The STEM Weekly Stream 25/26

Please continue to check the CUSD Social Media Platforms and School District Website for updates about school closures due to changes in the school calendar.

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

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.

April 14 SAT Day

April 15 Parent Teacher Conferences (11:15am-2:45pm)

April 21-29 NOCTI Assessment Window

April 21- May MAP Diagnostic Testing Window

Dear Chester Upland School District Families:

As mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students in grades 3-11 will be administered the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) or Keystone Exams during the dates listed in the table below. Each principal will provide greater detail on the testing schedule and any necessary adjustments to the building schedule during the testing windows.

Grade(s)/Course(s) Keystone Assessment Testing Window

High School Students Literature May 12 - 13

High School Students Algebra 1 May 14 - 15

High School Students Biology May 18 - 19

High School Students Make-up Exams May 14 - 22

All students in grades 3-8 or those enrolled in Keystone-related courses are expected to participate in testing, includingstudents who are homeschooled, enrolled in our Digital Academy, or engaged in AEDY or accelerated programming. Exemption from the PSSA or Keystone exams is permitted only for religious reasons. To opt out of the assessments for religious reasons, please contact your child’s principal to schedule a meeting to review the exam no later than April 13

for PSSA and May 1 for Keystone Exams. Following the review, a written waiver must be submitted to both the building principal and Superintendent.

Effective with the graduating class of 2023, all PA students must demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone exams or prove postsecondary preparedness through alternate pathways to graduation (Act 158).

Please contact your child’s school if you have questions or concerns about the upcoming assessments or more information about the alternate routes to meeting graduation requirements.

Sincerely,

Eros Uthman-Olukokun

District Assessment Coordinator

euthmanolukokun@chesteruplandsd.org

Estimadas familias del Distrito Escolar de Chester Upland:

Según lo establecido por el Departamento de Educación de Pensilvania, los estudiantes de 3ro a 11mo grado deberán presentar la prueba estandarizada del Sistema de Evaluación Escolar de Pensilvania (PSSA) o los Exámenes Keystone en las fechas indicadas en la siguiente tabla. Cada director proporcionará más detalles sobre el calendario de exámenes y cualquier ajuste necesario en el horario escolar durante los períodos de evaluación.

Grados 3-8

Estudiantes de secundaria

Estudiantes de secundaria

Estudiantes de secundaria

Estudiantes de secundaria

Todos los estudiantes de 3ro -8vo grado o aquellos inscritos en cursos relacionados con los Exámenes Keystone deben participar en las evaluaciones, incluyendo estudiantes que reciben educación en el hogar, están inscritos en nuestra Academia Digital o participan en programas AEDY o acelerados. La exención de los exámenes PSSA o Keystone solo está permitida por motivos religiosos. Para optar por la exención por razones religiosas, comuníquese con el director de la escuela de su hijo para programar una reunión y revisar el examen a más tardar el 13 de abril, para el PSSA, y el 1 de mayo para los Exámenes Keystone. Luego de la revisión, se debe presentar una exención por escrito tanto al director del plantel como al Superintendente.

Siguiendo los requisitos de graduación de 2023, todos los estudiantes de Pensilvania deben demostrar competencia en los Exámenes Keystone o probar su preparación para la educación postsecundaria a través de vías alternativas para la graduación (Ley 158). Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre las próximas evaluaciones o desea más información sobre las rutas alternativas para cumplir con los requisitos de graduación, comuníquese con la escuela de su hijo.

Eros Uthman-Olukokun

Coordinador de Evaluaciones del Distrito euthmanolukokun@chesteruplandsd.org

Congratulations to STEM HiQ for receiving the Most Improved Team award from Delaware Value HiQ. They received this aware under the direction of Teachers Richard Paquette and Adam Spargo. The STEM Team received a plaque and a $1000.00 check for the team. Yuriza Coronado was named to the All-Delco Team.

Senior Muhammad Khan was also honored as He received a $4000.00 Scholarship to use to further his education at the College/University of His choice next year. Congrats to all Our STEM Scholars

Please review the Program of Studies for STEM Academy. The link is below. This will show you the academic expectations and requirements by class year.

All relevant resources are available in the Program of Studies.

If you have any questions about the scheduling process, we ask that you contact your students' school counselor.

Please make sure that Your Student brings their charged Chromebook to school everyday. It is imperative that they come prepared and ready to actively engage in their academics everyday.

PLEASE CHECK CHESTERCLIPPERS.COM FOR ALL UPDATED INFORMATION ON CLIPPERS ATHLETICS AS WELL AS THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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. Class dues must be Paid in Full by April 1st. Please log on to Chesterclippers.com for specific information. Please make sure that you are indicating Your Student is a STEM Senior in the proper location to ensure moneys get applied to the correct school.

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!