Haverford Happenings

We’re excited to share that one of our very own Haverford High School teachers, Leon Smith, PA Teacher of the Year, will be featured on the NBC Today Show as part of Teacher Appreciation Week! Tune in to watch this special interview with host Craig Melvin, celebrating the incredible impact our educators make every day. Don’t miss this proud moment for our school community—airing Monday, May 5th on NBC’s Today Show!

At Chestnutwold Elementary School, building strong community bonds goes beyond the classroom—and sometimes, it starts with a handwritten letter. This year, a unique initiative brought together students across grades and even continents through Building Bridges.

Elementary–High School Link

Students in grades 3–5 participated in a special pen pal project, writing letters to Haverford High School seniors to create meaningful connections between our youngest learners and soon-to-be graduates. These letters allowed elementary students to share their daily school experiences, ask questions about high school life, and cheer on their older peers as they prepare for graduation. In return, high school seniors wrote back with encouragement, reflections, and stories about their time in Haverford schools. This cross-age communication helped foster a sense of unity and mentorship, reinforcing the idea that no matter the age, every student belongs to one Haverford family.

Global Connections

Younger students became pen pals with peers not only from other elementary schools within the district, but also with a partner school in Turkey. This exciting international exchange opened doors for cultural learning and global friendship, all through the simple, personal act of letter writing. Through these exchanges, students learned about life in different communities, practiced empathy, and developed a greater appreciation for both their similarities and differences.

Having Pen Pals gives students a platform to express themselves, engage with others in meaningful ways, and practice essential communication skills—all while building relationships that stretch across schools, ages, and even continents. By encouraging students to connect through writing, Chestnutwold is nurturing a culture of kindness, curiosity, and community—one letter at a time.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Coopertown Elementary came together to create a special bulletin board themed "Acceptance is an Action." The display is a colorful celebration of kindness, inclusion, and the power of taking action to make everyone feel seen and valued.

Haverford High School hosted its first ever Trades Fair on Tuesday, April 29th for all students.

Students gained valuable insight into career opportunities by connecting with employers, unions, and organizations offering jobs, training, and apprenticeships—highlighting rewarding paths beyond the traditional 4-year college track. We extend our sincere thanks to all the employers who joined us for the job fair. Your time, insights, and enthusiasm made a lasting impact on our students, opening their eyes to new possibilities and real-world career paths.

The Haverford High School Young Democrats and Future Republicans joined forces once again this year to sponsor the school’s annual Voter Registration Drive, an initiative aimed at empowering seniors to take their first steps into civic life. Their efforts continue to earn statewide recognition, as Haverford was awarded the PA Governor's Civic Engagement Award – Silver Level for the 2023–2024 school year, honoring over 65% voter registration among eligible seniors.

This marks the third consecutive year the school has achieved Silver status, with earlier years (2018–2020) even reaching the prestigious Gold Level. Such consistent recognition reflects a deep-rooted commitment to civic participation among students and staff.

Why Register to Vote? Students leading the drive shared that having a voice in local and federal politics was a major motivation. While many already had some understanding of the voting process, they found that organizing and executing the registration drive helped deepen their knowledge and strengthen their resolve to reach even more peers.

The Challenge of Participation Organizing the drive was no small feat, but students noted the process ran smoothly overall. As they continue striving toward an ambitious 85% registration goal, the challenge grows—reaching the remaining unregistered students takes persistence and creativity.

Why It Matters Leaders of the initiative emphasized the value of every vote, especially in a swing state like Pennsylvania. “Our voices are most heard on a local level,” they explained, “but every vote counts.” To students still on the fence, their message is clear: There are no downsides to registering—only power gained.

Through collaboration, dedication, and a shared belief in the power of democracy, Haverford’s young leaders are helping to build a more engaged and informed electorate, one student at a time.

FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. Haverford High School students qualified to attend and compete with over 5,000 students across Pennsylvania at the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference, and they represented HHS well!

Grace Hubbert - 10th Place, Accounting I

Chase Kurtz - 7th Place, Agribusiness

Lex Dalena - 10th Place, Intro to Financial Math

Jack Baldwin - 8th Place, Public Policy and Procedure

Will Walker - 6th Place in Prelims, Sports and Entertainment Management

Honorable mention to those students who qualified and competed during the conference:

Jane Gray, Business Communications

Everett Ingraffia, Business Law

Madison Hahn and Julia Hobeika, Hospitality Management

Adrian Rodriquez and Kieran Salvesen, Intro to Marketing Concepts

Dash Smith, Intro to Marketing Concepts

Nick Petrucci and Molly Gibson, Public Policy and Advocacy

Maya Lewis, Public Speaking

Cole Negley and Matilda Smith, Sales Presentation

Jack Kovolski and Patrick Flynn, Sports and Entertainment Management

Chatham Families Together hosted the annual Culture Share Evening at Chatham Park Elementary School, fostering community and celebrating the diverse backgrounds and cultures contributing to the vibrant Bulldog Community.

The Culture Share Evening is a culminating event that follows their Multicultural Day, which took place during the school day. This day is devoted to honoring the dignity and sense of belonging of everyone involved, with a theme focused on being seen and valued.

Families enjoyed an evening filled with cultural sharing, including games, crafts, dancing, storytelling, and delicious snacks from around the world. Families were encouraged to host tables to share aspects of their unique cultural heritage.

Haverford Middle School art teacher, Mrs. Janiene Kwoczak, created a lesson inspired by the Earthen Door exhibit. Students investigated the theme of eco-art, reflecting on how art can raise awareness and advocate for environmental concerns. Using the reductive printmaking technique called linocuts, the students carved their designs and chose a color ink that would complement their artistic vision. These linocuts reflect environmental topics that interested the students, and their creative choices construct a visual narrative.

Mrs. Kwoczak’s seventh-grade art classes will have an exhibition at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford. This internationally recognized museum is known for its collection of paintings by the Wyeth family and ever-changing exhibitions featuring American artists. You can find 110 works of student art in the Imagine Brandywine Gallery on the top floor. The show runs from May to October 2025.

You are cordially invited to attend the opening reception for our 7th-grade artists on June 1, 2025, from 2:30 to 3:30pm at the Brandywine Museum of Art. The museum is open to the public and has free admission all day. We hope you can come and support our artists and their achievements.

Some school districts in parts of our state and nation have increased restrictions on cell phone use by students or even enacted cell phone bans. We want to provide some context on this issue for the coming school year.

Cell phones have become an integral part of our modern life. Many of our middle and high

school students have cell phones, and we respect that parents may choose to provide them to

their children for various reasons. However, it’s important to note that the district provides

students with all the technology needed for classroom use. Our students have access to a wide

range of technological resources that support learning and development at all levels, and

personal cell phones are not required or needed in our schools for instructional purposes.

In addition to our School Board Policy addressing technology use, the following is a brief

summary of our guidelines for cell phone use across grade levels:

Elementary School:

Students should leave cell phones and other personal electronic devices (iPads,

Apple/Smartwatches, Gizmo Gadgets, other electronic devices, etc.) at home. If a parent/guardian sends their child to school with any electronic devices, they must be stored in the student’s backpack and silenced. These personal devices are not to be used during the school day.

Middle School:

Students may bring cell phones to school, but they must be stored in lockers and silenced or

turned off during the school day. Misuse of these devices may result in disciplinary actions,

including an administrator taking the phone during the school day. For necessary

communication, students can use the phone in the main office and families may call the office if

they need to urgently reach their child.

High School:

Students are permitted to bring cell phones and personal devices to school, but these must be

silenced or turned off and kept out of sight during class time. Teachers may require students to

store phones in a designated area during lessons. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary

measures, including the administrators taking the devices during the school day. Families may

contact the school office for urgent communication or emergencies that need to be shared with

students.

We believe this balanced approach allows students to benefit from modern technology while

helping us to minimize distractions and promoting a focused and productive learning environment.

If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school principal.

Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, Chromebooks for students in grades 3–5 will remain at school and will only be sent home when a teacher determines they are needed for curricular activities.

To prepare the devices for this change, all current 3rd through 5th grade students will leave their Chromebooks and chargers at school before the end of this school year. We will send a reminder to families closer to the end of the year, including instructions to send chargers back to school along with the Chromebooks if they are currently at home.

Thank you for your support as we make this adjustment!

Throughout this school year, we have engaged in collaborative work to develop plans that will guide several key technology initiatives in our schools.

One important area of focus has been the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. A working group of staff and administrators developed a vision and guidelines for how AI can support learning in Haverford. These guidelines are available on our website. In addition to this work, the group created and delivered training for all of our teachers, covering the benefits of AI, potential concerns, and the safeguards we have established. A presentation on this initiative was shared at the February 6, 2025, School Board meeting, which you can view here.

In addition, we used the findings from the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s instructional technology audit to develop a new Instructional Technology Plan. This plan addresses feedback from staff and families regarding how technology is currently used in Haverford classrooms. It focuses on three key areas: instructional technology tools and software, purposeful screen time, and digital citizenship and literacy. We are building a resource page on our website where you will be able to find a summary of the plan and additional materials. Members of the planning committee also presented their work at the March 13, 2025, Curriculum and Pupil Services Committee meeting, which you can view here.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to ensure that technology use in our schools is thoughtful, purposeful, and supportive of student success!

Since 2023, the District has required verification of continued residency in the township and confirmation of contact information for current fifth (5th) and eighth (8th) grade students who plan to attend Haverford Middle School and Haverford High School in September 2025.

In accordance with Board policy #200, Enrollment of Students, the District requires each student’s residency to be verified by parents/guardians or other adults with whom the student resides prior to June 30, 2025.

Starting March 1, 2025, families can submit their verification documents through their PowerSchool parent account (PowerSchool Parent Accounts).

Each student verification requires two (2) acceptable documents, as outlined in the policy, in their entirety, with the address and name(s) clearly indicated. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Deed
• Settlement Statement
• Current Lease Agreement
• Current Property Tax Bill
• Current Utility Bill
• Current Credit Card Bill
• PennDOT Identification Card

Documentation submitted by families will be reviewed for authenticity and accuracy beginning in May and continuing through June. Once your child’s documents have been verified, confirmation will be communicated through your PowerSchool parent/guardian account.

Completing the Residency Verification Form in PowerSchool

If you do not plan to return in September 2025, please notify your child's school office.

If you encounter a problem during the process, we are happy to assist you. Please contact ITHelpDesk@haverfordsd.net.

Jewish Heritage Month is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' significant achievements and many contributions to the United States of America during the month of May.

In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history.

Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month and an opportunity for individuals including Haitians and lovers of the the Haitian culture to celebrate the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food and learn the traditions of Haiti and its people.

Once again, the District was a recipient of Giant Food Stores' initiative, Feeding School Kids, where our community “rounded” their purchases at the store to donate to our district to combat childhood hunger. We will receive over $17K this year to assist our families. Thank you to Giant and all who rounded up at the register! Together, we ensure students have access to the nutrition they need to grow and fuel their education.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here, you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Regular and Committee Board Meetings will be held at the Oakmont Administration Building.

*NOTE TIMES FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Upcoming Meetings:

• May 8: School Board Meeting
• May 15: Policy Committee Meeting 6:30 PM
• May 22: School Board Meeting
• May 29: Curriculum and Pupil Services Committee Meeting 6:30 PM

All presentations and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

Please check the District calendar for upcoming events.

May 6-8: Secondary Art Show

May 14: Dr. Hayes Meeting with Secondary Families 6:30 PM via ZOOM

May 19: Elementary Track Meet 2:45 PM at HHS

May 20: Teacher In-Service Day* (no school for students) * Primary election
May 23: Teacher in-service day (early dismissal)
May 26: Memorial Day Holiday (schools & offices closed)

2024-2025 Calendar (At a Glance)

2025-2026 Calendar (At a Glance)

2026-2027 Calendar (At a Glance) *NOTE: START SEPT. 1 - BEFORE LABOR DAY

Join the incoming Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Hayes, in connecting with the community. He'll start with virtual sit-downs where he can listen, learn, and engage with the School District of Haverford Township staff and families. To make the most of the time together, he met with elementary families on April 9th and will meet with secondary families on May 14th via Zoom.

Share your thoughts, hopes, and ideas on the following two important questions:

• What are some ways we can build on our strengths?
• What skills and abilities does a well-rounded graduate possess?

Connecting with Secondary Families - Superintendent Sit-Down

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Zoom Link: https://haverfordsd.zoom.us/j/83086628335

The Community Information section of our website is divided into four sections.

1. Area School-Age Care; this section houses flyers to external providers for school-age before/after care as well as kindergarten enrichment programs.
2. General Community Information; this section contains general informational flyers about opportunities and events for the community.
3. Parent Teacher Associations; this section houses links to external websites that contain content pertaining to our schools' Parent Teacher Associations.
4. General Community Links; this section contains links to external websites for our community.

The School District of Haverford Township will host its 3rd Annual FORDS* (Forging Outstanding Relationships with Diverse Staff) Diversity Career Networking Event on

Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Haverford Middle School Library

We are excited to announce a Resume Review Opportunity from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. This event is designed to provide insights into our district for diverse candidates seeking employment opportunities.
During this event, interested candidates can learn more about our district, receive valuable feedback on their resumes, and participate in small group discussions with current employees. Our staff members will share their experiences working in the district and discuss the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives we have implemented.
After the event, we hope to maintain connections with attendees and encourage them to apply for positions as they become available. This event is open to educators, administrators, and staff positions across the district.

Please register to attend the FORDS Diversity Career Networking Event RSVP.

Apply for current openings SDHT Employment Opportunities

Visit our Website to learn more about the School District of Haverford Township

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverfordsd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haverfordsd.net
Twitter: @haverfordsd