The Manoa Handbook
2026-2027
Welcome, Manoa Mustangs!
Welcome to a new school year at Manoa Elementary! We are excited for another year of learning, growth, and connection. This handbook includes important information about school hours, attendance, arrival and dismissal, health procedures, communication, behavior expectations, and other school routines. Please review it and keep it available throughout the year.
If you have questions, please contact our main office at (610)853-5900 x.6000.
We look forward to working together to make this a wonderful year for every Mustang!
With gratitude,
Natalya Adelizzi, Ed.D.
Principal, Manoa Elementary
Quick Contacts
Main Office: 610-853-5900 x. 6000
Attendance: manoa-attendance@haverfordsd.net
Transportation: 610-853-5900, ext. 5929
Transportation Email: transportation@haverfordsd.net
School Nurses: 610-853-5900, ext. 6470.
Principal: Dr. Natalya Adelizzi
nadelizzi@haverfordsd.net
Assistant Principal: Mr. John Fulton
jfulton@haverfordsd.net
Counselor, Grades K–2: Ms. Carolynne Wurth
cwurth@haverfordsd.net
Counselor, Grades 3–5: Ms. Megan Rowlands
mrowlands@haverfordsd.net
Social Worker, K-5: Ms. Joellen Corrocher
First Day of School Information
Our first day of school for all students, Kindergarten through Grade 5, is Tuesday, September 1st
During the first week, additional staff members will be stationed at the car and bus drop-off areas. Staff will help our youngest Mustangs and any students who need assistance getting to their classrooms.
Teachers will be waiting at their classroom doors to welcome students and help everyone begin the year with confidence.
School Hours
Grades 1–5
8:35 a.m.
Doors open. Students may enter, unpack, and prepare for the day.
8:45 a.m.
Morning Meeting and classroom instruction begin.
3:30 p.m.
Dismissal begins.
Students may not be dropped off before 8:35 a.m. because supervision is not available.
Morning Kindergarten
- Arrival: 8:35 a.m.
- Instruction: 8:45–11:25 a.m.
- Dismissal: 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Kindergarten
- Arrival: 12:45 p.m.
- Instruction: 12:50–3:30 p.m.
- Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.
Arrival
Families may use one of the following arrival options.
Walkers and Drive-and-Park Families
Families who would like to park and walk their child to school should park on Eagle Road.
Please use the crosswalk at the corner of the school property and enter through the playground area. Families may wait with their children outside the playground gates until the doors open at 8:35 a.m.
Students should say goodbye to their families at the gate. Staff members will be inside to welcome students and help them get to their classrooms.
Car Line
- Enter the car line from Manoa Road.
- Remain in your vehicle until a staff member signals that students may exit.
- Students should be ready to exit independently from the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Students should exit wherever the car stops along the curb.
- Please keep goodbyes brief so the line can continue moving.
- Do not pull around another vehicle.
- Follow staff directions at all times.
If your child needs additional time or assistance separating in the morning, please use the drive-and-park option.
Bus Riders
Bus passes will be emailed to families before the first day of school. This information may arrive as late as the weekend before school begins.
Please review both the morning pickup and afternoon drop-off information.
Transportation questions should be directed to:
Transportation Office: 610-853-5900, ext. 5929
Email: transportation@haverfordsd.net
Student Entrances
- Students eating breakfast should enter through the cafeteria doors.
- Students in Grades K–2 should enter through the small playground gates.
- Students in Grades 3–5 should enter through Stairwell 2 near the Kindergarten playground.
Arrival Safety Reminders
- Students may not be dropped off before 8:35 a.m.
- Drive slowly and follow all staff directions.
- Cell phone use is not permitted while driving through the car line.
- Students should say goodbye at the vehicle or playground gate.
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted on school grounds during arrival, dismissal, or school events.
Late Arrivals
Students arriving after 8:45 are considered late.
A parent or guardian must accompany the student to the main office and sign the student in. Students should not be dropped off outside after the doors have closed.
Regular Dismissal Plans
Please complete the attached form to let us know your child’s regular dismissal plan. This helps us ensure that every Mustang gets home safely each day.
If your child’s dismissal plan changes, please email both your child’s homeroom teacher and manoa-attendance@haverfordsd.net to let us know.
Changes to Dismissal
If your child’s dismissal plan changes, please notify:
- Your child’s homeroom teacher
- manoa-attendance@haverfordsd.net
Please submit dismissal changes by 2:45 whenever possible. Do not rely only on an email to the classroom teacher because the teacher may be absent or may not see the message during instruction.
Students may only be released to adults who are authorized to pick them up. Adults may be asked to show photo identification.
End of Day Dismissal
End of Day Dismissal
Car Line
- Remain in your vehicle.
- A staff member will direct you to a designated cone.
- Your child will be sent to your vehicle.
- Please have your child enter promptly and safely.
- Do not pull around other vehicles.
- Exit only when directed by a staff member.
Bus Riders
Teachers and aides escort students to the bus dismissal area. Staff supervise students as they board their assigned buses.
Walkers
Walkers are dismissed through the Kindergarten playground stairwell.
Dismissal (PM K)
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to student learning. Families should report all absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals through SchoolPass (above)
If you are unable to use SchoolPass, contact:
manoa-attendance@haverfordsd.net
Please do not notify only the classroom teacher. A substitute teacher may not have access to the teacher’s email.
Unreported Absences
If the school has not received information explaining a student’s absence, families will receive an automated email, text message, and phone call.
If we cannot reach a parent or guardian, a staff member may be sent to the home to confirm the child’s safety. If district personnel are unavailable, the Haverford Township Police Department may be asked to conduct a safety check.
Excused Absences
Parents and guardians may excuse up to 10 illness-related absences with a written note or email.
A doctor’s note is required:
- When a student is absent for three or more consecutive days
- For illness-related absences after 10 parent-excused days
- When otherwise requested by the school in accordance with district attendance procedures
If your child sees a medical provider during an illness, please request a note for the school’s records.
Educational Travel
Families may request up to five excused educational travel days per school year.
Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance using the district’s Preplanned Educational Travel Request Form. Approval is not automatic and should be received before travel arrangements are finalized.
Please contact Mrs. Nichols with questions about educational travel.
Early Dismissal
Families should report an early dismissal through SchoolPass or email manoa-attendance@haverfordsd.net.
A parent, guardian, or authorized adult must:
- Report to the main office
- Present a valid photo ID
- Sign the student out
Students may not wait outside alone for pickup.
If a student returns to school later that day, the student must check in at the main office before returning to class.
Emergency Closings and Delays
The district will communicate school closings, delayed openings, early dismissals, and other emergency information through its automated notification system.
Please keep your phone number, email address, emergency contacts, and communication preferences current in PowerSchool.
Families should also review the district website when weather or another emergency may affect the school schedule.
School Safety
All visitors must enter through the main entrance and report directly to the main office. Visitors must present a valid driver’s license or photo ID. Identification will be processed through the Raptor Visitor Management System, and visitors will receive a badge.
Parents and guardians may not enter other areas of the building without first receiving permission from the main office.
Students participate in safety drills throughout the school year, including fire, lockdown, and other emergency drills. Staff prepares students in a calm, developmentally appropriate manner so they understand what to do during an emergency.
Please review your child’s information in PowerSchool and update it whenever there is a change to a phone number, email address, home address, emergency contact, authorized pickup contact, or medical information.
Bus Safety
Students are expected to follow school expectations while riding the bus. Students must remain seated, use a quiet voice, keep their hands, feet, and belongings to themselves, and follow the driver’s directions.
Hands and arms must remain inside the bus. Food and drinks are not permitted. Phones, Chromebooks, tablets, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must remain in students’ school bags.
Students generally sit by grade level, with younger students toward the front of the bus. Assigned seats may be used when needed.
Unsafe or disruptive bus behavior may result in reteaching, an assigned seat, parent communication, or suspension of bus privileges. Responses will be based on the behavior and district procedures.
Bus drivers need to keep their attention on the road. Safe student behavior helps the driver transport everyone safely.
School Nurses
Mrs. Kelly Belfie and Mrs. Bridget Morris are our school nurses. Families may contact the nurse’s office at 610-853-5900, ext. 6470.
Please make sure the nurses are aware of any medical conditions that may affect your child during the school day, including allergies, asthma, seizure disorders, diabetes, medication needs, or other significant health concerns.
Please update all medical information in PowerSchool and contact the nurses whenever your child’s health needs change.
Medication Drop Off
Medication may only be administered at school after the required medical and parent documentation has been completed.
All medication must be delivered to the nurse by a parent or guardian. It must be in its original pharmacy or manufacturer container, properly labeled, and accompanied by the required physician and parent authorization.
Medication may not be sent to school in a student’s backpack.
Please complete the medication consent form before bringing medication to school. Please fill out this medication consent form in advance of drop-off:
When to Keep Your Child Home
Please keep your child home when symptoms prevent the child from participating comfortably in school or may spread illness to others.
Families should follow district and nursing guidelines regarding fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious illnesses, and returning to school.
If your child becomes ill during the school day, the nurse will contact a parent, guardian, or emergency contact. Students who need to go home must be picked up promptly.
Lunch and Snack
Students may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from the cafeteria. A selection of additional snacks are also available for purchase, and they are typically offered after the first couple of weeks of school to allow for the food services team and the students to focus on lunches at the start of the year.
Read more information from our dining services director here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1658506903/haverfordk12paus/fevybtjbhmveop8ddmus/BacktoSchoolParentLetterFall2022.pdf
Lunch will be served on the first day of school. Menus are available on our district website (Sept. menu is coming soon): https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/departments/food-services
Families may apply for free/reduced lunch and this information is confidential. Click the link in the section below for more information.
Students purchasing lunch will use their 5 digit ID code. It will take our first graders and new students some time to learn their code, and that is okay! Our teachers are very helpful in preparing note cards for the children to practice with until they get it.
Please send your child to school with a healthy snack and reusable water bottle every day. They are encouraged to refill their water bottles throughout the day. We have water filling stations throughout the building. There are also water fountains located in the cafeteria and by the nurse's office bathrooms.
All students in grades 1 - 5 may bring a snack to school. Our students have breaks for an additional "snack recess" during the day. If your child is in a "nut-free classroom" due to a child's allergy, you will be alerted to avoid sending nuts as part of your child's snack.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Click here for the Free & Reduced Lunch Application. If you have any questions about the application, please contact the Food Service Specialist at (610) 853-5900, ext. 7142.
Recess
Recess is a very important part of the school day! Students in grades 1 - 5 have recess for 30 minutes each day. Kindergarten students have a designated time to play each day as well! Movement, play, social interaction, and brain breaks are very important for all children, and our teachers are intentional about providing these for our students every day.
Parents and guardians are invited to volunteer during our lunch and recess time. Please email Mr. Fulton at JFulton@haverfordsd.net
Birthday Celebrations
We enjoy recognizing students on their birthdays.
Food, treats, balloons, and gift bags may not be distributed at school for birthdays. Families looking for another way to celebrate may consider donating a book to the classroom library with a special inscription from the child.
Birthdays are announced during morning announcements. Summer birthdays are recognized during the final weeks of the school year.
Private party invitations should not be distributed at school unless the entire class is invited.
Behavior Expectations
At Manoa, our expectations are grounded in our motto: Learn. Work Hard. Be Kind.
Students are explicitly taught what these expectations look and sound like in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, at recess, on the bus, and throughout the school.
Children will make mistakes. When they do, staff may respond with redirection, reflection, reteaching, problem-solving, restitution, an opportunity to practice and “try again,” or an appropriate consequence.
Families will be contacted when behavior is repeated, significantly disrupts learning, or creates a safety concern.
Students and families are expected to follow the School District of Haverford Township’s Discipline Policy.
Reporting a Concern
Students and families should promptly report concerns involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats, physical aggression, unsafe behavior, or significant changes in a child’s emotional well-being.
Concerns may be reported to a classroom teacher, counselor, principal, or assistant principal.
The school will review the concern, gather relevant information, and respond according to district procedures. Because student information is confidential, the school may not be able to share consequences or personal information involving another student.
School Communication
The weekly Manoa Messenger is sent to families each Friday after 4:00 p.m. It includes school events, reminders, updates, and important information.
Teachers will communicate regularly with families. Each teacher will explain classroom communication practices at Back-to-School Night.
Families are encouraged to contact the teacher directly with classroom-specific questions or concerns. Please allow staff members a reasonable amount of time to respond during the school week.
For urgent dismissal, attendance, or safety matters, contact the main office rather than relying only on a teacher email.
Translation and Interpretation
Families may request translation or interpretation support for school communication, conferences, meetings, and events.
Please contact the main office if your family needs language assistance. We want all families to be able to access information and participate fully in our school community.
Technology and Acceptable Use
echnology is used to support teaching, learning, communication, and school operations.
Students are expected to use district devices, internet access, and digital resources safely and responsibly. Families should review School Board Policy 815 for the district’s technology and acceptable-use expectations.
Please refer to School Board Policy 815 for more information and forms.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act requires the district to provide families with information about commonly used educational applications for students under age 13.
The district’s current list of applications and privacy information is available on the COPPA Compliance webpage. COPPA Compliance.
Personal Electronic Devices
Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, music players, and other personal electronic devices should remain at home unless needed for a documented purpose.
If a student brings a device to school, it must remain turned off and stored in the student’s school bag throughout the day. Personal devices may not be used on the bus.
Students are responsible for the safekeeping of their devices. The school is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage.
If a personal device interferes with learning or school routines, staff may secure the device and contact the family.
Lost and Found
Please label your child’s coats, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, water bottles, backpacks, and other belongings. Our Lost and Found is located outside the specials wing. Families will receive a weekly picture of what was in the lost and found with each Manoa Messenger. Unclaimed items will be donated after about one month.
Forgotten Items
Learning to remember and manage personal belongings is an important part of building independence and executive functioning skills. When students forget an item, we use it as an opportunity to help them problem-solve and prepare for the next day.
Please do not drop off nonessential forgotten items such as water bottles, instruments, homework, or library books. Water fountains are available throughout the building, and our staff will help students find a solution. Limiting drop-offs also helps us avoid interrupting classroom learning.
Essential items, such as medication, eyeglasses, or lunch, may be brought to the main office and clearly labeled with the student’s name, grade, and teacher. Families should not go directly to classrooms.
Student and Family Support
Manoa has a robust Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that provides academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and family support based on each student’s needs.
Our teachers, counselors, social worker, interventionists, specialists, and administrators work together to identify student needs, monitor progress, and provide appropriate support. Families may contact the school for information about academic intervention, counseling and social work services, special education, Section 504 plans, English learner services, gifted education, Title I services, school supplies, food and clothing assistance, and community resources.
Please contact your child’s teacher, counselor, social worker, or the main office if your child or family needs support.
Principal- Dr. Natalya Adelizzi
Assistant Principal-Mr. John Fulton
Counselor K-2- Ms. Carolynne Wurth
Counselor 3-5- Ms. Megan McDonald
