Want to help Adorable Animals?

May 14, 2021

By The Scribbler Staff

The students of WAIS are working together to help animals in need. Through the efforts of the NJHS and the Student Council, a "Pamper Our Pets" collection drive has been organized to collect necessary items to benefit the Center for Animal Health and Welfare.

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare is a shelter for pets waiting to find forever homes. They are a no-kill shelter, and their goal is to create a safe and healthy environment for their animal guests.

Seventh grader Emily M. is a member of Student Council, and she learned from their advisor that cleaning supplies are one of the most important needs at an animal shelter. These help keep the building safe and sanitary for pets and potential adopters.

From Monday, May 17 - Tuesday, June 1, students are asked to bring any of the following items to place in the donation bins at the lobby and Tech Ed entrances:

• 20 gallon Trash Bags

• Scott Kitchen Paper Towels

• Persil ProClean Power-Liquid Laundry Detergent

• Windex Foaming Glass and Window Cleaner

• Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap

• PetSafe Martingale Dog Collar (Large, Medium, or small)

• Treats for dogs - KONG- heavy duty

• Treats for cats - Temptations

• Food- grain-free wet or dry (dog and cat food)

• KMR milk replacement for Kittens

• Calming Dental Sticks for Dogs

• Blankets

• DIY Pet Toys

Please support this great cause and help pets in need! As Matt M., a WAIS seventh grader says, "Giving to charity make you feel good and gives others strength. Charity has an impact on everyone's lives, it helps children, adults, and animals get better. Donating to charity encourages friends and family to follow. Charity is one of the most important things in this world."

ScriBBler Staff Celebrates A Year of Creativity

May 14, 2021

By The Scribbler Staff

The Scribbler staff held their last meeting for the 2020-2021 year on Friday, May 14. Students celebrated their achievements with games and fun, and they earned awards and certificates for their hard work. This year was a particularly challenging year, since all Scribbler meetings were held on Zoom, but students were proud of the way they had used creativity to continue publishing the online magazine and newspaper.

One of the difficult parts of creating the Scribbler was converting the art to a digital form. Normally, students would scan their art in person, but that wasn't always possible. Students had to be creative to send in their artwork, using cameras, digital drawing tools, and an online comic maker. For some of the students, this just added to the fun, like Emily D., the Scribbler staff Rookie of the Year, who felt that "adding animations was cool!" For others, it was challenging, but they rose to the challenge.

On the other hand, Zoom allowed the students to have some fun at our meetings, as well. Students enjoyed draw-along art lessons, scavenger hunts, and games. Jazaiyah W., who won the Junior Editor award for her hard work in creating articles says, "Scribbler was so much fun to be a part of this year."

Savannah P., winner of the artistic integrity award, agrees, "Scribbler is great! You get to meet people and have fun. Online was a little more complicated, but it was still fun."

We hope you will join us on the Scribbler staff next year, as we continue to share creative art, stories, poems, and great news stories with the WAIS community.

PSSA Postponed

April 16, 2021

WAIS students do not need to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) this April. By this time of the year, intermediate school students would usually be using number two pencils to bubble in the correct answers on their annual assessment tests. However, due to the pandemic, the testing window has been extended until the end of September 2021.

This means that students will take their PSSA when they return to school next fall. In a statement, the Pennsylvania secretary of education said, “Since the start of this pandemic, our work has been centered on protecting the health and safety of students, educators, and school staff across the state. Our decision to extend the testing window continues to prioritize their health and safety and creates needed flexibilities for our unique school communities.”

Students are feeling a range of emotions about this delay. "I'm happy because I don't have to do it this year," says seventh grader Avery G, "but I think I'm going to be really annoyed when I have to do it and have forgotten everything."

The pandemic has caused some disruption in learning, so Jacob R. thinks a delay is fair. "I feel like its a good thing for the kids who have trouble learning because of zoom malfunctions," he explains. Payton H. agrees, and points out that the delay also allows students to focus on their current work instead of preparing for the PSSA.

On the other hand, 87% of students polled felt that the PSSA would be harder after a long summer vacation. "Some students may forget" the material, points out Emily M.

If WAIS students were in charge of the PSSA, they know exactly what they would do about this year's assessment. "We shouldn't take one," Jazaiyah W. suggested.

Avery G. concurs, saying "I would get rid of them for good if I was able!"