Student & Family School Handbook

This document is subject to periodic revisions and updates. We strive to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date; however, changes may occur over time and without prior notice. Please consult the latest version of this document for the most current information.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and quality of our content, there may be occasional errors or inaccuracies. If you come across any mistakes or issues, please contact us to let us know. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to address any concerns promptly. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in improving our work.

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:

Dr. John Council

Assistant Superintendent of Recruitment, Retention, and Culture

Upper Darby School District

Administration Building

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

Beverly Hills Middle School

1400 Garrett Road

Upper Darby PA 19082

Main Office Phone: (610) 626-9317

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

School Colors: Purple and Gold

School Mascot: Royals

Website: https://beverlyhillsmiddle.upperdarbysd.org/

Wayne Remmey, Principal

David Robinson, Assistant Principal - 6th Grade

Morgan Fuller, Assistant Principal - 7th Grade

Aaron Smith, Assistant Principal - 8th Grade

First Period Starts: 8:00 am

Student Dismissal: 2:40 pm

Please note: On Thursdays students are dismissed at 1:00 pm

My name is Wayne Remmey, and I am proud to serve as the principal of Beverly Hills Middle School. I have spent my entire career in the Upper Darby School District, serving in several roles at Upper Darby High School before becoming the principal of Beverly Hills Middle School.

I am excited to continue serving the Beverly Hills Middle School family and look forward to working alongside our students, families, staff, and community. I remain passionate about providing every student with the opportunity to achieve excellence through a unified and collaborative approach.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or ideas. I look forward to another successful year together and to continuing to make Beverly Hills Middle School a place where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.

BHMS Mission

The Beverly Hills Middle School’s mission is to educate the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally by providing for individual differences and inculcating within the child the highest educational standards possible. At Beverly Hills Middle School, we are proud of our commitments to involve community and home with school and to aid each individual student to obtain personal success.

BHMS Vision

Beverly Hills Middle School graduates celebrate uniqueness and diversity. Our students will reach their maximum potential by learning in a safe and caring environment, being provided opportunities to develop their individualized talents, and having countless opportunities to develop social, emotional, and critical thinking skills. Through our unified approach to educational opportunities and the decision-making process, teachers, students, parents, administrators, and our community share the responsibility for helping our students achieve excellence.

The Upper Darby School District Comprehensive Plan for 2024 - 2027 is linked below.

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.

Students will dismiss at 1:00 PM every Thursday, with the exception of April 29 and May 6. Students are expected to check-in for attendance and complete asynchronous work on Schoology every Thursday afternoon that is not dedicated to teacher PD.

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 with the school district, 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 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.

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! To subscribe to Beverly Hills Middle School, enter the ID number 531963.

The Upper Darby School District electronic Community Bulletin Board was developed to keep our families, neighbors and school district stakeholders up to date about community, Township, and County resources and events and other information that may be beneficial to our school district community directly. The Community Bulletin Board is accessible each week through schools' electronic Wednesday folders to families and through the District's website and mobile app. The policy and administrative regulation for distributing materials through the Community Bulletin Board, Wednesday Folders, and other District communication sources (Policy 913.1) can be found on Board Docs.

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.

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.

Please click the following link to view the UDSD Emergency Communications Plan.

President - Kia Fields

Vice President: Denise Ford

Secretary: Vacant

Treasurer: Troy Medford

Social Media Content Creator: Vacant

Contact Information

Email: BeverlyHillsHSA@gmail.com

Website: https://beverlyhillsmiddle.upperdarbysd.org/our-school/home-school-association-information

All Home and School Meetings will take place on Thursdays at 6:00 PM via Zoom. Sign up to receive the link by following the instructions in Mr. Remmey's Wednesday message.

• September 15, 2026

• October 8, 2026

• November 5, 2026

• December 3, 2026

• January 7, 2027

• February 4, 2027

• March 4, 2027

• April 1, 2027

• May 6, 2027

Throughout the school year, the BHMS Home and School will host events and fundraisers. Stay tuned for more information in the Principal’s Wednesday Emails.

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 7:50 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. 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.

Students may begin entering the building at 7:50 am. First Period begins promptly at 8:00 am. Students arriving after 8:00 am will be considered late to school (see Attendance section). All students will enter through the EVOLV Weapons Detection System.

• 6th Grade will enter the Main entrance through the front doors- Right side when facing the building.

• 7th Grade will enter the Main entrance through the front doors- Left side when facing the building.

• 8th Grade will enter the building by the back field on the Sherbrook Blvd. side of the building.

Students will exit the building following a staggered dismissal plan by floor, outlined in the table shown at the right.

During morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, there will be School Safety Officers directing traffic from Garrett Road and at the corner of Madeira and Sherbrook. They will direct cars in order to maintain safe and smooth drop-off and pick-up routes, so please follow the directives of the School Safety Officers when dropping off and picking up students.

Any student assigned to an Upper Darby School District bus will be required to use their student ID to ride their assigned bus. Students will swipe their student ID when they get on the bus. If a guardian has signed up for alerts via the GPS App, they will receive a notification when the student swipes their ID card. Please be sure your contact information is up to date and valid in Home Access Center (HAC).

Please review the following board policies for student conduct on buses - Policy 810-AR-3, Policy 810-AR-4.

SmartPass, a digital hall pass system, that will continue to be implemented at all of our secondary schools this year. SmartPass was successfully piloted at the high school level during the second half of last school year, and we’re now expanding its use to include middle schools as well.

What is SmartPass?

SmartPass is a secure, digital tool that replaces traditional paper hall passes. Students use their school-issued devices to request and receive passes, allowing staff to better manage hallway activity and support student safety.

Why are we using it?

SmartPass helps:

• Reduce unnecessary hallway traffic

• Improve student accountability

• Enhance overall safety and supervision

To learn more about how SmartPass works, check out this quick training overview: SmartPass

• Students will be provided a temporary Student ID the first day of school. A permanent Student ID with the student’s picture will be distributed after picture day. All Student IDs will be distributed by teachers.

• If the student was not present for picture day, but was present for the retake picture day, the same protocols will be followed as above.

• If the student is new to BHMS and was not present for either picture day, the student will have their picture taken at the main office prior to being tested by the counselor. The counselor and student will retrieve their ID after finishing testing. The ID will be printed at no cost to the student and distributed with lanyard before the student dismisses.

Replacement ID Cards

• Replacement IDs are $5, lanyards are $2.

• In the event that the student loses their student ID, they must purchase a replacement ID. The student should report to the main office during lunch (with permission) or afterschool, to obtain a replacement ID.

• If for whatever reason the student did not receive their ID, the ID can be printed at the main office after the initial picture day, at no cost to the student.

Upon arrival at the school, visitors must register at the front security desk 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 entering the building will be required to walk through the EVOLV Weapons Detection System. 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.

• If a parent or guardian needs to drop an item(s) off to a student during the school day, they can do so at the front security desk. All items must be labeled with the students name and grade. No visitors will be allowed to enter the building.

• Parents/guardians arriving at the school for early dismissal must check in at the front security desk and wait for the student in the vestibule.

• The building will not allow deliveries from outside locations such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or GrubHub. If a student receives a delivery, it will remain in the main office until dismissal. This includes food that is intended to be a student’s lunch. Appropriate consequences will follow based on violations for this policy.

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. Please see the document linked for more information: Safety Terms and Procedures - FAQ for Families - Lock-In, Lock-Out and Lockdown.

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. Please review the following board policies for student conduct on buses - Policy 810-AR-3, Policy 810-AR-4.

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.

The UDSD Board Policy 237 has been updated to prohibit student use of personal electronic communication devices. Students and families are encouraged to review the policy and corresponding Administrative Regulation, outlining expectations and consequences for violation of the policy.

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.

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. Click here to view more information on PBIS.

PBIS Rewards System

• Royal Crowns - Royal Crowns are our school currency for positive behavior. Students earn Purple and Gold crowns by demonstrating PBIS matrix behaviors. Students may use Royal Crowns to purchase items in the store in the Cafeteria during most of their lunch periods.

• Student of the Month - Staff will nominate students in each grade level.

• Grit Award - Being GRITTY means you work hard continuously even through obstacles and frustration! The Citizenship teacher will choose 2 students who exemplify GRIT. These GRITTY students will be recognized at a special assembly.

• Royal Registry - Registry Students are eligible for special privileges. Students must apply for the Registry each Marking Period. Students who are on the Royal Registry all 4 marking periods are invited to a luncheon at the end of the school year! Royal Registry Students must meet ALL 4 requirements:

• Academic - honor roll/distinguished honor roll (based on Marking Period prior to applying)
• Attendance - no more than 3 excused absences or 5 combined excused tardies to school & early dismissals; 0 truancies or tardies to school
• Behavior/Discipline - Zero (0) Office Discipline Referrals (based on UDSD Middle School Code of Character)
• Service - school involvement (i.e. sports, music, clubs), or community service

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.

The academic school year is divided into four marking periods, which end on the dates listed in the table below. Electronic Report Cards will be viewable in the Home Access Center (HAC) two weeks after the end of the marking period.

Interim Progress Reports will be accessible in HAC several times throughout the Marking Period. See the dates for each Marking Period listed below.

Core classes (English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and grade level Wheel classes) will assign a number grade for student grades. Electives, Interventions, and Citizenship classes are assigned letter grades of O, S, N, or U. See the charts for an explanation of the grading scales. Please review the related UDSD Board Policy: Reporting Student Progress.

Please review the related UDSD Board Policy: Promotion and Retention Policy.

Please review the related UDSD Board Policy: Homework Policy.

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.

UDSD is committed to supporting all students in addressing their academic, behavioral, personal, social, and career development needs. Click here to learn more about school counseling services.

• Shelly McDowell- Guidance Counselor - Grade 6
• Dan Fisher - Guidance Counselor - Grade 7
• Jane Archibald - Guidance Counselor - Grade 8

UDSD School Social Workers meet with students in grades K-12 to offer academic and social support. They work with families, providing resources and strengthening relationships with their children and with the 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 family and the community. Click here to learn more about social work services.

• Naterrian Brown - Social Worker - Grade 7, 6 (N-Z)
• Kristen McNett - Social Worker - Grade 8, 6 (A-M)

• Carolyn Fuski - Student Support Specialist - Grade 6
• Kathy Kitchin - Lead Teacher - Grade 7

• Jon McGarry - Lead Teacher - Grade 8
• TBD - School Psychologist -
• Emma Dine - Speech Therapist
• Barbara Sommerhoff - Nurse
• Joanne Demarco - Nurse

The Student Assistance Program promotes education and awareness programs targeting the dangers and risks associated with the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco with the goal of eliminating these as barriers to academic achievement and success. The program contributes to the universal school-wide support needed to build resilient schools in our district. Click HERE to learn more about SAP and its resources or see the counselor or social worker for more information.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. We feel that it is important to remind our parents and students that anyone who is feeling unsafe to please remember that there is help and it is okay to ask for help. Learn more about Safe2Say Something HERE. Find below videos and the District’s webpage outlining the Safe2Say Something PA Program:

• Safe2Say Something PA Program

• UDSD Safe2Say Something Presentation

• Phone Number: 1-844-SAF-2SAY

SpeakUp! is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to helping teens develop supportive relationships with the adults in their lives and helping teens talk openly, honestly and without judgment about difficult topics. Another goal of the program is to get children comfortable with reaching out for support within their homes and schools. The District has partnered with SpeakUp! to provide this service to our parents and students. Teachers, counselors, social workers, and other Upper Darby School District professionals are participating along with trained professionals from SpeakUp! to provide this chance for courageous conversations to take place between our students and the important adults in their lives. SpeakUp! Events are held throughout the school year for middle and high school parents and students. Be sure to check our school calendar for the dates and times of the events. To learn more about SpeakUp! and to view upcoming events, visit HERE.

Youth Court provides an alternative to the mainstream student discipline and system. Youth Court is about students helping students make better decisions, transforming the school environment and student empowerment. The program was piloted in 2021 in two elementary schools and has been fully implemented at the middle school and high school levels. Learn more about Youth Court by clicking the following link: Middle School Youth Court.

The District and Board recognize 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 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.

Consistent school attendance is necessary for successful learning. The spirit of the learning process, exciting ideas, and group discussions can never be made up after an absence. Holidays, vacations, and early dismissal days are clearly noted on the school calendar. When a student is absent but is able to do homework, a parent may request to pick up books, and assignments and complete assignments on Schoology. Most, if not all, materials can also be found on Schoology. Please communicate directly with your child’s teacher with any questions.

The Upper Darby School Board (Policy 204) considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school or an excused absence:

1. Illness

2. Quarantine

3. Family emergency

4. Recovery from accident

5. Death in family

6. Family educational travel, upon written request from parents/guardians with prior written approval from the building principal. No educational travel will be approved for students required to take PSSA, Keystone, or another state-mandated testing, during mandatory testing periods

7. 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.

All absences will be considered unlawful until the school receives a written excuse explaining the absence within three (3) days of the absence. When a child is absent from school, an explanation of absence email can be sent to: bhms-attendance@upperdarbysd.org, or submitted to the attendance secretary in the main office. Failure to send a valid explanation of absence within three (3) days will result in the absence being marked truant. An accumulation of three (3) truancies will be reported to the Attendance Team for further review. Following the third truancy, a family meeting will be scheduled to create a School Attendance Improvement Plan.

The Beverly Hills Middle School attendance policy is in accordance with UDSD (Policy 204) and PA Department of Education attendance policies. All Students who are absent for ten (10) days or more, for any reason, in the current school year will be notified of their excessive absences and required to submit the UDSD 204-AR-0 form or a doctor’s note for every subsequent absence.

Please contact the grade level assistant principal or school nurse for assistance with ongoing illnesses that affect school attendance.

Any student arriving past 8:00 AM will be considered late to school. Lateness will only be excused if the child is at a medical appointment and a doctor’s note is supplied to accompany the appointment. Interventions for lateness will be applied based on the Upper Darby Middle School Code of Character.

A student may be dismissed before the close of the school day only for urgent reasons, such as medical and dental treatments, or other reasons for the welfare of the student. However, the principal or designee has the discretion to determine special and justifiable requests and has the authority to act accordingly. PA Code 11.25, PA Code 11.23

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN REQUESTING AN EARLY DISMISSAL:

1. Send a note to the school, or email bhms-attendance@upperdarbysd.org. The student must turn the note into the main office upon entering the building. The note or email must include the student’s full name and the time of the early dismissal. The student will be given an early dismissal pass and give them permission to leave class at the time listed.

2. Communicate the time with your student. The student will need to be responsible to keep an eye on the clock and report to the main office at the designated time. The child will raise their hand and ask to be dismissed from class.

3. Check in at the front security desk and wait for your child in the entrance vestibule.

4. If your child is being picked up by someone other than their parent/guardian you must provide permission in writing prior to the early dismissal. The note must specifically state the person’s name that is picking up the child. The person must be at least 18 years old and proof of ID will be required.

5. No student will be permitted to leave the school unless permission is first received through direct communication with the parent/guardian and is approved by an administrator.

Students who participate in synchronous or asynchronous learning models will use Schoology to access instructional materials. Synchronous attendance will be recorded based on participation in Google Meet. Asynchronous attendance will be based on completion of assignments and an attendance question for each course in Schoology. Please view the UDSD Online Learning Manual for more information about virtual learning models and Schoology.

Please review the related UDSD board policies:

• Policy 210: Use of Medications
• Policy 210.1: Possession/Use of Asthma Inhalers/Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
  
• Policy 209.2: Diabetes Management

PA school health regulations require 1 dose of Tdap and 1 dose of MCV in order to begin 7th grade. Your child may not attend school and will not have computer access if the school nurse does not have this information.

Once you have this documentation, please email it to the BHMS School Nurse, Barbara Sommerhoff at bsommerhoff@upperdarbysd.org.

Please review the related UDSD Board Policy 246-AR-4: In-School Birthday Celebrations and other celebrations.

BHMS Athletic Directors: Mrs. Monica Toal

All School and District Policies are in continuous effect and will take precedence over policies of the Athletic Department should there be any conflict.

1. Dropping or Transferring Sports

On occasion an athlete may find it necessary to drop a sport for a good reason. An athlete must notify their coach immediately. Each case will be judged on its own merit and the first line of inquiry for the student should be the coach of the particular sport.

When students wish to transfer to another sport in the same season, the coaches of both sports in question will consider the case. The approval of both coaches is necessary, as well as that of the Athletic Director for the transfer to be effective. Reliance on current PIAA regulations regarding transfers is necessary in all cases.

2. Travel

All athletes must travel to and from contests under the supervision of their coaches. All regular school rules will be followed in transit. In emergency/special circumstances, an athlete may travel with their parent/guardian. This request needs to be submitted in writing to the Athletic Director for pre-approval.

3. Conflicts in Extra-Curricular Activities

The Athletic Department recognizes that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences in the area of extra-curricular activities. To this end, the department will attempt to schedule events in a manner to minimize conflicts. Students should try to avoid conflicts and have the responsibility to notify faculty sponsors involved immediately when a conflict does arise.

4. Athletic Eligibility

Refer to current Eligibility Policy & Procedures. Note this policy applies equally to many extra-curricular activities. In addition, note that students who are not marked as present in their synchronous or in-person school day will not practice or play in contests that day.

5. Team Standards & Discipline

In addition to the Athletic Department standards, each coach is expected to distribute to each athlete a copy of the team’s standards by which the athlete’s participation is governed. A copy of these team standards is to be on file in the Athletic Office.

An athlete’s failure to comply with these standards is an indication of a lack of desire to participate fully in the program and will result in suspension from participating. The precise period of suspension will depend on the violation and the attitude of the athlete. Reinstatement will be made when the athlete expresses the desire to conform fully to team standards. and coaching staff have reached a mutually agreeable resolution or agreement Repeated or flagrant violations may result in suspension from the particular sport or the entire interscholastic athletic program for a period of one season or year.

As a member of Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), we follow all PIAA rules and regulations. If PIAA eligibility requirements are not met, students may not practice with, compete for, or take part in athletic contests.

Academic Eligibility and Probation

• The Athletic Director will review weekly grade reports for all athletes in order to ensure that athletes are in good academic standing.

• Student athletes will present a “signoff” sheet to their teachers weekly, then submit the sheet to the Athletic Director for review of eligibility. The student’s teacher will note whether the athlete is in good academic standing or not.

• The Athletic Director will notify the students with failing grades and their coaches.

• Students placed on probation for academic deficiencies (receiving failure warnings in two classes) will not be permitted to participate in interscholastic contests/games/scrimmages for a period of one calendar week, beginning on Sunday and ending that following Sunday. They may practice with their teams.

• The student on probation may return to eligible status if:

• The teacher(s) issuing the failure warning indicates, on a grade verification form sent by the Athletic Director, that the student is passing in the course(s).

• Students regaining eligibility status pursuant to the standard set forth above by having attained an average of 60 or better, remain eligible unless the student’s average falls below 60 and another failure warning is reissued by the teacher.

Marking Period Eligibility

A student failing two or more courses at the end of the previous marking period will be deemed ineligible to participate in interscholastic sports (contests and practices), competitions or practices for ten (10) school days, beginning the day that report cards are issued for that particular marking period. Eligibility at the start of 2nd semester will be based on final grades for semester courses and 2nd marking period grades for full year courses.

**The following attendance provision and suspension policy apply to student athletes

as well as to students participating in singular school activities.**

Attendance Provision

If a student participant is absent from school during any semester for a total of twenty (20) or more school days, that student will lose his/her eligibility until he/she has been in attendance for a total of forty-five (45) school days following the twentieth day of absence.

Suspension Policy

Students suspended from school for disciplinary reasons are not permitted to practice and/or participate in interscholastic contests or performances on the day(s) of the suspension. A suspension terminates at 11:59 pm on the last day thereof. Students may be removed from eligibility at the discretion of the grade-level administrator or Athletic Director.

Student clubs can be proposed by a student with a sponsoring faculty member. All clubs must be approved by the Principal per Board Policy (122 AR-6).

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 the UDSD Title IX Coordinator. View more about Title IX policies and procedures on the website.

Kimisha Simpson

Title IX Coordinator

Supervisor of Recruitment, Retention & Culture

8201 Lansdowne Avenue

Upper Darby, PA 19082

(610) 789-7200 ext. 3318

ksimpson@upperdarbysd.org

Wendy Elgart

Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Director of Federal Programs, Grants, Food Service

8201 Lansdowne Avenue

Upper Darby, PA 19082

(610) 789-7200 ext. 3226

welgart@upperdarbysd.org

Please review the related UDSD board policy for Bullying/Cyberbullying and Harassment - Policy 249.

Please contact our school Registrar, Karen Giles at kgiles@upperdarbysd.org.