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America 250: The Relay of Liberty Assembly and Torch...
On March 13, our district proudly came together for the America 250: The Relay of Liberty Assembly and Torch Ceremony, a special event celebrating our nation’s history and the important role today’s students will play in shaping the future. Centered around the theme “Passing the Torch, Lighting the Future,” the full district assembly brought together students from kindergarten through grade 12 in a meaningful celebration of civic pride, leadership, and community. The program opened with a processional by the high school band and a warm welcome from student Ben Steinbeck. Members of the VFW and American Legion presented the colors, followed by a moving performance of the National Anthem by Emma Kelly. We were also honored to welcome Representative Jim Rigby, who shared reflections on 250 years of liberty and encouraged students to think about their responsibility as future leaders and citizens. A highlight of the program was the Relay of Liberty Ceremony, which symbolically represented the passing of values and responsibility from one generation to the next. Students from each grade band participated by carrying and presenting the light of liberty while sharing reflections connected to their stage of learning: K4–Grade 2 – The Spark: Tucker Gipe represented the beginning of curiosity and discovery. Grades 3–5 – The Foundation: Taylor Weyant reflected on character, courage, and community. Grades 6–8 – The Innovators: Emma Dolan and Landon Keirn spoke about creativity and new ideas. Grades 9–12 – The Stewards: Jocelyn Miller and Adeline Miller shared thoughtful reflections on leadership and civic responsibility. The assembly also featured a musical tribute by our talented band students celebrating America’s past, present, and future. The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Cambria County America 250 Traveling Torch, an artistic piece created by a local artist that highlights important moments in our county’s history. Senior enlisted military members from our district community participated in lighting the torch before it continues its journey to the next school, symbolizing the ongoing relay of liberty and responsibility. We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community members who helped make this event such a meaningful and memorable experience. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this celebration of our shared history and future. See more pictures of this event on our Facebook page!
Friday, Mar 13 2026
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March 2026
Dear Windber Families Welcome to the very first edition of our Middle School and High School Parent Newsletter! I'm excited to launch this monthly update as a way to keep you informed, connected, and engaged in the vibrant life of our school community. Each month, I will share highlights from the weeks behind us, along with important announcements and a preview of what’s coming up next. My goal is to provide you with a clear, timely snapshot of what your child is experiencing and what opportunities lie ahead. As always, thank you for your support. STUFF THE BUS Help us to Stuff The Bus!!! The Leo Club is partnering with local businesses and students to Stuff a Bus full of much-needed supplies for the Cambria County Humane Society! If you know of a business that would like to participate, please reach out to Mrs. Moore. Donations can be dropped off at any school building or participating business. Thank you for helping us support our local shelter! 🐾 Homeroom Competition- District Wide Homerooms in Elementary, Middle and High School are going head-to-head in a friendly competition to see who can collect the most donated items! Each building will crown one winning homeroom, and the prizes are worth the effort: a field trip to the Humane Society, lunch at a local pizza place after the visit, and the chance to pie the principal in the face! We encourage you to support this wonderful cause by considering a donation to your student’s homeroom. Every item counts, and your generosity will not only help those in need but also bring some fun and excitement to our school community. Let the competition begin! Senior Shout Out I love giving a shout-out to our seniors and celebrating their post-graduation plans! If your senior has not already done so, please have them email me a photo along with their college or career plans. These will be shared on Facebook so we can celebrate their exciting next chapter. Thank you for helping us recognize our amazing seniors! 🎓✨ GUIDANCE UPDATES March 4th- (all day) Career Link: Meetings with seniors planning to enter the workforce after graduation and may need some extra guidance and support. March 6th-Deadline for submission of Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Scholarship March 10th- (all day)ASVAB Test - Results Interpretation, Ms. Thomas English classes March 12th: (advisory) ROTC information presentation for grades 10 and 11 March 16 – Senior Project Presentations Our seniors will be presenting their Senior Projects on March 16. They have been developing these projects since last year, and this milestone represents the culmination of many months of hard work, dedication, and growth. Each student will present before a panel of three teachers as part of a graduation requirement. The project is worth 0.5 credit and showcases not only their learning but also the presentation and communication skills they have been refining throughout the process. March 31st: Deadline for Windber Scholarship Application, due to guidance office. GJCTC Applications due in guidance office. Please use this link to access the most current scholarship information from the guidance department. BLACK BEAR ACADEMY- JUNIOR SIGN UPS We are excited to launch the Black Bear Academy, an exciting new opportunity for highly motivated high school seniors offered through Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Black Bear Academy is a tuition-free, college-level experience that allows selected seniors to earn up to 30 college credits during their senior year, with tuition, fees, and instructional materials fully grant-funded. The program is designed to build confidence, independence, and college readiness while giving students meaningful exposure to college coursework and career exploration. The Academy will run from August 2026 through May 2027 and will be held in person at our Richland Campus. Scheduling is intentionally designed to allow students to continue participating in many high school activities. Students are responsible for transportation to and from campus. We are looking for 2 juniors to participate in their senior year. Interested juniors please fill out the link. Open Heart Surgery Observation at Allegheny Hospital March 6th The Anatomy & Physiology II students will have the incredible opportunity to observe an open-heart surgery at Allegheny General Hospital. This real-world clinical experience will allow students to see the structures and concepts they study in class applied in a high-level surgical setting. Observing the procedure will deepen their understanding of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, and the collaborative roles of medical professionals in patient care, providing an unforgettable extension of their classroom learning. Holocaust Museum Visit March 20- Holocaust Museum Visit Thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation, students who enrolled in the Holocaust Elective or an AP class this year will attend a field trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. This meaningful experience will provide students with access to powerful primary sources, survivor testimonies, and historical artifacts that deepen their understanding of the Holocaust and encourage thoughtful reflection. We are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation for making this important educational experience possible. Their support ensures our students have the opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow as informed and compassionate citizens. Artwork at Bottle Works- March 19 Several high school art students just had their artwork accepted into the Student Art Juried Exhibition at Bottle Works in Johnstown. The artwork will be on view from March 7th - April 11th with an opening reception and awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 19th from 6-8pm. (This sample created by Alayna Shuster) Keystone Strings We are so proud of our three students who earned a spot in the Keystone Festival—an incredible achievement that reflects their dedication and talent. Congratulations to each of them. Hadley Allison (not present) Liam Bahorik Kiora Shaffer District Orchestra We are incredibly proud of our students representing our school at District Orchestra, showcasing their dedication, talent, and hard work. Annabell Berkey Jocelyn Bunk Michael Dusack Emory Koehler Charity Parker PMEA District 6 Band Festival Jocelyn Bunk and Emory Koëhler represent Windber in the PMEA District 6 Band Festival. Jocelyn was third chair in her section, and will be advancing to Regional Band at Penns Valley later this month! PMEA District 6 Band Concert Students performing in the PMEA District 6 Band concert under the direction of Dr. Jason Worzbyt from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. It was held at Cambria Heights School District in early February. They had a wonderful performance! Artist-in-Residence Artist-in-Residence, Katelyn Buchan, is working with Mrs. O'Roark's Painting, Independent Study, and Stage Art classes through the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. Katelyn Buchan is a professional Visual Artist known for creating vibrant murals and dreamscape paintings that transform public spaces and connect communities. Students in the classes will be working with the artist to create original works of art as she shares with them her passion to express themselves through various mediums and how art can positively impact and change lives. Artists of the 21st Century Student Exhibit High School art students in grades 9-12 have their artwork currently displayed at the Artists of the 21st Century Student Art Exhibit hosted by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. The exhibit features artwork from six different schools across our region and is on view at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center until March 17th. Senior students had the chance to visit the exhibit and Senior Autumn Walz received the top prize of Best in Show. NEWSIES March 27,28,29 Extra! Extra! The Windber Drama Club presents Disney's Newsies, March 27th and 28th at 7:00pm and March 29th at 2:30pm. Newsies, The Broadway Musical, is based on the 1992 motion picture, Newsies, and inspired by a true story. Newsies is packed with catchy songs, big dance numbers, and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, "Newsies" is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack, with the help of newcomer Davey, and a rising reporter, rallies Newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right! Newsies is an action packed upbeat show that has a massive heart. It leaps from high energy dance numbers, to moments anyone can feel and relate to. It is an exciting and powerful production that the students are thrilled to present. With over 50 students from grade 6-12 working together, it is sure to be a show you don't want to miss. Tickets are available on the Windber Performing Arts website, the Windber Performing Arts Facebook, and at the door, one hour to showtime. Adults $12 Seniors (65+) $10 Students (4-17) $8 (Middle School Students must attend with an adult) Children 3 and under are free UPCOMING DATE FOR READING COMPETITION MS/HS Reading Competition: April 15th at Forest Hills MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH GET MORE MATH SHOWDOWN Each snowflake represents a middle school student and the number of math skills they mastered over a three-week period. The largest snowflakes represent students who mastered more than 11 math skills during that time — an incredible accomplishment! Our math growth winners will get to choose a prize, such as an ice cream party. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication! ❄️📚🍦 MATH 24 SIGN UPS Be on the Lookout Sign-ups coming soon for the Middle School Math 24 Tournament Team. This year's tournament will be held on May 15th at Saint Francis University. HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY BEE Congratulations to 8 of our middle school students for representing our school in the International History and Geography Bees. Sunny Chen Edward Stewart Kinsie Ferre Journie Phillips Parker Smith Stella Toth Ethan Curry Meadow Manges They are heading to Somerset High School on March 7. Good luck. You make us so proud! TSA AND STATE QUALIFIERS We could not be more proud of our students who have qualified for the state TSA competition at Seven Springs Mountain Resort next month. Their hard work, leadership, and creativity have earned them this incredible opportunity, and we know they will represent our district with excellence. Please join us in wishing all of our competitors the very best of luck! High School Competitors Anna Smith Naomi Slifco Gerri Lee Salva Jayden Lucas Rylejohn Wright Amelia Polanco Tyler Plunkard Julie Wirfel Middle School Competitors Andin Hadix Owen Renzi Meadow Manges Adele Dorich Hayden Cade Emma Dolan Madden Manges Angelo Manippo Raiden Merberger Jackson Presto Brenan Rose Sarah Weyant Good luck to all—your Rambler family is cheering you on! FORENSICS What an exciting season it's been for the high school AND middle school Forensics public speaking teams! All of their hard work earned them many victories and countless memories, including: a collection of ribbons at regular season meets, everyone advancing to District finals, a District and Regional championship for Mayson Oyler, opportunities to travel to States at Bloomsburg University for Mayson Oyler, Ben Campbell and Jocelyn Miller, AND the opportunity to travel to NATIONAL competition in Washington, DC for Mayson! We are most proud of the effort put forth by these students, and we're so happy about their success! PA 250 assembly March 13 Our district is excited to come together for a special district-wide assembly at the High School on March 13th as we celebrate PA 250! This event marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United StatesPA. During the assembly, students will engage in activities and presentations that celebrate our shared heritage while inspiring civic pride and responsibility. It will be a memorable day of learning, unity, and Rambler spirit as we commemorate 250 years of American history Summer Programning Please see this link for summer programming and summer school information. If you have concerns about your child’s academic performance, please begin by reaching out directly to his or her teacher and/or guidance counselor to discuss classroom concerns and options for grade improvement. For any questions related to attendance and summer school, please contact Alisha Decewicz at adecewicz@windberschool.org. We are here to support you and your child as we finish the year strong. Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can reach out via the following links: (814) 467-4567 x305 kmoore@windberschools.org Parent Square
Thursday, Mar 05 2026
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Windber World Languages Travel Club Fundraiser
I am writing to you on behalf of the students of the Windber World Languages Travel Club , who are currently working toward an educational tour of Europe scheduled for Summer 2027. This trip offers our students a unique opportunity to experience history, language, and culture firsthand—lessons that go far beyond the classroom. To help offset the travel costs for our families, we are organizing a Goodwill Donation Drive. Unlike traditional fundraisers, this event doesn't ask the community for financial contributions; instead, it asks for their "gently used" items. How it Works: We are partnering with Goodwill to host a "Fill-the-Truck" event on June 13th from 9:00-2:00. For every pound of clothing and household textiles collected, Goodwill will provide money directly to our student travel fund. How You Can Help: We would love your support in one of the following ways: • Promotion: Sharing our event flyer in your newsletter, storefront, or internal staff email. • Participation: Encouraging our community to bring in donations on June 13th. By supporting this drive, you are not only helping our students experience the trip of a lifetime—you are also promoting local sustainability by keeping textiles out of our landfills. Thank you for your time and for supporting the next generation of global citizens. Sincerely, Valeri Korber French/Spanish Instructor EF Tours Group Leader CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE FLYER ( PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS!)
Wednesday, Feb 25 2026
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America 250 T-Shirt Sale - Last Day to Order!
Last Day to order your America 250 T-Shirt! Order Now! As we prepare for our upcoming events and a special assembly next month, show your school spirit and patriotic pride with our official America 250 Celebration T-Shirt ! This limited-edition design honors 250 years of American history while bringing our school community together in celebration. (Proceeds benefit our History Club) Wear your shirt to the assembly and all America 250 events as we unite in pride, tradition, and Rambler spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic celebration—order yours today! ❤️🤍💙 Click the Link below to order! Sale ends Today - February 26th! America 250 T-Shirt
Wednesday, Feb 25 2026
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America 250 T-Shirt Sale
Get ready to celebrate America 250 in Rambler style! As we prepare for our upcoming events and a special assembly next month, show your school spirit and patriotic pride with our official America 250 Celebration T-Shirt ! This limited-edition design honors 250 years of American history while bringing our school community together in celebration. (Proceeds benefit our History Club) Wear your shirt to the assembly and all America 250 events as we unite in pride, tradition, and Rambler spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic celebration—order yours today! ❤️🤍💙 Click the Link below to order! Sale ends February 26th! America 250 T-Shirt
Friday, Feb 20 2026
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Youth League Basketball Cancelled for Saturday 2/7/26
Youth League Basketball is cancelled for Saturday due to cold temperatures. This session will not be rescheduled.
Friday, Feb 06 2026
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📣 K4/K5 Registration is COMING SOON! 💙🤍
THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED UNTIL UPDATES ARE MADE TO THE ENROLLMENT PACKET. ANOTHER PARENT SQUARE NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT WHEN THE UPDATE IS AVAILABLE.
Thursday, Feb 05 2026
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WASD Baseball Spirit Sale
Windber Baseball Spirit Sale 2026 Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026 CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR WINDBER BASEBALL SPIRIT GEAR!
Friday, Jan 30 2026
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2026-27 School Calendar Approved
Dear Families, I wanted to share that the Windber Area School District Board of Directors approved the 2026–27 school calendar at last evening’s board meeting. We are providing the calendar now so families have ample time to plan ahead for the upcoming school year. The approved calendar includes important dates such as the first and last days of school, holidays, and scheduled breaks. Please review the calendar at your convenience, and feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support of Windber Area School District. Sincerely, Dr. Michael J. Vuckovich
Wednesday, Jan 21 2026