Haverford Happenings

REGISTER HERE.

To register, a new student must be:

• A resident of the School District of Haverford Township (proof of residency is required)
• Kindergarten students must be five (5) years of age before September 1st of the school term
• First-grade students must be six (6) years of age before September 1st of the school term

Families can upload registration documents. While uploading these documents is not required for the initial submission, they must be provided before your submission can be approved. You will continue to have access to the registration portal to upload documents at a later time.

AM/PM Kindergarten assignment letters will only be sent to households for whom the registration process, which includes submitting the online portion and providing all additional documents, has been completed by April 30th.

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 610-853-5900, extension 7139.

The Area School-Age Care section of the website has flyers for external providers for before- and after-school care, as well as kindergarten enrichment programs.

This winter, elementary students explored an important leadership lesson with our high school students: a good leader helps others. Through movement, creativity, and reflection, students learned how kindness, teamwork, and empathy can make a positive difference in their classroom and community.

They kicked off the first lesson with a high-energy Freeze Dance activity set to winter-themed music. As students danced and froze, they struck “helper poses,” such as lending a hand or helping a friend. This playful activity helped students understand that leadership often starts with small, thoughtful actions, and it set a joyful tone for the day.

The main activity focused on creativity with purpose. Students worked alongside their high school mentors to create snowman and snowflake crafts that will be shared with families living in a local shelter through the Fords Forward club. By carefully coloring, cutting, and assembling their snowmen and decorating snowy scenes, students practiced patience and pride in their work. They also learned that leadership includes doing your best when your work is meant to brighten someone else’s day.

To wrap up the lesson, students completed a reflection activity in their workbooks. With guidance from their mentors, they discussed what it means to help others and how this connects to leadership in the community. Mentors shared real-world examples of leaders, such as teachers and firefighters, and students brainstormed ways they can help others in their own classroom. Together, they identified key leadership skills like kindness, communication, teamwork, and empathy.

This lesson reminded students that leadership doesn’t require a title; it starts with caring for others. Through fun, creativity, and thoughtful conversation, our students are learning how to uplift those around them and make a positive impact, one helping hand at a time.

Coopertown Elementary School is a community made up of many unique and wonderful families, each with its own traditions, values, and stories. This year, families came together for a special evening dedicated to celebrating what made our community so vibrant and connected. The Coopertown Family Festival, an event designed to honor and share the rich diversity of our families, took place in the gym, with a gallery walk and sharing expo.

Families were invited to showcase something meaningful about their lives, whether it reflected their culture, traditions, or favorite family activities such as traveling, hiking, movie nights, or other shared interests. Families participated individually or partnered with other families to create presentations together, offering opportunities for collaboration and meaningful connection within the school community.

Families shared their stories and helped educate others about the food, culture, celebrations, and activities they enjoyed. Displays included traditional clothing, prepared food items, music, photos, sports equipment, trophies, recreational activities, traditions and celebrations, favorite hobbies, artifacts, and other meaningful items that showcased each family’s or group of families’ interests.

The Coopertown Family Festival was more than an event; it was a celebration of who we are as a community. The evening allowed families to learn from one another, strengthen their sense of belonging, and share a joyful night filled with connection, pride, and togetherness.

Ninety-five Haverford High School students with a strong interest in business, leadership, and academic achievement were recently inducted into the National Business Honor Society (NBHS).

The National Business Honor Society is designed specifically for high school students enrolled in business-related courses such as marketing, finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship. Similar to the National Honor Society, which honors overall academic achievement, NBHS recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding performance and dedication within the field of business studies.

Students are eligible for NBHS membership if they are juniors or seniors who have completed or are currently enrolled in a third business course and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average, along with a 3.5 GPA in business classes. Membership selection also takes into account students’ character and leadership qualities.

In addition to honoring academic success, NBHS encourages students to develop real-world skills that prepare them for college and future careers. Members often participate in leadership activities, community service projects, and business-focused events that strengthen communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

For students interested in careers in business, finance, or entrepreneurship, the National Business Honor Society offers an opportunity to be recognized for their commitment while gaining meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.

Through the National Honor Society's (NHS) initiatives, Haverford High School was proud to support 36 families (84 children) in our community this holiday season. Each family received a school supply kit, hygiene kit, and breakfast bag, along with a variety of carefully selected gifts. These included games, toys, books, clothing, makeup, gift cards, and more, helping to ensure that every child felt supported and celebrated.

On December 8th, Haverford High School proudly welcomed the Class of 2030 for an informational evening and a guided tour of the building. This event showcased the wide range of opportunities and programs available to our future students. Be sure to check out the attached presentation to explore all the exciting offerings at Haverford High School!

Class Of 2030 - 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation

Throughout the year, the School District and the DCIU offer free workshops to help parents/guardians better navigate the often challenging roadmap of educating their children with disabilities or learning challenges. Please check this website frequently, as it is updated throughout the year. You can find the list of upcoming training on our website at the link below.

Parent Training DCIU Teaching and Learning Supporting Literacy at Home
January 21, 2026 6:00-8:00 p.m. Via Zoom
Presenter: Maggie Ficco, Professional Development Specialist. This training is designed to help families support their children with literacy development at home. They will go over the common terms you will hear and see from your child's assessments in the school district, what they mean, and how to support those skills at home.

Please register for this session by January 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Register at https://www.dciu.org/ParentTrainings
Zoom link will be sent the day before the training.

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Haverford Middle School

Please join us for a night of conversation and community. This event is for parents/guardians of students who participate in Autistic Support, Life Skills Support, or Multiple Disabilities Support either within our schools or in an out-of-district placement. This event is simply to allow families the opportunity to get to know one another and discuss helpful resources within the community. Please RSVP here. Light refreshments will be served.

The Community Information section of our website is divided into four sections.

1. Area School-Age Care; this section houses flyers to external providers for school-age before/after care, as well as kindergarten enrichment programs.
2. General Community Information; this section contains general informational flyers about opportunities and events for the community.
3. Parent Teacher Associations; this section houses links to external websites that contain content about our schools' Parent Teacher Associations.
4. General Community Links; this section contains links to external websites for our community.

Welcome to Technology Corner, your monthly snapshot of digital tools, tips, and innovations supporting teaching and learning across the district.

After the holidays, many families may be setting up new devices they received or bought for themselves and their families. It is important to remember to secure these devices during setup and ensure proper protections are in place, allowing them to be used responsibly.

Huntress - A Parent's Guide to Securing Children's Tech Gifts

The Haverford Education Foundation is proud to recognize the remarkable contributions of its Student Board—a dynamic group of student leaders from across the Haverford Township School District. Meeting monthly, this student-led council provides a vital bridge between the Foundation and the district it serves. By bringing fresh ideas, peer perspectives, and deep insight into the evolving needs of classrooms and clubs, the Student Board ensures that student voices remain central to the Foundation’s mission of fostering innovative educational opportunities. Notably, a Student Board representative participated in last month’s Strategic Planning Session, offering thoughtful input on defining innovation and how students themselves might better access the grant process to lead impactful projects.

Far from being symbolic, the Student Board plays an active role in shaping real change. Members regularly attend general Board meetings, record and share meeting notes, and contribute meaningfully to discussions ranging from teacher engagement to Foundation marketing. Their passion and insight help the Foundation stay grounded in the day-to-day realities of school life—ensuring that funded initiatives remain relevant, student-centered, and forward-thinking. As we look to the future, the Haverford Education Foundation is excited to expand and empower this cohort of young changemakers who are already leaving an inspiring legacy in their district and beyond.

The 2025-2026 Student Board: Heart Hom Kow, Nick Ayella, Sarina Edita, Jayshing Goolsby, Bowie Weng, Evelyn Awad, Zehrah Punillath, and Anaya Lin.

We are excited for the Haverford community to continue to have the opportunity to connect with our Superintendent, Dr. Matthew C. Hayes, in 2026.

Please see the attached details about upcoming meet-and-greets:

• Thursday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m. at Kelly Music Center
  
• Wednesday, March 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Haverford Public Library

These are informal gatherings to share ideas and engage in conversation.

Kindly RSVP to adeacon@haverfordsd.net with topics of interest and the number of guests attending.

Haverford HS is inviting local businesses to participate in the upcoming Skilled Trades Fair, an event designed to introduce students to a wide range of skilled trades and career pathways.

The Trades Fair offers students the opportunity to learn directly from professionals about careers in various fields, including construction, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, automotive services, and other skilled trades. By participating, businesses can share their expertise, highlight career opportunities, and help students better understand the skills and training required to enter these professions.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 19th, at Haverford HS from 10:45 AM to 12:45 PM.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Pat Bader at 610-802-5734 or pbader@haverfordsd.net.

This year, community members aged 65 or older and/or military personnel can receive a “Golden Ticket” for free entry into HHS Athletic games by emailing rdunlavy@haverfordsd.net and scheduling an appointment, or by visiting the reception area in the Oakmont Administration Building.

*THE TICKET DOES NOT INCLUDE ADMISSION TO PIAA PLAYOFF GAMES.

As of the end of the year, the contractors have completed a significant amount of work on all three additions. Both rear additions and the old auditorium areas are now temporarily enclosed and are being temporarily heated for work to continue. The roof on the rear addition by the baseball field is complete, and the roof for the rear addition by Coopertown Road is expected to be finished within the next two weeks. The new windows are scheduled to be installed by mid-January, and the masons will continue installing the new brick on both rear additions, which are expected to be completed by February. Inside the additions, all the in-wall and above-ceiling mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work continues. The goal is to start installing ceilings this month so that interior finishes will begin in February, including painting, casework, flooring, and other elements.

January is School Director Recognition Month, a time to honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by our dedicated school directors. As elected officials in our community, our board members devote countless hours to fulfilling their governing responsibilities. They serve as liaisons to county organizations, participate in committee meetings, and attend various events. Their unwavering commitment to students' academic success and well-being is truly commendable.

Our board members generously give their time and talents to our community, students, and the schools in our district. They strive to provide our children with the best educational opportunities possible, and for that, we extend our heartfelt "Thank You."

The Board work session is the first meeting of the month and includes limited agenda items to conduct routine business, such as personnel matters, financial approvals, and pupil service matters that may need consideration before the second meeting. The majority of the board work session consists of presentations from the administration and our consultants, with discussions among the Board that are more similar to what occurs in our committee meetings. No official action is taken during the work portion of the meeting.

The second meeting of the month is the Board action meeting, where official action by vote is taken on items after a chance for Board member deliberations. We use a consent agenda process at the action meeting each month to streamline the approval of items that have been considered and discussed thoroughly during the work portion of prior meetings. We continue to hold two public comment sections at each meeting.

Both meetings work in tandem to ensure a strategic decision-making process that is student-centered, inclusive of, and transparent with our community members. We believe this approach aligns with our district goals of Belonging, Civic Pride, and Community Engagement, allowing for collective, informed, and inclusive decision-making practices.

Policies that have been thoroughly discussed, reviewed, and advanced through a First Read will now be listed for Second Reading and adoption by the Board during the Legislative portion of our Work Sessions. The District intends to maintain best practice with regard to Policy review and approval. Moving forward with this practice allows us to thoroughly and routinely update and approve policy.

A page with dates and topics for both work sessions and action meetings is available on the School Board section on the website.

*The topics identified for board meetings throughout the year are being provided to increase community engagement and transparency. These topics are proposed and are not exhaustive; they are subject to change.

We are pleased to share that contract negotiations have successfully concluded, resulting in a four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement that has been ratified between the School District of Haverford Township and the Haverford Township Education Association (HTEA). This agreement will be effective from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2029. We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of our educators throughout this process, and we value the contributions each of them makes every day. With this agreement in place, we look forward to a strong and productive working relationship as we continue building a successful future together.

Students regularly present at school board meetings to share updates about activities and events happening in their schools. These presentations give board members a firsthand look at student accomplishments, programs, and initiatives. By highlighting classroom projects, clubs, athletics, and community service, students help showcase the vibrant and engaging learning environment across the district. Their voices offer valuable insight and help strengthen the connection between the board and the school community.

Congratulations to our students who were recognized at the December 18th School Board Meeting as 2025-2026 National Merit Scholars.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here, you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Board Meetings will be held at the Oakmont Administration Building.

Upcoming Meetings:

• December 4: School Board Work Session 7:00 PM
• December 18: School Board Action Meeting 7:30 PM
• January 8: School Board Work Session 7:00 PM
• January 22: School Board Action Meeting 7:30 PM

All presentations and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

Jan. 16 Teacher In-service (early dismissal for all students)
Jan. 19 Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday (schools & offices closed)
Jan. 28, 29, 30 Finals and make-up exams, early dismissal for all high school students
Feb. 13 Early dismissal for all students
Feb. 16 Presidents’ Day Holiday (schools & offices closed)

2025-2026 Calendar (At a Glance)

The District calendar has been updated to reschedule an in-service day from May 12th to May 19th to accommodate the local primary elections.

The Class of 2026 graduation ceremony will be held at Saint Joseph's University on June 4th.The exact time will be determined within the next month. The event will take place in the afternoon/early evening.

Each graduate will receive 6 tickets electronically. The graduation will be live-streamed.

Join our team! Click HERE to view available positions across the District and how to apply.

We are hiring Cafeteria/Recess Monitors @ 15.25/hr

Our schools are looking for Cafeteria & Recess Monitors to help students have a safe, fun, and friendly lunchtime experience. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, retirees, community members, or anyone who wants to be part of a supportive school community.

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900
Twitter: @haverfordsd