December 2022 e-News

One way to think about Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about ways to show Empathy at home and school. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• Friday, December 2 - Special Education Day
• Monday, December 5 - International Volunteer Day
• Monday, December 5 - Friday, December 9 - School Superintendent Appreciation Week
  

GRADES 6-12 PROGRESS REPORTS DUE
Friday, December 2

SAT TESTING

Saturday, December 3 at Cedar Cliff High School

The registration deadline for this testing date has passed. To view other available testing sites and dates, please refer to the CollegeBoard's website.

HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST

Submit entries by Monday, December 5, at 8 a.m.

FIRST TRIMESTER GRADES AVAILABLE FOR GRADES K-5

Tuesday, December 13
Report card information for grades K-5 will be available no later than December 13, 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.

NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2

District offices will be closed December 23, 26, 27, 30, and January 2.

Students will return from break on Tuesday, January 3, cycle day 6.

SECOND SEMESTER CREDIT RECOVERY AND SAT TEST PREP COURSE DEADLINE

Submit Inquiry Form by Friday, January 13, 3 p.m.

New this school year, students have the opportunity to take select Credit Recovery and/or SAT Test Prep courses during the second semester at no cost to their family. If interested in learning more, please visit our website at https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/CreditRecovery.aspx

Friday, December 2, 7 p.m., Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary will present The Jungle Book Kids on Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m. Admission is free; however, space is limited with reserved seating for families of the cast and crew.

Friday, December 2 - Sunday, December 4

Presented by Red Land High School

We hope you will join us to see the four March sisters take the Red Land stage! Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults, and $15 if purchased at the door. Click here to purchase your ticket online.

• Wednesday, December 7 - Crossroads Middle School Band Concert, 7 p.m.
  
• Thursday, December 8 - Allen Middle School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Friday, December 9 - West Shore Choral Dept. Event at Cedar Cliff, 9 a.m.
• Tuesday, December 13 - Crossroads Middle School Chorus and Orchestra Concert at Red Land, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, December 15 - New Cumberland Middle School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Concert at Cedar Cliff, 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 19 - Red Land High School Concert, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 20 - Cedar Cliff High School Mosaic Concert, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Did you know your student has the opportunity to earn college credits while they are still in high school? Parents of Cedar Cliff and Red Land students in grades 9-11, are encouraged to join us for an information session on Wednesday, December 7. During the session, District counselors will provide an overview of the differences between AP courses, Dual Enrollment classes, and College in the Classroom offerings.

Tuesday, January 17 - Friday, January 20, 5-8 p.m.

Hosted by Cedar Cliff High School

Highland Elementary and Cedar Cliff High School are partnering up to organize a Clothing Swap for all members of our school community. Donations for the swap (clean blankets, clothing, and shoes) are currently being accepted and can be dropped off at either school during school hours.

Tuesday, January 31, 6-8:30 p.m.

Red Land High School

District residents are invited to join the Red Land High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to learn more about retirement planning, tips for taxes and FAFSA, identity theft, and more! Kindly reserve your seat by January 26 at bit.ly/RLFBLAWorkshop.

School Board and Board Committee Meetings are held at the Administration Center and are open to the public.

Facilities Committee Meeting

Wednesday, December 7, 4:30 p.m.

Finance Committee Meeting

Thursday, December 8, 4:30 p.m.

School Board Reorganization Meeting
Thursday, December 8, 6 p.m.

During the Reorganization Meeting, a Board President and Vice President are elected.

School Board Meeting

Thursday, December 15, 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

Congratulations to our Employees of the First Quarter…Kelly Guistwhite, Cedar Cliff High School Librarian & Student Services IME, and Kendra Santoleri, Red Land High School Special Education Paraprofessional. Through their actions and dedication, these West Shore employees have supported the District’s pledge to inspire, engage, and empower students. Thank you Kelly and Kendra!

Please join us in congratulating Amy Scott, Highland Elementary Special Education Teacher, on being named an “Outstanding Teacher” by the Shippensburg University School Study Council. Amy received this honor for her service to our school community, her dedication to her students, and her commitment to ongoing professional development. Amy, thank you for all you do for our District

In November, these talented students from Cedar Cliff and Red Land High Schools represented West Shore at the CCMEA County Orchestra and County Chorus Festivals. Students traveled to Carlisle High School for orchestra and to Mechanicsburg Area High School for chorus to perform with their peers from other high schools.

With winter weather beginning to appear in the forecast, it is important families have a plan in place for the possibility of a switch to remote learning, a delay in the start time for classes, or the need to dismiss students early.

For information about the schedules, procedures, and communication process should the weather require a change to our regular schedule, please click here.

We currently have a variety of immediate openings, including: Building Aides, Tax Accounting Bookkeeper, Special Education Paraprofessionals, Certified School Nurse, School Psychologist, High School Special Education Teacher, Technology Network Administrator, School Security Guard, and Food Service Team members. To learn more about any of these positions, check out our employment page.

Additionally, the District is looking for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and who would be willing to take any necessary classes to obtain their teaching certification. The District will provide financial support and the flexibility to continue working while obtaining your certification. To learn more, please contact Lauren Russell, Human Resources Manager at lrussell@wssd.k12.pa.us.

• District COVID Tracker - Updated weekly to show the total number of cases reported per school.

• 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 - Outlines information related to device expectations and repair costs.

• Primary (K-2) Math Parent Academy - Resources to help your child at home with their math development.

• Resources for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Dealing With Tragedy