Elementary School Handbook

SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE

*Full Day Kindergarten follows the same calendar and schedule as Grades 1‐5.

Several early dismissal/late openings are scheduled throughout the year for the purpose of parent‐teacher conferences or curriculum meetings. These dates will be noted on the Downingtown Area School District Calendar and on school newsletters.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Unless students are attending a scheduled activity such as band, chorus, etc., please do not drop them off at school prior to 8:30 A.M. School officially begins at 9:00 A.M. Students arriving after 9:00 A.M. should report to the office accompanied by the parent/guardian and parents must provide an excuse note.

In order to ensure the safe departure of all students during parent pick-up, it is important that cars remain in the car line, until exiting the lot and parents remain in their cars.

We also recognize that a need may arise to pick up your child without prior notification. In these instances, please come to the office and sign out your child.

Pickup Patrol

PickUp Patrol is a dismissal app. A welcome email that has a link to the app and explains how to use it will be sent to you prior to the first day of school. Once you receive the welcome email, please enter your child(ren)'s default dismissal plan right away. The default dismissal plan is how your child(ren) will be going home each day. The app can also be used to make changes in dismissal including early dismissals on any given day. All changes must be entered by 2:30 P.M. each day. (Cutoff times for entering changes will differ on early dismissal days.)

CHILD ATTENDANCE

To confirm the safe arrival of our students, an automated telephone Child Attendance messaging system is used. The telephone software generates a report at approximately 9:45 A.M. each morning. Any student who has not been indicated in the attendance system as being present prior to 9:45 A.M. will be included in the report. The system will automatically call the parents of students who are on the report. Please Note: A student must physically be present in order for the attendance to be noted. Calling to indicate a student will be late will not prevent the system from calling if the student has not arrived prior to 9:45 A.M. We cannot change an attendance record until a student is physically in the building. When a student arrives after the 9:45 A.M. threshold, the student’s parent will still receive a voice mail indicating the student is absent, but the attendance officer will make the change in the attendance system to indicate the late arrival as “late excused.” A written or e‐mailed absence excuse must be received in the office within three days of a student absence. Please Note: Parents have three days to submit a written or e‐mailed absence excuse. The attendance officer has an additional three days after the three days the parent has to enter the excused absence into the system. Please give the attendance officer up to three days after submitting your absence note to change the attendance information.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

Reporting Absences

The Pennsylvania Department of Education recognizes a limited number of reasons as legal excuses for missing school. When returning to school from being absent, the student must submit a written excuse to the homeroom teacher. Excuses must be submitted within three days of returning to school or the absence must be classified as unexcused/ illegal. Excuse notes are available in the school office. Excuse notes may also be handwritten or emailed to the office. The excuse must include: student’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, and reason for absence. The parent or legal guardian must sign the excuse.

If submitting excuse notes electronically, please use the Attendance e‐mail address for your school: Attendance Emails and Attendance Policy

In the event that an absence is determined unexcused, it is permanently recorded in the student’s file as illegal. By law, three illegal absences subject parents to a notice by certified mail of a potential financial penalty as determined by local courts. Our District Attendance Officer coordinates attendance matters with District Court 15‐2‐06 in Downingtown.

Excused absences are for clearly established mental, physical or other reasons. Acceptable reasons for excused absences are the following:

1. Illness or recovery from an accident
2. Health care
3. Serious illness or death in the immediate family
4. Impassable roads
5. Student’s Court appearance
6. Family emergency
7. Observance of religious holiday
8. Religious instruction
9. Approved Vacation or Trips
10. 4‐H or FFA

Unexcused Absences include, but are not limited to:

• Babysitting
• Missing the school bus
• Running errands
• Oversleeping/fatigue
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Attendance at games
• Employment
• Family or educational trips not approved in advance
• Car trouble
• Shopping

PROCEDURES FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

Excessive Absences

The district’s Home & School Visitor and building administrator(s) will review students’ attendance records. Due to the signing of Act 138 by Governor Wolf in November 2016, the following changes have been implemented by DASD:

1. Parents of a student who has accumulated 3 unexcused or illegal absences will be notified by letter of the school’s concern regarding the student’s attendance. This letter will be a warning that a meeting will be required when a student accumulates 6 unexcused or illegal absences.
2. If a student accumulates 6 unexcused or illegal absences, a School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP)meeting will be scheduled by school administration.
3. It is imperative that an excuse note is submitted within 3 days of the student’s return to school. If an excuse note is not submitted within that time frame or if an excuse is a provided that is not one of the 8 reasons for an acceptable excuse, the absence(s) will remain illegal or unexcused.

District Response To Unlawful Absences

The school is a critical part of a student’s support system, and school staff have a significant opportunity to assist students and their families to comply with attendance requirements. The parent/guardian of a compulsory school age student is subject to penalties if compulsory attendance requirements are not met.
The designated district employee will make every effort to work collaboratively with the parent/guardian to address the truancy of a student and will not initiate formal action until such efforts have been made and the student has accumulated three (3) unlawful absences during the school year.

• Third Unlawful Absence

When a student has been absent for three (3) days during the current school year without a lawful excuse, district staff shall provide notice to the person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the student within ten (10)school days of the student's third unexcused absence. The notice may include the offer of a School Attendance Improvement Conference to discuss the cause of the student’s truancy and will develop a mutually agreed upon Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP) to resolve the truant behavior. The TEP can include: access to academic and social/health supports from the district and community organizations; outline of family/parent and student responsibilities; and levels of performance monitoring that include rewards and consequences. At the end of the conference all parties should sign a comprehensive TEP that is agreed to by the district representative, student, parent/guardian and/or family, and other conference participants. If the student incurs additional unexcused absences after issuance of the notice and a School Attendance Improvement Conference was not previously held, district staff shall offer a School Attendance Improvement Conference.

• Subsequent Unlawful Absence

If a student accrues six (6) unexcused absences they will be considered habitually truant and District shall refer the student to a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program or the local children and youth agency. The District may also file a citation in the office of the appropriate judge against the person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the student. Regardless of age, for a student who accumulates six unexcused absences, a School Attendance Improvement Conference is required and will be held.

Homelessness

In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, (subsequently renamed the McKinney‐ Vento Homeless Assistance Act) to aid homeless persons. The Act defines the term "homeless children and youths" as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. On December 10, 2015, the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) was enacted, amending McKinney‐Vento.

Categories of children who are "homeless" and entitled to the protections of the federal law are as follows:

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
(iv) “migratory children” who qualify as homeless under federal law because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii) above. The term "migratory children" means children who are (or whose parent(s) or spouse(s) are) migratory agricultural workers, including migratory dairy workers or migratory fishermen, and who have moved from one school district to another in the preceding 36 months, in order to obtain (or accompany such parents or spouses in order to obtain) temporary or seasonal employment in agricultural or fishing work; and
(v) "Unaccompanied homeless youth" including any child who is "not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian." This includes youth who have run away from home, been thrown out of their home, been abandoned by parents or guardians, or separated from their parents for any other reason.

If you believe that you fall under one of the above-mentioned categories of children who are "homeless" and entitled to the protections of the federal law, contact your school counselor or the district’s Home and School Visitor / Homeless Student Liaison.
(Basic Education Circular, December 2016)

EXCUSE PROCEDURES FOR TRIPS, VACATIONS & SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Absences for educational trips not sponsored by the school district and planned vacations (family trips) may be excused provided prior written notification is received from the parents/guardians and approval is granted. Since regular class attendance is a critical component of a student’s educational program, the educational benefits of the trip should outweigh the negative impact of the disruption of the student’s educational program.
A request for an educational/family trip is subject to the following conditions:

1. Parent/Guardian must submit a written request (Board Policy Form 204 AG 11) to the building principal on the district form, which will indicate the days of absence; destination of the trip; adult supervision; and educational value of the trip.
2. If more than one (1) child in a family is taking the trip, the request for all the children must be included in the trip request form and distributed to each building principal.
3. Request must be made at least three (3) days prior to the date of the trip.
4. No more than ten (10) school days each school year per student will be approved for an educational/family trip, which may be extended at the discretion of the building principal.

Requests for students to be excused for more than one (1) family trip during a school year will most likely not be honored.

The building principal will notify the parent/guardian of approval or denial of the request. The building principal has the right to deny a request during the first ten (10) days, last ten (10) school days, and during standardized testing (PSSA, etc.).

The building principal has the right to deny a request at any time during the school year when, in the judgment of the principal, there is a pattern of excessive absence from school or the student is in poor academic standing.

Unauthorized absences will be recorded as illegal and students will not be permitted to make up work unless authorized by the principal.
Work missed due to approved educational tours or family trips may be made up, but the responsibility for the completion of that work will remain with students and/or parents/guardians.

After the return of an approved educational/family trip, the teacher will work with the student and parent/guardian to “bridge the gap” of missed instruction. For logistical reasons, teachers cannot be expected to prepare individual daily lesson plans for each student on an educational/family trip. The student will be responsible for submitting all completed assignments to teachers upon return to school or as indicated on the assignment sheet.

Students will not be permitted to take mid‐term or final examinations early or late due to educational trips or vacations. Parents/Guardians are discouraged from making vacation plans during the school year on a regular or yearly basis. It is understood that there is occasionally the necessity of taking a family trip during the school year, but it is believed that frequent trips are an unnecessary detriment to the education of the student.

PSSA Testing: Excuses for trips or vacations will not be granted for students in grades 3, 4, & 5 during State mandated PSSA testing as listed on the school calendar each year.

EARLY DISMISSAL DUE TO WEATHER

If school is closed, opened later than usual, or students must be dismissed early due to inclement weather, you will receive a district generated phone call. Emergency closings are also listed on the website at www.dasd.org and on district social media outlets.

Please do not call the school to inquire about the possibility of an early closing, but refer to the District website.

KINDERGARTEN PROCEDURES FOR DELAYED OPENINGS

Whenever the Downingtown Area School District has an unscheduled weather related two (2) hour late opening, both sessions of kindergarten will be held according to the following abbreviated schedule:

On days when the Regular Schedule is followed:
A.M. kindergarten children must be picked up no later than 11:55 A.M.
P.M. kindergarten children may be dropped off beginning at 12:25 P.M.

On days when the Abbreviated Schedule is followed:
A.M. Kindergarten children must be picked up no later than 12:45 P.M.
P.M. Kindergarten children may be dropped off beginning at 1:35 P.M.

On days when the Modified Schedule is followed:
A.M. Kindergarten children must be picked up no later than 10:45 A.M.
P.M. Kindergarten children may be dropped off beginning at 11:35 A.M.

The elementary instructional program is consistent across all 10 elementary schools in the Downingtown Area School District and is coordinated by teachers, the principal, and the staff of the District Office. Our goals are to provide appropriate academic experiences and social nurturing to allow children to develop a sense of positive self-worth as well as academic skills in order to become critical thinkers, problem solvers and positive contributors to society. English Language Arts (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies are a part of each grade’s core curriculum. In addition, children receive weekly instruction in the special area subjects of Art, Library, Physical Education and Health, Music, and iDesign.

ENCORE SUBJECTS

Instruction is provided in music, art, physical education, iDesign, and library. All students have Art, Music, and Library one time per cycle and Physical Education two times per 6-day cycle, except half day kindergarten which has PE three times per cycle. All DASD schools operate on a 6‐day cycle using letter days A through F on a full rotation system. For example, if Tuesday is an “A” day and school is closed due to weather, when the students return on Wednesday, it will be “A” day.

STUDENT RECORDS / TRANSFER OF RECORDS

The official student records are maintained in the school office and are the property of the school district. Typically, these folders contain documents for which parents have copies: report cards, attendance, conference reports, and samples of children’s work. In the event that a parent wishes to review the contents of their child’s cumulative record folder, they may do so by arranging for a conference with the guidance counselor or principal.

Prior to changing schools, a transfer of records card must be completed by the school office. Please provide the school office with adequate advance notice in order that correct forms will be available. Upon notification from the receiving school, we will immediately forward copies of all student records to the new school.

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The Code of Student Conduct provides District information regarding attendance, bus and playground rules, internet policies, and student discipline and can be found in Board Policy 200 Series, under the Parents tab or individual school backpack pages.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce that students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast at school. Students may enter the cafeteria starting at 8:30 a.m. Students will be encouraged to finish eating and get to their classrooms by 9:00 A.M. Breakfast is free again this school year and it does not need to be pre-ordered.

LUNCH PROGRAM

The cafeteria provides a varied lunch menu for students and for planning purposes, parents must preorder lunch for their student(s) by the night before at the latest. The elementary school lunch price is $2.50 and payment is required to complete the on-line transaction. If you prefer to pay for your child’s lunches on a daily basis, your child will also use the PaySchools Central System. The system works like this:

Each student is issued a personal identification number (PIN) that will remain the same throughout your child’s enrollment in elementary school. A picture of the student is taken and imported in the PIN database. Your pre-payment money is deposited into the student’s account. The deposits can be made in cash, or by check made payable to DASD CAFETERIA ACCOUNT. Deposits can also be made through your account with PaySchools Central. If a student’s account reaches a zero balance, the student would then require cash for breakfast. Students who receive free or reduced lunches will follow the same procedures as outlined above. Their automatic debits would be made at a free or reduced lunch rate. If your child receives free or reduced price lunches, our system will provide complete confidentiality.

Students’ accounts can be set up with a “meals only” or “meals plus snack” spending restriction. During lunch service, the student will approach the cashier and enter the PIN on the keyboard. The student’s account and photograph will appear on the cashier’s computer screen. The cost of the student purchases will automatically be deducted from the child’s account balance, without the need for the daily exchange of cash.

RECESS

Weather permitting, students are provided with twenty minutes of recess time each day. Recesses are supervised by at least two staff members.

Anytime it is 25 degrees or above (with wind-chill included), the playground is relatively clear, and there is no precipitation, we will have outdoor recess. Children should wear coats, hats, and gloves to go outside during the cold weather.

We will have indoor recess anytime the temperature falls below 25 degrees, actual temperature or with wind-chill. We appreciate the cooperation of parents in sending children dressed properly for the outdoors.

PARTICIPATION / ACTIVITY FEES

Students involved in a program that uses transportation or teacher services beyond the contractual day will be assessed a participation fee. Academic clubs tied to outside competitions and tutorial activities will continue to be funded by the District. Specific information will be included on the permission forms for each activity.

Please visit our Activity Fees page for more specific details.

School bus service is provided through the contractors in accordance with the transportation policies of the DASD. Policy and Administrative Guidelines #810 provide details regarding walking zones, procedures for requesting a transportation change, alternate bus assignments due to child care and bus stop and bus riding rules.

Students are assigned to a bus and bus stop location as part of the registration process. Confirmation of bus number and stop is mailed to parents in late August. Long term requests for changes in bus stop or bus route must be directed, in writing, to the:

Downingtown Area School District
c/o Supervisor of Transportation
540 Trestle Place
Downingtown, PA 19335

KINDERGARTEN TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is provided for Kindergarten students one way. Children in the A.M. session will be transported to school and children in the P.M. session will be transported home with Grade 1-5 students.

BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. Children should arrive at the assigned bus stop 5 minutes before scheduled pick-up times. Parents are responsible for their child’s conduct at the bus stop both before and after school.
2. Children should exhibit orderly and appropriate behavior while at the bus stop and on the bus.
3. Children should respect the property adjacent to the bus stop, respect the safety and property of other students, and follow all directions and guidance provided by the bus driver. The bus driver has the same authority as a classroom teacher.
4. Children may ride only their assigned bus and board and depart only from their assigned bus stop, unless the Principal has approved a change.
5. Children should enter the bus and take their seats without disturbing others.
6. Children should remain in their seats while the bus in motion.
7. Children should speak in a normal tone of voice while on the bus. No shouting is permitted.
8. Children should not throw items on the bus or from the bus.
9. Smoking, eating, drinking, or chewing gum on the bus is prohibited.
10. Children should keep the bus clean and orderly.
11. No items can be placed in the driver’s compartment, doorway, or aisle of the bus, or under seats. These areas must be kept clear to exit in case of emergencies.
12. Animals are NOT permitted on the bus.
13. Large musical instruments or school projects are not permitted on the bus unless they can be held on the student's lap.
14. Objects that endanger other students are strictly prohibited. Such objects include, but are not limited to firearms, knives, metal stars, ice skates, glass objects, etc. Possession of dangerous objects may result in immediate suspension of bus privileges and other discipline.
15. Seatbelts must be worn at all times on those buses or school vehicles fitted with seatbelts.
16. Missing the bus and not attending school is NOT a legal absence or reason for being tardy.

WALKERS

With the exception of District designated walkers, students will not be allowed to walk unless their parents escort them. Parents walking their children to/from school need to follow the same arrival and dismissal procedures as students being transported by their parents.

BIKE RIDING

Students may ride bicycles to school if they follow the following conditions:

• written permission by parent/guardian and approved by the Principal
• a commitment to wearing a helmet for every ride
• following the route authorized by & practiced with their parent/guardian
• following rules of the road
• riding single file
• using a well-maintained bicycle
• using a bike lock is advised as the school district is not responsible for stolen bikes

VOLUNTEERS

We welcome the assistance of volunteers in our schools and appreciate their support. More information about how to become a volunteer and associated requirements can be found on our volunteer page

The presence of volunteers in the classroom creates issues of sensitivity and confidentiality for all volunteers. To uphold the credibility of this valuable program, it is imperative that volunteers:

• Do not discuss the performance and behavior of individual children either inside or outside the school.
• Avoid discussing teachers and/or teaching methods.
• Discuss any concerns with the Volunteer Coordinator or Principal.
• Act in a professional manner.

We ask that all volunteers:

1. Sign in and out every time they enter and leave the building. (This is for safety in case of fire as well as knowing who is in the building at all times for safety purposes).
2. Fill out an emergency information card.
3. Wear a designated ID while in the building and turn it in when leaving.
4. Call the school office as soon as possible if unable to volunteer on assigned day.
5. Be consistent and reliable with time.
6. Avoid visiting or wandering through instructional areas that could distract children and teachers.
7. Do not bring younger children to school when volunteering.
8. Classroom volunteer time is at the teacher’s discretion.
9. Wear appropriate, tasteful attire that will not interfere with the educational focus.
10. Never interrupt teachers or instruction in the classroom.
11. Keep the Faculty Room reserved for staff members, please.
12. Contact classroom teachers to receive instruction on the use of any classroom equipment and see the Volunteer Coordinator (or building aide) for instruction with other school equipment. Please give staff members priority when operating the copy machine or other office equipment.
13. Check with assigned teacher for specific instructions for the day.
14. Become familiar with school policy as outlined in this handbook.
15. Expect respect and appropriate behavior from students. Please report any problems to the teacher in charge.
16. Be an example to children by observing all school rules in a professional manner.
17. Avoid disruptive talking in the hallways.
18. Communicate with the teacher if uncomfortable with a specific task. We want your experience to be positive and rewarding.
19. Have fun working in our school.

VISITORS

Visitors, including parents, must secure permission and make arrangements with the principal or teacher prior to any visit in an area of the building or school grounds. Visitors, including parents, are also required to check in at the main office, have your driver’s license run through our Raptor system, and wear a visitor badge before reporting to an area of the building or school grounds.

For reasons of liability, elementary aged children are not permitted to visit unless accompanied by their parents, and only with the approval of the teacher(s) involved, as well as the principal.

The Downingtown Area 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 buildings and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance and office. 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. When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the least toxic products when possible. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted 72 hours prior to application and for 48 hours following the application. A schedule of pest control applications is posted on the front entry door of the school. If you desire a list of pesticides to be used and their EPA registration numbers, please submit your request in writing. Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school will be notified of specific herbicide applications made on school grounds, including athletic fields and recreational areas. If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be given. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel-type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; and swimming pool maintenance chemicals.

Downingtown Area School District shall not discriminate in their educational programs, activities or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, ancestry or any other legally protected classification. This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Information relative to special accommodation, grievance procedure, and the designated responsible official for compliance with Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 may be obtained by contacting the Director of Human Resources, Downingtown Area School District, 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown, PA 19335, phone number 610-269-8460.