November 2022 e-News

Practicing Gratitude can help us to be more confident, calm, and focused. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about ways to show Gratitude at home and school. For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website.

November is...Native American, American Indian, & Alaskan Native Heritage Month; Military Family Appreciation Month; and Disabilities Awareness Month

• November 7-11 - School Psychologists Week
• November 8 - STEM/STEAM Day
• November 11 - Veterans Day
• November 12-20 - Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. To show solidarity with children experiencing homelessness, everyone is encouraged to wear red for Red Shirt Day on Friday, November 18.
• November 14-18 - American Education Week
• November 17 - Children's Grief Awareness Day, click here to learn more
• November 18 - Substitute Educators Day

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
Sunday, November 6

GRADES 6-12 FIRST MARKING PERIOD GRADES AVAILABLE

Monday, November 14
Report card information for grades 6-12 will be available no later than November 14, 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.

WINTER PIAA SPORTS BEGIN

Friday, November 18

SCHEDULED REMOTE LEARNING DAY

Monday, November 21
Teachers will provide asynchronous work for students equal to a half day of instruction. Student work may be completed on the Remote Learning Day or anytime over fall break and submitted at the start of school on Tuesday, November 29. Students will not attend Zoom sessions and all students will be marked present, unless reported as absent by their parent or guardian.

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, November 22 through Monday, November 28

November 22 is a Staff Development Day. District offices will be closed November 23-28.

CPACTC EXPLORATION NIGHTS

Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3, 5-7 p.m., CPACTC
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 CPACTC. Families can learn more by visiting their website at www.cpatech.org. You do not need to register for this event to attend.

Additionally, if your child knows they would like to attend CPACTC next school year, the application portal is now open. Visit www.cpatech.org to apply. Deadline for early admission is Thursday, December 22.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AWARENESS FAIR FOR EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS

Hosted by Allen Middle School

This event provides all District eighth grade students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers. Special thanks to our local businesses and organizations who have volunteered to share information about their careers with our students.

REMINDER: ONE DISTRICT, ONE BOOK

Thursday, November 3, 6:30-8 p.m.

Hosted by Cedar Cliff High School

The District's Stronger Together Committee is excited to offer our first One District, One Book event with guest author Floyd Stokes reading his children's book My Glasses. Mr. Stokes and his daughter will also be reading The Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe and Dress Up. Unfortunately, the deadline to register for this event has passed. We look forward to seeing everyone who RSVP'd.

ELEMENTARY MUSICAL AUDITIONS

District elementary students are invited to audition for parts in our spring high school musicals! Details are being sent home with students and an be found online.

• Cedar Cliff - Beauty and the Beast
  In person auditions on Wednesday, November 9
• Red Land - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  Video audition submissions due Monday, November 14

CLUE

Friday, November 4 - Sunday, November 6

Presented by Cedar Cliff High School

Love a good mystery? Join us to play along with the cast of Clue at Cedar Cliff. Friday and Saturday's shows will start at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $3 for students and $5 for all adults. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

WEST SHORE BOYS NOISE FESTIVAL

Friday, November 18

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 nine other local school districts.

LITTLE WOMEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

Friday, December 2 - Sunday, December 4

Presented by Red Land High School

We hope you will join us to see the four March sisters— traditional Meg, wild, aspiring writer Jo, timid Beth and romantic Amy — 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 for all tickets purchased at the door. Click here to purchase your ticket online.

On October 17, the Board and Administration, with representatives from RLPS Architects, Fidevia, and Stock and Leader, Attorneys at Law, participated in a Groundbreaking Ceremony to officially mark the start of construction on our two new intermediate schools. The new schools, which will serve West Shore students in grades 5 and 6, are expected to open in the fall of 2024.

MEETING ATTENDANCE

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

Finance Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 10, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

Policy Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

Related Links:

• In Person and Electronic Public Comment Guidelines
• Watch Meetings Online - meetings are streamed live and archived for viewing after the meeting
• On Board – online newsletter providing a summary of Board discussions, relevant links, and photos from Board meetings
• Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting
• Board Minutes - posted after Board approval

Congratulations to Red Land’s Homecoming King Tyler Kerstetter and Queen Marlayna Concannon (left), and Cedar Cliff’s Homecoming King Daniel Schraeder and Queen Taylor Ferraro (right).

Justin Weaver, Cedar Cliff High School Science Teacher, was one of two teachers in the state awarded the Donald Keys Excellence in Science Teaching Award by the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA).

During its October 20th meeting, the Board of School Directors recognized Mr. Weaver on his award from PSTA and thanked him for this continued dedication to the District's Aquaponics Lab and science program.

For providing an art program that is rigorous and inclusive, highly accessible, and highly visible, West Shore was one of only 39 school districts in the state to be named an Outstanding Visual Arts Community by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association! This honor can be attributed to the dedication of our amazing art educators...THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS!

The West Shore Marching Band and Colorguard earned a third place finish at the US Bands PA State Championships in Downingtown! Best wishes to our students and staff as they prepare to wow judges at several upcoming competitions.

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.

SAVE THE DATE:

Clothing Swap

January 17-20, 2023, 5-8 p.m.

Cedar Cliff H.S. Library

We currently have a variety of immediate openings, including: Building Aides, Accounting Clerks, Special Education Paraprofessionals, Certified School Nurse, School Psychologist, Special Education Teachers, Technology Support Specialists, 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.

If you are interested in becoming a bus or van driver, even for just a few hours a day, please contact First Student, our transportation contractor, at 717-938-8788 or apply online. First Student is currently offering:

• $19.17 per hour starting wage with flexible schedules
• $3,000 Sign-on Bonus for fully licensed drivers
• $2,000 Sign-on Bonus for new drivers
• Paid CDL training and a child ride along program

• District Online Calendar - For additional building specific events and cycle days, please refer to the District's online calendar.
  
• 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.
  

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