October 2023 e-News

One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Many of us have seen people practice Responsibility in ways that have inspired us. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what it means to be responsible. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

• OCTOBER: Bullying Prevention Month, Careers in Construction Month, Disability History and Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month , Filipino-American History Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, Principals Appreciation Month and Walk and Bike to School Month
• September 15 thru October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
• October 2 - School Custodian and Buildings & Grounds Appreciation Day
• October 4 - Walk and Bike to School Day
• October 5 - World Teachers’ Day
• October 6 - Instructional Coach Appreciation Day
• October 8-14 - Fire Prevention Week
• October 9 - Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day
• October 9-13 - School Lunch Week
• October 16 - Boss’ Day
• October 16-20 - Teen Driver Safety Week/School Bus Safety Week
• October 18 - West Shore Unity Day/Stop Bullying Day (additional information below)
• October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week/Drug-Free America Week
• October 28 - National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (additional information below)

Scheduled Remote Learning Day
Thursday, October 5
Teachers will provide asynchronous work for students equal to a half day of instruction. Student work may be completed that day or anytime over the weekend and submitted the next day school is in session. Students will NOT attend Zoom sessions and all students will be marked present unless reported as absent. In the event of an absence, families should follow regular procedures for absence notification and the standard make-up procedures will apply.

No School: Fall Break

Friday, October 6 and Monday, October 9

District offices will be open on Friday and closed on Monday.

First Marking Period Ends: Grades 6-12
Friday, October 27

Students will begin their second marking period courses on Monday, October 30. Report card information for grades 6-12 will be available no later than November 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).

College & More Fair

Wednesday, October 4, 5-7 p.m., Cedar Cliff H.S.

Students attending Cedar Cliff and Red Land are invited to come meet with representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, technical schools, and specialty schools.

Free Heart Screening Clinic

Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Steelton-Highspire H.S.

The Peyton Walker Foundation and UPMC are offering a Heart Screening Clinic which is open to all Central PA students ages 10 to 22 years old, who are not currently under the care of a cardiologist. Echocardiograms will also be offered that day on site, free of charge, for those students who are identified as needing additional testing. Pre-registration is required and appointments will fill quickly. Visit PeytonWalker.org to register.

Special Education Department Parent Information Session

Wednesday, October 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Administration Center

Again this school year, the District's Special Education Department will be hosting Parent Information Sessions throughout the school year. All parents will receive additional information and registration prior to the event.

West Shore Unity Day

Wednesday, October 18

Unity Day was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and provides us with an opportunity to stand united against bullying and in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. On Wednesday, October 18, all West Shore students, teachers, administrators, secretaries, bus drivers, food service staff, parents, and community members are invited to get involved and wear the color orange. Thank you in advance for participating!

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Crossroads Middle School

Now is the time to clean your medicine cabinets. Thanks to our partners, the York Opioid Collaborative and Fairview Township Police Department, all varieties of prescription or over the counter medication, vitamins, and pet medications (tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, inhalants, etc.) will be accepted for disposal during this FREE drive thru event.

West Shore Foundation 8th Annual Gala

Saturday, October 28, 6-10 p.m., West Shore Country Club

For more details, please visit the Foundation's website.

Cedar Cliff H.S.

October 6 - Colts vs. Lower Dauphin, West Shore Stadium

October 7 - Homecoming Dances

Freshman and Sophomores from 5-7 p.m.

Juniors and Seniors from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Red Land H.S.

October 13 - Patriots vs. Bishop McDevitt, West Shore Stadium

October 14 - Homecoming Dance from 7-10 p.m.

Home Football Game Procedures and West Shore Stadium Bag Policy Information

The District is pleased to announce the launch of a FREE online SAT prep course for District students in grades 11 and 12.This comprehensive SAT prep course is offered through our Virtual Learning Academy, ExCEL, and includes: SAT Remediation and a High School Credit Option. Click here for more details. Tuesday, October 10, is the last day to register.

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

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Facilities - Wednesday, October 11, 4:30 p.m.

Finance - Thursday, October 12, 4:30 p.m.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Thursday, October 12, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 19, 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
• On Board - online newsletter providing a summary of Board discussions
• 2023-2024 Budget Development - presentations made to the Board during the budget development process

Introducing Crossroads Middle Schools' New Assistant Principal, Mrs. Karisa Peifer

Formerly an Assistant Principal at Red Land High School, Karisa Peifer has moved to Crossroads Middle School to work with Mrs. Tracy Dominick and the Crossroads' staff.

Mrs. Peifer is in her thirteenth year in education and her second school year with the West Shore School District administrative team. We hope you will join us in welcoming her to Crossroads.

Congratulations to our Employees of the Quarter, Mrs. Kathleen Ondesko & Mrs. Brinley Sanders

On September 21, the Board recognized our Employees of the Summer Quarter…Kathleen Ondesko, Special Education Teacher at Washington Heights Elementary and Brinley Sanders, Online Learning Facilitator for ExCEL Virtual Learning Academy/CAOLA. Through their actions and dedication, these West Shore employees have supported the District’s pledge to inspire, engage, and empower students. Congratulations Kathleen and Brinley!

The U.S. News and World Report released its 2023 Best High Schools report and Red Land High School made the list!

Red Land ranked #9 in York County metro high schools, #181 in the state and in the top 40% of high schools in the country. Congratulations, Patriots!

On August 20, an updated version of the Elementary Attendance Boundary Plan was presented to the Board. The plan is available on the District website for review.

• $20.00 per hour starting wage with flexible schedules
• $3,000 Sign-on Bonus for fully licensed bus drivers
• $2,000 Sign-on Bonus for new bus drivers
• $1,000 Sign-on Bonus for van drivers
• Paid CDL training
• Child ride along program

Interested individuals should contact First Student at 717-938-8788 or apply online.

Renewing Your Medicaid Benefits

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.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits

P-EBT was created as a temporary response to help families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program. Many of our families are eligible to receive these benefits from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). To check if your child is eligible, please contact the DHS family support center at 1-877-343-0179 or visit the COMPASS website.

• 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.