January 2023 e-News

We all experience challenges and moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about perseverance and strategies that can be used to work through obstacles. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• January 1-31 - School Director Recognition Month
• January 9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
• January 16 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• January 22 - Lunar New Year
• January 27 - Holocaust Remembrance Day

SCHEDULED REMOTE LEARNING DAY

Friday, January 13
Teachers will provide asynchronous work for students equal to a half day of instruction. Elementary students may complete their work on the Remote Learning Day or anytime over the weekend and submitted at the start of school on Tuesday, January 17. Secondary students must have their work submitted on Friday due to the timing of the end of the marking period/semester and are encouraged to contact their teacher if they have questions or concerns.

SECOND SEMESTER CREDIT RECOVERY AND SAT TEST PREP COURSE DEADLINE

Submit Inquiry Form by Friday, January 13, 3 p.m.

New this school year, students have the opportunity to take select Credit Recovery and/or SAT Test Prep courses during the second semester at no cost to their family. If interested in learning more, please visit our website at https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/CreditRecovery.aspx

NO SCHOOL

Monday, January 16

Monday is a Staff Development Day. District offices will be open.

FIRST DAY OF SECOND SEMESTER
Tuesday, January 17

Students will begin their second semester and third marking period courses on Tuesday, January 17.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Opening Tuesday, January 17
Beginning January 17, the District will be accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have a child who will be five years old before October 1, please check our registration page on January 17, for directions on how to complete their enrollment process online.

SECOND MARKING PERIOD GRADES AVAILABLE FOR GRADES 6-12

Monday, January 30
Report card information for grades 6-12 will be available no later than January 30, in PowerSchool. To view and print grades in the traditional report card style, please click the "Report Cards" tab on the left after logging into the PowerSchool website (not available in the app).

Tuesday, January 17 - Friday, January 20, 5-8 p.m.

Hosted by Cedar Cliff High School

Highland Elementary and Cedar Cliff High School are partnering up to organize a Clothing Swap for all members of our school community. Donations for the swap (clean blankets, clothing, and shoes) are currently being accepted and can be dropped off at either school during school hours.

Wednesday, January 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Administration Center

The District's Special Education Department will be hosting its second Parent Information Session of the school year. During the winter session, parents will be asked to register for one or two breakout sessions. Topics to be covered include AAC Devices, Student Behavior Strategies, Dyslexia and Reading, and Library Resources. Keep an eye on your email for additional information and RSVP details.

Wednesday, January 25, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 25 - Last Day to Donate Items

We are collecting new and gently used teddy bears and stuffed animals for The Hershey Bears Annual Teddy Bear Toss! Items can be donated at all schools until Wednesday, January 25. After the hockey game on Sunday, January 29, the Hershey Bears will distribute your donations to local charities, hospitals, and first responders so they can be given to children who are in stressful situations who could use a little comfort.

Starting Monday, January 30, Hosted by Crossroads Middle School

The Academic Bowl, sponsored by the West Shore Foundation, is designed for students throughout the District in grades four through eight to showcase their general knowledge across a vast spectrum of topics. This year's competitions start on January 30, and will be held at Crossroads Middle School. Click here to view competition brackets and results.

Tuesday, January 31, 6-8:30 p.m.

Red Land High School

District residents are invited to join the Red Land High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to learn more about retirement planning, tips for taxes and FAFSA, identity theft, and more! Kindly reserve your seat by January 26 at bit.ly/RLFBLAWorkshop.

During last month's Board Reorganization Meeting, the Board unanimously voted to re-elect Mr. Brian Guistwhite as Board President and Mr. Chris Kambic as Board Vice President.

To learn more about each of our Board Members, please visit our website at https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/BoardMemberBios.aspx

School Board and Board Committee Meetings are held at the Administration Center and are open to the public.

Committee Meetings

Curriculum - Wednesday, January 4, 4:30 p.m.

Facilities - Wednesday, January 11, 4:30 p.m.

Finance - Thursday, January 12, 4:30 p.m.

Policy - Thursday, January 19, 4:30 p.m.

School Board Meetings

Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 19, 6:30 p.m.

• In Person and Electronic Public Comment Guidelines
• Watch Board Meetings Online - Board meetings are streamed live and archived for viewing after the meeting.
• Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting
  
• Board Minutes - posted after Board approval

In December, Mr. William Delaney joined the staff at Hillside Elementary as its Assistant Principal! Mr. Delaney has been with the District for 18 years, most recently working at New Cumberland Middle School. In his message to Hillside families, Mr. Delaney shared, "I am committed to ensuring that each student attending our school is welcomed, cared for, and supported as they develop confidence as learners and the skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens." We hope you will join us in wishing him well in his new role.

This year, artwork created by Madeline Hodge, Junior at Cedar Cliff High School, is featured on the front of the District's holiday card with a verse written by Kayleigh Hart, Senior at Cedar Cliff High School, appearing on the back. Our talented students made it difficult to select just one winner this year, so we are also recognizing several honorable mentions. To view all receiving honors in this year's Holiday Card Contest, please visit the front page of the District website.

Shout out to all involved in our Holiday Concerts during the month of December. From our elementary schools to high schools, staff and students took the stage and beyond to share their talents with our school community...giving us many reasons to be #WestShoreProud.

Please don't wait until bad weather appears in the forecast to have a plan in place for your children should snow, ice, freezing temperatures, or other inclement weather conditions necessitate a change in our student day. Information about remote Zoom schedules, delay/dismissal procedures, and communication methods can be found on our website.

WE CAN HELP: If you know of a student in need of a winter coat, hat, or gloves, please do not hesitate to contact your child's principal or guidance counselor. We are here to help everyone stay warm and safe this winter.

Looking to start the new year with a new job? West Shore is a great place to work with wonderful benefits, a fun atmosphere, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children. Currently we have a variety of immediate openings, including:

• Middle School English Language Arts Teacher
• Middle School Gifted/Eighth Grade Math or Science Teacher
• High School Special Education Teacher
• Technology Department Network Administrator
• Technology Department Data Integration/Security Specialist
• Certified School Nurse
• School Psychologist
• Speech and Language Clinician
• Building Aides
• Special Education Paraprofessionals
• Food Service Team Members

Our application process is simple and can be done entirely online. For additional information, check out our employment page.

• Electronic Absence Submission - If your child will not be in school for the day due to illness or doctor/dentist appointment, you can submit their absence electronically through PowerSchool.
  

• Volunteer Clearance Policy & Procedures - Adults wishing to volunteer in our schools are required to complete the Volunteer Application Process before being approved to do so.
• Technology Help Center - Contains videos, resources, FAQs, and guides on using SeeSaw, Schoology, PowerSchool, iPads, Chromebooks, and more.
  

• Damage, Loss, Theft of District Technology Devices and Chargers - Information related to device expectations and repair costs.

• Primary (K-2) Math Parent Academy - Games and activities to help your child at home with their math development.

• Care Solace and Other Resources for Mental Health and Well-Being

• District COVID Tracker - Updated weekly to show the total number of cases reported per school.