News from the Nest
Cardinal Pride in the Upper Dublin School District
October 2022
Monthly Legislative Briefs
Each month we produce Legislative Briefs, which summarize the actions taken at our monthly legislative Board meeting. Click here to read our October 2022 Legislative Briefs.
Attendance is Key to Student Success!
It is no secret that students perform better academically and adjust better socially when they are in school than when they accumulate absences. Each time students are absent from school, they miss key instruction and opportunities to collaborate with their peers. While absences for being ill, etc., are unavoidable, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind our community about our attendance policies.
Over the last several years, significant absences were the norm due to COVID-19 exposures and quarantines. As we move through this year, however, we should see a significant decrease in absences among students and staff. As reminder, there are several types of absences:
- Excused Absence - include the absence of a student for any of the following reasons: personal illness, doctor/dental appointments, quarantine, death in the immediate family, traditionally-recognized religious holidays, approved educational travel, court appearances, and other urgent reasons as approved by the District.
- Unexcused (Unlawful) Absence – the absence of a student for any reason that does not qualify as an excused absence. If written verification of the reason for absence is not received within three (3) days of the return to school, the absence will automatically be recorded as unlawful. The mere fact that a parent/guardian has written an excuse does not mean the absence is excused. Reasons for absence of a doubtful nature are subject to review by the principal or designee.
Families whose students accumulate a number of absences will receive letters including such information starting in November. These letters serve as a reminder that attendance is critically important for students' academic and social progress. Of course we want students to refrain from attending school if they are ill or have an emergent need; otherwise, regular attendance is expected! If you have any questions, please direct them to the your child's principal.
Success for our Student Athletes
Golf - The golf team won a share of the Liberty Division Championship this year.
Supportive Resources for Families
Communication Resource
- Pathways of Communication - This document provides direction as to who to contact when you have questions or concerns. By contacting the appropriate District staff members, questions can be answered and concerns can be alleviated in a timely manner.
Crisis Intervention Resources
- Crisis Intervention Resources - This document shares a number of crisis intervention resources that families can access as needed.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Line - This resource can assist students and families if they find themselves in crisis.
Health and Safety Information
- Health and Safety Plan Overview - This one-page document shares the main points of our HSP.
- Health and Safety Full Plan - This document contains our entire HSP.
- Montgomery County Mobile Crisis provides immediate support for crisis situations, as well as assistance with managing recurring or future crises. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-634-HOPE (4673). This service is available to anyone in Montgomery County, including children, teens, adults, and families. There is no fee and everyone, regardless of insurance, is eligible for assistance.
- Victim Services of Montgomery County provides advocacy and counseling for all who have been affected by sexual violence and other crimes against the person and to promote sensitivity and awareness in the community through education.
- Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
- Safe Harbor provides peer support groups for children/teens from 4 to 18 years of age. Children and teens meet peers and their families who have also experienced the death of a parent, primary caregiver, brother, sister, or friend. Participants experience talking circle time and can express their feelings and thoughts through play, art, or music activities in well-equipped and supervised rooms. All groups are facilitated by professional staff members and trained volunteers. A music therapist, art specialist, and animal-assisted therapist are also available to assist our support groups.
Fond Farewells & New Beginnings
We would like to highlight a few members of our team who are retiring while also recognizing a few individuals who are new members to the nest!
- Peter Alston - Peter has served as the proud Principal of Thomas Fitzwater Elementary for several years. We wish Peter well in his retirement!
- John McCurdy - John currently serves as one of our security guards at UDHS. His care for our students and staff has been commendable, and we wish him well as he begins his retirement this winter.
New to Our Nest
- Jason Geddes - We are excited to welcome Jason Geddes to Upper Dublin. Jason comes to the District from private industry and has over 20 years of experience in facilities and facilities management.
- Bridget Pustay - We are also excited to welcome Bridget to the UD nest! Bridget will serve as our next Director of Teaching and Learning following the resignation of Meredith Penner. Bridget comes to Upper Dublin from the Central Bucks School District.
- TFES Principal - We are currently searching for the new Thomas Fitzwater Elementary Principal. We hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks about who will serve in this important leadership role! In the meantime, we thank Kathy Smyth for serving as our interim principal.
Did you Download the UDSD App Yet?
The UDSD App is available for both iPhones and Androids. Now you can access information about the District right from your phone!
Click on the appropriate link below the download the app on your phone:
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3MvhTlK
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3Mmm970
Special Notice - Calendar Change
At last evening's Legislative meeting, the Board of School Directors approved a revision to the SY 2022-2023 school calendar. Spring conferences for elementary and middle school parents/guardians will take place on April 20th and 21st, not April 27th and 28th. This allows the District to avoid a conflict with the PSSA administration this spring.
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, October 28th - UDHS Homecoming Football Game
- Monday, October 31st - No School for Students, Professional Learning Day
- November 14th -18th - American Education Week - Information from Principals will be shared during the week of October 31st.
- Wednesday, November 23rd - Early Dismissal, ALL SCHOOLS
- Thursday, November 24th - Thanksgiving Break, Schools Closed
- Friday, November 25th - Thanksgiving Break, Schools Closed