CHESTER, PA - October 9, 2023 -  The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a total of $994,000 through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) STOP School Violence Program. This grant will enable the district to further enhance school safety measures and continue its commitment to providing a secure learning environment for students and staff.

The BJA STOP School Violence Program is dedicated to supporting and assisting county, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to reduce violent crime in and around schools. This program plays a crucial role in addressing safety concerns and fostering a safe atmosphere for education.

CUSD applied for the grant under the program’s category two eligibility requirement, which includes local and tribal governments, 501 (c)(3) nonprofits (other than Institutions of Higher Education), private IHEs, and independent school districts. 

With the grant, CUSD will partner with The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) to implement the Preventing School Violence in Chester Upland School District project. The project is designed to:

• Train school staff: All school staff will participate in universal trainings to prevent

school violence, including learning essential restorative practices elements. 

• Train select school staff: Select staff will receive advanced training in restorative

practices to serve as school violence prevention and school climate leaders and

resources; some staff will receive training certification for the International Institute for

Restorative Practices (IIRP) SaferSanerSchools.  

• Educate students and their parent(s)/caregiver(s): Trainings include strategies for

promoting a positive school climate, antibullying, and available school- and

community-based mental health services.

• Provide training for SROs: SROs will receive specialized training in subjects

like ethics, understanding individual student needs, mentoring, the teen brain, violence

and victimization, school law, and developing relationships with diverse students. 

• Evaluate school personnel trainings: Assess the effectiveness of increasing school

personnel content knowledge on school violence prevention and school climate. 

• Evaluate students and parent(s)/caregivers(s) trainings: Assess the effectiveness of preventing school violence.

CUSD’s Interim Superintendent Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, Ed. D., MBA, expressed enthusiasm about the grant, stating, "This grant is a significant step towards advancing the safety and security of our schools. With these funds, we will implement the Preventing School Violence in Chester Upland School District project, and measure its impact and effectiveness over a three-year period. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels safe and protected in their learning environment."

“This is the type of financial assistance that helps our children advance both academically, educationally, and socially,” said Chester City Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland. “When violence in and around our schools is reduced positive outcomes from our schools increase.”

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) echoed Mayor Kirkland’s sentiment, also commending the district's efforts, stating, “This grant is an investment in not only our children’s safety, but in their educational, emotional, and social development. When we make classrooms safer, we set students up for success and protect them from violence. Ensuring our kids’ wellbeing is the most important investment we can make.”

CUSD is dedicated to providing a secure and nurturing environment for students to learn and grow. This grant will further strengthen their commitment to safety and contribute to the overall well-being of the school community.

About the Bureau of Justice Assistance STOP School Violence Program:

The STOP School Violence (SSV) program seeks to increase school safety. The program's objectives are to increase school safety using evidence-based solutions to prevent violence against schools, staff, and students and ensure a positive school climate. The funding is administered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to support county, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to reduce violent crime in and around schools.

About the Chester Upland School District:

The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is a mid-sized, urban public school district serving the City of Chester, the Borough of Upland, and Chester Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Within the approximately six square miles that encompass the district, CUSD operates a high school (on two campuses), two intermediate schools, and four elementary schools, serving approximately 3,213 students.

CUSD is located in historic Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware.  The district is an hour’s drive from the Jersey Shore and Delaware Beaches. It is a two-hour drive from the Pocono Mountains and New York City.

By proactively leveraging resources within and outside of the Chester Upland School District, CUSD has established a quality school system that is responsive and accountable; an inclusive environment where all have access to learning and where students are both physically and emotionally safe; high expectations for student achievement and teacher performance; a rigorous, relevant, and integrated curriculum that engages all students in learning around real-world experiences; and positive partnerships through collaboration between staff and students, families and other community members.

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