Welcome to the next edition of RAM eNews, a product of the Wyalusing Area School District. This publication will be produced quarterly during the school year to keep community stakeholders engaged in our schools.

Parents/Guardians and Wyalusing Area Community Members:

A new school year is upon us and we are excited to welcome our students back, IN PERSON, five days a week for the 2021-2022 school year! This summer the district leadership team has been working hard preparing for the safe return of students and staff to in-person learning.

Please take the time to explore this newsletter and learn about the specifics related to this upcoming school year as well as review the many upgrades and events that took place on our campus this summer.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Administration, I want to thank you for your ongoing support and engagement, as well as to wish you and your students a wonderful school year!

I can't wait to see smiling faces on Monday, August 23rd as we welcome students back to campus!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jason Bottiglieri, Superintendent of SchoolS

As you may have heard, many of the restrictions associated with COVID-19 have been lessened by state and federal authorities. While masks are recommended in the school buildings, at this time masks are NOT required to be worn in the school buildings.

A current Federal Order requires masks on school buses and school vans. Students may remove their masks when stepping off the bus. Parents should prepare students for wearing masks on the bus and cooperate with the bus drivers as they travel to and from school.

In an effort to continue to meet the evolving needs of our students and work towards removing any barriers to academic success, we have expanded our mental health and social/emotional services.

This year students have access to our School Guidance Counselors, School Social Worker, County Outreach Worker, Trauma Therapist, High School Based Behavioral Health Team, Outpatient Counseling, and a School Psychologist. Additional details can be found on our Mental Health website. Don't let anything stop you from achieving your goals and returning to school in-person!

The most current information regarding Wyalusing's COVID-19 Pandemic Procedures can be found on our COVID-19 webpage and in our Health and Safety Plan. The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority and we appreciate your understanding and support as we adhere to regulations that allow our stakeholders to work and learn in a safe environment. This COVID-19 webpage will be updated with resources as information changes or new guidance becomes available.

• Elementary students will be dismissed at 2:55 PM.
• High school students will be dismissed at 3:05 PM.

The high school Bell Schedule can be found here and on the high school webpage.

Parents Note

If you're unsure of your child's bus assignment, pick-up time or drop off time due to the revised student day schedule, please contact Katy Stoddard at kstoddard@wyalusingrams.com or 570-746-1600 ext.3000.

Parents/Guardians have the option to pay a non-refundable insurance fee to cover any accidental first and second occasion damage to their child’s device. The fee does not cover any intentional or negligent damage. Insurance fees are due in full by September 11, 2021. Additionally, the Insurance fee does NOT cover any damage or loss of school provided accessories such as the case or charger.

Insurance Amount: $30 per device per year*

Please visit the 1 to World webpage for more information. Follow this link to pay the Chromebook insurance online.

The Wyalusing Area School District will continue to offer Free Breakfast and Free Lunch to all students for this upcoming school year. This is a federal provision known as Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and has been extended through this upcoming school year as part of the nation's pandemic response.

All enrolled students at the Wyalusing Area School District are eligible to receive a nutritional breakfast and lunch each school day at no charge to your household.

Although no further action is required for your child(ren) to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge, the District is still encouraging families to fill out the Free and Reduced Meal Application as there are many other benefits that come along with it. More specifically, the district becomes eligible for a variety of grant funding that ties to our Free/Reduced Meal percentage. As a result, we are asking that every family complete the Free Meal application regardless of whether you believe you would officially qualify or not. By completing and submitting the application you will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 Amazon Gift Cards.

You can download the form at https://www.wyalusingrams.com/administration/food-services or contact us to receive a paper application. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact Lana Clark at lclark@wyalusingrams.com. You may also reach us at 570-746-1600 x3014.

This summer, our campus was busy with renovations, installments, repairs, and enhancements in preparation for the return of our students. Some of the Summer Project highlights include:

District-Wide

Natural gas pipeline installation

Parking lot repavement, crack filling, and seal coating

Elementary School

Electronic Security Key installation

District office sidewalk installation

Gym floor refinish

High School

Thermostat upgrade

Roof warranty assessment

Gym floor refinish

Soccer concession stand replacement

Next Generation Learning Library Renovation

These renovations support the safety and educational needs of our students and we appreciate the businesses that helped to make this happen. Check out the short video clip below!

Kyle Warner (class of 2018) spent his summer at the Wyalusing High School as part of the construction team for the Next Generation Learning Library. After graduation, Kyle initially attended Bloomsburg University to major in Finance. After a few years in school and spending his summers as a residential carpenter, he decided to change his professional path and join the Local Carpenters Union 445.

“I started to really appreciate being home (in Wyalusing) and realized that through the Carpenters Union I could stay in the area and still be paid well,” said Kyle. Kyle joined a four-year apprenticeship program where he is earning the required certifications and job hours to become a journeyman.

When asked how it felt to be back and working in his alma mater, Kyle said that it feels “nostalgic” and he is excited to contribute to the library renovation.

“My advice to high school students today is don’t be in a hurry to figure out what you want to do – it comes with time. If you decide to go to college, make sure it’s for something you like and not just to get a degree.”

Ms. Mallory Dibble, Ms. Emily Delp, Mrs. Renee Broschart, and Ms. Heather Baker-McAllister hosted a summer reading bootcamp centered around the 95% Group Summer Reading Bundle. Ten students participated throughout the month of July, learning basic reading skills including letter-sound correspondence, phoneme substitution, short vowels, long vowels, writing and reading fluency, and more!

Each week featured a different theme within their classrooms to help keep the students motivated. The first week was Dr. Seuss, the second was outer space, the third was camping, and the fourth was a jungle theme. At the conclusion of each week, one of the teachers would bring in a snack that mirrored the theme for the week and send each student home with a book.

Thank you to all of the teachers for their time and efforts in making this and all of our summer programs a success!

The elementary life skills and autistic support classrooms spent their summer extended school year (ESY) focusing on both academics and future career options for our students. For each of the eight half days of school this summer, students were presented with different professions that they may not have previously had experience in. Mrs. Schloder and Mrs. Kilmer want to thank our local community members and businesses for their support of our ESY program and for taking the time to share what training or schooling it took to prepare for their profession, what tasks they complete in their daily job, and for giving our students a hands-on learning experience. Participants include:

• Cathy Coniff of Cathy‘s Canine Connections (mobile dog grooming)
• Nathan Schloder of MCR Construction and Handyman Service (construction)
• Melissa Nowland of Melissa’s Shear Style (cosmetology)
• Billy Kolbeck of You Too Animal Rescue and his helper Darcy (pet care)
• Gretchen Richmond of the WASD Special Education Department (administrative assistant skills)
• Emily Champluvier of Auntie Em’s Floral (florist)
• Bobbie Bennett from the Wyalusing Hotel and owner of Simply B Cleaning Services (housekeeping)
• ATS Facility Services employees from the WASD (janitorial services)
• Matt Keeney (mechanic)

Our students had a blast learning about these professions and understanding more options for their future endeavors while continuing on their educational path at Wyalusing Valley Elementary School!

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program was held this summer, in person, at the Wyalusing Valley Jr./Sr. High School for students in grades K-8. The program welcomed 40+ students per day who engaged in hands on enrichment, virtual field trips, recreational activities and academic support. Topics included reading, math, first aid, water safety, gardening, and self-esteem while STEM projects consisted of making slime, creating phases of the moon with Oreo cookies, designing tie-dye shirts, and other related activities.

Ms. Alicia Kirkpatrick, Program Coordinator, credits the success of the summer program to the Wyalusing staff, volunteers, and community members from local organizations that dedicated their time to make learning fun. The program continues to receive positive feedback and students are already looking forward to next year!

Website: www.wyalusingrams.com
Phone: 570-746-1600