Blue & White Newsletter - 10/30/26

You may have noticed that you didn’t receive a text message with today’s Blue & White. Moving forward, the District will be limiting text messages and phone calls to emergencies and other important, time-sensitive information.

Because these messages will be reserved for information that requires your attention, it is especially important that families read District text messages and listen to phone calls when they are received. These communications may include safety information, weather-related schedule changes, delays, closures, or other updates families need to know promptly.

Routine updates, reminders, and newsletters will continue to be shared through our regular communication channels.

On Thursday, October 22, West York families gathered at the High School for the annual Trunk or Treat celebration.

The parking lot was filled with decorated trunks, creative costumes, and plenty of treats as children made their way from car to car. Families, staff, volunteers, and members of the National Honor Society all helped create a fun and welcoming evening for the community.

Thank you to everyone who decorated a trunk, volunteered, or came out to enjoy the event. It was a great night of Halloween fun and Bulldog community spirit!

On Friday, October 23, West York Area High School hosted its annual Career Expo, giving students the chance to explore career paths, hear from professionals, and learn more about opportunities beyond high school.

As part of the event, current seniors participated in a career panel featuring West York alumni Corey Dillinger, Jason McSherry, Daniel Myers, and Sheri Schlemmer, who shared their experiences and advice. Several seniors are pictured with the alumni panelists.

Following the Expo, the District held a meeting of its Chapter 339 K–12 Guidance Advisory Council, which brings together students, families, educators, business leaders, and community partners to help guide career readiness and school counseling efforts across the District.

Thank you to all of the professionals and community members who helped make the day meaningful for our students.

West York Area Middle School needs volunteers for Junior Achievement’s YES! program on Thursday, November 5, from 7:15–10:40 a.m.

All 647 students in grades 6–8 will participate in activities focused on career and financial decision-making. Volunteers will lead the same activity four times with small groups of students, and no prior experience or school clearances are required. Junior Achievement will provide training and materials, and a light breakfast will be available.

We still need at least seven volunteers to make the event possible.

Sign up to volunteer here or contact Shannon Baker at Sbaker@jascpa.org.

Third-grade students from Lincolnway Elementary recently took a field trip to Byrnes Health Education in York, where they participated in interactive learning focused on health, wellness, and making healthy choices.

Byrnes offers K–12 programs that are health- and science-based, prevention-oriented, and designed to make learning engaging for students. Its programs help students build knowledge they can use to make healthy decisions now and in the future.

It was a fun and educational day outside the classroom for our third graders!

Students at Trimmer Elementary are finding meaningful ways to support others through service and compassion.

In recognition of National Make a Difference Day, Trimmer is holding a schoolwide collection drive for the WYASD Bulldog Pantry from October 26 through November 6. Trimmer’s Guardian Bulldogs helped promote the drive in classrooms and are also assisting with organizing and counting donations. Families are encouraged to contribute, including during parent-teacher conferences, before the items are delivered to the Bulldog Pantry.

Trimmer students are also preparing to recognize Grief Awareness Day on November 19. On October 7, Ms. Melissa Gordon and Ms. Nicole Gonzalez took two student representatives to the Highmark Caring Place, where they learned ways to support grieving classmates and help others understand the importance of showing care after the loss of a loved one.

Together, these efforts are giving students opportunities to lead with kindness and make a positive difference in their school and community.

Forty-one West York Area High School NJROTC cadets recently traveled to Shippensburg University for ROTC Day, where they learned more about the opportunities, expectations, and benefits connected to college-level ROTC programs and military service.

The visit gave cadets a closer look at how higher education, leadership development, and military training can work together. It also encouraged students to think about the different paths available after high school and how the skills they are building through NJROTC can support future goals in college, the military, or other careers.

West York NJROTC emphasizes leadership, discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and service, and experiences like ROTC Day give cadets a chance to see those values applied beyond the classroom.

West York NJROTC thanks Shippensburg University for welcoming our cadets and providing this meaningful opportunity to explore future possibilities.

Fall fun was in full swing at Lincolnway Elementary as students celebrated with pumpkins in several creative ways.

After filling their schoolwide barrel with ping pong balls, students earned a Bulldog Bash, which included a pumpkin decorating contest. Each class had time to plan its design before decorating, and the winning classes were Ms. Sadie Mikula’s third-grade class and Ms. Chris McKee’s second-grade class. Both classes received mini pumpkins to take home and decorate. Pumpkins for the contest were generously donated by Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farm Market and Windsor Valley Farms.

Students in Ms. Courtney Munyon’s and Ms. Kelsey Sersen’s autistic support classrooms enjoyed painting pumpkins together in the Lincolnway courtyard, combining a fun fall activity with opportunities to practice fine motor and social skills in a calm, positive setting. Thank you to Ms. Krista Hoppel, Ms. Leslie Meyers, Ms. Erika Torres, and Mr. Josh Schmalzer for helping make the experience so meaningful for students.

We are also grateful to Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farm Market and Windsor Valley Farms for generously donating pumpkins for Lincolnway’s fall activities.

On October 23, West York Area Middle School packed the stands for the annual Blue & White football game, the first marking period reward for students who demonstrated positive behavior.

To earn a ticket to the game, students had to finish the marking period with zero discipline infractions, making the afternoon a well-deserved celebration of their hard work and good choices.

The game featured 32 student football players and 22 student cheerleaders, who kept the energy high throughout the afternoon. Halftime added even more fun with the Great West York Inflatable Race, giving the crowd plenty to cheer about.

Congratulations to all of the students who earned their way into the stands—keep up the great work!

The curtain is about to rise on another exciting West York Area High School theater production, and we're rolling out the red carpet for our Golden Bulldog Pass Holders!

Our talented high school cast is preparing to bring The Marvelous Squad by Dean O'Carroll to the stage, and we'd love for YOU to be part of the audience cheering them on! As one of the special benefits of being a Golden Bulldog Pass Holder, you and one guest are invited to enjoy complimentary admission to one performance of the fall play!

Choose the performance that works best for you:

• Friday, November 20 – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 21 – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 22 – 2:00 p.m.

A Sweet Little Bonus!

Joining us for the Sunday matinee? Be sure to stop by our Golden Bulldog Pass Holder table to pick up a little sweet treat to enjoy during the show! It's our way of saying thank you for being part of our Bulldog family!

Save Your Seat!

Please click here to RSVP and let us know which performance you'll be attending.

Our student performers have been working hard to bring this production to life, and there's nothing quite like performing for an audience filled with fellow Bulldogs!

We can't wait to welcome our Golden Bulldogs for a marvelous time at the theater! Come enjoy the show, support our talented students, and experience a little Bulldog magic!

There’s still time to support West York Area High School’s Veterans Day Flag Campaign benefiting Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Community members can donate in honor of a veteran, with all funds raised going to DAV.

The campaign closes October 30, and flags will be displayed outside the High School beginning November 6.

To donate, use the school’s campaign link: https://support.dav.org/participants/westyorkhs

Support West York Mini-THON with a Brown’s Orchard baked goods order or a direct donation to Four Diamonds. Thank you for supporting our students and families impacted by pediatric cancer.

Brown’s orders are due November 2 and can be picked up at the High School on November 18.

• Order baked goods: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfLFwOB0QQQcvxyKSh4SYYBoNYLWhc3qVFddWRlYHJGWtneg/viewform

Make a direct donation:
https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/westyorkhsminithon/donate

The Harlem Wizards are coming to West York Area High School on Thursday, November 12 to take on a team of West York teachers, principals, and staff in a fun, family-friendly night of basketball and entertainment.

During the school day on November 12, students will also attend special Harlem Wizards assemblies. At each assembly, one lucky student will be randomly selected to receive a free ticket to the game! Families can join the fun, too! Anyone who shares one of our Harlem Wizards social media posts will be entered into a raffle for two free reserved-seating tickets.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the game begins at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit The Foundation for the West York Area School District’s Teacher Grant Program.

• Purchase tickets here: https://harlemwizardsinabox.com/game/event/yorkpa11-12-26-07-00pm/
• Follow the Facebook event for updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1082087934549631/
• Follow WYASD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556665117303
• Follow WYASD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyasdbulldogs/?hl=en

The Bulldog Pantry had a successful October distribution thanks to the generous support of our community, including donations from the girls’ and boys’ soccer teams, The Athletic Club, and Shiloh Lutheran Church. Their kindness helps us continue supporting West York students and families.

As we prepare for the November distribution, we are collecting holiday favorites such as stuffing, canned vegetables, boxed noodles, gravy, rice, pancake mix, and syrup. Thank you for continuing to care for our Bulldog community!

Each student will sign up for a 30-minute time slot and be paired with a volunteer who will help them secretly shop and wrap gifts for family members. We are looking for unique vendors and will only approve one vendor for each type of item being sold (i.e. only one booth selling candles).

If you have any questions, reach out to the PTO President, Katie Owings, at WestYorkElemPTO@gmail.com

Apply to be a vendor at our annual Holiday Shop here: https://forms.gle/2LPmpNaVcKn3mqXh8

We have a limited number of vendor spots available, so don’t wait!

NOVEMBER 2026

• Monday, November 2 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Lincolnway Elementary
• Thursday, November 5 — Early Dismissal / Parent-Teacher Conferences (K-8)
• Friday, November 6 — Professional Learning Day, No School for Students / Parent-Teacher Conferences (AM Only K-5)
• Monday, November 9 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Middle School
• Monday, November 9 — Middle School Picture Retake Day
• Monday, November 9 | 5:30 p.m. — Middle School PTSO Meeting

• Tuesday, November 10 | 5:30 p.m. — Educational Programming Committee Meeting

• Tuesday, November 10 | 7:00 p.m. — Work Session of the Board

• Wednesday, November 11 — Lincolnway Picture Retake Day
• Thursday, November 12 | 7:00 p.m. — Harlem Wizards Fundraiser Game @ High School
• Monday, November 16 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Wallace Elementary
• Tuesday, November 17 — Wallace Picture Retake Day
• Tuesday, November 17 | 5:30 p.m. — Cocurricular Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, November 17 | 6:30 p.m. — Board Voting Meeting
• Wednesday, November 18 — Trimmer Picture Retake Day
• Wednesday, November 18 | 6:00 p.m. — Elementary PTO Meeting @ Wallace Elementary
• HS Fall Play — Marvelous Squad: A Super-Heroic Tale with Avengeance by Dean O’Carroll
• Friday, November 20 | 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 21 | 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 22 | 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 25—Monday, November 30 — Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
• Thursday, November 26—Friday, November 27 — District Offices Closed

The Bob Hoffman Dover YMCA is hiring Before & After Care Teachers for its School Age Child Care program, including positions at Wallace Elementary.

Team members help create a safe, supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and have fun before and after the school day.

Schedule options include:

• Morning: 6:15–8:45 a.m.

• Afternoon: 3:15–5:30 p.m.

• Early dismissal times may vary

For more information, contact Lanette Kramer, Child Development Director, at 717-434-9802 or lkramer@rosesymca.org.

Family First Health’s Mobile Dental Team will visit several West York schools during the 2026-27 school year to provide dental care during the school day. Families must complete a new enrollment form for each child every school year at least two weeks prior to the scheduled visit.

Enroll at this link or by clicking the image below: https://familyfirsthealth.jotform.com/251734387844063

Upcoming Fall Visits:

• Lincolnway Elementary | November 2
• Middle School | November 9
• Wallace Elementary | November 16

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