Wyalusing Area School District

Welcome to the next edition of RAM eNews, a product of the Wyalusing Area School District. This publication will be produced quarterly during the school year to keep community stakeholders engaged in our schools.

Hello and Happy Spring!

We have entered into the fourth and final marking period of the school year and our students, faculty, and staff are busier than ever! In the coming weeks, we will begin to move into standardized testing, where students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of grade level skills, spring break, field trips, warmer weather activities, and then graduation will be here before we know it!

But before we look ahead, please enjoy this newsletter as it showcases examples of the many successes our students have achieved this quarter. Between athletics, a successful production of Mamma Mia, and engaging classroom activities, we continue to see excitement and perseverance.

Below you will find a list upcoming important spring dates. We are currently in the process of scheduling summer events and activities for students and will begin advertising registration as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support of our students, our classrooms, and our shared mission: to prepare our students for lifelong learning and meeting the challenges of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jason Bottiglieri

Superintendent of Schools

Cargill presented Wyalusing Area School District with a large donation of $25,000 towards the Career & Conference Center in the High School.

What was once an old computer lab is now a revitalized space for students to utilize resources to better prepare them for post-graduation plans. This space supports the District's Diploma+ initiative, aiming to assist students to leave Wyalusing Area School District with MORE than just a diploma.

From resume writing workshops to mock interviews, college group information sessions to job and college search assistance, WASD Career Coach Mrs. Samantha Shurtleff helps prepare students for life after high school.

Wyalusing Area School District is very grateful for all of the donations received to make this space beneficial to not only our students, but our community as well.

Photo credit : Warren Howeler, Rocket Courier

Thank you to all of our sponsors : Cargill, Williams Toyota of Sayre, and Williams.

Wyalusing Area School District has 5 senior students who have achieved a major accomplishment. They will earn an Associate Degree as a high school senior from SUNY Corning Community College.

This has been made possible through the high-quality dual enrollment teachers at WVHS, paired with Wyalusing's Diploma+ initiative.

These students have been invited to attend SUNY Corning's graduation ceremony on May 20th to receive their diplomas.

Congratulations to the following students:

Congratulations to Emilee Otis and Priscilla Newton, the two newest PIAA Volleyball Officials for District IV.

Mrs. Jennifer Newton and Mr. Bill Lutz hosted a clinic in our Career & Conference Center in early March to assist Emilee and Priscilla with obtaining their Officials title.

Photos courtesy of Mrs. Jennifer Newton

The first week of March was a fun and exciting week at WVES! Students and staff participated in themed days centered around Dr. Seuss books. All students in grades Kindergarten through Sixth Grade were able to participate in activities from wearing pajamas to dressing up as a twins. Many teachers provided fun, engaging lessons with their students centered around the Dr. Seuss themes. Lots of laughter and school spirit could be heard throughout the school!

Sixth-grade students had a 'glowing review' of Mrs. Moss's review on how to culminate ratios and rates. Students took the opportunity to enjoy the unique and fun classroom decorations, utilizing white paper and highlighters to work through their math problems underneath the black lights.

Teachers and students alike celebrated the 100th day of school on January 31, 2023!

Students in Mrs. Dibble's class "blasted off" in their rocket ship with excitement, while Kindergarten students in Ms. Vidumsky and Mrs. God's class showed off their proud work displaying 100 items to symbolize the momentous occasion.

Mrs. Harvey's students celebrated the 101st day of school by playing the Top Dog game, comparing numbers 1 through 101. They also worked hard to solve 101 math fact problems, found 101 hershey kisses in the classroom and finished their day with dalmatian dot snacks.

In honor of the 100th day of school, Mrs. Mason's class had a goal to reach at least 100 questions correct on Successmaker. Successmaker is the differentiated practice program our district uses for Math.

Our students blew their goals out of the water! Here they are posing with whiteboards to show how many questions they answered correctly during the month of January. We are so proud of all of our students for reaching their goal!

Mr. Reibson and Mr. Cobb’s Wood Shop 1 students, in seventh grade, are putting their building skills to work in the high school library.

Mr. Reibson wanted to challenge these students in building the ClawBot using the VEX Robotics kits. The Claw Bot requires advanced skills where students need to construct a multi-level robot with moving parts, featuring a claw in the front of the robot.

Students are provided with visual directions, tools, and small pieces to construct the robot. Mr. Reibson and Dr. Patson are excited to see the students’ finished robots and watch them lift objects with the claw!

We are so grateful for the generous purchase of these Knex Maker Kits from Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC).

The entire cast and crew of Mamma Mia the Musical, under the direction of Mrs. Carol Madill, did a fantastic job with their performance!

Thank you to parents, family, friends, and members of the community that shared their evening to support the show!

This year, eight high school students were selected to take part in the PMEA (PA Music Educators Association) District 8 Chorus Festival on January 12th. Students attended a two-day festival, and concluded with a concert on the final day at the Community Arts Center.

Pictured from left to right, Ethan Lewis, Alexis Sykes, Daphnie Knapp, Danielle Wilson, Michael Crawford, Sydney Reilly, Savannah McCracken and Victoria Pacreau.

Photo Credit : Mr. Wickizer

Dan Rhodes from the Conservation office visited our 4th grade bringing with him the American Eel Program. Mr. Rhodes has written a grant through his program. He will bring the equipment and the eels to the school. The 4th grade class will work with him to raise and release several eels throughout the school year. The students will be learning about the care of the eels and how to help keep the environment clean.

Wyalusing's Science Olympiad students competed on March 8th at the Penn State Wilkes Barre Campus. Science Olympiad is an organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education.

Teams of students are challenged by STEM-related events, working in pairs building devices for testing at tournaments, studying for core knowledge challenges, and preparing for rigorous hand-on lab experiments.

Results from the competition are in, and the 7th-9th grade team placed 5th overall at the tournament and qualified for States in April.

Medal winners were:

• Marshall Huston & Conner Earle - 1st in Wheel Vehicle
• Gabby Gromley & Connor Earle - 2nd in Fast Facts
• Ethan VanDerpool & Wyatt Spencer - 3rd in Bridge
• Ayden Hunsinger & Michael Newman - 4th in Scrambler
• Laina Beebe & Paige Salsman - 4th in Write It, Do It

Congratulations and good luck at States!

Mr. Cobb's Building Construction class is currently building trash can holders for Wyalusing Borough. Some of Mr. Cobb's former students built some of these several years ago and they are now in need of replacement.

We will eventually see the work of our students on Main Street, Wyalusing!

Northern Tier Career Center sent 40 students to compete in the SkillsUSA competition on February 2nd & 3rd and is proud of all of the students that competed as they got to show their skills learned.

The Center will be sending 19 students to states on April 12th and April 13th, three of these students are from Wyalusing!

Congratulations and Good Luck:

Clare Allen - Commercial Baking

David Herman - First Aid/CPR

Clayton Petlock - HVAC

The BLaST IU17 K’NEX STEM Design Challenge raises awareness of the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Students in Grades 4-8 participate in an exciting competition where they are tasked with designing, developing, and implementing a solution to an engineering problem. Students are scored on creativity, teamwork, and the challenge’s success.

Wyalusing's 5th and 6th grade gifted team took home the 1st place title from the March 21st competition and will head to the State competition on May 12th in Harrisburg.

Wyalusing's 7th and 8th grade team also competed during the March 21st event and showcased their innovative work to help the environment by creating a "River Rake" which would clean the rivers of plastics in hopes to alleviate 80% of plastic pollutants that come from the rivers and end up in our oceans. The team took 4th place and nearly missed a podium place by a .100 of a point.

Great work to all of our Wyalusing teams!

5th Grade Team

6th Grade Team

7th & 8th Grade Team

Wrestling: We had yet another solid wrestling season at WVHS! The team finished with a 12-9 record to qualify for the postseason. One highlight of the season was the individual postseason where we had many standout performances. We had five regional qualifiers: Cole Patrick, Ayden Hunsinger, and C.J. Carr. Cole and Ayden both advanced on to the State Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey for the first time!!!

Girls Basketball: Our Girls Basketball program had a newfound energy thanks to our first year head coach, Nick Reynolds, and a group of hard working girls! Throughout the year, the girls were extremely competitive against all of the top teams in the NTL. They made it back to the District IV playoffs where they lost to the eventual District Champion, South Williamsport.

Boys Basketball: Our Boys Basketball team kept working hard to improve throughout the season. Senior Blake Morningstar had a standout season and has etched his name all over the Wyalusing Basketball record books. Blake finished his career with 1168 career points and 629 career rebounds.

Basketball Cheerleading: In Coach Hallett's second year, the numbers for our Basketball Cheerleading program continued to grow. New for this year, the girls attended both boys and girls basketball games and always showed up with an incredible amount of energy!!!

Stay up-to-date with all sports by following Wyalusing Rams Sports and Northern Tier Sports Report.

***Photos provided courtesy of Northern Tier Sports Report***

Cole Patrick and Ayden Hunsinger stopped for a photo op during their Elementary School walk through before heading to States.

Senior Blake Morningstar achieved a significant milestone in his athletic career by scoring his 1,000th point, helping his team to win the Class AA District IV Championship. Congrats, Blake!

Read the full report here from Northern Tier Sports Report.

Wyalusing Area School District is proud to announce that Mrs. Amber Maghamez has been named the 2023 Teacher of the Year through the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools!

Mrs. Maghamez will attend the PARSS Conference at the end of April to receive her official award, which includes $1,000 to spend in her classroom or school building.

Mrs. Maghamez's winning title marks 2 out of the last 5 years that a Wyalusing Elementary Teacher has earned this prestigious recognition.

Wyalusing School District had two nominees for the 2023 school year, including Mr. Slusark - High School Biological Science Education Teacher.

Congratulations to our entire faculty for the two excellent nominations we had this year and the hard work each of you do to make Wyalusing a special place!

Each year, outstanding alumni achievements are recognized through the Society of Honors program at Mansfield University.

Mrs. Virginia Edwards will be presented with Mansfield University's Distinguished Educator Award on April 22, 2023. This award was first presented in 1986 and recognizes a member of the alumni community or university staff who is an exceptional leader and demonstrates service and commitment to education.

Congratulations Mrs. Edwards! We are proud to have you as a part of our team.

Wyalusing Area School District is pleased to introduce Officer Christopher Marter.

Officer Marter joined the District on March 1st and is currently serving in the capacity of School Safety Officer as he works towards the requirements to become Act 120 certified to become officially sworn in as Wyalusing School District's Police Officer.

Officer Marter has been busy getting acquainted with students, faculty, and policies.

Consider volunteering with the Wyalusing Valley Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)! The PTO is actively seeking volunteers to support student events and fundraising activities!

follow them on Facebook!

Stay up-to-date with all of the Wyalusing Area School District scheduled holidays and events by subscribing to our calendar! Visit https://www.wyalusingrams.com/events and select your preferred calendar option from the drop-down menu.

The mission of the Wyalusing Area Education Foundation (WAEF) is to provide additional funding and support to the Wyalusing Area School District to enrich, maintain, and expand innovative educational improvement. The tremendous support of the WAEF and community has helped to enhance learning experiences and make a positive impact in the lives of our students and faculty members.

Stay up-to-date with all WEAF events by following them on social media!

This year the Wyalusing Area Education Foundation held a coin drive the week of January 30th to support Teacher Venture Grants across the District.

Mrs. Delp's third-grade class won a pizza party from WAEF for raising the most money during the coin drive!

Website: www.wyalusingrams.com
Phone: 570-746-1600
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