SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
As always, we are here to assist, if you have questions or concerns regarding the upcoming school year, please contact the office (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:30 PM), 717.938.6561, or you can email us at the following:
- Melissa Herbert, Principal, Grade 12: mherbert@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Katie Jackson, Assistant Principal, Grade 10: kjackson@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Shelly McGowan, Assistant Principal, Grade 11: smcgowan@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Mrs. Mikayla Norton, Assistant Principal, Grade 9: mnorton@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Tom Peifer, Athletic Director: tpeifer@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Virginia Bramley, Grade 10 Counselor: vbramley@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Jennifer Marczyk, Grade 11 Counselor: jmarczyk@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Thomas Moore, Grade 12 Counselor: tmoore@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Aaron Walter, Grade 9 Counselor: awalter@wssd.k12.pa.us
- David Butler, Career Coordinator: dbutler@wssd.k12.pa.us
We will be administering the Winter Wave Keystones for Algebra and Biology on December 8th and 9th 2025. On testing days classes will run on a 2.5-hour delay modified schedule. All student testers need to be present at 7:30AM and transportation will run on the normal schedule.
STUDENTS NOT TESTING: Non-testing students who choose to ride the bus at normal time will go to the CAFE for a flex/study hall and will complete school work. Students can provide their own transportation and must arrive by first period which will begin at 9:55AM.
TESTING SCHEDULE:
Monday, December 8th, 2025, Algebra and Biology Modules 1:
- In attendance: Test takers, including ExCEL students, CPACTC, and District Based Classrooms (Snyder, Ariola, Gahr)
- Not in attendance: Students not testing will not be at school
Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, Algebra and Biology Modules 2:
- In attendance: Test takers, including ExCEL students, CPACTC, and District Based Classrooms (Snyder, Ariola, Gahr)
- Not in attendance: Students not testing will not be at school
Wednesday, December 10th and Thursday, December 11th, 2025, Makeup Exams:
- All students in attendance and regular schedule.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation will operate on a normal schedule on all Keystone dates. Students have the option to take the bus at their usual time, or they can be dropped off by 9:55AM to be in first period at 10:06AM.
ASSIGNMENTS: There will be no new material posted for students on Dec. 8th and 9th. This is an opportunity for students to complete missing work, complete retakes/re-dos, etc. and improve their grades.
OPEN CAMPUS: There will be no open campus on testing days.
STUDENTS THAT ATTEND CPACTC: Students who attend CPACTC and are scheduled to take a Keystone Exam will report to the building for testing on the day or days of their scheduled tests and will not attend CPACTC. If a student attends CPACTC and is not taking Keystone Exams, transportation and CPACTC attendance will be the same as on a regular school day. Once CTC students return at 11:20AM, they will eat 4A lunch, then proceed to the auditorium for 4B and 3rd period.
EXCEL Students and Late Arrivals: Please report to the front office upon arrival.
The Course Selection timeline will be released after the December School Board meeting. It is important to begin having conversations with your students now about their upcoming school year. Counselors and administration will be meeting with students in January to discuss course selection. The parent Course Selection Night will be held on January 21, 2026, at 6:30PM in the auditorium.
Parents of 26-27 Seniors, Class of 2027.
- Students must meet the ACT 158 Pathways to Graduation requirement. Paperwork will be sent home with updates on your child's status.
- Students are required to take Personal Finance.
- College bound students, we implore parents to discuss the necessity to continue with a schedule that demonstrates rigor. A great option would be to explore an early college pathway with a local college or university allows qualified West Shore School District students to earn college credits through Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the home school, HACC’s College in the High School (CHS) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses offered on-campus at approved post-secondary institutions. Dual enrollment courses may take place at the college or university as well through on-line or distance learning options. The Early college options allow students to simultaneously enroll in coursework that fulfills high school graduation requirements while also meeting general education or elective requirements in approving post-secondary colleges and universities.
- Student-Athletes are required to take a minimum of four courses to be eligible for PIAA. Failure of any of the minimum of four courses, makes them ineligible for competition.
The Red Land Course Selection Guide will go live following the the December School Board meeting with an updated timeline and course offerings for the 2026-2027 school year.
Parents of Seniors;
We have a link on our homepage to RED LAND SENIORS 2026. As new information is shared, we will update this webpage as well.
Senior Deans
- Heather Wolfe, hwolfe@wssd.k12.pa.us
- Taylor Wiggins, twiggins@wssd.k12.pa.us
Senior Counselor
- Thomas Moore, tmoore@wssd.k12.pa.us
Upcoming Senior Events:
- SAT Testing, December 6, 2025, Cedar Cliff High School
- Senior Class Mandatory Meeting, January 7, 2026, Period 3 or Period 6
- Senior Exit Interviews *MANDATORY*, February 13, 2026, Red Land High School
- West Shore Future Educator Open House, March 2, 2026, ACE, 4:00-6:00PM
- SAT Testing, March 14, 2026, Red Land High School
- Senior Class Mandatory Meeting, April 29, 2026, Period 3 or Period 6
- College Signing Day, May 1, 2026, Red Land High School, 11:00AM
- SAT Testing, May 2, 2026, Cedar Cliff High School
- Military & Career Signing Day, May 8, 2026, Red Land High School, 11:30AM
- Prom, May 16, 2026, Barn at Creeks Bend, 6:00-9:00PM
- Senior Honors Breakfast, May 19, 2026, Red Land High School Cafeteria, 8:15AM
- Senior Awards Night, May 20, 2026, Red Land High School, 6:00PM
- Graduation, June 5, 2026, 6:30PM, PA Farm Show complex
We invite you to save the link to our Red Land High School Morning News Broadcasts
Students provide daily updates on what is happening at RLHS, and share important upcoming dates and times of events.
Mark your calendars! The Life Skills, Autism, and MDS classrooms District-wide are hosting a special craft fair on December 2nd and 3rd, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Administration Center Board Room.
Come shop and support our students!
Red Land Offerings: Homemade dog treats, ceramic ornaments, and "Recipes in a Jar" (Cookies, Hot Cocoa, and Soup).
Other Classes: Ornaments, cozy blankets, keychains and unique birdfeeders.
Food & Drink: Coffee, muffins, BBQ sandwiches, chips, and drinks will also be available for purchase.
We encourage you to stop by during your lunch or planning period!
Please note: All purchases require cash or check.
The RLHS Friendship Club successfully held its annual Friendsgiving on November 20th. The event is a treasured tradition that fosters community and inclusion among all students.
Students shared a festive meal, participated in crafts, and enjoyed games. This annual activity directly supports the club's mission: promoting friendships, developing student leadership, fostering an inclusive school culture, and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Freshman class concluded their Gertrude Hawk chocolate fundraiser. Pickup for the chocolate will be after Thanksgiving break on the week of December 8th. Thank you to everyone who participated, we are excited to see how much money was raised!
Red Land is proud of our culture and climate, yet we recognize we must continue to grow and nurture our culture. We also recognize expectations must be the same for everyone (students, staff, and families) in order for our culture to thrive and improve.
The R•L•H•S Expectations are expectations designed for ALL constituents of Red Land. This common vocabulary and the R•L•H•S Expectations are outlined below. We will share the R•L•H•S Expectations at our grade level meetings, as well as the commitment to recognize students and staff when the R•L•H•S Expectations have been demonstrated.
Through this framework, along with positive reinforcement and accountability, we want to create a safe learning environment at Red Land.
- Many studies have shown that cell phones are a major distraction for students in schools. West Shore School District, along with both high schools, believe that students will be able to obtain all the information they need through their new iPads. Therefore, cell phones will no longer be allowed during class time. This will also include any form of headphone.
- Students may still use their cell phones during non instructional times, such as lunches and in between classes. During class time, cell phones cannot be out, so students either need to put them into classroom phone lockers or keep them in their backpacks.
We've included important links for our students that attend Cumberland Perry Career & Technical Center.
STUDENTS MAY NOT DRIVE TO CPACTC, THEY ARE TO RIDE WSSD TRANSPORTATION.
CTC is in session when RL is not:
- December 22, 2025
- March 23, 2026
- May 22, 2026
CTC's last day is May 29 2026, WSSD is in session until June 5, 2026.
⛷️ JANUARY 🎿
01 NO SCHOOL
02 NO SCHOOL
08 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 6:30P, ACE
09 LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY
13 CURRICULUM COUNCIL, 4:00PM
15 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 6:30P, ACE
16 2ND MARKING PERIOD / 1ST SEMESTER ENDS
19 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
20 DISTRICT VOICE, 5;30PM, ACE
21 PATE, 12PM, 217
21 HS COURSE SELECTION NIGHT, 6:30PM
24 SMD, 8:30AM, CAFE
24 JROTC DRILL COMPETITION
IMPORTANT ATHLETIC AND ACTIVITIES UPDATES:
There are a lot of opportunities to get involved at Red Land. Included is a list of some of our clubs and activities, as well as our seasonal sports. Go to the Red Land Athletics page for more details on clubs, activities, and sports!
LINKS TO RED LAND ATHLETICS
RED LAND HIGH SCHOOL
Email: mherbert@wssd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/redland.aspx
Location: 560 Fishing Creek Road, Lewisberry, PA 17330
Phone: 717.938.6561
Twitter: @RedLandHS