November 2024 e-News

We look forward to focusing on Gratitude this month! One way to think about Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and our happiness. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• NOVEMBER - Career Development Month, Military Family Appreciation Month, and Native American Heritage Month
• November 4-8 - School Psychologists Week
• November 8 - STEM/STEAM Day
• November 11 - Veterans Day
• November 11-15 - Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. To show solidarity with children experiencing homelessness, everyone is encouraged to wear red on November 15.
• November 15 - Substitute Educator Appreciation Day
• November 18-22 - American Education Week
• November 21 - Children's Grief Awareness Day. Please wear blue to show your support understanding for the needs of grieving children.

While November is a time beginning the 'traditional' holiday season, we also set aside time to honor veterans and the military family. During Military Family Appreciation Month, we thank families for the enormous contribution they make in support of our service members and the nation. Military life imposes unique demands on them, and we are supportive of their dedication to the every member of the District and the nation as a whole. You can expect a special announcement in January regarding the West Shore School District and our efforts to support our military families.

NO SCHOOL - Parent Conferences

Sunday, November 3

Monday, November 18

Report card information for grades 7-12 will be available no later than November 18, 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). Parents, if you need to set up a PowerSchool account, please contact your child's school.

Friday, November 17

Wednesday, November 20

Wednesday, November 27 through Monday, December 2.

Parent Conferences and professional development November 27.

District offices will be closed November 28 - December 1.
There will be no school Monday, December 2 for professional development.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 3, Cycle Day 1.

Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7, 5-7 p.m., Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center

This is a great way for students in grades 7-10 to learn more about the Human Services, Arts & Technology, Health Services, Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation programs offered at Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center (CPACTC). Click here for additional information.

Thursday, November 7, During School

Hosted by Allen Middle School

This event provides all District eighth grade students with the opportunity to learn about different career options. Special thanks to our local businesses and organizations who have volunteered to spend the morning sharing information with our students.

Wednesday, November 13, 6-8 p.m.

Hosted by West Creek Hills Elementary School, 400 Erford Rd., Camp Hill, PA

West Shore families are invited to attend a Parent Information Session sponsored by the Eastern Cumberland Special Education Consortium. Topics to be discussed include The ABCs of IEPs, All About Behavior, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and IEP Basics. Free childcare will be available. To register your family to attend, please click here.

When should a student choose to pursue a degree, trade school, apprenticeship or some other post-secondary opportunity? Cedar Cliff Career Coordinator Mark Miller will be hosting an event for West Shore School District families and teachers about potential future pathways for current students. Topics include: employers who offer tuition assistance, apprenticeships, if and when to borrow and more.

You'll soon be receiving an email reminder with additional details of participation in this year's holiday card contest. All West Shore students are invited to enter their original artwork and/or writing for a chance to be featured.

In addition to appearing on the District holiday card, winners will receive a $50 gift card to the location of their choice, a set of printed cards, and be formally recognized by the School Board at its December 12 meeting. For more information, click here.

October 21-25 was School Bus Safety Week. In honor, we'd like to recognize 35-year veteran of West Shore School District bus routes - TerriAnn Vanbuskirk.

TerriAnn drives bus #43 for Red Land High School, Old Trail Intermediate School and Red Mill Elementary School every single day. Starting the job as her kids were going through school, TerriAnn never thought she'd be driving while her grandkids were going through, too! Never wavering from her dedication to her riders, TerriAnn said those relationships she develops with students and parents makes her 35 years worth it every day.

Thank you to TerriAnn and all of the amazing drivers who ensure our students arrive and depart safely and lead meaningful, impactful lives!

Thursday, November 7 - Sunday, November 10

Presented by Cedar Cliff High School

Step into the world of 1895 high society England where the comedy is classic and double identities are

the norm. Thursday, Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7:00pm with a matinee on Sunday at 2:00pm. Admission is $7 for students and $10 for adults and all tickets purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance online.

Friday, November 22

VENUE CHANGE - Now hosted by Cedar Cliff High School

The community is invited to attend a FREE concert at 4 p.m. featuring tenor and bass voices from West Shore and other local school districts.

Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8

Presented by Red Land High School

A Broadway icon since the 1950s, Once Upon a Mattress is one of the most enduring plays in history headed for the Red Land stage. Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults and all tickets purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance online.

With an award for 'Best Percussion,' our West Shore Marching Band brought home the 2024 USBands Group V Open Pennsylvania State Runner-up title on October 19th. Then, on October 26th, with awards for Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect and Best Percussion, they earned the USBands Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship title! It makes us #WestShoreProud to see their talent and dedication rewarded. Next up…Nationals!

For four years, Cedar Cliff senior Kaden Adams has been the lifeblood of the Cedar Cliff High School football team as their manager. In his last homecoming, Kaden was able to put on the pads and score his first touchdown for the team he loves most. Thank you to FOX43 for telling Kaden's story. You can view the story here.

October was full of books at Washington Heights! Their Story Time, Bingo and Book Fair on October 16-17 brought two retired teachers back to the halls of the West Shore School District for reading and more. Thank you to our families and partners for making the evenings memorable and successful.

Our Homecoming Kings and Queens were crowned for Red Land on Friday, October 4th and for Cedar Cliff on Friday, October 13th.

As our transportation problems of the early portion of the school year continue to dwindle, we are returning to our previously established contact procedures and will be closing the Transportation email inbox (transportation@wssd.k12.pa.us) on Friday, November 1st. For information regarding Transportation Exception Requests, which include the addition or relocation of a stop, click here. For any other questions, you may visit the District Website or contact Supervisor of Transportation Wendy Rupp wrupp@wssd.k12.pa.us.

Beginning November 1st, the West Shore School District will utilize a new platform for students and families to view breakfast and lunch menu options at all District schools. We will be transitioning away from the SodexoMyWay application and moving to Nutrislice.

Link for the new website: https://wssdk12pa.nutrislice.com/menu

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

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Curriculum - Wednesday, November 13, 4:30 p.m.

Finance - Thursday, November 14, 4:30 p.m.

Policy - Wednesday, November 21, 4:30 p.m.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 21, 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

We realize many of our families utilize Medicaid and wanted to pass on some information about renewing your benefits (something that must be done each year). To find your renewal date, visit dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or use the free myCOMPASS PA mobile app. If you want to renew by phone, call 1-866-550-4355. If interested, additional information can be found below from Highmark.

• 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.
  
• Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Information - Families who may qualify are encouraged to apply for free or low cost meals this school year.
  
• 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.