West Chester Area School District

Dear WCASD Community,

As we close out another incredible school year, there’s so much to celebrate across WCASD. These final days are always filled with so much happiness—senior walks through elementary hallways, field days bursting with energy, outdoor experiences like Camp Arrowhead, and heartfelt ceremonies that mark important milestones. And, of course, graduation—a huge moment for each of our high schools that never fails to inspire. This year held special meaning for me personally, as I had the honor of watching my own daughter graduate from Rustin and officially join the community of WCASD alumni.

While summer brings a welcome change of pace, our work doesn’t stop. Across the district, teams will be hard at work on exciting initiatives that will shape the year ahead. Like our students, we approach summer with a mix of excitement and anticipation—ready for a refresh, but also eager for the new beginnings that next school year will bring: fresh ideas, new faces, and bold goals.

Before we look too far ahead, though, I hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to pause. Let’s recharge and return ready to be our best for the students and community we serve.

Have a safe and wonderful summer, and I'll see you as we walk the WCASD way!

Important Dates:

National Safety Month | Pride Month

June 3: Henderson High School Graduation

June 4: Rustin High School Graduation

June 5: East High School Graduation

June 10: Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice

June 11: Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice

June 12: Last Day of School! | Half Day for Students | PM Teacher Inservice

June 15: Father's Day

June 16: Teaching, Learning & Equity Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.

June 16: Property & Finance Committee | 6:45 p.m.

June 16: School Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m.

June 19: Juneteenth | Schools and Offices Closed

We are so proud of you, of how you’ve grown, what you’ve achieved, and all that you are becoming. As you chase big dreams and celebrate life’s moments, know you’ll always have a home here.

We’re waving goodbye for now, but we hope to see you again soon!

This year, WCASD seniors pressed rewind, stepping off the bus and back into the schools where it all began. They walked the same halls, saw their younger selves in today’s students, and revisited the memories (and people) that helped shape them!

East High School students in Carol Lill’s Entrepreneurship Honors class developed their own business plans and pitched them to a panel of fellow East teachers who served as judges.

Graded on both their presentation skills and business models, students embraced the challenge and showcased impressive creativity, confidence, and critical thinking.

Third graders at East Goshen Elementary took a journey back in time during Ancient Civilizations Day.

Through engaging, hands-on activities like crossing the Nile River and painting authentic hieroglyphics, students gained a deeper understanding of history and culture, with a special guest speaker from the Penn Museum adding to the experience!

At last month’s board meeting, Fatmata and Emma from Stetson Middle School led the Board in the salute to the flag and shared highlights from their time at Stetson.

They spoke about the strong sense of community, the many clubs and activities that made Stetson feel like home, and the valuable skills they developed like balancing academics with passions, building connections, having fun, and supporting others along the way. Good luck at Rustin next year, Fatmata and Emma!

The meeting also celebrated the impressive academic, athletic and musical achievements of our talented seniors from across the district. We were also proud to recognize our first group of WCASD Way Makers, staff members who go above and beyond to support students, build community, and lead with heart. It was an inspiring night honoring the dedication and impact of both our students and staff!

Our 2024–2025 Student Representatives, Madison Mathew (EHS), Peter Kennedy (HHS), and Diana Munoz-Lopez (RHS), gave their final reports, sharing highlights and accomplishments from their schools. We’re going to miss them greatly, but we're so excited for their next adventures.

Thank you for your leadership, insight, and dedication throughout the year!

The WCASD School Board of Directors approved a final general fund budget of $333,897,499 for the 2025-26 school year. This reflects an $11.3 million, or 3.51 percent, increase over the 2024-25 budget, supporting the district’s ongoing commitment to high-quality learning, responsible fiscal management, and student-centered growth.

The largest portion of the budget, staff salaries and benefits totaling more than $217 million, represents targeted investments in the student learning experience, a core district priority. Staffing additions in key instructional and support areas reflect WCASD’s 2025-2028 comprehensive plan’s goal of providing students with access to caring, committed adults and tailored supports that result in an increase in their engagement, agency, and achievement. The budget includes more than $1 million in new staffing to help personalize instruction, expand access to student services, and enhance wellness efforts.

Families, staff, school board members, and community came together to celebrate our graduating seniors from East, Henderson, and Rustin High Schools at a meaningful Kente Stole Ceremony.

Each student was presented with a Kente Stole and pin — a powerful symbol of heritage, achievement, and pride. Rooted in Ghanaian tradition, the Kente cloth’s colors and patterns represent unity, strength, and perseverance.

Juniors and seniors from East High School’s biology classes hosted an outdoor classroom adventure for Fugett Middle School 6th graders during the annual East-Fugett Environmental Day!

EHS students led engaging, hands-on stations covering:

• Soil health
• Stream studies
• Leaf and insect identification

This fun and educational event fosters collaboration between schools while teaching students about the importance of protecting our local watershed. A perfect blend of science, leadership, and community learning!

This year’s WCASD retirees represent a remarkable 752 years of combined service, but it’s the impact behind the numbers that matters most. These dedicated educators and staff members have shaped the lives of thousands and left lasting legacies in our schools and hearts.

At the Retiree Reception, we had the privilege of celebrating many of them in person, sharing stories, laughter, and appreciation for their years of commitment. Thank you, retirees, for walking the WCASD Way with such heart!

We’re developing a Portrait of a Graduate, a shared vision of the skills and mindsets every WCASD student should have by the time they finish their journey with us. Your input is essential!

Please take a moment to complete this short, one-question survey by Friday, June 13.

Thank you for being part of this important work and helping us build a future-ready vision for our students!

Our amazing Special Olympians represented WCASD with pride and joy at the Chester County Special Olympics, joining students from across the region in a day full of perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

The excitement began early, as elementary schools lined the halls with cheers, high fives, posters, and heartfelt clap-outs to send off our athletes with love and support. We are incredibly proud of all who participated and showed the true spirit of determination and community!

Stetson Middle School students and Principal Puchalla paid a special visit to Westtown-Thornbury Elementary to give 5th graders a glimpse of what’s ahead!

From navigating lockers and schedules to joining clubs and making new friends, the Stetson students shared helpful advice and answered lots of great questions. The visit was filled with excitement and encouragement, helping ease nerves and build confidence for the big transition to middle school!

The annual Rustin Art Slam was a vibrant celebration of student creativity, featuring work from every art class and level at the school.

This end-of-year tradition also highlighted stunning Senior Art Showcases and included select pieces from young artists at Starkweather Elementary and Stetson Middle School, bringing together talent from across the WCASD community.

Exton Elementary's Chorus took the stage for a magical journey with their original musical, Camp Whispering Woods!

Written and directed by Mr. James Klinger, with set and art design by Ms. Geena Teodecki, the show brought catchy songs, creative scenes, and plenty of camp spirit to life. The Eagles wowed the entire school with their energy and talent—delivering a performance that felt just like summer camp!

The Henderson High School Choirs and Chamber Orchestra presented a moving spring concert centered on the theme of music’s power to heal.

Held at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, the concert featured works such as Hymn to St. Cecilia and selections from various Requiems, culminating in a powerful joint performance of John Rutter’s Requiem.

Directed by Jon Kreamer and Katrina Kelly, the evening also celebrated the achievements of Henderson’s 9 PMEA All-State and 3 All-Eastern student musicians. A truly inspiring night of artistry, emotion, and excellence.

It was a full house at Glen Acres Elementary as students took the stage for their spring strings concert, “String into Spring.”

From the first note to the final bow, the talented young musicians impressed the crowd with their skill, teamwork, and joy. To make the performance even more memorable, GAE teachers and staff joined students on stage for a special collaboration!

WCASD was once again recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education! This national distinction celebrates the passion and dedication of our music educators and administrators, who work tirelessly to ensure every student has the opportunity to explore, perform, and grow through music.

It also reflects the incredible talents of our students and the unwavering support of our families and community. Thank you to everyone who helps make music a vibrant part of WCASD!

Another year brought another incredible display of talent at East High School’s Senior Art Show! The Link was transformed into a vibrant gallery, filled with stunning artwork that reflected the creativity, skill, and dedication of East’s senior artists.

Students, staff, families, and community members were wowed by the variety and depth of the work on display. Congratulations to all the featured artists and award winners—your creativity truly shines, and your hard work was evident in every piece!

It was a musical day at Henderson High School as students welcomed a special visit from the Heinz Chapel Choir of the University of Pittsburgh, featuring HHS alum Andrew Pruden (Class of ’22)!

The Henderson Concert and Chamber Choir, under the direction of Mr. Kreamer, opened the event with selections from their spring concert before the visiting choir, led by Susan Rice, took the stage with pieces from their Eastern Seaboard tour. The performance was followed by a Q&A session where students connected with choir members and gained insights into collegiate music experiences.

Penn Wood Elementary’s 4th grade band treated fellow students to a special sneak peek of their spring concert, and they did an amazing job! To make the performance even more exciting, a student musician from West Chester University joined in, adding a special touch to the day.

Huge shoutout to the incredible music teachers at PWE for organizing such a joyful celebration of music and student talent. What a great reminder of the power of music in our schools!

The annual WCASD String Festival brought together the district’s most advanced student musicians for a night of exceptional performances at East High School. This years' donation benefactor was the Volunteer English Program. We were able to raise $1,234 to benefit the Volunteer English Program.

After Dr. Christopher's introduction, the 5th Grade Advanced Orchestra under the direction of Leah Jurik and Kinsey Sullivan performed 3 pieces. Following that the Middle School Select Strings took the stage. Under the direction of Tim Celfo, they performed 5 pieces including the Brandenburg 3rd Concerto and the theme music from The Incredibles.

The High School Senior Strings under the direction of Katrina Kelly also performed 5 pieces including two movements from the Holberg Suite, Nessun Dorma with Henderson Alumni Soloist, Ryan Hughes and Vivaldi's Spring 1st movement with soloist, Rustin Senior, Vidhu Sriram. The 10 seniors who have been involved in the WCASD string program since 3rd grade were recognized. The concert concluded with two combined pieces, one with the middle school and high school and the final piece of the evening Fiddles on Fire performed by all of the student string musicians involved in the concert.

The concert was a great display of the students' talents but also the ability that music has to bring everyone together.

The West Chester Food Cupboard is here to help families with school-aged children stay nourished over the summer!

From June 19 through August 21, stop by on Thursday evenings from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at 431 South Bolmar Street for free fresh produce, dairy, nonperishables, and kid-friendly foods—no registration or eligibility required.

Enjoy safe, friendly service and healthy food to help keep your kids well-fed while school is out!

The Food Cupboard also offers regular hours for eligible WCASD residents and the Express Pantry is open to anyone in need—no requirements. Please contact The Baptist Church at 610- 696-7466 if you need help with transportation.

Last month, the West Chester Area Education Foundation (WCAEF) hosted its annual Recognition Breakfast—an inspiring morning made possible by the generous support of our donors and sponsors. Guests heard firsthand from students and staff whose educational journeys have been enriched by Foundation-supported programs.

A special highlight came from student representatives of HOSA and PFEW, who shared how WCAEF funding has provided real-world learning opportunities that sparked their passions and shaped their futures.

A big thank you to Rustin High School students and staff for preparing and serving a delicious breakfast that made the event even more memorable!

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.