East High School Newsletter
October 14, 2026
Principals Message
Dear East Community,
We just finished up one of the most exciting weeks in the school year…homecoming. We had great participation in our spirit days, a high energy opening assembly and very good participation in a ping pong tournament. The flag football game and Taste of East was another huge success with a great community turnout. Our football team gave us a big win to celebrate this past Friday and the dance on Saturday was a great time had by all. Thank you to all of our students for their positive energy and terrific behavior throughout the week…Thank you to all of our faculty and staff who put in countless hours to make homecoming week special and thank you to the PTSA for all of their hard work to ensure our students had a week to remember.
In other news…This week, students will receive a brief presentation on the Sandy Hook Promise. This is an anonymous reporting system that allows students to report concerns they may have. This program has support people available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We have several music concerts coming up this month. Our Fall Band Concert will be on October 20th. Our Fall Orchestra Concert will be on October 22nd and our Fall Chorus Concert will be on October 28th. All three concerts will begin at 7pm here in the East Auditorium. We hope you can join us for a great evening of music.
In a week or two, our Fall sports season will head into playoffs and sectionals. We want to wish all of our teams and student athletes good luck and thank them for making us proud!
NHS and Student Council will be hosting its annual Trunk or Treat on October 27th from 4pm-6pm here at East. We invite the whole community to come out and join us for a fun evening.
Lastly, we are at the 5 week mark of the 1st quarter. If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to teachers.
Sincerely,
Jason T. Swenson
Principal
Sports Equipment Donation Drive
Williamsville East is partnering with Leveling the Playing Field to collect new and gently used sports equipment for children in Western New York who may not have access to it. Donations will be accepted October 13-23.
Collection bins will be located in Student Street and outside the Main Office.
If you have any gently used equipment that is no longer need, please consider donating it. Items such as balls, bats, gloves, racquets, sticks, cleats, helmets (where accepted), and many other types of sporting equipment are welcome, provided they are in safe, usable condition.
Williamsville Music Boosters
Halloween - Kick Off the Food Drive!
Congrats Lucas Lookman!
Last night during the BOE meeting, the Town of Amherst recognized Lucas Lookman for the mural he created for the Northwest Amherst Community Center.
"Our students are always looking for ways to give back. Over the summer, in coordination with the Town of Amherst and the Family Support Center, Lucas Lookman painted a mural highlighting the offerings throughout the town. The mural emphasizes the importance of community and teamwork."
Homecoming Highlights!
Congratulations to the "E-A-S-T" Court
These 12 Seniors were nominated by their peers for one of the following letters:
E - dedication to extracurricular activities:
Khadija Abd-Elhamid, Anthony Martis, & Shruthi Dharshan
A - achievement in academics:
Snigdha Chakravarti, Muling Lu, & Pratik Sharma
S - outstanding spirit:
Katie Goula, Jack Clark, Joseph Santoro
T - embodies all criteria of the TORCH (T - for Tenacity, O - Optimism , R - Respect for self and others, C - Caring and Compassion and H - Honesty):
Jeeshan Jeevakaran, Mustafa Hashmi, & Trinity Joseph
Winners from left to right:
E - Anthony Martis, A - Pratik Sharma, T - Trinity Joseph, S - Joe Santoro
Williamsville Wall of Fame
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 - Wall of Fame Inductees! These distinguished alumni will be inducted on Friday, November 13th and also have a chance to visit their high schools to speak with students!
Williamsville East High School
Adam Kreutinger Puppeteer, Artistic Designer, and Teacher – Class of 2006
Frances Dixon – Colonel, United States Air Force – Class of 2002
Nicole Blackwell – Administrative Director of Legal Services at Mental Health Advocates of WNY - Class of 2001
Williamsville North High School
Adam Haas – Air Force Officer & Healthcare Transformation Leader - Class of 2005
Dr. Amanda Edwards –Team Sports Psychologist for the Buffalo Sabres – Class of 2002
Victoria Dillon – A Strategic Communications, Media Relations, and Public Affairs Professional – Class of 2001
Williamsville South High School
Stephanie Mulhern Ogorzalek – National and Global Leader on Gender Equality and Women's Rights – Class of 2007
William “Craig” Macy – Deputy Commissioner of the Buffalo Police Department - Class of 1999
Dr. Melissa Milkie – Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto & Professor Emerita, University of Maryland – Class of 1983
Dr. John C. Tangeman – Medical Director, Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo – Class of 1975
WEHS PTSA News & Events
WEHS PTSA NEWS & EVENTS
✨THANK YOU FOR MAKING HOMECOMING MAGICAL!
What a magical Homecoming celebration! Thank you to everyone who decorated, helped set up, donated food, staffed our food and water stations, checked bags and coats, and stayed to clean up. Your time, generosity, and community spirit helped create a special night for our students. We could not have done it without you!
🏪OUR SCHOOL STORE NEEDS YOU!
Our School Store can only open when we have volunteers. No experience is necessary, and we’d love to welcome more families! Choose a shift that works for you.
Sign Up for a School Store Shift📆NEXT PTSA MEETING: OCTOBER 19TH AT 6:30 PM
Join us in The Commons at WEHS to hear what’s happening at East, share your ideas, and connect with other families. Everyone is welcome!- 👥 JOIN THE WEHS PTSA
Parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members all belong! Membership supports our work for East students and does not require a volunteer commitment.
Join or Renew Your Membership - 🎓 HELP PLAN POST PROM 2027
Our next Post Prom meeting is October 19th in The Commons at WEHS, immediately after the PTSA meeting, starting around 7:30 PM. Families from every grade are welcome to help plan our June 11th celebration! Join our
Post Prom Facebook Group - 🔥 OUR WALL OF FLAMES IS GROWING!
Thank you to the sponsors whose names are already lighting up our wall! We heard you! We’ve added a $25 Spark alongside our $50 Flame, giving families more ways to take part. Recognize your family, celebrate a student, or thank someone special. 100% of proceeds support Post Prom 2027.
Purchase a $25 Spark | Purchase a $50 Flame | View Our Digital Wall
Prefer to remain anonymous or support Post Prom without recognition on the wall? Give through our Post Prom No Hassle Fundraiser. - ♻️ TURN YOUR BOTTLES & CANS INTO SUPPORT FOR OUR SENIORS
Return bottles and cans to Consumers Beverages, 8580 Transit Road, East Amherst. Bring your return slip to the register and ask to donate your refund to Williamsville East Post Prom. Donations are welcome year-round; returns donated by June 1st, 2027, support Post Prom 2027. - 🎓 CELEBRATE YOUR SENIOR WITH A LAWN SIGN
Preorder now to show your Class of 2027 pride and check one more item off your senior-year to-do list! Lawn signs will be available for pickup on Tuesday, May 25th, 2027, at WEHS. Proceeds benefit Post Prom.
Order Your Senior Lawn Sign - 😆 COMEDY CLUB TICKETS ARE ON SALE!
Enjoy a night of laughter at Rob’s Comedy Playhouse while supporting Post Prom! Tickets are $20 each, valid for one year for regularly scheduled shows. Choose a date that works for you.
Purchase Tickets & View Details - 🍽️ A HUGE THANK-YOU FOR DINING TO DONATE!
Our October 6th fundraiser was a huge success! Thank you to Campobello’s Cucina Italiana for their generous support and to every family, staff member, and friend who participated. You helped turn dinner into something meaningful for our seniors!
📲STAY CONNECTED
PTSA Website | Facebook | Instagram
Questions? willeastptsa@gmail.com
Together, we carry the torch! 🔥
Fall Community Forum
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Williamsville East HS (Commons)
This townhall style meeting will give students, families, staff members and residents a chance to talk about any education-related issue they wish. There is no agenda or set topic.
School Board members and the Superintendent will be on hand to listen, answer questions, and discuss the latest topics impacting Williamsville schools and public education.
SAVE THE DATE - October 20th Hands-Only CPR Training
On Tuesday, October 20th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Williamsville South High School, the Williamsville Central School District will be hosting a Hands-Only CPR/AED event in coordination with the American Heart Association for students, families, staff, and community members.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Learn life-saving, hands-only CPR through guidance and training with the American Heart Association. Please note, individuals do not become CPR certified at this event.
Reach Out to 911 – Erie County
· Educates the general public, elementary, middle, and high school students on when and how to call 9-1-1, enhancing community preparedness and reducing anxiety associated with emergency calls
American Heart School Engagement – Jump Rope Challenge
· A program that teaches students physical and mental well-being through jump rope and other active challenges
Swormville Fire Department
· Learn more about the Swormville Fire Department, their EMT unit, and explore an ambulance
Main & Transit Fire Department
· Learn more about the Main & Transit Fire Department, their junior firefighter program, and training exercises
Erie County Sheriff’s Office
· Meet and greet with the Erie County Sheriff Office’s Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit, and more
Amherst Police Department
· Meet and greet with the School Resource Officers
Stop the Bleed – Erie County
· Learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding, how to apply direct pressure, and address wounds
Narcan Training – Erie County
· Learn how to identify overdoses and administer Narcan
There will also be several skills challenges and additional educational activities that are led by our athletic teams and staff.
Family Flu Clinic
Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Casey Middle School Cafeteria
Accepted Insurance: IHA, BCBS, Highmark, Blue Card, Univera, NOVA, MVP, Excellus, Medicare Part B, United Healthcare, etc.
Insurance not accepted: Fidelis, Medicaid, The Empire Plan, Molina Health
Violation of the Cell Phone Policy
Violation of the cell phone policy will result in the the phone being brought to the Main Office, stored and locked away, for the remainder of the school day. After the student's first incident, all subsequent occurrences will need to have a parent pick up their phone. The Main Office will be available until 3:30pm each day for parents who need to pick up their child's cell phone. Phones that are not picked up by the end of the day will remain in school, locked away, until a parent can pick up their phone the next school day.
Join the Williamsville East PTSA
Click Link below to volunteer, join, and show your East High Pride!
https://www.givebacks.com/communication/newsletters/8adc5f6c-fecc-4744-961e-43679a65fe05
