CHESTER, PA- May 8, 2025 - The Chester Upland School District (CUSD), in partnership with the City of Chester, Delaware County, the Delaware County Bar Association, and the Chester Education Foundation, hosted a 2025 Law Day celebration on Friday, May 2.

This long-standing tradition brought students, families, local and county judges and officials, and community members together for an expanded experience to honor the U.S. Constitution, civic engagement, and student voice. This year’s district-wide celebration featured special guest, Earle, Arkansas Mayor Jaylen Smith—who made history in 2022 when he was elected at age 18 as the youngest African American mayor in U.S. history.

New this year was a three-part experience that gave students multiple opportunities to engage, learn, and lead. The day began with a TED-talk style discussion and catered lunch from local favorite Amir’s at Chester City Hall, where student representatives spoke directly with Mayor Smith, and event partners. Midday, students presented essays and speeches inspired by this year’s Law Day theme—“The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One”—at Chester’s historic 1724 Courthouse. The celebration concluded with a relaxed community meet-and-greet at Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill later in the evening.

“Providing opportunities like Law Day is a priority for this district,” said Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, Superintendent of Schools. “It’s about more than academic achievement. This experience and others like it includes preparing our scholars to lead, express themselves, and understand how government and civic engagement work. These experiences go hand in hand with strengthening student government and creating a complete academic experience built on exposure and empowering our scholars. We’re grateful to all our partners, including Ms. Jean Arnold for helping to expand this experience for our scholars.”

This year’s enhanced experience was made possible through collaboration between district leaders and dedicated community members. Ms. Arnold, a passionate community and education advocate who has helped coordinate Law Day for over a decade, personally reached out to Mayor Smith’s office after learning about his historic leadership.

“Life is knowledge dependent which is the testimony of  Law Day and  without question, Mayor Smith elevated this year's celebration to another level as so many stakeholders came together for our children,” said Ms. Arnold. “Everyone in Chester who met the Mayor was impressed. He captivated our young people with the ageless wisdom we long for them to receive and he did it in such a powerful way that it was palpable.  Actually, someone likened him to a piper.  With intention may we join our youth's journey to learn for life knowing we will never fully arrive.  Jaylen Smith had a village and so do our children, us."

CUSD is thankful for the amazing partnerships that made the day possible, including the City of Chester, the Delaware County Bar Association, Delaware County, and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, whose support helped bring everything together.

District officials, Ms. Arnold, and the Law Day partners are excited to keep the momentum going and are already thinking about how to build stronger connections with Mayor Smith and other young leaders to create more opportunities for scholars down the line.

Additional pictures from the event are available online.

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CHESTER, PA- April 11, 2025 - The Chester Upland School District is thrilled to announce the re-establishment of the National Honor Society (NHS) chapter at STEM Academy and Chester High School (SACHS).

On Sunday, a formal induction ceremony was held at STEM Academy, where 68 scholars were officially welcomed into the prestigious organization.

The NHS recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Eligible scholars from STEM and CHS, in grades 10-12 with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher were invited to apply for membership. The faculty council, which is made up of six dedicated members supporting both schools, played a pivotal role in the selection process.

“Recognizing the scholastic achievements of our secondary students is a priority for CUSD, and I’m proud to serve as the faculty advisor for the newly re-established National Honor Society chapter within the district,” said Dr. Deidre Jones-Lowman, Information Technology/Computer Science teacher at STEM Academy. “CUSD is home to resilient high school scholars who deserve to be celebrated for their academic accomplishments, despite the challenges they may face in our community. Membership in the STEM Academy/Chester High School chapter of the National Honor Society not only reflects academic excellence but also a commitment to leadership within the school community. This milestone achievement opens the door to additional scholarship opportunities and supports growth in NHS’s four core pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.”

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, shared her pride in the moment, saying, “Seeing our students honored for their academic success and leadership is a reminder of why we do this work. Their dedication is inspiring, and this ceremony is just one example of the bright future they’re building for themselves. I’m excited to see the impact they will continue to make in our schools and community. ”

The re-establishment of the National Honor Society  at CUSD reflects both Dr. Mumin’s and the district’s ongoing priority to expand meaningful opportunities and support the growth,  talents and dedication of its students.

About the National Honor Society

Founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the oldest and most prestigious student recognition programs in the United States. NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. With chapters in all 50 states, NHS has been recognizing and encouraging the development of these qualities in students for over a century.

Additional pictures from the event are available online. 

PICTURE CAPTION: 

On January 13, Chester High School launched the 'Second Chance Breakfast' program with the help of state grant funding, using a newly purchased Rapid Cook Ventless Oven: Mobile Oven Cart to provide students with access to a nutritious meal through a mobile breakfast cart.

CHESTER, PA - January 30, 2025 - The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is excited to announce the launch of the 'Second Chance Breakfast' initiative at Chester High School (CHS), aimed at ensuring all students have access to a nutritious start to their day, even if they arrive late.

This start of this initiative at CHS was made possible thanks to the Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion (SBE) grant funding. In November 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that CHS was one of 164 schools awarded $1.2 million in Pennsylvania SBE grant funding to improve the nutritional quality of school breakfast meals and increase student participation in the federal School Breakfast Program.

The 'Second Chance Breakfast' program at CHS began on January 13 and has been serving an average of 25 students daily, with peak participation reaching 45 students. Students are able to pick up breakfast between 1st and 2nd period or during a mid-morning break. The menu features in-house made breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, cereal bowls, parfaits, muffins, along with milk and juice options.

Chartwells, CUSD’s food services vendor, manages the breakfast cart stationed on the third floor, the main entry point for late-arriving students.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for this important investment in our students,” said Dr. Latrice Mumin, Superintendent of Schools.  “Ensuring that every child has access to a nutritious meal, regardless of when they arrive at school, is a priority for our district. CUSD believes that educating our scholars comes from a holistic approach and the 'Second Chance Breakfast' initiative is a step forward in supporting student success in that. We appreciate the state’s commitment to making this possible.”

"This initiative is a game-changer for our students,” said LaMonte Popley, Chester High School’s Principal.  It ensures that those who may have missed breakfast at home still have access to a healthy meal, helping them stay focused and ready to learn. We’ve already seen strong participation, and I know this program will continue to benefit our students in meaningful ways."

With this funding, the district was able to purchase a Rapid Cook Ventless Oven: Mobile Oven Cart, which allows cafeteria staff to serve food outside of the traditional cafeteria setting. Additionally, grant funds were used to create promotional marketing materials to educate the community about this expanded breakfast option.

Additional Information

The Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion Program is a state initiative designed to increase access to nutritious morning meals for students. By providing grants and support, the program encourages schools to implement alternative breakfast service methods, such as 'Second Chance Breakfast,' to ensure that all students have the opportunity to start their day with a healthy meal. This initiative aims to improve student health, academic performance, and overall well-being.

CHESTER, PA- November 13, 2024 - The Chester Upland School District (CUSD), in collaboration with the City of Chester, was proud to welcome local senior citizens and grandparents of graduating high school seniors to its 3rd annual Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Day Luncheon on November 13 at Chester High School.

Guests enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal, featuring traditional favorites like turkey, ham, stuffing, and sweet potato pie, with all catering provided by Red Brick Café. As in previous years, the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program was at the heart of the event’s success. Culinary arts students prepared a delicious array of desserts, while both culinary and marketing students served as hostesses, assisting with seating and serving guests.

“I am so proud to see our students showcasing their skills,” said Dr. Angela Thompson, Supervisor for Career and Technical Education (CTE). “Their hard work made this event memorable for everyone.”

Claudia Averette, Chief of Staff at CUSD, consistently coordinates this event and collaborates closely with city officials to bring it to life, ensuring its success every year.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, expressed the district’s pride in continuing this tradition. “Hosting this luncheon for the third year reflects our strong partnership with the City of Chester and our commitment to giving back to our community’s seniors. I’m especially proud of our CTE students, whose participation made this event even more special. It is always rewarding to see students apply their classroom knowledge and skills in real-world settings.”

CUSD’s annual Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon is held each November to honor and express gratitude for the senior members of the Chester community.

Additional pictures from the event are available online.

UPLAND, PA- October 30, 2024 - Main Street Elementary School held its annual ‘Walk for a Cure’ event on October 25, bringing together students and staff to show their support for breast cancer awareness and those affected by the disease.

Students and staff proudly walked along the school grounds in Upland, holding signs of encouragement to provide hope and support to those battling breast cancer. The walk ended with everyone forming a human ribbon in front of the school, symbolizing the iconic pink ribbon associated with breast cancer awareness.

During the event, the school announced that this year’s donation of $1,100 will be presented to Aimee Guzowski, a local Pre-K 3 teacher at SonShine Christian School who has recently completed her final chemotherapy treatment. This donation was made possible through proceeds from a month-long lollipop fundraiser, contributions from a special pink dress-down day, and additional donations from staff and students.

"Seeing our students and staff come together for this cause is incredibly moving," said Darnell Medley, Main Street’s Principal. "The children look forward to this event every year, and it’s a wonderful display of solidarity in supporting breast cancer awareness. It's a testament to the strength of our school and district communities."

The "Walk for a Cure" event has become a highly-anticipated tradition at Main Street, focusing on awareness, community support, unity, and fostering a spirit of compassion.

Connie Sierra, a third-grade teacher at Main Street who worked with the school and district to organize the event, was inspired to start “Walk for a Cure” after losing her sister to breast cancer at age 54. "I wanted to keep her memory alive and give back to those who are still fighting," Sierra said. "Whatever is needed, Main Street has made every effort to ensure these women receive support during their time of need."

This is the seventh year Main Street has hosted its ‘Walk for a Cure’ event. To date, the school has supported seven women struggling with breast cancer, offering assistance in various ways, including cash donations, gift cards, and even covering a month of grocery shopping to help make life a little easier.

Main Street staff will visit Aimee Guzowski at the SonShine Christian School on Tuesday, November 5, to present the donation check. 

Additional pictures from the event are here.

PICTURE CAPTION: Dana Bowser, Director of Equitable Learning and Support (third from left), and Chester High School Principal LaMonte Popley (fifth from right), pose with students during the district’s Hispanic Heritage Month closing fiesta on October 15. The event marked the end of a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

CHESTER, PA- October 18, 2024 - The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) wrapped up its month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday with a lively closing fiesta, showcasing the district’s commitment to inclusion, learning, and honoring the vibrant contributions of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

This marks the third consecutive year that CUSD has hosted a closing celebration to commemorate the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.

This year’s activities were carefully planned through collaboration between the district’s Department of Equitable Learning and Support, central administration, Chartwells (CUSD’s food vendor), the CTE Culinary Arts students under the direction of Chef Harris, Spanish teachers, English Learner staff, and building leadership. Together, they organized creative district-wide events throughout the month, including mural displays, cultural dance lessons, door decorating contests, and scavenger hunts focused on Spanish and Latin history and/or culture.

Sacheirys Collazo, a freshman at the high school, expressed pride in her Hispanic heritage, highlighting how the celebrations included music, dance, and various foods. "I am very proud of being Puerto Rican, and I love being different and proud of who I am," said Collazo. "My household is unique; my first language is Spanish, and I’m proud to be bilingual, having lived in the U.S. for 11 years."

CUSD is proud that 10 percent of its student body identifies as Latinx, with ties to Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and other South American countries. The district remains committed to celebrating and representing the diversity of its students.

“Our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month was a reminder of the strength in diversity and the impact of collaboration across our district," said Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, Superintendent of Schools. Inclusion is essential and is a fundamental part of CUSD’s foundation, rooted in the diversity of our student body. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and valued, while receiving the highest quality educational experience. The teamwork from staff, students, and the community made this celebration truly special and demonstrates our dedication to fostering a strong, inclusive learning environment."

The closing fiesta, held on October 15, kicked off with a warm welcome at Chester High School, featuring festive music, dancing, and Spanish candy giveaways. The day culminated in a community-wide event with music, food, dancing, and cultural arts displays. Culinary students prepared traditional dishes, ensuring the celebration fully embraced the richness of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

"Our staff and students worked hard to make this celebration of vibrant music, dancing, food, and cultural appreciation a success," said Dana Bowser, Director of Equitable Learning and Support. "The smiles on everyone’s faces remind us why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are essential—ensuring that every individual feels seen, valued, and a sense of belonging. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to honoring the rich diversity in our district and creating an inclusive environment for all."

CUSD is proud of the contributions made by its dedicated staff and students who worked hard to make this Hispanic Heritage Month a success. Special thanks go to Chartwells, Chef Harris and his culinary students, the Spanish teachers, English Learner staff, and all building leadership for their teamwork and dedication in creating a memorable celebration of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

Pictures from the closing fiesta can be found here.

CHESTER, PA- March 26, 2024 - On March 26, the recovery mission for six-year-old Lin'ajah Brooker was officially called off. Our hearts go out to her family and friends as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.

Although Lin’ajah did not attend a school in our district, this tragic incident saddens the entire community. 

To provide support during this period of grief and uncertainty, CUSD is offering grief services to those in the school community who may have been impacted by the tragic event. While CUSD is on spring recess this week, anyone who needs support can use the resources below:

• Call 9-8-8 for mental health emergencies
• Text HOME to 741-741 to be connected with text-based crisis support
• Call the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team at 1-855-889-7827 for 24/7 mobile mental health support
• Peter's Place - https://petersplaceonline.org/contact-us/ (https://petersplaceonline.org/contact-us/) 610-687-5150
• Delaware County Department of Human Services - Mental Health https://delcopa.gov/health/mentalhealth.html (https://delcopa.gov/health/mentalhealth.html)
• The Dougy Center - Grief and Trauma support and resources (national organization) https://www.dougy.org/ (https://www.dougy.org/)
• Additionally, once students and staff return from Spring Recess on Tuesday, April 2, grief support services will be available at Chester Upland School of the Arts (CUSA) and Chester High School. If additional counseling services are needed, staff and families are encouraged to contact the counselors at each respective school.

We also encourage parents and caregivers to have open conversations with their children about this tragic event, and to reach out to us for any assistance or support needed.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the emergency responders who swiftly responded to the situation and worked tirelessly over the past few days.

Again, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking incident.

CHESTER, PA - March 25, 2024 -  The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is excited to announce that it was recently awarded a $1,833,360 grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) through the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Program. This grant aims to establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning opportunities and environments for staff and students.

The funding awarded to CUSD will be used to address students’ social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being needs, create positive, inclusive, and supportive school environments, and increase access to evidence-based interventions and services.

CUSD’s objectives will be achieved through a series of targeted programs, initiatives, and activities:

Objective 1: Addressing students’ well-being needs

• Implementation of evidence-based programs such as SPARK Mentoring curricula and Penn Resilience Program.
• Provision of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for students struggling with various mental health challenges.
• Focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 services by Master’s level mental health professionals.

Objective 2: Engaging stakeholders in creating safe learning environments

• Family Outreach Coordinators to enhance parent and family engagement through programs like Family Check-Up and Attendance Mailings Home.
• Utilization of technology for effective communication with parents through strategies like Texting with Parents.

Dr. Latrice N. Mumin, Ed. D., MBA, Interim Superintendent of Schools, expressed gratitude, stating, "We are thankful to our state elected officials for advocating for this crucial funding. This grant will have a significant impact on our school community, enabling us to create safer and more supportive environments for our students and staff.  We take a holistic approach to educating our scholars and this grant will help us have access to more resources that align with that vision.”

Chester Upland School District Receiver Nafis Nichols echoed Dr. Mumin’s sentiment, emphasizing the significant impact the funding will have on the district. “We are excited to receive this much needed funding so that we can address issues and implement positive initiatives district-wide,” said Receiver Nichols. “We are grateful to our partners and advocates on the state level who work collaboratively with us to ensure our students have the resources they need to successfully transition to adulthood. CUSD is committed to focusing on the mental health needs of our students and grant funding will help us meet our goals.”

Chester Upland School District Launches BusPatrol Safety Program to Protect Students at Bus Stops

All district buses will be modernized with photo enforcement technology to tackle illegal passings.

CHESTER, PA - December 15, 2023 - Children who ride to school on the bus can expect a safer, smarter commute thanks to a new safety initiative in the city of Chester. The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) has partnered with local law enforcement and BusPatrol to tackle the illegal passing of stopped school buses.

As part of the safety initiative, the entire fleet of CUSD buses will be outfitted with automated enforcement technology to detect the license plates of vehicles that fail to stop for school buses, putting children at risk. The video evidence is shared with local law enforcement for review before a citation is issued.

The program is expected to go live in February 2024, following an education and public awareness campaign. The campaign seeks to educate motorists and learner drivers about school bus safety laws and teach school children how to get on and off the bus as safely as possible. This education will be ongoing once the program is live.

“I am excited that CUSD will soon launch the BusPatrol Safety Program to protect our students at bus stops," said Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Latrice M. Mumin. "During community meetings, I and other CUSD administrators heard from dozens of concerned parents and citizens regarding safety concerns for our students who ride public transportation. With that in mind, and focusing on our commitment to protecting our students, we have partnered with BusPatrol and are moving forward with implementing the program.”

Last October, Pennsylvania authorities reported more than 250 stop-arm violations in one day during Operation Safe Stop. In 2020, Allentown School District captured over 200 illegal passings on just two school buses over a 47-day stop-arm study. This is equal to 2.18 violations per bus per day.

Kate Spree, a spokesperson for BusPatrol, said that the safety initiative is proven to make roads safer: "Every day, thousands of cars ignore school bus stop-arms and speed past school buses as children are stepping on and off. Sadly, this dangerous motorist behavior is only getting worse. Our safety programs combine education and enforcement to change driver behavior and ensure that all motorists know when to stop for the big yellow bus. In some communities, our programs have reduced the rate of illegal passing by up to 30% YoY." 

In addition to stop-arm cameras, CUSD will equip its buses with safety features at no cost to the district or taxpayers. The technology, installation, and maintenance are funded by violation revenue over a 5-year term.

As stated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses with red lights flashing and stop-arm extended. The penalty for a first-time violation is $300.

To learn more about CUSD’s Bus Safety Program, visit here.  

You can find more information about BusPatrol at www.buspatrol.com.

ABOUT BUSPATROL

BusPatrol is a safety technology company that aims to make the journey to and from school safer for children. BusPatrol's safety programs change driver behavior and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses. In addition, they provide accessibility for school districts and municipalities to modernize their entire school bus fleets by outfitting them with the latest stop-arm, route planning, and route execution technology.

CUSD Hosts 2nd Annual Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Day Luncheon

CHESTER, PA- November 20, 2023 - For the second consecutive year, the Chester Upland School District (CUSD), in collaboration with the city of Chester, hosted the Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Day Luncheon for local senior citizens and grandparents of graduating high school seniors on November 16 at Chester High School.

Nearly 100 seniors attended the luncheon, and enjoyed a catered meal and festive decorations courtesy of Red Brick Café. The menu featured traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, stuffing, ham, collard greens, sweet potato pie, and more.

The district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, led by Dr. Angela Thompson, played a pivotal role in the event's success. Marketing students acted as hostesses, while culinary arts students served the delicious meals.

Claudia Averette, Chief of Staff at CUSD expressed her gratitude for the event. "It was truly humbling to serve our seniors for the second consecutive year,” said Averette. “Many of them mentioned that without this event, they might have missed a Thanksgiving meal due to various circumstances. It's heartwarming, and they deserve it.”

CUSD’s Interim Superintendent of Schools, Latrice N. Mumin, Ed. D., MBA, added, "This event wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with the city of Chester and our talented CTE students. There is much we can accomplish together in our schools and community when we work together.”

In addition to having meals during the event, seniors who attended had the opportunity to take home leftover food, ensuring that the spirit of Thanksgiving extended beyond the luncheon.

The district is proud to serve local seniors and grandparents and value their contributions to the community

CUSD’s annual Grandparents Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon event takes place the week before Thanksgiving to highlight our gratitude for our seasoned residents.