SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLParent Handbook

2013-2014

Mrs. Stacey Cherny, PrincipalMr. Marvin London, Assistant Principal

South Side Elementary School4525 Union Deposit Road

Harrisburg, PA 17111(717) 657-3204

FAX (717) 657-9757

CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICTMISSION STATEMENT

Central Dauphin, a uniquely diverse school district, ensures all students

a challenging and dynamic curriculum that prepares them to succeed in a

changing, global society by inspiring lifelong learning in a caring collaborative

community.

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The Hand Holders:A Tribute To Caregivers

There is no job more important than yours, no job anywhere else in the land.You are the keepers of the future;you hold the smallest of hands.

Into your care you are trustedto nurture and care for the young,

and for all of your everyday heroics,your talents and skills go unsung.

You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.You rock babies brand new in your arms. You encourage the shy and unsure child.

You make sure they are safe from all harm.

You foster the bonds of friendships,letting no child go away mad.

You respect and you honor their emotions.You give hugs to each child when they're sad.

You have more impact than does a professor,a child's mind is molded by four;so whatever you lay on the table

is whatever the child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,let them be artists and writers and more;

let them fly on the wind and dance on the starsand build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that you don't make much moneyand you don't get a whole lot of praise,

but when one small child says "I love you",you're reminded of how this job pays.

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South Side Elementary School4525 Union Deposit RoadHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111Telephone: (717) 657-3204 Fax: (717) 657-9757

Stacey Cherny Marvin LondonPrincipal Assistant Principalscherny@cdschools.org mlondon@cdschools.org August, 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to welcome you and your children back for another exciting year at South Side Elementary School. As always, the staff and I are very excited that you have entrusted your child’s education to us. It is our goal to create an enriching learning environment that engages the student. Given our passion for teaching the students of South Side elementary, your child will grow both academically and socially this year. South Side has an excellent teaching staff that is highly qualified and determined to have your child reach his or her full potential. We also have an excellent support staff that work in different capacities to support your child’s learning.

We are pleased to have Toni Amick as our elected PTA president. I highly encourage you to become active in our PTA this year. Our PTA supports many community and school activities throughout the year such as our May Fair, Artisans and Scholar’s Night, Movie Nights, assemblies, funding for Educational Field Trips and a host of other activities. Please see our PTA Bulletin Board in the entry way for upcoming events.

Since we recognize that parents are their children's first and most important teachers, we need your cooperation and involvement to provide them with the best education possible. Take time to talk with your children about their school experiences. Your interest and concern in their school progress will motivate them to do their best. Maintain contact with your children's teachers and with me. Ask questions and communicate concerns so that we can build a partnership which will ensure student success.

While academic success is important to us, our first priority is the safety of your children. During school hours our exterior doors will be locked and visitors must press the call button to be allowed entry to the school. Upon entering the school please report directly to the office where you will sign in and receive a visitor’s badge. Teachers are not permitted to allow parents into their classrooms without a visitor’s badge. This is not meant to be an inconvenience, but rather a measure of protection for the children.

Finally, it is our mission to support your child in whatever way we can. South Side is fortunate to have resources to support students and their families. Remember “Working together makes a difference in the lives of our students”. On behalf of the entire staff at South Side Elementary School we thank you for your support and cooperation. Welcome to the New School Year!

Sincerely,

Stacey ChernyPrincipal

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

First Day of School: August 26, 2013Last Day of School: June 4, 2014School Hours 9:00 A.M. - 3:45 P.M.Kindergarten AM Session 9:00 - 11:45 A.M. PM Session 1:00 - 3:45 P.M.

ARRIVAL

Students who walk or those driven to school should NOT arrive before 8:45 A.M. There will not be outside supervision before 8:45 AM. All students riding the bus or walking to school should enter the building from the Union Deposit Road entrance. Those students who are car riders will enter the building using the main entrance off of Pleasant Road.

DISMISSAL

Bus students and walkers will exit the building using the exit facing Union Deposit Road. Car riders should use the exit nearest the office. Morning kindergarten children who ride a bus will be dismissed via the Union Deposit exit and the car riders dismissed via the exit nearest the main office. Drivers should be extra cautious when leaving the parking areas since there are many children walking through this location.

School Closings and Delays

School closings and delays will be on all local TV & radio stations, as well as posted on the District website. TV stations also post delays and closings on the internet.

1 Hour Delay – All students and staff arrive 1 hour later. Buses will be 1 hour later for pick up.

2 Hour Delay – All students and staff arrive 2 hours later. Buses will be 2 hours later for pick up.

“Modified Kindergarten” Schedule

AM Kindergarten – Arrive 10:45 – 11:00 AM

Dismissed 12:45 PM

PM Kindergarten – Arrive 1:45 – 2:00 PM

Dismissed 3:45 PM

Early Dismissal/Emergency Guidelines

Notice of early dismissal will be announced over local TV and radio stations. 1-hour early dismissal means your child will be dismissed 1 hour earlier. Bus riders are taken to their regular stop. Parents/guardians are responsible for care of their children with friends or

neighbors in the event that they are not home. CHILDREN WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL. Latchkey Programs DO NOT OPEN in the event of an early dismissal.

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DRIVING CHILDREN TO OR FROM SCHOOL

Parents driving their children to or from school must also drop them off at the Pleasant Road side of the building. Cars will not be permitted in the bus loading area between 8:30-9:05 AM and 3:30-4:05 PM.

CHANGES IN DISMISSAL FOR BUS STUDENTS

Parents/guardians of bus students who are picking up their children at the end of the day need to supply the office with a note in the morning. WITHOUT A NOTE, STUDENTS MUST RIDE THE BUS. Phone calls will be accepted only in the case of an emergency. Bus stop changes and/or bus assignment changes must be made through the office. Transportation allows for one bus stop change per school year. Your child may not get off at a different bus stop without a permission slip being issued by the office. The school district only allows students to ride the bus they are assigned.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is essential for getting students to and from school in a timely and orderly fashion. Therefore, it is critical that we set forth certain expectations each student must adhere to. Safety is the top priority! Student actions that compromise the safety of the other students and/or bus driver will be handled according to the student code of conduct. It is vital that you encourage your child to act responsibly on the school bus.

When riding the bus, students should remain seated facing forward, place their backpack on their lap, speak only to those students sitting in the same seat, and talk in a low voice. These expectations will be strictly enforced.

Should questions or concerns arise, please contact the school office, or you may call the transportation department at 545-4703.

CAR DROP-OFF AND CAR PICK-UP PROCEDURES

To keep our students as safe as possible during arrival and departure, South Side Elementary has worked out these drop-off and pick-up procedures.

If you are in a motored vehicle, please drive slowly at all times through the driveway and parking lot. Please do not enter the parking lot at the lower end of the driveway. This is one way only. As always, a note should be provided if your child will be a car pick-up.

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Morning Car Drop-Off

Starting at 8:45 a.m. you may drop off your child along the circular drive on the side of the school (office entrance). After 9:00, your child will be marked tardy.

Form a single line of cars next to the sidewalk for drop-off. Do not double park to drop off your child, as it is very dangerous to allow children to walk between cars. Please pull up as far as you can along the curb.

Do not park your car in the drop-off area, even for a few minutes. This backs up the drop-off line. If you need to come in the building, park in the main parking lot or in the visitor parking spaces.

Afternoon Car Pick-Up Number System

Students who are car pick-ups will begin being dismissed at 3:40. Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes prior to this. At dismissal time, teachers cross reference assigned pick-up numbers on approaching cars to the list of students, and then call children (who are seated in the lobby) to the pick-up area.

Only cars with official South Side car pick-up cards will be allowed to pick up children.If you do not have your assigned pick-up number on the school issued card you will be asked to sign-in in the office to pick up your child.

Make sure your child knows your car pick-up number and listens carefully in order to be in the right spot when you arrive.

If your child is not available when you arrive at the car pick-up area you may be asked to drive around again. This helps prevent excessive delays while teachers relocate children to the right place.

Please watch for staff direction as we may request you to form a double car pick-up line.

While waiting in line:

Please remain in your vehicle as you will need to move up frequently. Please pull up as far as you can along the curb and close to the car in front of you. Please refrain from parking on the side of Pleasant Road nearest the school.

It is highly encouraged that all early dismissals are scheduled prior to 3:15. During car pick-up the visitor parking spaces will be unavailable. If you have parked in one of these spaces you may be blocked in after 3:30.

STUDENT APPOINTMENTS AND EXCUSES FOR ABSENCES

Students who need to be excused for appointments must bring a note, signed by their parent/guardian, and provide the note to the office. This note must be given to the office when the student arrives at school. Parents/guardians must come directly to the office to pick up their children for appointments. We will not call students to the office for early dismissal prior to the arrival of the person picking them up.

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Upon returning to school from an appointment, parents/guardians must accompany their child to the office, the student should get a "Return to Class" slip and deliver a doctor's note to the office staff. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DROPPED OFF AND ENTER THE BUILDING ALONE.

Students MUST turn in a written excuse for an absence to their teacher within 3 days of their return to school following the absence. Failure to do so will result in the absence being recorded as unlawful. For your convenience, we have provided each child with a tablet of pre-printed attendance notes. Additional tablets will be located in the school office.

End Marking Period Dates 2010-2011

Marking Period 1 October 29, 2013 Marking Period 3 March 26, 2014Marking Period 2 January 16, 2014 Marking Period 4 June 4, 2014

Note: Kindergarten receives report cards for marking periods 2 & 4. First grade students receive report cards for marking periods 2, 3 & 4.

PARENT CONFERENCE DATES

November 5, 2013 Grades 1-5 January 30, 2014 Grades 1 - 5November 11, 2013 Kindergarten January 31, 2014 Kindergarten

GRADING INFORMATION

Students are graded in physical education, art and music during the second and last marking periods. In assessing a student's achievement in academic subjects and determining a grade, teachers may utilize the items listed below:

tests/quizzesteacher observation of student's level of masteryindividual and group reports/projectsmastery level skill assignments

Practice worksheets, which enable a student to work toward mastery of a skill, are not graded. Students would not be penalized for incorrect responses, nor would they receive credit for correct responses. These items are for practice and enable the student to work through any problems and obtain teacher assistance before testing takes place.

Fifth Grade students are eligible for Honor Roll Recognition and students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are eligible for B.U.G. Club. The criteria are outlined below.

HONOR ROLL ACHIEVEMENT CRITERIA A’s and B’s in all academic areas Must achieve at least a C in Specials

DISTINGUISHED HONOR ROLL ACHIEVEMENT CRITERIA

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Straight A’s Must achieve at least a B in Specials

BRING UP GRADES CLUB ( B.U.G. Club) CRITERIA There must be an improvement in at least two subject areas, which may include conduct,

and all other grades must be maintained. Please refer to the Central Dauphin School District Calendar for the 2011-2012

Elementary Report Card and Mid-term Schedule

QUESTIONS REGARDING GRADES

Upon receiving your child's report card, we suggest you discuss the report card with your child. If questions or concerns arise, please call the teacher to discuss the issue or to schedule an appointment. This need not be done for the first and third report cards because parent conferences are scheduled at the close of each of these marking periods.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Pagers, IPods, MP3 players, CD players, game boys, etc. are not conducive to the learning and teaching environment. They are a distraction to students and teachers and will not be permitted in school. Cell phones must remain in the student’s book bag and be turned off. South Side will not be held responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items including cell phones.

CAFETERIA SERVICES

The school board has also set elementary school cafeteria prices for the 2013-2014 school year as follows:

Student Lunch $2.05 Ala cart items $ .55 - $ .85Student Breakfast $1.15 Milk $ .45

Students will be able to purchase a salad plate for lunch instead of the regular menu items. A different salad plate will be offered each day of the week and it will be the same price as the lunch. Alternatives for the main course are offered each day and these items are described on the monthly menu. Each student will have an account for lunch payments. Any amount of money can be sent and placed on account. The students will have a PIN number to use when purchasing lunch each day. We recommend that parents send checks to cover at least 10 lunches at a time, which prevents loss of cash. For those students in grades 1 and 2, swipe cards will be given instead of PIN numbers. To arrange for online deposits to your child's account, please visit the Lunchbox Online Account Access section of the District website, www.cdschools.org, under the Administration/Cafeteria subheading.

All students will be given free or reduced lunch applications at the beginning of the school year. The free or reduced lunch application must be filled out every year. It is imperative that the application be submitted as soon as possible. All children in the family may be submitted for the lunch program on the same form. Parents will be notified as soon as possible regarding the status of qualification.

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Parents/Guardians may have lunch with their child in the cafeteria. However, upon their arrival, they must sign in and receive a visitor's pass from the school office.

HEALTH ROOM

The health room at South Side is staffed by a Certified School Nurse and Health Room Assistant. Our goal in the health room is to provide a healthy learning environment for the children. In addition to providing emergency and sick care for your child, we provide screenings, including vision, hearing, and height/weight with calculation of Body Mass Index. Below are several ways that you can help ensure a healthy environment for students and staff. 

Please do not send your child to school sick. Always keep your child at home if a temperature and/or vomiting are present. Temperatures should be normal (less than 100.0 degrees without fever-reducing medicine) for 24 hours before he or she returns to school.

Please notify the school nurse if your child develops a communicable disease or condition (chicken pox, head lice, impetigo, pink eye, scabies, or ring worm). Please make sure that children are dressed appropriately for the season and/or weather.

Always notify the school of any change in your telephone number, your address, or your place of employment. If an emergency situation arises, valuable time can be lost in trying to locate a parent. It is advisable for you to list more than one emergency number for your child. The privacy of unlisted numbers will be respected.

Any medication, including over-the-counter medicines, which need to be administered at school, MUST have a physician’s order. Please see the district’s Medication Policy and Procedure below for additional information.

Medication Policy and Procedure

Parents may request that the school district administer medication to their children WHEN IT IS NECESSARY for the medication to be administered during the school day:

1.  A written physician’s order listing medical diagnosis must accompany each medication to be dispensed.  NO MEDICATION IS ADMINISTERED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL WITHOUT SPECIFIC WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM A PHYSICIAN.

2.  Parent/guardian must sign a Parental Authorization Form requesting the administration of medication.

3.  Medications must be delivered in pharmacy containers clearly labeled with the child’s name, name of physician, date of prescription, name and telephone number of pharmacy, name of medication, dosage and frequency of administration.

Any medication, including over-the-counter medicines, such as Tylenol or Motrin, which need to be administered at school, MUST have a physician’s order. This order must specify the name, dosage, and frequency of administration (or specific time) of

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each medication to be administered at school. If any of this information is incomplete, the medication cannot be administered at school until all information is received. All medication must be in the original, appropriately labeled pharmacy containers. We will not accept any medication that is not in the original container.

A copy of the medication policy as well as additional information regarding the school health program can be found in the school calendar as well as on Central Dauphin’s website at www.cdschools.org.

If you have any question or concerns, please contact one of us by phone at 657-3204 or by email at jcederberg@cdschools.org.

OFFICE PHONE USE

Students are not permitted to use the office phones. If there is an emergency, a staff member will contact parents.

USE OF CELL PHONES

No student shall have on, turn on, or have visible a communication device during the academic school day. If a student violates this policy, the communication device will be confiscated. South Side Elementary School and the School District will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage to any communication devices brought to school. Please refer to the District Code of Conduct regarding cell phone restrictions.

ATTENDANCE

Absences: Excused and Unexcused

Parents are encouraged to call the school office when their child will be absent from school.

Excused absence includes the absence of a pupil for any one of the following reasons: illness, quarantine, death in immediate family, or a prior approved educational trip. Excuses written by a parent/guardian or doctor (if required) must be received in the school office within three (3) days of the child's return to school. If not received by the third day, the absence must be recorded as unexcused or unlawful. Although a phone call is encouraged to the school for each absence, a written excuse within 3 school days is still required. Email is NOT a district approved form of absentee notification.

Unlawful/Unexcused absence is the absence of a pupil for any reason other than those classified above or failure to turn in a written excuse in a timely manner.

Tardiness

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A pupil is tardy if not in the homeroom/classroom when the bell signal for the opening of school session is given. In case of tardiness, the pupil must report with their parent or guardian to the school office before going to homeroom or class. Any early dismissal that is unexcused will be recorded as a p.m. tardy.

Consequences for excessive tardiness are outlined in detail in both the CDSD Calendar/Handbook as well as on the District website.

Early Dismissal Requests

At the Elementary Level - Physician/dental appointments may be considered an excused absence. Written notice from parent/guardian is required to permit the early dismissal. An excuse provided by the physician/dentist is required upon the return of the student. Early dismissal must occur prior to 3:15 PM so that is does not interfere with regular dismissal.

Early dismissal for any reason other than those listed above will be considered a tardy unless special arrangements are made and approved by the building principal.

Educational Trips and Observance of Religious Holidays

Pupils will be permitted to take an educational trip, participate in educational activities (including "Take Your Child to Work Day"), or observe religious holidays in accordance with district procedures. Parents/guardians must obtain the proper district request form from the school office in advance of the planned absence. No educational trips will be approved the days PSSA tests are scheduled.

Please refer to the CDSD Calendar/Handbook or District website (http://www.cdschools.org) for more detailed information regarding attendance policies and procedures.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency that would require the evacuation of our building, all South Side students will be transported to Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church. You will be receiving more information regarding this process at the beginning of the school year. In the event of a three-mile island incident that mandates evacuation, all students will be transported to Central Dauphin Middle School.

CONCERNS

If you have concerns regarding a classroom issue, please contact your child's classroom teacher immediately. All classroom teachers are expected to return calls within 24 hours. If after speaking with the classroom teacher, your concerns have not been addressed please contact the school office. Please speak with your child's classroom teacher prior to contacting the office.

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BUILDING SECURITY

Exit doors will be locked once students have entered the building and after they are dismissed. Access to the building during the school day can only be made through the front entrance. Visitors should ring the bell to the right of the entrance doors and the door will be unlocked electronically. All parents must report to the office to receive a visitor's badge upon entering the building. These security procedures have been put into place for the safety of your children.

CLASSROOM VISITS AND VOLUNTEERS

While we welcome visits by parents, unannounced visits can be disruptive to the learning environment, school administrators request that visits be by appointment only through the classroom teacher and principal. Visitors may be required to complete and sign confidentiality agreements prior to entering a classroom. Only those persons who have received prior approval may enter the classroom. Classroom volunteers will follow the same procedures and be scheduled at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

USE OF CAMERAS OR PERSONAL RECORDING DEVICES

For confidentiality reasons, use of personal cameras or recording devices is prohibited while visiting our school. Parents/Guardians may request an exception to this rule by providing a written request to the building principal.

Please note that during chorus and instrumental concerts, copyright law prohibits individual use of recording devices during performances.

SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICY *

Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for more specific information.

PURPOSE

Effective instruction in the elementary school requires a safe and orderly learning environment. It is the inherent responsibility of all members of the professional staff to contribute to the establishment and maintenance of the environment. This environment requires that students maintain behavior, which is free from activities that detract from their own or other student's learning, is respectful of property and contributes to their own learning.

METHODS

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The achievement of this safe and orderly environment is the direct result of clear statements of specific expectations, and the consistent monitoring of student behaviors and application of intervention strategies.

INTERVENTIONS/PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES TO INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Actions should be designed to motivate children to return to appropriate behaviors. Interventions will be administered in a timely manner, with the least disruption of the student's educational program necessary to reestablish appropriate behavior. Interventions match the degree of the infraction and the developmental stage of the child

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE STUDENTS AT SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY

We expect our students at South Side Elementary to be responsible for their own behavior. In addition, the entire school will observe the following rules:

1. Each student will act in a respectful manner.2. Each student will be responsible for his/her behavior.3. Everyone will maintain an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.4. Each student will be prepared to learn and participate effectively in school activities.

Teachers will more clearly define what each of these rules will mean in their classroom and grade level.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT POLICY & USE OF REASONABLE FORCE

Corporal punishment is not permitted in the Central Dauphin School District. However, physical restraint may be used, if there is a threat of physical danger to a student or staff member. No one at South Side Elementary School is permitted to hurt another individual. This includes students hurting students; students hurting school personnel; and school personnel hurting students. As stated in the Central Dauphin Code of Conduct, professional employees may exercise personal physical intervention (physically stop a behavior), restraint (physically prevent a behavior), or remove a student during dangerous, disruptive or disobedient acts.

SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENT DRESS

Students at South Side Elementary are encouraged to take pride in their physical appearance. In an age of changing styles and freedom of dress, students should take care to select clothing that is complimentary to them and appropriate to the weather and season. When students come to school inappropriately dressed, as determined by the administration and faculty, the faculty and administration will take steps to correct the situation. Such

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correction will include changing of the clothing found to be inappropriate. The following specific dress provisions apply:

1. Clothing displaying profanity, inappropriate pictures, gestures or words, and weapons that tends to disrupt the educational process is not acceptable.

2. Tops will not expose the mid-section of the body. Spaghetti straps, as well as completely bare shoulders, are not permitted. Straps must be at least three fingers wide as deemed by the classroom teacher. Sleeveless clothing is permitted as long as the undergarments are not shown.

3. Clothing may not be worn that purposely exposes undergarments.

4. Males and females may wear hats or head coverings to and from school, but not inside the school building.

5. Shorts must be of mid-thigh length and worn during appropriate weather.

6. Females may wear skirts of mid-thigh length or longer.

7. Students must wear safe footwear which will not mark or damage school property and not present a safety hazard. Flip flops would be considered unsafe footwear.

8. Gloves or outerwear coats are not to be worn in school unless permitted by the teacher due to the temperature in the classroom.

SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND

Treat others, their property, and their games with respect. Students who are involved in minor misconduct can be restricted from using the

playground equipment and/or games or activities. They may also lose playing time and may be asked to walk laps around the playground.

District Policies and School Rules also apply to the playground. Games can be played if good sportsmanship is practiced. If problems develop, the staff

members on duty can end the game and take away the equipment. If a ball goes out of the playground, a student may retrieve a ball only with permission

and direct supervision from the staff member on duty. Students who are injured may be treated for minor injuries on the playground. They

should then be seen in the nurse's office. Very serious injuries require the child not be moved and the school nurse summoned immediately. The nurse will respond immediately to the scene and assess the situation, then take appropriate action.

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SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA

All students are required to eat in the cafeteria unless otherwise approved by the principal.

Students will enter the cafeteria and line up to be served in an orderly manner. Students will remain in seats while eating and raise a hand for attention. Quiet, pleasant

conversation is expected. Polite eating manners are required Students will listen to directions for clean up and return of trays. Students should clean

their eating area (table and floor). Students will return trays to the trash can to dump the tray in an orderly manner.

Students will remain seated in the cafeteria until they are picked-up by their teacher. All teachers will walk students to and from the cafeteria.

Food should not be taken from the cafeteria unless students have special permission. Seating arrangements will be made by the principals and/or teachers. Disruptive students will be removed from the cafeteria. Alternative arrangements will

be made by the teacher or principal. Consequences may include lunch detention, eating at a time-out table, assigned seating, etc.

ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM FOCUS

Language Arts: Reading, English, Spelling, Writing

The purpose for teaching Language Arts is to have students learn how to use the taught reading skills and strategies that will ultimately help them become better independent readers and thinkers. Teachers are encouraged to enhance reading development through the use of children's literature and the integrated language arts curriculum. The District Curriculum requires that language arts skills be taught through application in writing. Students are taught the writing process in grades 1 through 5 with specific pieces of writing required at each grade level. Spelling, which may be referred to as word study, will focus on spelling patterns, and word families and developing new words.

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Handwriting

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) is a developmentally based curriculum for writing readiness, printing, and cursive writing. The multi-sensory lessons teach to all learning styles - visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. The unique materials and appealing workbooks eliminate problems with letter information, reversals, legibility, sentence spacing, and cursive connections. Handwriting skills are refined throughout the elementary years.

Mathematics

All students in grades K-5 will utilize the Everyday Mathematics program. Everyday Math builds fundamental mathematical concepts with an emphasis on problem solving strategies and techniques. The program has had positive results in the improvement of students' mathematical knowledge.

Science

The Full Option Science System (FOSS) is our districts elementary science program. FOSS is an interactive curriculum that takes science out of the textbooks and puts it into the hands of students. It is an "inquiry based" curriculum which places a heavy emphasis on hands-on activities, teamwork learning, and utilizes science kits and other supplementary materials, rather than textbooks. The kits used meet both the National Science Education Standards and Pennsylvania Science Standards. Learning concepts through inquiry in the program is intended to replace teaching scientific fact. Inquiry, in this matter, refers to the activities of students, where they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world through hands-on experimentation.

While information from textbooks is important, the real learning is in the laboratory. The FOSS kits make the lab environment the dominant part of the curriculum which capitalizes on the natural curiosity of children by engaging students in scientific exploration and experimentation. Students are able to gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding in discovery activities by using more of their five senses. The FOSS curriculum provides students with science experiences that are appropriate to the students' cognitive stages of development and paves the way for more advanced scientific learning.

Social Studies

Students begin with an awareness of self and interactions with others in the family and community. As students progress, the curriculum is expanded to our state, nation, and neighboring nations. Map skills are included at every level.

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Art

Students engage in weekly art instruction to experience and appreciate various art forms. The program is supplemented with classroom activities. Specific objectives are set for each grade level to accomplish.

Music

Students participate in weekly vocal music instruction. Basic vocal skills are developed along with an appreciation for music. The program is supplemented by elective instrumental music instruction available in grades 4 and 5 and in chorus in grade 4 and 5.

Physical Education

Physical education instruction is conducted weekly. The program is reflective of the students' physical development. Basic games and team sport skills are presented with an emphasis on sportsmanship. The program is supplemented with an adapted physical education program for those students requiring special instruction because of physical handicaps.

Technology

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Students at every grade level have access to computers, laptops and/or iPads. Each classroom has the opportunity to use the mobile computer lab on a weekly basis as well as other times for research projects. All students will be taught keyboarding skills.

Library

Students in every grade visit the library once per week for instruction and book exchange. Students are taught how to use the library resources including electronic search stations and research materials.

Please read the 2013-2014 Calendar / Handbook for additional Important Parent Information.

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