Family Resources

The Office of Support Services is pleased to share our Summer 2025 quarterly resource aimed at supporting families and helping them connect with community services.

Our Summer newsletter provides information about newsworthy articles, local food banks and other critical resources, district policies, and much, much more! We hope you will take a minute to read about and utilize the many community resources available to Springfield Township residents.

This summer our district will be verifying contact and address information in our PowerSchool Parent Portal. In order to make sure that we have the most up to date and correct information for you and your child, please take a moment to log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and update your emergency contact information. If you need to update your address, please complete the Change of Address Form and send the form and required documentation to our district registrar at registrar@sdst.org.

We want to make you aware of a recent FBI Public Safety Alert concerning dangerous online networks—such as one called “764”—that are actively targeting children and teens across the country through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps.

These groups use manipulation, threats, and blackmail to pressure young people into harmful and illegal behavior, including acts of self-harm, animal cruelty, sexually explicit conduct, and even suicide. In many cases, these actions are recorded and shared within these groups to further control and exploit the victims.

What to Watch For:

The FBI urges parents and caregivers to look out for warning signs that a child may be in distress or being targeted:

• Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or appearance

• Withdrawal from activities or friends

• New online relationships that seem secretive or concerning

• Receiving anonymous gifts, money, or online gaming currency

• Wearing long sleeves in warm weather to hide self-harm marks

• Talking about death, suicide, or feeling unwanted

• Unexplained harm to pets or repeated emergency responses to your home

What You Can Do:

• Monitor your child’s online activity and talk regularly about digital safety

• Be cautious when posting photos or personal information online

• Let your child know they can come to you or a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right

• Seek support if your child seems withdrawn, fearful, or unusually secretive

If You Suspect a Problem:

• In an emergency, call 911

• Contact your child’s school counselor or pediatrician for support

• Report concerns to:

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: www.cybertipline.org or 1-800-THE-LOST
  To remove explicit online content: Take It Down

Summer is here and that means many people will be heading to the beach, pool or lake to stay cool. Make sure you are water safety smart with these resources from the Red Cross.

• Water Safety: Learn basic tips to stay safe in the water
• Designate a Water Watcher: Make sure someone is always watching the water
• Water Safety for Kids: Join Longfellow the Whale and learn all about water safety

Summer Practice

Looking for a fun and engaging way to keep the your child learning this summer? Here are some sites that support learning and fun!

Khan Academy: Free online coursework in a variety of subject areas. Stay fresh on your math facts, dive into a new subject areas, or even learn about having a growth mindset. With Khan Academy, the possibilities are endless!

Cool Math Games: Learning is more fun when games are involved! Choose from thousands of options to build your math fact fluency, skills, or strategy.

Time for Kids: Online news stories for kids in grades Kindergarten through 6th. From dinosaurs to savings accounts, Time for Kids has you covered with engaging, grade level appropriate articles. There are even parent resources for family discussions and deeper comprehension work.

Smithsonian Institute: Can't take a trip? You can still visit the amazing Smithsonian collection from your computer at home. Take an American road trip through 175 years of collections, learn about Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson's puppets, or piece together a puzzle masterpiece, the world is at your fingertips with this site!

National Geographic: Learn anywhere with National Geographic's online education platform. Lessons include a Guide to the Ocean, a Mindset Toolkit, and endless videos, maps, and learn at home activities.

Check out our Family Information Series recordings on the Office of Support Services webpage. All of our 2024-2025 offerings are now posted.

The Student Wellness Committee is looking for students, parents, and staff members to join and support the district with matters related to student health topics. This committee will meet virtually 4 times per year to review and provides feedback on the School Wellness Policy and to promote nutrition, physical education, and overall student health and well-being.

2025-2026 Schedule

• October 14, 2025 at 3:30pm via ZOOM
• January 20, 2026 at 3:30pm via ZOOM
• March 17, 2026 at 3:30pm via ZOOM

If you are interested in joining, please contact Dr. Michelle Lutz at michelle_lutz@sdst.org.

The School District of Springfield Township remains steadfast in our committment to equitable outcomes for each and every student. For more information about the district's Equity Action Plan or to learn about our progress, please check out the resources below.

In late April and early May, all students in Grades 3 through 12 participated in the district's Spring Belonging Survey. This 20 question survey is administered three times per year and helps to inform the district's equity work. Overall, our data is strong, suggesting that students feel a sense of belonging, have trusted adults in the building and feel safe at school.

The School District of Springfield Township feels that it is important to remember those in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. Foodfinder.us is a nonprofit website and app (for iOS or Android) that offers the location and contact information of more than 40,000 food pantries and similar food programs across the country. The FoodFinder website and app can be utilized to pinpoint local free food providers within the community.

Springfield Township is proud to host an annual flu shot clinic for students in all four of our school buildings. If you would like for your child to receive a free flu shot during the school day, please return the paperwork provided during the first days of school to your child's school nurse.

You can also print Parent Consent and Flu Vaccine Consent Form, complete it and return it to your child's school nurse.

Pennsylvania law requires that children in all grades entering public, private, and parochial schools in the Commonwealth MUST have the following specific immunizations BEFORE entry:

• 4 doses of tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday) (Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically necessary, DT or Td)

• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)

• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (usually given as MMR)

• 3 doses of hepatitis B

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

For Attendance in 7th Grade

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

For Attendance in 12th Grade

• 1 additional dose of MCV (total of 2 doses)

The Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, provides uninsured kids up to age 19 with health insurance. Most kids qualify for free CHIP coverage. CHIP coverage includes routine check-ups, prescriptions, hospitalization, dental, eye care, eyeglasses, behavioral care, speciality care and more.

To apply or renew your child's CHIP coverage, please visit CHIPcoversPAkids.com or call

1-800-986-KIDS.

All medications administered at school require prescriber and parent/guardian written permission. Please click here for the Medication Administration Consent Form.

The School Administration and Medical Staff of Springfield Township have developed a Medication Policy in the interest of protecting our children, as well as maintaining the integrity of our staff. The administration and staff of your school join the School District in urging the families of our students to follow these guidelines. The regulations were not designed to make the process of dispensing medications in school difficult for the parents - rather, to make the school environment safe for all students.

In brief: all medications, must be sent to the School Nurse in the original container from the pharmacy, marked with the student’s name, name of medication, time and dose. A written note giving the reason, time and dose, as well as permission to give the drug to the child, must accompany the medication. Unless prearranged with the school nurse, all medication will be kept in a locked cabinet in the Nurse's Office. Medications will not be given to the student without the written permission of the parent and doctor. If the doctor writes a prescription, please ask for a duplicate for the School Nurse to keep on file if the medication is to be administered during school hours. This duplicate should be sent to school with the medication in the above-mentioned manner. This policy applies to both prescription and non-prescription medications.

Here are answers to some Medication Policy Frequently Asked Questions. Should you have additional questions, please contact your school nurse.

502 W Germantown Pike

East Norriton, PA 19403

Direct: (267) 908-8813

Fax: (267) 908-8813

allison.schlegel@cctckids.org

www.cctckids.org

Creative Connections: Growing Together Through Art

Description: This social skills group for children 8-12 years old will utilize Art Therapy techniques to help build confidence, self-esteem and self-identity. Participants in this group will engage in both individual and group projects to navigate relationship building and practice age-appropriate socialization with peers. This group is intended for children that struggle in social situations and may have difficulty navigating relationships with peers of similar ages.

Ages: 8 – 12 years old

When: Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 7:15pm, July 8 – August 12

Group Facilitator: Kara Rothschild-Rode, MS, LPC, ATR-BC

For Info and to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/5SigYcEXQH ; or email krrode@elliementalhealth.com

Building Foundations: Enhancing the Parent & Child Relationship

Description: The Building Foundations workshops offer an opportunity to enhance parenting skills, reduce stress, and increase confidence within a supportive community as parents connect with others who share similar experiences. Weekly topics address parenting strategies for helping your children deal with their feelings and decrease meltdowns, what to say to engage their cooperation, and encouraging their development of self-control.

Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children ages 3 – 12 years old

When: Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 7:15pm, July 8 – August 12

Group Facilitator: Lulu Burkauser, Med, LPC, RPT, NCC

For Info and to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/fEhQ37aidS ; or email Lburkhauser@elliementalhealth.com

Morning of Mindful Movement

Al-Anon: Local 12-step support group, free, and anonymous for families and friends of person with a drug or alcohol problem

Alcoholics Anonymous of Southeastern, PA: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with an alcohol problem

Aldersgate: Substance abuse education and counseling located in Willow Grove, PA

Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol: The Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol provides a wide range of drug and alcohol services to county residents in the areas of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery Support.

Narcotics Anonymous: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with a drug problem.

The goal of stoAc is to educate the school community and increase understanding about Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the stigma behind it. They promote proactive, open, non-judgemental and healthy environments through ongoing, open, and honest conversations.

• Springfield Township Opioid Action Committee - Parent Pamphlet
• Springfield Township Opioid Action Committee - Teen Pamphlet

The district is committed to providing resources for our immigrant families so that they can understand and know their legal rights. For more information about your rights, please see the ACLU Know Your Rights document.

Translation services are available for all school-based meetings, workshops, and other family events and activities. Please reach out to your child's school if you are in need of an interpreter for a school event. All documents are available in your primary language. In most cases, the district has on file your predominant language and will make every effort to provide you with translated documents. Our website and weekly newsletter have translation accessibility features.

Peter's Place is a local grief and loss organization committed to provide families and children with counseling and support as their grieve the loss of a loved one.

If you are interested in finding out more information or would like to access services, please call 610.687.5150 or email them at info@petersplaceonline.org.

Have a tip? Contact the Safe2Say Hotline. Students and parents can anonymously report threats and concerns through call, text or through the app.

Call 1-844-SAF2SAY

Download the app by searching SAFE2SAYPA

Report online at SAFE2SAYPA.org

With gun suicide on the rise and firearms becoming the leading cause of death among children in the United States in 2020, the School District of Springfield Township is pleased to present information on the importance of secure firearm storage as an essential part of home safety to the members of our school and surrounding community.

Be SMART is a framework designed to help families normalize conversations about gun safety to help prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Please take a minute to review the Be SMART framework and check out the besmartforkids.org site to learn more about how you can take responsible actions for gun safety.

Our Office of Support Services and Registrar are always happy to answer your questions regarding residency!

As a reminder, you must live in the School District Springfield Township boundaries in order to attend school here. If you move during the school year, please complete the Change of Address Form to keep your most current address on file.

The School District of Springfield Township considers students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, as experiencing homelessness. This includes children and youth who are: sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; living in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a sleeping accommodation by human beings; living in cars, abandoned buildings, substandard housing or similar situations; living as refugee or migratory children due to circumstances like those described above; or abandoned or forced out of homes by parents, guardians or caretakers

Unaccompanied youth also fall under this category and can be described as a youth not in the physical custody of a legal parent or guardian and youth living on their own in any of the homeless situations described above.

These children and youth may enroll in:

• Their school of origin, defined as the school where the student attended when permanently housed or in which the student was last enrolled.
• Any school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth experiencing homelessness is actually living are eligible to attend (new neighborhood school).

An unaccompanied homeless youth with a disability may also need to have a surrogate parent appointed by the District if the youth has no one to serve in this role.

Please reach out to your building social worker for assistance with services and answers to questions regarding your child's rights while experiencing homelessness.

You can also access information on our webpage.

Elementary School Hours
Regular School Day: 8:55 am - 3:25 pm
Early Dismissal: 8:55 am - 12:00 pm
2-Hour Delay: 10:55 am - 3:25 pm

Middle and High School Hours
Regular School Day: 7:45 am - 2:41 pm
Early Dismissal: 7:45 am - 11:10 am
2-Hour Delay: 9:45 am - 2:41 pm

To report an absence to your child's school, please email and include your child's full name and grade in the subject line as well as a reason for your child's absence citing one of the approved reasons.

Note: If you email, you do not have to call the office.

• Enfield: en_attendance@sdst.org
• Erdenheim: er_attendance@sdst.org
• Middle School: ms_attendance@sdst.org
• High School: hs_attendance@sdst.org

The following are School Board approved conditions for an excused absence to be granted based on Pennsylvania School Code:

• Illness
• Quarantine
• Family Emergency including a death in the family
• Family Educational Travel, Tours, and Trips (with prior approval by SDST administration)
• Impassable Roads
• Recovery from Accident
• Required Court Appearance

Dr. Michelle L. Lutz

Director of Support Services

215-233-6000 ext. 1017

michelle_lutz@sdst.org