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  • May 2026 Newsletter

    May Newsletter Dear Parents and Families, As we enter the final full month of the school year, May brings with it an exciting mix of hard work, memorable experiences, and special celebrations for our students and staff. This is one of the busiest times of the year, filled with state testing, field trips, fun days, concerts, awards programs, athletic events, and many important activities leading up to graduation. For our students, May is an opportunity to finish the year strong academically while also creating lasting memories with classmates and teachers. We especially look forward to celebrating our seniors as they participate in the many traditions and milestone events that mark the close of their high school journey. We appreciate the continued partnership and during this busy season. Thank you for all you do to support Windber Area School District. We are proud of our students and look forward to a wonderful month ahead. As always, please feel free to reach out any time. Sincerely, Kim Moore   Welcome Our New Nurse Mrs. Batche My name is Jennifer and I am excited to introduce myself as the new school nurse here at Windber Middle/High School. I am truly looking forward to working alongside each of you to support the health, safety, and well-being of your students. I come to this role with a strong commitment to student care and a belief that a healthy student is better able to learn, grow, and succeed. My goal is to be a resource not only for students, but for you as well. Whether it’s managing chronic health conditions, responding to illnesses or injuries, or promoting overall wellness, I am here to help. I look forward to being a part of the WIndber community. Best wishes for a wonderful summer and congratulations to the Class of 2026!   April Teachers of The Month A very special congratulations to our April Teachers of the Month Winners, Jessica Woodruff (high school) and Craig Fry (middle school) These nominations are especially meaningful because they come directly from our students. Their responses included thoughtful reflections and personal stories that highlight the strong relationships being built in their classrooms. Congratulations to Mrs. Woodruff and Mr. Fry. We are grateful for the dedication, care, and passion they bring to our school community. A Note from Mrs. Woodruff My name is Jessica Woodruff and I am thrilled to be selected as the April teacher of the month! I have been a high school math teacher for 22 years (4 at Windber). I teach Algebra, Algebra 2, Calculus, and Statistics at the high school. I am also the student council adviser, yearbook adviser, and serve on the high school PBIS team. Teaching is something I love because it allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students every single day. There is something rewarding about helping someone understand a concept that they once found confusing, and seeing that moment when everything “clicks.” Outside of school you can find me cheering on my sons and the rest of the Ramblers! I also enjoy relaxing by the lake with a cup of coffee with my family and friends.  I am proud to be a part of Windber and would like to thank all of my students for their kind words and my colleagues for their friendship and support! A Note from Mr. Fry I am honored to be selected as the Teacher of the Month. I started at Windber last school year as a fifth year teacher. All of my experience has been teaching high school students, and I was a little worried to start teaching middle school. I’m finishing my second year here, and I’ve never been at a better place in my career. The students, the coworkers, and the administrators have crafted a truly enjoyable experience. Every day is full of so many unpredictable questions and unique conversations that no textbook could ever prepare you for. I’ve enjoyed my time here, and I’m over the moon to know I’ve had a positive impact on my students. The hardest lesson I’ve learned in my 6 years of teaching is a lesson of quiet patience. I think that the biggest impacts on students can take years to incubate. We have each student for one school year, but our advice and mentorship can stick with them for many years to come.  I know I’m in the right career because of how amazing it is to see my former students go on to succeed. I feel honored and proud to see students walk into school every day with a smile on their face and a story they’re brimming to share.   May Events 📅 May–June 2026 School Events & Testing Schedule Monday, May 11 • AP Calculus AB/BC — 8:00 AM • Keystone Algebra Module 1 — 8:15 AM Tuesday, May 12 • Keystone Algebra Module 2 — 8:15 AM • AP Psychology — 12:00 PM Wednesday, May 13 • AP English Language & Composition — 8:00 AM • Keystone Literature Module 1 — 8:15 AM • 6th grade field trip to the Curve Game Thursday, May 14 • AP Art History — 8:00 AM • Keystone Literature Module 2 — 8:15 AM Friday, May 15 • AP Environmental Science — 8:00 AM • AP Computer Science A — 12:00 PM Monday, May 18 • Remake Learning Day Tuesday, May 19 • Keystone Biology Module 1 — 8:15 AM Wednesday, May 20 • Keystone Biology Module 2 — 8:15 AM Thursday, May 21 • GJCTC Award Ceremony (Graduation) — Time TBD • MS/HS Spring Concert — 6:00 PM (Auditorium) Monday, May 25 • NO SCHOOL — Memorial Day Finals Schedule (High School) • Tuesday, May 26 — Periods 1 & 2 • Wednesday, May 27 — Periods 3 & 6 • Thursday, May 28 — Periods 7 & 8 Thursday, May 28 • Grade 7 Field Trip — US Army Heritage & Education Center Friday, May 29 • Senior Trip — Kalahari Resort Sunday, May 31 • Baccalaureate — 6:00 PM (Windber HS Auditorium, subject to change) 🎓 Senior Week Events Monday, June 1 • Graduation Practice — 8:15 AM (Auditorium; report to homeroom first) • GJCTC Last Day for Students • Senior Parade — 10:00 AM • Senior Picnic — Windber Rec Park Tuesday, June 2 • Graduation Practice — 8:15 AM (Location TBD; report to homeroom first) Wednesday, June 3 • Senior Banquet — 6:00 PM (Anthony’s Restaurant) Thursday, June 4 • Senior Breakfast — 9:00 AM (Cafeteria) • Senior Walk (Elementary) — 10:00 AM • Graduation Practice — Following Walk • Junior Picnic — 11:00 AM–2:15 PM (Windber Rec Park) Friday, June 5 • Final Graduation Practice — 10:00 AM • Students’ Last Day — Early Dismissal at 10:00 AM (Tentative) • GRADUATION — 7:00 PM (Windber Stadium) Monday, June 8 • Teacher In-Service • Seniors may return gowns & pick up diplomas (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) Please note: All times and events are subject to change.   Supporting Your Student During Keystone Testing As we approach the Pennsylvania Keystone testing window from May 11 through 22nd, we want to thank you for your continued support of our students. This is an important time for our learners, and there are several simple ways you can help your child feel confident and prepared: Ensure a good night’s sleep before each testing day Provide a healthy breakfast to help them stay focused Encourage a positive mindset—remind them to take their time and do their best Arrive to school on time to avoid unnecessary stress Limit appointments during testing hours whenever possible Most importantly, remind your child that these assessments are just one way to show what they know. Your encouragement and support make a big difference in helping them feel calm and confident. We are proud of all the hard work our students have put in this year and know they are ready to succeed!   NHS Fundraiser-Lilah Andrew's Scholarship On April 8th, the National Honor Society hosted a Walk-Through Basket Party and Open Mic Night to raise money for the Lilah Andrew's Scholarship. Thanks to the help of our generous community, the event raised $10,930. We are thankful to everyone who supported this cause.  Upcoming Art Show- May 9th There will be a High School and Middle School Art Show at Lucky Two Coffee House on May 9th from 2:00pm - 6:00pm featuring selected artworks of students in grades 6-12. A variety of artwork will be on display showcasing the creativity and talent of our art students. Please come and support the arts!    Remake Learning Day We are excited to announce that we are holding a Remake Learning Day MEGA Event on May 18, 2026 partnering with Martin Baker America for a MS/HS wide event. This is a hands-on, interactive event for students (and the community following student dismissal) to learn more about Martin Baker and their employment opportunities. Each student who attends at their scheduled time (attached) will complete a digital form for a career artifact following the event.   Reading Teams Middle and High school Reading Teams competed on Wednesday at Forest Hills in the Spring Competition and we have something to celebrate!  Middle School We are incredibly proud of our middle school students for representing our school as members of the reading team! Listed from left to right are: Jane Lehman Mia Berkey Kyra Anderson Sophia Garcia Moriah Barrick Bella Gianfrancesco Harmony Harr Serenity Whitaker High School Our high school team earned a 3rd place ribbon!  We are so proud of all of our students for their hard work, teamwork, and love of reading! Listed from left to right are: Emory Kohler Dakota Snoeberger Sydney Stiffler Ray Lehman Joce Bunk CheyAnn Shaffer Kali Penrod   Math 24 Challenge The Math 24 Challenge at Saint Francis University is an annual regional competition for students in grades 4-8, where participants use math skills to create the number 24 from four cards using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The event promotes mental math, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills, Math 24 tryouts were held on Wednesday, April 29th. Students were challenged to solve as many cards as possible in 3 minutes.  Five students qualified for our Middle School Team. Congratulations to Sunny Chen, Meadow Manges, Owen Renzi, Alexis Kemp, and Cameron Mock.   Virtual Drone Challenge Mr. Alexander had students compete in the DTRA IIRM Virtual Drone Challenge. It is sponsored through the Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance, the nearest University to us is Penn State. This is a link for their website https://iirm.psu.edu/about/   This year both high school drone classes and all the TSA students participated. It is broken up into 2 groupings, Middle School and High School/College participants. Andin Hadix placed first in the MIddle School Division and second overall among all participants.  Congratulations Andin!!!   TSA State Competition We are incredibly proud of the 20 students who represented the Windber Area School District at the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition. There were 2,216 students from across the state that participated. Our students demonstrated outstanding dedication, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills while competing against schools from across Pennsylvania. We are excited to recognize the following accomplishments for our middle school students. • 1st Place – PA Materials Process Andin Hadix • 2nd Place – Solar Racer Andin Hadix Owen Renzi • 4th Place – Construction Challenge Andin Hadix Owen Renzi Meadow Manges Adele Dorich • 4th Place – Drone Challenge (UAV) Hayden Cade Raiden Merberger • 5th Place – Biotechnology Andin Hadix Owen Renzi • 8th Place – PA R/C Off-Road Racing Adele Dorich Raiden Merberger Brenan Rose • 9th Place – PA Pin Design Hayden Cade • 10th Place – Data Science and Analytics Meadow Manges Madden Manges Congratulations to the following students for proudly representing Windber Area High School at the state level. who won 10th place in Digital Production. Anna Smith Naomi Slifco Gerri Lee Salva Jayden Lucas Amelia Polanco Julie Wirfel Congratulations to all of our students and Mr. Alexander (advisor) for their hard work, commitment, and outstanding representation of Windber Area School District throughout the TSA season. A very special congratulations to Owen Renzi, Meadow Manges and Andin Hadix, who will be attending Nationals in Washington DC this summer.   Flag Etiquette Essay Contest Congratulations to our 8th grade students who participated in the Windber American Legion Post 137 Flag Etiquette Essay Contest!  Students were invited to receive their awards and we are proud to recognize the following winners: 1st Place: Willow Klucik 2nd Place: Sophia Skoloda 3rd Place: Gwen Podrasky Great work representing our school and showing respect for our nation’s flag!   Conemaugh Health Career Forum Several of our high school students recently attended the Conemaugh Health Career Forum, an event that offered a valuable opportunity to interact with healthcare professionals and gain guidance for future career decisions. A key component of the day was the participation in the "Stop the Bleed" program, which provided students with hands-on training in life-saving first aid techniques for controlling severe bleeding. Thank you IU8 and Conemaugh Hospital for a great day Students pictured are Sean McClain and Liliana Grillo.   Somerset County Envirothon Windber had two teams compete in the Somerset County Envirothon at Laurel Hill State Park. Our best team placed 4th out of 17 teams. Although the day started off with some rain it did not prevent the students from enjoying answering questions about the following topics: Soil, Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, and a Current Issue "Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at home!" We ended the day with a trip to Moo Echo dairy for a sweet treat.  Students listed from left to right are: Isaiah Ramach, Caden Fairman, Aiden Gerula, Hayden Miller, and Mason Sapienza   Esports in Higher Education The Windber students who attended the second annual Luke Trotz College and Career Day at Saint Francis University participated in a meaningful and engaging experience designed to help prepare them for life after high school. Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to connect with representatives from colleges and military branches, tour the campus, and gain valuable insight into the wide range of academic and career pathways available to them. The experience also highlighted the growing role of esports in higher education, including the scholarship opportunities and postsecondary engagement it can provide for students as they consider their futures.   Performing Arts Camp 4-8 Performing Arts Summer Camp for Students Grades 4-8 June 15th-19th from 8:30am-3:30pm The camp will present Shrek KIDS on June 19th at 7:00pm in the Auditorium Registration and Audition Videos are due end of day May 4th https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQx77auMbJl4i0z_zn8D_GjB2rex8PBgKNzEllFSkLQpoCBg/viewform   Spring Concert Coming Soon!!! Join us for our upcoming Spring Concert on Thursday, May 21st at 6:00 PM! Our talented student musicians have been working hard to prepare an exciting program of music from "out of this world". Families, friends, and community members are invited to attend and support our students as they showcase their growth and dedication. We hope you can join us for an evening of great music and celebration! Thanks,   Windber High School Flea Market May 16th from 8:30am-1:00pm Located in the Windber High School Parking Lot and Cafeteria.  Yard Sale, Craft, and Vendor Items are welcome! Sign-Up for Indoor or Outdoor Spaces with the link below. Link: https://forms.gle/ju8aaGrAPYBcU5cU9 INDOOR (10ftx8ft) $15 with table and two chairs $12 without table and chairs OUTDOOR (16ftx8ft) $12 with table and two chairs $10 without table and chairs We hope to see you there!!!   High School Musical Junior The Windber Drama Club presents: High School Musical Junior Performance: July 19th at 2:30pm We're all in this together for an exciting and unforgettable challenge. Students going into grades 6-12 are invited to join us for our 24 Hour Musical experience, where students will take on the thrilling task of bringing High School Musical Jr. to life in just one weekend! Rehearsals kick off Friday, July 17th from 8:30am–8:30pm, continue Saturday, July 18th from 8:30am–8:30pm, and wrap up Sunday, July 19th from 8:30am–2:30pm. High School Musical Junior will be performed at 2:30pm that same day! Audition information packets and the registration link are attached below, and paper copies are available outside the chorus room.  Registration Link: https://forms.gle/f2PoSLT2nSo3hqeC7   🎒✈️ Help Our Students Travel the World! 🌍 🎒✈️ Help Our Students Travel the World! 🌍 The Windber World Languages Travel Club is getting ready for an unforgettable educational trip to Europe in Summer 2027—and we need your help to get there! We’re teaming up with Goodwill for a “Fill-the-Truck” Donation Event on: 📅 June 13th ⏰ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧺 Got clothes you don’t wear anymore? Extra towels? Household textiles collecting dust? Bring them along! Here’s the best part: 👉 Every pound you donate = money toward our students’ travel fund! That means your clean-out at home can help send a student on the trip of a lifetime 💙 So grab a bag (or two!) and come support our future travelers. Every little bit adds up! 🙌 Declutter for a cause. Donate. Support. Make a difference. We hope to see you there!   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  

    Friday, May 08 2026

  • Remake Learning Day - Martin-Baker

    On May 18th, the Windber Area Middle and High School gymnasium will undergo a massive transformation. In partnership with Martin-Baker America, we are bringing the world-class engineering and manufacturing of life-saving ejection seats directly to our students and community. This “Mega Event” is a fully immersive, hands-on simulation designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the high-stakes world of aerospace manufacturing. Event Details Date: May 18, 2026 Student Exploration (Grades 6–12): 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Community Open House: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Location: Windber Area MS/HS Gymnasium Remake Learning Day Website For families and community members, please sign up here if you wish to attend 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.  RSVP Form For Community We hope to see you there for this MEGA fun, interactive, engaging event! 

    Friday, May 08 2026

  • Sale Ends Tomorrow 4/30/26 - WINDBER ELEMENTARY PBI...

    Get ready for summer, Windber! ☀️🐊 Our PBIS Shirt Sale is here to celebrate the end of the school year with some fun styles!  Choose your favorite design, color, and shirt style—perfect for students, staff, and families. 🎨 Multiple colors & styles available 👕 Two fun designs to choose from 💙 Supports Windber Elementary PBIS Don’t miss out—order yours today! 👉 CLICK HERE TO ORDER DEADLINE:  THURSDAY, APRIL 30th   #WindberElementary #PBIS #SchoolsOut #LaterGator #TeacherLife #EndOfYearFun

    Wednesday, Apr 29 2026

  • DTRA IIRM Virtual Drone Challenge Champion

    Shoutout to Andin Hadix for an incredible accomplishment in the DTRA IIRM Virtual Drone Challenge, and for doing it  two years in a row ! This national competition, sponsored by the Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance, drew a record-breaking 724 participants this spring, including high school, college, and university competitors from across the country. Andin didn’t just compete, he stood out among the best: 🥇 1st Place – Middle School Division (Spring 2026) 🥈 2nd Place Overall among  all  participants (including college-level competitors!) 🥇 1st Place – Fall Competition (Middle School Division) 🥇 1st Place – Spring 2025 (Middle School Division) In a field dominated by major universities like The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Mississippi, Andin earned an outstanding 2nd place overall finish with a time of 3:22, beating out nearly the entire field. To put that into perspective, even the competition developers recorded a best time of 4:22! This is an exceptional achievement that highlights not only Andin’s technical skill and dedication, but also the strength of our drone courses and TSA program. Competing and excelling at this level is no small feat. Congratulations, Andin! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next! 

    Tuesday, Apr 28 2026

  • Windber TSA Team

    Our students earned impressive results across a wide range of challenging events: 👏  Digital Video Production – Top 10 Finish Anna Smith, Naomi Slifco, Gerri Lee Salva, Jayden Lucas, Amelia Polanco, and Julie Wirfel 👏  Biotechnology – 5th Place Andin Hadix and Owen Renzi 👏  Construction Challenge – 4th Place Andin Hadix, Owen Renzi, Meadow Manges, and Adele Dorich 👏  Data Science & Analytics – Top 10 Finish Meadow Manges and Madden Manges 👏  Drone Challenge (UAV) – 4th Place Hayden Cade and Raiden Merberger 🥈  Solar Racer – 2nd Place Andin Hadix and Owen Renzi 🥇  PA Materials Process – 1st Place Andin Hadix 👏  PA Pin Design – 9th Place Hayden Cade 👏  PA R/C Off-Road Racing – 8th Place Adele Dorich, Raiden Merberger, and Brenan Rose These accomplishments reflect the dedication, teamwork, and innovation of our students and their advisor, Mr. Doug Alexander. We are so proud of how they represented Windber on the state level!

    Monday, Apr 27 2026

  • PLEASE SHARE - Now Hiring: Central Office Administra...

    Please share this information with anyone you may know who has the qualifications and is looking for an office job with convenient hours in a great work environment! Now Hiring: Central Office Administrative Assistant Windber Area School District is seeking a friendly, professional individual to serve as the first point of contact and provide general office administrative support in our Central Office. Qualifications: Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel Experience with Google Docs and Google Sheets preferred Strong communication and customer service skills This position requires handling confidential information Supporting and following school safety and security procedures Ability to work well with the public Minimum of two years of office experience preferred   Salary: Compensation: $12–$14 per hour, commensurate with experience. This position is covered by the Windber Area Education Support Staff Association, with compensation determined according to the starting salary schedule outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.   Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Apply today to join our team!   Interested applicants are encouraged to send a Letter of Interest, Resume, Support Staff Application, and three references (as one complete pdf file) to Mr. Tyler Bush at  tbush@windberschools.org   Applications deadline:  May 8th  (Please send packet as one pdf file if possible, using your Last Name, First Name as the file name. )

    Wednesday, Apr 22 2026

  • Student Art Show – You’re Invited!

    🎨 Student Art Show – You’re Invited! Windber Area High School & Middle School are proud to showcase the incredible creativity of our students in grades 6–12 at this year’s  Student Art Show ! 📍  Location: Lucky Two Coffee House 📅  Date: Saturday, May 9 ⏰  Time: Stop in anytime between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Come enjoy a wide variety of student artwork and support our talented young artists. This is a great opportunity to celebrate their hard work and see the amazing things happening in our art program. We hope to see you there!

    Tuesday, Apr 21 2026

  • WINDBER ELEMENTARY PBIS SCHOOL'S OUT SHIRT SALE !

    Get ready for summer, Windber! ☀️🐊 Our PBIS Shirt Sale is here to celebrate the end of the school year with some fun styles!  Choose your favorite design, color, and shirt style—perfect for students, staff, and families. 🎨 Multiple colors & styles available 👕 Two fun designs to choose from 💙 Supports Windber Elementary PBIS Don’t miss out—order yours today! 👉 CLICK HERE TO ORDER DEADLINE:  THURSDAY, APRIL 30th   #WindberElementary #PBIS #SchoolsOut #LaterGator #TeacherLife #EndOfYearFun

    Friday, Apr 17 2026

  • Lady Rambler Elite Soccer Camp - Grades 4-8

      LADY RAMBLER ELITE SOCCER CAMP 2026 Elevate your game by attending the Lady Rambler Elite Soccer Camp!!!  Train with Varsity Coaches and Learn alongside Varsity Players  Technical Warm-ups & Skill development activities  Small-sided games & Nightly challenges  Guest speaker each evening  Open to girls from ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS entering grades 4–8  Dates: June 29, 2026 - July 1, 2026  Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM  Location: Windber Stadium  Register:  https://LadyRamblerEliteCamp2026.eventbrite.com  Questions: Contact Coach Hoffman —  bhoffman@windberschools.org Spots are limited — don’t miss your chance to grow your game, compete, and have fun!

    Thursday, Apr 16 2026

  • K'Nex Competition

    Two student teams competed today in the K’Nex Challenge, where they were tasked with designing a model of a factory that produces a product using sustainable practices. Each team created a prototype using K’Nex that demonstrated environmentally responsible production. What an impressive combination of creativity, engineering, and environmental awareness! 🌱⚙️ A big congratulations goes out to team “Knection”, who earned 1st place in the competition! 🥇  Also, a special shoutout to their coach, Mrs. Woodhead, for all her guidance and support. The team has secured a spot at the state-level competition in Harrisburg on May 8th! Outstanding work!

    Friday, Apr 10 2026