Wiss Watch

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Excitement was high as Wiss Nation started the new school year! From the early morning butterflies to the giggles with friends in the hallway, last week was about fresh starts and endless possibilities. New teachers, new classes, and who knows what amazing new experiences await? Here's to a year filled with learning, laughter, and growth!

Parents/caregivers and our youngest students - the Class of 2037 - enjoyed getting to know each other and learning about their new school during Kindergarten Orientation/Back to School Night on August 22. Students spent time with their kindergarten teacher, an encore/other specialist, and took a bus ride.

To support our 9th graders with the transition to high school, our 80 Wiss Link student leaders and advisors held a day-long orientation on August 23 filled with games and activities, school tours and a lot of helpful resources and information.

Before school starts, 9th graders are also invited to an Ice Cream Meet and Greet - a great opportunity to meet the members of Wiss Link, other classmates and the administration.

Here's something to make you smile! Enjoy "Welcome to LG," which is a parody of Taylor Swift's "Welcome to New York" to help kick off the new school year at Lower Gwynedd Elementary.

WMS faculty and staff welcomed students back with the kickoff of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). To ensure a successful school year for all students, they learned about the benefits of having and following rules and expectations. They also participated in community building activities with their teachers and peers to establish positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Throughout the year, the staff at ALL six schools will be implementing PBIS lessons and activities.

With the help of their mascot, Fin, at an assembly, Blue Bell students learned what PBIS means and how to SWIM to success (Show you care, work hard, improve every day, make safe and responsible choices). Students who are caught displaying these swim qualities can earn SWIM tickets. Each month there will be a SWIM ticket SELebration. At the end of September, each class who earns 150 SWIM tickets will get a class popsicle party!

It was a motivating first day at WHS as students and staff kicked off the morning with guest speaker, Dr. Nathaniel Williams. Dr. Williams' journey from orphan and foster child to doctor of education, CEO, talk show host, and author is inspirational. He spoke to students about what it means and looks like to be Wiss P.R.O.U.D. (Perseverance, Respect, Ownership, Unity, Dignity) and how to navigate life’s challenges using the 5Ps for Success Roadmap – Persisting, Positizing, Performing, Partnering and Pre-Planning. His son, D’Vaughn Williams, hit the message home with a self-written song that he performed for Wiss Nation. Listen in the video below.

WSD staff kicked off the year with our traditional Opening Day Breakfast which featured guest speaker, Matthew R. Kay, teacher and author of "Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom." Mr. Kay provided a thought-provoking and inspiring presentation about connecting with and engaging students. Staff also participated in professional development and recognized our dedicated employees celebrating 25+ years in the school district.

Click to view our Staff Milestones

Wiss Nation welcomed more than 35 new teaching staff during a three-day induction the week of August 12. Watch the video below to learn something fun about each one of them, such as their favorite food, animal or book.

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.

Four Things to Know about the August 19 Board Meeting: Watch Meeting

1. The Board watched video introductions of our new staff and was updated on summer professional development and the opening of the school year. In total, the district hired 75 new staff members (note: not all are included in the video above).
2. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Dawan, provided an update on the district's plan for Flexible Instructional Days (Virtual/Remote Learning). For students in grades 2-12, the schedule includes synchronous learning (starting at 8:30am for secondary and 9:00am for elementary), followed by an hour lunch break, and an afternoon of office hours or asynchronous work. Because K-1 students will no longer have 1:1 devices as of this school year, they will be assigned independent learning activities and lessons which should require minimal adult assistance. Dr. Dawan also assured the community that the district will continue to have “traditional snow days.” Read More about Flexible Instructional Days
3. Superintendent, Dr. Crisfield, shared details of a new anonymous feedback system for student athletes aimed at improving athletic programs and overall experiences for student athletes. After the season, students will be invited, but not required, to fill out an anonymous Google Form. The WHS athletic director will review the responses and share with the coach. Read More on WissNow.com.
4. The Board reviewed and discussed a draft of the ongoing district priorities and goals including Academic Achievement, Racial Equity, Opportunity/Learning Gap, Value and Communication.

Upcoming Board Meetings

• September 30, Work Session Public Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• October 7, Regular Public Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• October 28, Work Session Public Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Our schools are proud to incorporate lessons and activities that support social emotional learning (SEL) skills - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. SEL leads to long-term improvements in students’ skills, attitudes, prosocial behavior and academic performance! Throughout the year, we will highlight these important learning activities based on the following SEL themes:

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

Shoutout to Alumnus Slater Sklut '15, who published his first children's book "If Otis Was POTUS!" - ifotiswaspotus.com. Spend a day with President Otis and his four-legged friends in Washington D.C. to see how the country would run with dogs in charge!

Sklut explained "The book started out as a nickname I would call Otis (one of his dogs), which evolved into a poem, and then into a story. I wrote this book because there is so much division in politics, and I feel as though there are fewer and fewer resources that introduce the United States government to children in a fun, non partisan way. With the election coming up, it seemed like the perfect time to bring some light to such a contentious subject.

We're excited to read more of his writing in years to come. "I wrote this book as a side project at first, but hope to make a career out of it (as I do have ideas for sequels!) I am inspired by many children books series I read growing up, and hope to continue and introduce more characters of the “If Otis Was POTUS!” Universe."

Wiss Nation is excited to welcome the Dallas Brass (dallasbrass.com) to our schools in September! This special event will include rehearsals with our WHS and WMS band students, clinics for our students, and an evening performance that will be open to the public AND includes our very own band musicians! To support this great opportunity and others, the WMS Music Department is seeking sponsorships. Check out the Sponsorship Details.

t's a new school year! Time to get some new WSD spirit wear! Now through Friday, September 20, you can order shorts, sweats, PJs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and more! Order Today: https://runaroundinc.tuosystems.com/stores/wsdfall24.

The WHS Camerata invites the community to join us for music and remembrances at the September 11th Memorial and Concert at 6PM in the WHS Auditorium.

If you enjoy seeing learning in action, follow WHS Principal Blair's new Instagram account @ProudtobeWHS. Don't miss all the exciting things happening at WHS! Give her a follow!

Watch our video shorts series "Did You Know?" to learn more about Wiss Nation programs, services, events, activities, resources and more. Our students narrate each video which is 30 seconds or less!

WATCH NOW