Updates From Josh
Updates From Josh
Weekly Updates From Our Family to Yours
Wyncote Weekly Update 11/14
Josh Bornstein
Good morning, Wyncote families,
Important Calendar Change – Friday, November 20
Please note that we are making a change to our school calendar. Wyncote Academy will be closed on Friday, November 20, 2026.
A memorial service will be held for our founding Head of School, Diane Vernon, who sadly passed away recently. Diane's vision, dedication, and commitment to students laid the foundation for the special community that Wyncote Academy is today. We are grateful for her lasting legacy and the countless lives she touched. We appreciate your understanding as we take this time to honor and celebrate her life.
First Quarter Report Cards
First Quarter report cards will be mailed home early this week. We encourage families to take some time to review their child's progress, celebrate their accomplishments, and discuss goals for the Second Quarter.
Celebrating Our Students!
On Wednesday, November 18, we will hold a special awards ceremony to recognize our students who earned First Quarter Honor Roll and Student of the Quarter Awards. These students have demonstrated hard work, dedication, and a commitment to their personal and academic growth.
We will continue the celebration on Wednesday afternoon with a pizza party for our award recipients!
moreWyncote Weekly Update 11/07
Josh Bornstein
Good morning, Wyncote families,
Calendar Reminder
November 11, 2026: School closed - Observance of Veterans Day
In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Diane Vernon, the founding Head of School of Wyncote Academy, who passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, at the age of 98.
In 1973, Diane founded Wyncote Academy with a vision of providing students with an educational environment where they could be understood, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her dedication to that mission laid the foundation for the school we know today and has positively impacted countless students and families over the past five decades.
Although Diane retired from her role as Head of School many years ago, her commitment to Wyncote Academy never wavered. She remained an active and faithful member of our Board of Directors and continued to support our Admissions efforts, always eager to help the next generation of students find a place where they could thrive.
Remarkably, just last week, Diane visited Wyncote Academy one final time. Her presence served as a meaningful reminder of the enduring connection she maintained with our school community and the deep love she held for Wyncote.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 10/31
Josh Bornstein
Good morning, Wyncote families,
Calendar Reminder
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: School is closed for Election Day.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: School is closed in observance of Veterans Day
Happy Halloween!
We wrapped up the week with a fun afternoon of fall activities, including pumpkin painting on Friday. A special thank you to Ms. Lexie and Ms. Shante for organizing such an enjoyable event for our students.
For those students participating in trick-or-treating this evening, we wish you and your family a safe, fun, and enjoyable Halloween. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
End of the 1st Quarter
As we approach the end of the first marking period, we encourage all students to check both Gradelink and Google Classroom for any missing assignments. The first marking period ends on Friday, November 6, and the remaining days provide an important opportunity for students to complete outstanding work, improve grades, and finish the quarter on a strong note.
Reward Trip
We are excited to recognize the students who demonstrated outstanding positive behavior during the month of October. Students who earned a 30:1 ratio of merits to demerits in LiveSchool will participate in a free reward trip to Rolling Thunder Skating Rink on Wednesday, November 4, during the school day.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 10/23
Josh Bornstein
Dear Wyncote Academy Families,
As we move through the fall season, I want to take a moment to share some exciting highlights from our school community and a few important reminders for the weeks ahead.
Clubs Are Off to a Great Start!
We are thrilled with the successful launch of our after-school clubs program. Students have already begun building new skills, discovering interests, and strengthening friendships through participation in:
- Cooking Club
- Japanese Culture Club
- Flag Football Club
- Gamers Club
- Art Club
- Movie Club
- Yoga Club
It has been wonderful to see so many students engaged in positive, enriching activities beyond the classroom. Thank you to our staff members who have helped make these opportunities possible.
Valley of Fear Field Trip
Students enjoyed an exciting trip to Valley of Fear, creating memorable experiences with their peers and staff. The trip was filled with fun, laughter, and school spirit, and we appreciate everyone who helped make the event a success.
End of Marking Period Reminder
The First Marking Period ends on November 6, 2026. There is still time for students to improve their grades by completing missing assignments, seeking extra help from teachers, and putting forth strong effort during the final weeks of the marking period.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 10/10
Josh Bornstein
Good morning, Wyncote Academy families,
Calendar Reminder
School is closed on Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Clubs
We are excited to announce the launch of a new Clubs Program at Wyncote Academy! As part of our commitment to providing engaging, student-centered learning experiences, we are expanding extracurricular opportunities that allow students to explore their interests, develop new skills, build friendships, and strengthen connections with staff and peers.
One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is that it was driven by student voice. Students completed a survey to share their interests and ideas for clubs they would like to see offered at Wyncote Academy. Based on their feedback, we identified the most popular club options, including activities such as sports, art, cooking, video games, board games, debate, film, Dungeons & Dragons, yoga, and more.
Our next step is to have students complete a second survey in which they will rank their top three club choices. Once we collect those results, we will create club rosters based on student preferences and available space.
We understand that some clubs will be especially popular, and not every student may receive their first-choice selection during the initial round. However, students will have additional opportunities later in the school year as club offerings and memberships rotate, allowing them to explore a variety of interests over time. This approach is designed to give all students access to multiple experiences throughout the year.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 10/02
Josh Bornstein
Hello, Wyncote Families,
We are excited to announce our first Positive Behavior Incentive Trip of the school year! On November 4, eligible students will enjoy a fun day of roller skating at Rolling Thunder Skating Rink.
This trip will be free of charge for students who earn the reward by maintaining a 30:1 LiveSchool ratio, meaning 30 merits for every 1 demerit, throughout the month of October. We believe this is an attainable goal for all students and a great opportunity to recognize their positive choices and consistent effort.
We encourage students and families to regularly log into LiveSchool to monitor progress and ensure students are on track to qualify for the trip.
As a reminder, students who receive an Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) or In-School Suspension (ISS) during the month of October will not be eligible to participate, regardless of their LiveSchool ratio.
We look forward to celebrating our students' hard work and positive behavior. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students make positive choices every day.
Sincerely,
Mr. Josh Bornstein
Head of School
Wyncote Academy
moreWyncote Weekly Update 09/25
Josh Bornstein
Hello, Wyncote Families,
Wyncote Academy Apparel and Accessories
We are excited to announce the launch of the official Wyncote Academy Lions Spirit Store!
Our new online store features a variety of apparel and accessories for students, familes, alumni, and friends of Wyncote Academy. Whether you're looking for spirit wear for school events, athletic activities, or everyday wear, there are options for everyone.
🛍️ Shop the Store Here:
Wyncote Academy Lions - MELROSE PARK, Pennsylvania - Sideline Store - BSN Sports
Available items include:
- T-shirts and polos
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Hats and accessories
- Athletic wear
- Youth and adult sizes
Wyncote Weekly Update 09/19
Josh Bornstein
Dear Wyncote Academy Families,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the school year.
Announcements
1. School will be closed on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur.
2. Back to School Night will be held on Wednesday, September 23, at 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you and sharing information about the school year ahead.
3. Please continue to monitor your child's progress by regularly checking Gradelink for academic performance and LiveSchool for behavioral progress. Staying informed through these platforms is a great way to support your student's success.
Trip Opportunity
Several of our students have expressed interest in attending a trip to Valley of Fear Haunted Attractions. This email is intended to gauge interest and help families determine whether this opportunity would be appropriate for their child.
Please review the important details below:
Date:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Students do not have school the following day.
Students would remain at school after dismissal, receive dinner, and be transported to the attraction by school bus.
Dinner:
Dinner will be provided at no cost to families and will be paid for by Wyncote Academy.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 09/06
Josh Bornstein
Dear Wyncote Academy Families,
We hope you and your family are enjoying a wonderful Labor Day weekend. On behalf of everyone at Wyncote Academy, I would like to thank you for your partnership as we begin another exciting school year.
I am pleased to share that the school year is off to a great start. Our students have returned with enthusiasm, and we are already seeing positive engagement in classrooms and throughout our school community. We appreciate your continued support in helping our students establish strong routines for success.
As the year progresses, we encourage all families to regularly monitor their child's progress. Academic performance, attendance, and assignments can be accessed through GradeLink, while student behavioral progress, merits, and school-wide expectations can be tracked through LiveSchool. Staying connected to these platforms is one of the best ways to support your child's growth and celebrate their accomplishments.
This week, we will also take time as a school community to observe the remembrance of September 11, 2001. Through age-appropriate discussions and reflection, we will honor the lives lost, recognize the courage of first responders, and reflect on the importance of unity, resilience, and service to others.
moreWyncote Weekly Update 08/28
Josh Bornstein
Good morning, Wyncote Academy Families,
The first day of school is Monday, August 31, and we are excited to welcome back our returning students and greet those who are joining the Wyncote Academy community for the first time.
To help students have a smooth and successful start to the 2026-2027 school year, we would like to share what they can expect upon arrival each morning. Students will be greeted by members of our Climate Team and guided through our school entry procedures, which are designed to promote safety, accountability, and a positive learning environment.
Face Coverings
Students' faces must remain visible while inside the school building.
Purpose:
To promote student safety, effective communication, positive relationships, and accountability, students must keep their faces visible while on campus, except in cases involving approved religious, medical, or other authorized accommodations.
Bag Checks
All students will participate in a brief bag check upon entering the building.
Purpose:
To maintain a safe and secure educational environment, the school conducts bag checks to deter prohibited items. This procedure supports the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors.
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