Blue & White Newsletter - 10/16/26

West York was full of blue and white as students, staff, families, and alumni came together to celebrate Homecoming 2026!

The week began with a series of themed Spirit Days, giving students across the District plenty of opportunities to show their Bulldog pride. On Wednesday evening, the celebration moved into the community with the annual Homecoming Parade, followed by a pep rally at the High School featuring our fall athletic teams, music, food trucks, and plenty of school spirit.

Friday night brought one of the biggest moments of the week as the Homecoming Court was recognized before the football game. Congratulations to the 2026 Homecoming King Michael Munufie and Queen Cora Rodgers! Since Michael was unable to attend the game, Mr. Carlos Ferron, Dean of Students, stood in for him during the coronation.

The celebration continued on the field, where the Bulldogs delivered an exciting 46–14 victory over the Bermudian Springs Eagles. The Mighty Bulldog Marching Band, cheerleaders, student section, and fans kept the energy going throughout the night.

Students wrapped up the festivities at the Homecoming Dance on Saturday evening, trading their spirit wear for formal attire and enjoying a night of music, dancing, and time with friends.

From Spirit Week and the parade to Friday night football and the dance, Homecoming brought our Bulldog community together for a memorable week of tradition and celebration.

Students across our elementary schools recently welcomed members of the West Manchester Township Fire Department for this year’s fire safety assemblies.

Through demonstrations and age-appropriate conversations, firefighters helped students learn how to prevent fires, respond safely in an emergency, and make smart choices at home.

These annual visits are an important part of Fire Prevention Month and give students the opportunity to hear directly from the people who help keep our community safe.

We are grateful to Chief Gentzler, Chief Laughman, and the West Manchester Township Fire Department for once again sharing their time, knowledge, and commitment to our students.

Students from Trimmer Elementary and Lincolnway Elementary recently earned recognition in the annual West Manchester Township Fire Department Fire Safety Poster Contest.

At Trimmer, fifth graders Arianiz Andujar and Gabriel Mojica tied for first place, while fellow fifth grader Delilah Stallings was named the Art Teachers’ Selection winner.

At Lincolnway, Penelope LaRue, a second grader, earned first place, while third grader Jasmin Garcia was named the Art Teachers’ Selection winner.

As part of the prize, the first-place winners received a memorable ride to school in a West Manchester Township fire truck—a fun way to celebrate their achievement and make the morning extra special.

The annual contest gives students a chance to use their creativity to share important fire safety messages with the community. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Ms. Corissa McKinsey’s kindergarten class recently enjoyed a field trip to Flinchbaugh’s Orchard, where students got a hands-on look at life on the farm.

During their visit, students picked their own pumpkins, learned how pumpkins grow, and took a wagon ride through the orchard. They also discovered the difference between helpful and harmful bugs and learned some fun facts about honey bees — including how much honey one bee can produce and why the queen bee is so important.

The day wrapped up with a seasonal snack of apple slices, pretzels, and apple cider. It was a fun way for students to learn, explore, and enjoy a beautiful fall day together!

First graders in Ms. Kelly Murphy’s class at Wallace Elementary recently enjoyed a special visit from Cafeteria Manager Ms. Marianne Panopoulos, who brought a nutrition lesson to life with a nonfiction book all about beans.

As Ms. Panopoulos read, students had the chance to touch different beans, share their thoughts about eating them, and discuss interesting facts together as a class. The lesson ended with a very tasty surprise — black bean brownies!

The brownies were a big hit, and students are already hoping they might make an appearance on the lunch menu someday. The class is also looking forward to more fun lessons with Ms. Panopoulos in the future!

First graders in Ms. Marlena Markey’s class are combining reading, research, writing, and art as they create a class book about race cars.

Students began by using Epic, a digital reading tool that gives them access to books at a range of reading levels. This allowed each student to explore the same topic while working with a text that matched their individual reading needs.

After gathering facts, students used what they learned to write informational sentences and create an illustration using a directed drawing of their choice.

The project is a great example of how technology can support personalized learning while giving students a fun, creative way to build their reading and writing skills.

Each student will sign up for a 30-minute time slot and be paired with a volunteer who will help them secretly shop and wrap gifts for family members. We are looking for unique vendors and will only approve one vendor for each type of item being sold (i.e. only one booth selling candles).

If you have any questions, reach out to the PTO President, Katie Owings, at WestYorkElemPTO@gmail.com

Apply to be a vendor at our annual Holiday Shop here: https://forms.gle/2LPmpNaVcKn3mqXh8

We have a limited number of vendor spots available, so don’t wait!

Calling all student artists! The District’s annual Holiday Card Design Contest is open to all students in grades K–12. Two winning designs—one elementary and one secondary—will be featured on the District’s official holiday cards.

The winning artists will also be recognized at the December 8th School Board meeting, receive an art-focused gift, and have their artwork framed for display in the District Boardroom.

Artwork Guidelines

• Theme: Winter or the Holidays
• Size: Between 6" x 4.5" and 12" x 9"
• Landscape orientation only
• Include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back
• Submit artwork to your Art Teacher by October 30, 2026

Construction paper is available from building Art Teachers. We can’t wait to see the creativity our Bulldogs bring to this year’s holiday cards!

OCTOBER 2026

• Tuesday, October 20 | 5:30 p.m. — Budget & Finance Committee Meeting

DATE CHANGED

• Tuesday, October 20 | 6:30 p.m. — Board Voting Meeting
• Wednesday, October 21 | 6:00 p.m. — Elementary PTO Meeting @ Wallace Elementary
• Thursday, October 22 | 6:00 p.m. — Trunk or Treat @ High School
• Friday, October 23 — Early Dismissal / End of 1st Marking Period
• Monday, October 26 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Trimmer Elementary
• Tuesday, October 27 | 4:00 p.m. — Assessment Committee (NEW) Meeting

NOVEMBER 2026

• Monday, November 2 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Lincolnway Elementary
• Thursday, November 5 — Early Dismissal / Parent-Teacher Conferences (K-8)
• Friday, November 6 — Professional Learning Day, No School for Students / Parent-Teacher Conferences (AM Only K-5)
• Monday, November 9 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Middle School
• Monday, November 9 — Middle School Picture Retake Day
• Monday, November 9 | 5:30 p.m. — Middle School PTSO Meeting

• Tuesday, November 10 | 5:30 p.m. — Educational Programming Committee Meeting

• Tuesday, November 10 | 7:00 p.m. — Work Session of the Board

• Wednesday, November 11 — Lincolnway Picture Retake Day
• Thursday, November 12 | 7:00 p.m. — Harlem Wizards Fundraiser Game @ High School
• Monday, November 16 — Mobile Dentist Visit @ Wallace Elementary
• Tuesday, November 17 — Wallace Picture Retake Day
• Tuesday, November 17 | 5:30 p.m. — Cocurricular Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, November 17 | 6:30 p.m. — Board Voting Meeting
• Wednesday, November 18 — Trimmer Picture Retake Day
• Wednesday, November 18 | 6:00 p.m. — Elementary PTO Meeting @ Wallace Elementary
• HS Fall Play — Marvelous Squad: A Super-Heroic Tale with Avengeance by Dean O’Carroll
• Friday, November 20 | 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 21 | 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 22 | 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 25—Monday, November 30 — Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
• Thursday, November 26—Friday, November 27 — District Offices Closed

West York Area High School yearbooks are currently available for $80, the discounted price through October 16. After that date, the price will increase slightly.

Families of seniors can also purchase a Senior Ad to celebrate their student in the yearbook. The first ad deadline is November 20. Ads may still be accepted after that date as space allows, so families are encouraged to order early.

Order a Senior Ad through Jostens by clicking this link: https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/yearbook-ads#affiliate

Our Elementary PTO and Middle School PTSO help strengthen the connection between families, students, and staff while supporting opportunities that make a difference in our K–8 schools.

Through fundraising, volunteering, and family involvement, these organizations help provide resources and experiences that benefit both students and teachers. Below, you’ll find ways to get involved and support their work throughout the school year.

There’s still time to support West York Area High School’s Veterans Day Flag Campaign benefiting Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Community members can donate in honor of a veteran, with all funds raised going to DAV.

The campaign closes October 30, and flags will be displayed outside the High School beginning November 6.

To donate, use the school’s campaign link: https://support.dav.org/participants/westyorkhs

The Harlem Wizards are coming to West York Area High School on Thursday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. to take on a team of West York teachers, principals, and staff in a fun, family-friendly basketball event. Proceeds benefit The Foundation for the West York Area School District and its teacher grant program. Tickets are on sale now!

Parent volunteers and game sponsors are also needed. Interested in helping? Contact Jess Doellinger at jldoellinger@wyasd.org.

• Purchase tickets here: https://harlemwizardsinabox.com/game/event/yorkpa11-12-26-07-00pm/
• Follow the Facebook event for updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1082087934549631/

Family First Health’s Mobile Dental Team will visit several West York schools during the 2026-27 school year to provide dental care during the school day. Families must complete a new enrollment form for each child every school year at least two weeks prior to the scheduled visit.

Enroll at this link or by clicking the image below: https://familyfirsthealth.jotform.com/251734387844063

Upcoming Fall Visits:

• Trimmer Elementary | October 26
• Lincolnway Elementary | November 2
• Middle School | November 9
• Wallace Elementary | November 16

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