Student and Family School Handbook

The Upper Darby School District is committed to inclusivity and ensuring that all members of our community have access to important information. The UDSD Student and Family Handbook is available in several languages to accommodate our diverse population. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please click the accessibility button (stick-figure) found on the top right of this page and select your language of choice.

El Distrito Escolar de Upper Darby está comprometido con la inclusión y con garantizar que todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad tengan acceso a información importante. El Manual para estudiantes y familias de UDSD está disponible en varios idiomas para adaptarse a nuestra población diversa. Si necesita acceder a este documento en un idioma que no sea inglés, haga clic en el botón de accesibilidad (figura de palo) que se encuentra en la parte superior derecha de esta página y seleccione el idioma de su elección.

আপার ডার্বি স্কুল ডিস্ট্রিক্ট অন্তর্ভুক্তি এবং নিশ্চিত করতে প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ যে আমাদের সম্প্রদায়ের সকল সদস্যের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ তথ্যের অ্যাক্সেস রয়েছে। ইউডিএসডি স্টুডেন্ট অ্যান্ড ফ্যামিলি হ্যান্ডবুক আমাদের বিভিন্ন জনসংখ্যার জন্য বিভিন্ন ভাষায় উপলব্ধ। আপনি যদি ইংরেজি ছাড়া অন্য কোনো ভাষায় এই নথিতে অ্যাক্সেস করতে চান, তাহলে অনুগ্রহ করে এই পৃষ্ঠার উপরের ডানদিকে পাওয়া অ্যাক্সেসিবিলিটি বোতামে (স্টিক-ফিগার) ক্লিক করুন এবং আপনার পছন্দের ভাষা নির্বাচন করুন।

اپر ڈاربی اسکول ڈسٹرکٹ شمولیت اور اس بات کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے پرعزم ہے کہ ہماری کمیونٹی کے تمام اراکین کو اہم معلومات تک رسائی حاصل ہو۔ ہماری متنوع آبادی کو ایڈجسٹ کرنے کے لیے UDSD اسٹوڈنٹ اینڈ فیملی ہینڈ بک کئی زبانوں میں دستیاب ہے۔ اگر آپ کو انگریزی کے علاوہ کسی دوسری زبان میں اس دستاویز تک رسائی حاصل کرنے کی ضرورت ہے، تو براہ کرم اس صفحہ کے اوپری دائیں جانب موجود رسائی کے بٹن (اسٹک فگر) پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان منتخب کریں۔

Học khu Upper Darby cam kết mang tính toàn diện và đảm bảo rằng tất cả thành viên trong cộng đồng của chúng ta đều có quyền truy cập vào những thông tin quan trọng. Cẩm nang Gia đình và Sinh viên UDSD có sẵn bằng nhiều ngôn ngữ để phù hợp với thành phần dân cư đa dạng của chúng ta. Nếu bạn cần truy cập tài liệu này bằng ngôn ngữ khác tiếng Anh, vui lòng nhấp vào nút trợ năng (hình que) ở phía trên bên phải của trang này và chọn ngôn ngữ bạn chọn.

تلتزم منطقة مدارس داربي العليا بالشمولية وضمان حصول جميع أفراد مجتمعنا على المعلومات المهمة. يتوفر دليل الطالب والأسرة في UDSD بعدة لغات لاستيعاب تنوع سكاننا. إذا كنت بحاجة إلى الوصول إلى هذا المستند بلغة غير الإنجليزية، فيرجى النقر فوق زر إمكانية الوصول (الشكل الملصق) الموجود في أعلى يمين هذه الصفحة واختيار اللغة التي تختارها.

taltazim mintaqat madaris darbi aleulya bialshumuliat wadaman husul jamie 'afrad mujtamaeina ealaa almaelumat almuhimati. yatawafar dalil altaalib wal'usrat fi UDSD bieidat lughat liaistieab tanawue sukaanina. 'iidha kunt bihajat 'iilaa alwusul 'iilaa hadha almustanad bilughat ghayr al'iinjliziati, fayurjaa alnaqr fawq ziri 'iimkaniat alwusul (alshakl almulsaqa) almawjud fi 'aelaa yamin hadhih alsafhat waikhtiar allughat alati takhtaruha.

The content of this handbook is subject to periodic updates and revisions. We strive to ensure that the information is accurate and current; however, changes may occur over time. Please refer to the latest version of the handbook for the most up-to-date information.

The Upper Darby School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or limited English proficiency in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. All concerns regarding discrimination should be directed to:

Upper Darby School District

Administration Building

Dr. John Council, Assistant Superintendent of Recruitment, Retention, and Culture

8201 Lansdowne Avenue

Upper Darby, PA 19082

The Student and Family Handbook serves as a guide for students and families on school-specific information on programs, services, resources, schedules, procedures, and expectations. General Upper Darby School District information is available in the UDSD Student and Family Handbook.

Upper Darby School District

Administrative Offices

8201 Lansdowne Avenue

Upper Darby PA 19082

Main Office Phone: (610) 789-7200

www.upperdarbysd.org

Dr. Daniel P. McGarry, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. John Council, Assistant Superintendent of Recruitment, Retention and Culture

Edward Marshaleck, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Kelley Simone, Director of Secondary Education

Primos Elementary School

861 Bunting Lane

Primos, Pa 19018

Main Office Phone: (610) 622-6755

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

School Colors: Purple and Gold

School Mascot: Royals

• Website: https://www.upperdarbysd.org/primos

At Primos Elementary School it is our mission to provide a quality education that meets the needs of individual students in a safe, nurturing environment. We are committed to developing lifelong learners who will become productive citizens in our community.

Our programming is designed to support and motivate each student academically, while providing social support, and nurturing the whole child. We have an effective Home and School Association, which provides families activities in the fall, winter and spring. We also participate in Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). PBIS encourages each student to be Respectful, Safe, and Responsible. We strive to establish good habits in our students by modeling essential qualities. Primos has been able to include parents by being open to the community. Parents are welcome anytime and we encourage them to participate in the education of their children.

Please feel free to contact me any time if I can assist your family in any way.

Thank you for all that you do,

Matthew Casertano

At Primos Elementary School it is our mission to provide a quality education that meets the needs of individual students in a safe and nurturing environment. We are committed to developing lifelong learners who will become productive citizens in our community… Success, Nothing Less!

The school staff directory is an essential resource for students, parents, and the community, providing up-to-date contact information and roles for all school faculty and administrative members. It helps facilitate communication and ensures that everyone can easily reach the appropriate staff for support, inquiries, or collaboration. For any updates or changes to staff information, please refer to the directory regularly or contact the school office directly.

Effective communication between home and school is essential for supporting student success. We encourage parents and guardians to use both phone and email as primary methods for staying in touch with teachers, administrators, and school staff. Phone calls to the main office are ideal for urgent matters or quick conversations, while email is well-suited for detailed inquiries, scheduling meetings, or sharing documents. See the school directory for staff email addresses. Please note that teachers are not available during instructional time and will respond to voicemails, messages and emails as soon as possible. Please ensure that your contact information is current and check your messages regularly to stay informed about important updates and communications. For any questions or to resolve issues related to communication, feel free to reach out to the school's main office.

Change of Address, Phone Number, Email Address

As per Policy 200: Enrollment of Students, students are required to keep a current address on file with the school district at all times. If there is a change to the student’s address within or outside of the school district after initial registration, the parent/guardian is required to contact Central Registration immediately to update the student’s address. Email addresses and phone numbers can be changed in the Home Access Center (HAC). See the Home Access Center Guide below to learn how to make these updates.

Parent-teacher meetings are an important part of our commitment to fostering student success and ensuring open communication between home and school. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss a student's academic performance, social development, and any concerns or goals. We encourage all parents to take advantage of these meetings to collaborate with teachers in supporting their child’s growth and addressing any issues.

Please note the report conference dates on the calendar and make plans to attend.

Teachers are not permitted to meet with parents during instructional time.

To schedule a meeting, please contact your child’s teacher directly via email or phone, or use our online scheduling system if the teacher makes one available. We look forward to productive discussions and working together to enhance your child's educational experience.

The Home Access Center (HAC) is an online platform designed to provide parents and guardians with real-time access to their child's academic information. Through HAC, you can view grades, attendance records, assignments, and other important academic details. This tool helps you stay informed about your child’s progress and supports effective communication between home and school. We encourage you to log in regularly to monitor your child's performance and stay engaged in their educational journey. For login assistance or questions about using HAC, please contact the school's main office or send an email to parentportal@upperdarbysd.org.

Schoology is our district’s comprehensive learning management system (LMS) that facilitates communication and collaboration between students, parents, and teachers. It provides a central platform for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and tracking academic progress. Schoology also allows parents to monitor their child’s engagement and performance, helping to support their learning journey. Teachers can send a Schoology message to parents of members in their course(s) or group(s) about course updates and reminders. We encourage you to explore Schoology to stay connected with classroom activities and resources. Log-in to Schoology at https://app.schoology.com/login?destination=home. For assistance with Schoology or any questions about its features, please contact the school’s main office or parentportal@upperdarbysd.org.

The weekly information newsletter, or Wednesday Folder, is a valuable resource designed to keep parents, students, and the school community informed about upcoming events, important announcements, and key updates. Each edition provides a comprehensive overview of school activities, achievements, and important deadlines. We encourage all families to read the newsletter regularly to stay engaged and up-to-date with school happenings. The newsletter is emailed to families using the email address on file in the Home Access Center (HAC). We encourage you to check your inbox every Wednesday evening to stay informed and engaged with the latest news from our school. If you have any questions or if you are not receiving these communications, please contact the school office to ensure your email address is correctly updated in our system or visit HAC to update your email address.

Our district website and its associated school webpages, are key resources designed to provide students, parents, and the community with up-to-date information about school programs, events, and important announcements. The website offers easy access to a variety of resources, including the school calendar, staff directories, academic resources, and contact information. We encourage you to visit the website regularly to stay informed and take advantage of the tools and information available. For any questions or difficulties accessing the site, please contact the district Communications and Media Services and Technology offices at webmaster@upperdarbysd.org.

Our school district utilizes social media platforms to connect with the community, share important updates, celebrate achievements, and highlight school events. By following our official social media accounts, you can stay informed about district-wide news, upcoming activities, and key announcements. We encourage you to engage with our posts and share your own experiences to foster a vibrant and supportive community. For any questions or concerns regarding our social media presence, please reach out to the district’s Communications and Media Services office at socialmedia@upperdarbysd.org.

Our school district's mobile app is designed to keep you connected and informed with ease. The app provides instant access to important updates, school news, the district's master and school calendars, and other information and resources right from your smartphone. It offers features such as quick links to resources and access to student information. We encourage you to download the app to stay up-to-date with everything happening in our district. For assistance with the app or to provide feedback, please contact the Communications and Media Services and Technology offices at webmaster@upperdarbysd.org.

Emergency/serious incident and school schedule change messages are shared through the District’s official CrisisGo app, which are delivered to registered mobile devices.

The CrisisGo mobile app allows UDSD parents to connect with safety message groups from our school district and individual school buildings. UDSD parents can download the CrisisGo app on their mobile device and create a FREE account. Parents will then need to subscribe to the DISTRICT NEWS group and the school(s) of their choice via the appropriate ID number.

CrisisGo is the fastest way to receive district emergency alerts and messaging. Click on the image to the right to learn how to download the app and SUBSCRIBE today!

The UDSD Community Bulletin Board (CBB) serves as a hub for local information, events, and resources, providing a space for sharing announcements, opportunities, and activities that benefit our school and surrounding area. Whether you're looking to post an event, find local services, or stay informed about community happenings, the bulletin board is an excellent resource. We encourage all community members to contribute and utilize this space to stay connected and engaged with what’s happening in our area. The Community Bulletin Board - your premiere community resource! Visit https://www.upperdarbysd.org/Page/2642 today!

UDSD CBB Posting Request Form

Guidelines for Requests to Post to the CBB

Ways to Make Sure Your CBB Document is ADA Compliant

Resources for Translating CBB Documents

BoardDocs is our online platform used for managing and accessing school board meeting agendas, minutes, and other important documents. This system provides a transparent and convenient way for community members to stay informed about board activities, decisions, and discussions. By visiting BoardDocs, you can easily review past and upcoming meeting materials, track board resolutions, and access important information related to school governance. We encourage you to explore BoardDocs to stay engaged with the decision-making processes that affect our schools. For any questions or assistance with using BoardDocs, please contact the school district office.

Our school district’s Public Access Cable Channel provides a platform for broadcasting important school events, educational programs, and community news. This channel offers valuable insight into school activities, including board meetings, special events, and student achievements, allowing the community to stay connected and informed. We encourage you to tune in regularly to see the latest updates and programming. For schedule information or to submit content for consideration, please contact the district’s communications office or the Public Access Cable Channel coordinator. The channel is available to all cable television subscribers in the Upper Darby School District area. The UDSD public access channels are as follows:

Comcast: Channel 08

RCN: Channel 51

Verizon FIOS: Channel 20

If you are experiencing any difficulties with your cable programming, please contact your local cable provider. All events can also be found on the official Upper Darby School District YouTube Channel. Find a list of our most recent programming on our website at https://pa02209738.schoolwires.net/site/default.aspx?PageID=4437.

Blackboard Reach lets teachers have a two-way conversation with parents. Conversations can be used to give feedback, information on upcoming assignments or required paperwork due dates, and class information and events. Blackboard Reach allows families to view messages that teachers post to the entire class and to also privately message teachers. Click here for instructions on using the messaging dashboard. Find more information about Blackboard access HERE. Learn how to use the tool at Blackboard Parent Instructions.

The School Board Meeting and the School Board Committee Meetings empower parents to stay informed about policy and to observe and become familiar with the policy-making process.

Regular School Board meetings are official and formal business meetings, at which the School Board meets in their official capacity to deliberate and take action on the business of the school district. Items that are presented on school board meeting agendas for a vote are usually researched and considered during School Board Committee meetings.

To ensure a smooth and safe experience for all students and families, please adhere to the following arrival and dismissal procedures. Students should arrive between [arrival time] and [arrival time] and be dropped off at designated areas to avoid congestion and ensure their safety. During dismissal, please follow the instructions provided for pick-up locations and times to maintain an orderly flow and avoid delays. We appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures to create a safe and efficient environment for all students. For any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Arrival Procedures

Grades 1- 5: 8:45AM

Morning Kindergarten: 8:45AM

Afternoon Kindergarten: 12:35PM

School starts promptly at 8:50 a.m. Adult supervision begins at 8:30 a.m. For your child’s safety, students may arrive no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival, students will be directed right into the building and will head directly to their classrooms. We know there will be a lot of traffic and congestion at arrival and dismissal. Please be patient as we work through the first few weeks of school. We strongly recommend families car pool or walk if possible. If you are dropping off, please use the large loop in the front of the building off of Bunting Lane. Please keep the line moving as we do not want the cars out into the street. Dismissal is at 3:15 but will begin calling students at 3:10pm. Please do not use either bus loop at this time. You are welcome to use the parking lot or street to park.

The Kindergarten PM students should arrive at the small bus loop doors by 12:25 PM. The teachers will pick up the students and walk them to their classrooms by 12:35.

Dismissal Procedures

Grades 1- 5: 3:15 PM

Morning Kindergarten: 11:30 AM Afternoon Kindergarten: 3:15 PM

The AM Kindergarten students will be walked to the small bus loop doors. The teachers will hand off the children to their parents. Grades K, 1, and 2 will be dismissed from the side doors near the staff parking lot. Students of grades 3, 4, and 5 will be escorted to the side entrance closest to the playground. All students taking a bus home or to a daycare will report to the cafeteria at 3:15PM. Any student who is not picked up by 3:25 PM will be brought to the office and a phone call will be made to the student’s family members.

Bus Loop Procedures

Morning Drop Off – The front loop in the morning is designed to be a quick drop off point. Parents should enter the loop, stay to the right of the cones (closest to the curb) and stop in front of the main entrance of the school. All students should exit their vehicles on the school side. All cars must stay in the drop off lane in a single file line. The left side of the cones must remain open for possible emergencies.

Afternoon procedures – In the afternoon the bus loop in front of the main entrance of the school is strictly used for Upper Darby School District buses and daycare buses. Parking and picking up students is prohibited. If you are late and need to pick up a student, you must park on the street and walk to the main office.

Upon arrival at the school, visitors must register at the office where they must provide any required information or identification to protect the health and safety of students, staff and the school community, as well as be informed of the school’s health and safety rules, which must be followed prior to entry and while the visitor is in the school building and on school property. Visitors will show identification and will be scanned into the visitor entry system to be checked in a national database of offenders of crimes against children. Visitors who are not in the national database will receive a visitor’s badge that must be worn in plain view. Visitors will sign out upon leaving school and return the visitor’s badge. Visitors found in the national database will be escorted at all times with staff while in the building and access to the building will be limited to rights of parents/guardians. See Board Docs: Policy 907.

Parking is available on the street or the parking lot to the right of the building. Please do not access Primos through St. Eugene's property. This includes the driveway that boarders St. Eugene's property as it belongs to St. Eugene's.

Parent volunteers are a huge resource for our school community. When students see parents volunteer in their school and classrooms and on field trips, they recognize the importance of education in families and see in action how the community takes an interest in their learning. We welcome parent volunteers! Upper Darby School District Volunteers are required to submit the PA Criminal Background Check, the FBI Criminal Clearance and the PA Child Abuse History Clearance along with their school district Volunteer Application. The Communications and Media Services office hosts Fall and a Spring Parent Volunteer Workshops to assist parents with the volunteer approval process. Submit your application today!

916-AR-1 Non-Staff Volunteer Application

Volunteer Application Process

Advanced planning, training, practice and comprehensive implementation are key components in protecting the safety and security of the school community. District schools shall conduct a disaster response or emergency preparedness plan drill at least annually. District schools shall conduct fire drills at least once a month during the school year. District schools shall conduct a school security drill while school is in session, with students present. See Board Docs: Policy 805.

The Board requires all users to fully comply with this policy, as outlined in Policy 815 - Acceptable Use of Internet, Computer, and Network Resources. The Board declares that district Internet, computer and network use is a privilege, not a right. The district’s computer and network resources are the property of the district. Users shall have no expectation of privacy in anything they create, store, send, delete, access, receive or display on or over the district’s Internet, computers or network resources, including personal files or any use of the district’s Internet, computers or network resources. The district reserves the right to monitor, track and log network access and use on district computers and network resources; monitor fileserver space and file storage utilization by district users; or deny access to prevent unauthorized, inappropriate or illegal activity and may revoke access privileges and/or administer appropriate disciplinary action.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate. It also improves teacher health and wellbeing. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives. Review the information below for additional information about our PBIS program.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)

Our award-winning work around Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program involves reinforcing the 3 Bs every day and in everything we do. We want students to Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful. We work tirelessly to keep our school a safe and orderly place for all students. We are very proud of the success we are experiencing in implementing Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) in our school.

Our goal is to provide support to students in every setting in the school building, on school grounds and while traveling to and from school. To that end, we strive to implement this comprehensive approach to building positive school culture with the goal of teaching students skills that will support their efforts to be safe, responsible and respectful throughout the school day.

Having a coherent, school-wide plan is essential and has several benefits:

• It fosters a positive school climate.

• It focuses staff & student attention on appropriate behaviors and success and on students who are trying their best to meet our expectations rather than on any undesired behaviors. In this way, the school staff establishes what is important in our school as opposed to allowing students who are struggling implementing our expectations to do so.

• It increases the chance that desired behaviors are repeated.

• It reduces the time spent correcting misbehaviors and redirecting students. Any teacher can tell you about the academic cost of disciplining students, as significant loss of instructional time impacts student achievement tremendously.

1. Include as appropriate:

1. Classroom

2. Transitions

3. Cafeteria

4. Playground

5. Behavior on school campus during arrival to and departure from school

1. Trauma-Informed Schools

The District and Board recognizes the impact that trauma may have on the educational environment of the schools, individual student achievement, and the school community as a whole. We desire to address the effects of trauma in order to meet the academic, behavioral and professional needs of students and staff. Click to learn more about the District’s Trauma-Informed Approach to education throughout the district.

1. Restorative Practices

Restorative practices is an emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. The overarching goal of Restorative Practices is the improvement of school climate and culture by decreasing unsafe behavior and increasing prosocial interaction. Click to learn more about the District’s Restorative Practices initiative.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students extends beyond the school grounds, including their journey to and from school. We expect all students to demonstrate respectful and responsible behavior while traveling, whether walking, biking, or riding public transportation. This includes following traffic rules, being considerate to others, and avoiding any behavior that could endanger themselves or others. Students should also adhere to any school or district policies related to conduct during these times. By upholding these standards, we can contribute to a safe and positive environment for everyone. For any concerns or to report issues related to student behavior on their commute, please contact the school administration or local authorities. Review the document attached below for additional information about student behavior expectations.

All students are subject to the dress code as outlined in Policy 221: Dress and Grooming. Students must report to school on a daily basis attired in compliance with the provisions of this policy. Acceptable dress must be appropriately sized and must conform to the following requirements:

1. We strongly encourage students to exhibit their school pride by wearing school colors and apparel.
   
2. Students are not permitted to wear apparel that belittles another, suggests sexual activity, or refers to violence, weapons, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, discrimination, gangs, or any illegal activity. Objectionable language or graphics are also not permitted on apparel or belongings.
   
3. All shirts and dresses must have sleeves and cover the entire torso, and shoulders. Tank tops, midriffs, tube tops, low cut shirts, strapless, spaghetti straps, see through shirts, halters, or bare back shirts are not permitted.
   
4. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must reach mid-thigh. We use the “fingertip” rule, which means when standing straight, fingertips are in line with the hem.
   
5. Pants must be worn above the hip bone. No undergarments are to be seen at any time. Tights worn as pants are not permitted.
   
6. See through clothing, undergarments worn as outer garments, and sleepwear are not permitted.
   
7. Clothing that are torn or ripped are not permitted.
   
8. Students are not permitted to wear any spiked collars, spiked bracelets, or wallet chains.
   
9. Shoes must cover the entire foot and have soles. Steel toe boots are not permitted.
   
10. Hats, hoods, bandannas, and sunglasses are not to be worn in the building.
    
11. Administration will make final decisions about the appropriateness and acceptability of specific items of clothing.
    
12. Violations of the dress code will result in disciplinary consequences.

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Policy 215 - Promotion/Retention

Policy 130: Homework

There are two main purposes for homework:

1. To practice or apply what has been learned in class.

2. To learn and work independently.

Parents can help by providing a quiet study area, providing a daily, uninterrupted amount of time for homework to be completed, and helping with, but not doing, the homework.

Upper Darby School District has standardized Homework Guidelines for elementary school:

Grades 1 & 2

Each student will be assigned homework four (4) nights per week for no more than a total of thirty (30) minutes on each of the four (4) nights.

• Mathematics - 4 nights 15 minutes
• Reading/ELA - 4 nights 15 minutes

Grade 3

Each student will be assigned homework four (4) nights per week for no more than a total of forty-five (45) minutes on each of the four (4) nights.

• Mathematics - 4 nights 20 minutes
• Reading/ELA - 4 nights 25 minutes

Grades 4 & 5

Each student will be assigned homework four (4) nights per week for no more than a total of sixty (60) minutes on each of the four (4) nights.

• Mathematics - 4 nights 20 minutes
• Reading/ELA - 4 nights 30 minutes

Our school offers breakfast and lunch programs to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals throughout the school day. These programs are designed to support student health and academic performance by providing balanced and wholesome food options. Breakfast and lunch meals are free for every Upper Darby School District student through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). We encourage families to review the monthly menu and take advantage of these meal services. For information on meal pricing, eligibility for free or reduced meals, or any dietary accommodations, please contact the school’s cafeteria manager. Visit https://upperdarbysd.schooldish.com/ to view our ADA-compliant website for lunch menus.

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Upper Darby School District is committed to supporting all students in addressing their academic, behavioral, personal, social, and career development needs. Click here to learn more about counseling services in schools. See the Staff Directory for contact information for our school’s counselor(s).

Upper Darby School District School Social Workers meet with students in grades K through 12 to offer academic and social support. They work with families providing resources and strengthening relationships with their children and with the school. School Social Workers also work with the school staff, including teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, and nurses to provide important resources, consultation, and information about the students, families and outside resources. They are the liaison between the school, the families, and the community. Click here to learn more about school counseling services in schools. See the Staff Directory for contact information for our school’s social worker(s).

In 1986 Upper Darby School District joined the statewide effort to identify and address barriers to student success, which included alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and mental health issues by establishing the Pa Commonwealth Student Assistance Program (SAP) in the secondary schools. The SAP Program also extends itself to the elementary level to help students and families. The District's SAP program follows the state guidelines and procedures of SAP. The SAP is an integral part of the instructional program of Upper Darby School District. Through education and awareness programs targeting the dangers and risks associated with the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco we hope to eliminate a barrier to academic achievement and success. These programs contribute to the universal school-wide supports needed to build resilient schools in our district. Click here to learn more about SAP and its resources.

The Upper Darby School District takes the safety and security of our staff and students very seriously and recognizes that the uncertainties and pressures that students and families have faced the uncertainty of a pandemic has clearly demonstrated that the mental health of students as a priority. The Safe2Say Something system teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and say something, using our anonymous reporting system. Safe2Say Something is also a way to anonymously report unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in any school in Pennsylvania.

For anyone who is feeling unsure or unsafe, please remember that there is help and it is okay to ask for help.

Find below videos and the District’s webpage outlining the Safe2Say Something PA Program:

Safe2Say Something PA Program

UDSD Safe2Say Something Presentation 2021

https://pa02209738.schoolwires.net/Page/8021

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your building principal.

Attendance - Policy 204

The school laws of Pennsylvania states that excused absences are: illness of the child, death in the immediate family, and exceptionally urgent reasons that directly affect the child. In an effort to streamline the attendance process we have recently eliminated the attendance phone line. When your child will be absent, please email the teacher AND the school attendance clerk at

pes-attendance@upperdarbysd.org advising the dates(s) and reason the student will be absent. If you will be providing a doctor's note, please send it through your child's yellow folder or, if possible, scan or photograph the note and attach it to your email. If the absence continues longer than originally stated, you can always send an additional email. In order for absences to be excused, you must send an email or note.

It is the policy of the Upper Darby School District to excuse pupils from school if their religious affiliation requires them to observe a holiday. Legal excusal will be granted on written request from the parent or guardian of the pupil involved. After a five-day absence due to illness, a doctor's signature is requested. Children who do not bring a valid Absence Note within three days will be marked unlawfully absent. Three unlawful, not necessarily consecutive, absences will be reported to the Department of Pupil Services and will be marked truant. Following the third unlawful absence, a family meeting will be scheduled to create a School Attendance Improvement Plan.

School personnel, including the nurse may NOT dispense medication without a written note from a physician. Please have your doctor indicate on the note the name of the medication and the dosage. Also, the original container holding the medicine must be clearly labeled by a pharmacy with the child’s name, drug, and dosage. Students are not permitted to bring medicines to school to take during the day, including prescription medications and over the counter medications. Please call the school nurse, Nurse Jackie at 610-622-6755 X5820 or you can email at jhamilton@upperdarbysd.org if you need more information.

Policy 203: Immunizations and Communicable Diseases

In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases, the Board requires that established policy and administrative regulations be followed by students, parents/guardians, and district staff.

All students shall be immunized against certain diseases in accordance with state law and regulations unless specifically exempt for religious or medical reasons.

A certificate of immunization shall be maintained as part of the health record for each student, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

A student shall be exempt from immunization requirements whose parent/guardian objects in writing to such immunization on religious grounds or whose physician certifies that the student's physical condition contraindicates immunization.

A student who has not been immunized in accordance with state regulations shall not be admitted to or permitted to attend district schools unless exempted for medical or religious reasons or provisionally admitted by the Superintendent or designee after beginning a multiple-dose vaccine series and submitting proof of immunization or a medical certificate on or before the fifth school day of attendance.

Homeless students who have not been immunized or are unable to provide immunization records due to being homeless shall be admitted in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

Foster care students and students transferring into a school within the Commonwealth shall be admitted in accordance with law and regulations and shall have thirty (30) days to provide proof of immunization, a medical certificate detailing the plan to complete a multiple-dose vaccine series, or to satisfy the requirements for an exemption.

Monitoring of immunization requirements shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or designee and the head nurse.

The Superintendent or designee shall:

1. Ensure that parents/guardians are informed prior to a student's admission to school, or a grade requiring additional immunizations, of the requirements for immunization, the requisite proof of immunization, exemption available for religious or medical reasons, and means by which such exemptions may be claimed.

2. Designate school personnel to review student medical certificates in accordance with law and regulations to ensure compliance with full immunization requirements.

3. Annually review state standards for immunization and direct accordingly the responsible district personnel.

4. Investigate and recommend to the Board district-sponsored programs of immunization that may be warranted to safeguard the health of the school community. Such program shall be subject to Board approval and may be conducted in cooperation with local health agencies.

The Superintendent or designee shall report immunization data electronically to the Department of Health by December 31 of each year. If the district is unable to complete the report electronically, the Superintendent or designee shall report the immunization data on the required form to the Department of Health by December 15.

The Board authorizes that students who have been diagnosed by a physician or are suspected of having a disease by the school nurse shall be excluded from school for the period indicated by regulations of the Department of Health for certain specified diseases and infectious conditions.

The school nurse shall report the presence of suspected communicable diseases to the appropriate local health authority, as required by the Department of Health.

The Superintendent or designee shall direct that health guidelines and universal precautions designed to minimize the transmission of communicable diseases be implemented in district schools.

Instruction regarding prevention of communicable and life threatening diseases shall be provided by the schools in the educational program for all levels, in accordance with state regulations.

Parents/Guardians shall be informed of and be provided opportunities during school hours to review all curriculum materials used in instruction relative to communicable and life-threatening diseases.

A comprehensive health record shall be maintained for each student enrolled in the district. The record shall include the results of required tests, measurements, screenings, regular and special examinations, and medical questionnaires.

All health records shall be confidential, and their contents shall be divulged only when necessary for the health of the student or to a physician at the written request of the parent/guardian.

The policy in its entirety can be found on the district website, along with administrative regulations, if applicable.

Policy 246: School Wellness Policy

The District’s Wellness Committee has discussed ways in which parents/guardians can have a positive effect on our children’s nutrition and eating habits while they are in school. While the District appreciates the wish to recognize children’s birthdays and other celebrations by bringing in treats to share with the class, the following guidelines have been established:

1. Treats should only be brought in when requested for scheduled parties. Permitted foods for parties may vary from classroom to classroom based upon student health issues.

2. Scheduled parties will be announced through newsletters or letters sent home.

3. Treats will be served after the lunch period or at the end of the day, when possible.

4. Parents are encouraged to ask teachers to consider hosting a fun activity that does not involve food, such as reading a special book to students or playing a special game with students in celebration of a child’s birthday. Teachers must be contacted in advance of bringing in any food or non-food items for a birthday celebration. For those who wish to send in a treat in recognition of a child’s birthday, please consider the following:

• Donating a book to the class library in the name of a child

• Donating a piece of sports equipment for outdoor recess

• Donating a class game or craft for indoor recess

• Cut up fruit and vegetables with low-fat dressing or yogurt dip

• Non-food treats such as pencils, erasers, notebooks, or small toys for each student

• Healthy food alternatives as found at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take-action/schools/wellness-topics/smart-snacks/celebrations

Policy 103: Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students

The Board declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in the schools without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability.

The district strives to maintain a safe, positive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination. Discrimination is inconsistent with the educational and programmatic goals of the district and is prohibited on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities and on any conveyance providing transportation to or from a school entity or school-sponsored activity.

The district shall provide to all students, without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, services, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute handicaps and disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations.

The Board encourages students and third parties who believe they or others have been subject to discrimination to promptly report such incidents to designated employees, even if some elements of the related incident took place or originated away from school grounds, school activities, or school conveyances.

The Board directs that verbal and written complaints of discrimination shall be investigated promptly, and appropriate corrective or preventative action be taken when allegations are substantiated. The Board directs that any complaint of discrimination brought pursuant to this policy shall also be reviewed for conduct that may not be proven discriminatory under this policy but merits review and possible action under other Board policies.

Confidentiality of all parties, witnesses, the allegations, the filing of a complaint and the investigation shall be handled in accordance with this policy and the district's legal and investigative obligations.

No reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges of discrimination.

The policy in its entirety can be found on the district website, along with administrative regulations, if applicable.

Policy 249: Bullying

The Board is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for district students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence.

Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district students.

Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.

2. Creation of a threatening environment.

3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.

School setting means in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school.

The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students.

The Board encourages students who have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the building principal or designee.

The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified.

Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained consistent with the district’s legal and investigative obligations. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of ,good-faith reports of bullying.

The policy in its entirety can be found on the district website along with administrative regulations, if applicable.

On June 30, 1995 the General Assembly of Pennsylvania enacted Act 26 of 1995 amending the School Code, which mandates a minimum one-year expulsion for students who bring weapons to school. In addition, Act 16 establishes reporting and records maintenance requirements regarding violence in schools. Act 25 permits expulsions for less than one year under special circumstances and at the recommendation of the Superintendent.

The general rules state that any student who is determined to have brought a weapon onto any school property, any school-sponsored activity shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. “Weapon” shall include, but not be limited to, any knife, cutting instruments, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool instrument or implement capable of inflicting bodily injury.

Policy 810: Transportation

The school bus service is offered to eligible students per the School District Policy 810.

School bus stops will be at locations established by the administration in accordance with Board Policy and the Public School Code of 1949, as amended. Transportation will be provided only to and from the established bus stop for the residence of qualified students and will not be provided to babysitters, day care providers, relatives, etc. Students who ride the bus are expected to:

• Follow the bus driver’s directions at all times

• Remain seated and facing forward

• Speak in a quiet and kind way

• Refrain from extending or throwing anything outside the bus

• Refrain from bringing anything on the bus other than school-related items

• Refrain from creating any damage to the bus

• Refrain from eating or drinking on the bus

Bus Boarding Pass

• All riders will use their student ID as they get on the bus. A student that is not eligible or not on the bus routes is not allowed on the bus.

GPS App

• Parents may download GPS based app to track buses for their children at no cost. Parent app download instruction can be found here.

Communication

• All parents are highly encouraged to maintain correct phone number and e-mail address in the student information system as Transportation Services uses the phone numbers and e-mail addresses to communicate with parents.

• Initial bus information, updates or any other information will be communicated through information robocalls and/or e-mails. There will be no USPS letters sent to parents.

Student Bus Conduct

Any student violating Student Conduct on Buses (Administrative Regulation 810-AR-3) will receive a warning, a temporary suspension or an indefinite suspension in the following manner per Bus Conduct Incident Report (Administrative Regulation 810-AR-4).

• 1st Offense - Warning
• 2nd Offense - 3 Day Suspension
• 3rd Offense - 5 Day Suspension
• 4th Offense - 10 Day Suspension
• 5th Offense - Indefinite Suspension

Note: Depending on the severity of the violation, a higher level of disciplinary action may be recommended. A further review and/or a safety plan may be required if the incident involves a Special Education student.

Some of the Student Conduct on the Buses (Administrative Regulation 810-AR-3) include but is not limited to the following:

• Obey and cooperation with the driver

• Respect private property while waiting for the bus at the designated bus stop

• Be courteous to fellow student and the driver

• Remain seated while the bus is in motion

• Be responsible for any damage to the bus

• No eating, drinking, smoking, or use profanity

Questions and comments regarding transportation issues may be directed to the Transportation Department at (610) 352-7112 or transdept@upperdarbysd.org.

Policy 208: Withdrawal From School