The Golden Knight
January 10, 2025
Congratulations, again, to senior class parents. It was wonderful to see all of you and so many extended family members at Graduation on Wednesday. I want to thank our graduation planning team here at RHS and our WCASD District Maintenance Teams for all of the great work leading up to Commencement. The campus looked positively beautiful, and, albeit rather warm, the ceremony perfectly wrapped up 2025 for a very deserving and accomplished senior class.
Our schedule for the week of June 9, is a bit out of the ordinary.
- Monday, 6/9, Full Day | 2:15 dismissal
- Tuesday, 6/10, students will attend periods 1-4 | 11:02 dismissal
- Wednesday, 6/11, students will attend periods 5-8 | 11:02 dismissal.
- Thursday, 6/12, is designated as a “make-up” day with an 11:02 dismissal. Attendance is not mandatory. Only those students who are required to make up exams are required to attend.
I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in the Rustin Community for your gracious welcome, your help and support, and your partnership in your child’s school experience here at Rustin. It’s been a privilege to be here as Interim Principal, to grow to know so many of you and your children, and to work alongside our dedicated Rustin Staff.
Have a wonderful summer break.
Sincerely,
Clif Beaver, Ed. D.
Interim Principal, Rustin High School
June
10-12: Half-days/11:02am, dismissal for grades 9-11
June 12th is designated as a "make-up" day. Only students who are required to make-up exams are required to attend.
July
9 & 31: Class of 2026, Senior Portraits (by appointment only) 9:30 am - 6:00 pm, Auditorium
August
WCASD Secondary Schools - Summer Reading
PLEASE NOTE: There is an additional summer reading requirement for 11th grade, AP Language students - one of their 3-4 books of choice reading for the summer must be a nonfiction text.
Class of 2026 - SENIOR PORTRAITS
Parents/Guardians: Class of 2026
CADY Portraits will be sending updates and information related to Senior Portraits.
Please complete this Google Form to be included in their email communications:
RHS Class of 2026 - CADY Senior Portraits
Current Rustin Juniors - Book your Senior Portrait appointment by July 1
We are pleased to announce our partnership with CADY for Senior Portraits. Thank you to those families who have already signed up for their photo session! Students who sign up by July 1 will be entered into a raffle to win a free Senior Session at their studio and a digital package!
Please review this information for more details and instructions on how to book your appointment. Session prep information for students can be found here.
Reserve your photo session today—time slots are filling up fast!
The Idryo - Rustin's Literary Magazine
We are so excited to share this with you. Here is the link to the published website for: 2025 - The Idryo
C. McFadden & S. Gallagher
Attention Current Juniors
The National Honor Society application is now open for all JUNIORS. Applications are accepted in two windows. The first window is the end of junior year. The second window starts the first week of senior year. There is approximately a two-week turnaround time for applications. Once notified of acceptance, a student can immediately list membership on their college applications. There is one combined Honor Society induction ceremony in late September. All communications throughout the year will go directly to accepted students via Schoology and/or Remind. Application and requirements can be found on the Rustin website and you can access the application via this link:
https://forms.gle/AR5FBG8JWxJctQU66
Any questions e-mail Ms. Bryan: lbryan@wcasd.net
From the Counseling Office
We are very excited to introduce our college and career readiness platform, SchooLinks to the Class of 2026 and beyond! Click here for more information: SchooLinks
Culture & Cuisine in Northern Italy - June 2026
Announcing an unforgettable trip to Italy, June 2026! This is more than just a trip – it’s a hands-on and cultural experience that travelers will remember for a lifetime.
For more details, contact: mcoley@wcasd.net
Joyeux Carnaval!
Attention all students who will be taking a French class in the 2025-2026 school year. There is a 5-day trip to the Quebec Winter Carnaval planned from Thursday, February 12 - Monday, February 16, 2026. We would love for you to join us!
Please see Madame Strauss in A226 (5th period to the end of the day) or send her an e-mail at sstrauss@wcasd.net for more information and to secure your spot on the adventure.
Scandanavia - 2026
Are you interested in adding international travel to your child’s high school experience? Mr. Haid and Mr. Taglang are teaming up to plan a very special trip for the summer of 2026. They will be leading a group to Scandanavia - Norway, Sweden, Finland and even an afternoon in Estonia! Here is a link to all of the trip’s info!
Rustin Athletics Website: https://rhs.wcasd.net/our-opportunities/athletics
LINK to full 2024-2025 Athletics Schedule: https://rustin.digitalsports.com/
Click here for the 2025-2026 Rustin Fall Sports & Activities Newsletter! This includes key contact information for coaches, club/activity advisors, and all opportunities offered during the fall season at Rustin High School. Fall sports officially begin Monday, August 11th (Football & Golf begin Monday, Aug. 4th). All athletes must be registered in Family ID with an updated physical and PIAA physical form by Friday, August 1st. All physicals must be dated May 1, 2025 or later.
Attendance Policy
- Students are to be in 1st period by the 7:30 bell.
- Students not present when their 1st period teacher enters attendance are marked absent (LAW) - this triggers an automated absence call.
- Unfortunately, if a student arrives late and the attendance is changed, the call has already been triggered. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- All students entering the building after 7:30 or leaving early for any reason must sign-in/sign-out in the Attendance Office.
Pickup Patrol App
NOTE: a doctor's note is required if the absence, early dismissal, late arrival was due to a doctor/dentist appointment.
If you're not using the Pick Up Patrol app and would like the link sent to you so that you can begin using it, please email attendance.
New for 2024-2025
If you prefer email to the app, you can contact Attendance at: RHSAttendance@wcasd.net that email will take the place of the written parent note for absence, early dismissal, and late arrival.
NOTE: We need a written note, email or use of Pick-Up Patrol to document student absence, early dismissal, and late arrival. Phone calls to the Attendance Office are not accepted for documentation purposes.
Parents of Current 10th Graders – Please Note:
A physical exam completed by a qualified medical professional is required for all students entering the 11th grade. Any physical completed after 9/1/24 will fulfill the requirement. Please email the physical to the nurse's office at: jsteimel@wcasd.net or have the physical faxed to 484-255-4391, Attention School Nurse. Your student can also hand deliver the physical to our office.
There is no special form for this. Any visit summary from your child’s doctor’s office, patient portal or PIAA physical form will meet the requirement. Contact the nurse's office with any questions: jsteimel@wcasd.net
Parents of Current 11th Graders - Please Note:
Meningitis Vaccination Required for 12th Grade
A Second Meningitis ACYW Vaccination is required for entry into the 12th grade. If your child is over the age of 16 and has seen their doctor, they should have received this vaccination. It is a state requirement for attendance in school that they receive this vaccination before the start of 12th grade. Please send proof of vaccination to the nurse’s office at jsteimel@wcasd.net or have your student drop it off to our office. If you have a religious exemption on file, that has been noted in our records, no further action is needed. Please email if you have questions: jsteimel@wcasd.net
Visitors and Volunteers
We are excited to welcome visitors and volunteers into our school buildings! Upon your visit, please be prepared to show your photo ID in the school's main office or security greeter booth.
All visitors and volunteers must show a photo ID. We will scan your driver's license and issue you a visitor pass. Volunteers/Chaperones must have clearances on file (see volunteer/chaperone policy below).
WCASD Volunteer/Chaperone Policy
WCASD's volunteer policy applies to parents and all other members of the WCASD community who wish to volunteer in our schools and/or serve as overnight chaperones. The policy requires criminal history and child abuse clearances, including reports from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, and an original federal criminal history report.
1 & 2 are required for all applicable volunteers:
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (fees waived)
- ChildLine (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance through the Department of Human Services) (fees waived)
In addition to 1 & 2, one of the following is required for applicable volunteers:
3a. If a resident for the past 10 years, a signed Disclosure Statement for Volunteers (download from PA.GOV website) affirming no charges in other states that would prohibit selection as a volunteer;
OR
3b. If not a resident for the past 10 years AND the volunteer has received certification at any time since residency established, the volunteer must provide a copy of the certification received since residency established;
OR
3c. If neither 3a or 3b apply, FBI Criminal Background Check required (fingerprint check) for federal criminal history records (fee charged)
Volunteers at the WCASD use the service code 1KG6ZJ
For FBI Clearance - Please check your email within 30 days after fingerprints are taken. You will receive an email with your UEID# and the results. You need to save this email as a file and bring a copy to your child's school. You will only be able to access the email one-time, and you will have a 30-day window to access the email from the date it was sent.
It's essential that we create and maintain the safest possible environment for our students, and this policy is part of that assurance.
Many school districts nationwide are instituting similar policies as our entire educational system focuses on safety. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Beaver, Interim Principal of Bayard Rustin High School. Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
Welcome Message from Dr. Hunt, Rustin's New Principal
It is a true honor to serve as the next principal of Rustin High School. I am grateful for the opportunity to join a school community that values academic excellence and is committed to the success and well-being of every student.
In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to connecting with students, families, and community members. Building strong relationships will be a top priority for me as we work together to ‘educate and inspire all students to achieve their personal best.’
Thank you for welcoming me to the Rustin community. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Go Golden Knights!
Sincerely,
Maggie Hunt, Ed.D
