For Elementary Families (Scroll Down for Middle School Families)

August 12, 2024

Dear Edgmont Scholars Academy Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2024-2025 school year! I’m excited to welcome students back into our building. Our theme for this year is “Every Child Deserves a Champion!” Rita Pierson describes a champion as an adult who will never give up on a child. A champion understands the power of connection and a champion believes that a child will become the best that they can possibly be.

Communication and family involvement are extremely important to us at Edgmont Scholars Academy. We will communicate with families via electronic newsletters. Teachers use Class Connect to post information about classwork, homework, projects or to send a quick reminder. We use robocalls to remind families of early dismissals and emergency school closings. Pertinent information can also be found on Chester Upland School District’s website at www.chesteruplandsd.org. It’s vital to the safety of your child that we have updated home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and emergency contact information from parents. If you need to update your contact information with us, please call our secretary, Ms. Beverly Howard, at 484.658.3551 or email her at bhoward@chesteruplandsd.org.

The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 3, 2024. We welcome all students at the gym doors beginning at 8:30am. It’s vital that all students are in school daily and on time. In this mailing I have included important dates, uniform information, school hours, arrival and dismissal instructions, absence procedures, suggested supply list, teacher welcome letters, and the 2024-2025 school calendar. I’m delighted to serve as Campus Principal for Edgmont Scholars Academy and Stetser Elementary School. It’s amazing to be a part of a community where students, parents, and staff are concerned for one another and strive to build relationships that support students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Again, welcome back! I look forward to a great year together at Edgmont Scholars Academy.

Educationally Yours,

Lavada D. Greene, Ed.D.
Campus Principal Edgmont Scholars Academy PreK – 8 & Stetser Elementary School 

Important Dates to Remember

• Monday, September 2, 2024 School Closed in Observance of the Labor Day Holiday
• Tuesday, September 3, 2024 First Day of School 8:45am - 3:45pm
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Edgmont’s Back to School Night 4:30pm -6:00pm
• Wednesday, September 11, 2024 11:45am Dismissal for Students
• Wednesday, September 25, 2024 School Closed for Students: Staff In-Service

Uniform Policy

All schools in the Chester Upland School District have a uniform policy, below are the acceptable items that students may wear at Edgmont Scholars Academy:

Tops: Polo-Style Shirts or Sweaters Burgandy Gray Navy Blue White Black Orange

Bottoms: Pants, Knee-Length Shorts or Skirts Khaki Navy Blue Black Gray

Shoes: Sneakers Closed Toe Shoes

Articles of clothing that are not permitted to be worn by students inside school: Tights Hoodies Flip-flops Crocs Slides Crop-Tops Open toe shoes/sandals or open-backed shoes/sandals Scarves/bonnets or hats

School Hours

• 8:45am – 3:45pm Monday – Friday
• 8:45am – 11:45am Half-Day Early Dismissal
• Early Dismissals End at 2:45pm

Arrival & Dismissal

Parents, to help your child achieve academic success, it is very important that your child attend school each day. Your child should arrive on time and be prepared to start their school day. Students are encouraged to remain in school for a full day of learning.

Student Arrival

• Students in the pre-k classroom enter through the front door at 8:45am and must be signed in by an adult.
• All students in grades K-5 will enter school through the Gym beginning at 8:30am. This door will close at 9:00am.
• Students will be escorted to their classroom by their homeroom teacher. • Students will be marked tardy after 9:00am. If your child arrives after 9:00am, they must enter school through the front doors and parents are required to sign them into school.

Dismissal

• Students will be dismissed at 3:45pm.
• If your child needs to leave school early, the parent/guardian or designee should report to the front office before 2:45pm. Your child will be called to the front office for an early dismissal.
• Parents are not permitted to go directly to their child’s classroom.
• Students will not be permitted to leave school grounds with an adult that’s not listed on their child’s application or emergency contact list. If you need to update your child’s contacts and emergency contact list, please contact Ms. Beverly Howard at bhoward@chesteruplandsd.org, 484.658.3551, or visit our front office. 

Absence Procedures

Pennsylvania State law requires that students must attend school daily. When a student is absent from school, upon returning, a note from the parent or official note from the doctor/hospital must be submitted explaining why the student was absent. The note will be kept by the school.

The following are considered Excused/Legal Absences:

• Illness (three or more consecutive days requires a physicians note upon students return)
• Death of an immediate family member
• Quarantine established by a medical doctor
• Medical and dental appointments during the school day which could not be arranged after school hours
• Court appearances
• Suspension from school
• An exceptionally urgent situation that directly affects the child such as the effects of a natural disaster

The following are considered Unexcused/Illegal Absences

• Babysitting
• Car Troubles
• Vacations
• Oversleeping
• Participation in extracurricular activities and hobbies

Excessive Absences

• After three (3) days of cumulative unexcused absences, a warning letter will be mailed home.
• After five (5) days of cumulative unexcused absences, a letter will be mailed home and a parent conference will be scheduled at the school.
• After ten (10) days of cumulative unexcused absences, the truancy department will be notified.

The website below has further information on Compulsory School Attendance and Unlawful Absences in the state of Pennsylvania. https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/BECS/Purdons/Pages/CompulsorySchoolAttendance.aspx

Suggested School Supply List

• #2 Pencils – No Pens
• (2) Two Pocket Folders
• (2) Composition Notebooks
• (1 pack) Wide Ruled Notebook Paper
• Erasers
• Pack of Crayons Colored Pencils
• (1) Highlighters Scissors
• (3) Glue Sticks
• 2 Boxes of Tissues
• (2) Black Dry Erase Markers

For Middle School Families

August 15, 2024

Dear Edgmont Scholars Academy Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2024-2025 school year! I’m excited to welcome students back into our building. Our theme for this year is “Every Child Deserves a Champion!” Rita Pierson describes a champion as an adult who will never give up on a child. A champion understands the power of connection and a champion believes that a child will become the best that they can possibly be.

Communication and family involvement are extremely important to us at Edgmont Scholars Academy. We will communicate with families via electronic newsletters. Teachers use Class Connect to post information about classwork, homework, projects or to send a quick reminder. We use robocalls to remind families of early dismissals and emergency school closings. Pertinent information can also be found on Chester Upland School District’s website at www.chesteruplandsd.org. It’s vital to the safety of your child that we have updated home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and emergency contact information from parents. If you need to update your contact information with us, please call our secretary, Ms. Ja’Nasia Pitts-Womack, at 484.465.1236 or email her at jpitts-womack@chesteruplandsd.org.

The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 3, 2024. We welcome all students at the gym doors beginning at 8:30am. It’s vital that all students are in school daily and on time. In this mailing I have included important dates, uniform information, school hours, arrival and dismissal instructions, absence procedures, suggested supply list, teacher welcome letters, and the 2024-2025 school calendar. I’m delighted to serve as Campus Principal for Edgmont Scholars Academy and Stetser Elementary School. It’s amazing to be a part of a community where students, parents, and staff are concerned for one another and strive to build relationships that support students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Again, welcome back! I look forward to a great year together at Edgmont Scholars Academy.

Educationally Yours, 
Lavada D. Greene, Ed.D. Campus Principal

Important Dates to Remember

• Monday, September 2, 2024- School Closed in Observance of the Labor Day Holiday
• Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - First Day of School 8:45am - 3:45pm
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024 - Edgmont’s Back to School Night 4:30pm -6:00pm
• Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - 11:45am Dismissal for Students
• Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - School Closed for Students: Staff In-Service

Uniform Policy

All schools in the Chester Upland School District have a uniform policy, below are the acceptable items that students may wear at Edgmont Scholars Academy:

• Tops: Polo-Style Shirts or Sweaters Burgandy Gray Navy Blue White Black Orange
• Bottoms: Pants, Knee-Length Shorts or Skirts Khaki Navy Blue Black Gray Shoes: Sneakers Closed Toe Shoes 

Articles of clothing that are not permitted to be worn by students inside school:

• Tights
• Hoodies
• Flip-flops
• Crocs
• Slides
• Crop-Tops
• Open toe shoes/sandals or open-backed shoes/sandals
• Scarves/bonnets or hats

School Hours

• 8:45am – 3:45pm Monday – Friday
• 8:45am – 11:45am Half-Day Early Dismissal
• Early Dismissals End at 2:45pm Arrival & Dismissal

Parents, to help your child achieve academic success, it is very important that your child attend school each day. Your child should arrive on time and be prepared to start their school day. Students are encouraged to remain in school for a full day of learning.

Student Arrival

• All students in grades 6-8 will enter school through the cafeteria doors beginning at 8:30am. This door will close at 9:00am.
• Students will be marked tardy after 9:00am. If your child arrives after 9:00am, they must enter school through the front doors and parents are required to sign them into school.

Dismissal

• Students will be dismissed at 3:45pm.
• If your child needs to leave school early, the parent/guardian or designee should report to the front office before 2:45pm. Your child will be called to the front office for an early dismissal.
• Parents are not permitted to go directly to their child’s classroom.
• Students will not be permitted to leave school grounds with an adult that’s not listed on their child’s application or emergency contact list. If you need to update your child’s contacts and emergency contact list, please contact Ms. Ja’Nasia Pitts-Womack at jpitts-womack@chesteruplandsd.org, 484.465.1236, or visit our front office.

Absence Procedures

Pennsylvania State law requires that students must attend school daily. When a student is absent from school, upon returning, a note from the parent or official note from the doctor/hospital must be submitted explaining why the student was absent. The note will be kept by the school.

The following are considered Excused/Legal Absences:

• Illness (three or more consecutive days requires a physicians note upon students return)
• Death of an immediate family member
• Quarantine established by a medical doctor
• Medical and dental appointments during the school day which could not be arranged after school hours
• Court appearances
• Suspension from school
• An exceptionally urgent situation that directly affects the child such as the effects of a natural disaster

The following are considered Unexcused/Illegal Absences

• Babysitting
• Car Troubles
• Vacations
• Oversleeping
• Participation in extracurricular activities and hobbies

Excessive Absences

• After three (3) days of cumulative unexcused absences, a warning letter will be mailed home.
• After five (5) days of cumulative unexcused absences, a letter will be mailed home and a parent conference will be scheduled at the school.
• After ten (10) days of cumulative unexcused absences, the truancy department will be notified.

The website below has further information on Compulsory School Attendance and Unlawful Absences in the state of Pennsylvania. https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/BECS/Purdons/Pages/CompulsorySchoolAttendance.aspx 

Middle School Suggested School Supply List

• #2 Pencils
• Pens
• (4) Two Pocket Folders
• (2) Three-Ring Binders
• (4) Notebooks
• (2 packs) Loose Leaf Notebook Paper
• Erasers
• Colored Pencils
• Highlighters
• Black Dry Erase Markers