Superintendent

Dear William Penn Community:

Dear William Penn Families:

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! Our administrators, educators, and staff are ready to serve and support you as we start the new school year for students in first through twelfth grades on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Kindergarten students are welcomed on Friday, September 9th after their orientation sessions on September 6th and 7th. The following information and updates will help you prepare for the new school year.

Back-to-School Kickoff

Students in grades K-12 and their families are invited to join us on Wednesday, August 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Park Lane Elementary School for a kickoff event to celebrate the start of a new school year. There will be onsite registration as well as information about transportation, lunch menus, communications, and other important information. We will be joined by many community partners who will share information and resources such as our local libraries, scouting organizations, and local leaders. There will be representatives from each of our schools who are looking forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you have. I hope to see you there!

New Website and Back-to-School Information

We launched a new website design in June, and I hope that you check it out often as we will update it throughout the school year. Please check out the Back-to-School page on our website at williampennsd.org/back-to-school/ for Information about the opening of schools including registration, school supplies, the student dress code, and more.

Half-Day Wednesdays

The 2023-2024 School Calendar was revised in January 2023 to include five half-day Wednesdays on the 3rd Wednesday in the months of October 2023, January 2024, February 2024, April 2024 and the 5th Wednesday in May 2024. The specific dates for half-day Wednesdays are:

• October 18, 2023
• January 17, 2024
• February 14, 2024
• April 17, 2024
• May 29, 2024

Vaccination Requirements

I want to remind you of the following additional vaccination requirements for students in grade 7 and grade 12 for attendance in Pennsylvania schools. Students must have these additional required immunizations on the first day of school or they will be excluded from school. If you have received correspondence from your child’s school nurse stating your child is missing required immunizations, please refer to that correspondence for instructions on how to submit immunization information.

• For attendance in 7th grade:
  1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis
  1 dose of MCV (meningococcal conjugate vaccine
• For attendance in 12th grade:
  1 dose of MCV (meningococcal conjugate vaccine)

Our Strategic Plan: Focus Forward 2025

Planning and work continue on the action strategies outlined in William Penn School District’s Strategic Plan: Focus Forward 2025. Focus Forward 2025 guides our actions to improve outcomes for students as we realize the District Vision to “nurture and empower all students to become career and/or college ready.” Visit our website at www.williampennsd.org/strategicplan2025 to learn more.

Ten-Year Facilities Improvement Plan

As part of the WPSD Strategic Plan: Focus Forward 2025, a review of our facilities was conducted and, as a result, a ten-year plan to make improvements was approved by the School Board. I am excited to report that we are making great strides in our upgrades and renovations this summer. East Lansdowne and Evans Elementary Schools have undergone a number of changes including new insulation of exterior walls, lighting enhancements, and the creation of new entryways. Both projects are well on their way to providing an improved educational environment for our students, teachers, and staff.

We were also one of 24 recipients throughout the United States to receive the Renew America’s Schools grant from the US Department of Energy. We were awarded $7.2 million which will enable us to make significant improvements at Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy.

Finally, we are very excited to debut our new and improved Athletic Complex. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more information. We are looking forward to hosting football and soccer games this fall in our brand new stadium.

ParentSquare

We are launching our new communication platform for the 2023-2024 school year. ParentSquare is a one-stop shop that will allow you to communicate with your students’ teachers and their schools. Make sure to activate your account at parentsquare.com, if you haven’t done so already, and get connected! It is imperative that your child(ren)’s school(s) has your current contact information (home phone, cell phone, and email address) so we will be able to communicate with you. Whether it is updates about everyday happenings or emergency alerts, it is important that we can reach you.

I am looking forward to a successful year ahead!

Take care and remain safe,

Eric J. Becoats, Ed.D.
Superintendent