Stetser Weekly Parent Update

At Stetser Elementary, Dedicating to Success means believing that every student can achieve great things through effort, perseverance, and support. Success is not just about reaching goals, but about the journey of learning, growing, and becoming our best selves.

We show dedication by:

• Trying our best each day in every area.

• Embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.

• Showing kindness and respect to ourselves and others, because true success includes building strong character.

• Working together as a community of students, families, and teachers to encourage one another.

• Celebrating progress big and small, knowing that each step brings us closer to our goals.

When we dedicate ourselves to success, we are preparing not only for work but also for life with confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.

October 25th: Community - Free Lead Expo (see flyer below)

October 31st: Gator of the Month Assembly @9:30

October 31st: Harvest Festival (see info below)

November 4th: No school for students - Staff PD Day

November 5th: Coat Drive (see info below)

November 7th: First Marking Period Ends

November 7th: Academy of Natural Sciences field trip grades K-5

November 12th: 1/2 Day for students (11:45 am dismissal); Professional Development

November 25th: Parent Teacher Conferences - No Students

November 26th: AM Staff In-Service - No Students

November 27th-28th: Fall Break Schools and Offices Closed

December 16th: Picture Day

Lead-Free Community Expo — You’re Invited!

When: Sat., Oct 25
Where: Boys & Girls Club (Chester)
Cost: Free for families

What’s there:

• Free food, games, and community tables
• Simple tips to keep your home safe from lead
• On-site testing for everyday items

Bring (optional): paint chips, toys/jewelry, baby food, spices (like turmeric or chili powder)

Why it matters:

• Even a small amount of lead can harm a child’s learning and behavior.

• Lead can be in old paint, dust, soil, or pipes.

Sign up: http://healtheducatedinc.org

The 21st Century Program before care and the after school program begin this Monday, October 27th. Students that have been accepted into the program, to begin on Monday would have received a letter from Mrs. Zamonski.

Before care

Days and hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 8:30 am

Parents must walk students to the cafeteria door and sign them in

After School program

Days and hours: Monday - Thursday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Parents must pick up

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides a variety of free, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to children at eligible elementary schools. A USDA study found that FFVP students eat more fruits and vegetables than students who do not participate in the program. Schools deliver FFVP snacks along with bite-sized nutrition lessons. This encourages children to try new foods, learn about seasonal produce, and set healthy eating habits to last a lifetime.

So far this year, Stetser students have sampled a variety of peppers, watermelon, pineapple, squash, plums, and grapes.

Parents/Guardians of Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade students,

Please send in a full change of clothes to keep in your child's backpack in case of accidents.

The new edition of Clipper Connection (10/15/25) is linked below

https://app.smore.com/n/an2mh

Stetser Gators are:

Respectful

Responsible

Caring

Safe

Students earn Gator Teeth for following school expectations.

Congratulations to September's Gators of the Months:

CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Heiles' 4th grade class for earning the most Golden Gator teeth for September.

CONGRATULATIONS to our 98 students who had PERFECT ATTENDANCE for the month of September! Keep up the great work!!

Ongoing Through the Fall:

Chester Upcoming Events:

Check out this link for all things happening in the near future.

Upland Upcoming Events:

Check out this link for all things happening in the near future.

Eddystone/Ridley Events:

Check out this link for all things happening in the near future.

Below are direction from www.chesteruplandsd.org:

• Volunteer Clearances

Legislation in Pennsylvania requires community members and parents to obtain clearances in order to volunteer in our schools. If you have previously submitted your clearances to the Human Resources office, they are good for five (5) years from the date of the clearance.

Governor Wolf has waived the fees associated with the Pennsylvania State Police—Criminal Background Check and the Child Abuse History Clearance. Since the FBI clearance is a federal program, those costs still remain; however, the district has decided to permit individuals who have resided in Pennsylvania continuously for ten years or more to sign a certification form that saves the volunteer the expense of the fee, ensures compliance with the law, and allows the district to maximize student safety.

Understanding that many community members will want to begin the process of securing clearances so that they are prepared for the start of the school year, we have provided several links and directions to assist you. Once you have obtained the requisite clearances, please bring them to the Human Resources office for the Chester Upland School District, located 1350 Edgmont Avenue, Chester PA 19013. Please be prepared to present a valid driver’s license or other photo identification. Our Human Resources Department will then add your name to the district list so that our educators can readily ensure that volunteers have the proper clearances.

Directions for Obtaining Clearances for Volunteers Who Have Resided in Pennsylvania Continuously for 10+ Years

1. Complete ACT 34—Pennsylvania State Police—Request for Criminal Record Check
2. Complete ACT 151—Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance—Online Application
3. Drop off paperwork at the Chester Upland School District Human Resource Office. Please be prepared to present a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.
4. Print and Complete this Volunteer Information and Certification Form.

Directions for Obtaining Clearances for Volunteers Who Have Resided in Pennsylvania for Less Than 10 Years

1. Complete ACT 34—Pennsylvania State Police—Request for Criminal Record Check
2. Complete ACT 151—Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance—Online Application
3. Complete Act 114—FBI Fingerprinting—To schedule your appointment, visit https://uenroll.identogo.com and enter Service Code 1KG6XN. You may also call 844-321-2101 to schedule an appointment
4. Complete ACT 114—FBI Fingerprinting
   Be certain to register under the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
5. Drop off paperwork at the Chester Upland School District Human Resources Office. Please be prepared to present a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

Please use this link to view the daily breakfast and lunch menus

https://chesteruplandsd.nutrislice.com/menu/stetser

Just a note - we do not serve Peanut Butter - Sun butter is used.

If you need to update any of your contact information please email Ms. Jones in the main office at tjones@chesteruplandsd.org

Arrival

• Students in the pre-k classroom enter directly through their classroom door at 8:45am and must be signed in by an adult.

• All students in grades K-5 enter school through the rear doors of the Gym/All-Purpose Room beginning at 8:30am. This door will close at 9:00am.

• Students in the Life Skills classrooms will enter the front door beginning at 8:30am.

• Students will be escorted to their classroom by their homeroom teacher at 8:45am.

Students will be marked tardy after 9:00am. If your child arrives to school after 9:00am, they must enter school through the front doors and stop at the front office to be signed in by an adult.

Dismissal

• Students will be dismissed from the rear of the school from their classroom doors at 3:45pm. Please check-in with your child's teacher so that we ensure everyone is leaving with their designated adult.

If your child needs to leave school early, the parent/guardian or designee should report to the front office for an early dismissal slip. An early dismissal is before 3:00pm. Your child will be called to the front office for an early dismissal. Parents will not be permitted to go directly to your child’s classroom. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds alone. Students will not be permitted to leave school early with an older sibling or anyone under the age of eighteen without written consent from the parent/guardian or designee.

Early Dismissals end at 2:45 pm. Please plan accordingly if you need to pick your child up early.

Please find Stetser's Title 1 Resources and information below: