What's Up Whitehall?
February 2024
Staff Member Spotlight
Amanda Dennis , 4th grade ELA teacher , Zephyr Elementary
What are your favorite hobbies?
Taking my dog Sadie for walk & trying out new restaurants with my husband Justin.
What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
How welcoming & helpful everyone was when I first started here. I came into a new district with a new position (never taught ELA before!) I have really enjoyed my time at Whitehall SD so far.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
"This too shall pass".
Marykate Bulger, Speech-Language Pathologist for MDS-B and Life Skills, Gockley, Steckel, and Zephyr
What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading, painting, listening to music, swimming, playing tennis, pickle ball, and golf.
What attracted you to working for the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
Since my position involves moving from school to school, I love that all schools are on the same campus and within walking distance!
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
You are never too old to learn something new!
Graham Waterhouse, Class of 2005
What was your path after High School?
Bloomsburg alumni for business management followed by an MBA (both HR concentrations).
What fills your time now - both personally and professionally?
Spending time and teaching / coaching my kids. Managing global hr technology in 48 countries for Axalta.
How did your experience at Whitehall guide you in your future pursuits?
The friends coaches teachers and experiences shaped the person I am today.
What is your favorite Whitehall memory?
Being lucky enough to be apart of the Whitehall football and baseball programs.
Who is one staff member that made a lasting impact on you during your time at Whitehall?
Mr Kloiber - he’s a rockstar and shaped my view of technology and the impact of it.
What advice do you have for our current students?
There’s a whole world of fun out there. Find something you love to do get internships / apprenticeships early and make sure you’ll actually enjoy it.
Dates to Know: February 2024
Please see below for a list of upcoming school events for February 2024!
- 2/16 - Professional Development Day
- 2/19 - President’s Holiday
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.
Required Forms Update in PowerSchool
Our PowerSchool Student Information System has been undergoing maintenance and upgrades over the last several weeks. Thank you for your patience and support throughout the process.
We are ready for you to log in to PowerSchool to complete your student update forms. All parents must complete the required forms to ensure we have accurate information in our system. Your attention to these forms is crucial as it allows us to communicate effectively with you regarding important school updates, events, and emergencies. In addition to updating your contact information, the other forms include emergency contact and medical information, media release, and school policies and procedures.
The forms are as follows:
*R1: Information to Review (rev 12/2023)
*R2: Student Contacts Update Form (rev 12/2023)
*R3: Acknowledgments and Handbooks (rev 12/2023)
*R4: Health Room Information - Medications During the Day (rev 12/2023)
*R5: Physical & Dental Exam and Sunscreen Use (rev 12/2023)
*R6: Student Change of Address (rev 12/2023) - OPTIONAL
Accessing the forms is easy! Simply log in to your Parent Portal account and click Forms. If you have any questions or need assistance logging into your account, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school office - see the graphic below for contact information. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
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
Zephyr Athletics: Get Your Tickets!
We are looking forward to a great winter season and invite you to acquire your tickets through the link provided below. It is mandatory for individuals aged 5 to 65 to possess a valid ticket for entry. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the advantageous option of purchasing a season pass to enjoy substantial savings.
Tickets are needed for wrestling matches and all boys' and girls' basketball games, including JV and Varsity.
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!
Vicky Algarin, Bus Aide for the Whitehall-Coplay School District
Corey Callery, Bus Driver for the Whitehall-Coplay School District
Jennifer Edwards, Substitute Teacher at Whitehall HIgh School
Elyse Mohr, School Counselor at Gockley Elementary School
Jalexus Mendez, Paraeducator at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
JoAnna Monroe, Paraeducator at Steckel Elementary School
Tony Reichard, Security Staff at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
Cindy Reyes, Bus Driver for the Whitehall-Coplay School District
Hannah Sommer, Special Education Teacher at Zephyr Elementary School
Letitia Stout, Secretary for the Transportation Department
Cynthia Urso, Cafeteria Monitor at Zephyr Elementary School
Boys Basketball
The boys team has hit a rough patch over the past week. They close out the regular season with games at Nazareth on Monday, at Allen on Tuesday, home on Senior Night vs. Northampton on Friday, and home vs. Emmaus a week from today. The team has qualified for the District XI Playoffs and is battling for an EPC tournament berth.
Seniors include:
Braden Bashore
Trey Dogmanits
Luke Keppel
Evan Kovalcik
Sebastian Orochena
Ethan Ringenberger
Gavin Roberts
Varsity Boys Schedule
JV Boys Schedule
JH Boys Schedule
MS Boys Schedule
Girls Basketball
The girls team had an 0-3 week but looks to rebound on Tuesday at home on Senior Night vs. Allen. They follow that up with road games at Northampton on Friday, at Pine Grove on Saturday, and at Emmaus in a week from Monday. The team will likely qualify for the District XI tournament with a win this week.
Senior include:
MJ Dunbar
Ashley Figueroa
Madison Pagan
Varsity Girls Schedule
JV Girls Schedule
JH Girls Schedule
MS Girls Schedule
Swimming
Both the boys and girls swimming teams had huge wins over Dieruff this week. This coming week includes home meets on Tuesday vs. Easton and Thursday vs. Saucon Valley. Ian Thomas is currently ranked 1st in District XI in the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle. Aaron Stinner is ranked 2nd in the 200 Freestyle and the 500 Freestyle. Our Boys 200 Medley Relay team is 3rd in the rankings. The Girls 400 Freestyle Relay team currently sits in 4th.
Wrestling
It was another good week for the wrestling team, picking up dominating wins over both Emmaus and Pocono Mt. East. 1 home dual meets remains on Wednesday vs. Stroudsburg. It is also Senior Night and Youth Night. The team will qualify for the District XI Team Championship on Saturday at Freedom High School and wrestle at 11am.
Seniors include:
Khaliel Garrah
Tessa Hopkins (mgr)
Jack Kocher
Romello Leibensperger
Gregory Parsons
Damond Pascoe
Seth Pascoe
Ruth Rivera
Ryan Tran
Kaden Weaver
Dalton Wickel
2024 Whitehall-Coplay School District Athletic Hall of Fame
WCSD inducted 4 new members in to its Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, January 26.
The ceremony took place prior to the Varsity Boys Game vs. Parkland.
The 4 inductees this year included:
- Kayla Cunningham - Class of 2013
- Bob Hartman - Class of 1990
- Mike Lelko - Class of 1976
- Sean Szerencsits - Class of 2002
WCSD Job Opportunities
- Assistant Coach, Track and Field
- Cafeteria Monitor- Zephyr Elementary School
- Certified School Nurse - K-12 Floater
- Salaried Substitutes - Special Education 6-12
- Paraeducators- Multiple positions K-12
- Paraeducator - Special Education- Steckel Elementary School
- Bus Drivers
January 22, 2024 School Board Meeting
January 8, 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.