West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

As we enter May, the final full month of the 2023-2024 school year, I want to express my sincere gratitude for an exceptional year. This month, and the beginning of June, is often a whirlwind of activity, with end-of-year celebrations, final projects, and preparations already beginning for the next chapter. However, it is also a time filled with joy and excitement as we reflect on the accomplishments of our students, staff, families, and community. Your dedication, hard work, and love of WCASD make saying goodbye for the summer a bittersweet experience.

Let's embrace the excitement, energy, and maybe even a little of the chaos of these final weeks, while also remembering to take a moment to breathe and look back on how far we've come together. We have plenty more to do, but I'm confident we will get there and we certainly have much to be proud of this year.

Speaking of accomplishments to be proud of, I am thrilled (seriously, beyond thrilled) to share that my family and I have officially become West Chester residents, having finally, finally, finally closed on a house in the area earlier this week. You'll see me walking the West Chester way or maybe even strolling through your neighborhood soon!

Make sure that you don’t miss any of the final 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:

Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Jewish American Heritage Month |
Mental Health Awareness Month | National Physical Fitness Month | Prevention Month

May 1: Design Lab Information Family Session at EXE | 6:30 - 7:30 PM

May 3: School Lunch Hero Day

May 3: West Chester Gallery Walk | 4-8:00 PM

May 5: Cinco De Mayo

May 6: Design Lab Information Family Session at WTE | 6:30 - 7:30 PM

May 6-10: National Music Week

May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7: Teacher Appreciation Day

May 8: National School Nurse Day

May 10: School Communicators day

May 12: Mother's Day

May 13: Pupil Services Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

May 13: Education Committee Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

May 20: Policy Review Committee | 5:30 p.m.

May 20: Property & Finance Committee | 6:00 p.m.

May 24: Teacher Inservice - No School for Students

May 27: Memorial Day | Schools and Offices Closed

May 28: Class of 2023 Senior Walk

May 29: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

To Our Amazing WCASD Teachers,

The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we want to say a huge thank you to all of our great teachers!

Every day, you come to school ready to help students learn and grow. You make learning fun and interesting. You care about each student and want the best for them. You teach lessons, but you also teach your students to dream big for their futures. Being a teacher is hard work, but you never stop trying new ways to get students excited about learning and connected with school. You listen to what they need and help them and their families however you can. You make our schools a welcoming, happy place.

Our students, families, community, and all of us are so lucky to have such caring teachers. Our schools would not be the same without you.

Thank you for being awesome. Thank you for being our teachers!

Sixth graders at Stetson Middle School dove right back into learning after the break!

They sharpened their skills with thesis statement practice, working on their ability to structure and articulate their thoughts and reasoning while also sharing a bit about their spring break with friends!

Hillsdale Elementary students celebrated individuality with their buddy reading activity!

After reading the book "The Best Part of Me," students teamed up across grade levels to celebrate their individuality. Together, they shared their "best parts" with an activity worksheet and created Pop Art using iPads and fun editing features.

Students were faced with the challenge of deciding which shapes can "Sometimes, Always, or Never" classify as another.

They did this by discussing the different properties of each shape and working together as a class to fill out their worksheet!

Fugett Middle School's 6th-grade reading class was captivated by the book, "The Crossover"!

During class, students explored the book's themes and characters, and created their own "review slide" to share their thoughts and opinions. Way to express your creativity and unique ideas, FMS!

East High School took the victory at the 2024 Pennsylvania State Academic Competition on Friday, April 26, 2024, when 19 high school academic teams representing Pennsylvania competed for the title of state champion.

“I can’t even tell you how overwhelming this is. We’ve been at states for three years in a row; today’s victory is the culmination of a team that has been playing together for four years and this is what they wanted to do,” said Nathan Schlamb, coach of the West Chester East High School academic competition team. “They acted as a team; the distribution of correct answers among all of them was just incredible. We came back from a deficit to win, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

Read the full article at the Daily Local News by clicking "State Academic Competition Champion" or the blue button!

Glen Acres students, Sophia and Adarsh, stole the spotlight at the school board meeting, sharing updates from their school community! They highlighted GAE's recent reading night, the fascinating solar eclipse and its scientific significance, and the melodious instrumental concert alongside an entertaining talent show.

Amidst the exciting information and updates, Dr. James Conley, our incoming Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, expressed his anticipation to join and support our community. We look forward to his arrival this summer!

WCASD is transitioning to a new website platform by the end of 2024. As we redesign our site, we want to hear from you!

This short survey will help us to find shared perspectives throughout the district and build a site that meets the needs of our families, staff, and students.

Here are the main details:

• Answer an open-ended question about the website
• Rate the thoughts shared by other participants
• The most commonly supported ideas rise to the top
• The survey is voluntary and anonymous
• It’s open now through May 5
• To participate, click WCASD Website Redesign Survey in blue.

Don't miss the chance to directly influence our new website!

Please join us in applauding Mr. Mitch Hoffman, a shining star among educators, for being honored with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award!

As a dedicated 7th Grade Teacher at Peirce Middle School, Mr. Hoffman's commitment to his students shines through both inside and outside the classroom. Amidst numerous thoughtful nominations, it's clear that Mr. Hoffman embodies the true spirit of this award. He goes above and beyond by mentoring his students and supporting them in extracurricular activities. One touching example is his practice of sending postcards to students to celebrate their successes and maintaining a 'I'M PROUD OF YOU' board where students can share their achievements.

Let's extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Hoffman for this well-deserved recognition!

WCASD announces the official appointment of two distinguished educational leaders following their approval by the School Board at its meeting held on April 24, 2024. Dr. James Conley and Mrs. Shante' Knight are set to join the WCASD leadership team.

With over 25 years of experience in education, including serving as the Assistant Superintendent at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, Dr. Conley is a seasoned leader known for his dedication to academic performance and innovation in secondary education. In his most recent role, Dr. Conley played a pivotal role in the development of the school's strategic plan.

In his new role, Dr. Conley will work closely with middle and high school principals as well as athletic directors to drive educational excellence and student success.

With over twenty-four years of experience in education, Mrs. Knight brings a wealth of expertise in school transformation and curriculum development. Mrs. Knight’s relevant experience includes positions as the Director of Educator Leadership Development at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and as the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Williamsburg James City County Schools in Virginia.

In these roles, Mrs. Knight has led comprehensive curriculum planning and professional learning initiatives to enhance leadership and learning in education. Her deep understanding of curriculum and equity issues positions her as an invaluable asset to WCASD as the district continues to prioritize equity in education.

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.

The Borough marked its 225th anniversary with a spectacular parade! There were floats showcasing the history of West Chester, bands, decorations, and, of course, WCASD students.

Henderson High School's football team, Rustin High School's band, Hillsdale Elementary's Cub Scouts, and more joined the festivities and brought their usual spirit to the day!

Hillsdale Elementary held its annual Gardening Day, and it was nothing short of amazing! Students dove into the world of seeds, learned the magic of growing food, and got their hands dirty planting kale, beets, and lettuce in the school garden. It was a blast seeing these young gardeners develop their green thumbs!

A heartfelt thanks to all the parent volunteers and staff who made this day possible! And a special acknowledgment to Mrs. Marilyn Quinn, who's been an integral part of the garden development and HDE school family.

The West Chester Area School District (WCASD) School Board of Directors approved a preliminary budget for the 2024-25 school year of $322,344,067, which includes a planned $5 million contribution of fund balance to the capital fund to offset costs associated with the elementary school renovation plan.

The district balanced the 2024-25 budget with a 1.3 percent tax increase to Chester County property owners and an 11.1 percent increase for Delaware County property owners. The variance in tax increases between counties is due to the change in market values that the PA State Equalization Board (STEB) reported to WCASD.

As part of Autism Acceptance Month, East High School's Bocce team made a special appearance at Exton Elementary!

This incredible team consists of neurodivergent and neurotypical high school students who work together to hit their target or pallino for our Bocce experts. Alongside their coaches, the team held three bocce tutorial sessions with all grade levels. Students learned bocce rules while also getting to play with the EHS team!

We're thrilled to share that WCASD is a GIANT's Feeding School Kids initiative recipient! Thanks to the generous support of GIANT, we received $45,000+ to help eliminate child hunger within our district.

A huge shoutout to everyone who rounded up at the register over the last few months - your contributions help ensure students have access to the nutrition they need to grow and fuel their education!

It was an honor to celebrate this year's Spellman Humanitarian Award recipients!

These exceptional seniors from each of our three high schools exemplify outstanding citizenship, volunteerism, and humanitarianism, dedicating countless hours to making a positive impact in our community and beyond. Congratulations to all and huge thank you to Chris Reyna, who has represented the WCAEA tremendously for the last 15 years that this event has been held. This year’s Spellman Humanitarian Award Ceremony was Mr. Reyna’s last as he is retiring at the end of this school year - we wish him all the best!

For more photos from the evening visit Spellman Humanitarian Awards 2023-24 or click the blue button to read more about the event!

The Rustin High School Model United Nations Club soared through an action-packed season, journeying to three conferences across the nation. From Charlottesville to DC, WCASD students immersed themselves in diplomacy, debate, and exploration.

Beyond simulations, Model UN offers a transformative experience where students tackle real-world issues, hone negotiation skills, and make connections with peers from around the globe. Under the guidance of dedicated advisors Mark Winfield and Matt Taglang, the students shone brightly, earning accolades and commendations at every turn.

For the 8th year, The NAMM Foundation has recognized WCASD as one of only 975 school districts to be named among the "Best Communities for Music Education."

This award acknowledges the tremendous dedication of our teachers and administrators in providing music access and education to all students as well as the commitment of our talented students and incredibly supportive families and community!

Click the photo to read the full article.

Using recyclable materials, Michael Albert crafted two original pieces for Glen Acres to display proudly in their halls.

At the same time, students got creative with their own recyclable materials artwork, adding bursts of color and imagination to the mix!

6th graders from Fugett, Peirce, and Stetson showcased their talent at the PMEA District 12 5/6 String Festival, representing WCASD with pride! They stood among the best string students from Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

A massive shoutout to the students who delivered outstanding performances: Levi, Charlotte , Santosh, Aanya, Lily, and Ahana

7th and 8th graders from Fugett, Peirce, and Stetson dazzled the audience at the PMEA District 12 7/8 String Festival! They shared the stage with the finest string students from Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties, showcasing their musical excellence.

A round of applause for Andrew Chen for his outstanding achievement as the Concert Master for the orchestra! And another for all of our talented participants: Shane, Gautham, Suryan, Andrew, Violet, Kristen, Faith, Ben, Enisk, Sofia, Michael, Jaiana, and Jane.

The Chester County Art Show was an amazing display of talent, featuring artwork from students across Chester County's high schools, with over 400 stunning pieces on exhibit!

WCASD is so proud to share that Henderson High School's, Emily Otto, emerged as the winner of art competition sponsored by Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan! Emily's artwork will be proudly displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. What an amazing achievement for all of our students who participated in the show!

East High School's wind ensemble had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Patricia Cornett from Temple University!

Dr. Cornett, conductor of the wind symphony and an expert in conducting and wind literature, shared invaluable feedback and perspective with our talented students! Keep up the great work, EHS!

At the end of April, the WCASD Senior Strings along with the three WCASD High School Choirs, WCASD Music Faculty and community members presented a spring concert to a large audience. After an introduction from Dr. Kalia Reynolds, Senior Strings under the direction of Katrina Kelly performed a variety of works including the Capriol Suite by Warlock, a medley from West Side Story and Danse Negre by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

The second half of the concert featured 250 people performing Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest. The orchestra was directed by HHS Choir Director, Jonathan Kreamer and one of the soloists was Kendra Werner, EHS Choral Director. This was the first collaborative event of its kind in the WCASD music program's history. The music on the program illustrated how celebration through music is expressed in different cultures. The piece included several instruments not often heard in orchestral music including the Chinese Erhu, Spanish Guitar, and African drums.

The Arts are certainly alive and well in the WCASD!

Calling all tech-savvy educators ready to ignite the spark of innovation! WCASD seeks a passionate Technology Education Teacher to inspire the next generation of digital pioneers. In this role, you'll blend technology with hands-on learning experiences and equip students with the skills to conquer the ever-evolving technological landscape.

So, if you're a tech-savvy trailblazer with a passion for shaping minds, this is your chance to leave an indelible mark on the future. Apply now and join our team of educators encouraging the leaders of tomorrow!

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.

WCASD high school students embarked on an exciting job shadow experience at SAP, diving into the world of enterprise application software.

From exploring diverse career paths to hands-on demonstrations of SAP's innovative products, students gained invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and business. Thanks to SAP for opening their doors and inspiring the next generation of leaders!

Our very own West Chester Bus Team, comprised of Krapf and On the Go Kids’ drivers, competed against over 100 contestants in the 43rd Annual Bus Safety Competition to take the first place title!

The competition, which consists of written tests and various driving maneuvers, is sponsored by the Chester County Transportation Association. The first place team consisted of (Photo - Top Row) Elise Groff (On the Go), Tammy Rutledge (Krapf), Kira Biddle (Krapf) , Thamar Speksnijder (Krapf) , Alison Sload (Krapf Operations Manager); (Photo - Bottom Row) Scott Dadey, Cheryl Vogelsang (On the Go), Michele Porco (WCASD Transportation Manager), Dawn Huskey (Krapf), Joanne Cowan (Krapf), Patti Carey (Krapf), Gabrielle Griffith (Krapf).

Additionally four of the five top five drivers were West Chester drivers, which allows them to compete in the state competition at Penn State in June. Joanne Cowan won 1st place, Patty Carey place 2nd, Elise Groff place 4th and Cheryl Vogelsang place 5th.

We are so lucky to have these tremendous drivers on our WCASD team, and we congratulate them on their win!

Sign up for Preschool Group email updates about events and activities

Please contact Dr. Sara Missett, the West Chester Area School District's Director of Elementary Education, with questions/comments by emailing smissett@wcasd.net or calling 484-266-1070

*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 Foundation (WCAEF) hosted its annual Recognition Breakfast, and what a fantastic morning it was. We are so grateful to all the donors and sponsors of WCAEF for their unwavering support and generosity!

During the breakfast, donors and sponsors had the chance to connect with students and staff members who've directly benefited from WCAEF's funding. They were able to hear about the huge impact the mini-grants have made for our teachers and students. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet and hear from our superintendent Dr. David Christopher.

Thank you to EHS students and staff for their amazing hospitality and delicious treats, to our donors and sponsors for their continued support, and to all of our speakers who made the event truly special!

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.