West Chester Area School District
June Newsletter
A NOTE FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. DAVID CHRISTOPHER
Dear WCASD Community,
As another school year draws to a close, I'm filled with immense pride for our students, families, teachers, and staff. We've shared so many wonderful moments and milestones together these past months.
Our seniors recently participated in the beloved tradition of the Senior Walk, walking through the halls of their middle and elementary schools one last time. It was a reminder of how far they've come, and, for our younger students watching them, the bright futures ahead. Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2024 are just around the corner, and I can't wait to celebrate their achievements.
At all levels, our students have enjoyed long-awaited traditions like promotion ceremonies, final picnics, track meets, and field trips. These events, the big and small moments, are the memories they'll reflect on when they walk across the stage to take their diploma before we know it!
As you enjoy the summer months ahead, I hope you take time to rest, relax, and recharge. Pick up that book you've been meaning to read, spend time with loved ones, or explore new hobbies and interests. The break is well-deserved after a year of dedicated hard work.
We have an outstanding 2024-2025 school year ahead, with new opportunities, discoveries, and achievements on the horizon. For now though, keep walking the WCASD way this summer - we'll be seeing you soon.
Important Dates:
National Safety Month | National Bullying Prevention Month | Pride Month
June 4: Rustin High School Graduation
June 5: East High School Graduation
June 6: Henderson High School Graduation
June 7: Padres Latinos End of Year Celebration
June 10: Education Committee Meeting | 6:00 p.m.
June 11: Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice
June 12: Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice
June 13: Last Day of School! | Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice
June 16: Father's Day
June 17: Policy Review Committee | 5:30 p.m.
June 17: Property & Finance Committee | 6:00 p.m.
June 17: Special Board Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
June 19: Juneteenth | Schools and Offices Closed
June 24: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
East Goshen Elementary Roadrunners Soak Up the Sun
The EGE roadrunners soaked up some sunshine during recess! From shooting hoops to running around with friends and playing on the playground, it's all about staying active and having fun.
Taking a break helps them return to the classroom ready to dive back into learning!
Rustin High School Lights Up Learning with Light Properties Lesson
Mrs. Ernst's physics class at Rustin High School immersed themselves in the realm of light properties!
From exploring reflections and refractions to witnessing the interplay of light within their classroom, students were engaged in a thought-provoking flashlight demonstration.
Fantastic Fun Day at Fern Hill
Fern Hill fifth graders organized a fantastic outdoor event for 1st and 2nd graders!
They set up multiple stations with different games all being led by a group of students. What a great outside day filled with activities as the school year comes to an end, and the fifth grade bobcats head to middle school!
We cannot possibly thank our retirees enough for their years (and years) of unwavering passion and commitment to our students, staff, and school communities!
They have made an incredible, positive impact on our entire district, and, while we wish them nothing but the best, we are going to miss them tremendously.
The May School Board Meeting started on a high note with Chloe, Anusha, and Ritisha from Exton Elementary leading the salute to the flag. These outstanding student representatives then provided an update on all the great activities happening at their school this year. It's been an exceptional year of learning and growth at Exton Elementary. We know these students are sure to have a wonderful summer after their hard work!
The meeting also celebrated the impressive athletic and academic achievements of our talented senior from across the district. It was an inspiring night recognizing the dedication of our students inside and outside the classroom!
Thank You, Director Joyce Chester!
Over two fun-filled days, the district held its annual Elementary Track Meet at West Chester University's Stadium. Students from all eleven of our elementary schools came together to compete in running races, hurdles, shot put, and more.
While the track and field events were exciting, the real highlights were the smiles, laughter, and sense of community as kids from across the district connected with one another. The meet allows our students to showcase their athletic abilities while bonding with peers they may not normally get to see.
None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our amazing staff members and parent volunteers as well as the support of the Parent Teacher Organizations and Home and School Associations. Thank you to everyone who donated their time and energy to create these special days for our elementary schoolers!
WCASD Seniors Enjoyed a Special Kente Ceremony
The Kente Ceremony was held for the Black Student Unions of all three WCASD high schools. This meaningful event honored the academic success and rich heritage of our students!
Each graduate received a vibrant Kente stole, symbolizing unity, pride, and tradition. They will proudly wear these stoles at graduations!
Gifted Program Students and Families Acknowledged the End of Another Year
At the GPAC Celebration of Learning, students in the Gifted Program and their families gathered for an end-of-year celebration where students showcased their incredible projects.
From exploring the History of Roman Numerals and the life of Muons (one of the fundamental subatomic particles) to delivering memorized speeches and developing innovative apps, WCASD students wowed everyone with their talent and dedication. The grand finale? Scholarships awarded to our senior students!
Thank you to everyone who took our website survey earlier in May. Your feedback is very helpful to us as we explore new website platforms and options. We wanted to let you know that we did make some immediate changes based on your feedback and thoughts.
These changes include:
- Promoting the upcoming calendar dates right beneath the images on the homepage of each website.
- Adjusting the Quick Links to include the calendar on all websites.
- Updating the Quick Links to also include athletic schedules for middle and high school.
We also heard you loud and clear that in improving our future website we need to keep the large icons and enhance the search function of our site so that relevant information is easily accessible. You can also find our App in the Apple and Google App Stores for access to district information.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we look forward to keeping you updated!
Talented 4th and 5th graders from across the district came together for the annual Math ThinkTank Competition. Students tackled exciting challenges like coding a robot through a maze, solving logic puzzles, and crafting equations using math games.
The competition showcased the power of mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. Shoutout to all of the incredible students who participated, especially the winning teams from Exton Elementary!
Our district's special olympians had an incredible day competing at the Chester County Special Olympics events! Before heading off, they received special send-offs from elementary schools with cheers, posters, and heartwarming clap-outs wishing them luck.
The amazing spirit and sportsmanship displayed by our athletes and their supporters is truly something to celebrate. Way to represent WCASD with pride!
Mr. Prinzo's East High School biology students turned into teachers for a day to host an engaging "Watershed Day" for Fugett Middle School sixth graders. The high schoolers guided the younger students through an outdoor classroom adventure with themed learning stations.
At the creek station, students examined water samples to discover the microscopic creatures living inside. They got up close with different bugs, leaves, and plant life in the nature exploration area. Another station focused on observing and recording outdoor temperatures.
The hands-on activities allowed the middle school students to learn about watersheds and ecosystems in a fun, immersive way. Meanwhile, the high schoolers gained valuable teaching experience. It was an educational win-win for both grade levels!
This past winter, the 9th Annual WC E-Poetry Contest captivated participants with an impressive display of creativity and talent. Under the guidance of Ms. Eileen Hutchinson, Chairman, and committee member Ms. Jennifer Ozgur, the contest saw the addition of a new Kindergarten category (Word Play) along with integrations of Art and Music, enhancing the contest's multidisciplinary approach.
The contest achieved a milestone with over 115 submissions, the highest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Entrants, ranging from young poets to artists and musicians, explored a variety of themes, showcasing their mastery of literary devices and creative expression.
Read the full article on the district's website by clicking the blue button!
Henderson Students Captivate at Speaking Contest
The stage at Henderson High School was set for a showcase of incredible student oratory skills at the annual Speaking Contest. After weeks of preparation, brave contestants memorized and performed published pieces.
Congratulations to all the participants who bravely took the stage! A special shoutout to the winners: Leonardo R (1st), Kenadee C (2nd), and MaryKate S (3rd).
Exton Artists Showcase Imagination and Growth
The annual Art Show at Exton Elementary was a whirlwind of vibrant colors and creativity! Talented students showcased their imaginative masterpieces, from flowers to scenery.
The impressive artworks demonstrated the wonderful skills the young artists have cultivated over the school year. Families and friends marveled at how the students brought their visions to life.
Rustin Ignites Creativity at Annual Art Slam
The halls of Rustin High School were buzzing with creativity during the 18th Annual Art Slam! Students, alumni, and families flocked to this one-of-a-kind event celebrating impressive student artwork.
This year's show was extra special, collaborating with feeder schools to inspire elementary and middle school artists. Witnessing their excitement about future creative possibilities was truly magical.
East Seniors Bring Art to Life at Annual Art Show
The annual East High School Senior Art Show displayed the outstanding talents of over 30 student artists. The Link was transformed into a gallery, adorned with breathtaking paintings, striking sculptures, and more.
Visitors were in awe of the creativity and dedication on display. Congratulations to all participating seniors and award winners!
Rustin Musicians Strike High Notes at Festival
The Rustin Department had an outstanding day at the Music in the Parks Festival in Hershey! The talented students swept top honors across several ensembles.
The Concert & Chamber Choir, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble all earned First Place with Superior ratings for their stellar performances. The Concert Band also impressed with a Second Place finish and an Excellent rating. But the accolades didn't stop there! Rustin's Band, Choir, and Orchestra each received prestigious Overall awards, showcasing their incredible talent and dedication.
Congratulations to all the students and music staff on these well-deserved achievements!
Celebrating Student Talents at West Chester Gallery Walk
The West Chester Gallery Walk was a true showcase of our students' incredible artistic abilities. The Align.space gallery housed a stunning exhibition of WCASD student artwork, allowing visitors to admire the creativity and skills flourishing in our schools.
As guests strolled through the gallery, they were also treated to the smooth jazz tunes of Henderson High School's talented trio, providing the perfect ambiance.
District Musicians Unite for Grand "Jubilate Deo" Performance
For the first time ever, all three high school choirs, along with Senior Strings and instrumentalists from Henderson and East, united to present Dan Forrest’s "Jubilate Deo"!
From enchanting orchestral music from the Senior Strings to the grand performance of "Jubilate Deo" by over 240 singers and instrumentalists, this truly was an amazing performance by so many talented students! Thanks to the entire WCASD music faculty, students, and families for an amazing event.
Attention all parents with school aged children! Children's Summer Food Program 2024 is open every Thursday afternoon from 5:00 - 7:00 pm starting June 20 (Please note, there will be no summer distribution the week of July 4, however, families may visit the Express cupboard if needed). The WCFC provides a variety of family friendly produce, non perishable selections, individual portion frozen meals and bread and bakery products, and last summer they distributed almost 30,000 pounds of food to WCASD families!
¡Atención a todos los padres con niños en edad escolar! El Programa de alimentos de verano para niños 2023 está abierto todos los jueves por la tarde de 5:00 p. m. a 7:00 p. m. a partir del 20 de junio. Mira un video para más información.
West Chester Food Cupboard | 431 S. Bolmar St. | West Chester, PA 19382 | 610.344.3175 wcfood@gmail.com
Thanks to the generous support of the West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF), students across the district benefited from an array of mini-grant projects this year. From gardens to beautification efforts and more, these endeavors brought creativity and hands-on learning to life.
The possibilities were endless thanks to the Foundation's support. These innovative mini-grants enhance the educational experience in amazing ways.
To learn more about future mini-grant and community grant opportunities, click 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.
