Message from Superintendent Dr. Latrice N. Mumin
Greetings, CUSD Families!
We’re now in our third week of the new school year, and it’s been great seeing our students and staff settle into their routines. As we continue to embrace the new academic year, I’m excited to share that Hispanic Heritage Month has officially begun! CUSD takes great pride in celebrating the rich diversity of our students and staff. From September 15 to October 16, we will be honoring Hispanic culture with various district-wide and school-level events. Stay tuned for more details on these activities in upcoming communications.
This edition of Clipper Connection is packed with important updates for families. You’ll find information on homecoming, upcoming FAFSA workshops, the remaining back-to-school night events, and a recap of some activities that have already taken place.
We are also asking families to update your Student & Parent/Guardian information. The process is simple and can be completed online in both English and Spanish. Please make sure to fill out the forms as soon as possible.
Finally, as September is National Suicide Prevention Month, it’s important to bring awareness to this issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. I encourage families to click on the resource link at the end of this welcome message to access valuable tips for preventing youth suicide. Let’s work together to ensure the well-being of all our students.
I hope you find this edition of the e-newsletter helpful and informative! Enjoy the remainder of your week.
Please Update Your Student & Parent/Guardian Information!
We are excited to announce the online Update Form for the 2024-2025 school year! This process replaces the paper forms sent home at the beginning of each school year. Your Information Update Form is available online! You will receive a letter either via email or paper copy with your student's snap code, which will allow you to update your information.
Why update?
Keeping student information up-to-date is crucial for ensuring that schools can provide the best support and safety for your child. Accurate records help educators address individual needs, manage emergencies effectively, and communicate important information promptly.
How do I get started?
- Visit http://www.chesteruplandsd.org/ and click the “Update Your Info” button on the homepage, located under the “I’m Looking For” section.
- Then, enter your student’s snapcode.
You can also click the links below:
Click Here to Update (English Version)
Click Here to Update (Spanish Version)
What’s a snapcode?
The snapcode is like a key to your child’s Information Update Form for the upcoming school year. You should receive a unique snapcode or snapcode link for each child. Your snapcode for each student enrolled in CUSD will be included in the letter that you received electronically or via paper copy.
Should I create an account?
- If you’ve never completed an online Information Update Form, you should create an account. This allows you to securely save your work and come back at a later time if necessary. You can use your email address or cell phone number.
- If you already have an account, you can sign in and complete the form. (You should use the same account to complete forms for multiple children.)
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Required questions are marked as "Required".
What if I make a mistake?
If you would like to make a change, click on the underlined field or click “Prev” to return to a previous page.
I’ve completed the form, now what?
When you have finished entering your information, click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button, you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions.
What if I have more than one student at Chester Upland School District?
Do I need to do this for each child? Yes, because you’ll need to provide information that is specific for each child. We recommend that you submit one Information Update Form and then start another – this will allow you to “snap over” shared family information, which will save you time.
I don’t know what a question is asking.
You can contact Chester Upland School District at (610) 447-3600, or email them at enrollment@chesteruplandsd.org to ask any general questions about the form or the Information Update Form process.
Help! I’m having technical difficulties.
For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center at https://help.powerschool.com or click “Help” or “Contact Us” from any form page.
Availabe Online - School Menus
School menus are now available online! In partnership with Chartwells K12, CUSD uses Nutrislice to provide an easy way for families to access daily menus through an interactive website and a free smartphone app.
With Nutrislice, you can view daily menu items complete with photos and descriptions, along with detailed nutrition information.
Easy-to-use-features:
- Daily menu items, with a photo and description
- Nutrition Information
- Filters for common food allergens like nuts, wheat and dairy
- Available in 50+ languages
Get started today:
- Scan the QR code on the flyer or download the Nutrislice app
- Select your preferred location and favorite it
- View daily menu items
Back-to-School Nights
Last week, parents and caregivers came out to Main Street, CUSA, and Edgmont Scholars Academy to meet school leaders, teachers and other school personnel at their Back-to-School Night events.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who attended and took the time to engage with their child’s educational team.There are still a few more events happening tomorrow, so if your child attends one of the remaining schools, we encourage you to come out and connect with school staff.
These events provide a great opportunity to get to know your child’s teachers and support staff, learn about school year expectations, and explore ways to stay connected to ensure a successful year for our scholars.
Remaining Back-to-School Night Events Tomorrow, September 19:
- Toby Farms - 5:30 p.m.
- STEM - 5:00 p.m.
- CHS - 5:00 p.m.
Homecoming 2024 Details Now Available at ChesterClippers.com
The countdown to Homecoming 2024 is on! We are just over two weeks away from the big day, and I know community members and Chester alumni are anxiously awaiting another opportunity to reconnect with their graduating class and support our football team by proudly showing their #CPride on October 5.
You can visit chesterclippers.com for details about vending, “Rep It” banners for purchase, parking, tickets and more.
See you on October 5 at the Athletic Field.
Upcoming FAFSA Workshops
Over the next few months, several FAFSA workshops will be held to assist families with the college financial aid process. The first workshop is scheduled for September 24, and students and families from Chester High School and STEM are encouraged to attend.
During the session, parents will receive a step-by-step walkthrough on how to create a profile on the FAFSA website and will be guided through completing the application.
With the FAFSA opening on or before December 1st, these workshops provide a valuable opportunity to prepare and ensure all necessary steps are completed for financial aid success.
- Workshop #1 - Thursday, September 24 at 3:00 p.m. (STEM Academy)
- Workshop #2 - Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m. (Chester High School)
- Workshop #3 - Tuesday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. (STEM Academy)
- Workshop #4 - Wednesday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m. (Chester High School)
CUSD Awarded Environmental Repairs Grant
I’m excited to share that that CUSD was recently awarded an $818,376 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Environmental Repairs Grant (ERG) Program.
This funding will enable us to address key environmental and infrastructure concerns across our schools, in line with our 10-year capital improvement plan. It will also contribute to creating a healthier learning environment for our students and staff.
Community Comes Out for CUSD Meet & Greet
Recently, district and school leaders hosted a meet-and-greet following the Receiver's meeting, where we had the chance to connect with CUSD families and stakeholders.
I want to thank everyone who attended and made the event a success. It was great to see so many community members come together to chat with our leadership.
Let’s continue the conversation and keep working together for our students!
Student-Athletes Attend NCAA Sports Symposium
Last Wednesday, our Athletics Department, in partnership with the Ray Strickland Foundation, hosted a successful NCAA Sports Symposium at Chester High School. The event brought together 11 panelists who shared invaluable insights with our student-athletes as they prepare for futures in collegiate and professional sports.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the event's success.
A special thank you goes to Ray Strickland, the Ray Strickland Foundation, and Coach Keith Taylor for their efforts in making this opportunity possible.
The symposium provided guidance on navigating the world of sports and offered our student-athletes key advice for achieving their goals.
