Message from Superintendent Dr. Latrice N. Mumin
Greetings, CUSD Families!
Happy Black History Month! This month, we are proud to honor and celebrate the rich contributions of Black Americans, from nationally recognized figures to the local heroes in Chester who have shaped our community with excellence and perseverance.
Across our district, schools are hosting various Black History Month programs that highlight history, culture, and achievements. Most event dates have been confirmed and can be found in the Upcoming Events section of this e-newsletter. I hope our families will attend and help our scholars celebrate Black history.
Switching gears: Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about new federal government decisions that could affect funding for education and programs that help families.
There’s still a lot we don’t know, but we want to make sure that if any changes happen, our families have access to important resources like housing and mental health support.
At the bottom of my message, you’ll find helpful links to services that may be useful. If you or someone you know has questions about these changes or needs help with housing, school support, or other resources, please reach out to our Department of Equitable Learning and Support at dbowser@chesteruplandsd.org.
CUSD is here for you and will always work to make sure our students and families have the support they need!
Helpful resources:
REMINDER! Upcoming Half-Days/School Closures
REMINDER! Tomorrow is a half-day for our scholars, as parent/teacher conferences will be held at all of our schools. If you haven’t yet scheduled a time to meet with your child’s teachers, please reach out to them as soon as possible.
Looking ahead, Friday is a Staff In-Service Day, which means there will be NO SCHOOL for students.
- Tomorrow, February 6: Half-day for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Friday, February 7: No School for Scholars - Staff In-Service Day
- Monday, February 17: CUSD Schools and Offices Closed - Presidents’ Day
January Staff Members of the Month
As we move forward into the new year, we are excited to recognize and celebrate our January Staff Members of the Month!
These incredible team members go above and beyond to support our students and schools, and I’m grateful for their dedication. Please join me in thanking them for their hard work and commitment.
If you see them, be sure to congratulate them and show your appreciation!
January Staff Members of the Month:
- LaFenus Pickett (Health & Physical Education Teacher) - CHS
- Gillian Pierre (9th Grade Math Teacher) - STEM
- Jessica Vazquez (4th Grade ELA Teacher) - Main Street
- Thomas White (Climate Manager) - ESA Elementary
- Janasia Pitts Womack (Secretary) - ESA Middle School
- Valerie Merritt (Lunch Aide) - Stetser
- Dr. Jermane Miller (School Counselor) - CUSA
- Christelle Alce (8th Grade Math Teacher ) - Toby Farms
Date Change! District-Wide Spelling Bee!
Our district-wide Spelling Bee has been rescheduled to Tuesday, February 11!
The school-level competitions have officially wrapped up, and the winners from each school are moving on to compete for the district championship. I can’t wait to see these talented scholars in grades 1-8 showcase their spelling skills on the big stage!
Check out the pictures below for a look at some of the school-level competitions.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 11 (new date)
WHERE: Chester High School (auditorium)
TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Also, we are still in need of volunteers for this event. If you’re interested, please contact
Mr. Euthman-Olukokun at:
(610) 871-7132 or euthmanolukokun@chesteruplandsd.org
We’re Hiring: School Safety Officers
Do you love working with kids and want to make a difference in our community?
CUSD is looking for dedicated School Safety Officers (SSOs) to help keep our schools safe and welcoming for all scholars.
This is a great opportunity for community members or anyone who enjoys being around students to play an important role in their school experience.
This position also comes with a great benefits package!
If you or someone you know would be a great fit, scan the QR code on the flyer or click the “We’re Hiring” button below to apply.
CUSD Launches “Second Chance Breakfast” at CHS
I’m thrilled to share that we have launched the ‘Second Chance Breakfast’ initiative at CHS, ensuring that every student has access to a nutritious meal—even if they arrive after the first bell.
Thanks to the Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion (SBE) grant, we’re able to provide students with healthy breakfast options between 1st and 2nd period or during a mid-morning break.
Since launching in January, we’ve been serving an average of 35 students per day, with participation growing! We’re proud to support our students and make sure no one starts their day hungry.
Congratulations to Our Del Val League Champions!
A huge congratulations to our Boys and Girls Basketball teams for earning the Del Val League title this season! This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and teamwork both on and off the court.
We also want to give a big shoutout to our coaching staff for their leadership and commitment to our student-athletes.
Keep up the great work, finish the season strong, and know that we’re all cheering for the orange and black. Let’s go CLIPPERS!!
Working Together for a Lead-Free Future
Recently, we hosted a community discussion on lead removal, focusing on how we can work together to protect our scholars and families from the dangers of lead exposure. With so many older homes in our area, this is an issue that affects all of us, and it’s critical that we take steps to keep our children safe.
Lead poisoning can be hard to spot but can cause serious health problems, especially in young children. Symptoms include:
- learning difficulties
- fatigue, stomach pain
- irritability
- developmental delays
No child should have to deal with these challenges, and as a community, we must work together to remove lead hazards from our homes and schools.
A huge thank you to Kristin Motley, PharmD, MBA, the Delaware County Health Department, and Children First for sharing their expertise and offering practical solutions to tackle lead exposure.
We’re also grateful to Parent University, the City of Chester, Swarthmore College, the Swarthmore Black Alumni Association, and Keystone First for their support in raising awareness and mobilizing resources.
Want to get involved?
There is a Chester Lead Task Force that regularly meets to discuss lead removal in Chester. Consider attending a meeting. You can contact the city’s Health Department for details.
Missed the meeting?
You can watch the discussion/presentation below:
Go E-A-G-L-E-S!!!
Our schools have been full of Eagles pride as students and staff have been rocking their green and dressing down to support the Birds’ playoff run!
It’s been great to see our school community come together, showing excitement and team spirit leading up to the big game.
As we gear up for Super Bowl Sunday, we’re wishing our hometown team the best of luck—let’s bring it home, Eagles! #GoBirds
