Welcome to the WHSD News page
If you have a concern or question please call the newsline at (412) 256-3324 and leave a message or email concerns@whsd.net. Within 24 hours of the next business day a response will be provided here or on the newsline.
WOODLAND HILLS ACADEMY
The Woodland Hills Academy will begin its second year of operation on Monday August 2, 2010 with Kindergarten Orientation. On Tuesday August 3, 2010 students in grades 1-7 will attend. All students, K-7, will begin our campaign for excellence on Wednesday August 4, 2010.
RALLY IN THE WOLVARENA
The Woodland Hills High School Wolverine Football Team will be hosting a “Rally at the Wolvarena” in their home stadium in Turtle Creek on September 4, 2010.
The Rally will feature national marquee matches between the Wolverines and three other WPIAL teams playing against two powerhouse teams from Florida and two perennially top ranked schools from Ohio.
The 8:00 PM marquee game matches Woodland Hills against nationally ranked Manatee High School of Bradenton, FL. Manatee, the 2009 Florida 5A runner-up, is ranked No. 15 in the country by MaxPreps.
The schedule for the day-long event begins at 11:00 AM, when McKeesport plays Steubenville High School. At 2:00 PM, Central Catholic plays Akron Buchtel from Ohio. The third match-up of the day is Thomas Jefferson High School, the reigning state champion, against Cocoa, Florida at 5 :00 PM.
Tickets for the event are $18 and fans will be given wristbands that grant them in-and-out privileges for the day. Pre-sale tickets will be discounted.
Ken Halloy, president of Halloy Boy Sports Marketing in New Albany, Ohio is producing the event and credits Woodland Hills Head Coach George Novak with helping to make the “Rally” such a high caliber event.
“George (Novak) wanted me to go get the best high school team I could find,” said Halloy, “and both Florida schools have incredible players.”
For more information on advance ticket sales or about the “Rally in the Wolvarena” contact the WHHS Athletics Office at 412.244.1100, ext. 5141.
New Head Start Program
Do you know that the AIU has a new program called Early Head Start? Early Head Start is a childhood development program that is free for low-income infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families. For more information read the following article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10189/1071152-55.stm.
If you know of a family who may qualify, please contact Dina Stipetic at 412.394.5880 or dina.stipetic@aiu3.net <mailto:dina.stipetic@aiu3.net>. More information is also available on the AIU's website at http://www.aiu3.net/Level3.aspx?id=6432.
District Funds Additional PreK Classes
The Woodland Hills School District has funded two new Pre-K classes for the 2010-11 school year. Dickson and Fairless Elementary Schools will each gain one Pre-K classroom. There will be 34 slots available.Eligible families who would like to enroll their child should come to the Central Registration Office in the Administration Building at 2430 Greensburg Pike starting on Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.
In order to qualify for a slot in the new Pre-K classes, a student must be 4 years of age by September 1 for the full day program. TRANSPORTATION WILL NOT BE PROVIDED BY DISTRICT.
Eligible families include those earning 300% or less of the federal poverty level; for a family of four that would mean an income maximum of $66,150. See the income guidelines at this link.
Additional eligibility risk factors will also be considered such as: students with IEP’s; English language learners; homeless; and behavioral supports. Parents or guardians will have to present verification of income and other source documentation if the child falls into one of the above classifications.
The Pre-K class will be scheduled from 8:30 am – 2:50 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Before school and after school daycare will not be available. Students must be picked up at the 2:50 pm dismissal time. Any student that has more than 10 absences in a month will be dismissed from the program.
If you would like more information about the program or to determine if your child might qualify for this free Pre-K education, call Sharon Price at 412.731.2238, ext. 2168 or email her at pricsh@whsd.net.
School Calendars
See You in August!
Take a Dip in a WHSD pool!
RECREATIONAL SWIM SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS THIS WEEKAll three District pools are open to residents of the District this summer. The schedule is as follows:
High School Pool: Monday and Wednesday evenings 5-7 pm ADULT SWIM
Junior High Pool: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 am – 2:30 pm ALL AGES
Academy Pool: Wednesdays and Fridays 12:30-2:30 pm ALL AGES
Residents may purchase pool passes at any pool during the scheduled hours or pay $1 each time they come to swim. Pool pass prices are:
Summer Individual: $10; Summer Annual: $25; Family Summer: $25; Summer Annual: $40
SUMMER SPORTS IN DISTRICT & Community Swim Program
Students in Grades 2 -12 will be able to participate in sports camps this summer being offered by the WHSD. Some of the sports being offered are: boys and girls basketball, swimming and track, water polo, and soccer; girls' volleyball and softball and field hockey; and boys' and girls' tennis. Read the complete schedule at this link.
Summer Camp Registration Materials.
Forest Hills Borough Summer Basketball League is looking for students, ages 9 to 18, open to both residents and non-residents.
Water Polo Clinic Registration Forms
DRESS CODE POLICY
There have been NO changes to the district’s dress code. For the 2010-2011 academic school year, students are to follow the current guidelines as written in their student handbooks. Although the Board of School Directors is continuing to discuss and explore possible changes to the Code, these changes in dress, if approved, will not be required until Fall 2011WHHS 2010 Summer Reading Requirements
Although the summer months bring a time to relax, have fun, and enjoy the freedom of no school schedules, students benefit greatly from participating in a summer reading program. All students experience learning losses during the summer when they do not take part in any educational activities. Students who have enrolled in regular, advanced, and AP English courses have a summer reading requirement to prepare them for the academic focus of their school year.
Click here for all the details.
Summer Reading Programs
7th Grade Summer Reading Requirements
8th Grade Summer Reading Requirements
Dickson Elementary School Grades K - 2 Summer Packet
Dickson Elementary School Grades 3 - 6 Summer Packet
District Technology Update
The utilization and status of Technology throughout the District is continually being updated. Some of the improvements and programs that the Technology Dept has been working on include:
- New surveillance cameras for Edgewood and Fairless Elementary Schools:
On Monday, May 17th ASCC began by doing a full walk through at Fairless and Edgewood. They marked where the cameras should be placed and determined the best way to run the cabling.
On Wednesday, May 19th 3:00pm, the wiring installation began at Fairless and work is progressing throughout the week. The installation is expected to be completed by May 28th.
- I-Pod Touches have been purchased and configured for each of our schools.
Students at the Woodland Hills Academy have enthusiastically embraced learning with iPods. As this instructional pilot has met with such success in all subjects, and i-pods have been purchased and are being readied for use in all of our other schools. The iPod touches come in a hardened protective suit case and and case contains 20 units. Individual protective cases for the iPods are being purchased and training for the staff on their use is being scheduled.
- Promethean Board Installations.
Installation has begun at the High School and Junior High. Each District school (including all of the elementary schools) is scheduled to have smart boards installed during May. The number of projectors and boards per school is 16 for the High School; 16 for the Junior High; and 8 for each elementary.
The Technology Department will be providing continual updates of their work. You can find more information about their upcoming plans for the summer on their homepage: http://www.whsd.k12.pa.us/admin/Technology/
HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM & HOTLINE
For information click on this link.Follow Woodland Hills on Twitter
If you would like to receive breaking news on twitter, follow WoodlandHillsSD on twitter.com.MINORITY VITA BANK
The Woodland Hills School District is always seeking opportunities to enhance diversity among its faculty and administrative staff. The Vita Bank is designed to maintain a reference file of minority candidates who are seeking academic employment. This is not a guarantee of an offer of employment nor an employment service.
To be included in the WHSD Minority Vita Bank, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interests to the District Personnel Office. You can find more information on the Personnel webpage.
Students teachers and college students who are interested in a student teaching experience or internship in a diverse educational environment, should also contact the Personnel Office.
VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE PROCEDURES
Individuals wishing to volunteer in the District schools or work with students, should visit this link for information about volunteer procedures.Skills Tutor / Parent Resource Center Help Available
The Woodland Hills School District has developed a Parent Resource Center that provides parents, guardians and caregivers easy access to information and resources to improve their children's development and educational achievement. The Parent Resource Center is located on the District web page.
The District also has available an online instruction program called SkillsTutor to provide all students with an innovative way to learn. Click on this link to learn more the Skills Tutor program and how it can help your child and how you can use it at home.