2009 – 2010
Dear Parents,
Welcome to a new school year at Oklahoma Elementary. It is our goal to make this year a very enjoyable one for your child. We hope that it will be a year filled with rich experiences, challenging projects, and many successful achievements.
A large part of making this a successful year depends on you, the parent. Your involvement and interest in your child’s education is vital. We encourage you to keep open lines of communication with the school. Information will be sent home periodically. If you have any questions or concerns, we ask that you contact us so that we can assist you. Questions concerning classroom events should be addressed by the classroom teacher between
We are happy that you will be with us this year and we want to assure you that we will all do our best to make this a wonderful experience for your child. I invite you to visit our school, attend your child’s programs, and become an active member of PTA.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kathleen Ginther, Principal
KINDERGARTEN MRS. BARRON
MRS. BISH
MR. WEAVER
FIRST GRADE MRS. BURT
MRS. KOPENHAVER
MRS. SMITH
SECOND GRADE MRS. GAETA
MRS. MORRIS
MRS. RAYBUCK
THIRD GRADE MRS. KENNEDY
MRS.
MRS. REINSEL
FOURTH GRADE MR. MICKS
MRS. PASTERNAK
MRS. RAIFORD
FIFTH GRADE MRS. FRENCH
MRS. SHICK
MRS. WILLIAMS
LEARNING SUPPORT MRS. MARCHIONI
MRS. MOORHOUSE
AIDE MRS. BARTON
AIDE MRS. SCHMIDT
TITLE I MRS. HIMES
MRS. ISHMAN
AIDE MRS. KELLY
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR MISS KROPP
SPEECH MRS.
AIDE MRS. WEAVER
LIBRARIAN MISS CONWAY
AIDE MRS. SOLADA
GIFTED SUPPORT MRS. FINALLE
VOCAL MUSIC MRS. RICHKO
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MR. FISHEROSKI
ART MRS. GASTON
PHYS. ED. MR. WEBER
SCHOOL NURSE MRS. THOMAS
HEALTH AIDE MRS. FREAS
CAFETERIA COOKS MRS. DIXON
MRS. HENNINGER
MRS. NADJI
AIDE MRS. REED
AIDE MRS. CASHMER
CASHIER MRS. SPINDA
CUSTODIANS MR. DUTTRY
MR. CURLEY
INSTRUCTIONAL TEACHER AIDES MRS. CASHMER
MRS. REED
MRS. PALIAN
MRS. KELGREN
DUBOIS AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The faculty and staff of the
1. See that your child arrives on time. School starts at
2. Impress your child with the importance of obeying all school regulations, safety rules and respect for the school in general. Students are asked to return home immediately after school before they go outside to play.
3. (Always send a note) to explain your child’s absence the day your child returns to school following the absence. Call the school before
4. TARDINESS---A LITTLE LATE IS TOO LATE! If your child arrives late to school, he or she should report to the office before going to the classroom. Repeated tardiness will result in penalties and may require a parent-pupil-principal conference.
5. Encourage your child to practice safe conduct while riding school busses. If a student is riding or walking home with another student, he or she should bring a note to the teacher explaining this arrangement. Bus slips are completed by the building secretaries.
6. EARLY DISMISSAL---If any student wishes to be dismissed from school early, he/she is required to bring in an excuse from his/her parent/guardian. Any emergency arising during the school day should be taken to the office for permission to leave early. Legal reasons for early dismissal are doctor or dentist appointments that cannot be made at another time, illness, and other urgent or personal reasons of which the legality is to be determined by the school administration. Students should report to the main office to be picked up by those taking them from school prior to regular dismissal. At that time, the person/s picking up the child must register at the office and record the time they are picking up the child.
(See Elementary Conference Schedule)
13. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES---The DuBois Area School District Policy and Procedures manuals are located in the Main Office and are available for parents and
students for review.
14. STUDENT EXPRESSION/DISTRIBUTION AND POSTING OF MATERIALS---
This Policy # 220 is available for review in the Main Office.
Adult $3.00
Extra Milk $.50
Child $1.75
Juice $.35
Ice Cream .65 (Sold only on Fridays)
Wellness Snacks $.50
(See Lunch schedule)
BREAKFAST----is now available at
Prices are as follows:
Adult $1.20
Child 1.00
Reduced .30
Students not attending academic standards at the proficient level will have
access to strategies employed by the
19. SUPPORT OUR PTA!!!
PTA President - 2009 – 2010 Susan Hassan 372-3253
PTA Meetings
To be announced at a later time.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
ASSESSMENT DATES
PSSA – Grades 3, 4 & 5 April 7-8, 13-14, 2010
PSSA Writing Test Gr 5 April 20-22, 2010
PSSA Science Test Gr. 4 April 28, 2010
OLSAT Grade 2 May 11, 2010
OLSAT Grade 4 May 11, 2010
Stanford Achievement Tests - Grades 2 May 18-20, 2010
MUSIC PROGRAM DATES:
4th/5th Grade Performance Friday 12/11/09
KDG/1st Grade Performance Friday 03/12/10
2nd/3rd Grade Performance Friday 05/07/10
PRIMARY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
GRADE FALL
Kdg. Week of November 9-10, 12-13, 2009
First Grade Week of October 26-30, 2009
Second Grade Week of October 12 – 16, 2009
GRADE SPRING
Kdg. Week of February 22-26, 2010
First Grade Week of March 8-12, 2010
GRADE
Third To be announced
Fourth To be announced
Fifth To be announced
SUMMARY OF
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
Parents or guardians MUST NOTIFY the school by
The purpose of the state compulsory attendance law is to insure that each student receives their fundamental right to education. It is not the purpose or intent to use these laws for any other reason.
Students are required to attend school everyday except for:
1. Illness of the student
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Quarantine
4. Impassable roads
5. Inclement weather (school is closed)
6. Excused upon a farm or domestic service emergency permit
7. Religious
8. Exceptionally urgent reasons that affects the child directly
(Does not include work at home)
Absences due to the following reason will be considered unexcused
absences which constitute truancy:
1. Failure to get up
2. Missing the bus (when it is reasonably on schedule)
3. Babysitting
4. Running errands
5. Shopping
6. Participating in private lessons
7. Participating in hobbies (hunting, fishing, etc.)
8. Visiting relatives
9. Forged excuses
10. FAILURE TO BRING IN AN EXCUSE TO COVER REASON FOR ABSENCE WITHIN (3) DAYS OF ABSENCE.
11. Tardy
12. Skipping classes or school
An absence becomes an excused absence only when the school classifies it as such. Under the Pennsylvania School Code, explanations of a doubtful nature may be investigated by the school attendance officer. A claim of repeated illness justifies the school in requesting a statement from the family doctor. A doctor’s statement may be required if the child has been absent 10 days or more. Frequent absences due to illness may be symptoms of a serious medical problem.
When a student has three (3) days or equivalent of unexcused – unlawful absences, the parent will receive a “first offense” notice via certified mail. The notice will state the days the student was absent and explain the state school law that pertains to that absence.
If the student is absent for any additional time during this current school year, you must mail a written excuse to the attendance office at our school. If the student accumulates three additional unlawful absences during this current school year, you will be liable for the penalty of arrest for a summary offense, charged before the District Magistrate, as required by the School Laws of
In addition to the citation, the student will be referred to Children and Youth Services for further action in the county in which the student resides.
EDUCATIONAL OR FAMILY TRIPS
Requests for a family trip must be prearranged at least five (5) days prior to the absence. The request should be submitted to the building principal for confirmation. Family trip forms must be obtained at the office. Parents will be notified by the building principal if the pupil’s teacher/teachers advise against the student’s absence. The student must obtain assignments from their prospective teacher prior to the trip. Assignments must be completed and turned in on the first day of the students return to school. Days of absence for trips should not normally exceed ten (10) school days a year. Days in excess of the 10 days permitted will be declared unexcused/unlawful.
Family trips will not be approved during weeks of PSSA and SAT testing. Refer to the schedule for testing dates.
DRESS AND GROOMING
The Board recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance except when their choices affect the educational program of the schools or the health and safety of others.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to enforce school regulations prohibiting student dress or grooming practices; which present a hazard to the health or safety of the student him/herself or to others in the school; materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program; cause excessive wear or damage to school property and prevent the student from achieving his/her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.
The Superintendent shall develop a procedure to implement this policy which designates the building principal to monitor student dress and grooming in his/her building.
In an effort to help parents implement this policy the following is a list of sample inappropriate articles of clothing: (STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO WEAR THESE ITEMS AND PARENTS WILL BE CALLED)
Spandex pants
Gang related clothing
Bare midriff blouses/shirts
Haltertops/Bare backed blouses/shirts
Fishnet shirts (if worn alone)
Muscle shirts
T-shirts advertising drugs, sex, violence, alcohol or gang related
messages
Jogging or boxer shorts
Cut-Offs
Any article of oversized clothing (including pant lengths that should
not drag on the floor
It is recommended that skirts, dresses etc. should not be more than
four inches above the knee
Heelies
Thin strapped blouses/shirts
Hats (in school)
Headbands
MEDICATIONS POLICY
If it is necessary for your child to take medication during school hours, you must follow the guidelines listed below:
1. A written note should be sent with medication starting date, child’s name, name of medication, dosage and time of administration. If medication is sent with a child without a w, ritten note, the child will not be permitted to take the medication.
2. The medication should be sent in a properly labeled bottle from the pharmacy. Medications of different kinds or doses are not to be placed in the same bottle.
3. Medications should be brought to the nurse’s office where they will be kept in a secure area. Medications are not to be kept in pockets, lunch boxes, desks, etc.
4. The child should be able to administer the medication him/herself under adult supervision.
5. A medication form should be completed and signed by the physician if the medication is to be taken on a long term bases.
6. You must notify the school if there is a change in the medication, dosage, the time of administration or if the medication is discontinued.
7. The Policies and Procedures governing the administration of medications
and use of Asthma Inhalers are located in the Main Office and Nurse’s
Office and are available for parents and students to review.
These guidelines are to assure that your child will receive the optimum benefit of the medication he/she is taking and to assure his/her safety as well as the safety of all other children in the school.
If you have any questions regarding the above medication policy, you may contact the school nurse.
*Information concerning CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) may be
obtained in the Nurse’s Office.
BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR DUBOIS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Parents are asked to review with their child/children the District’s School Bus Rules and Regulations.
A student, who cannot maintain self-discipline on the bus, may forfeit this privilege and be required to rely on other means of transportation. The school bus driver is authorized to enforce safety and social standards on his/her bus. The relationship of the operator and the student must be one of cooperation.
A guideline for bus conduct and student responsibilities are:
1. Classroom like behavior on the school bus is expected at all times.
2. Quiet, low voice talking is permitted.
3. School bus windows should be in the closed position unless the bus driver
has done otherwise.
4. Nothing is to be carried on the bus that may prove destructive, disruptive or harmful in any way.
5. At no time should any object be thrown or tossed in any manner on the
school bus.
6. Profane-vulgar language, name calling, displaying obscene writings or pictures are not permitted.
7. Students will be financially responsible for any destruction that occurs on the school bus for which they are responsible.
8. Students may be assigned seats by the bus driver and they are expected to be seated at all times.
9. Students must take seats when getting on the bus and before it moves.
10. Students are not permitted to chew gum or eat food on the bus.
11. Pets are not permitted on the bus.
12. Students are to listen and obey their bus driver.
13. At all bus stops, students must be on time to meet their bus, practice good behavior while waiting and be careful of all moving traffic.
Students involved in minor violations shall be warned by the bus driver. If the infraction is repeated or continues. It may be treated as a major violation. The parents of the students may be notified by either the contractor or a school official.
Major violations: Smoking or the using of tobacco in any form; destroying bus property, swearing; throwing any objects; striking matches or lighting firecrackers; refusing to remain seated while the bus is in motion; fighting; and anything that impairs or endangers the lives of the students, driver or any vehicle or person in the vicinity of the bus.
Students involved in major violations may be suspended from the bus and/or school. For example, an automatic suspension exists for smoking in a school building; this automatic suspension would also hold if a student is found smoking on the school bus.
LIBRARY PROCEDURES
The Library has become more than just a room full of books; it has become the multi-media center of the school. The Library strives to give students materials which will be helpful in their development as individuals. To do this, the library acquires materials which are integrated with the school’s curriculum as well as the many everyday interests of the students. The library encourages students in all phases of their reading and also teaches them to become users of the Library and it’s media.
1. Children may borrow books for one week.
2. Books may be renewed for one week or longer as needed, however, books must be brought to the Library to be renewed.
3. The parents are responsible for paying for the books that are lost or damaged by their children.
4. If a student needs a specific book that our Library does not contain, tell your Librarian about it and he/she may be able to acquire it through another school Library.
CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR CODE
1. All students must form a single line while waiting to be served.
2. On being served, the child will walk quietly to his/her table.
3. Reasonable talking with close neighbors is permitted.
4. The seat a child takes when entering the cafeteria is the seat he/she should
remain in during the rest of the lunch period. There is to be no jumping
around to different tables to visit friends.
5. The throwing or tossing of food cartons, objects, etc. in any manner is
strictly forbidden.
6. Return of trays and dishes will be completed in a quiet and orderly manner.
7. Students will listen and give the same respect to the adult in charge of the
cafeteria, as they do their teacher.
8. Parents will be contacted if there is a continuous or serious problem
in the cafeteria.
9. Students are responsible for leaving their area free from garbage upon
leaving the cafeteria.
