October 2022 e-News

One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Many of us have seen people practice Responsibility in ways that have inspired us. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what it means to be responsible. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

October is... Filipino-American History Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, Crime Prevention Month, Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and Principals Appreciation Month.

• September 15 thru October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
• October 2 - School Custodian and Buildings & Grounds Appreciation Day
• October 6 - Coach Appreciation Day
• October 9-15 - Fire Prevention Week
• October 10-14 - School Lunch Week
• October 16 - Boss’ Day
• October 17-21 - Teen Driver Safety Week / School Bus Safety Week
• October 19 - West Shore Unity Day / Stop Bullying Day (additional information below)

FREE BREAKFAST FOR ALL STUDENTS

Starting Monday, October 3

Thanks to recent changes by the state government, we can once again offer students a FREE breakfast starting on Monday, October 3. All schools will be serving breakfast at no charge to students regardless of their family's economic status through the end of the school year.

SCHEDULED REMOTE LEARNING DAY

Friday, October 7
Teachers will provide asynchronous work for students equal to a half day of instruction. Student work may be completed on the Remote Learning Day or anytime over the weekend and submitted at the start of school on Tuesday, October 11. Students will not attend Zoom sessions and all students will be marked present, unless reported as absent by their parent or guardian.

NO SCHOOL

Monday, October 10

Monday is a Staff Development Day. District offices will be open.

For additional building specific events and cycle days, please refer to the District’s online calendar.

ANNUAL WEST SHORE CLASSIC

Saturday, October 1, West Shore Stadium

Come out to see the West Shore Marching Band and other high school bands perform. Gates open at 2 p.m. Click here for additional details.

PSAT TESTING

Saturday, October 15, Cedar Cliff High School

Please contact your child's school counselor for registration details.

WEST SHORE UNITY DAY

Wednesday, October 19

Unity Day was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and provides us with an opportunity to stand united against bullying and in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

On Wednesday, October 19, all West Shore students, teachers, administrators, secretaries, bus drivers, food service staff, parents, and community members are invited to get involved and wear the color orange. Thank you in advance for participating!

WEST SHORE FOUNDATION GALA

Saturday, October 22, 6-10 p.m., West Shore Country Club

For more details, please visit the Foundation's website.

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

Wednesday, October 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Administration Center

Again this school year, the District's Special Education Department will be hosting Parent Information Sessions throughout the school year. All parents will receive additional information and registration details closer to the event.

ONE DISTRICT, ONE BOOK

Thursday, November 3, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m.
Hosted by Cedar Cliff High School

The District's Stronger Together Committee is excited to offer our first One District, One Book event with guest author Floyd Stokes reading his children's book My Glasses. Mr. Stokes will also be reading The Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe and Dress Up with his daughter. These books are for a younger audience; however, all members of our school community are invited to join us for this FREE family event which will also include door prizes, crafts, and snacks. Please RSVP by Thursday, October 6, if you intend to join us: https://bit.ly/WestShoreOneBook

RED LAND HIGH SCHOOL

October 7 - Patriots vs. Palmyra, West Shore Stadium

October 8 - Homecoming Dance from 7-10 p.m.

CEDAR CLIFF HIGH SCHOOL

October 14 - Colts vs. Palmyra, West Shore Stadium

October 15 - Homecoming Dance

Freshman and Sophomores from 5-7 p.m.

Juniors and Seniors from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

In September, the District welcomed Mr. Antonios “Tony” Kapranos to the Board. To learn more about Mr. Kapranos and the other Board members, please visit our website.

All School Board Meetings and Board Committee Meetings are held at the Administration Center for Education and are open to the public.

Board Committee Meetings

Facilities Committee

Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

Finance Committee

Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

Related Links:

• Watch Meetings Online - meetings are streamed live and archived for viewing after the meeting
• On Board – online newsletter providing a summary of Board discussions, relevant links, and photos from Board meetings
• Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting
• Board Minutes - posted after Board approval

On September 15, the Board recognized our Employees of the Summer Quarter…John Kitner, Custodian at Washington Heights Elementary, and Allison Freeman & Daniel Grejda, Elementary Math Coaches. Through their actions and dedication, these West Shore employees have supported the District’s pledge to inspire, engage, and empower students. Congratulations!

Alexander Morelli, Red Land High School Senior, was selected as a College Board National Recognition Program awardee! Based on his academic achievements at Red Land and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams, Alexander received a National Hispanic Recognition Award.

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, we will hold our annual Middle School Career Awareness Fair for eighth grade students. The fair provides students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers and speak to individuals working in them.

We are currently looking for business volunteers to speak with students at the Career Fair. Click here for more details.

Highland Elementary and Cedar Cliff High School are partnering up to organize a Clothing Swap for all members of our school community. Donations for the swap (clean blankets, clothing, and shoes) are currently being accepted and can be dropped off at either school during school hours.

SAVE THE DATE:

Clothing Swap

January 17-20, 2023, 5-8 p.m.

Cedar Cliff H.S. Library

We currently have a variety of immediate openings, including: Building Aides, Accounting Clerks, Special Education Paraprofessionals, Certified School Nurse, School Psychologist, Special Education Teachers, Technology Support Specialists, and Food Service Team members. To learn more about any of these positions, check out our employment page.

The District is looking for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and who would be willing to take any necessary classes to obtain their teaching certification. Interested individuals will be provided with financial support from the District and the flexibility to continue working while advancing their career. To learn more about obtaining your teaching certification, please contact Lauren Russell, Human Resources Manager at lrussell@wssd.k12.pa.us.

• District COVID Tracker - Updated weekly to show the total number of cases reported per 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 - For everyone's safety, any adult wishing to volunteer is required to complete the Volunteer Application Process before being approved to do so.
• Annual Notices - Numerous federal laws require school districts to provide students, parents, and/or the public with notices. This page provides quick links to those notices.
• Student and Parent Handbooks - Handbooks contain pertinent District policies and procedures which parents should review carefully with their children. If you need assistance accessing the information or would prefer a printed copy of the handbook, please contact your child's principal.
• Parent Portal - with links to our Tech Help Center, Learning Platform FAQs, and Parent Forms and Resources