Superintendent's Corner

It seems only a few days ago we were wishing each other a Happy New Year, and in a blink of an eye, January is bidding its farewell. The chilly cold weather and the first snowstorm of the season along with our first snow day and first delayed school opening have not, however dampened the energy and enthusiasm in our schools. One of the highlights of this month for me was my experience as a substitute teacher in Ms. Hole’s second grade classroom at WES. There are no words to convey how inspired, re-energized and humbled I feel everytime I am able to get a glimpse into a day in the life of our staff. This time was no different, and I am still smiling from ear to ear from all the precious statements that can only come from second graders. One in particular is when Ms. Liberio, a Student Teacher from West Chester University who is currently completing her practicum in Ms. Hole’s classroom led the Math lesson. She explained the lesson, went through the sample problems before allowing students to work independently. One student enthusiastically stated, “Wow Ms. Liberio, for a Student Teacher, you really crushed that lesson!” Special shout out to Ms. Liberio, who was a huge help to me throughout the day. I am also very thankful for Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Gaur and Mrs. McNamara for their invaluable assistance and guidance throughout the day.

Let me share with you a few highlights from the week, as well as reminders of the upcoming meetings and events.

Looking back on the recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and inspiration by the overwhelming amount of service that unfolded in our community. The spirit of unity and commitment to positive change that characterized this special day has undoubtedly set an inspirational tone for the new year. It is heartening to see our community come together to be of service to others. We had so many incredible moments of service working towards projects that included: Care Bags for Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Care Kits For Circle of Giving, Winter Donation Drive to give to City Team, Collecting clothing items for adolescents who are served by the Fostering HOPE & Cradles to Crayons organization, and a Pajamas & Books Drive. The impact of our collective efforts has the potential to create a ripple effect, fostering a community where kindness and compassion prevail.

On February 9th, WSSD Faculty, Staff, and Students will be participating in the Polar Plunge at Citizens Bank Park. We encourage you to support the team by making a donation! Funds raised will help Special Olympics athletes throughout Pennsylvania. So far, our team has raised $1,495!

https://give.specialolympicspa.org/team/553914

Mark your calendars for an exciting theatrical experience! Strath Haven Middle School presents "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" on February 8th, 9th, and 10th at 7 pm, with an additional matinee on the 11th at 2 pm. Be prepared for an epic journey filled with adventure and music. Tickets are only sold online. To purchase tickets for the SHMS Musical, click here. Following this performance, the Strath Haven High School Musical brings you the hilarious and iconic "Mean Girls" on February 23rd-25th and March 1st-3rd. Save the dates for these fantastic productions that promise entertainment and memories!

Congratulations to the talented students and staff in the SHHS Art & Design Department whose exceptional artistic endeavors have been recognized in the 8th Annual Regional High School Art Exhibition at DCCC. Thomas Connelly, Charlie Detweiler, Ella DiBonaventura, Mia Fagone, Riley May, Sophia Pelaez (not pictured), Matthew Ramirez, Isa Scalici, Jonas Szepessy, and Franny Wise have all demonstrated outstanding creativity and skill, earning them a well-deserved place in this showcase. Their diverse perspectives and unique contributions have enriched the exhibition, highlighting the vibrant artistic community at SHHS. This accomplishment is a testament to their dedication and passion for the visual arts, and we applaud their success in representing our school with distinction.

Congratulations are extended to the accomplished students who recently showcased their musical talents at PMEA's District 12 Chorus hosted at Owen J. Roberts HS. We applaud Kathryn Jo Kelly, Paige Trout, Tianyue Wang, and Callie Susek for their outstanding contributions as altos, and commend Henry Reacher and Jeremy Peyton Jones for their impressive performances as tenors. Their participation in the PMEA District 12 Chorus not only reflects their individual dedication to musical excellence but also contributes to the collective success of WSSD. Bravo to these students for their commendable achievements in the realm of choral music!

This weekend marked a historic achievement for Haven High School's competitive cheer team as they secured a 5th place finish in the PIAA Competitive Spirit Coed Division Championships. The athletes demonstrated remarkable teamwork, precision, and spirit, earning well-deserved recognition on the competitive stage. As their focus now shifts to the upcoming Nationals, where they are poised to carry their momentum forward, I wish them good luck!

USA Field Hockey Grow the Game Award - is presented to a USA Field Hockey Member that has helped lay a foundation, build a lasting program and impacted their community through field hockey. They have provided opportunities to countless field hockey players in their region that would not exist without their efforts. Congratulations to Amanda Lawson, SHHS Teacher, for receiving this award. Congratulations to Lynn Bowers for being inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. 30 years as a local District & National Official, officiated 28 NCAA Lacrosse Finals & Semifinals, and is an Executive Board Member of the Philadelphia Women’s Lacrosse Umpires Association. Head football coach, Kevin Clancy, was chosen as the 2023 PA Football News (PFN) Coaches Class 5A All-State Football Coach of the Year. Congratulations on this great accomplishment! A final congratulations goes to Baseball Coach, Brian Fili, and Football Coach Mike Connor, for being inducted into the 84th Annual Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame.

Unified sports is an intentionally-designed sports program whereby students with disabilities compete alongside their neurotypical peers in a format that is designed to promote authentic relationships among students with various backgrounds. This year, the district has already expanded its offerings to include basketball on top of Bocce. This Spring will further include unified handball.

Strath Haven High School is reigniting a cherished tradition as it announces the revival of the Wall of Honor ceremony. The Wall of Honor is located on the 3rd floor at SHHS. The Wall of Honor Recognizes Distinguished Alumni of Swarthmore High School, Nether Providence High School and Strath Haven High School. This distinguished display pays homage to individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, showcasing the diverse talents and accomplishments of Strath Haven graduates. Whether excelling in academia, arts, sports, or community service, each honoree serves as an inspiration to current and future students. The Wall of Honor serves as a reminder of the school's commitment to fostering excellence and the enduring legacy of those who have passed through its halls, leaving an indelible mark on the Strath Haven community.

After a hiatus, the school is set to breathe new life into this ceremony, symbolizing excellence, leadership, and dedication. Applications are now available on our WSSD website. This initiative not only reinstates a beloved tradition but also provides an opportunity for contributing to the ongoing spirit of recognition and inspiration within the school community.

The School Board of Directors met on January 22nd. Principal, Dr. Christopher Matsanka, Assistant Principals, Kimberly Stock and Stephen Krall, provided an excellent presentation about current initiatives and activities happening at SHMS. Additionally, the Financial Audit was presented by Carl Hogan from BBD, LLP. The Facilities & Finance Committee will meet on February 7th. The Policy Committee will meet on February 14th. The Educational Affairs Committee will meet on February 21st.

All committee meetings are held at SHMS in room B226 at 7PM. Meetings are live-streamed and archived on WSSD YouTube Page. For more information and a link to the meeting schedules, please click here.

• Student Services recently offered parent training on Nurtured Heart: Turning Challenges into Success. Nurtured Heart Approach consists of a set of strategies that assists children in further developing their self-regulation and has been found effective with children of all ages. Ms. Tia Sanders, a licensed clinical social worker, facilitated the training to help families identify where and how to preserve and expend their energy in response to children's behavior. The next opportunity for parent training is on March 11th featuring a program on, Student Stress and Excessive Worry.
• The Office of Student Services facilitated the third meeting as part of a year-long collaboration with the Emotional Support Team at Lower Merion School District. Each meeting, or “Power-Hour” consists of an agenda that revolves around one of the five key themes under the CASEL Model, an evidence-based framework for Social-Emotional Learning and is presented on by a Special Education Teacher or small team of Teachers. On January 24th, the theme was social awareness and how it is explicitly taught to students who receive emotional support under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In addition to social awareness, the other components of the CASEL Model are self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and self awareness.
• The Office of Student Services has begun planning for the Districts extended school year (ESY) programming during the Summer of 2024. ESY is a required program for students with disabilities found eligible under the criteria set forth by the State and who require some summertime programming in order to promote continuity of skill acquisition and development in order to constitute a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). For 2024, the District’s programming will experience some changes, the most significant of which is that it will be in two separate buildings: WES for Elementary-aged students, and SHMS for Secondary-aged students. As such, the Office of Student Services has coordinated planning with relevant stakeholders, namely in the Offices of Human Resources, Transportation, and Facilities. The District’s program will take place from June 24th to July 25th.
• The SHMS Math Department has enrolled in the PA Math League Competition. Planning is underway with the contest scheduled for the third week in February. This is the middle school version of the High School contest which Strath Haven High School has been participating in for over twenty years. Currently SHHS is second in the state rankings. Similar to the High School all SHMS students will be eligible to participate.
• The Operations Department is continuing to improve the George L. King Field with handrails and ADA ramps. The dugouts at SHMS and SHHS, batting cages at NPE and SHHS, and the NPE roof, are all projects that have recently been posted to bid on our website by contractors to submit proposals for their contract terms associated with each project.

Email: helpdesk@wssd.org
Website: wssd.org
Location: 200 S Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086, USA
Phone: 610-892-3470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallingfordSwarthmoreSchools/
Twitter: @WSSchools

This platform serves as the location for Superintendent, Dr. Wagner Marseille's newsletters and regular communications updates to the community.