What are your favorite hobbies?

Go on walks, cook, watch TV, shop, spend time with family and friends

What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?

I graduated from WCSD so I knew how special this district is from a student point of view. I really loved the idea of giving back to the community I grew up by shaping the minds of the children entering the district.

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

I would tell myself to never give up. There may be obstacles ahead but keep going, your dream job is waiting for you!

What are your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, reading, scrapbooking, puzzling

What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?

Family in the area shared that Whitehall-Coplay was known to be a good school district. During my interview, I appreciated hearing about what others liked about the district and how it felt like a close-knit community--especially at Gockley!

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

Everything will turn out okay! There will be bumps and moments of uncertainty but you'll find your way!

What are your favorite hobbies?

Reading, swimming, playing board games, painting

What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?

I am eager to work with a diverse group of students in the public school system and be in a district closer to home!

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

Don’t worry about the little things.

Please see below for a list of upcoming school events for fall 2023!

• 8/28/2023 First Day of School

• 8/28/2023 7:00 PM School Board Meeting
• 9/1/2023 School Closed – Labor Day
• 9/4/2023 School Closed – Labor Day
• 10/6/2023 Homecoming
  
• 10/9/2023 Prof. Dev. Day (No school for students)
• 10/11/2023 High School PSAT's - Asynchronous Day for Non-participating Students

• 10/26/2023 Fall Parade

• 10/27/2023 WHS Fall Play
• 11/1/2023 End of 1st marking period

• 11/17/2023 Early Dismissal- Elem. & MS

• 11/20/2023 Early Dismissal- Elem. & MS
• 11/20/2023 7:00 PM School Board Meeting
• 11/21/2023 Early Dismissal- Elem. & MS
• 11/22/2023 Professional Development Day (School Closed for Students)
• 11/23/2023 School Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
• 11/27/2023 School Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
• 11/27/2023 Schools and Offices Closed

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you as the principal of Whitehall High School! My name is Dr. Peter J. Mayes and I am excited to lead in this important role for your child.

Over the past 25 years, I have served as an educator in elementary and middle schools throughout the Lehigh Valley, which is where I grew up. I began my professional career as a 5th and 6th grade teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District. I made a difficult decision to leave the classroom and joined Mosser Elementary School in the Allentown School District as Principal. As my daughters approached middle school, I was blessed to serve the Bethlehem Area School District as the Principal of Nitschmann Middle School and was fortunate enough to be their principal! Now, I have the opportunity to help your child make the leap from the middle school years to graduation here at Whitehall High School.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s education with the Whitehall-Coplay School District and Whitehall High School. As a first generation college graduate, I know the power of a strong education and the lifelong impact that it can have on a person and their family. I believe strongly that a well-balanced education can make all the difference in a child’s future to help them achieve more than the previous generation. My parents encouraged me to make sure I always pursued higher education. I have earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University, my Masters of Science in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from Kutztown University, my Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Wilkes University, and my Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from East Stroudsburg University.

Please communicate with me about any concerns, successes, or suggestions for your child or our school. You will find that I communicate regularly with our Whitehall High School community so we can all celebrate our students together!

Thank you for the warm welcome as the Principal of Whitehall Coplay Middle School. My career in education has spanned 23 years and 5 school districts. The past 18 years have been in administration.

Delaware Valley University granted me a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2017 with dissertation work in the area of assessment. I earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2006. Kutztown University conferred a Master’s in Education in Social Studies in 1998 along with a teaching certificate.

My educational experiences have afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. My educational philosophy is based on a belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family.

This school year will bring changes moving us in a positive direction socially and academically for all students. I am excited for the growth this school year will bring. I will work diligently along with you and your child’s teachers to ensure a positive learning experience for all the students.

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to the Zephyr community as Principal of Zephyr Elementary School. My name is Gabriel Dillard, and I am eager to begin this exciting journey with the Zephyr community as we embark on another promising school year. I look forward to getting to know each of the students, the dedicated staff, and the supportive families that make up our school. Below you will find a brief overview of who I am and how my journey in education led me to Zephyr Elementary School.

My journey in education began in Bethlehem, PA, where I attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and graduated from Notre Dame High School of Easton. It was during my time at Notre Dame that my aspirations to become an educator began, and I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University.

In the fall of 2005, I began my career as a special education teacher in Nanakuli, Hawaii, where I taught high school mathematics and had the privilege of serving as an assistant wrestling coach. After two years, my wife and I welcomed our first son and decided to return to the Lehigh Valley, where I continued my journey as a special education teacher at Wilson Area High School for seven rewarding years. During my time at Wilson, I also earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wilkes University. In 2014, I became a part of the Zephyr community as Assistant Principal of Whitehall High School, where I served until joining the staff of Zephyr Elementary School in January of 2022.

Currently, my wife and I reside in Bethlehem Township with our three sons, Keanu, Reef, and Waimea, and our Jack Russell terrier, Moki. All three of our sons are actively involved in athletics and much of our time outside of school is spent on the wrestling mat or the gym. Additionally, my wife and I are both from large families and typically spend our free time visiting and catching up with our siblings.

Since the beginning of my career in Whitehall, I have always felt welcome by students and staff, and have taken pride in continuing to share that feeling with others in our community. As you get to know me, you will find that collaboration is essential to me, and I strongly believe that by working together as a team, we can create an environment where every student can thrive. With students, staff, my family, and in my own life, I emphasize the importance of goal-setting, recognizing individual strengths, and fostering a spirit of constant self-improvement. My goal is to build partnerships to ensure that our students reach their fullest potential.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with the Zephyr students, staff, and families. Should you have any questions, or concerns, or simply wish to connect, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your input and involvement are invaluable as we continue to create a positive learning environment at Zephyr!

It is with great honor and excitement that I introduce myself, Cora Snyder, as the Principal of Steckel Elementary. My passion for education has shaped me personally and professionally over the last 13 years. My journey in education started as a 1st grade teacher in the Allentown School District. I served this district for 11 years, teaching 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 6th grade. During this time, I received a master’s degree in Education from Cabrini University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with my principal certification from Lehigh University. I ended my time in the Allentown School District as an acting assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary. Last school year, I served as the assistant principal at Siegfried and Franklin Elementary Schools in the Northampton Area School District. These wonderful experiences along with amazing colleagues, students, and families has prepared me to lead as the principal of Steckel Elementary School.

Most importantly, I look forward to working together to ensure a positive impact on student academic achievements and social emotional growth. At Steckel we remain committed to providing a positive school and classroom environment in which every student feels safe, nurtured, respected. We will continue to provide appropriate and challenging instruction to reach each and every child everyday and nurture students social and emotional learning. We will encourage and provide shared opportunities for family and school engagement as we build relationships within our community together.

On a personal note, my husband and I have 2 children - Kayla 14 and Tyler 19. My husband, Chris, is also an educator and teaches Kindergarten. My hobbies include spending time with my family, running, reading and coaching soccer. Over the last few weeks I have had the privilege to meet some of the Steckel Elementary community. One of my greatest takeaways is the immense enthusiasm and pride for the school and community.

It is with the same enthusiasm and pride that I look forward to becoming an integral part of the community with my own family and working with each of you as we continue to grow together. I look forward to an amazing year ahead of us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to discuss. Go Zephyrs!

I have worked in the Whitehall-Coplay School District for the past 27 years as a classroom teacher, elementary school counselor, and building principal. As a graduate of Whitehall High School, I am extremely honored and proud to be a part of our school community.

Prior to my employment at Whitehall, I taught kindergarten in the Bethlehem Area School District. My educational achievements include a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administrative Certification from Penn State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Elementary Counseling from Kutztown University. In my spare time, I enjoy camping with my husband and daughter and watching Penn State.

Our Gockley Faculty is committed to our young learners and we work diligently to ensure a positive learning experience for all of our students. I believe that communication between school and home is an integral part of the education of students at the K-1 level. Please do not hesitate to contact me during the year with questions or concerns regarding your child’s education.

This message aims to inform you of the various methods by which the Whitehall-Coplay School District (WCSD) will communicate with you this year. The WCSD will utilize multiple platforms at regular intervals to provide information to various school community members. These regular communication methods are listed in this memo and are based on the feedback we received in our communications audit last fall.

Additionally, the District is always available to help parents, staff, students, and community members. The WCSD Chain of Communication is linked here. Please use this as a guide to follow the proper channels when you need the WCSD. If you have a student-related issue and are unsure who to contact, please use the Interactive Help Page. If you are still unsure who to contact, please feel free to email the WCSD at questions@whitehallcoplay.org.

Newsletters

The WCSD shares a monthly parent/community newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month. To review past newsletters, please click this link.

Weekly Updates

Each school building will continue to utilize a weekly parent update as well as a staff update each week. Parents can expect a weekly update on Sunday each week. Staff members can expect an update on Friday each week.

Did You Know?

Beginning with the 2023/2024 School Year, the WCSD will share a weekly email each Wednesday with a quick detail highlighting a program, resource, or information about the District or community.

Social Media

Follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We have streamlined our handles and platforms to improve user experience. Click here for our social media graphic.

District - @wcsdzephyrs

WHS - @wcsdwhs

WCMS - @wcsdwcms

Zephyr - @wcsdzephyr

Steckel - @wcsdsteckel

Gockley - @wcsdgockley

See the videos below to relive the 2023 Whitehall High School Graduation Campus Parade and Ceremony

Whitehall-Coplay School District would like to recognize the following personnel appointed at the recent School Board Meetings. Congratulations on your new role!

Elena Beckett, Special Education Emotional Support Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Bryan Bell, Utility Maintenance Worker for the Whitehall-Coplay School District

Andrew Bellesfield, Salaried Building Substitute at Steckel Elementary School

Sarah Blackwell, PE Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Whitehall High School

Kelly Bordner, Special Education Learning Support Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Tracey Corteen, Cafeteria Monitor at Steckel Elementary School

Tracey Cesare, Building Substitute at Gockley Elementary School

Carly Charles, Special Education Learning Support Teacher at Zephyr Elementary School

Elvira Cuellar, Bus Aide for the Whitehall-Coplay School District

Kristen Druckenmiller, Main Office Secretary at Whitehall High School

Michelle Due, MDS-B Paraeducator at Gockley Elementary School

Jesse Erb, Utility Maintenance Worker for the Whitehall-Coplay School Distric

Zachary Gilbert, Building Substitute at Zephyr Elementary School

Michael Graziano, Social Studies Teacher at Whitehall High School

Kyleigh Grim, Kindergarten Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Kayla Heilman, Kindergarten Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Robin Hojnoski, District Wide School Psychologist

Zachary Hottinger, English Teacher at Whitehall High School

Juliana Jenkins, ESL Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Nadeem Khouri, Van Driver

Vanessa Krempasky, Building Substitute at Gockley Elementary Schoo

Olivia Kun, Speech and Language Pathologist at Gockley Elementary School

Carly LaCoe, First Grade Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Jenna Leavitt, Mathematics Teacher at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School

Shelly Mansell, Salaried Building Substitute at Whitehall High School

Caroline Martin, Building Substitute at Gockley Elementary School

Elizabeth Messerli, Emotional Support Paraeducator at Gockley Elementary School

Charles Mohr, Bus Driver

Angela Palumbo, Fourth Grade Teacher at Zephyr Elementary School

Jeffrey Pukszyn, Building Substitute at Whitehall High School

Tom Ritter, Utility Maintenance Worker for the Whitehall-Coplay School District

Laura Rothe, ESL Specialist at Whitehall High School

Ryan Schneck, Utility Maintenance Worker for the Whitehall-Coplay School District

Nicole Schwenk, Fifth Grade Teacher at Zephyr Elementary School

Jessica Smith, Building Substitute at Whitehall High School

Kelcey Sokol, Salaried Building Substitute at Zephyr Elementary School,

Paige Sommers, Kindergarten Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Stephanie Steinberg, Building Substitute at Steckel Elementary School

Victoria Swank, Special Education Emotional Support Teacher at Gockley Elementary School

Jon Tabshi, Computer Technician

Alex Witcher, Library Secretary at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School

Shana Younes, Main Office Secretary at Whitehall High School

Cassandra Wiersch, Mathematics Teacher at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School

• Family Consumer Science 9-12
  
• Spanish LTS (Anticipated) High School
  
• Spanish LTS (Anticipated) High School
• Biology 9-12 [Full-Year Salaried Substitute]
  
• High School Science- Chemistry
  
• Secondary Science Teacher 9-12 [Full Year Salaried Substitute]
  
• Special Education- Emotional Support [Anticipated]
  
• Nurse Assistant [2 positions]
  
• Secretary- Whitehall High School [Part-time, 10-month]
  
• Paraeducators- Special Education [Multiple Positions]
  
• Bus Drivers

Agenda

Agendas:

Special Board Meeting

Education Committee

Finance Committee

Operations/Transportation Committee

Agenda

Agenda

Agendas:

Education/Student Activities Committee Meeting

Finance Committee Meeting

Operations/Transportation Committee Meeting