The Golden Knight

The month of May has been as busy and full of excitement here at Rustin as I had been promised. Our seniors have been enjoying the bitter/sweet experiences of closing out their high school days. The “Senior Walk” was a huge success. The students and staff at Stetson and our three feeder-pattern elementary schools were thrilled to welcome our seniors back to their WCASD roots. Seniors then celebrated with a picnic sponsored by our Senior Class Cabinet. It was also everyone’s first chance to see and sign yearbooks. Our Senior Awards Assembly was held on Thursday, and, again, our senior class impressed with their encouragement and appreciation of each other as we all celebrated their many notable successes. Seniors are certainly now focused on Graduation!

• Graduation practice Tuesday, June 3rd at 8:00am (Tickets will be distributed then)
• Graduation is Wednesday, June 4th at 10am
• All of this information and more has been listed in our Senior Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/raepc

• Graduation Livestream LINK for Wed., June 4th, 10am:
• https://www.youtube.com/live/XGGSvvJyxOs?feature=shared

• Wednesday, June 4 is an asynchronous learning day for grade 9,10, &11, and there is no transportation

Please ask your underclassmen if they have taken advantage of the Book Fest and Book Fair in the library these last weeks. Students can sign out books from our collection to read throughout the summer. They can also purchase books, the proceeds of which will benefit the West Chester Food Cupboard. Encourage your child to visit!

In closing, I’d like to celebrate 3 RHS students who have been recognized as Pennsylvania State Champions this year.

DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an international organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in fields like marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It provides a framework for students to develop leadership, business, and interpersonal skills through various programs and competitive events. It is a tiered competition meaning there is a district (local), state and international competition. All students compete at the district level but must qualify for the state and international levels. Evan Chappell and Ahren Gajjar have been members of DECA for 3 years. They competed in an Integrated Marketing Campaign event and were state winners and international qualifiers all three years. As sophomores, they were in the top 10 internationally. It is an extremely difficult thing to do as it is very competitive.

Vidhu Sriram , pictured with Mrs. Shafman below, has left an extraordinary mark on the Rustin High School Orchestra program. A dedicated and passionate musician, he has earned the rare distinction of participating in the PMEA All-State Orchestra for three consecutive years—a testament to his exceptional talent and discipline. Vidhu is not only an accomplished violinist but a role model, mentor, and cherished member of the orchestra family. His legacy will inspire future generations of student musicians at Rustin for years to come.

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

June

4: Online learning/Asynchronous day, grades 9-11

4: Graduation - SENIOR Edition - RHS Newsletter - 2025

6: Deadline extended - Cupcake Fundraiser

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

August

4: 2025-2026 RHS Student Parking Application Information

LINKS in Image:

RHSAttendance@wcasd.net

WORKING PAPERS

Deadline extended - June 6th

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

Parents of Current 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 Current 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

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