Blue & White Newsletter - 10/23/26

On Thursday, October 15, West York Area Middle School celebrated its newest members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) during the 2026 Induction Ceremony.

The evening opened with remarks from Ms. Teresa Gallup, followed by reflections on the five pillars of NJHS. Mason Zinn spoke about scholarship, Ryla Delp highlighted service, Linda Flores shared the importance of leadership, Tristan St Jacques reflected on character, and Madison Clauser spoke about citizenship.

Ms. Devin McMullen introduced the 29 new members before Ms. Katy Kveragas, Middle School Principal, led them in the NJHS Pledge of Membership. Ms. Kveragas then closed the ceremony with remarks recognizing the students’ accomplishments and the responsibility that comes with being part of NJHS.

Congratulations to this year’s inductees on this well-earned recognition and their commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

Photo on Left: 2026–2027 NJHS inductees (list below). Chloe Freed and Kaeden Mattern were listed in the program but are not pictured.

Photo on Right: 2025–2026 NJHS alumni who assisted with the ceremony, pictured left to right: Madison Clauser, Ryla Delp, Linda Flores, Tristan St. Jacques, and Mason Zinn.

Five West York students have earned a place in the York Junior Symphony Orchestra (YJSO) this season — an impressive accomplishment that reflects their dedication and musical growth.

YJSO brings together musicians in grades 5–8 from across the area for a full symphonic orchestra experience. Students must audition for membership, preparing scales, solo music, and sight-reading while continuing private instruction on their instruments. Those selected rehearse weekly and perform together throughout the school year.

Congratulations to our Bulldog musicians pictured:

• Bella Lehr – 8th grade, flute

• Jack Bicher – 5th grade, percussion

• Kole Shoemaker – 7th grade, percussion

• Annabeth Goss-Hildebrand – 6th grade, trombone

• Ethan Miller – 7th grade, oboe

Earning a spot in the orchestra requires preparation, confidence, and commitment, and we are proud to see these young musicians representing West York!

On Friday, October 16, West York celebrated two special traditions during the final home football game of the season: the annual KinderSenior Walk and Senior Night.

Despite rainy weather and a delay, kindergarten students from the Class of 2039 joined members of the Class of 2027 on the field for the KinderSenior Walk. The two groups met at midfield, where seniors presented the kindergarteners with a gift symbolizing the passing of Bulldog spirit from one generation to the next.

The evening also honored our graduating seniors from football, cheerleading, the Mighty Bulldog Marching Band, and NJROTC, recognizing their dedication and contributions throughout their time at West York.

The weather may have changed the timing, but it didn’t dampen the excitement. Families, students, and staff helped make the night a memorable celebration of Bulldog pride, tradition, and community.

Ms. Kelly Lurz shared that her Wallace kindergarten students celebrated Pink Out Day by wearing pink shirts to school in support of breast cancer awareness.

Pink Out began in 2009 when a high school student wanted to honor her mother, who had passed away from breast cancer, by turning her school’s football stadium pink and raising funds for the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. The idea quickly spread to schools across Pennsylvania and has continued as a way to promote awareness and support those impacted by breast cancer.

We loved seeing our youngest Bulldogs take part in this meaningful tradition!

West York Area High School Student Council is continuing its fundraising efforts for this year’s Mini-THON, and there are two upcoming ways the community can help support the cause.

1. On Tuesday, October 27, visit Plaza Azteca in York for lunch or dinner—takeout included! A portion of proceeds from purchases made all day will benefit West York’s fundraising total for Four Diamonds, which supports children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.

1. Student Council is also selling Brown’s Orchard baked goods just in time for Thanksgiving. Orders are due by November 2 and can be picked up at the High School on November 18.
   Place your Brown’s Orchard order at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfLFwOB0QQQcvxyKSh4SYYBoNYLWhc3qVFddWRlYHJGWtneg/viewform

Thank you for helping our students continue working toward their Mini-THON fundraising goal and supporting Four Diamonds!

Rummy has been practicing his tricks and is feeling pretty confident — but can the Harlem Wizards top them?

Find out on Thursday, November 12, when the Wizards come to West York Area High School to take on a team of West York teachers, principals, and staff in a fun, family-friendly night of basketball and entertainment.

The game begins at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.), and proceeds will benefit The Foundation for the West York Area School District and its teacher grant program.

Tickets are on sale now, so grab yours and come see whether the Wizards have what it takes to impress Rummy!

Calling all student artists! The District’s annual Holiday Card Design Contest is open to all students in grades K–12. Two winning designs—one elementary and one secondary—will be featured on the District’s official holiday cards.

The winning artists will also be recognized at the December 8th School Board meeting, receive an art-focused gift, and have their artwork framed for display in the District Boardroom.

Artwork Guidelines

• Theme: Winter or the Holidays
• Size: Between 6" x 4.5" and 12" x 9"
• Landscape orientation only
• Include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back
• Submit artwork to your Art Teacher by October 30, 2026

Construction paper is available from building Art Teachers. We can’t wait to see the creativity our Bulldogs bring to this year’s holiday cards!

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.

OCTOBER 2026

• Monday, October 26 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Trimmer Elementary
• Tuesday, October 27 | 4:00 p.m. — Assessment Committee (NEW) Meeting

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

Good news! The $80 discounted price for West York Area High School yearbooks has been extended through October 30. After that date, the price will increase slightly.

Families of seniors can also purchase a Senior Ad to celebrate their student in the yearbook. The first ad deadline is November 20. Ads may still be accepted after that date as space allows, so families are encouraged to order early.

Order your yearbook or Senior Ad through Jostens here:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1043306/West-York-Area-High-School/

Our Elementary PTO and Middle School PTSO help strengthen the connection between families, students, and staff while supporting opportunities that make a difference in our K–8 schools.

Through fundraising, volunteering, and family involvement, these organizations help provide resources and experiences that benefit both students and teachers. Below, you’ll find ways to get involved and support their work throughout the school year.

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!

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

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:

• Trimmer Elementary | October 26
• Lincolnway Elementary | November 2
• Middle School | November 9
• Wallace Elementary | November 16

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