WYASD Supt First Friday 2024.11.1
November 1, 2024
Greetings, Bulldog Community:
On November 11th, we come together as a community to honor and reflect on the contributions of those who have served our country. Veterans Day is a time to express our gratitude to those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms and values. It is also a time to recognize the families and loved ones who provide ongoing love and support to our veterans and active-duty service members.
In our schools, we strive to instill the values of respect, responsibility, and gratitude in our students. Veterans Day offers a meaningful opportunity to teach them about the significance of this day and the enduring principles of freedom, democracy, and service that our veterans have demonstrated and defended.
As a military veteran and the father of an active-duty Marine, I have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women in uniform, the challenges they face upon returning to civilian life, and the importance of acknowledging their service.
To all veterans and active-duty service members in our community and to your families who provide essential support, I extend my deepest thanks. Your sacrifices and dedication inspire us all. I also want to recognize our faculty and staff members who have served. You exemplify courage, honor, and patriotism, and we are privileged to have you as part of our Bulldog family.
Recognizing Veterans and Community Efforts
Our community is rich with veterans, many of whom are employed in our district, and countless graduates who continue to serve in the armed forces or have transitioned to veteran status. Last month, I shared information about the Field of Flags fundraiser at the Middle and High Schools, benefitting the Disabled American Veterans Organization (DAV). On Veterans Day, I encourage you to drive by the schools to witness this tribute. My heartfelt thanks go out to Ms. Emily Corcoran and Ms. Yvette Ganoe at the High School, along with Mr. Andrew Johnson and Mr. James Snelbaker at the Middle School, for their leadership in raising awareness and supporting our disabled veterans.
As a gesture of our gratitude, we invite all veterans and active-duty military members in the West York community to enjoy complimentary admission to our regular-season home winter athletic events, along with a guest. It’s a small way to show our appreciation for your service.
I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a veteran, active-duty service member, or military family member for their dedication and sacrifices. Let’s make it a point to honor them not just today but every day. To learn more about the history of Veterans Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Celebrating American Education Week
Each year, in the week leading up to Thanksgiving, we celebrate American Education Week—a tradition that began in 1921. This special week shines a spotlight on the critical role public education plays in shaping the future of our community and nation. It’s also a time to recognize and honor the dedication of everyone involved in our schools—teachers, support staff, bus drivers, administrators, and all those who work behind the scenes. Each person plays a vital part in creating a positive and supportive learning environment for our students.
I encourage you to take a moment to explore the history of American Education Week and discover simple ways to show your support and appreciation for public education.
Public education is the bedrock of our community and the foundation on which the future is built. I am incredibly proud to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team of educators and staff who consistently go above and beyond to help our Bulldogs reach their full potential.
I wish all of our Bulldog families and community members a relaxing Thanksgiving break later this month spent in the company of family and friends.
Best Regards,
Todd Davies, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Families have the opportunity to sign-up to receive a December holiday meal kit and a $20 gift card through a partnership with the York County Food Bank’s Hunger Free York program. The kits will be available for pick up on December 12th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Door 10 of the Middle School for those who have pre-registered via THIS LINK. The registration link is open through November 24th.
More information can be found on the York County Food Bank’s website by clicking HERE. You can also click HERE to donate to West York’s virtual food drive.
The West York Bulldog Pantry is a non-perishable food center located in the High School, open to ALL District families, regardless of financial need, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Household items are also available. Pick-up is at Door 14 at the High School near the tennis courts. For future distribution dates and times, please visit the pantry’s page on the District website.
Donations are always welcome; please contact Ms. Amanda Burt, Life Skills Teacher at the High School amburt@wyasd.org, if you'd like to donate.
Each month, from August through June, regularly scheduled meetings (Work Sessions and Voting Meetings) of the School Board are held in the Boardroom of the Administration Building. In addition to the two regular meetings, the School Board also hosts Board Committee Meetings. All are welcome to attend any of these public meetings. In-person attendance is recommended, but we also offer viewing-only attendance via Zoom during most Board meetings. Work Sessions and Voting Meetings are live-streamed on our District YouTube Channel.
We publish a monthly Board Bulletin, which summarizes the Work Session and Board Voting Meeting that occur during the month. The bulletin will be emailed to all families in the same manner you received this communication. Click here to view the October 2024 issue.
The link below provides more information about the meetings, agendas, and other information. If you have questions about meeting attendance that are not addressed here or on our website, please contact Tina Keeler at trkeeler@wyasd.org.
The District offers Golden Bulldog Passes to our West York residents 65 years of age and older. The pass admits the holder to various District events and activities, as well as home athletic events, free of charge. We welcome those eligible who do not currently have a Golden Pass to stop by our Administration Office, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, to pick up one. All you need is a current ID showing your District address and date of birth. If you know of a friend, neighbor, or family member who might benefit from a Golden Pass, please share this information with them. Questions may be directed to BullDogMail@wyasd.org.