What's Up Whitehall?
March 2024
Staff Member Spotlight
Jewel Heintzelman, Third Grade Teacher, Steckel Elementary
What are your favorite hobbies?
My hobbies include gardening, raising my farm animals, but most importantly spending time with my awesome family.
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
Working within the Whitehall-Coplay School District brings a sense of home to me. The relationships built with families that I have been lucky enough to work with over the years have helped to shape the educator that I am. The amazing kids that I share my days with are what I love most about this district.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to trust. Trust the process and trust yourself! Also...don't sweat the small stuff. We only get to be on this awesome planet for a very short period of time. ENJOY all the seconds.
Kristen Riedy, Human Resource Specialist, District Office
What are your favorite hobbies?
Cooking, Reading, Adventuring with my Family and Clowning around as 'Bubbles' the Clown.
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
I love that WCSD's biggest strengths are its diversity and sense of community. This is true for me both as a parent and employee. I truly love the people I work with and enjoy being on our campus and seeing new faces each day.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
"Don't rush, worry less and trust in yourself and your intuition."
Randy Atiyeh, Class of 2006
What was your path after High School?
East Stroudsburg University
What fills your time now - both personally and professionally?
Being a husband and a father of 3. Working as the Athletic Director at William Allen HS and serving as a commissioner for the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners
How did your experience at Whitehall guide you in your future pursuits?
I was afforded some incredible educators that not only were great teachers but also great mentors who motivated me to be the best version of myself each and every day. Whitehall is a true community and that sense of community has always stuck with me and remained a part of who I am today.
What is your favorite Whitehall memory?
No one memory really stands out above the rest. Just all of the wonderful memories made and shared both as a student and later as an educator within the WCSD community.
Who is one staff member that made a lasting impact on you during your time at Whitehall?
Hard to choose one so I’m not going to! Here’s a few names! Noack, Russo, Moyer, Yadush, Bonshak, Conrad, Brosky.
What advice do you have for our current students?
Get involved in extra curricular activities. Join a sport or a club.
All are Invited to Say Goodbye to the "Old" Gockley Elementary
As you may already know, the new Gockley Elementary School is almost ready and will open its doors before the next school year starts.
Curious to see the old Gockley before it transforms into something new? You're invited to a special community open house hosted by the Whitehall-Coplay School District on April 24th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Take this unique opportunity to stroll through the halls one last time and reminisce about the memories made there.
Reminder - March 8, 2024 is an Instructional Day
This is a reminder that Friday, March 8, 2024, will now be an instructional day for all students. Please remember to plan accordingly.
Family Night - Student Performers
Get ready to shine on stage at our upcoming Family Night on April 17, 2024, at Whitehall High School! We're on the lookout for the incredible talents that make our student body so unique, and we want YOU to be a part of the spotlight!
If you've got a talent you're itching to share – whether it's singing, dancing, playing an instrument, magic tricks, or any other amazing skill – this is your chance to showcase it to the entire school community.
Interested? Simply let us know by filling out the Google Form linked below and express your interest in performing.
If you are selected to perform, you will be contacted shortly after completing the form.
All submissions must be received prior to April 1, 2024.
Help us Choose the Theme for Next Year's Family Night!
Create a design that will be used for next year's t-shirt, flyer, and/or website. All entries must be turned in to the school office by March 27, 2024.
The top 5 entries from grades k-5 and the top 5 entries from grades 6-12 will be displayed at this year's family night and voted on by our guests.
Rules
- Open to all K-12 WCSD students
- Must submit an 8.5x11 design
- Students may submit paper designs or digital designs
Dates to Know: March 2024
Please see below for a list of upcoming school events for February 2024!
- 3/21-3/24 - WHS Spring Musical - HS Auditorium
- 3/27 - End of 3rd marking period
- 3/28 - School Closed - Spring Break
- 3/29 - School Closed - Spring Break
- 4/1 - School Closed - Spring Break
Youth Law Enforcement Academy
SAVE THE DATE! 3/8/24
The Whitehall Township Police Department will be hosting its third annual Youth Law Enforcement Academy. The academy will be available to Whitehall students OR students who reside in Whitehall and are currently in the 5th and 6th grade. The academy will run Monday through Friday, June 24th-28th from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Whitehall Township Police Department and the Whitehall Coplay School District. Registration is limited to 32 participants. The academy is FREE with lunch provided daily. No transportation will be provided. The academy will include:
- Crime scene processing
- Canine/ M.E.R.T. Demonstrations
- The Criminal Justice system
- Presentations from other Law Enforcement Agencies
- And much more!!
Registration begins on March 8th at 4pm. Registration details can be found on the Whitehall
Police Facebook page, Officer Christman’s Twitter page @SRO_Christman. Additionally, parents
of WCSD 5th and 6th graders will be emailed a flier with a link and QR code.
Please contact Officer Matthew Christman at christmanm@whitehallcoplay.org or Officer Quadir Carter at carterq@whitehallcoplay.org with any questions.
Attention WHS Class of 1974 Alumni
Please complete the attached link to register or call the Whitehall High School Main Office at 610-437-5081.
Whitehall High School Theater Club Presents: Mean Girls (High School Version)
Tickets on Sale Now!
Whitehall High School Theater Club will present Mean Girls (High School Version) on March 21-23, 2024. Tickets on sale online at our website or in person on Feb 3, 10, 24 and March 2, 9, 16 from 9-12 PM at the Whitehall High School box office.
About the Show:
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady and her friends devise a "Revenge Party" to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Adapted from Fey's hit 2004 film, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. This queen-bee took Broadway by storm and has joined the musical in-crowd. And now, so can you with Mean Girls High School Version!
Whitehall-Coplay School District Family Night 2024
You're Invited
The 2024 Whitehall-Coplay School District Family Night will be held on April 17th, 2024 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at Whitehall High School.
Family Night is a celebration of our community and its cultural diversity. It is a great opportunity for our families and community members to gather, learn and play together.
For more information CLICK HERE to visit the Family Night Website.
Is your Organization Looking for Community Service Volunteers?
Please share! Is your organization looking for student volunteers? Connect with our WHS Community Service Program to have our Zephyrs join you in serving the community! Contact us at WHS 610-437-5081, message us, or contact our Mrs. Maamari at maamarir@whitehallcoplay.org.
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Newsletter
Did you know that Lehigh Career & Technical Institute shares a monthly newsletter highlighting its programs and offerings? Check it out - https://bit.ly/lctinews
Senior Scholarship Opportunities
Did you know that Whitehall High School offers a range of significant scholarship opportunities exclusively designed for our graduating seniors? These scholarships aim not only to recognize academic excellence but also to support students in pursuing their passions and realizing their full potential.
Each application below is for a specific scholarship. Please review the criteria and apply for each scholarship individually. Please read carefully and complete applicable fields.
- Chad Leibenguth Memorial Scholarship Award
- Chris Attieh Humanitarian Scholarship
- Craig J. Geiger Memorial Baseball Scholarship
- Daniel H "Sonny" Seidman Memorial Scholarship
- Due it for Mia, Mia Due Memorial Scholarship
- John D. Ashner, Jr. Memorial Award
- Johnny Rambeck Zephyr Spirit Award
- Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation Scholarship
- Matthew R. Yudt PHD Research Science Scholarship
- Patrick Sinatore Memorial Scholarship
- St. Luke’s Extraordinary Athlete Award
- Whitehall Lions Club Scholarship
- Whitehall Township Public Library Scholarship
- Whitehall-Coplay PTO PLUS Scholarship
Welcome to our Team!
Whitehall-Coplay School District would like to recognize the following personnel appointed at the recent School Board Meetings. Congratulations on your new role!
Kiana Dorsey, Paraeducator at Steckel Elementary School
Mimoza Limani, Secretary to the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology
Kelly Miller, Certified School Nurse (Floater) for the Whitehall-Coplay School District
Nicholas Strobl, Paraeducator at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
Boys Basketball
The boys basketball team plays tonight at Liberty HS at 7:30pm against ES North in the District XI 5A Semifinals. A win would advance the team to the District XI Final and the PIAA Tournament next Friday.
Tickets for District XI Playoff contests can be found at this link.
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball team will play in the District XI Championships on Wednesday at Easton MS at 6pm vs. Bangor High School. A win would advance the team to the District Final on Saturday and also qualify them for the PIAA Tournament next Saturday.
Tickets for District XI Playoff contests can be found at this link.
Swimming
The swimming team has wrapped up its regular season and prepares for the District XI Championships this Friday and Saturday at Parkland High School. The event schedule for the weekend can be found here.
General Admission tickets will go on sale Thursday at 8pm for those who need tickets. Tickets for District XI Playoff contests can be found at this link.
Wrestling
It was a great weekend for Zephyr Wrestling. Senior Ruth Rivera, after winning the 1st Girls Wrestling District Championship in school history last Saturday, finished as runner-up in the Southeast Regional Tournament on Sunday and qualified for the PIAA Championship. On the boys side, Willmont Kai (3rd), James Hopkins (4th), Trokon Kai (5th), and Kade Pascoe (5th) all qualified for the Northeast AAA Regional Tournament this weekend.
In addition, the wrestling team won the Archie Leh Sportsmanship Award as presented by the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Officials Chapter.
Also, Head Coach Tim Cunningham won the District XI AAA Coach of the Year Award as voted on by the other head coaches.
Tickets for the NE Regional Tournament and PIAA Championships can be found at the links.
WCSD Job Opportunities
- Cafeteria Monitor- Zephyr Elementary School
- Music Teacher- High School [Substitute through June 2024]
- Paraeducators- Multiple positions K-12
- Paraeducator - Special Education- Steckel Elementary School
- Summer Maintenance Positions [Multiple positions]
February 26, 2024 School Board Meeting
February 12, 2024 School Committee Meetings
Field Hockey Fundraiser
Whitehall Field Hockey is hosting a Salsa fundraiser. Salsas are $8. You can order a salsa using the link. Be sure to select Whitehall Field Hockey as who you are supporting with your purchase during the checkout process.