Phoenixville Area School District

A copy of this handbook will be provided to every student at Phoenixville Area High School. It contains general school information, procedures, and regulations. Students and their parents/guardians 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 printed. Please be advised that some of the material might be subject to change during the school year. Students and parents/guardians will be informed of such changes through other school communication formats including the school website.

Bell Schedules for regular days, 2-hour delays, and delayed openings will be posted on the PAHS Website. Any additional schedule alterations will be communicated to students & parents in advance

Dear Students:

On behalf of the Phoenixville Area High School faculty, administration, and staff, I welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year. I sincerely hope and expect that your years at PAHS are enjoyable, educationally productive, and filled with warm memories and experiences. To assist in this process, this handbook has been assembled to provide you with information that will affect your daily school life. Please read it and share this information with your family for a successful year.

We are dedicated to academic excellence and know it is important for all students to become a vital part of this school's environment and activities as soon as possible. Your participation in the numerous activities, clubs, fine arts, and athletic programs is strongly encouraged.

Phoenixville Area High School is a place where young people grow and prepare for their futures. Whether you plan to continue your education or move into the work force after graduation, we are here to assist you in those endeavors. Please take advantage of the many opportunities provided to you and your family.

We, the administration, have an open-door policy for our students and parents and encourage you to contact us or stop by the school if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Rose M. Scioli, Ed. D.

Principal, Phoenixville Area High School

There’s a school in Chester County, A school we all love well;
And the sturdy sons of Phoenix, its virtues love to tell.
Sing it out among the High Schools! spread the tale with vim and might
Old Phoenix stands defender of the Purple and the White.

When we win athletic victories, our banner wide unfold;
Let the fallen foe do homage to Phoenix warriors bold.
Then we’ll sing our songs of triumph: from the morn until the night;
Let all men render homage; To the Purple and the White.

When at last our time is over, and the last exam we pass;
We will say good-bye forever, to teachers, school, and class.
We will then take school-day victories into the world’s grim fight;
And the vision still will cheer us of the Purple and the White.

PAHS hosts a wealth of extracurricular clubs, activities, athletic teams, and performing arts organizations with a goal of serving the interests of the entire student body. Students are strongly encouraged to explore these options in an effort to develop new relationships with their peers and potentially find new areas of interest.

Phoenixville Area High School is a charter member of the Pioneer Athletic Conference. PAHS sponsors teams in baseball, basketball, cheerleading/competitive spirit, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.

An updated list of clubs and extracurricular activities are available on the PASD website. Please contact the associated advisor for more information regarding joining.

Extracurricular Eligibility Guidelines

These activities are integral components for the education of students, and every student is encouraged to enhance their educational experience by participating in. However, the student’s first obligation is successful completion of academic responsibilities. The same eligibility standards apply for all interscholastic athletics and extra-curricular activities. Interscholastic athletics and extra-curricular activities are open for participation to all students who meet the following eligibility guidelines:

Eligibility at Phoenixville Area High School is governed by students meeting all academic and eligibility requirements of the Phoenixville Area School District and the rules established by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). Please refer to Policy No. 123.

To be eligible for participation in extracurricular activities, students must pursue a curriculum approved by the principal.

Grades will be reviewed on a weekly basis and an official list of ineligible students will be compiled on Friday. Any students on this list who are failing 2.0 credits or more worth of scheduled classes will be considered ineligible and unable to participate in any activities for a period of (1) week starting on that Sunday. Parents/guardians of students on the ineligibility list will be notified of this status.

Students that are considered ineligible at the end of the marking period will be unable to participate in any activities for the first fifteen (15) school days of the next marking period.

Students who are ineligible at the conclusion of a school year must attend summer school to make up any failed courses in order to participate in extracurricular activities the upcoming year. Students who are considered ineligible to start the school year may participate in summer practice/conditioning sessions but may not participate in scrimmages and/or games.

Any misconduct by participants in these activities that is sufficiently serious to warrant internal/external suspension from school will result in ineligibility for the period of suspension. Additionally, violation of the student discipline regulations or related school district policies may lead to a longer period of suspension or exclusion from participation at the discretion of the building administrators.

Students who are assigned detention-based disciplinary consequences (as outlined in this handbook) may participate in that practice/event only after serving the detention. Coaches / advisors may establish additional regulations for their respective group that prohibit student participation on these days.

Students who are assigned suspension-based disciplinary consequences may not participate in any events schedule for the entire suspension period (including weekends).

Extracurricular Participation Expectations

All students participating in an extracurricular program are held to all guidelines within the school handbook as well as any additional guidelines established by the advisor, coach, and/or Athletic Director. Students are expected to take care of any equipment (including uniforms) that are assigned to them, and to return it in a timely fashion at the conclusion of the season. If any activities are to take place that conflict with the operation of the normal school day, students are responsible for meeting all academic and class-related obligations set by their teachers.

All coaches and club/activity advisors will establish guidelines for attendance at practice/meetings. Students who are absent from school are prohibited from participating in practices or games on the day of absence unless they have received pre-approval by the principal or athletic director. Students who are sent home ill or injured will not be permitted to return and participate in either practices or games later that same day. Students who report to school after the end of second period will not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activity scheduled for that day unless presenting a doctor ‘s note excusing their lateness or having permission from a building administrator.

School equipment is to be used in practices and contests only. Athletic team membership does not assume the privilege of wearing school property in physical education classes or in the community.

Students participating in the interscholastic athletic program must following these additional guidelines:

Age limitations for participation in interscholastic athletics are those set forth by the PIAA.

Students are strongly encouraged to purchase the student insurance offered through the school district.

Complete the PIAA CIPPE form and re-certification form.

Athletic team membership does not permit the wearing of school property in physical education classes or in the community.

Violation of training rules established by the coaching staff and consistent with the school policy will face disciplinary action.

Concussion Management

The goal to ensuring the safety of students participating in the district’s athletic programs is to provide guidance for prevention, detection and treatment of concussions sustained by students while participating in an athletic activity. Please refer to Policy No.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Each school year, prior to participation in an athletic activity, every student athlete and their parent/guardian shall sign and return the acknowledgement of receipt and review of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Warning Signs Information Sheet that includes information about electrocardiogram testing. The school shall hold an informational meeting prior to the start of each athletic season for all competitors regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest and information about electrocardiogram testing. In addition to the student athletes, such meetings may include parents/guardians, coaches, other appropriate school officials, physicians, cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists, other appropriate medical personnel, and athletic trainers. Please refer to Policy No. 123.2 for more information.

Sportsmanship

It is the duty and responsibility of all participants and spectators to embody good sportsmanship at all events both home and away. All in attendance are expected to promote fair play and respectfulness toward our opponents and visiting fans. Any PAHS student, participant, or spectator, who demonstrates unsportsmanlike behavior at a sporting event, whether home or away, will be escorted from the event. Eligibility to attend any future sporting events will be at the discretion of the school administration.

Smoking/Tobacco/Vape Devices

Students found in use/possession of this type of substance will be processed in accordance with school policy. Students may also be suspended from their team/activity for a period of time to be determined by the Principal, Athletic Director, and Coach/Advisor. Please refer to Policy No. 222 for more information on Tobacco and Vaping.

Drug Abuse and Alcohol

The selling, providing, possession, or use of steroids or other drugs or alcohol and or off school property is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the School District’s Drug and Alcohol Policy. In addition, any student/athlete determined to be in violation of any of the above infractions on or off school property will be suspended or dismissed from the team or squad for the remainder of the season (at the discretion of the administration. Any subsequent drug or alcohol violations will constitute a repeat offense, be subject to additional disciplinary consequences, and may be considered for a suspension from participation in extracurricular activities.

Prohibition of Anabolic Steroids

The use of anabolic steroids by any pupil involved in school-related athletics, except for a valid medical purpose, is prohibited. Bodybuilding, muscle enhancement, increasing muscle bulk or strength or the enhancement of athletic ability is not a valid medical purpose. Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is included as an anabolic steroid under this policy.

Education regarding the dangers of anabolic steroids is to be included in the district‘s drug and alcohol program. Any pupil found to be in violation of the anabolic steroid use policy is subject to the following penalties: (a) for a first violation, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season; (b) for a second violation, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season and for the following season; (c) for a third violation, permanent suspension from school athletics.

To be eligible to resume participation in school athletics, there must be a medical determination that no residual evidence of steroids exists. Participation in approved drug counseling, and rehabilitation program and testing are also required conditions of reinstatement into the school athletic program.

College-Bound Athletes

If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center. The NCAA Eligibility Center will analyze your academic information and determine if you meet the NCAA’s initial-eligibility requirements. The publication “The Guide for The College Bound Student Athlete” is available for student athletes interested in participation in athletics at the college level.

Assurance Of Non-Discrimination/Protected Handicapped Notice – Non-Discrimination Statement

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, 103.1, 104, 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.

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.

Non-Discrimination of Protected Handicapped Students – Annual Notice to Parents

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. Please refer to Policy No. 113.

Gifted Education

As per Policy No. 114, 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 of gifted students, document all consents and responses of parents/guardians, and adhere to all established timelines.

Student Directory 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 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

1These 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.

Recruitment

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 district shall annually notify parents/guardians and the secondary students of the right to request that student information not be released to representatives of postsecondary institutions and/or military recruiters without their prior written parent/guardian/secondary student consent.

The district shall provide a list of graduating seniors, which shall be available to military recruiters by the first day of the academic year of graduation. Please refer to Policy No. 250 for more information on Student Recruitment.

Notification of Rights for Elementary & Secondary Students

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:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a written

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.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is

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.

The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records,

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.

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

Notification of Rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

The Protection of Pupil Rights Act (PPRA), (Policy No. 235) affords parents 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:

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

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

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.

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)

The district will develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents 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 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 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/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

Resolving Complaints

In addressing pertinent concerns, parents 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.

Student Privacy Protections

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 be stored on their servers or access to our systems is granted to facilitate 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. Click here or more information about student privacy protections.

Any software service provider and contractor with whom the District contracts agrees to protect student privacy using all commercially reasonable means and complies with all federal laws prohibiting use of student information for commercial marketing purposes. Click here for more information about student protection from commercial marketing.

Procedure for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Civil Rights Complaints Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Food and Nutrition

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

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

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

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;

USDA’s Telephone/Fax numbers and Email address:

(866) 632-9992 / (202) 690-7442 F/ [email protected]

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.

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:

reiterate the complaint filing procedures in 1) b),

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

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.

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, Name, Address, Phone, Email

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

Date of Alleged Discriminatory Action

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

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

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

USDA complaint form English version:

USDA complaint form Spanish version:

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

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 on an annual basis. Refer to Policy No. 716 for more information.

Asbestos Management Plan

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 Director of Operations, Ken Gibson (484-927-5099) These records are available for review during the normal school business hours.

Parental Information Notice – Public Notice on Screening & 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 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 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' input is welcome and is often solicited. If a student does not make progress after interventions

Enrollment Of Students and Assignment Within District

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 Policies 200 and 206 for more information.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

The mandated Student Assistance Program is designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues that pose a barrier to a student’s success. The SAP team consists of trained teachers, guidance counselors, administration, a school nurse, and community service liaisons.

Process:

Observable, at-risk student behavior referred to the team.

Information gathered and reviewed by team.

Parent contacted.

Student Assessed by cooperating agency.

Recommendation to parent by the cooperating agency

SAP referral forms are available on-line or in the high school Guidance Office.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports / RTI (MTSS)

This is a state mandated program developed to assist students with academic and/or social emotional concerns. MTSS / RTI is a systematic method of offering student’s academic support and assistance to maintain academic success. After identifying a specific need, or goal, the Team determines strategies through a continuum of services for the student to utilize.

The process begins with a referral from a teacher, parent, or any staff member who recognizes that a student is having learning and/or social emotional difficulties.

Examples:

a student who is not learning at the academic pace of peers

a student who does not do homework

a student with language differences or difficulties

The referring individual completes an MTSS Referral form available from a guidance counselor or building administrator. The referring individual remains an integral part of the process and may attend IST intervention meetings. Members of the team include the referring individual, the student, the parents, the assigned counselor, and other trained staff members.

After receiving a referral for support, the team gathers data about the student. This data includes a review of records, teacher input, family input and other pertinent information. Information is synthesized and results are disseminated to all team members. The team then focuses on identifying the problem, setting goals that fit the needs of the child, and formulating strategies to enable the child to meet those goals. Strategies must then be implemented according to the agreed upon timeline. Within thirty school days the team meets again to determine if the goals have been met. If there has been success, the strategies are continued. If not, more evaluation and planning may be used, and other strategies recommended.

A referral to the MTSS program does not always lead to special education placement. The process does provide the MTSS team with a plan to assist everyone involved with the student in developing a positive learning plan to support the student.

McKinney-Vento Act Eligibility (MVA)

The district serves students who are experiencing homelessness and educational disruptions per District Policy No. 251. 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.

Child Find

Policy No. 113.1 (Child Find) describes the child find activities of the district for the purpose of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Chapter 14 of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.

Student Records

The school has the need to collect and maintain certain information related to the health, education, and welfare of the student. This information is vital to the continuity of the school’s educational program. Federal and state laws provide safeguards to the privacy of such records and guarantee access to these records by parents or guardians and students.

Parents or guardians wishing to review any of the student’s records should contact the student’s counselor for an appointment. Please refer to Policy No. 216 for additional information on student records.

Students under eighteen (18) years of age must have written permission from their parent or guardian prior to viewing their educational records.

Emergency Contacts

In the event that the school cannot contact a student’s primary parent/guardian during an emergency, the emergency contact listed in Skyward will be contacted next. Families and students are expected to keep this information up to date at all times. If you are experiencing difficulty with this process, please contact the main office.

Right to Information

It is the policy of the Phoenixville Area School District that directory information may be disclosed for purposes beneficial to the student or the school district only with the approval of the district superintendent or his designee.

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 recent educational institution attended, and other similar information.

You have the right to refuse public disclosure of any or all types of directory information by giving the school written notice within twenty (20) days of the date of this notice.

The Student Records Policy is on the PASD website.

Guardianship

The school must be notified immediately whenever the legal guardianship of a student changes. In the event of a temporary emergency, and the student is going to be under another person’s care for a short period of time, the parent or legal guardian must notify the school, in writing, of the name of the person who is to assume guardianship on a temporary basis. Failure to do so could have a very serious negative impact on the school’s ability to properly serve the student.

Child Abuse Reporting

Board Policy No. 806 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 with parental consent.

APPENDIX C – HEALTH SERVICES

School Nurses practice under the guidance of Federal and State guidelines. School nurses are prohibited by law to diagnose injuries or illness. All care provided by school health staff is limited to first aid to injuries and illness that have occurred within the school day. All care provided by the school nurse is directed by written orders by the school physician. Exceptions to this will only occur if written orders are provided by the student’s private physician. Decisions regarding the need for medical care are that the discretion of the parent/guardian. Therefore, a parent/guardian will be contacted to take the student home and seek medical treatment as the need arises. Transportation of the student is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Each student MUST have a School Health Form completed at the start of every school year. The form is located in Skyward and is completed by the parent or guardian. The yearly School Health Form provides vital health history information and gives consent to the student receiving treatment and over-the-counter medications from the school nurse. These medications (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Antacid, and Benadryl in the case of allergic reactions) cannot be administered by the school nurse unless this form in completed for the school year. When it is necessary for additional medications to be administered (prescription or non-prescription) during school hours, the following procedures MUST be followed without exception:

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 the PAHS website.

Medication prescribed by the family physician MUST be delivered by the parent/guardian directly to the school nurse during school hours in the original prescriptive bottle. Students are not permitted to carry medications with them in school.

A doctor’s written request/prescription and directions must also be provided including medication name, dosage, and time of administration.

School Exclusion Due to Illness

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*

Rubella/German measles

Tuberculosis

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

Reportable Diseases

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 is listed here.

Diabetes Management

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 for more information.

*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:

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

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

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.

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 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 reoccurrence of head lice.

Mandated Health Screenings

Hearing Screenings: Each year, all students in kindergarten, first, second, third grades, seventh grade, eleventh grade, and some special education classes are screened for hearing loss. A referral is sent home if any of these screenings are failed. For further information, please refer to Policies 203, 209, and 210.

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. Based on these measurements (which can be found on Skyward), students’ BMI and BMI percentiles will then be calculated. The results of the growth screening will be available for viewing on Skyward. 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 Test: All students will be tested for near and far vision on a yearly basis. Additionally, students are tested for color vision and hyperopia in first grade and depth perception in second grade.

Annual Health Records

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. Please refer to Policy No. 246 for more information on the district wellness initiative.

Dental Examinations

In accordance with the Pennsylvania School Act, all students in kindergarten/first, third grade, and 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 choose to have their child examined by the school dentist, consent must be given to the school by checking the appropriate box on Skyward 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 on the PAHS website.

Physical Examinations

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 choose to have their child examined by the school physician, consent must be given to the school by checking the appropriate box on Skyward 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 online: printed from the school website at www.pasd.com under Department of Specialized Programs and Services or individual school Health Services links.

For students in sixth and eleventh grade a sports physical completed for seasons during the school year are counted as the yearly physical.

Immunizations

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 ensure all students’ immunizations are in compliance in regard to 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 elementary grade 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

Seventh 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

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA. Code CH. 23(School Immunization)

PA Vaccine information.

Guests in Schools

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.

Students must secure administrative approval prior to having a student guest with them in the building for the day. The only reason for a guest to be approved to attend your classes is if the guest student is in a position to consider attending PAHS in a fu ture school year. Guests may be denied at any time by the building administration.

Emergency Drills in Schools

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.