Blue & White Newsletter - 10/3/25

Eleven students in the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Pathway at the High School reached an exciting milestone this week as they received their White Coats during a special ceremony led by Ms. Kirsty Houck, PLTW Biomedical Science teacher.

The White Coat Ceremony recognizes students who have successfully completed the first three courses in the rigorous Biomedical Pathway: Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions. Having met this achievement, they now move into their final course, Biomedical Innovations, where they will apply their skills in advanced, project-based learning experiences that mirror real-world biomedical challenges.

Wearing the white coat is a symbolic step that represents both accomplishment and responsibility. For these students, it signifies their dedication to the study of biomedical sciences and their readiness to take on the challenges of their culminating year in the program.

Ms. Houck praised the students for their perseverance and commitment, noting that the pathway not only equips them with technical knowledge but also strengthens critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills essential for future success in any career field they choose.

Pictured below (L-R): Micah Gann, Ryan Steele, Cooper Godfrey, Brianna Langrehr, Fiona Myers, Mrs. Houck, Felicity Sipe, Olivia Tran, Audrianna Reinoso, Maya Shah, and Ariana Tenuta

Not pictured: Kevin Vu

Wednesday night, the streets of West York were filled with cheers, music, and school pride as we kicked off Homecoming festivities with the annual Parade and Pep Rally. Students, families, alumni, and community members gathered to celebrate in a night full of tradition and excitement.

The parade featured colorful floats showcasing creativity and teamwork. The Mighty Bulldog Marching Band set the tone with energetic performances, while the cheerleaders kept the crowd on their feet with spirited routines. Students from each school and various athletics teams waving proudly to supporters lining the streets.

After the parade, the community gathered for the Pep Rally, where the excitement for Friday night’s big game reached new heights. Spirit squads led chants, and the student body came together to show their pride in Spike, our Bulldog Mascot.

The night was a perfect reminder of the unity, energy, and traditions that make Homecoming such a special time for West York. With the big game tonight, the community is ready to cheer the team on to victory!

Homecoming Football Game – Friday Night Lights!

Friday, October 3rd
Friday night brings the big game as our Bulldogs face South Western High School. Fans can rally together under the lights, celebrate school pride, and witness the exciting announcement and coronation of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.

• Homecoming Announcement/Coronation - 6:20 PM
• Football Game - 7:00 PM
• Please view important information about WYASD Athletic Events Attendance Expectations

Students in Ms. Kelly Lurz’s class at Wallace Elementary have been exploring the life cycle and parts of an apple this week. To make their learning even more hands-on, they participated in a tasty experiment: an apple taste test!

The class sampled three different apple varieties—Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith. After trying each one, students voted for their favorite.

The results were close, but Granny Smith came out on top with six votes. Honeycrisp was a strong second with five votes, and Red Delicious earned three votes.

It was a fun and delicious way to combine science with a little bit of snack time!

Check out the activities some of our students in the Diversified Occupations Program at the High School have been up to!

Senior Zach Wildasin is participating in the YCAL Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program, sponsored by the York Builders Association Workforce NOW. He has learned about safety and is now constructing a small room while exploring various aspects of the trades industry. This program provides valuable hands-on experience for students interested in pursuing careers in the trades.

Junior Daphne McNamara and seniors Megan Chikezie and Amare Flasher are interning with the Daily Fetch, where they work on editing, producing, and developing new segments for school announcements.

Senior Jarod Bradford is enrolled in York County School of Technology’s part-time flex program for Mechatronics. He recently demonstrated a machine designed to sort objects.

Junior Aubree Miller is also enrolled in York County School of Technology’s part-time flex program, specializing in Nail Technology. She is learning the skills of manicure work along with professional etiquette for customer service.

Families at Lincolnway Elementary had a wonderful time at the recent Title 1 Parent/Family Engagement Event! Attendees enjoyed hands-on learning opportunities, received literacy-based games to take home, had the chance to play the games together during the event, and learned about the School Wide program and options for Parent Engagement funding uses.

The evening was filled with fun activities, interactive learning, and, of course, yummy snacks for everyone to enjoy. It was a fantastic way for families to connect with the school, support their children’s learning, and take home tools to continue learning at home.

Ms. Vanessa Bicher, Lincolnway Elementary School Counselor, and Mr. John Barton, High School Counselor, launched the fourth year of the Bulldog Buddy Program on September 23rd. Students were thrilled to meet their “Bigs” from the High School and their “Littles” from Lincolnway!

During their first meeting at Lincolnway, students participated in fun icebreaker activities, including a High-5 competition, a “Would You Rather” game, the Face-to-Face Question Game, and the Human Knot activity. The Bigs and Littles also shared their personal goals for the school year. Throughout the year, they will continue to check in on these goals and support one another in achieving them.

What started as a science experiment has turned into a sweet success! Last year, students in Ms. Mandy Bentzel’s Kindergarten class at Wallace Elementary placed a pumpkin in a sealed container on Halloween to observe how it would decompose. To everyone’s surprise, by March the pumpkin began to sprout—and it grew quickly!

By the end of the school year, the pumpkin had gotten so big that it had to be replanted outside in front of the school. Over the summer, the plant thrived, and students were thrilled to discover that it produced seven pumpkins!

Last Friday, Ms. Bentzel’s current class, with help from Ms. Marianne Panopoulos (Food Services Manager), cut open one of the pumpkins and worked together to turn it into a homemade pumpkin pie. This week, the students got to taste the pie they had created—and it was a big hit! Everyone agreed: learning is even better when it’s delicious.

At the Middle School, our Therapeutic Emotional Support (TES) students have been working hard as proud members of the new Secret Service Bulldog Club. This special group, launched earlier this year, gives students the opportunity to take part in meaningful service projects while giving back to their school community.

So far, the Secret Service Bulldogs have taken on a variety of responsibilities. They assist the custodial staff by helping clean the cafeteria after lunches, and they lend a hand after athletic events by picking up trash on the soccer, field hockey, and football fields. Most recently, the students showed their gratitude to Officer Johnson, our Middle School School Resource Officer, by creating thoughtful thank-you cards to recognize his dedication and service.

These projects are more than just tasks—they are opportunities for students to build teamwork, responsibility, and pride in their school. The Secret Service Bulldog Club is already making a positive impact, and the students are excited to continue their work throughout the year.

The program is guided by Ms. Courtni Kolasa, LSS Teacher, and Ms. Amanda Thomason, MS Counselor, who are proud of the students’ commitment to service and their enthusiasm for making a difference.

Mark your calendars! Wednesday, October 9th is Orgullo Latino—Latino Pride Day at the High School. Students are encouraged to show their Hispanic heritage with pride by wearing shirts, jerseys, cultural colors, or by bringing flags to celebrate this special day.

As part of the celebration, ESL students will present a powerful multimedia project entitled “Where I Am From.” This showcase features original poetry, visual art, and a video of spoken-word poetry, where students reflect on childhood memories from their home countries.

The collection will be on display in the High School’s front library through October 15th, the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Be sure to check next week’s issue of the Blue & White for photos capturing the creativity and spirit of this event!

The Middle School is excited to host the Junior Achievement YES! (Your Economic Success) program, and we need adult volunteers to help make it a success! This engaging program introduces students to essential skills in entrepreneurship, career readiness, and financial literacy, all through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to make a positive impact in the lives of middle school students. As a JA volunteer, you’ll guide students through activities, share your experiences, and help them build confidence and skills for their future careers.

No prior experience is required—just a willingness to inspire and support young learners! Join us in helping students explore their potential and prepare for success.

For more information, click the information bar below. If you are ready to jump right in and sign up, click on the flyer below. Your time and experience can make a lasting difference!

Mark your calendars! The Middle School is excited to announce its very first Family Game Night on Wednesday, November 12th, from 5–7 p.m. in the Middle School.

This special event is open to all middle school families and promises an evening full of fun, laughter, and friendly competition. Families will have the chance to enjoy classic board games, exciting group activities, video games, and plenty of opportunities to spend quality time together.

Important details:

• All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Older and younger siblings are welcome to join in, as long as there is at least one middle schooler in the group.

We can’t wait to see families come together for a night of games and connection. Bring your best game face—and get ready for some fun!

On November 11, we will take time to recognize and honor the veterans in our local community. To mark this important day, the High School Social Studies Department is launching a Flag Campaign to raise funds for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Organization.

If you were with us last year, you may remember the beautiful display of flags along Bannister Street (pictured to the left). You can check out the ABC27 News video clip from last year as well!

This year, we hope to make an even bigger impact by displaying more flags than ever before! Did you know that West York is home to over 1,200 veterans? We invite you to honor the veterans in your life by supporting this fundraiser.

As contributions accumulate, DAV will send flags to be proudly displayed outside the High School. Our fundraising campaign runs through October 29, so don’t wait — help us fill the lawn with flags! You can look for the display beginning November 7 in front of the High School.

To donate, please use our school’s designated link below. Together, we can honor those who have served and continue to serve our nation.

We are excited to announce that our High School will be hosting a Career Expo on Friday, October 24th, and we want to partner with you, our parents and the West York community, to make it a success! This event is designed to give students the chance to explore a wide variety of careers, ask questions, and learn about what local businesses and organizations do — as well as discover current and future career opportunities.

This is a wonderful way for businesses to educate students about the industries they represent. It truly takes a community to prepare and inspire the next generation of workers and leaders, and we would love to showcase the many career paths available to our students.

If your place of employment would be interested in hosting a table at the Career Expo, we encourage you to invite them to participate. Employers are welcome to share job openings, internship opportunities, or simply educate students about their field.

Your attendance and support mean more than you know — together, we can create a meaningful learning experience for our students.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to the point of contact at your workplace or share it with other businesses or organizations that may be interested in participating.

For more details, please click the bar below. If you have any questions or wish to register your organization for a table at the Career Expo, please reach out to Ms. Manda Meese, Diversified Occupations Teacher/Business Education Teacher at 717-845-6634 or via email at mrmeese@wyasd.org.

As we've been sharing the last few weeks, the RSVP deadline is today, Friday, Sept. 26th, if possible. Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Meese next week if you or your organization is interested in participating to see if space is still available.

Our annual Trunk or Treat is just around the corner—mark your calendars for October 23rd! This fun-filled event brings our school community together for an evening of costumes, decorated cars, and plenty of candy.

We’re still looking for WY student groups/clubs/families to sign up with decorated cars or trucks with treats to hand out. If you wish to sign up for a space at the event, please contact Ms. Kirsty Houck via email at kmhouck@wyasd.org or Ms. Kaitlin Mock at kmmock@wyasd.org.

And of course, students should start planning their costumes now—we can’t wait to see the creativity and Halloween spirit on display!

Join us for a safe, exciting, and sweet celebration on October 23rd. We hope to see you there!

The District is excited to once again invite all students, grades K–12, to participate in our annual Holiday Card Design Contest! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their artistic talents with the community and help spread holiday cheer.

Each year, two winning designs are selected—one from the elementary grades and one from the secondary grades—to be featured on the District’s official holiday cards.

The two student artists whose designs are selected will be honored at the December 9, 2025, School Board Meeting, where they will:

• Be recognized in front of the Board and community

• Receive a small, art-focused gift

• See their winning artwork beautifully framed and displayed in the District Boardroom

Artwork Guidelines
To ensure fairness and consistency, submissions must follow these guidelines:

• Theme: “Winter” or “The Holidays”

• Paper Size: Minimum 6” x 4.5” and maximum 12” x 9”

• Orientation: Landscape only (portrait designs cannot be considered)

• Eligibility: Open to all K–12 students

• Identification: Student’s name, grade, and school must be written on the back

• Deadline: Turn in designs to your Art Teacher by Thursday, October 30, 2025

Construction paper is available through each building's Art Teachers. If creating artwork at home, please make sure it meets the size and orientation requirements before submitting.

We encourage students to participate and let their imaginations shine. We can’t wait to see the creativity of our students reflected in this year’s holiday cards!

Check out just a few of the winning examples from prior years below!

9th/10th Grade:

Laila McCoy

For helping out with the Homecoming Parade!

11th/12th Grade:

Layani Toun

For escorting another student to breakfast and back when their teacher

was needed for a conversation!

Faculty/Staff:

Mr. Albert Janaszek

For being kind!

• Instant Admissions Decision Events: A "College Instant Admissions event" is a recruitment event where students can receive an on-the-spot admission decision from a college or university after meeting with an admissions counselor and reviewing their application materials. Students should bring their transcripts, test scores, and other required documents (Counselors will assist with access to these documents) to the event to facilitate the on-site review process. While these decisions are not binding and students can still apply to other schools, the events offer a quick way to get an admission offer and can serve as a "safety" admission, especially for students applying to less competitive institutions.
• York College of Pennsylvania - Wednesday, October 8th - 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Shippensburg University - Tuesday, October 28th - 9:30 - 11:00 AM

• PSAT: WYAHS will proctor (free of charge) the PSAT to registered JUNIORS on Wednesday, October 15th from 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM. Registration information coming soon.

• FAFSA Completion Night: Local college financial aid representatives and our local PHEAA representative will be here to assist families in completing the FAFSA application on Monday, October 20th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM in the HS Media Center.

• ASVAB: WYAHS will proctor to registered students the school-ASVAB on Monday, November 3rd at 8:00 AM.

Contact your child’s HS Counselor if you have questions about any of these events.

Are you passionate about supporting students and making a difference in your community? We are currently seeking a full-time Health Room Nurse to join our team!

If you’re looking for meaningful work where you can make a direct impact, we encourage you to apply! Click the image below to visit our Employment page for more details on this position, as well as a full listing of current openings and access to submitting your application.

Reach out to our Human Resources Department with any questions at 717-792-2796 or via email at Employment@wyasd.org.

The new school year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set new goals; both in the classroom and at home. At First Capital Federal Credit Union, we’re here to help you kick off you and your child’s financial future with a limited-time certificate promotion designed to make your money work harder for you. Whether you’re an adult looking for a short-term boost or setting up your young saver for college, a first car, or another big milestone, now’s the time to start building your savings!

• 5-Month Adult Certificate Promo: Earn 5% APY* for 5 months on deposits up to $50,000.
• 8-Year Youth Certificate Promo: Youth 17 years and under can earn 10% APY** for 8 years on deposits up to $2,000.

Only Available September 1 - October 31, 2025

Have questions about becoming a First Capital member and want to get started with one of these amazing certificate rates? Stop by the Bulldog Branch on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to talk with Lily or Kayla. They’ll walk you through the process and help you open your certificate right on the spot. Can’t make it during branch hours? No problem! Contact School Branch Coordinator Kayla Weaver at kaylaw@firstcapitalfcu.com to learn more and take the first step towards a brighter financial future.

*APY=Annual Percentage Yield. 5.00% effective as of September 1, 2025 for the 5-month Share Certificate; subject to change at any time. Minimum deposit $1,000, maximum $50,000 per unique social security number. The 5-Month Promo certificate will not automatically renew and all funds from the certificate will be deposited into the primary share at the time of certificate maturity. Promotional offer cannot be combined with any other offer other than the First Capital Star Rewards 3-Star rate increase. In-branch opening only. Penalty for early withdrawal; fees could reduce earnings. Available September 1 - October 31, 2025, to consumer members only. This promotion is not available for business or youth accounts. Other restrictions may apply. Promotion may be discontinued at any time. Federally Insured by NCUA.

**APY=Annual Percentage Yield. 10.00% effective as of September 1, 2025 for the 8-Year Youth Share Certificate; subject to change at any time. Minimum deposit $500.00, maximum $2,000.00 per unique social security number. The 8-Year Youth Share Certificate will not automatically renew and all funds from the certificate will be deposited into the primary share at the time of certificate maturity. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Penalty for early withdrawal is 100% forfeiture of all dividends, and the certificate must be closed. The 8-Year Youth Share Certificate promo is available on Deep Sea Saver or NextGen youth accounts for members under age 18 only. Not available for custodial or rep payee accounts. Available September 1 – October 31, 2025 to consumer youth members only. Other restrictions may apply. Promotion may be discontinued at any time. Federally Insured by NCUA.

OCTOBER 2025

• Friday, October 10, Professional Learning Day - No School for Students
• Monday, October 13, Columbus Day - No School
• Tuesday, October 14, Work Session of the Board (7:00 PM)
• Wednesday, October 15, Elementary PTO Meeting (6:00 PM)
• Monday, October 20, FAFSA Completion Night at the HS (6:00 PM)
• Tuesday, October 21, Communication and Engagement Committee (CEC) (5:30 PM)
• Tuesday, October 21, Board Voting Meeting (6:30 PM)
• Thursday, October 23, Trunk or Treat (6:00 PM)
• Friday, October 24, Early Dismissal, Marking Period 1 Ends/HS Semester 1/Term 1 Ends

Join our Elementary PTO! Our Elementary PTO plays a vital role in supporting students and teachers through events, programs, and classroom resources. We invite all parents and guardians to get involved—whether by attending meetings, volunteering at events, participating in fundraisers or sharing ideas. Together, we can make this school year the best one yet for our kids!

The West York Area Middle School Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) is organized to support and enrich educational opportunities for students. The relationships within the school community, which includes students, families, and staff are a vital influence on the success of our children's futures. The PTSO's purpose is to foster open communication and a sense of support, pride, enthusiasm, and excellence for the educational process at West York Area Middle School.

Have you checked out the Community page on our District website? This page is your go-to spot for helpful resources, local organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and flyers for upcoming community events and programs. Be sure to periodically check it out!

We continue to welcome donations of pantry staples throughout the school year to ensure shelves are well stocked for our monthly distribution dates.

The items most in need include:

• Canned food like fruit, vegetables, soup, tuna, stews
• Pasta & sauce
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Cereal, oatmeal, pancake mixes
• Rice, stuffing, & potato mixes
• Granola bars
• Juice
• Condiments
• Grocery store gift cards

Donations can be dropped off at the High School office during school hours. Every contribution—big or small—makes a difference in supporting our community.

If you have any questions, please visit our Bulldog Pantry webpage by clicking the Bulldog Pantry image above. You can also reach out to Ms. Amanda Burt, Life Skills Teacher, via email at amburt@wyasd.org.

Don’t miss your chance to lock in the best deal on this year’s West York Area High School yearbook! Prices will increase starting Saturday, October 18th, so now is the perfect time to purchase at the lowest price of the year. You can scan the QR Code in the image below or click the red bar below to order your yearbook.

The yearbook is a keepsake filled with memories, photos, and highlights from the entire school year—something your student will treasure for years to come. Order today to save before the price goes up!

Wellspan Philhaven Crisis Intervention provides urgent mental and behavioral health support, acting as a specialized response to individuals in crisis or experiencing severe emotional distress. These services include rapid assessments, stabilization, and connections to longer-term care through programs like their START program, which offers same-day access to therapy, psychiatric care, and other vital resources to prevent escalation and support recovery.

We are able to support the community through mobile crisis support 24/7, anytime/anywhere. If a student should need to be assessed either at the school or at home, you can alert the crisis team at 717-851-5320 for a counselor to come directly to them.

We are able to offer support for not only immediate needs for concerns of suicidal ideations, self-injurious behaviors, homicidal ideations, etc. but also, for any other concerns with accessing mental health care. We can assist with connecting individuals to services and place referrals to assist them.

If a student/family prefers a doctor's office setting, our walk-in center has relocated to the WellSpan START building in the Loretta Claiborne Building at 605 S George St, York, PA. We are able to see patients Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM.

This is a question parents often ask. We know that mornings can be challenging for adults and children alike. Sometimes we wake and might not feel our best, but once we get moving, often we find it wasn't a problem making it through the day - at work or at school.

So, here's a great reference for assisting you in determining whether to send your child to school when they have complaints of not feeling well. You can click here for a printable copy to hang on your refrigerator or family bulletin board.

Please review the details in the graphics below carefully, as meeting all medical, dental, and vaccine requirements is essential for maintaining student health.

• Medical Exams: Regular medical evaluations help identify and address potential health concerns early.

• Dental Exams: Annual dental checkups are necessary to prevent and treat oral health issues.

• Vaccine Requirements: Keeping students up to date on vaccinations is critical for protecting them and those around them from preventable diseases.

For more details and the exam forms, click HERE.

For more details on vaccine requirements, click HERE.

Please make sure all required documentation is completed and submitted promptly. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's school nurse.

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