What's Up Whitehall?
December 2023
Kayla Heilman, Kindergarten Teacher, Gockley Elementary
What are your favorite hobbies?
Skiing, spending time at the beach, and hanging out with my family
What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
I worked here last year as a long term substitute and fell in love with Gockley and knew I wanted to work here.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Never stop pursuing your dreams
Zach Hottinger, English Teacher (10th and 12th grades plus studio), High School
What are your favorite hobbies?
Swimming, board games, and Fantasy Football
What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
It is a diverse community that I know can do amazing things
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Never be afraid to try new things, it’s the absolute best way to learn and grow
What was your path after High School?
I attended Haverford College where I majored in Philosophy, studied abroad in Egypt, and learned Arabic. I went off to become a school counselor in Philadelphia. I loved my experience working with adolescents with identity formation issues and who lived with complex trauma, but I felt that I wanted to understand the root problem. I wanted to understand the environmental factors behind what makes communities thrive and resilient in the face of adversity and structural violence. This is why I returned to academia to become a scientist-practitioner and earn a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Purdue.
What fills your time now - both personally and professionally?
I am consumed with my studies as a fourth-year doctoral student. When I am not providing therapy, researching, teaching college students, and studying, I enjoy writing stories, dancing, baking, and spending time with loved ones. My dream is to write psychological thrillers and children's books while running a community practice with other like-hearted and like-minded mental health professionals who center traditional healing modalities and marginalized voices in mental health like Black, Latine, and indigenous individuals, children of immigrant origins, and LGBTQ+ youth.
How did your experience at Whitehall guide you in your future pursuits?
My time at Whitehall motivated me to not just be good, but be excellent. School was not particularly challenging for me (outside getting redirected for talking too much), but a handful of my Whitehall High School teachers encouraged me to thrive by positively reinforcing my efforts. Here, I developed my intrinsic motivation to push myself intellectually and creatively. I transferred to Whitehall as a sophomore from a large public high school in New York City. Although my schooling experience in NYC was affirming and exciting, Whitehall afforded me the privilege of smaller classes. I was able to concentrate and represent my community as a Black Latine scholar. Representation matters, and I knew that it was important to represent my community.
What is your favorite Whitehall memory?
I enjoyed volunteering at the Special Olympics game.
Who is one staff member that made a lasting impact on you during your time at Whitehall?
Mr. Adams was my AP American History teacher, and he was a warm and friendly face in the building. I learned history facts that I can still recall today.
List any clubs or activities that you were involved in:
Amnesty International
What advice do you have for our current students?
Some have said that we are the average of the five people with whom we spend the most time. Choose your company wisely. In high school, high school feels like the most important thing to ever happen in your life. Your best days are yet to come.
Did you know that Lehigh Career & Technical Institute shares a monthly newsletter highlighting its programs and offerings? Check it out - https://bit.ly/lctinews
School Closing Procedures and Flexible Instructional Days
As we enter the winter months, please be prepared for early dismissals, delays, and closings related to weather. The following possible scenarios could occur:
Early Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from school based on predicted weather that will impact safe transportation.
Dismissal times will vary.
PM LCTI will be canceled.
Two-Hour Delay
Bus pickups and school start times will occur two hours later than the regularly scheduled times.
AM LCTI - Students in need of transportation should plan on taking district transportation to school and report to the Auditorium until their afternoon classes begin. Students that provide their own transportation should arrive at school no later than 11:35 for their afternoon classes.
Schools Closed - No Instruction
Schools and buildings will be closed.
Students are not expected to complete work.
The school day may need to be made up.
Schools Closed - Flexible Instructional Day
Schools and buildings will be closed.
CLICK HERE for more information on Flexible Instructional Day guidelines.
The school day will not need to be made up.
LCTI students will be able to access asynchronous materials by logging on to https://www.lcti.org/. Students should click on the "Clever" tab in the right-hand corner to enter their Schoology Account and gain access to work from their LCTI classes.
The District will utilize the mass notification system, social media, and WFMZ to report early dismissals, delays, and closings. Decisions will be made as soon as possible based on each scenario. A Flexible Instructional Day will be scheduled, at the latest, the evening prior to the Flexible Instructional Day.
If you have any questions, please contact your building administration.
Girls on the Run is a program offered to girls in 3rd - 5th Grade that encourages young girls who are at a critical stage, to embrace their inner strength and support each other. Throughout the 10 week program the girls meet for an hour and a half twice a week to discuss topics such as showing empathy, expressing themselves, and finding their inner joy. It is a lesson based program that uses physical activity to practice the teachings and to ultimately build up the endurance to run a 5K. The race is a celebration of each girl’s resiliency and a start to future accomplishments they will achieve with the help of their Girls on the Run toolbox of valuable lessons.
We are looking forward to a great winter season and invite you to acquire your tickets through the link provided below. It is mandatory for individuals aged 5 to 65 to possess a valid ticket for entry. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the advantageous option of purchasing a season pass to enjoy substantial savings.
Tickets are needed for wrestling matches and all boys' and girls' basketball games, including JV and Varsity.
As we head back to school, the WC-PTO PLUS needs your help running various activities throughout the school year.
If you are interested in joining, please join us during our monthly meetings at Steckel Elementary School’s teacher lounge. You will enter the building through the gym door by the parking lot.
Meeting are held on the second Monday of each month, beginning in September (excluding December and January), and ending in June.
ALL VOLUNTEERS need clearances (clearances are free) and are needed to volunteer in our schools. You do not need clearances to attend our meetings. We value any time you can give us.
Email questions to: NatashaMwcpto@gmail.com
Whitehall-Coplay School District would like to recognize the following personnel appointed at the recent School Board Meetings. Congratulations on your new role!
Rudy Argueta, Bus Driver
Karen Fairclough, Supervisor of Special Education
James Hudak, Traffic Monitor
Meghan Lloyd, Curriculum Supervisor
Aysha Quinones, Paraeducator at Gockley Elementary School
Efrain Santiago, Utility Maintenance Worker
- Special Education Teacher [Elementary- Salaried Substitute]
- Special Education Teacher [Grades 4 and 5- Life Skills]
- Biology Teacher 9-12
- Secretary to the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Technology [Full-Time, Level II Position]
- Certified School Nurse [K-12 Floater]
- Paraeducator [Steckel Elementary School]
- Paraeducator [Special Education- Steckel Elementary School]
- Assistant Coach, Track and Field
