[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976142,"mediaKeyId","5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368","parentId",5842880,"title","Charles Kelley showcases after-school STEM club with coding, Legos and teamwork","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",362000,"endMs",595000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368&start=362&end=595","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368/thumbnail_362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976142/Pennsylvania/Charles-Kelley-showcases-after-school-STEM-club-with-coding-Legos-and-teamwork","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976142-de7a1cea67a9e0ff3211fc7a42afd9a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181100&Signature=lU0pGfGN-KbGYHUMBwfNNwdhuZ1fjsI9tqmc64BB7-JIWj~5P7sC-a83p1LL3Hifv9VMD9pSsGmeXhxOJUNorYg6vgCzb6NtCg3H3Rw6bVLVpNhAjL0rKMEMmcbdcon5HsxqJ-KPtYtYfQPCIinX9V199tyNAbd3btoEoKpUDxCoqBERdImy9m58I-RixW1e9aNVrXSCIwmB9Fs08WBFzGu1pT4orJK2z0OBstxoxxVXFae45qvjlpmu4vF3Dyqy04ZZe9L1TchoPC0P~ECaf3EbLX6Y7Kzfd4QGQZ5pr4Rt0VzkoSMkOMSF-9guo8Sr-ng6g~vYtvV4LCB5ja-mGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Upper Darby School District","date","2025-09-23T18:07:50Z","article","Charles Kelley Elementary School administrators presented an after-school STEM club to the Upper Darby School Board on Feb. 11, describing coding lessons, Lego engineering challenges and group problem-solving exercises designed to build persistence and collaboration.

Principal Dina Williams introduced the program and credited volunteer teacher Shannon McAllister with leading the club. Assistant Principal Cynthia Mallord said students work on online coding exercises, test theories of motion and balance with Lego sets, and participate in team challenges such as building a basketball-launch device or a model roller coaster that require measured planning and steady collaboration.

Student comments played in the presentation and one student said that when projects “are not working, I get overwhelmed… but my teacher, thanks Miss McAllister, she taught me how to breathe, take my deep breaths” and described slowing down to solve problems. Mallord and Williams emphasized that the activities give students hands-on experience with the design process and encourage skills — perseverance, grit and collaboration — that they described as useful beyond the classroom.

Next steps: school leaders said the club will continue as an optional, after-school activity and plan to expand activities to additional groups of students in future sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UDSD School Board Meeting & Work Session: February 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Charles Kelley Elementary presented a new after-school STEM club led by fourth-grade teacher Shannon McAllister; students described coding exercises, Lego challenges and teamwork skills—organizers said the club emphasizes perseverance, problem solving and collaboration.","taxTitle","Upper Darby SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14584,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976148,"Highland Park launches districtwide fifth-grade–first-grade reading-buddies program",150,142000,292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368&start=142&end=292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/5976148/Pennsylvania/Highland-Park-launches-districtwide-fifth-gradefirst-grade-reading-buddies-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976148-9afec47f4335778d78ce9ffa4321be5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181100&Signature=Ihf81tWeGx6JIWZjCYg~JVv54hGogFM6YQhBw3qUgWNUE939qAI9rO6xcPHG25ySEa3PtugnCYcwi2yAU8sQY4~5HIDTLlvtUazQumGLCs7E05IURykRsL-AJjxhoAtn3-Qx-VKkeQPGHIK581WNp4iCmLV2SNfa6CFVtjFI1XUO50qY2D4huEeJd7RLWE0KuhQxitKMtrg8o9hF8Tj2N3zxPzgX8xW-z~DiwWg74dTbGnh1U1VMSDkEvxV-rlk~E-cGj~kxQ~~WVrwZGv~CM4vxbP5bGHrrlo7FLwaEEYs9Q4X5ZJWOAWI9QCxeNjntNGAngS8BTzoKfNc8CwpNaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Highland Park Elementary School presented a new reading-buddies program on Feb. 11 that pairs the entire fifth grade with first-grade students for monthly reading and craft activities, Principal Joanne DeVito said. DeVito introduced newly arrived assistant principal William Smalls and described the program’s goals: build relationships, improve early reading skills and provide older students leadership opportunities.

How it works: DeVito said each first-grade teacher provided class lists and recommended fifth-grade partners for students with specific needs — for example, pairing a shy first grader with a more outgoing fifth grader or matching English-language learners with students familiar with their home language. The buddies meet monthly to read stories, complete math and reading-related crafts and exchange small holiday gifts.

Impact observed: DeVito described improved first-grade reading confidence and said the “patience, kindness, and genuine admiration they share with and for one another is beautiful to watch.” She also thanked central administration for support during the school’s recent staffing transition and thanked the board and superintendent for recently delivered desks and chairs.

Next steps: Highland Park staff said they will continue the program annually and expand activities and experiences for the participating students. Jason Taylor produced a short video the school shared with the board showing classroom interactions and activities.","Highland Park Elementary presented a program pairing every fifth grader with a first grader for monthly reading and craft activities; administrators said the pairing accounts for student needs such as shyness and English-language learning and that the program will continue annually.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976152,"Upper Darby board moves to adopt several policy updates, including public-records and opioid antagonist policy",145,2169000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368&start=2169&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368/thumbnail_2169000.jpg","/articles/5976152/Pennsylvania/Upper-Darby-board-moves-to-adopt-several-policy-updates-including-public-records-and-opioid-antagonist-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976152-c2380cbc781ec792c9aff9a8f601146e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181100&Signature=UfohjhNSQ-jcGCe7nuJLrZiCtZfKE7dHrb3KM-lsvnAS5QgeuJJ49U2AR8HnuT7hgCSXiqkAXUyfFFgZosDAIu0ZuLaju1GEe3APEVePlM3r~NhoAMZxWKFZpje8xj9naN~pwfPcz4CWIu~RQzpc31r-Qgqf-sFirkltKdBuWTVy-eSBLlqKOXs38kks1iDrCWcTwsQSk5dSIANPBVwNnwVDVsFyfy~QO1hztmwZFZOc9oZwgkgh-Qhr5upYhb8jq3XaIX92L7~WSaKnux5Xu~nMxO9D~MoBv~U0TQKOcrq1J1vBQEmWwFlF1dpxfpjW3vRMBHbCraeueB9jdVkjWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Worsavage summarized first-reading changes to three district policies and then presented five policies for second-reading adoption at the Feb. 11 meeting of the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors. Worsavage said the first-reading updates (Policy 005 — organization; Policy 200 — enrollment of students; Policy 202 — eligibility of nonresident students) will return for further committee consideration and a second reading before adoption.

On second reading the board approved changes to Policy 610 (purchases subject to bid/quotation), Policy 611 (purchases budgeted), Policy 801 (public records), Policy 807 (opening exercises/moment of silence/flag displays), and Policy 823 (opioid antagonist). The board moved the policies and carried the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: the updates change procurement thresholds to align with Pennsylvania law, clarify district responsibilities under the Right-to-Know Law for public-records requests and add the state-mandated moment-of-silence requirement for Sept. 11 anniversaries to opening-exercise rules. The opioid antagonist policy (formerly titled naloxone policy) was updated to reflect current state statutory terminology and definitions.

Details: Worsavage said Policy 610 updates dollar amounts at which the district must seek quotes and bids to match Pennsylvania law. He said Policy 801 was edited to clarify the district’s public-records obligations under the Right-to-Know Law. He referenced Act 25 of 2024 and a new section of the Pennsylvania School Code (transcribed as section 1555) in explaining the required moment-of-silence language included in Policy 807. Worsavage also said Policy 823 reflects updated state statute terminology and replaces older naloxone-specific language with the broader term “opioid antagonist.”

Board action: Director Worsavage moved to adopt the policies; a second was recorded and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The transcript records the motion being moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tally appears in the public transcript.

Next steps: the first-reading policies (005, 200, 202) will continue through committee and return for a second reading before possible adoption. The adopted second-reading policies take effect in accordance with district policy-adoption processes.","The board advanced first-read language for three policies and adopted five policies at second reading, including updates to public-records rules, procurement thresholds, opening exercises and the district's opioid antagonist policy.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976155,"Upper Darby officials delay decision on Charles Kelley School, set April 29 vote on 2025-26 closure",75,1424000,1499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368&start=1424&end=1499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842880-da528398099066cddc5ac2b406798368/thumbnail_1424000.jpg","/articles/5976155/Pennsylvania/Upper-Darby-officials-delay-decision-on-Charles-Kelley-School-set-April-29-vote-on-2025-26-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976155-7f7ae6e84325c5b865384eaf9c331c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181100&Signature=I0XeOoY3NhsFNnX3YeTwT~nwg9KSULM2GiMLgChRi2OUc3dOZh7ea26cG9YrXQl~bxlJbqtd23cy3p52I9L-Ox1G3dVONw0OUhnJcev0N5ofDhjfXj7V-aJmXWLjRvfDRMKX0L75jhM~~9snSdk~Ja0CZ3bgiyylJIC0hc608lBbrpE2XK7FfqFSkAzXQ6shZa4ihVMcCgBgPnhjFBXzSNMpTGAxqm0xwBFvs50rJhglrhKhfjYnmNqrYRC8SXDoVG6BNyVTiLs5cjNuNJqxJIWrngpj-sv79iXfIi5PVqrj~ZSt2UBCquLIfIFwpKjTlq4MeaDMGGbLO~BjMwR42g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Daniel McGarry told the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors on Feb. 11 that the board has asked the administration and the district solicitor to negotiate a possible lease extension for Charles Kelley Elementary School and to consider keeping the school open for the 2025-26 school year. McGarry said the board will vote on the question during its April 29, 2025 public meeting; the vote will consider whether to close Charles Kelley at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year rather than the 2024-25 school year.

Why it matters: the possible closure would trigger redistricting that the superintendent said would affect Highland Park, Hillcrest, Aronamik (transcribed as Eronomik/Aronamiq), and Stonehurst schools and will require staff and family engagement about student reassignment, transportation and other operational details. McGarry said administration and home-and-school associations are meeting and that the district will continue outreach to answer questions from families.

Details and process: McGarry said administrators and the solicitor are negotiating a lease-extension option and that the board “has asked the administration to consider keeping Charles Kelley Elementary School open for the 2025-26 school year.” He invited continuing written comments to charleskellyhearing@upperderbysd.org and said the district will post updates in its regular communications. The board set the April 29, 2025 public meeting as the date for a vote on whether to close the school at the end of the 2025-26 year.

What was discussed: McGarry said the administration has met with staff and home-and-school associations, and that the district will continue meetings with staff and families. He thanked families, staff and board members for engagement and asked the community to continue sending comments and questions to the provided hearing address. The superintendent also tied the matter into broader budget and enrollment planning the district is conducting.

Next steps and timeline: the board-directed negotiations (lease extension) are ongoing, staff will continue outreach meetings, and the board will take a formal public vote on April 29, 2025. The superintendent did not provide a final lease agreement or a firm fiscal analysis at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Public comment: the transcript records no in-person or online public comments during the Feb. 11 public comment period; McGarry and district staff encouraged written submissions to the hearing email for consideration ahead of the April vote.","Superintendent Daniel McGarry told the school board the district is negotiating a lease extension and will consider keeping Charles Kelley Elementary open for the 2025-26 school year; the board scheduled a vote for April 29, 2025 on whether to close the school at the end of 2025-26.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charles Kelley showcases after-school STEM club with coding, Legos and teamwork

Highland Park launches districtwide fifth-grade–first-grade reading-buddies program

Upper Darby board moves to adopt several policy updates, including public-records and opioid antagonist policy

Upper Darby officials delay decision on Charles Kelley School, set April 29 vote on 2025-26 closure