November 2026 e-News

We look forward to focusing on Gratitude this month! One way to think about Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and our happiness. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• NOVEMBER - Career Development Month, Military Family Appreciation Month, and Native American Heritage Month
• November 8 - STEM/STEAM Day
• November 9-13 - School Psychologist Appreciation Week
• November 11 - Veterans Day
• November 15-21 - Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Friday, November 20)
• November 16-20 - American Education Week
• November 19 - Children's Grief Awareness Day. Please wear blue to show your support for the needs of grieving children.
• November 20 - Substitute Educator Appreciation Day

While November is a time beginning the 'traditional' holiday season, we also set aside time to honor veterans and the military family. During Military Family Appreciation Month, we thank families for the enormous contribution they make in support of our service members and the nation. Military life imposes unique demands on them, and we are supportive of their dedication to every member of the District and the nation as a whole.

Monday, November 16

Report card information for grades 7-12 will be available no later than November 16, 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). Parents, if you need to set up a PowerSchool account, please contact your child's school.

Tuesday, November 17
5:30 p.m. at the Administration Center

Friday, November 20

Wednesday, November 25 through Monday, November 30

Parent Conferences and professional development November 25.

District offices will be closed November 26-29.
There will be no school Monday, November 30 for professional development.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 1, Cycle Day 3.

Wednesday, November 4 and Thursday, November 5, 5-7 p.m., Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center

This is a great way for students in grades 7-11 to learn more about the Human Services, Arts & Technology, Health Services, Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation programs offered at Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center (CPACTC). Click here for additional information.

The Ready for School, Ready to Succeed program helps children ages 3–5 (and their families) get ready for kindergarten and on track to read proficiently by 3rd grade. Families can attend FREE in-person workshops, available to ALL families. November workshops will be held at the Simpson Library Book Sale Center in Mechanicsburg and Rossmoyne Elementary School. Registration is required. Click here for details.

Thursday, November 19
We invite students, staff, and families to wear blue for Children’s Grief Awareness Day, a national reminder that many children and teens experience grief that may not always be visible. By wearing blue, we can show compassion, raise awareness, and remind those who are grieving that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

Friday, November 20
To show solidarity with children experiencing homelessness, West Shore students and staff are encouraged to WEAR RED on Friday, November 20. If you suspect a student may be homeless, please notify your building administration, school counselor, social worker, or a direct supervisor so we can help.

December 9
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Administration Center, 507 Fishing Creek Rd., Lewisberry, PA

Please join us in a community event designed to showcase handmade items created by our students in the District’s special education intermediate, middle, and high school buildings. You will see the talents, creativity, and hard work of our students through various handmade items.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and we’re inviting West Shore students to help us celebrate! All students are encouraged to submit their original artwork and/or writing for a chance to be featured on the District’s official 2026 holiday card.

The excitement doesn’t stop there! Selected winners will receive a $50 gift card to the location of their choice, a set of printed holiday cards featuring their work, and special recognition by the School Board at its December 10 meeting.

Whether you love to draw, paint, write, or create, this is your chance to share your creativity with the entire West Shore community. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Families and staff received an email on October 29 with contest details, participation guidelines, and submission information, or visit the District website.

Thursday, November 5 - Sunday, November 8

Presented by Cedar Cliff High School

Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with theatrical magic on the stage. Thursday, Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for students and $10 for adults and all tickets purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance online.

Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14

Held at Crossroads Middle School
Dive into an underwater adventure as Old Trail Intermediate School presents Finding Nemo, Jr., based on the beloved Disney/Pixar film. Follow Marlin and Nemo on an unforgettable journey across the ocean, brought to life through music, storytelling, and plenty of theatrical fun. Both performances will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are general admission by donation, and concessions will be available for purchase.

Friday, November 20 - Sunday, November 22

Presented by Red Land High School

Our talented students are bringing this classic Broadway musical to life, full of colorful characters and show-stopping performances. Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults and all tickets purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance online.

Stories of Our Why is a video series that celebrates the voices and journeys of our students. Each episode features student speakers from Cedar Cliff or Red Land High School who have shared their stories at Board of School Directors, giving us a firsthand look at their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments.

In this episode, meet Cedar Cliff High School graduate Lincoln Govelovich, Class of 2026. Lincoln knew he wanted to learn by doing, and his drive led him to earn his EMT certification and pursue hands-on opportunities with Lower Allen Township EMS before graduation. With support from the District and its community partners, he turned his interest in emergency medicine into a meaningful way to serve others. Today, Lincoln continues working as an EMT while pursuing his goal of attending nursing school.

The West Shore School District is proud to share that Allen Middle School, Crossroads Middle School, and Red Mill Elementary School have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as 2027 Best Elementary and Middle Schools.

This distinction places all three schools among the top 40% of public schools in Pennsylvania based on student achievement and performance data in previous years. While the information used for the rankings was collected before Fairview’s transition to an intermediate school, the honor reflects the outstanding efforts of its students, staff, and families at that time.

For more information, click here.

Each month of the school year, District administrators nominate outstanding employees who go above and beyond in their day-to-day and honor them with a special Admin Council Recognition certificate. Congratulations to our amazing staff members recognized by the Administrative Council this October! These individuals exemplify leadership, creativity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to supporting our students, staff, and families. We are so thankful for all they do to make West Shore a great place to learn and work. Click here to view the list of recipients and help us celebrate this month’s honorees!

Both Red Land and Cedar Cliff High Schools held college, career, and more fairs during the month of October. Between the two fairs, students in grades 8-11 explored future opportunities through engaging sessions with colleges, technical institutions, military representatives, and local career professionals. Thank you to everyone who participated in Cedar Cliff's and Red Land's (image above) fairs to ensure all students had a meaningful, important experience!

West Shore School District and its transportation partner, Rohrer Bus, joined forces during National School Bus Safety Week (October 19-23) to help raise awareness about the importance of keeping students safe on the road. FOX43 visited West Shore to speak with transportation professionals about the responsibilities of school bus drivers, the technology helping protect students and the shared responsibility of motorists.

The feature highlighted perspectives from Rohrer Bus Supervisor Kegan Pontius and Recruiter Kesha Maury, along with West Shore’s Director of Transportation, Wendy Rupp. Together, they offered a closer look at the training, attention and personal commitment that go into transporting students safely each day.

The collaboration provided an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who play an important role in students' daily journeys and reinforce an important reminder: keeping children safe around school buses takes all of us. Watch the FOX43 feature: What bus drivers want you to know about keeping kids safe

Cedar Cliff High School Homecoming Court
Congratulations to Cedar Cliff High School seniors Caitlyn Beaden and Justin Eden for being crowned Homecoming Queen and King on October 2, 2026! (For those seeking Red Land High School's Homecoming Court, please see the October 2026 newsletter.)

All meetings are held at the Administration Center and are open to the public.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Curriculum - Thursday, November 5, 4:30 p.m.

Health & Safety - Wednesday, November 11, 4:30 p.m.

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

Policy - Wednesday, November 18, 4:30 p.m.

Facilities - Thursday, November 19, 4:30 p.m.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

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

Thursday, November 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

The West Shore School District Natatorium is now closed as renovations begin on the facility.

The Board of School Directors approved bids for the project at its meeting held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, marking the start of a major renovation project expected to take approximately 12 months. The total of all bids including alternates was $8,394,400. The District anticipates reopening the facility in October 2027.

The renovations will support the continued use of the Natatorium for District programs and help preserve this important resource for students and the community.

The Natatorium will remain closed to outside users throughout the renovation process. Additional updates will be shared as the project progresses. For more information, you may visit https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/Agendas.aspx to search through previous meeting agendas where the project has been discussed.

A Note from Student Services

October was Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can affect a child’s well-being, relationships and ability to learn. Student Services is sharing this resource from the Center for Safe Schools to help parents and guardians recognize bullying, understand how to respond, and support children who may be experiencing or witnessing it. The resource also includes helpful guidance for addressing cyberbullying and bullying behaviors. For more information for parents/guardians, visit What Every Parent Should Know About Bullying from the Center for Safe Schools.

We realize many of our families utilize Medicaid and wanted to pass on some information about renewing your benefits (something that must be done each year). To find your renewal date, visit dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or use the free myCOMPASS PA mobile app. If you want to renew by phone, call 1-866-550-4355. If interested, additional information can be found below from Highmark.

If you are struggling with costs and believe you and your family may be eligible for free and reduced lunches, please complete the application form for assistance. Calls are going out for those who currently have outstanding negative meal balances. The District Food Service team is able to assist or answer questions regarding free and reduced meals. Please click here for more information.

A Message from Our Partners at Care Solace

November is National Gratitude Month, a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the strength, care, and resilience within our community.

Gratitude plays a vital role in our collective mental health. Behind every thriving student and healthy community is a network of dedicated counselors, leaders, families, and supporters working together to hold space for one another. While expressing thanks helps boost well-being, we also know that true support means ensuring everyone has easy, seamless access to mental health resources when life gets overwhelming.

🎨 Practice Gratitude at Home & School

To help encourage gratitude and well-being this month, we invite you to download a Gratitude Activity Packet! It includes a printable coloring sheet and simple, engaging activities designed for both youth and adults to practice gratitude together. Download Your Free Gratitude Activity Packet Here. You may find additional information regarding Care Solace in the "Useful Links" section below.

West Shore School District has partnered with Cartwheel, a virtual mental health provider, to expand access to timely, convenient mental health support for students and families. Through this partnership, students and families can connect directly with licensed professionals for individual teletherapy, family therapy, parent and caregiver guidance, and psychiatric support when appropriate. Cartwheel also offers specialized Care Programs to address challenges such as school avoidance, screen time and social media, intense emotions, and behavioral concerns.

Cartwheel is an additional resource available to West Shore families and complements the District's existing partnership with Care Solace. While Care Solace helps individuals navigate the mental health care system and connect with appropriate providers and community resources, Cartwheel offers direct virtual clinical services, including therapy and family support. Families can use either resource depending on their needs.

Appointments through Cartwheel are virtual, scheduling is flexible, and services are available in multiple languages. Students with Medicaid can access care at no cost, and most private insurance plans are also accepted. Getting started is simple. Families interested in learning more or accessing support can complete Cartwheel's brief interest form. A member of the Cartwheel team will follow up to discuss next steps.

Learn more and get started: Visit West Shore School District's Cartwheel page

• Annual Notices - Numerous federal laws require school districts to provide students, parents, and/or the public with notices.

• Care Solace - Care Solace assists individuals find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their services may be accessed by students, staff and their families at no cost to you, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, and in 200+ languages. To utilize Care Solace, call 1-888-515-0595 or visit www.caresolace.com/westshore.

• Employment Opportunities - We have a variety of open positions perfect for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers interested in working a schedule similar to our students.
• Transportation Exception Request - May be used to request a bus stop different from the assigned stop associated with the child’s residence provided the alternative stop is in the same school attendance area as the child’s school.
  
• Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Information - Families who may qualify are encouraged to apply for free or low cost meals this school year.
  
• 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.