East High Newsletter

Newsletter 12/18/24

These three weeks of school after Thanksgiving Break seemed to just fly by! Hard to believe that we are almost at the Winter Recess. Just a reminder that the last day of school before break is Friday, December 20th. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6th, 2025.

Over the past three weeks, the season of giving just continued here at East. These include a used coat drive, used sports equipment drive and a donation drive to benefit our local families. It is great to see students and staff understand the importance of giving back to our community. I would also like to recognize our National Honor Society students who recently visited with Kindergarten students from Frank A. Sedita, School 30, in the city of Buffalo. Our students spent time playing games and reading books to the students. Service is one of the four pillars of the National Honor Society. Our students exemplify this pillar and the kindergarten students had a great time!

Please join me in congratulating our All-State participants on a very successful weekend of collaborations and exceptional music-making at this year's NYSSMA Conference All-State. Williamsville was represented well (at the state level!) with a total of 16 young musicians, made up of Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students from all of our high schools. Congratulations also goes out to Ami Masuda, East HS sophomore, for placing first in the Senior Competition at the annual Rochester Flute Association Flute Fair. Ami was also selected to represent East High School and the Williamsville CSD for the 2025 NYSBDA Honor Band this coming March!

This Week we have our Annual WinterFest! Our very talented music students and staff have been preparing for several weeks and we are all very excited to watch their hard work pay off. Additionally, we have guest performers this year as well. East graduates Mir Ali, Audrey Yu, and John Stevens will be joining our students for this wonderful event! We hope that you will be able to join us tonight or tomorrow night at 7pm.

On behalf of all our Faculty and Staff here at East High School, we hope that our community has a wonderful Winter Recess and in particular a healthy New Year filled with joy and optimism.

Respectfully,

Jason T. Swenson

Principal

Williamsville East High School

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff for all that you do for the students in our building. Every day, I am inspired by the incredible things happening in our classrooms and beyond. As I walk through the halls and attend events to capture moments through photos, I see passionate teaching, engaging lessons, and the positive impact you have on the lives of your students. You are all the true pillars of education, shaping the future and making a difference in ways both big and small. Your dedication and commitment to fostering growth, curiosity, and a love for learning are truly commendable. Thank you for everything you do!

I have to pass the torch for Dec/January to

“THE MATH DEPARTMENT”

It is time to pass the torch! This month, I am excited to celebrate the Math Department, a dynamic and collaborative team that is unwavering in its commitment to supporting all students while creating a welcoming and energetic environment. Together, they have become a Green and Red cornerstones of our school community, not only through their excellent teaching in the classroom but also through their spirited involvement in school-wide events. Their creativity shines through in the exciting dress-up days, where they’ve transformed their department into a Big Top circus or Andy's Room from Toy Story, adding an extra layer of fun to the school year. The department's dedication to school spirit and student engagement is also evident in their hands-on participation with student organizations like NHS and Student Council, as well as organizing memorable events like Trunk or Treat and the Clubhouse Creations. Whether at school dances or other activities, the math team’s enthusiasm is infectious, and they continuously work to foster a sense of community.

Beyond their school-wide involvement, the math department excels at the finer details of teaching, always looking for new ways to engage students and encourage critical thinking. Their innovative lessons, like fun quizzes or Jenga, have students excited about learning and thinking outside the box. Students often rave about how much they enjoy these interactive lessons, which makes math feel approachable and fun. The department also goes above and beyond by offering extra support outside of the classroom, ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. Their dedication to student growth, both academically and emotionally, is truly inspiring, and they continue to raise the bar in creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive.

Kathleen Kramer

Eighth Grade Curriculum Night will be at East High School on January 9th at 6:00pm

Johnny C's

Wednesday, January 15th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Chipotle

Saturday, March 1st from 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Scan here to order pictures.

The District’s application to offer the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Seal of Civic Readiness program at each of our high schools was approved for the 2024-2025 school year

The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal distinction on a student’s high school transcript and diploma that they have attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, skills, mindset, and civic experiences. It can also be used as a graduation pathway.

In order to obtain the Seal of Civic Readiness, a student must complete all the requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma and earn a total of six points with at least two points in Civic Knowledge and at least two points in Civic Participation.

Seal of Biliteracy

The District’s application to offer the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Seal of Biliteracy program at each of our high schools was approved for the 2024-2025 school year.

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.

The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of world and home language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society. The NYSSB takes the form of a special seal that bestows an honor to the student. The seal is affixed on the student’s diploma and there is a notation of the award on the official transcript.