Message from Superintendent Dr. Latrice N. Mumin
Greetings, CUSD Families!
I hope the newest edition of Clipper Connection finds you well! This past weekend, Yom Kippur was observed, and I want to send warm wishes to all in our community who participated in this day of reflection. Monday, we also celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and I hope our scholars enjoyed the day off and took some time to reflect on the importance of the day.
Time is certainly moving quickly, and the end of the first marking period is now less than a month away on November 8. With that in mind, I want to remind everyone just how important attendance and being on time are to academic success. Every day in school is a valuable opportunity for our students to learn and grow, so let's continue to work together to keep everyone on track.
This week is also School Board Recognition Week (October 14-18), and I want to take a moment to highlight our dedicated school board directors for their commitment to working on behalf of our scholars. Their leadership and hard work play a big role in helping our students succeed and making our district stronger.
Community Meeting on October 22
CUSD leadership will host the second Community Meeting of the 2024-25 academic year on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Chester High School.
CUSD’s families and stakeholders are encouraged to come out and hear updates from Receiver Nichols, CUSD School Board Directors, and me.
This is a perfect opportunity to stay connected with the current state of the district.
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
TIME: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Chester High School (Auditorium)
September Staff Members of the Month
There are hundreds of staff members in our district who work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best educational experience possible. From educators and support staff to our maintenance and facilities personnel—everyone’s contributions matter.
Each month, we will highlight CUSD staff members from each school who are deserving of recognition for their commitment to our scholars and district.
Please join me in congratulating September’s Staff Members of the Month. On behalf of the entire CUSD community, I would like to thank each and every one of them for going above and beyond at their respective schools. Their hard work and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed and are especially commendable during the first few weeks of school, which can be a whirlwind of adjustments for all.
September Staff Members of the Month:
• Leslie Paul (English Learner Teacher) - CHS
• Conner Bortz (Physical Education Teacher) - STEM
• Yvette Jones (School Secretary) - STEM
• Jason Messinger (Music Teacher) - Main Street
• Richard Lucchine (Autistic Support Teacher) - ESA Elementary
• Ruben Arana (Math Teacher) - ESA Middle School
• Michaela Youngblood (Math Teacher) - ESA Middle School
• Joanne Ruiz (Kindergarten Teacher) - Stetser
• Helen Summers (School Secretary/Office Manager) - CUSA
• Kevin Romano (Music Teacher) - Toby Farms
REMINDER!!! FAFSA Workshop Today & College and Career Opportunities in October
Mr. Franklin, our College & Career Counselor, is hosting another FAFSA Workshop today at CHS.
The workshop will focus on helping families navigate the college financial aid process. These workshops are especially geared toward our high school students and their families.
Parents and students can expect to receive step-by-step assistance navigating the FAFSA website and completing the application.
If you are unable to attend today’s workshop, additional workshops are scheduled in the coming months.
- Workshop #2 - TODAY, October 16 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)
Additionally, there are several college and career opportunities for students to take advantage of this month. Please view the flyer below and contact Mr. Franklin if you have any questions.
Hispanic Heritage Month Closing Fiesta
Our closing fiesta to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month truly highlighted our district’s commitment to inclusion, learning, and honoring the vibrant contributions of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.
For the third consecutive year, CUSD hosted a closing celebration to mark the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
This year, our schools embraced the month from start to finish, with the Department of Equitable Learning and Support, in partnership with central administration, working together with CUSD’s food vendor, Chartwell’s, the CTE Culinary Arts students under the direction of Chef Harris, Spanish teachers from the language department, English Learner staff, and building leadership. Their collaboration brought creative and innovative ways to celebrate and honor Hispanic culture each day. From mural displays and cultural dance lessons to door decorating contests, scavenger hunts, and culinary students preparing traditional dishes, our district didn’t miss a beat in celebrating the richness of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.
A highlight of this year’s celebration was a day-long event held this past Tuesday. The day began with a lively welcome for students as they arrived at school and concluded with a community celebration filled with music, food, dance, and cultural arts displays.
I’d like to thank Ms. Bowser, Director of Equitable Learning and Support, and to everyone who contributed to making this month so unique. A special thank you to Chartwell’s, Chef Harris and his culinary arts students, our Spanish teachers, English Learner staff, and all building leadership for their teamwork and dedication in making Hispanic Heritage Month a true celebration.
Homecoming 2024
Amazing and full of #CPride—those are the words that come to mind when I reflect on this year’s homecoming activities.
From the pep rally and homecoming dance to the most talked-about football game, this year’s festivities didn’t disappoint current students or CUSD alumni.
To top it off, our Clippers sailed past Academy Park, winning the game, 46-6.
It’s always a wonderful sight to see our alumni come together in a sea of orange and black, showcasing their #CPride and supporting our student-athletes.
I heard many compliments about how well this year’s homecoming turned out and would like to thank Athletic Director LaDontay Bell, CUSD’s maintenance and facilities department, and our local law enforcement officials for ensuring that everything was organized and that everyone was able to safely enjoy the activities.
Feature Photo Credit: Keenon Harris - Torian Photography
Senior Day for Volleyball Team
Last Thursday, the volleyball team celebrated their senior players, in a special ceremony before the final match of the season against Penn Wood.
We congratulate Jada Candy and Jacole Hair on their outstanding contributions to the team and wish them all the best, both on and off the court!
Volunteers Needed
We are always looking for volunteers to help in our schools.
Your time and energy make a real difference in the lives of our scholars, and we’re so grateful to those who are able to contribute.
If you’re interested in volunteering, we’d like to share some tips and suggestions to ensure you have a positive and fulfilling experience.
Please review and complete CUSD’s Volunteer Information and Certification Form.
Directions for Obtaining Clearances for Volunteers Who Have Resided in Pennsylvania Continuously for 10+ Years:
- Complete ACT 34—Pennsylvania State Police—Request for Criminal Record Check
- Complete ACT 151—Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance—Online Application
- Drop off paperwork at the Chester Upland School District Human Resource Office. Please be prepared to present a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.
- Print and Complete the Volunteer Information and Certification Form.
Directions for Obtaining Clearances for Volunteers Who Have Resided in Pennsylvania for Less Than 10 Years:
- Complete ACT 34—Pennsylvania State Police—Request for Criminal Record Check
- Complete ACT 151—Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance—Online Application
- Complete Act 114—FBI Fingerprinting—To schedule your appointment, visit https://uenroll.identogo.com and enter Service Code 1KG6XN. You may also call 844-321-2101 to schedule an appointment
- Complete ACT 114—FBI Fingerprinting
Be certain to register under the Pennsylvania Department of Education. - Drop off paperwork at the Chester Upland School District Human Resources Office. Please be prepared to present a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.