The Golden Knight

Staff and students at Rustin have been eager to enjoy the extended Spring Break weekend with family and friends. It has been a bit bitter-sweet, however. Wednesday, April 16th was Mrs. Menzel’s last day with us at Rustin. She has joined the teaching faculty at Great Valley High School. Mrs. Menzel served Rustin for 18 years as a science teacher and as Assistant Principal for the last three school years. We wish her the best of luck, and she will be dearly missed!

If you’ve had the opportunity to walk through our Art hallway, you’ve seen the amazing work of RHS Art students. It is a treat to walk through that space while the students work on their sketches, paintings, and drawings. I’ll close by highlighting Aleah Kwiatkowski on her Honorable Mention Award for black and white drawing at the Chester County Art Association Art Show. With over 500 pieces of artwork in the show, this is an outstanding achievement! The show will be at the Chester County Art Association thru April 19th.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s high school experience.

Clif Beaver, Ed. D.

Interim Principal, Rustin High School

LINKS in Image:

RHSAttendance@wcasd.net

WORKING PAPERS

• No School - Spring Break: April 17, 18, & 21

• RHS Theater Final Show - April 25 & 26 at 7pm, Auditorium

• Rustin Senior Prom - Friday, May 9

• Tuesday, May 13: Algebra Keystone Exam
• Wednesday, May 14: Literature Keystone Exam (& Algebra make-ups)
• Thursday, May 15: Biology Keystone Exam (& Algebra and Literature make-ups)

Connect Thru Cancer is beyond excited to share that the 2025 Cammie Hall Sanders Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Victoria D’Ulisse, a senior at Bayard Rustin High School! Victoria will be honored on Thursday, April 24th at 6 PM at the historic Hartshorne Mansion, where we’ll come together with CTC Board members, staff, and her family to celebrate her incredible achievements.

This year, we saw an amazing response with over 30 high schools across Chester County participating and double the number of applications received — a true testament to the growing impact of this award! Victoria’s unwavering kindness, grace, selflessness, and strength make her the perfect recipient of this prestigious honor.

Through this scholarship, we continue to honor the legacy of Cammie Hall Sanders, celebrating her spirit of compassion and resilience for years to come.

Special Connections, a student group at Rustin, is hosting an Egg Hunt for the students they work with.

Donations of individually-wrapped candy to fill the eggs are needed. The collection box is located in Rustin's library.

Over 30 Rustin student artworks will be featured in the Chester County High School Exhibition. The exhibit will feature art from high schools all over Chester County and will be open through April 19th. Come out and support the visual arts at Rustin!

https://www.cciu.org/student-activities/art-exhibition

SENIORS: Prom tickets are on sale until May 2nd. Use the QR code or click here: SENIOR Prom Tickets for more information and to purchase tickets. If you would like to pay in cash, please see Ms. Powell or Mrs. Coley.

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

Don't miss out on an unforgettable evening of Broadway hits! Rustin Theater is wrapping up the season with a special performance featuring a collection of iconic songs and scenes from Broadway through the years.

📅 Dates: April 25 & 26

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM in the Auditorium

🎟️ Tickets: $10 (Available at the door)

Come enjoy the magic of Broadway in your own backyard!

Asynchronous Learning for grades 9-12 and the Keystone Exams May 13, 14 & 15

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to inform you that the Keystone Exams will be administered on May 13th, 14th, and 15th. Each day, students who are testing will complete two modules for the designated subject area. The exam schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 13th: Algebra Keystone Exam
• Wednesday, May 14th: Literature Keystone Exam (Algebra make-ups)
• Thursday, May 15th: Biology Keystone Exam (Algebra and Literature make-ups)

In-Person Attendance:
Only students who are scheduled to take the Keystone Exams on a given day will report to Rustin in person.

Asynchronous Learning for Non-Testing Students (grades 9-12):
Students who are not scheduled to take the Keystone Exams on these dates will not attend school in person. Instead, they will be expected to complete asynchronous assignments provided by their teachers. These assignments should be completed independently at home and will be an essential part of their learning during this time.

We will provide additional details as the testing dates approach, including specific instructions.

Thank you for your support in ensuring a smooth and successful testing experience for our students.

Dr. Corey J. Fields

Assistant Principal

Bayard Rustin High School

1100 Shiloh Road

West Chester, PA 19382

Phone: 484-266-4302

Fax: 484-266-4366

Is your student a junior or a senior who can read, write, speak and understand another language? The spring testing window will be opening in April for those interested in testing for the PA Seal of Biliteracy award. Please contact Sra. Anskis lanskis@wcasd.net to see how your student can qualify for the PA Seal of Biliteracy award upon graduation.

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!

Less than 3 weeks until Prom/Post Prom! The post prom planning committee invites you to follow the Class of 2025 Post Prom Instagram for all the updates on entertainment, food and prizes!

Class of 2025 Post Prom (@2025postprom) • Instagram photos and videos

instagram.com

All Rustin Seniors are welcome to attend the fantastic Post Prom Event! The event will run from 10pm-3am at Rustin High School on Friday May 9th. Seniors must pre-register by Friday April 25th.

Each Rustin senior should register individually to be eligible for raffle prizes. Guests may be invited. The google form includes more information. Join in all of the fun, food, music, entertainment and prizes!

https://forms.gle/p2JxBZTvPs7sRHJ67

1. - Prize Baskets for Post Prom - Help us fill up our Prize Baskets! Adding to the Post Prom event's excitement is the drawing for the prize baskets. The Post Prom committee will be purchasing the larger items from funds already raised, we are looking for your help in adding to the prizes that we can offer. Please see the sign up genius for suggestions of items and gift cards. Consider teaming up with friends to purchase larger items/basket themes. We are also looking for basket making supplies (baskets, bows, ribbon etc)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A44A8AA2BA57-54962146-rustin#/

2. - Important change - the Post Prom Committee will NOT be sending out a sign up genius for senior class area decorations. If you were planning to contribute to decor, please consider a donation for prizes instead. We will also ask for volunteers as we get closer to the event for set-up and during the Post Prom event itself. Please reach out to Sherri Wark sherriwark@yahoo.com with any raffle questions.

Would your business like to sponsor a raffle basket? We would love to talk with you about this opportunity.

Thanks for your support of the Class of 2025!!!

Hi Sophomore Parents - Thank you to the sophomore parents who have contributed items or donations to the Sophomore decorating areas and the raffle baskets. We do not need any additional contributions in those areas at this time.

WE STILL NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS to help with the Sophomore Areas for the Post Prom event on May 9th!! This transformation occurs in just hours! Please join us - we need many hands including dads on ladders. Even a few hours of time is welcome! Late arrival is no problem. Grab a friend! HS siblings or recent grads are welcome too!

Other dates to volunteer are helpful too, including: May 8th.

If you have any questions about this sign-up, please contact Sherri Wark sherriwark@yahoo.com. It will be our turn soon - Junior Prom starts planning in the fall! Thank you to those who have already donated!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CACAD2BAB9-55754405-class#/

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.