At the January meeting of the WEOF Board, a grant request for a Pug Mill was approved. Recently, Mr. Ian Williams, WHS Art Teacher, provided this report:

Let me begin by thanking WEOF again for their generosity.  Our new pug mill will change the culture of the studio greatly.  Previous to having the pug mill, our system for recycling clay took a minimum of four days to go from used clay scrap to useable clay.  We would have to wait for the clay to dry completely (which could be 2-3 days on its own), a day to soak the dry clay in water, a day to mix the clay, two days of putting the clay on plaster bats to cure, and then the students would have to wedge the clay to insure it was rid of air bubbles which are responsible for projects exploding in the kiln during firing.  All in all, it was a time and labor intensive process which was a heavy draw on materials and resources, and ultimately took time away from the students’ true engagement with the creative process.  What previously took four days minimum to accomplish now takes about twenty minutes total.  It produces better clay that is easier for the students to work with and results in fewer artworks destroyed in the firing process.  We can recycle clay three or four times a day.  This means the clay does not have the chance to dry out completely which creates large amounts of airborne dust, making for a cleaner, safer, and healthier studio.  As our numbers grow steadily each year, my Beginning and Advanced Ceramics classes ultimately need one basic thing to function, clay. With our new pug mill I can insure that clay will always be readily available to every student.

Thanks again for everything! We could not do what we do without you!

The WHS Fitness Center, used by all high school students, is in the process of a renovation, which got a huge kickstart with new equipment purchased using WEOF grant funds. See the video here.

Guests can choose up to 2 additional break-out presentations following Session One’s keynote presentation in the auditorium

Session One:  Dr. Michael Fowlin’s “I’m NOT the Enemy” at 6:45 p.m. (only this presentation is offered during Session 1)

Session Two: 8:10-8:50 p.m.         Session Three: 9:00-9:40 p.m.     Choose up to 2 from the topics below for Sessions 2 and 3

‘Wissahickon Cooks! Live’ invites YOU to be a member of the “live” studio audience for an adventure in cooking!  Watch as culinary experts cook up mouth-watering treats during a special taping of the show.  Segments will air on WTV (Comcast 28 and Verizon 41) and online at www.wsdweb.org on the WTV page. Following the taping, there will be a brief Q+A with the staff. Space is limited so be sure to sign up at registration! We welcome Mrs. Paula Bywaters, WHS Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher and Mr. Seth Pollins, Healthy Eating Specialist and Demo Chef from Whole Foods who will be our presenters.  Tasty samples will be shared!

Can Life “Be Easy” when it’s difficult?  Ben Alessi was just like you, ready to go to college and take on the world, when a terrible chance accident changed his life forever.  Life suddenly seemed so hard and he just wanted it to “be easy.” Realizing the power of gratitude and compassion changed him from a self-interested teen into a compassionate and giving young man with the will to overcome.  His “Be Easy” philosophy encourages “generosity and positivity.”  Allow Ben to inspire you with his story of living with gratitude, determination and hope.  Check it out – He also has an apparel line: Easy Threads Clothing! 

The Road to College: An Insider’s Look   Come listen as WHS’s first-ever dedicated college counselor, Christopher Plentus, unravels the mystery of college admissions and the road to get there.  Chris was a former College Admissions counselor; his wealth of insider- knowledge, wisdom and experience is certain to enlighten and inform.  This is especially worthwhile for juniors and even sophomores.

Ditch the workout and join the party!  Come Zumba your cares away with this exhilarating fitness craze set to motivating music with easy-to-follow steps.  Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue, Belly dancing, swing, hip hop as well as aerobic dance moves will help tone your body, work your core and make you feel fantastic!  Mrs. Amy Hawe, WHS Physical Education Teacher, is a certified Zumba instructor who will lead participants in the “feel happy” routines of this musically based fitness movement that will bring everyone to greater joy and health.

Steer Clear: Avoid the ‘mourning’ after from impaired driving  Montgomery County Assistant DA, Bradford Richman will present the documentary “Jessica’s Story,” the story of a 16 year-old Montgomery County high school student who was killed in a car crash at the hands of a 19 year-old drunk driver.  The story, as seen through the eyes of those involved, tells of the devastating and never-ending impact these horrific cases have on the lives of families in our communities.  This reality-based presentation brings a clear message: choices have consequences.

Gab with Gerber  You have questions, and PA Representative Mike Gerber would like to answer them. Maybe you want to know how and why he chose a career in politics?  What’s going to happen with funding to state universities?  What are his ideas for alternative energy initiatives in Pennsylvania?  Bring your questions and engage in conversation with Representative Gerber, he is your voice in Harrisburg. You may even discover your own role in public service. 

 Anxiety overload?  You’re not alone…   Francesca Pileggi was overwhelmed with many things, but when her cousin committed suicide, she felt immense guilt and asked herself, “why him and not me”?  Soon she was overcome with debilitating fear and panic attacks.  Francesca courageously shares her own life experiences and helps to erase the stigma of mental illness, encouraging anyone, especially teens, to seek help and support if they are sensing feelings of anxiety or depression.  Her triumphs will move and encourage you.  

 When you stand up, does your brain sit down?   When you speak before a group does your heart pound or your voice crack?  This interactive workshop will help you become more confident in public speaking situations, be it for college interviews, job interviews, or a class presentation. Acquire techniques to overcome nervousness and promote relaxation.  Public speaking coach, Lynne Jacobus, will demonstrate the skills of effective speaking through techniques that allow you to concentrate on your message and your audience, be animated, easily understood, and poised.

Brought to you by the WHS Parent-Teacher Council in memory of Mrs. Frances ‘Boo’ Crofton.

Funding from the Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation (WEOF)

The WEOF Board extends its sincere appreciation to the community for its support of Monte Carlo Magic.  Guests numbering close to 200 attended the annual fundraiser.  The event raised $17,000+.  Dinner, music and lively casino style action made for an exciting and fun atmosphere. The support of the school principals and administrative staff for their assistance in selling tickets and raffles was an instrumental component of the evening’s success. Thank you to all of our guests for a successful fundraiser.   We are extremely grateful to everyone in the community who contributed items to our prize table.  WEOF would like to express its appreciation to our Table Sponsors:

Full House Sponsor at $500 Level
The Becker Family
Danella Companies, Inc., James D. Danella
Eye Associates
Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin

Flush Sponsor at $250 Level
Dann Dorfman Herrell Skillman
Diva Designs
Integrated Benefit Services
Linda Malison O.D. and Associates
Nu Look Improvements
The Moyer Family
Niti & Nimish Sanghrajka

Straight Sponsor at $150 Level
Blue Bell Orthodontics
Burton & Company
Christina and David DeMatteo
Continental Bank
El Sarape Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Dr. Sally A. Gupton
Udis + Tokasz, Orthodontists

The proceeds from this fundraiser will directly benefit the students of the Wissahickon School District.

Photos of event to come soon!

At the January 18 meeting, the WEOF Board voted unanimously to support the purchase of a concert piano.  The program request was made by John Conahan, Director of Choral & Musical Theatre Activities, WHS.  When informed of the results, Mr. Conahan commented as follows:  “I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am for the students of Wissahickon. This act of kindness is going to positively impact so many children by providing the quality instrument that they need during their performances as well as make a professional-grade instrument tangible to them. The support of WEOF will certainly ring through the Music Department for years, and will be directly observable from the Elementary through the Secondary schools’ Concerts.”

The piano will ‘live’ at the Wissahickon High School Auditorium.  It is completely funded by WEOF.  Proposals for large grants, are voted on semi-annually in January and June. Without the support of the community, through fundraising activities, most notably the upcoming event, Monte Carlo Magic on Saturday, February 26th from 7 to 11 pm at Cedarbrook Country Club, funding of large grants such as this would not be possible.

On December 22nd, Dr. Fowlin gave an educational and entertaining presentation to all third, fourth and fifth grade students in the district.  The topics addressed were bullying, diversity and tolerance.  “I learned that it does not matter what you look like and sound like, it’s how you act.” – Eric T., student.  The presentation was made possible through a grant from WEOF in the amount of $2,000.