East Stroudsburg Area School District is located in Monroe and Pike Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The school district covers approximately 214 square miles with the Delaware River as its eastern border. The School District is comprised of the East Stroudsburg Borough and the townships of Smithfield, Middle Smithfield, and Price, all in Monroe County and the townships of Lehman and Porter, both in Pike County. ESASD is 85 miles north of Philadelphia, and 80 miles west of New York City. The District provides services for over 8100 students for the 2005-2006 school year and they are housed in 10 different schools.
Beliefs
We believe that:
- All students can learn.
- All students have the right to an education in a safe environment.
- All students should embrace diversity.
- Motivation is essential for learning.
- Clear and consistent discipline creates a positive school community.
- All members of the educational community should be treated with mutual respect.
- School, family and community partnership is vital to student self-confidence and success.
- Competence in technological skills is imperative for future productivity.
- Continuous evaluation and improvement of the educational system is essential.
- Financial support of education is a meaningful investment in the entire community.
Board of Education
There are nine members, elected at large from the School District, who serve as unpaid volunteer school directors . School directors must be community residents, over age 18, and of good character. School board elections occur every two years with the next election set for 2007. Our current East Stroudsburg School Directors are Horace Cole, Donald Motts, William Zacharias, Bet Hays, Christopher Baj, Michal Peterson, William Searfoss, Keith Karkut and Robert Gress.
Human Resources
The Office of Human Resources serves the District as a gateway for employment opportunities. Applications, final interviews, confirmation of clearances, certifications, background and reference checks, and health record requirements also originate from this office. Approximately 550 support staff, 640 professional staff, 10 first level supervisors, and 35 administrators presently work in this educational community. Nearly half of the certified staff hold a master's degree or a master's equivalency issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Curriculum
The East Stroudsburg Area School District uses a six-year cycle for curriculum revision. Yearly, courses are revised; new courses are written; instructional practices improved, and assessment procedures reviewed. The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, teachers, chairpersons and building principals work cooperatively on curriculum revisions. Students have input by completing a survey upon graduation. As curricula are revised, there is a strong emphasis on integration of technology; alternative assessment; the transition from school to the business world; career exploration; and higher order thinking skills. Textbooks, software and supplemental materials are previewed and evaluated during the curriculum revision cycle.
Pupil Services
Pupil services are an integral part of the educational process. Pupil services include guidance and counseling, health services, psychological services, special education, social work, and other programs such as homebound instruction, student assistance, and home education. Pupils have complex needs and interests, which extend beyond the educational system. Each student has unique cultural, physical, social and emotional characteristics, and these are all important to the educational process. New pressures on communities, families and schools have resulted in students exhibiting an increased need for services that will help them to achieve success in school. Pupil Services help to effectively address these changing environments and pressures to provide each student with a solid foundation for learning.
Special Education
The education of children with disabilities is one of the most important responsibilities of public schools. Students found eligible for special education are provided a free, appropriate public education and are entitled to receive specialized instruction, which could include modifications to the content of the regular education curriculum, or modifications in the manner in which the curriculum is provided. Eligible students are also entitled to the related services necessary for them to benefit from their instructional program. The elements of each student's program are spelled out in a document called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), developed at a meeting involving the student's parent(s)/guardian(s), the student's teacher and others who will be providing services, and individuals familiar with the student.
Technology
At East Stroudsburg Area School District we strive to provide all students with technology instruction that will enable them to excel in our constantly changing, global, and technical world. All classrooms and labs have Internet access. Technology is integrated into lessons to teach students critical thinking, problem solving, research and analysis skills. Word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, graphics, web design, animation, concept mapping and simulation software are all used to accomplish these goals. Technology is also used in student assessments. No Child Left Behind makes it necessary to assess student progress on standardized tests yearly. In addition, most of the data from these tests is collected, analyzed and warehoused using computers. This "data-driven" decision-making helps us adapt and improve instruction for all students. We also make considerable efforts through policies, supervision and filtering to ensure all Internet activities remain safe. Technology is used in administering our district's offices as well. We use state-of-the-art technologies for financial applications, cafeteria debiting, security, attendance, grading and more.
Activities / Athletics
A wide array of academic, athletic, artistic and social after-school activities are provided to students. Students may choose to participate in team sports, vocal and instrumental music programs, dramatic performances, student government, and various clubs to enhance their educational experience.
Budget
The East Stroudsburg Area School District budgets and expends funds according to procedures mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. An annual operating budget is prepared by the Superintendent and the Business Manager and submitted to the School Board for approval prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. Each year the School District must, by law, adopt a balanced plan for revenues and expenditures to operate the schools.
School-To-Career
The East Stroudsburg Area School District is committed to positively impacting the school-to-career transition for all students through regional business partnerships. This program provides students with greater knowledge of the business world and helps their academic and social growth. A goal of the program is to develop productive, employable community members.
Monroe County Technical Institute
The Monroe Career & Technical Institute ( MCTI ), located in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, provides education for students who reside in the following school districts: East Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain and Stroudsburg.
MCTI has been cooperatively planned and developed by representatives from business, education, labor and industry. MCTI is organized to supplement the educational program of all the high schools of Monroe County. Each pupil attends the appropriate high school of his or her home school district for a half-day and MCTI for a half-day. Upon graduation, the student may receive a certificate of competency, list of skills obtained and industry recognized credentials, in addition to the diploma awarded by the home high school.
Transportation
The East Stroudsburg Area School District operates a fleet of over 100 buses to transport students throughout 214 square miles. Bus routes and bus stops are assigned to be safe, efficient and convenient. All bus drivers are licensed to drive a Pennsylvania school bus. Drivers have valid clearances, special training, and physical examinations.
Security
A safe school provides a physical and social environment in which students are able to learn and achieve to their fullest capacity. A safe school environment also enables educators, administrators and other staff to support students in that pursuit without the threat of violence or other security concerns. To accomplish these goals East Stroudsburg Area School District has adopted the Safe School Initiative Program. The Program is comprised of five essential components including prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. We currently employ 24 security officers and also have one Stroud Area Regional Police officer on premises.
Food Services
Breakfast and lunches are served in all of our schools. The Food Services Department participates in the National School Lunch Program and receives commodities from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The Food Services Department uses a computerized accounting debit system for a safe and reliable student accounting of meals and à la carte sales. The cafeterias are serviced and operated by employees from the community who are devoted to offering "down home", nutritious meals. We also take great pride in the clean, comfortable environment in which the students share their lunchtime with classmates.
Maintenance
The East Stroudsburg Area School District consists of 10 schools, 1 stadium building, 2 bus maintenance garages and 1 sewage treatment plant. The total building area is approximately 2,000,000 square feet, which occupies 590.7 acres. The Maintenance Department is staffed by 1 director, 2 working supervisors, 9 tradesmen and 9 groundskeepers. Our tradesmen repair and maintain all mechanical systems in each building and the grounds keepers maintain all grounds and prepare the athletic fields for more than 1,000 events each year. The goal of the Department is to provide our staff and students with a safe and healthy environment that is conducive to learning and athletic achievement.
CLOSING SCHOOL
When East Stroudsburg Area Schools are delayed or closed or when emergency early school closings are necessary, announcements will be made through the following media:
| Television |
|
| WNEP |
Channel 16 (Cable Channel 7) |
| WBRE |
Channel 28 (Cable Channel 8) |
| WYOU |
Channel 22 (Cable Channel 2) |
| WFMZ |
Channel 69 (Cable Channel 4) |
| WBRC |
Channel 13 |
| Radio |
|
| WSBG |
93.5 FM (Radio) |
| WODE |
99.9 FM (Radio) |
| WEEX |
99.9 FM (Radio) |
| WVPO |
840 AM (Radio) |
In addition, the East Stroudsburg Area School District has established an information line for the general public.
The line will be used to announce delays, cancellations and other emergency information that may
affect district operation.
The telephone number for the information line is (570) 424-7842. |