South NewsSouth Williamsport Area School District August 2014 SIDE An Equal Opportunity Employer in Compliance with Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Public Education Today BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS Public Education Crisis! Read all about it! John Engel, Jr., President House kills pension bill; Senate goes home... Allentown Morning Call Donald Lowe, Vice President Corbett’s hard stand on Pa. budget stirs anger. Philadelphia Inquirer Gregory Anthony, Treasurer Pensions, social services driving costs of proposed Pa. budget. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette As area school reserves dwindle, taxes climb for 2014-15. Scranton Times Tribune Cathy Bachman Christopher Branton These, and many like it, were the dominant head- • Art teacher, Cindy Troutman-Myers, partici- lines in major news outlets across the State in recent pated in the Charles Fazzino art project through Jerry Broskey weeks. Reading the headlines leaves the impression the First Community Foundation and Little Samuel Burch that public education is facing an insurmount- League with 5th grade students; Sue Davenport able crisis; that the system, as we know it, will fail. • Life Skills teacher, Lisa Fisher, used an iPad with Joseph Pulizzi, III I disagree. her elementary students with significant dis- Without argument the public employees re- abilities to help them learn core reading, math, tirement system, as a defined benefit program, is a and language skills; SUPERINTENDENT problem largely due to the following two factors: • An entire staff at Central Elementary worked Dr. Mark Stamm recent revenue shortages from investments and de- tirelessly to transition into a new core language cisions by the State Legislature made a decade ago. program this year. Local payroll contributions to that system for every NON-VOTING MEMBERS employee (custodians, secretaries, teachers, princi- In addition, the staff seeks innovative ways Dennis Artley, Business Manager/ pals, and me) are causing a financial strain in ev- to bring learning to a real-life stage. Whether it’s Board Secretary ery school district. We lack the authority to fix it. through grants from the Community Arts Center for theatrical performances or grants from our local Fred Holland, Solicitor The district is required by law to pay a percentage of salaries to the system. We are using cash reserves to Education Foundation to support nationally recog- help with those costs, but like most districts, we also nized authors and field trips for high school art stu- need to raise local revenues to help. dents, the learning space is continually pushed into new areas for the enrichment of students. Education, your local schools, is not in crisis. As Your public schools, for over 120 years, con- I walk through classrooms, I routinely see innova- tinue to provide a caring environment where learn- tive and passionate teachers engaging students. To ing is foremost. We believe that every child should highlight just a few from this past year: feel welcome, safe, and supported in our classrooms, • Chemistry teacher Matt Eisley used a “flipped hallways, and playgrounds. Every employee strives classroom” providing lectures as homework. A to make learning possible for all children. Challeng- technique that allows him to focus class time on es, financial or otherwise, will always exist, but they hands-on learning; will not define why we exist. We are here to serve this community and all its children. I am confident • Tile I reading coordinator and teacher, Kathy that another exciting school year is before us. Flerlage, led a book drive that collected over 15,000 books to hand to children along the Mark Stamm, D.Ed. Mummers Day Parade route; Superintendent of Schools

SWASD 2014 OPEN SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES 7:00 p.m. R.R. Rommelt Building – Conference Room

Monday, August 4, 2014 Monday, October 6, 2014 Monday, August 18, 2014 Monday, November 3, 2014 Monday, September 8, 2014 Wednesday, December 3, 2014 – Reorganization Meeting Note: School Board Meetings are held the first Monday of each month. If another Board meeting is required within a certain month, a special meeting date will be set. South 2 SIDENews

South Williamsport From the desk of… Area School District Mr. Jesse Smith, Jr. /Sr. High School Principal 2014-2015 CALENDAR As the school year quickly approaches, please be Aug. 25 Professional Day reminded of a few important policies and procedures. Aug. 26 First Student Day All medication (prescribed and over-the-counter) that Sept. 1 Schools Closed – Labor Day is to be taken during the school day is required to be taken to the nurse’s office. This includes aspirin, Tylenol, Oct. 13 Schools Closed – Columbus Day vitamins, and allergy medication. Along with the Nov. 24, 25 Act 80 ½ Days medication, a note must be included from the parent or Nov. 26 Professional Day legal guardian stating permission to take the medication; Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Day prescribed dosage; time of dosage; and length of time Nov. 28 Schools Closed necessary to take it. Any prescribed medication must Dec. 1 Schools Closed be in the original container provided by the pharmacist. Dec. 22-31 Schools Closed Any absences in which no excuse is brought in will be Dec. 25 Christmas Day recorded as an unexcused absence. To avoid this, please Jan. 1 Schools Closed – New Year’s Day provide an excuse any time your son or daughter is Jan. 2 Schools Closed absent. Please also provide a doctor or dental excuse Jan. 19 Weather Day (1) when applicable. Finally, please remember that login and Feb. 13 Weather Day (2) password information is available for parents to access Feb. 16 Weather Day (3) grades. Information concerning this access will be sent April 2 Weather Day (4) home with student schedules and other beginning of the April 3 Schools Closed year information. If you have misplaced your login and April 6 Weather Day (6) password, simply call the high school and a new copy April 7 Weather Day (5) will be mailed home. May 25 Memorial Day

June 4, 5 Act 80 ½ Days June 5 Last Day DISTRICT OPEN HOUSES June 5 Commencement Central Elementary K-4 180 Student Instructional Days 182 Teacher Days • Parent Orientation 4 Act 80 Days/Student ½ Days August 25 at 5:30-6:15 p.m. 2 Professional Days • Open House for Grades 1-4 August 26: Grades 1 & 2 – 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Grades 3 & 4 – 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. South Williamsport Rommelt Grade 5 & 6 Area School • August 25: Grade 6 – 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. District Athletics Grade 5 – 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School For up-to-date • August 18: 7th grade Sports Schedules, go to… Parent Open House – 5:30 p.m. swasports.org • September 3: Grades 8-12 Open House High School – 5:30 p.m. www.swasd.org South SIDENews 3 From the desk of… Jamie Mowery, Staff Accountant Free and Reduced Lunch Application Process An application for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program provided by sending written proof to us. will be among the paperwork that students receive when When completing an application, please keep the following school begins. If you wish to apply for free or reduced lunch, items in mind. If you have more than one child in the school it is important that the application is completed properly. district, you only need to complete one application. For SNAP/ Improperly completed applications can result in the delay TANF applications, be sure to include your SNAP/TANF or denial of free or reduced lunch. Below are some common number (typically 41/XXXXXXX) or Access Card number. For questions that we receive regarding the Free and Reduced Foster Children, be sure to check the box indicating that the Lunch Program. student is a foster child. For income applications, be sure to Who can get free meals? All children in households indicate how often the income amount is received (i.e. weekly, receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program biweekly, monthly, etc). On all applications, be sure to list all (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families household members and include the grade of school-aged (TANF) benefits can get free meals regardless of income. children. Household members include all people living in Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a your household, related or not, who share income and foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. Also, expenses. All applications must be signed by an adult house- children can get free meals if the household’s gross income hold member. That adult must also list the last four digits of his (income before taxes; not take home income) is within the or her social security number. Failure to do so will result in a free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. The denied application. Income Guidelines will be included with the application We welcome any questions or comments regarding the Free that your child will receive. and Reduced Lunch Program. Any questions may be directed to Who can get reduced price meals? Children can get low Jamie Mowrey, School Accountant at 570-327-1581 Ext. 2122. cost meals if your household’s gross income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. school lunches Do I have to fill out an application this year if my child qualified for free or reduced lunch last year? Yes. Your child’s Elementary/Rommelt: K – 6th grade application status from the prior school year will carry over Breakfast: $1.00 to the new school year until September 24, 2014. You must Reduced: $ .30 send in a new application to determine whether your child Regular Lunch: $2.05 Every effort qualifies for the current school year. Reduced: $ .40 I recently received a letter from the District stating that will be made to my child qualifies for free lunch. Do I need to fill out an High School: 7th – 12th grade accommodate application? No application is required in this case, as long Breakfast: $1.10 special medical as the letter states that it is for the 2014-2015 school year. Reduced: $ .30 menus and Certain agencies that provide assistance to families notify Regular Lunch: $2.30 dietary needs if the District that the student automatically qualifies for Reduced: $ .40 parents contact the free meals. We are authorized to use these lists in lieu of an Director of Food Adult Lunch: $3.00 application from the family. Services. Will the information I give on the application be Milk price: $ .50 checked? Yes. We may ask you to verify the information

Time Schedule Jr./Sr. High School – 7 - 12 Rommelt – 5 & 6 Central – K - 4 7:44 a.m. – Students enter building 8:15 a.m. – Students enter building 8:15 a.m. – Students enter building 7:50 a.m. – Late Bell 8:30 a.m. – First Bell 8:30 a.m. – First Bell 2:31 p.m. – Dismissal 8:35 a.m. – Tardy Bell 8:35 a.m. – Tardy Bell 3:00 p.m. – Dismissal 3:00 p.m. – Dismissal

www.swasd.org South 4 SIDENews Special Education… Parent Resource Podcasts From the desk of… If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you have probably Mrs. Kathy Furman experienced some level of confusion with the special education laws Central Elementary Principal and process. Whether you are experiencing your first special education meeting or a veteran, IEPs, to ERs, and NOREPs are an alphabet soup As a district, we believe that all children can learn of educational jargon. We know. Your thorough understanding of the and succeed. To ensure our students’ success, we process will allow you to more fully contribute to the development of strive to provide the best educational foundation your child’s IEP, and we need your input. for them through various avenues, one of To help parents navigate and become more comfortable with this which is continually assessing the curriculum process, we have developed several Podcasts and placed them on our as well as the instructional strategies used in district web page under: Departments, Special Education, Resources for our classrooms. Parents – Podcasts (www.swasd.org ). Each Podcast targets a specific The 2013-2014 school year revealed the area of the special education process and is about 10 minutes in length. implementation of a new reading/language arts More Podcasts will be added this school year as we expand the web program for kindergarten through based resources for parents. Be sure to check the site often for updates. entitled Journeys. The structure and materials of the program has aided us in keeping the Weapons Policy academic day “sacred” time for learning, By School Board Policy #218.1, the possession or use of weapons planning, observing, and assessing the fidelity and replicas of weapons on school property or while involved in a of instruction. Professional development for the school related activity is forbidden. “Dangerous weapon” means any staff was imbedded weekly throughout the school weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, which under the year to ensure the effective implementation of the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened program and provide additional resources and to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical support. The exciting news is that the end of the injury. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, which year benchmark assessments demonstrated very will result in suspension, and expulsion that could be permanent. nice growth for the majority of our students in This policy is necessary to be in compliance with new state and federal the areas of accuracy, fluency, and reading levels. laws regarding weapons in school. The preliminary results of the Reading PSSAs also show some growth. As we move forward Smoking Prohibited with this program, we will continue to hone our The School Board recognizes that smoking in school buildings is a presentation of the language arts materials to violation of the “Pro-Children Act of 1994”. It represents a health and more effectively meet the needs of our students. safety hazard and, therefore, is of concern to the Board. For 2014-2015, we will begin to focus more For purposes of this policy, smoking shall mean all uses of tobacco, in depth on the area of mathematics in order to including but not limited to cigars, cigarettes, pipes and smokeless improve our math program on the elementary tobacco. level. Mr. Scott Hill is joining the Central team In order to protect students and staff from an environment, which may as the K-4 Title I Math Specialist to help the be harmful, the Board declares the buildings of the South Williamsport staff go through the process of aligning our Area School District to be smoke free and prohibits smoking by any current math program to the employee, student, or visitor in any district building and in the stadium. Core Standards. The District Administration shall establish procedures to enforce this policy, which may include suspensions and termination for repeat I believe communication is of vital offenders. importance to the success of our students and the programs established to enable them to succeed. Like us on Facebook I ask that you contact your child’s teacher(s) Stay up-to-date with events and activities when you have questions or information to around the school and community by follow- share with the school regarding your student. ing the district Facebook page. With almost daily updates on stu- Together we can make a difference in the lives of dent activities, awards, achievements, and special events, this is a our children. perfect one-stop location to stay connected with your community schools. http://www.facebook.com/SWMounties www.swasd.org South SIDENews 5 From the desk of… Procedure for Closing School Matthew Fisher, Assistant Principal The decision to close schools or delay school openings With the start of a new school year only one flip of the for inclement weather, unsatisfactory heating calendar away, I am excited about the opportunities that conditions, epidemic, or other emergency conditions await the incoming students. At this same time last year, who shall come from the office of the Superintendent would have known that the new school year would showcase of Schools. some dominant performances on the gridiron—district- Important Points to Remember: level performances by the band/chorus, medal-winning performances by the Academic Decathlon team, a track team 3 In case of delayed school openings, buses will operate that ran into States, a District Champion softball team, and so on a delayed schedule according to the period of many other superb performances. time specified in the announcement. For example, I look forward to the Class of 2015 and the potential they should the opening of school be delayed two hours, hold to leave their legacy in their final campaign at the South buses will run two hours later, including parochial Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School. With equal excitement, I runs. look forward to seeing the incoming class of students grow and develop their own identity in the years 3 Every attempt will be made to make delayed opening ahead. or closing decisions by 11:00 p.m. the night before or As the wave of “Back to School” commercials hit over the by 6:30 a.m. the day of school. next few weeks, please make plans to attend the upcoming Open House at your child’s respective school. Communication 3 Please inform your child of an alternate location for and involvement are essential. I welcome phone calls, emails, him/her to go in the event school is dismissed early or a visit the next time you are in the building. and you are not home. 3 The primary means of communicating closing From the desk of… information will be an automated phone call service. Scott Hill, Athletic Director However, announcements will also be made through TV and Radio as a backup. I am assuming the Athletic Director position here at South. I have been employed by the district for many years as a teacher and coach, and am looking forward to working with all aspects Radio Stations of the athletic program. WGRC WILQ WZXR WBZD We have created a new sports-specific website, swasports. 90.7 and 107.1 105.1 99.3 AND 103.7 93.3 org, that will be a resource for everything South sports. We have also linked the site from our homepage. We will keep WWPA WRVH WJSA WRAK things as up-to-date as possible. For those of you who follow AM 1340 107.9 96.3 and AM 1600 AM 1400 Twitter, @swasports will keep you informed with our athletic WKSB WLYC programs as well. 102.7 1050 AM Sports passes are available for purchase as well. Contact me at [email protected] or 570-320-4449. TV Stations Check your local provider for channel numbers. AHERA Notification WYOU WNEP WBRE WPSU In compliance with the AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) we have available the South Williamsport PLEASE DO NOT CALL school officials at the school Area School District Management Plans. The district has or home or radio station personnel for information. a copy of all inspections in the district and each school has their individual copy. These Management Plans are on site and available for your review. If you have any questions please fee free to contact Lynn Kromer, Asbestos Coordinator, at 570-320-4443.

www.swasd.org South 6 SIDENews Notes from…Your School Nurses Review of Current Pennsylvania School Health Law School Growth Screening Program Obesity in children is now epidemic in the United States. The num- Pennsylvania School Law requires that all children ber of children who are overweight has doubled in the last two or attending school have the following immunizations: three decades. The increase is in both children and adolescents, and (1) Diphtheria and Tetanus (DTP, DtaP, Td, DT)—Four doses in all age, race, and gender groups. Obesity puts children at a great- with the fourth dose administered after the fourth birthday er risk of developing many adverse health conditions as adults, such as, Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and (2) Polio—three doses depression. Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise for children, as well. In (3) Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)—two doses an effort to combat this epidemic, procedures have been added to the Pennsylvania growth screening program. (4) Hepatitis B—three doses To meet the growing challenge of overweight and obesity among (5) Varicella—two doses—Vaccine to prevent chicken pox our youth, the state-mandated school growth screening program in- if child has not already had the disease. cludes determination of the Body Mass Index (BMI) and BMI-for- age percentile. BMI is a weight for stature index that can be used to Children entering seventh grade need the following: help determine whether the student is within a normal growth pat- (1) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)—One dose tern, overweight, at risk of becoming overweight, or underweight. BMI should be considered a screening tool and not a definitive mea- (2) Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV)—One dose sure of overweight and obesity as the indicator does have limita- tions. For example, some athletes and dancers may have a high BMI Pennsylvania School Health Law requires students in kindergarten, due to increased muscle mass. Parents will be notified of the results and to have physical examinations. and will be advised to share these with the student’s health care Parents of children going into kindergarten were given the provider, as he/she is the best person to evaluate whether or not the PA Department of Health form, Private Physician’s Report measurements are within a healthy range. of Physical Examination of a Pupil of School Age, when they registered their children for school. This form was also given to Prescription Medication Policy Reminder children who will be going into sixth or eleventh grade. Ask your To ensure safe administration of medication at school, medication child’s physician to complete the form at the time of the physical can only be given if a signed authorization form from the child’s examination. Return the completed form to the school nurse by physician and written parent permission are received at school. The December 1, 2014. While a school physician is employed to make authorization form can be obtained from school. The medication the examination, we recommend that your child’s physician do must also be contained in the original, pharmacy-labeled container. the examination. He/she can best evaluate your child’s health and Please keep in mind that medications given two or three times a day assist you in obtaining treatment. can be given at home, before, and after school hours unless other- wise directed by a physician. Students in , , and seventh grade are required to have dental examinations. Students who will be entering these ATTENDANCE grades were given the PA Department of Health form, Private Dentist Report of Dental Examination of a Pupil of School Age, As the school year approaches, please remember for the dentist to complete. The school employs a dental hygienist the attendance requirements made by the State. to complete a dental screening, but we recommend that children Any student who is absent ten or more days needs a see their own dentists as the school exam is only a screening—no doctor’s excuse. Please remember to document any treatments will be provided. doctor or dentist absence so these days will not count in The South Williamsport Area School District accepts reports of the ten days allowed by the state. private physical and dental exams completed within one year pri- If your child is under the age of seventeen and is absent or to a student’s entry into the grade where the exam is required. more than ten days without a doctor’s excuse, we must Please return completed physical and dental forms as soon as pos- count these days as illegal. Three illegal days will require sible. If you need forms or have any questions, contact one of the a first notice to be served and any days absent after this nurses at school. notice will result in a citation filed with the district Central Fax: 570-320-4492 magistrate. If your child is seventeen or older, they need Rommelt Fax: 570-567-0807 a doctor’s excuse to return to school. Hopefully everyone will stay healthy and will not miss ten days of school. High School Fax: 570-326-2687 www.swasd.org South SIDENews 7 2014-2015 ELEMENTARY TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE Transportation Schedule Bus #242 Central/Rommelt Bus #260 Central/Rommelt 7:45 Wert’s 7:59 W. Mountain Ave. & Charlotte Ave. SECONDARY TRANSPORTATION 7:46 Lakeview Apts. Main St. 8:00 W. Mountain Ave. & Highland Ave. SCHEDULE 7:47 Snyder’s 8:01 W. Mountain Ave. & Forrest St. 7:48 Lakeview Apts. Market St. 8:02 W. Mountain Ave. & Linden St. Bus #242 High School Bus #2010 High School 7:50 Route 15 South Side 8:03 W. Mountain Ave. 2300 Block 6:55 Wert’s 6:55 Branton’s 7:52 Bartholomew’s 8:04 W. Mountain Ave. & Brown St. 6:56 Snyder’s 6 56 Bennardi Development 7:53 Chad Lee Trailer Court 8:05 W. Southern Ave. & Brown St. 7:55 Hahn’s Trailer Court 6:57 Lakeview Apts. Market St. Turn-around 8:06 W. Southern Ave. & Grove St. 7:56 Campbell’s 8:08 W. Southern Ave. & Maynard St. 6:58 Beiter’s 6:58 Cooprider’s 7:57 West End Sylvan Dell Park Rd 8:09 W. Southern Ave. & Forrest St. 6:59 Laylon’s 6:59 Young’s 7:58 Butler’s 8:15 Central Elementary 7:00 Wrede’s 7:00 Lorson’s 8:05 Bobatas 8:17 Rommelt Elementary 7:03 Bartholomew’s 7:02 Shuler’s 8:06 Kilgus’s 7:04 Chad Lee Trailer Court 7:11 W. Soutern Ave. & Grove 8:08 1st Ave. Bus #271 Central/Rommelt 7:05 Gair’s 7:12 W. Southern Ave. & Brown 8:10 Fleming St. & E. Second Ave. 7:38 Branton’s 7:06 Hahn’s Trailer Court 7:14 W. Mountain Ave. & Brown 8:11 Fleming St. & E. Southern Ave. 7:39 Lorson’s 7:07 Record’s 7:15 W. Mountain Ave. & Linden St. 8:13 Main St. & Central Ave. 7:40 Storms 7:08 Larson’s 7:16 W. Mountain Ave. & Maynard St. 8:16 Central Elementary 7:45 Hawkin’s 7:09 Dunn’s 7:21 High School 8:18 Rommelt Elementary 7:47 Schuler’s 7:11 Karasek’s Bus #251 Central/Rommelt 7:48 Douglas’s 7:12 Rundio’s Bus #271 High School 8:03 Seventh Ave. & Parakeet 7:53 Waterdale Rd. 7:14 Stover’s 7:00 Retread Rd. 8:04 Seventh Ave. & Market St. 7:54 Huling Lane 7:15 Livorno’s 7:01 Deer Rd. 8:05 E. Seventh Ave. & Main St. 7:55 Fagnano’s 7:56 Machmer’s 7:17 Ohl’s 7:03 Fagnano’s 8:06 E. Seventh Ave. & Grandview 8:07 E. Seventh Ave. & Fairmont Ave. 7:57 Deer Rd. 7:18 Audio Services 7:05 Huling Lane 8:09 E. Mountain Ave. & Sylvan Dr. 7:57 Retread Raod 7:22 High School 7:06 Branton’s 8:10 Back Corner of Little League 7:58 Burgess’s 7:07 Burgess 8:12 E. Central Ave. & Fleming St. 7:59 Valley St. & Edgewood Ave. 7:08 Valley St. & Edgewood Ave. 8:13 Nolls 8:00 Sortman Ave. & Valley St. Bus #260 High School 7:09 Valley St. & Sortman Ave. 8:16 Central Elementary 8:03 Edgewood Ave. & Cochran Ave. 6:55 Wagner’s 7:11 Valley St. & Euclid Ave. 8:18 Rommelt Elementary 8:04 East End Cochran Ave. 6:56 Kennedy Lane 7:12 Summer St. & Riverside Dr. Bus #263 Central/Rommelt 8:05 Middle Cochran Ave. 6:58 Methodist Church 7:14 Euclid Ave. & Spring St. 7:57 Riverside Subs 8:06 West End Cochran Ave. 7:00 Lorson Dr. & Hillside Dr. 7:21 High School 7:59 Linden St. & Riverside Dr. 8:07 Petrosky’s 7:02 Comp Road 8:02 Euclid Ave. & Spring St. 8:08 Reed’s 7:05 Eckroth’s 8:03 Paddington Station (AM) 8:09 Yeagle’s 8:10 Edgewood Ave. & Euclid Ave. 7:07 Macgill’s OTHER TRANSPORTATION 8:06 Euclid Ave. & Winter St. 8:07 Euclid Ave. & Gordon St. 8:15 Central Elementary 7:12 West End Euclid Ave. SCHEDULES 8:12 W. Southern Ave. & Fisher St. 8:17 Rommelt Elementary 7:15 Linden & Riverside Bus #251 7:22 High School 8:15 Central Elementary St. John Neuman Academy 8:17 Rommelt Elementary Bus #272 Central/Rommelt 7:45 Condo’s Bus #263 Bus #2010 Central/Rommelt 7:49 Pfirman Lane 7:47 Miller’s Bus #272 High School AM Vocational Education 7:51 Giles Lane 6:53 Valley Rd. & Village Dr. 7:48 Kistner’s 7:53 Kennedy Lane 7:51 Second Ave. 6:54 Bachman’s Bus #263 7:55 Lorson Dr. & Johnson Dr. 6:58 Second Ave. Rt 654 7:52 First Ave. 7:57 Lorson Dr. & Hillside Dr. PM Vocational Education 7:53 Nisbet Terrace 6:59 First Ave. Rt 654 7:58 Middle of Hillside Dr. 7:54 Bowers 7:00 Nisbet Terrace 7:59 Comp Rd. Bus # 240 7:55 Good to Go Store 8:01 Hazel’s 7:01 Good-To-Go Store Alternative Education Runs 7:56 Macgill’s 8:02 Bachman’s 7:02 Steinbacher’s 7:57 B& S Automotive Special Education Runs 8:03 Noviello’s 7:04 B & J Automotive 7:58 Deckers 8:04 E. Village Dr. & Valley Rd. 7:06 Decker’s 7:59 Trimble’s Bus #252 8:05 River Road 7:07 Fitzsimmons 8:03 Valley St. & Brook St. Alternative Education Runs 8:07 Macgill’s 8:04 Shaffer St. & Riverside Dr. 7:09 West End Cochran Ave. Special Education Runs 8:05 Riverside Dr. & Summer St. 8:13 Linden St. & Whitford Ave. 7:10 Cochran & Edgewood Paddington Station (PM) 8:16 Central Elementary 7:20 High School 8:06 Clarendon St. & Riverside Dr. 8:09 W. Southern Ave. & Stanton St. 8:18 Rommelt Elementary School Van 8:12 Kaiser Ave. & Clark St. Work Program 8:15 Central Elementary Alternative Education 8:17 Rommelt Elementary www.swasd.org South 8 SIDENews Annual Notice of Special Education Services Local school districts and the BLaST, Intermediate Unit #17 have developed • blindness/visual impairment; and policies in accord with federal and state regulations and guidelines to insure • who have been determined by an IEP team, based upon recommendation in a the provision of a free appropriate public education to all school-aged children, multi-disciplinary evaluation, to need special education; or including those with disabilities. • who have been identified as gifted. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Early Intervention services are available to children who are at least three years of Each school district provides appropriate special education programs and related age, but less than the age for beginning school, and who have one or more of the services, and early intervention programs that are: following physical or mental disabilities: • Provided at no cost to parents; • autism/pervasive developmental disorder; • Provided under the authority of a school entity, directly, by referral or by • serious emotional disturbance; contract; • neurological impairment; • Individualized to meet the educational or early intervention needs of • deafness/hearing impairment; the child; • specific learning disability; • Reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational or early education • mental retardation; benefits and progress; and • multiple disabilities; • Designed to conform to an Individual Education Program (IEP) • other health impairment; Special education is designed to meet the needs of each exceptional student. • physical disability; Including “specially designed instruction conducted in the classroom, home, • speech and language impairment; community settings, hospitals, institutions or other settings. Instruction also • blindness/visual impairment; and is provided in skill areas such as physical education, speech and vocational • developmental delay. education.” REFERRAL OF CHILDREN FOR SCREENING AND EVALUATION Early Intervention programs are “appropriate programs of educational Local school districts and the BLaST, Intermediate Unit #17 have procedures to development, specially designed to meet the needs of eligible young children identify children needing special education. Those procedures are “screening” and address the strengths and needs of the family.” Programs are provided to and “evaluation.” If a disability is suspected, teachers, other school personnel or children with needs in any of the following developmental areas: physical, sensory, parents may refer a child for screening or evaluation. cognitive, language and speech, social/emotional and self-help. Parents suspecting that a child may have a disability and need special education or Related services available to students include transportation and developmental, early intervention services can request a screening or an evaluation by contacting corrective and other supportive services that help an exceptional student benefit the superintendent’s office in their local school district. Contact your local school from special education. Examples include: speech pathology and audiology, district office, listed at the end of this notice, for times and locations of screenings psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, social work services, in your area. school health services, early identification and assessment, medical services for SCREENING OF CHILDREN diagnosis or evaluation, parent counseling and education, recreation, counseling Screening of children, “using immediately available data sources such as health services, rehabilitation counseling services and assistive technology services. records, cumulative records, enrollment records and report cards,” is conducted WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT MY CHILD HAS A LEARNING for hearing, vision, motor skills, and speech and language. Screening may lead to DISABILITY OR IS EDUCATIONALLY GIFTED? intervention by the Instructional Support Team (IST), made up of the building If as a parent, you feel a need for a psycho-educational evaluation of your principal, regular classroom teacher, support teacher and others as appropriate. child for learning problems or possible exceptionalities, contact the principal The Instructional Support Team will communicate with the parents about the of your child’s school or the office of the Supervisor of Special Education at child’s needs and the instructional support services that will meet those needs. 320-4462. A permission for evaluation form will then be forwarded to you by the EVALUATION OF CHILDREN school psychologist, to complete and return. Upon receipt of the permission, an Before evaluation, parents are told the following information: evaluation will be conducted within 60 school days. A meeting will be scheduled • who referred the child for evaluation; to review the results and discuss the educational options to meet the needs of • why the child was referred; your child. • how to review the child’s school records; If you disagree with the results of the psycho-educational evaluation, you have • what procedures and types of evaluation will be used; the right to access an outside evaluation of your child. The South Williamsport • that parent involvement in any testing procedure is encouraged; School District complies with all federal and state regulations regarding access to • the schedule for the evaluation process; and and provision of independent evaluations. If you have any questions or concerns • the rights of the parent/regarding consent for evaluation. the following web site should provide you with answers: www.pde.state.pa.us/ Evaluations are conducted by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to determine k12/cwp such things as the child’s learning ability, behavior patterns, physical abilities CHILDREN SERVED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS and communication skills. The team is made up of the parents, a teacher, school Special education services are available to children who have one or more of the principal and school psychologist. The team may include a special education following physical or mental disabilities: teacher, supervisor, speech therapist, counselor and other staff as necessary. • autism/pervasive developmental disorder; Methods used in the evaluation include observation, review of records, and group • serious emotional disturbance; and individual testing. Information is gathered from school personnel, medical • neurological impairment; personnel and parents. • deafness/hearing impairment; Results of the evaluation are reviewed by the team to determine if special education • specific learning disability; services are needed. If special education placement is recommended, parents • mental retardation; are part of the team that determines exceptionality and develops an Individual • multiple disabilities; Education Program (IEP) for the child. • other health impairment; No evaluation may be conducted without written parental permission. Parents • physical disability; who do not consent to an evaluation may be asked to attend a conference with the • speech and language impairment; teacher, principal, psychologist and possibly other special education staff. www.swasd.org South SIDENews 9 STUDENT RECORDS AND CONFIDENTIALITY Parents can review the child’s file and challenge the validity of any record or report, The BLaST, Intermediate Unit #17 and school districts are required by law to keep or challenge the maintenance of information on file. All records are reviewed records of all students receiving special education and early intervention services. every summer by school personnel, and any no longer needed to plan the child’s Included in these records are: education program are destroyed. • birth date, address, telephone number and other general information; However, parents are notified first and permitted to review or copy this • achievement test results; information. Federal regulations give both natural parents access to their child’s • psychological test results; education records unless there is a court order, state statute or legally binding • teacher progress reports; document prohibiting access. • comprehensive evaluation reports; and MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS • routine medical records. Detailed printed information about available special education services and As a child is reevaluated every three years (two years for students who are mentally programs and school district policies is available from all school districts upon retarded), information is added to his or her file. The BLaST, Intermediate Unit request. Anyone interested should contact the principal of the child’s school or #17 and school districts have developed policies to ensure that all records are the school district superintendent’s office. confidential. Only school personnel are permitted to see the child’s file. Anyone Information and communications are in English, but will be provided in the native else must have written approval of the parent to see the file or to receive copies of language or other mode of communication used by the parents, if appropriate. information in the file. BLaST Intermediate Unit #17 forwards education records to other agencies or institutions that have requested the records in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF SCHOOLS BRADFORD COUNTY Athens Area School District Canton Area School District Northeast Bradford School District 204 Willow Street 139 East Main Street RR 1 - Box 211B Athens, PA 18810 Canton, PA 17724 Rome, PA 18837 570-888-7766 570-673-3191 570-744-2521 Sayre Area School District Towanda Area School District Troy Area School District 333 West Lockhart Street PO Box 231 PO Box 67 Sayre, PA 18840 Towanda, PA 18848 Troy, PA 16947 570-888-7615 570-265-9894 570-297-2750 Wyalusing Area School District BLaST, Intermediate Unit #17 Bradford County Prison Box 157 RR # 2 – Box 212 RR#3 Box 321 Wyalusing, PA 18853 Canton, PA 16926 Troy, PA 16947 570-746-1600 570-673-6001 570-297-5047 TIOGA COUNTY Northern Tioga School District Southern Tioga School District Wellsboro Area School District 117 Coates Avenue 241 Main Street 2 Charles Street Elkland, PA 16920 Blossburg, PA 16912 Wellsboro, PA 16901 814-258-5642 570-638-2183 570-724-4424 Tioga County Detention Center Tioga County Prison P.O. Box 766 RR#3 Box 248 Wellsboro, PA 16901 Wellsboro, PA 16901 570-724-5766 570-724-5911 SULLIVAN COUNTY Sullivan County School District Northern Central Bank Building PO Box 346 Dushore, PA 18614 570-928-8194 LYCOMING COUNTY East Lycoming School District Jersey Shore Area School District Loyalsock Township School District 349 West Cemetery Street 175 A & P Drive 1605 Four Mile Drive Hughesville, PA 17737 Jersey Shore, PA 17740 Williamsport, PA 17701 570-584-2131 570-398-1567 570-326-6508 Montgomery Area School District Montoursville Area School District Muncy School District 114 Penn Street 50 North Arch Street 46 South Main Street – 2nd Floor Montgomery PA 17752 Montoursville, PA 17754 Muncy, PA 17756 570-547-1608 570-368-2491 570-546-3125 South Williamsport Area School District Williamsport Area School District BLaST, Intermediate Unit #17 Raymond R. Rommelt Building Service Center 2400 Reach Road – PO Box 3609 515 West Central Avenue 201 West Third Street Williamsport, PA 17701 South Williamsport, PA 17702 Williamsport, PA 17701 570-323-8561 570-327-1581 570-327-5500 Lycoming County Prison 277 West Third St. Williamsport, PA 17701 www.swasd.org South 10 SIDENews Notification of Rights under FERPA for From the desk of… Elementary and Secondary Schools Kristin Bastian, Special Education Director The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and School Psychologist affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older It is hard to believe another school year is quickly (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s approaching. The 2014-2015 school year will bring one education records. These rights are: major special education change for the teachers and 1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education students at South Williamsport Area School District. records. The district was able to add a supplemental learning 2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s support teacher at Central Elementary School. By adding education records that the parent or eligible student believes this position, it enables the district to provide a better are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the continuum of learning support services to the variety of student’s privacy rights under FERPA. students we teach and work with daily. Melanie Shepheard 3. The right to provide written consent before the school was hired in June and will be serving as the supplemental discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from learning support teacher for students requiring more the student’s education records, except to the extent that intensive academic support. Her support spans grades FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. kindergarten through grade four at Central Elementary One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, School. This position has been a missing piece to our is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational organization for the last three to four years, and I am interests. A school official is a person employed by the very pleased that we were able to reinstate that position to school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or better meet the needs of our students. support staff member (including health or medical staff As in the past, the district will continue to collect and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving data and keep parents informed of student progress. We on the school board. A school official also may include strongly believe in the team approach to analyze student a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performance and gather as much data as possible in order performs an institutional service or function for which the to make the best informed educational decisions on what school would otherwise use its own employees and who is steps may be needed to better meet the educational needs under the direct control of the school with respect to the of our students. use and maintenance of PII from education records, such It is a privilege to work with a great team of teachers, as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist. A administrators, and parents. I look forward to another school official has a legitimate educational interest if the exciting and successful school year. official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. 4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of intends to enroll. Education concerning alleged failures by the [School] to • To authorized State and federal agencies as required by law. comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and • In connection with financial aid for which the student has address of the Office that administers FERPA are: applied. Family Policy Compliance Office • To State and local officials in connection with the juvenile U.S. Department of Education justice. 400 Maryland Avenue, SW • To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of Washington, DC 20202 the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or education records, without consent of the parent or eligible (c) improve instruction. student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found • To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting in FERPA regulations. A school may disclose PII from the functions. education records of a student without obtaining prior • To parents of an eligible student. written consent of the parents or the eligible student – • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. • To other school officials whom the school has determined • To appropriate officials in connection with a health or to have legitimate educational interests. safety emergency. • To officials of another school, school system, or institution • Information the school has designated as “directory of postsecondary education where the student seeks or information”. www.swasd.org South SIDENews 11

Integrated Pest Management From the desk of… The South Williamsport School District uses an Inte- Dwight Woodley, Principal Rommelt Elementary grated Pest Management (IPM) approach for manag- School and Director of Instructional Technology ing insects, rodents and weeds. Our goal is to protect The 2014-15 school year is rapidly approaching, and we are every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM looking forward to another fantastic year! This year will bring approach to pest management. Our IPM approach fo- one of the largest classes ever to attend Rommelt in quite a cuses on making the school building and grounds an while. We will be welcoming 138 students this year. unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food This is about 40 students more than we are used to having and water sources and eliminating their hiding and enrolled. To accommodate the extra students, we had to make breeding places. We accomplish this through routine some additional curriculum adjustments, and added some cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the additional staff. school building and grounds to detect any pests that I would to take this opportunity to welcome a few new staff are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our members to Rommelt. First, I would like to welcome Mrs. Ann building maintenance, office and teaching staff and in- Neely. Mrs. Neely has been a teacher at Central for the past few cludes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our years teaching third grade. She is coming to Rommelt to teach IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and fifth grade math. determines the appropriate pest management techni- I would also like to welcome Mrs. Courtney Hunter to quest to address the problem. The techniques can in- Rommelt. Mrs. Hunter will be teaching fifth grade English clude increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, Language Arts with an emphasis on grammar and writing. sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc. Mrs. Hunter worked at the high school last year with the From time to time, it may be necessary to use chem- seventh grade learning support students as a paraprofessional. icals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will only be We will also be adding an additional teacher in sixth grade. used when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. This teacher is to be appointed at the August school board When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the meeting. The new sixth grade teacher will be teaching sixth least toxic product when possible. (Applications will be grade English Language Arts with an emphasis on grammar made only after normal school hours.) Notices will be and writing as well. posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and This coming school year we will be transitioning into for two days following the application. the New Pennsylvania Common Core Standards. These new Parents/guardians of students enrolled in the standards will see an increase in the rigor within the curriculum school may request prior notification of specific pes- along with many new challenges for our students. ticide applications made at the school. To receive noti- We are looking forward to another exciting school year fication you must be placed on the school notification and encourage everyone to follow our school district Facebook registry. If you would like to be placed on the registry, page and school website to see all the wonderful things our please notify the district in writing. Please include your teachers and students are doing throughout the year. email address if you would like to be notified electroni- cally. Send all request to Lynn Kromer, 515 West Cen- tral Ave., South Williamsport PA 17702. South Williamsport Residents If a chemical application must be made to con- Winter Walking Program trol an emergency pest problem (ex. Stinging insects), Beginning December 2014, South Williamsport notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or residents may use the high school building guardian who has requested such notification in writ- between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfec- Monday through Friday for the purpose of exercise walking tants and anti-microbial products; self-containerized during regularly scheduled school days. The program will not baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel be available on school vacation days or snow days. The winter type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; and swim- walking program will run through the end of March. Children ming pool maintenance chemicals. must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Entrance to the second floor for walking will be through the rear of the school at Each school year the district will prepare a new no- the cafeteria entrance. The parking area behind the school is well tification registry. lit. Residents may contact the high school office at 570-326-2684 If you have any questions, please contact Lynn if there are any questions. Kromer, 570-320-4443, IPM Coordinator. www.swasd.org South Williamsport Area ECRWSS-EDDM School District Non-Profit 515 W. Central Avenue U.S. Postage South Williamsport, PA 17702 PAID Permit 105 Williamsport, PA

**********ECRWSS********** Postal Customer South Williamsport, PA 17702

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION Rommelt Building Administrative/Business Office 515 W. Central Avenue SWASDF South Williamsport, PA 17702 South Williamsport Area School District Foundation Telephone: (570) 327-1581 Mark Stamm, Superintendent Dennis A. Artley, Business Manager Central Elementary Promoting Student Development School – Grades K - 4 555 W. Mountain Avenue through Enriching South Williamsport, PA 17702 Telephone: (570) 323-3694 Programs and Activities Guidance: (570) 320-4496 Kathy A. Furman, Principal Rommelt – Grades 5 & 6 515 W. Central Avenue For more information about who we are, what we South Williamsport, PA 17702 do and how you can support the SWASDF, visit Telephone: (570) 320-4470 Guidance: (570) 320-4464 the Foundation link at: www.swasd.org Dwight A. Woodley, Principal OR contact us… South Williamsport Area Jr./Sr. High School – Grades 7 - 12 c/o First Community 700 Percy Street Foundation of Pennsylvania South Williamsport, PA 17702 Telephone: (570) 326-2684 330 Pine Street, Suite 401 Guidance: (570) 320-4445 Williamsport, PA 17701 Jesse Smith, Principal Matthew Fisher, Assistant Principal 570.321.1500 Guidance Office: 570-320-4445 The official registration and financial information of the First Community Foundation of Pennsylvania Scott Hill, Athletic Director - swasports.org 570-320-4449 may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. www.swasd.org