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Vol. 1, Issue 23 Friday, May 15, 2015
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Snow Make-Up Day
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
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Saturday, May 16, at WAHS, hosted by the WAHS Future Business Leaders of America and the Career and Technical Education students. Proceeds to benefit the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
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Little Billies Camp
Raise your game to new heights! The 2015 Lady Billies Basketball Camp, the largest all-girls basketball camp in the county, is scheduled for June 15-19. Click here for more.
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WAHS Plant Sale
The horticulture department's plant sale continues! Click here for details.
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Dear,
Take a peek inside the district with some highlights of what's happened in the district over the last two weeks. This newsletter's purpose is to give you, a member of our community, an overview of school news and events, student and faculty achievements, along with the latest from our education foundation. Please remember that you can share this newsletter with your friends by simply clicking "Forward Email" at the bottom of this screen. |
| 15 Seniors Recognized During 2nd Top Hat Dinner |
Congratulations to the 2015 WAHS Distinguished Students and Faculty Honorees who were celebrated during the second annual Top Hat Dinner at the Genetti Hotel, sponsored by the WASD Education Foundation and Williamsport Sun-Gazette. 
The Class of 2015's top 5 percent were honored on May 4, as well as those educators who helped influence their education here at WASD.
Class of 2015 Distinguished Students:
Evelyn Adams, Ian Dinsmore, Divia Feinstein, James Gardner, Alex Knauth, Maggie Manchester, Josh Morrison, Diana Quezada, Emma Radulski, Susan Reiff, Lenae Schappell, Mallory Sluhocki, Mia Turner, Hannah Weber and Angela Wesneski
2015 Faculty Honorees:
Arnold Betts, Christina Butler, Larry Flint, Rebecca Hutchinson
Bernard Meyer, Spring Moore, Craig Niklaus, Matthew Radspinner, Janine Randall, Tom Rinker and Jeremy Steppe
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'Distinguished'
As part of the Top Hat Dinner, this presentation played, which highlights what each Distinguished Student and their selected Faculty Honoree had to say about one another in a few short sentences. Take a more individualized look at what the event was all about.
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| Jersey Shore State Bank Commits $30K to the WASDEF's Capital Campaign |
Jersey Shore State Bank announced its $30,000 commitment today to the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation's Return to Glory capital campaign.
The bank will make its contribution over a five-year period.
"Giving back to the community is an important part of the JSSB culture," said Regional Vice President Dave Palski. "Having safe, upgraded facilities is important for kids. We are excited to support the restoration and upgrades to WAHS's stadium."
The Return to Glory campaign is a fundraising effort driven by a volunteer task force of community leaders with a goal of raising $2.7 million to restore and upgrade the Williamsport Area High School's 43-year-old stadium.
To date, the campaign has secured donations and commitments from more than 420 donors, with about $2.3 million raised, or 84 percent of its goal, according to Executive Director Greg Hayes.
"We're thrilled to have Jersey Shore State Bank make such a generous commitment to our effort and support of the project, and it sets the foundation for a great partnership," Hayes said.
"We're thankful for Jersey Shore State Bank partnering with us in this campaign," said Superintendent Dr. Don Adams. "Their contribution will help move the foundation's efforts forward for our high school facilities and the betterment of our community." ... Read More
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Groundbreaking Ceremony for STA Stadium Scheduled for May 28
A groundbreaking ceremony for renovations to STA Stadium at 6 p.m. on May 28 at the Williamsport Area High School athletic complex.
The ceremony will mark the most significant milestone to date in the WASD Education Foundation's Return to Glory capital campaign, a community effort to restore and upgrade the deteriorating 43-year-old high school stadium. ... Read More
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| Stevens Primary Classroom is on the 'Move' in Learning with Innovative Desks |
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| | Used courtesy of the Sun-Gazette. |
First-grade students in Marcy Garrison's classroom at Stevens Primary School are on the move - all while remaining stationary.
Thanks to a $1,500 Teacher Mini-Grant provided by the WASD Education Foundation and a $5,000 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant, Garrison's classroom seating has taken on an atypical look in an innovative approach to help get her students learning.
With help from both foundations, Garrison purchased sets of kinesthetic desks, which allow students to use movement, such as pedaling, to facilitate cognition, maximize brain function and anchor learning all while seated or kneeling.
"Results and outcomes from recent neuroscience research support that movement stimulates and enhances cognitive development by increasing the ability to pay attention, extending the concentration span, improving short- and long-term memory, forming positive moods, and supplying the brain with energy and nutrients," Garrison said. ... Read More
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| WAHS, Jackson Students Recognized During Law Day Ceremony Downtown |
Congratulations to WAHS sophomore Fatima Royal and Jackson Primary third-grader MaKenah Sagan who were both recognized at the Lycoming County Courthouse on May 1 for their Law Day participation.
Royal was the recipient of The Lepley, Engelman and Yaw Award for demonstrating exceptional understanding of the Law Day Topic with her artwork (at right), which featured a depiction of the American flag with a variety of religious symbols to represent the country's diversity. Sagan was recognized for her essay based on the theme of the Magna Carta, answering the prompt: "Why are rules important?"
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| 25 Students Attend Black Male Development Symposium at Arcadia University |
In partnership with Firetree Place, the WASD Education Foundation helped send 25 students from across the district to attend the 2015 Black Male Development Symposium at Arcadia University in Philadelphia on May 9.
The symposium featured sessions on family and relationships, health wellness and spirituality, and winning the future, among other workshops and special events.
Many of the students who attended reflected on what they learned, such as sophomore Desmond Lee, who said: "I learned the importance of believing in my dreams and not allowing anyone to say I cannot do something I dream of doing. I have power because I am a young man pursuing a dream."
Others, like seventh-grade student Samir Schell, said, "All people have dreams. Some people need help finding those dreams. I believe after today, I can be the person that helps other people find those dreams."
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| Community Member Visits Classroom, Shares Important Message of Loss |
 Recently, Mrs. Dottie Smith visited Mr. Wynn Kutz's health class at WAHS to present on the dangers of drinking-and-driving, all while relaying the story of losing her daughter, Tammy, as a result of a drunk driver years ago. She shared the message with students on how important they are and to cherish relationships with those important to them. The students each wrote a letter to Mrs. Smith about what they learned and what the presentation meant to them. Mrs. Smith has been doing the presentation for health classes for more than 20 years. "Her story is timeless and has as much meaning for our students today as the first time she came over 20 years ago," Kutz said. "One of the things she says during the presentation is 'A hug from you is like a hug from her daughter.' Very few do not give her a hug." |
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During the May 5 school board meeting, the following individuals were hired as new teachers, effective beginning the 2015-16 school term:
- Savannah Hanford will teach special education (learning support) and English at WAHS.
- Seth Place will teach special education (learning support) and mathematics at WAHS.
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| 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations Sought for Fall Presentation |
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| | Together, Marvin H. and Jean R. Staiman were named the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. |
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The WASD Education Foundation's alumni committee is seeking nominations for its 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award.
The group will present the award during a pre-game event at the high school's Homecoming football game on Oct. 23.
"WAHS has produced outstanding graduates through the years who have achieved or done great things, either in their field of work or through public service. This is one way to honor them for what they've accomplished and to kind of bring them back to where it began," said Susan Swank-Caschera, committee chairwoman.
For those wishing to nominate an individual, either living or deceased, the committee has created a nomination form that can be found at the foundation office, 2780 West Fourth St., or downloaded here.
Nomination forms must be submitted to the foundation office on or before Friday, Sept. 11. A selection committee will review and announce the award winner by Sept. 25.
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Alumni News: Upcoming Class Reunion Schedule
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* The Class of 1980 will hold its 35th class reunion on Friday, July 10, 2015, at DiSalvo's, and on Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Pier 87. For more details, follow the reunion event on Facebook by clicking here.
* The Class of 1975 will hold its 40th class reunion on Friday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 15. An informal gathering will take place at The James Restaurant at The Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St., in Williamsport on Friday, followed by the main event on Saturday at The Sons of Italy, 144 East Fourth St., Williamsport. Registration deadline is July 18, 2015. For more details, click here.
* The Class of 1955 will celebrate is 60th class reunion on Friday, Sept. 11, and Friday, Sept. 12, 2015, at the Valley Inn in Duboistown. An informal gathering will begin at 7 p.m., Sept. 11 (note: evening not funded by the Class of 1955). On Sept. 12, there will be a dinner at the Valley Inn beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be catered - picnic-style meal. Cost is $10/person. There will be a cash bar through the evening. Casual dress, no jeans. RSVP by June 12. For more information, comments, or concerns, please contact Wade Strong at 570-326-0317.
For more on the alumni committee or to submit reunion news, visit the Alumni Association's website.
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Leave Your Legacy at WAHS: The Perfect Graduation Gift!
Pay tribute to a loved one, express gratitude to a district staff member or classmate, convey appreciation to parents, recognize graduation, or set your family's name in stone for years to come.
4" x 8" Individual Brick: $100 | 8" x 8" Individual Brick: $250
Your support will benefit the WASD Education Foundation's Return to Glory capital campaign, which has raised nearly $2.3 million of a $2.7 million goal for upgrades to STA Stadium at the high school.
Each brick will adorn our stadium in a showcase of your personal support. Bricks can be ordered online by clicking here, or contact the foundation office for more information at 570-327-5500 ext. 33495.
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Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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