December 2025 e-News

This month’s focus is Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships and we hope this month inspires discussions with your family about ways to show Empathy at home and school. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• December 2 - Special Education Day
  
• December 5 - International Volunteer Day
• December 15 - Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Day

Monday, December 1

Tuesday, December 2
Please check your email or click here for scheduling information on Inclement Weather Remote Learning Days.

December 3, 2025 (Changed from Dec 2-3 due to Weather-Related Remote Learning Day)
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Administration Center, 507 Fishing Creek Rd., Lewisberry, PA
Please join us in the first ever school-wide "Handmade with Heart" Craft Fair, a community event designed to showcase and sell handmade items created by our students in the District’s special education intermediate, middle, and high school buildings. You will see the talents, creativity, and hard work of our students through various handmade items such as candles, greeting cards, jewelry, keychains, planters, art prints, blankets, foods, and more! All items at the fair will be purchased through suggested donations.

The Ready for School, Ready to Succeed program helps children ages 3–5 (and their families) get ready for kindergarten and on track to read proficiently by 3rd grade. Families can attend FREE in-person workshops, available to ALL families. December workshops will be held at Rossmoyne Elementary School. Registration is required. Click here for details.

Monday, December 15

Report card information for grades K-6 will be available no later than December 15, in PowerSchool. To view and print grades in the traditional report card style, please click the "Report Cards" tab on the left after logging into the PowerSchool website (not available in the app). If you would like additional information about the Standards-Based Report Cards being used in grades K-4, please check out the Family Guide posted on our website.

Saturday, December 6 at Cedar Cliff High School

The registration deadline for this testing date has passed. To view other available testing sites and dates, please refer to the CollegeBoard's website.

Monday, December 22 through Sunday, January 4

District offices will be closed for the duration of the break.

Students will return from break on Monday, January 5, 2026 - Cycle Day 5

• Wednesday, December 3 - Crossroads Middle School Band Concert, 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 8 - Fairview Intermediate School Fifth Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 9 - Crossroads Middle School Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Red Land, 7 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, December 9 - New Cumberland Middle School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 10 - Allen Middle School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, December 11 - Fairview Intermediate School Sixth Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 15 - Red Land High School Concert, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 16 - Cedar Cliff Mosaic Concert, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 16 - Old Trail Intermediate School 5th Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Red Land, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 17 - Old Trail Intermediate School 6th Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Red Land - 7 p.m.

We understand that many families experienced challenges with their recent photo orders from Legacy Studios, and we appreciate your patience as the company works to make things right. To help resolve any outstanding concerns, Legacy has created a support form that goes directly to the company. If your family is still experiencing an issue, please consider completing the form so Legacy can address your concern as quickly and accurately as possible. Click here to fill out the form.

The West Shore School District is excited to announce that we are now using Hometown as our official ticketing vendor for athletic events. Families and community members can purchase tickets online 24/7, making it easier than ever to plan ahead and secure your spot at games.

Tickets are delivered digitally for quick, convenient scanning at the gate, but cash will still be accepted at the door for those who prefer it. Hometown helps streamline entry while giving everyone flexible options to enjoy our athletic events.

Stay tuned to District social media and the website for additional information that will be made available in the near future.

We are excited to continue sharing stories from our new video series featuring Student Support Specialists and the teachers who guide them. This initiative offers high school seniors from Cedar Cliff and Red Land meaningful, hands-on experience in K-8 classrooms, where they learn directly from mentor teachers while balancing coursework, activities, and jobs.

This month’s featured episode showcases two of the three specialists at Newberry Elementary. We look forward to sharing the third Newberry story at a future date. Click here to visit the webpage and watch the latest videos.

We are also excited to continue our Stories of Our Why video series. Each episode features student speakers from Red Land or Cedar Cliff High Schools who have shared their stories at Board of School Directors, giving us a firsthand look at their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments.

Through Stories of Our Why, we not only highlight the achievements of our students, but also share the meaningful moments, values, and lessons that define their journeys. Tune in to hear stories that inspire, inform, and remind us all of the power of purpose and perseverance.

At the October 16, 2025, Board of School Directors meeting, four students spoke, including one each from Cedar Cliff and one from Red Land who shared their experiences at the Cumberland-Perry Area Career and Technical Center. A video highlighting their journeys will be released later in December and featured in the January 2026 newsletter.

Click here to visit the webpage for more information and up-to-date videos and podcasts.

Meet Christian Hyde - a student with deep roots in the West Shore School District. As the grandson of a former superintendent, the son of two educators, and the nephew of a former principal, Christian has grown up surrounded by a legacy of service and learning.

Christian shares how Cedar Cliff has provided him with a unique opportunity to explore his interests, challenge himself, and discover what motivates him.

Meet Colton Rose - an accomplished student-athlete whose passion for sports runs deep in his family. Known for his drive and determination, Colton shares how the lessons learned on the field have shaped who he is off it.

Colton reflects on the bonds of community that have supported him, the work ethic instilled in him from a young age, and the friendships that have defined his time at Red Land. With an eye toward the future, he talks about what motivates him, what he values most, and how he hopes to carry these lessons forward.

During the public meeting on November 13, 2025, the Board of School Directors recognized outgoing members Kelly Brent and Abigail Tierney for their dedicated years of service to the District. Both were presented with a Board Resolution Certificate in appreciation of their contributions, leadership, and commitment to our students, staff, and community. To read their full recognition, please visit: https://shorturl.at/66o11

The District thanks Mrs. Brent and Mrs. Tierney for their time, passion, and steadfast support of the District. Their service has made a lasting impact, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavors

The West Shore School District Board of School Directors welcomed a new member representing Region 3, beginning November 13, 2025. Mr. John V. Dormuth will serve on the Board through November 2027, completing the remainder of the unexpired term for the seat representing Region 3. The appointment process included a public posting of the vacancy, acceptance of applications, and interviews conducted during a special meeting of the Board of School Directors on November 10, 2025.

The District also welcomes two new School Board Directors as a result of the elections held on November 4, 2025: Dr. Mary Dankosky (Region 1) and Ms. Teri Mickle (Region 2). Mr. Brian

Guistwhite (Region 3) and Mr. Christopher Kambic (Region 1) were re-elected by District residents in their respective regions.

All meetings are held at the Administration Center and are open to the public.

SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZATION MEETING

Thursday, December 4, 6:00 p.m.

During the Reorganization Meeting, newly elected members of the Board of School Directors will be sworn in. Board members will also elect Board President and Board VIce President.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

There are no committee meetings for the month of December.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Thursday, December 4, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 11, 6:30 p.m.

• In Person and Electronic Public Comment Guidelines
• Watch Board Meetings Online - Board meetings are streamed live and archived for viewing after the meeting.
• Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting
  
• Board Minutes - posted after Board approval

With winter weather beginning to appear in the forecast, it is important families have a plan in place for the possibility of a switch to remote learning, a delay in the start time for classes, or the need to dismiss students early.

Thanks to Operation Warm and donations from The Kenneth Bankert Foundation, hundreds of students and siblings selected a free, brand-new jacket, socks, and more, at Hillside Elementary School.

Many volunteers donated their time to work one-on-one with each child to find just the right size and style of coat. The event was an enormous act of kindness that we hope spreads and inspires other positive actions in the school community and beyond. Thank you to local media outlets who attended the event. To view ABC27's story, click here. To view FOX43's story, click here.

Please join us in celebrating Cedar Cliff High School Career Coordinator Mark Miller and Fishing Creek Elementary Building Aide Tracey Shank, our Employees of the Quarter!

Certificates to Mark and Tracey were given to them at the meeting of the Board of School Directors on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Mark and Tracey exemplify dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting students and staff each and every day. Their hard work and positive impact help make our schools stronger, more supportive places for everyone.

Click here to read more about their nominations.

Two very deserving West Shore educators were named “Outstanding Teachers” by the Shippensburg University School Study Council. Please join us in congratulating literacy specialist Dr. Shannon Koutsokostas and Speech/Language Clinician Ava Arnold! Shannon and Ava received this honor for their service to our school community, dedication to our students, and commitment to ongoing professional development. Thank you both for all you do for our District.

• Annual Notices - Numerous federal laws require school districts to provide students, parents, and/or the public with notices.

• Care Solace - Care Solace assists individuals find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their services may be accessed by students, staff and their families at no cost to you, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, and in 200+ languages. To utilize Care Solace, call 1-888-515-0595 or visit www.caresolace.com/westshore.

• Employment Opportunities - We have a variety of open positions perfect for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers interested in working a schedule similar to our students.
• Transportation Exception Request - May be used to request a bus stop different from the assigned stop associated with the child’s residence provided the alternative stop is in the same school attendance area as the child’s school.
• 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 - Adults wishing to volunteer in our schools are required to complete the Volunteer Application Process before being approved to do so.
• Technology Help Center - Contains videos, resources, FAQs, and guides on using Seesaw, Schoology, PowerSchool, iPads, Chromebooks, and more.
  

• Damage, Loss, Theft of District Technology Devices and Chargers - Information related to device expectations and repair costs.