West Chester Area School District

Ever wonder who’s behind the emails, social posts, snow day website and social media messages, and district videos?

This month, Manager of District Communications, Molly Schwemler, shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the WCASD Communications team works to keep families informed, celebrate student success, and connect our community in meaningful ways.

March: Arts Education Month | Music in Our Schools Month | National Nutrition Month |
National Women's History Month

March 6: Harlem Wizards Basketball Game at East High School

March 9: All About AI: Family Workshop

March 13: Half-Day Dismissal | PM Teacher In-service | Pi Day

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

March 16: Teaching, Learning and Equity Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

March 17: Bayard Rustin Day | St. Patrick’s Day

March 18: No School for Elementary School (K-5 Parent Conferences); Full Day for Middle and High School

March 19: No School for Elementary School (K-5 Parent Conferences); Full Day for Middle and High School

March 20: Eid Al Fitr | Schools Closed

March 23: Personnel Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

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

To make sure that you don’t miss any of WCASD's exciting art and music events, check out our Celebrate the Arts Flyer at the bottom of this newsletter.

Throughout February, WCASD schools marked Black History Month with meaningful lessons, student-led activities, performances, and displays celebrating the history, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black Americans.

Students explored significant moments and voices from the past and present, engaging in meaningful reflection about culture and identity. These experiences encouraged important conversations about the role each of us plays in shaping the future.

Henderson High School proudly held its 42nd Annual Black Student Union Alice Thomas Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, February 28, an afternoon dedicated to celebrating leadership, achievement, and community.

Distinguished guests Mayor Lillian L. DeBaptiste and State Senator Carolyn Comitta shared inspiring remarks about the power of student voice and the importance of civic engagement. The heart of the event, however, was the recognition of Henderson’s senior BSU members, who announced their future college plans and were celebrated for their accomplishments and impact.

Special thanks to advisors Mrs. Dorsey, Ms. Okolosi, and Mrs. Wilson for their dedication and for making this meaningful and long-standing tradition possible!

Henderson High School’s BSU hosted a panel discussion featuring alumni and local professionals, who shared their experiences and insights with students. Special thanks to the BSU for organizing this incredibly meaningful opportunity for students to learn from real-life perspectives.

• Wednesday, March 18: Instead of a half day, there is no school for elementary students.
• Thursday, March 19: There are no parent conferences for middle school students.

The corrected information is listed online on the district and school calendars. Additionally, we will continue to remind families of this schedule change as we get closer to March.

On Friday, March 6, at East High School the Harlem Wizards will take on our WCASD All-Stars for a night of high-flying basketball, outrageous trick shots, and family fun.

Proceeds from this event support the West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF), helping fund programs and opportunities for WCASD students.

At the February School Board Meeting, we were pleased to welcome Mariano Muchler and Hridaya Tyagi from Peirce Middle School as our student speakers.

Mariano and Hridaya shared reflections on their experiences in WCASD’s music programs, highlighting special concerts and performance opportunities that have made a lasting impact on their middle school years. They also spoke about visiting Henderson High School, where they had the chance to meet future teachers, explore clubs, and begin envisioning the next chapter of their educational journey!

Last month we celebrated the 100th day of school! From 100th-day projects to big smiles in the hallways, our students have officially logged 100 days of learning, growing, and achieving together.

We’re so proud of all that’s been accomplished so far!

Congratulations to the band, orchestra, and choir students representing Rustin High School at the PMEA Regional Festivals! Regional Band participants include Suryan Chakravorty, Desmond Saito, and Ian Zimmer. Representing Regional Orchestra are Suryan Chakravorty, Áine Harner, and Nicholas Washburn. A special congratulations to Ella Lavaseur for her participation in the Regional Choir Festival. Ella also successfully auditioned and will advance to represent Rustin at the PMEA All-State Choir Festival. We are proud of these talented musicians and their outstanding accomplishments!

Members of the East, Henderson, and Rustin Orchestras enjoyed an inspiring field trip on Friday, February 13, to hear the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, often affectionately called “The Fabulous Philadelphians,” perform alongside acclaimed violinist Hilary Hahn.

Students also had the opportunity to have lunch at Reading Terminal Market and attend a pre-concert lecture, where they learned more about the works of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich featured on the program. Hilary Hahn’s performance was truly outstanding and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. It was a memorable and enriching musical experience for all. Special thanks to Ms. Liz Shafman, RHS Orchestra Director, for organizing such a wonderful opportunity for our students.

What a spectacular weekend for WCASD theatre! East High School brought energy, heart, and plenty of dancing queens to the stage with their production of Mamma Mia!, filling the auditorium with music, laughter, and applause.

Meanwhile, Rustin High School delivered a beautiful and moving performance of The Secret Garden, showcasing powerful talent, stunning visuals, and heartfelt storytelling. From performers to stage crews to directors, these productions were a true team effort. We are so proud of the talent, dedication, and countless hours that went into making both shows unforgettable!

Thanks to a generous mini-grant from the West Chester Area Education Foundation and the incredible creativity of local artist Stefanie Birl, every PWE Bear had the chance to share ideas and help bring the design to life. The result is a colorful, student-inspired mural that reflects the spirit, imagination, and pride of the Penn Wood community.

It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the middle of winter, creativity can make everything feel a little brighter!

Join WCASD And West Chester Communities that Care for a family workshop designed to bridge the gap between AI awareness and AI action. We’ll break down the latest trends in AI toys and tools, giving you the confidence to lead your family with intention and prioritize real-world connection in this "new normal."

Event Details

• Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: Peirce Middle School Auditorium | 1314 Burke Road, West Chester, PA

Let’s work together to build tech-smart families and keep our connections grounded!

Hillsdale Elementary students recently took part in a cross-grade buddy read of Giraffe Problems!

After reading the story, students worked with their buddies on an activity highlighting what makes them unique and what they appreciate about themselves.

Greystone Elementary welcomed students and their families for STEAM Night, where everyone had the chance to roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on activities together.

The evening gave families an opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve, and experience the creativity and critical thinking happening in classrooms each day!

Members of Aidan’s Heart Club from Henderson High School, along with Fellowship Volunteers, recently visited Peirce Middle School to teach 7th graders hands-only CPR and how to use an AED. Students practiced the essential steps that could one day help save a life.

Thank you to Aidan’s Heart Club and the Fellowship Volunteers for sharing their time, knowledge, and commitment to helping others!

Glen Acres Elementary once again participated in the Kids Heart Challenge, supporting the American Heart Association and learning about heart-healthy habits.

This year, students added a meaningful twist by dedicating their efforts to a family member affected by heart disease, making their hard work even more personal and impactful.

The West Chester Area School District has appointed Zachary Lewis as principal of Fugett Middle School following approval by the West Chester Area School Board of Directors, the district announced.

Lewis brings more than a decade of experience in public education and district leadership, most recently serving as a middle school principal in Philadelphia, where he led schoolwide improvement efforts focused on academic growth, school climate and access to learning opportunities.

East High School’s National Art Honor Society (NAHS) recently hosted its annual Coffeehouse event, celebrating student creativity in art and music. The evening featured gallery displays of student artwork alongside live performances, giving families, staff, and students a chance to enjoy the incredible talent at East.

A big shout out to NAHS for organizing this amazing event and for their dedication to supporting the arts. Proceeds from the Coffeehouse help fund future artistic initiatives, keeping creativity alive and thriving at East High School!

East Bradford’s 5th graders in Design Lab were hard at work creating original games for the Cougar Arcade!

From imaginative themes to thoughtful details, students are bringing their ideas to life entirely out of cardboard, turning simple materials into interactive arcade experiences. The creativity, problem-solving, and craftsmanship on display have been truly impressive.

In this special highlights episode of Talking the WCASD Way, Dr. Jimmy Conley steps in as guest host to revisit some of our favorite moments from past conversations across WCASD. From student voice and purposeful assessment to real-world learning through Career Compass and leadership rooted in community, these clips reflect the heart of our district’s work.

Join Dr. Kalia Reynolds every other Wednesday for stories from across the district. Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and subscribe to stay connected to what’s happening in WCASD.

In last month’s poll, families shared that the most helpful tools during course selection are course guides and program descriptions, along with conversations with counselors and teachers.

We couldn’t agree more! Our comprehensive course guides are designed to give you clear descriptions, graduation requirements, and pathway options to help students make informed decisions. You can access them anytime on our website here: Course Selection Guides.

And just as important, we strongly encourage students to connect with their school counselors and teachers. Those conversations help personalize choices based on interests, strengths, and future goals. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

We are so grateful to the local companies who have generously donated their time and resources to support the WCASD Preschool Parent Group over the years! These partners have helped us to accomplish our mission of successfully introducing children and families to the District though free, educational program and fun activities for preschool-aged children.

Huge thanks to our local company partners for strengthening our community and enriching our children’s experiences. WCASD Families, we encourage you to check them out and learn about the awesome work they do for our community: ATA Martial Arts, Colorful Clay Works, Life Therapy Services, Momentum Martial Arts, My Gym, Speech First, LLC, Time to Leap, ToT Rock Music Classes, Treehouse Yoga for Children, Uptown! WC Studio, WC Public Library, Yogic Body Studio, Young Rembrandts, and Zia Yoga.

If you are interested in sponsoring an event, contact Denise Clark at dclark1@wcasd.net or 484-266-1070.

Friendly reminder! From now through March 31, shoppers can support WCASD students by rounding up their purchase at The GIANT Company checkout to benefit Feeding School Kids. GIANT will match donations up to $100,000, helping strengthen efforts to fight childhood hunger in our community.

Thank you to The GIANT Company for supporting our students, one checkout at a time!

Thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend at Advent Church & Preschool for the WCAEF Bingo fundraiser! It was a fantastic evening filled with laughter, community spirit, and plenty of enthusiastic number-calling.

Thanks to your support, the event raised more than $2,500 to benefit WCASD students through innovative programs and opportunities across the district. That’s what we call a winning card!

We are so grateful to our hosts, volunteers, and every family member who came out to make the night such a success. When our community shows up, everybody wins.