DERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 1 DERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 982 N. CHESTNUT STREET EXT. DERRY, PA 15627 Parent/Guardian please take a few minutes to review this material and be an informed parent. Note: Information subject to change without notice. Derry Area School District Mission Statement The mission of the Derry Area School District is to develop responsible citizens and life-long learners who are prepared to adapt and succeed in a global society. Vision Statement All students of the Derry Area School District will become critical, creative and independent learners who experience high levels of individual achievement while becoming innovative problem solvers. All stakeholders, including educators and parents, will provide students a strong foundation and the highest quality instruction possible. Students will graduate from our school district as confident, productive and responsible citizens capable of realizing success in learning and life. 2 DERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 982 North Chestnut Street Ext. Derry, PA 15627-7600 dasd.us Telephone: 724-694-1401 Fax: 724-694-1429 Eric P. Curry Joseph A. Koluder, Jr. Superintendent Administrative Assistant for Business Affairs August 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians, Public education will succeed to the extent that the home and school work together in a cooperative partnership. Many of the policies, procedures, and rules outlined in this handbook promote parental involvement. Likewise, parental and community participation have been central to their development. This handbook is designed to help you and the Derry Area School District by providing summaries of information to the most frequently asked questions. It also includes information that we are required to publish. You should not consider this information to be complete or entire. For additional information, all district policies may be accessed on our school district website: dasd.us District School Board Policies. Our main goal is to emphasize student achievement. We give high priority to activities and instructional programs that foster academic success. To do this, the school climate must be conducive to learning. The programs and policies delineated in this booklet will help maintain uniform standards on discipline and will provide an orderly environment that promotes learning. Our success is largely dependent upon the support we receive from you, as parents, and from the community in general. We are proud of our school system and strongly encourage you to contact the respective administrative offices if you have any questions or concerns. Suggestions and constructive criticism that may be of help are always welcome. Please help us provide a better tomorrow through quality education today. Sincerely, David A. Krinock, President Eric P. Curry Board of Education Superintendent 3 Table of Contents SCHOOL CALENDAR …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 SCHOOL DIRECTORY ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 Board of Education/Administration …………………………………………………………………….. 10 School Counselors ………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 School Nurses ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 21st Century Community Learning Center ……………………………………………………………. 11 Tax Collectors ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 A PARENT’S GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL …………………………………………… 12 ACADEMICS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Assessment Schedule …………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 DASD Academic Performance Information …………………………………………………………. 14 Grading Policy …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Exemption from Instruction ………………………………………………………………………………… 21 Homework Guidelines …………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Graduation Requirements …………………………………………………………………………………… 23 Advanced Placement Courses …………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Dual Enrollment Courses …………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Derry eAcademy Cyber Learning K-12 …………………………..…………………………………… 24 Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners …………………………. 24 Title I Services …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Special Instructional Programs (Adaptive PE) ……………………………………………………… 25 Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center ………………………………………. 25 Cooperative Education ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 26 Notice of Special Education Services ………………………………………………………………….. 26 Rehabilitation Act – Chapter 15 Section 504 (Protected Handicapped Students)…………… 28 Gifted Education Services …………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Homebound Instruction ……………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Text Book Selection Policy ………………………………………………………………………………….. 29 Curriculum Review by Parents/Guardians …………………………………………………………… 30 Chromebook Loan Agreement ……………………………………………………………………………. 30 4 ATHLETICS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Philosophy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Sports Offered ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 Drug Testing Policy …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31 Student Extracurricular Activity Fee ……………………………………………………………………. 31 ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 32 CAFETERIA INFORMATION ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35 Lunch Facilities ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 35 Student Lunch Account and Charges Policy ………………………………………………………… 35 Notifications of Negative Balances ……………………………………………………………………… 36 mySchoolBucks …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 36 Free and Reduced Lunches …………………………………………………………………………………. 36 Dietary Restrictions …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 37 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT …………………………………………………………………………………….. 37 Message to All Students ……………………………………………………………………………………… 37 School Spirit ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38 Conduct and Courtesy ………………………………………………………………………………………… 38 Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials ………………………………….. 38 Student Section and Spectator Guidelines ………………………………………………………….. 38 Student Rights and Responsibilities …………………………………………………………………….. 39 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers and Network Resources ………………………… 39 Electronic Devices Policy No. 237 ……………………………………………………………………….. 40 Discipline Summary Charts …………………………………………………………………………………. 43 Detention ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 47 In-school Suspension ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47 Suspension from School ……………………………………………………………………………………… 47 Expulsion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 47 Searches Policy No. 226 ……………………………………………………………………………………... 47 Drug Free School Policy ……………………………………………………………………………………… 51 Controlled Substances Paraphernalia Policy No. 227 …………………………………………. 51 Tobacco Use/Smoke Free Campus ……………………………………………………………………… 54 Weapons Policy No. 218.1 ………………………………………………………………………………….. 54 Bullying/Cyber Bullying Policy No. 249 ……………………………………………………………….. 57 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program …………………………………………………………………. 59 5 Hazing ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 59 Hazing Policy No. 247 …………………………………………………………………………………………. 59 Dating Violence Policy No. 252 ………………………………………………………………………….. 62 Child Abuse Policy No. 806 …………………………………………………………………………………. 65 Chewing Gum …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72 Snowballing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72 Firecrackers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 72 Hall Passes ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72 COMMUNITY SERVICES ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 72 GED Diploma ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 72 Caldwell Memorial Library ………………………………………………………………………………….. 72 Golden Age Courtesy Card for Senior Citizens …………………………………………………….. 72 Rental of School Facilities/Community Use ………………………………………………………… 73 PALS Volunteers (Parents Assisting Learning) ……………………………………………………… 73 Title I Parent & Family Engagement ……………………………………………………………………. 73 Title I Parent Advisory Council ……………………………………………………………………………. 73 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Complaint Procedure ………………………………….. 74 PTO (Derry Area Parent Teacher Organization) ………………………………………………….. 74 Early Intervention Services for Preschool Students ……………………………………………. 74 Teaching Tiny Trojans ………………………………………………………………………………………… 74 21st Century Community Learning Center ………………………………………………………….. 74 School Board Meetings and Work Sessions ……………………………………………………….. 75 Numbers to Call If You Need Help ……………………………………………………………………… 75 DRESS CODE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 76 EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 78 Inclement Weather/Automated Parent Notification System ………………………………. 78 Change of Important Information ……………………………………………………………………….. 78 Safety …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 78 Emergency Planning …………………………………………………………………………………………… 78 Parent Information for Disaster and Emergency Drills ………………………………………… 79 HEALTH SERVICES ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 80 Pandemic Influenza ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 80 Immunizations……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 81 First Aid …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 82 6 Defibrillators …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 82 Infectious and Communicable Diseases ……………………………………………………………. 82 Suspected Skin Infections …………………………………………………………………………………. 84 Orthopedic Injuries …………………………………………………………………………………………… 84 Medications Policy ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 84 Diabetes Management ……………………………………………………………………………………… 85 Possession of Asthma Inhalers-Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Policy No. 210.1 …………… 85 Epinephrine Opt-Out …………………………………………………………………………………………. 87 Narcan & Naloxone …………………………………………………………………………………………….