remove_red_eye 10.2K
page background

School Board Monthly Update

February 2021

School BoardMonthly UpdateFebruary 2021
zoom_out_map


Thank you for the opportunity to serve the children, families and taxpayers of the Upper Darby School District. As part of the school board communication plan the Board sends monthly updates to the school community. The information included in these briefs is not intended to be complete and does not replace official Board minutes. Official meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and presentations are available at BoardDocs. Also, the Board meetings are livestreamed and available on our YouTube Channel. We welcome you to follow the issues the School Board is considering and to attend meetings to stay informed.

Be a part of the the community conversation on education equity!
open_in_new zoom_out_map

Upcoming General Community Forums

Please join us for an Upper Darby Rising General Community Forum on Monday, February 22nd or Monday, March 1st. People within our school district community have an opportunity to win a gift card! Four people who invite the most participants from the Upper Darby area on one of the 3 forum dates will have an opportunity to win a gift card ranging from $50-$200.


Click to learn more about our Upper Darby Rising initiative!



Pre-register TODAY and invite a friend:

HTTP://UPPERDARBYRISING.EVENTBRITE.COM

zoom_out_map

Deep Equity Parent Forum

Please join us for our next Virtual Deep Equity Parent Forum on March 8th at 6:00 p.m. You will learn about the many ways the Upper Darby School District is providing Opportunity, Unity and Excellence through Equity. We will discuss teacher professional development around culturally responsive teaching, the YES (Youth Equity Stewardship) program, the District's work with the DELCO Student Equity Forum, and how we are engaging the community.. We hope to see you there!


Click here to pre-register TODAY!

zoom_out_map

Seeking Nominations for the UDHS Alumni Wall of Fame

UDHS is planning a Wall of Fame induction ceremony next year. The committee will be finalizing selections for the next class of inductees soon. We are seeking nominations of a diverse range of achievers to provide examples of success for our current students. The first class was inducted in 1979 and since then over 70 alumni have been honored for distinguished academic achievements, professional accomplishments, service to the Upper Darby School District or community, musical and athletic honors as well as philanthropy. Please click here to nominate your favorite UDHS success story. Visit our website for a full list of inductees. Email lfitti@upperdarbysd.org with any questions.


Click to view our UDHS Wall of Fame video.

February Meeting Highlights February Meeting Highlights

Pathways to Graduation

The board approved the Delaware County Community College Workforce and Economic Dual Enrollment carpentry program for high school students beginning in Fall 2022, as presented at the January 26, 2021 Education and Pupil Services Committee meeting. The presentation can be found here.

Reopening of Schools Update

Superintendent Dr. Dan McGarry presented information about the return in the cohort/flexible/in-person instruction model on March 1st for students in grades 4 and 5 and March 22nd for 6th and 12th grade students. Virtual learning remains an option for families. Dr. McGarry reiterated the District’s goal to transition as many grade levels back to in-person instruction and as safely as possible.

Equity and Inclusion

The board approved high school novel adoptions:


  1. How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child (2017) by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
  2. Between the World and Me (2015) ​by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  3. Red at the Bone (2019) ​by Jacqueline Woodson
  4. The Nickel Boys (2019) ​by Colson Whitehead
  5. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993) ​by Sherman Alexie

Planned Instruction

The board approved the adoption of the 2021-22 High School Course Selection Guide. The guide can be found here.

Academic Calendar 2021-2022

The board approved the One-Page Calendar and the Summary of Calendar documents. District Administration recommended the first day of school for students as August 30, 2021.

Facility Improvements

The board approved pre-construction services for field and track renovations for Beverly Hills and Drexel Hill Middle School. You can review the preliminary plans here.

Charter School Application Update

A special board meeting (first hearing) was held on December 22, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at which time the applicant provided a public presentation. Click HERE to view the December 22nd meeting.


A special meeting (second hearing) was held on January 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled School Board Committee Meeting. The District reviewed the application and considered public comments. Click HERE to view the January 26th meeting.


A third hearing will be held on February 24, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.. A special meeting will be held on March 2, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at which time the board will vote on whether or not to approve the charter school application.

Upcoming Board Meetings

Upcoming School Board meetings will be held virtually given Covid-19 restrictions. Meetings are livestreamed to the District's YouTube Channel. Have a question or comment? Visit here to learn how to participate.


2/23 6:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings


2/24 5:00 p.m. - Charter School Application Hearing


3/2 5:00 p.m. - Special Voting Meeting to Consider the Application of VACSI


3/9 7:30 p.m. - Board Meeting


3/23 6:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings
zoom_out_map

Meet the School Board of Directors

School Board members are your neighbors and are public servants who make decisions that affect all students. Board members are volunteers and have a deep desire to serve children, a strong belief in the value of public education and a deep professional respect for the District staff who serve our children and their families every day. Serving as a School Board Director requires many dedicated hours of service to our community. Click here to learn more about how the Board of Directors serves the Upper Darby School District community.

Email: udsdschoolboard@upperdarbysd.org
Website: www.upperdarbysd.org
Location: 4611 Bond Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 789-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Upper-Darby-School-District-263860013791271/
Twitter: @UpperDarbySD

Loading indicator

close