Chester Upland School District

Celebrating Global SEL Day & SEL Week at CUSD Last week, CUSD celebrated Global SEL Day and SEL Week, highlighting the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in our schools and community. Students participated in kindness activities ??, SEL poetry ??, words of encouragement ??, and mindfulness exercises ??♂?, all aimed at building self-awareness and emotional well-being. One of the standout moments was an interactive session at Main Street with renowned storyteller Mrs. Thembi Palmer, who helped students explore grief, healing, and emotional expression through the power of storytelling. At CUSD, SEL isn’t just a one-week focus—it’s something we prioritize all year long. That’s why we distribute a weekly SEL calendar ?? to schools and the broader community, ensuring students, educators, and families have access to meaningful resources. We’re proud to continue fostering an environment where students feel supported, connected, and empowered! #SELDay #SELWeek

?? Exciting News for CUSD! ?? We’re proud to share that CUSD has been selected as one of only three districts statewide for Pennsylvania’s Preschool Early Intervention Family Ambassador Pilot Program! ??? Through this initiative, Family Ambassadors will help strengthen connections between families and schools, ensuring parents have the support and resources needed for a smooth transition into Kindergarten. This is a major step forward in enhancing early childhood education and family engagement in our district. You can read more about the pilot program by clicking below: https://lnkd.in/eTs5xG5q #EarlyLearning #FamilyEngagement

CUSD’s ‘Second Chance Breakfast’ Featured in Delco Times! ?? We’re excited to share that CUSD’s new ‘Second Chance Breakfast’ initiative at CHS was recently highlighted in the Delco Times, and we’re incredibly grateful for the partnerships that help make this possible! Thanks to the Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion (SBE) grant, we’re ensuring that every student has access to a nutritious meal, even if they arrive after the first bell. Students can grab a healthy breakfast between 1st and 2nd period or during a mid-morning break, giving them the fuel they need to stay focused and succeed. Since launching in January, we’ve been serving an average of 35 students per day, and participation continues to grow! A huge thank you to our staff, community partners, and supporters for helping us create solutions that support student well-being. Read article: https://lnkd.in/eSc7Nq-d #StudentSuccess #BreakfastMatters #CUSD Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA

Last week, we hosted an important community discussion on lead removal, focusing on how we can work together to protect our scholars and families from the risks of lead exposure. With many older homes in our area, addressing this issue is critical for the health and well-being of our community. A huge thank you to Kristin Motley, PharmD, MBA, the Delaware County Health Department, and Children First for their expert insights and practical solutions to tackling lead exposure. Community engagement is key to solving this challenge, and it was inspiring to see so many partners and families committed to action. We’re also grateful to Parent University, the City of Chester, Swarthmore College, the Swarthmore Black Alumni Association, and Keystone First for their support in raising awareness and mobilizing resources. Addressing environmental health issues requires strong partnerships, and we are proud to work alongside organizations that share our dedication to a safer, healthier Chester. Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA Tasliym M.

January is School Board Appreciation Month! CUSD extends a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated School Board Directors for their hard work, commitment, and leadership in shaping the future of our scholars and community. In addition to collaborating with district leadership to meet the needs of our students, our board members actively participate in school events, volunteer their time, and generously support school-related initiatives. Their unwavering dedication makes a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for all that they do for CUSD! #SchoolBoardAppreciation #CUSD #ThankYou Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA

?? A Look Back at Our Annual Science Fair! ?? Before winter recess began, our scholars wowed us with their creativity, innovation, and hard work at the Annual District-Wide Science Fair on December 18 at CHS! This year’s theme, “Careers in the Field of Science,” inspired incredible projects and we loved seeing them! A huge THANK YOU to all our student participants for their outstanding efforts! We also want to thank the community volunteers, families, and supporters who came out to cheer on our scholars, as well as the staff who worked tirelessly to make this event a success! ? Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA

? Celebrating the Arts in Education! ?? Last week, CUSD’s annual Winter Concert: Spreading Love Through the Arts showcased the incredible talents of our students, filling the season with joy and community spirit. From heartfelt holiday songs to vibrant dance performances by the Clippettes, the event was a testament to the transformative power of arts education. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Bradley and the dedicated CUSD music department teachers for their leadership and support in bringing this event to life. Their commitment to fostering creativity and expression continues to inspire our students and community. #ArtsInEducation #CUSDCommunity #WinterConcert #SpreadingLoveThroughTheArts Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA

At CUSD's recent reorganization meeting, the School Board of Directors selected new leadership. Amanda Johnson was appointed as President, and Beverly Harris was selected as Vice President. Congratulations to both on this exciting new chapter! We are grateful for your commitment to our district and look forward to the positive impact your leadership will bring to our scholars and community. Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA

Happy Thanksgiving from CUSD!???? We are thankful for our dedicated staff, supportive families, stakeholders, community partners and everyone who plays a role in our scholars' success. Wishing everyone who observes a Happy Thanksgiving!

???? Celebrating Community and Student Talent this Thanksgiving Week ???? Recently, CUSD hosted its 3rd Annual Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Day Luncheon, welcoming local seniors and grandparents of graduating high school students to Chester High School. We are proud to host this event annually in partnership with the City of Chester to reflect the spirit of Thanksgiving, and to bring the community together, honoring our senior citizens. This year’s celebration highlighted the incredible contributions of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) students, whose skills were at the heart of the event. Culinary arts students prepared a delicious array of desserts, while both culinary and marketing students took on leadership roles by hosting, assisting with seating, and serving guests. Their professionalism and talent made the day memorable. Special thanks to Red Brick Café for providing the meal and to our dedicated staff and city officials who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. ?? #ThanksgivingLuncheon #CTESuccess #CUSDCommunity #GratitudeInAction #Thanksgiving Latrice Mumin, Ed.D, MBA