Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
Welcome to the Preston Area School. We, the faculty and staff, wish you and your child a happy and productive school year.
This handbook has been prepared to inform you about the procedures and policies we will follow in our school. Health and safety rules are also included
Please review these rules with your child. We will do the same in school.
We believe each student should be responsible for his/her own conduct. It is our hope that students display good manners and safety at all times.
If you have questions concerning any item in this handbook or any other issue, please call the Preston Area School at (570) 798-2516. We want to assist you in any way we can to make kindergarten through 8th grade a rewarding experience for your child.
Christopher Pietraszewski
Principal
WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
President: Thomas Fassahauer
Vice-President: Lothar Holbert
Board Members: George Korb, Heather Stephens, Robert Diehl, Jr., Kim Eldred, Kathy Grandjean, John Lowe, Douglas Rickard
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent: Gregory Frigoletto
Assistant Superintendent: Timothy Morgan
Business Manager: Jeff Firmstone
Treasurer: Wayne Bank (non-voting member)
Solicitor: Attorney Lee C. Krause
MISSION STATEMENT OF WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Wayne Highlands School District's Mission is to promote a school community alliance dedicated to:
* Dynamic and Flexible Education Processes
* Success for All Students
* Interdependent Lifelong Learning
* Respect for Oneself and Society
WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUAL NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
To comply with federal laws (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Amendments of 1974, state laws, and the State Department of Education Regulations concerning Equal Rights and Opportunities, and to assure their implementation, the Wayne Highlands School District declares itself to be an Equal Opportunity Education Institution, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or limited English proficiency in its activities, programs or employment practices
For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, please contact Samuel R. Tallo, Title IX Coordinator, at 474 Grove Street, Honesdale, PA 18431; telephone: (570) 253-4661. It is the coordinator's responsibility to make certain that all education programs and activities and all employment procedures are free from discrimination on the basis of these conditions stated in the policy.
TITLE IX POLICY STATEMENT
The Wayne Highlands School District has created policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in both education and employment. Board Policy and Administrative Practices and Procedures prohibits sex bias in such educational areas as treatment of students, instruction, counseling practices, financial assistance, awards, physical education, interscholastic and intramural athletics, and disciplinary procedures. Board Policy and Administrative Practices and Procedures prohibits sex bias in such employment areas as applications, recruitment, hiring, upgrading and promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, job assignment and classification, leaves of absence, training and all other terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, please contact Samuel R. Tallo, Title IX Coordinator, 474 Grove Street, Honesdale, PA 18431; telephone: (570) 253-4661. It is the coordinator's responsibility to make certain that all education programs and activities and all employment procedures are free from discrimination on the basis of these conditions in the policy.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Wayne Highlands School District offers a continuum of services for children who are identified as having special needs. Eligibility for services is based upon a multidisciplinary team evaluation, in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If a student is determined to be eligible for special education services, services are planned and provided through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Services are provided through the District or through the Wayne County Consortium of Special Education. For further information, please contact the guidance counselor at your child’s school or the Special Education Supervisor who may be reached at (570) 253-3402.
Potential indicators that a child may have a disability that warrants an evaluation under IDEA include, but are not limited to, difficulty with the following:
· Academic performance in school (Reading, Math, Writing)
· Understanding and following directions
· Paying attention and remaining focused on a task or topic
· Controlling impulsive behaviors
· Communicating with others (speaking, carrying on conversations)
· Solving problems
· Understanding social rules and body language
· Remembering things
· Expressing needs and/or wants
· Maintaining positive relationships with peers and adults
· Physical movement
Source: Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
EARLY INTERVENTION
Early Intervention Classes, for children ages 3-5, are operated through the Wayne County Consortium. These classes run for 2 ½ hours per day, four days per week. The purpose of these classes is to assist students with developmental delays. They provide them with developmentally appropriate activities to strengthen their skills. Eligibility for this program is based upon a multi-disciplinary evaluation. For further information on this program, please contact the Early Intervention Coordinator at (570) 937-3710.
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “good-bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in playing, learning, speaking, behaving, and moving (crawling, walking, etc). A developmental delay is when your child does not reach these milestones at the same time as other children the same age.
Source: Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents/guardians and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
The right to inspect and review a student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents/guardians 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/guardian or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of a student’s academic education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA
Parents/guardians or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent/guardian or eligible student, the school will notify the parent/guardian 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/guardian 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, 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; a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using its own employees or committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibility.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administrates FERPA:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920
NOTICE FOR DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that Wayne Highlands School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child's education records. However, Wayne Highlands School 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 primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Wayne Highlands School District to include this type of information from your child's education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
· A playbill, showing your student's role in a drama production
· The annual yearbook
· Honor roll or other recognition lists
· Graduation programs
· Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s/guardian’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 have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent.
If you do not want the Wayne Highlands School District to disclose directory information from your child's education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) affords parents/guardians certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the rights to
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:
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student's parent/guardian
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student's family
3. Sex behavior or attitudes
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents/guardians
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility
Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:
1. Any other protected information survey regardless of funding
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam 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 state law
3. 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:
1. Protected information surveys of students
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes
3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum
These rights transfer from the parents/guardians to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under state law.
The Wayne Highlands School District has developed and adopted Policy (#235) in consultation with parents/guardians, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The Wayne Highlands School District will directly notify parents/guardians of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The Wayne Highlands School District will also directly notify, such as through U. S. Mail or e-mail, parents/guardians of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent/guardian to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. The Wayne Highlands School District will make this notification to parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents/guardians will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement:
· 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 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
WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT PPRA NOTICE AND CONSENT/OPT-OUT FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U. S. C. section 1232h, requires Wayne Highlands School District to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas ("protected information surveys"):
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student's parent/ guardian
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student's family
3. Sex behavior or attitudes
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents/guardians
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility
This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes ("marketing surveys"), and certain physical exams and screenings.
If you wish to review any survey instrument or instructional material used in connection with any protected information or marketing survey, please submit a request to the school principal. The principal will notify you of the time and place where you may review these materials. You have the right to review a survey and/or instructional materials before the survey is administered to a student.
Parents’/ Guardians’ Right to Know Regulations 200.61
August 31, 2010
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Your child’s school receives Title I funding and is included under the regulations of the “No Child Left Behind Act” (NCLB) that was signed into law by President Bush on January 8, 2002.
NCLB requires:
· Increased accountability for states and school districts
· Greater choice for parents/guardians, especially those in low performing schools
· Greater flexibility for state and local education agencies in the use of federal funding
Under NCLB, parents/guardians have a right to request professional qualifications of their children’s teacher(s) or paraprofessional(s). This letter is to inform you of your right to ask for the following information about your children’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals:
· Whether Pennsylvania has licensed the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches
· Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which Pennsylvania licensing criteria have been waived
· The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and if so, the subject of the degrees
· Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications
If you would like to receive specific information about your child’s teachers or paraprofessionals, please contact your school principal. Our district is fully committed to the success of your child. We appreciate your partnership in our efforts to provide the best education for your child.
Safe Schools Plan
The Wayne Highlands School District has designed a district level Safe Schools Plan along with individual building plans. This plan was designed with the assistance and input from our community partners associated with school and community safety. The Safe Schools Committee is an advisory committee composed of representatives from our schools, local emergency management, law enforcement, and other community service agencies. This committee meets on the district level and works collaboratively for the safety of our school community. Further information is available through the assistant superintendent’s office at the district level.
Integrated Pest Management
The Wayne Highlands School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office and teaching staff, and includes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the "pest problem" and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.
From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will only be used when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the least toxic product when possible. (Applications will be made only after normal school hours.) Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the application.
Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification you must be placed on the school notification registry. If you would like to be placed on the registry, please notify the District in writing. Please include your e-mail address if you would like to be notified electronically.
If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem (ex. stinging insects), notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has requested such notification in writing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and anti-microbial products; self-contained baits placed in areas not accessible to students; and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; and swimming pool maintenance chemicals.
Each year the District will prepare a new notification registry.
If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Lowe, IPM Coordinator at 570-253-3460.
WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT HEALTH COUNCIL’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Wayne Highlands School District promotes wellness in its schools through district policy and guidance from the District Wellness Committee. This committee is comprised of representatives from the schools of the district along with community members from health organizations. The committee meets quarterly and supports the district’s website information on wellness with announcements of community events and happenings and associated information for teachers and families. Further information is available through the District Wellness Coordinator at Honesdale High School. The mission statement of this council is:
To empower, promote and support students, families and communities toward a healthy lifestyle through:
· Lifelong physical activity and wellness
· Nutrition and health education to teach healthy choices
· Creation of health environments in home, school and community
· Enhancing self esteem to achieve personal best
FUNDRAISERS
Any fundraisers that do not comply with the WHSD Wellness Policy, including all candy sales, are not allowed to be done during the school day.
CLASSROOM PARTIES/CELEBRATIONS
Beverages: water, 100% fruit juice, cider, 1%-2% milk; no soda
Snacks: single serving size of 250 kcal or less (can include single servings of cookies, cupcakes, brownies), no trans fats, sugar is not the first ingredient; select a healthy mix of fruit, crackers, cheese, popcorn, pizza, etc.
Please refer to the WHSD website at www.waynehighlands.org then click on WHSD Wellness for more information and ideas.
BACKGROUND
The Wayne Highlands School District is a Third Class School District located in the northern part of Wayne County. This district provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 3400 youngsters housed within its six schools. Four of these schools are located within the borough of Honesdale. The remaining two are located in Damascus and Lakewood.
The school in Lakewood, known as the Preston Area School, operates a kindergarten through eighth grade program for approximately 200 students. Its mission, like that of Wayne Highlands, is to promote a school community alliance dedicated to dynamic and flexible education processes, success for all students, interdependent lifelong learning, and respect for oneself and society.
In addition to the regular classroom program, Preston offers instruction in special areas as students move through the grades. These areas include Technology Education, Music (Vocal and Instrumental), Family/Consumer Sciences, Industrial Arts, Library, and Art, as well as a program of Physical Education. School health services are available through the nurse’s office. Guidance services are available through the school’s guidance counselor. Breakfast is served daily by the school cafeteria staff. A hot lunch program is also available.
The first school in Preston Township was built in 1829 at Tallmanville near Shehawken. From that time until 1890 many one-room schools were operated throughout the township, such as South Preston, Preston Center, Lake Como, Winwood, Orson, and Crosby. The township then built a large wooden building in the village of Winwood (Lakewood), which became a three-year high school. Around 1903 or 1904 that same building became a four-year high school.
In 1924 the Preston School Board voted to build a new high school and elementary school for the entire township, closing all the smaller schools except those located at Preston Park and Orson. This became a reality when Preston High School opened in early spring of 1926.
In 1950 Preston, Scott, and Buckingham Townships formed a jointure, and the school became known as Northern Wayne Joint High School. This jointure was dissolved in 1953 with a return to the Preston High School.
In the late 1950’s the school in Orson was closed. In 1960 the Preston School Board voted to discontinue the high school at the Preston site. High school students were sent to Hancock Central School in Hancock, New York. In the late 1960’s the school in Lake Como was closed. High school students currently either attend Hancock or Deposit in New York or Honesdale High School in Honesdale.
The year 1970 brought another change to the Preston Educational System as it
became a part of the Wayne Highlands School District. The Wayne Highlands School District voted to build a new school in Preston Township. This school, located in Lakewood, was to be large enough to educate all the students of the area in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Ground for the new school was broken in the early spring of 1973, and September 3, 1975 saw the opening of the school in this new building. Elementary students previously enrolled in Deposit and Hancock were assigned to the school, as well as those who had previously attended the Preston School, swelling our population to an estimated 450 students. The Preston Area School currently provides education to approximately 200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
PRESTON AREA SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR
Mr. Christopher Pietraszewski Principal
Dr. Kristy Keeler Psychologist
Mrs. Barbara Smith Guidance Counselor/Head Teacher
Mrs. Judith Stanton Nurse
HOMEROOM TEACHERS:
Mrs. Figura K Kindergarten
Mrs. Neu First Grade
Mrs. Pittenger Second Grade
Miss Judge Second Grade
Ms. Doyle Third Grade
Mrs. Keyes Fourth Grade
Mr. Kyle Cobb Fifth Grade
Mrs. Dorohovech Fifth Grade
Mrs. Hadley English/Language Arts 6-8
Mr. Benson Social Studies 6-8 & English/Language Arts 7
Mr. Curtis Science 6-8 & English/Language Arts 6
Ms. Skinner Math 6-8
SPECIAL SUBJECT TEACHERS:
Mr. Adams Industrial Arts
Ms. Benton-Vitz Speech
Mrs. Bryan Occupational Therapy
Mrs. Beisel Art
Mrs. Flederbach Librarian
Mrs. Hemmler Learning Support 6-8 & English/Language Arts 6
Mr. Kennedy Student Support
Mrs. Kussoff Family & Consumer Sciences
Ms. Leventhal Physical Education/Health
Miss McDonough Instrumental/Vocal Music
Mrs. Murray Learning Support K-5
Mrs. Senft Title I Reading & ESL
Mrs. Smith IST/Guidance
Mrs. Thompson Technology Education
Mr. Wacker GATE (Gifted Education)
STAFF:
Mrs. Hansen Technology Support Analyst
Mrs. Burden Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Curtis Library Assistant
Mrs. Dumond Cafeteria
Mr. Haeussler Custodian
Ms. Ignatovich Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Kulikowski Office Assistant
Mr. Loscig Custodian
Ms. Oettinger Cafeteria
Mr. Ripple Head Custodian
Mrs. Watson Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Woodmansee Head Cook
KINDERGARTEN ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Please call the school and notify the secretary that you wish to register your child for kindergarten. Children who will be five years of age before October 1st are eligible to enroll.
When you register your child, it is very important that you bring the following information:
1. Birth certificate
2. Verification of physical and dental exams – these will be done at the school during the school year if they are not done by your private physician and dentist
3. Dates of immunizations that are required before admission to school in Pennsylvania:
· Diphtheria & Tetanus 4 or more properly spaced doses, with one dose administered on or after the 4th birthday
· Polio 3 doses
· Measles 2 doses with the first dose administered at 1 months of age or older
· Mumps 1 dose after 1 year of age
· Rubella 1 dose after 1 year of age
· Hepatitis B 3 doses
· Varicella 1 dose with first dose administered at 12 months of age or older, or chickenpox immunity proved by laboratory testing, or signed statement from physician
4. Proof of residency
There is an immunization clinic in Wayne County that provides services by appointment. It is located at the State Health Center, 615 Erie Heights, Honesdale, PA. The telephone number is (570) 253-7141.
THE PURPOSE OF KINDERGARTEN
The main objective of our kindergarten is to provide learning situations that are developmentally appropriate for your child. They will include:
1. Opportunities to grow in ability to:
a. Take responsibility
b. Follow directions
c. Listen
d. Think and plan independently
e. Share and cooperate with others
f. Deal with emotions
g. Express oneself creatively in various activities
h. Understand self-respect and respect for others
i. Use and care for materials
j. Learn readiness strategies
2. Opportunities to work and play with others
3. Opportunities to experiment and explore
4. Opportunities to develop physically and mentally
HOW PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN HELP
1. Provide a labeled smock or apron for artwork – an adult shirt with sleeves shortened makes a good paint smock
2. Encourage your child to:
a. Dress himself/herself - button, zip, and tie
b. Understand and use safety rules
c. Take care of his/her own toilet needs
d. Memorize his/her full name, address, and telephone number
3. Label your child's belongings and clothing (boots, hats, mittens, coats, etc.)
4. Confer with the teacher, the counselor, or the school nurse concerning your child’s needs and issues
5. Refrain from teaching your child to print his/her name in capital letters – this confuses children when they learn to use lower case letters in kindergarten
6. Please be sure to send a note to the teacher if your child requires a change in transportation – if a child is to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop, he/she must bring a note signed by a parent/guardian; the regular bus driver will initial the note, and the student will give the note to his/her teacher
**NOTE: It would be very helpful to the teacher if your child would wear a tag containing his/her bus number for the return home, especially during the first two weeks of school.
THE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
Our kindergarten program highlights a comprehensive and integrated approach to instruction. Students receive developmentally appropriate instruction in a whole group setting as well as in small groups. In addition, opportunities for independent learning and discovery are developed through the utilization of work areas. Activities in our kindergarten program include:
CIRCLE TIME: students develop phonemic awareness, language, and print awareness
KIDWRITING: students apply print knowledge, letter sound development, and phonemic awareness
GUIDED READING: students receive reading instruction and develop reading skills in small group settings
WORK AREAS: students work independently on activities in word making, reading for meaning, math, writing, art, and computers
INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD: students develop skills in oral language, vocabulary, and oral comprehension
MATH: students apply math skills such as numbers, computation, measurement, time, graphs, and geometry
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES: students receive integrated instruction in these areas through our reading program
SPECIALS: students receive instruction in art, music, technology, guidance, library, and physical education
OUTDOOR/INDOOR PLAY: students experience social interaction and oral language skills
HOW PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN HELP WITH READING
1. Talk to your child about everything – the more words your child knows, the easier it will be for him/her to read
2. Read good books aloud to your child – this is the most important thing you can do to build your child's reading success
3. Encourage drawing/writing activities – keep crayons, magic markers, pencils, and paper handy and display samples of your child's work
4. Limit the amount of time spent watching television and playing video games
5. Monitor your child's school progress and take part in school activities
6. Celebrate your child's birthday by donating a book in his/her name that can be shared on many occasion
ATTENDANCE
Irregularity in attendance is the most frequent cause of school failure. One day’s absence costs two days of schoolwork – the day of the absence and lack of preparation for the day of return. Under the Pennsylvania Compulsory Attendance and Truancy Elimination Plan (24 P.S. 12-1327), a maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences verified by written parental notification may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days require a written excuse from a physician, court, or social service agency. Situations involving the death of a family member or a family emergency will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the principal, guidance counselor, and/or the school district’s social worker.
Excused Absences: An absence may be considered excused for one of the following reasons:
1. Illness / Quarantine
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Religious observances
4. Exceptionally urgent reasons that directly affect the child
5. Administratively approved absences
Unexcused Absences: An absence may be considered unexcused for one of the following reasons:
1. Absence through parental neglect
2. Illegal employment
3. Truancy
When absence, early dismissal from school, or late arrival to school is necessary, the following procedures must be followed:
1. After an absence every student must present an excuse to his/her homeroom teacher on the day he/she returns to school, or the day following the return to school. The excuse must include the date(s) of absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature or doctor/dentist signature.
2. Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must accept responsibility for making arrangements with the teachers to make up all work and tests that were missed. The student will be given the number of days equal to the number of days absent to complete all missed assignments.
3. A student who leaves for a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment will not be marked absent if the student returns to school that day. If a student does not return, he/she will be marked absent for the missed session.
AM session – 8:30-11:45 A.M. PM session – 11:45-3:00 P.M.
4. On the day of an appointment, the student must bring in a note from home specifying the type of appointment and dismissal time from school. Upon returning to school the same day or the next day, the student should provide the written excuse from the doctor or dentist. The school requests that all appointments be scheduled before 8:00A.M. or after 3:00 P.M. if possible.
5. A student who arrives late from a doctor or dentist’s appointment must report to the main office with his/her parent/guardian to be signed in. The parent/guardian or student should provide a written excuse from the doctor or dentist. Depending upon arrival time, a student may be marked tardy or absent for the AM session.
6. A student reporting to the health office, who is later sent home by the nurse due to illness, will be marked present for the session that he/she is physically in the school building.
7. Parents taking trips must secure the proper approval form from the school office three days in advance of the planned trip. The form is to be completed by the parent/guardian and must include all required teachers’ signatures. The form is to be returned to the office one day in advance of the planned trip.
We would appreciate notification of the reason for any extended absence (beyond 3 days) since this aids in the teachers’ planning for your child.
TARDINESS
Tardiness will not be tolerated. Promptness to class is very important. Students are to be in the building no later than 8:25 A.M. Habitual tardiness may be viewed as a disciplinary or truancy problem. There is generally no reason a student should be late for class and/or school. Unexcused tardiness may result in disciplinary action. Parents will be notified if the problem persists. Any student arriving at the school after 8:25 A.M. should report to the school office.
EARLY DISMISSALS
A student must bring a note signed by a parent/guardian, dentist, or physician with the dismissal time properly indicated. All requests for early dismissals must be in the school office for approval before 8:40 A.M.
DISMISSALS
No child is permitted to leave the school while school is in session unless a written request from a parent/guardian stating the reason and time the child is to be dismissed is presented and approved at the office.
NO child is to leave the school premises unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other authorized person. NO child is permitted to leave with anyone unless approved by the parent or guardian. All parents are to come to the office to sign out and pick up their children. Requests for children to be excused from school to accompany parents on trips shall be referred to the principal for proper forms.
FAMILY VACATIONS
Although school districts are not required to excuse pupils for educational trips planned by parents, the Preston Area School will honor a request for a student to be excused for an educational trip if the principal approves it in advance.
The student, parent, or guardian should obtain a Vacation Form from the office prior to departure. The form needs to be completed by the parent/guardian. The student is responsible for having his/her teachers sign the form and provide homework assignments for the time he/she will be away. The form is then returned to the office to notify the nurse and attendance secretary. The form also needs the signature of the principal. The first three days of a non-school trip will be recorded as unexcused absences. The balance will be excused absences. Students must submit completed assignments, which were obtained prior to the trip.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE NUMBER
Please notify the office (by telephone, note, or email) of any change in address or telephone number. This will ensure that parents will be notified promptly should an emergency arise.
STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Preston students arrive in two bus runs. The first bus run arrives at 7:45 A.M. Students in grades K-2 must report directly to the LGI. Students in grades 3-8 must report directly to the gymnasium. Students in grades 3-8 who eat breakfast will be dismissed by a staff member from the gym to the cafeteria. Students will be allowed to go to their lockers/classrooms at 8:00 A.M.
The second bus run arrives at 8:00 A.M. These students must report directly to their homerooms. However, students in grades 3-8 who eat breakfast will report directly to the cafeteria. All students in grades K-2 who eat breakfast will be dismissed by their teachers from their homerooms to the cafeteria at 8:05 A.M.
Students who walk to school should follow the procedures outlined above based on their grade levels and times of arrival.
Students are dismissed from Preston at 3:00 P.M. Students who walk home and exit the school via the driveway must wait until all buses have left the school property. Students must walk directly to their homes. Students will not be permitted to walk to the Northern Wayne Library or any other location unless they are personally escorted by a parent/guardian after all the school buses have left the school property.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING
Should weather conditions make the unexpected closing of the school necessary, radio stations WARM, WCDL, WDNH, WEJL, WKRZ, WCDD, WSGD, WVOS, and WYCY will be notified, as well as television stations WBRE (28), WNEP (16), and WYOU (22). Rapid communication will be maintained. The bulletin will be broadcast at once. Parents/guardians are asked to tune their radios or televisions to one of the named stations. Please do not call the school or the homes of the faculty or administration. If school is closed for the morning session, it will also be closed for the afternoon. In case of an early school closing, your child will be sent home as per his/her regular transportation arrangement. All after school activities will be cancelled.
Notification of school closings is available and can be sent directly to you via email, cell phone, or pager through several local TV stations’ weather notification systems. Please check the TV stations’ web sites for more information about this service.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM
Breakfast will be available to any child who wishes to participate upon arrival to school. Tickets for breakfast will not be sold. Payment will be cash only, and no charges will be accepted. All students may purchase cafeteria lunch or bring their own lunch. Lunch tickets may be purchased daily, weekly, or monthly, and need not be used consecutively. Tickets are sold daily in the cafeteria. If a student brings his/her own lunch, milk may be purchased at lunchtime.
Prices for BREAKFAST for the 2009-10 school year are as follows:
Regular Breakfast K-8 $1.50
Reduced Breakfast K-8 $ .30
Prices for LUNCH for the 2009-10 school year are as follows:
Regular Lunch K-5 $2.00
Regular Lunch 6-8 $2.25
Reduced Lunch K-8 $ .40
Milk K-8 $ .50
FREE OR REDUCED BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
Forms for free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs, called “Household Meal Benefit Applications,” are distributed to all students at the beginning of the school year. If you feel you may qualify for this program, please complete the form and return it immediately. You may also apply for the program online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Please select the “Household Meal Benefit Application” and follow the instructions for completion on the website. All information provided on the website is kept strictly confidential and is used only for the purposes specified during the application process. If your student participated in the program last year, he/she will be continued until the new forms are processed.
REGULAR SCHOOL DAY LUNCH SCHEDULE
Grades K-2 11:05 – 11:35 A.M.
Grades 3-5 11:40 – 12:10 P.M.
Grades 6-8 12:15 – 12:45 P.M.
PARENT LUNCHEON PROGRAM
This program encourages parents/guardians to join their children for lunch any day of the week. We would love for you to take advantage of this opportunity to spend a little time during the school day with your child. All you need to do is call the school by 9:00 A.M. on the day you want to visit to schedule the luncheon and to place your order. The price for an adult lunch is $3.00. Parents may bring lunch. In keeping with our health and wellness program, we ask parents to model good choices by bringing a nutritious lunch.
We hope to see you. Please call us at 798-2516 if you have any questions or to schedule your visit.
TRANSPORTATION AND BUSING
If a student requires a change in transportation, the student must present a note signed by parent/guardian to his/her regular bus driver. The note will be initialed by the regular bus driver and returned to the student. The student will submit the note to his/her homeroom teacher. Bus passes approved by the principal will be delivered to students at the end of the day. Students will present these passes to the bus drivers of the buses they are boarding. A child will go home on his/her regular bus if this procedure is not followed. Parents/guardians of kindergarten students are requested to be present at the bus stop for pick-up and drop-off each day. Except in the case of an emergency, parents/guardians are expected to call the bus driver before sending a note. This is required to prevent overcrowding on the school buses. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. School Bus Regulations are listed in the Wayne Highlands Disciplinary Code.
BUSING: MONITORING STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Wayne Highlands School District buses are equipped with audio/video digital recording equipment, which will record the actions of its passengers. Such recording may occur while boarding, exiting, or riding in school buses used by the school district. The passengers riding in Wayne Highlands School District buses have no reasonable expectation of privacy in having their actions recorded through means of audio/video digital recording machinery. School officials and personnel may use such recordings and/or tapings to implement and/or enforce school policy/discipline and take other legal action. Use of school transportation services constitutes consent on the part of students, and parents/guardians to be recorded while using the Wayne Highlands School District transportation system.
PARENT TRANSPORTATION
In the event you are driving your student to or from school, the following procedures should be followed:
YOU MUST park your car in the designated parking area near the main office and accompany your student into the building. Please report to the main office. If you arrive with your child after 8:25 A.M., YOU MUST escort your child to the office and sign him/her in with the attendance secretary.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
If a student becomes ill in school, he/she should get permission from his/her teacher to report to the nurse. Students must not leave the building because of illness without authorization. If the nurse or nurse's aid is not immediately available, students are to report to the office.
First aid will be given in case of an accident or sudden illness. Parents will be notified when necessary. The school nurse is available in case of an emergency.
Please report to the school the presence of any contagious disease as soon as possible.
You received an Emergency Information Card on the first day of school to be filled out for each student. This card includes space for emergency telephone numbers and names of people to be contacted if you cannot be reached. It is extremely important for your child's welfare that an individual is able to assume responsibility for your child if he/she needs to go home or be treated. In the event of an emergency, an attempt is always made to notify the family. If the school personnel are unable to contact you, they will proceed with the necessary emergency care, including contacting a doctor if deemed necessary. Please complete and return this card for your child as soon as possible. If any pertinent information changes on this card during the school year, please notify the school, in writing, as soon as possible.
Please return the Health History form for your child's health records. Please notify the nurse of any immunizations, medications, hospitalizations, or changes in his/her physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
The school administers the following health procedures each year:
· Physical examination – grades K, 6, and all new students
· Dental examination – grades K, 3, 7, and all new students
· Speech screening – grade K and all new students
· Vision screening – grades K-8
· Hearing screening – grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and all new students
· Growth screening (height and weight) – grades K-8
· Scoliosis screening – grades 6 and 7
While physical and dental exams can be done through the school, it is recommended that private appointments be established for your child. If physical and dental examinations are done privately, reports must be returned to the school by October 1st, or these mandated examinations will be scheduled during school. If done in school, parents/guardians are invited to be present, and they will be informed of any abnormal results of the examinations and screenings required.
MEDICATION POLICY
For the safety of each child, a Medication Policy is in effect in the Wayne Highlands School District.
Any medications (including, but not limited to, cough syrup, aspirin, Tylenol, cough drops, etc.) that are brought to school must be brought to the health office for the school nurse or other school personnel to dispense to the student. Students are not permitted to keep medications in their possession during the school day.
All prescription and over-the-counter medications brought to school must be in the original labeled container. A prescription medication must have the label on it indicating the name of the student, the name of the medication, the purpose of the medication, the time it is to be dispensed, the physician's name, and any other special instructions.
WRITTEN PARENTAL PERMISSION IS REQUIRED to dispense the medication and is to accompany the medication. A written doctor's order would be appreciated.
A doctor's written order must accompany any long-term medications (requiring greater than two weeks of daily administration), emergency medications, or allergic reaction medications. Parents/guardians may request the necessary forms from the school health office, have them completed by their family physician, sign them, and return them to the school.
Exposure notices are sent home for communicable diseases.
Dietary counseling is available.
Children benefit physically and socially from exercise, play, and fresh air at recess. Children required to stay indoors during recess for health reasons must submit a note from a parent/guardian for one day, or a doctor's note for an extended period (more than one day), documenting the reason. Please contact the school nurse if you have a child with a chronic condition or if you have a question related to this policy.
INSURANCE
At the beginning of each school year, student insurance is offered to every student. This insurance is voluntary, not mandatory. The school does not provide any accident insurance for students involved in any school activity.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
Each fall, applications for school accident insurance are sent home. Please be aware that the school does not have coverage for individual students. If you do not have private health insurance coverage, it is recommended that you apply for the school insurance program. In general, this policy is a good addition, even if you do have private health insurance. We ask that you return the insurance forms to the school even if you choose not to accept the insurance.
REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
KINDERGARTEN
At the end of the first and third quarters, parent-teacher conferences are held for every kindergarten child. The teacher will notify you in advance. No paper report cards are issued at this time. At the end of the second and fourth quarters, report cards will be issued to all kindergarten children.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents may make appointments for conferences with teachers, the counselor, or the principal by telephoning the school office. Parent-teacher conferences will be held this year in November.
REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS
Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter, or nine-week session, for students in grades 1-8, and at the end of the second and fourth quarters for kindergarten students. In addition, Progress Report Forms for students in grades 6-8 will be sent to parents/guardians on the 26th day of school, 71st day of school, 116th day of school, and the 156th day of school. The levels of achievement for skills development and progress for subjects taught in the regular classroom are:
MARKING KEY FOR GRADES K-2
S: Secure – Skill is present without prompting on most occasions
D: Developing – Skill is demonstrated without prompting on some occasions
B: Beginning – Skill is beginning to develop and may need some prompting
NP: Not Present – Skill is not present at this time
X: Skill not assessed at this time
MARKING KEY FOR GRADES 3-5
E: Excellent
G: Good
S: Satisfactory
I: Improvement Shown
N: Improvement Needed
X: Not assessed this quarter
MARKING KEY FOR GRADES 6-8
A+ 98-100 C+ 80-82 P Passing
A 95-97 C 77-79 F Failure – below 65
A- 92-94 C- 74-76 O Outstanding
B+ 89-91 D+ 71-73 S Satisfactory
B 86-88 D 68-70 U Unsatisfactory
B- 83-85 D- 65-67
PROMOTION/RETENTION FOR GRADES K-2
Reading, language, and mathematics development in grades K-2 are the foundation of a student's academic growth, development, and achievement. They are keys to a student's overall advancement through school. Therefore, these three subject areas are given a great deal of weight when considering retention or promotion. In addition to academic achievement and performance, social, emotional, and physical factors are also given consideration as part of the total evaluation process for retention or promotion.
GRADING/PROMOTION FOR GRADES 3-5
The grading system is listed and explained on the report card for each given grade level.
Any student whose academic achievement is unsatisfactory in two or more major subjects may be retained following an evaluation of the student’s total academic progress by the administration and faculty. Two or more minor subjects are equivalent to one major subject. Major academic areas are Communications (Reading and Language Arts), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Minor subject areas are those subjects that meet less than those that are listed above. In addition to academic achievement and performance, social, emotional, and physical factors are also given consideration as part of the total evaluation process for retention or promotion.
Our goal is for all the children in our classrooms to make satisfactory progress. If, after a total evaluation of a student’s progress, including academic, social, and emotional factors, we feel he/she may be at a disadvantage if he/she moves on to the next grade level, we may recommend retaining him/her at his/her present grade level. In addition, the importance of Reading to success in school requires that this particular subject receive greater emphasis. With that in mind, a serious deficiency in the Reading area during the course of the school year may also suggest the need for retention.
GRADING/PROMOTION GRADES 6-8
The grading system is listed on the report card.
Any student whose academic achievement is unsatisfactory (grade of F) in two or more major subjects may be retained following an evaluation of the student’s total academic progress by the administration and faculty. Two or more minor subjects are equivalent to one major subject. Major academic areas are Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. Minor subject areas are those subject areas that meet less than those that are listed above. In addition to academic achievement and performance, social, emotional, and physical factors are also given consideration as part of the total evaluation process for retention or promotion.
Parents may call the office at any time to schedule an appointment. Monday through Thursday, 3:00-3:30 P.M., is always available. A fourth quarter conference will be held if the teacher or parent/guardian feels there is a need. Recommendation for promotion will be based on a thorough evaluation of your child’s social, emotional, and academic growth. Reading and Mathematics will be of primary concern in this regard.
HONOR ROLL
Preston will maintain an Honor Roll for grades 6-8, which will be published at the end of each nine week marking period. The honors group will have two classifications: high honors and honors.
In order to qualify for the high honor roll students must:
· Be in grades 6-8
· Obtain an A in each of the academic subject areas – Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science
· Earn no less than a C or S in each special area
In order to qualify for the honor roll a student must:
· Be in grades 6-8
· Obtain at least three A’s and no less than a B in each of the academic subject areas – Reading, Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies
· Earn no less than a C or S in each special area
For honor roll purposes an A includes A+, A, and A-; B includes B+, B, and B-; and C includes C+, C, and C-.
PRESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC FITNESS
Preston participates in the Presidential Academic Fitness Program. As a result, a certain number of award certificates are given to 4th and 8th grade students each year who qualify under the guidelines. For more information, please contact the school’s guidance counselor.
HOMEWORK POLICY
PHILOSOPHY
Homework is an important part of the total educational process. Time spent on homework is directly related to student achievement. Through homework, classroom instruction is reinforced, high expectations are supported, students are motivated toward self-direction and responsibility, and the relationship between home and school in the learning process is strengthened.
OBJECTIVES
1. Strengthen basic skills
2. Reinforce study habits
3. Extend classroom learning
4. Develop initiative, responsibility, and self-direction
5. Stimulate independent thinking
6. Increase the range and scope of interests
7. Foster worthwhile leisure time
RECOMMENDED TIME
Homework is very seldom given in kindergarten, except when parents are asked to work with their child on a particular skill. In grades 1 and 2, a student should spend an average of 10 to 20 minutes each evening completing homework assignments outside of the regular school day. In grades 3-5, a student should spend an average of 30-50 minutes each evening completing homework assignments. Students in grades 6-8 should spend an average of 60 minutes each evening completing homework. This time should be in addition to the time allotted for homework at the end of class periods and during study halls.
Homework assignments should not be completed in class if the intent is to be part of a planned homework assignment. The actual amount of time spent on homework will depend upon many factors, such as the availability of a quiet place to study and the amount of support provided by parents. If no homework is assigned, it is always helpful and rewarding to read together with your child.
TYPES OF HOMEWORK – GRADES K-5
1. Practice or reinforcement – assignments that are given so students will practice a skill that has been taught or will review material that has been presented; most homework assignments in grades K-2 will be of this type
2. Preparation – students are asked to complete an assignment to prepare for the next day's lesson
3. Extension or creative – assignments which require students to apply several skills or concepts to accomplish a particular task
TYPES OF HOMEWORK – GRADES 6-8
1.Practice – factual assignments that reinforce what has been taught and practiced in class
2.Preparation – assignments that introduce students to the next lesson
3.Extension – students are encouraged to add to their knowledge about a particular topic through research and projects
4.Creative – students apply previous learning to a new assignment, such as converting a story into a play or producing creative writing
TEACHER EXPECTATIONS
All teachers will expect homework to be completed satisfactorily and on time. Homework may be collected and checked on a regular basis. Students should be provided with feedback from the teacher concerning the quality of their assignments.
TEACHER MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Teachers will establish their own procedures concerning the grading of homework and the acceptance of late and/or partially completed homework. The teacher will check both written and non-written homework assignments on the date they are due. Homework will be part of the student's grade. Teachers will also establish their own procedure concerning the manner in which homework is checked and evaluated and the amount of weight homework will carry in relation to quarterly grades. Students must be made aware of each teacher's procedures so they know what is expected of them.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS
While students assume the major responsibility for completing the homework assignments, parents/guardians should be encouraged to take an active part in homework by:
1. Asking about homework each day
2. Providing a definite time and suitable place for study or home activities
3. Making resource materials available
4. Checking work for neatness
5. Providing limited assistance
6. Contacting the school if homework seldom or never seems to be brought home
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
GUIDANCE
The counseling program is concerned with the social, educational, and emotional well being of all students. The developmental approach to counseling is maintained at the elementary level. This means that every child is serviced, not just the child with a problem. Developmental counseling is a form of preventive medicine. All students in grades K-5 are provided with guidance classroom instruction.
A testing program is a necessary component of any educational system for curriculum planning and placement. In the spring all second graders will be given a Group Aptitude Test. The elementary counselor administers tests to individuals when additional data is necessary for educational planning.
A unit on Body Rights teaches children rules and behavior that enables them to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation.
The elementary counselor is available for informal discussion time with either small groups or individuals. When necessary, the counselor establishes regular sessions to work with a student individually. If, at any time, you have a question concerning your child, please contact the guidance counselor at the Preston Area School to set up a conference. Our final goal is a happy, well-adjusted child.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT TEAM (IST)
In instructional support teacher and team are also available to assist our students in school. The Instructional Support Team (IST) is a collection of teachers and other staff members who discuss and agree upon possible solutions (called "interventions") to be used with students experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties. Any elementary student who experiences academic and/or behavioral difficulty is eligible for IST assistance. The student, with the support of trained teachers and staff members, receives the necessary academic and/or behavioral assistance for success in school. The IST notifies the parents/guardians of the request for assistance for the child. A parent/guardian may also initiate such a request. The parent/guardian is invited and encouraged to cooperate with the team. As always, parental support is a vital ingredient in the success of this program.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP) – GRADES 6-8
Everyone wants to succeed even though each of us defines success differently. Many pressures can delay or prevent us from reaching our goals. Sometimes when we try to deal with these pressures we can become confused, depressed, angry, or disappointed with ourselves. If your problems are getting too much for you to handle yourself, the Student Assistance Program is here to help you.
Who is the student at risk?
Whenever students are having more problems than they can handle, we call them “students at risk.” “At risk” means that a student may begin to look for unsafe or unhealthy ways to deal with these problems.
The Student Assistance Program provides ways for educators and other school personnel to identify and help those students who have serious problems that interfere with achieving success in school. This support system is not a treatment program. Rather, the system is designed to recognize students in crisis, provide support and direction for them, refer them to appropriate support groups and community agencies, and help create a school environment where all students can learn, while minimizing the disruptions in school caused by a student’s serious personal crisis.
What kinds of problems can the program help me with?
The members of the Student Assistance Program team have been specially trained to help or to refer students to others who can help with problems such as the following:
· Self-esteem
· Stress
· Family Problems
· Problem Solving
· Depression
Who is on the team?
Mr. Pietraszewski – Principal
Mr. Kennedy – Crisis Intervention Coordinator
Mrs. Smith – School Guidance Counselor/Head Teacher
Miss Leventhal – Middle School Teacher
Mrs. Stanton – School Nurse
Ms. Skinner – Middle School Teacher
*** NOTE: Any student can always go to any faculty or staff member if he/she has a problem.
GIFTED PROGRAM
A student becomes eligible for inclusion in the Gifted Program through a team process, which may include psychological testing. The testing helps to determine if the student meets the requirements to be included in the Gifted Program. Students in the Gifted Program meet on a regular basis and are provided with experiences and support services needed to enhance intellectual growth and development.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Wayne Highlands School District offers a continuum of services for children who are identified as having special needs. Eligibility for services is based upon a multi-disciplinary team evaluation in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If a student is determined to be eligible for special education services, services are planned and provided through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Services are provided through the school district or through the Wayne County Consortium of Special Education. For further information, please contact the guidance counselor at your child’s school or the Special Education Supervisor, who may be reached at: (570) 253-3402.
Potential Indicators that a child may have a disability that warrants an evaluation under IDEA include, but are not limited to, difficulty with the following:
* Academic performance in school (Reading, Math, Writing)
* Understanding and following directions
* Paying attention and remaining focused on a task or topic
* Controlling impulsive behaviors
* Communicating with others (speaking, carrying on conversations)
* Solving problems
* Understanding social rules and body language
* Remembering things
* Expressing needs and/or wants
* Maintaining positive relationships with peers and adults
* Physical movement
Source: Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
TITLE I
Title I Reading is a federally funded program for students in Grades 1 through 5 who have not reached grade level proficiency. The Title I Reading Program is supplemental to the classroom reading program and is based on current best practices that research has shown to be successful with struggling readers.
BICYCLES, ROLLER SKATES, SKATEBOARDS, SNEAKER SKATES AND SCOOTERS
Because of the related safety hazards, students are not allowed to bring bicycles, roller skates, sneaker-skates, skateboards, scooters, heeleys, etc. to school.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies, and furniture supplied by the school. Students who vandalize school property, the school building, equipment, grounds, or buses, will be required to repair or make restitution for damaged property. In addition, students may be suspended from classes or school and may also be reported to the local police for prosecution.
DRESS CODE
We take pride in the appearance of our students. Their dress reflects the quality of the school, their conduct, and their work. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes that are suitable for school activities. A student is responsible to dress in such a way that his/her appearance or dress does not endanger the health or safety of others or disrupt the educational process. We would hope all students would dress in a manner appropriate to the school and community. In grades K-5, shorts are permitted during warmer seasons. Shorts must be neatly tailored, loose fitting, and near knee length. It is expected that each student will make a sincere effort to be neat and clean in his/her appearance. Students must wear sneakers during all physical education classes and any sports activities held in the gym. All tops and bottoms must meet; no bare midriffs. Examples of unacceptable dress are as follows:
1. Metal on clothing that will mar furniture
2. Objectionable patches, decals, buttons, etc.
3. Flip-flops; sneakers are best for recess on the playground.
4. Tee shirts designed for wear as an undershirt; muscle, tank, mesh, spaghetti, or strapless tops; unreasonably low-cut tops
5. Bare midriff blouses
6. Earrings worn by boys
7. Excessively baggy clothing; pants, skirts, and shorts should be worn at their natural waistline
8. Backpacks carried around during the school day; please note that backpacks are allowed to carry articles to and from school
9. Any unusually colored or multi-colored hair; only natural hair colors are permitted
10. Excessively tight or torn clothing
11. Headbands, bandanas, and hats
12. Body piercing and tattoos
13. Unreasonably short dresses, skirts, shorts, and pants
14. Sweatpants
15. Outer clothing (coats, hats, jackets, etc.) are to be removed when indoors and kept in appropriate storage areas
If in doubt – ASK FIRST
NOTE: The above dress code may at any time be amended at the discretion of the building administration. Any student’s appearance deemed to be educationally disruptive will not be tolerated within our school setting.
DISCIPLINE
To promote proper behavior we ask that all students:
1. Stop and think before they act. Think ahead before making a choice.
2. Learn that good choices make good things happen and bad choices make bad things happen.
3. Learn from bad choices and mistakes.
4. Think about what they would do differently the next time.
5. Follow the clearly posted rules that apply to their particular classroom or assigned study area.
It is expected that students come to school to learn.
As students in a public school, they are expected to behave properly. If students violate school and/or classroom rules, their teachers may send them to the office. If this happens, students will be subject to the Wayne Highlands School District Discipline Code as adopted by the Board of Education. The entire code may be found in the appendix of this book.
Gum chewing is not permitted. After an initial documented warning, this infraction may become a punishable offense.
DETENTION
Students may be assigned detention for violating school rules. Detention is generally held at the Preston Area School Mondays through Fridays from 3:00-5:00 P.M., although other arrangements may be made. Any disciplinary offenses while in detention will be considered a major disciplinary infraction and may result in suspension. Detention supersedes all other school activities. Detention missed due to absence will be made up during the next scheduled detention.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students may not use cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, personal listening devices, electronic games, digital cameras, and other electronic devices in school. They tend to disturb the school atmosphere and invite vandalism and theft. All electronic and communication devices must be turned off and placed in lockers from 8:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Any electronic or communication device that is visible or audible or is used by a student during the school day will be confiscated. Violation of this rule may result in a meeting between the principal and the parent/guardian to reclaim the confiscated device.
EMERGENCY AND SAFETY DRILLS
Safety and emergency drills are required at regular intervals by law and are an important safety precaution. When the first signal is given, everyone is to obey orders promptly and clear the building by the prescribed route. This evacuation should be accomplished as quickly as possible. The teacher in each classroom will give the students instructions.
INVITATIONS
Invitations to personal parties for students will only be distributed at school by a teacher at his/her discretion. Students may not distribute any invitations on their own at school or on the buses.
LAVATORY ASSIGNMENTS
Students in grades 5-8 and the Library area are to use the lavatories at the west end of the building near the 5th and 6th grade classrooms. During lunch students are to use the lavatories near the cafeteria entrance doors according to the established cafeteria procedures. Lavatories near the Family & Consumer Sciences room are for classes held from the Science room and Computer Lab back to the Industrial Arts classroom, including the gym.
LOST AND FOUND
Please come in and check, at any time, if your child does not come home with everything. Ask at the office regarding lost and found items. It will be helpful to label the clothing and lunch boxes. Lost and found items will be displayed for the children quarterly at lunch times so they may reclaim lost items.
BACKPACKS AND BOOKBAGS
In the interest of safety, backpacks and book bags will not be allowed to be carried during the school day. They must be placed in the school lockers (grades 5-8), or in a designated area in the classroom (grades– K-4).
LOCKERS – GRADES 5-8
Students may go to their lockers between 8:00 A.M. and 8:25 A.M. and 2:52 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. Students will not be permitted to go to their lockers at any other time.
Students must be in homerooms by 8:25 A.M.
Upon entering school property, students should not have any reasonable
expectation of privacy in their lockers or their book bags. In the interest of safety for all students, these items may be searched if the school authorities feel there is reasonable suspicion to do so.
All students will exit the building via the gym after going to their lockers at dismissal time.
Students in Physical Education classes in grades 6- 8 may pick up gym uniforms the day of gym from their hall locker on the way to the gym and return them to that locker after class.
It is expected that students would take their gym uniforms from their gym lockers to their regular lockers to be taken home the last day they have gym for that week. Sufficient time will be allowed.
MEDIA
Throughout the year the local newspapers, television stations, and the Wayne Highlands School District website will publish stories and photographs of events held throughout the Wayne Highlands School District. If for any reason you wish that your child not be included in any of the media coverage, you are asked to complete and return the Media Permission Slip to your child’s homeroom teacher along with the other forms from the first week of school.
INTERNET POLICY
Wayne Highlands School District has developed an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that students must read and sign in order to access the district’s computer resources. This/her policy will be distributed to students in its entirety and is available on our district website. It is expected that each student will read and sign the AUP and return it to the school librarian where it will be kept on file.
PHOTOGRAPHS
The Wayne Highlands School District has contracted with a photography firm to take the students’ pictures early in the school year. The purpose of this procedure is to provide a photograph to keep the students’ personal records current. Students shall have their pictures taken each year that they attend the Preston Area School. Students are urged to "dress up" for the picture day. Students and parents may purchase a folder of these photos at a nominal price, if they desire. Dates for the pictures will be announced.
SPECIAL CLASSES
Each week the elementary students will have one class of guidance or technology, physical education, art, music, and library. Sneakers should be worn on gym day. The middle school students will have technology, physical education, health, art, music, industrial arts, and family and consumer sciences.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The state of Pennsylvania requires that each student participate in physical education classes. A shower after each class is available. If there is any reason for a student to be excused from participation on a particular day, the student must report to the nurse before 8:25 A.M. with a written excuse.
Students in grades K-5 will have one Physical Education class per week. A student may be excused from participation in Physical Education under the conditions listed below.
Every student in Grades 6-8 will be assigned two co-educational Physical Education classes per week. Each student will be assigned a locker and a lock. At the end of the year, all locks must be returned to the teacher.
Sneakers and socks must be worn for every class. Students should dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Every student in grades 6-8 must wear the regulation Preston Physical Education uniform. Uniforms may be purchased from the Physical Education instructor.
Students should have weather-appropriate clothing for outside classes.
A student may be excused from participating in Physical Education under the following conditions:
1. Instructions from a doctor will be honored as they are written. The instructions should state the length of time a student is to be excused.
2. An excuse from a parent or guardian will enable a student to have “limited” Physical Education for one day for each excuse. The student will be required to change and participate to the extent possible.
PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION – PTO
All parents are encouraged to enjoy membership in our active Parent-Teacher Organization. The group sponsors activities each year to benefit the children of the Preston Area School. Please consider getting involved. Your involvement is important to your child and us.
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
During the school year, our classes take field trips as part of our academic curriculum. Many field trips are taken to other schools within the school district or to places within our community or in nearby communities. For these trips parents will be notified in advance of each event, and permission for all local trips will be obtained at the beginning of each school year. In addition, each class usually takes at least one educational field trip outside of the immediate area. For trips of this nature, separate permission slips will be required. Parents/guardians will be notified in advance concerning the details of these trips, and permission slips to be signed by parents/guardians will be required for the students to attend.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
The school policy is to accept only visitors who have legitimate business to conduct at the school. Parents are always invited to attend special events in our school. Guests, parent volunteers, and visitors must register in the office and wear a "visitor identification tag." In accordance with Wayne Highlands School District Policy, there will be no classroom visitors during instruction.
Generally speaking there will be no student visitors allowed in the school during a school day. Student visitors will be permitted at 3:00 P.M. if permission is obtained through the office and there is a valid reason for the visit. Only the principal can grant such permission. Adults may visit the school by setting up an appointment through the principal’s office. Every visitor is required to display a visitor’s pass. The pass will be issued at the school office.
Volunteers are required to have Federal Fingerprint, Child Abuse, and Criminal History Clearances prior to volunteering in our schools. Applications for these clearances can be picked up in the office, filled out, and mailed to the addresses on the forms. Copies of the clearances are then filed in the office for future reference.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
When a student moves from the district or leaves our school for any reason, the parent/guardian shall notify the school office. It will be necessary for the student to resolve all school obligations, such as books, supplies, materials, fines, desks, lockers, etc. It is also necessary to complete office records and prepare transfers that will accompany the student. Transcripts will be forwarded to the new school district upon request by the school.
RECESS – GRADES K-5
The elementary recess is an integral part of the school day. If, for health reasons, your child should be inside for a day, a note must be sent to your child’s teacher. Any need for a child to remain indoors frequently or for an extended period of time will require a doctor’s excuse. Proper clothing is essential for participation at recess. The students must have coats, hats or hoods, mittens, and boots to go outdoors at recess during the winter. The homeroom teacher will make an announcement when the outdoor winter recess period begins.
PLAYGROUND RULES
1. Students will respect the rules no matter who is supervising.
2. Students will give full attention to the teacher on duty when expected.
3. Students will refrain from pushing and shoving.
4. Students will stay in their assigned areas.
5. Student will refrain from throwing stones, wood chips, snowballs, dirt, and all other inappropriate objects.
6. Students will take pride in their surroundings and dispose of all litter properly in the garbage cans on the playground.
7. Students will wear appropriate clothing – boots, hats, mittens, snow pants, coats, etc. during the winter months.
8. Students will not re-enter the building without permission from an adult who is on duty during recess.
9. Students will proceed down the slide one student at a time; students will always slide feet first.
10. Students will take turns.
11. Students will refrain from wearing sandals and flip-flops since they do not provide adequate protection when playing and running; sneakers are best for playing on the playground.
12. Students will line up immediately when the buzzer or whistle sounds; time will be taken from recess if this rule is not followed.
13. Students will provide written notes when it is necessary to remain indoors during recess; a note from a parent/guardian will excuse a student from recess for one day; a note from a doctor will excuse a student from recess for an extended period of time.
CAFETERIA RULES
1. Students will walk into the cafeteria and obey the supervisor.
2. Students may talk quietly at their own tables.
3. Students will refrain from throwing food and other items; students will refrain from playing with food and utensils.
4. Students will be responsible for cleaning their places in the cafeteria; students will be excused from their tables when they are clean.
5. Students will face forward and be careful not to spill items when returning trays after eating.
6. Students will be quiet before leaving the cafeteria and will remain quiet while exiting the cafeteria.
7. Students will only use straws for drinking; students will properly dispose of all straws at the conclusion of their lunches.
8. Students will raise their hands if they require assistance.
9. Students will only bring sealed, unopened beverage containers into the cafeteria.
10. Students will refrain from taking any food or beverages out of the cafeteria.
11. Students will maintain good conduct in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is not just a place to eat. It is also a place where students can learn to eat together by practicing good table manners and by being courteous.
STUDY HALL RULES
1. Students will remain quiet.
2. Students will remain seated in their assigned seats.
3. Lavatory use will be limited to one boy and one girl at a time and only as necessary.
4. Students must have some type of schoolwork to do or read. Students must come prepared. Students will refrain from going to other classrooms for materials. Students will refrain from playing games.
5. Students will obtain written passes in advance from teachers to show their study hall supervisors in order to go to other rooms to receive additional academic assistance from those teachers during study hall.
6. Students must show work listed in their daily planner.
7. Students will work individually unless a teacher has given written permission to work with other students. A supervisor has the right to revoke this privilege if the students are not working or are being disruptive.
8. Students are allowed to use the telephone in the main office. Students may only use the phone for legitimate reasons with the approval of the study hall supervisor. Only one student will be allowed to use the phone at a time. In addition, the supervisor must give the student a pass to use the phone, and the office will countersign the pass when the student is finished using the phone.
9. Students will be on time for all study halls. A student who is late for a study hall must have a pass from a teacher. Tardiness to study halls will result in disciplinary action.
10. Students will refrain from going to their lockers during study halls.
11. Students will refrain from chewing gum during study halls.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY POLICY
ATTENDANCE
In order to practice or compete, a student must be in attendance the full school day unless he/she has a legal excuse, such as a note from a doctor or dentist.
Students participating in an athletic activity during the school week are expected to be in attendance the full school day following the activity.
PRACTICE TIME
Since practice time is limited, it is essential that all players be present and on time.
Excuses from practices must be made directly to the coach.
Examples of excused absences are:
1. Illness, injury or death in the immediate family
2. Any type of health appointment accompanied by written proof
3. Extra-scholastic assistance after school
Examples of unexcused absences are:
1. Jobs
2. Pleasure appointments
3. Illegal absences from school
4. School suspension and detention – an out-of-school suspension prohibits a student from participation in an extracurricular school activity until the day following the suspension. A student will not be permitted to participate in a game if he/she failed to attend practice the day before the contest.
A student excused from gym class for medical reasons will not be allowed to participate in practice or a contest on the same day(s) for which the excuse was written.
TRAVEL
All players who are to participate in away games will ride to and from the contest on the school bus. This may be waived under the following conditions:
1. A parent or guardian of an athlete may transport the individual athlete home after the contest if the coach is informed directly by the parent or guardian.
2. In addition to # 1, a parent or guardian of an athlete may transport other student athlete(s) after a contest only if this request is made in advance of the contest, in writing, from the parent or guardian of the second part. The athletic director and coach must approve this written request prior to the event.
Parents are responsible for providing transportation home after all practices and games.
ELIGIBILTY
Academic Eligibility – Any student whose academic achievement is deficient (grade of F) in two or more major subjects will be ineligible for a period of twenty (20) days. Two minor subjects are equivalent to one major subject. The major academic areas are Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. The minor academic areas are Health, Physical Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, Industrial Arts, Music, Art, and Technology Education.
Citizenship – Poor citizenship may make a student ineligible to participate.
Eligibility will be reviewed every week. Students who become ineligible will attend practices. They will not be eligible to compete in games.
MISCELLANEOUS
When picking up your child at school, please remember that the school has a one-way driveway.
You must report to the office in order to obtain your child from the classroom
It is against the law to pass buses on the right or left when students are exiting or boarding.
When visiting or conducting business at the school, please try to arrive after 8:50 A.M. and before 2:45 P.M. in order to avoid bus traffic.
All information regarding cancellations, early dismissals, bus passes, messages, etc. must be submitted to the office prior to the 2:15 P.M. announcements. After 2:15 P.M. requests will not be recognized except in an emergency situation.
When picking students up at the end of the school day, parents/guardians must park behind the school buses and follow the buses off the school property.
When a student is absent, parents/guardians should call the school before 10:00 A.M. so the homework assignments can be made available for pick up after 2:00 P.M. the same day.
USE OF THE TELEPHONE
Students may use the office telephone during lunch, recess, or study halls with the permission of their teachers or supervisors. Use of the phone will be limited to one student at a time. Students will not be permitted to call a parent or guardian to request early dismissal. All requests for release from school must go through the principal or his designee. The school phone may only be used for official school business.
PARTICIPATION IN CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS BAND AND CHORUS
Once the registration period ends (defined as the first two weeks of school), students are expected to remain enrolled until the end of the current semester and complete the assigned work. An appropriate grade will be assigned each marking period for their work. Unexcused absence from these scheduled classes will result in the appropriate disciplinary consequences.
SAFETY
Students’ well being is of primary concern to our faculty and staff. To that end, we require that every individual visiting the school enters through the front doors and reports to the office to obtain an appropriate visitor’s pass. All other school doors are locked daily at 8:05 A.M. The school is protected by a camera surveillance system and an alarm system.
