The STEM Weekly Stream

Students at STEM Academy and all Chester Upland School District schools will return to class on Monday, August 29. Please read the letter below for important information that will help you and your student prepare for the First Day of School.

August 1, 2022

Hello STEM Families!

I hope that each and every one of you is continuing to enjoy a safe and happy summer. This break is an important opportunity for all of us to spend quality time with our families and friends before embarking on another school year. However, before long, we will be back together, and we could not be more excited to welcome students for the new year!

We are fully committed to moving forward and making great strides academically in 2022-23. In pursuit of the greatest outcomes possible for our students, we will focus on three areas: improving academic achievement in reading and math, increasing daily attendance, and supporting the social-emotional needs of students. In order for us to realize our goals for improvement, we will need the support of our Families. As we progress through the school year, we will communicate ways that Families can support their students in those areas.

Please read below for important information and dates to be aware of as the beginning of the 2022-23 school year approaches.

Supplies/Chromebooks: As always, STEM Academy strives to provide most school supplies required for students to be successful. Continuing with tradition, bookbags will be distributed to all CUSD students at the annual Back Pack Giveaway on Friday, August 29 from 2:00-5:00 on Eyre Drive behind Chester High. STEM Academy students are responsible to carry their district-issued computer to and from school daily, so it is important that all students have a sturdy book bag when school begins.

All returning students should have turned in their district-issued Chromebook at the conclusion of the school year. Those devices are currently being serviced and updated, and will be returned to students at the beginning of the school year. This routine maintenance is critical for students to be able to run the programs required for their classes. Students who have not returned their devices must do so immediately, or may face delays receiving serviceable equipment.

New Student Orientation: New student orientation will take place on Thursday, August 11 at STEM Academy from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Please note this event is just for students who are new to STEM in 2022-23. All incoming students and their families should attend. Students and families will have opportunities to tour the school, receive apparel, be issued their Chromebook, learn about academic and extracurricular activities, and receive login information for Home Access Center. Further information regarding New Student Orientation has been sent via email from stemacademyadmissions@chesteruplandsd.org

First Day of School: The first day of school will be Monday, August 29. Students are expected to arrive by 7:45 AM. We will welcome students with a Bell Ringing Ceremony in our front courtyard. Parents/families are encouraged to attend the Bell Ringing.

Back to School Night: Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 15. Back to School Night will be held from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. We hope to see you all there!

Contact Information Verification: It is critical that we have up-to-date and accurate contact information for all our parents/guardians. Please be aware that if you are not receiving regular communication from myself and/or the STEM Academy Office, it is because we do have accurate phone and/or email. If you would like to verify we have the correct information, please email our Office Staff, Ms. Yvette Jones and Ms. Latifah Dixon (yjones@chesteruplandsd.org and ldixon@chesteruplandsd.org ). Include Your Student’s Name, Your Name, Your Email Address, Your Primary Cell Phone Number, and Your Home Address. By having your accurate email address on file, you can be sure you’ll receive the most up-to-date information available.

Dress Code: At STEM Academy and throughout CUSD, we have made changes to our Dress Code. These changes were made based on feedback from students and families, as we strive to better serve our community. The details on the new Dress Code are contained below. Please note that any STEM Academy uniform shirts that were purchased in prior years will continue to be permissible.

Chester Upland High School Dress Code (CHS & STEM Academy)

Students must wear Chester and/or STEM Academy gear. They may choose a hoodie, long sleeve t-shirt, short sleeve t-shirt, polo shirt, or quarter zip. Solid colors tops in black, orange, gray, and white are also permissible, as well as previously obtained STEM Academy uniforms.

Pants must be black, navy blue, or tan.

All students must wear close-toed shoes.

Attendance: Daily attendance will be a major area of focus at STEM Academy this year. All students will be required to arrive on time each day. That means students must enter the building by 7:45 and be in their first period class by 7:50. We have learned that daily, in-person attendance is essential for student success, and plan to hold students and families accountable for being present every day.

Once again, we hope that all members of the STEM Community are enjoying a safe and happy summer. While we will continue to enjoy the break, we are excited about the upcoming return of our students. I look forward to sending more communications as the new year approaches, and in the meantime, please contact our office with additional questions.

Sincerely,

Brendan Bell

Principal

bbell@chesteruplandsd.org

610-447-3650

The offices here at STEM continue to be open during the summer. The hours are 9:00-4:00 on Mondays through Thursdays. Regular hours will resume on Monday, August 15.

I would like extend one more round of congratulations to the Class of '22 and their families. We are wishing them all the best as they embark on the next stages of their lives!

If your student has moved on from STEM, please feel free to remove yourself from the newsletter by clicking Unsubscribe at the bottom of this message. However, if you'd like to continue following and receiving updates, you may do so as well!

Email: bbell@chesteruplandsd.org
Website: https://www.chesteruplandsd.org/sas
Location: 1100 West 10th Street, Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 610-447-3650