WHY THESE ASSESSMENTS MATTER
The PSSA and Keystone exams give us a meaningful snapshot of how our students are growing as learners — and they help our teachers, administrators, and community understand where we're doing well and where we can continue to improve. These results inform the instructional decisions we make for your children every single day.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT
Encourage a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast on testing days; we serve breakfast daily at UCASD!
Remind them to do their best — that's all we ever ask.
Keep the tone relaxed and positive at home; these assessments are a chance to shine, not something to worry about.
Make sure your student is present on their scheduled testing days if at all possible.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
We also waned to share copies of some information provided annually by PDE that you may find helpful. In your email and on our website, you'll find copies of the following:
PDE Parent Letter Cell Phones and Electronic Devices 2026
PDE PSSA Spring 2026 Parent Letter FAQ
PDE Keystone Spring 2026 Parent Letter FAQ
PDE Calculator Policy 2026 - All students are provided with a handheld calculator during testing
For more information about our district's assessment program, including helpful resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit our Student Assessment page at: https://www.ucasd.org/page/student-assessment. You can contact each of our School Assessment Coordinators directly via email as follows:
Mr. McMahan at the Elementary School (emcmahan@ucasd.org)
Mr. Anthony at the Middle School (janthony@ucasd.org)
Mrs. Conti at the High School (aconti@ucasd.org)
Mrs. Dell as the District Assessment Coordinator (sdell@ucasd.org)
We are so proud of our Bear students and the hard work they put in every day. These assessments are just one more chance for them to show what they know — and we know they're ready. Thank you for your support of our students!
#GoBears
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! Please join us for tonight's FREE community concert, sponsored by the Hayden R. Hitchcock Memorial Foundation, happening in conjunction with UCASD's free "Wellness Fair." The free live music, ATTABOY, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the MS/HS gymnasium. From 5:00-7:00, we are inviting families to come learn about local wellness resources from community providers and participate in interactive, student-friendly activities centered around mental health and well-being. Both fliers for these events are included below.
More information about the concert can be accessed on the QR code on the ATTABOY flier or via their website (https://attaboyonline.com/home#tour).
Admission to the UCASD Wellness Fair is free for all community members, as is admission to the Foundation's concert.
Attention UC Graduating Seniors & Community Members:
The Corry Higher Education Council and EC3 have partnered up to offer two FREE courses taught in the Corry Higher Education Council Building this April and May. Students who may be considering these courses will need to fill out the FAFSA form but will not need to borrow money to attend. The Higher Ed Council is hosting two information sessions for FAFSA Completion.
EC3 is hosting the first financial aid information session. This will take place on March 23, 2026, from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
No need to register. Stop in to the Corry Higher Education Council to learn more!
Students and parents are welcome to attend our Financial Aid Night on March 25, 2026, to learn about the different types of aid that are available. This free information session will be held at the Corry Higher Education Council on March 25, 2026, from 6p-7:30p. **Pre-registration is required by visiting www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.
Please see the attached images for information and reach out to Corry Higher Ed Council or EC3 via the information provided if you are interested or have any questions. Mrs. Conti, our high school guidance counselor at UCASD, will be emailing this information to students and posting fliers with additional information in the high school office.
WE ARE ONE WEEK AWAY from the FREE community concert, sponsored by the Hayden R. Hitchcock Memorial Foundation, happening in conjunction with UCASD's free "Wellness Fair" for all families and community members. The free live music, ATTABOY, sponsored exclusively by the Hayden R. Hitchcock Memorial Foundation, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the MS/HS gymnasium. From 5:00-7:00, we are inviting families to come learn about local wellness resources from community providers and participate in interactive, student-friendly activities centered around mental health and well-being. Both fliers for these events are included below.
More information about the concert can be accessed on the QR code on the ATTABOY flier or via their website (https://attaboyonline.com/home#tour).
Admission to the UCASD Wellness Fair is free for all community members, as is admission to the Foundation's concert.
--High School Biology Teacher
--High School Mathematics Teacher
--High School Special Education ELA Teacher
These postings are open until noon on Friday, March 20, 2026; application details are listed on the fliers below. #GoBears!
Did you know that the Hayden R. Hitchcock Memorial Foundation is sponsoring an upcoming FREE concert for the community right here at UC? That evening, UCASD is hosting a free "Wellness Fair" for all families and community members. The free live music, ATTABOY, sponsored exclusively by the Hayden R. Hitchcock Memorial Foundation, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the MS/HS gymnasium. From 5:00-7:00, we are inviting families to come learn about local wellness resources from community providers and participate in interactive, student-friendly activities centered around mental health and well-being. Both fliers for these events are included below.
More information about the concert (not a school-sponsored event) can be accessed on the QR code on the ATTABOY flier.
Admission to the UCASD Wellness Fair is free for all community members, as is admission to the Foundation's concert.
Congratulations to Alexis Taylor who was recognized as an Exemplary Student at the Erie County Technical School! Alexis earned this award by having both high honors and perfect attendance for the first semester. Alexis is a student in the Cosmetology Lab.
