Dear Stonehurst Families,

It's hard to believe it, but this is my final Wednesday message of 2024. As the holiday season approaches, we want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a joyous and restful winter break. Please note the following important dates:

• Winter Break begins: Monday, December 23, 2024
• School resumes: Thursday, January 2, 2025

As we prepare to start the new year off strong, now is the perfect time to review your child's MAP skill plans in IXL to see how they are progressing towards academic achievement and growth. Taking a few moments to focus on these goals can set the stage for success in 2025!

We hope this time brings you warmth, laughter, and special moments with family and friends. Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.

Warm regards,

Mr. Chisholm, Principal

This week, we embraced the holiday spirit by decorating cookies together! Students decorated their creations with colorful frosting and sprinkles, showcasing their creativity. It was a joyful activity that brought us all closer and filled the day with warmth and cheer!

Congratulations to our November Student of the Month winners! Your hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence have truly stood out, and we couldn’t be prouder of your achievements. You exemplify what it means to be a role model at Stonehurst, and your dedication inspires everyone around you. Keep up the amazing work—you are shining examples of what it means to strive for success both inside and outside the classroom!

We are excited to announce a special incentive to encourage regular attendance! All parents of students who achieve perfect attendance for the month of January will be entered into a raffle. At the end of the month, one lucky parent will be selected to win a $50 grocery gift card as a token of our appreciation for your dedication to your child’s education. Consistent attendance is key to academic success, and we appreciate your efforts in ensuring your child is present and ready to learn every day. Let’s make January a month of strong attendance and celebration!

Grade Middle School Elective Selection

In the coming months, we will be working with our 5th-grade students to enter their choices for 6th-grade electives into the Home Access Center (HAC). Please review the elective selection guide with your students and have conversations with them regarding the best choices. The elective guide can be found at the following link: https://www.upperdarbysd.org/domain/3278

• Please me mindful that arrival starts 8:45 a.m. The arrival doors and gates to the schoolyard will not open until 8:45.

• Our next Home and School Association Meeting (HSA) will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025. I hope to see you there.

• Family Literacy Night is Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

• Bing Night will be Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

It is a state requirement that 1st GRADE students have a recent physical exam and dental exam on file for your child. Thank you to those who have already turned this in. For those who haven’t, please schedule these for your child as soon as possible and turn in the paperwork they give afterwards. If you need assistance finding a local doctor or dentist, please email out to CStetler@upperdarbysd.org.

Individual reminders will be sent out to students who still need these in December.

Parents, if you are sending support from outside agencies to Stonehurst, please inform them they MUST give 24-hour notice before

If you are planning to have community agencies come to the school to work with your child please complete the following steps prior to them coming to the building.

1. Parents/Guardians must sign an Upper Darby School District Release of Information Form and return to School Social Worker. Please request this form from the school social worker and counselor via email.
2. Parents/ Guardians must Inform the community Agency Service Provider to send copies of all clearances ( FBI, PA Criminal History, and Child Abuse) to the school social worker and counselor via email.
3. Inform the community agency service provider to contact school social worker and counselor via email at least 24 hours prior to coming into the building.

The School Social Worker and Counselor can be reached via email at csanders@upperdarbysd.org and mdifilippo@upperdarbysd.org.

Bilingual Buddies is BACK for the 2024-2025 school year! Bilingual Buddies is a select group of students who have reached the English Proficiency level of Developing or Expanding. These students will partner with students who are new to our country to help them learn about our school and routines. Bilingual Buddies will take new students on welcome walks to show them important places in our school and complete a fun learning activity once a month with our newest friends. Bilingual Buddies will also be offered the opportunity to read the lunch menu in their first language over the loudspeaker on special days. We are so proud of our Bilingual Buddies and look forward to the opportunity to have them showcase their linguistic skills while helping new friends!

Please make sure your child is coming to school everyday. Consistent school attendance is essential for students' academic growth and overall success. When students attend school every day, they are more likely to stay engaged with the curriculum, participate in class discussions, and benefit from hands-on learning experiences. Regular attendance helps students build strong study habits, stay on top of assignments, and better understand new concepts as they are taught. Additionally, being present every day allows students to develop important social skills and relationships with their peers and teachers, which fosters a positive learning environment. In short, daily attendance is a key factor in helping students reach their full potential.