Hello STEM Families! This will be a busy week as we continue to Celebrate African American History Month. Remember our annual Talent Showcase and Academic Awards Ceremony is this Thursday evening at 6:00. Be sure to check Home Access Center, as Interim Reports are now posted. Also, please continue to be aware of our new Early Dismissal Guidelines.

Each year, STEM hosts the annual Talent Showcase and Academic Awards Ceremony in honor of African American History Month. This year's event will be held on Thursday, February 23 at 6:00 PM.

Invitations have been delivered to families of students who will be performing and/or receiving awards. Please note that all STEM Students and Families may attend as well. We hope to see you on the 23rd!

In addition to great performances and recognition of academic achievement, many African American History Month Projects will be on display. Students have paid tribute to their history in many ways, and we encourage families to come and learn with us!

On Tuesday, February 21, a select group of students participated in an interactive presentation along with special guests, Mr. Ulysses Slaughter and Ms. Twyla Simpkins.

Mr. Slaughter educated students on the story of the Exoneration of Alexander Williams, a Chester native who was wrongfully executed in 1931. Our students have committed to joining Mr. Slaughter in a campaign to rename the Delaware County Courthouse after Alexander Williams.

Ms. Simpkins spoke about her ongoing efforts to identify those Chester residents who are buried in the Historic Greenlawn Cemetery. A former CUSD educator, Ms. Simpkins is now dedicated to bringing recognition and honor to Chester's unique history.

We are excited about the enthusiasm our students displayed for joining their efforts!

Chronic Early Dismissals have begun to affect the academic achievement of some of our students. Early Dismissals should be reserved for instances in which a student has a medical appointment that cannot be scheduled outside the school day. Early Dismissals may also be taken in cases of urgent family need.

Early Dismissals should not be taken as a matter of convenience for students and/or families. Frequent Early Dismissals result in extensive missed class time, and seriously impact learning and academic performance.

Over the next several weeks, we will be taking measures to restrict permissions for Early Dismissals. Recognizing that this is a shift, we will allow a period of adjustment. However, please note the following guidelines for Early Dismissals are now in effect:

1. A Phone Call to the STEM Office must be placed thirty minutes in advance of an Early Dismissal.

2. Early Dismissals without written documentation from a health care provider will be marked Unexcused until such documentation is provided.

3. Students will not be dismissed for an Early Dismissal due to illness without first being seen by the School Nurse.

Thank you for understanding these new guidelines. We have already seen a reduction in Early Dismissals over the past week. This means students are spending more time in the classroom.

Also, please keep in mind Early Dismissals will be marked "Unexcused" until a note from a Health Care Provider is turned in.

Interim Reports have been posted to Home Access Center. Please be sure to check your student's Interim Grades. This is the time to buckle down for students who need to improve their Third Marking Period grades.

If you do not yet have access to HAC, please see below to get signed up!

For all students in Grades 9-12, Marking Period Two Report Cards include the student's updated Grade Point Average (GPA). All High School Students should know their GPA. Ask your student today for their GPA!

Students who finished the semester with failing grades in one or more Core Content area (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies) have been placed on Academic Probation. Additionally, they will either have to re-take the course(s) they failed, or complete Summer School.

Students on Academic Probation will be provided with extra supports designed to help them improve their grades, such as tutoring, mentoring and remediation. Academic Goals will be established which must be achieved by the conclusion of the School Year. Students on Academic Probation who do not meet those goals may not be permitted to return to STEM for the 2023-24 School Year.

The Home Access Center (HAC) allows families to view their students' grades and attendance in real time. By logging into the HAC, you can stay up to date on your student's progress and know immediately if they miss class or assignments.

If you do not have your HAC set up yet, email Ms. Chanel Turner-Wright (cturnerwright@chesteruplandsd.org). She will reply with your username, password and a link to the log in page.

We encourage All Students and Families to check HAC every day!

Unfortunately, many of our students have been found using or in possession of vapes. Families, please check the resources below, and be aware that vaping is becoming increasingly common among teens here in Chester and throughout the region. We advise you to ask them about vaping and monitor their behavior.

Also, be aware that we will continue to enforce our School Code of Conduct which includes suspensions for possessing or using vapes while on school property. Repeat offenders will be placed on Academic Probation as well. We are prepared to take increasingly proactive measures to deter this behavior, including more frequent and thorough searches of students who are suspected of possessing prohibited items.

The After School Program at STEM is off and running. We encourage all families to sign their students up for the program.

Academic support and tutoring is available daily, and is extremely beneficial to students who need extra help, as well as those who just need a good setting for doing homework and studying.

Please be aware that students who were assigned to After-School as part of their Academic Probation must attend their scheduled tutoring.

The following programs are currently offered in the After School Program, and we hope to add more as the year progresses:

• Reading Olympics
• Gymnastics
• Drama
• Robotics Team
• Physical Fitness
• Choral Group
• Hi-Q Team
• School Newspaper
• Art Workshop

Additionally, daily tutoring is available in Math, ELA and Science, as well as College & Career Planning.

Please consider joining the PTSA this year to help support our students, teachers and families at STEM! We are looking for all those who are willing to share their time, energy and talents to help make our school even better!

If you're interested in helping out, please be in contact with Ms. Anita Littleton (alittleton341@msn.com) and/or Ms. Karla Beaver (beaverkarla66@gmail.com).

Be sure to check in regarding upcoming meeting dates in February!

Spring Sports are right around the corner!

Please encourage your student to consider joining an Athletic Team. Research has proven that Student-Athletes perform better in the classroom on average than their peers. Spring Sports include:

Baseball

Girls Track & Field

Boys Track & Field

Keep up to date on all Chester Athletic news by subscribing to the C-Pride Sports Buzz!

Congratulations to STEM Seniors Terrence Cobb, Jr. (Basketball) and Briana Walker (Cheerleading) for being named January Student-Athletes of the Month!

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