This handbook has been prepared and presented to you, the students of the

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Academic Support is designed to assist any high school student who is experiencing difficulty achieving academic success. Students enrolled in the program are required to keep a written record of daily homework assignments. The students are then given the opportunity to work on those assignments in homeroom and/or an academic support classroom in place of larger study halls. A regular education teacher may be available to assist them during the academic support period. The program encourages homework completion and studying in order to maximize each student’s academic success. Based on student performance on the PSSA or based on their academic record students can be assigned to academic support in place of study hall or during activity period until such time school officials deem the student has shown adequate progress. During Activity Period, these students are to remain in homeroom or Academic Support to complete assignments.
TRANSFER AND WITHDRAWAL

Students who withdraw or transfer from our district before the end of the school term must report to the Guidance Office for clearance forms, complete them, and return them to the appropriate Guidance Counselor. Students will not be recommended by the school or given credits until proper clearance has been made. These students must return all books to the teachers, return their laptop to the library, and pay any outstanding fees, that may be due.

Any student transferring to the Punxsutawney School District and their parent will be required to complete a Home Language Survey and Student Parent Handbook Review sheet during the enrollment process.
SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN FUNDS

There are available to graduating seniors many opportunities to secure financial aid for further education on the federal and state levels. In addition, there are several local foundations that provide financial aid to deserving students. Detailed information may be secured in the guidance office about all these opportunities.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

1) All students in secondary schools are required to take physical education and health. Students who present a certificate from a physician certifying that he or she is unable to participate in regular gym classes for thirty days or more, will be assigned academic activities in the area of health and physical education.

2) All physical education grades shall be Honor, Pass or Fail.

3) Students must secure their own gym uniforms. A standard approved uniform is desirable.

4) Gym classes will meet on odd or even days.

5) Sophomore health classes meet six (6) days per cycle for one (l) semester.

6. 
   Health carries 1/2 credit and physical education carries 1/2 credit.
   
7. 
   When students miss a gym class, they are required to make up the class either with their teacher, or one of the other gym teachers.
   

8) If a student presents a physician’s recommendation for modified physical education activities, the modifications will be made during the regular physical education class period.

9) A doctor's prescription on official stationary must be presented to the school nurse and initialed by her before a student is permitted to return to regular Physical Education class activities.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

The Punxsutawney School District will provide all students and equal and quality education, including those who are learning English as a second language (ESL). The Punxsutawney School District will provide appropriate assistance to enable limited English proficient (LEP) students to progress academically while they learn English.

It is a requirement that all students/parents complete a Home Language Survey and a Student/Parent Handbook review sheet, at the start of the school year.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE

By an act of the Legislature, all students in the 11th grade are required to have a complete examination, in order that any physical defects that retard progress and interfere with health may be detected. When such handicaps are detected, it is important that they be treated or corrected immediately. Parents are encouraged to have this exam completed by the child’s physician, since they know the child’s medical history and can order tests or x-rays needed at the time of the exam. The School Physicians, the Punxsutawney Medical Associates, may also perform the mandated exam however, further diagnostic testing or immunization administration will still need to be ordered by the student’s personal physician.

Special medical examinations are given to those participating in athletics. Also, a medical history is done at this time, and the blood pressure of each student out for sports is checked.
The school nurse may assist with physical examinations, performs hearing, vision, and growth screenings including BMI determination. She also provides first aid for illness, injury and handles communicable diseases as they arise. The school nurse does not diagnose. She does not give any medication unless directed to do so by the school doctor or by the student’s physician in accord with the medication policy.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

The control of medication in school is a very serious concern of the staff in the Punxsutawney Area School District. Physicians are encouraged to establish medication schedules so medication can be administered in the student’s home before and after school.

When a child is required to have medication administered at school, the following steps must be taken.
1) ALL LONG TERM MEDICATION REQUIRES WRITTEN MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FROM A PHYSICIAN, NURSE PRACTITIONER, OR PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT

Before any prescribed medication may be administered to any student by district personnel, there must be written orders from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. These orders should include the name of the child, name of the drug, dosage, the time interval that the medication should be taken, and the reason for taking the medication.

THE SCHOOL NURSE HAS FORMS THAT THE PHYSICIAN CAN AND SHOULD USE WHEN SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION. THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE STUDENT NEEDING THE LONG TERM MEDICATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEEING THAT THE PHYSICIAN COMPLETES THIS FORM AND THAT IT IS RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL ON THE DAY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS SUPPOSED TO START.

An appropriate pharmacy label with the child’s name, medication dose, and times of administration may be substituted for a written order for short term prescriptions. (i.e. antibiotics, analgesics etc.)

2) NO OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION WILL BE DISPENSED AT SCHOOL WITHOUT WRITTEN MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FROM THE STUDENT’S DOCTOR. THE SCHOOL NURSE WILL NOT SUPPLY ANY OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION. (IE. TYLENOL, IBUPROFEN, COLD MEDICATIONS ETC.).WHETHER PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION IS TO BE ADMINISTERED, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN OF THE STUDENT MUST REQUEST IN WRITING THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPLY WITH THE WRITTEN MEDICATION ORDER.

3) All medications (long and short term), including refills, are to be brought to school by the parent/guardian in an appropriately labeled pharmacy container. (If necessary, ask the pharmacist for an extra appropriately labeled pharmacy container, so that one can be left at home and at school.) The prescribed medicine, along with the doctor’s order to administer it is to be delivered to the School Nurse or whoever is designated in that building to administer medications. Over the counter medication must be in the original bottle with a readable label accompanied by the physician’s order to administer. NO MEDICATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED UNLESS THE MEDICATION IS PROPERLY LABELED AND THE REQUIRED PERMISSION TO DO SO IS OBTAINED. PERMISSIONS MAY BE FAXED TO DISTRICT LOCATIONS BY THE PHYSICIAN.IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE SCHOOL DRUG POLICY FOR STUDENTS TO CARRY, DISPENSE, OR TO SELF ADMINISTER MEDICATION WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE WRITTEN PERMISSIONS HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL NURSE.ALL MEDICATIONS THAT ARE CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERAL NARCOTIC ACT (INCLUDING RITALIN AND FREQUENTLY PRESCRIBED PAIN MEDICATIONS) MUST BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN OR ADULT DESIGNEE FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS OF STUDENTS. LIKEWISE, THESE MEDICATIONS MUST BE PICKED UP BY THE PARENT/ GUARDIAN OR ADULT DESIGNEE IF THE MEDICATION IS DISCONTINUED OR IF IT IS THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

4) Most medications that are prescribed three times daily may be given before school, after school and at bedtime and therefore, should be given at those times.

5) Standing physician orders for p.r.n. or “as needed” emergency medication are permitted (i.e. asthma inhalers, allergy medications, migraine medications, etc.) They must also be accompanied by a written medical authorization form from the physician. INHALER AND EPIPENS WILL BE PERMITTED TO BE CARRIED BY THE STUDENT. AS A SAFEGUARD, A SECOND INHALER OR EPIPEN, PROPERLY LABELED SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE HEALTH OFFICE FOR USE IF THE STUDENT WOULD FORGET TO BRING HIS INHALER TO SCHOOL. IF AN INHALER IS USED ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS, THE SCHOOL NURSE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE STUDENT EACH TIME THE STUDENT USES THE INHALER SO THAT THIS INFORMATION IS DOCUMENTED. ANY STUDENT USING OR CARRYING AN INHALER WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PHYSICIAN AND NOTIFICATION TO THE SCHOOL NURSE IS IN VIOLATION OF THE SCHOOL DRUG POLICY.

6) Parents wishing to consult with the nurse regarding specific student concerns or question regarding this policy are welcome to do so.
EMERGENCY CARDS

By signing the emergency cards and returning them to school you the parent/guardian are authorizing the school nurse staff to follow the school physician’s standing orders. The following medications may be administered to your child, when indicated, while in school: Benadryl, Chloraseptic Spray, Bactine, and Epipen

SCHOOL INSURANCE

Annually each student has the opportunity to purchase accident insurance through a group plan. This insurance covers you during the school day and/or a 24-hour period.

STUDENT SICKNESS AT SCHOOL

Students who become ill during the school day should ask their teacher for permission to go to the office. If a student is too ill to go to the Principal's office alone, another student should accompany him or her. Under ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, students should NOT go directly to the Health Room. The school nurse or Principal will decide whether or not the student should be sent home. The student should NOT call home himself.

GENERAL SCHOOL GUIDELINES
KING AND QUEEN

Each year students are elected King and Queen of various school events: including, Fall Sports Queen, Winter Sports Queen, Groundhog King and Queen, and King and Queen of the Prom. To be eligible for these honors, the recipients must have been a member of our high school for two consecutive years. A person may be King or Queen of only one event during the school year.

ASSEMBLIES

Our assemblies are held in the auditorium for the enjoyment of the student body. While students are not expected to maintain complete silence on the way to and from the auditorium, loud talking and whistling, etc. should be avoided.

Pep sessions are held in the gymnasium and are for the purpose of giving the different teams support and school spirit. All students are encouraged to participate in the sessions and to also conduct themselves in a mannerly way.
SOCIAL EVENTS, CLASS TRIPS, AND FIELD TRIPS

Social Events, Class Trips and Field Trips are valuable to a student’s overall educational experience. However, these activities are a privilege and not a right. Students can be prohibited from these activities due to negative behavior, poor attendance, or failing grades. The administration will make the decision as to who can and cannot participate in these endeavors. Also, when a student participates in these activities they must comply with all school rules. Failure to do so will result in consequences and loss of these privileges. PASD Board Policy 231 addresses this issue.

SCHOOL DANCES

1) All senior high school dances will be held at the high school.

2) Applications for guest slips must be in the Principal's office at a designated time by announcement for that specific dance. Guest slips are required for everyone except Punxsutawney High School students for every dance. Guests may not be from the Middle School (under ninth grade) or over 20 years of age unless approved by the principal.

3) Any person who leaves the dance area without permission of the person in charge cannot return. Any person who leaves the building may not return.

4) Dances will start and end at times designated by the principal. Normally, times are 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

5) Rides should pick up students 15 minutes after the dance.

6) Dances are a school function. The same regulations apply to all students as those of any school activity.
EXCUSAL FROM CLASSES OR STUDY HALL

Students may be excused from a class or study hall:

1) By an oral or written request from the office.

2) By a teacher's excusal request slip (green slip) to go to another room to work.

3) By a library slip.

4) By signing a library sign-out sheet with the permission of the teacher or monitor in the study halls.

5) By signing a restroom sign-out sheet with the permission of a teacher or monitor.
MAKING UP WORK

When a student is absent from a class or classes, it is his responsibility to see each teacher of the class he missed and make the necessary arrangements for completing the work. Students should see teachers as soon as they return to school from their absence. This should be done before/after school, before/after class period, or during activity period the day they return. Green slips are available from teachers before 7:45 AM each morning. In general, students will have 5 days to complete make-up work upon returning to school. Given circumstances, length of absence, student workload or other issues, teachers may extend this time period. Students who miss one day prior to an advertised test or assignment may be expected to complete the task the day they return. This will be a judgment call on the part of the teacher. All schoolwork should be completed and made up.

Incomplete grades will be given on a report card only when work is missed due to absence from school. All work must be made up within time limits established by the teacher and/or administrator. When a student fails to make up this work, a failing grade will result.
USE OF ANY PART OF SCHOOL PROPERTY AFTER SCHOOL HOURS

Any community group or group of individuals wanting to use any portion of the school building after 5:00 o'clock must obtain a Facilities Use Request and submit it to the Central Office to make necessary arrangements. Anyone wanting to use parts of these buildings during school hours must contact the Principal's office.

FIRE DRILL AND/OR EMERGENCY EXIT REGULATIONS

Section 1517 of the Pennsylvania School Code states that, "fire drills shall be periodically conducted no less than one (1) per month".

1) Immediately upon sounding of the fire alarm, students and teachers will leave the building in the prescribed manner moving steadily and quietly. All windows and doors should be closed, with the lights turned off. TEACHERS ARE TO TAKE THEIR CLASS ROLLS WITH THEM.

2) Teachers will supervise their assigned groups at all times, and remain outside until the signal is given to return to the building. All rooms have fire exit arrows and maps noting the path for exiting the building.

3) All employees are instructed to leave the building.

4) Students should realize the serious nature of this drill.

5) Students will exit double file during fire drills.

6) Students should go to non-paved areas at least 100 feet away from the building.

7) Assign students to help physically handicapped students.

8) Should boys or girls be in the shower room, they should exit as rapidly as possible without creating an additional hazard.

9) The double doors throughout the building at the top and bottom of the stairs should be closed by the last room leaving that section of the building.
LOST ARTICLES

Lost articles, which have been found should be turned into the Principal's office, where they may be claimed by the rightful owners.

LIBRARY USAGE

The library is open during school hours. Pupils wishing to use the library during activity period will secure a library permit from the teacher assigning the work. Both parts of the library permit must be signed. These pupils must also sign their names on the sign-in slip on the end of the circulation desk in the library.

Pupils who wish to go to the library from a study hall may sign the library sign-out slip in the cafeteria or classroom and, as a group, go DIRECTLY to the library after signing out in the study halls. Students should not stop in restrooms or at lockers enroute to the library. Library sign-in slips will be at the library desk and must be signed upon entering the room.
Each pupil is limited to one period a day. If it is necessary to go more than one period, prior permission must be secured from the librarian.
Books circulate for a period of two weeks. Encyclopedias, magazines, vertical file, and some special materials are circulated overnight and are to be returned by the end of activity period the next morning.
Library Fines are as follows:

Overdue Books and Magazines 5 cents per day

Overdue Reference Materials 10 cents per day
There is no set limit on the number of books a student may have out at a time. This may be determined by what is available on any given subject and the number of students needing the material. Students who are negligent in returning materials and paying fines will be limited as deemed fit by the librarian. Students abusing library privileges will be restricted from the library for a period of time to be determined by the librarian. Abuse of privileges include: unnecessary talking, disturbing other students, uncooperative behavior, not working constructively, and any other behaviors the librarian deems as disruptive to the daily operation of the library.
APPROPRIATE USE OF COMPUTER AND NETWORK SERVICES

The Punxsutawney Area School District is pleased to offer students of the high school access to the district computer network for the internet as well as other telecommunications networks. Access to these systems will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with other internet users throughout the world. Families should be warned that some material accessible through the internet and other telecommunication devices may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. Our intent is to make internet access available to further educational goals and objectives but students may find ways to access other materials as well. We believe that the benefits to students from internet access and other telecommunication systems in the form of information resources and opportunities exceed any disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting the standards that their children should follow. To that end, the Punxsutawney Area School District respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access to the system.

Consistent with District policy, the following are not permitted:

1. 
   Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.
   
2. 
   Using obscene language, harassing, insulting or attacking others.
   
3. 
   Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks.
   
4. 
   Violating copyright laws.
   
5. 
   Using another’s password.
   
6. 
   Trespassing in another’s folder, work or files.
   
7. 
   Intentionally wasting limited resources.
   
8. 
   Employing the network for commercial or political purposes.
   

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.

All students must have a permission slip signed by their parents and on file in the high school library to gain access to networked information resources.

Additional information and permission slips can be obtained in the high school library.

CAFETERIA

The school maintains a modern cafeteria for the serving of school lunches. The cafeteria serves lunches at a reasonable price. The regular lunch price is $2.05 and the reduced lunch price is $.40. Prices for individual items are posted in the cafeteria. The cafeteria operates a computerized accounting system. All money deposited into cafeteria accounts must be placed in the cafeteria envelopes, which are obtained from the cafeteria staff. Deposits for cafeteria accounts will be accepted during activity period daily, or at times designated by the administration. Money deposited into a cafeteria account will not be available for use until the next business day. Money remaining at the end of the school year will transfer to the next school year. Seniors who graduate and students who withdraw from the District will receive a refund if their balance is over $1.00.

The school also offers breakfast at a reasonable price. The regular breakfast price is $1.00 and reduced breakfast price is $.30. Prices for individual items are posted in the cafeteria. Breakfast is served from 7:10 to 7:40. Students wishing to purchase a breakfast should report to the cafeteria during this designated time.

Students are permitted to bring a lunch from home. Home lunches must be eaten in the cafeteria.

Our school district participates in the federal free and reduced price lunch program. Students from families that meet financial qualification guidelines will eligible for the program. A full description of the program is published in the local newspaper at the beginning of the school year.
Afterwards all students are given a copy of the income guidelines and an application to take home for parental review. Families must apply each year. Qualifying one year does not automatically carry over from year to year.
When the application is completed and returned, it is reviewed in the office of the Superintendent Telephone: [phone]. Families not eligible for reduced price lunches are notified. All families will receive an approval or a denial letter in the mail.
To view accounts online for the last 30 days, you can log onto to the Punxsutawney Area School District’s web site at www.punxsy.k12.pa.us and follow the café link to LUNCH ACCOUNTS or visit www.myschoolaccount.com. You will be asked to provide your student’s ID number. After that you will be able to view their detailed statement and be able to make deposits transferred directly into your child’s account from your bank account. There is a small fee for these transactions. To transfer from your bank account, the fee is $2.00 per transfer. These transactions are completely private and secure between you and My School Account.com.
CAFETERIA VOUCHERS

Students depleting their cafeteria account will be able to charge up to three meals, but no ala carte items. If an account has a negative balance for more

than three meals ($6.15) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich meal will be provided. Students will be charged for these meals.
RETURNED CHECK POLICY

Any returned checks submitted to the District are subject to a $20.00 service charge. A copy of the check and the District Returned Check Policy will be provided by certified and first class mail. The individual will be given 10 days to make restitution. If the 10 day period elapses without restitution for the check and the service charge, a criminal complaint for bad check writing may be filed with the District Justice’s Office.

CARS AND PARKING REGULATIONS

Students who drive a motor vehicle to school must know and obey the following rules:

1) Permission will be granted to students to drive to school for the following reasons:

a. Work-release students

b. Students who begin work immediately after school and need their vehicle for that purpose.

c. Students who are members and active participants in school approved extracurricular activities that meet after school.

d. Under special circumstances, permission may be obtained from the office to drive a vehicle to school for short periods of time (i.e.: medical excuses, college visitations, etc.). These students should park in the back parking lot and register their vehicle before 7:45. on the proper form located in the cafeteria or the main office.

2) Each student must register their vehicle each school year. Registration blanks may be obtained from the office.

3) Each student must display a parking tag as prescribed for the current year.

4) Each student must park in assigned parking areas.

5) Students are not permitted to go to parking areas during the day unless permission is granted by the office.

6) When bringing students to school in the morning, or when leaving school, do not use the road immediately in front of the main entrances where the buses load and unload passengers.

7) Pedestrians have the right of way on the parking lot and anywhere on the school grounds.
Cars may be ticketed and fined if permission to use the parking lot is not received from the office.
All extracurricular activities permits may be secured when the activity begins and will end with the completion of the activity.
Violation of the stated regulations and driving behavior that present a hazardous situation may result in an automatic loss of driving privileges on district property, and possibly result in a citation as a traffic violator by the Borough Police Department.