PARENT EAGLE NEWS

Dear WDHS Community~

As we get closer to Halloween, please remember that students are not permitted to wear costumes, masks, or face paint/makeup during the school day at WDHS.

While we love the spirit of the season, we want to make sure our focus remains on learning and that everyone feels safe and comfortable.

Thanks for your cooperation and for helping us keep things running smoothly!

Mrs. Michelle Spaventa

Principal

Please remember that drinks and snacks should not be dropped off at school during the day. This helps minimize classroom disruptions and ensures all students follow the same guidelines. Lunches that students may have forgotten at home may still be dropped off if needed. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school day running smoothly!

We’re so proud of Carleen Connelly, Gianna Concordia, and Maddie Laxton, our WDHS Ambassadors for the RCSJ partnership! 🎓💚

These three amazing students have been earning college credits while in high school and spoke at today’s meeting to inspire others to take advantage of this great opportunity. Way to go! 👏✨

Congratulations to Gavin Yoder and Saniya Williams for becoming royalty as the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen, and congratulations to the rest of our homecoming court.

Business/Marketing Ed – Bradford Sailor

World Language – Fernanda Tomás

Science – Sierra Quigley

Social Studies –Mike Armstrong

Visual & Performing Arts – Amanda Weaver

English – Kimoni Best

Guidance – Mikayla Evanchek

Health/PE – Hunter Whinna

Mathematics –Aubree Cantz

Applied Tech – Carl Harrington

SAVE THE DATE for our 8th Grade Open House -- Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30 pm!

Our Open House on 10/28 at 5:30 PM will be a valuable opportunity for you and your student. You’ll tour our building, explore our diverse programs and course offerings, and learn about various extracurricular activities available. This event is designed to showcase what we have to offer and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover all the exciting opportunities awaiting

On October 15th, Coach Jen DiLorenzo earned her 100th career victory as the Girls Soccer Head Coach with a 7-0 win over Haddon Township. The victory also secured the program’s first division title in 12 years.

The very next day, Coach Stetson and the Field Hockey team defeated Collingswood 6-0, giving her 100 career wins as well! Just a few days later, Field Hockey clinched their first outright division title since 2016. Both programs are in incredible hands and have so much to be proud of as they now set their sights on the ultimate goal, a state championship run in the coming weeks!

The WDHS STEM Club earned 3rd Place at the Navy Homecoming 250 STEM Competition this past Saturday in Philadelphia.

Our presentation on the main stage began with playing our 5-minute video, followed by a 5-minute question-and-answer session with the Navy judges in front of a huge audience.

Please check out our Naval Reboot Video below.

https://youtu.be/4wI_K6MPfKI Naval Reboot Video

The Presenting Team consisted of: Chase Eagle, Dylan Gloeckner, Jason Hartman, and Grayden Tagye.

Annie Grace Hayman and Brady Cobb were absent because of the marching band home show and a football game, respectively.
Special Thanks to Connor Watson, who filmed the presentation in the WDHS TV studio, and Mrs. Duarte for integrating the slide show into the video and final editing.

The WDHS Esports team is rolling into playoff season! Matches are streamed during the week on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/wdhsesports and replays will be posted at the end of the season on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@wdhsesports5102 !

There will be a bowling interest meeting for any boys and girls interested in competing this winter on Monday, November 3rd after school in the Media Center. Any questions should be directed to Coach Seeley at mseeley@wdeptford.k12.nj.us.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

To ensure the safety and security of all our students, we have a required procedure for any early dismissals from school. For your child to be picked up before the regular dismissal time, you will

need to:

1) Complete this Google Form: Early pick-up request form

2) At the time of pick up, please ring the main office doorbell and have your ID available

This helps us ensure that your child is released only to an authorized person. You can also find the form on our school website under the "For Parents" tab.

Hello West Deptford Families~

Please accept this invitation to serve as a judge for the NJ DECA Regional Conference - Southeast Division on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This year's competition will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill (formerly the Crowne Plaza).

We currently need volunteer judges to help score student performances at our upcoming regional competition. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to support student growth and provide constructive feedback.

Judges are asked to arrive at 7:45 am for check-in/breakfast/briefing. The judging will take place throughout the morning, and we anticipate wrapping up around 1:30 PM.

If you can attend, please fill out the following form: REGISTER TO JUDGE

Please reach out to Mrs. Smolenski for any questions! gsmolenski@wdeptford.k12.nj.us

Thank you for supporting NJ DECA!

Are you a high school sophomore? Are you interested in becoming a better leader and giving back to your community? Then you should apply to attend the New Jersey Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar!

When: June 2026, Dates TBD

Where: Drew University in Madison, NJ

At the seminar, you will hear from various speakers, participate in community service activities, and build leadership skills. You can find more information about NJ HOBY at https://newjerseyhoby.org/

**All applications should be emailed to Mrs. Cepurneac at ecepurneac@wdeptford.k12.nj.us by no later than Tuesday, November 4th!

Application Link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PssotCe97kd3nQ_F5Pml_n6U_X2EfzhK-nIUZsAGXDk/edit?usp=sharing

The selected NJ HOBY ambassador will be generously sponsored by the Women’s Club of West Deptford!

Rowan College South Jersey (RCSJ) will be here October 28th during 3rd period to present admission information to interested seniors. Students will complete their applications during this assembly. Students may sign up in Naviance or by contacting their counselor. Students must have a pass to attend.

Reminders!

Instructions on how to apply, request letters of rec., send test scores, etc, can be found on the Guidance Google Classroom for Seniors.

• Seniors MUST update Naviance or contact their counselor once they have submitted any applications. This is how counselors will know to send your school documents.
• Many schools are test-score optional for this year’s seniors. Be sure to check with your specific school to find out more. If you plan to send test scores, these scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.

· Seniors are encouraged to start exploring scholarship opportunities. As we receive scholarship information, we will post it under the scholarship tab in Naviance. Students can then link directly to the application.

Information on completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be sent out next week.

WDHS will be hosting a zoom workshop in January to assist families with this process.

Please be sure you have indicated in your AP Classroom that you plan to take the AP test in May. WDHS will pay the associated test fees. Your AP teacher will also remind you of this process.

Students must sign up in their Naviance account if they wish to participate.

Upcoming presentations:

Holy Family University

Williamson College of the Trades

Pennco Tech,

Neumann University

Moravian University

Interested students attended an info session on Oct. 23rd.

• Eligible Juniors and Seniors can take up to 2 classes per semester at RCSJ and WDHS will pay the tuition and fees.
• Eligible 9th and 10th-graders can take courses at their parents’ expense.
• Interested students who missed the meeting should see their school counselor.

The SAT will be given on November 8th and December 6th. Register NOW at collegeboard.com if interested. Fee waivers may be available for qualifying families. Please see your school counselor for more details.

Interested students can register at www.collegboard.com.

• Families who qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible for a fee waiver. Please contact your school counselor for more information.
• If you are not sure if you should take the SAT, please talk with your school counselor.

PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION

The WDHS Parent Organization will meet several times during the 2025-26 school year in the high school Media Center. All parents are welcome to attend and participate in the organization's various activities. Please check our high school calendar for the MOST CURRENT meeting DATES and TIMES.

Services this group provides to our students include scholarships and Project Graduation activities.

Your involvement and support are greatly needed to continue providing our students with these and many more activities. We hope to see you at one of our meetings.

You can read the PTO NEWS LETTER AND SIGN UP TO BECOME A MEMBER HERE.

For many years, Operation Blessing has been a cornerstone of our community, helping West Deptford families in need celebrate the holiday season. Through the combined efforts of West Deptford High School, our district schools, and the National Honor Society, we are once again coming together to spread joy and provide essential support to local families. This season, we invite you to join us in bringing holiday cheer to those who need it most.

ADOPT A FAMILY - This involves committing to “adopting a family” to provide specific wish list items requested by a family in need. Our goal for each family is to have donated a few toy items or gift cards for children and winter items for all the children (each child requires a coat, shoes, socks, pj’s, underwear, outfits, hat & gloves, and toys). When adopting a family for the holiday you will also supply wrapping needs for gifts. **Since there are a variety of items needed for each family, you may choose to team up with neighbors, family members, or friends to all pitch in to provide for one family. ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW, TAGS ON, and UNWRAPPED. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY Friday, December 5th.

If you are interested in adopting a family, please email Jennifer Stuart with your contact information and what size family you can adopt for this holiday season. Family size ranges from 1-6.

Jennifer Stuart- Jstuart@wdeptford.k12.nj.us

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

FEED A FAMILY: Fill reusable grocery bags with pantry items to help create holiday meals. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/wWnEBahYnzEEGJ9K6

DONATIONS - We welcome individual donations, including gift cards (for ShopRite, Acme, Target, Walmart), family board games, and cozy blankets. Please feel free to drop these items off at West Deptford High School.

❤Thank you for your kindness and generosity❤

Please encourage your child to apply here to the Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) program. The program is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and winning teams will split a share of $3,000 prize monies. Admissions is on a rolling basis and the deadline to apply is November 30, 2025. Students from last year's winning teams came from Camden County Technical School-Gloucester Township Campus, West Deptford High School, Gloucester City High School, Mainland Regional High School, and LEAP Academy Charter School.

Program Start: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Program End: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Program Day: Every Tuesday
Program Hours: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: In-Person at the Rutgers School of Business–Camden
Program Cost: FREE for admitted RUSE Students

Email: mspaventa@wdeptford.k12.nj.us

Principal: Mrs. Michelle Spaventa

HS Website: https://hs.wdeptford.k12.nj.us

Location: 1600 Crown Point Road, West Deptford. NJ, 08093

Phone: 856-848-6110

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552841374461

X: https://x.com/WDHSATHLETICS

WDHS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WDHSTV