PHOTOS, VIDEO: Clothing Design and Construction teaches students sewing, fosters creativity
The class, combining both advanced and regular sections, allows students to make a variety of different clothing items.
Clark Kerkstra ’27, Managing Editor of Web
Students honored at World Language Awards
The students, honored for their performance on the national language exams and AP Exams, received recognition and cupcakes.
WSSD to adopt remote learning during snow days
The district has applied for flexible instructional days, an asynchronous mode of instruction offered by the state for cases like inclement weather, to compensate for excess snow days.
Students battle sleep deprivation in classroom, weigh start times
Teens at Haven are not getting the recommended amount of sleep each night, affecting their social and academic lives.
[Video] PHOTOS, VIDEO: Final Wellness Wednesday concludes year of mental health breaks for students
The May Wellness Wednesday offered students a break in the school day to try unique activities.
District to cut 19 positions, drain reserves, raise taxes to address budget shortfall
Board members sounded alarm at the district’s fiscal state at the same meeting where architects and administrators presented plans for a $99 million renovation project.
$99 million renovations project set to remove Green Mile with anticipated board approval
A contract outlining a rough sketch of plans, budget, and schedule is set to be considered at the next board meeting.
Voice of the student body
Student Council is slated to become the ‘primary voice of the student body.’ Here’s how Student Council works, from the elections to the school board reports to the dances.
Architects unveil plans for new science wing on Providence Road, new ‘learning commons’ in academic wing
Architects from KCBA presented the plans at a March 5 community forum on the long-awaited renovations to the high school that would also remove the trailers, add new life skills classrooms, and totally remodel the bathrooms.
District announces staffing cuts to mitigate impending budget shortfall
A number of administrative and support positions will be discontinued, saving the district around $2 million.
Community forum gathers renovation ideas
Administrators presented on many potential renovations to different parts of the school and solicited ideas for KCBA, the district’s architectural firm of choice.
Trump administration’s seizure of Maduro leaves students stranded in Caribbean
The Jan. 3 military operation resulted in flight cancellations and a long wait for some Haven students.
WSSD grapples with budget shortfall
The district plans to control spending more tightly and make cuts in areas “furthest from the classroom” in an effort to address the fiscal challenges.
New school board members take office, Williams elected president
Multiple veteran board members chose not to run for reelection this year, leading to a complete reorganization of the board.
PANTHER ‘PINION: When trivia isn’t so trivial
In an age where misinformation is rampant, an emphasis on “trivial” facts is not a bad thing.
Students confront teachers in lunchtime debate over cell phone ban
The spectacle drew hundreds of students across A, B, and C lunches as students and teachers debated the merit of cell phone restrictions.
Farewell trailers
Now that the 10-year capital plan is approved, construction on the high school is currently slated to begin in September 2026.
PANTHER ‘PINION: Too often, clubs come last. Haven should reprioritize.
Oftentimes, it can seem like clubs are the lowest in the hierarchy of extracurricular activities here at Haven.
Students react to new phone policy as administration plans implementation
A second read of Policy 237, the electronic device policy, was approved at the April 28 school board meeting along with its accompanying administrative regulation.
District to hold ground, follow state guidance amid threats by Trump administration
As schools across the nation face an onslaught of threats from the Trump administration’s Department of Education, district administrations have been assured no further action is required.
Welcome to Walliworld
Introducing Walliworld–just a few of the many places that make up Haven’s community. From libraries to family-owned businesses, the wonderful world of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is home to many unique local establishments. From a pizza parlor to a library, here's what makes these WSSD locations special to students.
Student Council candidates share ideas, goals
Those elected will form Strath Haven’s student government for the 2025-2026 school year.
School Board Policy Committee tentatively agrees on policy allowing phones at lunch, between classes
The Policy Committee laid out disciplinary guidelines and educational objectives, but stopped short of a total ban after a parent push for a ban at lunch triggered student pushback.
New year, new opportunities
Nine new courses appear in the 2025-2026 Silver Guide, representing a range of new opportunties for students. The Panther Press staff took a closer look at each of the new classes.
As administration bolsters “Screens Off, Minds On” initiative, Haven contemplates fate of cell phones
As the school board considers the electronic device policy, some in the community wish for even more—a total ban.
Holiday traditions bring nostalgia, joy to school community
Discover how decorating halls and following traditions uplifts students and staff.
After a summer of chaos, WSSD searches for its next superintendent
District has employed focus groups and surveys to collect input, aiming to fill the role by the end of the school year.
OPINION: Haven must more thoughtfully balance STEM, humanities
We can start by listening to our teachers – and our peers.
New principal, elective additions approved at November Board meeting
Other notable items included changes to the Silver Guide, the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendar, and the purchase of a Ford super duty pickup truck.
Unified Basketball fosters inclusivity in faceoff against Marple Newtown
The only home game of the season served as Unified Basketball's senior night and ended in a tie.
District and WSEA agree to contract
District and teachers union are still negotiating on outstanding issues including teacher prep time at the high school.
Phone forum addresses cell phone policy
The forum featured a panel of experts, including students and a teacher.
Interim Superintendent Dr. James Scanlon adjusts to WSSD
Scanlon replaces former superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille, who left in August amid a state of unrest in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.
Dr. Sharon Baddick returns to PA as WSSD’s new Assistant Superintendent
Baddick replaces former assistant superintendent Dr. James Conley, who left last spring for the West Chester Area School District and spearheaded the implementation of Schoology.
Well into September, WSSD teachers have no contract
School Board has received criticism for failing to secure a contract for the teachers before the school year started.
School Board faces backlash amid superintendent’s departure, teacher contract disputes
Following administrative turnover, the District has seen increasing scrutiny from the community for the treatment of staff, an alleged lack of transparency, and financial decisions.
Community members criticize school board, superintendent during special meeting
The special personnel meeting included the election of a new assistant superintendent.
Incoming college freshmen consider campus safety, protests
As protests sweep college campuses nationwide, some seniors are apprehensive about entering universities where protests have occurred.
Community members criticize district over transparency, reading curriculum in May Board meeting
Other topics on the agenda included social-emotional wellness days, the 2024-2025 budget, and honoring district retirees.
A new reason for missing school: mental health
In a first reading of the attendance policy, the Policy Committee has revised the policy to include “Social-Emotional Wellness Days” as an option for excused absences.
Behind the scenes of President Biden’s visit to Strath Haven
What went into preparing for a presidential visit? A lot more than you would think.
Delayed bells: A possible solution to sleep crisis
The science suggests start times should be moved back, but changing times presents a variety of logistical challenges.
PHOTOS: Joe Biden comes to Strath Haven
President Joe Biden gave a speech at Strath Haven Middle School, kicking off his reelection campaign.
Discussions explore new artificial turf field
A second turf field has been added to the list of potential renovations to the high school—despite ongoing national debate about safety.
Plans for high school renovations unveiled
The plans include removing the trailers once and for all.
Return of King Field prompts excitement, adaptation
Sports teams have mixed perspectives on the new turf.
Varsity boys soccer falls 2-1 in scrimmage, first game on new turf
The score was good, the turf was good, and the game was good. At least until Haven gave up two goals in the fourth quarter.
