Blue & White Newsletter - 8/15/25

The 2025–2026 school year began in true Bulldog style as faculty and staff from across the District came together for our annual District Welcome event on Wednesday. The morning started with a delicious breakfast prepared by our talented Food Services team, whose warm hospitality set the tone for a day of celebration and connection.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Davies and School Board President Mr. Dan Rice shared words of encouragement and inspiration, reflecting on the year ahead and honoring the dedication of our educators and support staff. Dr. Davies shared, "Our district-wide focus for 2025–26 is building on the strides in student achievement we made last year, while maintaining our commitment to Every Student Every Day. It is truly a privilege to work alongside a team so dedicated to helping students thrive. Your commitment, heart, and hard work continue to make an incredible impact."

The morning program also introduced and welcomed faculty and staff members who joined our team throughout last year and over the summer, and recognized those who have reached an incredible milestone—30 years of service to our District.

Two highlights made the morning especially memorable:

• A Grand Musical Welcome: Our Mighty Bulldog Marching Band performed two selections from this year’s program during the assembly, energizing the crowd and setting a celebratory tone.

• Memories That Last a Lifetime: Three heartfelt video clips celebrated the memories made during school years—past and present. Created by a team led by Mr. T.J. Meese, these videos featured interviews with students from various grade levels as well as faculty and staff who have touched student lives. The stories brought smiles, laughter, applause, and even a few happy tears as everyone reflected on the impact of shared experiences and lasting connections.

As mentioned above, we rolled out the red carpet at our District Welcome for three incredible members of our Bulldog Family—Tonia Sallaway, Cindy Ness, and Missy Lamparter—as they celebrated an amazing milestone: 30 years of service in West York!

• Three decades of dedication.
• Three decades of shaping young minds.
• Three decades of making West York stronger, kinder, and prouder.

Their unwavering commitment and the impact they’ve had on generations of students is nothing short of inspiring. We’re honored to call them colleagues, and even prouder to call them friends.

Congratulations, Tonia, Cindy, and Missy!

One of the best parts of our District Welcome was meeting the newest members of the West York Family—some are brand-new to WYASD since August 2024 and some have taken on a new role. We’re thrilled to have each of them on the team!

District Administration

• Kristina Jacoby – Director of Human Resources

• Araby Collins – Assistant Principal, Trimmer Elementary

• Govinda Adhikari – Director of Accounting Services

• Mark Hoffman – Supervisor of Special Education

Business Office

• Nicholas Cirko – Supervisor of Food Service

Food Service

• Kristin Hirt – Food Service Manager, Trimmer Elementary

• Kaylee Dubbs – Food Service Assistant, Lincolnway Elementary

• Catherine Figueroa – Food Service Assistant, High School

• Angela Fowler – Food Service Assistant, Middle School

• Dominga Mata Garcia – Food Service Assistant, High School

• Shandra Pearsall – Food Service Assistant, Lincolnway Elementary

• Michelle Wallace – Food Service Assistant, Wallace Elementary

Buildings & Grounds

• Joel King – Custodial Supervisor

• Larry White – Warehouse Assistant

• Andrew Everett – Plant Operator, Middle School

• Madelyn Gomez – Custodian, High School

• Joanne Rodriguez – Custodian, Middle School

Special Education

• Kristin Titzell – Floating Special Education Long-Term Substitute, Elementary

Wallace Elementary

• Victoria Pletz – Autistic Support Teacher

Lincolnway Elementary

• Felicia Ensminger – Complex Needs Teacher

• Sadie Mikula – 3rd Grade Teacher

• Riley Mulder – Long-Term Substitute, 3rd Grade

• Christina Lipsitz – Learning Support Teacher Aide

• Lindsey Montejo – Autistic Support Teacher Aide

• Jessica Langone – Learning Support Teacher Aide

Trimmer Elementary

• Faith Brenneman – Complex Needs Teacher

• Sophia Bach – Floating Long-Term Substitute, Elementary

• Cassie Goodling – Teacher Aide

• Jennifer VanOrmer – Complex Needs Teacher Aide

• Mi-Yena Clark – Autistic Support Teacher Aide

Middle School

• Lisa Daniels – School Nurse

• Grant Sharp – Complex Needs Teacher

• Shannon McKinney – Building Clerk

• Rafia Imran – Emotional Support Teacher Aide

• Zona Smith – ISS Aide

• James Munyon – Learning Support Teacher Aide

• Kayla Miles – Autistic Support Teacher Aide

High School

• Ryan Anderson – NJROTC Instructor

• Matthew Herman – Floating Long-Term Substitute, Secondary

• MaKayla McKenzie – Building Clerk

• Thomas Thornton – ISS Aide

Welcome aboard, Bulldogs! You bring fresh energy, new ideas, and another reason to be proud of our WYASD team. Let’s make this year unforgettable—together!

(Not all pictured below)

Following our District Welcome on Wednesday morning, our faculty and staff spent the afternoon and all day Thursday and Friday preparing to welcome back our AWESOME WY students! For our faculty and aides, time was spent preparing materials, reflecting over assessments and unpacking new materials. In grade levels and departments, they geared up for strong instruction, examined rosters, and got to know their students on paper before meeting them on them next week! Everyone is preparing for student success and has made final touches on their physical classrooms and beginning-of-the-year lessons!

Bulldogs, we are ready for you!

On August 6th, the hallways at the Middle School and High School came alive with the energy and excitement of students and their families as they attended the annual Open House events. The Open Houses provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to get comfortable with the building before the first day of school, easing nerves and building confidence for the year ahead.

Families explored the campus, located classrooms, and became familiar with the layout of hallways, lockers, and common spaces. Administrators and Guidance Counselors were on hand to share important information about schedules and procedures, and helped address any last-minute concerns.

In addition, many families took advantage of the chance to visit the library, gym, and other key areas of the school. The welcoming atmosphere allowed new students to feel at home quickly and to meet their principals and assistant principals before the academic year officially begins.

By the end of their time at the Open Houses, students left with a better sense of direction, a few less first-day jitters, and the excitement of knowing their school community is ready to support them every step of the way.

Mark your calendars! The dates for school pictures are as follows:

• High School - Wednesday, August 27th
• Middle School - Thursday, August 28th
• Lincolnway Elementary School - Tuesday, September 16th
• Wallace Elementary School - Wednesday, September 17th
• Trimmer Elementary School - Tuesday, September 23rd

Have you checked Sapphire to see who your Homeroom Teacher is? If you are a middle school or high school student, have you checked out your class schedule? It is so exciting to be preparing for a brand new school year!

If you need any assistance with accessing your information in Sapphire, please reach out now to our Tech Department via email at SapphirePortal@wyasd.org.

Our Open Houses are a great way to help ease the transition—whether you’re entering kindergarten, moving to a new elementary building, or joining one of our elementary buildings from another district—we invite all families to attend their school’s Open House:

• Meet building administrators

• Find your classrooms and get familiar with your new surroundings

Wallace Elementary, Lincolnway Elementary, and Trimmer Elementary Schools

Monday, August 18th: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Our Back to School Nights are a great way for families to meet teachers, hear about the year’s curriculum, and learn how we can all work together to support student success.

Back to School Night Dates by School:

• Wallace Elementary: Monday August 25th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

• Lincolnway Elementary: Tuesday, August 26th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

• Trimmer Elementary: Wednesday, August 27th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

• West York Area Middle School: Thursday, August 28th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

• West York Area High School: Wednesday, September 3rd, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

AUGUST 2025

• Monday, August 18, Elementary Open Houses (10:00-11:00 AM, 2:00-3:00 PM, 6:00-7:00 PM)
• Tuesday, August 19, Facilities Committee Meeting (5:30 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 22, ALL students (K-12) attend
• Monday, August 25, Wallace Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
• Tuesday, August 26, Lincolnway Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
• Wednesday, August 27, High School Picture Day
• Wednesday, August 27, Trimmer Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
• Thursday, August 28, Middle School Piciture Day
• Thursday, August 28, Middle School Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
• Friday, August 29, Early Dismissal

SEPTEMBER 2025

• Monday, September 1, Labor Day Holiday - District Closed
• Wednesday, September 3, High School Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
• Tuesday, September 9, EPC (Educational Programming Committee) Meeting (5:30 PM)
• Tuesday, September 9, Work Session of the Board (7:00 PM)
• Friday, September 12, Early Dismissal
• Tuesday, September 16, Cocurricular Committee Meeting (5:30 PM)
• Tuesday, September 16, Board Voting Meeting (6:30 PM)
• Thursday, September 25, Wellness Committee Meeting (3:15 PM)
• Friday, September 26, Early Dismissal

At the November 19th Board Meeting, the 2025-2026 District Calendar was approved and you can access it from our website by clicking the bar below.

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 by simply visiting the Registration page of our website by clicking the Register a Student image to the right. Once there, 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.

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