Superintendent of Schools

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL CUFSD FAMILIES!

As we kick off the 2024-2025 school year, we are thrilled to welcome you to another year of growth, learning, and achievement at Chester Union Free School District! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we are committed to making this school year an outstanding experience for everyone.

Our District Goals for 2024-2025 aim to create the best possible environment for everyone in our school community.  Below are a few key highlights, with more details to follow in the coming weeks.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2024-2025 CUFSD DISTRICT GOALS

1.  A WELCOMING & INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
We are dedicated to fostering a school community where every individual feels safe, valued, respected, and empowered to reach their highest potential.  A few of the highlights for the year include:

• Advancing PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and Choose Love initiatives at Chester Elementary School.

• Enhancing the Advisory Model and The 7 Mindsets program at Chester Academy, integrating identified improvements.

• Continuing the Safe School Ambassadors program at Chester Academy, empowering students to actively support a safe and inclusive school community.

• Expanding opportunities for student and staff professional development, leadership, collaboration, input, and support.

2.  INNOVATIVE, DATA-DRIVEN INSTRUCTION
Data-driven instruction is fundamental to our approach, as we focus on tailoring educational strategies to meet the unique needs of each student.

• By analyzing data at the classroom, building, and district levels, we can monitor student progress, identify gaps in learning, and continuously improve our instructional strategies. 
• This data analysis provides the information needed to enhance our professional development efforts, ensuring that our teachers and staff receive the support they need to enhance student learning outcomes.  

Creativity and innovation remain at the forefront of our educational approach, with district-wide initiatives aligned to NY Next Generation Learning Standards and career-connected learning initiatives PreK-12.  In collaboration with our teachers, staff, and administration, we will be publishing comprehensive PreK-12 course descriptions for all subjects and courses. These descriptions will provide an overview of the learning progression across grade levels, helping students and families understand how instruction builds from one year to the next.  New courses at Chester Academy this year include:

• 7th Grade Project Based Robotics
• 8th Grade Civic Readiness
• Public Speaking
• Financial Literacy
• College Chemistry 
• College Statistics

These courses provide students with essential skills that will prepare them for success in higher education and their future careers. The Civic Readiness course will offer students opportunities to develop their understanding of civic responsibility and actively participate in their communities. This course is designed to prepare students to graduate with the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness. 

We also continue to expand our Workplace Learning Internship program, offering students hands-on experience in various careers and trades, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.  Through these efforts, we remain committed to delivering an education that is not only innovative but also tailored to the unique needs of each student, ensuring their success now and in the years to come.

3.  COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT
This year, we are enhancing our efforts to connect with students, staff, families, and the wider community through multiple platforms:

• We are transitioning from School Messenger to Parent Square, a more user-friendly platform designed to streamline communication between the district, schools, families, and the broader community. We encourage you to register for an account, which will allow you to update your contact information, receive important updates, and get emergency notifications. For more details on Parent Square, please click on the link below. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at techsupport@chesterufsd.org.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PARENT SQUARE

• Passport for Good will be a new tool available for students in grades 6-12 that digitizes volunteer hours, tracks community service, and monitors student engagement in clubs and activities. This platform not only helps students document their progress toward the Seal of Civic Readiness but also allows them to build a digital portfolio that will stay with them beyond graduation, showcasing their accomplishments for college and career pursuits.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PASSPORT FOR GOOD

• Our commitment to parent and family engagement continues with enhanced opportunities through our CUFSD Family Instructional Academy, CUFSD Parent Advisory Panel, and newly initiated CUFSD Athletics Panel. These provide valuable opportunities for families to offer input on the district's continuous improvement efforts and play an active role in shaping our school community.
• In our second year of the CUFSD Newsletter we are moving to a monthly publication that will feature dedicated sections for District news, Chester Elementary School updates, and Chester Academy highlights. This is in addition to the launch of our new website, which will serve as a central hub for all district-related information, resources, and announcements along with our social media platforms.
• We continue to support our CES PTA, Chester Academy PTSA, and Districtwide SEPTSA, recognizing the importance of collaborative communication and engagement in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive school environment.

4. PROACTIVE SAFETY & FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Continuous improvement and expansion of our district facilities are essential to providing a safe and supportive environment for learning. We are committed to ensuring that our students have access to spaces that foster creativity, exploration, and achievement in both academic and extracurricular activities.

• Our safety and security protocols are the result of ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement, including the Town of Chester Police Department, Village of Chester Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and the Orange-Ulster BOCES Health & Safety Risk Management Team. The consistent police presence at each of our buildings, in addition to Atlas Security, ensures a robust and proactive safety framework across all school facilities. This comprehensive approach reinforces our commitment to providing a safe environment where students can thrive in both academic and extracurricular activities.
• In addition to enhancing security, we are making significant investments in our school infrastructure, with updates designed to create an optimal learning environment. 

5. EFFECTIVE BUDGETARY PLANNING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

We understand the importance of a budget that not only meets the needs of our district but does so in a responsible manner.  Our focus remains on being fiscally prudent while ensuring that we continue to provide high-quality educational experiences for all students. Thank you for your support of the 2024-2025 budget, which helps sustain the educational and extracurricular opportunities available to students district-wide.

Thank you for your continued partnership supporting student success.  

Here’s to a fantastic 2024-2025 school year!

Warm regards,
Catherine O’Hara
Superintendent of Schools
Chester Union Free School District