PHOENIXVILLE AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARENT
ELEMENTARY
HANDBOOK
2008 – 2009
LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
August 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2008-2009 school year. I hope you share my enthusiasm for the great things that lie ahead for our students. The staff and administration are committed to delivering the finest education possible to your children. We at PASD are blessed to have a Board of School Directors who shares a vision of continuous progress toward making Phoenixville a world–class school district.
A world–class education cannot be delivered by our skilled educators alone. Indeed, a school to be successful must engage the parents and guardians in the education of their children. We ask that you become active participants in the learning process by engaging in activities at school and at home to support your young learner. It is no secret that the most successful students are a product of an effective home and school partnership, and opportunities for parent involvement abound in our schools. Please join us in this essential educational journey and become as involved as possible in your child’s school.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the school year. Please be free to communicate your ideas, concerns, and praise to our dedicated and hardworking school personnel. We welcome your input and involvement. Our greatest resource and our future are our children. Together we can prepare them for success in our ever-changing world.
Sincerely,
Maria M. Schwab, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
School Board Members may be contacted by calling or writing
Phoenixville Area School District
Administration Building
1120 South Gay Street
P.O. Box 809
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Telephone Number: 484-927-5000--Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
E-mail for Board of School Directors will be available under School Directors on the PASD Web site: http://www.pasd.k12.pa.us
The School Board’s primary purpose is to formulate policy for the administration of the educational program and to supervise the business affairs of the school district.
Board Workshop meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the auditorium of the Phoenixville Area High School. Parent(s) /guardian(s) and other community members are welcome.
School Board meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the auditorium of the Phoenixville Area High School. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and community members are welcome.
There is no scheduled Board Workshop or Board Meeting in July. The December Board Workshop and Board Meeting are combined and held the first Monday in December.
Our Mission:
The Phoenixville Area School District, a proud innovator of educational practices, affirming its commitment to excellence will graduate students who have mastered the skills necessary to contribute to society and compete in a changing world, by challenging students with a stimulating environment appropriate to the abilities and needs of each student, in partnership with parents and the community.
We believe that . . .
Ø Each individual has worth.
Ø Learning is a continuous and lifelong process.
Ø Learning is a shared responsibility.
Ø Excellence is achievable and worth the investment.
Ø All people can learn.
Ø People learn in different ways and at different rates.
Ø Students are our primary responsibility.
Ø Education is essential to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Ø All people have the right to develop their potential abilities.
Our Goals:
Ø Strengthen parent involvement through community partnerships and programs that increase collaboration between parent and school entities from Pre-K through graduation.
Ø Increase access to, integration of, and understanding of 21st Century technology skills that include students, teachers, and parents.
Ø Increase student motivation and achievement so that all students perform at their highest level.
Ø Improve social interactions and critical communication across social, economic, education, and cultural divides.
Ø Respect the diversity in our community (locally and globally) and integrate that culture into the learning environment.
The Phoenixville Area School District is an equal opportunity employer. The Phoenixville Area School District maintains a positive learning environment and work environment that is free from any discrimination and sexual harassment.
It shall be a violation of Board Policy No. 548, for any student or staff member to harass any student or staff member. Any student or staff member who alleges unlawful harassment may complain directly to a teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator. Any student or staff member who is found, after appropriate investigation, to have engaged in unlawful harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the School Code of Pennsylvania. To further review this policy, please contact the building administrator.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome and encouraged to visit the school for special occasions.
Unauthorized persons may not roam the school building. All visitors to school buildings are required to abide by the following regulations:
Ø Report directly to the school office upon entering the building. Parents may not go directly to classrooms or any other areas of the building.
Ø Upon entering the office, inform the office staff of the nature of your visit. If it is necessary for you to leave the office to visit another area of the building, you will be required to sign in. You will be given a building pass, which is to be returned to the office when you sign out.
Unauthorized persons or those without a legitimate reason to be in the building will be asked to leave. Your cooperation in this matter will assist us in assuring the safety of your child.
Good school attendance is crucial to academic success. Students should be in school on time. Arriving even a few minutes late can be extremely disruptive for your child’s day.
With the exception of an emergency, parent(s)/guardian(s) are urged not to pick up their child prior to dismissal. Early dismissals disrupt the classroom and detract from the educational environment.
Illness is an acceptable reason for being absent. For urgent reasons other than illness, absences are classified as lawful, unlawful, or unexcused by the school administration. Upon returning to school after an absence, each student must present a written excuse giving the reason for the absence. Each excuse must have the following information:
Student’s name Date of absence Date returned to school
Teacher’s name Reason for absence Signature of parent(s)/guardian(s)
If a child misses 10 or more lawful days of school, a written note from
a doctor is required.
Ø Parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to call the school when their child is absent or late to school. This phone call is to ensure the safety of your child. However, a written note must be returned to school following your child’s absence.
Ø If an excuse is not presented by the third day after an absence, it is marked unlawful. When a student accumulates at least three days of unlawful absence, a warning notice is served to the parent(s)/guardian(s) by the Home and School Visitor. One additional half-day or more of unlawful absence results in the prosecution of the parent(s)/guardian(s) under the School Code of Pennsylvania.
Ø Absences due to a family trip/vacation (Policy 204.1) in excess of five days and those without prior written notification to the principal are unexcused absences. Available assignments will be provided if requested a week in advance and students should make up missed work within a three-day period upon returning to school (see page 5, Absences Due to Family Trips/Vacations).
Ø The School Code states that no person excluded from school showing symptoms of a communicable disease shall be readmitted until the school nurse is satisfied that the condition is not communicable. A student is not required to see the school nurse, if a doctor’s note is presented.
Ø In cases of excessive absence, the student may be asked to present an excuse from a doctor to cover each absence; otherwise, the absence is marked unlawful.
Ø Early excusal for religious instruction is granted if a request is submitted to the principal prior to the absence.
ABSENCES DUE TO FAMILY TRIP/VACATION
Board Policy No. 204.1 states that, “Absences due to a family trip/vacation (consecutive or cumulative) in excess of five (5) days are unexcused absences.” If a family/trip occurs within the last ten (10) days of any marking period, the absences will be unexcused. No grades will be issued until the student returns and arrangements are made to administer missed assessments and/or any other evaluative means to determine report card grades.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded that school nurses are prohibited by law from diagnosing an injury or illness. Nursing services in school are limited to injuries, accidents and illnesses which occur either in school or going to and from school and include first aid only. The care of any injuries occurring elsewhere is the responsibility of the parent.
Medication dispensed during school hours must be delivered to the school nurse or principal by the parent/guardian accompanied by a written request from the parent/guardian. Over-the-counter medication should be in the original packaging with the directions accessible. Also, a current pharmacy label and note from the doctor authorizing medication to be given in school, as well as a parent note, is required.
Students will be measured, weighed, and a body mass index (BMI) will be calculated as part of the yearly school health growth screening program. The results of the growth screening will be sent to parents. Please keep in mind that your child’s healthcare provider is the best person to evaluate whether the measures are within a healthy range. Vision screening includes all students. A hearing screening for students in Kindergarten, grades 1, 2, and 3 is conducted. A report is sent home if any of these tests are failed.
Ø Physical examinations are required upon entry into kindergarten, grades 6 and 11, and to new entrants.
Ø Dental examinations are required upon entry into school and into kindergarten, grades 3 and 7, and to new entrants.
Ø Required examinations are available, at no cost, if performed by the school physician and/or dentist.
PLEASE KEEP EMERGENCY INFORMATION CURRENT
Parent(s)/guardian(s) should complete and return the emergency information form that is sent home at the beginning of the school year. Please keep the school office updated of any changes in emergency information such as telephone numbers, emergency contact persons, etc. as soon as possible.
Ø Where busing is provided, the school’s obligation is to bus the students to and from their assigned stops.
Ø School busing should not be used to transport children to occasional baby sitters, friends, after-school appointments, places of employment, lessons, etc.
Ø Emergency changes in the normal dismissal procedures should be requested in writing to the Principal’s office.
Ø Bus drivers may assign students to specific seats when deemed necessary.
Ø In situations where children are entitled to transportation to their home, but stay at a day care facility or babysitter (that is located 1½ miles or more from school) before and after school on a permanent basis, parents may request special busing arrangements for the school year. The child must ride the same bus and use the same stop for morning and afternoon. A request must be made in writing each year to the Transportation Office, P.O. Box 809, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Approved requests will be in effect for the remainder of the school year. The new bus stop must be in the same attendance area.
Ø Intra-school busing for district activities occurs at all grade levels. Parents are notified of activities through announcements, calendars, etc.
Note: Students not complying with these rules will be written up at the bus driver’s discretion. Discipline will be handled through the building administrator.
It is strongly suggested that a parent or other responsible adult meet kindergarten students at the bus stop.
The process of screening for identification of gifted students moves through three levels. Two different instruments are utilized to provide ratings that are compiled to move from the first level to the second level. A third instrument is used as students are screened from level two. The criteria considered for the first level are: formal and informal school assessments and teacher recommendations using the Renzulli-Hartman Scale. The second level screening is an individual Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test.
After qualifying on both levels, the parents(s)/guardian(s) will be sent a “permission to evaluate” form and a complete evaluation will be conducted. A student may be administered an individual psychological evaluation by a school psychologist. The term gifted ability refers to a student who has an IQ of 130 or higher and other strengths determined through multiple criteria as defined by Chapter 16. Eligibility is not determined on the basis of any single test
Proper school attire for students is regulated to guarantee neatness, cleanliness, and good grooming. Students may not wear the following in school:
Ø Clothing with reference to alcohol, drugs, sex, profanity, or violence;
Ø Tank tops, muscle shirts, halter tops, clogs, flip-flops, sandals, or clothing which exposes the midriff;
Ø Hats, outside coats, or sunglasses;
Ø Shoes that are unsafe for walking in building and participating in outdoor recess.
Administrators determine the guidelines related to other articles of clothing, which could be a safety factor or a distraction to students. Each building principal is responsible for communicating the regulations to students and enforcing the policy.
The Phoenixville Area School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical wellbeing, growth, development, and readiness to learn. Board Policy No. 246 is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement. The School Meals Program will operate in accordance with the National School Lunch Program standards and applicable laws and regulations of Pennsylvania.
When moving from the school district, please give at least one week’s notice to the principal’s office to enable processing of appropriate forms for your child’s next school. Completion of the “Exit Survey” is encouraged and can be obtained from the principal’s office.
RELEASE OF RECORDS
Non-custodial and custodial parents have the right to review their children’s records.
SNOW EMERGENCY NUMBERS/EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
At times, it may become necessary to close school due to an emergency or inclement weather condition. If parents/guardians are in doubt, they are to listen to one of the Philadelphia radio or television stations. Our KYW code number, number, 856 is announced if our schools are closed. School closing announcements are also available on the district’s Web site: http://www.pasd.k12.pa.us.
In the case of an early dismissal, students should have an alternate location in the event their home is not accessible. Please review the arrangements for emergency dismissals with your child so that your child will know what to do in these situations.
In addition, an attempt will be made to send an automatic telephone message to each telephone provided by parents/guardians. Please keep your telephone numbers up-to-date. In addition to the above, families can receive school closing or late opening information via e-mail by subscribing to the District’s listerv. Go to:
http://listservpasd.k12.pa.us to register.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Phoenixville Area School District supports use of the Internet and other Information Technology (IT) resources to facilitate learning. Board Policy No. 815 applies to all users and each user must agree to this Policy by signing a copy of the Policy. All students must obtain their parents/guardians signature granting permission to use IT resources.
Users must act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner when using the IT resources. They must also follow this and all other school district Policies, use acceptable network etiquette, and comply with Federal and State law. There are consequences for inappropriate or improper use of IT resources. Use of IT resources is a privilege, not a right.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY
In accordance with Board Policy No. 237, the Phoenixville Area School District and Board of School Directors prohibits possession of laser pointers, telephone paging devices/beepers by students on school property, school buses and at school-sponsored activities during the school day. In addition, possession and use of any device that provides for a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet is also prohibited. Violations of this policy by a student shall result in disciplinary action and may result in confiscation of the electronic device.
PARENTAL INFORMATION NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE ON SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The Phoenixville Area School District uses the following procedures for locating, identifying, and evaluating specified needs of school-aged students requiring special programs or services. These procedures, as required by law, are as follows:
The district, as prescribed by section 1402 of the School Code, routinely conducts screening of a child’s hearing acuity in the following grades: kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11. Visual acuity is screened in every grade. Speech and language skills are screened in kindergarten and on a referral basis. Gross motor and fine motor skills, academic skills, and social-emotional skills are assessed by classroom teachers on an ongoing basis. Specified needs from all of these screening sources are noted within the child’s official file. School records are open and available to parents and only to school officials who have a legitimate “need to know” information about the child. Information from the records is released to other persons or agencies only with appropriate authorization that involves written signed permission by parents. Parents with concerns regarding their child may contact the building principal. Communication with parents and exceptional students shall be English or the native language of the parents.
Parental and/or teacher concerns will be referred to the Instructional Support Team (IST) at the student’s school to meet his or her specific needs or to document the need for further evaluation. Parents are invited to participate on the IST Team. If a student does not make progress after interventions by the Instructional Support Team, the school will request permission to evaluate your child to determine if special education services are required. Your informed consent in writing is required before the District can conduct the evaluation.
After all the evaluations are completed, an Evaluation Report will be compiled with parent involvement and will include specific recommendations for the types of intervention necessary to address the child’s specified needs. The District will conduct the evaluation within 60 calendar days upon receipt of the Permission to Evaluate by the Pupil Personnel Services Office.
Parents are then invited to participate in a meeting where the results of the multidisciplinary evaluation will be discussed. When appropriate, an Individual Education Program (IEP) will be developed indicating specialized services for the student
Parents are strongly encouraged to work cooperatively through the IST Team prior to seeking an evaluation. The data collected through the IST process greatly assists in determining the appropriate program.
In addition to the parent, the Phoenixville Area School District IEP team can consist of at least three of the following district staff: the building principal, the special education teacher, and the regular education teacher(s). Other individuals at the discretion of either the parent or the district may also participate.
Parents are an integral part of the IEP team and need to be physically present at the IEP meeting. The district will make every effort to insure parent participation. The district will notify the parents in writing, make documented phone calls, and make home visits if necessary, to make parents aware of the IEP conference and the need for parental participation. Upon completion of the IEP meeting, parents will be mailed a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement for their approval or disapproval of the program.
Children ages birth to five years who require or may need special education interventions or evaluations are serviced through the Chester County Intermediate Unit. Parents should call the Intermediate Unit at 484-237-5000 and request to speak to an Early Intervention supervisor to access services.
Privacy Rights of Parents and Students
Phoenixville Area School District and its employees are required by Federal Law and State and Federal Rules and Regulations to protect the rights of students. The foundation of these rights comes from Federal legislation entitled, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendments). There are State Rules and Regulations dealing with regular and special education students’ rights and privacy. All students are covered by the State Regulations contained in Chapter 12 known as Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.
The basic premise of the above-mentioned laws, rules, and regulations is that information about students cannot be disclosed without written parental consent. There are different categories of information: Educational Records, Personally Identifiable Information, and Directory Information. Educational Records consist of information directly related to a student, which are maintained by an educational agency.
There is certain information that can be released without consent, which is called Directory Information. Directory Information means information contained in an education record of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The school district designates what information is labeled as Directory Information. It shall include the following: the student’s name, address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
Disclosure of information means to permit access to or the release, transfer, or other communication of education records, or the personally identifiable information contained in these records, to any part by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means. This means that information about a student cannot even be shared in conversation without permission. This also applies to other school district personnel who do not have an educationally relevant reason to possess knowledge of a student.
Written parental consent is necessary for disclosure of personally identifiable informational and education records. The consent must: (1) specify the records that may be disclosed; (2) state the purpose of the disclosure; and (3) identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made. Furthermore, the district must maintain a written record of disclosure for the parents to inspect in case information has been released.
Chapter 15/Other Protected Handicapped Students
A protected handicapped student is a student who is school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to any aspect of the school program. In compliance with State and Federal Law, the Phoenixville Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.
For further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of services to protected handicapped students, contact your building principal.
It is the policy of the Phoenixville Area School District to not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, marital status, disability, Vietnam era veteran status, disabled veteran status, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504, and Title VI. The district also respects the right to privacy regarding all medical and health records. For information on grievance application contact the Phoenixville Area School District, P.O. Box 809, Phoenixville, PA 19460, 484-927-5000.
ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL
Good school attendance is crucial to academic success. Students should be in school on time. Arriving even a few minutes late can be extremely disruptive for your child’s day.
SCHOOL HOURS
The hours for morning kindergarten are 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The hours for afternoon kindergarten are 12:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The hours for full day kindergarten are 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Parents/guardians are to stay with students until 8:25 a.m. for morning kindergarten and for full day kindergarten. For afternoon kindergarten, parents are to stay with students until 12:25 p.m. at which time students will be escorted into the building.
The elementary day for students in grades one through five begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Students may enter the building at 8:20 a.m. and are not permitted into the building before 8:20 a.m., unless the weather is inclement. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are strongly urged to comply with the arrival time, as there is no supervision for students arriving before 8:20 a.m. Students are considered tardy if they arrive after 8:30 a.m. and should report directly to the office.
Students are not permitted inside a school after dismissal unless they are attending a school-related activity.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
Students may be picked up by their parent(s)/guardian(s) or other adult designated by the parent(s)/guardian(s) only if a written note is presented to the school office. Identification may be required. In the case of custody, no student is to be released to any person except a custodial parent/guardian, unless a written note is submitted to the school office by the custodial parent. In the case of joint custody, a court order must be on file. Students leaving school early must be signed out by their parent(s)/guardian(s) and dismissed from the school office. No student is permitted to wait outside the building. With the exception of an emergency, parent(s)/guardian(s) are urged not to pick up their child prior to dismissal. Early dismissals disrupt the classroom and detract from the educational environment. Every effort should be made to schedule doctor appointments, etc., after school if possible.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR SCHOOL
Please restrict telephone calls for your children to those of an emergency nature. In addition, when requesting homework for children who are absent, please place telephone calls no later than 10:30 a.m. and pick up homework after 3:15 p.m. Teachers need time to prepare assignments and materials. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
INSPECTION OF STUDENT RECORDS
In accordance with the “Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974,” the school district is required to give public notice regarding student records.
It is the policy of the Phoenixville Area School District that student directory information may be disclosed for purposes beneficial to the student or the school district only with the approval of the district superintendent or designee. Student directory information includes name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, field of study, academic grades, participation in activities and sports, dates of attendance, awards, the most previous educational institution attended, and other similar information.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) can refuse the public disclosure of any or all types of directory information by notifying the principal’s office in writing prior to a school’s publication of its school directory.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) may inspect any accumulated information within the files. Requests must be made in writing to the school principal at least three (3) days prior to inspection. Copies of all or a portion of the records may be secured for a duplication fee of 25¢ per page.
It is the policy of the school district that all students shall be accorded the rights outlined in the law to assure appropriate collection, maintenance, and dissemination of information regarding the individual with all confidentiality stated within the law.
The Drug Awareness Education and AIDS instruction are part of the fifth grade curriculum. These curricula are available for parent(s)/guardian(s) to review. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified of the right to decline to participate in these programs.
Students have the right to “refuse to dissect, vivisect, incubate, capture, or otherwise harm or destroy animals or any parts thereof as part of their course of instruction.” Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified of the right to decline to participate in an education project involving any of the above-mentioned activities. Please contact your child’s principal regarding questions or concerns.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
When your child enters school for the first time, the Pennsylvania Department of Education mandates that your child’s immunization record be complete; otherwise, your child is not permitted to enter school. The Department of Health requires the following immunizations:
Ø Tetanus/Diphtheria: Four or more properly spaced doses of DTP, DtaP, Td, or DT, or any combination of the three, with one dose administered on or after fourth birthday.
Ø Polio: Three or more properly spaced doses of polio vaccine (IPV or OPV).
Ø Measles (Rubeola): Two properly spaced doses of live attenuated measles containing vaccine (preferably MMRII) with the first dose administered at 12 months of age or older or disease confirmed by a physician.
Ø German Measles (Rubella)/Mumps: One dose of live attenuated rubella containing vaccine (preferably MMRII) administered at 12 months of age or older, or disease confirmed by a physician.
Ø Hepatitis B: All students are required to have three properly spaced doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
Ø Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine or proof of immunity. By the 2009-2010 school year, a second dose of Varicella will be required for all students.
AGE OF ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL
The minimum age for starting kindergarten is five years, zero months by August 31st. The minimum age for beginners to the lowest grade of the primary school above the kindergarten level is six years, zero months by August 31.
Report cards are issued to students each marking period, in grades 1 through 5. Progress reports are issued mid-marking period for students experiencing academic difficulty. Kindergarten report cards are issued twice a year at the end of the second and fourth marking periods. Kindergarten progress reports are issued at the end of the first and third marking periods. Conferences are held with parent(s)/guardian(s) during the first and second marking periods.
DEVELOPMENTAL READING ASSESSMENT (DRA)
The Developmental Reading Assessment is administered to all students in Grades 1 to 3 at the beginning and end of the school year to determine instructional levels in reading. DRA s