Student and Family School Handbook

Upper Darby School District

4611 Bond Avenue

Drexel Hill PA 19026

www.upperdarbysd.org

District Administration

• Dr. Daniel P. McGarry, Superintendent of Schools

• Dr. John Council, Assistant Superintendent of Recruitment, Retention and Culture

• Ed Marshaleck, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

• Dr. Ashwina Mosakowski, Director of Elementary Education

• Kelley Simone, Director of Secondary Education

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! This Student and Family Handbook is an informational resource for you to better understand our school and our district. Please take the time to review this document together as a family. I want to thank our parents and guardians in advance for your continued partnership in helping to make Hillcrest Elementary a wonderful school for our children. I have appreciated the many parents and students reaching out with ideas, concerns and questions as we work together to navigate these continued challenging waters.

We are excited to begin a new school year and work together with our students, parents and families to continue our strong school community. We appreciate working together to help each student be successful.

We are pleased to have you as a part of our school family. At Hillcrest, we want every student to succeed, and we are committed to working with you to ensure that our students can learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment. I hope that with clear expectations, a strong instructional program, and continued support of our families and teachers, we will provide an awesome experience.

Weekly communications will continue to be sent to all families and I encourage you to become an active member of our Home and School Association. Please take the time to connect with your child’s teacher to become more familiar with grade level expectations. I look forward to a great year.

The purpose of the School Family Handbook is to provide important information concerning rules and general expectations, policies, and procedures for the safe and orderly operation of school. The handbook is reviewed annually. It is the responsibility of each student and parents/guardians to become familiar with the Student Handbook.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Family Handbook.

Our mission at Hillcrest Elementary School is to provide a safe and caring environment where all students are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Click here to view the Hillcrest School Improvement Plan

Regular Arrival 2-Hour Late Start

Grades 1-5 8:45 AM (enter building) Grades 1-5 10:50 AM

AM Kindergarten 8:45 AM AM Kindergarten 10:50 AM - 12:35 PM

School Day Begins 8:50 AM PM Kindergarten 1:30 PM 3:15 PM

PM Kindergarten 12:30 PM (enter building)

PM K Day Begins 12:35 PM

Regular Dismissal Early Dismissal

Grades 1-5 3:15 PM Grades 1-5 12:30 PM

AM Kindergarten 11:30 AM AM Kindergarten 8:50 AM -10:20 AM

PM Kindergarten 3:15 PM PM Kindergarten 11:00 AM -12:30 PM

The District Comprehensive Plan has been Board-approved and is pending department of education approval. It was presented at the March school board committee meeting. You can review the draft plan here and the Board Committee meeting presentation here.

Year At A GLANCE CALENDAR 2026-2027

SUMMARY OF CALENDAR 2026-2027

Principal: Susan Campbell

Assistant Principal: James Galligan

Secretaries: Debra Liberio

Leanne Stanczak

Office

Assistant: Dina Mallon

Nurses: Tanya Scott

Guidance Counselor: Alexandra DeLuca

Psychologists: Heather Van Stolk

Social Worker: Nicole Guessford

Reading Lorie DiPaul

Specialists: Joanne Manaras

Jaclyn McGroarty

Theresa Fry

MTSS: Danielle Basciano

Interventionists: Nancy Grimste

Custodian: Darian Moore

Safety Officer: Javon Coleman

Speech & Language Michelle Pinto

Therapists: Kimberly Richardson

Occupational Debbie Chiacchiere

Therapists: Meena Manilal

Physical Therapists: Stephen Ballerini

Ghenet Ford

Vision Therapists: Kerry Egan

EL: Linda Fox

Julie Kiely

Gifted Support: Jessica Cleary

Danielle Donahue

Noontime Aides: Carla Mullen

Michele Lavan

Shelley Cooper

Technical Support: Drew Happold

CGRC Staff

Director: Katie Perisico

Behavioral Specialists: Shauna Nolan

Anirah Drew

Morgan Jones

Cassandra Nocera

Rebecca Satangelo

CGRC Outpatient Therapist: Maura Kelly

Grade Level Teachers:

K-111 AM Lauren Feher

K-111 PM Lauren Feher

K-112 AM Nicole Hoopes

K-112 PM Nicole Hoopes

1-105 Kaitlin Wiercioch

1-107 Thomas O’Neill

1-108 Renee Steigerwalt

1-109 Karen McGinnis

2-100 Christina Ketler (on leave)

2-101 Elizabeth Lynch

2-102 Christina Johnson

2-103 Gabrielle Fernicola

2-104 Lauren McKeown-Haggerty

3-20 Michael Previti

3-21 Steven Fischetti

3-22 Sydney Green

3-23 Coleen Scheb

3-25 Sheila Krusen

4-207 John Martin

4-208 Jacqueline Napier

4-209 Stacey Rosser

4-210 Emma Arriviello

5-211 Megan MacNeal

5-212 Emily Simmons

5-213 MIchelle Long

5-214 Veronica Pandola

Learning Support

K/2-34 Maggie Blemings

- (Assistant)

113 Rebecca Buehler

Parthena Lazaridoy (Assistant)

4-217 Amanda Carroll

Sandra Nestor (Assistant)

1/5-216 Nicole Herm

Anne Friel (Assistant)

Emotional Support

K/1/2-24 Abigail Heacock

TBD (Assistant)

3-26 Emma Besa

TBD (Assistant)

4-27 TBD

TBD (Assistant)

3/5-28 Sarah Beauchemin

Jillian Bainey-Martino (Assistant)

Life Skills Support

K/1-110 Ida Ramoundos

Karen McDonough (Assistant)

2/3-106 Marth Spennato

Denise Laut (Assistant)

4-218 David Jones

TBD (Assistant)

5-219 Susan Dwyer

Christine LaVecchio

Related Arts Teachers:

Art Sarah Boland

Library Courtenay Barrow

Music-31 James Morris

Music-31 Mark Geist

Music-33 Christopher Tolomeo

Physical Education Adonna Longo

The Hillcrest Home & School Association (HSA) is actively involved in activities and events that enhance our school. HSA meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of every month (except in June) at 6:00pm in the school library.. Your active support is welcome.

2024-2025 Hillcrest HSA Officers

President: Alison & Ed Dobbins

Vice- President: Suzanne and Gary Carvin

Secretary:

Treasurer: Jack Simmons

Email: udhillcresthsa@gmail.com

Click here for more information about the Hillcrest HSA.

The Upper Darby School District believes that strong communication and a positive home-school connection are critical to the success of our students and our schools. Hillcrest Elementary School administration, teachers and staff know that good communication with parents is an important part of keeping families connected to school. We are committed to communicating with parents/guardians through a variety of tools. Please note the ways we stay connected with families and stay engaged!

• UDSD Website - The District website is used to communicate District and school news and information to parents and the school community. The District website also contains information related to each Department, the District’s master calendar, Board policies and other District and District news and announcements.

• UDSD Social Media - The District uses a variety of social media tools to post information on emergency school closings, pictures of students and teachers working together, pictures from events and activities in schools across the District, and information about upcoming meetings and events. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

• Hillcrest Elementary School webpage - The school webpage contains each week-at-a-glance calendar, access to the Principal’s webpage, the school’s monthly school newsletter and other important information.

• Wednesday eFolder - All families receive school information and updates on a weekly basis through the email address on record on the Home Access Center (HAC). Please keep your email address up-to-date to receive these important updates. See the Home Access Center Guide for more information.

• Schoology - Teachers can send a Schoology message to parents of members in their course(s) or group(s about course updates and reminders.

• Community Bulletin Board - Please remember to check out our electronic Community Bulletin Board every week for community, Township, and County resources and events!

• Principal ParentLinks - From time to time, the Principal will send out communications to families about important school events or information. Please check your email regularly throughout the week for updates. Voice message ParentLinks are reserved for emergency notifications only. Please keep your contact information up to date in HAC.

• Mobile App - Download on your mobile device today to view the top stories for the district, check out calendar items, social media and to receive push notifications with the latest news and updates from the District. Install the Upper Darby School District mobile app today!

• Blackboard Reach - Blackboard Reach lets teachers have a two-way conversation with parents. Conversations can be used to give feedback, information on upcoming assignments or required paperwork due dates, and class information and events. Blackboard Reach allows families to view messages that teachers post to the entire class and to also privately message teachers. Click here for instructions on using the messaging dashboard.

• School Board Meetings & Committee Meetings - These meetings empower parents to stay informed about policy and to observe and become familiar with the policy-making process.

• School Board Meeting Schedule

• Meeting Agendas

The safety of our students, staff and visitors is our top priority. Emergencies can happen at any time, and when they happen at school, we want to ensure that everyone is prepared to handle them safely and effectively.

• Safety Terms and Procedures - Frequently Asked Questions for Families - Lock-In, Lock-Out and Lockdown

• UDSD Comprehensive Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness Plan - District level and school level plans are in place at each building.

• CrisisGo - Parents and guardians will now be kept in the loop with school safety news. CrisisGo’s app allows you to connect with safety message groups from our school district and school buildings. If an emergency occurs, you will be able to receive updates from the school. Click to learn how to subscribe to the CrisisGo mobile app.

• Fire Drills - Each school building is required to hold a fire drill at least once a month during the school year to instruct and familiarize staff and students with the use of fire escapes, fire extinguishers and exits. Each fire drill includes the complete removal of students, staff and visitors in an expeditious manner to a place of safety on the grounds outside.

• Bus Evacuation Drills - When the District uses its own buses or contracts for busing to transport district students, it must conduct at least two (2) bus evacuation drills to instruct students and practice the location, use and operation of emergency exit doors, fire extinguishers, and proper evacuation of buses in the event of fire or accidents. Bus evacuation drills will be conducted on school grounds. The first bus drill will be conducted during the first week of the school term, and the second will be conducted during the month of March. The Supervisor of Transportation may conduct additional drills at other times of the year when necessary. The district will provide bus operators with proper training and instructions to enable them to carry out the necessary procedures for bus evacuation and may require drivers to attend classes and drills.

Emergency Drills - Emergency drills can include drills involving severe weather storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, bomb threats, lockdowns and evacuations. The Director of Public Safety, in consultation with the Superintendent, will determine if and when an emergency drill is necessary.

Early Literacy Tutorial Parent Videos - A collection of video tutorials from Upper Darby School District teachers and administrators to help students with various concepts and topics surrounding early literacy.

Math Tutorial Parent Videos - A collection of video tutorials from Upper Darby School District teachers and administrators to help students with various math concepts and topics.

Student Emotional/Social Support Resources - A collection of video resources from Upper Darby School District counselors, social workers and administrators to help students with social-emotional learning.

Tech Support - A collection of step-by-step solutions to various technology issues you may have questions about technology resources and tools.

Please click here to view the Upper Darby School District Attendance Policy

Absences

The school laws of Pennsylvania state that excused absences are: illness of the child, death in the immediate family, and exceptionally urgent reasons that directly affect the child. A child absent from school must bring, upon his or her return, a Hillcrest Elementary School Absence Note signed by their parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence. Absence notes may also be emailed to: hces-attendance@upperdarbysd.org.

Children who do not submit a valid Hillcrest Elementary School Absence Note within three days will be marked truant. Three truancies will be reported to the Department of Attendance Services. Following the third truancy, a family meeting will be scheduled to create a School Attendance Improvement Plan.

It is the policy of the Upper Darby School District to excuse pupils from school if their religious affiliation requires them to observe a holiday. Legal excusal will be granted on written request from the parent or guardian of the pupil involved.

Early Dismissals

For early dismissals, a Hillcrest Elementary School Early Dismissal Note signed by the parent or guardian must be presented to the teacher in the morning when attendance is being taken. The reason for and time of the early dismissal should be clearly stated. Possible reasons for an early dismissal may include: a medical appointment or a family emergency.

Lateness

A student is considered late to school at 8:50 AM. PM Kindergarten students are considered late at 12:35 PM. Please refer to the Elementary Code of Conduct for consequences related to student lateness. Students that are arriving late must enter through the main entrance on Bond Avenue and be signed in by an adult. If a child is late for any session, he or she must bring a Hillcrest Elementary School Late Note signed by the parent or guardian. Frequent lateness, early dismissals or failure to pick children up from school or the bus stop will warrant an investigation by the Principal and possibly the Social Worker and/or the Department of Attendance Services

General Information

During arrival and dismissal times, the front parking lot on Bond Avenue will be used for Upper Darby School District buses and daycare buses only. Cars are not permitted to enter the front parking lot on Bond Avenue.

Student Arrival

Students that arrive at school on a bus will be dropped off in the front parking lot and then enter the building through the front doors.

All non-bus students in AM Kindergarten will enter the building through the Agnew Avenue door and will be escorted to their classrooms. All non-bus students in Grades 1 through 5 will enter the building at 8:30 AM and line up outside of their classrooms. Students should not be left on the Agnew Drive blacktop unsupervised.

The Agnew Drive loop is reserved for parent drop-off only. There is no parking permitted in the loop at any time. If you need to park your car, please do so on one of the surrounding streets. Students are not permitted to be on school grounds prior to 8:30 AM.

AM Kindergarten Dismissal

Students who do not go home on a bus will be dismissed onto the kindergarten blacktop at 11:30 AM. Students who are not picked up on time will be brought to the main office. All escorts must be listed on the student security card and will be required to show ID.

PM Kindergarten Arrival

Students that arrive at school on a bus will be dropped off in the front parking lot and then enter the building through the front doors. Students who do not ride the bus to school will report to the kindergarten blacktop. Homeroom teachers will meet their students on the blacktop at 12:35 PM. Bus students will be escorted to their classrooms at 12:35 PM. Students are not permitted to be on the kindergarten blacktop unsupervised.

PM Kindergarten Dismissal

Students who do not go home on a bus will be dismissed onto the kindergarten blacktop at 3:15 PM. Students who are not picked up on time will be brought to the main office. All escorts must be listed on the student security card and will be required to show ID.

Grades 1 through 5 Dismissal

Students in grades 1 through 5 who do not go home on a bus, will be dismissed from the blacktop along Agnew Drive. Homeroom teachers will walk the students outside starting at 3:10 PM. Students in grades 4-5 will be dismissed by the homeroom teacher to walk home unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher. Students in grades 1 through 3 will wait with their homeroom teacher until they are picked-up. Students who are not picked up by 3:27 PM will be brought to the main office. All escorts must be listed on the student security card and will be required to show ID.

Parents/Guardians must send changes in dismissal arrangements in the form of a note or email to the classroom teacher. For safety reasons, the school will request identification from the adult at the time of pick-up. If anyone other than the parent picks up the child, they must be listed on the emergency card and have photo identification.

The YMCA After School Program operates from 3:15 PM to 6:00 PM. After School Program students will go directly to the cafeteria at 3:15 PM.

RAPTOR System

All visitors are required to check in at the office to receive a visitor sticker before proceeding to any classroom or activity. Visitors will be asked to produce a valid state ID to be scanned by our RAPTOR System. Raptor instantly screens out registered sex offenders while managing custody issues, visitors, students, faculty and volunteers. NO ONE IS TO GO DIRECTLY TO A CLASSROOM FOR ANY REASON. ALL VISITORS MUST USE OUR SCHOOL ENTRANCE AND REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE TO SIGN IN.

Click here for Upper Darby School District School District Visitor Information.

Parent volunteers are a huge resource for our school community. When students see

parents volunteer in their school and classrooms and on field trips, they recognize the

importance of education in families and see in action how the community takes an interest in their learning. We welcome parent volunteers! Upper Darby School District Volunteers are required to submit the PA Criminal Background Check, the FBI Criminal Clearance and the PA Child Abuse History Clearance along with their school district Volunteer Application.Click here for the required forms.

Breakfast and lunch are available daily in all schools for elementary pupils at no charge. Breakfast and lunch menus will be posted on the Upper Darby School District website.

Lunch/Recess Times

Grade 4 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM

Grade 3 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Grade 2 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Grade 5 12:25 PM - 1:10 PM

Grade 1 12:55 PM - 1:40 PM

Whenever possible, students will go outside for recess. Please see that they are dressed appropriately. Recess will be abbreviated or take place inside during inclement weather.

Lunch time should be a pleasant, enjoyable time for students to socialize and eat in a well-managed and safe atmosphere. Students are expected to display appropriate behavior. Students may not leave the cafeteria without permission from a supervising staff member. Students are responsible for leaving their table and floor area clean after eating.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Elementary Code of Character.

Our award-winning work around Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program involves reinforcing the 3 Bs every day and in everything we do. We want students to Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful. We work tirelessly to keep our school a safe and orderly place for all students. We are very proud of the success we are experiencing in implementing Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) in our school.

Our goal is to provide support to students in every setting in the school building, on school grounds and while traveling to and from school. To that end, we strive to implement this comprehensive approach to building positive school culture with the goal of teaching students skills that will support their efforts to be safe, responsible and respectful throughout the school day.

Having a coherent, school-wide plan is essential and has several benefits:

• It fosters a positive school climate.

• It focuses staff & student attention on appropriate behaviors and success and on students who are trying their best to meet our expectations rather than on any undesired behaviors. In this way, the school staff establishes what is important in our school as opposed to allowing students who are struggling implementing our expectations to do so.

• It increases the chance that desired behaviors are repeated.

• It reduces the time spent correcting misbehaviors and redirecting students. Any teacher can tell you about the academic cost of disciplining students, as significant loss of instructional time impacts student achievement tremendously.

• Include as appropriate:

1. Classroom

2. Transitions

3. Cafeteria

4. Playground

5. Behavior on school campus during arrival to and departure from school

• Youth Court
• Youth Court provides an alternative to the mainstream student discipline and system. Youth Court is about students helping students make better decisions, transforming school environments and student empowerment. The program was piloted in 2021 in two elementary schools and has been fully implemented at the middle school and high school level. The District will be expanding the program to include more elementary schools over the next several years. Learn more about Youth Court:

• Elementary Youth Court

• Middle School Youth Court

1. Trauma-Informed Schools

• The District and Board recognizes the impact that trauma may have on the educational environment of the schools, individual student achievement, and the school community as a whole. We desire to address the effects of trauma in order to meet the academic, behavioral and professional needs of students and staff. Click to learn more about the District’s Trauma-Informed Approach to education throughout the district.

1. Restorative Practices

• Restorative practices is an emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. The overarching goal of Restorative Practices is the improvement of school climate and culture by decreasing unsafe behavior and increasing prosocial interaction. Click to learn more about the District’s Restorative Practices initiative.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Dress Code Guidelines.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Promotion and Retention policy 215

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Explanation of our Electronic Progress Report

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Reporting Student Progress policy 212

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Homework policy.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District School Wellness policy.

Click here to read the letter to Parents/Guardians concerning in-school birthday celebrations and other celebrations

The following guidelines have been put in place by Upper Darby School District in reference to birthdays and other celebrations:

• Treats should only be brought in when requested for scheduled parties. Permitted foods for parties may vary from classroom to classroom based upon student health issues.

• Scheduled parties will be announced by the classroom teachers.

• Treats will be served after the lunch period or at the end of the day.

• You are encouraged to ask your child’s teacher to consider hosting a fun activity that does not involve food, such as reading a special book to students or playing a special game with students in celebration of your child’s birthday. Each grade level celebrates birthdays differently. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher in advance of bringing in any food or non-food items for a birthday celebration.

Information will be emailed home throughout the school year about school level activities and clubs.

As per Policy 200 Enrollment of Students, students are required to keep a current address on file with the school district at all times. If there is a change to the student’s address within or outside of the school district after initial registration with the school district, the parent/guardian is required to contact Central Registration immediately to update the student’s address.

Email addresses and phone numbers can be changed in the Home Access Center (HAC). See the Home Access Center Guide to learn how to make these updates.

Click here to view the Upper Darby School District Acceptable Use of Internet, Computer and Network Resources policy.

Click here for Upper Darby School District Emergency Snow Closing and Delay information.

Click here for Upper Darby School District Student Support Services information.

Click here for Upper Darby School District Social Work Services information.

Click here for Upper Darby School District Student Assistance Program information.

Click here for Upper Darby School District Safe2Say Program information.

Click here for the Upper Darby School District Bullying and Harassment Policy.