West Chester Area School District
November Newsletter
A NOTE FROM SUBSTITUTE SUPERINTENDENT DR. KALIA REYNOLDS
Dear WCASD Community,
As we step into the bustling month of November, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest greetings to all of you. The fall season is upon us, and with it comes a sense of magic, joy, and gratitude!
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your dedication to the district. To the teachers and staff who work tirelessly to educate and nurture our children, the parents and caregivers who are essential partners in this journey, and, of course, our incredible students who inspire us daily with their curiosity and enthusiasm - thank you, thank you, thank you!
As December approaches, I look forward to joining with you in welcoming Dr. David Christopher as our incoming Superintendent. I have no doubt that he will continue to lead our district to new heights, building upon the strong foundation we've worked so hard to establish. Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of serving this wonderful community. It has been an honor that I look forward to continuing as your Assistant Superintendent, and I am excited for the future.
In closing, I would like to wish each of you a joyous and peaceful fall season, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with family and friends!
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:
November: National Native American Heritage Month | National Scholarship Month
November 1: Padres Latinos Meeting at Henderson High School | 6:30 PM
November 4: Gifted PAC Craft Fair | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
November 6: WCASD Choral Fest at East High School
November 7: Teacher Inservice
November 7: Election Day
November 8: National STEM/STEAM Day
November 11: Veterans Day
November 12: Diwali
November 13-17: American Education Week & Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week
November 13: Pupil Services | 6:30 p.m.
November 13: Education Committee Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
November 15: Support Professional's Day
November 17: Substitute Educator's Day
November 20: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
November 20: Parent Conferences (Half Day for Elementary Students; Full Day for Middle & High School Students)
November 21: Parent Conferences (Half Day for Elementary & Middle Students; Full Day for High School Students)
November 22: Parent Conferences AM; Teacher Inservice PM (No School for Students)
November 23: Thanksgiving Day
November 23-24: School and District Offices Closed
November 27: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
To our WCASD community, we're excited to share with you the highlights of a remarkable year in our district. The 2022-2023 Year in Review is our way of expressing gratitude for your unwavering support and celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of our students, staff, and community.
In this report, you will find school stories, important information, and glimpses into the heart of our district. From academic achievements and innovative programs to community connections, this year's report is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our WCASD family.
We believe that by sharing this report, we not only inform but also foster a deeper understanding within our community. Together, we can celebrate our successes, learn from our experiences, and look forward to the bright future that lies ahead!
The West Chester Area School District carries the massive responsibility of providing transportation to over 17,000 school students per year, including private schools and special education services. The district teamed up with local police departments on Wednesday, October 18, for PennDOT's Operation Safe Stop to remind motorists that it is illegal to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
In its 28th year, Operation Safe Stop is conducted in communities across the state in conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week. Locally, officers from West Goshen Township, West Whiteland Township, and Westtown-East Goshen Township rode along with students and drove behind buses keeping an eye out for violators.
Read the full article on the WCASD's website!
Gretna Glen Retreat and HHS Fall Choral and Chamber Orchestra Concert
The HHS Chamber Choir under the direction of Jonathan Kreamer and Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Katrina Kelly went on a retreat to Gretna Glen Retreat Center this October. While there, the 36 students participated in team building activities, boated, hiked and enjoyed games around a campfire!
Students also had the unique opportunity to work with guest clinicians, Marci Major from WCU and the Brandywine String Quartet, Ben Weaver, Hope Linton, Nolan Prochnau (HHS Alum) and Lia Delpino on both their individual ensemble music and the combined pieces they are performing on their November 19th concert. It was a great weekend filled with building relationships, having fun, and lots of high-level music making. To see their exceptional talents on display, you are welcome to attend the HHS Fall Choral and Chamber Orchestra Concert on Sunday, November 19, at 4:00 p.m. at Church of the Good Samaritan!
RHS Master Class with Daniel Han
Liz Shafman, RHS Orchestra Director organized a master class with Daniel Han, 1st violinist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Han came to Rustin to work with 6 WCASD violin students who are auditioning for PMEA on November 18.
Han provided lots of strategies for learning and practicing the scales and 2 excerpts for the audition. His years of experience and many performances of these excerpts gave our students an invaluable experience!
RUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE SPREADING THANKSGIVING CHEER
This season, Rustin High School students are coming together to make a meaningful difference in our community. Their mission: to provide at least ten families with full Thanksgiving meals!
You can join in by dropping off donations in the Main Lobby of RHS during school hours. Boxes and crates are ready to receive your contributions. For items that require refrigeration, please reach out first.
The deadline for donations is November 21, 2023. Your support will make this initiative even more amazing and ensure that families in need can enjoy a warm and nourishing Thanksgiving. Click on the photo to go to Rustin's Food Drive website!
Westtown-Thornbury Elementary
Westtown-Thornbury students spent their buddy class reading Federico and the Wolf and creating their own salsa together.
Henderson High School Students
Henderson students and staff from the English Language Development program and the Latin American Students Organization collaborated to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant, collaborative mural.
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.*
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 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.
