On April 7th, WPSD inducted new members, Amr A., Wade D., Kierra O, and Sami R. into the Western PA School for the Deaf Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) joining current members Valerie D., Destiny M., and Makenna H. The NHS goals are to promote scholarship, stimulate a desire to render services, promote leadership, and develop character. The students were inducted in front of their family, friends, and peers. WPSD High School Math Teacher, Nicole Borelle, a former NHS member and RIT/NTID graduate was selected as the Keynote Speaker.

Congratulations to our new 2021-2022 inductees!

Three high school teams from WPSD took part in the NTID Regional STEM Center (NRSC) 1st Annual Underwater ROV Competition. The big event was hosted by the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in Connecticut.  Our Lions arrived at ASD and went straight to work at the pool, practicing strategies and honing their robot maneuverability skills.  Our students made a very impressive showing! In fact, Team ‘Baby Sharks’ took FIRST place in the obstacle run!

The students have been working relentlessly for months. They used PVC pipes to construct their robots. The motors are found inside the thrusters, which did not arrive waterproofed.   Consquently, each team had to waterproof the thrusters by using the wax from toilet bowl seal and electrical tape. The teams also developed their own controllers – soldering each piece.  The students used sections of pool noodles, strapping them to the robots as a flotation component of sorts.  They also drilled holes in the robot to help it sink under water.

There are two courses or missions each team had to work to complete. The first mission was an obstacle course – each team has to maneuver their robot through several rings, and back again, under water. The second mission consists of the teams manipulating the robots to transport tools and batteries to different locations within the course. If the robot got stuck, divers would be on hand to free them, but the team would incur penalties.

What a great opportunity and experience for our students!  We are #wpsdproud!

First up our WPSD Middle School basketball team battled hard against their opponent, emerging victorious by a score of 38 to 14.

Next up the Lady Lions were ready to battle from the get-go. Their tenacity and will to win made them unbeatable! The Lady Lions put forth a hard fought effort while also demonstrating good attitudes and excellent sportsmanship. Every player on the team scored!

The last game of the evening was the WPSD Boys’ varsity team.  They played a very physical game of basketball with each player gave 100% effort, battling it out with their opponent to the bitter end. When the buzzer sounded, our Lions came out on top by a score of 45 to 33.  Way to go Lions!  We are #wpsdproud!!!

WPSD’s 2022 Homecoming festivities were in full swing on February 16th.  The day started off with a Pep Rally and recognition of the members of the Homecoming Court.  Each member of the court was introduced in front of the student body and teachers before the king and queen were crowned .  Congratulations to WPSD’s 2022 Homecoming king and queen!  A pep rally to get the students and teachers fired up for the three upcoming basketball games against Ohio School for the Deaf Spartans followed.  WPSD student were a roar of excitement for their Lions!

WPSD Yearbook 2022 are on Sale Now!

We are excited to announce that yearbooks are now on sale! We will offer TWO yearbooks again this year.  

OPTION ONE: WPSD Middle/High School Lions Yearbook  

○ This yearbook will be similar to yearbooks in the past. 

○ It will focus mainly on Middle/High School – including portraits, clubs, activities, events ,etc. 

○ Only a few pictures from the Children’s Center and Elementary School Departments will be included – portraits and a few candid pictures. 

○ Full-color, hard -covered book 

○ Available for $35 .00 

OPTION TWO: The Children’s Center and Elementary School Yearbook 

 ○ This yearbook includes all students and class pictures in the Children’s Center and Elementary School. 

○ It also includes activities and events that happen throughout the year for our younger students. 

○ Full color, soft-covered book 

○ Available for $12.00 

*** IMPORTANT!! PLEASE make sure you choose either the WPSD Middle/High School  yearbook OR the WPSD Children’s Center/Elementary yearbook when you order online. We will not be able to refund if you choose the wrong yearbook . We will continue to accept paper order forms as well. 

**Only a few extra will be ordered! Last year we ran out of books  – Order NOW! 

Both a paper order form and the link to order a yearbook online can be found under the Parents section of the WPSD website.  Orders due MARCH 21, 2022.  

Our Mission: We will be acknowledged as a national leader and resource in education for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. We will empower our students to achieve their dreams and positively impact society.

As we all know, it has been an interesting year, for sure! Throughout 2021, our faculty, staff, and students have done a fantastic job at striving to succeed despite obstacles and unexpected changes.  Pressing forward in the face of the pandemic, we refused to let it prevent us from engaging students in learning and challenged them through a variety of fun and innovative lessons and activities.  Our student enrollment continues to experience steady growth throughout our organization. Needless to say, we count it an honor to serve approximately 365 children across all of our programs, which are found throughout Pennsylvania.

We are excited and ready for the new challenges that will come our way in 2022! Just as our mission statement reminds us, we will continue to empower and equip our students to achieve their dreams and positively impact the world around them.

As 2021 comes to a close, would you please consider a tax deductible donation to one of our many programs? Every gift is important to us and essential in our efforts to provide the highest quality education and invaluable opportunities for our students. Donations can be made quickly and securely online at wpsd.org and thescrantonschool.org.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support. May your holiday season be filled with joy and peace. Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year!

Keeping with the spirit of the season, WPSD’s Parent Staff Organization hosted an amazing Trunk or Treat party on the school’s campus last month.  Over 120 ghosts and goblins enjoyed themselves throughout the sprit-filled evening as they haunted over thirty creative and spooky trunks.

The variety of treats were excellent so tricks were not required.  A great time was had by all of our ghoulish guests.  It was spooktacular and faboolous!  Congratulations to the PSO for hosting such a wonderful event!

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WPSD Children’s Center and Elementary School students took part in trick-or-treating fun around campus the day before Halloween.  Children dressed up in a wide variety of costumes including princesses, superheroes, monsters and much more. Each one was so excited to receive his or her Halloween treats from WPSD staff and volunteers. Smiles were shared and candy cravings satisfied.  A wonderful activity for all to prepare!

The 2021 WPSD Auction & Gala held on October 15 at the Rivers Casino in downtown Pittsburgh was a huge success! Nearly 200 guests enjoyed live music, delicious food and drinks, and more than 130 items up for either silent or live auction.

WPSD was honored to have accomplished Deaf actress – Millie Simmonds – as the featured guest that night. Millie has starred in recent blockbuster movies such as Wonderstruck, A Quiet Place 1 and A Quiet Place 2. She was a fantastic addition to the event! We were thrilled to have her with us.

All of the proceeds raised through the Auction & Gala will be dedicated to the academic, athletic and extracurricular activities offered by WPSD to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children across the state. “Thank You” to every sponsor and to the guests who purchased tickets, bid on items throughout the night, and donated in some way. Your generosity and support ensured the success of this wonderful event!