ELEMENTARY STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK Elizabethtown Area School District Elizabethtown Area School District 600 East High Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-367-1521 http://www.etownschools.org updated 8/28/20 Parent Acknowledgement Please take time as a family to read and become familiar with our expectations in this Parent/Student handbook. This publication was designed to support your understanding of how we can create a school environment that is conducive to learning for all students at the Elizabethtown Area School District. The handbook can be accessed on the District website at www.etownschools.org . After reading the Parent/Student Handbook, please visit your Community Portal account for EACH child enrolled in our school district and click on the PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT link to submit the REQUIRED online parent acknowledgment form. W elcome Students and Parents of the Elizabethtown Area School District! It is with pleasure that we welcome you to the Elizabethtown Area School District's K-6 grade elementary schools. We are excited to work with and support every student to help them prepare to live, learn, and thrive in our schools and the global community. To meet this goal, we will provide motivating instruction and activities. Each student is encouraged to be an active participant in the total school program to ensure the full development of his or her potential. There is a team philosophy at our schools where everyone works together to create a safe environment so that students have the opportunity to grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Through the cooperation and hard work of everyone, including administration, faculty, students, parents, and our professional learning community, the year will be rewarding and enjoyable. To help students achieve these goals, we are providing this handbook for each elementary school student. The faculty and administration wish all students much success as our student body travels through this exciting educational and life-ready journey. Bear Creek School Dr. Nate Frank, Principal Bainbridge Elementary School Ms. Amanda Baxter, Principal East High Street Elementary School Mrs. Kari Bittinger, Principal Mill Road Elementary School Mr. Mike Pericci, Principal Rheems Elementary School Mr. Jacques Viau, Principal Elizabethtown Area School District Our Goal: Every student graduates ready to live, learn and thrive in a global community. Our Vision: Motivating all students to their highest potential through parental and community support, exemplary staff and a commitment to excellence. Essential Building Blocks: ● High Expectations for All ● Safe Climate for Learning and Work ● Results-focused Continuous Learning ● Data-driven Continuous Improvement ● Standards-aligned, Consistent Instruction ● Strong Relationships with Family and Community Shared Values: ● Stewardship of Taxpayers’ Investment ● Continuous Learning for Teachers, Leaders and Staff ● Partnership with Parents/Guardians and Community ● Accountability for Performance ● Student-centered Decisions ● Responsible Governance D ISTRICT ORGANIZATION District Administration Dr. Michele Balliet, Superintendent Mr. Daniel Serfass, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Richard Schwarzman, Assistant to the Superintendent for Support Services and Compliance Mr. Daniel Forry, Director of Finance and Operations Mr. Richard Toth, Director of Human Resources / Safety and Security Coordinator Mr. Troy Portser, Director of School and Community Information Mr. Walter Smith, Director of Special Education Mr. Brian Lownsbery, Director of Technology Mr. John Miller, Director of Transportation Elementary Division Bear Creek School Phone: (717) 367-0210 Dr. Nate Frank, Principal Mr. Jason Kingsborough, Assistant Principal Bainbridge Elementary School Phone: (717) 426-4203 Ms. Amanda Baxter, Principal East High Street Elementary School Phone: (717) 3 61-0099 Mrs. Kari Bittinger, Principal Mrs. Amy Secor, Assistant Principal Mill Road Elementary School Phone: (717) 361-7424 Mr. Mike Pericci, Principal Rheems Elementary School Phone: (717) 367-9121 Mr. Jacques Viau, Principal Board of School Directors T erm Ends Terry Seiders, President 2023 Caroline Lalvani, Vice President 2023 Craig Hummer, Treasurer 2023 Erin Grosh 2021 Michael Martin 2023 Michelle Pelna 2021 James Read 2021 Menno Riggleman 2021 Karen R. Sweigart 2023 Rebecca Maxwell, Secretary (non-voting member) Board Solicitor: Kegel Kelin Litts & Lord The EASD Board of School Directors meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are open to the public and locations are printed in the district calendar and on our website. TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover Page Parent Acknowledgement Welcome Back Letter EASD Goal, Vision, Essential Building Blocks, and Shared Values District Organization 2020-2021 School Calendar School Day/Hours Attendance Information Withdrawal of Students School Closings Modified Schedules Elementary Curriculum Differentiated Instruction Progress Reports Homework Parent Conferences Instructional Support Services (IST) Acceptable Use Policy Dress Guidelines Parent-Teacher Organization Information Cafeteria Information Health Care Information Emergency Plans Bus Transportation Bicycles Skateboards, Roller-Blades/Skates, Scooters, Etc . Leader in Me Elementary School Discipline Smoking/Tobacco Student Assistance Program Items Not Directly Related to School Lost and Found Personal Electronic Devices (Cell Phones) Gifts Face Coverings - PPE for Students Bear Creek Retesting/Reteaching Guidelines Family Declaration and Commitment Form Annual Notifications Annual Special Education Notification Note: Policies referenced in this Student Handbook are not fully copied. However, the policy number is given so it can be viewed in its entirety on the EASD website. 2 020-2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR August 24-27 K-12 Staff Development August 27 K-3 Open Houses and Kindergarten Parent Night (virtual event) - Bainbridge, East High, Mill Road, Rheems August 31 First Day for Students – Grades 1-12 August 31 No School - Students with last names M-Z August 31-Sept. 3 Early Dismissal Grades 1-12 (Traditional and EASD Online Models) August 31-Sept. 3 Kindergarten Conferences (afternoons only) – Bainbridge, East High, Mill Road, Rheems September 1 No School - Students with last names A-L September 2 No School - Students with last names M-Z September 3 No School - Students with last names A-L September 4 No School September 7 No School – Labor Day September 8 First Day for Kindergarten Students October 8 Early Dismissal – 9-12 Conferences (afternoon & evening)/K-8 Staff Development October 9 No School - 9-12 Conferences/K-8 Staff Development October 12 No School - K-12 Staff Development November 6 Early Dismissal - K-12 Staff Development November 25 No School – K-12 Staff Development November 26-27 No School K-12 - Fall Recess November 30 No School – K-12 Staff Development December 10 Early Dismissal – K-8 Conferences (afternoon & evening)/9-12 Staff Development December 11 No School - K-8 Conferences/9-12 Staff Development December 23 Early Dismissal - K-12 Staff Development December 24-25 No School K-12 - Winter Recess December 28-31 No School K-12 - Winter Recess January 1 No School K-12 – Winter Recess January 18 No School – Weather Makeup Day January 25 No School – K-12 Staff Development February 11 Early Dismissal – K-12 Staff Development February 12 No School - Weather Makeup Day February 15 No School – February Recess March 4 Early Dismissal – K-12 Conferences March 5 No School – K-12 Conferences March 8 No School - K-12 Staff Development April 1 No School – Weather Makeup Day April 2 No School – Spring Recess April 5 No School – Spring Recess April 19-23 PSSA - ELA - Grades 3 - 8 April 26-30 PSSA - Math - Grades 3 - 8 April 26-30 PSSA – Science – Grades 4 & 8 May 7 Early Dismissal – K-12 Staff Development May 28 Early Dismissal – K-12 Staff Development May 31 No School – Memorial Day June 8 EAHS Commencement June 8 Last Day for Students - Early Dismissal - K-12 Staff Development S CHOOL DAY/HOURS The school day for elementary students begins at 8:50 a.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m. Morning Kindergarten begins at 8:50 a.m. and ends at 11:35 a.m. Afternoon Kindergarten begins at 12:50 p.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m. Please note that the district does not provide mid-day transportation. Walkers and car riders are encouraged to arrive at school between 8:30 am - 8:45 am. Students should not arrive before 8:30 a.m. (grades AM Kdg-6) and 12:45 p.m. (for afternoon kindergarten students). Supervision of your child is not available before this time. A TTENDANCE INFORMATION *Indicates updates for the 2020/2021 school year Regular school attendance is critical to a quality education. The Elizabethtown Area School District attendance practices support the academic success of your child. Please read over the following guidelines thoroughly. EASD attendance information is written in accordance with Pennsylvania Compulsory School Attendance Laws. For information related to attendance, please contact Jennifer Fields, EASD Home & School Visitor, at (717) 367-1533, extension 21108, or [email protected]. EXCUSABLE ABSENCES Excusable absences include: (1) legitimate illness; (2) medically/legally documented appointments; (3) quarantine; (4) death in the immediate family; (5) impassable roads; (6) exceptionally urgent reasons that affect the child as determined by the administration; and (7) Educational Trip experiences pre-approved by the administration. All other absences are considered