The Wayne Highlands Education Association (WHEA) has a Community Outreach Program funded by teachers in the Wayne Highlands School District who participate in dress down days throughout the year. Through this program, WHEA is able to donate money to local nonprofits in our area and give two $1000 scholarships to Honesdale High School seniors pursuing a career in education.

 The eighth and final recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is Dyberry Day Camp. Please read their beautiful write up below.

 Way back in 1972 a group of parents and teachers from the J.J. Koehler School in Honesdale, PA established Dyberry Day Camp. With a small grant and a handful of special needs individuals a month-long summer oasis had its humble beginnings. Over the years hundreds of students, ages 6 to 21, have benefited from the leisure time activities offered at the camp during the month of July. The operation of the camp is relatively simplistic.

 A typical day includes roll call, the pledge to the American flag, circle time with songs and games, arts and crafts and swimming. Included in the month are special visitors with special surprises for the campers and some field trips.Sponsored by Arc of Wayne County camp is primarily funded through a community solicitation and by the annual Bike-Hike in Wayne Highlands School District and the Color Run at the Wallenpaupack School District. All monies raised stay in Wayne County and are used for staffing, transportation and supplies needed for camp. Campers attend camp at no charge and transportation is provided in most cases.

 As Dyberry Day Camp gears up to begin its 53^rd season we remain grateful for a supportive community and supportive individuals that recognize the needs of the campers that Dyberry Day Camp serves. We are dedicated to ensuring that every person with an intellectual disability will reach his/her personal potential.

 Please visit their website for more information at https://www.thearcwaynecountypa.org/ WHEA is proud to support such a great organization in our community

 The Wayne Highlands Education Association (WHEA) has a Community Outreach Program funded by teachers in the Wayne Highlands School District who participate in dress down days throughout the year. Through this program, WHEA is able to donate money to local nonprofits in our area and give two $1000 scholarships to Honesdale High School seniors pursuing a career in education. 

The sixth recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is The Wayne County Public Library. 

The Wayne County Public Library stated they are thrilled to have this generous monetary support from the Wayne Highlands Education Association to continue student fun and learning throughout the summer. Each summer, the library offers a series of exciting programs geared toward a wide variety of age groups. The whole point is to keep students engaged and learning all summer long. This year's theme is Color Our World. The WCPL's children's staff will invite participants to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating all the ways that art enriches our lives. WHEA's donation will support the purchase of books, supplies, arts and crafts materials, and a performer for the enjoyment and enrichment of all our public library kids! 

Please visit their website for more information, programs, and events at https://www.waynelibraries.org/ 

WHEA is proud to support such a great organization in our community! 

The Wayne Highlands Education Association (WHEA) has a Community Outreach Program funded by teachers in the Wayne Highlands School District who participate in dress down days throughout the year. Through this program, WHEA is able to donate money to local nonprofits in our area and give two $1000 scholarships to Honesdale High School seniors pursuing a career in education. The third recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is The Cooperage. 

The Cooperage Project, a community building non-profit on Main Street, has enjoyed almost a decade of collaboration with the Wayne Highlands SchoolDistrict. Pop-Up Club, a STEAM-focused after school club is offered to WHMS students three days a week throughout the school year, and Cooperage staff can be found each Wednesday morning eating brunch and hanging out with6-8th graders in the Girl Wonder club. Instructors with the Bright Kids program join Lakeside and high school students (and occasionally faculty and staff!)periodically to offer workshops in mindful movement, social emotional skills, and stress management each year. Younger WHSD students are invited to monthly Romping Radishes workshops in the winter, and to Coop Camps in the summer! Amanda Masters, youth program manager for The CooperageProject, says, "We are so grateful for the positive attitude, creativity, and communication offered by the administration, principals, and countless teachers who welcome us into the schools to work together to provide support for our youth and families!"The Cooperage Project is committed to creating opportunities that will bring our community together and work to offer a variety of events so that there is something of interest for everyone. The Cooperage Project’s offerings emerge from the interplay of meeting ever-evolving community needs and envisioning a thriving local culture where everyone belongs. For more information on The Cooperage, please visit their website at https://thecooperageproject.org/WHEA is proud to support such a great program in our community!

The Wayne Highlands Education Association (WHEA) has a Community Outreach Program funded by teachers in the Wayne Highlands School District who participate in dress down days throughout the year. Through this program, WHEA is able to donate money to local nonprofits in our area and give two $1000 scholarships to Honesdale High School seniors pursuing a career in education.

The second recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is It Takes A Village. It Takes A Village (ITAV) was created by WHSD school counselors. School counselors, throughout our district, were quickly uncovering that community members had a unique need to acquire resources that were often only available through time. They observed an increase in families struggling to get basic needs met while waiting for better solutions for their family. Immediate needs were often put by the wayside as families struggled to keep food in their homes, acquire proper clothing, shoes, or gas money for transportation to and from mental health or doctor

appointments. Overdue utility bills, home repairs and vehicle maintenance are often not deemed a priority. Although prevalent in our great community, at times resources require time to be acquired. The counselors recognized some needs simply must be met FAST. Their mission at “It Takes a Village” is to lean on their deep knowledge of

family needs, providing students with critical resources, so they can learn and thrive. For more information on ITAV, please visit their website at https://itavnow.org/

WHEA is proud to support such a great program in our district!

The Wayne Highlands Education Association (WHEA) has a Community Outreach Program funded by teachers in the Wayne Highlands School District who participate in dress down days throughout the year. Through this program, WHEA is able to donate money to local nonprofits in our area and give 2 $1000 scholarships to Honesdale High School seniors pursuing a career in education. 

The first recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is Honesdale Communities that Care.

Communities that Care (CTC) develops and implements strategies which encourage healthy behavior and productive interaction among youngsters and all members of the community. It began in 1995 under the direction of Kathy Grandjean and its current director is Dean LoPalo. All 3rd-5th Grade Students at Lakeside Elementary are welcome to apply for this program that runs 3-5:30PM when school is in session.

Dean and his team provide a safe​ ​environment where students develop positive social skills while playing and interacting with their peers. Exercise, Fresh Air, Crafts, and Games are all part of the after school fun. Professional staff provide academic ​assistance every Monday through Thursday. Homework completion is a big part of the program.

Community partners provide ongoing enriching ​activities throughout the school semester. Highlights for Children, Wayne County YMCA,  Greater Carbondale YMCA, The Wayne Memorial Health System and Lacawac Sanctuary. WHEA is proud to support such a great program in our district!

The fourth recipient of the WHEA Community Outreach Program for the 2024-2025 school year is The Honesdale Fire Company. 

The Honesdale Fire Department is an entirely volunteer department consisting of four companies - Hose Company No. 1, Alert Hook and Ladder No. 2, Protection Engine Company No. 3, and Texas No. 4. The department serves approximately 10,500 citizens in a 45-square mile fire district. The department’s fire district includes two boroughs and five surrounding townships. Our coverage area consists of an urbanized center within the Borough, including the Wayne County Courthouse, the Wayne Memorial Hospital, a number of retirement and assisted living facilities, summer camps, and many older storefronts, as well as a growing rural perimeter population. 

Honesdale Fire Department provides unique features and new technology on fire apparatus, and increases fire safety through fire prevention programs visiting local schools, preschools and day care centers each year. Department members take days off from regular jobs to come to the schools, bringing fire apparatus and the Fire Prevention Safety Trailer which allows students to experience simulated smoke conditions and practice escaping these conditions. Visits from the fire department to our schools inspire students to one day become members themselves; planting this seed early will help maintain critical volunteer membership. 

Funding for the Honesdale Fire Department is largely generated from fundraising, requiring many hours of dedicated volunteering, and donations. The department is active on a daily basis responding to not only structure fires, but also to natural disaster situations, helicopter landing zones, various rescue situations, automobile accidents, natural cover fires, locating lost persons, traffic control, and assisting police and ambulance personnel. Each year the department is called to service nearly 400 times. Honesdale currently operates 3 engines, 2 ladders, 1 rescue, and two support units. Staffing these units are over eighty well-trained and certified volunteers. Countless hours each year are dedicated to training, fundraising, and the protection of the community. 

WHEA is proud to support such a great organization in our community!