UCF Around the District

UCF will remain on 2-hour delay - March 22

2018-03-22T07:18:00.000-04:00

After checking our roads and campuses - we will remain on a 2-hour delay. To be clear:

UHS and Patton MS students are on a 2-hour delay
Elementary students will not come in. This day will NOT be made up.
Elementary Parent-Teacher conferences will be held as scheduled. The exception is if you had an early morning conference - in those cases please contact your child's teacher and/or principal to check on status or reschedule.

Updated Schedule for Elementary School Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences

2018-03-21T13:34:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon,

I must admit that when we developed our 2017-2018 school calendar we did not anticipate the need for snow makeup days for our spring parent-teacher conferences! But here we are ... the following provides an overview of our plans and contingencies. Fundamentally we believe that face-to-face parent-teacher conferences are valuable and a cornerstone of our program. This plan is designed to honor this core value.

Even if your conference is/was not affected - you should closely read this email as the rescheduling of conferences will impact all K-5 families.

Should you have questions please contact you child’s school and teacher for clarification.

Conferences originally scheduled for March 21

- Are re-scheduled for Wednesday, April 4

- April 4 is now a half-day for all K-5 students

- Elementary principals and teachers will communicate directly with you regarding the conference scheduled for Wednesday, April 4.

IF we have a delayed opening on March 22

- School will be cancelled for all K-5 students

- Conferences will be held as scheduled (they are all scheduled for the afternoon and evening)

IF schools are closed on March 22

- Conferences would be rescheduled for Thursday, April 5

- April 5 would be a half-day for all K-5 students

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

Regards,

John Sanville

Schools and offices closed - March 21 - All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled.

2018-03-20T18:54:00.003-04:00

Good evening Students, Parents, and Staff;

JetStream Jessie and I have been keeping an eye on the snow: she covers the outside – yard, fence line, squirrels and I have the inside - news, websites, and windows. We both agree that it appears that a spring nor’easter is bearing down upon us! Jessie and I concur - since we are in the 12”-18” region - no one should be out on the roads tomorrow.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2018 all UCF schools and offices will be closed. All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled. Jetstream Jessie will be outside running in the snow. She loves it. I have told her to give chase to any March lions she sees. Jessie promises to keep an eye out.

I hope you will love what is likely to be the last snow day of this school year! Put on your boots and parkas and mittens. Make snow forts and snow people. Shovel. Drink hot cocoa. Read. Go sledding. Play games. The best thing about spring snows is that they do stay around long…so enjoy it while it lasts.

Be careful. Be safe. Have fun.

Warm regards,
John Sanville

PS - This day will be made up on June 14

All UCF schools and offices will dismiss early today March 20.

2018-03-20T10:54:00.002-04:00

With conditions changing by the minute, it is hard to make an educated guess about what will be happening in a few hours. With that in mind, I am going to err on the side of caution. I appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

The schedule is as follows:

Elementary schools: Dismissal at 12:25 -
no PM kindergarten

Middle School and High School: Dismissal at 11:10

All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled

All Schools and Offices Closed - Wednesday, March 7th. All Evening Activities are Cancelled!

2018-03-06T20:38:00.002-05:00

Good evening,

The March Lion is not finished…yet….and we want to get out of his way… so for tomorrow March 7 - all UCFSD schools and offices are closed.

During the Oscars last weekend Winston Churchill was prominent in two of the films - Dunkirk and Darkest Hour. Sir Winston is often referred to as the Last Lion and Lion of the Realm - it certainly seems as if March 2018 is channeling its inner Churchill. While Churchill inspired Britain to “never surrender” - I am hopeful that this years’ March Lion gives way to the lamb.

I come by my fondness for Winston Churchill honestly as both my parents were British and both fought in World War II. However, for a more local connection -- my bride Debbie would like you to remember that Winston Churchill's mother - Jennie Jerome - was a New Yorker!

The great thing about March snow is that it does not last very long - I hope... Stay warm, be safe, and enjoy the last roar (Again - I hope!) from the Winter Lion!

Regards,
John Sanville

All UCF School Activities Canceled This Afternoon - Friday, March 2

2018-03-02T13:00:00.001-05:00

Due to the inclement weather the district has made the decision to cancel all after school activities today - Friday, March 2.

Have a safe, warm weekend!

UHS Hosts 20th Annual “Jazz Along the Brandywine”

2018-02-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

Come Enjoy A Night of All That Jazz:

Unionville High School Hosts 20th Annual “Jazz Along the Brandywine”

Saturday, February 24, 2018, 5pm

Experience the sounds of booming brass, toe-tapping percussion and sultry solos at the 20th

Annual Jazz Along the Brandywine on Saturday, February 24th at Unionville High School in

Kennett Square from 5pm to 10pm. Twelve outstanding jazz bands will perform a variety of styles

from soul to swing to samba for an evening of delightful entertainment and fun for all ages.

This year's Cavalcade of Bands jazz festival will include more than 200 talented students from the

region’s local high schools and jazz groups: Avon Grove Charter, Avon Grove, CAPA,

Downingtown East, Marple Newtown, Penncrest, Penn Wood, Pottsgrove, Pottstown and Ridley.

The evening will also include and exhibition performance by the Unionville High School Jazz Band

and the C.F. Patton Middle School Jazz Band.

An awards ceremony will cap off the musical evening. The jazz bands will be judged on the

following elements: tone/blend/balance, interpretation, rhythm, precision, dynamics, intonation,

and improvisation. There are also awards for the three best soloists, and section awards for

saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm.

The Cavalcade of Bands Jazz Program emphasizes “education through music involvement” and

focuses on improvement from week to week. The season ends with Jazz Championships held at

several southeastern Pennsylvania schools in April.

Tickets for Jazz Along the Brandywine are $8 for adults; $6 for students and seniors.

Concessions will be available for purchase.

WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, February 24, 2018, 5pm – 10pm,
Unionville High School,
750 Unionville Road (PA Rt. 82), Kennett Square, PA 19348.

MORE INFORMATION AND PERFORMANCE TIMES: hhttp://cavalcadeofbands.com/jazz/

URA to donate funds to pay for new Unionville scoreboards

2018-02-15T12:09:00.003-05:00

The Unionville Recreation Association (URA), a long-time friend of the Unionville Chadds-Ford School District and user of its many fields and gyms, is donating $46,570 to the school district so it can replace aging softball and baseball scoreboards. The donation will be formally accepted during the Feb. 26 school board meeting.

Read more about this generous donation - Unionville Times - JP Phillips

U-PRISE Community Resources Fair!

2018-02-14T13:40:00.000-05:00

Community Resources Fair!

March 8, 2018

6:00-7:30pm

UCFSD District Office

*Babysitting provided by UHS NHS Volunteer Students

The U-PRISE Community Resources Fair is open to ANYONE in our greater community who is interested in learning more about the camps, resources, and/or supports made available by the attending groups. Please note, there will not be a formal U-PRISE meeting held on this evening. There is no cost for this event.

**PLEASE RSVP- https://goo.gl/forms/9SuEj7VYAYO7LFdV2**

Check our website (www.ucfsd.org/u-prise) for a list of groups attending!

iGen Community Book Discussion & Author Visit

2018-02-14T09:54:00.003-05:00

The UCFSD Wellness Committee is working to create awareness and conversation around the topic of the "iGen" generation. iGen is the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of the smartphone. With social media and texting replacing other activities, iGen spends less time with their friends in person—perhaps why they are experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

But technology is not the only thing that makes iGen distinct from every generation before them; they are also different in how they spend their time, how they behave, and in their attitudes toward religion, sexuality, and politics. They socialize in completely new ways, reject once sacred social taboos, and want different things from their lives and careers. More than previous generations, they are obsessed with safety, focused on tolerance, and have no patience for inequality.

A highly readable and entertaining first look at how today’s members of iGen—the children, teens, and young adults born in the mid-1990s and later—are vastly different from their Millennial predecessors, and from any other generation, from the renowned psychologist and author of Generation Me.

Learn more about Dr Twenge and iGen at http://www.jeantwenge.com/

Find the book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/
Hardcover - $15.51
Kindle - $12.99

SAVE THE DATES -

March 7, 2018 - Join in a Community Book Discussion at 7:00pm in the Unionville High School Cafeteria.

Followed by....

April 12, 2018 - Join us for a presentation by Dr. Jean M. Twenge, author of "iGen",

at 7pm in the Unionville High School auditorium!

More information to come.

Please Support The UHS After Prom!

2018-02-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

After Prom is a free event for UHS Juniors and Seniors that provides a fun, safe alternative to risky behavior associated with Prom Night. Students don't have to go to Prom to attend.

This event is entirely funded by donations from families and businesses in the UCFSD community. Please support this worthwhile event and click HERE to donate via PayPal. Donations can also be mailed to or dropped off at the Main Office with checks made out to UHS PTO After Prom.

Thank you!

UHS After Prom Donation Link

Pocopson’s Kids with Heart Club is at it again!

2018-02-13T14:38:00.000-05:00

Pocopson’s Kids with Heart Club is at it again!

During their February meeting, in addition to making Valentine Cards for the residents of Pocopson Home, they also prepared 40 Busy Packs for the residents consisting of large print word search and soduku puzzles, adult coloring books, drawing pads, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and a stress ball. All items were either donated by parents or purchased with club funds. Next month we will focus on being kind to Animals and will be working with a local shelter

Patton Middle School Production of The Little Mermaid

2018-02-13T08:32:00.000-05:00

Patton Middle School Seeing Green!

2018-02-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

Mrs Hisler and Ms Ballard are happy and proud to announce the installation of the Tower Gardens, the next phase of the FCS Garden Initiative at Patton Middle School. The students will get to watch them grow, as they will be yielding fresh lettuce and herbs within a month. Current FCS students helped to build, check the PH balance and move each of the units in place. The towers are a continuation of Patton's FCS Garden Initiative. Students and families help maintain over 30 fresh garden beds. The produce grown goes to great causes such as domestic violence shelters, and the Kennett Food Cupboard.

To learn more read this great article on the Tower Gardens - Chester County Press

UCFSD is Hiring - Registered Nurse Substitutes & District Technology Assistant

2018-02-01T11:14:00.000-05:00

UCFSD is looking for REGISTERED NURSE SUBSTITUTES!
Day to day substitute nursing positions at various school buildings
in District or attendance on Field Trips as required.
$18.58/hr. - Available Immediately

Apply online at https://ucfsd.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

*********************************************************************************************************

District Technology Assistant

Full-time 12-month position

Salary Range $20.60-$30.19 per hour

Apply online at https://ucfsd.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Basketball Buddy Program - Basketball League for Children with Disabilities.

2018-01-30T17:21:00.000-05:00

Dear UCF Community;

Our schools and our community are focused on a common aim of doing what is best for children. Throughout the history of our district, our community and our staff have given their time, their talents, and their treasure to ensure that each child has what they need to unlock their unique and limitless potential. We feel strongly that every child needs space and time to grow, nurtured by great opportunities and loving support.

KAU Little League and URA have joined forces to offer a community based recreational basketball league for children with disabilities. Their goal is to provide an opportunity for children with cognitive and developmental disabilities, between the ages of 6-18, to play basketball. Each team will have an assigned coach and volunteers “Buddies” from either Kennett or Unionville High School to assist with the practices and games.

2018 is the inaugural season and will last 6 weeks starting approximately February 3rd and run until approximately March 17th. Three games will be played at Kennett and three games will be played at Unionville facilities. Games will be played either on a Saturday or Sunday. Based on the enrollment numbers teams will be matched or evenly distributed by age.

Volunteers: Each game will require 6 volunteers (excluding coaches) to provide the best playing experience.

•2 Referees – preferably HS Basketball players
•2 Scorers – one for the book and one manages the clock
•2 Game helpers – one for each team will be on the court to help guide and instruct players and keep the game moving.

Practice: Each team will be assigned 1 practice per week either at a Kennett or Unionville facility.

Games: Each game will be 8 minute quarters with a running clock and an 8 minute half time. Referees are instructed to call fouls but manage the flow of the game to the best of their abilities. Game basketballs will be supplied by the league.

Uniforms and Equipment: Each participant will be provided a game jersey. No other equipment is required.

Fee: The league fee will be $25.00 per player.

How can I get involved? This is the first year for this program and we will need volunteers, coaches and supporters and sponsors to get this program up and running. This is a great way to get your service hours!

If you are willing to help, please contact Matt Patterson (KCSD) at (610) 613 8558 or John Daly (URA) (302) 650 9027.

Thank you for support with such a great program.
Cordially,

John Sanville

UES Spreading Kindness Throughout our Community

2018-01-30T17:03:00.003-05:00

In February, Unionville Elementary students are taking part in The Great Kindness Challenge.The Great Kindness Challenge is proudly presented by Kids for Peace, a global nonprofit organization.

Kids for Peace started organically as a neighborhood group of kids wanting to make our world a better place, and has grown into an interconnected network of young peacebuilders worldwide.

At the heart of The Great Kindness Challenge is the simple belief that kindness is strength. They also believe that as an action is repeated, a habit is formed. With the Great Kindness Challenge checklist in hand, students have the opportunity to repeat kind act after kind act. As kindness becomes a habit, peace becomes possible.

UES students are proudly participating in this proactive, positive kindness initiative from February 5-16. We are also happy to invite YOU, our community to participate. Together, let’s show the world that...KINDNESS MATTERS!

Get your Kindness checklists here -

The Great Kindness Challenge School Checklist

The Great Kindness Challenge Family Checklist

For more information visit - www.thegreatkindnesschallenge.com

Longwood Teen Volunteer Program 2018

2018-01-30T12:29:00.001-05:00

The Longwood Teen Volunteer Program is an eight-week summer program from June 18 – August 9 that provides high school students with an opportunity to be part of a team, gain work experience and learn leadership skills. Throughout the program teens will be exposed to the history of Longwood and the horticulture and values that make it one of the great gardens of the world. Teen volunteers will interact with and provide hands-on activities to the guests of Longwood. While working in this positive, fast-paced environment, teens will have the opportunity to earn volunteer hours, give back to the community, and make new friends.

Ideal Candidates for the program will:

* Be entering grades 9−12 in Fall 2018.

* Are willing to learn and practice new skills.

* Be open to interacting with visitors of all ages, especially children.

* Get along well with other like-minded high school students and work well in a group.

* Be interested in learning more about Longwood Gardens and horticulture.

* Have access to reliable transportation.

* Be available to attend all events, training's, and scheduled hours. (listed on reverse)

Applicants must submit a completed application, reference form and signed agreement by February 19, 2018 at 5 pm. Program space is limited and not all applicants will be accepted into the program.

For detailed information and to register visit - Longwood Teen Volunteer Program

Questions? Please contact:

Heather Drzal

Director, School and Youth Programs

hdrzal@longwoodgardens.org

610.388.5251

School Director Recognition Month

2018-01-29T08:52:00.002-05:00

School Director Recognition Month

January 2018

WHEREAS, the role of locallyelected 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 boardshave discharged theirresponsibilities 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 workingsof our public school system;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVEDthat the Boardof Directors of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association hereby proclaims the month of January as SchoolDirector Recognition Monthin this commonwealth; and

FURTHER RESOLVE thatthis proclamation be communicated to all schooldistricts, 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.

Unanimously approved July 18, 1985

Reaffirmed December 2, 2017 Pennsylvania School Boards Association Board of Directors

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

FOCUS Parent Network discussion - Developing Winners in Life Through Sports

2018-01-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

Positive Coaching Alliance comes to Unionville
Tuesday, March 6th from 7-9 p.m. in the Patton auditorium

Everyone wants to win. That’s the first goal in sports. But in youth and high school sports

there is a second, more important goal: teaching life lessons through sports.

This informative talk will focus on the TOOLS parents need to talk to their children about

sports. Experts from the nationally recognized Positive Coaching Alliance will provide

positive parenting tips on "coaching" our children. This talk will be followed by a Q and A session.

For more information on PCA speakers check out: www.positivecoach.org

To register for this FREE event : https://focussportsparenting.eventbrite.com, our

FOCUS website: https://sites.google.com/ucfsd.net/focus

FOCUS is a special committee of the UCF Education Foundation in the Unionville
Chadds Ford School District which provides information and education to parents, students,
and the community through parent seminars and workshops, student assemblies, and
educational materials.

The mission of FOCUS is to promote healthy choices and behaviors for youth while supporting
and educating parents in our community.

Patton Writers Day 2018 Needs YOU!

2018-01-25T10:39:00.000-05:00

Writers Day 2018 Needs YOU!

Patton Middle School is actively recruiting community members to volunteer an hour of their time for Writers Day 2018: A Writing Conference for Students. We need community members to share how they use writing in their job or for personal enrichment.

As this will be our third year of running Writers Day, we have seen many unique workshops. For example, an engineer has led students through a real-life dilemma which needed to be communicated through writing. Food bloggers have shared how they approach their work. Law enforcement officials have shown students how they write reports. The possibilities are endless! We would love everyone and anyone from journalists and advertising executives to nurses and social media marketers. If you blog. Join us! If you keep a journal. Join us! If you code, or compose music, or tell stories through photography or quilting, join us!

Help us immerse our students in a community of writers.

Volunteers would be committing to leading a small group of students 20-30 in a writing activity from 8:15-9:15 on April 20, 2018. To sign up, please go to our Sign Up Genius page. If you have questions, please email Brian Kelley directly: bkelley@ucfsd.net.

Thank you for your consideration!

UHS Community Scholarship Fund

2018-01-18T11:07:00.000-05:00

For over 50 years, the Unionville-Chadds Ford Community Scholarship Fund has provided scholarship aid to outstanding graduating seniors at Unionville High School.

The Community Scholarship is a grant of a stated amount of money collected annually from the school community by open solicitation. Its purpose is to award the worthy student who wishes to continue his/her education following graduation from Unionville High School. The grant is for the first year of post-secondary work only and will be applied toward college costs (i.e., tuition, room and board). As many grants will be made annually as the treasury of the Community Scholarship can support. Please consider contributing to the Unionville-Chadds Ford Community Scholarship Fund.Thanks to you overwhelming generosity last year we were fortunate to present 8 graduating seniors each with a $1,000 scholarship award.

NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!

You can have your student drop off the donation to the High School Office in an envelope marked UCF Community Scholarship. We accept cash or check made payable to UCF Community Scholarship Fund.

UCF Community Scholarship Fund

UHS c/o Carolyn Barr

750 Unionville Road

Kennett Square PA 19348

WATCH FOR YOUR ENVELOPE IN THE MAIL IN FEBRUARY!

UHS Student Featured During Disney Parks' Magical Christmas Celebration

2018-01-18T10:59:00.001-05:00

Unionville high school student, Nikolas Toocheck and his family was featured on Disney Parks' Magical Christmas Celebration. Nikolas uses his love for running to benefit others all around the world. His story has captured the heart of thousands.

Through his Running the World for Children: Stateside campaign, Nikolas’ goal is to help children in need receive the gift of sight. Funds he raises support Seva’s pediatric programs to prevent blindness and preserve eyesight. Seva has been a leading innovator in the delivery of vital sight-saving eye care services. Seva’s programs have a special effort to reach children. www.seva.org

From the Bearfest Marathon in Alaska and the Kona in Hawaii, through races in the heartland states including Iowa and Missouri, to the high-altitude Silverton race in Colorado (9,300 feet above sea level), to the Icarus Florida Ultrafest and the Maine Trust Trail Fest: Nikolas has run them all. As a bonus, he even ran in Washington, D.C.’s Marine Corps Marathon, the youngest runner to complete that high-profile race. Nikolas is also the youngest person to have completed marathons on all seven continents – including two marathons in Antarctica.

Nikolas has wonderful focus and commitment for making a difference in the world and he sets a beautiful example for other young people.

Click here to view the magical video of Nikolas at Disney -

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156488188243274&id=155669083273&ref=bookmarks

Let's Dine Together! Join us in Celebrating the Unionville Community and the Johnson Family!

2018-01-18T10:17:00.000-05:00

Let's Dine Together! With the community's help, we are close to putting a van on the road for the Johnson family.

Sovana Bistro has graciously agreed to donate a percentage of the tab for meals, beverages, and even take out orders on January 28th, 4:30pm to 9pm to the Johnson family so that they can purchase a van to accommodate two wheelchairs for their sons.

We need to pack Sovana Bistro, one of Unionville's most popular dining destinations, so, join us in celebrating the Unionville community and the Johnson family.

Make your reservations, stop by or pick up a take out order; mention the Johnson Project when making the reservation or when placing your order.

Let's enjoy a fine time together, an excellent meal, and an opportunity to reach the goal!

Sovana Bistro - 696 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA - 610-444-5600

Click here to learn more about the Johnson Family story.

UCFSD - MORE Foundation Shoe Re-Use Program

2018-01-17T06:30:00.000-05:00

UCFSD Shoe Re-Use Program

The Green Initiatives Committee of the U-CF Education Foundation, with the support of the district, has launched a district-wide program to promote sustainability by collecting your used sneakers and fitness shoes. This program touches many facets of sustainability. It keeps shoes out of the landfill and promotes re-use, as well as develops an environmentally and economically sustainable industry for developing villages.

1. Collected shoes from our district will be shipped to Runners Village, Ghana. There they are sold, and the proceeds go to setting up tree farms (fruit trees, trees used for buildings, etc.) in the village. The locals are trained to maintain them, creating a perpetual source of income.

2. The entire program is funded by the proceeds from the sale of the shoes.

3. The unusable ones (about 20%) go to Nike Grind, where they are ground up and used on playgrounds and other purposes.

4. The MORE Foundation, who executes this program, expects to take in about 300K pairs of shoes this year, helping 10 villages.

5. There is a box in either the gym or main lobby of every school in the district. Please drop off your old sneakers - any size, any condition.

Many people ask, “what happens to all the shoes?” The shoes are sold in major metro areas to vendors who in turn create jobs and help improve the quality of life in cities. The proceeds from the sale of the shoes provides training and tools to the poorest rural farmers. So many shoes sit in dark closets, forgotten and never worn, and then end up in landfills. Reusing these shoes further promotes the global efforts to reuse and recycle.

For more details on the MORE Foundation visit - http://www.morefoundationgroup.org/