Good evening West Shore Families and Staff,
As we enter the final weeks of the school year and prepare to say goodbye to the senior class, listed below you will find important reminders and dates for the month of May.
PARENT COMMITMENT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR - Deadline Extended
Click here to read Dr. Stoltz's message which outlines the District's plans to offer in-person and online class options for families next school year. As you can imagine, creating schedules that meet the different course needs of both options is very complex. That is why we are kindly requesting your commitment now. If you have not yet selected a learning option for next year, please do so as soon as possible.
May Celebrations
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity celebrate the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. We encourage our school community to join us in celebrating AAPI and our diversity! Please click here to learn more.
Other Observances
- Better Hearing and Speech Month, National Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Foster Care Month
- May 3-7 - National Teacher Appreciation Week (we will be celebrating all staff this week!)
- May 6 - National School Nurse Day
- May 7 - School Lunch Hero Day
- May 9 - Mother's Day
- May 31 - Memorial Day
Testing Reminders
PSSA Testing - Grades 3-8
May 3-13 - Elementary Testing Dates
May 3-25 - Middle School Testing Dates
Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in English language arts and math
Students in grades 4 and 8 are assessed in science
Keystone Exams - Grades 8-12
Monday, May 17 - Literature and Algebra
Monday, May 24 - Biology
Calendar Reminders
Senior Awards Ceremonies
Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. - Cedar Cliff High School
Thursday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. - Red Land High School
Class of 2021 Celebrations
Friday, May 21, during the school day
Cedar Cliff & Red Land High Schools
West Shore Special Education Department Field Day
Friday, May 21, 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m
West Shore Stadium
Early Dismissal
Friday, May 28
Click here to view the Early Dismissal Schedules.
No School
Monday, May 31
School Board Meetings
In April, the Board announced that the public and visitors will be welcome to attend Board meetings in person starting on May 6, 2021. Although we are returning to public participation and attendance, meetings will continue to be livestreamed and public comments accepted electronically. For additional information about in person and remote attendance/public comments, accomodations, and meeting size limitations, please click here.
School Board Meetings
Thursday, May 6, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 13, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
Board Policy Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 13, 2021, 5 p.m
Related Links:
Upcoming Events
Celebrating the Class of 2021
On March 11, Dr. Stoltz shared the District’s graduation plans for 2021. Each high school will hold two ceremonies. Ceremony I will start at 6:30 p.m. Ceremony II will begin at 8:30 p.m. If circumstances change and the District can safely hold one ceremony for each school, that change will be communicated with students and their families by May 28th. - Thursday, June 3 - Red Land
- Friday, June 4 - Cedar Cliff
- Saturday, June 5 - Rain date for both schools. Time(s) to be determined based on number of ceremonies to be accommodated.
Did you know?
Special Information for Graduating Seniors Regarding Meal Balances
Meals this year were free, so there is a chance that some of our seniors may have funds remaining in their meal accounts. Shortly after their final day of school, seniors will automatically receive a meal account refund request form if they have a positive account balance. Remaining funds may be transferred to younger students or (if greater than $4) refunded to the family. For graduates who do not return the refund form by June 20, and for those graduates with positive account balances $4 or under, the money will be anonymously donated to the accounts of students with recognized economic challenges. Questions about this process may be directed to Dr. Argot, [email protected].
2021-2022 School Calendar
On April 15, the Board of School Directors adopted a calendar for the 2021-2022 school year with the first day for students set for Monday, August 30, 2021. Click here for more details.
ExCEL Virtual Learning Academy
Every effort is being made to contact families who left the District to attend outside cyber or charter schools to make them aware of our new option for next school year. Your help in sharing information about ExCEL with families who may be interested in returning to our West Shore school family is greatly appreciated. Click here to learn more about enrollment options for ExCEL.
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
P-EBT helps families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program. Families who are eligible for this program should not need to do anything, but if you would like to learn more, please visit the state’s website.
As always, please be sure to check your email for updates from your building principal or the District's online calendar for other events and current cycle days.
Please take care and stay safe.
Sincerely,