The Lead Leadership. Learning. PALCS in Motion.
Fall 2026
Embracing Connection
Back To School
Celebrating a new year of exciting possibilities
A Summer of Building a thriving PALCS community Exploration Students and teachers travel far and wide to expand their horizons
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Contents Note from the Chief Academic Officer
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Teacher Reconnects With Writing In Summer Course
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Trip to Ghana Brings New Perspective
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PALCS Takes on Japan
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Family Engagement events in Philly, Pittsburgh
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Back-to-School at PALCS
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Elementary/ Middle/ High School
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West Homecoming
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University Scholars Program
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Center for Performing and Fine Arts
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Note from the Chief Academic Officer Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We were thrilled to welcome approximately 3,200 students to PALCS on August 25 as we kicked off another year of learning, connection, and leadership. This year, we are especially excited to embrace our theme, Designed to Lead. At PALCS, we believe every student has the potential to make a difference, discover their strengths, and develop the skills and confidence to lead —in the classroom, in their communities, and in their own lives. The first week was filled with energy and excitement as students completed onboarding, participated in classroom and division welcome activities, and attended orientations designed to help new students feel right at home. We wrapped up the week with our schoolwide Back-to-School Virtual Celebration, bringing students, families, and staff together to officially launch another great year at PALCS! September has been just as busy and exciting. Across our school community, students are settling into their routines, building connections with their teachers and classmates, and making progress in their learning. We are also embracing new state requirements for cyber charter school attendance and wellness checks.
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Our staff are working closely with students and families to monitor attendance, weekly benchmark progress, and High Five completion— and we are excited to see our students logging in, completing assignments, participating in their weekly High Fives, and staying engaged in their learning. At PALCS, attendance is about more than simply logging in—it’s about actively participating in learning, staying connected to school, and taking ownership of your education. These are important steps in becoming the kind of confident,
The Lead | Fall 2026
responsible, and engaged leader we know our students can become. To help families navigate the expectations, we encourage you to explore our new Attendance Hub, Attendance Guide, and Attendance FAQs, which can be found on the PALCSchool Lobby. These resources provide helpful information about daily and weekly attendance expectations. We encourage families to keep these resources handy and visit the Attendance Hub throughout the year. Understanding the expectations and establishing strong routines early will help students stay engaged, make meaningful progress, and avoid preventable absences.
Most importantly, we know that our students are most successful when families and school staff work together. Together, we can help our students discover what they are capable of, take ownership of their learning, and develop the skills they need to lead their futures. At PALCS, we’re not just preparing students for what comes next—we’re helping them uncover their ability to lead. We are excited about all that is ahead and look forward to a wonderful year of growth and success—together!
Dr. Joey Rider-Bertrand Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Joey-Rider Bertrand
The Lead | Fall 2026
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Reconnecting With Learning During The Summer This summer, High School Business Technology Teacher Ms. Susannah Azzaro participated in a four-week immersive summer writing institute through the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project. Here are Ms. Azzaro’s reflections on the institure, held in July at the University of Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Sweet was my kindergarten teacher. She was gentle and open and created a bright space where we were encouraged to play, explore, share, and accept everyone’s unique way of being in the world. This summer, I felt like I traveled back to Mrs. Sweet’s class. Our very own Hannah Lewis, one of the summer institute’s co-directors and facilitators, nudged me to apply. I took her encouragement as an answer to my longing for more opportunities for creative expression. The summer institute allowed me to become a student again in a space focused on discovery. My cohort—12 of us from varied educational backgrounds—created an encouraging, supportive community. We wrote, discussed, and shared a lot every day, and we experimented with multimodal approaches to self-expression, including printmaking, painting, collaging, stop-motion animation, and music. I reconnected with a way of learning rooted in curiosity, play, community, and permission to explore. I remembered what it means to learn without knowing exactly where the learning will lead. It reminded me of what our students need from us: not just instruction, but spaces where they can explore, take risks, find their voices, and be accepted as they are.
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Connecting with culture in Ghana USP Social Studies teacher Ms. Kristen Waltz had a perspective-changing experience this summer in Ghana. Ms. Waltz participated in The Witness Tree Institute, a non-profit that connects educators in the United States and Ghana. Together, they share their experiences and learn about each other’s culture. In her own words, here’s what Ms. Waltz learned during her two-week trip.
When I applied to Witness Tree, I didn’t know anyone who had participated in the program. Although we met on Zoom, it was hard to tell how the group would coalesce. I felt shy at first, but quickly felt ease and trust with the cohort. When you are greeted with a band of drums, you have to dance a little. Something special happens when teachers connect outside of their normal routines. For two weeks – and two weeks only – we are all on Ghana time. Outside of school schedules and pressures of everyday life, we are free to find a new rhythm. In a relatively short span of time, we have experienced highs and lows as a group. We took on the canopy layer of Kakum National Park, swinging as we walked across seven suspension bridges. Together, we confronted the past at Cape Coast, Elmina, and Donkor Nsuo. The gravity of these places will continue to Dense jungle in Kakum National weigh heavily on my mind Park moving forward. I can only hope that we learn from this experience and take these lessons to heart at home. Like the dance goes, “plant the seeds today, harvest them tomorrow.”
The Lead | Fall 2026
Fonton from dummers greeted program participants
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PALCS Goes To Japan From June 20-28, 2026, five PALCS team members accompanied students and other chaperones from across our community to the Land of the Rising Sun. The trip included three days in Tokyo, one night in the mountains (Hakone), three days in Kyoto, and day in Osaka. Hosted through EF Educational tours, this trip provided a safe way for teens to experience Japan. Under the guidance of a tour director, the group ate traditional meals, saw historically significant landmarks, and learned that deer can be incredibly friendly (see picture for reference).
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Mr. Bill Paffas helped coordinate the crosscontinental trip and shared some of his favorite highlights.
Mr. Paffas with some very friendly (and hungry!) dogs
“We stayed in the sumo district in Tokyo, not far from many popular sites in the city. It was cool seeing the sumo wrestlers walk around town. There was a good balance of historical sites and more modern attractions like the Akihabara Electric Town, Shibuya, and the Harajuku shopping district. We saw the Meiji Shinto Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and the Tokyo museum in Ueno Park. In the mountains we had a traditional Japanese experience for dinner and rooming. Kyoto, my favorite part of the trip, was amazing. We saw many historical sites like the Golden Pavillion, Nijo Castle, the Tori gates in Fushimi Inari, and more. We explored Nara where the deer came right up to everyone. We also went to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Overall, the trip was incredible. The group and our tour guide were all amazing. For being typhoon season, the weather held out and was great. We just missed some big storms and missed an earthquake near Tokyo that actually shook the hotel we stayed at the night before.”
The Lead | Fall 2026
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Families Connect from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh
Families in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas got the opportunity to meet up and have fun in September! Philly-area families enjoyed a Field Day in the city’s Mount Airy neighborhood. The afternoon included lawn games, dancing, and water ice and pretzels. In Pittsburgh, families got together to make friendship bracelets and watch movies while enjoying popcorn and hot dogs. Family engagement events like these are a great way for PALCS students to meet each other and make new friends. They also help parents and learning coaches network and share advice. Check the PALCSchool lobby for more upcoming events!
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Back-to-School at PALCS State of the Union The start of every new school year kicks off with a State of The Union event for more than 400 PALCS teachers and staff members. On Tuesday, August 18, the all-day virtual event focused on PALCS’ theme for this school year: Designed To Lead. Staff members heard from CEO Dr. Karla Johnson, celebrated their co-workers PALCS milestones, and listened to an inspirational message from our 2026-27 Leader In Residence Brenda Reynolds. Held virtually this year, the event ensures that all PALCS staff are ready to lead families through the hectic back-to-school season and beyond.
Virtual Back to School Celebration At the end of the first week of classes, more than 500 PALCS teachers, administrators, staff, students, parents, and learning coaches celebrated the start of the school year. The virtual back-to-school celebration had students participating in games, meeting their teachers and classmates, and learning what it means to be a leader. Part of the celebration was the premiere of a special video with Dr. Johnson and our mascot, Bald E. Click to watch Bald E. learn what it means to be a leader - in the virtual classroom and beyond.
The Lead | Fall 2026
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Elementary School Structured Literacy
New Programs
PALCS Teachers are partnering with Cox Campus online courses as part of our year long structured literacy professional development plan. Teachers are getting content rich experiences to deepen their instruction with opportunities for immediate application.
Individualized learning plans with IXL Math Waggle, an engaging, game-like practice platform for math and ELA Amira, an AI-powered reading coach that listens to students read aloud and offers real-time tutoring
Middle School Student Spotlight: Demi Henigan, 7th grade Over the summer, Demi spent a week in Paris, France, competing against fellow baton twirlers from around the world. Demi and her team took home a bronze medal in the IBTF (International Baton Twirling Federation) World Freestyle and Rhymthic Twirl Championships, Nations Cup competition. Demi also earned individual honors throughout the twirl season, and will be a member of Team USA for individual and team events in summer 2027.
Dual Enrollment
High School
More than 120 students are participating in our dual enrollment program. 21% of our high school students (not counting CPFA) are enrolled in dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. To support progess, high school has moved to a weekly submission model. Partnering with Leader in Me (Franklin Covey) Developing an Orientation program for incoming students Held successful Summer Bridge and Summer Enrichment programs
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The Lead | Fall 2026
West Homecoming in Pittsburgh West Homecoming Dozens of PALCS high school students and their guests attended West Homecoming on Sept. 18. Held at the Cheswick Building, Homecoming featured food, dancing, board games and the crowning of a Homecoming King, Queen and Court.
The Lead | Fall 2026
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University Scholars Program Back-to-school picnic Families in the University Scholars Program enjoyed a back-to-school picnic the evening before the first day of classes. Students and parents met their teachers and made connections with each other before the first day of classes. They also ate some pizza and ice cream!
Four USP Students Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors can claim this honor, which is based on a qualifying score on the PSAT. The 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide now have the opportunity to become finalists, a distinction based on academic record, participation in school and community activities, John Walish, Ethan Wei, Jacob leadership abilities, Widmann (pictured in front of demonstrated USP sign) and Nathaniel Lord employment, and honors and awards received. Finalists will compete for (inset picture) college scholarships.
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The Lead | Fall 2026
Center for Performing and Fine Arts Jazz Mavericks Perform Across the Community CPFA students are getting live performance experience across southeastern Pennsylvania! On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Jazz Mavericks performed at the Downingtown Farmer’s Market. Other upcoming CPFA performances include Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in both West Chester and in front of Philadelphia City Hall.
Community Picnic New and returning CPFA families got together during the first week of school for a potluck-style meal at West Goshen Community Park in West Chester.
The Lead | Fall 2026
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A new school year is the perfect time to begin again. Students are starting new classes with new teachers, new classmates, and new challenges. Teachers are incorporating new lessons plans, new methods of teaching, and navigating new classroom dynamics. Families are starting new activities and balancing new routines. No matter what new beginnings this year brings, we hope it’s full of connection; connections with other PALCS families, connections with teachers that last far beyond the school year, and connection with yourself as you grow and learn.
Steph Krane
Kathy Chan
Editorial Designer
Creative Director
Narrative Content Specialist
Zealan Turner
Senior Multimedia Specialist
Director of School Communications Editor, Producer
The Lead Fall 2026