News from the Eagles' Nest

Hello EXE Families,

We had another GREAT week of teaching and learning at EXE! I hope everyone has adjusted to the time change. I'm not sure the darker evenings are quite as welcome as that extra hour of sleep! It takes a little time for all of us to adjust, but our students haven't missed a beat!

Our W.I.N. (What I Need) time is underway, and it has been wonderful to see our students engaged in meaningful learning during this dedicated instructional time. Across grades 1–5, students are working with teachers and support staff to strengthen skills, build confidence, and achieve success. We are already seeing great things happening as students receive targeted instruction designed to meet their individual needs. A BIG thank you to our teachers and support staff for the thoughtful planning, collaboration, and commitment that make this learning possible!

This week, we had the opportunity to recognize two very deserving members of our EXE family! Our wonderful front office team, April Evans and Kirsten Yantis, were honored with the West Chester Way Maker Award! If you've ever called or visited our school, you know firsthand the warmth, kindness, and care they bring to every interaction. They are often the first voices families hear and the first smiles that greet our students and visitors. Their willingness to help, problem-solve, and go above and beyond makes a difference in our school community each and every day. We are so fortunate to have them as part of our EXE team! Please join me in congratulating April and Kirsten on this well-deserved recognition!

A quick reminder that Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, November 10. This is an opportunity for students who were absent on our original Picture Day or who need a retake to have their school photos taken.

As a reminder, conferences will take place on November 23, 24, and 25th. It appears that many families have sign up for their conference but in the event you are looking to sign up for your child's conference, the link can be found here.

We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and talented teachers at EXE who make a difference in the lives of our students each day! Please consider recognizing a teacher who has made a meaningful impact on your child by nominating them for the Chester County Champions of Education Award. What a wonderful way to celebrate the incredible educators who make EXE such a special place to learn and grow! See below for how you can nominate an EXE teacher or specialist.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and for helping make EXE such a wonderful school community. We look forward to seeing everyone running back to school on Monday!

With EXE pride,

Dr. B

Don't miss out on all of the district news! Find the district newsletter linked here.

The district recently shared its new K-5 Purposeful Technology Use Guidelines, designed to support balanced learning experiences across our elementary classrooms. These guidelines establish clearer expectations for screen time, encourage purposeful technology use, and protect important opportunities for hands-on learning, creativity, and connection. We're excited to continue putting this guidance into practice while keeping what matters most at the center of every decision: our students!

We encourage families to explore the guidelines and additional information on the district website.

This past month students in grades 1–5 will participated in our W.I.N. (What I Need) time. This dedicated time during the school day allows us to provide targeted instruction based on each student's individual learning needs.

Over the past several weeks, our grade-level teams, reading specialist, and instructional coach have worked collaboratively to review students' Beginning-of-Year (BOY) benchmark assessment data to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. This thoughtful analysis, along with ongoing classroom observations, has helped us determine instructional priorities and create targeted learning groups for W.I.N.

During W.I.N., students may work with their classroom teacher, another teacher within their grade level, or one of our support staff members, depending on their learning needs. Groups are flexible and will be adjusted as students develop new skills and demonstrate growth. Some students will receive additional support with specific skills, while others will have opportunities for reinforcement or enrichment.

Our goal is simple: to ensure every student receives what they need to continue growing and achieving their personal best! We are grateful for the collaboration and thoughtful planning of our teachers and instructional support staff in bringing W.I.N. to life and are excited about the opportunities this dedicated instructional time will provide for our students.

We are pleased to let you know that your child’s beginning of year (BOY) benchmark assessment results are now available in LinkIt! portal. This is the first time district benchmark data has been added to the portal, joining the PSSA and Keystone Exam results that have been available since July. Please be aware that currently Science PSSA and Biology Keystone results are still on hold from the Pennsylvania Department of Education with an estimated release in late November.

If you already have an account: Log in at https://wcasd.linkit.com/parent and click the Reports icon. You will see new benchmark results listed alongside the state assessment data you have already been viewing.

If you have not yet set up your account: Now is a great time to get started. You will need the registration code that was sent to your email from noreply@linkit.com. If you cannot find it or did not receive one, contact your child’s school office to confirm the email address on file and request a new code.

What are benchmarks?

District benchmark assessments are given at key points during the school year in English Language Arts, Science and Math. They measure your child’s current skill levels against grade-level standards and help teachers plan instruction.

An important note about fall scores: BOY benchmarks measure skills at the beginning of the year before much of the grade-level content has been taught. These scores establish a starting point. You should expect to see growth as your child progresses through the school year, with winter and spring benchmarks reflecting that development.

Looking for more information about the acronyms included in your child's benchmarks? Check out this resource.

If you are having difficulty accessing your account, please contact assessment@wcasd.net

Know a WCASD staff member who makes a difference every day? Nominations are now open for the Chester County Champions of Education Awards, celebrating the outstanding educators and support staff who help our students and schools thrive.

Nominate a Champion of the Classroom for educators or a Champion of Service for staff serving in support roles, from paraprofessionals and custodians to food service staff and beyond. Nominations close November 30, 2026. Link found here.

Thank you to our students, families, teachers, and sponsors for making the EXE Fun Run 2026 & Coin War a great success, and to everyone who joined us for the Sky Zone private jump and Dining Night Out at Handel’s. Your energy and generosity made each event special, and your support benefits our school community!

Curious how your support makes a difference? Check it out here.

Shop for holiday gifts while supporting our school! Register, then share the fundraiser with friends and family to help the PTO reach its goal. Check it out here.

At Exton, our top priority is student safety during arrival and dismissal. Please read the following carefully so you’re fully prepared for a smooth start to the school year.

Exton uses PickUp Patrol (PUP) to manage all dismissal changes.

• After-School Events: If your child is staying after school for a club or activity, you must log the change in PUP. This ensures staff are aware of your child’s updated dismissal plan. For clubs that meet weekly, please log the change in PUP each day your child is attending.
• Same-Day Changes: All dismissal changes must be entered in PUP by 2:15 PM. Calls, emails, and handwritten notes are not accepted, except in emergencies.

📲 Get started here: PUP Parent Guide

Questions? Contact Kirsten Yantis, EXE Attendance Secretary, at kyantis@wcasd.net.

Download the free Bus Status 4 app to get notifications if your child’s bus is delayed or changed.

Even during construction, all cars should turn onto Hendricks Avenue and follow the posted pickup and drop-off signs. To avoid blocking traffic and allow cars to exit the parking lot smoothly, drivers must complete the full loop on Hendricks Avenue before entering the playground area. This loop maximizes space and helps maintain a steady traffic flow. After looping through the playground area, cars will exit through the main parking lot near the EXE main entrance.

Please pull all the way forward along the sidewalk so more cars can unload safely. For safety, students must exit on the passenger side. A staff member will be at the door to welcome and assist students. Parents remain in their cars during drop-off. If your child needs extra time or support, please park in a designated space and walk them to the door.

Transportation FAQs

PickUp Patrol – PickUP Patrol (PUP) is used for reporting any changes in your child's normal dismissal plan. Questions? Contact Kirsten Yantis, EXE Attendance Secretary, at kyantis@wcasd.net.

A new districtwide attendance reporting system is being used for reporting absences, early dismissals, and late arrivals. You can continue to report early dismissals and late arrivals on Pickup Patrol as well as Parent Portal. Absences will only be reported via the Parent portal or email to kyantis@wcasd.net or EXEAttendance@wcasd.net

For more information: https://www.wcasd.net/families-students/report-attendance-in-parent-portal

Managing your child’s meals and school-related fees is simple with PaySchools Central!

🥗 Menus & Meal Info

• Breakfast & Lunch Menus

• National School Lunch Program

• Breakfast Program Details

We love having our Exton Eagle families volunteer throughout the building! In order to volunteer, adults are required to have their clearances on file with us. Clearances can take 4–6 weeks to acquire, so please be sure to get the process started if you're looking to volunteer this fall. We can’t wait to see our Eagles in action—both big and small! Click here for more information!

Nov. 10 - Picture Retake Day

Nov. 17 - Fuggett's Virtual Town Hall Meeting 6:30 PM

Book Fair begins at EXE

Nov. 23, 24, & 25 - Conferences

Principal: Dr. Kristin Bulgarelli

Email: KBulgarelli@wcasd.net

301 Hendricks Avenue

Exton, PA 19341

Phone: 484-266-1400

Website