Good morning, Wyncote families,

Upcoming Event

The high school students at Wyncote Academy have been invited to attend a seminar hosted by the Philadelphia Laborers’ Union on Friday, May 1. During this experience, students will participate in a series of workshops and hands‑on learning sessions that provide an inside look at what it is like to work as a union laborer. The seminar will introduce students to various career pathways within the union, highlight the benefits of union membership, and include a guided tour of the training facility.

Transportation and meals will be fully provided by the Philadelphia Laborers’ Union, including a chartered bus to and from the location and a catered lunch for all participating students.

The construction and skilled trades industry continues to grow and remains a highly in‑demand field, making this an excellent chance for students to gain real‑world exposure, ask questions, and consider post‑secondary pathways that may align with their interests and strengths.

This experience reflects Wyncote Academy’s commitment to preparing students for a wide range of post‑secondary opportunities. By exposing students to real‑world career pathways, skill‑based training, and industry professionals, we aim to help them build the knowledge, confidence, and direction needed for success beyond high school.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

With less than two months remaining in the 2025-2026 school year, I wanted to take a moment to preview the upcoming important dates. As we move closer to each important date, detailed information will be provided.

April 24, 2026

This coming Friday will be an Asynchronous Day for the students and an In-Service Day for the Faculty and Staff. Our teachers will send hard copies of assignments home for the students to complete. All work will be collected and graded on Monday, April 27.

May 21, 2026

We will be holding our annual Upper School Awards Ceremony (Grades 10 - 12). In addition, we will have an Art show displaying all the amazing creative work by our students. All families are welcome to attend. Events start at 10 AM, and the students will have a Noon Dismissal.

May 22, 2026 and May 25, 2026

School will be closed for Memorial Day Weekend.

May 27, 2026

School will be closed in observance of Eid al-Adha.

June 3, 2026

We will hold Graduation Practice at 1:30 PM for our 12th grade students. Following the rehearsal, we will hold a special dinner for the graduates.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Important Dates

Tuesday, March 24 - Picture Day for grades 6 - 11 and make-up photos for graduates

Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 - Noon Dismissals - Terra Nova Testing for grades 6 - 11 - Senior service hours at the Wyncote Academy farm on Manor College campus

Friday, March 27 - End of 3rd Academic Quarter

Week of March 30 - School Closed - Spring Break

Monday, April 6 - School Resumes

Friday, April 10 - Report Cards Mailed

Requests

While we encourage our students to have good hygiene habits, students who spray other students with cologne, perfume, or other deodorizing products will have the items confiscated and consequences will be levied. We ask all our students to respect each other's boundaries and personal space.

Students who would like to bring Art tools to school (particularly sharp items) should ask Ms. Shante for permission prior to bringing the object to school.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

Mr. Josh Bornstein

Calendar Reminder

Friday, March 20 - School CLOSED - observance of Eid Al-Fitr

Picture Day

Picture Day for all underclassmen will be on Tuesday, March 24. Make-up pictures for graduates will also be taken. A dear friend of our program, Ms. Bernice Goll, will be volunteering her services as photographer.

Extended School Year (ESY)

Our Extended School Year program, led by Dr. Adam Berman, offers students a vibrant and enriching summer experience that blends academic growth with exciting activities. Each morning, students participate in targeted academic classes—including writing, reading, and mathematics—to strengthen essential skills and maintain steady learning progress. Afternoons bring a variety of engaging activities such as arts, outdoor recreation, and swimming, giving students opportunities to explore interests and build confidence. The program will also feature inspiring guest speakers and a weekly field trip that extends learning beyond the classroom. Student eligibility for Extended School Year is determined by the services outlined in their IEP, and our registrar, Ms. Claire Hays, will be contacting eligible families directly with enrollment information.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Women's History Month

Wyncote Academy is proud to observe Women’s History Month, honoring the extraordinary contributions women have made to our society, our communities, and to the life of our school. Throughout March, our students will engage with stories of resilience, leadership, creativity, and courage that highlight the vital role women have played—and continue to play—in shaping our world. We also take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable efforts, dedication, and talents of our female staff and faculty, whose guidance, expertise, and care inspire our students every day. This month reminds us of the importance of gratitude, reflection, and our ongoing commitment to uplifting the voices and achievements of women past, present, and future.

Standardized Testing

As a licensed private school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we are required to administer annual standardized testing for students in grades 6 through 11. The TerraNova Complete Battery is a nationally norm‑referenced assessment that measures student achievement across core academic areas. It offers a comprehensive view of each student’s progress in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies, with an emphasis on critical thinking, problem‑solving, and the application of skills rather than simple recall.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Important Upcoming Dates

March 20, 2026 - School Closed - Eid al-Fatir

March 25-26, 2026 - Noon Dismissals - Terra Nova Testing (Grades 6 through 11)

March 30, 2026 through April 3, 2026 - School Closed - Spring Break

Academic Progress

The Interim Reports will be mailed later this week. The reports provide a snapshot and a narrative for your student's progress in their classes. If you have any questions, please feel free to email your student's teachers for further insight. The official end of the 3rd Quarter is March 26, 2026.

The student logins for Google Classroom that were sent last Tuesday will allow you to view your student's progress on their assignments. Students may access their assignments on Google Classroom at any time at home and at school.

Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend!

Mr. Josh Bornstein

Head of School

Wyncote Academy

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Snow Watch

With the expected snowfall, I will be closely monitoring any updates from the School District of Philadelphia. Because PSD transportation serves a large portion of our student population, if the District closes on Monday, we will close as well.

Important Note

Our top priority is the safety of our students. In light of recent events at other local schools, I believe it is necessary to communicate clearly with our school community. Students may leave the building before dismissal only for the following reasons:

1. Early dismissal approved by a parent or guardian
2. Walking to the Gym in the Perlman Building on our campus, supervised by staff
3. Using campus outdoor space for recess, supervised by staff
4. Participating in field trips/sporting events, approved by a parent or guardian and supervised by staff
5. Attending special events in the Auditorium located in the former Gratz College building on our campus, supervised by staff

I have also reaffirmed our commitment to our families and students. The following message was shared with the Board of Directors, Faculty, and Staff.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Calendar Reminder

School is CLOSED on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents Day.

Ramadan

Two office spaces on the first floor will be available for prayer during the students' lunch periods. The male and female students will have their own separate prayer spaces. Students are welcome to bring their prayer rugs. They may be stored by the front desk. To avoid intrusions, please respond to this email to inform me if your student may partake in daily prayers.

Good Citizenship

As I mentioned in a previous update, I have created a space on your students' Gradelink pages to track their behavioral progress. The scores are based on the behavioral referrals completed by the teachers. Minor infractions are worth one point per infraction. Major infractions are worth 5 points per infraction. I update the score on the weekend. All students began the 3rd Quarter with 100%. Points are deducted with each infraction. Students who maintain an 80% or higher throughout the Quarter will be eligible for a reward trip. If you have questions about your student's behavior, please contact Ms. Shante (shantemillstaylor@wyncoteacademy.org).

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Black History Month

Wyncote Academy proudly celebrates the accomplishments, resilience, and lasting contributions of Black people as an essential part of the broader American story. While Black History Month offers a dedicated time for reflection and learning, our commitment to honoring Black history extends throughout the entire year. Through curriculum, community engagement, and daily dialogue, we recognize that Black history is American history, shaping our nation’s culture, progress, and ideals. By uplifting these voices and stories year‑round, Wyncote Academy affirms its dedication to equity, understanding, and the inclusive education of all students.

Ramadan

Ramadan begins on the evening of Tuesday, December 17, 2026. We will offer separate praying spaces for male and female Muslim students during their assigned lunch periods. I will send a separate email later in the week with further details.

New Staff

Ms. Mimi Brown-Duncan is our new Special Education teacher. Ms. Mimi and Ms. Cianne will be teaching our Middle School students. Ms. Mimi will be teaching English and Science. Ms. Cianne will be teaching Math and History. We also have two new support staff members for our Climate Team. Ms. Courtney Gamble will be working with our Middle School students. Ms. Lorraine Thomas will be working with our High School students.

Good morning, Wyncote families,

Due to the snow days last week, many of the planned activities have been rescheduled. Report Cards have been printed and prepared to mail. We will have an assembly on Wednesday, February 4 to celebrate our students' 2nd Quarter accomplishments. The Good Citizenship reward trip has been rescheduled for this Thursday, February 5.

Due to the snow day on this past Wednesday, Friday, February 13 has been converted to an in-person learning day. Attendance is mandatory.

Next week, I will bring you exciting updates from our growing program!

Thank you,

Mr. Josh Bornstein

Head of School

Wyncote Academy