Blue & White Newsletter - 5/9/25

As Mother’s Day approaches, we pause to recognize and honor the incredible mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and mother figures who are an essential part of our school community.

From the early mornings and busy schedules to the endless love and encouragement, you are the quiet champions behind your child’s journey. You help with homework, cheer from the sidelines, listen when days are tough, and celebrate every success—big or small. Your strength, patience, and devotion don’t go unnoticed.

We see your impact every day—in your child’s confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging. Your love lays the foundation for learning and growth, and we are so grateful to walk alongside you in your child’s educational journey.

This Mother's Day, we celebrate you. Thank you for all that you do—and for the love, care, and warmth you bring to our school family.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at West York Area School District!

Lincolnway Elementary recently completed its first-ever Book Blast fundraiser in partnership with Books Are Fun.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our second and third grade students and their families, the initiative successfully raised funds to distribute more than 900 books—helping students build their at-home libraries and cultivate a love for reading.

Families participated by completing interactive treasure maps, and several lucky students received treasure chest prizes in recognition of their involvement.

The event concluded with a cozy celebration: Snuggle Up and Read Pajama Day, where classrooms unwrapped their brand-new books and spent time enjoying stories together.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and brought the joy of reading into so many homes!

On Thursday, May 1st, the High School counselors, Ms. Kaitlin Mock and Mr. John Barton, accompanied 10 students to the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry on East Market Street in York. The students participated in a food distribute event for families in the community. The pantry served 175 families on this distribution day that set a new record for the number of families served in one day of distribution. These students completed a few hours of community service as part of their graduation requirements. All of the students did an amazing job. They learned quickly how to serve the families efficiently and with compassion.

Eight students from Trimmer Elementary participated in the Math 24 Challenge at the LIU in New Oxford on Thursday. After honing their skills during club sessions, they faced off against students from other districts in the competition. Coaches Ms. Laura Livingston and Ms. Marsha Yanick expressed pride in the students’ perseverance, sportsmanship, and commitment. A special congratulations goes to Gabe Mansfield, who earned 2nd place overall in the 4th/5th grade division.

Trimmer Elementary’s Math 24 Competition Team Members: Nora Shah, Rashdan Nadvi, Alice Jones, Madison Mowery, Addison Elder, Gabe Mansfield, Maddex Prowell, and Kinley Boysen.

High school teachers and Class of 2025 Advisors, Mr. TJ Meese and Ms. Manda Meese, brought energy and excitement to the week of April 21st by organizing a Prom Spirit Week at the High School. Each day featured a different theme, and fun trivia questions about the prom court were shared with students in grades 9–12 through the daily announcements—making the celebration enjoyable for everyone, not just those attending prom.

The week’s festivities culminated in a school-wide Prom Pep Rally on April 24th. Students from all grade levels competed in spirited games to earn points for their class. The class with the most spirit points by the end of the rally would win a special surprise—and it didn’t disappoint!

The winning class? The seniors—Class of 2025! Their reward was a delicious treat from Rita’s Italian Ice, with students choosing from mango, Swedish fish, and cotton candy flavors.

A big thank you to Rita’s for the generous donation and for bringing smiles to so many faces!

Students in Ms. Kristin Bielski’s class at Trimmer Elementary recently turned their classroom into a mini science lab, donning safety goggles and diving into a hands-on chemistry experiment. Using simple materials, students created chemical reactions that led to exciting “exploding bags” - a fun and memorable way to explore scientific concepts.

The activity is part of the District’s upcoming science curriculum, Mystery Science, which will officially launch in the 2025–2026 school year. Designed to spark curiosity and encourage inquiry-based learning, the curriculum emphasizes interactive lessons that help students connect science to the world around them.

This experiment gave students a chance to observe chemical reactions up close and make predictions about what might happen. It’s a great example of how science can be both educational and exciting.

With wide eyes and lots of laughter, students not only learned about reactions between substances but also practiced important scientific skills like observation, hypothesis testing, and teamwork.

On Wednesday, Lincolnway Elementary school counselor Ms. Vanessa Bicher visited Wallace Elementary to present her annual transition lesson to first graders. She read a story and shared a special video featuring greetings from Lincolnway’s principal, assistant principal, encore teachers, and second grade team to help students feel excited and prepared for next year. A big thank-you to Ms. Lori Andrus for capturing and sharing photos from the lesson in her classroom!

The halls of the High School were transformed into a vibrant gallery this week as students unveiled their work at the annual Student Art Show. The event, held on Wednesday evening, drew a crowd of parents, teachers, classmates, and community members, all eager to celebrate the creativity and hard work of the school's artists.

From vivid paintings and detailed sketches to digital art and mixed media pieces, the show featured a wide array of artistic styles and themes. Many students chose to highlight personal experiences, cultural heritage, and social issues, offering visitors a window into their perspectives and passions.

Ms. Kelly Lurz’s and Ms. Lorrie Rodriguez’s kindergarten classes from Wallace Elementary had a wonderful day at Shetter Park! The students enjoyed a picnic lunch, participated in a Nature Scavenger Hunt, and had fun exploring a new playground together. Additional kindergarten classes are looking forward to their own Shetter Park adventure next week!

Several West York students participated in the Carrie Schmoyer Memorial 5K on Saturday, May 3rd. Our own junior Dru Thomson won the boys division. Nice job, Dru!

The event honors Carrie Schmoyer, the beloved mother of two of our Bulldogs, Maddie and Ella, wife of our Middle School girls basketball coach, Mr. Brian Schmoyer, and a high school counselor at Spring Grove High School. In her final days following a cardiac event, Carrie was cared for at the Pappus House. Proceeds from the 5K directly benefited this compassionate organization.

Pappus House is York County’s only residential home dedicated to end-of-life care. It serves individuals with terminal illnesses who cannot, or choose not to, spend their final days at home. With a team of specially trained staff and volunteers, Pappus House offers around-the-clock care in partnership with each family’s chosen hospice provider. This collaborative approach eases the emotional and physical burdens often placed on families, allowing loved ones to focus on being present and beginning the healing process.

Thanks to the generosity of participants and donors, the Carrie Schmoyer Memorial 5K raised $14,000 for Pappus House.

Join us for an elementary STEM activity night! Hands-on learning, discovery, RAFFLE DRAWING, and fun for all West York kindergarten through fifth grade students and their families.

Monday, May 19th

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

West York Area Middle School Cafeteria

Scan the QR Code below or click the image to register to attend.

The West York Area High School Envirothon Team, in collaboration with the York Audubon Society, invites you to a special Wildlife Night.

Monday, May 19th

WYAHS Cafeteria

Doors open at 5:30 PM - event begins at 6:00 PM

This free, all-ages event will feature an exciting live animal presentation by Patrick Miller of Miller’s Wildlife and Conservation Specialists. As a respected local wildlife expert, Mr. Miller will showcase a variety of furry and feathered friends while sharing fascinating insights into Pennsylvania’s native wildlife.

The York Audubon Society, a dedicated wildlife conservation organization, works to protect bird species and their habitats while promoting biodiversity across York County. We are proud to partner with them to bring this enriching evening to our community.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with nature and learn more about local wildlife—up close and personal!

With our March and April spring concerts behind us, May brings your final opportunities to enjoy the musical talents of our students for the 2024-2025 school year! Our middle school and high school students are excited to share their music with the community and look forward to having you join them!

• Tuesday, May 13 - Cherry Lane Box Lunch Revue - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MS/HS Jazz Bands perform downtown at Cherry Lane
• Thursday, May 15 - MS/HS Pops Concert - Middle School Auditorium - 6:30 - 8:30 PM
• Wednesday, May 21 - MS Band Concert - Middle School Auditorium - 6:30 - 7:30 PM

C.A.R.E Awards will return next week!

Important information from the West York Athletics Department.

OSS Sports Physicals - Open to all athletes entering Grades 7-12 for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Wednesday, May 14, 2025
• Thursday, July 24, 2025
• Both dates: WY High School @ 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• No appointment needed
• $15 Cash or check

Letterman Jacket Fitting - Available through Jostens

• Wednesday, May 14, 2025
• 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• WY High School's Athletic Lobby
• Jacket prices start at $265

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Brandon Fuhrman, Athletic Director, via email at bcfuhrman@wyasd.org.

Stay abreast of the Athletic Department's weekly news with the Bulldog Breakdown, a weekly recap of the prior week's athletic accomplishments and the upcoming sporting events.

Simply click the Bulldog Breakdown bar below to view the latest issue!

• Tuesday, May 13, EPC Meeting (5:00 PM)
• Tuesday, May 13, Board Meeting - Combined Work Session and Voting Meeting (7:00 PM)
• Thursday, May 15, MS/HS Choral Pops Concert (6:30 PM @ MS)
• Monday, May 19, Remake Learning Family Event (5:30 PM @ MS Cafeteria)
• Wednesday, May 21, MS Band Concert (6:30 PM)
• Monday, May 26, Memorial Day - District Closed
• Thursday, May 29, Early Dismissal
• Thursday, May 29, Graduation (7:00 PM - Tickets Required)
• Friday, May 30, Early Dismissal and Last Day of School for Students

The May Work Session and the May Board Meeting will be combined into one meeting due to the May 20th Primary Election. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 13th at 7:00 PM

The content below was in last week's issue but it bears repeating as a reminder or for anyone who may have missed it. If pertinent details of an article are changed, we will pull the article above this section and highlight any changes.

Does your family drink soda or other canned beverages? Do you use soup or other foods with metal pull tabs? Throughout April and May, the Middle School is collecting can tabs to support the Hershey Ronald McDonald House.

This marks the seventh year our school has participated in this initiative! The Ronald McDonald House provides a comforting place for families to stay while their child receives medical care. The collected can tabs are recycled to help fund this vital service for families in need.

Please save the tabs from soda cans, soup cans, and other pull-tab containers and drop them off at the Middle School by the last day of school, May 30th.

For any questions, contact our Middle School Reading Specialist, Ms. Jill Raudensky, via email at jeraudensky@wyasd.org. Thank you for your support!

Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year! If you are a West York Area School District resident and your child will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025, we invite you to begin the registration process now. Simply visit the Registration page of our website by clicking the red link bar below. On that page, click on the clipboard icon "Register a Student" to begin the registration process. Once you have completed the online registration, please call Wallace Elementary at 717-764-6869 to schedule your child's kindergarten screening appointment.

We can't wait to start meeting our newest little Bulldogs!

Using Your Computer to Report an Absence

MUST be completed within 3 days of the absence

From the District WEBSITE Attendance Page

➔ Scroll down to the vertical gray boxes just under the changing highlight pictures at the top of the District website's home page

➔ Click on the Attendance box

➔ Underneath Online Attendance click on Sapphire Community Portal Login

➔ On the login page put in your username and password (this must be set up prior to you using this page)

➔ On the left side is your student(s) name(s)

• If you have multiple students, please make sure you are at the correct student

➔ Under MY BACKPACK click on Student Data Forms (making sure it is the correct student)

➔ Underneath On Demand Forms click on Digital Excuse Blank

➔ Fill out the entire form and upload any doctor’s notes into this form

➔ Make sure to click on SUBMIT so your form is sent directly to the attendance secretary

Using the District App from Your Cell Phone to Report an Absence

MUST be completed within 3 days of the absence

➔ From the WYASD App Home Page, click on the More waffle icon on the right side of the screen

➔ Click on the Sapphire Portal icon on the right side of the screen

➔ Log in to Sapphire

➔ If you have multiple students, make sure you are in the correct student’s account

➔ At the bottom of the screen there is a purple circle with 3 white lines, click on the circle

➔ Click on the green circle marked Student Data Forms

➔ Underneath On Demand Forms click on Digital Excuse Blank

➔ Fill out the entire form and upload any doctor’s notes into this form

➔ Make sure to click on SUBMIT so your form is sent directly to the attendance secretary

If you are new to West York, you might be saying, "What is a Golden Bulldog Pass?" Exclusively for West York Area School District residents 65 and older, the Golden Bulldog Pass is valid for one admission to all District-sponsored events, including athletic events (excluding playoff events), fine arts events such as concerts, plays, and musicals, and special invitation-only events for senior citizens.

Our annual "Lunch and a Show" is our most popular invitation-only event and seating is limited! So, don't miss out on this and other opportunities! To learn more, please click the Golden Bulldog Pass card to the left.

Be sure to Like/Follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don't experience FOMO - Fear of Missing Out! Simply click the images below.