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  • Mini Dance Camp - Grades K to 6

    Mini Dance Camp Correction Please note a correction to the Mini Dance Camp forms that were sent home earlier this week. While the Mini Dance Camp will take place on  January 10th , the  performance date is actually JANUARY 12TH , during the  Girls Basketball Youth Night game . We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing our dancers perform!

    Thursday, Dec 18 2025

  • Mini Dance Camp - Grades K to 6

      Calling All K–6th Graders! The Windber Dance Team is excited to host our FIRST-ANNUAL Mini Dance Camp ! This fun-filled camp is open to Kindergarten through 6th grade students and is a great chance to dance, learn, and have fun with the Windber Dance Team!   Camp Date: Saturday, January 10   Time: 1:00–3:30 PM   Location: Windber Elementary School Gym  Camp participants will:• Learn a dance• Learn cool dance tricks • Play fun games • And MORE!   Performance Opportunity: Campers will perform at  Youth Night during the  Girls Basketball Game on  January 12 !    Important Information: • Flyers will be sent home—please check student folders •  Registration & payment due by December 23 so shirts can be ordered   Questions? Message  Miss Marsh on ParentSquare or email  emarsh@windberschools.org We can’t wait to dance with your kiddos and make this first year extra special! 

    Monday, Dec 15 2025

  • Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest

    The Windber Area School District proudly congratulates all participants and extends heartfelt appreciation to our local VFW for generously sponsoring this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests. At a special ceremony held on December 10th at the Windber VFW, outstanding student writers were celebrated for their exceptional work. Among 60 entries in grades 9–12, Voice of Democracy honors went to first-place winner Liliana Grillo, second-place winner Emmasyn Edwards, third-place winner Summer Klucik, and fourth-place winner Emily Thompson. In the Patriot’s Pen contest, which featured 90 entries from grades 6–8, congratulations go to first-place winner Kinsie Ferre, second-place winner Lily O’Roark, and third-place winner Aubrey Chaney. We also applaud Social Studies teachers Mr. Wright, Mr. Hoffman, and Mrs. Manippo for their commitment to promoting this meaningful program, and we offer a special congratulations to Mr. Cecotti for earning the prestigious National Citizenship Education Teacher Award nomination!

    Thursday, Dec 11 2025

  • Early Dismissal & Christmas Break – Holiday Schedule...

    Dear Families, The holiday season is upon us, and we have a few important reminders to help you plan for the weeks ahead! 🎅 Early Dismissal Date: Tuesday, December 23rd Dismissal Time: HS/MS:  12:00 pm     Elementary School:  12:30 pm Please make sure your child knows their plan for getting home on our shortened day. 🎄 Christmas/Winter Break No School: December 24th to January 2nd  Students Return: Monday, January 5, 2026!  We hope the break offers your family time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the warmth of the holiday season. Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a bright start to the New Year! Windber Area School District

    Wednesday, Dec 10 2025

  • WASD Annual 12+ Day of Christmas Holiday Theme Days

    Windber Area School District is excited to spread a little extra Christmas joy this season! To make the days leading up to winter break even more festive, we’re inviting all staff and students to join us in our Daily Christmas Theme Days! Each day will bring a fun new theme to brighten our halls, spark creativity, and celebrate the season together. Whether it’s a cozy sweater, festive colors, or a playful holiday accessory, we can’t wait to see everyone’s spirit shine! Let’s make this December merry, bright, and full of smiles! Thank you for helping us bring the magic of the holidays to life. ❤️💚 And don't forget about Light Up Night at Windber Rec Park on Saturday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m.

    Tuesday, Dec 02 2025

  • November Community Connection - Dr. Vuckovich

      A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude Dear Windber Staff and Families, As we head into Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to share my sincere gratitude for each and every one of you. This season reminds us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the blessings in our lives — and for me, serving the Windber Area School District is one of the greatest blessings of all. I am truly grateful to work in a community filled with caring families, dedicated staff, hardworking students, and people who show up every day to make a difference. Whether you are teaching in the classroom, supporting behind the scenes, cheering from the stands, encouraging from home, or contributing in countless quiet ways — you are part of what makes Windber so special. This time of year is also a reminder that kindness, compassion, and connection matter deeply. Our world can feel fast-paced and challenging, but here in Windber we have something powerful: a community that lifts one another up. I hope this Thanksgiving brings you rest, joy, and moments of peace with the people who mean the most to you. Thank you for your support, your trust, and your partnership. Thank you for the love you show our students and for the pride you bring to our district. And thank you for reminding me every day why this work matters. Wishing you and your family a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, laughter, and gratitude. Let’s continue to spread kindness and happiness — not just this week, but always. Thanks, Mike   Thank You, Benergy, for Spreading Kindness at Windber! A heartfelt thank-you to Benergy for the inspiring assemblies held yesterday at Windber! Your message of kindness, inclusion, and positivity resonated deeply with our students and staff — it’s exactly the kind of culture we strive to build together. Ben Hartranft’s personal journey is both powerful and inspiring. Diagnosed with autism at age 2 and given only 20 words at the time, Ben defied expectations and transformed his experience into advocacy and action. His work raising funds for the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Challenge, his appearance on The Ellen Show, and his ongoing mission to remind everyone that “one kind person can change the world” demonstrate his authenticity, courage, and compassion. Having someone like Ben share his story with our students — showing them how kindness, perseverance, and inclusion can make a real difference — is a gift. He’s not only a remarkable speaker, but an awesome human being who embodies the values we teach in Windber every day. We are truly grateful for the energy and inspiration you brought to our schools. Thanks for helping us make kindness contagious at Windber!    Careers in the Classroom is a Huge Success! We hosted our 2nd Annual Careers in the Classroom event, and our students had an incredible opportunity to explore a wide range of professions—right inside their school. From operating a bucket truck, extracting DNA, and meeting therapy puppies to learning about healthcare, archaeology, public service, and more, our kids were immersed in real-world learning that sparked curiosity and excitement. Events like this remind us how powerful early career exposure can be. Today, seeds were planted that will grow into future interests, dreams, and possibilities. When students can meet real professionals and experience hands-on demonstrations, they begin to see that there is a whole world waiting for them—and that their strengths and talents have a place in it. A heartfelt thank you to every presenter, business, organization, and community partner who took time out of their day to invest in our students. Your willingness to share your expertise and passion makes a lasting impact. And a special thank you to Mrs. Kate Minahan for her outstanding leadership and coordination. This event continues to grow because of her vision, commitment, and dedication to our students and community. Proud of our team, proud of our community, and proud of our students.      WASD Winter Weather Communication Plan for Families As we move into the winter months, we want to ensure that our families understand how Windber Area School District makes decisions about school delays and closures, and how these decisions will be communicated. 1. When We Make the Decision We work closely with neighboring districts and local agencies to review weather conditions, road safety, and transportation concerns. If the decision is made the night before: We will not announce anything before 7:00 PM. (You may hear from us at or after that time.) If the decision is made in the morning: Announcements will be shared between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM. We will not send notifications earlier than 6:00 AM. 2. How We Will Notify You You will receive the delay or closure information through: ParentSquare Official District Social Media Accounts District Website We recommend ensuring your ParentSquare contact information is up to date. 3. What Happens to Events, Practices, and Games If school is canceled, then: All practices, games, rehearsals, and after-school events are canceled for that day Exceptions will only be made if the high school leadership and Athletic Director determine that the weather and grounds are safe for students and families. Safety will always guide these decisions. 4. Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs) We will not use Flexible Instruction Days for regular snow days. FIDs will only be used for true emergencies, such as prolonged building or utility issues. Traditional snow days will continue to follow our school calendar. 5. Thank You for Your Support We know weather delays and cancellations can be disruptive for families. Please know that every decision is made with great care, and with student and staff safety as the top priority. Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we navigate the winter season together.   Exciting Winter Soccer Program – “Skills and Scrimmages” Coming This December! The Windber Area School District is excited to announce the launch of new winter programming for students interested in playing soccer! This initiative, called “Skills and Scrimmages,” will be led by Mrs. Jennifer Conely and aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop their soccer skills, build teamwork, and have fun while learning from some of our incredible coaches. The goal of this program is simple — to continue growing our soccer program while offering meaningful, enjoyable opportunities for our students to stay active and engaged throughout the winter months. Program Details: 📍 Location: Windber Sports Complex 📅 Dates: Fridays in December and January 💲 Cost: FREE – there is no cost to attend! Session Times: ⚽ Grades K–2: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ⚽ Grades 3–5: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ⚽ Grades 6–7: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM We understand how busy this time of year can be, but we want to continue providing opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and stay connected through positive experiences like this. To help us plan accordingly, we are asking that families register in advance by clicking here. We look forward to seeing our young athletes out on the field for this fun and engaging program!   Windber Youth Basketball League – K–2 Registration Reopening! What an incredible inaugural season it has been for the Windber Youth Basketball League! Our Grades 3–4 division had a fantastic season full of growth, teamwork, and fun, and our Grades 5–6 division is now well underway and off to a great start. Due to multiple requests from families, we are excited to announce that we are re-opening registration for the Kindergarten–2nd Grade Division, which will run from January 10 through February 7. We’re thrilled to give our youngest athletes another opportunity to learn the game, build skills, and have fun — but in order to make this possible, we need your help! Please take a moment to complete the registration form as soon as possible so we have enough time to order shirts, form teams, and finalize the schedule. Mr. Ott is currently working diligently on the schedule, but we need final participation numbers to properly build the teams and ensure a great experience for every player. Thank you to everyone who reached out and expressed interest — your enthusiasm shows how much our community values youth athletics and opportunities for our students to stay active and connected. We can’t wait to see our future Ramblers take the court in January! Click here to complete the registration if you haven't already for your K-2 grader.     Windber Middle & Elementary Schools Named Among America’s Best! I am incredibly proud to share some wonderful news — Windber Middle School and Windber Elementary School have both been named among America’s Best Schools, placing in the top 40% of schools in the state of Pennsylvania! This recognition is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community. It celebrates not only our academic excellence but also the strong sense of pride, purpose, and partnership that defines Windber. This achievement would not be possible without the vision and support of our Board of Directors, the leadership and dedication of our administrative team, and the tireless efforts of our teachers and staff, who go above and beyond each day to ensure that every child feels supported, challenged, and inspired. We are truly blessed with an outstanding team of educators and support personnel who care deeply about our students and our community. Their passion and professionalism continue to make Windber a place where students thrive — both in the classroom and beyond. To our families and community partners, thank you for your continued trust and support. Your encouragement and collaboration make achievements like this possible and remind us that when we work together, there is no limit to what our students can accomplish. We are incredibly fortunate to once again be recognized as one of the best — and even more fortunate to call Windber home.   Student Recognition At this month’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, we had the privilege of recognizing a number of outstanding students and student groups for their academic, athletic, and extracurricular accomplishments. These students embody the spirit of excellence, dedication, and Rambler pride that define the Windber Area School District. We celebrated the achievements of the following teams and individuals: Fall Play Cast & Crew – under the direction of Ms. McDowell, for another successful production Varsity Girls Soccer – District V Champions! Junior High Boys Football – Undefeated Season Junior High Girls Volleyball – ICC Champions Girls Cross Country – District V Champions Boys Cross Country – Michael Dusack, State Qualifier Food Drive Student Leadership Team Junior High Forensics – Public Speaking Team: Ben Campbell – 2nd Place, Poetry Reading, Emma Dolan – 2nd Place, Prose Reading, & Landon Keirn – 3rd Place, Persuasive Speech Scholastic Quiz Team We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the teachers, coaches, directors, and families who support them. Their dedication reflects the very best of our school community, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish next!   Information on SNAP Benefits My office has received calls and inquiries regarding SNAP. As many of you know, earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified Pennsylvania that it will be unable to fund November SNAP benefits because of the federal shutdown. The 2025-26 LIHEAP season is also delayed until federal funding is received. More information is available on the PA Department of Human Services website. For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate to help find food and other resources. Local help is also available by visiting www.pa211.org. Pennsylvanians can also visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs. Many electric and gas companies offer utility assistance programs for qualifying customers, so Pennsylvanians can contact their utilities or visit the PA PUC’s utility assistance website for more information.   Free Hotline for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Now Available In September, the Department of Aging announced the expansion of a free legal service and referral resource to support grandparents raising grandchildren across the Commonwealth. The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line is a first-of-its-kind phone service staffed by attorneys at SeniorLAW Center who will offer legal information, advice and referrals as well as services for older caregivers who need support in custody or other legal areas involving kinship care. By calling SeniorLAW Center at 1-877-727-7529, older caregivers can receive free advice and counsel on a variety of civil matters, including custody and dependency; support in representing themselves in family court, such as help with preparing necessary documents; information on kinship caregivers, support groups, and other resources. A grant from the Department of Aging has enabled this service to expand from serving the Philadelphia region, to now serving all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.  

    Wednesday, Nov 26 2025

  • SENIOR HIGH YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW

    Don't forget to order your 2026 Yearbook Now!   We also have a few 2025 Yearbooks available for $70.  Please contact Mrs. Jessica Woodruff at jwoodruff@windberschools.org if you are interested in purchasing last year's Stylus.

    Monday, Nov 24 2025

  • Windber Dance Team Fundraiser!

    Looking for a fun, DELICIOUS, and easy stocking stuffer?  The Windber Dance Team is selling Double Good Popcorn, and every purchase helps support our dancers for the season ahead! The popcorn ships right to your door, and the fundraiser runs for a limited time! Shop closes this Friday at 7 am!  Thank you for cheering on our team! Shop here:  https://popup.doublegood.com/s/cj87b6v5

    Monday, Nov 24 2025

  • Food Drive Sign ups for 11/21!

     National Honor Society November Food Drive The National Honor Society is hosting a Food Drive throughout the month of November to support our  Rambler families ! If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, please fill out the  private Google Form linked below. Your information will remain confidential — our goal is to help those in our community who could use extra support. [Food Box Request Form – Click Here ]   We are also accepting donations of non-perishable food items and  blankets throughout the month! Every contribution makes a difference — thank you for helping us spread warmth and kindness this season. Food pickup will be on Friday, November 21st, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the High School.  Let’s come together and make a positive impact, Windber!

    Wednesday, Nov 19 2025

  • Windber Bags Available

    Windber Bags make a great Christmas gift for your Rambler Fans!  A very limited quantity is available.  Please call Pam Gyurik at 814-467-4567, extension 801 to reserve yours now!

    Monday, Nov 17 2025