School Board Monthly Update
June 2021
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the children, families, and taxpayers of the Upper Darby School District. As part of the School Board communication plan, the Board sends monthly updates to the school community. The information included in these briefs is not intended to be complete and does not replace official Board minutes. Official meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and presentations are available at BoardDocs. Also, the Board meetings are livestreamed and available on our YouTube Channel. We welcome you to follow the issues the School Board is considering and to attend meetings to stay informed.
This year has presented unprecedented challenges, and we would like to thank our families for their patience, perseverance, and tenacity as we have worked through those challenges together. We look forward to reopening for the 2021-2022 school year with as many students back for in-person learning as possible. If you would like your children to remain in virtual learning please be sure to reach out to your child’s Principal.
If you know a community member who would like to sign up to receive these updates and other important messages from the District, please share this link: https://www.upperdarbysd.org/Page/6798
Congratulations Class of 2021!
The School Board of Directors would like to salute the Upper Darby High School Class of 2021! Warmest congratulations on your academic milestone. Thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and dedication. It's now time to celebrate and relish this momentous occasion! Stay Royal and all the best to you as you move on to the next chapter in your lives!
New Student Representatives to the School Board
School Board Student Representatives serve as liaisons to the Board for students throughout the School District. This year’s representatives, Ummayh Siddiqua and Curtis Everett, have done a wonderful job of sharing student concerns and representing their peers under extremely challenging circumstances. They even started an excellent YouTube series where they interviewed important community leaders! The Board would like to thank Ummayh and Curtis for their excellent service.
We are also thrilled to welcome our new Student Representatives for the 2021-2022 school year, Randi Lane and Mahjabin Topader, and look forward to working with them.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Renovation and Expansion of Aronimink Elementary School
Upper Darby School District, as it continues to work through its multi-staged, multi-year comprehensive facilities improvement plan, is excited to announce this next phase of the plan to renovate and expand Aronimink Elementary School. This approximately $27M facilities improvement project is the first step in helping to ease longstanding overcrowding at the elementary level. This first step will also return Walter M. Senkow Elementary School students within District boundaries. Click HERE to view the press release.
Proposed Final Budget - Approved
In compliance with the Pennsylvania Act 1 Timeline, the Board approved the 2021- 2022 Proposed General Fund Budget. The Final Budget will be presented and voted on June 15, 2021, and will incorporate any necessary legislative or internal changes. Click HERE to view the Proposed Final Budget.
High School Schedule Change - Approved
In December 2020, the District initiated a project to review the high school schedule and consider possible adjustments to better align it with student needs and current educational opportunities. Multiple committees were formed representing students, parents, teachers, and administrators, and a significant amount of stakeholder feedback was received. The final recommendation includes opportunities for music classes to be taken in full block periods as well as during a working lunch “flex” period. The schedule also provides time in the morning for students to work independently or connect virtually with their teachers one-to-one before arriving at school for a later in-person start time. The new bell schedule can be found HERE.
Safe Routes to Schools Initiative - Approved
The Board approved a contract with CHPlanning, Ltd., to investigate, review, and document safe walking paths for all Upper Darby School District students. At the completion of the project, each school will have a complete map that includes the transportation eligibility boundary, safe walking paths, crossing guard locations, and PennDOT approved hazardous streets.
Upcoming Board Meetings
Upcoming School Board meetings will be held virtually until September 2021. July and August meetings will be livestreamed to the District's YouTube Channel. Have a question or comment? Click HERE to learn how to participate. Click HERE to view the 2021-2022 meeting schedule.
06/15 6:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings and Special Meeting to Adopt the Final Budget
07/13 7:30 p.m. - School Board Meeting
07/27 6:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings
Free Workshop Series - Parenting Group with Dr. Magen
Helping Your Child Build Good Habits
July 1, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Good habits are quite possibly the most valuable asset a child can have. But how can you help your child build good habits, without nagging or preaching, in a way that keeps you relaxed and strengthens your relationship? In this interactive session, we will go over setting effective and realistic goals, ensuring motivation and self-efficacy, and making the entire process pleasant for both you and your child.
Free Workshop Series - Parenting Group with Dr. Magen
Sustainable Parenting: Realistic Self-Care for Parents
August 5, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
We are better parents when we have more energy and feel good. But advice like "get more sleep", "do yoga" and "eat better" doesn't help us create opportunities to take better care of ourselves, nor does it teach us how to choose the self-care activity that is best for us in a given situation. In this interactive session, you will learn about the three types of self-care activities, identify the right times to draw on each of them, and develop a concrete plan for easy ways to increase your overall energy levels so you can be the best parent you can be.
Meet the School Board of Directors
Email: udsdschoolboard@upperdarbysd.org
Website: www.upperdarbysd.org
Location: 4611 Bond Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 789-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Upper-Darby-School-District-263860013791271/
Twitter: @UpperDarbySD