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Annual Notifications

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

Notice of Completion of 2026-27 Fire Inspection

Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for the current school year of all the schools and buildings of the Chester Union Free School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, and employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the District Office during normal business hours. For additional information, please contact the Director of Facilities at (845)469-2231.

NYS Public School Fire Inspection Manual

Asbestos Management Plan Notification

AHERA 2025-2026 Notification

BMI Reporting

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.

Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If Chester is selected to be part of the survey, the district will be reporting to New York State Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier. Only summary information is sent. Names and information about individual students are not sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.

BMI Opt-Out

Code of Conduct

2026-2027 Code of Conduct

The Chester Union Free School District Code of Conduct applies to all students, school personnel, parents, and visitors when on school property, including buses and other school-owned vehicles, or when attending a school-sponsored function. Information on it is shared with students at the beginning of every school year and in student handbooks.

Dignity for All Students Act

DASA Resources 

Facilities Use

Policy #3280 - Use of School Facilities, Materials and Equipment
View the Facilities page for more information

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA 2025-2026 Annual Notice

Freedom of Information Law

In accordance with the requirements of the New York State Freedom of Information Law, please follow the procedures below to access Chester Union Free School District (CUFSD) records:

Procedures for Requesting and Inspecting Records
All Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to CUFSD should be submitted to the CUFSD Records Access Officer:
CUFSD Records Access Officer:
Donna Henion
CUFSD Business Office 64 Hambletonian Ave. Chester, New York 10918 845.469.5052
donna.henion@chesterufsd.org


CUFSD Records Appeals Officer:
Catherine O'Hara
Superintendent of Schools Chester Union Free School District 64 Hambletonian Ave.
Chester, New York 10918 845.469.5052


Requests for records shall be made via written or email request on a Chester Union Free School District Application for Public Access to Records form. Any record requested will be made available for review within a reasonable time after receipt of the request.


You will be contacted to schedule an appointment to review and copy records, when available. Records may be reviewed only in the presence of the Records Access Officer.

Location and Time of Availability of Records
Records are available for public review and copying, upon appointment, on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at:

Chester Union Free School District Business Office
64 Hambletonian Ave.
Chester, New York 10918

Fees
The fees for copying of records shall be .25 cents per page, or the actual costs of reproduction if other media storage is requested. If the search for and preparation of records requires more than two hours of labor hourly fees will be applied.

Internet-Enabled Device Policy

In accordance with New York State Education Law, Guilderland Central School District annually reports data related to the enforcement of its internet-enabled device policy during the 2025-26 school year.
Visit the Internet-Enabled Policy page for more information

New York State Education Department- Parent Dashboard

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has developed a Parent Dashboard to increase transparency and make information about school performance and other school-level data easier for parents and the public to access. The Parent Dashboard is part of New York's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, which emphasizes equity in education for all students and expands measures of school accountability and student success. The new dashboard will provide parents with information about their child's school. The Parent Dashboard is now available in addition to the New York State School Report Card on NYSED's public data site. The Parent Dashboard offers information on all public schools including charter schools. 

In 2019, NYSED gathered feedback from parents and stakeholders to guide the work of developing the Parent Dashboard. The data elements that parents ranked highest on the survey are available on the Parent Dashboard.

NYSED is now gathering additional feedback from parents and stakeholders to guide further enhancements to the Parent Dashboard. We invite parents and other stakeholders to explore the Parent Dashboard and then provide feedback via an online feedback survey available in 17 languages (link below).NYSED will use this feedback to identify the data that is most useful to parents and the public and to make improvements to the website. 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit the Parent Dashboard, which includes frequently asked questions and contact information. 

Thank you for your feedback and for your continued commitment to your child's education.

NYSED Parent Dashboard

Parent Bill of Rights

Chester UFSD is committed to protecting the privacy and security of each and every student’s data. 
Visit the Parent Bill of Rights page for more information

Pesticides Notice

New York State Education Law Section 409-H, effective July 1, 2001, requires all public and non-public elementary and secondary schools to provide written notification to all persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff regarding the potential use of pesticides throughout the school year. Chester UFSD is required to maintain a list of persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff who wish to receive 48 hour prior notification of certain pesticide applications. The following pesticide applications are not subject to prior notification requirements:

  • a school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72 hours following an application anti-microbial products
  • nonvolatile rodenticides in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children
  • nonvolatile insecticides in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children
  • silica gels and other nonvolatile ready to use pastes, foams, or gels in areas inaccessible to children
  • boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate
  • the application of EPA designated biopesticides
  • the application of EPA designated exempt materials under 40CFR152.25
  • the use of aerosol products with a directed spray in containers of 18 fluid ounces or less when used to protect individuals from an imminent threat from stinging and biting insects including venomous spiders, bees, wasps, and hornets

Due to the overwhelming response received in previous years for 48 hour notification prior to using pesticides in the schools, all parents, guardians and school staff will be notified in the event that an emergency application is necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health.

Public School Water Testing for Lead Content

Water Testing in District Buildings 2024-2025

Student and Family Rights Under New York State Ed Law 3201-b

As required by New York State Education Law § 3201-b, the Chester Union Free School District has established procedures to ensure all students have uninterrupted access to public education regardless of immigration status. The procedures below outline District protocols related to requests from immigration authorities, student custody, confidentiality of student information, access to school property, and notification of rights.

Ed Law 3201-b

Title IX Training

Title IX Training Materials

Water Safety Information

In accordance with New York State Education Law 926, school districts are required to provide families with information about water safety. This information is intended to help families support student safety in and around water.

Please review the linked New York State Department of Health resource, Safe Swimming, which includes important information about:

Drowning Prevention & Water Safety

Families are encouraged to actively supervise children whenever they are in or near water. Young children should remain within arm’s reach of a responsible adult. No one should swim alone, and children and adults should use properly fitted life jackets when boating or participating in activities in or near open water. Families may also wish to consider swimming lessons and CPR training.

Students and families should swim only in safe, designated areas and follow all posted rules, warnings, and lifeguard directions. Families should be aware that pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water may present different risks, including currents, uneven surfaces, weather-related hazards, and limited visibility.

For additional information, visit the Department of Health - Drowning Prevention and Water Safety.

Safe and Healthy Swimming

Families can help keep swimming areas safe and healthy by encouraging children not to swallow the water they are swimming in; taking regular bathroom breaks; washing hands; showering before swimming when possible; and staying out of the water when sick. Parents/guardians should also remind children to use safe behavior in and around water, including walking instead of running near pools and avoiding rough play.

For additional information, visit the Department of Health - Safe and Healthy Swimming.