Weekly Message

Greetings, Upper Darby Family!

Happy September 30th! As we find ourselves at the end of the first month of the 2026-27 school year, we have so many reasons to be proud of our students.

Yesterday, we held our annual Red Cross Blood Drive. Thank you to all who donated!

Many of our seniors have begun the college application process. The FAFSA is now open. Please make sure to read the important information regarding FAFSA in the Class of 2027 section.

With the end of the first month of the school year drawing to a close, we find ourselves just about halfway through the first quarter. You can check your student's grades anytime in HAC. Please encourage your student to attend teachers' extension time for additional help. Each teacher's extension time and login can be found on their Schoology page.

As we move forward, we will continue to keep our 2026–2027 theme, “Through the Eyes of Those We Serve,” at the center of all that we do. Our commitment is to consistently look at our decisions, our actions, and our school experience through the eyes of our students and ask ourselves how we can continue to provide them with the support, opportunities, relationships, and academic experiences they deserve.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts that you would like to share. We are grateful for your continued trust, partnership, and support as we work collectively to provide our students with the very best educational experience possible.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Upper Darby family!

Dr. Craig L. Parkinson

Principal, Upper Darby High School

The FAFSA is a free application that can help students access grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans for college, career school, or other eligible training. Families who choose not to complete it may submit an opt-out form without giving a reason. A student will not be prevented from graduating or penalized for not completing either form.

Please visit the FAFSA Requirement for Seniors under the Class of 2027 tab on the Upper Darby High School website. It explains both options and provides links to the FAFSA and the opt-out form.

Upper Darby High School will offer opportunities in October, January, and February to support students and families with completing the FAFSA. We will share dates and details for those events soon.

If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to your school counselor. We look forward to supporting you as you plan for life after high school.

Last week, the senior center held two college and career planning events - one during the day for the seniors and a second one in the evening for parents.

For anyone who was unable to attend, a video of this presentation is available here.

Students/families are encouraged to review the College Application Support Guide. Everything that students need to know concerning the steps to apply to college, have their transcripts released, etc. are in the guide.

Remember that you MUST allow three weeks for you counselor to complete all necessary steps (letter of recommendation, release of records/transcripts, etc.). PLAN AHEAD!

Have you had your senior portrait taken yet?

• You will NOT be included in the senior section of the yearbook if you do not have a senior portrait taken.
• Information about scheduling your senior portrait was sent in an email last May.
• There is still time to schedule an appointment. Use the link to schedule an appointment and don't be left out.
• If you do not want to purchase senior portraits but still want a portrait taken for the yearbook, you still need to schedule. Just click on the "Basic" package when selecting a session.
• Check out this video from Ms. Flanagan for more for a step-by-step guide to scheduling.

Congratulations to Khasir Bablington, Moussa Balde Thomas Holman, Haley Kashari-Ferguson, Mehjabin Raisa, and Elijah Roberson for being ready and responsible when it comes to their education!

All students in 10th and 11th grade will report at 7:30 on Wednesday, October 14 for the PSATs. All juniors who take the PSAT this October will be eligible for the National Merit Qualifying Test (NMSQT)

You should be working on your Junior Year Checklist!

By the end of October, you should be:

1. using Naviance to sign up to meet college & technical school reps at UDHS.
2. checking Schoology/email for career field trip opportunities.
3. getting INVOLVED! Pick an activity and join.

You should have:

1. taken the PSAT.
2. met with your counselor to organize testing strategies & beyond high school plan.
3. started your post-secondary school search on Naviance- looking at region, size, academic specialty, and cost.
4. developed an organization system for post-secondary documents (use a personal email).

• This week, we are still accepting nominations for 10th grade reps at our HOCO Pep Rally. This interest form will close Friday, October 2, 2026. Starting 10/5/26 through 10/16/26, voting will take place and will be open to the entire class.
• Our Royal Government and Class Officers met last week and are preparing for Homecoming and we discussed grade level initiatives, activities, and potential fundraisers! A survey was shared with those members this morning for additional feedback, ideas and support.

10th grade is also preparing for the PSATs on October 14, 2026 by completing the readiness checks this week in flex classes. The PSAT is free and requires NO registration by student or parent.

The test will be held here at UDHS.

Students and families, bookmark the "Setting Up for Success at UDHS" website!

This is a comprehensive website with information about:

• how the UDHS daily schedule works
• getting involved in sports and clubs
• graduation requirements
• planning for the future
• and a lot more!

We are getting ready for the PSATs at UDHS! All 10th- and 11th-grade students should plan to attend! During the weeks of September 28 and October 5, 10th- and 11th-grade students will participate in Digital/Student Readiness Checks to ensure Chromebooks and students are ready for test day!

We encourage all 10th and 11th graders to take advantage of this opportunity and to sign up for the BigFuture School app on test day. This will allow students to receive their PSAT score directly on their phones, as well as personalized college and career information.

• UDHS will follow a Testing Bell Schedule.
• 10th- and 11th-graders will report at 7:30 AM. If students are riding the bus, be at your stop at 6:50 AM.
• All students testing should report with a fully charged Chromebook and go straight to their testing room.
• 9th- and 12th graders will report at 10:55 with 1st block starting at 11:00. If students are riding the bus, be at your stop by 10:20 AM.
• Students in Special Programs will report to school at their normal time.
• Information is being shared out with students during flex and on Schoology including PSAT Resources.
• Access to CollegeBoard's PSAT Student Guide

If you or your child have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or college and career planning, please reach out to your child's counselor or assistant principal. Go ROYALS!

High school students can submit original-content videos depicting why our democratic institutions and the fundamental rights and principles associated with them are critical to the future of the country. Videos are to be 5-7 minutes in length, and a rotating subcommittee of our circuit-wide committee will judge the videos and select one winner. The winner will be celebrated at the federal courthouse in the winner’s home district (or division) during a naturalization ceremony. The winning video will be played during all districts’ naturalization ceremonies until the next winner is selected. The winning video also will appear on the Third Circuit’s website, district websites, and other related social media platforms.

Video Contest submissions are due on Monday, November 2, 2026, and the award will be presented in early to mid-December, in celebration of Bill of Rights Day. The videos will be evaluated based on creativity, adherence to the theme, and content.

Click on the link for further details.

The UDHS Library is hosting our first-ever reading challenge, where students can read books and complete reading-related challenges for various prizes, including candy, fidget toys, and other novelty items.

The rules are simple:

1. You must fully read a book to mark it off on the challenge sheet.
2. You can only complete one challenge per book. If a book can be used for multiple challenges, you must pick which one it will go towards. The only exceptions are the activity-based challenges (Reading Outside and Reading on Public Transit).
3. Log which titles you have read on the back of the challenge sheet.
4. Have your challenges confirmed by a Library staff member (Ms. Rachel, Mr. Arek, or Dr. Downing).

Each challenge has points assigned to them which can be turned in at the Library for various prizes! Students can also earn Bonus Points for completing a set of challenges.

There is also the mysterious Grand Prize for the student student to complete all of the challenges!

Start today by picking up a challenge sheet at the UDHS Library.

Want to learn how to manage emotions? Manifest calm? Cope with stress? Check out the flyer for information on a free online wellness group.

Heading into the 2026-2027 school year, Upper Darby School District is making a more concerted effort to address student attendance. One of the ways that families can support this effort is to make sure that they have access to Home Access Center (HAC) and are regularly checking the attendance for their student(s).

If you do not currently have access to HAC or want to set up automatic alerts in HAC, please check out the resource HERE.

Families can also make sure that they are submitting absence notes in a timely manner. Per the state of Pennsylvania, once they return from being absent, students have three (3) days to submit a valid absence note. If a note is submitted after three (3) days, the absence note will not be accepted and the absence(s) will be turned to Truant days. In addition to submitting paper notes, each grade level at the high school has a dedicated email to submit absence notes. They are as follows:

9th Grade - 9udhs-attendance@upperdarbysd.org

10th Grade - 10udhs-attendance@upperdarbysd.org

11th Grade - 11udhs-attendance@upperdarbysd.org

12th Grade - 12udhs-attendance@upperdarbysd.org

*Please note that if you have a current 9th grader, then you would use the 10th grade email address for the 2026-2027 school year.

Academic success, growth, and achievement is directly tied to student attendance, which is why the district is making an effort to continue encouraging good attendance from students. We look forward to continuing to partner with our families in supporting and growing our students.

1. Reporting

• All damaged or lost Chromebooks must be reported to the building technician.

2. Replacement

• A replacement device will be issued within 24–48 hours, depending on inventory availability.

3. Billing

• The parent or guardian will receive an invoice detailing the damage and the appropriate charge.

4. Repeat Incidents

• If a student damages or loses more than two devices within the same school year, it becomes a disciplinary matter.

• In such cases, the student will be assigned a device for in-school use only. This device may not be taken home.

5. Handbook & Policy References

• The Student & Family Handbook outlines Chromebook expectations and responsibilities.

• Parents and guardians are also directed to review relevant board policies, including Policy 815.

Handbook Link

"Failure to return an assigned device will result in a charge on the student’s record, and a billing statement will be sent to the parent or guardian."

"It is the policy of the Board that students who willfully cause damage to school property shall be subject to disciplinary measures. Students and others who damage or deface school property may be prosecuted and punished under law. Parents/Guardians shall be held accountable for the actions of their child."

Policy 815 Link

"Users of district computers and network resources shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, platforms and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts."

https://upperdarbysd.schooldish.com/

The first Principal/Parent Forum for this year will take place on Thursday, October 15, at 6:00 PM in the school library. Dr. McGarry will join us for this first Principal/Parent Forum. This forum is coupled with the UDHS Home & School Association Meeting. The meeting will begin with updates from the Home & School Association and will then move right into the conversation with Dr. Parkinson and Dr. McGarry. Please join us for updates and conversation about UDHS!

https://secure.smore.com/n/1n7gk

https://youtu.be/1A8COkV5Vbc

Ensure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date!

It's important to update your contact information to receive important information and notices.

Home Access Center (HAC)

Central Registration Office

Home and Access Center Handbook

Students and Parents, please follow the instruction in the attachments below to download the Crisis-Go app to stay well-informed if our school has to initiate the Crisis-Go app. The district does an excellent job of providing updates every 10 minutes in the event the app has to be initiated. This will help all students and parents stay informed of what is talking place.

Parents are invited to explore our website helpdesk, available on the Parent Support Channel of the district’s YouTube channel. This resource offers step-by-step guidance, tips, and answers to common questions to help you navigate our online platforms with ease. Be sure to check back often, as we will continue to add more helpful videos throughout the school year.

Website Support:

How to Subscribe to Your Child's School Newsletter 2025

Navigating the New School Websites for Parents and Families 2025

Exploring Accessibility Features on the Upper Darby School District Website 2025

How to Subscribe to Your School's Monthly Newsletter

As technology continues to evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming more common in both educational and everyday settings. At Upper Darby High School, we recognize that AI has the potential to be a powerful support for learning when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

We are encouraging our students to view AI as a tool to enhance learning and not replace it. When used responsibly, AI can help students brainstorm ideas, organize thoughts, review concepts, and strengthen their understanding. However, it is essential that students continue to demonstrate their own thinking, effort, and academic integrity in all coursework.

We ask for your partnership in reinforcing the following expectations at home:

• AI should be used as a support, not as a shortcut to complete assignments.

• Students are responsible for understanding and being able to explain any work they submit.

• All school policies related to academic honesty remain in effect, regardless of the tools used.

• Ethical use of technology is a critical life skill that prepares students for college, careers, and responsible citizenship.

Our teachers are actively guiding students on appropriate AI use and helping them develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate information, ask meaningful questions, and apply knowledge independently.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to prepare our students for a future that includes emerging technologies while maintaining high expectations for learning, responsibility, and integrity.

Please refer to board policy 815.1 below for additional guidance.

• https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/udar/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies#

https://www.upperdarbysd.org/departments12/communications-media-services/information-on-threats-to-youth-online

All 11th grade students must receive the 2nd dose of the Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV) before entering 12th grade. If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

Please send proof of your child's second MCV immunization as soon as possible. You may mail it to the school..."Attention School Nurse", scan/email it to highschoolnurse@upperdarbysd.org or have your child drop it off at the Nurses' Office.

We do not receive this information from the doctor's office, it is up to parents to provide immunization records to the school.

On the first day of 12th grade, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had the Meningococcal vaccine or they will be excluded from school.

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) has developed a RESOURCES WEBPAGE that connects individuals with local food banks, housing assistance, energy programs, and other community services offering immediate support. We encourage everyone to share this information widely so that those affected by the government shutdown can access the help they need as quickly as possible.

Click the image to the right.

The Student Assistance Program works by assisting students who appear to be experiencing barriers to their school success. Please click here for more information about SAP.

Child Guidance, in partnership with Girls Spark, presents in-person and virtual sessions, "Family Resilience in the Wake of Trauma," for parents and caregivers. Please click here for more information and to register.

NAMI, Sharing Hope, offers "Sharing Sacred Stories," created by Black and Brown communities for Black and Brown communities. A 3-part series designed to introduce discussions on mental health and wellness. Register using the QR code to learn more and to participate.

The Upper Darby School District takes the safety and security of our staff and students very seriously and recognizes that the uncertainties and pressures that students and families have faced the uncertainty of a pandemic has clearly demonstrated that the mental health of students as a priority.

The Safe2Say Something system teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and say something, using our anonymous reporting system.

Safe2Say Something is also a way to anonymously report unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in any school in Pennsylvania. For anyone who is feeling unsure or unsafe, please remember that there is help and it is okay to ask for help.

Find below videos and the District’s webpage outlining the Safe2Say Something PA Program:

Safe2Say Something PA Program

UDSD Safe2Say Something Presentation 2024

UDSD Safe2Say Something Webpage

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your building principal.

The linked Mental Health Resource Guide has been created to make you aware of many of the resources that are available for your children and your family as it relates to mental health supports.

You will find that we have information in this guide for supports in our schools, community, county, state, and nationally. Please note that we are here to assist our students and families. If you need assistance, please know that we want to help. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of resources that are outlined in the guide and you would like assistance, please reach out to a member of our pupil services team. We will help you navigate finding the right supports.

Dr. Brian Ursone,

Director of Pupil Services