Stonehurst Hills Weekly, 10/14
Good evening, Stonehurst Hills families:
As we continue to reiterate expectations with our students, know that we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all students. To ensure the safety and well-being of our school community, we will continue to enforce our school expectations and district policies consistently. Please review the following expectations with your child:
Cell Phone Policy: Students are not permitted to use their cell phones at any time during the school day. We will strictly enforce this policy to minimize distractions and ensure students remain focused on learning.
Physical Altercations: Students who instigate physical altercations or hit other students during lunch or recess will be removed from these areas. Physical aggression is unacceptable and will be addressed appropriately.
Bullying: Bullying will not be tolerated at Stonehurst Hills. All reported concerns will be addressed in accordance with district bullying policies and procedures. Students found to have violated these policies will face appropriate disciplinary consequences.
Code of Conduct: Students who violate the district's Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with district policies and established procedures.
Our goal is not simply to discipline students, but to teach accountability, promote positive decision-making, and ensure every child feels safe and respected at school. We ask that families partner with us by reinforcing these expectations at home and reminding students that their actions have consequences.
HOMEWORK
Please remind your child that he/she is expected to complete their homework each evening using our designated digital learning platforms, especially IXL. Daily homework is an important part of the learning process. Consistent practice reinforces skills taught in the classroom, strengthens understanding, and provides students with additional opportunities to work toward mastery. Completing assignments regularly also helps students build responsibility and develop strong learning habits.
Please make sure your child is logging in to the appropriate platforms and completing their assigned homework each night. Your support and reinforcement at home play an important role in your child's academic growth and success. I have attached the Homework Plan below.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Stonehurst Hills Elementary School a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for everyone.
Mr. Chisholm
Principal
Stonehurst Hills Elementary School
Homework Plan (26-27)
Please take a moment to review the District’s Homework Plan to ensure that your child is completing their regularly scheduled homework assignments. Consistent completion of homework helps reinforce classroom learning and supports your child’s academic success.
Parent Information
Updating Contact Information: Please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information. This allows us to communicate timely information during the summer. You can update your information by contacting the main office at (610) 626-9111 or emailing our school secretary, Faith Whaley, at fwhaley@upperdarbysd.org.
Important Dates
10/15: SH Fall Festival Pumpkin Decorating 🎃
10/21: Home and School Meeting (5:30 – 6:30 pm)
10/28: PICTURE RETAKE DAY
10/28: PBIS Student of the Month Assembly beginning at 9:15
Pumpkin Decorating at Stonehurst Hills
Please come out and join us for our Pumpkin Decorating Event on Thursday, October 15th! We look forward to a fun evening of creativity, family, and the Stonehurst Hills community. We hope to see you there!
School News
October Home and School Meeting
We invite all Stonehurst Hills families to please come out and join us for our Home and School Association Meeting on Tuesday, October 21. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
We are also excited to welcome our Superintendent, Dr. McGarry, who will visit our meeting from 6:00–6:30 p.m. to meet with and talk to our families. This will be a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and hear directly from our Superintendent.
We hope you will join us and be part of the conversation as we continue working together to make Stonehurst Hills an even better place for our students and families!
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDER
Please make sure that if/when your child is absent from school, you send a note to their teacher and our attendance email address: shes-attendance@upperdarbysd.org.
Please include any doctor or dentist notes.
Help us improve your child’s attendance and overall attendance at Stonehurst by sending in absence notes! When a student is absent and we do not receive a note within 3 days of the absence, days are marked as Truant. If your child accumulates six (6) Truant days, we are required by law to refer your child to one of the following: (a) an attendance improvement program, or (b) the county children and youth agency. In addition, we may also file a citation in the office of the magisterial district court.
Title 1 School
The letter explains that because the school is federally funded under Title I, parents have the right to request information about teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ qualifications, as well as details about required student assessments and opting-out procedures.
Bullying Policy
At Stonehurst Hills Elementary, we take bullying seriously and are committed to providing a safe, caring, and nurturing learning environment for all students.
Our district has a bullying policy that outlines how concerns involving bullying are addressed and the steps we take to support the students involved. We encourage all families to review the attached letter so you are familiar with our approach and understand how we respond when bullying concerns are reported.
District News
Supporting Attendance
Equipping families with strategies to support children experiencing anxiety and barriers to regular school attendance
On October 19, 2026, Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard will be speaking to our families concerning supporting children who are experiencing anxiety and school avoidance behaviors. The event is taking place at Beverly Hill Middle School. We will have dinner for our families starting at 5:30 PM. Dr. Dahlsgaard’s presentation will begin at 6:30 PM. If you know someone who is struggling in these areas, you will definitely learn strategies that will help. This event is open to all Upper Darby School District families. If you would like to learn more about our speaker, please visit
Home Access Center (HAC)
Please keep your information up to date in the Home Access Center (HAC). HAC provides access to grades and academic progress, attendance records, schedule information, and other student information.
Attendance Awareness Month Message
September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Every school day matters. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers, classmates, and learning, while also building the habits they need for success in school and beyond. Establishing consistent morning and evening routines, planning ahead for appointments, and communicating with your child’s school when challenges arise can make a meaningful difference in student attendance.
Together, we can help every student be present, engaged, and ready to learn—because every day counts!
Message from the Director of Communications
Dear District Families,
We know how important it is for families to plan ahead, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to do just that. We are pleased to announce that the 2026-2027 Master Calendar is now available on our district website (https://upperdarbysdorg.finalsite.com/calendar2)!
We encourage you to take a few moments to also explore the following resources, which have been designed with your family's planning needs in mind:
Year-At-a-Glance 2026-27 – A quick, visual overview of the entire school year, perfect for mapping out vacations, appointments, and family commitments at a glance.
Summary of Calendar 2026-27 – A detailed breakdown of key dates, including the first and last days of school, holidays, breaks, and important district events.
These resources are available now on our district website and ready for you to download and share with your family.
We understand that the school calendar is the backbone of your family's yearly planning. From scheduling family trips to coordinating childcare and work schedules, having this information early gives you the time you need to plan with confidence. That is exactly why we wanted to get these resources into your hands now — so you can make the most of the months ahead.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. We look forward to a wonderful 2026-2027 school year together!
Warm regards,
Aaronda Q. Beauford, M.Ed.
Director of Communications

