ESA Weekly Parent Update

Reminder at tomorrow, Monday 2/26 is an 11:45 am dismissal day.

2/26 - 1/2 day for students - 11:45 dismissal; 1/2 day Teacher Inservice

3/15 - 1/2 day for students - 11:45 dismissal; 1/2 day Teacher Inservice

3/20 - Annual Oratorical Contest and Art Competition

3/25 - 4/1 - Spring Recess

4/5 - End of the 3rd Marking Period

4/10 - EID al-Fitr - Schools and Offices Closed

4/15 - No school for students: Teacher in-service AM, Parent Teacher Conference PM

4/22 - 5/10 PSSA Testing Window

5/27 - Schools and Offices Closed for Memorial Day

We would like to express our gratitude to the members of the Chester Inter-Greek Council for donating 25 books, written by African American authors, this week. We are looking forward to members coming back in the month of March to read to our students.

🎨 New at CUSD! Art Therapy Program 🎨

🌟 Thanks to grant funding, CUSD has launched an Art Therapy Program in collaboration with The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth! 🖌️🧠

This initiative aims to support students' mental health and well-being through creative expression. Eligible students can be referred by school faculty or parents/guardians. 📚💪🏽

🌈 Benefits of Art Therapy:
* Foster self-expression and empowerment
* Develop emotional intelligence and resilience
* Increase self-esteem and confidence
* Improve communication and social skills
* Promote self-discovery and self-awareness

👉🏾If you'd like to refer your child, visit the link: https://form.jotform.com/CUSDArtTherapy/referral

or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Have questions or want more info? Reach out to ABabouchkina@chesteruplandsd.org. 🌟🎓 #CUSD #ArtTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #StudentWellBeing

Please see the attached flyer for important details for the annual oratorical contest and art competition. We would love to see ESA students represented!

Here at ESA we encourage our scholars to SOAR every day.

S - Safety

O - Ownership

A - Achievement

R- Respectful

Be Safe

-This means keeps self and others out of danger.

Take Ownership

-This means to take care of self, others, and school. I will make good choices that help me learn and do my best work. I am on time and prepared for success each day.

Achieve

-This means I will work hard, focus on my goals, and trust myself and my teachers. I know I will succeed if I commit myself to putting forth my best effort.

Be Respectful

-This means treat yourself and others with kind words and actions, address all students and adults by name. I will use kind words, help others, and display concern and compassion for others.

Enjoy making recipes and other fun activities with Real Kids RealFood (RKRF) on Zoom. Free food providedupon request.Register ages 3-6 at https://realkidsrealfood.org/register-3-6-club/ and ages 7-12 athttps://realkidsrealfood.org/register-7-12-club/

To register for the FREE, FUN "REAL KIDS REAL FOOD" zoom classes, visit https://realkidsrealfood.org/registration/

Save the date: Wed, May 8, 4-8pm will be Chester's Block Party in connection with a county-wide day of philanthropy called Delco Gives. Free games and entertainment for the whole family, plus all your favorite local food vendors!

You can always look ahead to future events at https://cuys.org/soccer-sat-2022

Earn $1000 by becoming a Safety Ambassador for yourcommunity. See delcopa.gov/VisionZeroDelco
for details.

Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College is a beautiful nearby destination free and open to the public 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. While there, families can pick up free Plant Hero journals to help educate their children and have an activity to do while exploring the gardens. 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081

You may qualify for assistance buying food through SNAP. For a confidential screening, call Marie Pearson at (610) 874-8451.

Click here for free passes to the Brandywine River Museum of Art. (Open Wednesday–Monday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30p.m. ClosedTuesdays.)

Has a staff member here at ESA made a difference for your child? Did a staff member go above and beyond for your child or family? This is your time to shout them out. We would love for families to fill out the Google form when a staff member has impacted you in a positive way, so we can celebrate them here at school.

Thank you for helping us to keep our staff encouraged, feeling appreciated, and giving their best to your children for a successful year!

Please fill in the short form below:

https://forms.gle/smcv4TfUDrNtkUXs5

Cell Phone and Electronic Devices

The use of cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted at ESA. Upon entering the school building students must turn off all electronic devices and keep them stored in their backpack or lockers (grades 5-8) If the electronic device is seen or heard by an ESA Staff member, the device will be confiscated. The first time the device is confiscated it will be returned to the student at the end of the day. For each infraction thereafter, confiscated phones will be turned in to the Dean and must be picked up by an adult. Confiscated phones will not be given back to the child. ESA will not assume responsibility for the loss or theft of any electronic device. Smart Watches are prohibited from being worn in the building. ESA reserves the right to reasonably search and/or confiscate any and all electronic devices to the extent allowed by applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations.

If any of your parent contact information changes, please notify your child's homeroom teacher. We need your most up to date phone numbers in case of an emergency.

While we acknowledge the fact that birthdays are occasions for celebration, we must maintain the integrity of our instructional program. To that end, we will allow parents to host monthly celebrations during the last 20 minutes of the day (3:10-3:30). At this time parents will be permitted to bring in cupcakes to share with the class. Only store-bought cupcakes in sealed packages are permitted to be distributed in school. Due to student/staff allergies, please keep in mind that ESA is a nut free, latex free, and seafood free environment. The items mentioned are NEVER permitted in the school building. For health reasons, please consider an alternative to food-based celebrations. You could donate a book or a game to your child’s class. You could bring in a stuffed animal or a tee shirt for the class to sign as a keepsake. You could donate pencils and erasers, or activity books to the class.

Monthly celebration days are as follows: Celebrations will only be permitted on these days. (No Exceptions)

Friday, March 22nd

Tuesday, April 30th

Friday, May 31st

Wednesday, June 12th