Welcome Back Letter 2023-2024

Welcome back students and parents!  I hope all of you had a great summer vacation, and are ready for a new school year!

I want to start off by thanking our custodial staff for their hard work cleaning over the summer and getting the building ready for everyone to return.  I especially want to thank them for their work to put new table tops on the tables in the Art Room, and in Mrs. Zubek’s classroom!

We have a new math teacher, Angela Cochran.  She comes to Shade from Salisbury- Elk Lick Junior-Senior High School.  She will be teaching a variety of math courses, and Senior STEM.  Angela will be joining our staff in late September.  Some changes will be made to the schedule once she arrives.   

Our music program continues to grow.  Mr. Henigin has done a great job with music in both buildings.  We are looking to continue to add more music options for students at the high school. 

This past spring we started an Esports program.  We had about 25 students competing on teams for Rocket League, Overwatch 2, and Valorant.  Our Division 2 Valorant team won the league championship, and our Division 2 Overwatch 2 team took second place.  We hope more students will get involved in Esports, as well as our sports and clubs/activities. 

Our district was again approved for free breakfast and free lunch for all students through the Community Eligibility Program.  Students will receive free breakfast and free lunch for the next three years under this program.  We will continue our “grab and go” breakfasts.  Students will be able to choose breakfast items from carts in the gym lobby when they come in the building, and take them to first period class to eat.  Along with the grab and go breakfast, we will continue the later arrival time.  Students should arrive between 7:40 and 7:50 a.m.  All students should be in the building by 7:50 a.m., and must be in their first period class by 7:55 a.m. or they are considered tardy for school.

Seventh Grade Orientation is on Wednesday, August 23^rd at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library.  Students and parents are invited to attend.  This is an opportunity to discuss rules and procedures at the high school, “walk your schedule”, and ask any questions that you have. 

I am looking forward to seeing 7^th grade students and parents on August 23, and everyone else on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 29.  I hope all of you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Sincerely,

Sean Wechtenhiser

Shade High School Principal