IMPORTANT DATES & INFO FOR THE START OF SCHOOL

Student Schedules: Individual student schedules will be live in PowerSchool on Monday, August 18, at 8:00 a.m. As you can imagine, building the master schedule each year is a highly complex task. At this point, schedule changes can only be considered for unique needs related to academic programming. If a student requires a change to their schedule, please contact the counseling office. As we continue to finalize the master schedule, there may still be minor changes to student schedules. 

Freshmen and New Student Orientation: Freshmen and New Student Orientation is planned for Wednesday, August 20, from 6-8 p.m. in the UHS Auditorium. We have a great evening planned to help you learn about life as a UHS student. There will be time for students to walk the building and follow their schedule, pick up their Chromebooks, visit the UHS Clubs and Activities Preview, and ask individual questions of our upperclassmen. Here is a link to the invitational flier. 

UHS Walk-Thru: On Friday, August 22, the UHS Campus will be open from 9-2 p.m. for any student interested in taking a self-guided tour of the building. This is a good opportunity to find your classrooms. Student volunteers will be available to assist students and families.

UHS Schedule for Monday, August 25, 2025:

• Period 1:  8-8:49-  All students report to period 1. After welcome and attendance, 12th graders will be dismissed to the auditorium for the 12th-grade class meeting.
• Period 2:  8:53-9:38- All students report to period 2. After welcome and attendance, 9th graders will be dismissed to the auditorium for the 9th-grade class meeting.
• Period 3:  9:42-10:27- All students report to period 3. After welcome and attendance, 10th graders will be dismissed to the auditorium for the 10th-grade class meeting. 
• Lunch and Learn: 10:37 -11:35
• Period 6:  11:39-12:20- All students report to period 6. Students will watch a safety procedure video and we will conduct a safety drill.
• Period 7:  12:24-1:09- All students report to period 7. After welcome and attendance,11th graders will be dismissed to the auditorium for the 11th-grade class meeting.
• Period 8:  1:13-1:58- All students report to period 8. We will conduct a severe weather and lockdown drill. 
• Period 9:  2:02-2:43- All students report to period 9. After welcome and attendance, TCHS students in 9th, 10th, and 12th grade will be dismissed to the auditorium for class meetings.

*9th graders and transfer students who did not pick up their Chromebook at New Student Orientation will go to the library to pick up their Chromebooks during period 1. 

*TCHS students should report to the auditorium lobby by 7:50 am. The TCHS bus will pick students up at the front of the building. 

Back-to-School Night: We look forward to seeing everybody on Wednesday, September 10 from 6-8 p.m. for our annual Back-to-School Night. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet our teachers and connect with your child's classroom.

UHS Handbook: This is a link to the UHS Student Handbook. Below we have listed a few reminders. The UHS handbook will provide a comprehensive overview of all UHS policies and procedures. 

Bell / Arrival Schedule: All students should report to their 1st period upon arrival to the building each morning. The first bell rings at 7:55 am and students are to report to period 1 by 8:00 am for attendance. Students who arrive at 1st period after 8:00 am are considered tardy. Click the bell schedule to access the schedule for UHS. 

Click the student drop-off video if you plan to drop your student off at school. 

Absences: Absence notes must be received within 3 days of reporting to school. Unreported absences will be considered unlawful unless communication is received within (3) days of returning to school. Three unlawful absences will trigger attendance improvement meetings.  

Tardies: In the event a student is late in arriving at school, the student must report to the Main Office, sign in, and obtain an admit-to-class slip. A student must submit a note no later than the following day or discipline will be assigned.  Please note that only those circumstances listed under Excused/ Lawful absence per board policy 204 will be accepted to excuse lateness to school.

• An unexcused lateness following second period will be considered as cutting school.
• Students may have up to two unexcused latenesses to school per semester. Beginning with the third unexcused lateness to school, students can be assigned detention.
• Excuses for reasons such as oversleeping, car trouble, or bad weather will not be excused by the office, even if a note is provided.
• Failure to sign into the office upon arrival at school may result in a detention being assigned.

Reporting Daily Student Absences and/or Tardies: Parents/Guardians can report absences and tardies by emailing uhsattendance@ucfsd.net, submitting the Absence Excuse found in PowerSchool, or bringing a handwritten note to the front office. Please refer to the UHS Handbook for our attendance requirements. 

Security: Please be reminded that students will only be able to enter and exit the building through two entrances (Main Entrance, Cafeteria/ Gymnasium Entrance) before and after school. During the school day, the main office will be the only point of entry. When possible, we encourage students to travel directly to the appropriate entry point prior to entering the building. In addition, please be reminded that UHS does NOT operate a drop-off table, so please plan accordingly. We can provide your student with just about anything that they would need to make it through the school day. 

Code of Conduct: Please take a few moments to review the Student Code of Conduct (as outlined in Board Policy #218, AG-1).  During the first week of school, we will provide a complete review of the Student Code of Conduct with our students. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our #1 responsibility. 

Student Activities: We encourage all students to connect with our school and their peers by getting involved in student activities. We have a robust program - there’s really something for everyone, and it’s never too late to try something new.

TCHS Transportation: If you ever have any questions about any of our career and technical education programs (CTE), please contact your school counselor or Assistant Principal, Mrs. Lyles at mlyles@ucfsd.net. 

Below are some transportation reminders to get you started for the school year: 

• Pennocks Bridge students (including welding and construction trades at Octorara HS) will be picked up outside of the Auditorium entrance. Please report there by 7:50 AM. 
• Octorara Homeland Security students will be picked up outside of the UHS main entrance. Report there by 7:50 AM
• Students who attend the Brandywine campus programs will be picked up at their home, and then transferred onto a bus at Pocopson Elementary School to be transported to TCHS Brandywine.

Lunch and Learn / Cafeteria: The Cyber Cafe will be open before school to purchase coffee and breakfast items. Students may use their lunch account to purchase food in the cyber cafe and in the cafeteria. The cafeteria will be the only location to purchase lunch this year. As always, students have the ability to eat during one lunch period of their choosing during Lunch and Learn. In addition to the cafeteria, there is seating available in areas across the building for dining.  No matter the location, students have the responsibility and obligation to clean up after themselves and to keep those spaces clean.

Student Dues: All fees can be paid through Revtrak in PowerSchool, by cash, or by check to the main office, made out to UHS Activities. Please include the student name and grade level on the check. All checks must be written in blue or black ink, in order to process through our banking system.

• For the Class of 2026, the fee payment amount is $15 for their senior class dues. Please check PowerSchool for any outstanding balances.
• Starting with the Class of 2027, fees were increased to $100.00 to cover the rising costs of activities and supplies. For the Class of 2027, 2028, and 2029, a one-time class dues charge of $100 is posted in PowerSchool at the beginning of 9th grade. This fee must be paid by the beginning of their Senior year. It is posted on student’s accounts at the beginning of their 9th-grade year for those who prefer to pay them early or in increments.

Bell Schedule: The UHS Bell Schedule has been slightly adjusted, primarily so that our TCHS students and those with senior privs can access the school announcements, which will now take place during period 6. 

Sophomore Seminar: The highly impactful freshman seminar now has a sequel. Sophomore Seminar will be rolled out this year and include topics such as health and wellness, communication, and course selection/career planning. 

College and Career Programming: Last year UHS made significant progress in college and career planning/programming with the addition of Mrs. Davis, our college and career counselor. That was just a start. This year Mrs. Davis has plans to expand programming for parents and students throughout the year, which will include a monthly speaker series and additional evening presentations. 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) formed a committee in the 2024-2025 school year to study the impact of personal electronic devices on students and to make recommendations for policy changes. 

The committee, which included parents, students, teachers, and administrators, conducted surveys, held student panels, and met multiple times to gather feedback. A key finding was that while personal electronic devices can be useful, they also present significant challenges for students and distractions, especially from social media and attention-grabbing applications. 

The committee's recommendations include a revised Policy 237 that adjusts expectations for personal electronic device use at each school level. At the high school level, the policy states: 

The Board prohibits the use of any personal electronic devices by any high school student during instructional times during the school day. Personal electronic devices must be turned off when students are in classrooms and other locations where instruction is taking place, including study halls. Teachers may further require students to place their phones in a designated area in the classroom during instructional time at their discretion.

Students in the high school are permitted to use personal electronic devices during noninstructional times including lunch periods, before school hours, after school hours, between classes, and on district transportation so long as such use does not:

• Disrupt school activities.
• Violate any other Board or school policies.
• Violate state or federal law.
• Violate any of the prohibitions set forth elsewhere in this policy.

Advisors and coaches of extracurricular activities shall have discretion to regulate and limit the use of personal or district-issued electronic devices by high school students while participating in sports or extracurricular activities, and school-sponsored trips.

Nothing in this policy shall affect the provision or use of a personal or district-issued electronic device as stated in an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Service Agreement or student health plan.