Blue & White Newsletter - 5/30/25

To the proud graduates of West York Area High School, home of the Mighty Bulldogs — congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone!

The Class of 2025 has shown remarkable resilience, leadership, and spirit throughout their time at West York. You've tackled challenges with courage, lifted one another up, and left a legacy of pride and perseverance that will echo through the hallways for years to come.

Whether you’re heading to college, the workforce, the military, or new adventures unknown, know that you carry with you the heart of a Bulldog — strong, determined, and unstoppable.

As you step forward into the world, remember where you came from and the community that will always be cheering you on. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.

Congratulations, Class of 2025 — your future is bright, and it begins now!

In a heartwarming display of tradition and school spirit, the West York Area School District celebrated its beloved Grad Walk on Wednesday, as the Class of 2025 donned their caps and gowns and walked the halls of their former K-8 schools.

The Grad Walk is more than just a symbolic gesture—it’s a full-circle moment. Graduating seniors returned to the buildings where their educational journey first began, greeted by lines of enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff. Cheers rang out, high-fives were exchanged, and handmade posters decorated the hallways as younger Bulldogs looked up in awe at the seniors they hope to become one day.

A particularly special moment took place at Trimmer Elementary School, where the Trimmer Elementary Band performed as graduates walked through the familiar halls. The heartfelt performance added a touch of nostalgia and pride to an already emotional day.

This annual tradition not only celebrates the accomplishments of our graduating class but also serves as an inspiration for the students coming up behind them. It reinforces the sense of unity, continuity, and Bulldog pride that defines the West York community.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Your journey began in these halls, and now you're ready to take the next step.

As the school year comes to a close, we pause to recognize and honor a remarkable group of individuals who have dedicated their careers to shaping minds, inspiring hearts, and building our school community. This year, we bid a fond farewell to our 2025 retirees—each one leaving behind a legacy of excellence, compassion, and commitment.

During the Annual Staff Picnic, the following retirees were honored:

• Daj Shearer, HS Food Services Manager - 35 Yrs at WY
• Linda Green, TRM Health Room Aide - 27 Yrs at WY
• Yvette Ganoe, HS Teacher - 23 Yrs at WY
• Marcia Vaupel, WAL HQ Teacher Aide - 23 Yrs at WY
• Melissa Carl, HS Teacher - 21 Yrs at WY
• Catherine Strathmeyer, HS Teacher - 15 Yrs at WY
• Scott Rutkowski, Food Services Director - 11 Yrs at WY
• Cindy Rose, MS Nurse - 7 Yrs at WY

Retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter—one we hope will be filled with joy, relaxation, and new adventures.

Congratulations to our first group of students who have completed the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science Pathway, having completed all of the following courses:

1. Principles of Biomedical Science
2. Human Body Systems
3. Medical Interventions
4. Biomedical Innovations

PLTW Biomedical Science students have experience with state-of-the-art tools and techniques that are used by professionals in hospitals and labs every day. Students are immersed in activities like practicing suturing and constructing body structures from clay, just to name a few of the many hands-on learning components to this pathway. PLTW Biomedical Science empowers students to build knowledge and skills in biomedical science, as well as in-demand, transportable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Pictured Below - Front L-R: Nomey Khan, Addison Skimski, Xander Boyer, Ms. Kirsty Houck, Sierra Shupp, Ava King, and Emily Bookhamer.

Back L-R: Reagan Hughes, Connor Whitesel, Maddie McGlynn, and Paige Berkheimer.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Memorial Day Parade!

It was a beautiful day to honor and remember those who gave everything for our freedom. From the Mighty Bulldog Marching Band and WY Football teams to the veterans and community groups — your presence made it special.

The West York Area School District’s Music Department closed out its 2024–2025 concert season on a high note with a fantastic performance from the Middle School Band. This final concert of the year marked a joyful and energetic conclusion to a season filled with talent, dedication, and musical growth across all grade levels.

Throughout the spring, audiences were treated to a wide variety of performances from our various instrumental and vocal ensembles. Each group brought their own flair to the stage, showcasing the diverse talents of our student musicians and the strength of our K–12 music program.

At the Middle School concert held on May 21st, students impressed with their command of rhythm, dynamics, and expression — a testament to their hard work and the guidance of their dedicated director, Ms. Laurie Kumontis. The performance was not only a celebration of their musical accomplishments but also a powerful reminder of how the arts enrich our schools and bring our community together. The theme of their song selection was Stevie Wonder songs, such as:

• Cherie Amour and Superstition (MS 6th Grade Band)
• Flute Flight (Leader in Me Select Ensemble)
• Isn't She Lovely and You Are The Sunshine of My Life (MS Jazz Band)
• Overjoyed and Living for the City (MS 7th & 8th Grade Band)

Congratulations to all of our student performers, directors, and families on a successful concert season! The Music Department has much to be proud of — and we can’t wait to see (and hear) what the next year brings.

Manufacturing Enterprise course is the 3rd level wood production class. Students in the class have completed and passed the Introductory Materials Technology course and the 2nd level course, Wood Technologies. The course is run as a business and each student has a role in the company.

The "West York WoodWorks Manufacturing Company" designed, planned, and produced nine geometric art top side tables following the manufacturing process. Each student has an assigned job role in the company, such as production manager, and all students play a vital role in the mass production of the product. Each student was also able to take a side table home at the end of the production run.

Pictured L-R: Konur Wigginton, Jaxon Kohler, Cody Farleman, Zach Wildasin, Mr. Jared Runk, David Altland, Matt Giles, and Carter McClain.

This past winter, strong winds took down the greenhouse at the Trimmer Elementary Garden—and now we need your help to rebuild it!

We’re looking for volunteers to lend a hand. Whether you're a high school student looking for service hours or a Boy Scout Troop working toward a badge, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact (and get your hands a little dirty!).

If you're interested in volunteering your time and effort, please contact Ms. Megan Eckbold and Mr. Glenn Medice at mmeckbold@wyasd.org.

Let’s work together to get the garden growing again!

Three first-grade readers at Wallace Elementary used their literacy skills to read, take notes, and write about an animal. They published their writing on the computer and created a 3-D habitat for their creature!

Three first-grade students recently demonstrated their growing literacy and research skills through an integrated animal study project. Each student selected an animal to research, read age-appropriate nonfiction texts, and took notes to gather key information. Using this information, they published an original informative writing piece on the computer. To accompany their published writing, the students designed and constructed three-dimensional habitat models that accurately reflected their animal's environment. This project showcased their ability to read for information, synthesize ideas, write with purpose, and apply creativity — an impressive achievement for these young learners.

This spring, a group of 7th grade students at the Middle School worked to collect can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, PA. The Ronald McDonald House supports families of children at Hershey Medical Center. The pull tabs are sent for recycling, making them an income source for the organization. Our student committee consisted of Owen Berkheimer, Madison Clauser, Eva Dierking, Ian Grigas, Westin Hoffman, Mason Mansfield, Abigail Mowrey, Luke Overlander, Violet Riley, Sylvia Schott, Megan Smith, and Owen Wright. These students, guided by Ms. Jill Raudensky, Ms. Destinee Winhauer, and Ms. Lisa Konopinski set a challenge to see which middle school team could collect the highest weight of can tabs.

They split the classroom into groups that would each work on a different part of the fundraiser. The advertising group helped make advertisements for the news, made posters and hung them up, and presented the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser to every class in the school. Next, the incentive group helped to make a reward for the team in our school that collected the most tabs. Then, the collection group helped to collect the can tabs in each atrium and they charted and counted the weight of each team’s can tabs.

The groups worked hard to plan a fun reward time during Rise and Lead with activities for students to choose from including flag football, chalk art, card making, and volleyball. Team Lynx was the winner, with a total of 8.5 pounds. Our Middle School collected a grand total of approximately 14 pounds of can tabs! Thank you to everyone who brought in tabs to benefit such a worthy organization.

Ms. Taylor Schlemmer's kindergarten students at Wallace Elementary enjoyed fun activities and a final group photo celebrating their completion of their first year as a West York Bulldog! First grade, here they come!

The last issue of the Blue & White Newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year will be Friday, June 6th. Be sure to like our social media pages to stay abreast of any summer activities/happenings.

Simply click the images below - you don't want to experience FOMO - Fear of Missing Out!

Attention Students! You’re in luck! Want to earn extra cash just for using your First Capital Federal Credit Union account? Now’s your chance! Bulldog Buck$ is an exclusive program just for West York Area High School students! Open a membership at the Bulldog Branch and receive your very own Bulldog Buck$ stamp card. Every time you cash a check or make a deposit of $20.00 or more—whether it’s from your paycheck, cash from mowing your neighbor’s lawn, or birthday money—you’ll get a stamp! Once you fill up your card with 20 stamps, bring it back to us, and we’ll deposit $20.00 directly into your account!

While the Bulldog Branch is now closed for the summer, you can still earn stamps over the summer at any First Capital branch!

Congratulations to all of this year's C.A.R.E. Award winners and

all those who were nominated throughout the year as well!

C.A.R.E. Awards will return in the August 29, 2024 issue.

Stay abreast of the Athletic Department's weekly news with the Bulldog Breakdown, a weekly recap of the prior week's athletic accomplishments and the upcoming sporting events.

Simply click the Bulldog Breakdown bar below to view the latest issue!

JUNE 2025

• Monday, June 2, Snow Make Up Day - Faculty and Staff Only
• Tuesday, June 3, Facilities Committee Meeting (5:30 PM)
• Tuesday, June 3, Ad Hoc Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
• Friday, June 6, Marking Period 4 Report Cards Available In Sapphire
• Tuesday, June 10, Co-Curricular Committee Meeting (5:30 PM)
• Tuesday, June 10, Work Session of the Board (7:00 PM)
• Friday, June 13, District is Closed
• Tuesday, June 17, Board Voting Meeting (6:30 PM)
• Friday, June 20, District Closed
• Friday, June 27, District Closed

JULY 2025

• District is closed each Friday in July
• There are no Board Meetings currently scheduled for the month of July

AUGUST 2025

• Wednesday, August 6, Middle School Open House (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 6:00 - 7:00 PM)
• Tuesday, August 12, Work Session of the Board (7:00 PM)
• Tuesday, August 19, Board Voting Meeting (6:30 PM)
• Wednesday, August 20, First day of school ONLY for grades K, 2, 4, 6, & 9
• Thursday, August 21, ALL students (K-12) attend
• Friday, August 29, Early Dismissal

The content below was in last week's issue but it bears repeating as a reminder or for anyone who may have missed it. If pertinent details of an article are changed, we will pull the article above this section and highlight any changes.

Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year! If you are a West York Area School District resident and your child will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025, we invite you to begin the registration process now. Simply visit the Registration page of our website by clicking the red link bar below. On that page, click on the clipboard icon "Register a Student" to begin the registration process. Once you have completed the online registration, please call Wallace Elementary at 717-764-6869 to schedule your child's kindergarten screening appointment.

We can't wait to start meeting our newest little Bulldogs!

Important information from the West York Athletics Department.

OSS Sports Physicals - Open to all athletes entering Grades 7-12 for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Thursday, July 24, 2025
• WY High School @ 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• No appointment needed
• $15 Cash or check

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Brandon Fuhrman, Athletic Director, via email at bcfuhrman@wyasd.org.

If you are new to West York, you might be saying, "What is a Golden Bulldog Pass?" Exclusively for West York Area School District residents 65 and older, the Golden Bulldog Pass is valid for one admission to all District-sponsored events, including athletic events (excluding playoff events), fine arts events such as concerts, plays, and musicals, and special invitation-only events for senior citizens.

Our annual "Lunch and a Show" is our most popular invitation-only event and seating is limited! So, don't miss out on this and other opportunities! To learn more, please click the Golden Bulldog Pass card to the left.