Back-to-School Basics

Dear Kindergarten Parents/Guardians, 

As we prepare to welcome your child into Kindergarten, we wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the school nutrition program. 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) believes that providing nutritious meals is essential for the overall wellbeing and success of our students. Our program is designed to offer balanced and wholesome meals that meet the dietary needs of growing children while also accommodating various dietary restrictions and preferences.

Here is some important information to help prepare you for the school year:

• Availability: Breakfast is available daily for all elementary students from 8:50-9:09 a.m. and is served at no cost to all families in Grades K-8. Lunch is available to all students at a time set by your school’s principal. Lunch is not available on half days. 
• Nutritional Balance: Our menu is carefully planned to include a variety of foods from all food groups, ensuring that your child receives the essential nutrients needed for growth and development while meeting all requirements of the federal National School Lunch Program.
• Fresh and Locally Sourced Ingredients: We strive to use fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to provide the highest quality meals for our students.
• Allergen Awareness: We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Our kitchen staff is trained to handle food allergies and special dietary needs with care and attention. If your child has an allergy that requires specific meal modifications, please email me at dsundberg@ucfsd.net for more information.
• Menu Variety: Our menu rotates regularly to offer a diverse selection of meals, including vegetarian options, to cater to different tastes and preferences. Along with a daily hot entree, we offer a daily deli sandwich, entree salad, and cold pack (typically yogurt, cheese and crackers, or a peanut butter and jelly Uncrustable). Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered daily. The August/September menu will be available soon on the UCFSD website.
• Payment Options: You may send cash or a check to your school’s main office (labeled with your child’s full name or ID number), send it to the cafeteria with your child, or pay online via RevTrak. You will need your child’s ID number to add money to RevTrak. For the 26-27 school year, elementary lunch is $3.45. Free and reduced-price meals are available for families that qualify. For more information, please see the attached Household Letter. 
• Checking Out: When they arrive in the cafeteria, your child will be directed to their class card holder. There, they will select the scan card with their name on it, take the card through the cafeteria line, and use it to swipe at the register. The cashier will then collect the card for the following day. 

We understand that transitioning to Kindergarten can be an exciting yet overwhelming time for both you and your child. Rest assured that we are here to support you every step of the way, including ensuring that your child receives nutritious and delicious meals during their time at school.

If you have any questions or concerns about our nutrition program, please feel free to contact me at dsundberg@ucfsd.net. We are more than happy to address any inquiries you may have.

We look forward to partnering with you to provide the best possible experience for your child.

Warm regards,

Devon Sundberg MDA RD LDN
Food Services Supervisor

Dear Grades 1-12 Parents/Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well and excited for the upcoming school year. As we prepare to welcome your child, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce you to the school nutrition program. 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) Food Services Department believes that providing nutritious meals is essential for the overall wellbeing and success of our students. Our program is designed to offer balanced and wholesome meals that meet the dietary needs of growing children while also accommodating various dietary restrictions and preferences.

Here is some important information to help prepare you for the school year:

• Availability: Breakfast is available daily for all students and is served at no cost to students in grades K-8. Lunch is available to all students at a time set by your school’s principal. Lunch is not available on half days. 
• Nutritional Balance: Our menu is carefully planned to include a variety of foods from all food groups, ensuring that your child receives the essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
• Fresh and Locally Sourced Ingredients: We strive to use fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to provide the highest quality meals for our students.
• Allergen Awareness: We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Our kitchen staff is trained to handle food allergies and special dietary needs with care and attention. If your child has an allergy that requires specific meal modifications, please email me at dsundberg@ucfsd.net for more information.
• Menu Variety: Our menu rotates regularly to offer a diverse selection of meals, including vegetarian options, to cater to different tastes and preferences. The August/September menu will be available soon on the UCFSD website.
• Payment Options: You may send cash or a check to your school’s main office (labeled with your child’s full name or ID number), send it to the cafeteria with your child, or pay online via RevTrak. You will need your child’s ID number to add money to RevTrak. For the 26-27 school year, breakfast is free for all K-8 students. Elementary lunch is $3.45, middle school lunch is $3.70, and high school lunch varies, as menu items are offered a la carte. Free and reduced-price meals are available for families that qualify. For more information, please see the attached Household Letter. 
• Checking Out: Through second grade, when they arrive in the cafeteria, your child will be directed to their class card holder. There, they will select the scan card with their name on it, take the card through the cafeteria line, and use it to swipe at the register. The cashier will then collect the card for the following day. Students in third grade and above will use their student ID number on a pin pad at checkout.

If you have any questions or concerns about our lunch program, please feel free to contact me at dsundberg@ucfsd.net. We are more than happy to address any inquiries you may have.

We look forward to partnering with you to provide the best possible experience for your child.

Warm regards,

Devon Sundberg MDA RD LDN
Food Services Supervisor

Dear UCFSD Parents/Guardians, 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) looks forward to welcoming students for the start of the 2026-27 Academic Year on Monday, August 31! To make sure our families are set for success, we are continuing to share some Back-to-School Basics with you during August. Be sure to check your email in the coming days or bookmark our website to stay up to date. 

UCFSD and our schools use SchoolMessenger to send you emails, text messages, and phone calls. We encourage you to join us at upcoming events and to follow along via the District’s Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube! Please note, a new website experience is coming soon! 

To ensure our nurses have current health information and to reach you with critical updates, we need parents/guardians of returning students to complete Return Registration. Completing this form takes two minutes, and kids whose families do so by September 15 get entered in a raffle.

To get started, parents/guardians with an account on our PowerSchool Parent Portal should:

1. Log in to the Portal,
2. Select “Forms” on the left-hand side, 
3. Select “Return Registration” to confirm your student’s contact and health information, 
4. Select “Submit,” and 
5. If you have not already, text “Yes” to 67587 to opt in to our text messages. 

To create an account: 

• Visit the Portal, 
• Select “Create Account,” and 
• Follow the prompts to add your student(s). 

To reset your password or to request your child’s Access ID and Access Password for account creation, call their school Monday - Friday during normal business hours.

Finally, UCFSD and our schools use images of our staff, students, and school programming to maintain transparency with our taxpayers, to highlight district, school, and individual achievements, and to create a collaborative environment in which our community is encouraged to contribute to our success. From time to time, your child may appear through photos/videos in District or school communications, including but not limited to official social media accounts, websites, emails, promotional materials, print publications, and earned or paid media placements. If you prefer they don’t appear, please complete the Photography/Videography Opt-Out Form or the Directory Information Sharing Opt-Out Form. Students who are opted out will still be included in the yearbook unless otherwise specified in writing to the School Principal.

We look forward to continuing to collaborate with you this year! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at nlaroya@ucfsd.net.  

Sincerely, 

Dear UCFSD Parents/Guardians, 

At the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD), keeping our students, staff, and schools safe is the most important thing we do. We are proud to collaborate with all members of our community from our public safety partners to you! Here’s how you can help this year: 

1. Keep our schools secure. While UCFSD welcomes visitors, our six schools must remain secure at all times. Please arrive via the main entrance to register with your government-issued ID and to receive a visitor’s badge. 

2. If you or your student see something, say something! In the event of an emergency, the best course of action is always to call 911. If talking to a trusted adult is not an option, any member of our community may also make an anonymous report 24/7 using Safe2Say via app, desktop or phone at 1-844-SAF2SAY. 

3. Be response-ready. In the event of an emergency, UCFSD will ask our staff and students to follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). In addition to our website and social media channels, we will communicate with you directly by email, phone, and text message using School Messenger. In these and other events, it is critical that we have updated health and contact information. For returning families, please complete Return Registration in PowerSchool now! As a reminder, children whose parents/guardians have completed Return Registration by Tuesday, September 15, will be entered into a raffle! Those who wish to opt their child out of photo/video coverage or all directory information sharing are welcome to complete those forms anytime. 

4. Connect your student with support. We know that it takes a village to raise a child, and we are here to help. In addition to community resources, please contact your principal or school counselor to connect with academic, behavioral, and mental health services at school. 

I invite you to visit our website for more information on safety at UCFSD! And, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jwhitesel@ucfsd.net or your principal(s) at any time. 

Thank you, 

James Whitesel 

Director of Facilities and School Safety & Security Coordinator

Welcome Back, UCFSD Families! 

As we approach the start of the school year, our secondary campuses are already buzzing with UCFSD Student Activities! We take great pride in all of our programs, which are designed to help students discover new passions, forge lasting friendships, and find their unique sense of belonging here in our community.

The programs offered at each of our school levels are outlined below:

Elementary Schools

Fall, winter, and spring activities will again be offered in each of our elementary schools. Stay tuned for specific information from your principal! For now, please save the date for the opening of fall registration on Wednesday, September 2.

Charles F. Patton Middle School (CFPMS)

CFPMS Fall Activities Night will be held on Wednesday, September 2, from 6 to 7 p.m. at CFPMS. Please plan to attend with your students to learn about the many activities, performing arts, and athletics options available to them. CFPMS fall sports, with the exception of football, start on Tuesday, September 8. CFPMS Football starts on Tuesday, August 25.  

Unionville High School (UHS)

Fall sports at UHS are already underway, and many of our teams have their first game Friday, August 28. 

While many of our high school clubs and activities will be at New Student Orientation Night on Wednesday, August 26, there will be a full Activity Fair for students on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 29 and 30 during Lunch and Learn.  Any member of our community can mark their calendar to cheer on the Longhorns this fall, including at the: 

• UHS Homecoming Game v. Kennett High School on Friday, September 25, at 7 p.m. in the UHS Stadium, 
• UHS March on the Brandywine on Saturday, October 10 in the UHS Stadium, and
• UHS Fall Play on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14, at 7 p.m. in the UHS Auditorium. 

We strive to provide a wide variety of offerings throughout the school year.  I encourage you to regularly check your school’s website for more information about upcoming events. 

We look forward to working with our community to continue providing a superior school experience for our students!

Kind Regards,

Pat Clark

Director of Student Activities

P.S. Remember, we need parents/guardians of returning students to complete Return Registration in PowerSchool! Completing this form takes two minutes, and students whose families do so by September 15 get entered into a raffle.

Hello, from the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) Transportation Department.

Please check your email for your child's 2026-27 transportation assignment and read this message in its entirety, as it contains a lot of important information about transportation for this school year.

Safety & School Bus Etiquette

All of our buses are equipped with audio and video recording cameras during all trips. Please help our drivers by reminding your students that classroom behaviors and expectations are required on the school bus as well. Students are expected to:

• Arrive at your bus stop at least five minutes before the designated pick-up time.
• Stay alert – look and listen. 
• Stand at least 10 feet away from the bus as it approaches. 
• Wait until the bus has fully stopped, its doors are open, and all traffic has stopped before approaching the bus.
• Remain safely seated and facing forward during the bus ride.
• When exiting the bus, move away from the vehicle as quickly as possible. If you have to cross the street after exiting the bus, always cross in front of the bus, not behind it, so that the driver sees you.
• Do not leave trash on the bus, as our drivers are individually responsible for sweeping leftover messes. Please also note that eating is not permitted on the school bus. 

There are also safety standards set forth by the Pennsylvania School Bus Code and overseen by the Pennsylvania State Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Division that our department is required to enforce. In general, you should know that sharp objects are not permitted on the bus, loose objects should be secured in backpacks, and large objects such as instruments and sports equipment should be stored under seats. 

Afternoon Drop-Off

As a parent/guardian, you are required to receive your student at the bus stop if they are in Kindergarten or Pre-First. If you are not at the bus stop, the Transportation Office will attempt to contact you before returning your child to school.

If your child is in Grades 1-12 but you require them to be received by a parent/guardian, please notify the Transportation Department in writing. Please make sure your child knows not to get off the bus without you if this is your requirement.

Afternoon drop-off times provided in this bus schedule are an estimate. Actual drop-off times may vary slightly each day.

Alternate Bus Stops

If your student requires an alternate bus stop assignment (split family or day care purposes only), please notify the Transportation Department using the following form.

Bus Driver Shortage 

Finally, we appreciate your flexibility as we continue to navigate route changes due to a severe bus driver shortage. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team, please apply online. 

If you have any questions, visit the UCFSD website or contact us. Note that our peak operating hours are from 6 to 10 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Our phone lines are busiest during these times. For any urgent requests, call (610) 347-0804. Non-urgent requests may be sent by email to transoffice@ucfsd.net.

Thank you, 

P.S. Remember, we need parents/guardians of returning students to complete Return Registration in PowerSchool. Completing this form takes two minutes, and students whose families do so by September 15 get entered in a raffle.

Parents/Guardians, please see your email and/or PowerSchool for information regarding elementary class assignments and secondary class schedules. 

Parents/Guardians, please see your email for your Principal's first newsletter of the 2026-27 school year. 

Greetings K-5 Parents/Guardians,

As you may know, all kindergarten, pre-first, and first grade students are provided an iPad, while second through fifth-grade students are provided a Chromebook to use in their classrooms.

Beginning today, your student’s 2026-27 Electronic Device Contract is available to complete in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. To complete your student’s contract by September 30, please: 

• Visit the Portal,
• Log in, 
• Confirm that you see your student’s name is selected on the top of the left side menu,
• Select “Forms” on the left-side menu, 
• Select “2026-27 Electronic Device Contract,” 
• Review information on the form,
• Complete all required fields, and
• Select “Submit.” 

To reset your password or to request your student’s Access ID and Access Password for account creation, call their school Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

You may also wish to refer to the attached guides for completing forms in-app or on desktop. 

This contract is a reminder of how to take care of the device. Repair for damage that occurs outside of normal wear could be charged to the family. Because the devices stay at school, there are no additional fees. 

Questions? Please contact Sapphire Sunyata, Administrative Assistant to the UCFSD Technology Department, at ssunyata@ucfsd.net. 

Thank you, 

Greetings 6-12 Parents/Guardians,

As you may know, all sixth through twelfth-grade students are provided a Chromebook and charger that travels back-and-forth between school and home. Middle School students are also provided a case that must never be removed from the Chromebook.

Beginning today, your student’s 2026-27 Chromebook Guidelines and Contract are available to complete in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. To complete your student’s contract by September 30, please: 

• Visit the Portal,
• Log in,
• Confirm that you see your student’s name is selected on the top of the left side menu,
• Select “Forms” on the left-side menu, 
• Select “2026-27 Chromebook Guidelines and Contract,” 
• Review information on the form,
• Complete all required fields, and
• Select “Submit.” 

To reset your password or to request your student’s Access ID and Access Password for account creation, call their school Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

You may also wish to refer to the attached guides for completing forms in-app or on desktop. 

This contract is a reminder of how to take care of the device. If a Chromebook is damaged, please have your student drop off their Chromebook to their school library for repairs. Students will receive a loaner device until their assigned device is repaired.

You will have the option on the 2026-27 Chromebook Guidelines and Contract form to purchase Chromebook Insurance for $50, which will cover all repairs during the school year. 

There is a family max of $100 for two secondary students. Please email ssunyata@ucfsd.net if you have three or more sixth through twelfth-grade students in the district to adjust the Chromebook Insurance Fees.

Thank you,