News and Announcements

WHS Happenings for the week of May 20-26, 2013.

Click HERE to download the Happenings in PDF Format.

 

 

"We Believe" letter from WHS Principal, Lyn Fields, for the week of 5/20/13

Good Afternoon,
 
Well, what can I say.  What a miserable weekend weather-wise.  I am so confused by this weather and the thought that this is May.  Let’s hope things improve.  Hopefully, I can put a smile on your face with some of these wonderful results by our students.  They truly continue to showcase some impressive results not only as athletes, musicians, artists, humanitarians but as people.  Let me share some of these wonderful accomplishments. 
 
This past week a concert was held.  The Band and orchestra performed on Thursday evening.  Always great music, especially at this time of year.  It is really worth coming out to hear what these students can do.  So, thank you to each student performer.  Not to be outdone was our wonderful Drama students.  This time juniors Jacob Bowman and Tyler Sherman presented the Breakfast Club as their grad. Project.  WOW is the only word I can use.  If you have not seen Max Beckman, Connor Bruley, Amber Hillhouse, Nathan Hurdle, Bishon Prushankin and cameos by Josh Bowman, Tyler Sherman, Chloe Becker, Drew Ells, Nicole Kaminsky, and Drew Phillips then you don’t know what you are missing.  These are such talented students and the Breakfast Club was fabulous.  They raised money for an organization known as Rosie’s Kids, an arts education organization dedicated to enrich the lives of children through the arts.  Thank you to Mrs. Ann French for supervising this group of students.  I know I and many of our teachers really enjoyed this production.  WAY TO GO!!!
 
Rachel Stone was WHS 2013 Dannenhower Award Recipient.  Rachel was one of 28 seniors selected from their high schools to receive recognition of this prestigious award.  Rachel’s credentials speak for themselves in all three areas;  service, sports and scholarship.  We are most proud that Rachel Stone represented Wissahickon High School on the 50^th year of this award.  It was a nice evening for all who attended.  CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL.
 
How about these wonderful accomplishments—some sent by proud parents, some alumni results but all make us proud.  Take a look at this.
Nkosi set a new Wissahickon record in the long jump with a personal best in the triple.  He won both events.  We have our fingers crossed for Districts, then States and dare I hope, Nationals!  Not only was his mom excited but in this Sunday’s paper he did it again at the PIAA District 1 Track and Field Championships by placing second in the Long Jump.  CONGRATULATIONS NKOSI—We are proud of you.  In addition to Nkosi, Dave Stellano placed third in the 400.  We are proud of all our track and field athletes that participated in these championships both boys and girls.  THANK YOU COACHES.
 
Competition continues beyond our high school years, especially for those who work out and love those competitive juices to flow.  Take a look at these results.  Thank you Melinda Wolff for sharing this.  Pretty impressive don’t you think?
Laurie Hug and I swam in the USMS Masters National Swim Championships in Indianapolis last weekend.
 
Coach Hug had an excellent meet.  She got 4 first places for her women's age group in: 1650 yds Freestyle;  500 yds Free; 400 yds IM; 200 yds Butterfly.  In the 200 yds Backstroke, she came in 3rd place.  Awesome performance!
 
(I had a good meet, too:  Two first places for my age group in 50 and 100 yds Breaststroke, setting a new National record in the 50BR! Also: 2nd place in 50 yd Free; 3rd place in 100 yd Free and in 100 yd IM; 4th place in 50 yd Back.) 
Congratulations Laurie and Melinda.
 
Speaking of shining and talent.  Take a look at this.  So proud of Emily and her involvement in theater.  Thank you to her parents for sharing this.  The web site and this play sure looked good.  To me anything that Carol Burnett is involved with must be good.  Way to go Emily.
We’re very proud of Emily’s performances in “Hollywood Arms,” the Carol Burnett story, and especially of her reviews! We thought we’d share the most recent with you at http://www.stagemagazine.org/2013/05/carol-burnetts-hollywood-arms-boasts-talented-cast-at-mn-playersspotlight-theatre/ 
 
Here were some earlier track and field results on the way to districts.  Very proud of these results.  
Congratulations to the following girls for their All-League Selections in Girls’ Track and Field:
 
Anna Chiodo-Ortiz – 2^nd team 800 meters
Liz Carney – Honorable Mention 800 meters
Lotte Black – 1^st team 1600 meters
Marissa Fritz – 2^nd team 3200 meters
Mel Fry, Anna Chiodo-Ortiz, Liz Carney and Lotte Black – 1^st team 1600 meter relay
Marissa Fritz, Anna Chiodo-Ortiz, Liz Carney and Lotte Black – 2^nd team 3200 meter relay
Bria Chamberlain – 1^st team High Jump
Autumn Hair – 3^rd team Pole Vault
Anna Morgan – 3^rd team javelin
 
Update from Mr. Meier prior to the results of this past weekend.
Lacrosse games
Unfortunately. most of the seeding brackets in both Girls’ and Boys’ lacrosse finished with very few upsets in the first round of play.  Since the higher seeded school earns the right to host the first few rounds of the playoffs, they do have the advantage of playing on their field which can be very helpful at any level of sports.

• Our Girls’ team (23^rd seed) traveled to West Chester Henderson (10^th seed) for a 4 PM game.  Early on, the Wiss team had no answer for the relentless offense of the host team. The Henderson team only scored 4 goals in the 2^nd half but the scoring damage had been done early in the game. The final score of the game was 15-3.
• Our Boys’ team (19 seed) traveled to Penncrest HS (14 seed) for a 7 PM game.  This was one of those very good HS games that was fun to watch and it’s always a shame that someone has to lose.  The WHS team led 3-0 at the half but Penncrest came out in the 3^rd quarter and scored 4 unanswered  goals.  The remainder of the game was played with the emphasis on ball possession and the final score was 6-5.
• Both teams had very good seasons and should be congratulated on their selection to compete in the District playoffs.  Many thanks to all of the seniors  for their contributions during their years with the team.

Track teams
Both of our track teams traveled to Plymouth Whitemarsh last Thursday and Friday to compete in the Suburban I American Conference Track Meet.  Each team finished in 2^nd place out of the 8 teams in the conference.  A number of athletes qualified to compete in the District I Track Meet that will be held at Coatesville this coming Friday and Saturday (Note:  Athletes can qualify at any time during the season by doing better than a qualifying standard for that event)
The athletes are as follows:
District Qualifiers Boys’ Track:
Dave Stellato, Khalil Byrd, Mike Harris, Rashawn Crawford, Cornell Dixon,
Nkosi Jones, Josh Smith, Franklin Dassin,  Jorge Olivares, Jon Laracuente
District Qualifiers Girls’ Track:
Lotte Black, Liz Carney, Anna Chiodo-Ortiz, Jenna Feltes, Marissa Fritz, Melanie Fry, Sarah Horwitz, Fiona Kelly,
Caroline Mitchelll
Add the Baseball team to the group of teams that has qualified to compete in the PIAA District I post-season tournament.  At last night’s baseball seeding meeting, the WHS team was awarded the 11^th seed to represent the northern tier of the District I schools.  They will be traveling to Downingtown West to play the host school on Monday, 5/20. Downingtown West is the #6 seed from the southern tier of schools. The game is scheduled for a 4 PM start.
Good luck to the baseball team on Monday.
 
Congratulations to Jason Caso winner of an Honorable Mention in a recent essay contest.    Jason Caso, has won an honorable mention for the essay he submitted for the contest!  Jason’s essay was selected to receive a $200 prize and will receive his award on Monday as representatives from PICPA will be at our school to honor him.  Way to go Jason.
 
Here is some news from our incredible World Language Department.  This time our students taking French.  Take a look at these results.  CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH AND EVERY STUDENT and thank you Mrs. MacDermott who writes,
I just would like to share with you that last night I participated in the Awards ceremony at Chestnut Hill College honoring students for their achievement in National French Contest administered in March 2013.
I was so proud to see many of our students who placed high in the region and in the nation. This year there were 3000 participants locally and 100 000 in the nation.
There were 20 000 students taking level 3 test, 12 000 level  4 and 5000 level 5.  Here is the placement of our students:
Level 5 :
Ally Dworetsky                       1st local          3rd  national
Katherine Kane                       10^th local         12^thnational
 
Level 4:
Sarah Horwitz                         1^st local                       5^th national
Dara Bernstein                       3^rd local                       8^th national
Tiffany Wang                          11^th local                     16^th national
 
Level 3:
Rebekah Grafton                    1^st local                       2^nd national
Grace Ronca                           2^nd local                      4^th national
Sanat Deshpande                   6^th local                       8^th national
Sarah Lundy                            9^th local                       11^th national
Daniel Bolivar                         11^th local                     13^th national
 
Level 2:
Grace Meng                            3^rd local                       3^rd national
Jessica Sweeney                     6^th local                       6^th national
Isaac Wilson                           8^th local                       8^th national
Jenna Feltes                            9^th local                       9^th national
Sarah Eagan                            10^th local                     10^th national
Dillon Horwitz                        10^th local                     10^th national
 
Honorable Mentions
Nimay Godbole
Arielle Goldberg
Fiona Kelly
Kannan Ramanathan
 
 
Take a look at this incredible picture of the one o’clock Jazz performance this weekend.  Thank you Mr. Hood for this great shot and CONGRATULATIONS to the this great group of musicians.  WELL DONE and great job representing WHS.
Please help me congratulate the members of the WHS One O'clock Jazz band on two fantastic performances this past weekend in Baltimore.  On a gorgeous Friday afternoon at the Inner Harbor, the musicians wowed a crowd of several hundred with their precise, spirited, swinging set.  There were even several sets of spontaneous dancers so swinging was the band!  Additionally, Saturday afternoon at one of Baltimore's premier live music venues, the musicians again performed above and beyond their years and experience and mightily impressed the staff, crew and MC as well as the audience.  It was quite a show!
 
We'll be performing it one more time before we send our seniors off to enrich their college jazz programs this coming Tuesday night May 21st at 730 in the auditorium.  We hope you can make it!
 
Cheers!
 
This week is a special week for many of our student athletes.  SPECIAL OLYMPICS takes place on Monday, May 20^th.  Our WISS PALS and FANS club will be sending special coaches and cheerleaders to cheer these athletes as they compete.  What a statement these two clubs have made for all of us.  CONGRATULATIONS to those participating and those who will cheer on our students.  THANK YOU STUDENTS, YOU REALLY MAKE US PROUD. 
 
Tommy Kline
Darcy Horn
Maddy Bill
Courtney Schiff
Gordon Bentley
Laura Frankenfield
Kheri Vance
Brooke Neumann
Alana Stutman
Marie Dixon
Casey Defrancesco
Jenna Meltzer
Katie DeLuca
Marie Dickson
 
Here is a reminder that there are many activities and events coming up to close out this school year.  The next couple of weeks are busy and will showcase many students.  Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the ART SHOW.  This Friday our Senior Prom takes center stage and students will dress and enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing and fun at the Camden Aquarium.  I would remind all our students that safety comes first and I would ask all parents of participating PROM goers to remind students of their responsibilities to represent themselves and their school appropriately.  Your assistance and support is appreciated.  Let’s have a great PROM.
Very happy about our PJAS results.  Thank you Mary Jo Burgoyne and the entire Science Department.
 
Just back from"Happy Valley". It was freezing and it actually snowed on Monday!
Individual student results and photos attached.
  Thank you to our PSU chaperones and judges: Alaina Anderson  & Dr. Bruce Rothenberger.   They gave up a Sunday (Mothers Day) and a lot of sleep to support our students!
   Thanks to Heidi Butt, Terry Biondo, Chris Brandt and Meredith Falatek for their commitment to science education by sponsoring the students and helping them to complete ISEF paper work to ensure the safety and quality of their projects.
    Thanks to all for encouraging and supporting your PJAS students this year!  
Your dedication allowed over 60 students to successfully participate in regional event and 23 students in the state competition this year!
 
 
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science
2013 State Competition Results
  Wissahickon High School students who placed first at the regional PJAS competition this past February presented their original independent research projects, along with other first place winners in the state of Pennsylvania, at Penn State University on May 12^th- 14^th.
  Wissahickon High School took many awards again.  We are proud of all of our students for working hard to qualify for the state competition and their teachers who have supported and sponsored their efforts. These students should be commended for positively representing Wissahickon High School with their impeccable behavior and academic awards. 
Results of competition:
Twenty three students presented their projects at PSU.  Wissahickon had 13 students with 1^st place awards. Nine students received a 2^nd  place award and 1 student received a 3^rd place award. 
 
Pennsylvania Science Talent Search:
Congratulations to Juniors who interviewed for 2012 Special Awards & Scholarships.
 
These students will receive three letters of recommendations sent from Pennsylvania Academy of Science to three colleges they listed in their regional interview commending their dedication to science and their research.
Congratulations to Matt Jacobson, David Kauffman, Rebecca Kim, Dmitri Kobozev, Megan Moyer & Sneha Thomas
 
 
Scholarship  Winners:
Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1300 and be in the top 5% of their class.
David Kauffman and Dmitri Kobozev won a $2,000/yr scholarship for 4 years to PSU College of Engineering.  
Matt Jacobson, Alice Lu, and Sneha Thomas won $2,000/yr scholarship for 4 years to PSU Eberly College of Science.
 
 
Thank you to all our students who lend a hand to others.  Here is a nice note thanking our fabulous students.  You really represent us well.  Thanks to the members of NHS and Interact Clubs.
 
Hi Ms. Fields,
I had contacted you back in February about high school students helping out Lower Gwynedd Little League snack stand for community service hours.
I just wanted to follow up with a huge THANK YOU!  The National Honor Society and Interact Club have come through in a big way for Little league.
The students signed up quickly and showed up and did the work willingly and even appeared to have fun. Several parent volunteers remarked how nice it was to have their help and what a good job they did.   They were truly a pleasure to have part of our organization. 
 
LG Little League had contacted the high school administration in the past ( prior to your coming on board as principal) and asked for help and were told it was not possible.
So not only was it possible with your help, but it was a significant benefit to our volunteer organization.  Please pass along our thanks to your students as I thanked them when they were there, but I just wanted to let them know that although it might not seem like a big deal to them, it really was a big help to us.
Please know that Lower Gwynedd Little League sends a very sincere thank you to WHS for helping make this baseball season snack stand a pleasure for all involved.
Sincerely,
Jill Moynahan                                                                                and                                                     Jay Gelman
LGLL Snack Stand coordinator                                                                                 LGLL President
 
Well, this weather does not seem to faze Bogie.  He is fine going out and running around.  The only problem is it takes a long time for him to dry.  He has this marvelous wavy coat and I dread how wet he gets.  He also loves to carry around balls and stuffed animals in his mouth and even carries them outside.  He is doing very well in his Puppy Head Start classes.  Believe it or not he graduates after his next lesson.  5-6 classes and he moves to the next level.  The instructors feel he is so laid back and very smart.  I do see the lab in him and that is new for me.  Please enjoy the newest pictures of Mr. Bogart.
 
I hope this ends the WE BELIEVE for this week.  I told you our students keep performing and making us proud.
Lyn
 
 
 

The newsletter "Read On, Shady Grove" with all the latest information for parents about activities and programs at school.

Click here to read newsletter.

Click here for the summer reading list.

 

Clcik here for the list in Spanish.

Once again, Wissahickon students returned from the State PJAS competition with many winners! Read on to learn more about our results

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science

2013 State Competition Results

  Wissahickon High School students who placed first at the regional PJAS competition this past February presented their original independent research projects, along with other first place winners in the state of Pennsylvania, at Penn State University on May 12^th- 14^th.

  Wissahickon High School took many awards again.  We are proud of all of our students for working hard to qualify for the state competition and their teachers who have supported and sponsored their efforts. These students should be commended for positively representing Wissahickon High School with their impeccable behavior and academic awards. 

Results of competition:

Twenty three students presented their projects at PSU.  Wissahickon had 13 students with 1^st place awards. Nine students received a 2^nd  place award and 1 student received a 3^rd place award. Click HERE to view complete results in PDF format.

Pennsylvania Science Talent Search:

Congratulations to Juniors who interviewed for 2012 Special Awards & Scholarships.

These students will receive three letters of recommendations sent from Pennsylvania Academy of Science to three colleges they listed in their regional interview commending their dedication to science and their research.

Congratulations to Matt Jacobson, David Kauffman, Rebecca Kim, Dmitri Kobozev, Megan Moyer & Sneha Thomas

Scholarship  Winners:

Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1300 and be in the top 5% of their class.

David Kauffman and Dmitri Kobozev won a $2,000/yr scholarship for 4 years to PSU College of Engineering.  

Matt Jacobson, Alice Lu, and Sneha Thomas won $2,000/yr scholarship for 4 years to PSU Eberly College of Science.

The pressure couldn’t have been greater for Wissahickon. After a tough loss to Norristown on Friday, the Trojan’s game on Senior Day against top-ranked Upper Moreland meant their season. They did their job however, knocking off the Bears —Suburban One’s only undefeated team.

Both with seven wins a piece in SOL – American, Norristown played second-place Cheltenham at the same time Wissahickon played their final home game of the season. While a victory did not guarantee playoff entry, a loss meant certain death.

“We still have a mathematical chance of getting into the playoffs, but that would be impossible without a win today,” Wissahickon coach Shannon Gunby said.

Starting off quickly, the Trojans tacked on two runs in the bottom of the first. With two outs came three straight hits. Outfielder Greg McDonough singled, pitcher Randy Frankenfield doubled to right and Matt Oruch cleared the bases.

Next inning, Frankenfield was able to take the mound and pitch with a solid buffer.

“(The Bears) are a great hitting team, I have a lot of respect for those guys,” Frankenfield said. “That two run lead helped me get through those next couple innings.”

Tacking on two more in the third inning, the Trojans led a comfortable 4-0. Frankenfield was settled in and dealing. He kept his pitches down in the zone, worked both his curveball and fastball for strikes and in facing 30 batters, he threw 18 first-pitch strikes.

2013 Summer Reading Reading List K-5

 Art Show 2013

The 26th Annual Art Exhibition is coming to the WHS Circle Gym.  Opening night is Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:30-9:00, and closing night is Thursday, May 23rd from 6:30-9:00 pm. 

 

 

Reminder: 6^th Grade Parent Camping Trip Orientation Meeting:                   

• Monday, May 13^th
• 6:00 P.M.
• Wissahickon Middle School Cafeteria

 

Sports Announcement – Wednesday 5/8/13

Boys Tennis – No Practice Today – Match Tomorrow at Abington

Girls Lacrosse– No Practice Today – Practice Tomorrow

Boys Lacrosse – No Practice Today – Practice Tomorrow

Girls 7^th and 8^th Softball – No Games or Practices Today – Game Rescheduled for Friday May 10^th – Practice Tomorrow

Boys Track – The Meet will be held at the High School

Girls Track – The Meet will be held at the High School

7^th and 8^th Grade Baseball – No Games or Practices Today – Game Rescheduled for Friday May 10th – Practice Tomorrow

 

The Wissahickon High School Junior/Senior Prom will be held on Friday, May 24th at the Camden Aquarium, Camden, NJ.  Doors will open at 7:30 and no one will be allowed to leave prior to 10:30 pm.

Click HERE to access the Junior/Senior activities page to access and download the Prom Letter and Form for purchasing tickets and the Dance Policy and Contract.

 

May 6, 2013                                                                                  

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We wanted to provide you with information explaining plans for Laptop Collection prior to summer vacation. Our staff has been notified of the laptop collection date and is planning finals accordingly. Please note the following information and procedures for students to turn in their laptops for the summer scheduled for Monday, June 17^th.

On June 17^th, students will be escorted to the Audion at a time when they are scheduled for Social Studies class. If a student does not have a social studies class on June 17^th, students will be called to the Audion at a separate time during the day. The district technology department will coordinate laptop collection. Students will be directed into the Audion into one of two lines.

One line will be students who have laptops with no problems—laptops turn on, computer bag is available, students will sign off that the computer has been received and off they go. The second line will be for students where a computer has a problem and/or has damage that is noted. A picture of the computer will be taken, students will sign that the computer is received and a letter will be mailed home outlining the bill to cover the damage.

Please note that students must bring their laptop, bag and charger to school on Monday, June 17^th for the end of year turn-in process. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. John McGowan, Director of Technology at 215-619-8000, ext. 3049.

Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Sincerely,
Lyn Fields
Principal
 

Click the "Principal's Page" tab on the left side of the screen to view Mrs. Bauer's current monthly video blog.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please note that the front entrance in the morning should not be used as student drop off. The stadium lot and lower lot by the auditorium are drop off points for students in the morning. This is NOT a new procedure. The stadium and lower lots, which is also the student parking lot, has always been where students should be dropped off in the morning.

There has been a steady increase in morning drop off at the front of the building. This has become an increasing dangerous situation since the front of the building is used for bus pick-up and drop-off, as well as students who ride their bikes to school.

If your child has an early dismissal for an appointment throughout the day, he/she will be dismissed at the front entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Lyn Fields
Principal