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General Overview of Upper Darby School District:
Since founded in 1834, Upper Darby School districts remains to be one of the largest districts in the state of Pennsylvania servicing residents in Upper Darby Township, Clifton Heights Borough, and Millbourne Borough*. The district serves around 12,000 students and has 14 schools—a high school, two middle schools, ten elementary schools and a Kindergarten Center.* Upper Darby Township consists of about 82,000 residents; the township is proud to have such a diverse group of people.* Within the school district itself there are over “60 birth countries and 70 home languages represented by the students”*. Because of this, the district implements in their schools English Language Learner Programs that serve over 800 students; they also have special education programs that aid children who need it and career and technical centers for interested high school students.*
Since founded in 1834, Upper Darby School districts remains to be one of the largest districts in the state of Pennsylvania servicing residents in Upper Darby Township, Clifton Heights Borough, and Millbourne Borough*. The district serves around 12,000 students and has 14 schools—a high school, two middle schools, ten elementary schools and a Kindergarten Center.* Upper Darby Township consists of about 82,000 residents; the township is proud to have such a diverse group of people.* Within the school district itself there are over “60 birth countries and 70 home languages represented by the students”*. Because of this, the district implements in their schools English Language Learner Programs that serve over 800 students; they also have special education programs that aid children who need it and career and technical centers for interested high school students.*
Upper Darby’s School District Mission Statement:
“To provide a comprehensive and challenging educational program which encourages all learners in a safe environment to respect others, value education, and appreciate and contribute to their community as confident, independent thinkers.”
How Upper Darby’s Mission Statement Relates to Child Development and Learning in Urban Schools:
Curriculum Reform:
Most children or teens enrolled in public schools in urban settings tend to rank poorly according to academic standards. Students academics are hindered due to the type of environment they grow up in: economic stress, drugs, lack of family stability, gun violence etc. (Elias & Leverett, 2011). Because of these surroundings, “the capabilities of students to concentrate on academic skills,” decreases, “primarily because they engender strong emotions such as fear…depression… and rage that are incompatible with effective learning and retention” (Ellias & Leverett, 2011.p.31). Therefore, districts in urban settings need to formulate a curriculum that implements social emotional learning or SEL. This type of instruction teaches children how to manage their own emotions, recognize other peoples' feelings, and prepares them with problem solving techniques (Elias & Leverett, 2011). However, the challenge that most schools face when implementing a new program is weaving it within the already existing curriculum set by the school district and the state. In order for a new curriculum to be successful within schools, it is imperative that the program gains support from the district, faculty and the community.
Additional Information on Social Emotional Learning: The 5 Keys to Success:
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Click The Logo to Visit Edutopia For a Chance to Learn More About Social Emotional Learning!
Curriculum Programs in the Upper Darby School District:**
Woven within each curricular program in the Upper Darby School District are techniques that are elements in social emotional learning (SEL). As the school district’s website says itself, “it is our intent to develop students who think critically, communicate effectively, and construct and convey meaning”**. Students in all grade levels are encouraged to communicate with one another and collaborate to solve problems and assignments. Course assignments are set up to allow individual students to think independently and come up with problem solving techniques that allow them to effectively tackle their work. By Upper Darby building this social environment within their schools, it enables their student body to be aware of one anothers feelings and create a respectful community which are key elements to social emotional learning.
upper Darby kindergarten center
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Our Mission
"The Kindergarten Center’s mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and fun environment that will introduce children to the exciting world of learning. In fostering individuality, creativity, and imagination, children in the K-Center will develop life-long friends and a life-long love of learning. We are committed to establishing a strong foundation that opens the doors for continued academic success and endless possibilities."^
"The Kindergarten Center’s mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and fun environment that will introduce children to the exciting world of learning. In fostering individuality, creativity, and imagination, children in the K-Center will develop life-long friends and a life-long love of learning. We are committed to establishing a strong foundation that opens the doors for continued academic success and endless possibilities."^
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"Imagine the Possibilities!"
"The dedicated staff at the kindergarten center believes that your child's first formal educational experience should prepare him/her with valuable academic and social skills that will last them a lifetime."^
- Patrice M. Scanlon
Principal, Kindergarten Center
Upper Darby Kindergarten Center's Sensitivity to Diversity, Family and Community:
DIVERSITY:
As mentioned earlier, Upper Darby School District is home to a variety of students from over 60 birth countries who speak over 70 different dialects. Therefore, the school district implements a variety of language programs within their institutions to support their diverse student body; examples of these programs can be seen in the Upper Darby Kindergarten Center. At the K-Center, they have a English Language Learners program which is used to help those students whose first language is not English. During the school day, ELL participants spend most of their time in their classroom immersed by the English language and interacting with their English-speaking peers. There are ELL teachers in the building who communicate with parents and the students' teachers to help tailor the curriculum to the diverse student's needs. Throughout the school day they are always available for teachers to use if need be. Aside from ELL programs held during the school day, there are also programs available after school for ELL students. There they are in a classroom full of ELL students who work with a certified teacher to work on the English language through songs, chants, and instruction. To also accommodate to diversity in their school district, Upper Darby offers free adult ESL classes to the parents of ELL students that attend Upper Darby's schools. The classes are offered in partnership with the Delaware County Literacy Council. Upper Darby also provides translators and interpretation for parents of ELL students so that they can fully understand the education that their child(ren) are getting when they attend an Upper Darby institution. ***
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Click on the picture to visit Upper Darby's ELL Services Program Webpage!
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY:
Upper Darby Kindergarten Center provides parents and the community with multiple outlets for communication. The K-Center holds parent-teacher conferences to discuss their child's strengths and areas of need throughout the year. Open houses are held which allow parents and relatives to explore the school and see what their child has been working on in class. In the video below, we can see just one of the many opportunities parents have to visit the school and talk to their child's teacher; the video shows the annual Curriculum Night conference where parents learn about the structure of the subjects the kindergarteners learn while at the K-Center.
Parent Involvement Program Committee (PIP):
As cited in the Upper Darby School District Website:
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The purpose of the Parent Involvement Program Committee (PIP) is to stimulate and promote parental interest and involvement in the education of their children. The Upper Darby School District is a diverse community representing a cross section of every socio-economic stratum. It is a highly residential community of 85,000 people with nearly 12,000 students attending the school system. Family structures represent a variety of combinations, including two parent families, single parent families, and extended family groups. As a result, quality time is at a minimum and a premium, and programs geared toward stimulating activity within the family unit are a necessity.^^
An important role of the PIP member is that of “key communicator.” Each of the 14 schools in the district has a PIP representative who can bring concerns and questions from the home and school to the attention of the district-wide committee, the district administration, and the school board. PIP members attend their home and school meetings in order to keep parents aware of PIP activities and other happenings in the district. In addition to presenting monthly reports to home and school members, PIP representatives communicate regularly with their principals about committee projects.^^
An important role of the PIP member is that of “key communicator.” Each of the 14 schools in the district has a PIP representative who can bring concerns and questions from the home and school to the attention of the district-wide committee, the district administration, and the school board. PIP members attend their home and school meetings in order to keep parents aware of PIP activities and other happenings in the district. In addition to presenting monthly reports to home and school members, PIP representatives communicate regularly with their principals about committee projects.^^
Sources:
Elias, J. M. , & Leverett, L. (2011). Consultation to urban schools for improvements in academics and behavior: No alibis.no excuses.no exceptions. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 21(1), 28-45. doi:10.1080/10474412.2010.522877
* Upper Darby School District. (2013). Community profile 2013-2014. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/district-information/community-profile
** Upper Darby School District. (2013). Curricular programs. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/curriculum/curricular-programs
*** Upper Darby School District.(2013). ELL services program description. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/services/ell-services/ell-services-program-description
^Upper Darby School District.(2013).Our mission. Retrieved from http://kindergarten.upperdarbysd.org/
^^ Upper Darby School District.(2013). PIP initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/for-parents/pip/initiatives
Elias, J. M. , & Leverett, L. (2011). Consultation to urban schools for improvements in academics and behavior: No alibis.no excuses.no exceptions. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 21(1), 28-45. doi:10.1080/10474412.2010.522877
* Upper Darby School District. (2013). Community profile 2013-2014. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/district-information/community-profile
** Upper Darby School District. (2013). Curricular programs. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/curriculum/curricular-programs
*** Upper Darby School District.(2013). ELL services program description. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/services/ell-services/ell-services-program-description
^Upper Darby School District.(2013).Our mission. Retrieved from http://kindergarten.upperdarbysd.org/
^^ Upper Darby School District.(2013). PIP initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.upperdarbysd.org/for-parents/pip/initiatives