Parents

The Blairsville- Saltsburg School District's Reopening and Planning Task Force is working closely with a variety of agencies which are providing guidance specifically for schools. Some of these include:

• Pennsylvania Department of Education Preliminary Guidance to Phased Reopening
• American Academy of Pediatrics- Guidance for School Re-entry
• PA Department of Health

To monitor your health and perform daily COVID-19 symptom checks, use these helpful sites and mobile apps:

• Daily Student Screening Checklist
• CDC: Symptoms of COVID-19
• Web MD: COVID-19 Symptom Tracker
• "Corona Checker" mobile app - asks a series of questions to help the user identify COVID-19 symptoms
• "HealthyNKED Covid-19 Tracker" mobile app - identifies hot spot areas of high community spread

As all K-12 schools across Pennsylvania are experiencing the impact of COVID-19, we understand that many families are feeling anxious and on edge. Below are some resources and tips that can provide assistance. As always, school staff are available to assist during this time and their contact information can be found here:

Additional resources can be found under Student Services: Social Work Services page.

• NASP: Talking with Children About Change and COVID- 19
• CDC: Managing Stress and Anxiety
• On Our Sleeves (Nationwide Children's Hospital): Parent Resources for Coronavirus

• Safe2Say: program overview and training materials

For questions regarding Special Education and Student Services, please contact the Director of Student Services, Regina Geesey at geeseyregina@b-ssd.org

Indiana County Food Pantry Locations and Times

WIC Program: nutrition assistance for pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers of children under the age of 5yrs. old

PA Compass: online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information

Insurance Information:

CHIP: find coverage information/ eligibility benefits, apply and renew for insurance.

AG Student Accident Insurance Brochure

Social Security Administration: Applying for children disability

Additional resources can be found on the Student Services: Social Work Services page.

If you/your student does not have internet access, some providers are offering free or reduced rate service at this time. Here are some providers:

• Comcast/Xfinity (Internet Essentials Program)
• AT&T
• Sprint
• Spectrum
• Verizon
• FCC/ Lifeline
• T-Mobile for Education has developed two offers available for a 12 month virtual/digital learning environment.
  • Option #1 - Hotspot is free. $20/month for truly unlimited data, 12 month term with the ability to suspend during summer months (this is flexible).
  • Option #2 - Hotspot is $42. $10/month for 2GB data (free 20 GB of data for the next 60 days), 12 month term with the ability to suspend during summer months (this is flexible).

Establishing a designated work space and daily routine will help your student(s) to be successful in their learning. Here are some tips:

• How to Create an At-Home Learning Space for Your Child
• How to Set Up a Virtual or Homeschool Learning Space for Kids
• Sample Schedules For Kids Home From School During Coronavirus Outbreak
• Child Mind Institute: Strategies for Supporting Learning at Home

All information regarding volunteering within the schools of the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District are in accordance with School Board Policy #916: Volunteers.

• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has provided the following FAQ document to assist in understanding Volunteers and Clearances.
  • PA DHS Volunteer FAQ
• B-SSD Volunteer Agreement Form

Required Clearances for Volunteers (Act 24, 34, 114, 151)

In accordance with School Board Policy #916, all school volunteers are required to obtain the following clearances:

• Pennsylvania State Criminal Background (Act 34),
• Child Abuse (Act 151), and
• Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114, Fingerprinting).

Be sure to keep your original clearances in a safe place. The District will request originals, not copies.

• In addition, Act 24 of 2011 requires disclosure of any prior arrests or convictions to a school district. This form is to be submitted each year.
• A completed Volunteer Agreement form is also required each year.

Obtaining Clearances

ACT 24 - Arrest or Conviction Form

• Complete the ACT 24 - PDE Arrest or Conviction Form

ACT 34 - PA Criminal History Record

• Complete the online request at: https://epatch.state.pa.us
• Be sure to choose the "New Record Check (Volunteers Only)" Link

ACT 151 - PA Child Abuse History Clearance

• Complete the online request at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
• You will need to create an individual account

ACT 114 - FBI Fingerprinting

• If you have been a resident of PA for the past 10 years (continuously), you may submit a Volunteer Clearance Exception waiver form.
  • Download the Volunteer Clearance Exception Form
  • You must sign the form in the presence of a witness.
• If you are unable to use the Volunteer Clearance Exception form, be sure to follow these instruction for the Act 114 Clearance:
  • Visit the IndentoGO website to find a fingerprinting location.
  • Select "Digital Fingerprinting."
  • Enter Service Code 1KG6XN.
  • Complete the online registration form.
  • You will receive an email with a link to access your results.

Blairsville PTO

Welcome to the Blairsville Elementary PTO. Together, We Can Accomplish More Mark Your Calendars: Monthly Meeting Schedule: To Be Determined Other... (cont'd)

PTO Committees, Programs and Events

Auditors: This committee audits the PTO records twice a school year to check for accuracy. Bulletin Board Coordinator: The PTO has a large bulletin... (cont'd)

PTO Homeroom Representatives

Saltsburg PTA

PTA OFFICERS President-Kelley Peters (724) 600-6574 Vice President-Amy Edmundson (724) 639-0330 Secretary-Nanette Schmidt (724) 468-1148... (cont'd)

PTA Homeroom Representatives

• Parent Portal Website (go.edustar)
• Parent Portal Signup
  • gain access to see child's grades in MS/HS for new students/ or you don't know your login information

• PDE SAS: Department of Education Standards Aligned System
  • Resource to improve student achievement. SAS identifies six elements that impact student achievement: Standards, Assessments, Curriculum Framework, Instruction, Materials & Resources, and Safe and Supportive Schools. Schools and educators across Pennsylvania are supported in their efforts to implement SAS by the development of a state-of-the-art portal.