Student & Parent Information

Contact Information

School Telephone Numbers


DHEMS Main Office 570-522-3212

DHEMS Fax         570-522-3331

Health Suite 570-522-3220 ext. 2005

Guidance Counselor 570-522-3247

Attendance Line 570-522-3336


The main office is open from 7:20 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily.   


District Telephone Numbers


Transportation 570-374-5280 (Adam Transportation), 570-522-3202 (District Office)

Food Service 570-523-3220 ext. 1021 

Central Office 570-522-3205


Email Addresses


To contact a staff member via e-mail, use the following address:

last name_first initial@dragon.k12.pa.us


Faculty and Staff

6th Grade

Mallory Sample Math/STEM Room 1

Alysha Schlieder Math/STEM Room 2

John Haussener English Language Arts Room 3

Suzann Smith English Language Arts Room 4

Tris West Social Studies Room 9

Jason Cicoria Science Room 17


7th Grade

Heidi Esperanza Math/STEM Room 5

Shona McLaughlin English Language Arts Room 6

Bethany Acker English Language Arts Room 7

Matthew Salsman Math/STEM Room 8

Heather Walter Social Studies Room 12

Brad Catherman Science/Head Teacher Room 15


8th Grade

Betsy VanBuskirk Social Studies Room 10

Jennifer Kelly Science Room 13

Leslie Boyer Math/STEM Room 20

Kelly Romig French 1/Spanish 1 Room 21

Jessica Clark English Language Arts Room 22

Heather Cronk Math/STEM Room 23


Related Arts

Heidi Schwarz-Hosler Family and Consumer Science

Daniel Morgan Technology Education

Emily Gaugler Art

Anthony Fortuna Orchestra

Sarah Tiede General Music/Chorus

Lindsey Eischeid Band/Instrumental Music

Amanda Geer Health and Physical Education

Christian Golfieri Health and Physical Education

Evan Lepovetsky Business/Computer Information Technology

Diane Pauling Librarian


Special Education And Gifted Education

Beth Havill Learning Support Teacher Room 11

Christine Bedi Learning Support/ESL Program Specialist Room 14

Faith Brininger Learning Support Teacher Room 16

Kyle Mowrey Learning Support Teacher Room 18

Daniel Asiello Emotional Support Teacher Room 19

Emaleigh Greb Gifted Education/Reading Room 25


Student Services

Alexis Spangler Speech and Language Therapist

Phil Baughman School Social Worker

Kevin Mowrey School Counselor

Sherry Ulrich School Counselor

Heather Smouse School Nurse

Stephanie Beaver Special Education Director

Lisa Smith Special Education Secretary

Christine Gotshall School Psychologist


Support Staff

Carmen Clayton Certified Instructional Aide

Mark Gotshall Certified Instructional Aide

Sam Harer Certified Instructional Aide

Bobbie Jo Kelchner Certified Instructional Aide 

Briana Olszewski Certified Instructional Aide

Marilyn Rossi Certified Instructional Aide

Allison Houtz Library Aide


Cafeteria

Michael Jones Food Service Director   

Kathryn Wagner Kitchen Manager

Debra Hurley Kitchen Staff

Teresa Martin Kitchen Staff

Larisa Minium Kitchen Staff

Carolina Sanchez Kitchen Staff

Debra Wolford Kitchen Staff


Custodians

Wanda Felmey Head Custodian

Lee Getz Custodian

Patrick Leon-Hollenbach Custodian


Computer Services

Jeremy Long Information Technology Supervisor

Sean Baker Middle School Technology Support


Office

Michael Sokalzuk Principal

Kristen Gemberling Administrative Secretary

Jamie Snyder Office Clerical Aide/Attendance

Michael Shipman School Police Officer

Athletics/Extra-Curricular Activities

ATHLETICS / EXTRA - CURRICULAR

Athletic Director - Mr. Chris Long


Seventh and Eighth Grade students may compete in the following sports:

 

Boys' Football

Seventh & eighth grade students are eligible to compete on the Junior High Football team.  The team is scheduled for nine games during the fall season.

 

Boys' Basketball

Seventh & eighth grade students are eligible to play on the junior high teams.  The team is a member of the PA Heartland Athletic Conference.  The team plays ten league games and up to five non league contests.  This is a winter sport.

 

Boys' Wrestling

Seventh & eighth grade students are eligible to compete on the Junior High Varsity Wrestling team.  The team wrestles approximately fifteen matches a season.  This is a winter sport.

 

Girls' Basketball

Seventh & eighth grade students are eligible for the 7th and 8th grade Girls’ Basketball teams.  This program includes an intramural program in the event teams are needed due to student interest.  This is a fall sport.

 

Girls' Field Hockey

Field hockey is offered to all eligible 7th and 8th grade students.  Field Hockey is offered as a spring sport.

 

Girls’ Softball

Seventh and eighth grade girls are eligible to play softball for the school in the fall.

 

Boys’ Soccer and Girls’ Soccer

Both teams are open to seventh and eighth graders and are offered as a spring sport.

 

Cross Country

Middle School also offers Cross Country as a fall sport. 7th & 8th grade students run a course of approximately 1.5 miles.  The practice times and dates are determined by the coach.  Boys and girls practice together but compete separately.

 

Activity Fee

In order to participate in interscholastic athletics or Susquehanna Valley Band, students are required to pay a base activity fee of $25.  Additionally, they must pay $25 for each sport or activity.  The fee for students who qualify for reduced-price lunch is $10 for a base fee and $10 per activity. Students who qualify for free lunch will not be charged an activity fee.  

 

Travel To and From Contests

All members of athletic teams are expected to travel to and from contests by means of school-arranged transportation. When an athlete must go to or return from a contest by means other than that provided by the school, a written note from the athlete’s parents or guardian must be given to the principal for his/her approval prior to the contest.  

 

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

Report Cards

A student who fails more than one planned course in any one marking period will be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities for 15 school days.  At the conclusion of this time, a student’s progress will be examined and if the student is no longer failing more than one course, the student will regain his/her eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.

A student’s academic standing at the completion of a marking period will determine the student’s eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities for the following marking period.

A student’s final grades at the conclusion of the school year will be used to determine his/her eligibility for the first marking period of the next school year.

A student whose eligibility is determined on the basis of final grades may correct academic deficiencies by successful completion of remedial work in an approved summer school program.

A new student enrolled for the first time must comply with the above requirements.  The student’s standing will be determined by the preceding grading period based on the records obtained from the school the pupil last attended.

 

Progress Reports

A student’s cumulative academic standing for the marking period as of 3:30 PM on Friday of each week after the midway point in a marking period will determine the student’s eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities from Monday through Sunday of the following week. A student must not be failing more than one class to remain eligible for extracurricular activities. If school is closed on a Friday, the principal will determine if the student meets the eligibility requirements of this section. 

Participation in practices is at the discretion of the coach or advisor, but students deemed ineligible because of grades may not participate in games, contests, or scrimmages until they are back in good standing the following Friday.  The school will run eligibility grade reports Wednesday of the each week, to ensure students, their families, and coaches are aware of the students' academic standing, and will not surprised by the possibility of a student being told they are ineligible on Friday afternoon.

 

Attendance Eligibility

A student who is absent from school because of illness or unexcused reasons may not participate in extracurricular activities on the day of the absence.

 

To be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities on any day, a student must be in attendance from 9:00 a.m. until the end of the school day.  The exception to this will be for an excused early dismissal after 9:00 a.m. for reasons other than illness.

 

Green Dragon Sportsmanship Spectator Guidelines

The Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School enjoys a winning sports tradition.  The community, faculty and staff, coaches and players, and student body all take pride in our athletic accomplishments. The school’s reputation should not be placed in jeopardy because of un-sportsman-like behavior.  Therefore, the following expectations for student behavior and sportsmanship will be in effect for this school year:

Acceptable Behavior                        

Unacceptable Behavior

Attendance Requirements & Procedures

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

 

Daily Attendance

Daily attendance is an integral part of academic success for every student at DHEMS.  To foster learning and achievement we encourage daily attendance. In the case of student absence from school, parents will receive an automated message at approximately 9:00 a.m from DHEMS to notify them that their child is not in school. Upon receiving the email notification, a parent should email msattendance@dragon.k12.pa.us or call the middle school Attendance Line (570) 522-3336 to report the absence. Please leave your name, your child's name and grade, and the reason for the absence. We encourage you to use this service, as it is a convenience to you and to our efforts to keep accurate attendance records.  PLEASE ALWAYS RESPOND TO THE SCHOOL'S PHONE CALL AND/OR EMAIL TO EXCUSE YOUR CHILD'S ABSENCE.


An absence note can be emailed to msattendance@dragon.k12.pa.us up to three days after the last day of the absence. After the third day following their absence, the absence will be declared unexcused and illegal for students younger than 18 years old. The student could receive appropriate disciplinary sanctions.  If a student accumulates three unexcused/illegal absences, the parents will be invited to participate with the principal and school counselor in a School Attendance Improvement Plan meeting.  If the student accumulates three more illegal absences following that meeting, it will result in a citation being filed with the District Magistrate at the Union County Courthouse.  Students with chronic or extended absences may be required to obtain a note from a medical professional in order for the absences to be excused.  This would occur after a student has had 10 absences excused by a parent note, phone call, or email.


Early Dismissal

Students may not leave the building without permission.  A note from a parent(s) or guardian indicating the reason for leaving school early must be presented at the middle school office at the beginning of the day.  Without a note, a parent/guardian who wishes to pick up their student prior to dismissal must show photo ID to office personnel. When returning from an early dismissal during the same school day, the student must report to the office for an admission slip.  If a student does not return from an early dismissal on the same day, they will be charged one-half day absence if they left school prior to 12:40 pm.

 

Tardy

Students are considered tardy to school if they are not in their homeroom by 7:45 a.m.  The exceptions are if their bus arrived late, or if a student had a documented morning appointment with a health care professional.  If a student is arriving tardy, he/she must report to the office before reporting to class, to have their name taken off the absentee report and to obtain a hall pass.  Consistent or habitual tardiness will result in the school district filing a complaint with the appropriate legal authority (magistrate). Teachers monitor tardy to homeroom and classes and may also impose disciplinary action. Every tardy is considered unexcused unless certified as excused by a doctor or the school principal. Teachers, hallway monitors, office staff, and the school police officer will help distinguish between a student being late to school, or simply late to homeroom.

 

Attendance

The School Board follows the Pennsylvania State Law that requires that all school-age students within the boundaries of the district attend school regularly.  Violation of that law will be dealt with according to the regulations of the state and Union County.

The following condition(s) will constitute reasonable causes for absence from school:

1.  Illness

2.  Quarantine

3.  Recovery from accident

4.  Required court attendance

5.  Religious holiday

6.  Exclusion from school

7.  Educational trips

8.  Death in the family

9.  Exceptionally urgent reason

The term “exceptionally urgent reason” shall be strictly enforced and shall not provide license for irregular attendance.

The following reasons shall constitute examples of exceptionally urgent reasons:

a. Stranded away from home

b. Breakdown of private conveyance vehicle

c. Family emergency (principal will interpret)

d. Weather conditions that will endanger student safety

e. Impassable roads.


An absence will be determined to be unexcused if proper notification is not received within three days of the absence from the parents or guardians.  Also, after 10 absences excused via parental notification, a doctor’s note will be required for each subsequent absence or each will be considered unexcused.


Both absences and times tardy shall be recorded on each student’s report card at the end of each marking period.

1.  If a student is in attendance for at least two-thirds (2/3) of the time in either the AM or PM session, and in the opinion of the principal, the excuse given by the student is justifiable, the student will be considered present for the entire session.

2.  Tardiness records shall be kept.  Excessive tardiness time will be accumulated, resulting in an assigned illegal absence.

 

Instances where the principal determines a student has irregular attendance patterns and/or excessive absences, the building administrator may require counseling, and/or other measures to help correct the attendance situation.  Measures used may be one or more of the following but are not limited to this list and shall be implemented based upon the severity of the case:

1.  Counseling

2.  Detention

3.  Parent conference

4.  Charges filed with District Magistrate

5.  Enforced withdrawal from extra-curricular activities

6.  School Attendance Improvement Plan

7.  Alternative educational program

8.  Requirement of a doctor’s excuse

9.  Home contact from truant officer and/or Children and Youth services


The school office will notify parents after each illegal or unexcused absence. When a student has accrued three (3) days of unlawful absence as provided by the law, the principal shall notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) that their child is now considered “truant”.  At this time, the school will contact the parents or guardians to create a School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP), designed to improve attendance.  Upon three additional unlawful absences, the student will be considered "habitually truant" and a citation will be filed with the District Magistrate's Office. Additional unlawful absences may result in a meeting between the parent and Union County Children and Youth Services for in-home truancy reduction interventions.  If additional unlawful absences accrue, the district may file additional charges with the District Magistrate.


The principal will ensure that all students participating in interscholastic sports fulfill all requirements of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).


Each building principal will provide for implementation of the telephone contact system for student attendance accounting - DHEMS Attendance Line - (570) 522-3336.


The building principal will provide for dissemination of these attendance guidelines to all parents and students through the school handbooks to be distributed at the beginning of each school year.  These guidelines shall be clearly delineated to parents and students new to the district during orientation, focusing attention on the written regulations in the school handbook.


The building principal shall ensure that students having an excused absence be given the opportunity to make up work that they missed due to the absence.  The number of days allowed to make up the work will be at least equal to the number of days missed.


District policy (#204) indicates that parental excuses may not be accepted after the 10th parental excuse for absence.  After this date, a note from a licenses medical practitioner is required for excusal.  Without the doctor’s note absences will be documented as unexcused after the 10th absence excused by a parent.

Cafeteria/Lunch/Recess

CAFETERIA /LUNCH

The cafeteria makes available breakfast and lunch for students. Students may also bring lunch from home. Parents are discouraged from bringing in outside lunches such as fast food for students. All food must be eaten in the cafeteria. Snacks and ala carte items are available for purchase. Parents should inform their student what foods they can purchase with their funds.

     

Students have an account in the point of sale system in the cafeteria, and their account number is their six-digit student ID number. Parents can add money to their student’s account by sending cash or a check to school made out to “LASD Cafeteria Fund”, or online through the EZSchoolPay.com  website. There is a transaction fee for online payments. Parents can use EZ School Pay to add funds, track purchases, and set low balance reminders for their student’s account. 

     

Parents who believe their children should receive free or reduced-price meals must apply each year online at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx  to obtain free or reduced-price meals. Contact the office for assistance.

 

If a student is in debt, they may not charge any ala carte items to their account, such as an extra milk or a snack. Parents should make a payment as soon as possible if their student owes money to their lunch account. Parents are encouraged to read school board policy 808 regarding lunch account debt and make timely payments to keep their student’s lunch account balance positive. If a student has a low balance or owes money, reminders will be sent by email, postal mail, and/or telephone calls. Students may be prohibited from participation in extracurricular activities if they owe a lunch debt, and debts may be turned over to a collection agency.

     

Lunch prices can be found online at www.lasd.us, clicking the “Menu” button, and then clicking the “Menus” heading.  The cost of a breakfast is $2.55 and a lunch is $3.90.

     

Any money left over in a student’s account at the end of the year will be carried over to the new school year. 

 

Cafeteria Guidelines:

1.     Students who are buying lunch should enter the cafeteria and sit at a table near the stage.  Lunch monitors will call on tables to get in line after the table is full and the students are ready.

2.     When a table is called, students should line up in single file along the stage wall.

3.     Students who bring their lunch or who are buying an a la carte item should get their trays from the side of the cafeteria nearest the windows.  

4.     Buyers, when they are ready to pay for their lunch, will be asked to enter their PIN (six-digit student ID).  Please be prepared.

5.     Please pick up any items that fall on the floor.

6.     Please be polite when asking for your food selections.  Saying "please" and “thank you” helps.

7.     Students may purchase one snack or ice cream, etc. when going through the lunch line, but they must have a lunch in order to buy any snack items (either purchased or brought in).

8.     When students have their food and are ready to eat, they may sit at the table of their choice.  Students should demonstrate safe and responsible behavior by not saving seats for other students and by staying in one seat until they are ready to return their tray.

9.     Students may find another seat after they have returned their tray.   Students will not be allowed to wander around the cafeteria.

10.   Students must keep their hands on their own tray and respect the space of other students.  Students should not ask for food from others or offer their food to others.  

11.   Inside voices should be used at all times.

12.   Students who need to leave the cafeteria (for restroom, nurse, office, etc.) should ask a cafeteria monitor for permission and should sign out on the sheet near the door.

13.   Students must clean up their areas, regardless of who made the mess, and always follow the directions of lunch monitors or kitchen staff.

14.   Students should bring their trays to the return window, placing utensils in the proper area and throwing out their trash in the recepticle.

15.   Open drink containers may not be taken out of the cafeteria.  Open drink containers must be disposed of properly before exiting the cafeteria.

16.   Students who are prepared for recess may line up near the partition when they have finished eating and cleaning up their area. Once ten (10) students are in line, a teacher on duty will escort the students outside. Students who finish lunch after the line has gone to the playground may proceed outside responsibly.

17.   At all times in the cafeteria students will demonstrate safe, responsible behavior, observing personal space and treating school property and others with respect. Expectations of appropriate behavior include:

·       picking up food/utensils/trash that has fallen on the floor

·       speaking politely to cafeteria staff and peers

·       cleaning up thoroughly after eating

·       speaking with appropriate indoor volume 

·       walking slowly and carefully

·       controlling hands, feet and objects

Outside Playground Rules:

1.    Students who wish to go outside after eating should line up by the cafeteria exit near the stage.  When ten (10) students are in line, a monitor will take the students outside.  If the weather is inclement, the monitors might not take students out on that day, or might take students to the gym for indoor recess.

2.    If it is cold and a coat is required, only students who brought their coat to the cafeteria will be allowed to go outside.  Students may not go to their lockers to retrieve their coats.

3.     Students may not bring food or drinks outside to recess, nor may they stop by the locker room on the way out to recess.

4.    When outside, students must stay in the lower parking lot between the middle school and Linntown Intermediate School, staying off the grass hill and away from the gym portico.

5.     Playground monitors will have equipment (a variety of balls, jump ropes, etc.) for students to use at recess. 

6.     On occasion, during inclement weather, the monitors may bring students to the gymnasium for indoor recess.

7.    Once students leave the cafeteria and head down the hall toward recess, they must continue outside and remain outside until the end of the recess period.

8.     When the monitor blows the whistle at the end of recess, students should immediately line up at the door and return the equipment they were using.  

9.     Students must walk up the hallway in an orderly fashion – staying to the right side of the hallway – toward the main lobby, and wait in the hall until the bell rings.

10.   Students may return lunch bags, etc. to their lockers after the bell rings.

Clubs and Activities

Clubs (During Activity Period)

The Middle School faculty offers a variety of clubs and exploratory activities and intramural sports during a weekly activity period.  These clubs vary according to student and faculty interest.  Students will have a variety of club options to choose from during the course of the year.  These clubs and activities meet for approximately 45 minutes every Friday afternoon.  Clubs change every marking period.

 

Library

The Middle School Library circulates a collection of more than 15,000 books and magazines. Students are invited to use the library before school, after school, during activity periods, and throughout the day as time permits. 

 

Band Program

Participation in the band program is open to all students attending the Middle School.  The program consists of regularly scheduled small group lessons, the Prep Band, the Advanced Band, the Jazz-Rock Ensemble and other small ensembles. Individual band lessons are based on the band teacher's schedule. Attendance at individual lessons can be factored into a student's overall course grade. Students have the responsibility for knowing lesson times, obtaining a pass to attend a scheduled lesson, and asking permission from their classroom teacher to attend. The ultimate discretion lies on the classroom teacher, and teachers may consider factors such as class activity, attendance, grades, etc., when excusing students for lessons. Students will be allowed to withdrawal from Band ONLY within the first two cycles of the school year OR at the end of the first semester (between the 2nd and 3rd marking periods).

 

Choral Program

Participation in the vocal program is open to all students attending the Middle School.  The program consists of the Sixth Grade Chorus, the Mixed Chorus, and small ensembles. Students will be allowed to withdrawal from Chorus ONLY within the first two cycles of the school year OR at the end of the first semester (between 2nd and 3rd marking periods).

 

Orchestra- String Program

Participation in the string program is open to all students attending the Middle School. The program consists of regularly scheduled small group lessons, orchestra and possibly optional small ensembles such as trios, quartets, and quintets. Individual orchestra lessons are based on the orchestra teacher's schedule. Attendance at individual lessons can be factored into a student's overall course grade. Students have the responsibility for knowing lesson times, obtaining a pass to attend a scheduled lesson, and asking permission from their classroom teacher to attend. The ultimate discretion lies on the classroom teacher, and teachers may consider factors such as class activity, attendance, grades, etc., when excusing students for lessons. . Students will be allowed to withdrawal from Orchestra ONLY within the first two cycles of the school year OR at the end of the first semester (between 2nd and 3rd marking periods).


Fall Play

DHEMS puts on a production of a Fall Play under the direction of several teachers.  Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to audition for speaking roles and also to work behind the scenes with sound, make-up, costumes, lighting and set design and building.

 

Physical Education

Students participate in physical education classes during their middle school years. A change of clothes consisting of shorts, T-shirts and sneakers is required. Dressing appropriately for physical education class maximizes safety and personal hygiene. Students may be restricted from some or all activities if their clothing does not allow them to safely perform the class activity. Appropriate dress can be factored into a student's physical education grade. Students who are unable to obtain appropriate clothing for any reason, such as financial hardship, should reach out to his or her physical education teacher or our school counselors for assistance. Each student is assigned a gym locker and furnished with a combination padlock. Students are responsible for the locks issued to them and for the possessions they keep in their gym locker.  Students should keep their locker locked and all personal possessions secure at all times.


All students are expected to participate in every physical education class to the best of their abilities.  If a student is unable to participate in a class, he/she should provide a note from home with the specific reason for non-participation.  If a student will not be able to participate in more than one successive class, the parents should provide a note from a physician indicating the physical restrictions/limitations and the duration of the restriction for the child. 

 

Student Council

The purpose of Student Council is to provide opportunities for student cooperation and participation in the internal management of the school, to promote worthy school activities, and to promote the general welfare of the school.

     

The council assists in the making of regulations necessary for the general good of the school.  It elects or appoints committees to carry out its decisions.  It investigates and reports on questions and problems referred to it by the principal or the student council advisors for decision or action.  It plans and carries out social functions within the school for the various grades and supports and promotes clubs and activities for the betterment of the school.

     

Officers for the following year are elected in the spring. Grade-level representatives are nominated and elected in the spring in each 6th and 7thgrade homeroom – for service the following year as 7th and 8th graders.  Grade level representatives for 6th grade will be elected after the first marking period. Students who are elected as representatives or officers in Student Council are subject to the State Student Council Bylaws regarding issues of behavior and disciplinary procedures.


NOTE:  Student Council members are subject to eligibility rules found in Policy #122AG (see page 6-9).

Federal Program Information

FEDERAL PROGRAM NOTIFICATION

The Lewisburg Area School District conducts educational programming with the support of funds from the federal government including Title I (Remedial Reading) and English as a Second Language (ESL).  These programs are designed to assist struggling readers and their families to improve literacy skills in order to meet the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking as well as the other academic standards.   Please contact your building principal or the Asst. Superintendent of Schools, P.O. Box 351, Lewisburg PA 17837, (570) 522-3255, FAX (570) 524-9313 for more information regarding these programs.

 

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Programs)

As all of us know health care insurance can be very expensive.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Government have a special program for children 18 years and younger for health care coverage.  It is called CHIP and is available to parents whose children are NOT eligible for Medical Assistance or enrolled in another private insurance plan.  Some of the benefits covered are doctor's office visits, well-child care, immunizations, emergency medical and accident care, medical health services, prescription drugs and many other services.  

    

If you would like more information regarding the benefits and eligibility requirements please contact your school nurse or you may call 1-800-543-7101 (Spanish-speaking callers can leave a message at any time and a Spanish-speaking Customer Service Representative will return your call the next business day.)

 

English Language Learner ELL Program 

An educational program is provided for students whose primary language is not English.  Our ESL Program Specialist at the middle school coordinates this support service.

     

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Annual Notice of Special Education Services and Programs

Lewisburg Area School District is committed to providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities.  The District must annually provide notice to the public about special education services and procedures to identify, locate, and evaluate all students who may be eligible for and in need of special education. 

     

In addition to public school students residing within the district, the Lewisburg Area School District considers all children with disabilities attending private school as well as children who are homeless, wards of the state, and those who are highly mobile such as migrant children.  

 

Identification (Child Find) Activities:

Building level teams meet regularly at the elementary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels to monitor concerns about student progress, to develop intervention strategies, and to identify students who may need multidisciplinary evaluations. The teams consider a variety of academic, behavioral, speech language, and motor development information.  Teachers within the district are trained in referral procedures. Guidance counselors, working in collaboration with their district colleagues at all levels are also important front line personnel in child find procedures.  

      

Lewisburg Area School District has an assessment plan which specifies the type of evaluations that are administered at various grade levels.  The analysis of assessment results is an important child find strategy, and students may be referred to the school psychologist for additional achievement screenings.  

 

Potential Signs of Developmental Delays and Other Risk Factors for Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEIA) lists 13 disabilities categories. The following contains excerpts from the definitions.  

 

Initiating an Evaluation

Parents who have concerns about their child’s academic or developmental growth and believe that their child may have symptoms or characteristics similar to those noted above should contact the appropriate building principal, school guidance counselor, or the Special Education Office to request screening and/or evaluation.  A parental request for a multidisciplinary evaluation should be made in writing.  A form is available from the building principals or through the Special Education Office. 


Further information 

For more in-depth information regarding special education services please see the district’s website: www.dragon.k12.pa.us or notice as posted in the office at each school building.  Parents can also obtain more information by calling the building principal or the Director of Special Education.

 

GIFTED EDUCATION


Annual Notice of Gifted Support Services

The Lewisburg Area School District is committed to providing Gifted Support services to those students who are eligible and in need of these services.  Each school district shall conduct awareness activities to inform the public of gifted educational services and programs and the manner by which to request these services and programs. These awareness activities shall be designed to reach parents of students enrolled in the public schools and the parents of school age children not enrolled in the public schools. 

      

The Lewisburg Area School District provides programming for students who are identified as Mentally Gifted. This term includes a person who has an IQ of 130 or higher or when multiple criteria as set forth in Chapter 16 regulations and in Department Guidelines indicate gifted ability. Determination of gifted ability will not be based on IQ score alone. Deficits in memory or processing speed, as indicated by testing, cannot be the sole basis upon which a student is determined to be ineligible for gifted special education. A person with an IQ score lower than 130 may be admitted to gifted programs when other educational criteria in the profile of the person strongly indicate gifted ability. Determination of mentally gifted must include an assessment by a certified school psychologist.

 

Identification (Child Find) Activities:

Building level teams meet regularly at the elementary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels to monitor student progress, to develop intervention strategies, and to identify students who may need gifted services. The teams consider a variety of academic, behavioral, speech/language, and motor development information.  Teachers within the district are trained in referral procedures. Guidance counselors, working in collaboration with their district colleagues at all levels, are also important front line personnel in child find procedures.  

      

The Lewisburg Area School District has an assessment plan which specifies the type of evaluations that are administered at various grade levels.  The analysis of assessment results is an important child find strategy, and students may be referred to the school guidance counselor and/or school psychologist for additional assessment.  

 

Initiating an Evaluation

Parents who have questions about their child’s academic or developmental growth and believe that their child may be Mentally Gifted should contact the appropriate building principal, school guidance counselor, or the Gifted Coordinator to request screening and/or evaluation.  A parental request for a gifted evaluation should be made in writing.  

 

Confidentiality of Student Records:

If a screening procedure finds evidence of giftedness and a gifted evaluation is recommended, the district must issue a Permission to Evaluate form to parents or guardians. Written consent is required prior to conducting the evaluation.  An evaluation report is prepared after the assessments are completed. The written record of the results is called an educational record and is maintained by the District.  The record contains information that personally identifies a child’s name, name of parents or other family members, address, and other traceable information.  The school district protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable information according to the district’s Student Records policy and FERPA (Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Further information about gifted education is available from building principals or Gifted Coordinator at 522-3277.  

 

EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT

In 2015, Congress passed Every Student Succeeds, which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)--the principal federal law affecting education from kindergarten through high school.  In amending ESEA, the new law represents a change of federal efforts to support elementary and secondary education in the United States.   Some of the key points of ESSA are:                                         

1. States still have to test students in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in high school.

2. States will have greater discretion in setting goals and how to use the test data in their accountability system.

3. States must intervene with the lowest performing 5% of schools, as measured by a variety of indicators, not just assessment data.

    

Assessments must be aligned with state academic content and achievement standards.  As such, these test results will provide parents with objective data on where their child stands academically in our middle school and how our school stacks up when compared with other middle schools across the state.                                                                                                  

    

Students are provided additional academic support when their individual test scores fall below the “proficient level”.  This additional support is designed to improve their overall academic achievement in the areas of reading and mathematics. There are no exceptions to guidelines requiring additional support.  A student must demonstrate their proficiency in order to exit these additional support program(s).

 

PARENTAL RIGHTS


Curriculum Review – Parent/guardian notification of right to inspect instructional materials, excluding tests in accordance with district policy (105.1) – required annually at beginning of school year


Invasive physical examinations & screenings – Parent/Guardian right to opt-out. Required annually (prior to administration) at beginning of school year


Surveys – Parent/guardian right to inspect surveys administered by school and right to opt-out.  Prior written consent for 8 restricted topics. Required annually at, beginning of school year.


Assessment instruments and data – Parent/guardian right to review assessment instruments and data (except personally identifiable info) required annually at beginning of school year.


Students attending Title I schools – Parents/guardians have right to request qualifications of teachers or paraprofessionals performing instructional duties for student required annually at beginning of school year.


Violence and Drug Prevention efforts, programs, and activities Schools must make a reasonable effort to notify parents/guardians of programs and activities and their right to opt-out.


NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford parents and students who are 18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.  These rights are:

Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal [or appropriate school offi­cial] a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.  The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 

Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the [School] to amend a record should write the school principal [or appropriate school official], clearly identify the part of the record they want to have changed and specify why it should be changed.  If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the school as an ad­ministrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board.  A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as  an attorney, audi­tor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educa­tion record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer. 

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC  20202

PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLE INFO

FERPA permits the disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations.  Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, §99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure.  Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.  A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –

 

·To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests.  This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1))

·To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34.  (§99.31(a)(2))  

·To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency in the parent or eligible student’s State (SEA).  Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.  These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf.  (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)

·In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.  (§99.31(a)(4))

·To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to §99.38. (§99.31(a)(5))

·To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to:  (a)  develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b)  administer student aid programs; or (c)  improve instruction.  (§99.31(a)(6))

· To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.  (§99.31(a)(7))

·To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.  (§99.31(a)(8))

·To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.  (§99.31(a)(9))

·To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36.  (§99.31(a)(10)

·Information the school has designated as “directory information” under §99.37.  (§99.31(a)(11))

Grading/Homework

Grading practices at the middle school level are child-centered.  The teachers have adopted practices that consider the developmental nature of the middle school child and promote opportunities for success, while encouraging students to be responsible. In addition to report cards, parents are able to view student grades online through the PowerSchool (the District’s student information system) parent portal.  Letters with instructions for creating an account, and with each student’s log in information will be given to parents each August. Grades represent a summary of the student’s accomplishments in meeting the outcomes of each class.  There are several factors that are used in calculating grades.


Classwork

In-class activities based on teacher instruction may be utilized to practice, remediate, or extend learning.  Classwork may be graded, ungraded, or checked for completion.  Classwork may task students with working individually, with a partner, or with a small group.

 

Homework

Homework is used to reinforce classroom instruction and to provide practice.  It also helps to develop a sense of responsibility for learning and to form skills necessary for life-long learning.  Students who miss assignments due to absences are given an opportunity to make up work within a reasonable amount of time.  Homework may be used in some classes as a factor in calculating student grades but cannot count more than 15% of any marking period grade.   

     

Homework is an important part of the total school experience. It is the teacher’s responsibility to assign homework that will help students achieve success in the classroom.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete his/her homework as an important part of their coursework.  Homework is most valuable when completed within the timeframe assigned by teachers.  Teachers, when assigning homework, consider the value of independent practice and repetition but also how the practice aligns with upcoming assessments.  It is important that students use homework as an opportunity to learn and practice time-management and accountability by turning assignments in on time.  However, teachers will accept late work, including homework, up to two school days beyond the assignments due date with no more than a 50% penalty.  Teachers may individually choose to offer extensions or credit beyond this school-wide policy.


To track your child's homework assignments, please check their teachers' Canvas pages.

 

Test & Quizzes

Tests and quizzes are an important means to assess learning.  Teachers use a variety of testing instruments that measure concepts and factual information learned in class.  Some teachers use written tests to check for understanding of key ideas.  All tests are graded upon previously explained expectations.  Written tests may be corrected for spelling, grammar, sentence structure, organization, and content.  The effect each of these will have on the grade will be explained to students. Retests will be given based on teacher discretion after an evaluation of individual factors that contributed to a student's grade. It is reasonable for students to be assigned remedial tasks, including homework, to complete prior to a retest.

 

Public Speaking/Presentations

  In some classes, students are instructed on the techniques of public speaking.  Speaking is graded only if it is taught and is included as part of the previously explained expectations.

 

   Projects

   Both individual and group projects may be used to reinforce instruction, to motivate students, and to check for understanding. Expectations for grading are explained to the students when the projects are assigned.  Grades are a reflection of the student’s effort and presentation of the final project.

 

Other Grading Considerations

Participation:  Teachers expect participation in their classes.  A class participation grade may be used to help determine a marking period grade.


Extra Credit:  Extra credit is an option that is used by some teachers.  This is graded according to previously explained expectations.  


Late Work:  Each teacher will determine if late work can be accepted and/or if it will be penalized.


Grade Averaging:  When determining grades for the marking period, all of the items mentioned above may be used. Certain assignments may be valued more because of their importance.  For example, a major test may be worth more than a quiz. Each teacher at the beginning of each semester or year should explain their grading practices to their students.


GPA:  The Grade Point Average (GPA) is printed on the report card for each quarter.  This GPA is based on “weighted” course values, which are determined by the amount of time each course meets. The GPA equals the total of weighted grades (numerical grade x course weight) divided by the total sum of course weights.  For example, a math class that meets every day for a full block would weigh twice that of a Science class that meets every other day for a full block.  Life Skills and Arts courses might only meet every third day and some only meet for a marking period or a semester, and will “weigh” correspondingly less than a core class.

 

Grading 

Grading Scale:

A = 92.0 -    100    excellent

B = 83.0 -   91.99    good

C = 74.0 -   82.99    average

D = 65.0 -   73.99    poor

F = 64.99 and below    failing

Distinguished Honor Roll = GPA 95.0 and above

Honor Roll - = GPA 89.0% - 94.9%

 

Honor Roll

At the end of each grading period an Honor Roll and a Distinguished Honor Roll are issued for all eligible pupils.  Those students who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement with grade point averages (GPAs) of 89.00 - 94.99 are awarded Honor Roll status.  Those students who have demonstrated exceptional scholastic achievement with GPAs of 95.00 and up are awarded Distinguished Honor Roll status.  Note that GPAs are not “rounded up”, they are to the .01 of a percentage point.

     

Grades are weighted, so a class that meets more times in a marking period will carry more weight than a class that doesn’t meet as often.


Assessment and Intervention

In the spring, each student will take assessments that evaluate a student’s knowledge and application of the Pennsylvania state standards. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires the school to provide students who do not score proficient on these assessments with timely, research-based interventions. The LASD Board of Directors has approved a comprehensive Learning Framework, which includes all required interventions. More information about this framework can be found at www.lasd.us.

 

DASH

DASH is Dragon After School Homework for students who come to class without their homework completed, who need additional help, or need access to technology to complete assignments. If a teacher asks a student to stay for DASH, students will be sent to the office to call and inform parents that their homework was not completed and request to stay for DASH.  Parents are asked if they can pick up their child.  If they can’t, the child will may be able to ride the elementary bus home, getting on the bus at Linntown.  This is dependent on seat availability.

 

Promotion

Students shall be promoted to the next grade level based upon mastery of the curriculum for the current year as determined by the building principal. (LASD Policy #215).

 

Retention

Failure to achieve mastery of the curriculum for the current year may require remediation of course work. Remedial work (such as summer school courses or private tutoring) must be approved by the principal; and resulting performance measures must be submitted to the principal to help determine mastery.  (LASD Policy #215.)


Retention at grade level shall only be considered in the most extenuating circumstances, and only when the individual needs of the student are served by grade repetition.  With input from professional staff members and parents, the building principal will make final determination regarding retention.  

    

The parent/guardian shall be notified in writing in advance of the possibility of retention.  The principal shall ask to meet with the parent/guardian, shall provide a written recommendation, and shall submit written notification to the superintendent indicating the student’s name and the rationale for retention.  Appeals of the decision for retention are made to the superintendent.

 

Course Acceleration

Students may request acceleration in their studies.  An acceleration request form is available from the school counselors and principal for any student wishing to pursue this option.(LASD Policy #215)

Guidance and Counseling

Two school counselors are available to help students when they have an academic, vocational or personal problem to discuss.  We urge students to go to the guidance office or to seek advice from a teacher at any time.

 

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Student Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania help schools identify students who are experiencing behavior and/or academic difficulties that pose a barrier to their learning and success in school. Working in partnership with families, the SAP team works hard to help remove the barriers that impede a student’s learning. Some barriers to learning students may be experiencing include:

 

The following people make up the DHEMS SAP team:

Ms. Esperanza              Mrs. Smith                                

Ms. Pauling                  Mrs. Ulrich        

Mrs. Cronk                     Mr. Sokalzuk                 

Mr. Mowrey                  Mr. Golfieri 

Mr. Baughman                 Mrs. Smouse


All members of the SAP team have received specialized training from a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved SAP training provider. For additional information about the SAP team, please contact one of the members. It is the goal of the SAP team that schools and families work together to encourage and support student success.

 

Advisory Program

The middle school years can be a time of great change.  This is a time when many begin to identify strongly with a peer group, re-define their value systems, undergo physical and emotional changes, and contemplate their adult years.  With the aid of a caring teacher-advisor, it is hoped that the middle school years can become a more positive and less stressful experience.

     

At Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School, the advisory program is a vehicle for helping students move through the middle school years more successfully.  Advisory provides each student with opportunities to interact with a caring adult and peers in a comfortable group setting.  Advisory provides time for each advisor to be actively involved with a total development of the middle schooler - socially and emotionally, as well as academically.  Topics in Advisory sessions include team building, anti-bullying, Internet safety, service learning, character education, and career exploration, among others.  

            

Your child’s homeroom teacher is considered his/her advisor.  All teachers in the school serve in that capacity. The school utilizes the Second Step program as the basis of its Advisory Program.

Health Services

HEALTH SERVICES

A school nurse or nurse’s aide is at the Middle School each day.  Their duties include caring for the ill and injured, administering medications, and conferring with parents and teachers to assist all students with a safe and healthy school experience. Screening programs include: vision screening on students in all the grades; in grade 7 hearing screening, dental exams and scoliosis screening on students. All grades will be screened for: height, weight and BMI% information, which will be sent home. Physical exams are required in grade 6.  Parents are encouraged to arrange dental and physical exams for their children with their private physician/dentist.  Students who do not have a private examination, will be examined by the school dentist or physician with parental permission. Parents will be notified if students require further evaluation or treatment. All students visiting the health room must have a signed pass from the classroom teacher, except in the case of emergency.  Students may be permitted to rest on the cot for one class period. At that time the decision to return to class or go home will be made.

    

Please keep your child home if he/she has an elevated temperature of 100 degrees or above, is vomiting, is having diarrhea, or has a contagious health condition.  If your child has a contagious health condition, please call the school nurse to make him/her aware of your child’s condition. 

      

If a student should become ill or injured while in school, students must report to the health suite. Telephone calls to parents/guardians must be made only from the health suite.  Calls may not be made on personal mobile devices.  If the nurse is not available, office staff will assist.  Once the school nurse or office staff has determined that a student’s illness or injury requires early dismissal from school, a parent/guardian or other contact listed on the emergency form will need to pick up the student at school.

 

Medications

Each student must submit both an emergency form and a health update form every year.  Both forms must be completed and signed by the student’s parent/guardian before the end of the second week of school.  In order to receive a stocked medication (see below) while at school, the health update form must indicate the medications permitted by the student’s parent/guardian.  These medications are not intended for continuous, frequent use and will be administered at the discretion of the school nurse or school personnel. It is requested that parents make every effort to administer medications at home either before or after school to minimize classroom interruptions.  Please talk to your physician about medication dosing schedules.

         

The school district will be stocking several medications in the health suites.  They are as follows:  generic forms of Tylenol, Advil, Tums, cough drops, throat lozenges, Anbesol (tooth numbing agent), Hydrocortisone Cream 1% and Triple Antibiotic Ointment. Epinephrine will also be kept in the health suite for emergency situations.   

         

Any medication to be given during school hours must be delivered directly to the school nurse by the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s).All medication including over-the-counter, must be in the original labeled container. Medication in plastic bags, envelopes or other unlabeled containers will not be accepted.  If your child needs to take medication other than those stocked in the health suite, a medication authorization form must be completed by the student’s parent or guardian.  All medications, prescription and over the counter (LASD policy #210), need a physician’s complete order and signature. A complete order includes: student’s name, drug name, dosage, time of administration, route of administration, and dates to be administered.  A fax copy will be accepted when faxed directly from the prescribing physician’s office: DHEMS Fax @ (570) 522-3331. Students may not medicate themselves without specific approval from the nurse.  Violations of this School Board policy may result in out-of-school suspension and/or expulsion from the District.  Students may carry inhalers, emergency allergy medications and diabetic treatment medications only with specific physician and parent authorization.   

      

Parents/guardians should feel free to talk to our school nurse about any health concerns.  The health suite phone number is (570) 522-3215.

 

Possession/Use of Asthma Inhalers

Students may possess asthma inhalers and self-administer the prescribed medication used to treat asthma with proper authorization. The parent/guardian must contact the school nurse to obtain the form and procedure required to obtain authorization (Policy #210.2).

Parent Information

PICK UP AND DROP OFF OF STUDENTS

Parents picking up or dropping off a student at the beginning or end of a school day must use the gym parking lot.  Parents should enter the lot on Washington Avenue by the entrance closest to the MS gym and exit the lot by Linntown Intermediate School. When picking up or dropping off parents must pull up past the bus platform that divides the parking lot.  This will help ease traffic on Washington Avenue.  Students will be allowed to enter the building by the locker room entrance, where a staff member will be opening the door for students.  There will also be a staff member directing traffic in the parking lot during the morning drop off time.  Please follow his/her directions.  If a parent fails to follow the traffic directions, they may be subject to pick-up/drop-off restrictions.  After school, parents should pull around past the bus platform to alleviate traffic on Washington Avenue.  Students being picked up will exit the building by the gym/locker room entrance and find their car in line.  Parents may use the front of the building for late drop off (after 7:45) and early dismissal (prior to 2:30), as well as for after-school events.

 

Parent School Association (PSA)

DHEMS has an active Parent School Association.  This group of parents helps support activities in the school and provide extra benefits to students and staff.  The PSA makes all school dances possible by providing volunteer chaperones.  Volunteers also help with the school's Fun Day, 8th grade Pizza Party, 8th Grade Knoebel's T-shirts, Staff Appreciation Week, and so much more!


Each year, the Middle School PSA will ask parents for monetary donations to help with their efforts to support school activities and students. These donations are in lieu of any major fund-raising initiatives put on by the PSA. Parents aren't required to contribute but are encouraged to do so.  Please contact the school office for more information if you want to play more of an active role with the PSA, or volunteer for one of the many PSA initiatives.

 

SCHOOL VISITATION

The Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School is always open to parent visitation and participation.  In fact, parent visitation and involvement in the wide variety of activities and programs are highly encouraged.  Parents and community members are a valuable resource. There is, however, a school policy regarding building visitation. 

Please follow these simple guidelines:  

*Upon arrival at the entrance door, visitors will state their name and the purpose of their visit via the intercom system.  

*Visitors will show photo ID to office personnel if they are picking up a student or will be going anywhere in the building during the school day.

*Visitors will sign in and wear a Visitors Badge if they remain in the building.  

*Office personnel may search bags or cases brought into the school.

*When leaving, visitors should sign out in the office and return their visitors badge. 

*Other students or individuals wishing to visit the middle school must obtain permission in advance from the building Administrator. This applies to school day activities and special events such as dances, etc.

*Visitors are asked to refrain from cell phone usage in the proximity of students.


TEACHER MEETINGS & SCHOOL CONTACT

If a parent desires to speak to a specific teacher or team of teachers regarding their child, they should use the following procedure.  Parents should call Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School (570) 522-3212 or (570) 522-3213 to speak with or leave a message with a secretary requesting a return phone call or email from the teacher or team of teachers.  Teachers will not be called during class time unless it is an emergency. 

     

There is enough time built into the middle school schedule to accommodate most requests.  If a phone call is not sufficient to satisfy the query, a parent may request a meeting with the teacher(s) during team planning time or at another mutually agreed upon time.

      

We follow a simple chain of command at DHEMS. Classroom issues should be first addressed with the classroom teacher.  If the issue is still not satisfactorily resolved, the parent should contact the school counselors or principal.


At times, teachers may reach out to parents to initiate a meeting, phone conversation, or email to discuss a child's school performance or behavior.  The goal is to help the child be successful.  This is most often accomplished with the school partnering with parents.  We believe it is also important for parents to be informed.


TECHNOLOGY IN THE CURRICULUM

Technological tools are an important for our students’ learning in many of their classes. All middle school students will be assigned a Chromebook computer for use for the entire school year.  Students will be allowed to take the Chromebooks home if two conditions are met.  There is a fee associated with the 1:1 computer program.  The fee also helps provide parents with protection for the cost of repairs, due to accidental damage or from normal wear and tear.  Additionally, parents and students must sign the Acceptable Use Policy for their child to be able to take their Chromebook home.  


Teachers utilize a variety of websites to promote collaboration among students. In order to be in compliance with COPPA (the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) for students under the age of thirteen, information such as home addresses, phone numbers, or home emails will not be provided when students are creating accounts.  Some sites may require a valid email address.  In this case, students will use their school-assigned email address, which is filtered and monitored.  All of the sites used are ones that teachers have researched to enhance the teaching and learning process.  


If a parent wishes for their child to not have access to these websites, they should contact the school in writing.  If a parent has any questions about the use of technology in the classroom, they should contact the building principal.  


Please consult the Acceptable Use Policy (LASD #815) or contact the office for more information. 


USE OF SHARP IMPLEMENTS

The following information is an FYI item concerning the use of sharp implements such as needles, Xacto knives, speedball cutters (printing blocks), etc. in our Related Arts classes as well as other grade level projects.

     

Please note that the safety issues require the following guidelines:

1. Individual needles and pins must be provided for each student and these items are to be stored in a hard, plastic container such as a film case.

2. Any student who receives a prick or cut must report directly to classroom teacher or school nurse and have the wound cleaned and bandaged.

3. The school nurses will develop a protocol for all teachers to follow when using needles, pins, and other sharp instruments.  Time will be allocated at a faculty meeting to discuss this issue and provide training for teachers should accidents occur in their classrooms.

4. The supervisor of buildings and grounds will train all custodial staff to respond appropriately in the cleaning of blood and other body fluid spills in the classroom as a result of accidents.

5. The Lewisburg Chapter of the American Red Cross will provide training to the school district staff regarding the prevention of transmitting diseases.

 

VIDEO CAMERA NOTICE

The school district uses cameras at certain areas of the buildings for security purposes. Adam Bus Service also has video cameras placed on the school buses. The cameras may also record audio.  The actions and/or sounds recorded by these devices may be used in disciplinary procedures.

Student Code of Conduct/Discipline

Bully Prevention Program

Bullying is repeated behaviors directed from one individual or another (or a group) that has ill-intent and often involves a power imbalance. Bullying has many forms, including but not limited to verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying. The Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School teaches anti-bullying at all levels of a student’s middle school experience through class meetings, group lessons, assemblies, guest speakers, and advisory lessons.  The entire DHEMS staff provides students with a consistent, reinforced message about bullying and its consequences in the Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School. The Code of Student Conduct requires that Policy #249: Bullying-Cyber Bullying is disseminated annually to students.  The policy can be found at www.dragon.k12.pa.us. Additionally, students are taught techniques and a procedure to follow if they experience bullying behavior or are witnesses to it.

 

School-wide Positive Behavior System (RAPS)

Philosophically, the staff of the Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School all students should have the opportunity to learn in a friendly and safe school environment.  

  

Our school-wide positive behavior support program is based on a system of consistent expectations, positive reinforcement for meeting expectations, and recognizing and rewarding students who contribute to the overall school climate and environment.  At the beginning of each school year, students are given information about the RAPS & Dragon RAPS Programs. The emphasis of this presentation is on positive rather than negative consequences regarding student behavior. More information about RAPS can be found on our Middle School website under Dragon RAPS or at www.pattan.net.

 

Our positive environment is the responsibility of students, staff, parents and community.  Students and staff will be expected to:

 

1.  Be Respectful (R)

2.  Be Accountable (A)  

3.  Be Prepared (P)

4.  Be Safe (S)

    

The Board recognizes that proper student conduct during school contributes to learning and is a shared responsibility between the students, the students’ families and the School District.  However, when student misconduct interferes with educational programs, disciplinary measures appropriate to the infraction shall be assigned.

 

Levels of Infractions

DHEMS categorizes infractions based on their intent, intensity, and frequency. Infractions that are considered relatively minor that interfere with a student’s academic performance or are a small interference to the processes of the school, such as classroom activities or less-structured activities such as passing classes or lunch and recess, will be documented and addressed by the staff through reviewing expectations or retraining.  Documenting behaviors help us to establish patterns of behavior in either locations within the building or by particular students. 

    

Communication is also a key component of the middle school disciplinary system.  Teachers or administrators should be in contact for most infractions.  Minor referrals or repeated non-disciplinary referrals should be reported home via email or phone and major referrals should be reported with a phone call.  Anything Severe will be reported to parents with a phone call and may be followed with a request for a parent conference.

 

NON-DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL

Absenteeism

Disorganized

Displaying aggression toward objects

Distracting others

Dress code violation

Excessive emotionality

Excessive hyperactivity

Hygiene issues

Inattention

Late to school

Leaving class chronically (nurse, bathroom, etc)

Not having supplies for class

Withdrawn behavior

Other uncategorized behaviors

 

MINOR DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL

Absence from class (e.g., late to class, hall pass misuse)

Academic dishonesty (e.g., copying homework)

Cell phone infraction

Defiance (e.g., refusal to engage in task, refusal to follow directions)

Disrespect (e.g., being argumentative, name calling)

Disruptive behavior (e.g., excessive talking/noises, throwing objects)

Dress code violation

Formal language violation

Minor physical contact violation (purpose: playing around/reaction; e.g., pushing, tripping)

Property misuse

Possession of inappropriate items

Petty theft (item of little to no value, item returned)

Minor technology violation (e.g., cell phone possession, playing game on computer)

Unsafe behavior (e.g., out of seat on bus, running in hallway)

Other uncategorized behaviors


MAJOR DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL

Absence from class (e.g., cutting class, leaving class without permission, skipping detention)

Abusive language (e.g., hateful/racist comments, profanity)

Academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating on test, plagiarism)

Cell phone infraction (repeated)

Defiance (sustained throughout a class)

Disrespect (e.g., verbal threats or aggression, harassment)

Disruptive behavior (sustained throughout a class)

Dress code violation (repeated)

Major physical contact violation (purpose: intent to harm; e.g., hitting, kicking, sexual harassment)

Possession of illegal items (e.g., vape, alcohol, weapon)

Major theft (item of high value, not returned)

Major technology violation (e.g., visiting inappropriate website, hacking accounts)

Unsafe behavior (e.g., intentional misuse of equipment)

Vandalism

Other uncategorized behaviors

 

BULLYING (Repeated Behaviors)

Cyber-bullying

Name calling/Verbal bullying

Other bullying

Physical bullying

Race-based name-calling or comments

Rumor-spreading

Sexual name-calling, mean comments, gestures

Social isolation/exclusion

Taking another’s property

Threats/intimidation

 

SEVERE INFRACTIONS

Any behavior listed in the code of conduct can be categorized as a severe infraction depending on the intent, intensity, and frequency of the behavior.  The list below is not exhaustive.

Assault

Bullying/Cyber Bullying           

Bus Behavior

Computer/Acceptable use infraction - severe

Drugs/Alcohol

Fighting

Harassment

Robbery

Terroristic threats

Theft

Tobacco infraction

Weapons

Other uncategorized behaviors

 

Disciplinary Consequences

Teachers utilize preventative strategies and classroom management procedures to prevent as many behaviors of concern as possible.  When code of conduct violations do occur, DHEMS attempts to minimize their impact through immediate intervention. When behaviors persist and warrant referral, disciplinary consequences may be assigned.  At DHEMS, consequences are delivered not only to deter future occurrences, but to teach students skills that may be missing and also to allow them to reflect on their behavior and its impact.


Consequences for minor behaviors always include a review of expectations for the setting the behavior occurred in.  Clarifications can be made on the spot to help the student understand where the behavior became a violation of the code of conduct.  If behaviors continue to occur, progressive consequences may include informal retraining, formal retraining, or a major disciplinary referral.  Retraining may be conducted during students' valued time, such as during lunch or clubs.


Consequences for major code of conduct violations are considered office-managed.  These consequences are assigned by the school principal or a designee.  Consequences can include restitution, school service, morning detention, after-school detention, lunch detention, loss of privileges (e.g., school dance, assembly, field trip, etc.), in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension.  Regardless of the consequence, restorative practices will be utilized to teach the student alternative skills, allow the student to repair relationships, restore environments to their original state, and/or allow for reflection.


Discipline Consequence – Bullying


Discipline Consequences – Severe Infractions


NOTE:  These lists may not be inclusive of all infractions or consequences.

 

RETRAINING

Students will receive additional instruction on RAPS expectations if their behavior indicates they are not clear on expected behavior in particular settings. Students will be able to practice exhibiting desired behavior in the setting.

 

TIERED BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT

Students who are referred for non-disciplinary or disciplinary referrals at high rates may be referred to the tiered behavioral support team.  The tiered behavioral support team operates outside of traditional school consequences/discipline.  The tiered behavioral support team conducts ongoing data review to examine patterns within certain settings, with certain behaviors, or with certain individuals.  Additionally, the team seeks to support students who have numerous referrals for seemingly unrelated behaviors of concern.  


The tiered behavioral support team views each student individually and considers their unique strengths and needs when deciding on interventions.  Interventions from the tiered behavioral support team may be "one-time" or occur over multiple weeks with ongoing review of effectiveness. Parents will be involved in the tiered behavioral support process.

 

DETENTION PROCEDURE

The following is the procedure for detention:

1.  Students who are assigned a detention will be notified when they are assigned to detention and why.  Teachers who assign a detention should contact the student’s home via phone call.  The details of the detention may also be emailed home.  For students whose parents have no email address, a slip will be printed for the student to take home and one will also be mailed home. 

2. Morning detention will occur from 7:00 AM to 7:45 AM. After-school detention is from 2:45 P.M. to 3:45 P.M.  Parents are responsible for arrangement of transportation to morning detention and home from after school detention.

3. The office staff will contact home to help assign detention dates/times.

4. If students do not attend detention when it is assigned, they may receive another day of detention.  If there is some reason why the student cannot attend detention on the afternoon that it is assigned, he/she is to see the principal as soon as possible. We MUST hear from a parent if a detention cannot be served in order to reschedule the detention.  Sports practice or scheduled games are not acceptable excuses to miss detentions.  However, a detention may be postponed because of a doctor’s appointment or other serious matter.

5. Students who miss detention will be notified. Those students who have not made up their detention may not be allowed to participate in non-academic activities as designated by the principal.

6. Detentions and subsequent consequences are at the discretion of the principal depending on circumstance or severity of the infraction. 

 

SEVERE INFRACTIONS           

The principal has the right to suspend and/or discipline a student for any infraction and reasons stated in District Policy or the Pennsylvania School or Criminal Codes. Suspension by the principal will become part of the Discipline Program record.

   

If in-school or out-of-school suspension exceeds three consecutive school days an informal hearing with the principal shall be offered to the student and student’s parents/guardian.

    

A student excluded from all classes during a school day (ISS or OSS) will not be eligible to participate in or attend any school-sponsored extracurricular activity during that day.  A student excluded from all classes on the last day of any school week or from all classes on the next school day shall not be permitted to participate in or attend any school-sponsored extracurricular activity during the intervening time period (weekends, vacations, etc.)


Examples of reasons for In-School Suspension:

(Office disciplinarian determines the number of days)

A.    Continued lack of work effort

B.    Vulgar or obscene language

C.    Repeated violation of transportation rules

D.    Continued aggressive behavior

E.    Disruptive class or hall behavior

F.    Disrespectful behavior toward staff members

G.    Rude behavior toward staff members

H.   Threatening another student or staff member

I.    Disruptive behavior in cafeteria or assembly

J.    Harassment/bullying

K.  Any behavior or conduct the office disciplinarian deems inappropriate, disruptive or offensive to the normal routine of the school.


Out-of school suspension is the exclusion of a student from school for up to ten days and the student is prohibited from attending school and occupying school property, including scheduled classes, extra-curricular activities, and school events.  If the suspension exceeds three days, the parents and student will have the opportunity for an informal hearing with the principal.


Examples of reasons for Out-Of-School suspension (Principal determines the extent of time out of school):

 A. Assault: hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, biting, or kicking another student or staff member, including fighting      

 B. Two or more students assaulting another student/bullying

 C. Continued harassment of another student/bullying

 D. Refusal to follow any directive or specific recommendation which precipitated in-school suspension.

 E. Possession of any illegal or controlled substance such as drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or tobacco products or the intent to distribute and/or sell these items or use these products on school property.

  F.  Harassment of any staff member

  G. Any behavior or conduct which the office disciplinarian deems inappropriate, disruptive, or offensive to the normal school routine.

 

Expulsion from school is exclusion from school by the Board for a period exceeding ten school days and may include permanent expulsion from the school rolls.  A formal hearing before the Board may occur during the period of suspension. Complete information concerning any and all suspensions shall become part of the file kept by the principal. If the principal decides to transfer information to a student’s cumulative record file, the parents/guardian shall be notified. 

   

Behavior that may lead to expulsion from school includes: possession, use, receiving or dispensing, or sale of scheduled or restricted drugs, look-alike drugs, and/or alcohol; threat of or actual physical assault; vandalism; theft; possession or use of tobacco products; possession or storage of weapons and look-a-like weapons or replicas; behavior or actions which endanger the safety of others; behavior or actions which impinge on the rights of others; extortion; immoral or obscene actions; forgery; arson; participating or instigating a riot or disruption; leaving school premises during school hours without approval; disruptive behavior; violation of written school rules or regulations, PA School law, School Board policies and/or building codes of student conduct; gambling; cheating; willful and deliberate refusal to follow reasonable instructions; disrespectful or improper actions toward any member of the school community; unexcused absence, truancy, lateness to school or class; and failure to comply with detention provisions.

Student Information

Bus Routes & Schedules

Parents are requested to contact Mr. Michael Jones, Director of Food Service and Transportation (570-522-3202) at the Central Office for questions pertaining to bus routes and scheduling.  


CELL PHONES/TELEPHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Students must use the office telephone for any and all calls while at school. It is available to students from 7:20 am to 3:30 pm.  Passes are required from classroom teachers or lunch room monitors to enter the office to use the phone and students are asked to sign a phone log before using the phone.  Students may not use their personal cell phones for calls or texting during the school day without permission from the office.

    

School Board Policy #237 (Electronic Devices) allows students to have cell phones and other communication devices in school.  Cell phones, etc. are to be turned off (not simply put asleep or on standby) when entering the building and kept in students’ individual lockers during the school day.  Students are not allowed to carry cell phones or any other communication devices during school time or use them without permission during school hours. 


Other electronic devices - smart watches, Air Pods, etc. have communicative properties.  Ear buds and head phones may be worn with teacher permission.  Teachers may ask students to take off smart watches and put them in a pocket or in the student's locker if they become a distraction in the classroom.


Middle school students may turn on their cell phones only after they have left the building after dismissal.  


If a student is staying after school with a teacher, they may use their phones only after obtaining that adult’s permission.  


Students waiting after school for sports practice or a rehearsal may use their cell phone only after 2nd round buses have left for the day.  Any student in possession of a cell phone may be disciplined and the phone may be confiscated and kept in the office until a parent can pick it up.


PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Physical displays of affection should be avoided between two or more students in a school setting or at a school sponsored event (ie: kissing, excessive embracing, hand holding, sitting on laps, inappropriate touching, etc.).  Students are expected to display proper decorum and conduct themselves respectfully at all times in the school building and at school-sponsored events.

SCHOOL DAY

The school day begins at 7:45 in home room. The doors open at 7:20 each morning.  Students will be directed to a place in the building to wait until 7:40, when the home room warning bell will ring.  Classes are generally 76-minutes long and students will all have a 30-minute lunch and two 30-minute mid-day periods each day.  The mid-day periods are where students will have time for reading or study, receive special supports or services, or rehearse with their large group music ensembles. Students in 6th and 7th will have a Math class, English Language Arts class and a Related Arts class each day.  They will also have either Science or Social Studies every other day.  Most 8th graders will follow a similar schedule, but will have Language Arts every other day and their world language or reading class every other day.  Dismissal is from the 4th block classes at 2:40 each afternoon.

SCHOOL DANCES

School sponsored dances are held during the school year.  All middle school students are invited to attend school dances unless they were suspended from school the day of or will be suspended the next school day after a school dance.  No high school or elementary school students may attend a DHEMS dance.  Middle School-aged students from other schools may not attend a DHEMS dance without prior written permission from the principal. A parent of a current DHEMS student in good standing must contact the principal and agree to be responsible for the visiting student.  Current contact information must be provided in advance. Students are not permitted to leave the dance early without their parent/guardian requesting permission from the principal or teacher chaperone in charge at the dance. The school dress code will be enforced at dances.  For reasons of privacy, the use of cell phones by students at dances is prohibited.  Students will be granted access to an office phone or may ask the principal or designee for permission to use their cell phone if they need to contact their parents.

 

STUDENT COMPLAINTS

Students who have complaints may refer to the established policy and follow the outlined procedures. (LASD Policy #219)

 

STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNTS

Middle School students will be given a school email account which their teachers may choose to use for classroom assignments. The email will be part of Google’s Apps for Educational Entities. If a parent wants their child to be exempted from having a school email account, they should send written notification to the principal or district office.  Please call the school principal if you would like additional information about the student email accounts. 

 

STUDENT PROGRESS/REPORT CARDS

Report cards are sent home with students at the end of each marking period - approximately every nine weeks.  Parents/guardians may review student grades on line through the Power School app or parent portal at any time.  A letter will be sent to parents/guardians in the summer with directions for creating an account and with the confidential password needed to access this secure information in PowerSchool. 

      

In addition, classroom teachers, the guidance department, or the principal may contact parents regarding their child’s progress when deemed necessary.

 

STUDENT REPORTING PROCEDURES

Students who are concerned about their safety or the safety of their peers are encouraged to report their concerns to their parents or to a trusted adult in the school – advisor, favorite teacher, counselor, principal, etc.  Students also have access to the Safe2Say Something reporting system.  There is more information on the district website about this state-wide reporting system.

Yearly Events & Requirements

Back to School Night and 6th Grade Orientation

These two events are scheduled at the beginning of each school year.  Notification will be sent home with students or through the mail announcing the date and time of the specific event.  This year, 6th Grade Orientation will be held in the gymnasium on Monday, August 21 at 6:30 pm.  Back to School Night for 7th and 8th Grade students and parents will be held on Thursday, August 31, beginning at 6:30 pm.   


Emergency Preparedness and Training

On a regular basis the middle school conducts drills on fire, tornado, intruder and other related emergency procedures as specified by the Pa Department of Ed., the County Emergency Management Office, or other agency.  Parents will be notified prior to ALICE training, lock-down drills, and/or intruder drills by the building principal.


Health Update Form/Emergency Forms    

Parents are asked to complete their child’s emergency and health update forms online at the beginning of the year.  If a parent does not have internet access, a paper copy of the form will be provided to be filled out and returned to the school office.  Parents must contact the office with any address, phone number, and work place changes.

    

The health update information will be shared only with parental permission on a need-to-know basis.  Parents should also mark choices of “as needed” medications on this form from the list provided.  This will permit the school nurses to treat a student with certain medications if symptoms arise during the school day.

     

All student information will be kept confidential.  


Honors Reception

This program recognizes 6th & 7th and 8th grade students who earn the honor roll designation during the first three marking periods of the school year.  It is held in the spring at the Lewisburg Area High School.