Wiss Watch

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Do you like our new e-newsletter? In addition to our regular communication about important school information, events and activities, the district is pleased to introduce Wiss Watch - a monthly roundup of Wissahickon happenings, highlights and pictures (previously presented in our Silver Linings newsletter). Wiss Watch will be published monthly and will feature:

• Wiss Nation News Highlights
• Learning in Action
• Kudos: Student/Staff Achievements
• SELebrations Spotlight (learn more below)
• Belonging: Cultural Recognition and Celebrations
• School Board Brief
• Alumni News
• Upcoming Key Events
• Good Things to Know

What a great start to a new school year! Students and staff across the district have started settling in to the school routine. Welcome back activities included ice breakers, ice cream socials, special assemblies to provide students with strategies for success, and introductions to extracurricular opportunities. Our kindergarten students, incoming sixth graders, and incoming ninth graders participated in special orientation sessions to help them become familiar with their new school and expectations.

WSD has an amazing group of new staff this year. Like our students, new staff participate in activities to make them feel welcome and set them up for success. On August 17 -19, our new staff participated in three days of training, orientation and team-building activities to get to know each other and become acclimated to teaching and learning in Wissahickon. Then, they joined all teachers and professional staff for in-service days on August 23 - 25.

Congratulations WSD staff and students! We are proud to share that Philadelphia Magazine recently ranked Wissahickon High School among the 40 top-performing high schools in Philadelphia and the suburbs. This success reflects the amazing talent and dedication of our staff and students. Rankings are based on a calculation of data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics in the areas of enrollment, four-year graduation rate, percentage of graduates attending a 2- or 4-year college, student-teacher ratio, percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on state assessment tests (Keystones) in math and science, and classroom teacher education level.

Each month this year, our schools will be incorporating lessons and activities that support social emotional learning (SEL) skills. We know that high-quality SEL programming leads to long-term improvements in students’ skills, attitudes, prosocial behavior and academic performance! SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.

Our first SEL theme for the school year is Inclusivity/You Belong. You can learn more about SEL and view highlights of our monthly themes, listed below, on our SEL webpage and on social media.

• October – Wiss Pride
• November – Gratitude
• December – Giving Back
• January – Goal Setting
• February – Relationships/Empathy
• March – Self-Awareness
• April – Wellness/Stress Management/Mental & Physical Health
• May – Teamwork/Collaboration
• June – Reflection

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.

Three things to know from the Regular Public Meeting on August 22: Click here to watch the meeting.

1. Discussed the ongoing Blue Bell Elementary School expansion and alterations project
2. Reviewed District Goals and Ongoing Priorities for the 2022-2023 school year
3. Reviewed and approved the Code of Student Conduct

Next Meeting: Work Session Public Board Meeting on September 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Here's some tips to stay connected this school year:

• Don't miss any important events! View our calendar page to learn how to customize, view and print calendars for each school and sign up to receive email and/or text reminders.
• Bookmark the new WSD Parent Hub for quick access to the most commonly used information, links and resources.
• Download the FREE WSD mobile app for quick access to calendars, news, lunch menus and more. Search Wissahickon School District in the App Store to download.
• To stay on top of your student's assignments and grades (Grades 6-12), set up a Parent Account in Schoology.
• Follow us on social media to view news and great pictures/videos from all our schools. Visit our Social Media Hub for more information.

• September 12, 6 PM - 9/11 Memorial Concert at WHS
• September 13, 6:30 - 8:30 PM - Stony Creek Elementary Back to School Night
• September 14, 6:30 - 8:30 PM - Lower Gwynedd Elementary Back to School Night
• September 15, 6:30 - 8 PM - Shady Grove Elementary Back to School Night
• September 26: Schools Closed for Rosh Hashanah
  
• October 5: Schools Closed for Yom Kippur
• October 7, 5:00 - 7 PM: WHS Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony