Superintendent's Report
November 22, 2021
On This Evening's Agenda...
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few items on this evening's agenda:
Enrollment - Our current enrollment is 4,076 students, which is an increase of 134 students over last year.
Policies - There are a number of policies on our agenda for this evening.
- Policy 201 - Admission of Kindergarteners and Beginners (Second Reading) - This policy outlines the age requirement for starting kindergarten (age 5 before September 15th). Beginners are those students who do not attend UDSD for kindergarten but who are age 6 before September 15th. Beginners are eligible for first grade.
- Policy 202 - Eligibility of Nonresident Students (Repeated First Reading) - This policy outlines the various situations that may apply to students who do not live in the District but who desire to attend UDSD schools. For clarity we have included a chart with the policy to assist readers in understanding the policy more clearly.
- Policy 215 - Promotion and Retention (Repeated First Reading) - Building principals have the final say in decisions about promotion and retention. The District remains committed to doing everything we can to prevent the retention of students in a grade level. This includes providing interventions, etc.
- Policy 818 - Contracted Services (First Reading) - There are times when the District accesses contracted services to provide services to students in our District. This policy outlines how those contracted services are determined and approved.
- Policy 916 - Volunteers (First Reading) - We are reviewing our volunteer policy. The policy and the administrative regulation we create will ensure that parents/guardians have opportunities and access to volunteering in our schools.
Sub Rates - To remain competitive in the market, we are asking the Board to increase our substitute rates. We remain hopeful that the increased rates will attract more substitutes to Upper Dublin! We encourage anyone who might have an interest in subbing to contact our partner, Kelly Services.
Recovery Work
Fort Washington Elementary School
- The District is working with ICS, the company that is responsible for coordinating recovery work.
- Additionally, we are working with Upper Dublin Township to determine when we will have a certificate of occupancy for the building. We may be able to utilize some parts of the building sooner than others.
- Obviously, we will not occupy the school until we can safely do so.
- Finally, when we have timelines to share, we will certainly do so. Until then, any information you hear in the community is conjecture.
- We continue to use the temporary air handlers that are currently in place at UDHS. The air handlers are providing air circulation as well as heat for the building.
- We will share timelines on the installation of permanent air handlers and the reopening of the pool when dates are determined.
- At last week's Finance Committee meeting it was discussed that the fields and other outdoor spaces impacted by the tornado have been evaluated and timelines are also being developed for the completion of the work that needs to take place.
Health and Safety Plan Information
We anticipate that we will receive information from the Montgomery County Office of Public Heath later this week or next week. When we receive it, we will share the information with our community through our usual communication channels. Further, we will amend our HSP with the updated information and seek affirmation of those changes at the December 20, 2021 Legislative meeting.
Vaccine Clinic - Thank You to Eric's Pharmacy!
On Monday, November 29, 2021, there will also be appointments available for first doses, allowing those families who were not able to participate previously do so on November 29th. Second doses will be given at Eric's Pharmacy. Tomorrow's UD Strong! Update will contain more information.
American Education Week
December 4-10, 1921 became the first American Education Week, with the NEA and the American Legion as co-sponsors. In 1922, the U.S. Department of Education became a co-sponsor. Today, there are 12 co-sponsors: the NEA, the U.S. Department of Education, the National PTA, the American Legion, the American Association of School Administrators, The National School Boards Association, The American Federation of Teachers, the Council of Chief State School Officers, The National School Public Relations Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, The National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. American Education Week is held each year the week prior to Thanksgiving. The Wednesday of AEW is set aside to honor those who work as Educational Support Professionals (ESPs).
American Education WeekâNovember 15-19, 2021--presented all Americans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.
A Peek Inside Sandy Run Middle School
Classrooms
Art Room
Science Lab
Family & Consumer Sciences
Auditorium
Planetarium
Lockers
Library
Gymnasium
Data-Driving Decision Making Updates
PSSA and Keystone Data for School Year 2020-2021
- Last week we received our final data files for students' performance on last year's state assessments. We will review all of the data in our annual data presentation. The presentation will take place at the January 2022 Education Committee meeting.
- Our students in grades 6-12 recently completed the PSSM/Belonging Survey. The survey was developed by psychologist Carol Goodenow and has been translated into multiple languages and used around the world to measure school belonging and consists of five-point Likert scale questions and open ended questions.
- We will provide a summary of the data in our UD Strong! Update on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, and we will speak more about the results and our next steps at the January 2022 Education Committee meeting.
- We will receive approximately $1.1m in APR funds. Approximately $223,000 has to be dedicated to what the state is calling "learning loss," leaving approximately $1.6m for other purposes.
- We are grateful to all respondents (over 1100) who completed the ARP Stakeholder Engagement Survey, and the results will help drive a plan for the use of these funds. Two areas emerged as the most selected areas for the dedication of funds. Those include (1) to provide HVAC/filters and facility updates for cleaner indoor air quality; and (2) supports for social and emotional wellness. Other areas selected often by respondents included support for teacher and staff development to update classroom curriculum and instructional practice and to support technology systems, improve infrastructure, and increase connectivity.
- While we are grateful for these funds, we all must remember that projects involving HVAC, for example, are extremely costly; therefore, while these funds will assist us in paying for some portions of projects, the money will not cover all expenses.
- As discussed at last week's Finance Committee meeting, members of the Leadership Team will bring forth an plan for the use of ARP funds to the December Finance Committee meeting.
Mark Your Calendars!
- Tuesday, November 23, 2021: Early Dismissal for SRMS / SRMS Conferences
- Wednesday, November 24, 2021: Early Dismissal for All Schools
- Thursday, November 25, 2021 and Friday, November 26, 2021: Schools and Offices are Closed
- Monday, November 29, 2021: School Resumes
With Gratitude...
- Ms. Francek has served on the Board of School Directors for four years. During her time on the Board, she served on the Personnel, Education, Policy, and Finance committees and was also the Board President for a year starting in December 2019.
- Mr. Ropski has also served on the Board of School Directors for four years, serving on the Finance and Operations committees during his tenure. Mr. Ropski also proudly served the Upper Dublin community as a Township Commissioner from 2007 to 2015.
Please join us in thanking both Ms. Francek and Mr. Ropski for their years of dedicated service to the District, to the community, and to our students and staff.
District Contact Information
Email: syanni@udsd.org
Website: www.udsd.org
Location: 1580 Fort Washington Avenue, Maple Glen, PA, USA
Phone: (215) 643-8800
Facebook: facebook.com/UpperDublinSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @UpperDubSuper