Superintendent Letter to Community 05/5/2023

Dear WSSD Community, 

With only 29 school days left of school before we transition into summer, we are all anticipating the celebratory events and activities that mark the closing of the school year.

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

Educational Affairs Committee Meeting 

At the May 3rd Educational Affairs Committee meeting, the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 instructional calendars were presented. The calendars were developed by the newly formed WSSD Calendar Committee consisting of administrators, teachers, staff, and parents. For the purpose of clarity when understanding the development of the academic calendar, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires each School District's academic calendar to have the following: 

• A minimum of 180 Student School Days

• A minimum of 900 hours of instruction for elementary students 

• A minimum of 450 hours of instruction for Kindergarten 

• A minimum of 990 hours of instruction for secondary students

Upon review of the 2023-2024 calendar, it came to our attention that the required hours and instructional days mandated by PDE were not met. As a result, the calendar presented at the school board meeting on May 23rd, 2022 failed to meet state requirements. The previously Board approved calendar for the 2023-2024 academic calendar only reflected 179 student days, with the final day of school for students on Friday, June 7, 2024.  Additionally, the originally approved 2023-2024 calendar would also have been significantly under the 990 instructional hours at Strath Haven High School, and there would have been no additional days built into the calendar in the event of school cancelation due to inclement weather. The proposed 2023-2024 academic calendar reflects 182 student days, with  a final student day on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. While this is three school days later than what was previously communicated to the community when the 2023-2024 was approved, the additional three days all allow Strath Haven High School, grades 9-11, to meet the required 990 instructional hours and provide relief in the event of inclement weather. Due to when graduation is scheduled, the 12th grade class will have a deficit of 12.2 instructional hours.

The proposed 2024-2025 calendar was also developed through feedback from the Calendar Committee, and reflects similar developmental guidelines that were followed in rectifying the 2023-2024 academic calendar. There are a total of 10 Professional Development days reflected in both calendars. The 10 Professional Development days bring the student days total to 192 but the instructional hours will be calculated at 182 student days. 

The Wallingford Swarthmore Educators Association (WSEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement requires teachers to work a total of 192 days. There are 9 days that are considered an Act 80 days exception. While students do not attend school during Act 80 days, since teachers are working on a myriad of activities that impact educational programming, these days are considered instructional days in nature, but are not included in the instructional hour total calculation.

Mr. Benzing, Director of STEM, introduced Project Lead the Way, which is a series of courses integral to the WSSD STEM program. There was also an update on the Strategic Plan, and a review of where we currently are in this process. The Board will take action on the calendars presented at the Educational Affairs Committee meeting on Monday May 22nd, 2023.

Click here for the Educational Affairs Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights.

SHMS Fine and Applied Arts Night

I am so impressed and inspired by the talents of our students on Tuesday, May 2nd. One of the pieces performed by the 7th and 8th grade orchestra was a Billy Joel song. “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music,” a quote from Billy Joel and after listening to them perform after so much hard work and practice, that quote really showcases the power of music and how important it is for supporting the arts at WSSD. There were performances from the 8th Grade Band, the 7th Grade Band, the combined 7th and 8th grade band, and the combined 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra. Many works of art were also displayed in the hallways for families to view. 

The second Fine and Applied Arts Night was on May 4th at 7pm and showcased performances from the 8th Grade Chorus, the 7th Grade Chorus, and Cantabile. Finally, the third Fine and Applied Arts Night is May 9th at 7pm. There will be performances by the 6th grade band, the 6th grade Chorus, and 6th grade Orchestra. You will also be able to appreciate artwork in the hallways ranging from drawings, wood carvings, paintings to inspirational art pieces crafted by our students.

SHHS Varsity Art Awards & Art Exhibitions

Congratulations to our students and staff for the talents that were showcased at the Varsity Art Awards & Art Exhibitions on April 27th. Awards were presented in the Art Department, Tech Ed Department, the English Department, and the Music and Performing Arts Department. Additionally, 13 students were inducted into the National Arts Honor Society. 

Strategic Plan

As a continuation of the work that planning teams began on April 15th on the Strategic Plan, we will be reconvening on May 8th and June 5th to collaborate on designing the SMARTIE (Smart, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-Bound, Inclusive, Equitable) objectives for each of the five pathways that have emerged as priority areas. The five pathways are: (1) Diversity, Equity and Belonging, (2) Teaching, Learning and Innovation, (3) Culture, Community and Innovation, (4) Wellness and Social/Emotional Competencies and (5) Infrastructure and Finance. At the meeting on June 5th, the planning teams will develop Action Plans for Year 1 that will delineate the tasks, the timelines, the progress monitoring measures as well as the resources needed. 

There are also two community meetings scheduled on May 15th (In-person) and May 23rd (Zoom) to share our progress to date and gather feedback on the Strategic Plan. Please access these links to register for either event:

In-Person Community Meeting Registration

Zoom Community Meeting Registration

Policy Committee

At the April 26th Policy Committee meeting, the following policies were presented as Second Readings: Policy 200: Enrollment of Students, Policy 201: Admission of Students, Policy 202: Eligibility of Nonresident Students, Policy 206: Attendance Areas and Assignment in District, Policy 211: Student Accident Insurance, Policy 219: Student Complaint Process, Policy 246: Student Wellness, and Policy 815: Acceptable Use of Network, Internet, Computing Resources, and CIPA Internet Safety Compliance, Policy 823: Naloxone.

The following policies were presented as First Readings: Policy 260: Student Surveys, Policy 916: Volunteers, and Policy 919: Civility.

Click here for the Policy Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights.

Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting

At the May 17th Facilities and Finance Committee meeting, there will be a presentation from ELA sports on the Athletic Feasibility Study and the Finance Committee will present a proposed budget for the 23-24 school year.  

Upcoming Meetings and Events

May 9th -  SHMS Fine and Applied Arts Night #3 at 7PM

May 8th-12th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8th-12 - Nurses Appreciation Week

May 10th - SRS Spring Instrumental Concert

May 10th - WES Spring Concert

May 11th - SRS Orchestra, 5th Gr. Band and Chorus Concert

May 15th - Strategic Plan Community Meeting at 6PM

May 16th - No School - In-Service Day

May 17th - Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting

May 17th - WES Spring Instrumental Concert

May 22nd - School Board Meeting

May 24th - Policy Committee Meeting

Last but not least, I would be remiss for not taking this opportunity to recognize Teacher Appreciation Week that begins on Monday. I would like to convey my gratitude and appreciation for all of our teachers and their tireless efforts. 

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Superintendent Letter to Community 04/21/2023

Dear WSSD Community, 

I hope you had a restful and refreshing Spring Break and are excited as we begin the gradual wind-down of the 2022-2023 school year. With about 10 weeks of school left we are now in the last leg of the school year which coupled with the warm weather, Spring sports and longer daylight hours hold the promise of summer. It goes without saying that for me, I am especially partial to this time of year  as the 127th Annual Penn Relays are right around the corner.  I hope that for you, like me, this gives you the renewed energy to cross the finish line.

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

SHHS Mock Crash

On Thursday, April 20, 2023 Strath Haven High School hosted the Mock Crash, sponsored by State Farm Insurance and Riddle Hospital. This event is facilitated in partnership with Main Line Health, Riddle Hospital, Nether Providence and Swarthmore Police Departments, South Media, Garden City, Swarthmore and Rutledge Fire Departments, Media, Brookhaven, Swarthmore, and Riddle EMS, and actors from Hedgerow Theater. The purpose of this staged event is to teach students about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. The target audience is the junior class, and the event is traditionally held in close proximity to the junior prom which is happening April 22nd. The Mock Crash used a staged, fixed car crash as the foundation for a portrayal of what occurs at an accident scene. Student actors and professional actors from Hedgerow theater interact with police, firefighters, and EMS to demonstrate a realistic scenario. Students then moved to the auditorium where a speaker from Bryn Mawr Rehab shared how their life has been affected by a similar type of accident. Strath Haven has participated in this pre-pandemic event for many years and students have reported that it made a notable impact on their decision making. In fact, this impression is often referenced by graduates when they return to visit on breaks from college. We would like to thank all the participants and volunteers in advance for dedicating their time and energy to helping spread such an important message to all of our students.

WES Science Fair

I want to congratulate the student scientists participating, as well as to the Dimensions in Math & Science Committee for organizing this event. The 2nd Annual WES Science Fair took place on Wednesday April 19th. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student scientists showcased their science projects and knowledge. This non-competitive event is completely voluntary and organized by the WES PTO Dimensions in Math & Science Committee. Students do all work (research, experiment and trifold creation) at home independently or with a partner. As fellow WES students visited the 21 student-driven science tables and asked questions, the student scientists stamped their passports. There were also a variety of PTO science activities that were supported by SHMS 6th Grade WES alumni and PTO volunteers, and the Eastern Pennsylvania Robotics Team attended, along with many of their robots. 

SRS Art Show

Congratulations to Ms. Hochstoeger, SRS Art Teacher, who prepared a show capturing the various phases, techniques and genres of art through the grade levels. We are grateful for our parents and families who shared their love for art by attending and encouraging future students to be inspired by the art that surrounds them. SRS held an art show on April 13th. All students were able to participate by having their art projects displayed throughout the auditorium for the WSSD families to view. 

Mini-THON

Mini-THON has raised $15,374.74 this school year. They achieved their goal of reaching $15,000 for the school year. They held many events throughout the school year. All proceeds will be sent to the Four Diamonds. Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research.

Strategic Plan

On April 18th a total of 55 parents/guardians, community members, staff, administrators and board members came together to review the vision for impact statements. Our partners from Bloom Inc, who we have contracted with to assist us with creating and articulating our 10-year Strategic Plan facilitated the meeting. Prior to the meeting, our planning team reviewed 17 different Visions For Impact drafts that were synthesized to create one statement. Bloom representatives reviewed our journey so far in the planning process, the various Vision For Impact statements that were created in over ten different meetings and the synthesized version of the Vision for Impact from each of these iterations. Participants were invited to review and share input on the synthesized draft Vision For Impact statement in an effort to begin defining the key pathways of the WSSD Strategic Plan. Our next meeting with the planning team is on April 25th and we will review the updated Vision For Impact statement, discuss the five pathways that were identified, review their statements of intent, complete pathway-specific gap analysis and brainstorm strategic initiatives. The five pathways are: (1) Diversity, Equity and Belonging, (2) Teaching, Learning and Innovation, (3) Culture, Community and Innovation, (4) Wellness and Social/Emotional Competencies and (5) Infrastructure and Finance. Your voice matters and your perspective is integral to the development of the Strategic Plan. I want to thank all of you who found the time and space to actively participate in this phase of the planning process. Your commitment and contribution are pivotal to the success of our Strategic Plan.

Educational Affairs Committee Meeting 

There were two main agenda topics for the April Educational Affairs committee meeting: Learning Journeys and Strategic Plan updates. The purpose of learning journeys is to ground ourselves in the most innovative aspects of learning, to have first-hand experiences that inspire us to think about the best ways to engage students, to explore core questions about what we want our students’ experiences to be, and to challenge deeply held assumptions about what education is and should be in the 21st Century. This echoes the findings from the audits we conducted last school year about our aspirations as a school district. It is also embedded in the pathways that will guide the creation of our 10-year vision of a WSSD strategic plan. This school year, some of you had the opportunity to participate in learning journeys. It was inspiring to hear your colleagues share their observations and experiences visiting schools far and near. The intent is for teachers and administrators to continue to grow professionally through learning journeys. Thank you to Mrs. Sue Gaur, Mr. Bryan Neuber, Mrs. Michaela DelSordo and Mrs. Heather Burns for sharing their perspectives at the committee meeting. We look forward to similar opportunities in the coming year.

Click here for the Educational Affairs Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights. Click here to view the recording of the meeting.

Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting

On April 18th at the Facilities and Finance committee meeting, Mr. Kevin Godshall from Godshall Kane O'Rourke Architects (GKO) presented a number of expansion and construction options to help us think critically through the spacing challenges we are facing at the elementary schools. Eight different options were presented for design changes at WES, NPE, and SRS. One of these options was for SRS to reimagine the space to offer a district-wide Kindergarten and 1st grade center. Mr. Godshall also identified ways in which we can increase classroom efficiency for buildings where that capacity and possibility exist. All options presented are exploratory and additional options for investigation were discussed at the meeting.

Furthermore, proposals for cleaning services were reviewed and METZ environmental services were recommended to be awarded the cleaning services contract. The electronic fob readers at access doors in our elementary schools are at 85% completion while electronic position sensors/switches on all district exterior doors  are at 70% completion. These installations are  expected to be completed by May 15th. The marquee sign for the middle school and high school will be presented to township zoning on May 15th.

The next facilities meeting is scheduled for May 17th where ELA sports will present their findings on the athletic fields study and the master plan. At our June 21st Facilities Committee meeting GKO will present their findings on the  high school space utilization study.

The Finance Committee meeting gave an update on the Business Office and the search for a Business Manager. There was mention of the extremely competitive market to recruit and hire personnel because of the acute labor shortage in this field. In the meeting, Food Services vendors were also discussed and the recommendation was made to award the contract to The Nutrition Group. Additionally, a 2023 budget update was shared as well as the budget versus year-to-date comparison. 

Click here for the Facilities Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights. Click here to view the recording of the meeting.

PSSA

Students in grades 3-8 will be taking the PSSA in English Language Arts, Math and Science (grades 4 and 8) beginning next week and the testing window closes on May 12th. Administrators and teachers have collaborated to create amended schedules so students have ample time to take the test in a comfortable and peaceful environment. 

Special Education Transition information night

WSSD Presents a Special Education Transition Information Night featuring sessions on multiple topics. Please see the RSVP form for further information and an attached flyer. This very special event will take place on Thursday, April 27th from 6:30 – 8pm at Strath Haven High School in the auditorium. https://forms.gle/7GMRyBEZ12kSfXHk9 

Milligan Scholar Athlete

Congratulations to Strath Haven HS senior Sam Milligan on being selected as the 2023 Bo & Kelly Ryan Scholar Athlete Award from the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Sam Milligan has been a model student-athlete the past four years, and we wish him luck as he continues his academic and athletic careers at Bucknell University next fall, where he will play football.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

April 22nd - SHHS Junior Prom

April  24th - School Board Meeting

April 26th - SHHS Jazz Night

April 26th - Policy Committee Meeting

April 26th - National Walk at Lunch Day

April 27th - SHHS Varsity Arts Awards & Art Exhibitions

April 27th - National Art Honor Society Induction

April 28th - SRS Home and School Family Bingo Night

May 3rd - Educational Affairs Committee Meeting

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Superintendent Letter to Community 03/31/2023

Dear WSSD Community, 

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits. Spring break has arrived and I encourage you to take advantage of hopefully great weather and fun activities. Upon returning to school, I know that the remainder of the year will continue to be a positive and influential environment for our students and community. Let me share with you a few highlights from the week, as well as reminders of upcoming meetings and events.

 

Spring Conferences 

March 28th through March 31st NPE, SRS, and WES hosted Parent and Teacher Conferences. We hope that you had the opportunity to take advantage of our spring conferences. These conferences supplement communication with families by providing more comprehensive information about children's progress and allowing time for deep conversation. Providing the time and space for discussions between parents and teachers is a crucial opportunity to gain insights into, and to enhance your child’s learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. We hope that you had the opportunity to take advantage of our spring conferences.

 

Haven Band and Orchestra Concert

On March 15th, the Haven Band and Orchestra ensembles performed a concert, “Fire, Water, Earth, Air.” The program consisted of four groups to represent the elements. The String Orchestra started the performance followed by the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and ended with the Symphonic Band. To view the concert program, click here for the Program PDF and to view the concert, click here. 

 

The 42nd Annual Summer Music program is happening this year from June 26th-July 20th, 2023. This program is open to students entering 3rd through 12th grade in the Fall. Rising 8th-12th grade students and adults of any age are welcome to join the evening concert band. The Summer Program is open to both WSSD and non-WSSD residents. To register visit tinyurl.com/summermusicprogram. 

 

NPE STEAM Night

Nether Providence Elementary School hosted  STEAM Night. Many exhibits were placed in the hallways, gym, and cafeteria. Students will have an opportunity to learn about careers in all aspects of STEAM. Many thanks to all of the parents, staff and special guests who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge with our students. Some of the events that were showcased include: Tessellations, Magnetism, Data Visualization, Atoms in Legos, Engineering and Bridges, and many more! 

 

International Night SHHS

The weaving worlds of Culture, Customs and Cuisine held at Strath Haven High School for International Night brought fun, art, inspiration, and educational opportunities to students, families and community members. This event highlighted and celebrated the rich diversity of our school district while showcasing our students’ unique talents in expressing their culture and traditions. Students also hosted a fundraiser during the event and all funds raised will be donated to Doctors Without Borders for their efforts in Syria and Turkey.

 

Career Day at SHMS

Career Day gives students an up-close look at different career paths and connects their learning to the real world. On Friday, March 24th, Strath Haven Middle School welcomed 41 different guests featuring various occupations. Community members and leaders visited classrooms to share insights about their career and details about necessary education and training for career success. Meanwhile, students got the opportunity to listen to presenters, ask questions, and consider what careers pique their interest. Career Day exposed students to pathways they may not have imagined. 

Thank you to the teachers and staff that helped organize this event. Thank you to all of the guests for volunteering their time and knowledge to help our students explore many careers and to get them thinking about their future occupations. 

 

 

Strath Haven High School Sports

Congratulations to Alexa Brown on placing 5th at the New Balance Indoor Track & Field National Championships with a throw of 42' 3.25". New Balance considers those who finish 1st through 6th place at the event to be All-Americans. Alexa meets this qualification and will have a plaque added to the All-American wall this summer. Congrats to sophomore Gavin Shifflett for his achievements at the PIAA State Championship. Gavin set personal best times in 200 free (1:43.01) and 500 free (4:36.32 - new school record), finishing 14th and 10th in those events. 

Spring Sports have just begun and we picked up the victory from boys lacrosse (11-6) and girls lacrosse (15-6) over Pennsbury to open the season! Best of luck to our spring sports competitors! 

 

As our spring sports are starting, we would like to encourage parents, families, and students to be considerate of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship plays itself out in the fields and in the stands. All of us play a role in the PIAA sportsmanship message. As we enter the spring sports season, we want to reaffirm our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved. We look forward to welcoming our student-athletes, coaches, officials, families, and fans to another successful, and positive, season! 

 

Strategic Plan

As we continue our strategic planning process, our community will continue to play a fundamental role in  forging a path that continues to elevate WSSD not only as a destination of choice for families but also as a premier K-12 institution in the country. We welcome our community’s input and invite you to be a part of our efforts. I am thankful for your involvement and commitment to our school district. To join the WSSD Planning Team, visit here to learn more about how to actively participate  and engage in the WSSD strategic planning process.

 

Policy Committee Meeting

The policy committee meeting was held on March 22nd and the following policies were presented as first readings: Policy 202 Eligibility of Non-Resident Students; Policy 246 Student Wellness; Policy 823 Naloxone. Click here for the Policy Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights. 

Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting

The Facilities Committee meeting was held on March 15th and the following topics were discussed and presented: King Field Turf Replacement - ELA Sport Presentation, Athletic Fields Study, LED Marquee Signs –Middle and High School, Campus Signage - Middle and High School, Custodial Cleaning Contract –  (RFP) Request for Proposals

Click here for the Facilities Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights.

 

At the March 15th Finance Committee meeting Mr. Ken King, the Interim Business Manager, provided a high level overview of the current standings of the district. Currently, the district has a few vacancies within the Business Department and projects that require attention. He provided insights into what he has gleaned so far in terms of the operations of the Business Department and is preparing for the 2023-2024 final budget. He is also supporting the WSESPA negotiations process. 

Click here for the Facilities Committee Meeting Presentation and Highlights.

Regular Board Meeting

I would like to highlight two items the Board took action on during the March 27th meeting. The Board authorized the school district to enter a contract for FieldTurf USA to replace the Synthetic Turf on King Field.  This is the first of many projects to support the reimagining of our athletic spaces.   The renovation will begin on May 15th and is scheduled to be concluded by August 30th.  Though not on the board agenda I want to share that Godshall Kane O'Rourke Architects have completed their preliminary elementary utilization study and are scheduled to present their findings at the April 19th Facilities and Finance Committee meeting.  We are also finalizing the high school utilization study with Crabtree Rohrbaugh & Associates who will present their findings at the May Facilities and Finance Committee.

The Board also approved the addition of purchasing and installing building signs and directional signs at the Strath Haven Middle School and High School. We look forward to the installation of those signs in the coming months.  

Click here to view the Board Summary Highlights. Click here to view the Superintendent Report. 

 

WES Lemonade and Pretzel Stand

On March 27th, 28th, and 29th, Mrs. Gaur hosted the Annual Lemonade Stand at WES for students and staff to buy pretzels and lemonade! Many families donated gallons of lemonade, paper bags, cups, and more to help support this event. The students and staff have raised $2,235 in donations that will be going to Turkey to help with the earthquake disaster relief.

 

Upcoming Meetings and Events

April 3rd-7th - Spring Recess

April 13th - SRS Art Show

April 19th - WES Science Fair

April 19th - Facilities & Finance Committee Meetings

April 20th - SHHS Mock Crash

April 21st - SHHS Mock Crash (Rain Date)

April 22nd - SHHS Junior Prom

April  24th - School Board Meeting

April 26th - Policy Committee Meeting

 

Like many of you, I continue to process the tragic events and loss of lives that occurred in Nashville. Once again this horrific incident set in motion feelings of condolences and confusion about senseless acts that are becoming unfortunately too familiar. The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our topmost priority. Our strength lies in our collective efforts as a school district and the ongoing commitment of our community in supporting all of our students and each other.

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Superintendent Letter to Community 03/10/2023

Dear WSSD Community,

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits. This Sunday we Spring Forward as we turn our clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Though the weather is not cooperating at this time soon comes the promise of Spring, warmer weather, outdoor activities and soon enough, summer plans. This is also a time when we begin to transition from winter activities to events and schedules that will culminate into the end of this school year. I invite you to continue to engage and participate in the myriad of school- and district related events and opportunities. I am always appreciative of your continued support and ongoing commitment to our students, schools and community.

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

Grease: The Musical

Grease opened last weekend and received rave reviews. Congratulations to Mr. Shankweiler and to the cast and crew for a fantastic performance. This coming Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00, will be the final three shows for Grease. We hope you will be able to join us for a show.

International Night: SRS

A night of Culture, Customs and Cuisine is what brought a lively gathering at SRS for International Night, and the truth is it surpassed all expectations. There were culinary, musical, and artistic delights inspired from different corners of the world along with informational cultural displays that spotlighted the rich diversity of our families, students and community. This was indeed a colorful event that celebrated friendship, inclusion and belonging that embodied the myriad of cultural heritage this community embodies. This experience really speaks to me personally: the notion around building community and creating the space to know our neighbors and hear their stories, understanding cultural identities, and through a lens of culture, customs, and cuisine. International Night really exemplifies who we are as a community and though the program was well attended and it was a large crowd, I wish that every community member had the chance to visit and experience the event. The sights, smells, languages, food, and enjoyable atmosphere captivated me with a learning experience at each table. I learned so much about our students and families that would have not been possible without attending the event. Though I have not had the chance to visit some of these countries, I did have the chance to taste and experience it from their perspective. 

I would like to thank the HSA at all the elementary school buildings for their collaborative efforts in orchestrating this event. Thank you to Dr. Tuck and her staff for hosting this event. As a district, we look forward to strengthening and expanding the partnership for the next school year. 

International Nights: Weaving Worlds Together

The district is thrilled to announce the second opportunity this month to experience an international night -  Weaving Worlds Together: A Night of Customs, Culture and Cuisine! This will be held on March 23 at 6:00 PM at the high school, and is being planned by a group of talented students. If you are interested in hosting an informational table that is reflective of your culture and background please use this link here. The event will feature the wonderful cultures and traditions, food and customs that reflect the rich diversity of our school district community. We hope you will join us. Click here for more information.

Policy Committee Meeting

At the March 9th Policy committee meeting, there were first readings of Policies 206, 200, 201, 211, 219. To review the agenda, presentations, and additional information click here. To view the details of each policy, please click here. The majority of the meeting was spent on Policy # 206 -Attendance Areas and Assignment in District. Finding a long-term solution for our capacity challenges in our elementary schools has become our top priority. We can no longer continue to put bandaids on this systemic problem. The lack of classroom space coupled with the increasing enrollment of new students in our elementary schools is a concern that has risen to the top of our priority list. Committing to construction in our buildings to expand and provide space for our students is no longer simply a matter for consideration. It is a matter of when and where. On April 19, at our Facilities and Finance meeting, our consultants from Godshall Kane & O’Rourke Architects (GKO) who have been conducting a space utilization study in each of our elementary buildings will share their findings with the Board and the community. Prior to that we will create time and space for building principals to share this information with you.

We are also in the process of writing the WSSD strategic plan for the next 10 years; A process that compels us to reimagine pedagogical and instructional practices as well as the very craft of teaching. The learning experiences we are envisioning for our students are for the opportunities of tomorrow and it is incumbent upon us to provide the space in our buildings, facilities and grounds that align to these learning experiences.

King Field Turf Replacement

On March 2nd, 2023, in the SHHS Cafeteria, representatives from ELA sports, Mr. Klabunde, Director of Operations,  Drs. Hilden, Matsanka, and Mr. Clancy, Director of Athletics, shared preliminary findings of the turf replacement on King Field and the district-wide grass fields assessment. The community had the opportunity to share comments and recommendations as ELA Sports worked to conclude its findings and recommendations. Our timeline for the turf replacement is anticipated for an early May start date which will be concluded in middle to late August for projected completion. 

Additionally, the Crabtree Rohrbaugh & Associates team is continuing their study for information gathering about the desired educational model/concept for different areas of the High School. The space utilization study will include the evaluation of possible renovations and modernization of the media center / library, guidance suite, replacement of (8) modular classrooms, locker rooms, natatorium, new auxiliary gym, restroom renovations, and Special Education classrooms. 

Feeding School Kids

Giant Corporation awarded WSSD with a check for $6,366 from the Fill-A-Plate and Round Up for Hunger donations to better support students. Many thanks to everyone who supports our students, this partnership cares about "Feeding School Kids." This year, Feeding School Kids raised more than $1.35 million to expand public school feeding programs. The donation to our school district will support food security and food assistance initiatives. 

Upcoming Meetings and Events

March 17: School closed for staff in-service.

Strategic Plan-Upcoming Meetings

Please join us tomorrow Saturday, March 11th for the Community Input meeting from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM in the cafeteria of SHMS. To register for this meeting, please click here. The next Community Input meeting is on Thursday, March 16 from 1-3PM via Zoom. As we continue our strategic planning process, our community will continue to play a fundamental role in  forging a path that continues to elevate WSSD not only as a destination of choice for families but also as a premier K-12 institution in the country. We welcome our community’s input and invite you to be a part of our efforts. I am thankful for your involvement and commitment to our school district.

Final Remarks

Spring competitions begin this weekend with boys and girls lacrosse games. Congratulations to Sam Milligan and Ben Farabaugh for competing in the PIAA State Wrestling Championship at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA this weekend. Gavin Shifflett will compete in the PIAA Swimming Championship on March 16 through 18.  We wish all of our student athletes good luck!

 

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

  

Superintendent Letter to Community 02/24/2023

Dear WSSD Community, 

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits. I hope you have been able to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and have gotten outside to soak up the warmth and sunshine. February is the shortest month of the year, and I can’t believe how quickly time flies. As February comes to a close and we will soon welcome in March, we are reminded of our achievements thus far and how much more we need to accomplish.

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

Facilities and Finance Committees

The Facilities and Finance Committees met on Thursday, February 22, at 7 PM at SHMS Library.  The Director of Operations, Mr. Klabunde, provided updates on current projects such as but not limited to, the Athletic Fields Study, Copple’s Lane Crosswalk Study, and Elementary and High School Utilization Studies. Mr. Klabunde also discussed future projects such as, but not limited to, Middle and High School campus signage, Middle and High School LED marquee signs, and sealcoating of MS and SRS parking lots.  Mr. Klanbunde also shared a proposed facilities use fee schedule.  The agenda, PowerPoint, and summary highlights of the meeting can be found here.

The Finance Committee met immediately after the Facilities meeting, where Business Manager, Ms. Martin, provided a comparative analysis of revenues and expenditures for the 2022-2023 budget to year-to-date actual and comparison to the 2021-2022 school year. Ms. Martin also provided an update on the 2023-2024 school year and shared some key factors that are currently built into the budget. The proposed budget includes five priority staffing positions: English Language teacher, Math Specialist, Literacy Specialist, Counselor, and Director of Athletics and Activities  6-12.  The agenda/PowerPoint and summary highlights of the meeting can be found here.

 

Little Panthers Preschool 

Little Panthers Preschool continues to accept applications for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Little Panthers provides a setting for Strath Haven High School students who are enrolled in the Childhood Program to further their understanding of the growth and development of young children. In this preschool laboratory, the students provide a happy learning environment for the 3-5-year-old children while developing skills working with children. Under the supervision of a certified Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and two classroom aides, the students in the Childhood classes study, design, and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities. If you have any interest in sending your child to Little Panthers Preschool at Strath Haven High School, please contact Jen Zanoni, the program director, at jzanoni@wssd.org.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors

The regular meeting of the Board of School Directors will be held on February 27, 2023, 7 PM in the library of SHMS.  

Educational Affairs Committee 

The Educational Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2023, 7 PM in SHMS Room B226. The office of Student Services will share updates on Gifted Education, Behavioral Health Teams, and K-12 Guidance Plan (Chapter 339).  

Kindergarten Orientation 

Kindergarten Parent Orientation is Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00 PM. 

Community Conversation and Input on King Field Turf Replacement/Athletic Fields

You are invited to attend and participate in a community meeting on March 2, 2023, 7 PM in the SHHS Cafeteria.  Representatives from ELA Sports, Mr. Klabunde, Director of Operations,  Drs. Hilden, Mastanka, and Mr. Clancy, Director of Athletics, will share preliminary findings of the turf replacement on King Field and the district-wide grass fields assessment.  Community members will have the opportunity to share comments and recommendations as ELA Sports works to conclude its findings and recommendations.  

Read Across America

Read Across America week will be celebrated in all of our elementary schools the week of March 2 - 6. Our theme this year is Uplift Every Voice and Read. Reading Specialists and teachers have planned several activities to celebrate and promote reading among our students. 

SHHS Presents Grease the Musical

Grease is coming to SHHS soon! Mark your calendars with the showtimes that will take place during the following two weekends at SHHS auditorium: March 3rd and 4th at 7:30 PM; March 5th at 2:00 PM; March 10th and 11th at 7:30 PM; March 12th at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased at the door. We hope you will come out to see the hard work of our very talented high school students.

Mental Health Resource Night - Be Kind To Your Mind 

The mental health resource night will be held on March 7, 2023, 6:30 PM at SHMS. Students aged 14 and up and their parents can learn about valuable resources on various topics related to mental health. Light refreshments will be served. More information about the full program will be forthcoming.

Policy Committee 

The Policy Committee meeting will be held on March 9 at 7 PM at the SHMS Library.  Further discussion regarding Policy 206 (Attendance Areas and Assignment in District) will also take place. The agenda will be posted to the website in advance of the meeting: Policy Committee

Strategic Plan-Upcoming Meeting

This is a reminder that the next Community Input meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, from 9-11 AM in the cafeteria of SHMS and on Thursday, March 16, from 1-3 PM via Zoom. As we continue our strategic planning process, our community will continue to play a fundamental role in forging a path that continues to elevate WSSD not only as a destination of choice for families but also as a premier K-12 institution in the country. We welcome our community’s input and invite you to be a part of our efforts. The community meetings held in January were well attended, and I am thankful for your involvement and commitment to our school district.

Want to join a Strategic Planning committee?

Indicate your interest by completing the QR Code or the Interest Survey Link

International Nights: Weaving Worlds Together

The district is thrilled to announce two opportunities to experience international night -  Weaving Worlds Together: A Night of Customs, Culture, and Cuisine! The first will be held on Thursday, March 9, at 6:00 PM at SRS, hosted by the Home and School Association. The second will be held on March 23 at 6:00 PM at the high school and is being planned by a group of talented students. Both will feature the wonderful cultures and traditions, food, and customs that reflect the rich diversity of our school district community. We are looking forward to both events and hope you will join us. Click here for more information.

Good luck to Strath Haven athletes competing in the District 1 swim championships, D1 South Sectional Wrestling championships, and indoor track championships this weekend!

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Superintendent Letter to Community 02/10/2023

Dear WSSD Community,

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

First and foremost, I would be remiss if I did not address the earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria on Monday. More than 20,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck. To our families who have relatives and friends in Turkey and Syria, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We share in the grief of the people in Turkey and Syria who are suffering unspeakable losses.

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

Polar Plunge 

WSSD administrators, staff, and students took the Polar Plunge today at Citizens Bank Park. The Polar Plunge is an annual event that raises funds for Special Olympics of PA, and the money raises funds for our Unified Bocce team. I would like to thank the staff members, students and families who have raised over $3700 and students who demonstrated Panther Spirit and took the plunge with me today. Special thanks go to David Velardi, Sarah Holt, Christine Contrady, Dr. Sandberg and Mr. Benzing for their help and support.

Shrek the Musical

The SHMS production of Shrek the Musical was absolutely fantastic! I want to thank Sarah Elsheakh for directing the show, as well as James McLaughlin, Ally Williams, and Michele Devinney for their awesome support. This year’s musical was a unique experience for me that allowed me to experience the show not only as a proud Superintendent but also as a parent. This gave me another level of insight into and appreciation for the incredible amount of time, energy, and effort that goes into the production of a performance. As the father of a student who was in the musical, I am overly impressed and humbled by the dedication that our staff put into this production. I am also appreciative of our supportive community and families for their enthusiasm and patronage. A big shout out to the very talented students – from the cast, pit orchestra, light, and sound crew, backstage set and props, costume crew, house manager, and ushers – thank you for an outstanding job! 

Fly, Eagles, Fly!

The excitement for Sunday’s Super Bowl game is palpable! Our staff and students donned their Eagles green this week and held pep rallies to cheer our beloved team to victory. The Eagles are the very embodiment of team spirit and remind us of the endless possibilities that exist when each individual works collectively to accomplish a goal. 

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and our teachers have created learning opportunities for all of our students to honor and understand the experiences as well as the contributions of the African American diaspora. I commend our staff for the various programs and activities they highlighted this month.

Little Panthers Preschool 

Little Panthers Preschool is now accepting applications for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Little Panthers provides a setting for Strath Haven High School students who are enrolled in the Childhood Program to further their understanding of the growth and development of young children. In this preschool laboratory, the students provide a happy learning environment for the 3-5-year-old children while developing skills working with children. Under the supervision of a certified Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and two classroom aides, the students in the Childhood classes study, design, and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities. If you have any interest in sending your child to Little Panthers Preschool at Strath Haven High School, please contact Jen Zanoni, the program director, at jzanoni@wssd.org.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

SHMS Students Perform at Delco Honors Band Festival–Friday, Feb 10, 2023

Twenty-three select SHMS 7th- and 8th-grade band members will perform with middle schoolers from seven other surrounding school districts at the annual Delaware County Honors Band Festival on Friday, 2/10, at 7 pm at Drexel Hill Middle School. These students have worked diligently over the past six weeks to prepare eight pieces of contrasting music for this one night. It is indeed a remarkable feat to put on a concert of eight pieces with a little over 16 hours of rehearsal time.  Congratulations to: Roland Rennick-Zuefle, Luca D'Andrea, Abi Kandula, Carter Guensich, Elsie Staley-Bischoff, Kay Liberi, Brendan Hogg, Matthew Traverso, Reina Ohtani, Maisie Sentivan, Ryan Schofield, Caroline Boerth, Ethan Ross, Kate Susek, Conrad Nuschke, Zeb Smithey, Hannah Kille, Izyan Weljie, Joe Satterthwaite, Frankie Griffin, Juliette Loyd, Jonah Wimmer, Brendan Godo, and their band director, Allyson Williams! We wish them all the best and congratulate them for being chosen for this honor!

Parent Information Night

The next Parent Information Night will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the library at SRS. The topic is Being a Good Role Model and is for parents of students in grades 3-5. Click here for more information: https://www.wssd.org/Page/659

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Information Event

The community is invited to attend a very important Drug & Alcohol Prevention Night on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in Strath Haven High School Auditorium. Families of students in grades 6-12 are invited to this informative night to discuss various topics, including current drug trends, signs and symptoms of substance use, developmental impact of the drugs youth are using, DEA outreach and campaigns (One Pill can Kill), and additional prevention resources for parents/guardians, students, and education professionals. Guest Speakers include Frank J. McCartney, Diversion Outreach Coordinator, KACE CO., Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Division, and Andy Eiseman, Community Outreach Specialist for the DEA Philadelphia Field Office. Click here for more information: Drug and Alcohol Prevention

In-service Day 

This is a reminder that Friday, February 17, will be an in-service day for staff. There will be no school for students that day.

President’s Day

The District is closed on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents Day. There is no school for students and staff. I hope you enjoy that time with family and friends.

Committee Meeting Date Changes

I wanted to remind you that the Facilities and Finance Committee meetings will be held on February 22 at 7 pm in the SHMS Library. This is a change from the original meeting of February 15. The agenda will be posted on the WSSD here: Facilities and Finance Committees by February 20.

The Policy Committee, originally scheduled for February 22, will now be held on March 9 at 7 pm, SHMS library. Further discussion regarding Policy 206 (Attendance Areas and Assignment in District) will also take place. The agenda will be posted to the website in advance of the meeting: Policy Committee

SHHS Blood Drive

The Strath Haven High School annual Blood Drive is back and is scheduled for Thursday, March 2nd, from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. Students will choose their sign-up time, and the whole process will take about an hour. Teachers will be notified of the schedule once all the slots are filled. Our goal is 161 donations. Proudly, our school is one of the biggest drives in Delaware County, and all the units of blood actually go straight back to our communities. To be eligible to donate blood, students must: be at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission in some states), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height), and be in generally good health. Prior to donating blood, we encourage students to get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and eat within 2-3 hours. Blood supplies are at a critical level. We commend our students for taking this step and being caring and altruistic citizens. 

Strategic Plan-Upcoming Meeting

This is a reminder that the next Community Input meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, from 9-11 am in the cafeteria of SHMS and on Thursday, March 16 from 1-3 PM via Zoom. As we continue our strategic planning process, our community will continue to play a fundamental role in  forging a path that continues to elevate WSSD not only as a destination of choice for families but also as a premier K-12 institution in the country. We welcome our community’s input and invite you to be a part of our efforts. The community meetings held in January were well attended, and I am thankful for your involvement and commitment to our school district.

Want to join a Strategic Planning committee?

• Indicate your interest by completing the QR Code or the Interest Survey Link

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille,

Superintendent

Superintendent’s Letter

January 27, 2023

Dear WSSD Community,

New semester at the high school, first round of report cards at the elementary schools, January almost coming to an end, and February on our doorstep. It seems like it was only yesterday that, together, we greeted the new year and ushered in 2023. We have celebrated many accomplishments together, and I look forward to our continued success.

As I indicated in my last communication, we held assemblies to practice emergency safety protocols with students. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in talking to your children and helping them to process these safety drills. Please know that our team is always available and ready to speak to students about school safety and security.

I am pleased to share with you a few highlights from the week, including the safety presentations, as well as reminders of upcoming meetings and events.

January 23 Board Meeting Highlights

The regular monthly Board of Directors meeting was held on Monday, January 23, 2023. 

To view the Superintendent’s report, please go here: Superintendent's Report 1-23-23

You can also find a summary of meeting highlights here: Board Meeting Highlights Summary

(As a reminder, these highlights are not official minutes. The minutes will be posted after they are approved at the February School Board meeting.)

Upcoming Committee Meetings

The Policy Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 7 pm in room B-226 at SHMS.  

Policy Committee Jan. 30, 2023, Agenda and Policies

The next meeting of the Educational Affairs Committee is Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 7:00 pm in room B226, SHMS.

Educational Affairs February 1, 2023 Agenda

PeachJar is Now Live!

PeachJar, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District’s community digital flyer system, brings important information about events and programs directly to our families' email inboxes! Community organizations can share digital flyers to be considered for approval on PeachJar, and these flyers are shared with families and on our website, where they can easily sign up for programs and events.

Community Organizations must contact peachjar@wssd.org with their organization name, contact person, address, telephone, and email address. Once it is determined that the organization qualifies as a local organization, it can post flyers at no cost.  

• Link to WSSD Peachjar information: https://www.wssd.org/peachjar

Link to current Peachjar flyers:  https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/districts/50141/

Follow These Steps for Peachjar Registration:

To submit your flyer for district approval, review our Flyer Approval Guidelines and follow the steps below. Paper flyers from outside organizations will no longer be distributed.

• Community Organizations must contact peachjar@wssd.org with their organization's name, contact person, address, telephone, and email address. Once it is determined that the organization qualifies as a local organization, it can post flyers at no cost. 

• Once an organization receives an email from Peachjar with a code to register for free, the organization can proceed by registering its account on Peachjar.com.

• Community organizations within 25 miles of the District will not be charged for this service. 

• Once registered, go to the Peachjar icon on the district's homepage or on a school's homepage, sign in, and go to Post & Notify from the account to submit a flyer for approval. WSSD reserves the right not to approve a flyer for posting.

• Email  support@peachjar.com or call 858-997-2117 if you have any problems with registration. 

Show Time: Strath Haven Middle School Presents Shrek the Musical

SHMS is proud to present its production of Shrek the Musical on February 2, 3, and 4 at 7:00 pm and February 5 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and are not available at the door. They can be purchased here: SHMS Shrek Tickets. This show will undoubtedly be a hit! Please come out to support our very talented students!

Strategic Plan: March Community Input Meeting

The next Community Input meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, from 9-11 am in the cafeteria of SHMS and on Thursday, March 16, from 1-3 PM via Zoom. Your voice matters, and being a part of these meetings allows you to play an active role as we build the WSSD Strategic Plan.

Want to join a Strategic Planning committee?

• Indicate your interest by completing the QR Code or the Interest Survey Link

• Commitment: There will be three 2-3 hour meetings in February and March (dates TBD) in which you will conduct a gap analysis, determine objectives and goals for strategic priorities, and begin action planning.

 We look forward to your attendance and participation.

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear WSSD Community,

As we wrap up another productive week, this one filled with celebrations, teamwork at its finest,  and professional learning, I want to thank you for your participation and engagement. Henry Ford said, "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." Moving forward together is about facing challenges as a team, finding solutions as a team, communicating, planning, learning, and growing as a team -- which all lead to succeeding as a team. Teamwork has the incredible power to increase productivity and performance, problem-solving, innovation, personal and organizational growth, and overall happiness among team members. We demonstrated more than ever this week how true these words are. We know the foundation of strong teams is deeply rooted in creating strong relationships.

I read a recent article from the Harvard Study of Adult Development that found in its 85 years and counting, personal connections are the most important factor in long-term health and happiness. The Study shows overwhelmingly that “the one thing that continuously demonstrates its broad and enduring importance is good relationships.” They keep us healthier and happier. 

I found this to be rather compelling, and as I thought more about it, I wondered how this applies to our WSSD family. As a district that thrives on building strong relationships between students, families, staff, administrators, board, and community, I realize that this continues to be a bedrock that we build upon. Our students benefit tremendously from the relationships they foster with one another and with the adults in their lives. Positive relationships have been proven to enhance all academic and social-emotional outcomes. 

In our continuing efforts to strengthen our ongoing relationships with our internal and external stakeholders, we embarked upon a strategic plan to help guide our vision over the next ten years. The foundation of our strategic plan will be strong, as it is being built on strong relationships with our internal and external partners. We are working together as a cohesive team and creating better working relationships, which, in turn, helps the district to better work toward our goals. 

Please mark your calendars for the next two Strategic Plan Community Meetings:

• Saturday, March 11 Community meeting 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. SHMS Cafeteria

• Monday, March 13 Community meeting 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. SHMS Cafeteria

A link will be made available to you in the upcoming weeks so you can sign up for attendance and participation.

I am pleased to share some of this week’s updates with you.

MLK Day of Service

Over 500 students, parents, teachers, and community members attended the District’s first community-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16, at the middle school. The WSSD MLK Day of Service was truly a team effort of which we can all be very proud. I cannot say enough how grateful I am for the hard work and commitment of every student, teacher, staff member, PTO/HSA, administrator, and volunteer for making this event possible. I know the time and effort put into making this event a success, and I thank you all for your help in honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe he would be proud. This event received news coverage on 6ABC and the Delco Times: Celebrating MLK.

Planned Emergency Drill

On January 17, Student Services and the Office of TLI collaborated to offer district-wide staff an important training that aimed to bring together two key WSSD initiatives; cultural proficiency and trauma-invested practices. Administrators led training to review lockdown procedures and to provide explicit direction on how to socially/emotionally prepare students for a lockdown. Additionally, teachers were provided with key resources and practice sessions to help mitigate traumatic stress for students after a lockdown or a lockdown drill.  Safety preparedness is an essential part of the school emergency plan, so students and staff are able to act to maximize safety in the event of a school emergency. The week of January 23rd, Principals, in collaboration with Mrs. Dana McBride, our Safety and Security Coordinator, and Dr. Megan McCullough, our Director of Student Services, and our Safety and Security teams, will develop a schedule that will allow students to participate in a similar experience so they are better prepared in an emergency situation.  More information will be forthcoming from principals. 

Finance and Facilities Meeting

The Facilities and Finance Committees met on January 18th. The Facilities Committee discussed the following projects: Trinity Roof Replacement, replacement of hot water heaters at the MS/SRS/HS/NPE, anticipated installation of key fob sensors at all elementary schools; door sensor installation of all district exterior doors; procurement of materials for the GESA

projects; update on King Field Turf Replacement, District Field/Athletic study; space utilization study at all three elementary schools and the high school. The Finance Committee discussed fund balance transfers, Food Service Request for Proposal, 2023-2024 budget update. The PowerPoints can be found here. 

We are pleased to share the highlights of both the Finance and Facilities Committee Meetings held on January 18, 2023. See more on our website:  Finance and Facilities

Upcoming Board Meetings 

Regular School Board Meeting, Mon. 1/23 in SHMS Library @ 7pm

Policy Committee Meeting, Wed. 1/30 in SHMS B226 @ 7pm

I look forward to your attendance and participation.

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

 

Dear WSSD Community,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I had the opportunity to visit all of our buildings today and experience first-hand the myriad of activities inside the classrooms and assemblies that celebrated and honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I want to thank our faculty, staff, and administrators for all the work that led to this wonderful experience. We are barely two weeks into the new year and already have so much to be grateful for. We know that challenges will come our way and that change, while necessary, in itself is also challenging. But we are ready to face it all head-on; for that, we are thankful. We are committed to continuous improvement in every aspect of our district, and I personally appreciate the hard work and dedication of every administrator and staff member working hard to help accomplish our goals. It also gives me great pleasure to take stock of the many good things we have accomplished in the district and that are in the works, which would not be possible without your collaboration and support. I look forward to seeing them come to fruition. Some of them are outlined within this letter, which I am happy to share with you. 

WSSD MLK Day of Service    

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." 

Light and love will always be greater powers over darkness and hate. And so, with light and love, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District proudly presents our inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16th. The excitement has been building for this community-wide event which will not only celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King but will remind us of the importance of maintaining Dr. King’s legacy of love and belonging and will encourage our wonderful community to volunteer and give back not only to our own neighborhoods but also to causes that matter to each of us. The event includes a grab-and-go breakfast, legislator remarks, a keynote address, various student performances, and student-led community service activities. The entire WSSD community is invited to participate in this important, celebratory occasion, which will take place from 8:30 am-12:30 pm at Strath Haven Middle School. Please find our flyer at wssd.org/mlk. I want to thank our PTOs and HSAs for their hard work and collaboration in the planning of this, as well as our numerous staff and volunteers for their commitment to the success of this event. We truly hope you will join us and see firsthand the impressive group of speakers, the hard work of our talented students, and the generous demonstration of community spirit and giving of our students, families, and staff. We look forward to seeing you on Monday. 

Elementary Capacity Issues & Board Policy 206 (Attendance Areas and Assignment in District)

Board Policy 206 was presented for first reading on October 26 and second reading on November 22. Administration recommended the adoption of Policy 206 to the Board at the board meeting on December 19. However, at the meeting, the Board voted to table the approval of proposed revisions to Policy 206 (Attendance Areas and Assignment in District) so that the Board could have further discussion about this policy and so community members could be afforded additional opportunities to provide input on the proposed revisions. Since this meeting, I have received a number of questions regarding this policy, and I would like to provide some clarification. The district is currently facing challenges at SRS and WES with respect to capacity and space.

All three elementary schools lack the space needed to support unanticipated growth and the implementation of new innovative programs as we create our strategic plan.  We find ourselves in a situation where we have little or no capacity for additional students at WES and SRS. We need to address this challenge on both a short-term and long-term basis. The Board has already proactively retained an outside consultant, Godshall Kane O'Rourke Architects, LLC (GKO), to conduct a facility utilization study at each of our elementary buildings and make recommendations on how to address the building capacity challenges related to enrollment and limitations to instructional programming. It is expected that this analysis will be completed later this school year for review and consideration by the Board. Until we have a long-term solution in place that addresses our present building capacity issues, we have no choice but to assign new students to the District to a school building where capacity exists to educate that student.  In some cases, that could mean assignment of a student to a school building other than the one that they would traditionally attend based on existing attendance zone boundaries and the student’s place of residence in the District. 

Board Policy 206 already provides authority to assign new District resident-students to school buildings where capacity exists, even if that means assignment to a building other than the one that the student would otherwise attend based on existing attendance zone boundaries and the student’s place of residence in the District. The proposed revisions to Board Policy 206 would extend this authority to apply not only to new residents of the District but also to any new students entering District schools for the first time. This additional flexibility is needed to address our current capacity issues, which are becoming more urgent and challenging to manage each school year. Best efforts will always be made to assign students to school buildings based on established attendance zone boundaries and to avoid scenarios where families with multiple children will be split between two buildings at the elementary level. However, due to the urgency of the current capacity issues the District is facing, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so in each and every case.

Board Policy 206 will be discussed further by the Board’s Policy Committee at its next meeting on Monday, January 30, 2023.  This meeting will take place in  B-226 at SHMS at 7: 00 pm and is open to the public; all are welcome to attend and participate. 

Educational Affairs Committee Update

At the Educational Affairs Committee meeting held on January 11, the Office of Teaching Learning and Innovation presented an overview of student achievement data that is derived from the state standardized tests: PSSA and Keystone. The link to the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

The agenda also included an overview of Schoology as a Learning Management System (LMS) for our school district. An LMS has multiple functions: documentation, tracking, reporting, delivery of instructional courses, and management of tasks, among others. In collaboration with members of the Curriculum Council, the team selected Schoology as the preferred learning platform. At the next Educational Affairs Committee meeting scheduled on February 1, 2023, at 7: 00 pm in B226 at SHMS, representatives from Schoology will give a presentation on Schoology and how this platform is aligned to the development of pedagogical goals as will be outlined in our Strategic Plan.

Strategic Plan Update

On January 9 and 11, we had over 100 community members participate in the Community Input meetings. We want to thank all those who attended the community planning session. The purpose of these meetings is to give participants the opportunity to reflect and share insights on emerging planning domains and potential strategies and to collaborate on expressing and sharing their perspectives on the focus areas of the school district. The rich conversations and reinvigorating exchanges that drove the discussions around our priority areas are not only promising but indicate the deep commitment we feel towards our students, schools, and community. The following documents were shared during the meetings:

Strategic Plan Executive Summary

WSSD Comprehensive Plan 2022-2035

Curriculum Audit Recommendations

Equity Data Analysis Recommendations

Equity Data Analysis Key Findings

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study Findings

WSSD Focus Areas

Communications Audit Recommendations

The next two Community meetings are on Saturday, March 11, from 9: 00 - 11: 00 am in the cafeteria of SHMS and on March 13, from 9:00 - 11:00 am in the library of SHMS. A link will be shared in the coming weeks for you to sign up for these meetings, and we hope you will be able to join us.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

Facilities and Finance     

January 18    

SHMS B-226 7: 00 pm

Facilities Committee Agenda topics: Current project updates & Future projects

Finance Committee Agenda topics: Fund Balance Transfer and Adjustments; 2022 Year-To-Date Financials/2023-2024 Budget Update; Request For Proposals for Food Services

We look forward to your engagement and participation. Have a great weekend.

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille

Superintendent of Schools 

 

Dear WSSD Community,

Happy New Year! I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits and that you had a wonderful holiday season. With a new year comes new beginnings, new journeys, and new experiences. I continue to feel enthusiasm for the opportunities this year will surely bring, and for the ongoing accomplishments and successes of our district. As we complete our first week of 2023, I’d like to share with you some important updates, reminders, and events. 

Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Planning process is now in the second phase - Visioning. The first phase focused on developing an understanding of our school district based on the findings from the curriculum, equity and communication audits as well as surveys conducted in December by Bloom, our Strategic Plan partner. The visioning phase furthers our strategic plan by engaging major stakeholders, staff, families, and community members in developing a Vision for Impact that calls for agreement and alignment to a shared 10-year vision.

I want to thank the over 2,000 stakeholders (Students (7-12), Parents/Guardians, Staff/Faculty, Administrators, and community members) who participated in our December 12-22 Survey administered by Bloom. I also want to thank those who have RSVPed for the first of many community planning conversations scheduled for Monday, January 9, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at SHMS Cafeteria.  At that meeting and at our subsequent meeting on January 12, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at SHMS in room B226, we will begin soliciting interest and forming sub-committees.  These sub-committees will provide input related to how the strategic plan will be put into action.  If you are interested in attending the January 9 meeting, please RSVP at the link here. We have also scheduled two additional meetings, for Saturday, March 11, 9:00 am - 11:00 am (SHMS Cafeteria) and Thursday, March 16, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Zoom - link will be made available).

WSSD MLK Day of Service

On Monday, January 16th, the District will hold a community celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The event will take place from 8:30 am-12:30 pm at Strath Haven Middle School. The WSSD MLK Day of Service honors and celebrates the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and will include service activities, speakers, and performances. Please find our flyer at wssd.org/mlk.  I want to thank our PTOs and HSAs for their hard work and collaboration in the planning of this. I hope you will find the time to stop by or spend the entire morning and early afternoon with us. We look forward to your participation. 

Safety & Security Professional Development

Since the lockdown that was initiated at the high school on December 8, our safety and security teams have been assessing and re-evaluating our emergency response protocols. The lockdown reemphasized, amongst other things, the need to enhance our communication, provide additional training to all students and staff, and create intentional opportunities for deeper reflection. I want to thank you for the comments and feedback you have provided that will shape the way we improve our emergency management readiness.  

During our December 17th In-Service Day, under the leadership of Mrs. Dana McBride, our Safety and Security Coordinator, and Dr. Megan McCullough, our Director of Student Services, and in collaboration with our Safety and Security teams, we will facilitate a safety training for all staff.  The Nutrition Group and Metz Custodial services will also participate in this training. The professional development session will focus on an overview of our emergency plans and procedures, including, but not limited to, fire drills, teach-in-place, and lockdown. We feel that in order to better actualize this experience, the training session will occur at individual buildings.  Furthermore, we have plans to provide a comparable experience for our students during the week of January 23rd as part of an assembly, so they are equipped and prepared during an emergency. Students will also be given the time and space to reflect and ask questions. 

District Zoom Instruction Will End January 18th

Beginning January 18, 2023, the District will no longer offer Zoom instruction for students who test positive for COVID-19 or any other illness. This complies with our current health and safety plan, which relies on our Board policy pertaining to Immunization and Communicable Diseases. The Pandemic Coordination Team has routinely met throughout the school year and continues to closely monitor COVID-19 case numbers within our district and within the county. 

PeachJar, the District’s Digital Community Flyer System, Launches on January 20th

On January 20, PeachJar, our community digital flyer system, will be launched! This new platform will enable us to send important community flyers to families digitally. Each week, school-approved digital flyers will be shared to your email inbox, where you can easily sign up for programs and events. You will be able to access the PeachJar community flyer board right from the homepage of your child’s school. You will also be able to change your email subscription options if you choose to do so.

If your community organization would like to be considered for approval to the PeachJar distribution list and did not already send this information to the district, please register your organization here. Learn more about PeachJar on our website.

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Information Night on February 15th 

Join us on February 15th at Strath Haven High School Auditorium for Drug & Alcohol Prevention Night from 7:00-8:30 pm. Families of grades 6-12 are invited to this informative night to discuss various topics, including current drug trends, signs and symptoms of substance use, the developmental impact of drugs on youth, using DEA outreach and campaigns, and additional prevention resources for parents/guardians, students, and education professionals. Additional information can be found on our website.

Guest Speakers include: 

Frank J. McCartney,

Diversion Outreach Coordinator, KACE CO., Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Division

Andy Eiseman

Community Outreach Specialist for the DEA Philadelphia Field Office

Botkin Parent Engagement Series for 3rd-5th Grade Families next on January 12th

Parents of students in grades 3-5 are invited to join the Office of Student Services for the Parent Information Night Series. The series is part of the Botkin Life Skills Parent Training, a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program that focuses on targeting the social and psychological factors that initiate risky behaviors rather than simply educating participants on the dangers of drug and alcohol use. It helps students to develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence and to cope effectively with anxiety. Parents are provided with information and strategies to help support their children as they grow up and face various challenges. This program helps give children the tools to make good choices. Upcoming dates are as follows:

January 12, 2023 - Parental Monitoring (Zoom)

February 13, 2023 - Being a Good Role Model (In-person)

March 14th, 2023 - Consistent Discipline (Zoom)

April 18th, 2023 - Effects and Warning Signs of Drugs and Taking A Stand (In-person)

Please find the meeting details and the info flyer on our website. 

Please find all district events on our website at wssd.org/calendars.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to share with you this month’s upcoming Board meeting schedule:

January Board Meetings

• Wellness Committee Meeting, Tues. 1/10 in B226 at SHMS @ 4pm

• Educational Affairs Committee Meeting, Wed. 1/11 in SHMS B226 @ 7pm

• Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting, Wed. 1/18 in SHMS B226 @ 7pm

• Regular School Board Meeting, Mon. 1/23 in SHMS Library @ 7pm

• Policy Committee Meeting, Wed. 1/25 in SHMS B226 @ 7pm

I look forward to your engagement and participation.

Have a great weekend.

Be safe,

 

Wagner Marseille

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear WSSD Community,

This letter is to inform you about a lockdown that we had this morning at Strath Haven High School. Our district is committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff, and today we responded to an incident with a student. 

At approximately 10:45 am this morning, we received notification from a staff member that a student may have a weapon in a backpack. The high school administration Immediately initiated its lockdown procedures. The school remained in lockdown for about an hour as the high school administration and local law enforcement conducted a search. The student’s belongings were located in a classroom by police, who conducted a search of the backpack and located a replica handgun. The student was located a short time later and taken into custody. No one was threatened or hurt during the incident. The lockdown was lifted and the school resumed its schedule. 

I would like to commend our students and staff for following all safety protocols, and our law enforcement partners for their quick response. I would also like to thank our families for their cooperation as we responded to the incident. 

Lockdowns can cause anxiety, fear, and other difficult emotions for students. I encourage you to notify a counselor or administrator if you have specific concerns  and to also visit our website for additional resources. 

We also encourage you to talk with your children and emphasize that bringing such objects to school is a violation of our district policy. Per our policy, a replica or look-alike is considered a weapon. 

Please feel free to contact me or Dana McBride, Safety & Security Coordinator, at dmcbride@wssd.org with any questions. 

Sincerely,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear WSSD Community,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I feel excitement in the air as I write to you today, as November is always full of shared activities, programs, and experiences. 

Firstly, I would like to wish you and your families a happy Veteran’s Day. As I continue to reflect on the importance of this day, I am reminded of my own brother’s duty in the armed forces, and the immeasurable sacrifice that he and all of our veterans, past and present, have contributed to our democracy. On this day, we not only honor our veterans for their dedicated service, but also celebrate and provide recognition to their contributions to our country in which we cherish and love. Thank you to all who have participated and supported the wonderful programs and activities held throughout our buildings and community. 

Last year, I had the pleasure of attending and participating with our marching band in the Veteran’s Day parade. I was looking forward to joining these festivities again this year, but as a result of the inclement weather, it was moved indoors and our marching band unfortunately did not perform. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful experience next year. 

In addition, the weather has also postponed our football game to tomorrow at 1pm in the King Field Stadium. Congratulations to our football team and coaching staff on an incredible season, as they remain undefeated going into the 2nd round PIAA playoffs. This accomplishment is a testimony to their level of commitment, teamwork, and determination.  I encourage you to come out tomorrow and support the Panthers. Information about purchasing tickets is available here. I would also like to congratulate our boys’ and girls’ Cross Country teams on their participation in the PIAA Cross Country State Tournament last weekend. 

Please join us tomorrow morning before the football game for our annual Panther Pajama Run. The race starts at 9am and registration will take place at 8am for those who haven’t yet registered. Thank you again to the Foundation for Wallingford-Swarthmore Schools for their continued support. Find details and information about the event at www.runtheday.com and www.supportwssd.org. 

The Fall Play at SHHS, Sense and Sensibility, had a fantastic opening last night. Thank you to our cast, crew, and directors! If you didn’t have an opportunity to view the debut, we welcome your attendance at tomorrow’s performance at 7:30pm in SHHS Auditorium. There will also be performances next week on Thursday, 11/17 and Saturday, 11/19.

I would also like to thank our students, educators and administrators who attended yesterday’s Never Is Now Conference at the Javits Center in New York City. The summit is sponsored by the American Defamation League (ADL) and is the world’s largest summit on Anti-Semitism and hate. The powerful event engaged crucial dialogue around how to create justice and fair treatment for all. 

I’d like to share with you some upcoming District dates. I encourage you to visit our District calendar to view all of our activities and add them to your calendars.

Parent-Teacher Conference Schedules

• Kindergarten Conferences will take place during the school day: Thursday, November 17 and Friday, November 18

• K-5 Conferences all day 8:00 – 3:30 & K-5 Evening Conferences 5:00 – 8:00: Monday November 21 (No school for K-5 students)

• K-5 8:00 – 12:00 conferences: Tuesday November 22 (No school for K-5 students)

• Grades 6 - 8 Evening conferences Monday November 21 and Tuesday November 22 (Early dismissal 11: 05 for 6-8 students)

Schools Closed November 23-25

Schools will be closed during the Thanksgiving holiday on November 23-25. 

“Adolescence and the Autistic Child” Panel Event

On Wednesday, November 16th in Strath Haven Middle School Library at 7pm, WSSD and NEAT (Neurodiverse Education Advocacy Team at WSSD) will host a Panel Discussion titled Adolescence and the Autistic Child. The event will begin with a Meet & Greet and light refreshments at 6:30pm. This presentation between moderator, Dr. Ian Sandberg, Director of Student Services; Lynn Medley, Co-Director of Medley & Mesaric Therapy Associates; and Carlie Flanagan, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), will be an opportunity for community members, parents, educators, and other stakeholders to better understand programming for students on the spectrum, and specifically, some of the issues faced by students as they, their families, and schools embrace adolescence. This is a special opportunity to hear a topic from two leading experts, each from different backgrounds. I look forward to your attendance. Please RSVP by Monday, November 14th at 7pm here. Please find more information in this flyer.

DCIU ArT Showcase, November 17

On Thursday, November 17 at 6pm, the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) will be hosting the country’s first adapted art show, featuring a variety of student art, including from students in our district. I look forward to your attendance. Please find more information in this flyer. 

Additionally, I’d like to share some details about our recent Board meetings, as well as upcoming meetings:

Educational Affairs Committee Meeting, November 3

On November 3rd, our Educational Affairs Committee met for their monthly meeting. The following topics were discussed: the WSSD Strategic Plan and Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning: WSSD Curriculum Council. The WSSD Curriculum Council was launched this year and brings together central office administrators and teachers spanning grades K-12 for the purpose of:

• Receiving, sharing, and initiating dialogue to support and enrich curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning in an open and safe forum

• Establishing a respectful and effective, two-way system of communication between the administrative and professional staff.

• Providing a forum for the investigation and consideration of instruction and assessment trends, methods, and materials.

• Researching and recommending areas of focus to support professional learning.

You can find the agenda and presentation for this meeting here. 

Upcoming Facilities & Finance Committee Meetings, November 16

On Wednesday, November 16th at 7pm in SHMS B226, the Facilities & Finance Committee meetings will be held to discuss several agenda items.  The Facilities Committee will discuss current and future project progress. The Finance Committee will be presenting a 2023-2024 Budget update and discussing the budget process in detail. 

Upcoming Regular Board Meeting, November 21

The regular School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 21 at 7pm in the SHMS Library. There will be three focus topics discussed:

• Nutrition Group

• Strategic Plan Update

• Budget Overview 

More details will be available on BoardDocs in the coming days. 

Upcoming Policy Meeting, November 22

On Tuesday, November 22, the Policy Committee will be meeting at 7pm in SHMS B226. 

The following policies will be up for second reading:

206 - Attendance Areas and Assignment in District

805.2 - School Security Personnel 

Additional first readings will be provided prior to the meeting. 

As always, I encourage and welcome your attendance and participation.

 

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear WSSD Community,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. ​​​​​​​

As October quickly comes to an end and we look ahead to November, I’d like to share with you some important updates, reminders, and upcoming dates:

Schools Closed on November 8

Schools are closed on November 8 for teacher in-service. 

Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting, 10/19

On Wednesday, October 19th, the Facilities & Finance Committee meetings were held.  The Facilities Committee provided a summary of the GESA (Guaranteed Energy Savings Act) project along with our contract with ELA to conduct an analysis of all district athletic fields and the upcoming replacement of the turf at King Field. We also shared information about GKO architects who will do a space utilization study of the elementary schools. Additionally, we discussed the space utilization study that will be conducted by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates at the high school, evaluating possible renovation and modernization of the media center/library, guidance suite, replacement of (8) modular classrooms, new auxiliary gym, restrooms, and Special Education classrooms.

The Finance Committee provided 23-24 budget updates as well as information on local state and federal revenues. The majority of the meeting focused on a presentation given by representatives from the Pennsylvania Economy League on our five to ten year demographic and enrollment projections. There were a number of key findings:

• 95.2 percent of school-age children in the district attend the public school, compared to 84.1 percent in 2000.

• Every year since the 2010-11 school year more seniors have graduated than pupils enrolling in Kindergarten the following year.

• Population growth in-district outpaces the county population growth.

• Population age 65 and over has increased since 2000 – from 16.2 percent to 17.4, an increase of 360 individuals

• 5-Year Projections anticipate 5.5 percent growth – or approximately 207 students.

  •  Highest percent in the 6-8 grade levels (8.1).

  •   Lowest in elementary school (2.6).

  • Grades 9-12 = 7.6 percent.

This study will play a pivotal role in our strategic planning for facilities and programming. 

Please find the full agendas and presentations of these meetings linked here.

Regular School Board Meeting, 10/25

On Tuesday, October 25th, a regular School Board meeting was held. There were two focus topics: one led by the Pennsylvania Economy League and the other by Strath Haven High School seniors who shared their experiences during the Leadership Summit sponsored by Penn GSE ChildFirst. In addition, policies 707 (Use of School Facilities), 913 (Non-School Organizations/ Groups/ Individual)  and 913.1 (Corporate Sponsorships, Partnerships, and Advertising) were tabled for further discussion while policies 220 (Student Expression/ Distribution & Posting of Materials) and 229 ( Student Fundraising) were adopted. During the meeting, Mrs. Cathy Rossi was appointed Acting Human Resource Director and we look forward to her extensive experience. Please find the full agenda, Superintendent’s report, and focus topic presentations linked here. 

Policy Committee Meeting, 10/26

On Wednesday, October 26th, the Policy Committee was held. Policies that were tabled from the 10/25 school board meeting were discussed and the following policies were presented for First Reading:

Policy 206 - Attendance Areas and Assignment in District

Policy 805.2 - School Security Personnel (PSBA) Adaptation

Please find the full agenda and presentation for this meeting linked here. 

Educational Affairs Committee Meeting, 11/3

The Educational Affairs Committee will hold its meeting on Thursday November 3rd at 7pm in Strath Haven Middle School, B226. The two items on the agenda are:

• Strategic plan update

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning Council: The WSSD Curriculum Council 

As always, I encourage and welcome your attendance and participation.

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear WSSD Community,

The rhythmic drumming at this afternoon’s Pep Rally at SHHS reminded me of how our buildings, facilities, and classrooms echo every day with the excitement of engaging in meaningful learning experiences. With the calendar year continuing in full swing, I’m excited and energized in the short seven weeks of time that evidence our collective work so far this calendar school year. This includes the sounds of cheering at our teams’ games, the various instruments during practices, and the voices reading-aloud from book passages. Our commitment is present in the sounds of deep and thoughtful discussions in our classrooms, in the laughter and chatter of our students during recesses and breaks throughout the day.

I am reminded of this commitment in the calm, gentle hum in the cafeteria as Mrs. Gaur and students at WES led mindfulness exercises last Friday. The second annual SHMS back to school Bowling Night is yet another instance of our dedication to our community and our students. I want to recognize the middle school HSA members and staff who organized this wonderful experience. 

I would like to share with you some updates regarding our School Board meetings. Thank you to all those who were in attendance.

School Board Meeting, 10/6

On October 6, a Special Board meeting took place in the Strath Haven Middle School Library. The purpose of the meeting was to award the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) contract to CM3 Building Solutions. More information about this contract can be found here. 

Educational Affairs Committee Meeting, 10/6

On October 6, the Educational Affairs Committee meeting took place immediately following the School Board meeting. The meeting included agenda topics related to Extended School Year (ESY), New Teacher Academy, and building reports about the ‘First Four’ days of school, which were geared towards creating a sense of community, inclusivity, and belonging in classrooms. The presentation from this meeting can be found here. 

I’d also like to share with you a number of upcoming committee meetings over the course of the next two weeks. I look forward to your attendance and continued engagement. 

Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting, 10/19

The October Facilities & Finance Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19 in SHMS Room B226 at 7 pm. The Facilities Committee will give an update on the progress of current projects and plans for future projects. The Finance Committee will provide 23-24 budget updates and representatives from the Pennsylvania Economy League will present their findings and analysis of demographics, housing and related activities and aggregate districtwide projections of K-12 enrollment.

Wellness Advisory Committee Meeting, 10/25

The first Wellness Advisory Committee meeting of the school year will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 4pm in SHMS B226. The meeting will consist of a review of the 2021-22 Wellness Advisory Committee End-of-Year report, a discussion of policy goals, and focus topics of various facets regarding student health & wellness. 

School Board Meeting, 10/25

On Tuesday, October 25 at 7pm in SHMS Library, a Regular School Board Meeting will be held in the library of SHMS.

Policy Committee Meeting, 10/26

The October Policy meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 26 at 7pm in SHMS Room B226.

All events and building-level calendars can be found at www.wssd.org/calendars. Sports schedules can also be found at www.strathhaven.digitalsports.com.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the observances for the month of October including but not limited to National Disability Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, LGBT History Month, and National School Bus Safety Week. As we continue to honor, celebrate, and recognize the rich diversity of our community, the Office of Communications has launched a Calendar of Observances, available under our calendar website, that provides a growing list of observances. 

I look forward to a wonderful Homecoming Game tonight, where we recognize and celebrate our seniors, and join our community in cheering on our team. The SHMS band will also be performing and adding to the celebration of Homecoming.

Thank you for supporting our district and being an active participant within our community. Our success depends on the collaboration and commitment to our children’s well-being, learning and growth. 

Have a great weekend. 

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear WSSD Community,

As September comes to a close and October begins, I would like to share with you a number of topics that were discussed at the Board meeting, the Policy Committee meeting, and important reminders. 

September School Board Meeting Updates

The September School Board meeting was held on Wednesday, September 28 at 7pm in Strath Haven Middle School Library. There were a number of items on the agenda for discussion and board approval that I would like to highlight: 

Athletic Fields 

The Board voted on and approved the following contracts: 

• Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) project - approved resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of up to $5,000,000, in one or more series for purposes of funding.

• ELA Sport, Design and Consulting Services - approved an agreement with ELA Sport, who will develop an Athletic Facilities Master Plan for the entire Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.

• ELA Sport, Athletic Facility Consulting and Design Services - approved agreement with ELA Sport to develop Plans and Specifications for Synthetic Turf Replacement and Stadium Modifications at King Field. Work begins in Spring 2023.

Safety & Security

The Board voted on and approved the following contracts:

• ADT Commercial, Electronic Sensors/Switches on all District Exterior Doors - approved contract with ADT Commercial for Installation of Electronic Sensor/Switches on all District Exterior Doors. 

• CM3 Building Solutions, Electronic Fob Reading Door Openers - approved contract with CM3, Building Solutions for Installation of Electronic Fob Reading Door Openers at our three Elementary Schools. 

Welcoming Ms. Christine Dollé, our newest Board Member

We also welcomed a new Board member, Ms. Christine Dollé. Ms. Dollé joins the School Board with over 20 years of experience as a certified school psychologist, advocating for children and working collaboratively with stakeholders in educational settings. In this capacity, she had the opportunity to function in a variety of different roles with children’s health and socioemotional well-being at the forefront. We very much look forward to her contributions to the Board and to the community. You can find more information about Ms. Dollé attached. 

The full Board meeting details, along with my Superintendent’s Report, can be found here. The livestream can be found on YouTube.

September Policy Committee Meeting Updates 

On Thursday September 29, the Policy Committee held its September meeting at 7pm. The following 5 policies were on the agenda for second readings:

• Policy 220 – Student Expression/ Distribution & Posting of Materials

• Policy 229 – Student Fundraising

• Policy 707 – Use of School Facilities

• Policy 913 – Non-School Organizations/ Groups/ Individuals

• Policy 913.1 – Corporate Sponsorships, Partnerships, and Advertising

First Reading

• Policy 206 – Attendance Areas and Assignment in District

• Policy 805.2 – School Security Personnel

The policies slated for first reading were deferred to the next scheduled Policy Committee meeting on November 22.

Upcoming Board Meeting, October 6

On October 6, a Special Board Meeting will be held at 6:30pm in the Strath Haven Middle School Library. This meeting will serve to  award the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) contract to CM3 Building Solutions. 

Upcoming Educational Affairs Meeting, October 6

Immediately following the Special Board meeting, the Educational Affairs Committee will meet in the Strath Haven Middle School library at 7pm. The agenda topics are:

• Extended School Year

• New Teacher Academy

• Opening Days of School (The First Four)

Upcoming Important Dates

Schools Closed, October 5 

District schools will be closed, and offices open, on Wednesday, October 5. 

Schools Closed, October 10

District schools will be closed on Monday, October 10.

Please visit our district website and mark your calendar for future meetings. I encourage and welcome your participation.

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools 

In this June 17th update, Dr. Marseille discusses the end of the 21-22 school year, safety updates, celebratory activities, and congratulates our Class of 2022 graduates.

Important highlights:

• 2022 Commencement
• Audit updates
• Upcoming celebrations
• Safety updates

Read the full letter here.

Click here to access this May 27, 2022 update. 

Click here to access this May 24, 2022 update. 

Click here to access this May 20, 2022 update. 

Click here to access this May 16, 2022 update. 

Click here to access this May 6, 2022 update. 

Dear families, 

I hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and safe. I would like to provide an update regarding COVID-19, our mitigation strategies, and our Health & Safety Plan.

To recap our path over the past few months, on January 28th the District moved towards a metric that supported data specific to our community as opposed to continued reliance upon county-wide data less reflective of our schools. We moved towards going mask-optional in our school buildings when the incidence rate maintained a 2% or lower incidence rate for 14 consecutive days. Subsequent to this change in protocol, all of our schools pivoted to mask-optional at different times.

Since then, the landscape has changed. In my regularly scheduled meeting with Superintendents across the county, we had the opportunity to be joined with medical professionals who provided national and local data on COVID-19.

Effective Friday, April 29, we are moving from Mask Optional/Required  to Mask Recommended to align our Health and Safety Plan with the Delaware County Department of Health’s guidance. We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and maintain up-to-date vaccination status based on the current CDC guidelines.

The District will continue to provide Test to Stay to families who are listed as close contacts through the end of the school year. Contact tracing will also remain in place through the end of the school year. The District will continue to monitor data so that it can respond to emerging changes where they might occur. 

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits as we conclude our first week back from a much needed spring break. I hope you had time to spend with family and friends and to recharge your batteries. Author Tom Roth in “Are You Fully Charged?” identifies three keys to be fully charged: 

1. Meaning: doing something that benefits another person 

2. Interactions: creating far more positive than negative 

3. Energy: making choices that improve your mental and physical health

I wish you were able to at least experience one of the three during the break. Many of you are familiar with the term “it's a small world”. Well, I experienced something similar during my break. The family and I had a chance to spend time in Montego Bay, Jamaica during the break and we had a wonderful experience. Monakee, Cheyanne, and I arrived at the resort and checked in.  Since our room was not ready, we decided to grab some lunch at one of the restaurants on the property while waiting for our room. As we sat there enjoying our lunch overlooking the ocean, we began having this lovely conversation with a family who was sitting next to us. While talking, we learned we were both from Pennsylvania and, lo and behold, they are residents of Wallingford-Swarthmore with children at WES and SHHS. What are the odds that our families would connect in Montego Bay, Jamaica in the same resort. I want to send a shout out to the Jenkins family, Parker, Caroline, and Charlotte for hanging out, eating, laughing, and relaxing with the Marseille family.  

The Facilities and Finance Committee meeting was held at SHMS on Wednesday April 20. The Facilities committee shared an update on a number of projects such as but not limited to, the Trinity Day Care roof and windows replacements, hot water heater replacements, athletic fields, WES partial roof replacement, HS swimming scoreboard, and future projects. Please find the presentation here. We then moved to the Finance Committee meeting where an update was provided on the 2022-2023 budget. We also spent time discussing a proposed debt restructuring and project funding. As part of our commitment towards maintaining a balanced budget, we have identified several ongoing financial challenges to our District. 

One of the challenges identified is the relatively high annual debt service. This situation is not due to an overextension of credit but is attributable to our relatively ambitious repayment schedule. This rapid repayment will provide long term benefits for our schools and taxpayers.  However, we believe that we must balance this benefit with the current needs of the District along with the tax burden to our residents. We have been exploring the possibility of restructuring a portion of our debt to improve the balance of these competing goals. At our Board meeting on Monday, April 25, there will be a motion to proceed with restructuring a portion of our outstanding debt.   

I want to thank all of the families who came out to the Mental Health Resource Night on April 18. There was a lot of important information shared by various experts in their fields. Numerous hand-outs and brochures were made available to families, so they are aware of existing resources and how to access them. Thank you to the Student Services team for planning the event, and we intend to make this a yearly occurrence. For additional information, please click here to see our quarterly newsletter, “Behavioral Health in our Schools”.

During spring break, the Strath Haven HS Silvertones traveled to Italy to tour and perform. Our music program offers many opportunities for students to grow as musicians and performers, and I want to thank our music teachers for their impact on our students and program. It is a fitting time to have also received notice that WSSD, for the 10th year in a row, is recognized as a NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education. We are one of 102 Pennsylvania school districts and 738 nation-wide school districts to receive this honor for demonstrating an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. 

 To continue in the award winning vein, WSSD has recently earned several other accolades.

• Mr. Dan Shaffer was honored at the FMFCU Foundation Celebration where he received an Excellence in Teaching Award and an FMFCU Foundation grant for SHMS and his classroom. Mr. Shaffer has been teaching and coaching in WSSD for 34 years, and his award is well-deserved.

• The SHHS World Languages Department was recognized with the Golden Globe award by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association.  

• At the PMEA All-State Festival, Ms. Jane Urban received a Citation of Excellence for her music education work at NPE.

We encourage you to visit our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and website to keep abreast of all of our district activities and highlights. 

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

• April 25 - Regular School Board meeting @ 7 p.m. (SHMS Library)

• April 27 - Policy Committee @ 7 p.m. (Room B226)

• April 27 - WSSD Jazz Night @ 7 p.m. (SHHS auditorium)

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

 

Dear staff and families, 

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. After four days of confirmation hearings, the Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court yesterday. Of the 115 justices that have served on the court, Judge Brown becomes the sixth woman and the first African-American woman to serve on the court.  

The Educational Affairs Committee meeting was held in the library of SHMS on April 6. The administrative team shared a presentation on students’ academic achievement and growth, based on PSSA and Keystones scores spanning the last five years. We also showed a county-wide comparison of students’ performance on the PSSAs. This comprehensive collection of data also incorporated information on students’ performance that was imported to the Hanover Research data dashboard for the purpose of the Equity audit conducted for the school district. We did a comparative analysis of the performance of sub-groups of students based on race, socio-economic status, and IEP (Individualized Education Program) identification.

In acknowledgment of Autism month, we would like to recognize the hard work that our students and teachers have done throughout this school year and beyond. This month, as well as throughout the year, it is important to focus on the inclusion and understanding of all individuals and to celebrate neurodiversity.

Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for the Mental Health Resource Night on April 18 at SHMS from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. There will be a plethora of resources and information available as well as various sessions for parents, caregivers, and students in grades 8-12. We hope to see you there. 

Thank you to all those who supported the vaccination clinic held on Tuesday, April 5. As we head into spring break, the COVID-19 incidence rates have been low in our buildings. When we return on April 18, we will look at the 14-day data to determine where we are as a district and to determine if we can shift some of the mitigation strategies in our Health and Safety Plan. This was discussed during the presentation at the Board meeting on March 25th.

Thank you so much to everyone who completed the communication audit surveys already. The links will remain live during spring break, so if you haven’t had a chance to provide feedback yet, please consider doing so. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

• Family survey

• Staff survey

• Community survey

I would like to share several experiences that highlight our students and staff:

• For spring break, the SHHS Silvertones are touring and performing in southern Italy, and many of our SHHS French language students are on a study abroad trip in France. We wish them all safe travels and an enriching experience.

• The spring sports season is underway, and I look forward to cheering on our Haven teams. Congratulations to SHHS junior Alexa Brown for breaking the school shot put record at the Haverford Invitational this past weekend with a throw of 42-8. The girls track & field team is off to a strong start overall as they extended their dual meet victory streak to 116 in a row this week. Also, well done to the varsity boys ultimate frisbee team for winning the Radnor Invitational this past weekend.

• SHHS has sent three musicians to the 2022 PMEA All-State Festival. Congratulations to Gavin John '23, horn (symphony orchestra), Dae Taylor '22, alto saxophone (concert band), and Henry Stockman '22, euphonium (wind ensemble). 

• This week, Mrs. Gaur’s pretzel and lemonade stand raised over $3,000 for Ukrainian refugees through Holy Myrrh-Bearers Ukrainian Catholic Church in Swarthmore.Thank you to everyone who showed their support.

• SHHS Mini-Thon recently held an event to raise funds for pediatric cancer through their very entertaining event, Haven Heartthrob. Students competed by sharing their talents and answering questions while the audience voted for the winner. Congratulations to Zach Suico for winning the title! I was really happy that I had the opportunity to attend this event and see many of our high school students participate in a very fun evening.

Can you believe it? Upon our return from spring break, we begin another countdown with less than 50 days left in the calendar school year. We only have 43 days left of school, and 38 days for our seniors. There will be a lot going on, so please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

• April 18 - Mental Health Resource Night @ Strath Haven Middle School, 6 - 8:30 p.m.

• April 20 - Facilities and Finance Committee @ 7 p.m. (Room B226)

• April 21 - Botvin Life Skills Parent Training, Grades 3-5 @ 6 p.m. (Zoom)

• April 25 - Regular School Board meeting @ 7 p.m. (SHMS Library)

• April 27 - Policy Committee @ 7 p.m. (Room B226)

• April 27 - WSSD Jazz Night @ 7 p.m. (SHHS auditorium)

We wish everyone a wonderful spring break and acknowledge our families who are observing Passover, Easter and Ramadan.

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As we close another week, I can’t help but think about my official countdown to Spring break. Only five more school days left until we all take a well-deserved break, an opportunity to recharge, reflect and relax.

As we engage in the 3Rs, let’s make sure we do that in a safe and healthy way. We are all aware of the cyclical nature of COVID and the spike in cases after an extended break. So let us have fun but continue to be mindful of mitigation factors.

Yesterday I shared with you an open invitation to participate in our communication audit survey that will serve to better evaluate the effectiveness of our communication with staff, parents/families, and the greater community. Your voice matters and will play an integral part in our strategic planning. The survey window will be open until April 9 and can be accessed through these links: Family/Guardian Survey     Staff Survey

At our Monday, March 28, regular school board meeting, we shared with you another presentation from Hanover Research highlighting key findings of our equity audit. The conclusions of the equity audit can be identified within three main overarching themes:

• Academic outcomes and access

• Cultural proficiency, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Professional Learning and Leadership

The data suggest we are at a crossroads. We must draw a line in the sand and have an unwavering commitment to eradicating inequities that have too long impacted our students. Especially those students with IEPs (Individualized Education Program), economically disadvantaged students, and our Black/African American students. These challenges, however, present opportunities to think anew and build stronger communities. We look forward to your energy, commitment, and ideas towards the development of our five-year strategic plan. I encourage you to view the presentation.

I  would like to share several experiences that highlight our students and staff:

• Congrats to Ned Glasson, Darwin Murley, Ella Newton, and Leo Schiffino from NPE, who won the Creativity Award at the STEM DCIU K’nex Challenge. Thanks to Mr. Mendell for his work preparing them for the competition.

• NPE held their annual STEAM Night on March 28, and hundreds of families came out to enjoy an evening of hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities. Thanks to all the parents and community volunteers who organized and ran the event, especially the SHHS National Honors Society students. 

• Student representatives from SRS and SHMS sold baked goods and rainbow loom bracelets, raising over $700 for Ukrainian relief efforts, which they delivered to Holy Myrrh-Bearers Ukrainian Catholic Church in Swarthmore.

• SHHS held their first annual International Day Showcase on March 24, where students highlighted their cultures and traditions through music, dance, and presentations. This event grew from an idea by seniors Joyce Huang and Zach Suico to a tremendous, upbeat celebration that created an amazing shared experience for our high school community. I was honored to be there and am excited to see this student-led event continue and grow in the future.

• SHMS’s annual Black History Celebration Assembly took place on March 25. Great job to Mrs. Cobb and the middle and high school students who organized and performed.

• The Art of WSSD, an exhibition featuring our student artwork from grades K-12, was hosted at the Community Arts Center (CAC) on March 27. I would like to recognize the dedication and creativity of our students and staff. The exhibit runs through April 29.

• Also running through April 29 at the CAC is the George Slick Fellowship art exhibition featuring the work of Gabriel Lawson ‘22. Thank you to everyone who came out to support and celebrate him at his reception on March 29.  

Mark your calendar:

• Vaccination Clinic - Tuesday, April 5, from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (ages 5+ who are receiving their second shot from the March clinic or those who would like a booster shot)

• Committee Meetings

  • April 6 - Educational Affairs at 7: 00 p.m. in the library of SHMS

  • April 20 - Finance and Facilities at 7: 00 p.m. in B-226 at SHMS

  • April 27 - Policy at 7: 00 p.m. in B-226 at SHMS

• Spring Break: Monday, April 11 - Friday, April 15 

• Mental Health Resource Night: Monday, April 18 at 6:00 pm at SHMS 

As we continue to strengthen and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our community, April brings the observation and recognition of the holy month of Ramadan, the holy week of Easter, and other observances such as and not limited to National Genocide Awareness Month, National Poetry Month and Earth Day on April 22.

Stay safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. 

The Facilities Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, March 16 where Mr. Klabunde, the Director of Operations, provided a number of updates on the current projects taking place across the district. In addition, Mr. Klabunde shared the progress of some pending capital projects such as the Wallingford Elementary School roof repairs, the SHHS swimming scoreboard, and the Solar Panel Project in the Pit/snack bar at King Field. Please access the presentation to review the other topics such as upcoming capital projects and current research on alternative funding resources to support district projects. 

The Finance Committee meeting, also held on March 16, was led by Ms. Martin, the Business Manager, who provided a five-year forecasting of the district’s expenditures and revenue. The sample scenarios provided better clarity to the long-term strategic planning that will be needed as our expenses continue to outpace our revenues. Please access the presentation to review additional topics such as fund balance analysis, the district's financial health rating, and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) 2022-2023 proposed budget.  

Today, 250 members of the SHHS marching band and orchestra traveled to Florida early this morning to perform at the Kennedy Space Center and Universal Studios Orlando. They will also have time to enjoy the amusement park and have fun with friends. I wish them safe travels and hope they return with memorable experiences.  

Though I was unable to attend the Winter Concert as a result of our scheduled Finance and Facilities meetings, I heard rave reviews about the program. Congratulations to Mr. Pignataro and our students on their wonderful return to the stage as it was the first time the symphonic band and wind ensemble performed in 1,030 days. Bravo to all!

In other musical news, I would like to recognize SHHS senior Elle Gordon who recently placed first in the upper high school musical theater division at the Eastern Region of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition at Temple University and will advance to nationals.

The SHHS Speech and Debate team won the District Championship for the second year in a row, and the following students have qualified to compete in the national championships:

• National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Grand Nationals,Washington, DC, May 27-29
  Harry Yu, Michelle Ding, Ava Manaker, Justin Bi, Dania Maqbool, Aashna Pandey, Jason Hu, Aditi Halpe, Jillian Thomas, Supraja Sudarsan, Emily Shor, Meredith Seidman, Arohi Patil

• National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Speech and Debate Tournament, Louisville, KY, June 12-17
  Ava Manaker, Justin Bi, Dania Maqbool, Jason Hu (Strath Haven's 2nd ever 4-time qualifier!), Lydia Pita, Supraja Sudarsan, Jillian Thomas, Arohi Patil, Aditi Halpe, Emily Shor (also recognized as the District Student of the Year) 

Four members of the Strath Haven HS yearbook staff qualified for the upcoming Pennsylvania School Press Association Student Journalism Competitions at Penn State on March 30th. Good luck to Joyce Huang, Charlotte Horetsky, Bailey Hansen, and Kai Lincke.

I am looking forward to Strath Haven High School’s International Day Showcase on March 24th, a student-initiated, school-wide event that will feature music, song, dance, and more. Students, teachers, and staff are encouraged to wear traditional clothing from their own backgrounds and cultures. They hope to make this an annual event.

Although the spring sport season began on March 11th, our state qualifiers from the winter wrapped up their seasons with outstanding results.

• Hannah Spielman placed third at the PA Girls Wrestling State Championship. She finishes an outstanding high school career as a four-time state qualifier and medalist, and her participation has helped grow the girls wrestling division in Pennsylvania. 

• Chase Barlow placed 5th at the PIAA Wrestling State Championships. He set a record for the most wins in school history and was a four-time Central League champion and state qualifier and a two-time state medalist. Juniors Ben Farabaugh and Sam Milligan both finished with 2-2 records at States, and senior co-captain Kelton Brunner graduates as a state qualifier with 96 career wins. 

• Sydney Bergstrom completed her storied swimming career at Strath Haven with a 5th place in the 500 free and a 12th in the 200 free at the PIAA Swimming Championships. I wish her luck as she will continue to compete at the University of Pennsylvania. 

I want to thank my students for reminding me that today is Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color that also heralds the arrival of Spring. 

Reminders:

March 19 - April 29 - The Art of WSSD K-12 Art Show, Wallingford Community Arts Center 

(Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Reception and The George Slick Fellowship Art Exhibition featuring Gabriel Lawson ‘22)

March 21 - Rock Your Socks Day

(Everyone is encouraged to wear colorful, mismatched socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome.)

Week of March 21 - East Possum Hollow Sidewalk Project begins
(East Possum Hollow Road will convert to one-way travel. Traffic will proceed eastbound from Providence Road towards the train station. This construction is anticipated to be completed in mid-May.)

March 23 - Policy Committee meeting at 7 p.m  in Room B-226 at SHMS

March 28 - Regular School Board Meeting at 7 p.m. in the library of SHMS

April 5 - Vaccination Clinic 4:30 - 6 at SHHS

April 6 - Educational Affairs Committee meeting at 7 p.m. in B-226 at SHMS

 

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. 

Last October, the district launched one of three comprehensive audits scheduled for this calendar year: the equity audit. On March 2, these findings were presented at the Educational Affairs meetings and were shared in my previous communication to you. Please click on the link if you have not had the opportunity to review the equity audit presentation. Representatives from Hanover will facilitate another presentation at the regular school board meeting on March 28. 

This week Curriculum Management Solutions, Inc (CMSi) spent three days in the district collecting, observing, and analyzing district practices. At the conclusion of their visit, the auditors gave a high-level overview of the curriculum audit process and presented some of the overarching themes to the administrative team:

1. Organizational structure and school board policy

2. Curriculum management/assessment design

3. Equity

4. Planning and visionary process

5. Classroom instruction

6. Gifted education

7. Budgetary and facilities constraints

8. Student achievement data

I would like to thank students, faculty, administration, families, and school board members who gave their voice through interviews, surveys, and focus groups. We look forward to sharing the comprehensive findings of the curriculum audit with you.

This week we began the preliminary stages of our Communications Audit that will be facilitated by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The communication audit will assess the effectiveness of current communication efforts related to strategic planning goals and objectives, including public relations, public engagement, marketing initiatives, and other activities. NSPRA will conduct interviews, focus groups and administer a survey to faculty, families, and administrators. We anticipate surveys to be administered from March 21 to April 1 and for focus groups to be scheduled soon after.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

• Vaccination clinic - Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at SHHS 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Facilities and Finance Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at SHMS 7:00 p.m.

• Policy Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at SHMS 7:00 p.m.

Stay safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D. 

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. 

As we enter the month of March and begin to see the first signs of spring, there are a number of cultural celebrations for us to acknowledge, including but not limited to Women’s History Month, Irish American Month, Social Workers’ Month, and Music in our Schools Month.

This week, our elementary buildings celebrated Read Across America Week. National Read Across America Day was recognized on March 2nd in our elementary schools, and this year, the focus was to encourage students to "Read Across the Diverse Regions of America."  Three years ago, the National Education Association (NEA) shifted the focus of Read Across America to “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers” to honor the diversity that makes our country what it is through books and reading, and to convey to students that they belong in the world and the world belongs to them. I had the pleasure of reading one of my favorite books, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein to Ms. Sheintoch’s first grade class at SRS. I thoroughly enjoyed my discussions of kindness with the students, and they invited me to return to their classroom in April to share their poems with me. I look forward to thanking the students personally for sending me heartfelt thank you notes.

On March 3, SRS joined the rest of the schools in WSSD with a shift to mask-optional as they met the 14-day below 2% incidence rate. Also of note is that WSSD transportation switched to mask-optional on the same day. WSSD continues to provide opportunities for families who wish to get vaccinated. As such, we are working with our medical partners to host another community vaccination clinic. Please visit the district's dashboard for the latest information.

On October 11, the district began its first phase of our equity audit by launching three platforms (data analysis, surveys and focus groups) in collecting district information that would culminate in a comprehensive report. At the Educational Affairs Committee meeting on March 2, we presented the findings of our equity audit. I want to thank those who attended the meeting, and the over 2,500 participants who shared their voice, perspective and stories through surveys and focus groups. Please click here to access the presentation. 

At the Educational Affairs Committee, Dr. Ragone and Dr. Nuland from Hanover Research presented the findings of the Equity Audit. The equity audit was completed through three concurrent research projects and findings were based on a triangulation of three data sources: data analysis, surveys, and focus groups. The major themes and key findings spanned three major areas, and each area is further broken down into specific components:

1. Equity of access for academic programs

• Academic tracking 

• Advanced coursework

• Barriers to parent involvement

2. The district’s efforts to provide an equitable and welcoming learning environment for students

• Disproportionality in discipline

• Intolerance and poor handling of cultural matters

• Impunity for bigoted behaviors

3. The district’s efforts to provide an equitable and welcoming work environment for teachers and staff

• Professional development to support DEI

• Strategies to address DEI-related matters

• Staff diversity

This comprehensive document and digital dashboards are layered in complexity and are rich in data. This is not work that can be done overnight, nor is it incumbent upon one or two individuals to take on this work. Rather it requires a collective commitment and ownership from everyone - community members, parents/guardians, board members, students, teachers, staff, and administrators. My goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem founded on cultural competency, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging that involves and impacts every facet of WSSD. To that effect, we look forward to working with everyone, specifically our Cultural Proficiency Equity Teacher Leaders and district partners, to begin developing and implementing short- and long-term objectives and goals.

In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing with you the full report of the research findings as well as a synopsis. The community will have another opportunity to hear from the Hanover Research representatives at the next school board meeting on March 28 at 7 p.m. in the Strath Haven Middle School library. I encourage you to attend the meeting.

Also, the Facilities and Finance meeting will be held on March 16, and the Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for March 23. Both meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in Room B-226 at Strath Haven Middle School, and I hope you will be able to join us.

I am looking forward to seeing Into the Woods at Strath Haven HS this weekend. I have heard rave reviews already and I want to offer my kudos to Mr. Shankweiler and the very talented cast and crew on their creativity, dedication, and perseverance. The final performances are tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.  

Congratulations to Strath Haven HS students Winnie Kenney, Hannah Wible, Anna Falk, and Sarah Peyman who had their artwork included in the Regional High School Art Exhibition at Delaware County Community College. Winnie also received first place in the Wharton Esherick Museum’s 14th Annual Imprint Exhibition and Competition.

The end of the winter sports season brings with it more well-earned honors for Strath Haven.  

• Unified Bocce placed second at the Delco Championships and have qualified for the Interscholastic Unified Bocce State Championships.

• At the PTFCA state track & field championships, Teghan Sydnor placed second in the 60m hurdles and set a new school record. Alexa Brown was third in the shot put, and the distance medley relay of Rowe Crawford, Marin Faggioli, Casey Conway, and Hannah Prokup finished 8th in the distance medley relay.

• Wrestling won their first-ever District title led by five gold medalists: Ben Milligan, Kelton Brunner, Chase Barlow, Sam Milligan, and Anthony Crawford. Eight wrestlers qualified for the 3A Southeast Regional Tournament this weekend.

• Congratulations to swimmer Sydney Bergstrom for finishing 4th in the 500 yard free and 7th in the 200 yard free at Districts.  

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

 

Dear Staff and Families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. As we come to the end of February and the celebration of Black History Month, I want to thank and recognize our staff and students who participated in a myriad of activities that elevated and honored the lives and achievements of countless African-Americans that have influenced our history and who continue to shape our present. It is in these moments that as a district, we renew our commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging, and that we become more intentional in highlighting the diversity of all of our students throughout the school year and not just one moment in time. I look forward to working with you in making this a reality.

On February 22nd, the Young Activists Coalition (YAC) presented the third annual Black History Month Assembly at Strath Haven High School. The theme was "We Strive, We Thrive" and was centered around artistic expression and passion, as well as mental health and wellness for African Americans. The students conveyed these themes in a variety of ways, such as music, dance and poetry. The assembly concluded with a video featuring interviews of Black students at Haven and how they express their creative passions. Great job to everyone who planned the assembly, performed in it, and provided technical and creative support. It was a true team effort with a powerful impact. Well done!

Since our transition to mask-optional on February 7th at SHHS, and subsequent transition at WES, NPE and SHMS, rates across these buildings have remained below 0.2% to a high of 0.5%.

• Strath Haven High School is in its third week of mask-optional and is currently under 0.25% incidence rate.

• Nether Providence Elementary is in its second week and is currently under 0.4%.

• Wallingford Elementary is in its second week and is currently under 0.35%.  

• Strath Haven Middle School is in its first week of mask-optional and is currently at 0.5%

• Swarthmore-Rutledge is currently at 1.10% and has been below 2% for 9 days.

As of February 25th, the incidence rate of COVID positive cases at Swarthmore-Rutledge Elementary School has been under the 2% threshold. If we maintain this trend, SRS is scheduled to move to mask-optional on March 3rd. 

For updated information please access the dashboard located on our website. Incidence rates may change periodically as a result of testing lags and reporting. Once received, the district will update the dashboard to reflect these cases.

As always, we support staff and student/parental (guardian) choice to remain masked during this mask-optional phase. For those families who would like to continue to follow the CDC’s recommendation for masking, please see the CDC guidelines for best fit and mask selection.

I would like to thank all of you who have shared your vaccination status with us. This is very helpful information that contributes to our decision-making process regarding mitigation strategies. If you have not done so already, please update your vaccination status with the school district. Below are ways to share that information with Administration:

1. In person - Please notify the staff in the main office at your student(s)'s school. You will need to show their vaccination card.

2. Via email - Take a photo of or scan your vaccination card, and send to dsweeney@wssd.org. 

3. Upload into PowerSchool

• Log in to PowerSchool and click on Forms on the left-hand side.

• Scroll down to "Health" and click on COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• You will need to include the dates of vaccination and upload an image of your vaccination card.

In addition, please note the district is planning an additional vaccination clinic in conjunction with Springfield Pharmacy. We are currently coordinating with our vaccine provider to schedule the event and identify the best date for all those involved. The clinic will happen prior to spring break. Our lead COVID nurse, Deb Sweeney, will send out the clinic details shortly. 

This week we held our Policy Meeting meeting and presented to the board first and second readings of the following policies:

1. Presentation and Discussion of Policies for First Reading

• Policy 108 - Adoption of Textbooks

• Policy 109 - Resource Materials

2. Presentation and Discussion of Policies for Second (Final) Reading

• Policy 239 - International Students (Programs)

• Policy 239.1 - Educational Programs for Non-Resident Students (Recommendation for Repeal)

• Policy 104 - Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices

Furthermore, the committee engaged in conversation to reflect on the district’s practice on cell phone usage, screen time, social media and the impact these have on students’ well-being.

The monthly legislative school board meeting will be held in the library of Strath Haven Middle School on Monday February 28th. The Educational Affairs Committee meeting will be held on March 2nd in Room B-226 at 7 p.m. and will highlight findings of the equity audit presented by representatives from Hanover Research. The outcomes of this audit will shape our multi-year strategic plan in the areas of equity, inclusion and belonging in our school district. I recognize and appreciate families’ busy schedules, but I hope you can join us to review these important findings.

Our elementary school community came together to participate in International Night at WES on February 23. Families from WES, NPE, and SRS showcased 20 different countries, highlighting their history, traditions, and culture. I am grateful to those who hosted a table and those who came to support the event .I had a great time talking with students and families and learning about their cultures, and I am looking forward to more district-wide programs and events in the future. 

Good luck to our Strath Haven HS athletes who are in action this weekend. The wrestling and swim teams will compete in their respective District 1 championships, and the track team will compete in the PIAA state championships. Coming up on March 1st, the unified bocce team will participate in the Delco Playoffs .

Tonight is the opening night of Into the Woods at Strath Haven High School at 7:30 p.m. Good luck to the cast and crew. I am looking forward to the show, which I am sure will be spectacular.

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear WSSD Families,

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits. Since joining the Wallingford-Swarthmore staff this past summer, I have had the pleasure of learning extensively about the District, our school community’s hopes and expectations, and areas in which there is need for improvement. From small group meetings, focus groups, and individual conversations in addition to rigorous data analysis, I have learned that there is tremendous joy and pride in our District and our students. However, there is also consensus for a new model of thinking and operating, as well as making investments in our long-term strategic work, to better support our students.

With this in mind, I will be making a recommendation to our Board of School District at the Regular Meeting on Monday, February 28 for a district office administrative reorganization, with the goal of better supporting student learning.

In summary, the feedback I have heard and the data analyzed shows:

1. A need to increase our curricular programming, innovation and rigor with the goal of creating multiple career pathways for all students.
2. A need to more deliberately address the challenges of diversity, equity, cultural proficiency, inclusion and belonging.
3. A need to strengthen and improve counseling services and support our students’ mental and emotional health, as well as continue supporting our trauma-informed practices.
4. A need for significant improvement in student outcomes, especially for those in historically underperforming, marginalized subgroups (students of color, special education students, and economically disadvantaged students).
5. A need to provide increased support to our staff/teachers so they can best help our students and strengthen family partnerships.

The administrative organization of any school system is the foundation on which our work is conceived, organized, and accomplished.

As such, I am recommending a district office administrative reorganization that replaces several of our existing positions with new ones, creates two entirely new positions, and makes some adjustments to the job descriptions of several existing positions, effective July 1, 2022.

The goals of these changes include:

• Aligning our work to ensure each department is fulfilling its educational mission, and creating a stronger structure to help us implement the goals and objectives of our strategic plan.
• Providing a clear hierarchy of responsibilities and communication, along with more clearly defined roles.
• Providing more cohesiveness and collaboration (eliminating the ‘silo’ approach to our operations) as we work to address programmatic and educational challenges.
• Accelerating student achievement, narrowing outcome gaps, and better leveraging the district’s strengths.
• Building and strengthening an aligned, consistent, high-quality, equitable curriculum and school community.

After months of study, I feel very strongly that an administrative reorganization will help to strengthen and better align departments, particularly in academic and student support programming. I believe it will allow for a more direct, ongoing monitoring of the district’s K-12 instructional program; an emphasis on achievement for all students; development of a comprehensive, cohesive professional development program that supports for our staff; and provides for greater accountability as we emerge from the stressors of a worldwide pandemic. There is no additional cost to this proposed reorganization plan; rather it has the potential to save about $70,000.                                          

I am very sensitive to the fact that change, even when it leads to positive outcomes, can be difficult. This proposed reorganization directly impacts several of our district administrators. Under this plan, three full-time district office positions have been eliminated or consolidated. We have met with these administrators to explain the need for this change. We are very grateful for their service in the district, and they are welcome to apply for the new roles when they are posted.

Our district will so or, in some cases already begun, significant, districtwide audits conducted by national firms: an Equity Audit by Hanover Research; a Curriculum Audit by Curriculum Management Services; and a communications audit. I am looking forward to reviewing the results of these audits this spring and summer with our administrators, school-based staff, and community. I believe these are critical in helping guide the important work of strengthening our school district.

Please see the attachment Reorganization for details on this proposed administrative reorganization. I am happy to answer questions or have a conversation with any community member who would like to discuss the benefits that I believe these changes will bring to our students. I am very optimistic about the ways in which I feel we can strengthen our district.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wagner Marseille, Superintendent

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As we head into the third week of the month, four of our five buildings have transitioned to mask optional as of February 18th. 

• Strath Haven High School is in its second week of mask-optional and is currently under 1% incidence rate.
• Nether Providence Elementary is in its seventh day and is currently under 0.2%.
• Wallingford Elementary is in its fifth day and is currently under 0.64 percent.  
• Strath Haven Middle School shifted to mask-optional as of today.

As of February 17th, the incidence rate of COVID positive cases at Swarthmore-Rutledge Elementary School has been under the 2% threshold. If we maintain this trend, SRS will be able to move to mask-optional on March 3rd. 

As always, we support staff and student/parental (guardian) choice to remain masked during this mask-optional phase. For those families who would like to continue to follow the CDC’s recommendation for masking, please see the CDC guidelines for best fit and mask selection. 

For updated information please access the dashboard located on our website. Incidence rates may change periodically as a result of testing lags and reporting. Once received, the district will update the dashboard to reflect these cases.

We continue to implement mitigation strategies found in our Health and Safety Plan, such as physical distancing (three to six feet to the greatest extent possible), healthy hygiene, including hand washing and respiratory etiquette, cleaning, and proper building ventilation.  

As part of our partnership with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU), the district operates all COVID related testing under its Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Per the CDC, CLIA regulations establish quality standards for laboratory testing performed on specimens from humans, such as blood, body fluid and tissue, for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease, or assessment of health. As a result, the district will be transitioning from the use of the Binax Now rapid antigen testing to the Flow Flex rapid antigen testing beginning on Tuesday, February 22nd. This new testing process has additional steps that will increase the time required to complete the test, so we ask for your patience as we make this transition.

The Facilities and Finance Committees held their meeting on Wednesday, February 16th in B-226 at Strath Haven Middle School. Please click on the hyperlinks to see the PowerPoint presentations. We invite you to join us for the next scheduled Policy Committee meeting on February 23rd at 7 p.m. in room B-226 at SHMS.

As a reminder, school is closed on Monday for the holiday, but Test to Stay will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the last showing of the Addams Family and I want to congratulate the cast and crew of The Addams Family at Strath Haven Middle School! It was an outstanding performance, reflecting the hard work, dedication, passion and creativity of the directors, Sarah Elsheakh and James McLaughlin, the cast, and the support of the parents and community volunteers. I look forward to the upcoming production of Into the Woods at Strath Haven HS opening on February 25th.  

There was a lot of excitement in our schools this past week with Valentine's Day parties and celebrations on Monday as well as 100th day of school activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Additionally, a big thank you to our PTOs and HSAs for holding some of their appreciation events this week, as well as throughout the year. Your support of our teachers and staff is greatly appreciated and we are fortunate to have such an amazing team of individuals with so much creativity, passion, and heart. 

The winter sport season is winding down, and here are some updates:

• Good luck to our SHHS track & field athletes who will be competing in the Meet of Champions at Lehigh tonight and tomorrow.
• Good luck to our SHHS wrestling team as they host the Michael Miluski Duals tournament tomorrow between 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. They will be honoring the memory of long-time SHMS and community wrestling coach and Nether Providence HS alumnus, Coach Miluski.
• Congratulations to Sydney Bergstrom who won the 500 free and got second in the 200 free and to Gavin Shifflett for his second place finish in the 200 free at the Central League championships.

Stay safe and enjoy the long weekend.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and good health. I would like to begin by thanking the parent who stopped by Test to Stay this morning to acknowledge the extra work the staff has taken on during this pandemic. In addition, he provided insight by accurately expressing how we have all been navigating this pandemic, stating, “there is no manual on this.”

As of Monday, the high school experienced its first week of mask optional, while NPE shifted to mask optional on Wednesday, and today was the first day for WES. Having had the opportunity to visit each of these buildings and talk to students and staff, this shift, operationally, has been seamless and effective, allowing for parent/guardian choice for student masking or not masking.

Strath Haven Middle School will transition to mask optional on February 18th, provided the 14-day rolling incidence rates do not change. Currently, it is 1.40% there. At this time, Swarthmore-Rutledge Elementary School has not yet fallen below the 2% threshold and continues to be at the “mask required” status. The rolling incidence rate at SRS is 2.20%.

Here are the masking protocols for COVID positive returning students, staff, and close contacts:

• COVID positive middle school/high school student or staff: wear a KN95 mask (2 will be provided by the nurse upon return to school) for 5 additional calendar days.

• COVID positive elementary students: will be provided 3-ply surgical masks. The district is looking into smaller KN95 masks for the elementary population for use upon return from isolation.  

• Asymptomatic household close contacts: wear a KN95 mask (2 will be provided by the nurse upon return to school) for 7 additional calendar days.

• Asymptomatic close contacts identified inside or outside of school: wear a 3-ply surgical mask for 7 days.

• Surgical masks are available on entry at each school building.

• KN95 masks are available in each school nurse’s office.

In the December 10th Superintendent update, I began sharing the rationale for moving away from county-level data to individual building-data. Prior to the Omicron variant, our district-wide incident rates have not risen above 2.3%. The February 7th target date was identified because it allowed for the worst of the flu season to pass and for transmission spikes from post-winter breaks to subside while giving families time to get fully vaccinated. At the December 13th Regular Board Meeting, I shared that the incidence rates that were being reported at the county level did not accurately reflect what was happening within our district. Please see my archived communications on our website to access all information I have shared to date about masking and incidence rates.

I acknowledge and value the questions and concerns community members shared with me regarding the decision to move to mask-optional. The comments and feedback I was receiving in the early part of the school year with respect to my decision, my credentials, my rationale, and the science I was using to base my conclusions are similar to what I am receiving now regarding the decision to shift to mask-optional. I understand we may continue to disagree however, our local school data, before Omicron, from September 5 through December 12, shows building incidence rates below 1%. This guided us to evaluate and utilize local data.  I have received messages and communication from many of you expressing a variety of opinions: it is too early to go mask optional, we should wait until the end of the month, until the end of Spring break, until everyone gets vaccinated. I hear you, and I appreciate your perspectives, but we are seeing a significant decline in the number of COVID cases. This is evident in all 67 counties across Pennsylvania.

We have put in a trigger that is extremely conservative and a process that allows us to track data on a daily basis. The current trigger of 2% rolling incidence rate over a 14-day period by total building population allows us to pivot to universal masking the very next day if numbers go in a different direction. Please see the video message from Mrs. Sweeney that explains the rolling incidence rate and the requirements for returning to mask-optional.

We continue to support staff and student/parental or guardian choice to remain masked during this mask-optional phase. For those families who would like to continue to follow the CDC’s recommendation for masking, please see the CDC guidelines for best fit and mask selection. 

The Facilities and Finance Committees will meet on Wednesday, February 16th, and the Policy Committee will meet on February 23. Both meetings take place at 7 p.m. in Room B226 at SHMS. All are welcome.  

I want to bring your attention to several events and happenings throughout the district:

• Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Addams Family at Strath Haven Middle School. I am looking forward to seeing our talented students perform when I attend the show on Sunday.

• Good luck to the SHHS Cheer Team, as they are in Florida competing in the national championships. Go, Haven!

• Congratulations to the SHHS Unified Bocce team on their very close win over Ridley on February 10th. They have another home match on Tuesday, February 15 at 3 p.m. Please come out and cheer them on.

• The Strath Haven Silvertones spent their day today delivering singing Valentines to their classmates and teachers. Check out our WSSD social media accounts to see some photos and videos from the day.

• Please check out the latest edition of the Office of Student Services newsletter. It includes information about QPR suicide prevention, student supports, and PBIS updates.

• Parents and guardians of students in grades 3-5 are welcome to attend the upcoming Botvin Life Skills Parent Night on February 17 at 6 p.m. Please see here for more information. 

Enjoy Super Bowl weekend, and I hope you have been cheering on our athletes in the Olympic Winter Games like I have been. Don’t forget that school is closed on Friday, February 18, for in-service day and on Monday, February 21, for President’s Day.

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear staff and families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. 

As outlined in my previous communications (January 7, January 14,  January 28), and included in our COVID-19 dashboard and our Health and Safety Plan, Strath Haven High School has maintained an incidence rate below 2% for 14 consecutive days. As a result, SHHS will move to mask-optional effective February 7th. If the incidence rate goes back up to 2% or above on any day, the building will return to mask-required on the following school day. This will be recorded on our dashboard, which is updated Monday through Friday. Updates to the dashboard will occur as newly identified positive cases are reported. Incidence rates may change periodically as testing lags, and reporting delays occur. Once received, the district will update the dashboard to reflect these cases. Please note that per federal masking orders issued in January 2021, masks are still mandatory on District buses and vans.

We support staff and student/parental (guardian) choice to remain masked while the high school enters into this mask-optional phase. We continue to implement mitigation strategies found in our Health and Safety Plan, such as physical distancing, healthy hygiene, including handwashing and respiratory etiquette, cleaning, and proper ventilation. 

If incidence rate trending continues, then NPE is on track to move to mask-optional beginning February 9th and WES on February 11th, per the rolling 14-day period. SHMS has dropped below the 2% threshold today. We will continue to monitor their progress. At this time, SRS is still above the 2% threshold. For further explanation, please refer to the short video message from Mrs. Sweeney.

On its blog, CHOP PolicyLab posted COVID-19 Outlook: As Recovery Continues, Schools Plan for Next Steps, which addresses the latest data, trends, and projections and what it means for schools. Per CHOP, “After recent widespread transmission of omicron, many communities have experienced a decline in case incidence during the last few weeks. As case incidence declines, so too does the risk for transmission.” Over the last two weeks, the district has seen a 50% decrease in reported cases. As always, we will continue to keep you informed of any changes or shifts regarding mitigation strategies per our Health and Safety Plan. 

As we welcome February, there is much to celebrate and honor. We recognize the legacy and contributions of African Americans to our country. Though only twenty-eight days in length, we must be reminded that African American history is American history and should be embedded throughout the year. Please visit our website and events page to get a glimpse into the celebratory and learning experiences led by our staff and students. We will also be highlighting some of these happenings on our social media channels.

February 1st marked the start of the Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide and is one of the most important celebrations for many people of East and South-East Asian descent. At WSSD, we also marked this significant holiday by engaging in a myriad of activities in our schools, reflective of the culture and traditions of this new year celebration. 

The Educational Affairs Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 2nd where we discussed the latest updates regarding the curriculum and equity audits our district is currently engaged in. We also introduced our options and recommendations for a communications audit. This is an exciting time for our district as we take stock of where we are and look forward to creating a common guiding vision. A plan for how Cultural Proficiency Framework will be implemented in the district was shared that delineates the way students, teachers, families, and administrators will be collectively engaged in this very important work. I also conveyed the professional development sessions that will accompany and support these efforts.

We hope to avoid the common missteps of this work by creating a healthy ecosystem where parents, guardians, students, staff, administration, and community all have a common language and understanding of cultural proficiency, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

Congratulations to the Strath Haven High School Hi-Q team, as they won their third and final competition of the regular season on February 3 against Marple Newtown and Springfield. They will hear about the playoff rounds early next week. 

I want to congratulate Haven Cheer for their semifinal finish at the State Championships in Hershey last weekend and wish them continued success as they compete in the National Championships in Orlando, FL beginning on February 10th.

Last but not least, I would like to give a nod to Punxsutawney Phil, who is reported to have seen his shadow this week on Wednesday, predicting another six weeks of cold weather.

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

 

Dear families and staff, 

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits.  

In my January 14th communication, I provided you with the latest information regarding the District’s Health and Safety Plan timeline to our shift to mask-optional depending on the daily building level incidence rates. In the most recent CHOP policy update of January 27th, COVID-19 Outlook: Recovery Continues, But Some Regions Lag Behind, we continue to see a decrease in COVID-related incidence and hospitalization rates across the country. It is projected that in the next several weeks, we will continue to see declines in these numbers.

According to our data, as of today, January 28, 2022, if Strath Haven High School maintains their current incidence rate of under 2% from the week of January 31st through February 4th, the high school will be able to shift to mask-optional on February 7th.    

Currently, our elementary and middle school buildings exceed the 2% threshold of identified COVID cases and therefore are not anticipated to move to mask-optional on February 7th.

As always, we will continue to monitor the daily data for the week of February 4th to see if there are any changes to the mask-optional plan for any of our buildings.  

Please note:

• Even if a building moves to mask-optional, masking will still be mandatory on District buses and vans per the federal order issued in January 2021. 

• On February 7th, if a school building has an incidence rate below 2% for the previous 14 days, masking will become optional.

• If the incidence rate rises at or above 2% on any day, universal masking will be mandatory.

• Mandatory masking will be lifted provided the school building incidence rate is below 2% for 14 days in a row. 

• All information regarding incidence rates can be found on our District dashboard.  

Our Lead Covid Nurse, Mrs. Sweeney has developed a short video in an attempt to provide additional clarity on our incidence rates and the rolling 14-day count.  Optional Masking Calendar and Resources   

Last Monday, we held our Regular Board meeting.  I was excited to welcome Dr. Hilden, Mr. McLaughlin, Mrs. Duffy, and Mrs. LaPira from Strath Haven High School as they shared with us A Look at the Fall Semester.  Seniors Kai Lincke and Noah Sacks created an exciting video that captured the spirit and pride of Strath Haven. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it at the board meeting, please view it here. 

The other focus topic presentation was on Sleep and School Start Times, and an overview of five schedules were presented that would potentially reflect the change in the start time of our school day.  As a result of discussions that ensued, it was decided that the proposed schedules that will be further explored are Schedule A and Schedule E.  Furthermore, since our District will be engaging in a Strategic Planning process by the end of this school year, the investigation of School and Sleep Start Times, including looking at the effectiveness of our current block scheduling and maintaining the current high school schedule, will be integrated within the Strategic Plan. 

The Policy Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 26th.  Policies 003 Functions, 005 Organization, and 009 Policy Development were reviewed for a third reading and will be presented to the School Board for approval.  Finally, Policies 104 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Contract Practices, 239 International Students, and 239.1 Educational Programs for Nonresident Students were shared for first and second readings.  The slides from the meeting can be viewed here.

The next Educational Affairs meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 2nd in Room B-226 at Strath Haven Middle School at 7:00 p.m. The items on the agenda are: 

• Curriculum Audit Launch

• Communications Audit

• Equity Audit and Cultural Proficiency

As a follow-up to previous updates, all Chromebooks and iPads that were purchased through the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund Grant were delivered on December 28, 2021.  On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, over 300 devices were distributed to students in grades K-5 throughout the District.  We will continue to work with the elementary teachers, administrators, and families to determine the need for additional devices.

Congratulations to the Strath Haven wrestling team for their second-place finish at the Central League Championships on January 22nd. There were many strong performances including two first-place finishes by Chase Barlow and Sam Milligan. I also want to send my good luck wishes to the Haven Cheer team as they compete at the state championships in Hershey today.

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Staff and Families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I wanted to follow up on the January 7th communication indicating our anticipated shift to our Health and Safety Plan that incorporates new guidelines from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Please click here to review it as it will take effect on January 18, 2022.

I understand the many concerns with my anticipated mask-optional timeline of February 7, 2022, in light of the significant increase in incidences as a result of the Omicron variant.  Pre-holiday break and post-holiday break, we experienced a significant increase in incident rates across all buildings. We saw the incidence rate in each building rise from less than 1% in students and staff two weeks before Christmas, to greater than 2.9% at the high school, 4.2% at NPE, 3.3% at SRS, and 2.7% at WES for the past 14 days from January 3rd through January 14th.  Only the middle school was below the 2% threshold for the past two weeks at a 1.9% incidence rate.  Based on those data points, if the district was operating under our 2% mask optional threshold of incidence rates over a two-week period, all of our buildings except for SHMS would have shifted to universal masking.

I continue to believe in the national forecasting models that show an anticipated significant decrease in cases over the next two weeks.  In the event the district is experiencing incidence rates at its current levels, we will have no choice but to delay our mask-optional shift, and we will require universal masking until numbers have decreased below the 2% threshold.  On January 28th, I will communicate our definitive plans based on incidence rates.  Below you will find some key highlights in our Health and Safety Plan: 

• Masking on district buses and vans is mandatory by the federal order issued in January 2021.

• The district has adopted the 7-day modified quarantine as outlined by CHOP and Policy Lab at CHOP.    

• Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face without gaps and be at least two layers of fabric, per the new CDC mask recommendations.

• Individuals should isolate if positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.  A positive individual should stay at home for 5 days and continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days. The 5-day count for isolation begins the day after symptom onset or day after of test positivity in asymptomatic individuals. Upon return to school, for 5 days, staff and students will be placed in an alternative lunch setting.

• Staff or students who are exposed to COVID-19 and identified as an asymptomatic close contact with a household member and has received the primary series of Pfizer, Moderna, or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, will be able to remain in school and shall mask for 7 days (Mask to Stay) and will participate in Test To Stay.

• Staff and students who are close contacts with an individual who has COVID-19 and is not a household member can remain in school and work if they are asymptomatic regardless of vaccination status. They will be required to wear a mask for 7 days (Mask to Stay) and to conduct daily symptom screenings. If an individual is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, Test To Stay should be implemented, but not required.  

• If you are experiencing COVID-related symptoms, please stay home, take a COVID test and contact the building nurse or our Lead COVID Nurse, Deb Sweeney, regarding the results.

Please visit wssd.org/covid to review our daily incidence rates and updated FAQs.  

Today I had the pleasure of attending numerous activities and assemblies in our buildings that highlighted the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Our faculty did an outstanding job in creating opportunities for students who spent part of the day engaged in service projects, assemblies, videos, and songs in memory of Dr. King.  

The essence of Dr. King’s dream is about promises of equality, justice, and freedom, and his vision was that every child would have equal access to quality instruction and supports. I would like to echo the sentiment of working together to ensure that every child succeeds, and together we honor Dr. King by valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our school district. We celebrate his legacy by remaining dedicated to social change and justice. I urge you to take some time this holiday to talk to your child(ren) about Dr. King’s commitment to a free and just society for all, and to spend some time in the service of others.

Please note the upcoming meetings: On January 19th, the Facilities and Finance Committees will meet in Room B226 at Strath Haven Middle School. The School Board business meeting will take place on Monday, January 24th in the SHMS library, and the Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 26th in Room B226. As always, your attendance and participation are welcome. 

 There are a number of accomplishments that I would like to recognize. Congratulations to Chase Barlow ‘22 who was recognized for his excellence on the football field this past season and named 1st Team All-State by PAFootballnews.com.

Congratulations also to the Haven Cheer team for qualifying for the State Championships in Hershey on January 29-30. It is the first time in team history that they qualified, and we wish them lots of luck.

In her first meet of the season, SHHS junior Alexa Brown broke the school record in the shot put with a throw of 40’-9 ¾. She is ranked 4th in Pennsylvania and 7th in the US, and is off to an amazing start. Good luck for the rest of the season. 

Congratulations to Mr. Rothenbach and the SHHS Hi-Q team for their second victory of the season against Interboro and Delaware County Christian School on January 13th.

As the first semester of the school year at SHHS comes to a close, I wish all of our students well on their final exams and projects.  

Stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Staff and Families,

Let me begin by wishing you all a Happy New Year. During winter break, I hope you had the chance to catch up with family and friends and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. January is always about fresh beginnings, new resolutions, and strengthened resolve. Despite so many plans being short-changed because of COVID-19, there is no denying the promise of a new year, and new opportunities. 

I would also like to thank everyone for their support, patience, and flexibility as we continue to navigate the challenges the pandemic continues to bring. As this new year begins, we are already being reminded to expect the unexpected with two snow days in this very first week. Despite unforeseen circumstances and unknowns that 2022 may bring, I know the tremendous strength we have as a team and a community, and for that, I am very grateful. That teamwork is reflected in the way in which we are working together to forge a path forward despite the ongoing challenges. COVID-19 continues to evolve and the manner in which we adapt and respond to the challenges this presents define who we are. As has been the case throughout this pandemic, plans may be in a state of flux as a result of health recommendations and metrics. 

Yesterday we had our largest number of positive cases to date. Though these numbers are higher than we have seen during my time here, we are fortunate not to be experiencing the elevated numbers that many other school districts are seeing with student and staff absences that have many moving to a different model of instruction. I want to thank our staff who are stepping in for their colleagues and taking on additional classes to support absences and ensure we continue with our commitment to in-person learning.  

As the landscape continues to change, so does the ever-evolving guidance. I want to bring to your attention the newly-released policy guidelines from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We have been very fortunate to meet regularly with my Delaware County Superintendent colleagues and our medical experts. During this week's meeting, we had the opportunity to review and discuss the new guidelines. I also had the chance to discuss those revisions with members of our Pandemic Team, made up of our nurses and building/central office administrators. The new guidelines, COVID-19 Outlook: A Pandemic in Transition Requires Updated School Guidance, provide a path forward with today’s challenges.  A section of the guidance that resonated with me reads, 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, schools (and particularly the students) have been asked to shoulder a significant burden to avert the risk of severe disease in an unvaccinated public. Now that all within K-12 school communities have been offered vaccination, the competing risks to children of education loss from prolonged school closures alongside social isolation are far more concerning than COVID-19 itself. While it is too soon to conclude that COVID-19 has become an endemic seasonal virus like influenza, the declining virulence shows signs that we are rapidly shifting in that direction, particularly for vaccinated individuals.”

As a result of these guidelines, next week, I will be revising our Health and Safety Plan to reflect the new guidelines from CHOP and PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  This guidance includes continuing our Test to Stay program and our commitment to in-person instruction. The main points of the guidance can be found here. Once we have revised our Health and Safety Plan, I will communicate with you again and provide a link to those new changes. In addition, we will move away from daily COVID-19 notification emails to posting the identified cases each day on wssd.org/covid by 7 p.m. 

We will be hosting our next vaccine clinic on Wednesday, January 12th, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Strath Haven High School cafeteria. This is for anyone who attended one of our previous two clinics and requires a second shot (ages 5 and up), as well as anyone in the community who is interested in getting a booster shot (ages 12 and up). Spots are limited, so please register using this link as soon as possible.

As we approach the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work and legacy, our schools are working on a variety of service activities, including WES’ annual assembly led by the second-grade team, collection drives at NPE to support Delaware Mutual Aid and a local animal shelter, and the creation of a peace quilt by students at SRS. In addition, I am looking forward to experiencing Strath Haven Middle School’s annual Day of Service on January 14th that I have heard so much about. On the 19th, I hope to see the performance by students from the Kensington Creative and Performing High School as they return to SRS for their annual visit to perform songs and skits in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy.

Schools will be closed on January 17th in observance of the MLK Day holiday as well as on the 18th for a teacher in-service day. I encourage you to find ways to participate in serving the community during the annual Day of Service in honor of Dr. King. Remember, MLK Day of Service is not a day OFF but a day ON in the service of others. "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

At our Educational Affairs meeting on January 5th, we had two presentations: WSSD Technology Report and WSSD Sleep & School Start Times Investigation Report. The presentation about the Sleep & School Start Times addressed the onset of this initiative approximately two years ago, the research that was conducted on this topic, the taskforce and committees that were formed, and the work done with staff and families/guardians to delve deep into the possibilities of changing our start times and the consequential impacts this change would have on various aspects of our school district - operations, academics, transportation, athletics, and performing arts among others. Five different schedule ideas or models were presented to demonstrate the effect a change in school time would have on a student’s day and after-school activities. Based on each schedule idea, an exhaustive list of points were discussed that need to be taken into consideration if schedule changes are proposed. In light of the upcoming strategic plan that will be launched by the end of this school year, this is an on-going endeavor the administrative team will continue to work on at the request of the school board members on the Educational Affairs Committee.

We held our first two Equity Focus Groups this week: WES on Tuesday and NPE on Thursday. I want to thank those in attendance for sharing their stories, perspectives, and recommendations.  Next week, the administrative team will be facilitating focus groups at SRS and SHMS. You should have received an email inviting you to participate in an Equity and Inclusion Survey between January 6 and January 20. As I mentioned in previous communications, we have partnered with Hanover Research to conduct an Equity Audit for our school district and your responses to the survey will provide us with invaluable insights into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in WSSD so we can make the necessary changes to best serve our students and families. The survey is intended for students (grades 6-12), parents or guardians, and staff members and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for taking the time to complete it.

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming committee meetings that occur in room B226 at Strath Haven Middle School.  As always, we welcome your attendance and participation. 

• January 19 - Facilities and Finance Committee

• January 26 - Policy Committee

The next School Board Business meeting will take place on Monday, January 24 at 7: 00 p.m. in the library of Strath Haven Middle School.  

Enjoy the weekend and stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear WSSD Community, 

I hope this communication finds you in good health and good spirits. Despite the significant increases in positive cases across the country and in our region, I hope you were able to spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately for me, my family members were not able to join us this year as many of them were ill and our holiday plans had to be altered.  Last week our positive numbers grew exponentially and I anticipate we will continue to see those numbers rise during the first two weeks of our return in the new year. We have been monitoring our cases during the break and appreciate staff and families who continued to update us during the break.  

I wanted to share with you new guidance on Isolation and Quarantine that was released by the CDC on December 27, 2021. Isolation has changed from 10 full days to 5 days provided symptoms are resolving and you are fever-free for 24 hours. Masking is required for an additional 5 days. The five-day count begins from the day of onset symptoms or test day for the asymptomatic individual.

Quarantine is based upon vaccination status. Scenario A: if you have been boosted OR completed primary series of Moderna or Pfizer within 6 months or within 2 months for the J&J vaccine then the following guidelines apply:

• Wear a mask for 10 days when around others

• Test on day 5, if possible 

• If you develop symptoms remain home and get tested

Scenario B: If you completed the primary series of Moderna or Pfizer over 6 months ago OR over 2 months ago for J&J AND you are not boosted OR are unvaccinated then:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to mask for 5 additional days when around others

• If you cannot quarantine you MUST wear a mask for 10 days

• Test on day 5, if possible 

• If you develop symptoms remain home and get tested

IF an individual is unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, fully vaccinated as defined above, and IS  named a close contact, begin the Test to Stay program.

As you can see, providing evidence of your student’s vaccination status and booster information is imperative to properly guide you through the isolation and quarantine process. If you have not already done so we encourage you to please send in proof of vaccination status. Here are ways to share that important information with the administration:

1. In person - Please notify the staff in the main office at your student(s)' school. You will need to show their vaccination card.

2. Via email - Take a photo of or scan your vaccination card, and send it to dclements@wssd.org. 

3. Upload into PowerSchool

• Log in to PowerSchool and click on Forms on the left-hand side.

• Scroll down to "Health" and click on COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• You will need to include the dates of vaccination and upload an image of your vaccination card.

For additional information please refer to the WSSD FAQs. 

The district is looking forward to students and staff returning to school on January 3, 2022, in person. We would ask that you continue to use mitigation strategies such as masking and physical distancing when gathering to celebrate with family and friends over the remaining winter break. 

Stay safe, 

Dr. Wagner Marseille

Dear Staff and Families,

I would like to provide an update regarding the racist graffiti incident at WES that happened right before Thanksgiving. The district has identified the individuals who were involved in the vandalism and racial epithet that was written on our doors. Along with Mr. Savage, principal at WES, I have had the opportunity to meet with the family and the individual involved in this incident. Though we will not forget this incident, Mr. Savage, myself, and the family have put in place ongoing steps for growth, learning, and restitution to take place for the individual involved. As superintendent, I must take responsibility for what I have come to learn are very clear indicators that show we have many children who are disengaged, disenfranchised, and often do not feel part of our learning community. It renews my resolve to continue my efforts in making this school district an inclusive and welcoming community that promotes belonging, trust, and safety.

As we head into the holiday break, I wanted to share a few highlights and reminders. This week our Facilities, Finance, and Policy Committees met in room B226. Click on the hyperlinks to see the PowerPoint presentations. Please mark your calendars for upcoming meetings as we encourage you to join us. This is a reminder that our School Board Legislative meetings will be held on a monthly basis starting in January, and the next scheduled meeting is on January 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Strath Haven Middle School library.

I want to congratulate the eleven Strath Haven High School AP Art & Design students in Mrs. Rodgers’ class who showcased their work at the 15th annual exhibit in the third-floor hallway. After many years of learning and hard work, these students are preparing for their next level of studies. I want to thank our art teachers and brilliant art department for guiding and inspiring our students and helping them to develop and nurture their techniques and talents.  

It is with great pleasure that I share with you the following SHHS student musicians who auditioned and qualified for the following 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 12 (Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia counties) ensembles. Congratulations to:

Chorus: Gretha Fergus, Natalie Caputo, Sophie DeCristofaro, Archie Bracegirdle, Ben Kedson, James Traverso

Band: Dae Taylor, Matt Lund, Henry Stockman, Sophie DeCristofaro, Gavin John, Jake Millett, Sammi Quinn

Orchestra: Sara Ventriglia, Matt Lund, Gavin John, Nate Sepinwall, Jake Millett, Emma Wei, Grace Gong

In addition, Cecelia Olszewski ‘22 has qualified for the 2021 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honors Ensembles Symphony Orchestra. This honor comes through her audition and an extensive resume of past PMEA District, Region, and All-State participation during her sophomore and junior years. She is one of only ten Pennsylvania students who qualified for this prestigious recognition and will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual ensemble experience in January.

Congratulations to these students for their remarkable achievements as well as to their music teachers, John Shankweiler and Nicholas Pignataro, who were instrumental in helping them prepare for their auditions. The excellence of our high school music program was showcased in the Winter Concert on December 21st, featuring our orchestras and choirs. It was so wonderful to be back together for the first time in over two years listening to live music performed by our talented musicians.

Speaking of talent, just a few days earlier, the SHHS stage featured the dancers and choreographers of Dance Haven performing their winter showcase. Again, another tremendous performance and another opportunity for our students to learn and grow together. Well done to all.   

Congratulations also to three of our Haven Ultimate Frisbee players who were recently selected by USA Ultimate to try out for the U20 national team who will compete at the WFDF World Junior Championships in the Dominican Republic this August. Bella Garcia ‘21, Gavin Abrahamsson ‘22, and Katie Stack ‘25 will travel to Florida this February to compete against top high school and collegiate athletes from around the country to have a chance to represent the USA. Good luck to them.

There were many festive activities throughout the District this past week, as we wrap up 2021 and prepare for our much-needed winter break. There were fun and “ugly” sweater days at all of our schools, spirit week at SHMS, and gingerbread and fairy house making at our elementary schools, to name just a few. Thank you to our teachers and staff for making our schools merry and inviting.

I want to acknowledge and thank the WSSD community for your spirit of giving throughout this holiday season. Many carloads of food were collected before Thanksgiving and delivered to the Media Food Bank and other agencies. The SHMS Winter Charity Drive came to a close as they collected hundreds of new toys and winter clothing items to help our neighbors through CityTeam Chester. SHHS helped local families in need by providing supermarket gift cards. At SRS, Mrs. Smart’s and Mrs. Cotrufello’s classes came together to assemble bags with food, gloves, and ear warmers for CityTeam as well. WES families collected post-Halloween candy for troops at Fort Dix, and NPE participated in a Marine Toys for Tots Campaign benefitting children in Chester County. Our high school students from the Young Activist Coalition organized and presented a “winter holiday fair” bringing awareness to the myriad of cultural holidays, traditions, and practices through poster boards, reports, jewelry, food, ornaments, and more.

I will be remiss if I didn’t take some time to share my visit at WES this morning. I enjoy and make it a priority to spend time in every one of our buildings, and this morning I took Mr. Savage’s invitation to “come see cheer and joy at WES”. We stopped by all the classrooms and everywhere we went, we heard echoes of the same joyful words of gratitude and happiness from our students; They are looking forward to spending time with their families, participating in activities that are traditions in their households, opening presents and are simply happy for the break. Ms. Scott’s class passionately and heartily recited their class pledge that not only affirmed how they matter as students and as a classroom community but also celebrated their school spirit. Our students are the best, and being called “Super-Nintendo” was absolutely the icing on the cake.

I will see you back at school on January 3rd, rejuvenated and ready to embrace a new year.  Upon our return, we are scheduled to have our District-facilitated Equity Focus Groups from  6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on January 4 (WES), January 6 (NPE), January 11 (SRS), January 13 (SHMS), and January 18 (SHHS). Confirmation emails have been sent out to those who responded, and we look forward to seeing you at the focus groups in the new year.

Best wishes to you and your families,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Staff and Families,

Despite the challenges presented yesterday and today, our staff, as always, came with an open heart and open mind to support children. The learning experiences and activities we engaged in reminded us of the spirit of the holiday and affirmed the importance of family, friends, and laughter. From making gingerbread houses and snow globes in our elementary schools, learning to jump double dutch at the middle school and AP Art students showcasing their portfolio work at the high school, there were a myriad of joyous memory-making activities across our buildings.

I want to share with you some key pieces of information for this week. At Monday night’s board meeting, there were a number of highlights discussed in my Superintendent’s report including the district school calendar and our Health and Safety Plan. 

The Board of School Directors voted and approved a two-year calendar with the 2022-2023 school year slated with a post-Labor Day start and the 2023-2024 calendar scheduled with a pre-Labor Day start. 

During the meeting, I shared the District’s Health & Safety Plan and the transition from using county-level data to community-level data to determine our masking options. Since the opening of school, we have been using county-level data to make decisions about our community. We will transition to using building-level data that will provide us with better information to guide our mitigation efforts.  

Effective February 7, the District will move to mask-optional requirements conditional upon building-level incidence rates remaining below two percent for a 14 day period. If any building reaches that threshold, we will move to universal masking until the incidence rate falls below two percent. For example, the mask option would be lifted if SHHS has 29 cases, SHMS 20 cases, WES 13 cases, SRS 13 cases and NPE 12 cases over a 14 day period. Using building level incidences provides a more accurate picture of what is happening within our own community. I encourage you to review the PPT presentation from Monday night and our Health and Safety Plan that will take effect February 7, 2022. This date allows for post-winter break transmission spikes to subside, for the worst of the Flu season to pass, and for children ages 5-11 who received the first vaccine to move to fully vaccinated status.  

With the support of Springfield Pharmacy, we will host another vaccination clinic on December 20 in the Strath Haven High School cafeteria. Students ages 5-11 can get their first or second vaccine and community members ages 16 and up can get a booster. Please register here to secure your spot as spaces are limited. The final date for this clinic series is January 12.  

If your child has been vaccinated, we ask that you please share that information with the District to assist in our mitigation efforts. Here are ways to share that important information with the administration:

1. In person - Please notify the staff in the main office at your student(s)' school. You will need to show their vaccination card.

2. Via email - Take a photo of or scan your vaccination card, and send to dsweeney@wssd.org. 

3. Upload into PowerSchool

• Log in to PowerSchool and click on Forms on the left-hand side.

• Scroll down to "Health" and click on COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• You will need to include the dates of vaccination and upload an image of your vaccination card.

Test to Stay has been in place since November 1, 2021. Since then, we have tested 178 students and 10 staff members. This is equivalent to maintaining 1,246 in-person instructional days and participation in athletics and activities for our students using this program. It has effectively identified four asymptomatic individuals to help maintain the health and safety of our school community. We are expecting the transition to mask optional beginning Feb. 7 to increase the volume of testing, and we encourage you to use the program both now and following the February 7 date. As per the CHOP Policy Lab (we are under their program, not the PA DOH-Ginko testing program), we have the option to expand close contacts to out-of-school exposure and have done so with great success. We hope anyone who has participated in the program has found it convenient and easy to help maintain some normalcy during these times.

Regarding our Equity Audit, we are moving into its next phase and, beginning in the new year, Hanover Research, along with administrators, will host numerous focus groups with our community.  

As a reminder, our Equity Audit comprises three major phases. The first is the implementation of Focus Groups that will be facilitated by Hanover Research and members of WSSD administration. Hanover will begin their focus groups sessions from January 10 to 21. The Equity Score Card, which is a deep analysis of district academic and other demographic data, began on December 15, 2021. Surveys to families, staff, and students will open on January 6, 2021. On January 4, communication will be sent out to alert participants of the upcoming survey.  In addition, WSSD administration will host five community focus group conversations at each of our school buildings on January 4, 6, 11, 13, and 18. January is slated to be a busy month for all of us. In addition, I will look at dates in the new year to bring the community together to discuss the requests to add additional religious and cultural holidays to the district academic calendar. Please stay posted for those upcoming meetings.  

As many of you know, a couple who reside on Copples Lane filed a complaint seeking in large measure to prevent and/or limit our evening use of the King Field complex (including football on Friday nights in the fall) by Strath Haven’s athletic teams and marching band throughout the year. Although the case was filed back in 2017, a hearing on the plaintiffs’ request for a permanent injunction was held in May 2021. Last month, a Delaware County judge denied the petition for an injunction. That ruling means we can continue to use King Field as we have in the past: with the best interests of our students, faculty, alumni, and the local community in mind.  To be sure, the case is not over as the plaintiffs filed an appeal (as they are entitled to do) of the court’s ruling this week. As we have in the past, we will continue to defend against the injunction request as appropriate in support of our curricular and extracurricular activities. We will, of course, continue informal efforts to reach an amicable resolution which does not limit Strath Haven’s use of our facilities.

Next week is a short school week, but it will be a busy one. There are two committee meetings taking place that you are invited to attend. The Facilities and Finance Committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday December 21 and the Policy Committee will meet on December 22. These meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in Room B226 at Strath Haven Middle School.

SHHS will hold their Winter Concert on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tune in to the live stream to see our talented musicians and singers. Tonight SHHS dancers will take the stage as Dance Haven will hold their Winter Showcase. Stop by the auditorium at 7 p.m. to see them perform. 

Please enjoy a relaxing weekend.

Stay safe,

Dr. Wagner Marseille

Dear Staff and Families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. I want to share with you some key pieces of information from this week. On Monday, December 6, we held the annual school board reorganization meeting. Congratulations to the recently re-elected and newly elected board members: Dr. David Grande, Kelly Wachtman, Wendy Voet, Mary Jo Witkowski-Smith, Kevin Henry, Nannette Whitsett, and Rachel Holbert. Please visit our website for more information about the appointed officers and committee assignments.

We sincerely appreciate the time, energy, and dedication of our board members, and I look forward to continuing the work ahead of us. Thank you for your commitment to supporting our students, staff, and community.

As a result of the restructuring and the newly designed configuration of committees, the board has moved to monthly regular board meetings. Please see the schedule here. In addition, each of our standing committees meet once a month and we encourage your participation and attendance there as well. The upcoming committee meetings are Facilities / Finance Committee on December 21 and Policy Committee on December 22. These will take place in Room B226 in SHMS at 7 p.m. Agendas will be posted on our website and on BoardDocs before the meeting.

Please join me at the December 13th regular board meeting where the administration will present two proposals for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 calendar. For the 2022-2023 calendar, the board will be asked to take action on a proposed pre- or post-Labor Day start, and for the 2023-2024 school calendar, a pre-Labor Day start. Calendar proposal information can be accessed here.

In addition, I will be sharing information about the Health & Safety Plan, specifically my recommendation to begin using district-level incident rates related to individual building numbers, in lieu of county-wide data, to develop a plan that would allow the district to move to a K-12 mask-optional model effective February 7, 2022. 

Since the start of the calendar school year, our district incident rates has not risen above 3%. The district has faithfully adhered to mitigation strategies and has implemented test-to-stay procedures with success. We have upcoming vaccination clinics for children ages 5-11 on December 20 and January 12 to receive their first or second shot. A February 7 target date allows for the worst of the flu season to pass and transmission spikes from post-winter breaks to have subsided while giving families time to get fully vaccinated. I hope that you can join us for the meeting or you can tune in to the live stream. 

This has been a very busy time of year with a lot of exciting things going on in WSSD. Our Strath Haven High School Hi-Q team recently hosted the first event of the season and defeated Chichester and the Academy of Notre Dame. The WES third grade team of teachers and staff received the 2021 Freedom Medal for Dedication to Education from the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association. The SHHS football team made it all the way to the state championship semifinals, with both coaches and athletes setting records along the way. And Haven Cheer qualified two teams for the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship in Florida in February.

As we continue to demonstrate in a myriad of ways in which we define excellence, the SHMS Fine and Applied Arts Winter Concert took place on Tuesday and Thursday, with the final event taking place on Tuesday. The music performed in the auditorium and the artwork in the hallway speaks to our students’ commitment and work ethic, and I was also reminded how powerful it is when individuals come together to create something beautiful. They could not accomplish this without their dedicated and passionate teachers.

Likewise, this past week, Dr. Mosakowski and I accompanied several SHHS students to the Equity Coalition Student Forum hosted by the DCIU. They have been meeting with other student leaders from around Delaware County on a monthly basis since last year to explore intersectionality in areas they care about: Race & Culture, Mental Health, LGBTQ+, Climate Change, and Art-ivism. Watching the students light up through their connections and sharing their voices was inspiring, and I am looking forward to the culminating event they will produce this spring. I am thankful for all of the experiences that allow our students to showcase their passions and skills. 

Please enjoy the weekend and stay safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

I hope this communication finds you in good health and spirits.

As many of you are aware, the Office of Education has been leading conversations regarding our proposed 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school calendars. At the September 9th Educational Affairs Committee meeting, we shared our intent to present the calendar information as a two-part series to the community. At the Educational Affairs meeting on November 4th, the administrative team gave a historical perspective on school calendar creation and shared examples of calendars from school districts in Bucks County, Montgomery County and Delaware County. 

We received a number of requests from community members who attended the meeting that our calendar be more inclusive and reflective of the diversity of our community, and that we identify and recognize religious/cultural holidays that speak to our demographics. Some of the requests include, but are not limited to: Diwali, Eid, the month of Ramadan and the Chinese New Year. This request, though simple, is layered with complexity as one of the most immediate and pressing questions will become why choose those particular religious/cultural days and not others. 

I shared with this community the challenge in picking which holidays to recognize and place on a district calendar as well as the dilemma of leaving others out. As a matter of fact, the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) has published a diversity and religious calendar that features a dozen or more days to be recognized as religious/cultural holidays each month. As such, a small number of individuals cannot decide which of those will be part of our school calendar, and which ones will be omitted. This process requires a larger community dialogue with more people, representing a diversity of perspectives, at the table. Though the proposed calendars presented at the Educational Affairs Committee meeting last night did not reflect those requests, I want to assure you that I was listening, and heard your requests. To get it right, we want to be more prepared to hold a conversation about the calendar and the inclusion of religious/cultural holidays to best serve our students and families.

My proposed calendar recommendation will move forward for a board vote at the Board Meeting on December 13th. Prior to a vote, Administration will do a high-level review of the proposed calendars and allow for board and community questions and comments. However, in the upcoming new year, I am committed to creating an opportunity for larger community dialogue on how the district will identify religious/cultural holidays that would be recommended to be integrated into our school calendar or to generate a separate religious/cultural calendar such as the ones drafted by ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and other organizations. 

Please click here for the presentations from the first calendar presentation on Nov 4th and the most recent presentation on Dec 1st as well as relevant documents pertaining to our calendar proposals.

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D. 

Dear Staff and Families,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. As we are less than 24 hours away from Thanksgiving, I, too, am excited to bring my family and loved ones together. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving in its traditional form, or whether you incorporate your own cultural traditions or celebrate in another way altogether, we will come together to give thanks and break bread. During these challenging times, let tomorrow and next week reinforce our commitment to our families, our loved ones and our neighbors.  I hope your tables are abundant and filled with laughter and love.  

I have a number of updates that I wanted to briefly share with you.  At Monday’s night's board meeting I shared my commitment to our Health and Safety Plan in my Superintendent’s report, as well as the need to implement strategies that will enable us to relax some of our Health and Safety measures since access to the vaccine is now readily available. We have supported two successful vaccination clinics in collaboration with Dr. June Elock-Messam (Every Child Counts, Inc) and Dr. Joseph Laskas (Delaware County Medical Society) held at NPE on Nov. 13th and Nov. 20th.  We look forward to additional vaccination clinics in collaboration with Springfield Pharmacy that will be held on November 29, December 20, and January 12 from 4PM to 8PM at Strath Haven Middle School. I also shared the district's desire to have up-to-date vaccination information as this will be vital in our strategy moving forward into the new year.  Below are ways to share that information with Administration:

1. In person - Please notify the staff in the main office at your student(s)' school. You will need to show their vaccination card.

2. Via email - Take a photo of or scan your vaccination card, and send to dsweeney@wssd.org. 

3. Upload into PowerSchool

• Log in to PowerSchool and click on Forms on the left-hand side.

• Scroll down to "Health" and click on COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• You will need to include the dates of vaccination and upload an image of your vaccination card.

Also, this week we held our first Policy Committee meeting and presented to the board and community members in attendance First and Second readings of the following policies. 

1. Presentation and Discussion of Policies for First Reading

• Policy 003 – Functions (Local Board Procedures)

• Policy 005 – Organization (Local Board Procedures)

• Policy 009 – Policy Development (Local Board Procedures)

2. Presentation and Discussion of Policies for Second Reading

• Policy 115 – Career and Technical Education (Programs)

• Policy 123.1 – Concussion Management (Programs)

• Policy 201 – Admission of Students (Students)

• Policy 222 – Prohibition of Tobacco Use (Students)

• Policy 227 – Vaporizers, E-Cigarettes & Other Electronic Substance-Delivery Systems (Students)

• Policy 250 – Student Recruitment (Students)

Please join us on December 22, 7PM. in room B-226 at SHMS at the next scheduled Policy Committee meeting when we will be revisiting those policies as well as additional ones. We have implemented or restructured four pivotal committees (Finance, Facilities, Policy and Educational Affairs) in order to allow for greater transparency and community engagement. I know your schedules are busy but I want to invite you to attend as many of these conversations as your schedule permits because much of the district's work will be vetted through those committees. (Click here to review committee dates.)

Good luck to the football team as they play in the District 1 5A championship game on Friday against West Chester Rustin. It is an away game, so let’s fill the stands with our Panther fans and help the Haven Cheer team and the marching band cheer them on to victory. Let’s go, Haven! 

Stay safe,

Dr. Wagner Marseille

 

Dear Staff and Families,

Dear WSSD Community,                                                                                   

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. As we close out the month of October and head into November, I wanted to share several key items with you. 

At our October 25th Board meeting, Mrs. Mary Figura, Assistant to the Superintendent for Management Services, and Ms. Deb Sweeney, Lead COVID Nurse, provided important information to introduce a new mitigation strategy in the fight against COVID-19. Beginning Monday, November 1, 2021, we will be implementing a comprehensive program called Test to Stay which helps to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection in schools. This strategy is aimed at maintaining in-person instruction and extracurricular activities for the school community. The program is supported by CHOP PolicyLab, CDC, and PA DOH. It is scientifically based and has been shown in studies to save over 100,000 in-person instructional days.

Test to Stay is a voluntary program for asymptomatic students and staff who are named as close contacts. Two forms are required to participate: a parental/staff consent form as well as a QR code form. Once contact tracing is completed, parents will receive a notification email indicating their student is a close contact. Parents must print and complete the consent form (see the consent form here under “Test to Stay FAQs”. Additionally, you can see this and other WSSD COVID-related information in our COVID Corner newsletter.) Directions for a creation of a QR code that you will need at testing will be included in the email notification. Parents will need to print these forms and bring them to the testing site. Please note that proper masking is required throughout the 10-day program, regardless of any “negative” test results.

Test to Stay testing will be a drive-by process held at the Spencer House, adjacent to King Field at SHMS, for all students and staff. Signage will direct traffic from the entrance to the middle school at Providence Road. For testing, the nurse will come to your vehicle, give the student or parent the swab for testing so that it can be administered. Nurse assistance will be provided if needed. If your child refuses or is uncooperative even with nursing assistance, you will be asked to follow the traditional quarantine guidelines of PCR testing on day 5-7 following exposure for early release on day 8 OR complete a full 10 days of quarantine to return on day 11. Zoom will be permissible for these students.  For additional information, please see FAQs under the COVID information tab.

If a parent/guardian wishes to participate in the Test to Stay program but has questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Sweeney, dsweeney@wssd.org.

I want to remind our registered voters to please go out to vote in the November 2nd elections so your voice can be heard. As a result, all WSSD schools will be closed for students. On that day, our WSSD teachers will be engaged in a variety of professional development activities including MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) reporting training, K-1 Literacy training, Stress in Adolescents: An Examination of the Context of High Performing American High Schools led by Widener University, and Trauma-invested Practices led by Eve Cannon, our WSSD trauma coach. There will also be time for department and faculty meetings.

The Educational Affairs Committee meeting will be held on November 4th at 7 p.m. in the SHMS library. The two agenda topics are: WSSD 2022-23 Calendar (Part 1) and Federal Programs. We are seeking feedback and input as we build our calendar for the next school year, so we would like as many community members to attend and participate in the conversation.   

As we close out the fall athletic season and prepare for winter sports, I want to congratulate all of our fall student-athletes and coaches on a great season and for meeting your personal and team goals. Our football team continues their regular season as they close out tonight against Radnor at 7 p.m. and have their sights on the playoffs (the game is being held at Conestoga). Haven Cheer will be participating in the Penncrest Cheer Challenge this weekend at Penncrest High School. Our SHHS cross country teams competed at the District 1 3A Championships today, and congratulations to our girls team for finishing first!  Good luck to our runners who will be competing at the state championships in Hershey on November 6th.

Please come out and show your appreciation for our High School Marching Band on November 3rd at 7 p.m. at King Field. This is an important fundraiser for the band, and we want to show support for the program and our student musicians. This will be an exciting evening of music performances, raffle, and silent auction prizes.  

Halloween was in the air today as our students and staff celebrated with costumes, parades, and class parties. Please enjoy your weekend as many of our families will be celebrating Halloween.

Stay safe,

Dr. Wagner Marseille

Dear Families and Staff,

October 9th marked my 100th day as superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. Upon reflection of the richness of my experiences during this time, I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. I sincerely thank all of you for welcoming my family and me, and it is my conviction that, together, we will meet the challenges of today and embrace the opportunities of tomorrow.

As laid out in my Entry Plan, I have been focused on listening, learning, and reflecting. In order to better serve the WSSD community, it is important that I continue to listen to your thoughts and experiences, and to learn about your aspirations and ideas for our schools. I have met many of you on school grounds, at events, board and committee meetings, and lately, my Community Conversations series. 

As I continue my daily interactions with key stakeholders: administrators, teachers, staff members, PTO/HSA leaders, board members, alumni, students, community leaders and officials, I am gleaning stories and insights that are compelling, honest, and centered on our common goals for our students. We want them to be able to navigate the intricacies of a complex world, acknowledge the differences, but remain steadfast on the many things that bring us together.

On October 7th I began my Community Conversations with the Superintendent series at Strath Haven Middle School, and this week I held them at WES and SRS. It has been wonderful to take the time to sit down and talk about your and your child(ren)’s experiences in WSSD. I want to express how reinvigorating and reaffirming these conversations have been for me. While several common themes emerged, the uniqueness of each building also became increasingly evident. I share your hopes and dreams, and look forward to ongoing conversations that will eventually lead to the development of our strategic plan where we will think anew, dream boldly, and build stronger and healthier communities.

If you have not attended already, please join us at SHHS on Monday, October 18 or NPE on Tuesday, October 19. Both sessions are outdoors at the lunch tents from 5:30 p.m.to 6:45 p.m. All are welcome. 

At Monday’s board meeting, we were excited to welcome Michelle Lowry from the Foundation for Wallingford-Swarthmore Schools who presented our schools with $11,700 in grant money. They raise these funds through community donations and events - including the upcoming Panther Pajama Run and Walk on November 13th. These generous donations go a long way in supporting and enhancing the experiences of our students and teachers.

The school Board members approved the appointment of our new Director of Human Resources, Dr. Ethan Ake-Little, who will join us on November 15th. We cannot thank Mr. Abbott enough for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the WSSD community over the past 33 years. We look forward to celebrating his upcoming retirement and acknowledging his impact and legacy on our school district.

In my Superintendent Report, I shared some key updates relating to COVID as well as upcoming committee meetings, specifically our Facilities & Finance meeting on October 20th.

I wish to congratulate the 14 SHHS students who were named Commended Scholars in the National Merit Scholarship competition. As the fall sport season comes to a close,  congratulations also to the SHHS girls tennis team for finishing second in the Central League and qualifying for Districts for the first time in 15 years. The girls cross country team returned to the top of the podium by winning the Delco Championships, and we wish them luck at the Central League championships tomorrow. The golf team won the Central League title for the second time in three years. Strath Haven HS continues its tradition of athletic excellence, and we couldn’t be prouder of all of our student-athletes and coaches. 

Stories of excellence and success continue to be reflected in all that we do. For example, I observed a middle school student invite another student who was sitting alone to join her table. I witnessed a student offering the “panther paw” he earned to a friend who demonstrated an act of kindness. Kudos to the young man who carried the backpack of a friend who was on crutches. Last but not least, to the classmates who consistently look for ways to assist their friend with a physical challenge, you are the essence of WSSD. These are powerful instances that speak to the core of who we are, and that define us as a community.

I hope you join us tonight at the Homecoming football game against Penncrest. The team is 5-1 and ranked a close-second to Chester in the District 1 5A division. We are hoping for another win and continued success for the team. Come out and cheer them on and enjoy the performance of our Panther Marching Band. Please mark your calendars for the SHHS Marching Band Showcase on November 3rd at King Field. It is their only fundraising event of the year, and they would love your support. In other exciting music news, Strath Haven HS senior Cecelia Olszewski, this year’s George Slick Fellowship Winner for Music and Music Composition, will be holding her recital on Tuesday, October 19th at 7 p.m. You can watch the live stream here.

As I embark on my next 100 days and enter into a phase of collaborating and planning, I look forward to meeting more of you and continuing this exciting journey in WSSD.

Stay safe,

Dr. Wagner Marseille

Dear Families and Staff,

I hope that you are well and finding time to enjoy this beautiful fall weather. October has arrived and we have some exciting events to look forward to: fall festivals, Homecoming activities at the high school, and Halloween parades later this month at the elementary schools. 

I am soon approaching my first 100 days and have had many rich conversations with parents, students, community members and staff. I am excited to announce a series of “Community Conversations” that will take place at each of our schools during the month of October. Learn more and register for one of the upcoming sessions here. As always, I look forward to hearing your experiences and stories.  

I hope you had the opportunity to attend or view the school board meeting on Monday night, where we discussed field trips, the district calendar, and other action items approved by the board. Information regarding the board meeting can be viewed on Boarddocs and my Superintendent's Reports can be found here.   

As an administrative team, we have engaged in several discussions on School Start Times, an initiative that began in 2019 and lasted up until March 13, 2020 when the pandemic changed our educational landscape. I am impressed to learn the detailed steps WSSD undertook to carry-out a thorough investigation of School Start Times, including the research pertaining to this topic as well as the task force meetings, scheduling think tanks, and panel discussions that were held. In an effort to keep the momentum going, albeit a hiatus of eighteen months along with administrative and structural changes that occurred during that time frame, we look forward to exploring School Start Times at WSSD once again. 

Please join us at the next Educational Affairs committee scheduled for October 6 at 7:00 p.m. in Room B-226 at Strath Haven Middle School. On the agenda are the following items:

• Pennsylvania Department of Education Comprehensive Plan
• Revisiting School Start Times & Next Steps

As we continue to receive guidance, the PA DOH  has provided updated guidelines surrounding  the K-12 exception regarding quarantine. These guidelines provide clarity in regards to ways the district will proceed with contact tracing which impacts quarantining for our student population.

Old Guidance

Updated Guidance

Students were covered under the K-12 exemption where mask usage can be observed, the close contact definition excludes students who were between 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This allowed all students to return to in person learning without interruption.

For those students who are vaccinated, they will be required to test on day 3-5 with a PCR following the exposure. They may return to in person learning without an interruption but must remain masked at school per our Health and Safety Plan and should wear a mask in other indoor public settings and for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.  For those students unvaccinated, they will be required to quarantine from the last date of contact with the COVID positive individual. That is considered day 0. The student will need to take a PCR test beginning on day 5 or later. An individual then may return to school with a negative PCR beginning on day 8. Without testing, students may return on day 10.

The clarification provided is that the “exception” only applies in the classroom environment. Therefore, students deemed “close contact” while riding the bus will be impacted by this guideline. 

To the greatest extent possible the district will maintain physical distancing.

As I shared at Monday night’s board meeting, our students’ COVID vaccination rate has increased. If your student(s) are vaccinated, be sure to upload your forms into Powerschool or submit them to your school’s nurse. If your student is eligible for a vaccination and has not received theirs yet, please follow-up with your physician to explore your options. 

Be safe, 

Dr. Wagner Marseille

Dear WSSD families,

I would like to reach out to provide an update on the ongoing challenges with transportation. As a result of pandemic-related illness and other absences, we are having difficulty operating at a normal schedule, as evidenced from the challenges this morning.  

Our Transportation Director Ms. Patti Diafero and her team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to try to keep our busses running to full capacity, and that is getting more challenging as the days go on.

Unfortunately, for Tuesday, September 28, busses 1 and 17 will not be in service. Additionally, for those SHMS and SHHS students who take bus 1 or 17 at 3:05/3:10 p.m. for the activity bus, that bus will now run at 4:10 p.m. (This is for 9/28 only at this time. Students should report to the SHMS or SHHS cafeteria after school to wait for their bus to arrive.)

In the meantime, we are looking for additional solutions including: 

• Hire additional drivers and substitute drivers.

• Expand our parking spots for high school students able to drive, both on and off-campus.

• Encourage parents/guardians to drive their students to and from school, if possible.

• Encourage students to walk or bike to and from school, if possible.

• Rent passenger vans to support transportation.

Unfortunately, WSSD is not alone in this challenge, as bus driver shortages have become a nation-wide problem during this time of COVID. We encourage everyone to continue to wear your masks, follow physical distancing protocols, and follow recommended CDC guidelines. 

For developments and changes, we will send communication to you via email, text, and phone. In addition, there will be updates on our website (the pop-up alert, under District Announcements, as well as the FAQ section of wssd.org/covid), and we will also share information on our social media channels, as appropriate.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenges together.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wagner Marseille

 Dear WSSD community,

I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. I wanted to share some key information as we close our opening week and the sixth day of school. But first, check out our First Day of School video that captures many moments of our students, teachers, and staff coming back together again. 

At Monday night’s legislative meeting, the Board of School Directors took action on a number of items and I want to highlight several of them.  I encourage you to please visit our website to view the meeting and/or to access Boarddocs for information related to the meeting.  

I want to welcome and congratulate Mrs. Amy Caruso who was unanimously appointed to fill the vacant seat of Ms. Chapin Cimino and look forward to her passion and commitment to the students, staff and community of Wallingford-Swarthmore. 

As I had shared with you in my Entry Plan, “Our North Star is deeply rooted in our mission and vision statement, that among other things, calls for the pursuit of excellence and positions us to be a World Class District”.  One of the many steps towards that journey is to fully understand where we have been to better understand where we need to go. As we look forward to the development of a five year strategic plan we must first begin collecting important data points. Two of those salient data sources were approved on Monday night when the Board voted to conduct an Equity Audit in the Fall and a Curriculum Audit in the Spring.  Both audits will provide an overview of our practices, procedures, protocols, programs and gaps as well as discrepancies that may exist between and amongst groups of students. We look forward to the rich conversations and action planning the results of the audits will generate, that will in turn contribute to the development of our five year strategic plan. 

At the meeting, I also shared that 98 percent of our staff were fully vaccinated as well as the percentage of our WSSD students over 12 years of age who are fully vaccinated. As of today, the vaccination rate of our students by grade level is as follows: 12th: 71%; 11th: 51%; 10th: 49%; 9th: 51%; 8th: 53%; 7th: 52%. 

Per the CDC, “Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are at low risk of symptomatic or severe infection.” We encourage families to reach out to their physician to make the best medically informed decision for their child.                    

I have received a number of inquiries from families who are having difficulty uploading the vaccination cards to PowerSchool. Please refer to the FAQs under the COVID information tab on our website for direction and/or please feel free to contact your child(s) school nurse. 

At our September 15th Facilities and Finance Committee meeting, we discussed the 2022-2023 budget calendar, the budget process, revenues, and ESSER funding. We also reviewed the potential  licensing agreement with Forecast 5 Analytics that supports budget planning, budget projections, trend analysis, and comparative analysis with other districts in the commonwealth. The tools also support the development of analytics such as student spending, resource allocation, compensation trends and comparative student performance.  Furthermore, we looked into a proposal from the Pennsylvania Economy League to conduct a demographic analysis to better support the district's long term planning. James Baldwin stated, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced”.  These rich data dives, along with many more planned throughout this calendar year, will allow us to be better informed and prepared for crucial decisions that lie ahead. 

In addition, to enhance our current safety measures we discussed student safety as it relates to access to our buildings  As of October 1st, all visitors will use the Raptor Visitor Management System and will need to provide identification as they enter our schools.  We are asking that anyone who enters our buildings has a government issued ID.  Raptor will provide a consistent system to track visitors and volunteers. 

As I conclude my communication, a special “shout out” and congratulations to the ten Strath Haven High School seniors who were named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. 

The Strath Haven HS field hockey teams will be hosting Great Valley this evening. JV is at 5:30 p.m. and varsity is at 7 p.m. at King Field. Please join me in supporting the team tonight. 

Stay Safe, 

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Families and Staff,

I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. The school year has officially begun! Even the rain could not keep the smiles off the faces of students and staff as they re-entered the buildings once again. In anticipation of this exciting time in the school year, the administration held one final meeting to review our systems, share opening day celebration plans, and map out upcoming events. After, I took one last walk of the buildings before the first day, imagining how it would look once our students arrived.

The day exceeded my expectations as I walked the colorful and welcoming halls, greeted the buses and incoming walkers, said hello to parents/guardians, and saw staff connecting with their students for the first time. The masks could not hide the excitement and eagerness in the faces of our school community. From the kindergarteners with their hats that said, “I rocked my first day of kindergarten” to the senior shirts that said, “2enior2”, I felt honored to be a part of this district and its sense of community and commitment to each other.

Deeply rooted school pride and enthusiasm for student success was palpable and continued throughout the past two days. There were some kinks to be worked out, such as pick up and drop off in some locations, schedule assignments, and typical mishaps of the opening days, but none of it took away from the celebratory mood of our first day of school.

This morning, I was humbled and moved as members of the high school band, led by Nick Pignataro, played the National Anthem during the raising of the flag in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. During that moment of silence and recognition, I was brought back to that moment in time of where I was and what I was doing during the attacks. And though our students were not born at the time, two decades later, it remains true that we will never forget.

As I walked through one of our buildings, I saw on a bulletin board a quote from Maya Angelou, “This is a wonderful day, and I have never seen this one ever before.” This quote echoes my exact sentiment and experience of the first two days of school. Imagine if we bottled that level of energy and excitement for the remainder of this calendar school year. My challenge to us is to make every day a wonderful day that we have not seen before.

Enjoy the weekend with friends and family and if you’re not busy tonight, please come out and support the class of 2022 FOOD TRUCK-A-THON event at the Creekside Swim Club from 6-10 pm.   You can find additional information at https://www.shhshsa.org/truck-a-thon.

Be Safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and good health and that the extreme weather on Wednesday did not cause you and your family too much hardship. Unfortunately, we have witnessed a significant amount of damage in our region and across the East coast.

We are looking forward to welcoming students back to school on September 9th, and in preparation for the upcoming year, our teachers and many of our staff members returned to campus this past Monday for four days of training, meetings, and reconnecting. Part of the professional development experience during those days included conversations on mental health, positive behavioral development, and curriculum.

We kicked off the week with our annual Convocation at King Field. As I joined WSSD on July 1st , this is the first time that I got to meet all of my colleagues and teammates. I outlined some of my plans and aspirations for the upcoming year, and I am excited to work with them to bring those plans to fruition.

I was also happy to share the stage with our School Board president, Dr. David Grande, our HR Director, Ferg Abbott, and our esteemed guest speaker, alumnus and 2020 Olympian, Jake Hoyle. It's funny how although Jake and I didn’t speak beforehand, we both talked about the power of teacher belief. He shared how learning the sport of fencing in middle school from Ms. Pixie Roane and her ongoing support and belief led him on a path all the way to the Olympic Games. This is similar to my own story where my high school teacher and coach, Mrs. Mackie tapped me on the shoulder in the hallway and said, “You are my next state champion”, leading me on my own journey to athletic and personal success.

The belief we have in ourselves, coupled with the belief that others have in us, can lead people to accomplish extraordinary things. With this in mind, I challenged our staff this calendar year to find those students in their classrooms and school buildings, tap them on the shoulder, and say, “You are my next ….”

None of our aspirations for our students nor our curricular, programmatic, and academic goals can be accomplished if we don’t recognize and address the significant amount of trauma that children and adolescents are struggling with as it relates to stress, anxiety, a need for belonging and acceptance, along with struggles related to identity factors, including race, gender, religion, poverty, and sexual orientation. Additionally, our students are battling new challenges as a result of technology and social media and are living through a global pandemic that has us returning to universal masking and physical distancing.

Trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning programs, and positive behavioral interventions and supports are important components of our plans for the 2021-2022 school year because they provide a foundation and roadmap for navigating these challenges. Though we have many goals and objectives, we must prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff and rebuild our sense of community.

It is important to note that the District’s Health and Safety Plan has been revised to reflect the PA Department of Health’s universal mask order, which also allows us to continue the priority decision for five full days of in-person instruction for our students. In addition, the Health and Safety Plan for Competition and Voluntary Workouts and Music Health and Safety Plan are also updated. (All three plans can be viewed here.) You can also view our COVID newsletter which we will publish periodically to provide updates and information regarding the District’s mitigation strategies.

As we continue a layered approach to mitigation strategies, the District will begin assurance testing twice a week for staff members who are not fully vaccinated. We are encouraged that over 90% of our staff members have reported that they are fully vaccinated.

As a reminder, Mrs. Deborah Sweeney is our lead nurse for COVID-19, helping to conduct contact tracing, streamline COVID related communications, update the WSSD community on state and local mandates and COVID related information, provide support to all school nurses and staff, partner with community supports to provide vaccine clinics, and answer all Districtrelated medical COVID questions. Her contact information is dsweeney@wssd.org or 610-892- 3470 extension #2144.

I want to note that August 30th was my 60th day at WSSD, and I am well into my 100+ day journey as laid out in my Entry Plan. I am completely immersed in Phase 1 of my plan: Learning, Listening, and Reflecting, and I look forward to the opportunity to create space to engage and hear more from our staff, students, and parent-led organizations, which will include holding community meetings. I will communicate the schedule for these opportunities with you.

During the summer, I was able to see many of our teachers, staff, and students in action at the Summer Panthers, Extended Year, and Community of Explorers programs. I have had numerous meetings and conversations with staff, teachers, parents, students, alumni, board members, union leadership, township officials, and legislators. I thank everyone for reaching out to me as your voice and input matters. I also attended my first SHHS football game last Friday, and I look forward to attending my first SHHS girls soccer competition this afternoon as they host Avon Grove. Tonight’s football game against Marple Newtown will also be a good one, and I am excited to see our marching band perform at full strength.

We have also begun collecting data in many areas of our operations and are preparing for curriculum, equity, and communication audits which will help us improve and grow in many areas. I invite you to attend our first Educational Affairs Committee meeting on September 9th at 7 p.m. in room B226 at Strath Haven Middle School where we will be proposing the implementation of curriculum and equity audits.

I hope you are able to find the time to spend with your family and loved ones this weekend, and I look forward to welcoming your child(ren) on September 9th.

Sincerely,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Dear WSSD Community,

I hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits.  Today marks my first week officially as Superintendent.  I have been trying to learn as much as possible from the faculty and staff  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.  I’ve received warm welcomes, and those greetings validate this transition is more than just a career shift, but a permanent connection to you and our larger community. 

I wanted to share with you at a high level my Entry Plan into the district. The plan speaks to objectives and activities that we will collectively experience during my first hundred days and beyond.  It will serve as a platform for me to understand better the stories, hopes, challenges, and dreams of our community.  The plan is deeply rooted in understanding where we are and where we will travel together.  Maya Angelou said, “If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going.”

We will participate in deep dives into who we are, who we think we are, and what we want to become.  This is challenging work, but I assure you that we will be unstoppable if we walk together in solidarity and keep our eyes on the prize. 

I am looking forward to our partnership.  

Sincerely,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

 

Dear Wallingford-Swarthmore Community,

I hope this letter finds you, your family, and your loved ones in good health and good spirits. Chinese Philosopher Lao-Tzu stated, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Today I completed my first day as the proud Superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.

As with many new opportunities, I was both restless and excited last night in anticipation of this first day. Though it has been some time since the April 12th School Board meeting when the Board voted on my appointment, so much has occurred professionally and personally that I am eager to share with you.

Although I have spent the majority of that time supporting Cheltenham in the transition, I have had numerous opportunities during the last two months to meet with Dr. Palmer and members of her team. I want to thank her for her service, professionalism, and generosity, and I wish her the best in her retirement.

I had several meetings today with members of the administrative team including Ms. Martha Kew our Business Manager. It was not the first time Ms. Kew and I have spoken, but today was the most in-depth conversation we had regarding the district's long-term fiscal health. It was an extremely productive meeting.

As you may be aware, Ms. Kew’s last day in the district is July 8th, and though I have not had the long history with her as some of you may have, I do appreciate her taking the time to help me better understand our fiscal realities. I look forward to working with our interim Business Manager, the School Board Directors, administration, faculty, staff, and community members on one of our biggest challenges that impacts all facets of the district.

As we spend the summer preparing for the opening of the 2021-2022 school year and the anticipated return of our students, faculty, and staff, our team is committed to keeping you informed and up to date on the process.

I want to share that my family and I are proud to be new residents of the district and are excited about the opportunity to create deep roots, both personally and professionally. Our daughter Cheyanne will begin her 6th-grade experience as a student at Strath Haven Middle School this fall, and as parents, we are excited about this pivotal transition.

I look forward to getting to know you, and I will be creating opportunities to connect, to learn more about your experiences, and to hear your stories. I hope you enjoy the July 4th weekend as we reflect on, acknowledge, and celebrate 245 years of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Sincerely,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools