West Chester Area School District
December Newsletter
A NOTE FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. DAVID CHRISTOPHER
Dear WCASD Community,
As we approach the holiday season, I’m reminded of the extraordinary events that allow our students to showcase their talents, passions, and creativity. From concerts and plays to athletic competitions and service projects, this time of year truly highlights the exceptional nature of our students and the dedicated staff and families who support them.
This December is also a very special one for as it marks a personal milestone—it has been one year since I joined the West Chester Area School District as Superintendent. Last December, I was just beginning to immerse myself in the WCASD Way. I was meeting staff, students, and families and discovering firsthand what makes this community so special. The kindness and warmth I received then are just as present today.
Now, a year later, I'm working alongside our incredible community to refine and build upon the WCASD Way. I’ve learned so much from listening to your voices, observing your dedication, and witnessing the unique strengths within our district - and it's challenges (which, I promise you, challenges are not bad but simply opportunities for new solutions!). This understanding has shaped our goals and inspired our plans for the future.
As we enter 2025, I’m excited about the work ahead, including the creation of our next Comprehensive Plan for 2025-2028, the development of a Portrait of a Graduate, and prioritizing meaningful staff engagement and recognition. Together, we are charting a course to ensure that every student is prepared, engaged, and benefiting from our collective efforts.
Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and belief in the potential of our students. I wish you and your families a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy new year. I'll see you as we walk the WCASD way into 2025!
To make sure that you don’t miss any of those exciting events I mentioned this season, check out the list of upcoming events below and our Celebrate the Arts Flyer at the bottom of this newsletter.
Important Dates:
December 2: Special Education Day
December 2: School Board Annual Organizational Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
December 3: Family Workshop: Mental Health Resources
December 4: Padres Latinos Meeting at Henderson High School
December 9: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:15 p.m.
December 9: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
December 13-15: Peirce Middle School Musical
December 16: National Athletic Director Day
December 18: HH Winter Concert at Asplundh WCU | 7:00 p.m.
December 19: Title IV Community Webinar
December 23-January 1: Schools Closed for Winter Break
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 24-25: District Offices Closed
December 25: Christmas
December 25-January 2: Hanukkah
December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa
December 31: New Year's Eve
Westtown-Thornbury Elementary Students Create!
Last month, young artists at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary brightened their hallways with beautiful flower paintings and adorable self-portraits featuring their favorite animals. Each piece showcased their creativity and individuality, adding a personal touch to the school!
Greystone Elementary Celebrates STEM/STEAM Day!
Third graders at Greystone Elementary marked STEM/STEAM Day in the Design Lab with an exciting invention challenge! Tasked with combining two random objects, they used creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking to dream up innovative ideas. Who knows? We might see these inventions come to life in the future!
Hillsdale Elementary Students Master "Trick" Words!
Hillsdale Elementary’s second graders took on the challenge of “trick” words—those tricky lookalikes with unique spellings and meanings. Through fun activities like air writing and whiteboard practice, these Huskies showed off their spelling skills and determination!
On November 21, East High School celebrated the induction of alumnus Nicholas Santoleri into its Hall of Fame. A 1975 graduate, Mr. Santoleri is a renowned artist known for his detailed and nostalgic watercolor paintings that capture the beauty of Chester County and beyond. The event featured inspiring speeches, music by a talented student quartet, and remarks from Dr. Sarah Graham.
This special occasion showcased Mr. Santoleri’s remarkable journey and serves as a reminder to students of their own potential to achieve greatness in the arts. Congratulations to Mr. Santoleri on this well-deserved honor!
Do you know an incredible WCASD teacher who goes above and beyond for their students? The Citadel Heart of Learning Awards recognize outstanding educators in the Greater Philadelphia area who make a meaningful difference inside and outside the classroom. Winners receive a hand-blown glass heart award, grants for their classrooms, and recognition at a special awards ceremony.
Nominations are open until January 15, 2025. Share your story about a teacher who has inspired you by clicking the blue button or photo!
During the November Board Meeting, William Atkins and Valerie Kosasih from Fugett Middle School spoke passionately about their learning experiences and activities at school. They highlighted the diverse opportunities available, including creative projects, collaboration with peers, and the supportive environment fostered by teachers and staff. Their enthusiasm underscored the value of engaging educational experiences that inspire and prepare students for success.
The students also very impressively passed a short "pop quiz" from School Board Vice President, Gary Bevilacqua. If you know the history behind Fugett Middle School's name, you might just get a round of applause too!
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! On December 3, at 6:30 PM, we invite parents to attend the workshop, “Understanding School and Community Mental Health Resources.” Learn about tiered interventions, resource navigation, and strategies to support your child’s well-being.
Download the flyer below or register by clicking on the blue button. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools!
Congratulations to the Rustin Knights Football Team on an incredible season, which included winning the District One Championship title! Their remarkable talent, hard work, and dedication shone through every game. This achievement reflects the strength of their teamwork and the unwavering support from their families, coaches, and community.
We’re so proud to celebrate these outstanding athletes and their amazing season. Way to go, Knights!
Each year, the West Chester Area School District and the West Chester Area Education Association award ten deserving seniors from each high school with the Spellman Humanitarian Award. Initiated in 1999, the awards honor the memory of the late Dr. Elwood M. (Ossie) Spellman, who served as a member and president of the West Chester School Board from 1951 to 1969. Dr. Spellman was a highly respected area dentist who was also actively involved in the Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, YMCA, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. We are looking for students who exhibit the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship that was central to Dr. Spellman's life.
Applications are accepted until January 10, 2025. Visit our webpage for more information and to apply.
Biology students at East High School brought science to life by creating self-sustaining ecospheres—miniature worlds that mirror Earth’s balance. These tiny ecosystems, carefully crafted by students, showcased the same biological processes vital to sustaining life on our planet.
Peers and visitors were invited to explore these fascinating creations up close, as students shared their insights into the wonders of life on Earth!
Hillsdale Ballet Club Dazzles with Nutcracker Performance
Hillsdale's Ballet Club showcased their talent with excerpts from The Nutcracker, impressing the audience with their grace and skill. Their dedication, passion, and hard work shone through, and none of it would have been possible without the incredible support of the HDE staff.
WCASD AP Art History Students Explore the National Gallery
AP Art History students from Henderson, Rustin, and East had an inspiring trip to the National Gallery of Art in D.C. They explored a range of art from Contemporary to American and European masterpieces. A highlight was a docent-led tour, where students engaged in thoughtful discussions that left a lasting impression on the museum educator!
Rustin Drum Majors Featured in 6ABC Thanksgiving Parade
Congratulations to Rustin's Drum Majors, Naina John and Arnav Soni, who were featured in the 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the 6ABC Salute to Bands, they proudly represented Rustin on the lead float, celebrating their participation in the 6ABC School Spirit Days this fall. What an exciting moment for these talented students!
41 WCASD Students Advance to PMEA D12 Band, Choir, and Orchestra
WCASD is pleased to announce that a total of 41 students advanced to PMEA D12 Band, Choir and Orchestra. On Saturday, November 23, over 700 students from schools in Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Counties competed for spots in the 3 ensembles.
The auditions were rigorous, with students required to perform scales, a sight reading example and solo excerpts. Our district will be represented by 20 choir members, 15 orchestra students and 6 band students at their respective District Festivals in the new year. Congratulations to these students and their directors for their hard work and dedication to their craft!
Henderson High School Music Department Shines with Fall Concerts
The Henderson High School Music Department presented 2 fall concerts in November. The instrumental concert under the direction of Kendra Woywod and Katrina Kelly took place on Thursday, November 14 at Peirce Middle School. The concert involved 120 HHS instrumentalists. Concert Band, Jazz Band, Sinfonietta, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and the HHS Chamber Winds performed. The concert concluded with a piece performed by the HHS Symphony Orchestra.
On Sunday, November 24, the HHS Choirs and Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jonathan Kreamer and Katrina Kelly performed a concert titled "Underneath the Stars." The concert included two pieces, Song of the Universal and Dark and Luminous Night by the Norwegian composer, Ola Gjielo. The lighting effects used made the concert extra special.
Congratulations to our Henderson High School Music Program on the successful completion of two fall concert programs.
The Henderson High School Music Department invites all to their Winter Program at Asplundh Hall on the campus of West Chester University. The hour-long concert will take place on Wednesday, December 18, at 7:00 pm and will feature the entire department on several holiday and winter favorites!
The West Chester Area Education Foundation is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to enriching education by supporting creative, meaningful, real-world experiences for students in the West Chester Area School District.
This Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, please consider joining us in our mission to help bring unique learning opportunities to our students!
New Form for the 2024-25 School Year!
At various times throughout the year, community members may request a review of instructional materials or books related to the WCASD or the District may begin the process of considering new instructional materials. When either occurs, the Superintendent or their designee can create a committee to review the materials. Parents and community members are an important part of the committee and review process.
If you would be interested and willing to serve on review committee if the need should arise, we encourage you to complete a brief interest form by clicking the blue button. Please be aware, if you signed up to participate last year, you will need to sign up again as it is our goal to keep this list as current as possible year-to-year. Thank you!
Did you know that the WCASD offers a Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program designed to assist Senior Citizens with the burden of Real Estate Taxes? In return for volunteering their services through this program, senior citizens may be entitled to a rebate of property taxes in accordance with the guidelines outlined on our Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program webpage.
Before applying to the program, we encourage those interested to review the attached brochure below and the guidelines on our website.
