Dear WSSD Families and Community,

I hope this communication finds you with a smile on your face as there is much to smile about today. I am a huge Track and Field enthusiast and like many enthusiasts I often try to make connections about my experiences through the lens of Athletics. Whether you viewed this year as a marathon, a 26.2 mile race or 100 meter sprint, they all have the same essential components: a sense of excitement, nervousness, trepidation, fatigue, and exhilaration. Additionally, there are two fundamental truths about any race: you always start strong and you always cross the finish line. Today, we crossed the finish line.  As we say goodbye to the graduating class of 2023 and our students begin their summer vacation, I want to personally thank our educators for their unyielding commitment to our children. This year we opened the school year with a fundamental question, “Kasserian Ingera” which means “And how are the children?”, and the response is, “The children are well”. I also want to recognize and thank you for your commitment and support of our district and community. I am once again reminded of the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”, and it is only by working together, supporting each other that we crossed the finish line today. 

As you prepare for the Summer, let me share with you a few highlights from the week, as well as reminders of the upcoming meetings and events.

End of Year Celebrations

As always, the month of June is about the many accomplishments of our students. We celebrated the 8th grade bridge crossing, 5th grade moving up ceremonies, and the welcoming of new students into our kindergarten classes. We also celebrated the Class of 2023 graduation at Neumann University. Prior to their graduation ceremony, the seniors at SHHS organized a heartwarming clap out event and commemoration. This special tradition allowed the entire school community to come together and applaud the achievements of the graduating class. With cheers, applause, and words of encouragement, the students, teachers, and staff celebrated the seniors' accomplishments and wished them the best as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

Juneteenth

SHHS students organized a vibrant celebration in honor of Juneteenth. The event was filled with joyous festivities, educational activities, and inspiring presentations that highlighted the significance of this important day in American history. It served as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the ongoing work towards achieving equality and justice for all. We applaud the students' initiative and their dedication to promoting awareness and appreciation of Juneteenth. May this event continue to inspire unity, understanding, and positive change within our school community and beyond.

Final Board Meeting - June 26th

The final WSSD School Board Meeting for the 2022-2023 school year will be held on June 26th at 7pm in the SHMS Library. Meetings will be live-streamed and archived on WSSD YouTube Page. There will be no Board meetings during the month of July and the meetings will resume on August 22nd for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. For more information and a link to the meeting schedule, please click here. 

SHHS Baseball Team

My heart felt congratulations for an outstanding season to the Panthers baseball team. This season the Panthers captured their second district championship title. Even though we did not walk away with a victory at the state championships, under the leadership of Coach Fili and coaching staff, they created magical moments and memories that will live forever. 

Here are some upcoming meetings and events. Please check the district calendar on our website for additional information.

June 19th - District Closed

June 21st - Facilities & Finance Committee Meeting at 7PM

Agenda Topics for this meeting include:

Crabtree Rohrbaugh & Associates will present findings of the high school utilization study and efforts to reimagine learning spaces such as but not limited to replacement  of the modular classrooms, restrooms, media center, locker rooms, special education classrooms, natatorium, etc.}.

Presentation of the 23-24 Final budget at our Finance Committee Meeting.

June 26th - Regular School Board Meeting at 7PM

Have a safe and fun summer break. 

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Dear WSSD Community, 

The seemingly shorter length of my letter to you this week belies the beehive of activities and happenings in our schools throughout the school district. It is indeed the time of year for field days, concerts, recognitions and celebrations. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students and for being an integral part of our school community. Together, let us continue to make memories with our students. 

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and it offers us the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and to look ahead to what is yet to come. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work and dedication as we can see the light at the end of this school year tunnel. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students and for being an integral part of our school community. Let us embrace this season of change with open hearts and minds, and let us continue to work together to create a brighter future for our students.

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

Strategic Plan

An informational, progress update meeting on Strategic Plan was held on May 15th in the SHMS library and I want to thank everyone who has attended and participated in this process.

We will be reconvening on 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 is a second community meeting happening on 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:

Zoom Community Meeting Registration

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.  

Here are some upcoming meetings and events. Please check the district calendar on our website for additional information.

May 22nd - School Board Meeting

May 23rd - Strategic Plan Community Meeting - Zoom

May 23rd - SHMS 5th Grade Parent Orientation

May 24th - SHHS Choral Concert

May 24th - Policy Committee Meeting

May 25th - NPE Chorus and Advanced Instrumental Concert

May 29th - District Closed

May 31st - SHHS Academic Awards

June 1st - NPE’s Got Talent

June 2nd - Senior Celebration & Senior Prom

June 8th -SHHS Commemoration

June 9th - SRS African Dance Presentation

June 9th - SHHS Graduation at Neumann University

June 15th - NPE, SRS, WES 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies

June 16th - SHMS Bridge Crossing

Be Safe.

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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 

September 23, 2022

Dear WSSD Community, 

Happy Fall! Only a few weeks ago, we welcomed back students and teachers. With school now in full swing, I can’t help but feel energized and inspired for this calendar school year.

This month, our schools hosted Back-to-School nights at each of our buildings. For the first time in two years, we invited families to the events in-person, which created a positive energy and collective enthusiasm. There is no denying the excitement of each of these nights as our families met and reconnected with our faculty and staff. As always, I feel privileged to experience the events not only as Superintendent, but as a father of a seventh grader. 

Thank you for your participation, as these events were a success. It is always wonderful to see high levels of attendance and engagement at our school and district functions. As we are committed to strengthening connections, our sense of community and belonging, I look forward to the same level of energy and participation throughout the year. 

With the year in full swing, I’d like to bring the following dates and information to your attention:

Schools Closed Monday

Our schools are closed, and offices open, on Monday, 9/26. 

Upcoming Board Meeting: Wednesday, 9/28

The September Board Meeting will take place Wednesday, 9/28 at 7pm in SHMS Library. 

Special Board Meeting: October, 10/6

A special Board Meeting will be held on October 6 at 6:30pm in SHMS Library, where the Board will take action on the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) project. The purpose of this contract is to implement energy saving measures that will lower utility costs while completing necessary capital improvements across the district. The Educational Affairs Committee meeting will immediately follow. 

Universal Free Breakfast program

As part of Governor Wolf’s announcement, our District will be a part of Pennsylvania’s Universal Free Breakfast Program beginning next month. Beginning October 1, free breakfast will be offered to all currently enrolled students for this school year. Families are still being encouraged to complete the free/reduced price meal application for school lunches, available here.

Facilities & Finance Committee

Yesterday evening, our September Facilities and Finance Committee meeting took place at SHMS in B226. During the meeting, we engaged in rich discussion about the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act project,  the 2023-2024 Budget Preparation Calendar, and the impact of the District’s S & P (Standard and Poor’s) rating. We also spoke about several ongoing and upcoming projects planned to evaluate, improve, and enhance various facilities. Some projects include:

•  Athletic Fields & Facilities

The District will be moving forward with an Athletic Facilities Master Plan audit from ELA Sport, who will conduct an assessment of all our athletic facilities and fields. In addition, the company will complete a field condition analysis of the King Field Synthetic Turf replacement, along with additional King Field modifications. Upon Board approval, we anticipate that work on the King Field Turf and other areas within the stadium will begin in the spring.

•  Evaluation of Elementary Instructional Spaces

To address our need for more flexibility in our instructional spaces at the elementary buildings, we will conduct a space utilization study to determine the feasibility of renovating, modifying and/or increasing instructional space in those buildings.

•   Evaluation of High School Spaces 

We will conduct a space utilization study of to reimagine the modular classrooms, the high school library, athletics spaces, and the guidance suite. 

Both the agenda and presentations are available on BoardDocs.

Cultural Observances and Celebrations

Several commemorative and celebratory observances are taking place in the month of September. Rosh Hashanah will take place this year on Monday, 9/26 and Tuesday, 9/27. We wish those in our community celebrating a good holiday. Other observances  include, but are not limited to, National Hispanic Heritage Month, International Literacy Day, Bi Visibility Day, and the International Day of Peace.

Also this month, in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, our Suicide Prevention Awareness Taskforce has worked to provide key resources, plan events, and organize activities. Every Friday this month, many of our staff across WSSD have been wearing  their teal "semi-colon" t-shirts. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):  “A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.” I appreciate this important work as we continue to connect and share resources around key causes and conversations. 

A full calendar of observances is available online here. 

Be safe,

Wagner Marseille, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools 

September 2, 2022

Dear WSSD Community,

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits, and that you’ve had time in these summer months to sit back, relax, and recharge. We’ve had a strong start to our athletics season, and at our first home football game last night, the Panthers brought home their second victory with cheers erupting through the crowd. When our marching band crossed the bridge earlier in the evening, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere. I couldn’t help but reflect on the momentous beginnings a new school year holds.  

On Tuesday, our hallways and learning spaces will again be filled with the energy, laughter, and enthusiasm of our students. Returning from summer break is always filled with feelings of excitement and nervous anticipation. Whether you are experiencing it for the first time as a family, or you are returning, these memories will last a lifetime. As the new year begins, it is an opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues and peers, as well as form new relationships, start new lessons, and set new tones for the year. 

During the summer months, our team worked hard to diligently support summer activities and prepare for the year ahead. I would like to highlight the success of our Extended School Year (ESY) program, summer athletics, and summer music programming, and express my thanks to the students, families and staff who participated. We also welcomed several new administrators and existing staff to new roles this summer. We have expanded and enhanced our organizational structure. This new structure will maximize our ability to support students, staff, and families. You can find more details about our new teachers and staff here, as well as an administrative brochure.

This week, we had a successful opening day for teachers and staff. On our first day back, our very own Mr. Henry Pearlberg returned to give the keynote address. As I write this letter, I am reminded of his powerful words. Who better than Mr. Pearlberg to help staff reflect on their commitment to their craft? After 39 years of service, Mr. Pearlberg leaves an indelible legacy that embodies the core values that define our District. During his address, he eloquently stated: 

“I can honestly tell you that I have loved my job, so much so that it has been more than a job, it has been a lifestyle that has had as much (maybe even more) impact on my development over the years as I hope that I have had on students, colleagues, and community members…[...]...I feel that I have been very fortunate, blessed, and just plain lucky to have had the opportunity and privilege to be an educator in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District”. 

During the first two days of our opening week, our partners from the University of Pennsylvania also engaged with teachers and staff to build a healthy ecosystem throughout our schools and communities that is grounded in cultural proficiency, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This work aligns with WSSD’s mission and is critical in informing and supporting a welcoming environment for our students. In Belonging through a Culture of Dignity, Dr. Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple state: “We define belonging as the extent to which people feel appreciated , validated, accepted and treated fairly within an environment (e.g. school, classroom, or work). When students feel that they belong, they aren't worried and distracted about being treated as a stereotype or a thin slice of their multidimensional identities”. During the first four days of school, teachers will focus on strengthening a sense of community for all students, helping them to foster positive and meaningful relationships within their classrooms and community. 

Heading into the new year, we stay focused on our key priorities as a student-centered community. Our deep dives, including our Equity Audit, Curriculum Audit, and Communications Audit, were fundamental in producing the research, data, and metrics needed to quantify and understand how to better support our students. Over the next several months, we will invite our community to be involved in the development of the District's Strategic Plan. Our partner, Bloom Planning, will be supporting the District in this process. More information about this engagement will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

As we prepare to welcome our students, I would like to remind families of the Board’s June 27, 2022 adoption of its electronic device policy. This policy provides guidance on the usage of electronic devices. Its intent is to maintain an educational environment that reduces distraction and better supports the emotional well-being of our students. More about this policy can be found on the District’s BoardDocs page.

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued commitment, collaboration, and investment in student success. I leave you with a message that I shared with our staff on opening day. In the Masai culture of Kenya and Sudan, a traditional greeting begins with “Kasserian Ingera” which means “And how are the children?”, and if a tribe is prosperous, they respond “The children are well”. I share this message with you as a reminder that we must remain vigilant and steadfast in ensuring that our children are well, as our community's prosperity is dependent on their well-being. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend. 

Sincerely,

Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools