Highland Park - 10/14/2026

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Dear Upper Darby School District Families,

The Upper Darby School District is committed to keeping our families and community informed about the ongoing exploration of Act 80/Section 133 and its potential implications for our schools, students, and staff.

Since January 2024, the District has discussed the possibility of exploring Section 133/Act 80 through numerous public forums and opportunities for engagement. These discussions have included information about instructional hours at each school level, required school days, and other relevant considerations.

Information has been shared through Superintendent’s Reports, District-Wide Home and School Association (HSA) Meetings, individual school HSA Meetings, Morning Coffee Conversations, Board Committee Meetings, and Regular Board Meetings.

In November 2025, the District held a public discussion regarding approval to form a committee to explore this topic. In December 2025, an invitation to participate in the committee was shared with our school community through the Wednesday Folder. The committee formation process was also revisited during the Superintendent’s Report in January 2026.

Most recently, the District provided an update in August 2026. Community engagement has continued into the fall through meetings with school communities and staff, Districtwide HSA Meetings offered during morning and evening hours, and Districtwide staff question-and-answer sessions. Act 80/Section 133 has been addressed with staff on multiple occasions as part of these ongoing conversations.

Following a recent District-Wide HSA Meeting, a parent expressed interest in receiving an email summarizing the District’s ongoing discussions and providing access to information shared publicly, including the District’s presentation available through BoardDocs. In response to this feedback, we are sharing this overview to help families access information about the topic and revisit materials presented during public meetings.

Review the District’s BoardDocs presentation:

https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/udar/Board.nsf/pfiles/DX5THG77724B/$file/Act%2080%20Exploration%20Committee%20Update%20Board%20Presentation%20082526.pdf

Join the Act 80 Exploration Committee

As a follow-up to the invitation shared in December 2025, the Upper Darby School District is seeking additional parents and community members to join the ongoing Act 80 Exploration Committee, led by Dr. John Council, Assistant Superintendent of Recruitment, Retention, and Culture.

Your input is essential to ensuring that family needs, childcare considerations, student experiences, and community perspectives are included in the exploration process. We encourage interested parents and community members to participate and share their perspectives as the District continues this work.

If you are interested in participating, please click the link below and provide your contact information.

https://forms.gle/hmoKNPzedd6doRui9

Current Status of the Act 80 Exploration

The Act 80 Exploration Committee is part of the District’s ongoing exploration and information-gathering process. No decision has been made regarding the implementation of Act 80/Section 133. The purpose of this process is to examine the relevant considerations, gather input, and ensure that family needs, childcare considerations, student experiences, and community perspectives are taken into account as the District explores this option.

Future Updates

The District remains committed to transparency, open communication, and meaningful opportunities for our community to stay informed and engaged as we continue exploring this topic. We appreciate the interest our families and community members have demonstrated and encourage continued participation in these important conversations. We will keep you up to date as the exploration process continues and will provide an update at the March 2027 Board Committee meeting.

Other Considerations — AI and Screen Time

As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology continue to shape education, the District is examining their impact on teaching and learning. While these tools can personalize instruction and address students’ diverse learning needs, it is equally important to consider their effects on student well-being and social development. The District seeks to balance meaningful, age-appropriate technology use with hands-on learning, discussion, collaboration, and movement.

To guide this work, the District has established a committee led by Dr. Christine Kelley, Director of Curriculum, and Daniel Kitchen, Director of Technology. The committee’s findings will inform the work of the Act 80 Exploration Committee. Please contact Dr. Kelley at ckelley@upperdarbysd.org if you are interested in joining the AI & Screentime Committee.

Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership in supporting our students and the Upper Darby School District community.

Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel McGarry
Superintendent of Schools

Visit the UDSD Community Bulletin Board, your source for community-wide activities and resources

that benefit our students and families.

Safety Reminders! There is no drop off or pick up on Lynn Blvd or West Chester Pike, and NO parking at St. Laurence and NO parking at Donohue Funeral Home. Also, do not leave your car unattended or block any of our neighborhood streets including Academy Lane, Green Valley Road, and Hillside Road. Emergency vehicles must be able to access the homes in the neighborhood. Please be kind in the car line, be kind to our neighbors, and be safe!

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 https://www.katherinedahlsgaard.com/about.

To register for in-person attendance, click:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScc7D_DnBAJGWaWOgTeZ8KcWDJbSE2TNYYBPN5nDEvdO3jbrQ/viewform

To register for Virtual Attendance, click:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/t7o63kkoRueVr4T8uRogJg#/registration

Our Highland Park Home & School Association helps make a difference in our children’s school experience. Whether you have a little time or a lot, every parent brings something valuable. Together, we can support our students, strengthen our school community, and make this a great year for everyone!

JOIN US EACH MONTH!

We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the Month (no meeting in December) VIRTUALLY @ 6:30 PM. Please join us Wednesday, October 21st @ 6:30 Virtually @ meet.google.com/wmx-aiju-bqk

Superintendent Dr. McGarry will be joining the google meet!

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Home and School Association events. More information to follow:

• McPrincipals Night at McDonald's- 10/19
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade Dance- 10/22
• Poppin Popcorn Sale - 11/2 - 11/16
• 4th & 5th Grade Dance- 11/19
• Chipotle Night- 12/9
• Chuck E Cheese Night- 4/15

Please join us for our meeting! Dr. McGarry will provide updates on various topics and answer questions! Click on the link below.

Upper Darby School District graphic reminding parents to keep their information up to date in the Home Access Center (HAC). The graphic explains that HAC provides access to grades and academic progress, attendance records, schedule information, and other student information. It directs parents and guardians to the HAC Portal at hac.upperdarbysd.org and to a HAC Guide for login instructions and navigation tips. The graphic includes the District logo and the slogan “Opportunity. Unity. Excellence,” and is signed by Aaronda Q. Beauford, M.Ed., Director of Communications.

Academic Achievement:

• Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve higher grades and perform better on standardized tests. In fact, research shows that students who miss just two days a month can fall behind academically and struggle to catch up.

Long-Term Success:

• Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—has been linked to lower graduation rates. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, students with chronic absenteeism are 20% less likely to graduate from high school compared to their peers with regular attendance.

Future Opportunities:

• Regular attendance in the early years sets a foundation for future educational success. By the 6th grade, chronic absenteeism can significantly reduce a student's likelihood of graduating high school, with a staggering 80% of students who are chronically absent in the 6th grade failing to graduate on time.

How You Can Help:

• Set a Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine for waking up and getting ready for school. Encourage your child to go to bed early to ensure they are well-rested.

Communicate:

• Talk to your child about the importance of attending school and the impact it has on their future.

Address Issues Early:

• If your child is struggling with school attendance due to health, bullying, or other issues, contact their school for support and resources.

Celebrate Attendance:

• Recognize and reward good attendance to encourage your child to maintain regular school participation.

Together, we can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Remember, every day counts, and your involvement makes a difference!

For more information and resources on how to support your child’s attendance, please contact us!

Let’s make every school day count!

Attendance is extremely important so please make sure your children attend school and arrive ON TIME (by 8:45 AM) each day. If they are sick, please send in a note or email a note to HPES-attendance@upperdarbysd.org explaining your child's absence. If no note is provided within 2 days of the absence, the absence is TRUANT and could lead to a judicial court hearing.

The Upper Darby School District appreciates the wish to recognize children’s birthdays and other celebrations by bringing in treats to share with the class, however, due to the increase of students with severe food allergies and the importance of minimizing disruption to the instructional day, the following guidelines have been established for Highland Park:

Your child's birthday will be recognized with their classmates during morning meeting.

No food or beverages are permitted to be brought in to Highland Park for birthday celebrations. Highland Park encourages families to use alternatives such as:

• Donating a book in the name of a child

• Non-food treats such as pencils, erasers, notebook.

We appreciate your cooperation!

Families, we need your help during arrival and dismissal. Safety first, and respect for the neighborhood. Plan ahead knowing that arrival and dismissal takes about 15- 20 minutes. Please plan accordingly so students are here on time and picked up on time.

Arrival & Dismissal

• There is no parking on school grounds at arrival or dismissal.
• Do not park, drop off, or pick up on West Chester Pike or on Lynn Blvd.
• Students should be dressed appropriately for all weather conditions.
• Students may not play on the swings or playground equipment during arrival or dismissal times.
• If you are driving your child to school, or picking up by car, please enter the loop and stay to the left. Highland Park staff will direct you to the drop off area. Please have your children enter/exit on the right side of your vehicle.
• All cars must make a right onto Lynn Blvd. We appreciate your cooperation. Only school and daycare busses may turn left.

Daily Morning Arrival

• Students should arrive between 8:30 AM- 8:40 AM. It is important that all students are on time and in HR by 8:45 AM.
• Please do not arrive early, as there is no supervision prior to 8:30 AM.
• Student arrival procedures:

o Grade 1- Enter the building through the center doors on the St. Laurence side.

o Grade 2- Enter the building through the main doors and go directly to the cafeteria.

o Grade 3- Enter the building through the center doors on the St. Laurence side and line up

in the 3rd grade hallway outside their homerooms.

o Grade 4- Enter the building through the main doors and go directly to the gym.

o Grade 5- Enter the building through the main doors and go directly to the gym.

Daily Dismissal

· If you are picking up your child in the school yard, you must park your car off school grounds and walk to Highland Park. Please note that there is NO PARKING on school grounds and no parking at Donohue Funeral Home or St. Laurence.

o 1st grade students are dismissed to the driveway along St. Laurence in the lower playground.

o 2nd grade students are dismissed to the lower playground.

o 3rd grade students are dismissed in front of the main entrance.

o 4th grade students exit through back door facing the golf course.

o 5th grade students are dismissed to the upper playground.

· You can park at the Observatory Field on St. Laurence Road and either walk to Highland Park via Green Valley Road or Academy Lane or have your child walk to you (grades 2-5).

· If you are picking up your child with your vehicle:

o You must enter at the top of the lot, and stay to your left. Do not park, or leave your vehicle. Please have your child’s name, grade and HR printed clearly on 8 ½ x 11 paper so you can show it to a Highland Park staff member (this will help move the line quicker). You will be directed to the pick-up area.

o In order to keep the car line moving, all cars must make a right onto Lynn Blvd. We appreciate your cooperation. Only school and daycare busses may turn left.

· If your child is a walker (2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade only), please review safe walking routes with your child. You may also set up a meeting point with your child off school grounds.

· Please pick up your children on time. Also, please send in a note with your child’s dismissal plan on the first day of school for the homeroom teacher.

If there is a change in the regular dismissal procedure for your child, written notification must be sent in to the classroom teacher. We understand that there are emergencies that occur but a consistent dismissal plan for each child is helpful for your child and the homeroom teacher.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones during the school day, or on district busses, or district activities. Please have your students practice NOT using their cell phones for extended period of times during the day so they are prepared not to use them or have them out during the school day.

If you have moved out of the district, please email our secretary, PCasey@upperdarbysd.org or call (610-853-4530) about the withdrawal process. If you have moved and remain in the district, please go to Central Registration which is next to the Upper Darby High School Gymnasium entrance (601 N. Lansdowne Avenue), and update your information.

The district will continue to receive the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) this year. ALL district students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at NO CHARGE beginning the 1st day of school. No paperwork is needed to take advantage of this worthwhile program. No outside food delivery is permitted during the school day. Highland Park Breakfast & Lunch Menus

A reminder that you may NOT have food delivered from vendors to your child during the school day. We are contracted with Aramark for free breakfast and lunch. If your child forgets their lunch, free lunch is available.

Chromebooks for students will be issued in school from students’ homeroom teachers during the first week of school. Families will be billed for lost, stolen, and damaged chromebooks and chargers.

Chromebooks are for school work only.

The student chromebooks are school district property.

• Students must take their chromebooks home each day
• Chromebooks must be fully charged each night and brought to school each day
• Student chromebooks and student email accounts are for academic purposes and school communications only.
• Student email should not be used to create or access recreational accounts on other platforms, such as social media or gaming sites. Keeping the use of student email limited to school-related activities helps maintain a secure and focused learning environment.
• IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CHILD's CHROMEBOOK, PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING THE CHROMEBOOK AND CHARGER TO THEIR TEACHER.

Visit the UDSD Community Bulletin Board,

your source for community-wide activities and resources

that benefit our students and families.

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