West Chester Area School District
October Newsletter
A NOTE FROM SUBSTITUTE SUPERINTENDENT DR. KALIA REYNOLDS
Dear WCASD Community,
It brings me great joy to reflect upon the remarkable start we've had to the 2023-24 school year. The energy, enthusiasm, and commitment displayed by our students, teachers, staff, and families have set such a positive tone for the months ahead!
As we continue to navigate this educational journey together, I want to emphasize our unwavering dedication to the district's comprehensive plan and goals. These ongoing efforts are designed to shape a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We understand the importance of adapting to the evolving needs of our community, and your input and involvement remain invaluable as we work towards these shared objectives.
With the fall season fast approaching, I find myself eagerly anticipating the warmth and togetherness it brings to our district. It's a time for us to celebrate our collective achievements and the bonds that unite us. It's also a moment to reflect on the progress we've made and the path we continue to chart towards excellence.
Wishing you all a wonderful October filled with continued growth and success!
To make sure that you don’t miss any of the events coming up for the WCASD, check out the list of upcoming events below and our Celebrate the Arts Flyer at the bottom of this newsletter.
Important Dates:
October: Principals Month | Cyber Security Month | Bullying Prevention Month
October 2: National Custodian Day
October 4: Padres Latinos Meeting at HHS
October 8-14: National School Lunch Week
October 9: Pupil Services Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
October 9: Education Committee Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
October 15-21: National School Bus Safety Week
October 16: Teacher Inservice Day (No School for Students)
October 16: National Boss's Day
October 16: Policy Review Committee Meeting | 5:30 p.m.
October 16: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
October 18: Parent Workshop: Excellence in Education: A Restorative Approach at FMS
October 21: Community Fair at HDE | 12:00 p.m.
October 21: Flu Vaccine Community Clinic at FMS
October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
October 23: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
October 31: Halloween
Peirce Middle School's own Concert Chorale had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at the Phillies game on Thursday, September 28!
The Concert Chorale is an auditioned ensemble comprised of 70 talented singers from 7th and 8th grade under the direction of Mrs. Denise Boyd. This performance is just one of many for the ensemble this year to showcase the hard work, dedication, and passion of a very talented group of singers.
Thank you, Lena and Vyvian, for delivering an informative and entertaining report on all the great things happening at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School.
We would also like to welcome and thank our new Student Representatives for the year, Jacob Vengal of East High School, Foram Shah of Henderson High School, and Olufela Osimokun of Rustin High School, for sharing their outstanding insights and updates about each of our high schools!
Please contact your school to let them know your child is going to be absent from school. Safe Arrival phone numbers are listed on all school web pages. Don't forget to send in an excuse note with your child or email the attendance secretary within 3 days of the absence.
*You DO NOT need to report to the school nurse if your child has tested positive for COVID.*
Henderson High School had the honor of inducting Dr. Jason Wingard into the prestigious Henderson Hall of Fame. The ceremony was a testament to his outstanding achievements and impact on our community and the field of education. The event featured inspiring speeches from students, former classmates from 1991, local leaders, and our esteemed board president, highlighting Dr. Wingard's dedication to education and leadership.
In a truly special moment, Dr. Wingard took the time to engage with Henderson students, sharing valuable insights on achieving their goals and offering a glimpse into the bright future ahead. His passion and wisdom will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of learners as they follow their own paths to success. Congratulations, Dr. Wingard, on this well-deserved recognition!
We know how important it is to stay on top of busing delays or cancellations, and we want you to be able to have information, too. The Bus Status App gives families a simple and accessible way to make sure they're notified of any changes such as delays and cancellations in the status of their child(ren)’s bus routes as soon as information is available. We hope this new app helps keep our families informed during the school year.
Peirce Middle School's Mia Rodriguez took center stage in the heart of Broadway as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video presentation.
Her photo was selected from a pool of over 2,400 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Mia's radiant smile and spirit represented a collective message of value, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome. In addition to Mia's image on two JumboTron screens, she also shared opening remarks during the event and sang the National Anthem to a crowd of over 2000 people!
From West Chester to the Lower East Side of New York – our students embarked on an unforgettable adventure! Mr. Taglang and Mr. Fischer led a group of 50 students from Rustin, Henderson, East, and Peirce to explore the rich history of German immigrants in the Big Apple.
Their journey began at The Tenement Museum, where they delved into the hardships and triumphs of German-Americans in the late 19th century. Then, they roamed the streets of "Kleindeutschland" or "Little Germany," once home to over 200,000 native German speakers. The group also paid tribute to the General Slocum boat disaster, a tragic event that reshaped the German-American community's history in 1904.
Rustin's Brianna Claussen summed it up the busy day of exploring, "We really did a lot in a just few hours!"
Rustin High School's German class also brought Oktoberfest, a Munich tradition since 1810, to life right in West Chester.
Mr. Taglang and Rustin German students headed to Bellingham Senior Living Community for a festive celebration where they wowed the crowd with a fun presentation of Oktoberfest's history and traditions. They also serenaded the residents with German folk songs and even performed the "Siebenschritt" folk dance!
Did you unsubscribe to district emails last year or over the summer? Whether it was by accident or on purpose, we get it! Taking a break from emails or unsubscribing to the wrong list happens, but with the school year underway you may want to make sure you're receiving important district information again.
If you are having trouble sending to or receiving emails from the WCASD? Here's what to do:
Not Receiving School and/or District Emails: Resubscribe to School/District Email Service
Emails Not Being Delivered to WCASD: Rejected E-mail Request Form
Update Your Email in the Parent Portal: This is just a great practice to make sure we have the most current contact information.
Henderson High School Chamber Choir has achieved a remarkable milestone! Out of more than 30 choirs from across Pennsylvania, they have been chosen to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association State Conference this April.
This conference brings together music educators and ensemble directors from all corners of the state. To be selected for a performance is a testament to the exceptional musicianship of our Henderson Chamber Choir! Congratulations go out to every member of the Chamber Choir, as well as their dedicated director, Jonathan Kreamer.
New Form for the 2023-24 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 West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF) is dedicated to fostering innovation in our classrooms? Each year, we provide exciting opportunities for teachers to bring unique projects to life with our mini-grants. These grants empower educators throughout the district to think outside the box and create extraordinary learning experiences for our students. From constructing outdoor classrooms to helping create beautiful murals in their schools, these projects are such a joy to watch come to life!
Last year, we proudly awarded over $36,100 to enthusiastic teachers who brought their inspiring ideas to fruition. We eagerly anticipate the incredible projects that will be submitted this year, as our teachers continue to push the boundaries of education.
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.
