The STEM Weekly Stream 25/26

Another week of the 2025-2026 School Year is in the books! Just to point out some highlights of things that are happening at STEM

• Please continue to check Your Student PowerSchool Account to get any grade updates as well as reaching out to teachers with any questions or concerns as the Second Marking Period begins.
• Common Assessments will take place in all ELA 9 and 10, Biology and Algebra 1 Classrooms thus week.
• Some of Our 11th Grade Students took the Winter Keystone Exams this past week. Thank you to those Students who participated.

We are asking for support and reinforcement with regards to STEM Students and Electronic Devices. It is imperative that Our Students stay focused in the classroom and only use Chromebooks during instructional class time. Cell Phones are to be turned into teachers at the beginning of class and headphones are not permitted. We are asking that all contact to students be made by calling the Main Office. Our Educators are dedicated to giving STEM Students the best instruction possible and we are asking that Students give all their attention and focus to teaching and instruction that is provided in the classrooms.

January 20-26 Common Assessment Testing (Algebra 1, Biology, ELA 10)

January 23 2nd Marking Period Ends

January 26-February 6 MAP Testing Window

February 5- Parent Teacher Conferences (11:00am-5:00pm) No School for Scholars

February 6- Professional Development Staff (No School for Students)

Congratulations to Indoor Track as they continue to improve each week in preparation to the Indoor State Track Meet.

Girls Basketball took care of business against Penn Wood on Thursday Night. Congrats to all the Girls Basketball Seniors as they were celebrated for their contributions to the Chester High Girls Basketball Program. Imani Dorsey became the All-Time Scoring Leader in Chester High History. THANK YOU AN GOOD LUCK to Imani, Jordan, Zay C, Zay V, Amari, and Kelly. The Lady Clippers continued their winning ways beating Freire Charter in the MLK High School Showcase. Congratulations to Jordan Dennis who was name game MVP.

Boys Basketball jumped on Penn Wood from the start on Thursday Night at the Shoebox. Paul Lindsay continue to have the hot hand and led the charge as The Clippers led by as many as 25 throughout the game. It was a total team effort from the Clippers. The Boys traveled to York for a Weekend tournament. Paul Lindsay was the game MVP against a quality Newtown Team out of Maryland.

For any Student who missed picture day or would like a retake of their school pictures, it will take place on February 12, 2026

The Senior Dues Payment Link is up and available on Chesterclippers.com. Please make sure that Your Senior's Student Number and Name is listed on the completed form.

Denial of Credit

Pennsylvania School Code mandates students to attend at least 90% of school days in order to receive credit for coursework. Students with more than eighteen (18) absences will be subject to Denial of Credit. Parents will be contacted to schedule meetings as students approach 18 absences. Students who exceed 18 absences may be required to complete Credit Recovery in order to receive credit for classes.

Additionally, students with more than 18 absences will not be permitted to participate in: Extra-Curricular Activities, Athletics, Prom, Graduation, other School Sanctioned Events.

Seat Time Requirement

Chester High School/STEM Academy – Attendance Impact on Course Credit

Regular and punctual attendance is essential for academic success and is a key expectation at Chester High School/STEM Academy. Students are required to be present for at least 90% of all scheduled class sessions in any full-credit or half-credit course in order to be eligible to earn course credit. Excessive absences—whether excused or unexcused—may place a student’s academic credit at risk.

Monitoring and Notification Process:

• At 4 class absences (half-year course) – Parents/guardians will be contacted by phone to inform them of attendance concerns and the potential academic consequences. Students will also be reminded of their current absence total and encouraged to take corrective action.

• At 9 class absences (half-year course) – The school will issue a formal written notice to the parent/guardian. A Due Process Hearing will be scheduled with school administration, during which the student and parent/guardian will have the opportunity to present documentation and rationale to request retention of course credit. This standard applies proportionally to shortened courses and half-credit courses.
  
  

• At 9 class absences full year course) – Parents/guardians will be contacted by phone to inform them of attendance concerns and the potential academic consequences. Students will also be reminded of their current absence total and encouraged to take corrective action.

• At 18 class absences (full year course) – The school will issue a formal written notice to the parent/guardian. A Due Process Hearing will be scheduled with school administration, during which the student and parent/guardian will have the opportunity to present documentation and rationale to request retention of course credit. This standard applies proportionally to shortened courses and half-credit courses.

Absences Not Counted Toward the Attendance Cap:
Certain absences, when properly documented, will not count toward the attendance threshold that may lead to loss of credit. These include:

• School-imposed suspensions

• Approved school-sponsored events or activities

• Verified college visits (within district guidelines)

• Recognized religious observances

• Funerals of immediate family members

• Court appearances with documentation

• Medically excused absences with a physician’s note (subject to administrative review and approval)

Consistent attendance is a shared responsibility between the school, the student, and the family. Chester High School/STEM Academy is committed to working with families to address barriers to attendance and to support every student in maintaining strong engagement in their learning.

Student attendance will be a major area of focus at STEM and throughout CUSD this year. In order for our students to achieve at the highest level, they need to be on time and in all their classes each day. We need all students and families to be aware of these guidelines and work together to ensure we have a great year. PLEASE REMIND YOUR STUDENT TO GET A LATE PASS BEFORE GOING TO CLASS SO ATTENDANCE CAN BE RECORDED CORRECTLY.

1st Period begins promptly at 7:30a.m. Students are allowed to begin entering the building at 7:10a.m. and are encouraged to go to the Cafeteria to get breakfast.

All students must enter the school building no later than 7:35 a.m.

Students will be marked tardy if they are not in class by 7:40 a.m.

Students will not be admitted into their classroom after 7:40 without a late note signed by the Front Office.

Students will not be allowed inside the building after 8:00 a.m. without a parent or guardian to sign them in.

Students will be reminded of these rules in all classes. We appreciate the support of families helping to improve student attendance this year!