Superintendent's Report

Each May we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, there were about 20.6 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, AAPI people are a diverse and growing population that make up about 7 percent of the total U.S. population. For more information about AAPI Heritage Month, please click here!

There are a few items on the agenda that I would like to highlight:

• We are asking the Board to approve the French Exchange program, which will take place in 2024. Students from France will be with us for 15 days in April 2024, and then our students will visit France for 15 days in June 2024. Exchanges are great opportunities for our students!
  
  
• For the Board's consideration, this evening is a resolution of free school meals for all students. At last week's Finance Committee meeting, Ms. Delle spoke about this resolution, and we thank the Board for considering approval this evening.
  
  
• Once again the Board will approve the property tax rebate program for 2023-2024. This program provides the opportunity for a property tax rebate to taxpayers that are above to the PA State Property Tax Rebate Program.
  
  
• Tonight the Board will consider approval of a contract with Right at School. Right at School will become the company that provides before and after care in UDSD. Information will be included in the District's newsletter tomorrow, and families who already signed up for before or aftercare with the YMCA will have their registration fees waived for Right at School. We are excited about this new partnership, and we look forward to many years of a collaborative relationship with Right at School!
  
  
• Compensation plans for a number of employee groups appear on tonight's agenda. We are seeking Board approval for the plans.
  
  
• Finally, the Board will approve delegates to the PSBA Assembly. We will ask the Board to approve the names of two (2) Board members to serve as delegates from UDSD.

You have heard me say before that change is the only constant in education. While that statement might sound like an oxymoron, it's absolutely true! In just a few minutes we will honor a number of our retirees who are here tonight. Words can never express my gratitude - and the gratitude of the entire District - for the dedicated services these folks gave to our students, their colleagues, and our community. When someone retires, their position may be replaced, but the person retiring never truly is.

Fred Rogers once said, "Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else." Our retirees have many adventures ahead of them - and the good news is that setting an alarm on weekdays doesn't have to be one of them! Just remember this bit of advice: In your retirement, every day is boss' day and every day is employee appreciation day!

We are excited to introduce our finalist for the Maple Glen Elementary Principal position.

Mr. Perez is currently the Principal at Cheltenham Elementary, a position he has held since 2014. Throughout each of his interviews and through the conversations and reference checks we completed, we heard time and again how much Mr. Perez loves being an elementary principal and how much faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians respect him. Working side by side with teachers to ensure academic excellence and positive cultures where students and staff thrive, interacting daily with students to celebrate successes and address challenges, and engaging parents/guardians and families are among his greatest strengths and passions. We are confident that Mr. Perez’s experience, leadership, and character align with the needs of MGES. His leadership will have a strong, positive impact on the entire MGES community. In the coming days, we will announce opportunities for our MGES colleagues and the MGES students and their parents/guardians and caregivers to meet Mr. Perez!

We would like to thank the representatives from our interview team, which included teachers, staff, administrators, and a Board member. We will ensure that the leadership transition between Mr. Perez and Mr. Corcoran is smooth. As Mr. Corcoran ends his final year here in UDSD, we thank him for his services and wish him all the best as he moves on to the Methacton School District.

We continue to register kindergarten students and students in grades 1-12 for next school year. Registration information is available on our website. Our District's registrar, Ms. Mora Ruiz, is eager to help anyone who may need assistance in the registration process.

Please keep in mind that students must be at least five (5) years of age before September 15, 2023, in order to be registered for kindergarten. Next year's kindergarten students will be the Class of 2036!

The May edition News from Nest will be released tomorrow, May 23, 2023. The newsletter will contain information on District events, processes, and celebrations. A number of students and teams will be highlighted in the newsletter; check your inbox tomorrow afternoon!

1580 Fort Washington Avenue

Maple Glen, PA 19002

Email: syanni@udsd.org
Website: www.udsd.org
Phone: (215) 643-8800
Facebook: facebook.com/UpperDublinSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @UpperDubSuper