster, November 25th at 2 PM, and include "WEHS Post Prom" in the Order Notes.
- WEHS Pickup: November 25th, 3–6:30 PM, in The Commons.
PTA REFLECTIONS | ENTRIES DUE DECEMBER 11TH
- Calling all student artists! Explore this year's theme, "What My Culture Means to Me," through visual arts, photography, literature, music, dance, or film.
- Learn More & Enter at: https://tinyurl.com/WEHSReflections26-27
OUR SCHOOL STORE NEEDS YOU!
- Even one volunteer shift helps keep the store open for students! No experience necessary.
- Sign Up to Volunteer at: https://tinyurl.com/StoreVols26-27
COMING SOON: PESCI'S PIZZA | NOVEMBER 16TH–22ND
- Enjoy pizza while supporting East! Pesci's will donate 20% of qualifying online orders using promo code WEFlames.
- Order Online at: https://pescispizza.com/
Bottle and Can Drive
Violation of the Cell Phone Policy
Violation of the cell phone policy will result in the the phone being brought to the Main Office, stored and locked away, for the remainder of the school day. After the student's first incident, all subsequent occurrences will need to have a parent pick up their phone. The Main Office will be available until 3:30pm each day for parents who need to pick up their child's cell phone. Phones that are not picked up by the end of the day will remain in school, locked away, until a parent can pick up their phone the next school day.
Join the Williamsville East PTSA
Click Link below to volunteer, join, and show your East High Pride!
https://www.givebacks.com/communication/newsletters/8adc5f6c-fecc-4744-961e-43679a65fe05
