Wiss Watch

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To help support our students' physical and emotional well-being, the district will provide health and wellness tips and resources to families for the remainder of the school year. Program activities will include parent/guardian and student educational presentations and bi-weekly tips and resources shared on our social media & website. Topics of focus include:

• Social Media and Technology Use
• Minding our Mental Health

On November 28, we kicked off our program activities with a parent/guardian presentation, Parenting in a Digital Age, with Robert Hackenson Jr. Mr. Hackenson also presented Social Media Landmines to all WMS students. Watch the Parent Presentation.

Get stated by clicking on the links below to read the first Wiss Well-being tip about managing screen time and subscribe to have information emailed to you directly. Links to these presentations and other well-being resources are on the new Wiss Well-being web page and Mental Health and Social Emotional Support page.

At its 12/12/22 public meeting, the Wissahickon Board of School Directors approved a set of modifications to the district’s Health and Safety Plan. The plan, which every district is required to have and review every six months, addresses ongoing efforts to combat the spread and impact of COVID-19. Changes that will go into effect on 12/19/22 can be found on the district website.

All staff and students are asked to PLEASE STAY HOME IF NOT FEELING WELL. This commonsense approach to minimizing the spread of contagious viruses has been in place for years, well before COVID-19, and remains a powerful and reliable way to help control the spread of any virus, be it COVID-19, the seasonal flu or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). All three of these are impacting our schools this year, and the more we can keep them under control, the better.

Thank you to the Wissahickon community for participating in the Later School Start and End Times Survey. We had a strong response rate from our families in K-12, all staff in K-12, and students in grades 6-12. The full survey results report can be accessed here on the WSD website.

These survey results are just one resource for the School Board to consider for changing school start and end times. Among other things, the Board will also consider adolescent sleep research, budgetary impact, and stakeholder feedback. The Board continues to carefully review the comments submitted by members of the community through the feedback form on our website.

Congratulations to the WHS students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at North Montco Technical Career Center. (not pictured: Carson Pasko)

• Jael Ansu, 11th, Advertising Design
• Jim Lucas, 11th, Mechatronics
• Shawn Nardi, 12th, Computer Integrated Machining (two-year member!)
• Carson Pasko, 12th, Mechatronics
• Kayla Weeks, 11th, Cosmetology

Congratulations to eighth grader, Maya Russo, December's District Artist of the Month pictured with her Unity Creature mixed media artwork. In this unit, 8th grade artists explored and integrated a variety of drawing techniques to depict value as well as realism. Techniques included but were not limited to, value shading with graphite pencil, value shading with an alternative mark making technique such as stippling with sharpie, value shading with white colored pencil, as well as focusing on realism and layering through the use of colored pencil. Students selected a creature of their choosing to create their mixed media drawing. Maya was congratulated by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dawan, Principal Bauer and Art Teachers Ms. Shaffer and Ms. Bates (pictured left to right).

Congratulations to the following senior athletes celebrated at a College Signing Recognition ceremony this month. Families and coaches joined together to recognize our talented athletes.

• Xavier Olivares: Football, Chestnut Hill College
• Kyle Lehman: Lacrosse, Penn State University
• Isabella Fisher: Crew, Temple University
• Sage Stelzer: Soccer, University of Pittsburgh
• Margo Kasenchar: Soccer, Ithaca College
• Sophia Havrilla: Field Hockey, Central Michigan University
• Dominic Joseph: Fencing, University of Notre Dame
• Mila Jovanovic: Track and Field, Lehigh University
• Elizabeth Beek: Golf, University of Illinois
• Kaitlyn McGeary: Basketball, East Stroudsburg University
• Shane Henrick: Baseball, Jefferson University
• Caroline Kirkpatrick: Field Hockey, Dickinson College
• Kaylynn MacMinn: Swimming, East Stroudsburg University

Wiss Nation is so proud of all our talented musicians! Congratulations to WHS students, Josh Crusi and Maren Carter, for achieving a spot in the 2023 PMEA District Chorus Festival; Luke Smallberger who played Euphomium at the Kimmel Center for Tuba Christmas 2022; and Olivia Seo, Hannah Yum, Eric Jiang, Reagan Ensminger, and Josh Sasson who earned chairs in PMEA District 11 Orchestra and Band.

Families and staff across the district are enjoying seasonal music as part of our winter chorus, band, orchestra and strings concerts. Check out these talented performers in grades K-2 at Blue Bell Elementary! What a tremendous musical showcase.

How many pieces of duct tape does it take to stick Stony Creek Principal, Mrs. Venezia, to the wall? All 650 students found out as they gathered in the gymnasium with smiles and long arm reaches. This special opportunity was a reward for meeting the goal of 90% participation in the recent Boosterthon Fun Run.

Eighth grade English Language Arts students in Ms. Mehler and Mr. Towarnicki's classes completed a terrific Children’s Book Project! WMS students wrote their own children's stories, including illustrations, then traveled to the elementary school they used to attend to read to the younger students. What an incredible experience for everyone!

Où est la Joconde volée ? Madame McDermott's French 2H classes at WHS did a break out room to search for the stolen Mona Lisa. Students used a map for coordinates to help them figure out the clues (in French), then put a puzzle together to figure out where Mona Lisa was located.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dawan and BBE Music Teacher Mrs. Swillo co-taught a lesson about “March” from The Nutcracker. The fourth graders learned about the form of the music and had to show the changes to the music by moving in different ways, while using the popular stretchy band!

Did you know that a dairy cow can produce 200 glasses of milk a day and that they like to eat chocolate and drink milk, too? Those are just a few fun facts that students in our WHS Functional Skills class learned during the kickoff of the Adopt-A-Cow Program through Discover Dairy. During a lesson led by Dr. Kim Hartranft, Occupational Therapist, the students got to virtually meet and formally adopt their calf, Penny. The Discover Dairy lesson series incorporates science, math, reading, social studies and functional skills goals. What a great program!

Mr. Plichta's sixth Grade Social Studies class studied Ancient Mesopotamia and created Ziggurats (step pyramids with temples on top). They first created blueprints using TinkerCad or Sketchup, then went to the WMS Maker Space and created their own Ziggurats. The class voted on the best designs. Check out a couple of the winning Ziggurats below.

This month, the WHS National Honor Society and STARS tutoring programs are partnering with Extended Learning Time volunteers to provide additional student tutoring after school. Instead of scheduled 1-1 tutoring, students can take advantage of drop-in tutoring. Student and staff volunteers support tutoring in all four core subjects covered (Math/English/Science/History) as well as World Language. Tutoring is on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the WHS library. Tutors can receive service hours for NHS, Key Club, or other clubs with service requirements. Great way for students to support each other and enhance learning!

Each month this year, our schools are incorporating lessons and activities that support social emotional learning (SEL) skills - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. The SEL theme for December is Giving Back. Check out a few of the great learning activities below.

Students in the WHS Functional Skills class got into the spirit of the season with the sale of hand-made holiday cards and gift wrapping for WHS staff who make a donation to support their scholarship program. Students developed and extended their knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship through this initiative including budgeting, sales skills, social skills and they practiced fine motor skills such as measuring and cutting.

Blue Bell students collected 956 pounds of food, toiletries and paper goods for Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard.

This November, Wiss Nation celebrated Native American Heritage Month. The WHS library celebrated by highlighting the works of several Native American authors including Eric Gansworth who aims to illuminate the truth about his family history and the trauma that shaped his life. His book, Apple, Skin to the Core : A Memoir in Words and Pictures, is a bittersweet but ultimately inspiring memoir in verse that chronicles Gansworth’s experience raised on a reservation.

Art Teacher, Ms. Soto, taught fifth grade students at Lower Gwynedd and Shady Grove about ancient Pueblo pottery made near Mesa Verde National Park, including the traditions passed down to a modern potter's family. Students then created their own inspired designs (pictured below).

School Board Brief

The Wissahickon Board of School Directors welcomes residents and community members to attend its monthly public meetings (e.g., work sessions, regular meetings, and committee meetings). These public meetings are held in-person at the District Administration Office and/or virtually via Zoom and YouTube. Click here to learn more about the school board.

Two Things to Know about the December 12 Board Meeting (click here to watch the meeting)

• Budget introduction presentation: Mr. Wade Coleman, Business Administrator, presented a brief overview of the district budget. Over the next several months, there will be public budget workshops as the District and Board work toward the 2023-2024 budget. The Board will review and vote upon the final budget at its public board meetings in May/June 2023.
• The Board approved changes to the District Health and Safety Plan. Click here to view the WSD Health and Safety Plan Update.

Upcoming Board Meetings

• December 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ambler Borough Hall - Board Racial Equity Oversight Committee Meeting
• The Board Racial Equity Oversight Committee hosts a Community Listening Session at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19 at the Ambler Borough Hall. Please join us in our collective efforts to ensure that the District’s vision of continuing to address the needs of our students through the identified key topics or Focus Areas of Priority are met. These areas are: Belongingness; District Responses to Racial Disparities in Discipline; Equitable Representation in Advanced Placement Courses in High School; Equitable Representation in the District’s Gifted Program; Special Education Identification, and Teacher/Staff Diversity. Click here to learn more about this community event.
• January 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. – Regular Public Board Meeting

Children who will be age 5 on or before September 1, 2023, are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year in the Wissahickon School District. Visit our Kindergarten Registration webpage to learn more about registration and hold the date for our in-person Kindergarten Overview meeting on January 24th at 6:00 p.m. at Blue Bell Elementary, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, and Stony Creek Elementary. These meetings will include a welcome by the building principal, an overview of the kindergarten program, and information from the school counselor and nurse.

In the event of inclement weather or a school emergency that results in early dismissal, late arrival of students or the closing of schools, the district will notify the community via a number of different communication methods. More details can be found here on the WSD website.

This week, WEOF delivered 298 staff tributes to our schools to show gratitude for Wissahickon staff in this season of giving. A perfect surprise before winter break! Each gift contains a personalized message, stationary, and a sweet treat. These gifts were delivered to our teachers, bus/van drivers, counselors, nurses, support staff, and administrators. With your generous gifts, WEOF raised $5,515 to support learning and innovation for Wissahickon students and staff. Your act of kindness is truly appreciated.

Nominations are now open for the 2023 WHS Alumni Hall of Fame which honors alums with exemplary post-graduate achievements. By induction in the Wissahickon High School Alumni Hall of Fame, they will forever be recognized as representing the best of Wissahickon. Their success is a reflection of the opportunities provided them throughout their high school experience as a Wissahickon Trojan.

Inductees are recognized at an induction ceremony in October and on the WHS Wall of Honor featuring an interactive digital display containing information about our Hall of Fame inductees; alumni veteran spotlights; and staff alumni interviews. Our Hall of Fame includes more than 140 alumni from Ambler High School and Wissahickon High School.

• December 19 at 7:00 p.m.: Board Racial Equity Oversight Committee Community Listening Session, Ambler Borough Hall
  
• December 22: Early dismissal for all students
• December 23, 26-30: Schools closed
  
• January 9 at 7:00 p.m.: Regular Public Board Meeting
• January 13: Schools closed/Staff In-service Day
• January 16: Schools closed
• January 30 at 7:00 p.m.: Work Session Public Board Meeting
  
• February 6 at 7:00 p.m.: Regular Public Board Meeting