West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

During the first week of the new school year, I had the opportunity to visit all of our schools and witness the excitement of students, staff, and families as they returned to school. It was heartwarming to see so many joyful faces, enthusiastic greetings, and waves. The positive energy was infectious, and it reminded me how fortunate we are to be in a place where we can focus on engaging our students in meaningful ways this school year.

Throughout the week, our students showed tremendous enthusiasm, even early in the morning. It’s clear they’re ready to tackle the new school year with energy and positivity. Our commitment to providing an engaging and exciting learning environment for every student remains as strong as ever.

I understand that the first few weeks of school can be an adjustment period for everyone—whether it's getting used to new routines, seeing our youngest learners off to school for the first time, or simply navigating the start of a new academic year. Let’s take it one step at a time and remember the wonderful experiences that lie ahead.

Here’s to an amazing school year! I’ll see you as we walk the WCASD way together.

Important Dates:

September: Attendance Awareness | Nat. Suicide Prevention Month | Hispanic Heritage Month

September 2: Labor Day - Schools and Offices Closed

September 4: Padres Latinos Meeting

September 5: Grade 6 Open House | 6:30 p.m.

September 8-14: National Arts in Education Week

September 10: Combined Pupil Services and Education Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

September 11: Patriots Day

September 12: Grade 7 & 8 Open House | 6:30 p.m.

September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

September 16: Policy Review Committee Meeting | 5:30 p.m.

September 16: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:00 p.m.

September 18: Half-Day Dismissal, PM Teacher Inservice

September 19: High School Open Houses | 6:30 p.m.

September 20: National IT Professionals Day

September 23: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

September 24: Community Parent Workshop | 6:30 p.m.

We are so thrilled that our schools are bustling with energy and excitement again - it's going to be an amazing year in the WCASD!

Just a reminder to our families, if you haven’t yet, please complete your back-to-school forms as soon as possible to ensure we have the most accurate information!

The WCASD uses an online process to complete Back-To-School information. This process is accessible via our PowerSchool Parent Portal, which is a secure system that enables the District to verify demographic, emergency, and medical information for students before the start of the new school year. Additionally, families can electronically sign most forms and indicate that they have received and reviewed other informational materials.

For more guidance regarding account creation, visit the WCASD Parent Portal Account Webpage. If you do not remember your self-selected ID and password, please select the “Having trouble signing in” link found below the login screen to recover login information or email parentportal_support@wcasd.net for further assistance.

We are thrilled to welcome our new teachers and staff members!

Whether they're new to the district or just moving to a new building, we are so glad to have them as part of our team. We hope the journey with us is off to a fantastic start and our new superstars are settling into their roles. Together, we look forward to a wonderful school year ahead, full of learning, growth, and collaboration. Welcome to WCASD!

Rustin art students began their journey into visual literacy with a fun and interactive activity!

Each student was given a heart, a dollar sign, a question mark, and a #1 symbol to use as they explored a "pop up" art gallery. They chose their favorite piece, the one they felt was most valuable, the one they had questions about, and the one they deemed most significant in the art world.

We are pleased to provide fans with the ability to purchase tickets online using a credit or debit card for all qualifying events through our vendor Hometown Ticketing. Tickets for all qualifying events are available now for the standard $5.00 general admission fee (plus an additional convenience fee per ticket collected at checkout by Hometown Ticketing). Please see the links below to purchase online tickets. Here are directions to download the Hometown Ticket App.

Cash is no longer accepted for admission to athletic events. QR codes will be available at the gate to assist spectators in purchasing tickets online.

Links to each High School's tickets page:
East HS | Henderson HS | Rustin HS

The WCASD has two ways residents can access home sporting events for free:

• Senior Gold Card - ages 60 and above

• Veterans Gold Card - active or retired member of the military

If you have any questions, please email the school's Athletic Director. Please remember elementary and middle school students must have a parent present at the game.

To streamline attendance reporting at the middle and high school levels, we have updated the email addresses for reporting absences. Instead of emailing an individual, please use the new email format: [schoolacronym]attendance@wcasd.net.

Please check your school’s specific attendance information to ensure you have the most up-to-date process for reporting absences and more this school year.

WCASD’s Welcome Back Convocation was the perfect kick-off for the 2024-25 school year!

The energy was electric as all 17 of our schools and district buildings came together with incredible enthusiasm and spirit. Hearing from everyone in the district—from administrators to students—was truly inspiring, and it was wonderful to celebrate everyone who chooses WCASD every day, some for over 35 years!

Fern Hill’s first day back was so full of excitement and joy that it ended up on CBS 3 News!

Our talented and wonderful students are already making headlines, and it’s just the beginning. With this fantastic start, we know it’s going to be a great year at Fern Hill!

Click the blue button or the photo of Fern Hill to watch the video segment.

We're committed to fostering an engaging and collaborative learning environment for our students. To support this goal, we are focusing on minimizing distractions and enhancing student engagement through limited cell phone access and use.

Cell phones can often be a barrier to learning, providing constant access to messaging apps, social media, and games, which can detract from the educational experience. Research suggests that excessive cell phone use can negatively impact mental health, social skills, and academic success.

To address these concerns, students at our high schools will be required to store their cell phones upon arrival to class and retrieve them at the end of each class. Middle school students are asked to secure their phones in their bags or lockers throughout the day. Teachers may permit cell phone use for specific educational purposes at their discretion.

If a student does not comply after a warning, they will be referred to their grade-level administrator and face progressive consequences as outlined in our student handbook. We believe this policy will help create a more focused and interactive classroom environment.

1. How do I contact my child if they are in class?
   High school students will have access to their cell phones between classes, during study halls, and during lunch. For emergencies, families can contact the Main Office to get a message to their child.

2. Where will the cell phones be stored?
   Most classrooms will use a storage rack or hanging pocket organizer in a safe and supervised location.

3. How will students handle with this approach?
   We are confident that our students will embrace this policy. Feedback from classrooms that have already implemented these practices shows increased student engagement and interaction.

We appreciate your support as we work together to create a positive learning environment for all students. If you have any questions about the WCASD's approach to cell phone access and use, please contact Dr. James Conley, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education.

Over the summer, each of our middle schools held transition camps for incoming 6th graders to begin exploring their school, learning how to open lockers, discovering all of the awesome clubs and activities they can join, and getting a head start on making new friends!

We hope our new 6th graders are having a great experience so far!

The West Chester Area School District (WCASD) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Erin Stephen as the new principal of Greystone Elementary School and Mr. Kyle Boyer as the new Assistant Principal at East High School. Both selections were approved at the WCASD School Board meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024.

Dr. Erin Stephen brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student success to her new role as principal of Greystone Elementary School. With five years of experience as an Assistant Principal within WCASD, Dr. Stephen has demonstrated exceptional leadership in school administration, teacher supervision, and fostering a positive school culture.

Her previous roles at Stetson Middle School and Bayard Rustin High School have equipped her with the skills to lead various school-wide programs, including Student Voice, MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support), and APT (Academically and Personally Talented) programs.

Dr. Kyle Boyer joins East High School as the new Assistant Principal, bringing extensive experience in educational leadership. Since 2022, he has served as the Dean of Students at Norristown Area High School, where he successfully spearheaded initiatives to cultivate a positive school climate.

Dr. Boyer’s passion for implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) has been a cornerstone of his work, reflecting his commitment to fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.

In the week before school started, our elementary schools were buzzing with energy as students eagerly explored their new classrooms, met their new teachers, reconnected with familiar faces, and, of course, tested out the playgrounds.

The smiles and excitement we saw were just a sweet preview of all the wonderful moments we have to look forward to this year in WCASD! We can’t wait to see the amazing things our students will accomplish.

We want to share some important updates about Title IX regulations and what they mean for our schools. Title IX is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on sex. In 2024, new federal regulations were enacted for schools that explicitly include gender identity and expression as part of the definition of sex. Several states, and some groups, have challenged these changes in court. While Pennsylvania is not one of these states, a separate federal case in Kansas has impacted many schools here as well.

As a result, the United States Department of Education is not allowed to enact the 2024 regulations in some WCASD buildings and in those buildings the previous 2020 regulations that do not include gender identity and expression are what can be enforced. However, in Pennsylvania, gender identity and expression are already considered protected under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. This means, that regardless of what WCASD school a child attends, the District is required to ensure that the student is not discriminated against on the basis of sex using a definition that includes gender identity and expression and that there are regulations that protect a student’s status if they are a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

We want to make sure that this information is clearly communicated, so please take a moment to review our updated Title IX policies that were enacted at last month’s Policy Review Committee meeting, which you can watch in the video. We are committed to ensuring that all our students feel safe and supported and that our schools are free from discrimination.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we work to ensure all students feel safe and respected at WCASD.

The West Chester Area School District's Preschool Parents Group's mission is to attract and transition children and parents into the West Chester Area School District. We offer a free program that provides educational and fun activities for preschool-aged children. You can attend any event that interests you - there's no obligation.

Time to Leap

Wednesday, September 11 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Penn Wood Elementary School

Please click here to register

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Doodles to Drawing

Wednesday, October 9, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Fern Hill Elementary School

Please click here to register

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Uptown! WCStudio

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. at East Bradford Elementary School

Please click here to register

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My Gym

Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 5:00pm - 6:00pm at Mary C. Howse Elementary School

Please click here to register

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ATA Martial Arts Lesson

Wednesday, February 12, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Hillsdale Elementary School

Please click here to register

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Tot Rock! Music Class

Please click here to register

Please contact Dr. Sara Missett, the West Chester Area School District's Director of Elementary Education at smissett@wcasd.net or 484-266-1070 with any questions

Thanks to the WCAEF, Stetson Middle School was awarded a $1,500 mini-grant for an exciting mural project! The mural, unveiled at the beginning of the school year, transformed the main hallway by promoting positive relationships and growth among students, using the acronym PRIDE:

• P - Purpose
• R - Respect
• I - Integrity
• D - Diversity
• E - Empathy
  

This inspiring artwork, created by Stetson’s students and local artist, represents P.R.I.D.E. and reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a strong and positive building culture. The project was organized by Michele Philips and involved a large group of 6th to 8th grade students, including those in the Best Buddies, Art Club, and Beautification Club.

We are so proud of our students for their creativity and collaboration in making Stetson a more vibrant place to learn and grow! Thanks the WCAEF, SMS PTO, Administrators, and local artist for supporting this project.

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.