Primary Campus PreK-2: 2429 Charcot Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15210 | Phone: 412-529-4700

Intermediate Campus 3-8: 2500 Jonquil Way | Pittsburgh, PA 15210 | Phone: 412-529-3641

www.pps.k12.pa.us/arlington

Holly J. Ballard, Principal

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Primary Campus PreK-2: 2429 Charcot Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15210 | Phone: 412-529-4700

Intermediate Campus 3-8: 2500 Jonquil Way | Pittsburgh, PA 15210 | Phone: 412-529-3641

www.pps.k12.pa.us/arlington

Holly J. Ballard, Principal

Welcome!

Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,

On behalf of the staff, students and parents, I would like to welcome you to Pittsburgh Arlington Pre-K-8.

Pittsburgh Arlington is located in the Arlington section of the city. Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 has two campuses. PreK-2nd Grade students will attend school at our Primary Campus located on Charcot Street. Grades 3rd -8th will attend school at the Intermediate Campus located on Jonquil Way. We service students primarily from Arlington, Knoxville and Mt. Oliver.

Pittsburgh Arlington students are taught the district adopted curriculum in the areas of reading, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education.

We are a Title I school which helps to fund additional resources for students who need it the most.

Our students are introduced to technology early via First In Math, Compass Learning, and Read 180, which is used at the 6th-8th Grade levels. Individual classroom teachers conduct classes in the school computer lab to expose the students to keyboarding skills, internet research, and word processing on the computers.

Students are encouraged to excel through incentives and recognition for citizenship, honor roll, Attendance Awards and READ 25.

A variety of activities are offered throughout the school year including but not limited to safety patrol, intramurals, Reading is Fundamental book distribution, instrumental music, chorus and middle grades sports. Students must have a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and at least a satisfactory mark in all citizenship grades to participate in extracurricular activities.

Our mental health partnership allows our students to receive on-site individual and group counseling. We offer student mediation services via our school counselor.

Partnership between parents and the school is encouraged and crucial to the education and development of our students. Opportunities for parental involvement include membership in the Parent School Community Council; volunteerism; participation in our quarterly Family Fun Nights, which focus on fun reading and math activities; Take Your Father to School Day, etc.

If you would like further information about Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8, please contact the primary campus at 412-529-4700 or the intermediate campus at 412-529-3641.

Holly Ballard Principal

Introduction

The administration and staff of Pittsburgh Arlington Pre-K-8 strive to make each school year a meaningful learning experience for all students. With parents, students, staff, and administration all working together, Pittsburgh Arlington will continue to be great place to learn.

The school climate and learning environment rests primarily with the student body. It is up to each student to assist in maintaining a positive school climate and learning environment. This handbook is an important part in the development of the school climate because it familiarizes both parents and students with the procedures, rules and policies of Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8. We expect parents and students to read this handbook and use it as a reference throughout the school year, if a question or concern comes up.

Core Beliefs

·  Learning requires high expectations and involvement from parents/guardians and teachers, with active participation from students as well.

·  Students learn best in an environment where their intellectual, physical, social, creative and emotional growth and developmental needs are met.

·  Through involvement with activities where the student’s cooperation is required, and these activities are designed to meet the readiness of each student, these students are more likely to develop the interpersonal skills necessary for future success.

·  When provided with autonomy and responsibility, children will discover their own potential, as long as they have guidance and support from the concerned adults in their lives.

·  Children need the freedom to take risks and make mistakes thereby leading the way towards growth, independence and leadership.

·  The multi-cultural and multi-ethnic diversity of our school is our strength. The children can learn, work and plan together while developing the skills necessary to succeed in a very diverse society.

·  A school community involved in ongoing staff development will be better able to meet the constantly changing times.

·  All children can learn.

·  Public service and community involvement are activities that provide for student growth. All stakeholders share a responsibility for assisting our students in their development (students, parents, teachers and community representatives).

Our Vision

The vision for Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 School is that the parents, teachers, and community are committed to a philosophy that believes:

·  Every student will increase his ability to select, organize and interpret ideas to solve problems and reason logically.

·  Every student will develop an appreciation and respect for the dignity of all individuals, while acquiring an understanding and respect for himself/ herself as an individual and as a human being.

·  Every student will develop a positive attitude toward learning and recognize that learning is a lifelong process.

·  Every student will acquire knowledge and appreciation of the responsibilities, rights and privileges of citizenship in our democracy and an understanding of our American heritage.

·  Every student will develop and grow aesthetically through the creative arts.

·  Every student will be provided with, and be responsible for maintaining a safe, secure learning environment.

Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 faculty, staff, students, parents and community are committed to creating an atmosphere that respects the abilities and needs of all students. Our goal is to develop the foundation to enhance and ensure their success in school and later in society.

School Procedures

Bell Schedules

Please visit our website at www.pps.k12.pa.us or contact our Parent Hotline at (412)622-7920 for the bell schedule for your child’s school.

Primary Campus

Arrival and Dismissal

Arriving to school on time is very important and is the responsibility of the student and parent.

All students enter the school through the side entrance and pass through metal detectors for the intermediate building. Students who attend the Primary building will enter through the Charcot Street entrance. Both schools opens at 8:45 a.m. for those students who eat breakfast. Supervision is provided in the cafeteria in the primary building. Once a student finishes their breakfast, they are picked up by their teacher in the cafeteria. Students who do not eat breakfast should plan to arrive at 9:05 a.m. During arrival, no student should be in any other areas of the school except the cafeteria or Gym.

Parents entering the building during student arrival should report to the main office for a visitor’s pass before proceeding to any other area of the school.

Dismissal begins at 3:41 p.m. in both buildings. In the primary building students will be called to their buses by bus color. Walkers will be dismissed by their teachers. In the intermediate campus 7th & 8th Grade students who walk to school are dismissed from the front of the school building on Jonquil Way. Students in Grades 3rd through 6th will be dismissed through the side doors. Students who are provided transportation will be called to their bus over the intercom by bus color. Students are not to re-enter the building once they have been dismissed unless it is an emergency or permission has been granted.

At dismissal, parents are asked to wait outside of the building. Any parent entering the building at dismissal is required to report to the main office for a visitor’s pass, before proceeding to any other area of the school building.

Tardiness

Students reporting after 9:10 a.m. are late for school and must report to the main office for an admittance slip.

Lunch Information

A school lunch is provided or students may bring a lunch that is packed at home.

Attendance

It has been proven that students who attend school regularly achieve more than those who do not. Class attendance and participation are necessary for academic achievement and for the accomplishment of curriculum objectives.

Attendance-Related Procedures

• Parents must submit excuses for absences within three days. If a note is not submitted, the absence becomes permanently unlawful. The school will send parents a “Notice of Unlawful Absence” after the first and second unexcused absence. An unexcused absence would be considered an absence in which a student did not submit a note from home within three days.

• If there is a third unexcused absence (a note has not been submitted within three days), parents will receive another “Notice of Unlawful Absence” and a warning that they may be liable in court without further notice from the school. Parents will make an appointment to meet with school staff and establish a Truancy Elimination Plan.

• A fourth unlawful/unexcused absence (a note has not been submitted within three days) will result in a citation issued by the District Magistrate in which students will have to appear in court and face a possible fine of $300. Other consequences could occur which will be determined by the court.

• A student who is absent more than 10 days in one school year (excused or unexcused absences) will be required to submit verification that the absence was caused by illness, injury or hospitalization, impassible roads, a religious observance, or bereavement.

Helpful Hints for Parents Regarding Attendance

• An unexcused absence is an absence in

which a student has not submitted a note from home, doctor, hospital, funeral home, religious organization, or court within three days. The absence remains unexcused forever.

• An excused absence is an absence in which a student has submitted a note from home, doctor, hospital, funeral home, religious organization, or court within three days.

• Notes of any kind cannot be accepted after three days of the absence. Notes will be returned to the student.

• If the student has more than 10 days absent within the school year, handwritten notes from home cannot be accepted. If this is the case, a note from the hospital, doctor, funeral home, court, or religious organization must be submitted within three days of the absence for every absence from that point on.

The District’s attendance policy is strictly followed at Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8. A description of this policy has been provided for you in the Code of Student Conduct your child received in the mail or on-line at www.pps.k12.pa.us

Make-Up Work

The school is obligated to provide make-up work for excused absences. Students or their parents are responsible for requesting make-up work immediately upon the student’s return to school.

If dates of a student’s absence are known in advance, the teacher should be notified and planned assignments may be given.

Early Dismissal

A request for an early dismissal must be made in writing. This note must be presented to the homeroom teacher and the main office. If there is a need for an emergency early dismissal, the parent/guardian must come to the school office and ask for the child. No students will be called to the office before the parent/guardian arrives. Walk-in requests for an early dismissal should be made before 3:00 p.m.

Phone Calls

Please discuss your child’s after school schedule with your child before they leave for school every morning. We understand that there are emergencies that arise occasionally and you may need to call the school with a change to your child’s after-school schedule, we will forward these messages. Be aware that phone calls of this nature made on a consistent basis will not be considered emergencies.

Cell Phones

Students are permitted to bring cell phones to school. Cell phones will be COLLECTED at the start of each school day; kept in a secure location; and returned to each student at the end of the school day. If this procedure is not adhered to the following consequences will occur: The cell phone may be taken from the student and kept by administration. A parent/guarding must come to school to retrieve the cell phone. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken cell phones. Also, the administration cannot look for a lost or stolen cell phone.

Uniform Policy

Pittsburgh Arlington is not a uniform school. However, we take pride in the appearance of our students. The School District of Pittsburgh has an exclusionary dress code. The Board, therefore, resolves that no student shall wear any apparel or jewelry that by words, signs, pictures or any combination thereof appearing on said clothing or jewelry advocates or promotes sexual activity or violence, or the use of alcohol or drugs or demeans or degrades another because of race, sex, religious persuasion, national origin, handicap or disability. Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing at all times while in school. Clothing must not be of any style, length or fit that is of a provocative nature. Revealing attire that permits the exposure of undergarments or private body parts is prohibited. This prohibition shall be in effect during regular school hours and at any school-sponsored event whether on or off school premises.

For reasons of safety and/or to maintain an orderly school environment the following apparel is excluded:

·  No thongs, flip-flops, open-toed sandals

·  No ‘short’ shorts

·  No dangerous or disruptive clothing or jewelry

Please note that the school cannot be responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items of clothing, please send your child to school in items of reasonable cost.

Behavior

Teachers have the authority and responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom. School discipline policies will be established and consistently enforced. When a student is having a problem, the teacher may conference with the student, conference with the parent, use classroom disciplinary procedures, or refer the situation directly to an administrator.

The team leaders and the assistant principal assist the principal with discipline. We will work together to ensure consistent consequences for behaviors. School and home must work together. Threats of any kind to the school, staff, or students will not be tolerated.