West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

As I prepare to officially assume the role of Superintendent for the West Chester Area School District in the next few days, I want to extend my greetings and appreciation to each of you! I have received such a warm welcome from the staff and community members who I have already had the chance to meet. In just the short time that I have been visiting the area, it has become abundantly clear that this district and community are truly exceptional. I feel very lucky to be coming to such a welcoming and positive school district.

Over the next month, my priority will be to engage with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community. I am particularly interested in understanding the unique ways in which the members of our community contribute to the district's success.

Visiting schools and classrooms and exploring the area will help me gain insights into the daily operations of our schools and how the district functions within the community. I value the importance of firsthand experiences and hearing directly from our community members. These experiences will help me better understand both the challenges and the many opportunities that lie ahead. I'm certain that I will also find time to enjoy the tremendous shows, concerts, athletic events and incredible experiences I have already heard make this season particularly magical in the WCASD.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks and appreciate the warm welcome I have already received. Together, we will work towards the continued advancement of the West Chester Area School District.

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:

December 2: Special Education Day

December 4: School Board Annual Organizational Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

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

December 7: WCASD Job Fair at Fugett Middle School | 4:00 p.m.

December 7-15: Hanukkah

December 18: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:00 p.m.

December 18: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

December 22: Half-Day for Students | Teacher Inservice PM

December 24: Christmas Eve

December 25: Christmas

December 25: District Offices Closed

December 25-January 1: Schools Closed for Winter Break

December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa

December 31: New Year's Eve

West Chester Area School District administrators and their families spent a wonderful Saturday hanging the greens in the Borough of West Chester.

What a great opportunity to work with each other and the West Chester Chamber to bring some extra joy to the community!

Click on the video to see Westtown-Thornbury Elementary's Veterans Day Assembly featured on Fox29 News!

We're hosting a job fair on Thursday, December 7, to grow our talented team of Support Professionals! Attendees will have the opportunity to interview for paraprofessional, instructional assistant, and custodial roles.

To learn more about open positions, salary rates, and benefits and to register for the fair, click the registration button or the image. We cannot wait to see how you fit into our WCASD team!

22 Rustin High School students participated in the Mathematical Association of America’s American Mathematics Competitions (AMC MAA). The AMC MAA provides an opportunity for high school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Tests last 75 minutes and consist of multiple-choice questions designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.

The AMC MAA is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad!

Highlighting Peirce Middle School at our November Board Meeting, Maria and Cole, two outstanding students, provided a firsthand glimpse into their educational journey. From sharing insights on their learning experiences and exciting projects to revealing how they unwind during the day, their reports were a testament to the vibrancy and achievements within our school community.

We would like to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to Board President Sue Tiernan, who has dedicated numerous years of service to the WCASD. Director Tiernan's leadership has been instrumental in advancing our district's mission, and her passion for education has left an indelible mark on the lives of students and colleagues alike. As we bid farewell, East High School graciously created a commemorative bench. This bench, soon to find its home at the Spellman Administration Building, will serve as a lasting tribute to Director Tiernan's exceptional contributions. Thank you, Sue, we sincerely appreciate you and your family’s passion for this community!

Each year, the West Chester Area School District and the West Chester Area Education Association award ten deserving seniors from each high school with the Spellman Humanitarian Award. Initiated in 1999, the awards honor the memory of the late Dr. Elwood M. (Ossie) Spellman, who served as a member and president of the West Chester School Board from 1951 to 1969. Dr. Spellman was a highly respected area dentist who was also actively involved in the Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, YMCA, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. We are looking for students who exhibit the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship that was central to Dr. Spellman's life.

If you are a deserving senior who has demonstrated a commitment to community service, please complete the application below by Monday, December 18. A ceremony honoring the students will take place on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Questions? Contact:

East HS: Mrs. Keenan ( Ckennan@wcasd.net )
Henderson HS: Ms. Florence ( bflorence@wcasd.net )
Rustin HS: Mr. Reyna ( creyna@wcasd.net )

Last month, the vibrant community of Bellingham Retirement joined with East Goshen Elementary School as residents actively engaged in a heartwarming 3rd-grade art class. This budding partnership not only enriches the lives of our Roadrunners but also fosters a meaningful connection with the wonderful residents of Bellingham!

At Henderson High School, the South Asian Student Association illuminated the library with the spirit of Diwali after school. From vibrant diya painting to savoring delicious snacks, they embraced the festive traditions and shared the essence of Diwali with the school community!

We are excited to share that Mrs. Abigail Dougherty is already making a positive impact on students and fellow staff as a new Assistant Principal and the 11th Grade Administrator at East High School.

With a wealth of experience and deep commitment to supporting students in their individual educational and personal journeys, she has already made them a valuable addition to the administrative team at East High School. To learn more about her, click the button or photo!

Congratulations to 37 exceptional young athletes who recently participated in their high school school's Signing Day! They committed to continue their sports journey at the collegiate level, and we couldn't be prouder of their hard work, dedication, and the bright futures that lie ahead.

Thank you also to the dedicated families and coaches who've supported them on their journey!

Embracing the Season of Giving, our schools rallied together to spread kindness during Thanksgiving. Through food drives and meal deliveries, our students and staff left a lasting, positive impact on our community!

As we quickly approach our winter weather season, the WCASD will soon share more information with families regarding our plans for responding to inclement weather. Please look for additional details and FAQs regarding our winter weather plans from next week.

We will continue to communicate any inclement weather impacts via email, call, text, our website and on social media.

In case you missed it, the WCASD is pleased to share that Mr. John McGowan IV has been successfully onboarded as the new Director of Technology. McGowan joins WCASD with twenty-two years of experience and a proven track record in educational technology, having previously served in a similar capacity at Wissahickon School District for over fourteen years.

In his role as Director of Technology, McGowan leads the district's efforts in leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences for students, educators, and staff. To learn more about him, click the button or photo!

The district's top singers from Elementary, Middle, and High School came together to share their extraordinary talent at the the WCASD Honors Choir Concert. These young voices joined forces, performing both separately and together, setting the stage for a season filled with music and magic across the district. Bravo to these incredible students and their dedicated directors who make it all possible!

The WCASD has been honored by The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) with the 2023 Outstanding Visual Arts Community endorsement. This recognition reflects our commitment to visual arts education through rigorous and inclusive programs, highly accessible programs for all students, and highly visible programs, sharing achievements and events.

Out of the hundreds of students who auditioned for PMEA District Festivals, 11 East High School Students, 23 Henderson High School students, and 11 Rustin High School students will represent themselves, their schools, and the district at District Band, Orchestra, and Choir. We are so incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these students and directors!

At the November educational committee meeting, a new elementary class, called “Design Lab,” was proposed that aims to provide all K-5 students with an experience surrounding the concepts of Design Thinking. In this new class, students will meet once every four days and be provided the opportunity to empathize with the world around them to identify and define problems, ideate solutions, and prototype and test their creations. More simply put, students will be able to “make stuff that matters”!

The district currently has a core committee of teachers and administrators working on the curricular planning and resources and are excited to share more information during family information sessions that will be held on January 24, and February 28.

More information and registration for the sessions will be shared as details are finalized!

Congratulations are in order for Rustin High School Special Education Teacher, Ann Carozza, who was recently named as one of the Top 30 honorees for 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year Award!

Ann is a two-time national champion, earning victories in the 200-yard butterfly in 2022 and 2023. She holds the NCAA Division II record in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200 butterfly and led her team to a fifth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships. We are so grateful that Ann, who is a WCASD graduate and current teacher, lends her talent and passion to help others follow their dreams.

*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.

The West Chester Area Education is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to supplement creative, meaningful, real-world experiences for students in the West Chester Area School District.

Please consider helping us support our students!

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.