August 2, 2021

Dear STEM Academy Students and Families,

We are thrilled to welcome you back for in-person learning beginning on Monday, August 30! Over the past 18 months, we have worked tirelessly to continue delivering the best instruction possible, while taking extreme precautions for the health and safety of our community. Now, following the recommendations of local, state and national health experts; we are prepared to make a full return to in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.

Please be sure to join us on Wednesday, August 18 for our Back to School Bash. The event is for all new and returning families, and will include new Chromebook distribution, important information about the upcoming school year, food, and giveaways! Additionally, Chester Upland School District partners, ChesPenn Health, will be on site to provide vaccination information, and first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to students and families who choose to receive it. Check our website, www.chesteruplandsd.org/Domain/13 for more about the event. Also, please mark your calendars for CUSD Family Fun Day on August 27 from 5:00-8:00 at Eyre Park.

Here at STEM Academy, our mission is to educate the whole child, and in addition to academics, our students will need social and emotional support as they return to classrooms. Our teachers, counselors, and staff are working hard to ensure we are able to support our students as they make this transition back to school, and provide them with the same sense of belonging and comfort they felt here before the pandemic. Returning to school will be a great challenge, but we are confident we will be successful with the help of our families and community.

As we prepare for August 30, it is important to note that STEM Academy will not offer Hybrid or Remote learning options in 2021-22, and our students will be required to attend in person, five days per week. Families who wish for their students to continue learning from home should visit the Design Thinking Digital Academy website at www.chesteruplandsd.org/Domain/14 to learn more about Chester Upland’s remote schooling option.

Finally, I have been incredibly fortunate to serve the students and families of the Chester Upland School District for the past six years, as a teacher and assistant principal. I am honored to become Principal here at STEM Academy, and my commitment to our students has never been stronger. We faced incredible challenges during the pandemic, but we are ready to emerge with renewed energy and enthusiasm for the students of our community. With the strength we gain from being together, 2021-22 is going to be an excellent year at STEM Academy!

Sincerely,

Brendan Bell, Principal

Official Letter