Wiss Watch: September

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It’s hard to believe we’ve already completed the first month of school! The past five weeks have been filled with learning, laughter, and meaningful connections across our schools. Below you’ll find highlights of learning in action and the many ways our community has come together.

We are especially excited to welcome the many new members of our staff who have quickly become part of our Wiss Nation family. This year’s new staff video highlights 33 of our newest team members as they share their hopes for the year. You can also read about our new district chef. I hope you enjoy celebrating these special moments that showcase the strength and spirit of our district.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mwenyewe Dawan

WSD Superintendent

Wiss Nation is excited to introduce Damian Patterson, who has joined The Nutrition Group team as District Chef. Mr. Patterson is a graduate of The Restaurant School in West Philadelphia and brings a rich variety of culinary experiences to our program. He has worked in fine dining restaurants in Center City, operated with small catering businesses, and collaborated with local and seasonal food trucks—all with the goal of gaining well-rounded experience in different kitchen settings.

Please join us in giving him a warm Wissahickon welcome! We also thank Chef Steve for his years of service to Wiss Nation and wish him well in his next chapter.

Blue Bell Elementary was buzzing with excitement on September 9, as students gathered for a special award assembly they won’t soon forget! The American Heart Association (AHA) and NFL Clubs surprised fifth grader Hanrok Ji with the ultimate prize—tickets to the Super Bowl—after he completed Finn’s Mission as part of the AHA Kids Heart Challenge.

Through the Kids Heart Challenge, students learned about heart and brain health in fun, active ways while also raising money for the AHA. The program was paired with the NFL’s PLAY 60 initiative, which inspires kids to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. After completing Finn’s Mission, Hanrok’s name was entered into a national drawing for Super Bowl tickets—and his name was pulled along with only four other students across the country!

At the assembly, cheers filled the room as Eagles players, Jihaad Campbell and Fred Johnson,

and a cheerleader, presented Hanrok with his prize. Fellow student Peyton SzeX, who also completed Finn’s Mission, was recognized for her achievement as well. The Eagles players stayed to high five or hug every single student at the assembly and take pictures with our staff. It was a day filled with energy, inspiration, and lots of school and Eagles spirit! Read More in this article from The Reporter

Congratulations to our National Merit Scholars! This month, three Wissahickon High School students were recognized as semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program for this year. These seniors were selected based on their score on the PSAT/NMSQT test last fall. Semifinalists from across the country represent less than 1% of the nation’s high school graduating seniors. Congratulations to Josiah Feng, Justin Pak, and Regan Szczepkowicz on this outstanding accomplishment! They now have the opportunity to continue in the competition to be awarded a National Merit Scholarship.

Talk about healthy competition! Wiss Nation came out on top in the food drive challenge against rival Upper Dublin—collecting an incredible 2,139 pounds of food! Paired with UD’s 1,161 pounds, the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard received a total of 3,300 pounds to fight hunger in our community. The WHS football team dropped off the donations!

Congrats to Dianne Krause, WSD Instructional Technology Specialist & Coach! In July, she delivered the Keynote Address at the Keystone Technology Innovators Summit — a gathering of “Keystone Stars” teachers from across PA, learning & leading with innovation in technology.

The BBE community gathered to celebrate the life of beloved kindergarten teacher, Biz Kacher, with a Buddy Bench Dedication. Principal Farlow, Dr. Morin, Ms. Lee and several of Mrs. Kacher’s former students shared fond memories of the dynamic and caring teacher who taught kindergarten at WSD for more than 30 years.

“That’s why this buddy bench is such a perfect way to honor her. This bench will remind us of what Biz stood for: kindness, friendship, and making sure everyone has someone by their side. Every time a child sits here to find a friend, Biz’s spirit of love, laughter, and care will be right here with us,” said Ms. Lee.

The WHS Camerata hosted the 23rd Annual 9/11 Memorial Concert & Vigil—a tradition started in 2002 by Camerata students and Music Director Mr. Conahan. This event offers our community a peaceful, welcoming space to reflect, remember, and honor those we lost, through music, images, and moments of togetherness.

At Wissahickon, academic success is our top priority — and we know strong social, emotional, and behavioral skills are essential to achieving it. Integrated into our rigorous curriculum, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) builds self-awareness, relationships, and decision-making skills that support learning. Through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), expectations are taught, practiced, and celebrated, creating a safe, supportive environment where all students thrive.

In Ms. Duke and Ms. Cucuzza's math classes, students worked on their communication skills by helping a blindfolded classmate put together a puzzle! This activity helped the students learn to give clear directions, listen to one another, and ask clarifying questions.

Mr. MacMinn’s physics students put acceleration to the test using a liquid accelerometer! Their challenge: make it point in specific directions while exploring how acceleration changes velocity. Hands-on learning at its best!

What a heroic day at Shady Grove! For their annual Heroes Day, students honored our amazing police, fire, and EMT professionals by writing heartfelt thank-you notes. They also loved exploring the vehicles, equipment, and meeting Barney the police pup!

BBE celebrated Start with Hello Week by building connections and new friendships! Students kicked things off with Nametag Day + a Mix & Mingle, introducing themselves and sharing fun answers to get to know each other. The week continued with Buddy Classes, where older and younger students team up for activities and friendship-building fun.

Students also celebrated International Dot Day—a global event inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot that encourages creativity, courage, and collaboration. Each student received a certificate for making their mark in the world!

Don’t try this at home! Lower Gwynedd students were amazed by the bike flips and tricks during a BMX Stunt Show by Dialed Action Sports. Students also learned about bike safety and treating others with kindness and respect. Thanks to the Home & School Association for providing this awesome assembly!

To kick off the school year in Environmental Science, Ms. Shahbazi's class created solar system posters. The students learned that knowing our place in the solar system is the first step in studying the environment around us, and working collaboratively is the first step in creating a cooperative classroom for the year.

Students in Mr. Batdorf's Gourmet Foods class at WHS are on a culinary trip around the globe! Their first stops were in Germany, France, and El Salvador. They prepared recipes including German Soft Pretzels, French Crepes, and Salvadoran Pupusas. The pupusa, which they made in time to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, is a very popular hand-held food made with corn flour and a variety of fillings that include cheese, refried beans, and meat.

In recognition of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, Wissahickon High School’s Jewish Student Union hosted a sweet celebration with co-sponsors Mrs. Samantha Stirling and Mr. Todd Brodie, both mathematics teachers. The group invited Ms. Keziah La Torre, Director of Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, to join them for apples and honey—a traditional symbol of hope for a sweet new year. As part of the festivities, Ms. Kara Lehman, English teacher and local bee farmer, gave an engaging lesson on the vital role bees play in honey production and the time-intensive process involved. Her presentation added a meaningful educational layer to the celebration, connecting tradition with science and sustainability.

Ms. Fortescue's 5th grade class at BBE worked on a STEM activity that combined relationship building and pyramid building. The students built structures using index cards, but with a catch --they could only use the index card if they were able to write a commonality they discovered among their group members!

Now in its fifth year, the Secondary Guide Right Mentorship Program continues to positively impact Wissahickon School District. A national initiative of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Guide Right supports youth in academic and career development.

WHS kicked off the year with an introductory meeting led by Anthony Horton and his team, who mentor both high school and middle school students. This year, WHS teacher Shawn Burrell joins the effort, bringing experience as co-director of the Abington-Ambler Guide Right Program.

Mr. Burrell, Principal Dr. Lynne Blair, Assistant Principal Mr. James Brooks, and Ms. La Torre, Director of Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, attended the meeting and shared their connections to the program. The first mentorship session begins October 7.

All Blue Bell students participated in a PBIS lesson on the expectations in the cafeteria led by Assistant Principal Thornton. Students impressed her with their knowledge on how to be safe and responsible at lunch. Third graders even had a thoughtful debate on whether allowing a friend in front of you in line should be allowed. In the end, they decided that although tempting, we should not allow our friends to get in front of others who are patiently waiting!

At a PBIS assembly, Stony Creek students learned about SOAR expectations: being Safe, Open-minded, Accountable, and Respectful in all areas of school. Check out this video of one of SCE's 2nd grade classes learning to be open-minded!

From September 15-October 15, Wiss Nation is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students learn the history, culture, contributions, and influence of Hispanic and Latinx(e) Americans. The WHS Hispanic/Latine Association is celebrating with fun weekly events, including playing Torneo de Lotería, dance lessons and a Hispanic/Latine Quiz Bowl.

All community members are invited to join us for the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 6PM in the WHS Audion. Click the blue “RSVP button” below to RSVP.

This year's inductees include:

• Andrew Bell '01
• Jeffrey Bond '99
• Amy Breen Kunihiro '89
• Maya Chester-Ziv '15
• Michael Hurst '95
• Sue Kanopka '94
• Francis Larkin III '73
• Dr. Abraham Lo '98
• Maryann Slater '78
• Kyle Wilson '85

The school community is invited to learn more about the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) at a meeting on Thursday, October 9, 6-7:30 PM in the Wissahickon Administration Building, 601 Knight Road, Ambler. SEPAC is a parent-led group that partners with the district to:

• Share information and resources about special education
• Provide input on programs and services
• Foster communication between families, staff, and administration
• Support and empower families of students with disabilities

The Wissahickon High School Interact Club is sponsoring a food drive to support WSD families in need of a food basket for Thanksgiving. Last year, we fed 120 Wissahickon families! This year’s goal is to feed 200 families. Students, staff and families in all schools are invited to help support this effort!

Items being collected:

1. 800 boxes of stuffing
2. 400 boxes of mashed potatoes
3. 800 cans of corn
4. 800 cans of green beans
5. 200 cans cranberry sauce
6. 400 boxes of macaroni and cheese
7. "Free turkey” coupons from local grocery stores or grocery store gift cards (Please note: when gifting your coupon, please include your phone number associated with your grocery store. Otherwise, the coupon cannot be redeemed.)

From October 1-November 14, items may be dropped off at the main office of each school.

If you would like to make a financial donation, you can give through the following links (Donations are tax deductible):

1. Venmo @abundantheights
2. PayPal: paypal.me/abundantheights
3. Dine and donate (15% of your tab) at Raising Cane’s on 10/7, 4-8PM and at Panera’s on 10/28, 4-8PM (Montgomeryville locations). Mention Abundant Heights when you order.

DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you can assist with basket deliveries, please reach out to Mr. Derrick Bean by text/phone (484)312-0140. Deliveries will be made on Saturday, November 22.

The Wissahickon School Board invites families, staff, and community members to remain connected and well-informed about school district matters. We encourage your engagement through participation in Board meetings and ongoing dialogue as we work together to ensure transparency, strengthen trust, and support the educational success of all students. Board meetings are held in-person at the District Administration Office and/or virtually via Zoom and YouTube.

The district uses BoardDocs, an online school board management tool, for public meeting agendas and minutes, Board Q&A, and board policies. Other helpful information about School Board operations is also highlighted on our School Board Overview webpage, including three short, animated videos that highlight the School Board’s role and responsibilities and ways for our community to engage with us. We encourage you to watch the videos to learn more.

Three Things to Know about the September 29, 2025 Meeting: Watch Now

1. The Board reviewed a draft of the ongoing priority areas and district goals, which will be voted on at the 10/6 Public Board meeting.
2. The WHS Student Board Representatives provided highlights of school activities and events. The Board Representatives this year include Reed Harris and Isabel Da Costa (Class of '26) and Simrun Mehendiratta and Tatum Morris (Class of '27).
3. The Board Communications Committee provided a recap of the committee meeting, which focused on the 2025 Family Satisfaction Survey Results and communication goals for the school year. The Board Curriculum/Technology Committee also provided a recap of the committee meeting, which focused on the Student Code of Conduct and Federal/State Grant Funding Allocations.

Upcoming Board Meetings

• October 6 at 7PM: Regular Public Meeting
• October 13 at 6PM: Health, Wellness, and Safety Committee
• October 13 at 7PM: Board Educational Equity Oversight Committee Meeting
• October 27 at 7PM: Work Session Board Meeting

Wiss Nation Superintendent Dr. Dawan has a new video series, Wiss Minute with Dr. Dawan, to help keep our community connected and informed. In just 60 seconds, you’ll get the INSIDE SCOOP about district happenings, student celebrations, upcoming events, and other timely topics.

Keep an eye out for new videos on our social media (Facebook and Instagram) and via the YouTube playlist linked below.

Watch our video shorts series "Did You Know?" to learn more about Wiss Nation programs, services, events, activities, resources and more. Our students narrate each video which is 30 seconds or less!

Every Saturday throughout the school year, we share a quick tip to help your pre-schooler learn to love reading! Visit our Tips4Kids webpage linked below and click on the orange bell in the Tips4Kids section to be emailed a helpful tip. Literacy tips are tailored to specific age groups: babies (0-1), toddlers (2-3), and preschoolers (4-5). Children learn the alphabet and letter sounds, expand their vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills. Your child's love for reading begins with you!