2017-2018 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 1 Elizabethtown Area School District Welcome Students and Parents of the Elizabethtown Area School District! Elementary school is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and discover talents and interests. On behalf of the Board of School Directors, administration, faculty and staff, I would like to welcome you to our schools and the 2017-2018 school year! We are truly committed to every student graduating ready to live, learn and thrive in a global community. This new school year brings along many exciting opportunities for our elementary students. This handbook is intended to share valuable information and be a guide for our elementary school families. Inside you will find information regarding practices, policies, procedures and programs common to our elementary schools within the district. In addition, I invite you to visit our district’s website at www.etownschools.org. Here you will find updates and additional news and information about the current happenings in our district. Parent involvement is very important for student success. We hope to see you at many of the events listed not only in our calendar of events, but also on our website. We are excited about working together for the benefit of your child. We truly value the communication between home and school so please contact your child’s teacher and/or school if you have any questions. Again, welcome to our elementary schools! We are looking forward to a fabulous school year! Sincerely, Michele M. Balliet, Ed.D. Superintendent 2 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 3 DISTRICT ORGANIZATION District Website www.etownschools.org Administration Dr. Michele Balliet, Superintendent Mr. Richard Schwarzman, Asst. to the Superintendent for Support Services and Compliance Mrs. Amanda Hann, Asst. to the Superintendent for Learning Mr. George Longridge, Business Manager Mrs. Monica Steward, Supervisor of Special Education Mr. Troy Portser, Director of School and Community Information Mr. Brian Lownsbery, Director of Technology Elementary Division Bear Creek School Phone: 367-0210 x40206 Dr. Annette Spagnolo, Principal Mr. Jason Kingsborough, Assistant Principal Bainbridge Elementary School (under construction) East High Street Elementary School Phone: 361-0099 x50599 Mrs. Amy Balsbaugh, Principal Mill Road Elementary School Phone: 361-7424 x80799 Ms. Amanda Baxter, Principal Miss Kari Druckenmiller, Assistant Principal Rheems Elementary School Phone: 367-9121 x60899 Mr. Jacques Viau, Principal Board of School Directors Term Ends Mr. Terry Seiders, President 2019 Ms. Caroline Lalvani, Vice President 2019 Mr. Michael Nicodemus 2019 Mrs. Karen R. Sweigart 2019 Mr. Robert Cronin 2017 Mr. Craig Hummer 2019 Mrs. Michelle Pelna 2017 Mr. Chris Olnick 2017 Mr. Jeffrey Phillips 2017 Mr. George Longridge, Treasurer (non-voting member) Mrs. Rebecca Maxwell, Secretary (non-voting member) Board Solicitor: Kegel, Kelin, Almy & Lord The EASD Board of School Directors meets the second and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are open to the public and locations are printed in the district calendar and on our website. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover Page pg. 1 Welcome Back Letter pg. 2 EASD Goal, Vision, Essential Building Blocks, and Shared Values pg. 3 District Organization pg. 4 Table of Contents pg. 5-6 2017-2018 School Calendar pg. 7 School Day pg. 8 Attendance pg. 8 School Visitation pg. 8 Attendance Tracking pg. 8 Kindergarten Attendance pg. 9 Absentee Call-In Program pg. 9 Excusable Absences pg. 9 Withdrawal of Students pg. 10 Field Trips pg. 10 Volunteers’ pg. 10 School Closings pg. 11 Modified Kindergarten Schedule pg. 11 School Delay Modified Kindergarten Schedule pg. 11 Elementary Curriculum pg. 12 Differentiated Instruction pg. 12 Progress Reports pg. 13 Homework pg. 13 Parent Conferences pg. 14 Instructional Support Services (IST) pg. 14 Acceptable Use Policy pg. 15 Dress Guidelines pg. 15 Parent-Teacher Organization Information pg. 15 Cultural Arts Program pg. 16 Cafeteria Debit System pg. 16 Cafeteria Borrowing Policy pg. 17 Free & Reduced Price Meals pg. 17 Ice Cream pg. 17 Health Care pg. 18 Illness During School Hours pg. 18 Administration of Medication pg. 18 School Health Services pg. 19 Medical Appointments/Other Appointments pg. 19 School Insurance pg. 19 Emergency Plans pg. 20 Bus Transportation pg. 21 From the Board of School Directors (Policy 810) pg. 21 Administrative Procedure for Transportation pg. 21 Bus Safety Rules pg. 22 Large Items on Buses pg. 23 Bicycles pg. 23 Skateboards, Roller-Blades/Skates, Scooters, Etc. pg. 23 Elementary School Discipline pg. 24 Cooperative & Positive Discipline pg. 24 Code of Conduct pg. 24 Wheel of Choice pg. 25 Class Meetings pg. 25 Bully Prevention Program pg. 25 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS – Cont’d Conflict Resolution - Citizenship pg. 25 School Wide Rules pg. 26 Suspension pg. 26 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments pg. 27 Harassment pg. 27 Hazing pg. 27 Smoking pg. 27 Student Assistance Program pg. 28 Miscellaneous Items pg. 28 Lost and Found pg. 28 Telephone pg. 28 Personal Electronic Devices (Cell Phones) pg. 29 Gift Policy pg. 29 Celebrations/Treats pg. 29 Bear Creek Retesting/Reteaching Guidelines pg. 29 Excuse Cards pg. 31 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 web site. 6 2017-2018 SCHOOL CALENDAR August 15, 16, 17 Teacher Induction August 16 Elementary Kindergarten Parent Night – MR, RH – 7:00 PM August 17 Elementary Kindergarten Parent Night – EH - 6:30 PM August 18 Open House – High School – 9:00 AM August 24 Open House – EH, MR, RH– 2:00 PM August 22-24 Staff Development August 28 First Day for Students – Grades 1-12 August 28 Elementary Kindergarten Conferences – EH August 29 Elementary Kindergarten Conferences - EH August 30 First Day for Kindergarten Students August 30 Grade 4 Parent Night – Bear Creek – 6:30 PM August 31 Grade 5 Parent Night – Bear Creek – 6:30 PM September 4 No School – Labor Day September 5 School Instrumental Night – BC 6:30 PM September 6 Grade 6 BTS (Back-to-School) Night – Bear Creek – 6:30 PM September 7 Middle School BTS Night – 6:30PM September 11 Picture Day (retakes Oct. 30) September 13 K-3 Elementary BTS (Back-to-School) Night – MR – 7:00 PM September 13 High School BTS Night – 6:30 PM September 14 K-3 Elementary BTS (Back-to-School) Night – EH, RH – 7:00 PM October 4 School Pictures – BC (retakes Nov. 14) October 5 Early Dismissal – 9-12 Conferences/K-12 Staff Development October 6 No School - 9-12 Conferences/K-12 Staff Development October 9 No School - K-12 Staff Development October 12 School Pictures – MR (retakes Dec. 1) October 12 School Pictures – EH (retakes Nov. 30) October 19 School Pictures – RH (retakes 12/2) November 2 HS Fall Play – 7:00 PM November 4 HS Fall Play – 7:00 PM November 9 HS Orchestra Concert – 7:00 PM November 22 Early Dismissal - K-12 Staff Development Nov 23-24, 27, 28 No School K-12 - Fall Break December 7 Early Dismissal - K-8 Conferences (Afternoon & Evening) December 8 No School – K-8 Conferences/ 9-12 Staff Development December 14 HS Holiday Concert – 7:00 PM December 19 BC Winter Band Concert – 7:00 PM Dec. 25- 29 No School K-12 - Winter Recess January 1 No School K-12 – Winter Recess January 8-22 Keystone Exams – EAHS Only January 15 No School – Weather Makeup Day January 22 No School – K-12 Staff Development January 23 BC Winter Orchestra Concert – 7:00 PM February 8 Parent Night - HS February 15 Early Dismissal – K-12 Staff Development February 16 No School – February Recess February 19 No School - Weather Makeup Day March 8 Early Dismissal – K-12 Conferences March 8 Spring Musical – HS – 7:00 PM March 9 Spring Musical – HS – 7:00 PM March 9 No School – K-12 Conferences March 10 Spring Musical – HS – 1:00 & 7:00 PM March 29 No School – Weather Makeup Day March 30 No School – Spring Recess April 2 No School – Spring Recess 7 April 9-13 PSSA – ELA – Grades 3-8 April 12 Spring Band Concert – 7:00 PM April 16-20 PPSA – Math – Grades 3-8 April 23-27 PSSA – Science – Grades 4-8 May 1 Orchestra Concert – Bear Creek - 7:00 PM May 10 Spring Choral Concert – Bear Creek – 7:00 PM May 11 Orchestra Concert – MS/HS – 7:00 PM May 14 Spring Band Concert – MS – 7:00 PM May 16 Spring Music Assembly – MS May 16 3rd Grade Parent Night – Bear Creek – 6:30 PM May 14-25 PSSA – Keystone Exams – EAMS & EAHS May 21 Spring Choral Concert – MS/HS - 7:00 PM May 25 Early Dismissal – K-12 Staff Development May 28 No School – Memorial Day June 5 Commencement June 6 Last Day for Students - Early Dismissal K-12 - Staff Development SCHOOL DAY 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.