West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

Happy New Year, WCASD! Winter break has officially ended and I am very happy to welcome you into a new year and back to school. Although it never really feels like enough time, I do hope you were able to spend time relaxing and enjoying the company of loved ones.

The start of a new year always has such an exciting energy. Many people take this time to set goals, create bucket lists, and challenge themselves to reach new heights. While I am among this group (personal goal of reading more here I come!), I also want to encourage us to be kind to ourselves over the next few months. Take a cue from when we will inevitably have to delete or erase "2022" until we get the hang of writing "2023." Set goals, dream big, but remember to give yourself time because believe me, we do have the time to make mistakes, reflect, change and still accomplish all of the greatness that awaits us.

Thank you for a wonderful 2022, and for an even better 2023!

To make sure that you don’t miss a moment of the WCASD events and activities, check out the list of upcoming events in our Celebrate the Arts Flyer.

Important Dates:

January: School Board Appreciation Month

January 1: New Year's Day

January 9: Pupil Services Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

January 9: Education Committee Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

January 12: Health at Every Size Parent Session | 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 17: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

January 22: Lunar New Year

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

January 26: Transition into Adulthood - Special Education Parent Session | 6:30 p.m.

January is School Director Recognition Month! Please join us in celebrating the West Chester Area School District's school directors who volunteer their time to serve our students, schools and communities.

Our heartfelt thanks to Board President, Sue Tiernan, Vice President, Gary Bevilacqua, and Directors, Joyce Chester, Dr. Laura Detre, Daryl Durnell, Karen Fleming, Dr. Karen Herrmann, Dr. Kate Shaw, and Stacey Whomsley for helping our students achieve their personal bests!

Some Polar Express fun over at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary before the winter break. Students even received their very own ticket before "boarding" the train.

Join Dr. Sokolowski and Elementary School student, Emma, for the fifth video in the Two Questions in Two Minutes Video Series to hear about how students in the WCASD get involved in the arts and become leaders in their schools. For more Two Questions in Two Minutes Videos, visit our Youtube Playlist.

Mary C. Howse enjoyed some holiday cheer just before the winter break began.

Festive staff members and the school mascot greeted students as they hopped off the bus in the morning, and the fun continued as students wore pajamas and played holiday music throughout the hallways!

Thank you, Ludlow and Anna, for your fun-filled report on all of the holiday activities and learning experiences that brightened the classrooms and hallways of Hillsdale Elementary School in December.

Students and staff from West Chester Area School District’s Rustin High School spent October and November collecting books for the third Annual Children’s Book Drive to benefit children and young adults throughout Chester County. Students involved in the American Latino Program, National Honors Society, Library Advisory Board, and Literature for Leaders Clubs sponsored the drive and sorted through over 22 boxes overflowing with new and gently used books.

To read the full article from Vista.Today, click the button or the photo.

Thank you to IFM Prover and Efector for hosting WCASD High School students for an awesome job shadow experience!

Students first received a tour of the manufacturing location, where they got a firsthand look at how IFM designs and manufactures sensors. Then they traveled to IFM headquarters to learn about the various other roles that go into a manufacturing business.

GIANT is once again partnering with our school district’s food service organization on a program to help support children in our school district facing food insecurity! To date, The GIANT Company and its customers have donated more than $4.8 million through the Feeding School Kids Round Up Program.

From January 1 and through February 28, 2023, everyone who shops at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores will be invited to “ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER” their grocery purchase and donate the round up amount to the program fund. From backpacks with weekend food, to clearing delinquent lunch accounts, to building a community pantry in our schools, the funds will be provided directly to our district food organization to address food insecurity in our school communities.

Additionally, this year, customers are also invited to "Fill the Plate." From January 20 to 30, all GIANT and MARTIN’S stores will have a bin located at the front of the stores to collect non-perishable goods from customers to donate to the local public school district that store supports.

Thank you to the First West Chester Fire Co. (FWCFC) for once again bringing Christmas magic to life for our Hillsdale Elementary School families.

This is now the third year in a row that FWCFC and Hillsdale have partnered to brighten the spirits of those in need of holiday cheer. We are so grateful for our wonderful WCASD community!

As we continue further into the winter weather season, please remember that in the event of inclement weather the WCASD will communicate any weather impacts via email, call, text, our website and on social media.

Additionally, you can access our Frequently Asked Questions regarding Flexible Instruction Days (FID) at: www.wcasd.net/FID.

Students throughout the district created cards for local retirement communities and service members deployed in the Middle East during the holiday season! From just Exton Elementary, East Goshen Elementary, and Rustin High School, over 800 cards were delivered before the holidays.

Congratulations to Rustin Head Football Coach, Mike St. Clair, on being recognized at the Eagles Game on Sunday, January 2, as the Philadelphia Eagles High School Coach of the Year. Congratulations, Coach!

Just a reminder that if you are looking to catch a Basketball game or cheer on your favorite wrestler at their next match, tickets are only available online!

Visit your school’s online ticketing site to purchase individual event tickets or a season pass:

• https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/org/henderson-high-school-athletics
• https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/org/west-chester-east-high-school-athletics
• https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/org/rustin-high-school-athletics

East High School students shared a special musical performance with the residents of the Hershey Mills community before the winter break. There was no shortage of holiday cheer in the auditorium!

The students in this video are from the House of Hope Charity Concert, which is a 13-year tradition at West Chester East High School. Each year, they raise thousands of dollars for Home of the Sparrow, a local non-profit that helps women facing homeless in Chester County, through a concert that features student musicians.

They are inviting fellow WCASD students to audition for House of Hope! This is a great opportunity to expand opportunities for performance and appreciation of student musicians while also supporting a great cause. If your child loves music, performing, and making new friends, they should consider auditioning for this wonderful cause!

Auditions will be on February 7, 8, and 9, in the West Chester East High School Orchestra Room. Please reach out to ehshouseofhope@gmail.com with any questions!

Exton Elementary kicked off the new year with the completion of its new Kindness Rocks Garden!

Earlier in the year, EXE students took time in art classes to decorate special 'kindness rocks' to include in the rock garden. The garden encourages visitors to take a rock for inspiration or leave one to help kindness and the garden grow!

Exton Elementary School held a special assembly to recognize students for displaying excellent behavior and SOAR-ing (showing success, optimism, attitude and respect) like an eagle!

The East High School Dance Team even stopped by to surprise the students with a fun performance during the assembly.

Citadel Credit Union is looking to recognize teachers from across the Greater Philadelphia area that go “above and beyond” to make a difference in the lives of their students. We know that there are many wonderful WCASD teachers who make a positive impact every single day, and we need your help to recognize their efforts!

Nominations for the award will be accepted until January 15, 2023. Teachers, counselors, and administrators at public and private schools in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Lancaster and Philadelphia counties are eligible.

On December 19, all three WCASD high schools competed in the DECA competition at West Chester University. Over 400 WCASD students participated in the competition and did an exceptional job representing themselves, their schools, and the district!

This photo is of the full group representing East High School.

Before the winter break, Peirce Middle School worked together to donate almost 500 (yes, 500!) pounds of food to the West Chester Food Cupboard! Way to go, PMS!

Want to make a big difference? Looking for flexible opportunities? Join the Kelly Services Team!

Whether you are interesting in becoming a substitute teacher as a way to start your career or you are looking for a new, flexible experience, the Kelly Education Team has a fit for you. To get started, fill out the inquiry form linked in the photo or the blue button.

Know someone else who you think might make a great substitute? Refer them to Kelly Education and receive a $100 referral bonus after the complete the hiring process and work five full-day jobs! There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make, simply use this referral link!

Congratulations to Fern Hill Elementary's own chess champion, Aayansh Agarwal!

At the 2022 U.S. Chess National K-12 Grade Championship, Aayansh received 1st place and a gold medal in the Unrated Category for his grade level. The tournament lasted three days and students in grades K-12 competed at their grade level from across 42 states. Way to go, Aayansh!

Don't wait, register now for the eight week SAT Prep Course at East High School! This course is open to all high school students, but space is limited.

Course runs January 17 – March 9, 2023; Pre-test March 4. Click the flyer to learn more or the blue button to register now.

Henderson High School is seeking nominations for the B. Reed Henderson High School Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was designed to recognize graduates who have achieved excellence and reached the pinnacle of their field at the national or international level. A committee comprised of West Chester High School (B. Reed Henderson High School) alumni, Henderson High School staff members, and current students will review all Hall of Fame nominations

If you would like to nominate an individual for consideration, please complete the Henderson High School Hall of Fame 2023 Nomination Form.

The deadline to submit nominations is: Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

The West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF) is an independent non-profit organization created to attract private resources exclusively for the benefit of students in the West Chester Area School District. The Foundation's mission to supplement creative, meaningful, real-world experiences ensures that each year WCASD students and staff are able to participate in engaging field trips, projects, career exploration and more!

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation and how you or your business can become involved, click the button below.

At various times throughout the year, community members may request a review of instructional materials or books related to the WCASD. When this occurs, the Superintendent can create a committee to review the material in question. 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.