School Board Newsletter for the April 14th Meeting
Please click here for information from the April 14th School Board meeting.
Our Kids Food Panty
Three Seniors Honored at April School Board Meeting
Although Spring is taking its sweet time establishing itself this year, one thing we can count on is the School Board recognizing three outstanding Seniors at their monthly meeting.
Briana Blaszczyk has served as Class Vice-President and Class Secretary. She has been a member of the WAHS Players, the Local History Club, the National Honor Society, the Color Guard, the Chamber and Show Choir, the District and Regional Choir, the Student Ambassadors, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the Leadership and Diversity Club, the Cheerleading Team, and the Art Club. She has been a Gold Award recipient for Academic Honors, the Fine Arts Student of the Month, a Paupack Press Author, a WAHS News Anchor, Choir Officer / Alto Section Leader, and a member of the Homecoming Court. Briana plans to attend NYC University to dual major in Acting and Business.
Leo Reichman has been a member of the National Honor Society, Volunteers in Paupack (VIP), and the Scholastics Club. He has participated in the Marywood Jr. Band Festival, and been a Gold Award recipient for Academic Honors. After graduation, Leo plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to study Aerospace Engineering.
Samantha Treppeda has been a member of the WAHS Players, the Show Choir, the Chamber Choir, the Local History Club, the Marching Band, the Student Ambassadors, Aevidum, the Cross-Country Team, Student Council, serving as Vice-President and Treasurer, the Art Club, WAHS News, Marywood Band, the Unified Bocce Team, National Art Honor Society (NAHS), the Concert Band, and the Concert Choir, serving as Choir President. Some of her honors include Academic Honors, the Cross-Country GUTS Award, PMEA Vocal Jazz 1st Place, PMEA District Choir 11th place 2022, PMEA Regional Choir 5th Place 2022, PMEA District Choir 8th Place 2023 and 2024, PMEA Regional Choir 10th Place 2023, PMEA Regional Choir 3rd Place 2025, WVIA Fine Arts Student of the Month, and WAHS Fine Arts Student of the Month. Samantha plans to attend Wagner College to major in Theatre Education with a minor in Musical Theatre.
The School Board, Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Community of Wallenpaupack wish these students well in their future endeavors.
Students Represent WAHS at PMEA All State Festival
This past weekend, April 11-12, the following students represented Wallenpaupack at the PMEA All State Festival: Hunter Sasala - All State Orchestra, Genevieve Neenan - All State Choir, and Nora Warner - All State Band.
In order to qualify for these All State ensembles, the students competed against the top high school vocalists and instrumentalists in Northeast PA on three separate occasions - first to qualify for Districts, next to qualify for Regionals while at the District festival and then to qualify for All State at the Region festival. At the All State festival they had the opportunity to work with renowned conductors and perform outstanding concerts.
Junior High Track Remains Undefeated
At the Mid Valley Relay Rally the Junior High Boys Track and Field team had an outstanding performance resulting in a first-place finish! Many athletes had personal bests and won their respective events. Both the boys and girls teams are about halfway through their seasons and are both currently undefeated!
WAHS Chapter Attends FCCLA State Leadership Conference
Pittsburgh, PA - WAHS Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members developed their leadership skills, learned about new community service projects, networked with FCCLA members from across the state, and participated in state competitions while attending the 2025 FCCLA State Leadership Conference on Monday, March 31st-Wednesday, April 2nd. Chapter members competed in a variety of events including Teaching Strategies, Baking & Pastry, Career Investigation, Sustainability, Sports Nutrition, and Professional Presentation.
WAHS FCCLA members had the opportunity to compete in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition). The following students received awards:
Gold Medalist & National Qualifier Professional Presentation - Jewel Dickerman *
Bronze Medalist Career Investigation - Tati Campbell-Algermon
*Childcare CTE **Culinary CTE
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a dynamic and effective national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that helps young men and women become leaders and addresses important issues in personal and family life, and skills in several career pathways, through Family & Consumer Sciences and related Career and Technical Education programs. The organization has involved over ten million youth since its founding in 1945. FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because it is the only national in-school organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.
As we enter the time of year when there are more activities and inclement weather is a major concern, communication between the District and families is more important than ever regarding cancellations, late starts, and other vital information.
The District has implemented a new mass calling/texting system from BrightArrow to address this issue. To be effective, though, it is imperative that there are accurate contact numbers in the system. We ask that parents keep these numbers up-to-date via the PowerSchool Parent Portal, as the numbers you wish to have contacted may or may not be the same as other phone numbers in our records.
Please take a moment to check and/or set up your phone numbers in the calling system so we can reach as many families as possible when the need arises.
Fine Arts Department Names Student of the Month for April
Savannah Khoo of Lakeville, is being recognized for her achievements in theatre, choir, visual art, and ceramics. She has been involved in the Concert Choir, Color Guard, and WAHS Players, as well as the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. Savannah has earned the Silver Key Award, as well as the Gold Award for three years. She also served as a stage manager for the WAHS Players productions of "Blue Stockings" and "Grease". She plans to attend either Bucknell University or Alfred University, with a major in biology and a minor in astronomy.
HOSA Students Heading to State Leadership Conference
Wallenpaupack's HOSA chapter, Paupack HOSA, is headed to Lancaster, PA for the state leadership conference. There are 18 future health professionals attending this year. They will be competing in various categories and hope to bring home medals. If they place in the top 3 positions in the state they will move on to the international leadership conference this June in Nashville, TN.
Students Attend Health Sciences Exploration Day at Lackawanna College
WAHS students explored the Health Sciences Programs at Lackawanna College on Friday, March 21st, including Nursing, Medical Sonography, Surgical Technician, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Physical Therapy Assistant. Students learned how each medical specialty provided treatment to a simulated case involving a breast cancer patient.
For example, the Medical Sonography department demonstrated how they would perform ultrasound scans of the patient, and the Surgical Tech Team set up the operating room in their lab to prepare the patient for surgery. Students are pictured in the Occupational Therapy Lab using a vibration plate, which the therapist indicated would be used to assist the breast cancer patient post-surgery to improve bone density, strengthen muscles, reduce pain and enhance lymphatic drainage.
WAHS Students Visit HNL Medical Lab Headquarters
WAHS students visited the HNL Medical Lab Headquarters in Allentown on March 11th to learn about the departments in the medical lab and the careers associated with each department.
Students who participated in the visit to the medical lab have expressed an interest in the health professions and were informed that 70% of decision-making by physicians is based on lab work. During the visit, lab professionals demonstrated how they make digital slides from specimens for cancer detection. They also introduced students to the Cytology Department to show them how they examine cells to determine a diagnosis, the Cytogenic Department to discuss how hereditary diseases are identified, and the Toxicology department where they learned about drug and alcohol screenings.
WAHS Students Participate in the Biomedical Science Program
WAHS students attended the Biomedical Science Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton on February 28th. Faculty and students from the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University were guest presenters at the medical college and provided a special workshop regarding current topics in pharmacy. Students participated in a case study review of patient symptoms and the medications that were prescribed to determine if they were experiencing side effects from any of the medications. In addition, students were engaged in a simulation where they practiced wearing medical "garb" to create a sterile environment prior to giving an injection. Students also practiced taking each other's blood pressure utilizing different types of meters.
HOSA Public Service Announcment - "Missing"
Seniors Julia Mrowka and Lauren Peterman, are competing on March 26-28th at Wyndham Resort Convention Center for HOSA. As a part of their project, they needed to create a 30 second Public Service Announcement to show the importance of brain health and the effects while promoting Hilarity for Charity.
WAHS Senior Shadows Engineers at JHA Companies
Dana Cenusa, WAHS Senior participated in a Job Shadow on February 20th at JHA Companies in Moosic. JHA Companies specialize as licensed engineers, architectural designers, and land surveyors. Dana met with civil engineers at the firm to learn more about their roles, since Dana is considering this career pathway.
Dana reflected on her experience at JHA Companies, and indicated the following:
"I observed all about the different programs and software work civil engineers use in order to build different projects. I also learned the process of collaborating with project managers and regulations in order for a project to be correct and ready to build. This shadow helped me understand how a civil engineering team works and encouraged me to pursue this career after college."
WAHS Football Team Takes Part in Food Drive for Wayne County Food Pantry
On Super Bowl Sunday the Wallenpaupack Football Team spent the day volunteering at Dave's Super Duper in Honesdale. The team partnered up with the Honesdale Football Team to collect both canned goods and monetary donations for the Wayne County food pantry.
Hawley Rotary Donates $1000 to WAHS Transition Program
The Hawley Rotary recently made a $1000 donation to the Wallenpaupack Area High School Transition Program.
The Transition Program is a special education program that focuses on employment skills and independent living skills for students age 18-21. Currently the students in the program operate a self-serve coffee shop named Paupack Perk for the teachers and staff within the High School. The funds from the Hawley Rotary will be used to expand the coffee shop operations to include drinks students make from an espresso machine, providing the students with a full barista experience.
Everyone in the Transition Program is excited about this new adventure and thankful to the Hawley Rotary.
North Primary School Receives $500 Exxon Mobile Educational Alliance Grant
The Wallenpaupack North Primary School was the recipient of the Exxon Mobile Educational Alliance Grant. The grant, in the amount of $500, will be used to support math and science at the North Primary School. Pictured in the photo are Mrs. Denise Genello (Head Teacher), Mr. David Stinson (ONVO), and Mr. Kevin Kromko (North Primary Principal).
Samantha Treppeda and Liana Lucchese named WVIA Artists of the Week
This television and digital campaign is designed to call attention to high school students who have excelled in the study of the arts. The partnering high school selects two students, one visual artist and one performing artist, who will be interviewed at the WVIA studios for a 1-minute vignette. The Artist of the Week spot showcases the student, high school, and school district and salutes them for their artistic achievement on WVIA TV for one week and wvia.org for one year.
Click each image to view the interviews.
Samantha Treppeda
Liana Lucchese
WAHS Child Care CTE Students Visit Education Department at King's College
WAHS Child Care CTE and Education Pathway students visited King's College's Education Department on December 10th to learn about the post-secondary opportunities available to students including Elementary and Secondary Certification, Dual Degree in Elementary and Special Education, and 5-year Master Programs. Professors and Admissions Staff shared information regarding a variety of grants and scholarships like the Noyce Scholarship for students interested in pursuing a career teaching in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) content area. In addition, students enjoyed hands-on coding activities and discussions facilitated by faculty members.
WAHS Students Attend Biomedical Science Program at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
WAHS students have been attending monthly sessions for the Biomedical Science Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton since September. The Biomedical Science Program is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, and the following topics are discussed during the sessions: Biochemistry, Immunology, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, and Genetics. Currently students are working on researching curative factors for a variety of diseases, and they will be sharing their findings at a Poster Presentation in May with faculty and students at the medical college. In addition, students receive mentoring from graduate students at the medical college to assist them in their pursuit of a career in the health and medical field.
Santa's Workshop 2024
On December 11, Wallenpaupack hosted its annual Santa's Workshop event, a cherished tradition within the school for more than 20 years, with the exception of 2020 due to COVID-19. This event brings together both the school and local community, who donate toys, gifts, and other lightly used items throughout the year.
This year, the event ran through the first three blocks of the school day and more than 500 students attended. Students who might not have the time or money to shop for gifts were invited to select presents, which the members of VIP would wrap for them free of charge.
The event is viewed as more than just an opportunity to receive gifts, it is considered as a celebration of the community's generosity. It was especially heartwarming to see students light up when they found gifts for their loved ones. Any unclaimed gifts will be donated to the Salvation Army, working to extend holiday cheer to families in need. The dedicated VIP members and staff work tirelessly to ensure the event runs smoothly and never fails to bring the holiday spirit to life for the attendees.
Allied Health and Exercise Science Students Visit Penn College of Technology
WAHS Allied Health CTE, Exercise Science Sports Medicine CTE and Health/Medical Pathway students attended a campus visit to Penn College of Technology in Williamsport on December 13th, to learn more about their health sciences programs. Students toured the Physical Therapy Assistant, Nursing, Surgical Technologist, Radiography, Dental Assistant, and Physician Assistant Programs on Campus. In addition, students engaged in hands on activities to try out equipment in some of the labs and to learn about the technology that is utilized in each of the specialties.
WASA Students Meet with PSP State Police Aviation Unit
WASA students in the professional pilot pathway recently traveled to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Aviation Unit APU2 at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport to discuss aircraft equipment, aviation careers in protective services, and the preparation required to attain them.
PSP Helicopter and airplane pilots log thousands of hours of flight time each year on missions including, but not limited to: searches and rescues; assisting in vehicle pursuits; conducting criminal surveillances; participating in marijuana eradication efforts; crime and traffic incident scene photography; transports; conducting Emergency Management and Homeland Security missions providing an aerial platform for incident command and control; and attending events promoting law enforcement efforts.
The PSP Aviation unit provides aerial support to all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth, as well as assisting in other non-emergency situations, including major civic and sporting events. In addition to general air patrol work, the Department receives hundreds of requests for assistance annually from the 1,200 sworn law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth's sixty-seven counties.
Like the rest of the aviation industry, the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation unit continues to grow. With over thirty trooper pilots and full-time mechanics, using six helicopters and two airplanes statewide, they are providing job opportunities for young people pursuing careers in aviation. WASA is preparing young people in our community for these and other lucrative aviation careers.
Click on each picture for a larger version with captions.
WAHS Junior Shadows at Wallenpaupack Veterinary Clinic
Anthony Lin, WAHS Junior participated in a Job Shadow at the Wallenpaupack Veterinary Clinic on November 15th. Anthony was able to observe during surgical procedures, routine checkups, and diagnostic services. Anthony indicated he was somewhat interested in veterinary medicine before he shadowed at the clinic; however, afterwards, he said he was definitely interested in pursuing veterinary medicine as a career!
WAHS Hosts Reality Fair for Seniors
WAHS hosted a Reality Fair for Seniors on Thursday, November 7th. The Reality Fair was sponsored by the Dime Bank in Honesdale and was staffed by employees of the Dime Bank and volunteers from the community.
The Reality Fair simulated the financial life of an adult and provided students with an interactive experience which allowed them to make real world decisions about finances and managing money. Each student rotated through the fair booths and experienced what it's like to have a bank account, obtain a loan, manage debt, have kids and more. Students were able to choose a career pathway prior to the Reality Fair, and then received a salary based on their career choice. Students also purchased health insurance, decided on how many pets they wanted, and whether they would rent or buy a house.
Students indicated they learned a lot about managing their finances while traveling around to each booth at the Reality Fair!
Click on each picture for a larger version with captions.
WAHS Students Visit ESU Nursing and Exercise Science Program
WAHS students enrolled in the Allied Health and Exercise Science Sports Medicine Career and Technical Education Programs visited East Stroudsburg University on October 30th, and received a tour of the Clinical Simulation Center in the Nursing Department, the Athletic Training and Exercise Science Labs, as well as the Communication Disorders Lab. Students were exposed to the various health sciences programs to help them further define their career paths. Mason Gonzalez and Cate Gelderman are pictured using the Vertical Jump Mat to assess their athletic performance.
WNIS Veterans Day Program Held on Monday, November 11th
Fourth grade students of the Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School participated in the annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11, 2024 in the Wallenpaupack Area High School gymnasium. The students sang patriotic songs, as well as songs of the five branches of the Armed Forces and created a beautiful art display called Thank You Veterans for Your Allegiance to Our American Flag, which focuses on our appreciation of our local veterans. All students at WNIS were involved in an essay writing contest thanking our veterans. The winners read their essays during the program. Area veterans also participated in the program, along with community officials, and school administration. The principal speaker was Sgt. William Long, United States Marine Corps and Army National Guard.
WASA Students Preparing for High Paying Jobs in Aviation That Don't Require a College Degree
According to recent articles published by the US Career Institute, Forbes, and many others, Commerical Pilots are employed in the highest paid occupation without a college degree. Our Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program (WASA) is preparing young people in our community to pursue this and similar rewarding aviation careers.
Professional pilot students, like Nevaeh York, and Air traffic control students, like Alex Olsommer, are using full scale flight simulation and an ATC simulator during class to learn and practice valuable skillsets in the cockpit and the tower. Aviation Maintenance students, like Tyler Warrington, are working alongside professionals to build a Cessna 150 during class. Recent WASA alumni, like Grady Hearn and Saydie Kosmuch, are acquiring their Commercial ratings and Airframe & Powerplant certifications before entering the aviation workforce. Substantial student aviation success beyond the classroom is a testament to our efforts to prepare young people for lucrative careers within our community, our region, and beyond.
Competitive Cheer Scores Big at Northampton Cougar Challenge
Congratulations to the Wallenpaupack Varsity Coed Cheerleading Team for kicking off their competition season in style, bringing home a 1st Place trophy in the Coed Division and an impressive 3rd Place overall at the Northampton Cougar Challenge! With a strong base score of 82, they're off to an incredible start. Good luck as you head toward Districts, Regionals, and States! GO BUCKS!
Jennifer Leary Wins Raffle Basket at Family Fun Night
The winner of the North Primary School Family Fun Night raffle basket was third-grader Jennifer Leary. Family Fun Night and the North Primary Book Fair were held on Wednesday, October 30th. Attendance for the event this year was 1,039 members of the Wallenpaupack community. Students and families enjoyed pizza, hot pretzels, snow cones, games, dancing, face painting, guest readers, and of course the book fair!
Breanna Conklin Job Shadows with Dr. Cara Dougherty
Breanna Conklin, WAHS Senior, shadowed Dr. Cara Dougherty, WAHS DEI SEL SAP Counselor, on Tuesday, October 29th . Breanna is very interested in the field of Psychology, and she said she wanted the shadowing opportunity to compare the role of a Psychologist with the role of a Social Worker. Breanna was able to draw upon Dr. Dougherty's extensive knowledge of the counseling field to learn about preventative approaches to mental health issues and clinical interventions that are appropriate for some individuals, as well as review resource materials in her office. Many thanks go out to Dr. Dougherty for sharing her expertise in the counseling field with Breanna!
WASA Students Visit Stewart International Airport
Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation (WASA) students recently traveled to the Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY. While there, students visited the 105th Airlift Wing of the NY Air National Guard and the Textron NY service center. WASA students who are preparing for careers as professional pilots and aviation maintenance technicians had the chance to tour facilities, aircraft, and speak with civilian and military crews. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for students to learn about aviation professions, equipment, and credentials required for employment. Program developer, Eric Greenberger, and High School Principal, Dr. Christopher Caruso, were in attendance to discuss plans for future aviation coursework and career opportunities for our aviation students.
The Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science and Aviation program is Pennsylvania's premiere high school aviation program. Students in our program are preparing for lucrative careers in the aviation industry through specific pathways, including professional pilot, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, and aviation management. For more information about the WASA program, please click here.
Kaiya Kampf Job Shadows at North Primary School
Kaiya Kampf, WAHS Sophomore, shadowed in Ms. Megan McGinnis' Classroom at the North Primary School on October 16th. Kaiya has expressed an interest in teaching at the Elementary Level, so arrangements were made to have her shadow at North Primary School. Kaiya said she enjoyed shadowing Ms. McGinnis and assisting students in the classroom.
"During my job shadow, I really enjoyed my time and being able to understand how a classroom works from the perspective of a teacher. Though I am in a classroom every day, this was a different type of experience because I was focusing on a different point of view, rather than focusing on my class work from my desk. I really enjoyed getting to meet each of the kids and get a general understanding of why and how they need supported learning."
Health Sciences Exploration Day at Lackawanna College
WAHS students attended the Health Sciences Exploration Day at Lackawanna College in Scranton on October 25th, which showcased each of the colleges Health Sciences Programs including the following: Nursing; Surgical Technician; Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Physical Therapy Assistant; and Occupational Therapy Assistant. Students were able to learn about each health sciences program offered by the college including the prerequisites for the program, the role of each professional in the healthcare setting, and the multiple employment opportunities in the field. WAHS students are pictured in the Physical Therapy Lab enjoying some hands-on activities with the specialized equipment in the lab.
WAHS Students Visit the PA Program at King's College
Giada Blume and Julia Mrowka, WAHS Seniors, visited the Physician Assistant Program at King's College on October 23rd. Both students wanted to explore the five-year BS/MS Physician Assistant Program at King's, since it is among their top choice schools. Eric Grego, King's Director of Undergraduate Recruitment provided a tour of the Physician Assistant Program including the clinical labs, private exam rooms, as well as a visit with the coordinators of clinical rotations. Giada and Julia are pictured in the gross anatomy lab, where they shadowed students during their lab session.
Senior Job Shadows at Pike County Emergency Management Center
Jordan Palumbo, WAHS Senior, shadowed a Public Safety Dispatcher at the Pike County Emergency Management Center on October 15th. Jordan is enrolled in the Protective Services Career and Technical Education Program at the High School, and she will be considered a "Completer" of the program at the end of this school year. Jordan has indicated she is very interested in becoming a Dispatcher once she graduates from high school, and she utilized the job shadow to gain answers to any questions she might have regarding the role of a Public Safety Dispatcher. Jordan is pictured with John Sweeney, Deputy Director of the Pike County 911 Center who provided a tour of the facility and an overview of the operations.
Our Kids Food Pantry on BRC-TV13
Notice Regarding Student Insurance - Revised for 2024-2025 School Year
Please be advised that it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians, in the event of a student accident, to provide for accidental injury expenses either through insurance or cash payment to health care providers. For this reason, the School District would like to make you aware of the availability of a low cost, standard school approved insurance policy.
The School District does not provide insurance coverage for students. If you do not have insurance or the financial ability to cover potential injury expenses, we encourage you to review this Student Accident Insurance document.
If you choose to purchase insurance through this program, please have your child return the completed insurance form with your payment to their school and it will be forwarded to the insurance company to process.
We hope this program can be a valuable service for you and your family.
On-line Learning Resources and Information for Students and Parents
In 2018, the General Assembly passed Act 44 mandating the establishment and use of the "Safe2Say Something" (S2SS) anonymous reporting system by every Pennsylvania school entity by January 14, 2019.
S2SS is a life-saving and life-changing school safety program that teaches students, educators, and administrators how: (1) to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others, and (2) to anonymously report this information through the S2SS app, website, or 24/7 Crisis Center Hotline.
For further information, please refer to the following documents:
Vaccination Requirements for 2018-2019 School Year Onward
In the 2018-2019 school year, there are requirements that students in 7th and 12th grade must adhere to. On the First Day of School in the fall of 2018, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had the vaccinations as described in this pamphlet, or risk exclusion from school. Students at any grade, Kindergarten through 12th, including all public, private, parochial or nonpublic school in this Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must show proof of immunization before they can attend school. This pertains to vocational schools, alternative education programs, intermediate units, special education, home education programs, charter and cyber charter schools. For more information, please refer to this pamphlet.
Highmark Insurance - Transparency in Coverage Compliance
The Transparency in Coverage Rule issued by the federal government requires health insurers and group health plans to provide detailed pricing data for all covered items and services to the public in the form of Machine Readable Files (MRFs).
Highmark Insurance has provided the following documents to explain and comply with this rule.
Athletics
