Kindergarten Handbook
MIFFLINBURG AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
MIFFLINBURG AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
178 Maple Street
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania 17844
Phone: 966-8200
115 Shipton Street
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania 17844
Phone: 966-8320
Elementary Principal – Mr. Leo G. Weidner
Building Coordinator – Mr. Paul Reeder, Jr.
954 Johnson Mill Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 966-8370
Elementary Principal – Mr. Leo G. Weidner
Building Coordinator – Mr. Scott Hummel
Weikert Road
P.O. Box 126
Laurelton, PA 17835
Phone: 966-8360
Elementary Principal – Mr. Leo G. Weidner
Plum Street
P.O. Box 389
New Berlin, PA 17855
Phone: 966-8380
Elementary Principal – Mr. Leo G. Weidner
Building Coordinator – Mrs. Linda Fry
ANNUAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING NON-DISCRIMINATION PRACTICES AND POLICIES FOR TITLE IX, TITLE VI AND SECTION 504 OF TITLE XXII
The Mifflinburg Area School District’s programs are open and available to all students. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national and ethnic origin, handicap or disability, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational policies and programs.
The Mifflinburg Area School District is committed to ensuring that all educational programs and personnel actions, including recruitment, application, screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, furlough, compensation, benefits, training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, gender (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, national or ethnic origin, age (except where age is a bona fide occupational qualification), handicap or disability, political affiliation, or status as a disabled veteran.
In compliance with state and federal law, the Mifflinburg Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.
For further information on the evaluation procedures and provision of sciences to protected handicapped students or inquiries or complaints concerning possible discrimination, contact your school office. The office will also provide information regarding services, activities and facilities which are accessible and usable by handicapped persons.
Publication of this announcement is in accordance with state and federal law, including Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. – Refer to M.A.S.D. Policy)
Any reference to students which use the term “he” or “she” is not intended as a reflection on either gender. All such inconsistencies should be read as being gender neutral and have no gender bias connotations.
Mifflinburg Area School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender and disability in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX and Section 504.
For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Glenn Fogel, Title IX Coordinator at Mifflinburg Area High School, First and Market Streets, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania 17844, (570) 966-8230 or Dr. Keith Ringkamp, Section 504 Coordinator, at Mifflinburg Elementary School, 115 Shipton Street, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania 17844, (570) 966-8320. For information regarding services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by a handicapped person, you may also contact Mr. Fogel at the Mifflinburg Area High School.
Mr. Leo Weidner
Mifflinburg Elementary School
(966-8320)
Mrs. Jane Gessner
Buffalo Crossroads Elementary School
(966-8370)
Mrs. Leslie Herman
New Berlin Elementary School
(966-8380)
Mrs. Lindsay Yoder
Laurelton Elementary School
(966-8360)
Mrs. Lisa DeFacis
Mrs. Jennifer Harter
Ms. Danielle Hood
Ms. Sarah Patterson
Mr. Duane Snayberger
Mrs. Paula Zechman
Mifflinburg Elementary School
(966-8320)
Welcome to Mifflinburg Area Schools. I hope that this year, as in the past, parents and staff will work together to provide the finest educational opportunities for our children. Please take time to read your kindergarten handbook. It contains many of the answers to questions you may have during the year. Please feel free to let me know your feelings about the book and if there are additions you would like me to include.
Each child enters Mifflinburg Area Elementary Schools with unique abilities. Mutual participation by parents and staff enables the child to recognize and to develop these abilities to their fullest potential. I recommend that you keep in mind three good ways to participate: attend regularly scheduled conferences with your child’s teacher; accept our open invitation to observe classes in action; and request an informal visit with teachers and/or principal when questions arise.
I encourage you to become involved in your child’s education. Opportunities abound for you to volunteer in the classroom. Our respective parent organizations meet monthly. Please join with us and help us find more ways to work together and provide an even better educational program for your children.
This year’s kindergarten class will graduate from High School in the year 2019. We need a strong partnership to provide the proper foundation for the 21st century.
Feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Leo G. Weidner
Elementary Principal
Welcome to the Mifflinburg Area School District. It’s an exciting time as your child enters kindergarten – the first step into school life.
The kindergarten year should be the beginning of many pleasant and worthwhile experiences. It should help give your child a good foundation for all the school years ahead.
This booklet describes the things children learn to do in kindergarten and shows some of the ways teachers and parents can cooperate to make the kindergarten experience a good one.
We are looking forward to working with you and your child.
Sincerely,
The Kindergarten Teachers
To enter kindergarten a child must be five(5) years of age, or become five(5) before September 1 and be able to successfully participate in our kindergarten screening program.
To learn to live, share, work and play well with other children. To develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. To learn to listen and follow directions. To achieve a level of readiness for first grade. To learn that school can be a very happy place – school is what we make it.
All children are expected to attend school regularly. When absence occurs, children will be issued an excuse slip. Children should return these slips as soon as possible, preferably within 1-2 days. If the excuse slips are not returned to the teacher within five(5) days, the absences will be considered unexcused.
Students are credited with a half-day of absence on a regular school day, if they miss more than two hours and 15 minutes of school. Any student who misses 5 hours or more is credited with a full day of absence.
The Kindergarten program is offered as either a full or half-day program. Parents choose the program that will best meet their child’s needs.
Full day sessions are scheduled for 8:00 a.m. through 3:05 p.m.
Half-day sessions are scheduled for 8:00 a.m. through 11:00 a.m.
Students attending Kindergarten during the morning session should not be dropped off at Buffalo Crossroads or Laurelton Schools before 7:30 a.m. We are not able to provide supervision prior to 7:30 a.m.
Students attending Mifflinburg Elementary Kindergarten classes should not arrive before 7:45 a.m. Once again, we are not able to provide supervision prior to 7:45 a.m.
Periodically throughout the school year we will have scheduled vacations and early dismissals. The dates of these vacations and early dismissals are found on the school calendar.
Kindergarten students are assigned to the respective elementary schools based upon school bus transportation routes and balanced class sizes.
If you have questions or concerns as to whether or not your child may be moved from one school to another, please contact the elementary school office.
If your child rides a school bus, he or she will be given a tag with the bus number on it. Please make sure your child wears the tag for the first two weeks of school.
If your child walks to and from school, please practice the safest route with him/her. Also, please make sure that your child knows what to do if a problem arises while he/she is walking.
During the first week of school parents may choose to accompany their child to his/her classroom. After the first week of school parents who choose to may accompany their child as far as the office. School staff will then see that the child proceeds to his/her classroom.
If your child is to go home with someone else or travel on a different bus, we must have written permission from you. This is for your child’s safety! If you cannot send a note, please call your child’s school with the message. Do not rely on your child to give us the message; it can easily be forgotten or misunderstood.
The kindergarten child is apprehensive, so please be on time for dismissal.
At the Buffalo Crossroads and Laurelton Elementary Schools, students should be dropped off at the front doors. At the New Berlin Elementary School students should be dropped off at the double doors leading from the parking lot into the multipurpose room. At the Mifflinburg Elementary School, all students being transported by car are to be dropped off at the Laney Street traffic circle.
At dismissal time students at the Buffalo Crossroads, Laurelton and New Berlin Elementary Schools are to be picked up at the front entrance. At the Mifflinburg Elementary School all students being picked up by parents are to be picked up at the Laney Street traffic circle.
At no time should students be dropped off or picked up in the lower parking lot of the Mifflinburg Elementary School. Traffic around the school building makes this a very dangerous practice.
As an added safety precaution elementary students are not allowed to ride their bicycles to school.
The traffic circle on Laney Street at the Mifflinburg Elementary School can become quite congested at dismissal times. Teachers will help load students as quickly as possible; however, you should anticipate a delay.
For the safety of our students when you use the traffic circle you are asked to:
1. Remain in line.
2. When it is your turn, pull up to the farthest colored circle available.
3. If you must leave your car, do not park it at the traffic circle.
4. Be patient, we are working with young children and insuring their safety.
Parents and interested community members are welcome and encouraged to visit our schools. Individuals who would like to visit are asked to contact the school in which they would like to visit beforehand. This will allow visits to be scheduled at a time convenient for the class.
Please note that for student safety our school policy governing visitations in our elementary schools will be strictly enforced. All visitors are required to register at the respective building offices. No unauthorized persons will be permitted to enter the school buildings and/or grounds.
Student safety is a primary concern of the elementary faculty and staff. To insure student safety, in addition to registration of all visitors, while school is in session there will be limited access to the buildings. All outside doors will be locked with the exception of the main entrance at the Mifflinburg Elementary School. Each main entrance leads directly to the office where visitors are to register.
All Mifflinburg Elementary visitors, room mothers, chaperones, etc., should park in the parking lot in the front of the building and/or on Shipton Street. Parking is not permitted in the Laney Street area.
Occasionally a student will have a friend visiting at home who he/she would like to have visit his/her classroom for a day. Such visits are discouraged as they may detract from the regular school routine.
If weather conditions or some other unusual circumstances cause a need for delayed opening, early dismissal or cancellation, the administration will notify the following stations:
FM STATIONS AM STATIONS TV STATIONS
WWBE 98.3 WPGM 1570 WBRE Channel 28
WLGL 92 WMLP 1380 WNEP Channel 16
WQKX 94 WKOK 1070 WYOU Channel 22
WKSB 102.7 WYGL 1240
WILQ 105.1 WRAK 1400
Please use these sources of information instead of tying up school lines by calling the schools.
1. Please make sure you have a legitimate reason for taking your child out of school. Doctor and
dentist appointments during school hours are permitted; however, we encourage you to
schedule them outside of school hours if at all possible.
2. When picking your child up from school prior to the regular dismissal time, you need to sign
your child out in the office. Since we are responsible for your children, it is imperative that we know who is taking your child and when.
3. Children may not leave the building during the day unaccompanied by an adult.
4. Do not put your child on the spot. In cases of family separation where custody has not
not been awarded to one parent, we cannot legally prevent either parent from picking
up the child. Please do not ask us to do so.
5. Please note the following: If any person other than the parent or guardian is to pick up
the child, the school should have a written statement from the parent specifying the
necessary information.
Once a year, the Home and School Association holds an open house. This is not a conference time, but a time for your child to show you his or her classroom. Samples of your child’s work will be there for you to view, and we will be there to discuss activities with you. We prefer not to discuss any personal problems at this time, as conferences are held for that purpose. We hope all parents allow their children the pleasure of showing them around the classroom. This is a very proud and memorable experience for your child and for you.
Each teacher has her personal method of using sharing time (show and tell) as a part of the kindergarten program. This program will give your child an opportunity to communicate before a group about something of interest to him or her. If your child wishes to bring something to share, please place it in a bag or box (if possible) and print his or her name on the container. Please do not send expensive or very large objects.
We like to read the books the children bring, but sometimes we cannot get to them the same day they are brought to school. Please make sure your child’s name is printed on any book, cassette or CD to be shared in kindergarten.
Approximately once every six weeks, we will send home a flyer listing paperback books the children can order. It is not necessary to order any books. If you do wish to order any, simply return the coupon with the money, and we will send a class order. After this is an opportunity for the class to obtain free books for the class library.
Birthdays may be celebrated to the extent of sending in a special snack for the class. Please inquire as to the number of children in the class so that no one is missed. Gifts should not be exchanged in school. Do not send us birthday invitations to distribute to some of your child’s classmates. If you want to send in a special treat such as cupcakes or cookies, please let us know in advance so that we do not have two special treats on the same day. Please note that various allergies may prevent some of your child’s classmates from enjoying certain treats. Checking with your child’s teacher may help address such concerns.
Children having summer birthdays will have a special day at the end of school on which to celebrate their birthdays. Please do not ask us to give you the address and/or home phone number of your child’s classmates as this is contrary to state regulations.
The cafeterias of the district endeavor to offer well balanced meals to all children at a nominal cost. To ensure proper record keeping the Mifflinburg cafeteria will be using a permanent meal ticket for every student.
Parents can prepay for their child’s meals and/or milk for more than one week at a time. Most parents choose to prepay for two or three weeks. Please note that you do not need to calculate the total number of milk and meals for the week, just send an amount which you feel comfortable with for the time period you choose. The computer will deduct only the amount of each meal or milk that your child selects. The balance will remain until the next purchase made by your child. The cashiers will remind your child when the remaining balance becomes low and you will then need to send in additional funds.
At Buffalo Crossroads, Laurelton and New Berlin, meal money for the entire school week is collected by your child’s homeroom teacher on Mondays. If possible, please have the correct change for Monday mornings. A child’s lunch is $1.40, reduced lunches are $.40 and milk will cost $.35.
Pupils at any elementary school who carry their lunches from home may purchase milk at school. Children who are allergic to milk will be served another beverage with their meal; i.e., orange or grape juice if a doctor’s excuse is brought in, indicating the milk allergy.
Free and reduced price meals are available to those who qualify. Applications for free and reduced price meals are distributed to all children on the first day of school and are available throughout the year upon request from each school office. These forms must be submitted annually and should be returned for processing as soon as possible.
In addition to lunch, breakfast is available to students attending the District Elementary Schools. The cost of this meal is $.85, reduced breakfast is $.30. Breakfast is served in the respective elementary school cafeterias until 8:00 a.m. Students eating breakfast are to go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival at school.
Please note that the safest way to make meal payments is to pay by check. This will help prevent lost lunch money and will provide you with a written record of payment. Checks should be make payable to MASD Cafeteria.
Parents and/or grandparents are invited to visit our elementary schools and enjoy a lunch and tour with the child/grandchild. Please contact your child’s teacher for a reservation form. Parents/Grandparents are welcome to sent in their reservations anytime after the second week of school. Also, please note that these special visitors are welcome to visit more than once.
The parent associations of the various elementary schools are permitted to sponsor two parties each year.
Information will be sent home at least a week prior to each holiday party. The parties are arranged by the room mothers.
Quite often one of the parties scheduled coincides with Christmas. On these occasions parents and students are asked to not provide gifts for teachers and other school personnel.
Any money sent to school
should be placed in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s name and the child’s
name on it and an indication as to what the payment is for. The safest way to
make any payment is to send a check. This will help prevent lost money and will
provide you with a written record of payment.
Students are expected to dress in clothing that facilitates personal health and safety in the classroom and on the playground. Students who come to school dressed in a manner that poses harm to their personal health or safety, or that distracts from the educational process, may be temporarily excluded from regularly assigned activities or programs. Such clothing includes bare midriffs, tank tops, excessively baggy clothing and clothing with messages and/or slogans deemed in appropriate for an elementary setting. Heavy neck chains, heavy necklaces and dog collars are not to be worn around the neck or wrist. Shoes that have the roller skate wheels in them have proven to be quite dangerous on stairs and have caused some damage to school floors. For these reasons this type of shoe should not be worn. Flip-flops and strapless sandals have also proven to lead to foot injuries on the playground. This type of footwear should also not be worn.
Please label your child’s clothing. There are two easy ways to do this:
Use a waterproof marker.
Attach masking tape with the child’s name on it to the item.
Each child is required to bring in a paint shirt or smock to be kept in school. Make sure the shirt or smock is large enough to protect your child’s clothes. It should be labeled with your child’s name and brought in by the end of the second week of school.
Please make sure boots and rubbers are large enough. If boots are tight, slipping plastic bags over the shoes before putting on the boots is a big help.
All children are expected to go outside for a physical activity during appropriate weather. We realize that on rare occasions it may be necessary for your child to stay inside for medical reasons. We have no objections to this. If staying inside becomes habitual with a child, we will require a doctor’s excuse.
On days when recess cannot be held outside (due to rain, extreme cold, etc.), a modified recess will be held inside. Please be assured that during the winter months weather conditions are monitored by the school staff. Recess is only held outside when weather conditions will not jeopardize a child’s health.
Confidential information and communications involving students and school personnel will be governed by district policies 216, 216.1 and 216.2 adopted by the school board as approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Information received in confidence from a student may be revealed to the student’s parents or guardian, school administrators or other appropriate authority where the health, welfare or safety of the student or another person is in jeopardy.
Certain parts of the record are of a permanent nature and contain information that will remain in the school district files indefinitely. Others are of a temporary nature and their usefulness terminates at specific levels of instruction.
The Board of School Directors has primary responsibility in this
district for the completion, maintenance, access to and security of pupil
records. Only records mandated by the Commonwealth, or federal government or
specifically permitted by this Board may be compiled by the staff.
Please note that you have the right to review your child’s educational record. In doing so you have the right to seek amendment to any educational records that are misleading, inaccurate or violate your child’s privacy. You have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information of a student. You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning failure by the school district to meet the regulations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A parent who wishes to review his/her child’s record shall make this request known in writing to the Elementary Principal. A professional employee will then be made available to explain items in the records.
More detailed information regarding student records as well as district policies 216.216.1 and 216.2 is available for your review. This information may be obtained through the elementary school office.
Some children may have vision problems, deafness, a physical handicap, speech or emotional problems, etc., which make it difficult for them to progress effectively in the regular school program. If you know or suspect your child has a special need, you should discuss the matter with the school counselor, principal, teacher or nurse.
The Mifflinburg Area School District Elementary faculty and staff believe that students learn best in an atmosphere of fair, firm and consistent discipline.
Two very important ingredients needed to develop self-discipline are self-respect and respect for others. During this school year we are going to strongly emphasize these two ingredients in all elementary classrooms. With your help, we at school will provide a positive school environment which will have significant positive effects on all of our students.
In the event that a situation occurs where our efforts at school are not successful in helping a child develop and maintain self-discipline, we will contact you, the parent. Working together we should then be able to address your child’s needs.
In accordance with the guidelines of the School Code, instruction to children unable to attend regular classes is provided. When children experience a short term (10 days or less) illness, parents should contact the teacher to obtain assignments on a daily or weekly basis. If, however, an extended illness occurs, the principal should be notified in order to make the necessary arrangements.
Transportation is a vital part of our educational program. Each child requiring district transportation is given a bus assignment including bus number, designated stop and approximate time the bus will arrive. The bus stops are located as conveniently and safely as possible for all concerned.
No child/children will be permitted to ride home on another bus unless they have a parental permission slip signed by their parent and/or guardian.
Any changes or questions regarding busing within the district are to be directed to Mr. David Oberlin at 966-8250.
Children who ride the bus should know the safety and conduct rules. School bus transportation is a privilege and convenience that can be revoked. Student responsibility and parent cooperation are essential for a safe operation. Persistent disregard of school bus rules will result in a student losing the privilege of riding the bus. Should a student lose this privilege, it becomes the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide transportation. Please discuss the following with your child:
1. Children are to ride only the bus to which they have been assigned unless permission from
the Principal’s office has been granted to do otherwise.
2. Children should go to their seats and remain there until they reach their stop.
3. Students are not to put their head or arms out the windows.
4. Students may not bring animals, beverages, water guns, squirt bottles, glass containers, etc.; or firearms and explosives on the bus.
5. Children should not push or shove while standing in line or when getting on or off the bus.
6. Misbehavior will not be tolerated and will be handled accordingly. Proper discipline will be
maintained by the driver, Transportation Director and/or Principal. Remember—riding the bus is a privilege, and as such, it can be taken away.
7. Shouting and screaming is distracting to the driver and will not be permitted.
8. Older students should be considerate of younger children at all times.
9. When entering the bus, students should let it come to a full stop before entering. Students are not to move toward the bus until it comes to a complete stop.
10. At the Mifflinburg Elementary School only, buses are permitted to load and unload on the ramp or parking lot in front of the building.
11. Depending upon the weather and/or traffic, buses should arrive at their scheduled stops with little variation in time. Children must be at the bus stop at the assigned time.
The safety of your child depends, to a great extent, on these guidelines. Please stress this with
your children.
1. Students should remain on school property at all times.
2. Students are expected to be respectful and cooperative with others.
3. Fighting or aggressive play is prohibited.
4. Rough play is not permitted.
5. Students should practice safety rules on all playground equipment.
6. Students who are to stay inside due to health reasons, must bring a note from the parent or
guardian stating such.
Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled at the end of the first and third marking periods. A notice will be sent home with each child at that time. That will allow you to schedule a convenient time to meet with your child’s teacher.
You may arrange additional conferences with teachers and/or the Principal. These conferences can be easily scheduled anytime during the school year by calling the school. We prefer to arrange these conferences within the school day (during a teacher’s preparation period), or shortly after school, if possible. Evening conferences are difficult to arrange; however, every effort will be made to meet your needs.
Through the course of any school year concerns may arise on your behalf concerning your child’s schooling. If this happens, you should contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible. Your concern will be properly addressed by making this contact. In the event that your concern is not addressed to your satisfaction you should then contact the Elementary Principal.
Forms requesting an absence for an educational experience outside the classroom are available in each school office. These forms should be submitted at least one week prior to the absence.
Educational trips will normally be limited to one per school year. These trips should not be scheduled during the first or last ten days of school or during the administration of standardized tests.
It is reasonable to expect that students should make up missed assignments.
Family vacations often meet the criteria for educational trips.
Parents are discouraged from scheduling vacations during the last two weeks of
school as well as during scheduled standardized tests.
The Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company has a savings bank plan for elementary students.
The first school day of each week the student brings his/her money, in a special envelope. These envelopes are then put in a large envelope with the teacher’s room number and name. A representative from the bank comes to the office to pick up the envelopes. The outlying buildings send their envelopes in to the Mifflinburg office. If a new student wishes to participate in the banking program, please contact your child’s school for the necessary enrollment form.
These are parent-teacher organizations designed as a liaison between the school and community. Meetings are held throughout the school year with programs of mutual interest. The organization provides money for such things as the teacher supply fund, school libraries, assemblies and parties. All parents are encouraged to attend these meetings and become active in home and school affairs. Babysitting services are usually provided by the Home and School Association at every scheduled meeting.
The dates and times of the respective parent-teacher association meetings to be held during this school year may be found on the school calendar.
District elementary students are also served by a Joint Parents’ Organization. Through this organization all four parent organizations combine their efforts and resources to provide additional learning opportunities for our students.
All home and school association projects involving students, teachers and/or school buildings must be first approved by the Elementary Principal.
Many articles of clothing and other personal property are found in school buildings and on school grounds. There is a “Lost and Found” area in each building. Children and parents are encouraged to check with the elementary office personnel when something is missing.
Individual student pictures will be taken during the Fall and again in the Spring. Prior to the scheduled date of picture taking, information providing specific details will be sent home with your child.
Please note: Parents are not obligated to purchase any pictures.
All students will have their pictures taken in the Fall and in the Spring. The Fall pictures are those used for the school yearbook and for student records.
During the Spring session, class pictures are taken which are free to all students regardless if the picture packet is purchased or not.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Our school health services personnel work under the “Guide for School Nursing Services in Pennsylvania”, which is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The health and safety of your child is our first concern. The physical needs of a child are: an adequate and well-balanced diet, comfortable and appropriate clothing, protection from danger, opportunity for active play and exercise, sufficient rest and sleep, bodily cleanliness and care during sickness. To insure proper care of your child it is essential that we are aware of any special needs he/she may have which require individual attention. Please notify the school nurse of any allergies, seizure tendencies, special fears, physical limitations, etc. Screening programs are provided to detect vision, hearing, growth and development problems and other health needs.
During the first week of the school year your child will receive an Emergency Card from his/her teacher. This card should be kept up-to-date throughout the year. Please make certain that all portions of the card are completed. Contact the school as soon as possible when there is a change in address, telephone number, parental status or emergency contact persons. PLEASE RETURN THIS CARD PROMPTLY.
A dental program of fluoride treatment, by means of a chewable tablet, is sponsored by the Mifflinburg Area School District. Each teacher of grades K-4 gives the tablets to the students who are to receive the fluoride treatment once each day. Before a child may be given fluoride tablets, the parents must sign a consent form. A new form must be signed each year.
State law requires that all children enrolled in kindergarten or original entry (grade one), grade six and grade eleven must have a medical examination. State law also requires that all children upon original entry into the school, and grades three and seven must have a dental examination.
The results of these examinations must be recorded on uniform health records established by the State Department of Health. You should receive the necessary forms during the summer months and have them completed by your doctor or dentist. Please return them to the school office by October 1. This date is necessary so that our nurses can schedule examinations for those pupils whose parents did not have the examinations conducted by their family doctor or dentist.
If your child shows any sign of illness at any time DO NOT send him or her to school. If your child becomes ill in school, we will decide if he or she should be sent home. If your youngster is too ill to stay in school, or if any injury is serious enough, we will call you to come to the school office to take your child home. If a child is in severe distress, appropriate emergency personnel will be contacted.
The misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical and social implications for the school and community. Drug use, possession and distribution during school hours on school property is prohibited.
Mifflinburg Area School District Policy #210 Student Use of Medications is designed to keep our schools safe from drug misuse while providing students with sufficient opportunity for the legitimate use of medication. We hope you will understand the precautions we must take and will support our efforts to do what is best for the students.
Students are not permitted to carry any prescribed medicine or over-the-counter drugs (such as aspirin, cold tablets, etc.) at school. All medications must be deposited to the school nurse and/or secretary upon arrival at school by the student. Procedures for the administration of medication to students by the nurse and school personnel are as follows:
1. Only emergency medication or maintenance medication will be given.
2. Only medication prescribed by a physician will be given.
3. The parent or guardian must present with the medication a signed, dated request valid only on a specific case basis or need for the time period indicated on the request.
4. The parent or guardian must complete and sign the school’s official form of consent/release which may be secured from the school. Copies of this form can be found at the back of this handbook.
5. All prescription medications must be in the original pharmaceutical container and must contain the label prepared by the pharmacy. All over-the-counter medications must be provided in the original container and be accompanied by a physician’s order for the medication.
6. All medications must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian and not sent to school with the student unless special arrangements are made with the school nurse (e.g., parents will notify building nurses or administrator in advance that medication will be carried to school in a sealed envelope with a label noting student’s name and number of pills).
7. Requests for long term administration of medications must be accompanied by a doctor’s order and renewed at the beginning of each school year. Any change in dosage or frequency of long term medication must be documented in writing by the prescribing physician and will constitute a new order.
8. As with medications, any medical equipment necessary for the administration of a medication must be provided by the parent. Clear written instructions must be provided and the equipment must be in the original container.
9. Inhalers for asthma sufferers may be carried with current doctor permission on file in the office.
however, allowing elementary students to do so does raise concerns. To address these concerns the
school district is offering parents two options for students who use inhalers:
Option #1 – The student comes to the health room where the inhaler is kept and uses it under
supervision. The advantage is that the medication will be used correctly, in the proper
amount, and records will be kept. A number of students keep inhalers in the health room
and come before PE, recess or as needed.
All medications brought to school must be in their original prescription container, with
a signed parental permission note giving the child’s name, grade, dose and time for the
medication to be given.
Option #2 – Qualified students will be allowed to carry their inhalers. The advantage is that it is
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