Phoenixville Area School District

If you have difficulty understanding English, you may, free of charge, request language assistance to help you understand the district’s documents, programs, and procedures. Please contact your child’s teacher or principal for assistance; or you may call 484-927-5006 (Spanish) or 484-927-5009 (Portuguese). Please refer to Policy No. 138 Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners

A copy of this (level specific) handbook will be provided to every student at Phoenixville Area School District. It contains general school information, procedures, and regulations. Students and their parents/guardians/caretakers are encouraged to become familiar with the contents of this publication. It is provided as a resource and contains the most current information for the school year that was available when published. Please be advised that some of the material might be subject to change during the school year. Students and parents/guardians/caretakers will be informed of such changes through other school communication formats including the school website.

The district's mission is to foster an inclusive, student-focused learning environment, with community partnerships and extracurricular opportunities, that supports students in becoming critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and collaborative contributors to society. PASD's vision is to be a leading educational district that adapts and evolves, with a focus on career and post-secondary preparedness, ensuring our students are equipped with the academic and social skills necessary for success in an ever-changing world.

Schools
Barkley Elementary School (Grades 2-6) 484-927-5300
320 Second Avenue Phoenixville, PA 19460
Principal: Dr. Danielle Nicolino

Manavon Elementary School (Grades 2-6) 484-927-5350
2 Phantom Way Phoenixville, PA 19460
Principal: Dr. Nikki Celotto
Assistant Principal: Mr. Damon Wade
Assistant Principal: Ms. Maureen Keegan

Schuylkill Elementary School (Grades 2-6) 484-927-5400
290 South White Horse Road Phoenixville, PA 19460
Principal: Mrs. Lisa McConlogue

Hares Hill Elementary School (Grades 2-6) 484-927-5250
723 Hares Hill Road Phoenixville, PA 19460
Principal: Mr. Kyle Worrell

Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center (K-1) 484-927-5450
1 Phantom Way Phoenixville, PA 19460
Principal: Dr. Nikki Celotto
Assistant Principal: Mr. Damon Wade

School Board Members may be contacted by calling or writing:

Phoenixville Area School District Administration Office 386 City Line Avenue Phoenixville, PA 19460

Telephone Number: 484-927-5000 Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Email for Board of School Directors is available under School Directors on the PASD Website

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 meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. twice a month. Please access the District’s Website for an exact schedule and location of meetings as some dates may vary. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and other community members are welcome to attend. Please reference Policy No. 006 – Meetings, for more information.

There is no scheduled Board Meeting in July, however, they may be held on an as needed basis. The December Board Reorganization and Board Meeting are held the first Monday in December. Please check the website for more information.

Policy No. 619 – District Audit (Public)

Policy No. 604 – Budget Hearing

Policy No. 621 – Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights

It is the right of all students to have an opportunity to be educated by the district, to be secure in their persons, to have their rights protected and to be treated with fundamental fairness in all matters. However, when the rights of the individual conflict with or jeopardize the rights of the student body in general, or endanger a student or any other person, it shall be the policy of the district to choose safety as the paramount concern and the rights of the individual shall yield to the degree necessary.

The Phoenixville Area School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or non-relevant disabilities in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX and Section 504. The district’s commitment to non-discrimination extends to students, employees, prospective employees, and the community. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures or for information regarding services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons, contact the Director of Human Resources.

All parents/guardians/caretakers of returning students are required to update their student’s information each school year in Skyward/Qmlativ. This process confirms/updates parent, emergency contact information and health history and provides a one stop sign off for all authorizations for your child. This process is required for each child attending the District. The district administration office located at 386 City Line Avenue; Phoenixville has two internet accessible computers for your convenience. Other computers are available in the Phoenixville Community Library.

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. For more information, please reference Policy No. 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases.

The district serves students who are experiencing homelessness and educational disruptions per District Policy No. 251 Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and Other Educational Instability. Per federal law, students who are McKinney Vento Act eligible must be provided timely enrollment and on-going supports for continuity in their educational placement. This includes unaccompanied youth when they are residing outside of the care of their parent or legal guardian. If your family has or is experiencing a loss of housing, please contact the Home and School Visitor at 484-927-5117. The Home and School Visitor will assess your eligibility and provide appropriate referrals for community resources. Supports and services include:

Referrals to medical, dental, or mental health providers

Food security resources

Referrals to housing programs, shelters, and other emergency assistance programs

Free school meals

School supplies

Transportation to attend school.

Assistance with attaining or transferring records.

Assistance engaging with district activities and events such as parent/teacher conferences and parenting trainings or programs.

Families who the district determines do not meet criteria for McKinney-Vento services will receive a letter notifying them of this decision and outlining an appeal process.

Policy No. 918 – Title I Parent/Guardian Family Engagement

Report cards are issued electronically via Qmlativ each marking period, in grades K through 6. Hard copies will be made available upon request. Progress reports are issued mid-marking period for students experiencing any difficulties impacting academics. Conferences are held with parent(s)/guardian(s) during the first and third marking periods. Policy No. 212 Reporting Student Progress

ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act)

The Every Student Succeeds Act focuses on instructional methods that are proven to prepare students to succeed in college and careers. This Act of 2017 is a landmark in education reform designed to improve student achievement and change the culture of America’s schools.

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. Please carefully review the newly revised immunization requirements that take effect August 28, 2017. For more information, please reference Policy No. 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases.

The Board shall enroll school age students eligible to attend district schools in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Board policy and administrative regulations. The building principal shall assign students in his/her school to appropriate grades, classes, or groups. Please refer to Policy No. 200 Enrollment of Students and Policy No. 206 Assignment Within District for more information.

The district recognizes that the academic, personal, social, and physical growth of children will vary and that they should be placed in the age-appropriate grade level. To ensure that this takes place, the staff in each school reviews student achievement data and overall school performance for placement in the forthcoming school year. To learn more about this process, please refer to Policy No. 200 Enrollment of Students, Policy No. 201 Admission of Beginning Students, Policy No. 206 Assignment Within District, and Policy 215 Promotion and Retention.

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.

The Phoenixville Area School District is committed to the academic success of all our students.  To maximize staff expertise by targeting instruction, PASD has assigned teachers to specialize in Math and ELA (English Language Arts).  As students move to 4th and 5th grade, they will usually have more than one individual teacher.  In some instances, they may have as many as three. Typically, the Math teacher will also teach Science and Social Studies. PASD has aligned its professional development to broaden the skill sets of content specialized teachers to further enrich and support our students.

Federal regulations require school districts to disclose the professional qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals. Parents/guardians/caretakers may request this information by contacting the building principal.

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.

Policy No. 324 – Personnel Files

Policy No. 312 - Performance Assessment of Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent

Policy No. 824 Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries

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.

Students have the right to determine their dress and appearance as long as it conforms to the approved Administrative Guideline and does not substantially and directly endanger physical health or safety, damage property or substantially disrupt activities.

Additionally, students may be required to wear certain types of clothing while participating in physical education classes, labs, extracurricular activities, or other situations when special attire may be required to insure the health or safety of the student.

To maintain an educationally sound, undisrupted environment, the following dress guidelines will be enforced in accordance with

Policy No. 221-Dress and Grooming

Students must wear to school every day:

Top (shirt, blouse, sweater, sweatshirt, tank, etc.)

Bottom (pants, shorts, skirt, dress, etc.); and Footwear.

Students may not wear clothing, jewelry, or personal items that:

Are pornographic, offensive, or threatening

Promote illegal or violent conduct

Demonstrate hate group association/affiliation and/or use hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or other protected groups.

Intentionally show private parts

Cover the student’s face to the extent that the student is not identifiable (except clothing/headgear worn for a religious or

medical purpose); or Demonstrate gang association/affiliation. Students in violation of these guidelines will be given the opportunity to wear something appropriate. If a student refuses to wear what is provided, the parent will be asked to bring in clothing that is in compliance with the dress code. Repeated refusal to follow these guidelines will result in disciplinary consequences.

The Board strives to provide a safe, positive learning climate for students, free of bullying and cyberbullying. It is the policy of the school district to maintain an educational environment in which bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment in any form are not tolerated. Policy No. 249 Bullying/Cyberbullying. A Stop-Bullying Hotline and Stop Bullying Email were established to allow students, parents/guardians/caretakers, or concerned parties to report bullying incidents or activity. Please contact your building principal regarding this policy.

When students believe that they have been subject to hazing, the students are encouraged to promptly report the incident, orally or in writing, to the building principal or designee.

Students, parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians, staff and citizens are encouraged to use the district's report form, available from the building principal, or to put the complaint in writing; however, oral complaints shall be accepted and documented. All verbal or written complaints of hazing shall always be reviewed by an administrator not in charge of the program/facility where the complaint originated. Please refer to Policy No. 247 Hazing.

The board adopted the standards for a student who becomes a victim of a violent criminal offense while in or on the grounds of the public elementary or secondary school that they attend. Please refer to Policy No. 144 Standards for Victims of Violent Crimes for more information.

In accordance with Policy No. 810.2 Transportation - Video/Audio Recording, to promote order, safety and security of students, staff and property, this is notification that the School District utilizes video surveillance throughout the campus. This includes “on school property,” and in school buildings.” Policy No. 810.1 School Bus Drivers and School Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

In accordance with Policy No. 810.2 Transportation Video/Audio Recording, the use of video and audio recording equipment supports efforts to maintain discipline and to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, contractors and others being transported on District-owned, operated, or contracted school buses or school vehicles.

In accordance with Policy No 816 Social Media, the purpose of this policy is to maintain order and discipline on school property and in school vehicles. The Board also desires to afford students and staff privacy in respect to the records maintained by the district. Therefore, video and/or digital recording devices will be used as a security measure.

The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs, inhalants and/or alcohol as defined by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Congress of the United States or the intent to use, possess, purchase or distribute drugs, inhalants, and/or alcoholic beverages on school grounds or in connection with any planned school activity constitutes a serious danger to both the individual student and the general school populace, is viewed as one of the most serious offenses a student can commit, and is prohibited. This regulation shall not apply to those medicines or drugs prescribed by a physician’s written order according to the individual’s needs.

In the event a student is found to use, possess, or distribute drugs, inhalants, and/or alcohol; in keeping with Board Policy No. 227 Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia the student may be suspended for a maximum of ten (10) days. If a second offense occurs, the student’s name may be submitted to the Board of School Directors with a recommendation for expulsion from school. Any student found to be selling, distributing, or possessing drugs may be immediately excluded from school and expulsion proceedings promptly begun.

Policy No. 222 Tabacco and Vaping Products prohibits students from possessing and using tobacco at any time in a school building, on a school bus, and on school property. Please refer to the Policy for more information.

Students, parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians and staff shall be notified at least annually, or more often if deemed appropriate by administration, about the standards and procedures in effect pursuant to this policy. The administration is authorized to conduct searches of students or their belongings, including lockers, automobiles, electronic devices, purses, backpacks, clothing, and other possessions in accordance with the standards set forth in this policy. Please refer to Policy No. 226 Searches for more information.

In an effort to promote and maintain school safety, the district has determined that it is necessary and reasonable to establish an ongoing partnership with local law enforcement and court authorities. When an imminent threat to the safety of students or staff occurs, and for the duration of the specific incident, law enforcement officers are, unless specifically told otherwise, authorized to act as agents of the district for the purpose of insuring safety. They may assume the same authority in dealing with students as an administrator of the school would have in such situations. No officer shall act as an agent of the district unless the officer reasonably perceives danger to any particular student, or educator, or to the student body or staff in general.

The foregoing notwithstanding, if, as a result of a disciplinary infraction, an officer has reason to believe that any student, including a suspect student, staff member or other person is in danger as a result of the suspect student’s activity, the officer is authorized to take such action as is reasonable to minimize or dispel the danger and shall be considered to be acting on behalf of the District.

Under no circumstance will the district tolerate any criminal activity from any student. When a student commits an act that could constitute commission of a crime or whenever a crime occurs on school grounds, the district will enlist the assistance of law enforcement officials in the investigation and will share all information, including otherwise confidential student information, with law enforcement officials. Further, in all matters involving arrest and prosecution the district shall share with the arresting authority and with the court system, thereafter, all information concerning the student, whether or not otherwise deemed confidential.

When police request permission to interrogate a student at school, the principal shall inform the Superintendent, determine why such interrogation could not occur at the student’s home, and attempt to inform the student’s parent/guardian.

Whenever the Superintendent or designee has determined that the police have a legitimate purpose in interrogating a student within the school building, the principal or a representative shall be present throughout the proceedings.

The Phoenixville Area School District believes that the physical safety of students, employees, and visitors is essential for the proper operation of the schools and for the establishment of a positive learning environment. Therefore, in compliance with the requirements of the “Gun-Free Act of 1994” any student determined to have brought a weapon to school may be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year at the Superintendent’s discretion.

Possession of a weapon (including pocket knives) is prohibited in any Phoenixville Area School District building, or on any grounds of the Phoenixville Area School District (Policy No. 218.1 Weapons). It should be noted that pocketknives, devices that have the potential to cause bodily harm (i.e., a slingshot), and toys that approximate a weapon may not be brought to school or carried on a school bus. Consequences may follow if a student has been found to have the preceding in his/her possession or is responsible for the availability of a preceding item in school or on a school bus.

In accordance with Policy No. 819 Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Response the Board is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its students and the school community; promoting healthy development; and safeguarding against the threat or attempt of suicide. This policy supports the provision of a comprehensive District program of education, training and resources designed to promote school connectedness and behavioral health and prevent suicide.

Board Policy No. 806 Child Abuse Prevention affirms district employees’ obligation to assist in identifying possible child abuse as well as victimization of students by other school employees, and to establish procedures for reporting such in compliance with law. Whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, school officials are required by law to report these cases to county and state agencies. These agencies have the legal right to interview students at school. It is noted as a district volunteer (any level) that a mandated reporter agreement must be signed and kept on file at the district office.

If inclement weather or other causes should necessitate the closing of school or require a late opening, students and parents will be informed of such action on the PASD website, the school district messaging system, and district social media pages.

By logging onto the district website, parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians will be informed of current information regarding the status of the district’s schedule depending on conditions. Non-English-speaking residents can call the Spanish Hotline at 484--927- 5006 or the Portuguese Hotline at 484-927-5009 with questions or concerns.

In the event that school is closed for the day or there is an early dismissal due to an emergency, we will make every attempt to contact you directly via our automated phone & email messaging system.

Students and parents/guardians/caretakers are discouraged from calling the school directly, as it can interfere with other phone calls pertaining to adjusting school operations that day.

At times, it may become necessary to close school due to an emergency or inclement weather conditions. A message will be sent by the district Superintendent to all households, via the Skylert System. School closing announcements are also available on the district’s Web sithttp://www.pasd.comand on all district social media sites.

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.

Complying with state regulations, every school building in the Phoenixville Area School District will conduct a fire drill once a month. During a drill, all staff and students will be evacuated from the building and remain a safe distance from the building until all students and staff are accounted for.

Each school has a Threat Assessment Team. These teams are a part of the Act 18 legislation. Act 18 requires each school and district in the Commonwealth to have a team of professionals who will follow the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) when assessing threats, personal or towards others. C-STAG is an approach to violence prevention that emphasizes early attention to problems such as bullying, teasing, and other forms of student conflict before they escalate into violent behavior. A five-step decision process is followed: In brief, the first two steps are a triage process in which team members investigate a reported threat and determine whether the threat can be readily resolved as a transient threat that is not a serious threat. Examples of transient threats are jokes or statements made in anger that are expressions of feeling or figures of speech rather than expressions of a genuine intent to harm someone.

Any threat that cannot be clearly identified and resolved as transient is treated as a substantive threat. Substantive threats always require protective action to prevent the threat from being carried out. The remaining three steps guide the team through more extensive assessment and response based on the seriousness of the threat. If the threat is determined to be substantive, both a law enforcement investigation and a mental health assessment of the student will be conducted. The culmination of the threat assessment is the development of a safety plan that is designed to address the problem or conflict underlying the threat and prevent the act of violence from taking place. For both transient and substantive threats, there is an emphasis on helping students to resolve conflicts and minimizing the use of zero-tolerance suspensions as a disciplinary response.

The Threat Assessment Team is used in conjunction with our Stop Bullying and Safe2Say programs. Anyone can and should report possible threats to the school principal or the Executive Director of Schools, Dr. Garritano or Phone – 484-927-5039. For more information, please refer to:
Policy No 236.1 District Threat Assessment.
Policy No. 143 Standards for Persistently Dangerous Schools
Policy No. 805 Emergency Preparedness and Response

Policy No. 805 Emergency Preparedness and Response refers to emergency procedures related to natural disasters, hazardous chemicals, fires, etc. The district has a disaster response and emergency preparedness plan. Emergency and evacuation drills are conducted at intervals as required by law.

The school district has developed evacuation plans for each building in the event such action must be taken to protect our students and staff. If such action is deemed necessary, the school administrators will make the necessary announcements over the public address system. All students and staff will be expected to follow the instructions given at that time. Students will not be permitted to leave school in order that the school can accurately account for all students. Additionally, evacuations may be limited in duration and the school schedule may be resumed that day. Information will be distributed to parents/guardians/caretakers and the community via the PASD website and the school district phone messaging system in as timely a manner as possible.

Local law enforcement will prohibit anyone except emergency vehicles from entering the campus during such an emergency. Parents/guardians/caretakers are requested not to call or come to the school campus during an evacuation or other emergency. Driving to the school will cause traffic congestion that could potentially interfere with the arrival of emergency vehicles should they be needed. Parent phone calls, likewise, will tie-up phone lines at a crucial time. If circumstances warrant, students will be evacuated from the school property by school vehicles to be picked up by parents/guardians/caretakers at an off-campus site.

A variety of drills are practiced each year within the building so that students and faculty can safely respond to situations that may arise. As part of the school safety plan, students are provided instructions on how to participate by each individual classroom teacher. Depending on the type of drill, parents may or may not be notified after the completion of the drill.

All visitors are required to report immediately to the school office upon entering the school. The designated entrance is to be used. All visitors must present photo identification in order to secure a badge (visitor, volunteer, etc.) from the office before visitors are allowed in student areas. Parents/guardians/caretakers/Guardians are expected to meet their children for appointments or at dismissal at the office or other designated areas and not at the classroom. All school employees will be enforcing these regulations. Doors are locked for security purposes.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome and encouraged to visit the school for special occasions (Policy No. 907 School Visitors). Unauthorized persons may not roam the school building. All visitors to school buildings are required to abide by the following regulations:
➢ Report directly to the school office.
➢ Upon entering the office, inform the office staff of the nature of your visit. In order to ensure the security of our students, you will be asked to present a driver’s license. This identification will be scanned into the Raptor System, which will deny entry into the building proper, any individual who is deemed potentially unsafe. A Temporary Visitor Identification Badge will be generated directly from the license, and the visitor will be permitted entry beyond the main office. No personal information is shared with anyone.
➢ 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. Please contact the school office for further information.
➢ Policy No. 707 Use of School Facilities

Individuals who are visiting the school for pre-defined purposes (meetings with faculty, presentations to classes, et al) must present a valid form of identification and agreed to be processed through our RAPTOR imaging program at the front desk. All guests will be given a visitors’ badge which needs to be displayed at all times while on campus. Individuals will not be allowed into a building without going through this process.

The goal of the school is to provide students with a positive and enriching learning experience. Toys, games, trading cards and other play-related items or personal property must be left at home. These items pose a distraction to the teaching and learning process. The district is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

The Phoenixville Area School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or handicap, age in its admissions procedures, educational programs, services, activities or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 and/or any applicable federal statute. It shall be a violation 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. Please refer to Policies No. 103 Discrimination/Harassment Affecting Students, 103.1 Nondiscrimination - Qualifies Students with Disabilities, 104 Discrimination Affecting Staff, and 248.

The Phoenixville Area School District will assist students who are English Language Learners to participate in all programs, services, and activities. Policy No. 138 - Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners

For information regarding civil rights, admissions, grievance procedures, bilingual education and accessibility of programs, services, activities and facilities that are usable by handicapped persons, please contact the Office of the Superintendent.

In compliance with state and federal law, the Phoenixville Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student, without discrimination or costs 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. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program.

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 about the evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected students, contact the Director of Specialized Programs & Services.

As per Policy No. 114 Gifted Education, the district shall provide gifted education services and programs designed to meet the individual educational needs of identified students. The district shall develop and implement a districtwide gifted education plan every six (6) years which is made available for public inspection and comment for a minimum of 28 days. The district shall provide all required notices and information to parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians of gifted students, document all consents and responses of parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians, and adhere to all established timelines.

PURPOSE

PASD supports use of the Internet and other information technology resources to facilitate learning, teaching, and educational operations. Access to and use of these resources is essential to the learning, teaching and administration that occur in our school.

AUTHORITY

This policy applies to all users (“Users”) of PASD computers, network connectivity, and information technology (“IT Resources”). Each User of IT Resources must agree to this Policy, by signing a copy of the Policy in hardcopy, prior to obtaining access to IT Resources. Additionally, all students must obtain their parent’s or guardian’s signature to this Policy granting permission to the student to use the IT Resources.

GUIDELINES

If any User has questions concerning this Policy or its content, the User should contact PASD IT personnel or a PASD administrator. IT Resources are to be used only for purposes that are lawful, authorized, have educational value to the User or enhance the User’s personal growth, and are permitted by this Policy. Our goal is to give all our Users the opportunity to pursue educational and research activities in a safe and effective manner that complies with the law and regulations.

Use of IT Resources – The primary use of our IT Resources is reserved for those who need to access or obtain information and materials of educational value to them. “Educational value” means the information and/or materials must have a direct impact on the User’s current educational program in which he/she is enrolled or is seeking to enroll. Entertainment or social-type activities, such as exchanging e-mail messages with friends, engaging in chat rooms, reading message boards, and other activities outside the scope of the User’s educational program, do not fall under the definition of “educational value.” Users who use IT Resources for non- educational purposes may be responsible for any costs associated with such non-educational use. PASD may impose time restrictions on use of its IT Resources to ensure that all Users have equal opportunity for use. PASD also may create and enforce storage management procedures or revise such storage procedures, at its option.

Prohibited uses – Users must act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner when using the IT Resources. They must also follow this and all other PASD policies, use acceptable network etiquette, and comply with federal and state law. The following uses of our IT Resources are specifically prohibited: (a)Use in violation of any law, or governmental rule or regulation; (b)Commercial or for profit use; (c)Excessive non-work or non-school related work; (d)Product advertising or political lobbying; (e)Exchanging (by sending, receiving, or in any way participating in) any hate mail, or harassing, defamatory, offensive, fraudulent, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, threatening, racially-offensive or illegal activities, materials or communication, or communications containing inappropriate language; (f)Unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted materials; copying, distributing, modifying, or using copyrighted materials in violation of copyright laws; (g) Accessing or obtaining (i)materials that are obscene, (ii)pornographic materials, or (iii)child pornography; (h)Access by students to material that is harmful or is determined by PASD to be inappropriate for students; (i)Quoting a personal communication by means which make it public without the original author’s prior consent; (j)Intentionally obtaining or modifying files, passwords, or data belonging to other Users; impersonating another User, anonymity or using pseudonyms; (k)Loading or using unauthorized games, programs, files, or other electronic media.

Please visit the PASD Technology Department for the Technology Handbook, Acceptable Use Policy, and district technology goals.”

In accordance with Board Policy 237 Electronic Devices, the Phoenixville Area School District and Board of School Directors restricts use of electronic devices. Please contact the building administrator for further information.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. The law requires that Phoenixville Area School District (“district”) obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. Consent, however, is not required in all instances. The district may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent unless you have advised the district to the contrary in accordance with district procedures. The federal law and the United States Department of Education define directory information as information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance.

The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the district to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

A playbill showing your child’s role in a drama production

The annual yearbook

Honor roll or other recognition lists

Graduation programs

Sports activity sheets, i.e., such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members

Directory information can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, addresses, and telephone listings – unless parents/guardians/caretakers have advised the LEA that they do not want their child’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.*

1. If you do not want the district to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing by September 15th of each school year. The district has designated the following information as directory information:

Name

Participation in officially recognized activities and sports

Address

Telephone listing

Weight and height of members of athletic teams

Photograph

Degrees, honors, and awards received

Date and place of birth

Major field of study

Dates of attendance

Grade level

The most recent educational agency or institution attended

* These laws are: Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7908), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), the education bill, and 10 U.S.C. 503, as amended by section 544, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (P.L. 107-107), the legislation that provides funding for the Nation’s armed forces.

Postsecondary institutions and military recruiters shall have access to secondary students' names, addresses and telephone numbers, unless the student or parent/guardian requests that such information not be released without prior written parental consent.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who reach the age of 18 (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a written request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The district is not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading.  Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. Parents should write to the school principal; clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities. Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials or another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. The additional disclosures the school may make without parent consent are explained in the school’s Student Records Plan available from the child’s principal.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

The Protection of Pupil Rights Act (PPRA), (Policy No. 235 Student Rights and Responsibilities) affords parents/guardians/caretakers and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding the Phoenixville Area School District’s conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical examinations. These include the right to:

Written Consent:

Before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education:

·Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent

·Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family

·Sex behavior or attitudes

·Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior

·Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships

·Legally recognized privileged relationships such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers

·Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents/guardians/caretakers

·Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:

·Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding

·Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under Pennsylvania law

·Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others

Inspect upon request and before administration or use:

·Protected information surveys of students

·Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes

·Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. (Please refer to Policy No. 105.1 Review of Instructional Materials by Parents/Guardians and Students)

The district will develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents/guardians/caretakers regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The district will directly notify parents/guardians/caretakers and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The district will also directly notify parents/guardians/caretakers and eligible students, such as through U.S. Mail or email, at least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate dates of the following activities and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in:

•Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution

•Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education

•Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents/guardians/caretakers/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

In addressing pertinent concerns, parents/guardians/caretakers are urged to use the following guidelines:

•The classroom teacher should be contacted in situations that concern the student/teacher/classroom relationship.

•The school principal should be contacted if the parent cannot resolve a problem with a classroom teacher or in matters dealing with general school policies and district concerns.

Policy No. 906 – Public Complaint Procedures

•Phoenixville Area School District uses many valuable online tools to further curricular goals, personalize learning, and meet necessary data management and reporting functions. Some of these online tools are used by teachers in the delivery of instruction and require student account creation and storage of student work to perform their intended functions. Other agencies and companies provide certain administrative and technical services and support that either requires data to be stored on their servers or access to our systems is granted to facilitate the performance of certain defined functions. The district protects student privacy in compliance with applicable federal laws and school board policies. Federal privacy laws do allow sharing of what may constitute an educational record in limited circumstances.

Read more information about student privacy protections.

•Any software service provider and contractor with whom the district contracts agree to protect student privacy using all commercially reasonable means and complies with all federal laws prohibiting use of student information for commercial marketing purposes. Read more information on student protection from commercial marketing.

Policy No. 235.1 Pupils Survey

-1. Sponsor receives a Civil Rights complaint from the complainant (i.e. parent).

a.) Sponsor must inform complainant of Federal Civil Rights rules and regulations that have been established for protected classes. (A protected class is any person or group of people who are protected from discrimination based on):

Race

Color

National Origin

Age

Sex

Disability

b.) Sponsor must provide complainant the necessary information to file a complaint, which is:

1. Mailing address of the USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. USDA’s Telephone/Fax numbers and Email address: P: (866) 632-9992 / F: (202) 690-7442 F

3. Electronic link to file a civil rights complaint

Note: If the sponsor is unsure if the complaint falls under a protected class, sponsor should provide complainant the federal complaint information.

c.) After providing the complainant with the information on how to file a Civil Rights complaint directly at the Federal level, the sponsor may attempt to resolve the complaint if it is a matter that can be resolved quickly. Resolving complaints in real-time at the lowest possible level is encouraged. (*Note: This is not an investigation as neither the sponsor nor the State agency has the authority to conduct complaint investigations. This is simply trying to resolve the situation if it was potentially caused by a miscommunication.)

If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter, any further with the sponsor or if the matter cannot be resolved quickly, then the sponsor should:

1. reiterate the complaint filing procedures in 1) b),

2. document the complaint and actions taken (i.e., referral to Federal complaint procedures) in a Civil Rights complaint log that is separate from any other complaint log, (*Note: A separate Civil Rights complaint log is necessary due to confidentiality and privacy laws. See complaint log requirements in d) below.), and

3. notify the State agency of the discussion. (*Note: It is important for the sponsor to notify the State agency because regular communication between the sponsor and State agency is key to operating the program successfully.)

If the complainant is willing to try to resolve the issue with the sponsor and a satisfactory resolution is achieved, then the sponsor should still remind the complainant (using the information in 1)b) of his/her right to file at the Federal level if necessary. (*Note: Complainants retain the right to file at the Federal level even if a resolution seems to have been reached at the sponsor level.) The sponsor needs to document the complaint and actions taken (i.e., how resolution was achieved) in a log that is separate from any other complaint log and notify the State agency of the resolution.

d.) Regardless of if the complainant wishes to file at the Federal level, the sponsor should document as much information as possible in their Civil Rights complaint log including, but not limited to, the following:

-Date Complaint Received

-Complainant’s Name

-Complainant’s Address

-Complainant’s Telephone Number

-Complainant’s Email Address

-Allegation of Discrimination/Issue (i.e., FNS program involved, protected class(es) involved, etc.)

-Date of Alleged Discriminatory Action

1. The sponsor must forward the information, within 5 days of receipt of complaint from complainant to the State agency (process depicted below):

State Agency Civil Rights Coordinator, State Agency Director*, FNS Regional Office Civil Rights Contact, FNS Headquarters Civil Rights Office, Complainant

2. *State Agency level must forward complaint information, within 5 days of receipt of complaint from sponsor to the FNS regional office.

3. FNS team conducts complaint review and investigation, which includes contact with the complainant, State agency, sponsor, etc.

Additional Information:

-Complainants must file within 180 days of the alleged action

-Confidentiality is extremely important

-USDA complaint form  

The Phoenixville Area School District participates in an IPM Program for managing insects, rodents, and weeds. The district
communicates information on the program to parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians on an annual basis. Refer to Policy No. 716 Integrated Pest Management for more information.

In accordance with the EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E of the Code of Federal Regulations), School Districts are required to give annual notification stating that the Asbestos Management Plan for each Building is available for public review.

This rule requires local education agencies (LEAs) to identify friable and non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) in public and private elementary and secondary schools by visually inspecting school buildings for such materials, sampling such materials if they are not assumed to be ACM, and having samples analyzed by appropriate techniques referred to in this rule.
In keeping with this legislation, the School District is inspected by EPA accredited inspectors, and a comprehensive management plan was developed for handling asbestos containing building material in a safe and responsible manner. Six-month periodic asbestos surveillances as well as 3 Year Re-Inspections are performed in accordance with AHERA. A copy of the asbestos management plan is currently kept in the district administration building. To review a copy, please contact the Director of Operations (484-927-5099). These records are available for review during the normal school business hours.

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/guardians/caretakers and only to school officials who have 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/guardians/caretakers. Parents/guardians/caretakers with concerns regarding their child may contact the building principal. Communication with parents/guardians/caretakers and exceptional students shall be English or the native language of the parents/guardians/caretakers.

Parental and/or teacher concerns will be referred to the building level data team at the student’s school to meet his or her specific needs or to document the need for further evaluation. Parents/guardians/caretakers’ input is welcome and is often solicited. If a student does not make progress after interventions put in place by the school data 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. The district will conduct the evaluation within 60 calendar days upon receipt of the Permission to Evaluate by the Department of Specialized Programs and Services. Please refer to Policy No. 113 Special Education.

After all the assessments 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.

Parents/guardians/caretakers will then receive the results of the multidisciplinary evaluation, and these results will be discussed. When appropriate, an Individual Education Program (IEP) will be developed indicating specialized services for the student.

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/guardians/caretakers 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 ensure parent participation. The district will notify the parents/guardians/caretakers in writing, make documented phone calls, and make home visits, if necessary, to make parents/guardians/caretakers aware of the IEP conference and the need for parental participation. Upon completion of the IEP meeting, parents/guardians/caretakers 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/guardians/caretakers should call the Intermediate Unit at 484-237-5000 and request to speak to an Early Intervention supervisor to access services. Please refer to Policy No. 113 Special Education.

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.

The Board shall enroll school age students eligible to attend district schools in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Board policy and administrative regulations. The building principal shall assign students in his/her school to appropriate grades, classes, or groups. Policy No. 142 Migrant Students

The Phoenixville Area School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. Policy No. 246 Student Wellness 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.

Introduction - Health service is an important part of our school system. How well your child learns may depend on his/her physical well-being. Parents/guardians/caretakers have the first responsibility for their children’s health. A certified school nurse with the assistance of a licensed staff nurse supervises health services. All school health rooms are staffed during school hours to handle the routine administration of medication and medical emergencies. The school nurse will help by giving first aid, administering prescribed medication, notifying parents/guardians/caretakers of illness or injury that may require continued care at home, and providing education on health-related matters. These services are rendered for accidents and illnesses that occur during the school day, not for those that occur at home. School nurses work under written orders of the school physician for first aid. School nurses are prohibited by law to diagnose injuries or illness. Decisions regarding the need for medical care are the decision of a parent/guardian; therefore, a parent/guardian is always contacted to take the student home or to the doctor as the need arises. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Each student MUST have a Student Emergency Information form on file. Updates are done annually and are completed through the district’s online system, Skyward/Qmlativ. These updates are required each year. This form provides vital information to assist the school in locating parents/guardians/caretakers, emergency contact persons, and a family physician in the event of an emergency, and signed consent to administer certain over-the-counter medications. When it is necessary for additional medication (prescription and/or non-prescription) to be given to a student during school hours, the following procedures MUST be followed:

1. A medication consent form (PH-17-a) MUST be completed and returned to the school nurse. Forms are available in the nurse’s office and on PASD website under Health Services link.

2. Medication prescribed by the family physician MUST be delivered by the parent/guardian to the school nurse. Students are not permitted to carry medications with them in school.

3. A doctor’s written request/prescription and directions on a professionally packaged medicine container MUST accompany the medicine.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES WILL PROHIBIT THE SCHOOL NURSE FROM DISPENSING THE MEDICATION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED A DIRECT VIOLATION OF OUR DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY.

The school district has established a medication policy to allow a student to be administered medication at school, on field trips or at extra-curricular activities. Please refer to Policy No. 210 - Medications for more information. When prescription/non-prescription medicine is to be given to your child other than the standing orders for Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and TUMS, form PH-17a must be completed. This form is available in the nurse’s office. The parent must deliver prescribed medicine to the nurse, with a doctor’s written request and directions. Medications are defined as:

Any prescribed medication

Inhalers

EpiPens®

All over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, such eye drops, allergy medication, nasal sprays, ear drops, creams. This does not include anything that requires application by the nursing staff, such as sunscreen or bug spray if age appropriate.

The Pennsylvania Public School Code, Section 1414.2(g) allows parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians to request an exemption to the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector for their student. To request this exemption, contact the school nurse to make an appointment to discuss this decision, review and sign the opt-out form.

The intent of immunization regulations is to keep children healthy and in school and to minimize the chance of disease outbreaks which can cause death; seriously impair a child's learning ability; cause mental and physical disability; and cost millions of tax dollars for life-time care and special education. All children at any grade, kindergarten through 12th, including all public, private, parochial, intermediate unit, and home-schooled students, show proof of immunization before they can attend school in the Commonwealth. The certified school nurse is required to verify all students’ immunizations for minimum requirements, scheduling, and proper spacing. Any student in kindergarten through 12th grade may be admitted to school provisionally if evidence of at least one dose of each required vaccine is given. All immunization requirements shall be completed within 5 days of entrance to school. If not medically appropriate within 5 days, the child may provide a medical certificate on or before the fifth day scheduling the remaining doses. If the requirements are not met, the child shall risk exclusion. The new requirements for grades K through 12 starting August 28, 2017, are as follows:

4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis* (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)

4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)

2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella**

3 doses of hepatitis B

2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or evidence of immunity

7th through 12th Grade ADDITIONAL immunization requirements for attendance:

2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

-first dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade

-If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required

1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

* Usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or Td

** Usually given as MMR

For more information, please reference Policy No. 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases.

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA. Code CH. 23 (School Immunization). Please contact the PASD social worker or school nurse if support for vaccines is needed.

Before a student can receive diabetes-related care and treatment in a school setting, the student's parent/guardian shall provide written authorization for such care and instructions from the student's health care practitioner. The written authorization may be submitted as part of a student's Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). Please refer to Policy No. 209.2 Diabetes Management for more information.

Students who become ill or injured during the school day need to get a pass from their teacher to go to the nurse’s office. The school nurse will evaluate the concerns of students and provide services as needed. Parents/guardians/caretakers will be notified by the school nurse in the event of any illness or injury that may require outside medical attention or if students are being sent home due to illness/injury. The following guidelines should be followed when determining if he/she should stay at home.

-Following a nighttime bout of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever; student should stay at home and be watched for further symptoms. Fever is defined as a temperature of 100° or above without the use of fever-reducing medication. The student’s temperature should remain normal without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school.

It is also advisable for the student to stay home from school if any of the following symptoms are exhibited:

-Unusual skin eruptions, chills, discharge or redness of eye(s), or persistent cough.

-A student should not arrive at school with an injury that occurred at home to be evaluated by the school nurse. Any serious injury occurring at home must be evaluated by the student’s healthcare provider.

-Dental examinations are required upon entry into school and into kindergarten, grades 3 and 7, and for new PA entrants.

For further information, please refer to Policy 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases, Policy 209 Health Examinations/Screenings, and Policy 210 Medications.

According to Pa. Code 27.71, students may be excluded from school for these specific diseases and infectious conditions until deemed non-infectious by physician/school nurse.

Impetigo

Scabies

Chickenpox

Meningitis

Scarlet fever

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Measles

Shingles

Diphtheria

Mumps

Strep throat

Haemophilus influenza

Ringworm

Trachoma

Head lice* (see reportable diseases)

Rubella/German measles

Tuberculosis

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

School staff is required to report specific diseases to the Pennsylvania Department of Health by contacting their county State Health Center, County Municipal Health Department or by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH. The school nurse will notify the parent, the building principal, and local Health Department as required by PA Code Title 28, Chapter 27. The report will contain the student’s name, date of birth, parent/guardian contact information. The local health department staff may contact the student’s family to do further follow-up and investigation. A list of the PA reportable diseases.

*PASD Lice Policy: A child with Head Lice (pediculosis capitis) will be excluded from school upon determination of the school nurse. Authority to send a student home is found in the PA School Health Code 27.71. Our schools follow recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics regulations regarding children infested with lice. The following procedures are in place:

1. A child suspected of having lice is examined by the school nurse.

2. If the child is found to have live head lice, he or she will be sent home to be treated.

3. If the child is found to have only nits, the child will remain in class. The child’s parent or guardian will be notified that day by telephone or written note recommending prompt and proper treatment of head lice.

4. In all cases a pamphlet describing the control and treatment of head lice will be sent home with the child. Although it is preferable to consult a physician, parents/guardians/caretakers may wish to treat the child directly. For this purpose, several over-the-counter shampoo treatments are on the market and are available from most drug stores. It is recommended the treatment be repeated 7-10 days following the original treatment. This second application will help prevent a re-occurrence of head lice.

-Hearing Screenings: Each year, all students in kindergarten, first, second, third grades, and some special education classes are screened for hearing loss. A referral is sent home if further evaluation is needed. For further information, please refer to Policy 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases, Policy 209 Health Examinations/Screenings, and Policy 210 Medications.

-Height/Weight/BMI (Body Mass Index) Percentile: In accordance with the Pennsylvania School Health Code and the Department of Health Regulations, all students in grades K-12 will have their height and weight measured annually. Based on these measurements (which can be found in Skyward/Qmlativ), students’ BMI and BMI percentiles will then be calculated. The results of the growth screening will be available for viewing on Skyward/Qmlativ. Please keep in mind that your child’s healthcare provider is the best person to evaluate whether the results are within a healthy range.

-Vision: Screenings All students will be screened for near and far vision annually. Additionally, students are tested for color vision and hyperopia in first grade and depth perception in second grade. A referral is sent home if any of these screenings need further evaluation.

Annual records for all students which include mandated growth information, vision, and hearing screenings as appropriate for your child’s grade level are documented. Health information will be made available for parent review and may include wellness information where appropriate. Policy No. 246 Student Wellness.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania School Act, all students in kindergarten/first, third grade, and seventh students with incomplete health records are required to have a dental examination. This mandate can be completed privately or by a dentist at school.

-If completed by a family dentist, the cost is the responsibility of the parent, it can be completed within one year prior to the start of the school year the exam is required, and a Private Dental Examination form must be completed by the dentist and brought to the health room.

-If parents/guardians/caretakers choose to have their child examined by the school dentist, consent must be given to the school by checking the appropriate box on Skyward/Qmlativ Annual Student information update or by completing a consent form prior to the dental exam.

-Pennsylvania State Dental Examination forms can be found in any health room or printed from the Health Services page on a school's website.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania School Act, all students in kindergarten/first, sixth and 11th grades, and students with incomplete health records are required to have a physical examination. This mandate can be completed privately or by a physician at school.

-If completed by a private physician, the cost is the responsibility of the parent, it can be completed within one year prior to the start of the school year the exam is required, and a Private Physical Examination form must be completed by the family physician and brought to the health room.

-If parents/guardians/caretakers choose to have their child examined by the school physician, consent must be given to the school by checking the appropriate box on Skyward/Qmlativ Annual Student information update or by completing a consent form prior to the physical exam.

-Pennsylvania State Physical Examination forms can be found in any health room or printed from the Health Services page on a school's website.

A group plan for accident insurance for PASD students is available. Parents/guardians/caretakers/guardians who wish to have or supplement existing insurance plans are encouraged to participate in this program. In many cases, school insurance covers medical costs not covered by a student’s primary insurance plan. Each year the Board of School Directors designates an insurance company to underwrite a group policy for PASD students. Literature on the plan, features of the plan, cost and procedures for filing claims are available in each school office. While the school district is not liable for accidents that occur during the regular operation of school, all student accidents that occur at school need to be reported to the school nurse.

Student medical information is only shared with school district personnel directly involved with your child's education. Due to the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in April 2003, many medical offices will not fax forms and medical information to the school. It will be the parent's responsibility to bring it to the school.