Teaching, Learning & Leadership

David Hoffman – Chief Academic Officer
215-643-8800, x8970
dhoffman@udsd.org

The Curriculum Office is responsible for curriculum review, professional development, graduation requirements, and both district and state assessments.

To review grade level and subject specific curriculum, please visit Curriculum Overview.

Curriculum Office Staff

Chief Academic Officer
David Hoffman
215-643-8800, x8970
dhoffman@udsd.org

Curriculum Office Executive Assistant
Janet Bonczkiewicz
215-643-8800, x8974
jbonczki@udsd.org

Supervisor of Teaching and Learning K-12
Meredith Penner
mpenner@udsd.org

Supervisor of Safety and Student Wellness
Kimberly Schuler
kschuler@udsd.org

Supervisor of English Language Arts 6-12
Bryna Vandergrift
215-643-8900, x2105
bvanderg@udsd.org

Supervisor of Allied Arts K-12
Chris Horn
215-643-8900, x2052
chorn@udsd.org

Supervisor of Mathematics 6-12
Margaret Kowalski
215-643-8900, x2257
mkowalsk@udsd.org

Supervisor of Science 6-12
Kimberly Small
215-576-3280, x7241
ksmall@udsd.org

Supervisor of Social Studies 6-12
Tony Giammarco
215-643-8900, x2151
tgiammar@udsd.org

Supervisor of World Languages 6-12
Robert Albert
215-643-8900, x2279
ralbert@udsd.org

Supervisor of Robbins Park
Lisa Fantini
(215) 641-0921
lfantini@udsd.org

Supervisor of Guidance 6-12
Donna Ward
dward@udsd.org

Technology Coach K-12
Brad Lieberman
blieberm@udsd.org

Graduation Requirements

Each student is required to earn 21 credits to be eligible for graduation. In grades 9-12, each student is required to take a minimum of 5 full credit courses and Physical Education each year. In addition, Health is taken in 10th grade and is required to graduate. Students must pass the required courses and accumulate sufficient elective credit to satisfy the minimum requirements listed below:

Academic Course Area	Credits
English	4
Social Studies	4
Math	3
Science	3
Health & PE	2
Electives	3
Humanities Elective*	2
Total Credits	21

*Culminating Project is an additional requirement

Upper Dublin School District requires completion of a “Culminating Project” for graduation. The purpose of the Culminating Project is to provide Seniors an opportunity to apply learned skills and knowledge toward an experience that will impact their lives beyond high school and significantly enhance the meaningfulness of Senior Year. Project options include creation of a work of art, exploration of a professional field of interest, engagement in community involvement, testing of an original hypothesis or researching a significant question. Seniors are required to successfully produce a presentation, performance or demonstration, in addition to a reflective report, based upon the project option they select. Information pertaining to all aspects of the Project is provided to students during assemblies in Spring of Junior Year and Fall of Senior year.

FULL-CREDIT and PARTIAL-CREDIT COURSES

A full-credit course is taught five days a week, have a value of one credit, and count toward student GPA. A partial-credit course is taught one to four days a week, is worth a fraction of a credit, and is not calculated as part of student GPA. Each class period is valued at .2 credits.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an alternative to public school. Act 16 of 2019, signed into law on June 28, 2019, a change in the compulsory school age from age 8 to no later than age 6 until the child reaches 18 years of age. The parent or guardian, referred to as the “supervisor,” must provide a copy of his or her high-school diploma. The supervisor may request homeschooling at any time during the school year, but after being accepted for the first time, the required items are due by August 1^st.

Before beginning homeschooling, the supervisor is responsible for submitting to the Curriculum Office for approval the following items: a notarized affidavit, an outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area for a specified time, and proof of health services.

By the end of the school year, the supervisor must submit to a qualified evaluator a portfolio of records and materials, a daily log of instructional activities, and the results of a standardized achievement test for each child in Grades 3, 5, and 8. The supervisor must then submit to the Curriculum Office a copy of the written evaluation of student progress, as well as proof of the evaluator’s certification.

Please contact Jan Bonczkiewicz in the Curriculum Office for more information at (215) 643-8800 x8974 or via e-mail jbonczki@udsd.org.

Title 1 Federal Programs

What is Title I?
Title I (federal funds) provides supplemental educational programs at Thomas Fitzwater and Jarrettown Elementary Schools. A school qualifies for Title I funding based on the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch. After a school qualifies, the program is available to students based on their educational needs.

The purpose of the Title I program is to help students succeed in reading by providing smaller reading classes, a minimum of 90 minutes per week as well as a variety of teaching methods and materials to support areas of reading need.

Student Identification Process

Students must qualify on a combination of the following selection criteria each year to be included in the Title I program:
Below proficient on standardized test scores and/or the PSSA

Below proficient on the district’s local reading assessments

Teacher recommendation

Students may exit the program based upon exit criteria in the form of assessment data.
Home-School Compact
The Home-School Compact details an agreement between the teacher, student and parents describing the roles and responsibilities of each person. The Home-School Compact is sent to families with children participating in Title I.
Title I Parent Involvement Plan
The School District of Upper Dublin invites parents to become actively involved in the Title I program. The District’s Policy on Parent Involvement, jointly developed between faculty, administrators, and parents and is reviewed and revised annually.

The District shall:

maintain an active District-wide Parent Advisory Council for Title I.
maintain active Building Title I Committees with parent representation.
inform parents of their child’s eligibility for Title I services.
utilize a handbook to inform parents of the Title I programs.
conduct informative parent meetings and workshops.
conduct parent/teacher conferences sharing assessments results.
share summary data on students’ academic achievements.
seek recommendations for parent workshops and programs.
involve parents in the planning and development of the Title I plan.
involve parents in the review and revision of the Parent Involvement Plan.

Parent Notification
Under the provisions of the “No Child Left Behind Act” parents have the right to know the professional qualifications of the teachers and teacher aides who instruct their children. Please contact our Human Resource office for information on the following:

teacher has met state credential or license for grade level and subject area taught
teacher is under emergency or other provisional status
teacher degree major and certification
teacher aides or similar paraprofessionals’ qualifications.

Title 1 Parent Brochures Order Form
Title I Teaching Staff

Randi Windheim – Reading Specialist, Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School, rwindhei@udsd.org
Betty Eisenberg – Reading Specialist, Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School, beisenbe@udsd.org
Claire MacRae – Reading Specialist, Fort Washington Elementary School, cmacrae@udsd.org
Karen Wolkin – Reading Specialist, Fort Washington Elementary School, kwolkin@udsd.org

Testing Requirements

Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA)
The state Board of Education has mandated yearly participation of all school districts in the state reading, writing, science and mathematics assessments.

Testing Windows:

PSSA English Language Arts Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
April 20- April 24

PSSA Mathematics Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
April 27- May 8

PSSA Science Grades 4 and 8
April 27 – May 8

PSSA Make-up
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
April 27 – May 8

Keystone Exams
Winter: December 2-5, 2019 and January 6-9, 2020
Spring: May 11-14, 2020

Students not achieving at the proficient level in the administration of state assessments in grade 11 will be provided one additional opportunity in grade 12 to demonstrate a proficient level on state assessments.

Opt Out Protocol State Assessment Confidentiality Agreement

WIDA – World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment
The state Board of Education has mandated yearly assessment of all English as a Second Language students in grades K-12.
ACT Explore Test
The ACT Explore Test is a measure of academic progress and is an early indicator of college readiness, an effective tool for planning high school coursework, and a useful career exploration and planning program. It is administered to all students in grade 9.

Education Committee Presentations

Presented on October 7, 2020
Educational & Legislative Updates
A Dynamic Partnership Benefitting Our Students – Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium

Presented on August 5, 2020
Virtual Learning and Student Tools

Presented on May 6, 2020
Continuity of Education Update & Essential Learning

Presented on February 5, 2020
Fountas & Pinnell Pilot Program

Presented on January 8, 2020
Program of Studies for Upper Dublin High School 2020-2021

Presented on November 11, 2019
Student Performance Data 2018-2019

Presented on October 14, 2019
Stakeholder Survey Results – Teaching & Learning

Presented on September 9, 2019
Overview of Student Data
Elementary Progress Reports

Presented on June 12, 2019
8th Grade Ultra Violet Project Based Learning
Superintendent’s Education Update

Presented on May 6, 2019
UDHS Environmental Science Project Based Learning

Presented on April 8, 2019
Montgomery County Funded Prevention & Intervention Services in UDSD
Middle School Schedule Feedback