West Chester Area School District
February Newsletter
A NOTE FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. DAVID CHRISTOPHER
Dear WCASD Community,
As we move through the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible teamwork, resilience, and dedication that make WCASD such a special place. No matter what challenges come our way, I have no doubt that our community will continue to support one another and help our students thrive.
And what better way to highlight the power of working together than by looking at the history of the Philadelphia Eagles? (As a Pittsburgh fan, I’d love to highlight the six-time Super Bowl-winning Steelers—but don't worry, I do know where I live!)
The Eagles have given us unforgettable moments of perseverance and excellence—qualities I see in our students, staff, and families every day. From their first NFL Championship in 1948, played in a literal blizzard, to their Super Bowl LII victory in 2018, when the underdog team shocked the world with the legendary “Philly Special,” the Eagles have always embodied grit and determination.
Just like the Eagles, our school community tackles challenges head-on, supports one another, and pushes forward to ensure success for our students. Teamwork with a shared goal is what makes champions—on the field, in our schools, and throughout our community.
As we look ahead, let’s remember: we are one team, and together, we win (and hopefully the Eagles will too!). I’ll see you as we walk the West Chester way together!
To make sure that you don’t miss any of WCASD's exciting events, check out the list of upcoming events below and our Celebrate the Arts Flyer at the bottom of this newsletter.
Important Dates:
February: Black History Month | Career and Technical Education Month
February 3-7: National School Counseling Week
February 6: Kindergarten 101 | 6:00 p.m
February 6: College Planning Night | 6:30 p.m.
February 11: Teaching, Learning, and Equity Committee Meeting | 6:00 p.m.
February 12: MS101 Information Night | 6:30 p.m.
February 12: Family Session: Creating Responsible Kids on Smartphones | 6:30 p.m.
February 14: Valentine's Day | Half-Day for Students | Teacher In-service p.m.
February 17: Presidents' Day | Schools and Offices Closed
February 18: Policy Review Committee Meeting | 6:00 p.m.
February 18: Property & Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
February 24: Personnel Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
February 26: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
Exploring Careers in Healthcare
Henderson students interested in a future in healthcare had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Hagerty, a pediatric urology surgeon. She shared insights into her daily routine, her journey through medical school, and the many career paths within the medical field.
Dr. Hagerty emphasized the importance of passion and flexibility in finding the right career, inspiring students to explore the many possibilities in this impactful profession.
A Special Visitor at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary
Students at WTE enjoyed an exciting visit from children’s author and illustrator Gene Barretta!
He shared his journey to becoming an author and gave students a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. His visit was a wonderful opportunity to inspire young artists and writers to pursue their own creative dreams.
Penn Wood’s Book Bistro Serves Up a Love of Reading
Penn Wood Elementary’s library transformed into the coziest spot in town—the Book Bistro! By reservation only, lucky students enjoyed a one-of-a-kind literary dining experience, thoughtfully curated by librarian Ms. Hasham.
With beautifully set tables and unique “menus” of books, students expanded their reading palates by sampling new genres or savoring old favorites.
During the January School Board Meeting, Starkweather Elementary students put their creativity and hard work on display with an impressive video featuring interviews with students and teachers about their favorite parts of Starkweather. Their efforts truly captured the heart of their school community—talk about dedication!
Speaking of dedication, we want to again extend our heartfelt thanks to our nine WCASD School Board Directors for their leadership, commitment, and countless hours of service. Their guidance helps shape opportunities for our students, staff, and community, and we are grateful for all they do.
Stetson Middle School’s 8th graders had the chance to explore exciting career possibilities at the Career Fair!
Family members, community professionals, and WCASD staff shared their career journeys, inspiring students to dream big and explore their passions. From healthcare to engineering, education to entrepreneurship, the event offered a wealth of knowledge to help students envision their bright futures.
We’re excited to offer our next Parent Series workshop, “Creating Responsible Kids on Smartphones: Shape the Sky,” on February 12, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
Join WCASD and West Chester Communities that Care for this virtual presentation where Mr. Klingensmith will discuss current tech use trends among youth, setting expectations, and fostering digitally responsible behavior. Our goal is to improve your awareness of online trends and help guide your children in navigating the digital world safely. Don’t miss this important conversation!
Families of incoming middle school students, join us for a virtual Middle School 101 Information Night on February 12!
Hosted by WCASD middle school principals, this session will provide valuable insights into the middle school experience and what to expect in the coming year. Don’t miss out—register to attend and get all the information you need to help your student succeed!
The Giant Feeding School Kids Initiative is still going on now through March 31! Every time you round up at the register, you’re helping us fight childhood hunger in our community.
Funds raised will directly benefit WCASD students by expanding meal programs, providing extra weekend meals, and eliminating outstanding student meal debt.
Together, we can make a difference for our students and ensure no child goes hungry. Thank you for your support!
If you haven't already, you can now explore the wide array of courses and educational opportunities available for next school year! These guides provide valuable insights into the curriculum, electives, and pathways that await WCASD students as they move forward on their educational journey.
Visit our website by clicking the blue button or the course selection photo to explore the WCASD Course Guides for 2025-26.
Spotlight on Fugett Middle School!
It was a great day at FMS with all of the 5th graders from our feeder schools coming to visit! The Chorale, Jazz Band, and Orchestra all performed for the students, as well as two of the leads for the upcoming production of Crazy for You.
Students heard from all of our music teachers about their options for music classes and extracurriculars in middle school, and were led on tour by some of our 6th grade music students!
The Fugett Music Department also had a fantastic night at the first annual Music Quizzo Night fundraiser! 28 teams competed for various prizes with over 150 people in attendance, including some of our faculty!
Music teachers Jenna Yagel and Matt Hill served as the emcees and quizmasters for 5 rounds of questions, many parents came together to organize the event, and multiple local businesses supported the effort by sponsoring rounds and prizes!
The ALICE Training Institute has officially designated the West Chester Area School District (WCASD) as an ALICE Certified Organization for the third consecutive year. ALICE, an acronym for Alert, Lock-down, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, equips both staff and students with valuable safety options, situational awareness, and survival skills for school and life.
ALICE training is a rigorous process that integrates online learning modules on school safety and drills involving both staff and students. WCASD, now in its fourth year of training, is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing preparedness and resilience of its school community.
Read more on our district website or by clicking the blue button!
Mark your calendars for March 28 as the West Chester Education Foundation hosts the Harlem Wizards Basketball Game at East High School! It’s sure to be a fun and exciting evening for all ages.
We are also welcoming more sponsors for the event, with many great benefits at various levels, including logos and company information in emails, on our website, banners at the game, and even your logo on event t-shirts. Don’t miss out on the chance to support this fantastic event while gaining exposure for your business!
New Form for the 2024-25 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.
