Thursday, August 6, 2015

School Registration for Upper Darby School District

Changes have been made to school registration for Upper Darby School District. Registration has moved to 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. If you have any questions regarding registration, please call the Registration Office at 610-352-2400.

The Upper Darby School District welcomes you and your children to our school community. 

Re-registration Requirements for the 2015-16 School Year

Any students in the following areas MUST re-register with the district for the upcoming school year:
Please contact the Central Registration Office as soon as possible to ensure that students in the areas mentioned above have been re-registered by August 21, 2015.  For your convenience, all required forms have been mailed home to those who had not reregistered by the June 30th requested date.  Forms are also available to download by clicking on the links above.

 

Registration for Students New to the District (including Kindergarten)

Our registration is now online. This information should be completed prior to coming to the registration office with your documents.  Check with your local library if you do not have a computer available.  The local libraries are:
Sellers Memorial Branch         Municipal Branch                     Primos Branch
76 S. State Road                     501 Bywood Avenue               409 Ashland Avenue
Upper Darby, PA 19082          Upper Darby, PA 19082          Primos, PA 19018
610-789-4440                           610-734-7649                         610-622-8091
  
First:  Please click on the link below to begin creating your login and password: 


Second: The forms listed below must be completed by hand and presented to our registrars in the Central Registration Office, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA (next to the Upper Darby High School gymnasium).  Please print and complete the forms that apply by clicking the links below. 
  • Support Affidavit (for students who are living with someone other than a parent and are not a foster student. With proper identification the registrar can notarize this form.) 
  • Multiple Occupancy (for students whose family is residing with another family.  Parent must present 2 proofs of residency along with the homeowner/lessee requirements listed below. With proper identification and both parties present the registrar can notarize these forms.)
  • Foster Students (no additional form to be completed but an agency letter is required.)
  • Displaced Families (please contact our homeless liaison: 610-352-2400 ext. 2506)

In addition to the forms above, the Parent/Guardian Provides (registration cannot be processed without these documents):
  • Proof of child's birth (birth certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal certificate, passport are all acceptable) NOTE:  children must be 5 years of age by Aug. 31 to begin kindergarten. 
  • Documentation of family residence:
    • A copy of the deed, current township/county tax bill, current mortgage statement or a copy of the fully executed/signed lease with the landlord’s name and contact information 
and 
    • A current utility bill (gas, electric, oil, water, phone or cable)
  • Parent/Guardian Identification: Driver’s License or Passport
  • IEP and evaluation report, if applicable

Parent/Guardian also provides the following health forms (required by PA School Health Law):

Our registration office is located at the Upper Darby High School.  601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. If you have any questions regarding registration, please call the Registration Office at 610-352-2400.

PLEASE BE ADVISED by completing your registration online you are certifying that the information provided is correct and realize tuition is required if the residency information is false. If the District determines that (a) you have supplied false information to the District and/or (b) the information that you provided ceases to be true and you have failed to inform the District of the change in circumstances prior to or at the time the change occurred, then in addition to or in lieu of civil proceedings for collection of nonresidential tuition and/or exclusion proceedings, the District may refer the matter to appropriate law enforcement officials and/or initiate a private criminal complaint against you for unsworn falsification to authorities, theft of services and/or any other applicable criminal offense.

 

Additional Kindergarten Registration Information For the 2016-2017 School Year

Child must be five years of age by August 31, 2016.
Please register your child/children early to avoid the long lines and any delay in starting school.  You can, beginning January 2016, register your child for kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year.  Registration must be completed online (see link above) and all documentation above must be presented to our registrars.  In addition to visiting the Central Registration Office, parents may visit their home schools on the evening dates listed below to complete the registration process using computers in our school buildings.  All required documentation must be presented during the evening session in order to complete the registration process.

Registration Dates For Each Area in Upper Darby Township

DCCC Offers #FREE GED Class

The General Education Development credential measures high school level knowledge and skills and is accepted as an equivalent to a high school diploma by 98 percent of colleges and 96 percent of employers. 
Delaware County Community College offers preparation for candidates interested in earning their GED credential. Adult Basic Education levels and more advanced preparation classes are available.
Delaware County Community College operates as an official Pennsylvania GED Testing Center for residents in Delaware and Chester Counties. The GED testing consists of five separate tests: Language Arts Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Reading. Candidates who successfully pass the GED test will earn a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.
Who is eligible to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania?
If you are 18 years old or older, you must meet the following criteria to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania:
  • Be a  resident of Pennsylvania
  • Have not graduated from high school or received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • Are not enrolled in a public, licensed private, registered accredited, or licensed nonpublic secondary school
  • Can provide necessary documentation to prove your identity
If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you must meet the above criteria and also provide written verification from your school superintendent or principal stating that you are withdrawn from school. In addition, you must provide a letter on official letterhead from one of the following:
  • An employer stating that you must pass the GED Tests in order to gain or maintain employment
  • A college or postsecondary training institution stating that passing GED test scores are required for enrollment
  • A branch of the Armed Services stating that passing GED test scores are necessary for induction
No persons under the age of 16 are eligible to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania.
If you have a physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability that makes it difficult for you to take the GED tests, you may request special testing accommodations. Ask your test examiner for the appropriate request form and instructions. Each request is considered on an individual basis.  

Classes

Volunteer Tutor Program

The College’s grant-funded Adult Basic Education and GED® program offers volunteer tutors and volunteer classroom assistants the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 
Being a volunteer requires your time, sincerity and commitment over a six-month period. Volunteers work one-on-one, three hours per week and meet in a public place. 
Our list of those waiting to receive tutoring include:
  • English-speaking immigrants who need to improve basic reading, writing and math skills before advancing to a GED® classroom
  • Adult students from Delaware and Chester counties who need to improve basic reading, writing and math skills before moving into a GED® classroom
  • Students who have not completed their GED® credential and are in need of higher level math skills 
Classroom assistants are needed to support GED® instructors and students in the classroom as they work to improve skills for GED® completion. Classes are held on all College campuses in Delaware and Chester Counties. Day and evening hours are available and are site dependent.
To participate in our tutoring program, you are required to have or be pursuing a four-year degree, pass state and federal background checks, and complete a 30-minute College online training program.
If you have questions please contact Jenn Kacimi, Instructional Coordinator, at 610-325-2807 or jkacimi@dccc.edu. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or a classroom assistant, begin the process by clicking on the link below.  

Sunday, July 19, 2015

UDPAC Presents Disney’s Mary Poppins

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lauren Stevenson Yacina
610.506.1355 • lauren.Stevenson@verizon.net

Dan Luner
610.945.8428 • dluner13@gmail.com

Mainstage at Upper Darby Summer Stage proudly presents, “Disney’s Mary Poppins.”
The Broadway-style musical is an exciting, mystical and upbeat take on the Disney family-favorite.

July 16, 2014 - Drexel Hill, PA. Upper Darby Summer Stage proudly presents its crown jewel of the 40th season, the mainstage production, “Disney’s Mary Poppins” on July 31 and August 1, 7 and 8 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. 

The full-length production with live orchestra is full of moments that audience members will recognize from the famous Disney film. Featuring more adventures from the books of P.L Travers, the stage show presents a new take on the story. Audiences should expect to enjoy the familiarity of the subject matter, but also be wowed by exciting new developments in the plot. With magic, flying and every form of dance imaginable, the mainstage production will be an experience audiences won’t forget soon.

Performances will take place on July 31, August 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances on August 1 and 8 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-16 and may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office: 610.622.1189. All shows take place at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA. The facility is wheelchair accessible and parking is free. The show runs approximately two and a half hours with intermission and is recommended for ages eight and up.

The mysterious narrator, Bert (Ronnie Keller of Conshohocken) introduces us to the troubled Banks family and while young Jane (Lucy Criscuolo of Rosemont) and Michael (Dylan Rooney of Springfield) have sent many a nanny packing before, Mary Poppins  (Katie Horner Wayne) arrives on their doorstep up for the task at hand. With a spoonful of sugar, she must teach the family how to value each other and the world around them.

Director Marcus Stevens is a New York based actor, writer and director. As an actor, he has starred in Manhattan's renowned Forbidden Broadway and can be heard on the two of the original cast albums. Marcus has also worked at many of country's premiere regional theaters, including the Walnut Street Theater, The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and The Sacramento Music Circus and Casa Manana. A Richard Rodgers award-winning writer, Marcus has had his plays produced in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Fresno, Toronto and New York City. His musical “Yo, Vikings” was just recently published by Samuel French Inc.

Stevens said, “From my point of view, the show is about the existence of mystical, positive forces in the universe (Mary and Bert) helping us find our way.” He added, “The Banks family learns that though life is never easy, you can't let it crush you. You must do your best to enjoy every little moment with the people you love.

Upper Darby Summer Stage’s mainstage program offers young adults up to the age of 28 the opportunity to collaborate in a professional atmosphere while presenting audiences with top-notch productions that include professional level sets, lighting, costumes and are accompanied by a live orchestra.

The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is jointly sponsored by the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors and Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services.


###

Friday, June 19, 2015

Connect Outreach

If you know of someone homeless who needs assistance, please call

Connect Homeless Outreach Response Line
Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm, on the
267-258-1974


Connect, a program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA, is a
Day service center for homeless men and women located at 7200 Chestnut Street
in Upper Darby (the entrance is in the rear of the building).  They offer a safe place
during the day as well as showers, laundry, referral to mental health and substance
abuse services, educational programming and access to overnight shelter with the
partnership of various faith communities in Delaware County. The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days per week.

When you call, please be able to give a basic description of the person you are
concerned about and their name, if you have it.

On Monday through Friday, the staff will respond to your location as soon as they
are able.  Their goal is to respond within an hour, but that goal is dependent upon
what staff they have available at the time of your call.

Unfortunately, due to staffing constraints, they cannot respond to your location on 
Saturday or Sunday.

The staff will engage and assess the person, offer assistance and support, and try to
persuade the person to come into our center for service.  Please understand that they

can persuade people to accompany them, but the staff cannot force them to accept services.     

Fireworks Safety Tips to Ensure a Safe July Fourth

Fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. Carol Cunningham, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Akron General Health System urges using common sense when it comes to handling fireworks to celebrate our country's birthday.

On average, about 200 people every day go to the emergency department with fireworks-related injuries around the 4th of July holiday, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). More than half the injuries were burns.

For example, a sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit - which is as hot as a blow torch. Almost half (41 percent) of fireworks injuries are to a person's hands, fingers or arms.

One-third (38 percent) of them are to a person's eyes, head, face and ears (CPSC). If fireworks are legal in your community, The American College of Emergency Physicians strongly suggests that you do not use fireworks at your home.

If you do use them, however, these do's and don'ts will help make it a safer experience.
  • DO - Have knowledgeable supervision by an experienced adult if you choose to use fireworks.
  • DO - Buy fireworks from reputable dealers.
  • DO - Read warning labels and follow all instructions.
  • DO - Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand.
  • DO - Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
  • DO - Dispose of all fireworks properly.
  • DON'T - Give any fireworks, including sparklers, to small children; older children should be supervised by a responsible adult.
  • DON'T - Light fireworks indoors or near other objects.
  • DON'T - Place your body over a fireworks device when trying to light the fuse and immediately back up to a safe distance after you light it.
  • DON'T - Point or throw fireworks at another person, ever.
  • DON'T - Try to re-light or pick up malfunctioning fireworks.
  • DON'T - Wear loose clothing while using any fireworks.
  • DON'T - Set off fireworks in glass or metal containers - the fragments can cause severe injury.
  • DON'T - Carry fireworks in a pocket.
"The safest and only thing you should do is watch a professional fireworks display managed by experts who have proper training and experience handling these explosives," says Dr. Cunningham.

Upper Darby Township will host their annual Fireworks show on July 3 (rain date July 5) at 9:30 PM at Upper Darby High School Memorial Field. Admission is $4.00.