West Chester Area School District

As summer continues, we hope your family is finding time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the moments that make this season special. Whether you're traveling, exploring close to home, reading together, or simply slowing down, we hope these weeks are filled with fun and meaningful memories.

While our schools may be quieter, our teams are hard at work preparing for another great year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August. Until then, enjoy the rest of this very warm summer!

Take a peek at the final day of school across WCASD. From smiles and waves to celebrations and goodbyes, it was the perfect way to wrap up the school year!

National Make a Difference to a Child Month

July 4: Independence Day | Schools and District Offices Closed

July 20: School Board Meeting | 7:00 PM

Take one last look at the smiles, celebrations, and unforgettable moments from the final day of school across WCASD.

While the Class of 2026 celebrated graduation, the Class of 2033 spent the day making memories of their own at Camp Arrowhead!

Fifth graders from all 11 elementary schools came together for a day of swimming, fishing, games, and new friendships during one of WCASD's favorite annual traditions.

Mary C. Howse first graders put their science skills to the test during a fun "Float or Sink?" experiment with Dr. Dormer, Supervisor of K-12 Science, Technology & Engineering, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 6-8 Computer Science.

After a pirate-themed story, these young scientists worked together to make predictions, test their ideas, and discover what happens when different objects are placed in a layered density tower. It was a hands-on lesson filled with curiosity, teamwork, and discovery, plus an exciting sneak peek at the science adventures waiting for them in second grade!

The Henderson High School Girls Lacrosse team continued to celebrate an unforgettable season this summer! After capturing the PIAA State Championship, several players had the opportunity to share their journey during a live visit from Fox 29, reflecting on the teamwork, determination, and confidence that helped make their championship run possible.

Congratulations again to these incredible students on an amazing season and a well-earned title!

FYI WCASD: We've recently launched new online platforms for Board meeting agendas, minutes, and district policies. Community members can now access Board documents through Keystone Agenda and district policies through PolicyMain.

Additional guidance and resources to help successfully navigate both platforms will be added to our website later this month. If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to Board Secretary, Karen Avagliano at kavagliano@wcasd.net.

As the first season of Talking the WCASD Way comes to a close, we're looking back on the conversations, ideas, and inspiring people who made this year so memorable. From students and staff to families and community partners, each episode offered a unique glimpse into the people and programs that make WCASD special.

Thank you to everyone who listened, shared, and joined us along the way. We'll be back with more stories and conversations when a new season begins this fall!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our June poll! You shared that the two Portrait of a Graduate skills you saw grow the most in your children this year were Responsibility and Adaptability.

From taking ownership of their learning to navigating new challenges with confidence, it's wonderful to see these important skills developing both in and beyond the classroom. Thanks for sharing!

The West Chester Food Cupboard is here to help families with school-aged children stay nourished over the summer!

From June 18 through August 27, stop by on Thursday evenings from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at 431 South Bolmar Street for free fresh produce, dairy, nonperishables, and kid-friendly foods—no registration or eligibility required.

Enjoy safe, friendly service and healthy food to help keep your kids well-fed while school is out!

Year-Round Support

The Food Cupboard also offers regular hours for eligible WCASD residents and the Express Pantry is open to anyone in need—no requirements. Please contact The Baptist Church at 610- 696-7466 if you need help with transportation.

Join school and public safety professionals for a day of learning, collaboration, and practical strategies to enhance school safety. Hosted by WCASD Public Safety Supervisor Rik Thornton, the summit will feature expert-led sessions focused on prevention, preparedness, and response.

When: Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 8 AM to 3 PM

Location: Rustin High School Auditorium | 1100 Shiloh Road, West Chester, PA 19382

View the agenda, meet the presenters, and find out more on the School Safety Summit webpage!

Thanks to a mini-grant funded by the West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF), Ms. Kohlbrenner’s “Learning Labs” project at Fern Hill Elementary transformed everyday classroom lessons into creative, real-world learning experiences. Students stepped into roles as “word doctors,” record label agents, and builders while applying reading, writing, and math skills in new ways. These experiences encouraged creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connections to classroom learning.

The WCAEF’s support of innovative classroom projects helps bring new ideas to life and provides students with opportunities to explore, create, and grow. Thank you to the WCAEF for continuing to enrich learning experiences across WCASD!