Chester High School

More than 700 employees gathered Wednesday morning at Chester Middle School’s auditorium as Chester County School District (CCSD) welcomed staff back for the start of the 2026-2027 school year during its annual District Opening Convocation. 

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Chester County, Growing Our Future Together,” reflected the district’s commitment to building upon its strong community foundation while preparing students for future success. 

Superintendent Tammy Snipes officially launched her first full year as superintendent by sharing her personal journey as a proud alumna of CCSD and highlighting the importance of serving the community that helped shape her educational and professional experience. 

Special guest Maquita Fair, a 2002 graduate of Chester County Schools and current City Administrator for the City of Chester, shared her own inspiring story and expressed gratitude to the educators and staff members who played a significant role in her academic and personal development. 

Current and former District Teachers and Support Staff of the Year, Connie Spin, Kara Murrell, Jack Sink and Laquinda Green helped hype up the crowd and emcee the event.  They passed out sway donated by York Technical College to help celebrate the occasion. 

Following the convocation, employees had the opportunity to explore and engage with the community through experiences made possible by the support of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce and numerous local businesses and community partners. Teachers and staff enjoyed complimentary lunch from local restaurants and food trucks while participating in one of three community-focused activities: visiting downtown Chester, exploring Chester State Park, or touring historic sites throughout Chester County.