That is the reason behind a change you will see this year. Phones in classrooms pull attention away from learning. We want our classrooms to be places where students are fully engaged with their teachers and with each other. The goal is not to remove technology from school. Just the opposite. We want technology used on purpose, as a learning tool, without constant interruptions.
Here is what will change. Beginning this fall at the High School, students will place their phones in a designated hanging pouch when they enter each classroom. Phones stay there for the class period. Each building will have procedures that fit its own students and setting. These changes also bring us in line with new state requirements, and we presented them publicly at the August 11 Board meeting.
Families often ask how to reach a student during the school day. That has not changed. You can always reach your child through the building office, and our emergency communication procedures remain the same.
A full explanation of each building ' s procedures is on the District website. You can also call your child ' s building office with questions. Any change involving student technology takes clear communication and consistency, and we appreciate your partnership.
A Long-Term Commitment to Our Employees
Our students succeed because of the people who serve them every day.
At the August 11, 2026 meeting, the Chartiers Valley Board of School Directors unanimously approved a fully executed collective bargaining agreement with our custodial and maintenance employees. The agreement runs through June 30, 2033.
This long-term agreement reflects a shared commitment by the Board and administration to stability, fairness, and a positive working environment.
Our custodial and maintenance teams keep our schools safe, clean, and welcoming. Much of their work happens out of sight. Its impact is felt in every building, every day. We are grateful for them.
Celebrating Our Alumni: Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame
Our schools are more than what happens in classrooms. We are part of a community with a proud history and thousands of graduates making a difference here and beyond.
This fall we will celebrate that history at the first Chartiers Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, on Saturday, October 10, at 5:30 p. m. at Nevillewood.
The evening will honor people whose athletic accomplishments helped shape Chartiers Valley. More than that, it is a chance to reconnect with our alumni and strengthen the bond between our schools and the graduates who came before. We look forward to welcoming many members of the Chartiers Valley family back home.
Chartiers Valley to Host the Safe Schools Summit
Safety and security remain among our highest priorities.
This fall, Chartiers Valley School District will host the annual Safe Schools Summit, organized by the Western Pennsylvania Leadership Collaborative. The event brings together School
Resource Officers, security professionals, school administrators, and safety technology experts from across Pennsylvania.
We are proud to host it. It gives professionals from across the Commonwealth a chance to share ideas, examine best practices, and learn about new technology. It is also a chance to show that Chartiers Valley approaches school safety proactively rather than reactively.
Looking Ahead Together
There is a great deal of good work underway at Chartiers Valley.
Our students are growing. Our three-year plan is clear. Our STEM and robotics programs are expanding. Our finances are stable. Our employees have a long-term agreement. And we continue to invest in the safety of every student and staff member.
None of this happens because of one person or one department. It happens because Chartiers Valley is a community. Our teachers bring expertise and care into the classroom every day. Our administrators provide leadership. Our support professionals keep our schools running. Our Board provides governance and oversight. Our families reinforce the value of education at home. And our students are the reason we do this work.
We will celebrate our successes. We will also stay honest about where we need to improve. We will keep making decisions based on what is best for students.
Most of all, we will keep expecting great things from our students, and keep giving them the support they need to get there.
Welcome back, Chartiers Valley.
Here is to a 2026-2027 school year filled with learning, achievement, opportunity, and pride in everything that makes our school community special.
Let ' s make it a great year for Chartiers Valley. Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Castagna, Superintendent Chartiers Valley School District hartiers Valley
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