Superintendent's Report

January 23, 2023

A Special Acknowledgement

January is School Director Recognition Month. Tonight we would like to acknowledge our nine Board members, who volunteer countless hours each year in providing governance to our District. Please join us in thanking Mr. Jeff Wallack, Mr. Mark Sirota, Dr. Darlene Davis, Ms. Jenna Evans, Ms. Alima Hawthorne, Ms. Jenn Iannitti, Mr. Andy Kessler, Dr. Art Levinowitz, and Ms. Titia Scherpbier for their dedicated service to our students, staff, District, and community.

SCHOOL DIRECTOR RECOGNITION RESOLUTION

The following resolution was unanimously approved July 18, 1985 and reaffirmed on December 3, 2022, by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Governing Board:

WHEREAS, the role of locally elected school officials has served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and local communities in meeting the needs of public education since the passage of the Free School Act in 1834; and

WHEREAS, these local boards have discharged their responsibilities to public education in a manner which has placed public education in the forefront of our educational systems; and

WHEREAS, locally elected officials have distinguished themselves and their communities in this nonpaid, volunteer public service commitment; and

WHEREAS, the contributions of these men and women should be recognized
and appreciated by those who benefit from the workings of our public school system;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association hereby proclaims the month of January as School Director Recognition Month in this commonwealth; and

FURTHER RESOLVE that this proclamation be communicated to all school districts, school officials and local communities in a planned program which brings visibility and awareness of the role of locally elected school officials to the citizenry of this commonwealth.

On Tonight's Agenda

There are a few items on tonight's agenda that I would like to draw to your attention:

SRMS House Principal Hire - Tonight the Board will affirm the hiring of Ms. Jennifer Nuskey as our new Sandy Run Middle School House Principal. Jennifer is an instructional and organizational leader who has committed herself to creating, supporting, and sustaining equity- focused systems that support the advancement, achievement, and growth of students. Jennifer comes to Upper Dublin from the School District of Philadelphia. Over the course of her 15 years in education, she has held teaching and administrative positions where she has proven her competency in instructional coaching, equity-centered leadership, building strong teams, district-wide and school-based vision and goal alignment, and family and community engagement. We look forward to Jennifer joining Dr. Ortiz and the entire Sandy Run learning community in March. Welcome to the Nest!

Retirement - In just a few weeks, Charles Smith will retire after 16 years with the District. Charles is a driver in our Transportation Department; we wish him all the best in retirement!

Innovative Grant - During "Other Business" we ask the Board to accept a Farm to School Grant. In partnership with Fluxspace, Upper Dublin School District was recently awarded a Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant. The grant project will allow us to purchase a mobile vertical hydroponic growing system – Flex Farm by Fork Farms – for use with the MCIU Head Start program at Upper Dublin High School. Growing fresh, healthy foods within our school will allow Head Start participants (ages 3-5) to experience our food system, participate in growing food every day, and improve local access to healthy food within our community. Fluxspace will be contributing in-kind installations, professional development, and support throughout the grant process.

PSBA Principles of Governance and Leadership - Pennsylvania school boards are committed to providing every student the opportunity to grow and achieve. Their actions, as elected and appointed board members, ultimately have both short- and long-term impacts in the classroom. This fall Dr. Levinowitz and I had the opportunity to help craft the revised Principles of Governance and Leadership with superintendents and board members from across the Commonwealth. Tonight the Board will reaffirm their commitment to these principles!

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Lunar New Year Celebration

We are grateful to the Upper Dublin Chinese Association and the Asian American Students & Families Subcommittee for sponsoring the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Upper Dublin Public Library on Saturday, January 21, 2023. The celebration was extremely well attended! Culture, food, and fun made the event special. Happy New Year!

Kindergarten and New Student Registration

Earlier today we officially kicked off kindergarten and new student registration. Registration information is available on our website. Our District's registrar, Ms. Mora Ruiz, is eager to help anyone who may need assistance in the registration process.

Please keep in mind that students must be at least five (5) years of age before September 15, 2023, in order to be registered for kindergarten. Next year's kindergarten students will be the Class of 2036!

Our Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

We thank everyone who made our annual Day of Service great. Students, families, and staff across the District engaged in various service projects. Service to others is incredibly important! As Dr. King said, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace; a soul generated by love."