District News

Thank you to our talented student artists who participated in this year’s Holiday Card Design Contest! We received a record number of submissions this year! Congratulations to the following students, whose artwork was chosen to be featured on the official 2022 UCFSD Holiday Cards:

❄️ Sophie Rissmiller (11th Grade • UHS)

❄️ Mia Nie (8th Grade • CFPMS)

❄️ Katherine Li (5th Grade • PES)

❄️ Nanak Kumar (4th Grade • HES)

❄️ Olivia Sander (3rd Grade • CFES)

❄️ Abby Ramaker (2nd Grade • PES)

In addition to the six winning designs, we would like to recognize more of the wonderful submissions we received and all of the talent and hard work that went into them (see the video below!). Thank you so much to the local artists, UCFSD Art teachers, Board members, Dr. Sanville and administrators who judged over 120 creative winter and holiday-themed entries this year! Congratulations again to our winning artists and to all of the students who shared their creativity and talent!

6ABC recently featured a group of Unionville High School students for their amazing work on the Name Initiative. The idea stemmed from a project in Ms. Burslem's 9th grade English class where students were asked to research the significance of their names. After realizing that students' names were repeatedly being mispronounced, the group decided to take action.

They started the Name Initiative with the goal of having students' names pronounced correctly in public schools around the world. Through their initiative, they have presented to school district staff and have incorporated a pronunciation activity for all students on the first day of school. They are also in the process of working with PowerSchool, the leading student information system in the country, to incorporate name pronunciation guides into their platform. They hope to expand this initiative to be incorporated throughout the United States! Such an outstanding example of our students contributing to society to make a difference in the lives of others.

By Bruce Adams

Unionville High School junior Grace Li, the Daily Local News Girls Tennis All-Area Player of the Year, saved her best performance this fall for last, in the PIAA 3A singles championship.

In that match, Li got better as the contest progressed, defeating Council Rock South junior Dasha Chichkina, 6-4, 6-2, to win her first PIAA state singles title. Li finished the fall high school season with an undefeated record at singles, and at the PIAA tournament won all of her matches in straight sets.

“My best match of the season was the finals against Dasha,” said Li. “I’ve played her so many times during the season (including the District 1 3A finals) and she played so well in the state championship finals. It was difficult because she gets to every ball so I had to really be patient but still play my aggressive game style.”

Li, who was also the 2021 Girls Tennis Player of the Year, finished second last year at the PIAA tournament, losing in the championship finals.

“Getting second place last year, I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum and finally being able to win the state title this year just made all the hard work feel worth it,” said Li. “When I won the second set, it was a monumental moment, and I was just so happy and relieved.”

Unlike 2021, Li entered states as the No. 1 seed.

“It’s tough to be the first seed,” said Unionville head coach Janet Johnston. “There is a lot of pressure … most of it, many people put on themselves. Teams can feel it. Individuals can feel it.

“It was evident that Grace was feeling that pressure early on (in the championship final), but she very quickly responded to it, and rose to the occasion. It was really fun watching the evolution during districts and states as she calmed herself down and found her game. You could feel it from off the court.”

Li said, “In the beginning (of the finals), I struggled a bit. There was a lot of pressure, being the first seed, because I was expected to win. I think a big part was breaking (Chichkina’s) service game at 0-2 to get the score to 1-2. If I lost that game, it would have been a lot more difficult to come back.”

Johnston said, “Grace is a very determined player. Her baseline game is one of the strongest aspects of her game, but I would also include her serve as a weapon. When her first serve is on, she sets the tone in a match very quickly. In tougher situations, she’s very good at assessing her opponent and finds ways to counter their strengths.”

Do you know a UCFSD teacher who goes above and beyond the call of duty and truly makes a difference in their student’s lives? If so please consider nominating them for this year's Citadel Heart of Learning Award! Nominations will be accepted through January 15, 2023! Click on the link below to learn more and to submit a nomination!

Unionville Elementary School held its Veterans Day Program to honor those who have bravely served our country. Students introduced their attending veteran and presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation. The program also included the Presentation of Colors by Unionville Troop 22, a reading on the history of Veterans Day, performances by UE’s Veterans Day Chorus, and a multimedia presentation featuring photos of UE’s past and present veterans.

Pocopson Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day by welcoming students’ family members who serve or have served in the military. During the assembly, students learned about the five branches of the military and the importance of Veterans Day. Some fifth graders even shared personal stories about the heroes in their families. Members of the PES Band played “Taps” followed by a rendition of “God Bless America” performed by the PES Chorus. It was a wonderful celebration to honor those who have given so much!

Hillendale Elementary School honored family members who have served in the military during their Veterans Day Ceremony. The Huskies recognized each veteran, and their families, for their selfless contribution to our country. Students also presented each veteran with a gift. The ceremony included musical performances by students and staff and three 5th graders sharing pieces on Veterans Day. It was a beautiful celebration to honor the brave men and women who have served our country.

Students from Mr. Little’s and Mrs. Sordi’s advisories put 120 flags out in front of the middle school in observance of Veterans Day.

The Chadds Ford Chargers recognized and showed appreciation for all who serve in our Armed Forces!

Over 300 runners participated in the first ever Unionville Turkey Trot, organized by the Unionville High School Baseball team and Softball team! In addition to the race, donations were collected for the Kennett Food Cupboard! Congratulations to the race winners and a special shoutout to Coach Mark Lacianca for designing this year’s course!

Patton MiniTHON was a HUGE success. Patton students raised $24,454 in just a few weeks!

“We could not have done it without the help of all of the adults that volunteered to chaperone, spread the word, donated food items, or sent us good wishes. A special thanks to Steve Dissinger, Jessica Knier and James Smith for supporting and letting me run with this event and Laurie Palic for energizing and organizing the Patton student council and hanging out with me all night,” commented Ms. Faith Dilworth, Unionville Mini-THON Advisor.

The lessons that both the Patton and UHS students learned by participating in this event are immeasurable. The event was a true testament to community and the power of student leadership.

Many thanks to everyone that helped make this event a spectacular one!

On November 13th, the UCF FTC Robotics Club hosted a robotics scrimmage at Patton Middle School. Twenty teams competed with and learned from each other as they prepared for the upcoming competition season!

Good luck to our five UCF teams as they compete in future qualifier events and hopefully advance to the PA State Championship.

The UHS Student Art Show Committee is pleased to announce that Unionville High School senior Elissa Stoop has been selected as the 2022 Senior Student Featured Artist. Local artist and Student Art Show Committee Member Sarah Snyder-Dinsel says “I am constantly amazed at the high caliber of art work created by UHS students. It is such a pleasure to view their pieces, and our selection of one senior artist is never an easy one!”

Miss Stoop's art was featured at the UHS Art Department Student Art Show which was held in conjunction with the Unionville Art Gala on November 11 and 12 at Unionville High School. Congratulations Elissa!

Congratulations to Unionville's Anuj Peri and Cooper Bruce on being selected to perform in the 2022 NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles (ANHE). The NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles represent the top-performing high school musicians in the United States. Anuj and Cooper performed in the All-National Mixed Choir and Symphony Orchestra respectively. The concerts took place on November 6 at the NAfME National Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. They were two of 543 of the most musically accomplished high school students in the United States selected to perform at the conference. With assistance from their music teachers and directors, Anuj and Cooper prepared challenging music that they performed under the leadership of prominent conductors in this annual event. It is so much more than a musical showcase, the ANHE program is a comprehensive and educational experience. Congratulations to Anuj and Cooper on representing Unionville on this national stage!

Pocopson students had the chance to shop for their family and friends at this year’s Holiday Gift Shop, organized by the fabulous Pocopson Elementary PTO!

'Tis the season for Unionville Elementary School's annual Winter Craft Workshop! Students spent time after school visiting craft stations to create gifts for their family and friends. Thank you to the Unionville Elementary School PTO and the parent volunteers who helped make this year's workshop truly wonderful!

9th graders attended the Self-Care Fair where they visited different stations based on topics discussed during Freshman Seminar such as, navigating the high school, social-emotional learning, executive functioning, stress management and Portrait of a Graduate.

January is designated as “School Board Open House Month” in Municipal Election years. Residents interested in school board service are encouraged to attend the January Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting to familiarize themselves with the work and responsibilities of the Board. A Question & Answer session for prospective candidates will be held before the January School Board Meeting from 6:30-7:15 PM on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 in the Patton Middle School Library. Interested candidates should contact Linda Miller, administrative assistant to the superintendent, at lmiller@ucfsd.net.

UCFSD will have the following Board Director seats up for election in 2023:

Region A (East and West Marlborough Townships)

• one four-year seat

Region B (Newlin, Pocopson, and Birmingham Townships)

• one two-year seat

• one four-year seat

Region C (Chadds Ford and Pennsbury Townships)

• three four-year seats
  
  

The links below provide information and important dates.

Link to UCFSD Become a School Board Director webpage

Link to Chester County Voter Services' Candidate's Corner

Patton Middle School is turning 50 this January! Originally named Unionville Middle School, the doors to the new building opened to students and staff on January 29, 1973. The principal, Charles F. Patton, helped develop the middle school philosophy which is our cornerstone today. Mr. Patton's dedication to the school was so complete that the building was renamed in his honor in 1993. This January, we will recognize this milestone occasion with a celebration that will include birthday cake, history trivia, photos with current students and students from the 1972-73 school year, two former principals and a gift presentation to the school from our PTO. We will also have a special meet up between Patton’s current Student Council and members of the school’s first Student Council from 1973!

The Harlem Wizards are returning to UCFSD on Friday, February 10. Come cheer on your teachers as they take on the talented and zany Harlem Wizards! Tickets will go on sale in January 2023!