Zephyr Zipline
January 2026

Remote Learning Days: What You Need To Know
Starting in 2026, WCSD will implement Remote Learning Days on regularly scheduled days where schools are unexpectedly closed (e.g., due to inclement weather). Below are the general expectations for Remote Learning Days.
What to Expect on a Remote Learning Day:
- Instruction is Asynchronous: There will be no live instruction (teachers will not hold live Google Meet sessions). Students will have assignments to complete throughout the day.
- No Make-Up Day Required: Remote Learning Days are counted as regular school days and are not required to be made up at the end of the school year.
- Staff Availability: All school staff, including teachers, counselors, nurses, and computer technicians, will be available to support students and families via email during the regularly scheduled school day. Staff are expected to respond to emails within 60 minutes.
Opt In for SchoolMessenger Text Messages
WCSD has begun the process of using SchoolMessenger as our new mass communication platform. In order to receive text message notifications you MUST OPT IN to the service. Don't miss important updates. Text "Y" or "YES" to 67587 to OPT IN TODAY!
Exciting WCSD Website Updates! Enhanced Accessibility & New AI Assistant
WCSD is thrilled to announce two major updates to our website, designed to make your experience smoother, more helpful, and more inclusive!
New Accessibility Tools
Look for the Accessibility button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive set of tools that enable you to customize the interface to meet your specific needs. This helps us ensure our digital content is more accessible and usable for everyone. With just a click, you can adjust settings like contrast, text size, and navigation to create a comfortable browsing experience.
Meet Zephy, Our New AI Chatbot
Also in the lower right-hand corner, you'll find Zephy, our new AI-powered chatbot! Zephy is designed to provide you with instant support and answers to common questions, helping you quickly find the information you need on our site. Think of Zephy as your 24/7 digital guide, ready to point you in the right direction and make your navigation seamless.
We're committed to continually improving your experience. Give these new features a try today!
Introducing: Profile of a Zephyr
The Profile of a Zephyr is a graduate profile developed by the Whitehall-Coplay School District that outlines the ten essential traits every student is expected to possess by graduation. These ten traits—adaptable, collaborative, communicative, confident, creative, critical thinker, empathetic, leader, responsible, and problem solver—were chosen to ensure students are prepared for life beyond the classroom. The profile is named after the district's mascot, the Zephyr, which represents a gentle, west wind, symbolizing forward movement and change.
The creation of the Profile of a Zephyr was a community-wide effort. The district's steering committee conducted a comprehensive survey of students, staff, families, and local community businesses and stakeholders. This broad outreach was designed to identify the skills and mindsets that the community collectively values and believes are crucial for success in the 21st century. The feedback was analyzed to pinpoint the ten most frequently cited traits, which were then officially adopted as the core components of the profile. This inclusive process ensured the profile reflects the shared aspirations of the entire community, not just the school administration.
The Whitehall-Coplay School District uses the Profile of a Zephyr to create a unified and consistent educational experience across all grade levels and buildings. We intentionally weave these ten traits into the academic curriculum, social-emotional learning programs, and school-wide positive behavior initiatives to build a common language and set of expectations from kindergarten through 12th grade. This integration helps students become familiar with the traits over time, fostering a cohesive and continuous learning environment. The profile serves as a guiding framework for all educational decisions, from curriculum development to professional development for teachers, ensuring that all efforts are aligned toward the goal of producing graduates who embody these characteristics. Ultimately, we are equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, enabling them to succeed not only in college or a career but also as active, engaged citizens.
Profile of a Zephyr Spotlight: Gockley Elementary School
Incorporating the ten traits of the Profile of a Zephyr is foundational to each building in the Whitehall-Coplay School District. Each month, we will highlight a specific trait and how students throughout the district are exemplifying what it takes to be a successful Zephyr.
We C.A.N. be CONFIDENT!
Mrs. Legath’s, Mrs. Marth’s and Mrs. Kanusky’s Kindergarten classes were CONFIDENT when they participated in reading the morning announcements all December long. The students read jokes, and shared important information for a positive start to our mornings. Public speaking is a great way to show confidence, and we are so proud of our youngest Zephyrs who are practicing this important trait of successful learners!
Zephyr Zoom In: Whitehall High School
Here at Whitehall-Coplay School District, our classrooms are buzzing with energy as students take on hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and creative challenges. From STEM experiments to artistic endeavors, the spirit of "We Are Zephyrs" shines through in every lesson, reflecting our pride and commitment to excellence.
At Whitehall High School, Science teacher Ms. Hailey Arnold is redefining the classroom experience by prioritizing real-life learning opportunities for her Zoology students. She recently hosted an interactive session with live raptors, exposing students to wildlife biology in a way that standard lessons cannot replicate. Ms. Arnold emphasizes the importance of collaborating with science professionals to show students the practical applications of their studies. Her dedication to creating these engaging, in-person moments ensures that Whitehall students are constantly inspired by the world around them. It is just one of the many ways Ms. Arnold goes above and beyond to bring science to life.
WCSD Staff Shout-Out
In this section, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible educators of Whitehall-Coplay, as nominated by 12th grade students whose lives they've impacted. These teachers have gone above and beyond to inspire, support, and make a lasting impact, embodying the true spirit of "We Are Zephyrs".
Michelle Lopez & Mr. Flamisch
How has this faculty/staff member contributed to your personal growth or academic journey?
I struggled in math a bit through highschool, but Mr. Flamisch was positive and encouraging and made sure I never fell behind in his class and took time to make sure I thoroughly understood his lessons.
What do you appreciate most about this faculty/staff member?
His patience.
Nylah Hicks & Mr. Cunningham
How has this faculty/staff member contributed to your personal growth or academic journey?
He showed me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and believing in myself. Whenever I struggled, he pushed me to keep trying and never give up.
What do you appreciate most about this faculty/staff member?
I really appreciate how Mr. Cunningham believes in his students and pushes us to do our best. He’s patient, understanding, and always willing to help when we’re struggling. His support has made me more confident in myself and my learning.
Rolling Up Sleeves, Changing Lives: WHS Leo Club Supports Local Blood Bank
On December 12th, the WHS Leo Club ran a blood drive in the High School auxiliary gym with Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Whitehall students filled all of the available time slots for the day. Students who donate four times or more throughout their high school career earn a red cord to wear at graduation. The Leo Club will sponsoring another blood drive in Spring on April 17th.
Zephyr Express Delivers Holiday Cheer to WCSD Students
The 3rd annual Zephyr Express Holiday Event took place in December. Staff members nominate students who are deserving of some extra cheer for the holidays. Students are then paired up with a law enforcement officer to enjoy a day of shopping for their families, a luncheon, gift wrapping and holiday themed activities. This event is made possible through generous donations made by businesses, organizations and individuals in our community. In addition, many organizations come together for the day volunteering their time to make this event a success. Fostering meaningful relationships between the students, local law enforcement and community is the goal of this event and can be seen on the faces of all involved.
WHS Coders Take Bronze at DeSales Code Jam
Huge congratulations to the Whitehall Coders for their outstanding performance at the recent Code Jam Competition. Our talented team—Vihaan, Cindy, Landon, and Van—delivered an impressive showing, securing 3rd place out of 18 competing teams. We are incredibly proud of this crew’s hard work and technical skill.
Whitehall Wednesday
Every Wednesday, students and staff across all Whitehall schools, from kindergarten to 12th grade, come together to celebrate Whitehall Wednesday! On this special day, everyone is encouraged to wear their Whitehall gear—whether it’s a T-shirt, hoodie, or hat—to show their school spirit.
Whitehall Wednesday is more than just wearing school colors; it’s about fostering unity and pride. From our youngest learners to our seniors, this weekly tradition helps build a strong sense of community across all grades.
So don’t forget—every Wednesday, wear your Whitehall gear and join the fun!
WCSD on Social Media
Did you know that each of the buildings at Whitehall-Coplay School District has their own social media accounts? Check out how each building is telling their #WeAreZephyrs story!
School Closure Procedures
As we enter the winter months, please be prepared for early dismissals, delays, and closings related to weather. The following possible scenarios could occur:
Early Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from school based on predicted weather that will impact safe transportation.
Dismissal times will vary.
PM LCTI will be canceled.
Two-Hour Delay
Bus pickups and school start times will occur two hours later than the regularly scheduled times.
AM LCTI - Students in need of transportation should plan on taking district transportation to school and report to the Auditorium until their afternoon classes begin. Students that provide their own transportation should arrive at school no later than 11:35 for their afternoon classes.
Schools Closed - No Instruction
Schools and buildings will be closed.
Students are not expected to complete work.
The school day may need to be made up.
The District will utilize the mass notification system, social media, and WFMZ to report early dismissals, delays, and closings. Decisions will be made as soon as possible based on each scenario.
If you have any questions, please contact your building administration.
**NEW** District Parking Restrictions
Effective immediately, parking on grass areas around campus is prohibited. Please park in authorized parking areas making sure to follow all posted signage. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus well maintained and safe.
UPDATED Elementary Arrival/Dismissal Traffic Pattern for 25-26 School Year
In an ongoing effort to create traffic patterns that maintain safety and efficiency within the Whitehall-Coplay School District campus, the following update took effect on Monday, August 25, 2025 for Elementary arrival and dismissal.
- Parents with their youngest child in Gockley, should enter from Mechanicsville Rd. and join the queue.
- Parents with their youngest child at either Steckel or Zephyr should enter at MacArthur Rd. or the Campus Dr. entrances off of Schadt Ave. or Mechanicsville Rd.
- Cars will no longer be allowed to turn from Zephyr Blvd. onto Whitehall Way. (See campus maps)
- Our School Resource Officers and local police will monitor traffic in person and through cameras.
Thank you for your assistance in making our campus a safer place for all.
Important Traffic Information
Absence Excuse Forms
Parent/guardian should navigate to PowerSchool to report an absence through SafeArrival.
Directions:
On the PowerSchool Mobile App
1.Log in to your parent portal
2. Choose Menu-SafeArrival
3. Report an absence
On desktop
1. Log in to your parent portal
2. Navigate to MyPowerHUb on the left-hand side
3.Choose Attendance-Safe Arrival Attendance
4.Report an absence
SafeArrival should be used for planned absences and unplanned absences. Lates and early departures should be reported directly to your child’s school.
What's Cooking? Meal Menus
Student Handbook
Dates to Know
January
1-2 Winter Break (No School for Students)
14 PD Early Dismissal (Lunches will be Served)
19 Martin Luther King Holiday (Schools Closed)
February
13-16 President's Holiday (Schools Closed)
March
2 Professional Development Day (No School for Students)
20 No School for Students
'25-'26 School Year Calendar
Who to Contact?
Need to get in touch with school personnel? The link below provides all the information you need on who to contact and how to reach them. Click the button below to find the right person to assist you!
PTO Information
WHITEHALL-COPLAY
PTO PLUS
Everything we do comes from the heart!
Volunteer and be a part of these fun events!
- Children's Day
- Holiday Shoppers Shop
- Field Day
- Book Fair
- Valentine Sales
Email volunteerswcpto@gmail.com to be informed of our volunteer opportunities or with questions on clearances.
All volunteers must have clearances and a TB test at this time.
Clearances and the TB test are free for volunteers!
Title 1 Parent Newsletter
Please click this link to view the monthly Title 1 Parent Newsletter.
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Newsletter
Did you know that Lehigh Career & Technical Institute shares a monthly newsletter highlighting its programs and offerings? Check it out - https://bit.ly/lctinews
Meet the Human Resources Administration
Dr. Sherry Holub, Director of Personnel
Working for Whitehall Coplay School District has been a pleasure. My career in education has spanned 27 years and 5 school districts. Teaching experience includes secondary Social Studies and various college-level courses. The past 19 years have been in administration. I served as an Assistant Principal in the Nazareth School District for 12 years in grades 4-12. My journey as a Principal began at Bangor Middle School and continued here at WCMS.
Delaware Valley University granted me a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2017 with dissertation work in the area of Mathematics assessment. I earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2006. Kutztown University conferred a Master’s in Education in Social Studies in 1998, along with a teaching certificate. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Law and Business Administration from Temple University in 1991. My first career was as a Parole Officer in Lehigh County for 8 years.
My educational experiences have allowed me to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. My educational philosophy is based on an uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment. In January 2025, I transitioned to Director of Personnel, allowing me to leverage my broad experience in law and education to support the District.
Meet the Business Department Administration
J. Michael Malay, Jr., CPA Business Manager
My career began with a passion for numbers, leading me to earn an accounting degree from Penn State University and my CPA license. Following twelve years of diverse experience in public and private accounting, I found my true calling in school district finance.
As the leader of the Whitehall-Coplay Business Office, I am privileged to manage a dedicated team of six individuals committed to precision and operational integrity. My responsibilities span the district’s complex financial landscape, including bond financing, budget development, financial reporting, and audit coordination. I also oversee payroll operations, grant management, and contract negotiations to ensure our resources directly benefit our students and staff. I am honored to serve on the WCSD administrative team and proud to be a Zephyr.
Samuel Achonu, Assistant Business Manager for Financial Operations and Payroll
It is a pleasure to be part of the Whitehall-Coplay School District community. I joined the district in 2020 and have been proud of the progress we have achieved together.
I began my professional career in banking in Tunisia, where I worked for one year before relocating to West Africa to serve as a Financial Analyst. Upon returning to the United States, I joined People First Credit Union as a Staff Accountant. After gaining valuable experience in the financial sector, I was pleased to bring my skills to the Whitehall-Coplay School District as an Accountant.
My experience in both corporate and governmental accounting has provided a strong foundation for my recent transition into the role of Assistant Business Manager for Financial Operations and Payroll. In this position, I supervise, coordinate, and evaluate payroll operations while monitoring a wide range of financial data, reports, schedules, and overall general accounting controls.
I look forward to continuing to serve the district and contributing to its ongoing success as we strive for excellence together.
Marsha Rivas, Assistant Business Manager for Financial Operations and Federal Programs
I have worked for the Whitehall-Coplay School District for five years and have been in my current role as Assistant Business Manager for Financial Operations and Federal Programs for almost a year. I consider it a privilege to work alongside my colleagues, especially within the Business Office, and I thoroughly enjoy the challenges and responsibilities this position brings. Specifically, I oversee the management of federal funding and work to ensure our financial operations remain compliant and efficient. I find great fulfillment in navigating the complexities of these programs to ensure our district maximizes its resources for the benefit of our students and staff.
My family moved to Whitehall specifically for the inclusivity of the campus and the
quality education of my children, both of whom are now WCSD graduates. I am grateful
for the opportunity to give back to the District that provided my girls with a great
education.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts from DeSales University. My background is diverse,
including experience operating a non-profit and working with SkillsUSA students at the
five local career and technical schools located in District 11, focusing on teaching
professional development skills. Prior to that, I served as an Assistant Operations
Manager for the County of Lehigh, Solid Waste and Recycling Department, where I
implemented several new programs and managed the PA Department of Environmental
Protection grant process. This mix of municipal government, educational non-profit,
student engagement, and school finance provides a strong, unique background for my
work here at WCSD.
Welcome New Staff
Minerva Marte Torres, Bus Driver, Whitehall-Coplay School District
Christina Cesanek, Paraprofessional, Gockley Elementary School
Sabrina Hussett, Certified School Nurse, Whitehall High School
Meet the New WCSD Staff
Ashley Martins, Spanish Teacher, Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
How many years have you worked in education?
This is my first official full year!
What are your favorite hobbies?
Crocheting, hiking, reading, playing volleyball, running, and doing anything outside and active!
What is your educational background?
Penn State Main Campus - Marketing & Spanish Bachelors, Currently earning Master of Education at DeSales University
I studied abroad in Spain my junior year of college where I volunteered teaching English to 3rd and 6th graders. I also taught ESL classes to adults in the Lehigh Valley. Before switching to teaching, I was a Marketing and Communications professional working in the engineering/construction industry specifically within the pharmaceutical sector - a big change!
Why did you feel that joining the Whitehall-Coplay community was the right choice for you?
I liked the one campus feel, and everyone has been super welcoming!
What aspects of Whitehall-Coplay have impressed you most, so far?
The friendliness of everyone and the ability to learn so many different things with our professional development both impressed me a lot!
Meet the WCSD Staff
Abigail Watson, Music Teacher/Chorus Director, Zephyr Elementary
How many years have you worked at Whitehall-Coplay?
9 down...this is my 10th year of teaching
What are your favorite hobbies?
Cooking, singing, traveling, and reading
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
I love the building staff I work with!
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Don't be afraid to ask for help!!!
WCSD Job Opportunities
- Special Education Teacher [Whitehall High School]
- Security Personnel [Whitehall-Coplay Middle School]
- Nurse Substitute [District Wide]
- Substitute Security [District Wide]
- Substitute Teacher [District Wide]
- Substitute Paraprofessional [District Wide]
- Bus Driver [Transportation]
- Bus Monitor [Transportation]
- Bus Aide Substitute [Transportation]
- Assistant Track and Field Coach [Athletics]
Our Mission
The mission of the Zephyr Pride Foundation is to provide academic, artistic, and athletic scholarship and grant opportunities to students and staff who exemplify qualities in personal excellence, education, leadership, and dedication to their school and community.
First Semester Grant Recipients
The Zephyr Pride Foundation is proud to recognize the staff members who received Classroom Grants in the First Semester of the 2025-2026 school year:
- Jenna Anthony - 3rd Grade - Bloxels
- Lisa Barr, Miranda Dangler, Alex Varghese - WCMS Student Council - Cricut Machine
- Kelly Beltzner - HS Spanish - Books for a Spanish library
- Elizabeth Burnett - HS Family and Consumer Science - Cricut Machine
- Kristen Hood - 2nd Grade - Headphones
- Megan Malpedo - HS Art, Photography Club - Video camera and special effects components
- Morgan Polony - 3rd Grade - portable student desks
The ZPF hopes to award more Classroom Grants in the near future.
Zephyr Athletics Season Passes Now Available!
It's time to cheer on the Zephyrs! Get ready for an amazing 2025 athletic season with our All-Sports Passes!
An All-Sports Pass is the best way to support our Big Z and save money. It gets you into all regular-season home football, basketball, and wrestling events. Choose the pass that's right for you and your family:
- Student All-Sports Pass: Just $18 for our incredible students!
- Adult All-Sports Pass: Join the Zephyr fun for only $63!
- Family All-Sports Pass: For $157, two adults and two students from the same household get in on the action all year long! It's our best value!
Don't miss a minute of the maroon and gold action! Grab your passes today, and let's make this season our loudest yet! All tickets must be purchased online, and anyone aged 5 and under or 65 and over get in for free.
Get the New ScoreVision Fan App
As we gear up for the 2025-2026 athletic schedule, we’re excited to enhance your game-day experience! Stay connected with our events through the new ScoreVision Fan App, seamlessly integrated with our Zephyr Turf, Football Stadium, and Main Gymnasium scoreboards. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or following along from home, the app ensures you don’t miss a moment.