The purpose of volunteers in the schools is to augment the educational and support resources available to students through the use of the diverse talents and skills of community members. The Board of Education of the East Stroudsburg Area School District recognizes that community volunteers can make valuable contributions to the educational program. The use of community volunteers is endorsed by the Board, subject to legal requirements and administrative procedures.

Interested adults are encouraged to contact the building principal for more information, to obtain a copy of Board Policy No. 916 (Volunteer Policy) and a Volunteer Application form .

Parents/Guardians must submit a written request to the school principal for having pupil's absence excused on a religious holiday prior to the date on which the holiday is observed.

The student who wishes to be released for religious instruction must present a permission card to the principal of the school. This permission card must be signed by the student's parent or guardian and clergyman and is to be filed in the school office.

The specific times for this type of instruction will be announced in each school. The school is not responsible for the transportation of these students to and from the place of religious instruction. Release time for religious instruction shall be in accordance with the Pennsylvania School Code.

The Board of Education has adopted specific policies regarding the use of school facilities. Copies of the policies, along with forms which can be used to initiate an inquiry about the use of a school facility, can be obtained from any building principal. Rental fees and other charges are listed in the policy. All requests not in accord with established policies must be submitted in writing to the Board of Education, c/o Business Administrator, ten (10) days prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Board.

The East Stroudsburg Area School District has approved tobacco use policies (please see Board Policies No. 222, No. 323, No. 423 and No. 523). These policies, in compliance with state legislation, state that no student, employee of the school district, visitor, or member of the public may possess or use tobacco or smoke in any school building, on any bus, van or other vehicle owned by, leased by or under the control of the school district, vocational-technical school, or intermediate unit, or on any property owned by, leased by, or under the control of the school district, vocational-technical school or intermediate unit. These prohibitions further extend to all school buildings, stadiums, bleachers, including athletic fields and facilities, other facilities, and any other form of property owned by, leased by or under the control of the school district. All areas are to remain as smoke-free and tobacco-free areas. This policy further prohibits the use of tobacco at school-sponsored events which are held off school premises.

Violation of this policy may be punishable by a civil fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00). The violator will also be subject to court costs. School district students who are first-time offenders regarding the use and/or possession of tobacco in violation of this policy may, at the discretion of the building principal and/or his/her designee, and, if available, complete a school district endorsed education program operated by Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission.

East Stroudsburg Area School District requires written proof of immunizations prior to student registration. Pennsylvania State Immunization Law requires that all students (K-12) have:

-Three (3) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus
-Three (3) doses of Polio Vaccine (IPV or OPV)
-One (1) dose of Measles, Mumps and Rubella after 12 months of age
-A second dose of Measles Vaccine, preferably given as an MMR

In addition to the above, students entering 7th grade must also have:

-Three (3) doses of hepatitis B

-Age-appropriate dose(s) of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or history of disease

Kindergarten or 1st grade strudents must have specific additional immunization requirements met. Please see kindergarten admission section for more details.

If immunization requirements are not met, the school district will implement exclusion procedures. Exceptions to requirements must be discussed with the school nurse. If a student receives immunizations at any time, a physician's note stating immunization(s) received and the date of the immunization(s) must be submitted to the school nurse so school records can be kept current.

Emergency cards are sent home with the student on the first day of school. It is very important that these be completed in full and returned to school the next day. It is imperative to have at least two local emergency contacts listed on the emergency card. In case of a change in telephone numbers or other information, it is crucial to notify the school as soon as possible. Students who do not return an emergency card promptly will be subject to disciplinary action.

The East Stroudsburg Area School District relies on parents/guardians to provide accident insurance for their students. However, if such insurance has not been obtained or if insurance coverage is limited, the school district has an optional plan available for students, which provides either "school-time" insurance coverage or "24-hour" insurance coverage at low rates for an entire school year.

The "school-time" plan covers injuries sustained while in or on the school premises during any period of regular attendance, including lunch period, when school is in session. The cost for this plan is $22.50.

The "24-hour" plan provides complete accident coverage for a full 24 hours per day, not only during school hours, but also at home or at play, on weekends, during vacation periods, at camp, anytime, anywhere, even when school is not in session. The cost for this plan is $90.00. Optional dental benefits being available at an additional cost of $12.00 per year.

Premium envelopes and leaflets describing the student insurance program are sent home early in the school year or you may obtain this information in the student's school office. The types of coverage available vary and are explained in the program materials. If the family wishes to participate in the student accident insurance program, the form is to be completed and signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school with the proper payment amount.

All accidents must be reported at once. All accident reports and bills must be submitted within ninety (90) days from the dates of the respective injuries. The Board of Education is not responsible for balances over and above the amount provided by this student accident insurance.

The school district provides interscholastic sports insurance to cover all school district athletes competing in interscholastic sports from grades 7 thru 12. The coverage will also include the band and cheerleaders while practicing for or participating in an interscholastic event. The students are covered only during their time of participation in the interscholastic activity. The insurance plans noted above would be effective during other activities as noted.

Students at all levels are required by the state to participate in a physical education program. Adapted physical education classes are available for students who are unable to participate in regular classes. For adapted physical education classes, physician guidelines are required so that a program specific to the student can be developed. The physician forms are available in each building through the nurse's office. Please note if your student is excused from physical education classes by a physician, a note from him/her must be sent in to clear the student to participate in class once the illness/disability is resolved.

Please note there are different guidelines for each level. They are as follows:

     Elementary

• Students, grades one through five, participate in Physical Education twice weekly.
• Students are expected to wear comfortable, appropriate clothing and sneakers.
• If a student cannot take physical education for a medical reason, a note from a parent/guardian and/or doctor must be sent in.
• If students are excused by a doctor, a doctor must release them to participate again.

      Intermediate

• All students are required to participate in Physical Education.
• Students not able to participate in the regular Physical Education program will be enrolled in the Adapted Physical Education program.
• If a student cannot take Physical Education for a medical reason, a note from a parent/guardian and/or doctor must be sent in.
• If students are excused by a doctor, a doctor must release them to participate again.

      High School

• All students are required to participate in Physical Education.
• If a medical problem is expected to prevent a student from participating in a physical education activity for several consecutive classes, a physician's note is required.
• If this condition is expected to last for an extended period of time, the student may be enrolled in the Adapted Physical Education program.
• If a student has a pre-existing condition, which will prevent them from participating in a specific activity (e.g. allergy to chlorine), a doctor's note must be presented to the teacher before the unit starts so the student can be reassigned to another activity.
• When a child is seen by a physician for medical treatment, the physician should be consulted regarding any limitations for physical education class and the time period involved. Written instructions on these restrictions should be obtained before leaving the physician's office. The student should present these instructions to the school nurse upon his/her return to school.

According to the Pennsylvania Public School Code Section 1402e:

"The school physicians of each district or joint Board shall make a medical examination and a comprehensive appraisal of the health of every child of school age (1) upon original entry into school in the commonwealth, (2) while in sixth (6th) grade, (3) while in eleventh (11th) grade----"

Any child of school age may furnish the local school officiates with a medical report of an examination at his/her expense by his/her family physician. Examinations shall be submitted prior to the date of regularly scheduled school examinations and no earlier that twelve (12) months prior to the opening of the school term.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to have these examinations done by their family physicians so that immunizations can be updated and a comprehensive record can be established with the family physician.

Parents/guardians who choose to have their child examined in the school by the school physician will be notified of the time and date of the examination. Parents/guardians are encouraged to be present during the examination. Parent/guardian notification of the state-mandated physical examinations will be mailed to the home.

Board Policy No. 209 states that: "Students who fail to complete and/or submit acceptable evidence of required medical examinations or dental screenings within the appropriate time period will not be admitted to school the following school year unless and until acceptable proof of compliance is received."

Students who participate in the school district's athletic programs are required by PIAA regulations to have a physical examination before participation. For fall sports, the physical must be done after June 1st. For winter and spring sports, the physical must be done no more than six (6) weeks prior to the beginning of each season's practice. School athletic physical dates are announced through the athletic office. In lieu of a school examination, students may submit an athletic physical exam form and a PIAA card completed by the family physician. This information must be submitted before a student is allowed to practice and/or participate.

As per Board Policy #204.2, at least ten (10) days prior to the beginning date of the proposed tour or trip, the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) shall submit to the school principal a written request for the excusal, on the Board-approved form, indicating the educational value of the trip or tour and the activities that will enhance the student's cognitive development and all other information as required by the form. A non school district sponsored educational trip or tour may not exceed more than five (5) days per trip or tour, nor may there be any more than two (2) trips in any one (1) school year. A request for two (2) such trips will not be approved if they fall within a common ten-(10) day period. Further, at the time of the request, the student must have earned, for the school term, a grade of "C" or above in at least two (2) core courses at the highs school level. No approval of non school district sponsored educational trips or tours will be granted at the following times during the school year:

• During the first or last five (5) days of each semester;
• During the administration of achievement tests or statewide assessment tests; and
• During the examination periods at the end of the first and second semesters.

One (1) request for such an absence must be completed for each student. In the event that the parent(s) disagree(s) with the decision of the school principal, an appeal may be made to the Superintendent for review. Any appeal sought prior to the beginning date of the student's requested absence will be considered. The Superintendent's decision shall be final. For a copy of the policy, see the school principal.

The Board of Education welcomes and encourages involvement by parents/guardians and other adults in school affairs and the lives of children. While the Board encourages such involvement, it must also ensure safety, security and order in the schools. Thus, it is necessary to establish guidelines governing school visits.

A written request for approval of a visit must be submitted to the Building Principal in advance of a requested classroom visitation. An appointment must be made through the office of the Building Principal. All visitors must sign in at the authorized area within the building when arriving and again when leaving.

No visitor may confer with a student in school without the prior approval of the Building Principal or his/her designee and knowledge of the parent/guardian unless the visitor is the student's [aren't/guardian. No visitor shall be allowed to photograph or videotape any person or any part of any building or to tape record any conversation of any kind without prior approval by the Superintendent and/or his designee. For further information, please see Board Policy No. 907.

The scholastic growth and progress of each student are noted on report cards. Report cards differ with specific grade levels.

Report cards are distributed in all grades four times during the school year. Parent-teacher conferences are held in all grades throughout the year. For your guidance, these parent-teacher conference dates are noted within this calendar. In addition to the scheduled parent-teacher conferences, others are encouraged whenever necessary.

The process of educating students with different abilities and interests is a complex task. Children receive assistance through the following services and personnel: School Nurse, Speech Therapist, Dental Hygienist, Psychologist, School Physician, Remedial Reading, Attendance Officer, Remedial Mathematics, Homebound Instruction, Elementary & Secondary School Guidance Counselors, and Supervisors of Gifted and Special Education.

Most of these services are provided by the school district, and others are available through Colonial Intermediate Unit #20. Questions regarding any of these services should be directed to your school principal.