September 2025
September 2025
Download a PDF of the September 2025 newsletter here.
From Superintendent Catherine O'Hara
Welcome back to CUFSD for another exciting year of exploration and opportunity! This year, we continue to invest in excellence by aligning our work with our Mission, Vision, and District Goals. At the heart of that commitment is creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that unites us in purpose and empowers everyone to learn, lead, and excel together.
Among the important changes this year is the introduction of Synergy, our new Student Information System. Synergy brings registration, annual student updates, athletics sign-ups, and contact information into one streamlined platform. It also integrates MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and adds accountability measures to strengthen emergency protocols. Our teachers and staff are participating in ongoing training to support this transition, helping to build stronger supports for students and streamlined access for families.
We are also excited to share plans for a proposed Interscholastic Athletic Facility located between Chester Elementary School and Chester Academy. This project would provide an on-campus hub for athletics, wellness, physical education, instructional opportunities, and community events. It’s designed to strengthen programs, build connections, and enhance the small school experience that makes Chester so special. I look forward to all we will accomplish this year, driven by pride in who we are and excitement for what lies ahead!
District lays out goals & objectives for 2025-2026
Chester UFSD’s Board of Education approved the district’s 2025–2026 Goals in August, and an overview of the annual objectives in support of these goals was presented by Superintendent Catherine O’Hara during the September 10 Board of Education meeting.
The goals and objectives outline a student-centered, future-focused, and team- driven roadmap for educational excellence, community engagement, and operational efficiency. Rooted in Chester’s Mission, Vision and Portrait of a Graduate, the plan reflects a shared commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fiscal responsibility. Together, these priorities are guided by a sense of pride in Chester, and a commitment to expanding opportunities for every student, whether in the classroom, on the field, or as part of our broader community.
“We have developed this year's set of district goals and objectives to reflect the District lays out goals & objectives for 2025-26 priorities that were laid out in the budget approved by the Chester community, " Ms. O'Hara pointed out. "These are: advancing student learning and opportunity, strengthening communication and collaboration, and enhancing facilities for safety, efficiency, and student success."
Review the Chester Union Free School District 2025-2026 Goals & Objectives here.
Proposed Interscholastic Athletic Project: Raising Chester Pride Community Wide
Following a two-year feasibility study, Chester is taking next steps with the first proposed combination of a multipurpose field and track to be located on our campus. This new facility will provide a modern space for multiple sports, wellness programs, physical education, as well as school and community events .
Designed to be accessible from both Chester Elementary School and Chester Academy, it will also serve as a safe, central location for families to gather and connect. Unlike many surrounding districts that already have on-campus facilities, Chester students and families have gone without. This project ensures our community has a facility we can be proud of, raises Chester pride community-wide, and makes our schools even more attractive to new families.
Opportunities for community engagement and input will be shared later this month, and we look forward to your voices helping to shape this project. Updates will also be provided monthly in this newsletter and regularly on the Interscholastic Athletic Project webpage.
Questions or suggestions may be sent to: interscholastic-athletic-project@chesterufsd.org
From Chester Academy Principal John Flanagan
It has been wonderful to welcome our students back to Chester Academy for the start of another school year! The energy in the building has been fantastic, and we are already off to a strong start.
Thank you to our students and families for your cooperation as we’ve adjusted to the new New York State “bell to bell” electronic device ban. We are proud of the way our students have adapted to this change and appreciate their focus on learning throughout the school day.
Last week brought one of our favorite traditions, Spirit Week!
Each day our students and staff showed their school pride in creative and fun ways. On Friday, we capped off the week with our Pep Rally after 9th period. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, and everyone took full advantage of the opportunity to celebrate our Hambo teams, school spirit, and the whole Chester Academy community.
The homecoming followed on Friday night, and students returned to the Academy on Saturday evening for the Homecoming Dance, from 7–10 pm.
Altogether, the start of the 2025-26 school year has been a great one. The enthusiasm the students brought with them on day one has continued, and grown, throughout this first month of classes, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!
Welcome back, and go, Hambos!
Pep rally displays enthusiasm for new year
You can see the entire Hambo Pep Rally `25 Gallery -- including photos of all modified, junior varsity, and varsity teams – on the Chester UFSD Facebook Page!
We will always remember
One of Chester Academy’s first school-wide activities of the year was a memorial walk on September 11.
Students, staff, and faculty came together in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11, The group walked 3,000 steps (about 1.5 miles) around campus to honor the nearly 3,000 victims.. The walk was led by Jennifer Daly and her Intro to Health Careers class.
The walk was a meaningful and powerful way to reflect, remember, and remind ourselves of the importance of unity, resilience, and community.
Thank you to Ms. Daly for leading this effort, and to everyone who joined in.
Students explore the Bill of Rights
In honor of Constitution Day, students in Mr. Maggi’s Participation in Government class took a deep dive into the Bill of Rights!
Through collaborative discussions and thoughtful analysis, the students explored the foundations of
the freedoms we enjoy and protect as a nation.
At the end of the lesson, students were allowed to keep their own pocket-sized copy of the Bill of Rights.
From CES Principal Mary Kate Boesch
Welcome back to school! I am so excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year at Chester Elementary School with all of you. The start of a new year always brings fresh opportunities, new goals, and the chance to grow together as a school community.
This year, we are especially pleased to welcome a number of new staff members who are joining the CES team. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Julia Beyer, Jaclyn Krauss, Elly Taylor, Bobby Hallock, Michaela Kulpinski, Jennifer Cangialosi, Vanessa Marsilio, Amanda Gribbin, Nereida Cabrerro, Ruth Wills, Krystle McHugh, Kathleen Tobin, and Lisa Marie Semioli. We are thrilled to have them as part of our school family and look forward to the energy, passion, and expertise they bring.
We have already had a wonderful start to the year. Students participated in two PBIS kickoff assemblies where we reviewed our school expectations and celebrated what it means to be a respectful, responsible, ready, and safe member of CES. On September 18th, we had the pleasure of welcoming families into the building for our annual Open House. It was wonderful to see so many families connect with teachers and staff.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
CES hosts first PBIS assembly for 2025-2026
Chester Elementary School students in Pre-K and Kindergarten headed to the CES Makerspace last Friday for the annual PBIS Kickoff assembly. The students met with CES principal Mary Kate Boesch, physical education teacher Kaitlin Moran, the PBIS Committee and, of course, the Chester mascot himself... Hambo!
Ms. Moran led a half-hour presentation that touched on key aspects of Chester’s PBIS program, including its four core tenets, to always strive to be respectful, responsible, ready and safe. To read more about the assembly, click here!
Orientation at CES welcomes newest Hambos
Hip hip hooray! Chester Elementary School's newest Hambletonians are on their way! Prekindergartners and kindergarteners got acclimated to the school on Wednesday morning before the year begins at orientation.
The morning began with a warm welcome from Principal Mary Kate Boesch, who introduced teachers, nurses, psychologists and other staff members before discussing what a typical day is like at Chester Elementary.
“We're so excited to embark on your child's education at Chester Elementary School,” said Mrs. Boesch. “Each one of these teachers teaches with their whole heart every day. They will treat your children like their own every second that they are here.” Click here to read more about the day!
Ice cream social brings community together
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Thank you to the CES PTA for hosting the ice cream social for students and families, as we prepared for the new school year. To get a peek at these kinds of fun, family events – and lots more – keep up with our CUFSD Facebook Page!
Important October Dates
- October 6
CES Picture Day - October 8
BOE Meeting - October 10
Early Dismissal Drill - October 11
PSAT - October 13
Schools Closed - October 15
NHS Ceremony - October 17
CA Picture Day - October 18
ACT & PSAT - October 22
BOE Meeting - October 23
CES STEAM Night