West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

As we return from what I hope was a rejuvenating break, I want to take a moment to extend my gratitude to each of you—our students, staff, families, and community members—for your dedication and tireless efforts in supporting our district. The commitment to excellence and collaborative spirit I've witnessed firsthand has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it's truly inspiring to witness how we come together to confront every challenge head-on.

In the midst of deadlines, spring performances, athletics, and various activities, you've demonstrated consistency and determination (two qualities that often see us through when motivation isn't pushing us anymore), never losing sight of our shared goals, even during moments when the countdown to summer break might seem all too real.

As the finish line somehow gets closer and closer, I encourage us all to continue supporting and uplifting one another, while also taking moments to recharge and prepare for the final stretch ahead.

I am looking forward to celebrating my first WCASD graduations, experiencing the last walks through familiar halls, and enjoying the final days spent together. While these moments may be bittersweet, they lead to a well-deserved period of relaxation and preparation for the year to come. Until then, let's persevere, let's strive for excellence, and let's continue to walk the WCASD way together!

Also, to make sure that you don’t miss any of the events coming up for the WCASD, please check out the list of upcoming events below and our Celebrate the Arts Flyer at the bottom of this newsletter.

Important Dates:

April: Autism Acceptance Month | National Poetry Month | School Library Month

April 1: April Fool's Day | Schools Closed

April 2: Autism Awareness Day

April 1-5: National Assistant Principal Week

April 3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

April 3: Padres Latinos Meeting at Henderson High School | 6:30 p.m.

April 3: Spellman Humanitarian Awards

April 4: National School Librarian Day

April 7-13: National Library Week

April 8: Pupil Services Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

April 8: Education Committee Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

April 10: Schools Closed | Eid-Al Fitr

April 15: Policy Review Committee | 5:30 p.m.

April 15: Property & Finance Committee | 6:00 p.m.

April 17: WCAEF Recognition Breakfast at East High School | 8:00 a.m.

April 22: Earth Day

April 22: Passover Begins

April 23: Passover

April 24: Administrative Professionals Day

April 24: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

April blooms with gratitude as we honor and appreciate our exceptional WCASD staff members who play vital roles in nurturing our school community.

As this new season unfolds, we extend heartfelt thanks to our Assistant Principals, Paraprofessionals, Librarians, Library Aides, and Administrative Professionals. Their unwavering dedication ensures the growth and flourishing of our students, colleagues, and school communities. Please join us in thanking the vital individuals who keep us moving forward!

Students had a blast sounding out blended word beginnings like "br" in "Broom," "gr" in "Grow," and "sw" in "Swim."

Incorporating fun motions and activities, these learners enjoyed an engaging approach to language. Thanks for helping us gr-ow, Greystone!

They embarked on an insightful journey using HGTV's House Hunters, analyzing wants, needs, and purchasing power.

Students evaluated whether the home buyers' dreams aligned with their budgets. A fun and engaging way to learn about finances, business, and decision-making!

Students read through the story and answered questions like, "why are photos and captions important?" and "what can these elements tell us?" They were ready with the answer that captions can offer more context and photos draw people into a story!

West Chester East High School emerged victorious over 23 other Chester County schools at the Chester County Academic Competition, which is organized by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) and sponsored by the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU).

West Chester East will represent Chester County at the Pennsylvania State Academic Competition in Harrisburg on April 26, 2024, at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Read the full article at the Daily Local News by clicking "Repeat Champs" or the blue button!

Fern Hill stars, Ella and Seamus, stole the spotlight at the March Board Meeting with their enthusiasm for all things spring! As the weather warms, they shared exciting updates on our flourishing outdoor classroom, buzzing school garden activities, and the Girls on the Run program.

Their vibrant accounts painted a picture of a school community in full bloom, embracing the season with boundless energy and a zest for learning!

At Penn Wood Elementary, generosity and thoughtfulness shine brightly through the actions of the remarkable students and families. Recently, they made a tremendous impact by donating over 1,000 pounds of food to the West Chester Food Cupboard, showcasing their commitment to supporting our local community.

But that's not all! Penn Wood Elementary's Girl Scout Troop #45 has been spreading joy in the most heartwarming ways - their Hometown Heroes bags initiative has become a beloved tradition. After school, these scouts assembled special bags for the entire PWE staff, each filled with delightful Girl Scout cookies.

This annual celebration has transformed into a sweet reminder of community and gratitude, embodying the spirit of kindness that flourishes at Penn Wood Elementary.

Each high school will be accepting donations of gently used prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. All donated items will be available for students to take for free from the “Prom Shop” located in the Library at each high school!

For more information, important dates, and contact information, click on the attached PDF below.

What a fantastic day it was as parents and local community members joined EBE in the classroom to showcase how math impacts their everyday lives.

From real-world applications to hands-on demonstrations, students got to see math in action in exciting new ways!

The Chester County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced its 2023-24 winners of the “American History” and the “Patriots of the American Revolution” essays contest.

Each year, nationwide, students are given the opportunity to compose an essay and have it presented through their schools for evaluation. Judging is based on historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, and that the essay is the student’s own work. This year, Aparna Chaurasia, of Henderson High School was named a recipient!

To read the full article at the Daily Local, click "Chester County Chapter of DAR announces essay winners" or the blue button.

Flags of the nations transformed Stetson’s main hallway, and countries from all over the world were brought to life on homeroom doors. Stetson families cooked up and brought along various cultural foods for an International Pot Luck dinner that ended the week on a delicious note!

Fern Hill Elementary celebrated Women's History Month in style with an incredible career fair! Local women leaders from various fields graced the halls to inspire students with their stories, insights, and wisdom. From nursing to entrepreneurship, law enforcement to academia, students got a glimpse into a world of possibilities.

These women shared valuable advice on what it takes to succeed in their respective fields, empowering students to dream big and pursue their passions!

East High school hosted an exhilarating competition that drew 161 programming students from 16 schools across the region. From Elizabethtown to Philly, programming prowess was on full display!

Led by dedicated EHS Computer Science Students and faculty, including President Lasya and VP Peter, the event was a resounding success. Together, teams tackled 19 challenging tasks, impressing both the CS Department at WCU and competition sponsor, Venerable. In the competitive arena, students from David McCormick's class soared, securing 4th and 5th place in the Introductory competition.

As we eagerly welcome visitors and volunteers into our school buildings, it's essential to ensure a safe and smooth experience for everyone involved. To streamline the process, please remember to bring along your photo ID when visiting. Upon arrival, you'll be asked to show your ID at the school's main office or security greeter booth.

For volunteers, it's crucial to have your clearances on file. Our School Volunteer Policy mandates background checks for volunteers to uphold the safety of our students and community. These clearances include reports from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, and an original federal criminal history report.

For more information on the necessary items for visiting and volunteering, as well as details on our School Volunteer Policy, please visit our website by clicking the blue button or Visitors and Volunteers!

We're thrilled to share that Henderson High School's very own girls' basketball star, Whitney Evans, was featured as the athlete of the week on PHL17!

In recent months, Whitney has achieved incredible milestones, including scoring her 1000th career point, delivering three outstanding 30+ point performances, and leading her team to a remarkable 14-game winning streak. Not to mention, she played a pivotal role in securing the Ches-Mont title and guiding her team to victory in the first round of the District 1 playoffs.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to watch this special coverage! Click the video to catch all the action and celebrate Whitney's well-deserved recognition!

Attention anglers! Fugett Middle School's Fishing Club has been reeling in the fun all winter long, honing their skills with perfect casts, knot tying, and plenty of fish tales.

After patiently waiting, they finally had the chance to hit the great outdoors this past month!

Congratulations to the talented students of Stetson on their incredible rendition of "Mary Poppins"!

With their exceptional performances and dedication, they brought the magic of the beloved story to life on stage, captivating audiences with their talent and enthusiasm. Way to go, Stetson stars!

In addition to performing in the main rotunda, surrounded by the grand staircase, they received a private tour of the Capitol and saw the beginning of a budget voting session!

Senator Comitta honored each student with a certificate for their stellar performance.

Peirce's talented 8th grade students took inspiration from artist Charles McGee to craft this masterpiece. McGee's dedication to lifelong learning and appreciating nature echoed through his creations, and we hope our students are inspired to create art from their experiences!

Hosted by Wells School of Music and Music for All, these talented musicians delivered a wonderful performance for an audience of other students, directors, and guest artists alike!

From workshops with renowned clinicians to inspiring leadership sessions, students embraced every moment of this incredible opportunity.

Eight talented students recently secured spots in the PMEA Region VI Choir after shining bright at Districts!

Meet our stars: Molly, Juliet, Heidi, Brooke, Vedant, Constantin, Jackson and Daniel. Molly, Juliet, Heidi, Brooke, and Daniel will proudly represent HHS and #WCASD at the PMEA All-State Choir Festival.

With three sold-out shows, as well as three community shows and rehearsals, the Drama Club performed Mary Poppins Jr. for over 2,000 people over the course of just five days!

Huge shoot out to Mr. Hill, Ms. Richards, Mr. Miller and all of the families involved in making this such a wonderful experience for over 150 students.

We have so many exceptional musicians, including Henderson High School's Select Jazz Ensemble who attended the Cavalcade of Bands festival!

The ensemble earned the highest distinction of "Superior with Honors" and swept awards for the best trumpet section, rhythm section and Henderson junior, Leo, wowed as a top soloist of the night.

Last month 15 talented students from East, Henderson, and Rustin High Schools showcased their prowess at the PMEA District 12 Orchestra Festival.

Following competitive auditions in November, eight of our outstanding musicians, including Dinith , Meghan, Ajay, Charlie, Addie, Jace, Vidhu, and Luke, have earned spots in the Region 6 Orchestra Festival.

8 WCASD String Students participated in this year's PMEA Region 6 Orchestra Festival! The participating students were from East, Meghan (viola) and Dinith (bass), from Henderson, Ajay (violin) and Charlie (bass) and from Rustin, Vidhu (violin), Luke (viola), Jace (cello) and Adelyn (bass).

To get to this level, students had to successfully audition for a spot in districts in November and then re-audition at the District Festival to move on to regionals. At the re-auditions, three of the eight string students successfully auditioned to move on to All-State. The students moving on to All-State are from Rustin High School under the direction of Liz Shafman, Vidhu, Jace, and Adelyn Kelly. The WCASD String program is so proud of all 8 students who participated!

Are you passionate about sharing the beauty of language and culture with students? We're excited to announce two opportunities to join the dynamic World Languages department at the secondary level!

We are currently seeking qualified educators to teach Italian and French. To learn more and apply, visit our district's employment portal today!

Come visit Peirce Middle School on Saturday, May 4, for a wonderful children's show, crafts, and snacks! Click the flyer or scan the QR code for more information and tickets.

Throughout the visit, students explored various careers within the industry including producer, director, and camera operator.

They were also able to witness a live broadcast, giving them a sneak peek into the magic behind the scenes of a live TV network!

*Please note that dates are as accurate and current as possible, but we encourage those interested in events to check the specific school's recent communication and information.

Huge thank you to all of our attendees, volunteers, and generous sponsors of the Harlem Wizards Basketball Game for an incredible night of enthusiasm and fundraising!

The Harlem Wizards and the WCASD teachers put on a great game for all and had tons of fun. The event raised over $30,000, which all goes back to our WCASD students and staff. To see more photos of the event, visit www.wcasd.net/wcaef!

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.

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.