The Golden Knight

Rustin students showed a great deal of resilience and academic fortitude this week. Many students sat for the Pennsylvania Keystone Exams (Algebra, Biology, and Literature) or Advanced Placement Exams in the many areas of AP study offered at Rustin. These tests are challenging and lengthy and tricky! I am so proud of the way our kids approached these tests with confidence and positive attitudes. They were well prepared, and they should feel a strong sense of accomplishment.

Seniors are counting down the days! While I doubt that senior parents need reminded, the last official academic day for seniors will be Friday, 5/23. Seniors will report on 5/27 for the Senior Walk. Please be sure to submit the permission slip!

Seniors will also report on June 3 for Graduation Practice and, of course, June 4th for our graduation ceremony!

As always, continued thanks for your partnership and support. And please reach out with any questions.

Clif Beaver, Ed. D.

Interim Principal, Rustin High School

May

19: Late (make-up) Keystone Exams

19-23: Late (make-up) AP testing

20: NO SCHOOL for Students (Teacher In-Service day)

21: Spring Jazz Café, 7pm

21: SENIORS! return of laptop/charging cable to Tech Office begins (5/21-23, room A105)

22: Art Slam in Rustin's Main Gym, 5-7pm

23: Seniors - Last Academic Day

27: Senior Walk & Picnic

29: Senior Awards Assembly

June

4: Graduation

10-12: Half-days for grades 9-11 (6/12 last school day)

LINKS in Image:

RHSAttendance@wcasd.net

WORKING PAPERS

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!

This past week, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. Show your love for our Rustin teachers and support PTO by ordering a cupcake for a teacher(s). For each cupcake you order, a personal message will be printed and given to the teacher of your choice. If you would like to order a cupcake and choose a message for the entire staff, please select "All staff note" instead of selecting a specific teacher, and you can write a message for the "Rustin Teachers" in the note section. We will display the general messages with the cupcakes. Orders are due May 30th. Cupcakes and notes will be delivered as an end-of-year treat for the teachers.

Use this link to order- https://www.cakeadifference.org/rustin

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

Dear WCASD Secondary Families,

As we prepare for the upcoming summer, we are pleased to announce the Summer Credit Acceleration Program for students enrolled in the West Chester Area School District. This program offers students the opportunity to earn original credit during the summer months, while providing increased flexibility in their academic schedules for the 2025–2026 school year.

The program will run from Monday, June 23, 2025, through Thursday, August 7, 2025. Only students who are registered or pre-registered in the WCASD can enroll in the WCASD Summer School programs. Registration is open from April 28, 2025, through June 2, 2025.

Please note that the Summer Credit Acceleration Program is open exclusively to currently enrolled WCASD students.

Courses offered through this program are designed and taught by WCASD faculty and will follow a blended learning model, combining both in-person and online instruction. Students are expected to attend in-person sessions every Tuesday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Fugett Middle School.

*Please be advised that there will be no classes held on July 3 or 4, 2025 due to the Independence Day holiday.

Please refer to the Summer Credit Acceleration Program Information for additional details about the Summer Credit Acceleration Program, including course offerings, eligibility requirements, program dates, and technology expectations. This information is intended to help you make an informed decision about your student’s participation.

We hope the information provided offers a clear and comprehensive overview of the Summer Credit Acceleration Program, including key dates, course offerings, eligibility requirements, and technology expectations. Our goal is to ensure families have the necessary details to make an informed decision regarding their student’s participation. Should you have any questions after reviewing the information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor.

Sincerely,

Dr, James Conley

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

Open to any female WCASD student who is a rising 9th-12th graders. This is a great opportunity to build leadership skills this summer! The expedition is put on through the Philadelphia Outward Bound School. There is a scholarship available to help assist with the cost to attend. All you need to do is fill out the application. Limited spots are available.

PLEASE NOTE: Application deadline has changed to May 26th

https://outwardboundphiladelphia.org/merit-award-courses/westchester-girls-canoeing/

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

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.

Class of 2026 - Senior Portrait Information - CADY

If you did not attend the Junior Class meeting, stop by A333 to fill out the information card for the Senior Portrait photographers, ASAP.

Hello Rustin Families! The Class of 2026 is running a Rustin spirit wear fundraiser to support its Senior Post-Prom. We have a wide variety of items including tees, shorts, hoodies so check out the link below to place your order! The online store closes next Sunday, May 18th at 11:59pm. Orders can be picked up on Monday, June 9th between 5-7pm in the Rustin cafeteria. Thank you so much for your support!

https://tuttlemarketing.chipply.com/Rustin/

Unlock incredible savings with the Rustin High School Class of 2026 Discount Card fundraiser! For just $20, you’ll gain access to exclusive discounts at 20 local businesses. The cards are valid through December 31st, 2025! Cash and Venmo accepted. The order form includes all payment and pick-up information. Your child does NOT have to be in the Class of 2026 to purchase these! This fundraiser is open to all families and the community. Every card purchased supports the Class of 2026 Prom. Get your card today and start saving while supporting a great cause!

ORDER FORM: https://forms.gle/koVFGjNCXUR53Hoz5

Contact Jenny Raimondo (jennyraimondo@comcast.net) if you have any questions!

Thank you for your support!

Spring is in the air!

We are seeing all sorts of students with seasonal allergies in the nurse's office: burning eyes, congestion, sneezing. Sadly, we do not carry allergy medicine in the nurse's office. Please consider having allergy medicine on hand at home if your child has a history of allergies.

Parents of 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 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

Follow this LINK to view the expectations and rules that Rustin Administration discussed during the January class meetings. Thank you for your help and support with these important processes.

All late arrivals to school, even if entered in PickUp App or accompanied by a parent note, accumulate toward the "8 lates = detention" - unless a note from a doctor/dentist is turned in within 3 days of the late.

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'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:

1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (fees waived)

1. 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.

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