School Overview

2940 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052 • 610-433-7551
Mrs. Denise Saylor, Principal
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Building
Student Day: 8:35 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

The Whitehall-Coplay School District is proud to announce the opening of the new Gockley Elementary School, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance learning and foster a strong sense of community. This highly anticipated project spans 93,480 square feet and provides a welcoming, engaging environment for up to 700 kindergarten through first-grade students.

Strategically located parallel to Zephyr Boulevard, the new school complements the surrounding landscape, integrating with the open green space inside the loop road. The facility has been designed to create a unified and cohesive campus.

Key Features of the New School:

Classroom Capacity: The building includes 13 Kindergarten classrooms and 13 First-Grade classrooms, as well as classrooms to service students receiving Special Education and English as a Second Language services. Small group classroom spaces are also utilized to provide math and reading interventions for the students. Each of these specially designed instructional spaces provides the capacity to meet the needs of all K-1 students within the community.

Efficient Layout: The two-story classroom wing is designed with efficiency in mind. Both floors feature identical layouts, with 16 classrooms and four small group rooms each. Central collaboration zones on both levels create a flexible, student-centered learning environment that encourages teamwork and interaction.

Centralized Lobby: At the heart of the school, a spacious central lobby serves as the main connection between the two-story classroom wing and the shared-use wing. This design promotes accessibility and provides an inviting entrance for students, staff, and visitors.

Library: The school’s library, located on the second floor directly above the main entrance, occupies a prominent position in the building. With expansive views to the east, the library is designed as a hub of learning, creativity, and exploration.

Multipurpose Room: The most iconic space in the building is the Multipurpose Room, which functions as a combined gymnasium, cafeteria, and auditorium. This versatile area is equipped to host physical education classes, school assemblies, and community events.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
To be registered for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old before September 1st. A Kindergarten Assessment/Registration Event occurs each spring for the incoming, registered kindergarten students. This event includes a parent orientation while students meet with kindergarten teachers to be assessed and participate in scheduled activities.

MARKING SYSTEM
All Gockley students receive report cards at the end of each quarter which target specific competencies during each marking period. Marking periods are 90 days in length. Report cards can be accessed electronically through the Parent Portal. Copies of report cards are also sent home with students at the end of each marking period.

COUNSELING SERVICES
Mrs. Elyse Mohr, School Counselor
The Gockley School counselor supports all kindergarten and first grade students. Services are provided to the children via individual counseling and classroom instruction, to the teachers through consultation and assessment, and to parents through school or parent initiated conferences. The counselor coordinates school support personnel and outside agencies which may be involved with a child.

The Child Study Team and the Student Assistance Program (SAP) are  coordinated by the counselor.  The purpose of these teams is to provide support and interventions for students who may be experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties. 

PARENT EVENTS

• A “Meet the Teacher” event occurs at the end of August, prior to the first day of school, for parents to come to school with their children, meet their children’s teachers, and see their classrooms. 

• Parent-Teacher Conferences are held for all students in November. This is an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss student progress and share information with each other in order to best support their children throughout the rest of the school year.

• A Gockley “Open House” event occurs in May for families to visit the school and see their children’s work displayed in classrooms and throughout the building.
   

SWPBS

SWPBS stands for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support. It is a framework designed to promote positive behavior and create a supportive school environment. The goal is to help every student succeed by encouraging good behavior and making sure everyone knows what is expected of them.

Our theme is the Gockley I CAN train!

C stands for Caring,

A is Always do my Best, and

N is Need to be Safe.