Elementary Parent Handbook - The Elementary School Program, Part 2

Schools operate effectively only when students, staff, and parents work together in an environment of cooperation and helpfulness. Each student has the right to be able to learn in an atmosphere free from disruption. Students, regardless of age, have the responsibility to respect the rights of others and to maintain a degree of self-discipline appropriate to their age and grade level.

Elementary teachers work closely with students during the elementary developmental years. They impart behavioral characteristics expected of students who attend the Mifflin County Schools. Parents will find what is expected of children in the school setting is compatible with what parents expect of their children at home because conduct in school is based on the Golden Rule.

For the few students who cannot, or will not, conform to the behavioral expectations set forth by the school, there is a set of disciplinary measures that are followed. These disciplinary measures are administered consistently and fairly to all children. We ask for parental support and understanding in helping to maintain good discipline.

The following behavioral expectations and disciplinary measures are listed by Divisions. The range of disciplinary measures, any of which may be applied for an infraction, are also spelled out.

Division One Behavioral Expectations

Division One Disciplinary Measures

Pupils who violate the above will receive appropriate disciplinary action by the Building Leader or teacher. These measures may be, but are not limited to:

Division Two Behavioral Expectations

Division Two Disciplinary Measures

Students who violate Division Two Expectations will receive disciplinary action which may be:

Division Three Behavioral Expectations

This Division of expected behavior refers to acts which result, or could potentially result, in violence to another's person or property, or which pose a direct threat to the health, safety, and welfare to the violator or to others.

These are essentially criminal acts and could involve the intervention of law enforcement authorities:

Division Three Disciplinary Measures

When Division Three Misconducts occur, law enforcement authorities may be intervened by school officials. If so, this does not obviate disciplinary measures taken by school officials. Pupils may be punished by law enforcement officials and school officials, and this does not constitute double jeopardy.

Nearly every misconduct listed under Division Three will be considered for a review by the Superintendent and School Board. It is likely that a formal hearing before the School Board will be held for the offending pupils. In addition, the Elementary Principal may impose disciplinary measures which are appropriate. These may include but are not limited to:

Procedures of Disciplinary Action

Generally, a Division One Misconduct will be handled by the teacher involved. If various measures to eliminate undesirable behavior prove unsuccessful, the teacher will confer with the Elementary Principal or Building Leader for assistance. Difficult and persistent cases should be referred to the Child Study Team.

Division Two Misconduct will usually be referred directly to the Elementary Principal for investigation and disposition.

Division Three Misconduct must be referred to the Elementary Principal because of the serious nature of these violations and the possible involvement of law enforcement officials.

HEALTH PROGRAM

The School District offers a comprehensive health screening program through six school nurses. These services are not to be considered a substitute for health care parents provide for their children, but rather a screening supplement. Whenever medical or dental problems are discovered through the school's screening program, parents will be notified immediately. Parents are urged to follow through with these reports by contacting their physician for a more comprehensive examination.

#1	Vision Screening	Every year in school starting with kindergarten through grade 12
#2	Hearing Screening	Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 11th grades
#3	Physical Examinations	Upon original entry into school, 6th, and 11th grades
#4	Measurement of Height and Weight	At least once a year
#5	A Completed Medical Questionnaire	When entering school for the first time, when entering middle school, and when entering senior high school
#6	Scoliosis Screening	Mandated scoliosis screening, grades 6 and 7

Under certain conditions pupils may be excluded from school for medical reasons.

Other services are provided by the school nurses to help you and your child. First aid is administered for minor accidents which occur at school. If your child becomes ill while in school, you will be contacted by either the nurse or the teacher. It is of the utmost importance that we have a telephone number where you can be reached in case of emergency.

Please remember that the school nurse is not a doctor, and she may not treat a child for an illness. It is the responsibility of the parent to have the child treated by a physician whenever necessary. PLEASE DO NOT SEND A CHILD TO SCHOOL WHEN SICK: NOR SHOULD THE SCHOOL NURSE BE ASKED TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS.

Children should be kept home when they have contagious diseases such as impetigo, pinkeye, or chicken pox. Many people take these diseases too lightly and often a more serious complication can follow. For your convenience the following chart of signs, symptoms, and length of illness is provided so you will know when to keep your child at home. Your cooperation will help prevent the spread of these diseases. Please contact the school nurse if you have questions about keeping your child home from school.

Communicable Diseases

DISEASE	INCUBATION PERIOD	DURATION OF EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL	SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Aids	Unknown	Individual case-by-case determination	Best described by your family physician
Chicken Pox	2-3 Weeks	Until temperature is normal and scabs are dry and crusted	Slight fever, listlessness, blister-like spots turning to crusts
German Measles	12-22 Days	At least four days from onset of rash and temperature is normal	Mild cold, slight pinkish rash which gives a blush to the skin and fades with pressure - Disappears within three days
Head Lice		Until nits are removed and judged non-infective by the school nurse. Absences in excess of 3 days shall be deemed unlawful.	Extreme itchiness of scalp and appearance of nits or lice. (Additional information may be found on the MCSD website.)
Impetigo	Unknown	Until judged non-infective by the school nurse or the child's physician	Crust-like sores with a discharge - Occurs mainly around the mouth and nose - Appears in small groups and single spots
Influenza	24-72 Hours	Early stages and while fever is present	Sudden onset of fever, aches and pains in the back and limbs, runny nose, sore throat, chest cough
Measles	7-18 Days	At least four days from onset of rash and temperature normal	Mild fever, aches and pains, listlessness, redness and watering of eyes, cough, fine red rash appearing on face, neck, or behind ears - Lasts about five days
Mumps	12-26 Days	Nine days from onset or until swelling subsides and temperature is normal	Slight fever listlessness, nausea, irritability, swelling, inflammation and tenderness of the glands of the neck from the tip of the ear downward under the chin
Bacterial Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)	Unknown	Twenty-four hours after start of medication	Redness of eye, drainage
Ringworm	Unknown	Until judged non-infective by the school nurse or child's physician	Scaly patches on head or body, sometimes itchy (child may attend school if scales are covered)
Scabies		Until treatment is completed	Fine scab-like rash which is very itchy
Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina	1-10 Days	Seven days from onset or twenty-four hours after starting medication (doctor's certificate needed showing date treatment began)	Sudden sore throat, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting - Bright red rash begins on the upper chest one to three days after onset, spreads rapidly over neck, arms, body, and legs - Skin appears velvety
Whooping Cough	1-3 Weeks	Four weeks from onset or seven days after starting appropriate therapy (doctor's certificate needed showing date treatment was started)	Head cold, dry cough, which is worse at night, followed by a sudden, rapid deep drawing in of the breath accompanied by a characteristic whoop

School Health Immunization

State immunization requirements make it absolutely necessary that proper immunization be a condition for admission into school.

The requirements are any combination of the following three vaccines equaling four doses is acceptable - DPT, DT, or TD (Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccine, and Tetanus toxoids) with the last dose being on or after the fourth birthday; 3 or more doses of trivalent oral polio vaccine; 2 measles vaccine; 2 Rubella (German measles) vaccine and 2 mumps vaccine (MMR). Students in grade K through 7 must be immunized against Hepatitis B and must have Varicella (chicken pox) immunity either from vaccination, history of disease or laboratory testing.

At the time of registration or entry the immunization status of children will be determined by the school nurse. A certificate of immunization, signed by a physician or other health personnel, must be provided at the time of registration or entry.

The only exception to this policy is if parents object to immunization on the basis of religious or medical grounds. Contact your child’s Principal if you believe your child should be exempted from immunization requirements.

Parents are asked to read carefully School District policies on other health related items which appear in this handbook for parents (Medication, Drug and Alcohol, and the Aids Policies).

Medicines and First Aid Materials

The following list of permissible medicines and first aid materials may be administered to children during school hours. Parents who do not want any of these items administered to their children are asked to call the school office where their child attends at the beginning of the school term.

Parents are urged to keep the school updated on medical information on their children and are urged to contact school officials concerning allergies, any changes in medication, or other alterations in the health program for their children. All reported information is confidential and will be accessed only by school officials who need to know. Keeping up-to-date medical records on all pupils is very important to their well-being, and parents have the prime responsibility for keeping the school informed.

These drugs and supplies are for FIRST AID ONLY. No child will be treated for the conditions more than once. After first aid has been administered, it is then the responsibility of the parent to follow through with any further treatment.

Dental Health Program

Students will be given a dental examination upon entry into school, and in the third and seventh grades. Parents are urged to follow through with their family dentist whenever dental problems are discovered and reported by the school.

School Accident Insurance

In order to participate in intramural and extracurricular activities, students must purchase school insurance or provide a signed waiver from parents or guardians. This waiver or notice of insurance coverage must be in the possession of the Elementary Principal prior to the student practicing or participating in any manner. The following coverages are available:

Information regarding this insurance will be sent home with your child early in the year. Parents may purchase insurance from any insurance broker and are not required to purchase the policies offered by the School District.

Parents are asked to submit medical bills to be covered by school insurance to the Elementary Principal immediately upon receipt. The Elementary Principal will forward such bills to the insurance company for processing.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Mifflin County School District operates an extensive continuum of special education services. A complete listing of the services operated by the Mifflin County School District is as follows:

Every attempt is made to educate special education students with their peers and in their home school. Should the student's needs be such that a more restrictive setting is required, he/she will be included with non-handicapped students to the maximum extent possible.

Mifflin County School District special education students who require early intervention, extended school year programming or physical/occupational therapy may receive these services through the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11.

Special Education Policies

Every student who requires specially-designed instruction in the Mifflin County School District is guaranteed an appropriate program.

Every effort shall be made to meet pupils' needs without placement into special education. Consequently, before being evaluated or placed into special education, students are taken through the Child Study Team (CST) process designed to help those individual students with unique learning problems. Should the CST feel further assessment is in order, referral for a multi-disciplinary evaluation (MDE) will be made. Parents will be contacted (and their permission obtained) before the MDE is conducted; additionally, parents will be integral members of the MDE process.

A certified school psychologist shall oversee the MDE and arrange for a team conference to discuss results/recommendations. If special education placement is recommended, parents will be asked to help develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) at an IEP conference; additionally, parents will be asked to give their permission to implement the IEP through the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP).

In determining a pupil’s special education program/placement, parents will be advised of their educational rights and will be afforded due process. Should disagreements occur with any of the recommendations, parents will be informed of the available recourse to settle the dispute (i.e., pre-hearing conference, mediation, and/or due process hearing).

Student Records: The Mifflin County School District is required by law to keep records of all special education students. Included are items such as: birth date, address, telephone number, other general information, achievement test results, psychological test results, teacher progress reports, and routine medical records.

As your child’s program is re-evaluated annually, information is added to his/her file. According to Board policy, you can review your child’s file and challenge the validity of any record or report. Only school personnel are permitted to review your child’s file. Any other persons must have your written approval before they are allowed to see the file or to receive copies of information in the file. All records are reviewed each summer by a school psychologist or the Director of Student Support Services. Information no longer needed to plan your child’s education program is removed and destroyed; however, parents are notified first and permitted to review and copy this information.

Please feel free to contact the Director of Special Education, Tracey M. Jones (248-0148) about any aspect of programming for students with special needs.

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Several federally-funded programs enhance teaching and learning in the Mifflin County School District. Title I includes both a supplemental language arts program for eligible students in grades K-3 and a supplemental math program for eligible students in grades 2-5. Student eligibility is based on academic assessments approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Eligible buildings for 2007-2008 are as follows: Armagh, Brown, Buchanan, East Derry, Highland Park Area, Lewistown, Strodes Mills and Union Elementary Schools. Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, individual schools qualify annually based on poverty level, which must be at least 35%.

Title II, Improving Teacher Quality, supports staff development. However, the major portion of Title II provides for class size reduction with the hiring of seven teachers at the elementary level.

Title IV, the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Grant, helps to fund prevention activities in the areas of violence and drug abuse. With the availability of Title IV funds, the prevention program Get Real About Violence is implemented with all fourth graders. Title IV also supports Elementary Student Assistance in the form of individual counseling and focus groups. Title IV funds are used to implement programs which reduce barriers to learning.

Title V is an innovative assistance program used to supplement funding for the use of Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), a research-based assessment used district-wide for students in grades K-3.

The Educational Assistance Program, a state grant, supports after-school and summer tutoring.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mary Lou M. Sigler, Director of Federal Programs and Staff Development and Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, at 717-248-0148, ext. 8. Or, contact Dr. Marybeth D. Irvin, Federal Programs Coordinator, at 717-248-0179, ext 13.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Mifflin County School District provides a program for each student whose dominant language is not English for the purpose of facilitating the student’s achievement of English proficiency and the academic standards. Programs shall include appropriate bilingual-bicultural or English-as-Second Language instruction.

The following procedures will be used to ensure that the programs are serving Limited-English Proficient (LEP) Students effectively. The Mifflin County School District will do the following:

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

It is a fact that when the home and school work together student achievement goes up, and so does support for the school. Parents and teachers working together reinforce each other’s efforts, and without this cooperation neither can be fully effective.

Over the years, our elementary program has depended greatly on parental support and involvement and has been strengthened by it. All parents are invited to participate in one or more of the opportunities to become an active parent.

Home and School Associations

Each school has an active Home and School Association which meets regularly. These organizations, over the years, have played an immeasurable role in supporting the many student activities and functions that occur in each school. They have been a moving force in identifying problem areas that, when corrected, improve the schools.

Room Mothers/Fathers

Periodically, there are special classroom functions (parties, field trips/assemblies) that require extra help in the way of chaperonage. Room mothers/fathers are those who are not only available to help the teacher with these special activities, but who are also available to marshal additional help when needed.

Parent Volunteer Helpers

Parent volunteer helpers are those individuals who can devote time to the school on a regular basis. They work in the school/classroom directly with the teacher. Parent volunteers free teachers from non-instructional duties and can serve an important role in reinforcing children’s learning.

Parents wishing to become volunteers should contact the school Principal. Law requires that volunteers must have a background check completed before working in the schools. The cost of this check will be paid by the School District after a positive report is returned.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences are encouraged. Through private meetings, teachers and parents are able to exchange valuable information about children and develop an understanding of school objectives and procedures. The District believes that children perform better when parents and teachers understand and cooperatively work toward meeting the needs of children. All parents are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher to schedule meetings at any time during the school year. In addition, conference requests may be indicated on your child's report card.

Child Study Teams

The goal of the Child Study Team is to work as a group (consisting of teachers, parents, Principal, and support personnel) in order to solve student-related academic or behavioral problems. It is most beneficial for all individuals who come into contact with the child to conference together and design a plan of interventions that will help him/her to be successful.

OTHER PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Academic Achievement Awards

The Mifflin County School District has instituted a Certificate of Academic Achievement to reward children who achieve excellence in the classroom. Children who meet academic excellence criteria, as established by the School District, are awarded a Certificate of Academic Achievement at the end of the school year.

Animals in School

Due to the risk of rabies among domestic and non-domestic animals, all live animals are banned from classrooms. Exceptions may be made for approved professional programs.

Calendar

A copy of the school calendar is included in the handbook. The calendar outlines the days school is in session, vacation days, and marking period dates.

When school is delayed or closed because of weather or other emergencies, the area radio stations will make the announcements at sign-on time and periodically after that time.

Early dismissals because of weather are not likely to occur unless the weather becomes so severe as to jeopardize transportation at the regular dismissal time, or for other emergencies such as natural disasters and loss of heat and/or water at the school.

Care of Books and School Property

Textbooks and school supplies are furnished to students at School District expense.

When a textbook is issued to a student, the teacher records the number and condition of the book. With normal usage, it is expected the book be returned in similar condition at the end of the term. Students will be held accountable for damaged and lost books at the end of the school year. Final report cards will be held until restitution for damaged or lost items is made.

If a book is lost during the school year, it should be reported to the teacher, and the school’s lost and found location should be checked. The teacher will provide another textbook so students do not fall behind in their work; however, students are responsible for both the original and the replacement texts. Students will be charged the actual replacement price for lost or damaged school materials.

Elementary Computer Technology Program

The use of the computers by our elementary students is an important learning experience in technology. Our classroom teachers are required to spend at least one thirty-minute period in the computer lab with their class each six day cycle, computer technology teachers will also be directly involved in providing an additional period of direct instruction in the computer lab by enhancing the work begun by the classroom teacher. Computers are readily available in all of our computer labs and in our elementary classrooms. Internet and intranet access is carefully monitored by all of the teachers who work with children during computer time. It is our goal in this program for the computers to become a tool for students in applying their skills to solve problems in striving to reach their full potential.

Drill and practice software are used in the primary grades to reinforce beginning reading and math skills. Using the computer as a tool, students begin writing sentences in the primary grades and advance to writing letters, reports, and stories in the intermediate grades. As students learn to use graphics and text, they create more advanced educational projects. Electronic encyclopedias and the Internet are used as research tools for projects and reports. Keyboarding skills are introduced in the primary grades and taught in the fourth and fifth grades through the use of keyboarding and word processing software. The elementary computer curriculum promotes the development of the skills needed to meet the more formalized computer curriculum at the middle and high school levels.

All students must attend a yearly Internet and Information Technology Policy and Orientation and are given computer and Internet accounts. Parents who do not want their child to have Internet access must write a letter to the Principal requesting access be removed. Further, pictures of students may be used on the School District web page. No identifying information is provided. Parents who do not wish to have their child’s image on the website must inform the Principal in writing.

Distractables

We ask for the cooperation of parents in not allowing their children to bring “distractables” to school. Distractables are toys, DVD players, MP3 players, cell phones, electronic devices, and other paraphernalia that tend to keep the student from concentrating fully on learning. These valuable toys and pieces of equipment are best left home for safekeeping and pleasure after school hours. Students may be facing disciplinary consequences for the unauthorized use of electronic devices at school or on school buses.

Student Dress Code Policy

Educational Field Trips (arranged by the teachers)

Educational field trips are defined as planned, supervised excursions by classes of pupils to places outside the regular classroom setting for the purposed exploration, reinforcement of concepts taught in the classroom and providing for application of skills, attitudes and concepts learned to real-life situations, places, things, or events.

Field trips are used as one of the many learning aids available to teachers in guiding pupils toward the mastery of objectives relevant to the course or subject area. These trips serve to reinforce concepts taught or are used to develop common ground in preparations for an introduction to new units and concepts.

Students on field trips are considered to be in an extended classroom and all rules, regulations and policies governing conduct and expected behavior in the District are in force. Students should dress appropriately for weather conditions and site visited.

It is necessary to have a signed parental permission/medical consent form. This form will be provided by the school.

Fire Drills

At least nine fire drills are conducted in each school during the school year as required by state law. The purpose of these drills is to acquaint students with the safe and proper procedures to follow in case the school has to be evacuated for any reason.

Fire drills are taken very seriously by students and staff alike, and we are very proud of the conduct our students display during these proceedings.

Newsletters

Monthly newsletters are distributed to all parents via your children. Originating in the Elementary Principal’s office, the purpose of these monthly newsletters is to keep parents informed of school events throughout the school year. Daily time schedules, lunch menus, and specific building events are included in these publications.

Open House and Back to School Night

Open Houses are held in the fall of each school year in the elementary schools. At times these are held in conjunction with a Home and School Association meeting, while at other times they are a separate function.

The purpose of such an event is to encourage parents to visit their children’s school, and to become acquainted with the facilities. More specifically, it is an opportunity to visit the classroom and to meet, perhaps for the first time, the classroom teacher. Usually there are other special subject teachers present with whom parents are urged to become acquainted. Children are often the best guides for the evening and are encouraged to attend with their parents.

It should be noted that an Open House is not the time to expect an individual conference with teachers. They are expected to meet many people that evening, and they try to circulate among all the parents present in the time allotted. Furthermore, the confidentiality of conversation cannot be honored at that time. Individual parent-teacher conferences are encouraged to be held at another time.

An additional program offered at many schools is "Back to School Night." This is an opportunity for parents to become familiar with the workings of the classroom and ask questions of the teacher. The format of Back to School Night is designed for parents only, and it is recommended that children NOT attend.

Parties

Instructional time is valued in our district, and the primary use of class time is for academic instruction. As a result, classroom parties are limited to three occasions per year. The parties are designated by the school Principal. Party arrangements are often made with the assistance of parent representatives who volunteer for such purposes. Parties are held at the end of the instructional day and are conducted under the supervision of the classroom teacher.

Playground Rules

Teachers instruct pupils on the rules and regulations of playgrounds. Safety is continually stressed on the use of playground equipment. Children who do not follow the safety rules will have their playground privileges temporarily revoked. Individual buildings have specific rules that apply to the available equipment and to the general playground areas of that school. Teachers who supervise playground activities insist that safety rules are followed at all times. Playground equipment is inspected regularly by school officials to determine safety and/or maintenance needs.

Safety Practices

Much time, energy, and resources are expended yearly in the elementary schools teaching children good safety practices in everything they do. Whether riding a bus, walking to and from school, at play, or at home, there are always safety standards which must be observed.

Our schools are fortunate to have special community groups who share our concern about student safety. These groups provide our students with materials regarding talking with strangers (Child Assault Prevention Program - CAPP); bicycle safety; and the use of seat belts. All of these programs impact on the early attitude development of students.

Standardized Assessments

The following are some of the assessments used in the Mifflin County School District Elementary program.

Visitors

Any person visiting an elementary school, for any reason, during school hours is required to report first to the building office where a "visitor’s pass" will be issued. This visitor’s pass is authorization for that person to go to a particular classroom for whatever legitimate business he or she has. The visitor’s pass is presented to the classroom teacher who will then accommodate the visitor. Classroom teachers are instructed not to deal with any persons, or release any child for any reason, unless a visitor’s pass is presented.

Our schools cannot be too cautious in providing for the safety and welfare of the young children who are in our care. We ask for the understanding and cooperation of all in helping us enforce this important regulation.

Parent Handbook for Elementary Schools The Elementary School Program

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Educational Field Trips (arranged by the teachers)

Parent Handbook for Elementary Schools
The Elementary School Program