A VILLAGE IS GROWING

A village is growing in Unionville -Chadds Ford. Within the 77square miles that comprises the school district, 4100 children are preparing to return to school. Within days, the students will join over 660 staff members and the academic village, quiet for two months, will once again celebrate seasons of learning. The 2008-2009 school year will open with pride and promise. In recent weeks, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) data showing that Unionville-Chadds Ford School District ranks first in the state for student achievement. Sharing the top honor with the Upper St. Clair School District in suburban Pittsburgh, UCFSD students demonstrated commendable performance growth, with 93.3 percent proficient in math and 92.8 percent in reading.

Beyond pride in student achievement, the new school year offers the promise of expanded academic opportunities. Throughout the district, students will return to revised and expanded language arts, science, and world language curricula. At Unionville High School, students will have the opportunity to study college- level Mandarin and psychology, through a dual enrollment partnership with Immaculata University. Having been named a recipient of a $188,223 Classrooms for the Future technology grant, the District is able to provide laptops and presentation equipment for science, language arts, math and social studies classrooms.

The academic village is growing in Unionville-Chadds Ford. The athletic teams are practicing and preparing for their opening contests. The marching band is in tune and in step. The sounds of students are growing louder; the enthusiasm and energy are boundless. It is a new year in our school community and pride and promise abound.

Sharon E. Parker
Superintendent of Schools