8/21/20: Friday Update

Dear UPSD Community - 

It’s been a busy week in the district as we ramp up for the 2020-21 school year. Over the last several days, we welcomed new faculty members during a socially-distant orientation. We also hosted our first two technology distribution events, for UPMS and UPHS students who needed a device (see below for details on the elementary distribution events). Additionally, the administration continues to work with faculty members to firm up schedules, responsibilities and other details for the year ahead. 

On Monday, we will welcome the rest of the faculty for our in-service week to provide updates, training, collaboration and a focus on the Health & Safety Plan recently approved by the School Board. As we all know, next week’s in-service for our teachers and staff will look a bit different than in years past. Last year, I looked forward to my first opportunity as superintendent to officially address all faculty and many staff members during our opening day activities. The atmosphere was celebratory and electric, and we all got excited for the year ahead, together. This year, we’re still aiming for that same excitement and positivity, but again, we’ll be doing so in a socially-distant and responsible manner. I also understand that faculty and staff may have more nerves than usual, regarding this new learning landscape, but I am confident that together we can make the best of our current situation and ensure that all UPSD students and families are able to thrive in this virtual learning environment.

Please read on for a number of updates related to the start of the academic year.

Grab and Go Meals Program for the 2020-21 School Year
The UPSD Food Services Department is pleased to offer a Grab and Go Meals Program during the 2020-21 school year’s virtual learning. This year’s program will look a little different than the Grab and Go Meals of last spring. Some highlights of the program are outlined below, but please watch your inbox early next week for a Skylert with additional details, including links to the updated Grab and Go Meals webpage and the form to sign up for meals in advance, as well as meal prices and more.

• Grab and Go Meals Program starts on 8/31/20
• Families must sign up in advance of the distribution events (by 10 a.m. the day of pickup)
• Distribution to take place at the 4th & 5th Grade Center
• Distribution events on Mondays & Thursdays from 5-7 p.m.
  • Monday bag includes: breakfast & lunch for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
  • Thursday bag includes: breakfast & lunch for Friday & Monday
• Unlike the Grab and Go Meals Program of last Spring, families will be charged just as if their child was eating the meals in school
  • Families that qualify for free student meals will not be charged
  • Families that qualify for reduced cost meals will be charged the reduced rate
  • Families that do not qualify for free/reduced meals will be charged the full rate
  • Participating families that do not qualify for free meals are encouraged to have money on their SchoolCafe account; cash will not be accepted for hygienic reasons, in order to promote a minimal/no-contact pickup
• Families are reminded that they MUST re-apply for free/reduced meals EVERY school year. If you have not done so within 30 days of the start of school, you will revert to full pay status. You may apply/reapply for free/reduced meals via the COMPASS website, or your SchoolCafe account.
• While the meals need to be tied to a specific student for planning and charging purposes, anyone (a parent, grandparent, neighbor, etc) can come pick up the meals on the student’s behalf

Technology & Materials Distribution Events
The technology distribution events for UPMS and UPHS students took place over the last several days. We will be distributing devices and bags of take-home materials for our elementary students next week. The schedule is below - please note that the date of K-3 materials distribution has changed. Families with questions, or who are unable to attend at their designated date/time should contact their student's building principal.

• Grades 4&5: August 26 @ the 4th & 5th Grade Center
• Grades K-3: August 28 @ Hereford & Marlborough **This is a change from the previously advertised date of 8/27**

Skyward Release Date: Homeroom Teacher Assignments & Schedules
Homeroom teacher assignments and class schedules are available for families to view in Skyward Family Access as of 3 p.m. today, August 21.

Next Board Workshop
The next meeting of the full Board, the August Board Workshop, is scheduled for Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m. Please stay tuned to our Virtual School Board Meetings webpage for more details.

Coming Soon: Back to School Signs for the Virtual First Day
Last year, we offered printable UPSD First Day of School signs, and asked our district community to share photos of students (or staff, families, community members, etc.) on their first day of school, with one of our signs, their own sign or simply smiling faces. The response was overwhelming! In that spirit, even though August 31 won’t be a traditional first day, next week we’ll be sharing new signs and asking families to send us their first day photos on the 31st. Stay tuned for more soon!

In Closing
As always, you may continue to direct questions or concerns to questions@upsd.org, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as they are able. For many of our faculty and staff members, I hope you enjoy your last summer weekend, and I look forward to seeing you next week. For our students and families, please soak up your final week of summer - enjoy family time, get some R&R and get recharged so that we all bring great energy and focus for the start of the 2020-21 school year!

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

8/14/20: 2020-21 School Year & Other Updates

Dear UPSD Community - 

As we move into the start of the 2020-21 School Year, and hopefully begin to settle in to our new normal, we will be continuing to send our more traditional Friday update emails, with information on a number of topics relevant to our families, students, staff and community as a whole. Of course, given the complexities of the pandemic and this year’s unique methods of instruction, more detailed updates will come from me at times. Please see below for a number of resources related to the start of the academic year, updates on our health & safety plan, and other items that may be of interest for our community members.

Health & Safety Plan and Other Updates for the 2020-21 School Year
At last night’s Board Meeting, the Board and public in attendance had the opportunity to see presentations from Dr. Farina, other members of the administrative team and me on Upper Perk’s Health & Safety Plan and a number of additional topics. The presentations and the latest version of the Health and Safety Plan are linked here, and available on our district homepage. I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the presentations, as they:

• Summarize the Health & Safety Plan (approved last night)
• Provide updates on daily student schedules
• Outline learning options for Western Center students
• Provide information on School Calendar updates
• Provide information about the Athletic & Marching Band Health & Safety Plans (extensions approved last night)

Skyward Release Date: Homeroom Teacher Assignments & Schedules
Homeroom teacher assignments and class schedules will be available for families to view in Skyward Family Access by 3 p.m. next Friday, August 21.

Technology & Materials Distribution Events
We will be distributing devices for all UPSD students who do not already have one, as well as bags of take-home materials for our elementary students, later this month (see the schedule below). Please watch for additional details and specific times on these events from building principals.

• Grade 9: August 18 @ UPHS
• Grade 6: August 19 @ the Ed Center
• Grades 4&5: August 26 @ the 4th & 5th Grade Center
• Grades K-3: August 27 @ Hereford & Marlborough

Vaccination Requirements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Governor Wolf is suspending the regulations at 28 Pa. Code § 23.83, which requires students to have vaccinations to begin the school year, and exclusion if not compliant. The vaccination regulations for incoming Kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade are suspended until October 31, 2020. This applies to all students that are in the UPSD (virtual, online and non virtual). The Pennsylvania Department of Health immunization requirements for the 2020-2021 School Year, which are due by October 31, 2020 are outlined in this letter and this flier.

#UPStrong Store Now Open
The Upper Perkiomen Education Foundation recently opened a #UPStrong Spirit Wear Store for the Upper Perkiomen Community. Various pieces of apparel are available in youth and adult sizes, as well as #UPStrong face coverings. Apparel items can be customized with all district school names (and the Ed Center too)! The sale will close on September 2. Pick-up will be the week of September 28 (location and times TBD), or you may choose direct delivery. UPEF’s mission is to provide supplemental funding for innovative educational programs and initiatives to enrich student learning. Proceeds from the spirit wear sale benefit the Upper Perkiomen schools.

The Open Link School Supply Distribution
The Open Link is providing school supplies for families in need. Join them for a backpack and school supply giveaway at five locations in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. If you can’t make it for the designated dates or times, please call The Open Link’s office at 215-679-4112 to speak to a counselor. Details on the distribution events are available on this flier.

Back-to-Learning Supplies for Military & Veteran Families
The Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Veterans Affairs is coordinating a drive-thru distribution of back-to-learning supplies for military and veteran families (active duty, reserves and national guard) while supplies last. Find out more on this flier.

Policy Committee Meeting on Monday
There will be a meeting of the Policy Committee on Monday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m. Details are available on our Virtual Board Meetings webpage.

Strategies for Supporting Students
As a reminder, there are a number of great resources for supporting students available on our district homepage, which were curated by our Pupil Services team. These Strategies for Supporting Students are designed to help families and students navigate these challenging times. Additionally, all counselors in the Upper Perkiomen School District are available to support children and their families in need. Contact information, as well as a plethora of other information is available via the link above.

YMCA Student Support Centers
The upcoming school year will have students out of their routine and the YMCA wants to help! The Y has created Y Student Support Centers to provide a safe, supportive place where students can learn among their peers in the times when schools are in virtual learning. Find out more on this flier.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Information
Families needing assistance with health insurance for their child(ren) should check out this CHIP letter and flier.

In Closing
Thanks to all who attended and spoke at last night’s Board Meeting, and to everyone who has reached out to me or another member of the administration with questions, concerns, frustration and appreciation. These conversations are incredibly helpful as we continue to plan for the year ahead. As a result of these conversations, and others, we’ve updated the FAQ document with some of the common questions that have come up, and will continue to update it in the weeks ahead. You may continue to reach out to questions@upsd.org, and a member of our team will answer your question(s) as best they can, or direct you appropriately.

Have a great weekend,

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

8/11/20: K-5 Declaration Reminder & 8/13 Board Meeting

Dear UPSD Community - 

While Dr. Roche will be sending a regular Friday update email with information related to the start of the 2020-21 school year and other topics, please see below for two timely pieces of information for this week:

K-5 Parent Declaration Reminder
Parents of incoming Kindergarten through 5th grade students are reminded to complete the revised Parent Declaration Form, indicating a choice between the Full Virtual option and the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy no later than 11:59 p.m. tomorrow, August 12. The form can be completed in Skyward Family Access using a web browser. For Skyward assistance, families may contact the main office of the school their child attends during business hours. This new declaration form is required for ALL K-5 students, even if their families completed the earlier parent declaration (which was due on July 17).

To help families decide what is the best decision for their child(ren), we created this decision making guide with additional information:  

We would recommend the Full Virtual option if:
You preferred face to face and will likely pursue that option as soon as it becomes available, AND your child/children will not have consistent, daily support in the home to engage in live teaching at designated times during the typical school day. This option is also recommended for students who will have support in the home, but prefer to transition back to in-person learning when available.

We would recommend the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy (UPOLA) if:
You may choose to send your child back to school at some point this year, but prefer the online option for as long as possible, AND your child/children will have support in the home to engage in live teaching at designated times during a typical school day (9 a.m. - 4 p.m).

August Board Meeting - 8/13 at 7 p.m.
The Upper Perkiomen Board of School Directors will hold its August meeting on Thursday, August 13 at 7 p.m.This will be a hybrid meeting, with some Board and staff members attending in person at the UPMS auditorium, and others attending virtually via Zoom. Given limits on the size of gatherings to promote social distancing, members of the public are encouraged to attend virtually. Meeting details are available below, and on the Virtual School Board Meetings page of the district website.

August Board Meeting - Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 7 p.m.

• Register in advance to attend the meeting here.
• Submit public comments here (must be submitted at least two hours prior to meeting start time).
• August Board Meeting Agenda

Please feel free to continue to direct questions or concerns to questions@upsd.org, and a member of our team will get back to you when they are able.

7/31/20: Information & FAQs on Full Virtual Start to Year

Dear UPSD Community - 

With the announcement earlier this week that the Board approved a full virtual learning model for the start of the 2020-21 school year, I wanted to address some community concerns in regard to the decision-making process that brought our administration and Board to this decision. Believe me when I say that I, along with my colleagues, would like nothing more than to welcome all Upper Perk students back to our schools for a typical start to the year on August 31. However, we all know that the last several months and our current situation are anything but typical. 

We recently asked all Upper Perk families to let us know if they prefer to send their student(s) for in-person or virtual instruction--and as of a couple weeks ago, we thought that those would be the two options that we’d offer our community, and the best way to move forward to start the academic year. We appreciate families’ honesty throughout the parent declaration process, and even though our plans look a bit different now, I can’t tell you how helpful that data was, and will continue to be, for our decision-making and planning.  As we know, this situation is constantly changing, and given some new and revised guidance from state and local entities, the release of COVID exclusion criteria, the lack of testing availability and contact tracing, and with support from our teachers association, we leaned heavily in favor of putting safety first, and eliminating health risks from our educational environment as much as possible. As such, our administration and faculty made the recommendation to the Board for a full virtual start to the year, and the Board supported that direction.

We had hoped, and continue to strive to, create an educational program that meets the needs of every student and family in this district. We have set ambitious goals for the year ahead, and our administrative team, Task Force and Work Groups have worked, and will continue to work, tirelessly to offer district families the options that best suited their individual situations. Unfortunately, given the current environment as our community addresses a crisis which has not stabilized, the unpredictable nature of this pandemic has forced us to prioritize public health above all else.

During challenging times like this, it is easy to become discouraged, frustrated and critical. However, we must stay positive for the good of our students, families, faculty, staff and community as a whole. I believe that we can accomplish anything when we work together, and it will “take a village” to support each of our students and families as we continue to move through this pandemic and non-typical school year. We are committed to providing the best virtual education for our students, and we need your support as our teachers and staff will do everything in their power to provide the best experience possible given our current situation. We hope that our hard work, dedication and this district’s ability to overcome adversity will make you #Proud2BeUPSD.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to provide some points of clarification on the plans for the virtual model to start the year. Our team has begun work on a new FAQ document related to a fully virtual start to the academic year. This document is available on the district homepage, and will continue to be updated as plans come into focus.

There have been some questions raised about exactly how virtual instruction will be delivered. For our secondary students (grades 6-12), we’ll be offering a Uniform Model of Delivery for the entire school year.  Students will attend their courses “live” via Zoom while at home.  This model allows flexibility and choice for our secondary students when we begin to move into a hybrid and/or full in-person model.  Please see the graphic within our new FAQ document for more information. 

For students in grades K-5, we will offer two options: The Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy (UPOLA) and the Grades K-5 Virtual Model. While the difference between these two K-5 models is detailed nicely in the new FAQ document, I wanted to summarize the differences here. In short, the UPOLA is for families with a child who will have support in the home to engage in live teaching at designated times during a typical school day (9am - 3pm; half day for Kindergarten). Those families may choose to send their child(ren) back to school at one of the transition windows, but really like the online option for as long as they can do it. The Full Virtual Model is for families with a child who will NOT have support in the home to engage consistently in live teaching at designated times during the typical school day. These families preferred face to face if it was available and will likely pursue face to face when it becomes available. Information about an updated Parent Declaration for K-5 Parents will be provided early next week.

Additionally, during the public comments section of the special Board meeting, a number of parents of special education students understandably expressed concern about a virtual learning environment. I wanted to address those questions. For some students with an identified disability who are eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), IEP teams will begin to discuss potential participation in partial in-person instruction based upon their identified needs and at the discretion of the IEP team. The students recommended to attend face to face instruction will be those students requiring a higher level of support and service, that cannot be delivered virtually. The majority of students recommended to participate in face to face instruction currently receive services from a low incident program, such as Autistic Support, Multiple Disability Support, or a Life Skills Support program. Students identified with an Intellectual Disability and requiring an increased level of support and service may also be recommended to participate in face to face instruction at the start of the school year.

Please take a few moments to review the new FAQ document this weekend, and if you have additional questions or concerns, please send them to questions@upsd.org. We will continue to add to and update that document as we are able to, but again, we ask for your patience as we do not have all of the answers at this time. I hope to have more information to share with our community next week. Thanks again for your cooperation, and I wish you all a good weekend!

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

7/28/20: Board Approves Recommendation to Begin Year Online

Dear UPSD Community - 

At tonight’s virtual Special Board Meeting, the Board voted to approve the recommendation from district administration, with support from the faculty, to begin the 2020-21 school year fully virtual through at least November 20, 2020.  For some students with an identified disability who are eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), IEP teams will begin to discuss potential participation in partial in-person instruction based upon their identified needs and at the discretion of the IEP team. 

This decision came after numerous discussions over the last several weeks, in response to new and revised guidance from state and local entities, as well a surge of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania. Additionally, as we’ve worked with our colleagues at other area districts, it has become clear that more and more districts are considering a fully virtual start to the year.

I encourage you to check out this presentation, which is also available on the district homepage, for more on the information that was presented to the Board by Dr. Farina, Mrs. Bast and me.

Please know that our team realizes that there is no “right” decision for how to return to school this academic year. We know that there are a great many benefits to in-person school, including continuity of instruction, the opportunity for students to interact with peers and staff and much more. However, given the pandemic and the health and safety risks to students, staff and families that are inherent in the resumption of any in-person instruction, with the support of our faculty, the recommendation made to the Board on behalf of the administration was to move to a fully virtual model for the start of the year--and the Board supported that direction.

Of course, as the academic year progresses and the situation with COVID-19 evolves, our hope is that we will be able to reevaluate this model, eventually moving to a hybrid model and/or full face-to-face instruction.

As this decision was only finalized this evening, we will continue to refine our plan as we move forward. Please watch your inbox for another update from me in the coming days, with additional details about the plan for full virtual instruction to begin the 2020-21 school year.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche 
Superintendent of Schools

7/15/20: 2020-21 Parent Declaration Reminder

Dear UPSD Community - 

Given the approaching July 17 deadline for completing the required 2020-21 Parent Declaration, in lieu of my typical Friday email, I wanted to send a mid-week update. As of this morning, we’ve had about one-third of our student population complete the parent declaration form to indicate whether their student will attend school in-person or in the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy to begin the 2020-21 school year, as well as whether or not they plan to utilize district transportation. 

As a parent, and as an educator, I can understand why many of our Upper Perk families may be having a challenging time making the decision to either send their students to school in-person or take advantage of the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy. There are many factors to consider and our teams will continue to work on all the specifics of our Health and Safety Plan for both the current Green Phase and the potential Yellow Phase for our county.

We realize that we are asking for this declaration early in the summer, and that the situation with COVID and schools reopening may likely look different by August 31. Some families may change their minds about their choice between now and then, whether for personal reasons or a broader change in circumstances. We are asking you to make the best, most informed decisions you can by this Friday, based on the information we have at this time, so that our team can continue to plan for the year ahead. In order to accurately plan and prepare for teacher assignments, class rosters and bus routes to be released the third week of August, we must have a more accurate idea of the number of students that will be participating in online and in-person education.

If you need more information in order to complete your parent declaration, please review the Frequently Asked Questions document, which we continue to update, or watch the video on our plans for reopening (NOTE: the mask information in this video is now outdated, but accurate in the FAQ).  If you have additional specific questions, please send them to questions@upsd.org and we will do our best to reply, and possibly add them to the FAQs.  

Please be sure to log in to your Skyward Family Access account no later than this Friday, July 17 to complete this required form, using the steps outlined here. Families needing assistance with their Skyward accounts may contact the main office of the school their child attends. I can’t say this enough: Having this information is vital to our continued planning efforts, so please complete this form to the best of your ability given the information we have at this time.

On another note, as promised in last week’s email: The Upper Perkiomen Education Foundation is selling child and adult-sized spirit wear masks and gaiters. A portion of the proceeds from the #UPStrong Store will be used to help supply students with masks, should they need this assistance. All USPS orders will ship for direct delivery the week of August 24.  All other orders will be available for contact-free pick-up at UPSD locations the week of August 24. The distribution and location details will be emailed the week of August 10.

As always, thanks for your flexibility as we navigate this uncertain time and constantly changing circumstances together. Back in March and April, I spoke a lot about being in uncharted waters, and that remains the case today. The plans and decisions we make will continue to be in the best interests of our students, staff, families and community as a whole. I hope you are having a great week and an enjoyable summer.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

7/10/20: Return-to-School FAQ and Information

Dear UPSD Community - 

As noted in last week’s update email, our team has been hard at work refining our ever-evolving plans for the 2020-21 school year. As we know, the situation with COVID-19 is always changing, as is the guidance from governmental entities. For example, many of you noted that last week’s video message did not address the new mask guidelines announced by the governor’s office last Thursday, which were further clarified for schools on Friday. The reason for that is simple: we recorded the message and prepared associated materials before the announcement had been made, with the most up-to-date information we had available to us at the time.

Return-to-School 2020-21 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
With the goal of keeping our district community as informed as possible always at the forefront of our minds, our team has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document related to the 2020-21 school year. As has been the case throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, we know there are more questions than answers, and our plans will have to be somewhat fluid as things change. However, we felt it was important to do our best to address many of the common themes that have been discussed and questions that have been raised in the district of late. We will continue to update the FAQ regularly as our plans come into greater focus and we receive additional guidance from state and local governmental agencies.

Welcome to New UPSD Families!
I also wanted to take a moment to welcome the many new families that may be receiving my weekly update for the first time. This week, our systems rollover took place, officially transitioning us from the recently completed school year to the upcoming 2020-21 year. So for families of incoming kindergarten students without an older sibling in the district, and other new registrants, this may be one of the first times you’re hearing from me, or learning more about what the coming year could look like in the UPSD.

Resources on the 2020-21 School Year
For our new families, and as a reminder for existing families, there are a number of resources available, many of which we shared one week ago, to help educate you about our plans for the coming year. Dr. Farina, Mrs. Bast and myself recorded a video message outlining our plans for reopening Upper Perk schools, including details about the two learning options the district is offering for the coming year: in-person school and the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy (for students who are unable to or uncomfortable with returning to in-person school). I strongly encourage all UPSD families to watch this message, as it nicely spells out our planning to this point, our current situation and our plans for the year ahead. The slideshow presentation that is used in the video is also available here. One note: as mentioned above, the information on face coverings included in these materials is slightly outdated, but is updated in the FAQ. Additionally, recent email updates are available on the Coronavirus Information & Resources page of the district website.

Next Steps for All UPSD Families
You may be wondering what the next steps are for you as the parent/guardian of an Upper Perk student. As of now, we are asking all families (of both existing students and new registrants) to review the information we’ve released (such as the video, presentation, email updates and FAQ noted above). After you have done that, we are asking all families to consider the options, and let us know by Friday, July 17 whether their student(s) will be returning to our schools for face-to-face instruction, or if they prefer to take advantage of the Upper Perk Online Learning Academy. This choice will be indicated by completing the required 2020-21 Parent Declaration Form in Skyward Family Access. We recognize that we’re asking families to make this initial declaration early in the summer, however having a good idea of the number of students enrolled in in-person school vs. the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy will aid in our planning and help facilitate getting our Health & Safety Plan approved by the Board in August.

Instructions for Completing the REQUIRED 2020-2021 Parent Declaration Form in Skyward Family Access (with screenshots) are available here. 

Families with questions about logging in to their Skyward Family Access account should contact the main office/secretary of the school their child attends from Mon-Thurs during business hours:

• Hereford: 215-679-4151 or Kristal Bitner (kbitner@upsd.org)
• Marlborough: 215-541-7299 or Tanisha Bates (tvbates@upsd.org) 
• 4th & 5th Grade Center: 215-679-6288 or Anna Hannon (ahannon@upsd.org)
• UPMS: 267-313-4800 or Patricia Keller (pkeller@upsd.org) 
• UPHS: 215-679-5935 or Michele Martin (mmartin@upsd.org) 

UPEF Face Coverings Store Information Coming Soon
We anticipate that next week we’ll be sharing information on behalf of the Upper Perkiomen Education Foundation regarding the sale of UPSD face coverings. This sale will be a fundraiser for the Foundation, with proceeds benefiting our district, and will provide our community with the opportunity to purchase face coverings with Upper Perk colors and logos. Stay tuned for more information on this sale soon!

In Closing
On behalf of the entire Upper Perk team, thank you for your patience as we continue to work through the plans to provide the best educational program for our students, while taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our staff, students and community at large. We have many steps ahead of us in this process, and knowing the plans for each student will be extremely helpful as we continue to plan. Our Task Force and Work Groups will continue to meet during the summer and their recommendations will be incorporated into the UPSD Health and Safety Plan. 

We do not have all the answers at this time, but we will continue to update the Frequently Asked Questions document as we move through this process. Email updates will continue to be sent to our district community throughout the summer. If you have additional questions after reviewing the FAQ and other resources, please direct them to questions@upsd.org, or contact Mrs. Bast (kbast@upsd.org) with questions specific to the Upper Perk Online Learning Academy or academics in general. Your continued support and flexibility is very much appreciated. I hope you have a great weekend, and are enjoying the summer.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools 

Over the course of this school closure, we’ve received a number of inquiries from community members and businesses asking how they may lend support to our students, especially in regard to our Grab and Go Meal Program. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has reached out in that regard. Your generosity and genuine concern for Upper Perk students’ well being is heartwarming! 

At this time, the district, like many other community organizations, is not able to accept donations of food or other products. This is to ensure the safety of our staff and our students/families. Volunteer opportunities are also very limited in an effort to help contain the spread of COVID-19. 

If you would like to help UPSD in a tangible way during this time, providing financial support is the best method to help ensure that we are able to continue to provide meals to our students in need of food.

If you would like to support the Grab and Go Meal Program, which is available to all students K-12, please make your check payable to the UPSD Cafeteria Account and mail it to the Upper Perkiomen Education Center 2229 East Buck Road Suite 2 Pennsburg, PA 18073. Thank you for your support!

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that community organizations and resources, such as The Open Link, are being heavily relied upon during this unprecedented situation. For those who wish to help the students and families of the Upper Perkiomen Valley, providing support to community organizations is crucial during times like these to help ensure that supplies are available to those who need it most.

Meaningful Learning Activities - March 2020
With the help of our faculty and administrators, we have compiled a robust list of meaningful learning activities that families may use during this break to keep students learning and active.

2020 School Closure Meals
UPSD Food Services will be offering grab-and-go meals for any students in need of food during this break, beginning Monday, March 23. Those in need of food may also contact The Open Link.

Strategies for Supporting Students and Families
Check out some great resources from the Pupil Services team.

HS School Counseling Office Newsletter March 2020
This newsletter includes helpful information related to the school closure.

Student Assistance Counselors
Student Assistance counselors are available to connect students and families to community supports and resources, for individual & group counseling and much more.

INFORMATION ON COVID-19:

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus Fact Sheet

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus Infographic

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus General Information

CDC - Coronavirus Information

CDC - Coronavirus Fact Sheet

CDC - Stop the Spread of Germs

Marsh - Coronavirus Resilience Fact Sheet

Healthgrades - Coronavirus Symptoms and Complications

Healthgrades - 10 Things to Know About Coronavirus

Healthgrades - Questions and Answers About Coronavirus

ExpressScripts - Should I Order My Meds Early?

ExpressScripts - Coronavirus Response

ExpressScripts - Pandemic Information

PA DEPT OF HEALTH SPANISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES (EN ESPANOL):

CORONAVIRUS

INFORMACIÓN SOBRE EL COVID-19 PARA NEGOCIOS ESENCIALES

GUÍA SOBRE EL EQUIPO DE PROTECCIÓN PERSONAL (EPP) PARA EL COVID-19

LIDIAR CON LAS PREOCUPACIONES POR EL COVID-19

¿CÓMO HABLAR CON LOS NIÑOS ACERCA DEL COVID-19?

GUÍA PARA CLÍNICAS DE WIC PARA EL COVID-19

PARENT/EDUCATION RESOURCES:

NASP - Talking to Children About COVID-19

CDC - Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019

PBS - 10 tips for talking about COVID-19 with your kids

Five Ways to Become Closer with Social Distancing

Supporting your Child

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus Information for Schools

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus K-12 Fact Sheet

Jefferson Health - COVID-19 Family Resources

Daily Schedule for Parents During School Closure

Hand Washing Poster

Social Distancing Poster

Helpful Tips Poster

BrainPop - Coronavirus Video for Kids

NPR - Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

Little Puddins: The Autism Educator - Coronavirus Social Story

Two Way Street – Communication Therapy Solutions and Resources - Talking to kids about Coronavirus

COMMUNITY & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

The Open Link - Variety of Local Resources
The Open Link is available to help with a variety of community needs:

• Their food pantry and our meals on wheels are operating well with dedicated crews of both staff and volunteers from their two locations. 
• They are also doing benefits acquisition, rental/utility/other assistance, domestic violence counseling, other emergency assistance primarily over the phone. 
• Although open for business, both sites are closed to the public. Please email them at info@theopenlink.org or call us at 215-679-4112 M-F, 8-4 with any needs or questions. 
• Volunteers: Fortunately their volunteer corps is still healthy. People that would like to be part of our backup for food pantry or meals on wheels can send their information to Tammy Styer at volunteers@theopenlink.org.
• Donations: The Open Link is accepting financial donations. They are accepting food and personal care donations including disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer at the 452 Penn Street, Pennsburg location. There are bins outside  to put donations, and they will then quarantine the donations for 72 hours to ensure non-transfer of virus. Financial donations can be made through the DONATE link on their website.

MontCo Anti-Hunger Network - Food Pantry List

Montgomery Country Department of Health - COVID-19 Contact Information

Montgomery County Department of Health - COVID-19 Testing Information

Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Task Force - Suicide Crisis and Prevention Resource Guide 

PMHCA and Youth MOVE PA - Virtual Drop-Ins to Reduce Social Isolation

NAMI - Online Mental Health Support Groups

SAMHSA - Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

SAMHSA - Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

SAMHSA - Tips for Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Social Distancing and Quarantine

BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION (substance use, misuse & addiction) - Online Resources
Every Tuesday at 7pm Be a Part of the Conversation will host an Online Program addressing substance use, misuse and addiction and its impact on individuals and their families by building a culture of awareness and support. Registration required.

PA Works - Simplified Unemployment Compensation Information