Due to a mechanical issue (well pump) in the school building, the DAMASCUS AREA SCHOOL will operate on a Flexible Instruction Day (FID – virtual learning) on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Damascus students should not report to school on this day. Instead, they will complete their instructional activities and assignments from home via remote learning. It is anticipated that the mechanical issue will be resolved and school will resume normal procedures on Tuesday - February 17, 2026, following the holiday weekend.
This communication DOES NOT impact any other Wayne Highlands school. All schools, other than Damascus, will operate normally (to include transportation), on Friday - February 13, 2026.
Women's Club Regional Art Competition
A group of artists from the Wayne Highlands Middle School were recently showcased at the Wayne County Public library during the month of March. Each year the Women's Club of Honesdale sponsors a regional art competition for local middle and high school students. The Women’s Club uses the library to honor and recognize the talented, young artists of Honesdale and the surrounding communities.
Local art teachers select a number of pieces to represent the best student artists to participate. Once pieces are entered, a panel of local artists and craftsmen, including Wayne Highlands very own, Mrs. Ellen Silberlecht, scrutinize the technical and creative abilities demonstrated by the students.
The Wayne Highlands Middle School is proud to report that many of our students earned high honors in this competition.
Earning an honorable mention in the seventh and eighth grade category was eighth grader Julia Eisele. Third place went to eighth grader Riley Skelton, and second place went to eighth grader Paige Schmitt.
In the Fifth and Sixth grade category, second place went to sixth grader Rachel Collins.
Wayne Highland’s overall winners, earning first place for the fifth and sixth grades was Annabelle Wengler, and in the seventh and eighth grades was Mia Yatwa.
The exhibition ran through the end of March at the Wayne County Public Library. If you did not see these wonderful pieces of art work, you can also visit the Mrs. Beisel’s Facebook page, Mrs. B's Room. Mrs. Beisel’s Facebook page also has many other examples of her students amazing artwork.