SUSQUEHANNA towNSHip - hannasd.org Susquehanna Township High School students have been named ... as a school nurse in the district from October 2008 until her death from ... Ms. Christine

2579 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110 Fall 2011 Volume XXVI Number 1

SUSQUEHANNA towNSHipS C H O O L D I S T R I C T N E W S L E T T E R

From the Superintendent’s Desk Welcome to a new school year! Students, staff, parents, and community members have all helped our district begin the year on a positive note. As a district, we continue to strive for academic excellence... The new schedule for our kindergarteners segues into more academic time for our young stu-dents. At present, kindergartners end their day at 1:50 p.m., extending their day almost two hours. This transitional time frame will help our teachers prepare for a full-day program that will take place during the 2012-2013 school year. This year, these students will be introduced to the FOSS (Full Option Science Series) Program, which will provide hands on science investigations for all kinder-

garten students. We also have a balanced literacy program that begins in kindergarten and involves the components of Read Alouds, Independent Reading, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, and Direct Instruction in Decod-ing and Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary and Comprehension. Additional time for our math program will also provide an excellent foundation for our kindergarten students. We have collected and analyzed all Advanced Placement test results in addition to reviewing our program in general. We have begun the practice of providing PSAT testing to all tenth grade students. This newly mandated testing will pro-vide our students with insight into their strengths and the possibilities of taking an AP Course. Additionally, administration of the PSAT will enable the continuing identification of our Merit Scholarship finalists. This year, we are pleased to see an increase in the number of students enrolled in AP classes. We continue to collect data on all students in order to better prepare them for higher level instruction. Administrators in all buildings have helped to develop academic goals for their respective student bodies. With these goals in mind, building principals and assistant principals are dedicated to improving all classroom instruction by opening dialogue with classroom teachers, supporting engaging instruction, and providing ongoing professional development. In addition to the emphasis on classroom instruction, we have reconstructed our secondary guidance department. All classes from the middle to high school levels will continue to work with their own class counselor. Counselors will follow their class from the middle through the high school grades, enabling them to know their students and families, help them to successfully progress through the middle and high school, and better prepare them for post-secondary experiences. Dr. Donahue will work with curriculum committees to review, edit, and refine our content curriculum this year. Dr. Taschner continues to work with our Human Resource, Special Education, and Technology Departments, in order to ensure fiscal responsibility to all processes and procedures. Mrs. Schaffer-Yeager supports our special education program, as we continue to pursue inclusionary practices and experiences for exceptional students. …As we progress throughout the school year, our goal is clear. With the financial environment touching our entire Susquehanna community, we strive to provide an outstanding education to all our students while being fiscally responsible. I believe this can be accomplished by working together and placing our children’s education first. Our investment is in our students. I look forward to their accomplishments this year.

Susan M. Kegerise Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

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FAMILIESFAMILIESNEEDEDNEEDED

FORFOREXCHANGE EXCHANGE STUDENTSTUDENT

The Susquehanna Township Rotary Club and the Keystone Rotary Club are co-sponsoring a Rotary Exchange Student for the 2012-2103 school year at Susquehanna Township High School. Three host families who reside in the Susquehanna Township school district are needed to provide room and board for the student for approximately 15 weeks each between mid-August 2012 and June 2013. The host family pro-vides housing and meals, but all other expenses will be covered by the fees his/her parents have paid in advance, (including health and liability insurance), and the $100/month allowance that the Rotary Club provides for incidentals.

This is a fabulous and rewarding opportunity for everyone involved! The programs are well-established, well-supported by a team of experienced advisors at the Rotary District level, and conform to all U. S. State Department and Rotary Rules and Procedures for exchange programs. In addition, the exchange student and his/her parents will have agreed to and signed the well-documented Rules of Behavior and Conditions of Exchange.

If you, or anyone you know who resides in the school district, is interested in hosting a wonderful international stu-dent for the 2012-2013 school year, please contact Linda Spotts by phone 717-920-5250 or email at [email protected] before January 15, 2012.

FOUR STUDENTS ARE FOUR STUDENTS ARE SEMIFINALISTSSEMIFINALISTS

Four Susquehanna Township High School students have been named semifinalists in the annual Merit Corporation scholarship programs. Hannah Abele, Natalie Kochanov, and Krista Landis are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and Fatimata-Bin Bukari is a semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Of the 1.5 million students who enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, 16,000 qualify as semifinalists, and of the 150,000 students who enter the National Achievement Scholarship Program, 1,600 qualify. Students qualify for these programs by taking the PSAT. These students can advance to a finalist standing by meeting high academic standards and submitting additional materials.

PLAQUE WILL HONORPLAQUE WILL HONORJANE BRINDLEJANE BRINDLE

A plaque will be placed among the plants at the front of Sara Linde-muth Elementary School in memory of Jane Brindle, who was employed as a school nurse in the district from October 2008 until her death from cancer in June. During the second annual Pink-Out at Susquehanna’s football game with Mechanicsburg on October 21, a bouquet of pink roses was present-ed to her husband, Mr. John Brindle and his son Derek Brindle, in remem-brance of all staff members who died from cancer.

Michael Knill, athletic director at the high school, John Brindle and his son Derek, and Lesley Darrin, treasurer of the Hanna awareness group that planned the Pink-Out.

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BECOME A HANNA VOLUNTEER

The Susquehanna Township School District’s Volunteer Program invites parents and grandparents of dis-trict students, as well as community residents, to come back to school as volunteers in any of the district’s four buildings. A variety of both short-term and long-term volunteer activities become available during the school year, and volunteers take on these activities according to their interest and sched-ules. Volunteers have a wide range of options from which to choose, including tutoring with the STHS Tutoring Program and the Holtzman School Homework Club, assist-ing at school book fairs, helping in classrooms, shelving library books, and reading to students during the African-American Read-In. Orientations for new volunteers are held periodically during the school year. For more information or to sign up for an orientation, please leave a message for the Volunteer Program Coordinator Daphne Champagne, at any of the school offices or email Daphne at [email protected].

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HIRED Ms. Elizabeth Fisher has been hired as an assistant principal at the high school. She has a B.A. in English from Wheaton College and a M.A in Writing from DePaul University. Ms. Fisher completed her prin-cipal’s certification at Immaculata Univer-sity and is currently working on a doctor’s degree in education at the same university. She previously taught at Avon Grove High School.

KNILL IS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Mr. Michael Knill, the athleticdirector at the high school, hasa degree in sports managementand marketing from Juniata College and received his elementary education certification from Wilson College. Mr.Knill, a former athlete and football player, was the assistanthead coach of the Redland High School varsity football team.

HAIRSPRAY TO BE PRESENTED The STHS musical production this year will be HAIR-SPRAY, a musical comedy that celebrates sock-hops in early 1960’s Baltimore. First performed on Broadway in 2002, the Hairspray production was the recipent of eight Tony Awards. Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m. The musical director for HAIRSPRAY is Stuart Landon. He previously worked at Open Stage of Harrisburg, Allenberry Playhouse, and Millbrook Playhouse.

2011 SENIOR CITIZENS PROMSaturday, November 19, 2011

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria

The students of Susquehanna Township will sponsor the twentieth annual Senior Citizens Prom. All senior citizens living in Susquehanna Township are invited. A light lunch will be provided with music by the STHS Jazz Band and Mr. Perbetsky.

RSVP: Email [email protected] or call the High School at 657-5117.

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Ms. Bethany Babb is teaching second grade at Sara Lindemuth Elementary School. She received a B.S. in Special Educa-tion and Elementary Education from Millersville University in 2011.

Ms. Patricia Barr, the nurse for Sara Lindemuth Elementary School and Thomas W. Holtzman Jr. Elementary School, has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. She was previously employed as a building nurse in the South Middleton School District.

Ms. Barbara Brushart, who has a B.A. in Elementary Edu-cation from University of Arizona, is a kindergarten teacher at Sara Linde-muth Elementary School. She was employed by Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 and Waverly City Schools in Ohio.

Mr. Stephen DiRomualdo is teaching history at the high school. He has a B.A. in History from Temple University.

Mr. Jacob Evans, an English teacher at the high school, has a B.A. in Humanities from Messiah College and a M.Ed. from Cabrini College with certifica-tions in social studies and English. He was a long-term substitute in the William Penn School District.

Ms. Kelly Fringer is a chemistry teacher at the high school. She is a graduate of Towson University with a B.S.in Chemistry and Penn State with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruc-tion. She was employed by Dauphin County Technical School and Lan-caster Catholic High School.

Ms. Chelsea Geyer is a 2011 graduate of Lebanon Valley College with a B.S. in Elem-entary Education and certification in special education. She is teach-ing kindergarten at Sara Lindemuth Elementary School.

Ms. Monica Gillis, the guidance counselor at the high school, has a B.S. in Health Policy and Admin-istration from Penn State and a M.Ed. in Secondary and Elementary School Counseling from Shippensburg University. Her previous employers include Harris-burg School District and Dauphin County Mental Health/Mental Retardation.

Ms. Christine Gloss is teaching French at the high school. She has a B.A. in French from Juniata College and ten years’ experience at East Juniata High School.

Ms. Mia Gray, who is the library media specialist at Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elementary School, was a high school librarian in the Upper Dauphin School District and was employed as a youth service librarian in the Dauphin County Library System. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and a M.Ed. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Erica Hamilton is a guidance counselor at the middle school. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State and a M.Ed. with certification as an elementary school counselor from Shippensburg University. She taught fifth and sixth grades in the Central Dauphin School District.

Mr. Kelby Hunt has a B.A. in Geography and Envi-ronmental Planning from Bloomsburg University and certification in secondary math from Penn State. A math teacher at the high school, Mr. Hunt was a substitute at Dauphin County Vo- Tech School and in the Central Dauphin and East Pennsboro School Districts.

T W E N T Y - O N E H I R E D B Y D I S T R I C T

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Mr. Brian Krauss, the district’s orchestra director, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music from The Cleveland Institute of Music. He was the orchestra director at Junious H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC for five years and performed as a bassist with the Carolina Philharmonic Orches-tra, the Fayetteville Symphony, and the Ashlawn Opera Orchestra.

Ms. Amy Murimi is teaching first grade at Sara Linde-muth Elementary School. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Messiah College. She taught first grade at the International School of Kenya in East Africa for two years. She also has experience as an el-ementary physical education teacher.

Trista Rhoades s a speech clinician at Sara Linde-muth Elementary School. She has a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audi-ology from Bloomsburg University.

Ms. Denise Short, a guidance counselor at the high school, worked for the Department of Public Welfare in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and as a human service program representative in the Office of Developmental Programs. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.Ed. in K – 12 School Counseling from Shippensburg University.

Ms. Tara Smith, also a guidance counselor at the high school, has a B.A. in Social Work and a M.S. in Counselor Edu-cation from McDaniel College. She previously worked as a consulant for the Case Management Unit of Keystone Children and Family and for Central Dauphin School District.

Ms. Joleen Teates has been hired as a gifted teacher at the high school. She previously taught chemistry in the Newport School District and worked for the Department of Environmental Pro-tection in Sunbury. Ms. Teates has a B.S. in Chemistry from Susquehan-na University and a M.S. in Instruc-tion from Drexel University.

Matthew Voightis a kindergarten teacher at Sara Lindemuth Elementary School. He has a B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State and a M.S. in Special Educa-tion from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He was a substitute teacher in the Ridley School District, Folsom, PA.

NoT PiCTuREd:Laura Dickson, the new high school business teacher, has a B.S. in Busi-ness Education from Indiana University of PA and a M.S. in Special Education and Educational Studies form Wilkes University. She previously taught in the Newport and Central Dauphin School Districts.

Linda Oberholtzer is a speech clinician at Sara Lindemuth. She has a B.S in Speech Pathology and Audiology from East Stroudsburg University and a M.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Bloomsburg University. She was previously employed by the Central Dauphin School District.

T W E N T Y - O N E H I R E D B Y D I S T R I C T

CALENDAR CHANGE

Due to the recent flooding and the subsequent closing

of the district’s schools, classes will be held on

March 6, 2012.

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PEST MANAGEMENT NOTIFICATION The Susquehanna Township School District uses an integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. Our goal is to protect every student from pesticides by using an IPM to pest manage-ment. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding places. We accomplish this through routine inspec-tion by school staff and Home Paramount. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator, who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The tech-niques can include increasing sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, and physically removing the pest.

use of Pesticides From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will only be used when necessary and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used the school will try to use the least toxic products when possible. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following application. Parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide appli-cations made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. Please mail your request to: Barry Seilhamer, Susquehanna Township School District, 3550 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please notify the district in writing. Please include your email address if you would like to be notified electronically. If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided by tele-phone to any parent or guardian who had requested such notification in writing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids. Each year the district will prepare a new notification registry. If you have any questions, please contact Barry Seilhamer, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, at 717-657-5100 ext. 50132.

ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION ThisnotificationistoinformyouthattheSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictiscontinuingtomanageasbestos containing materials as per the AHERA regulation. The management plan is available for review at thedistrictoffice.Pleasecallaheadtomakearrangementstoviewthemanagementplan.Ifyouhaveanyquestions regarding the information in the management plan, please see the school district’s asbestos coor-dinator, Barry Seilhamer, Supervisor of Building and Grounds, who is available to answer any questions you have concerning asbestos and how we are handling it in the district. if you have questions, please contact Barry Seilhamer, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, at 717-657-5100 ext. 132.

MISSION STATEMENTSusquehanna Township School District,

serving a diverse community, strives to provide all students varied educational opportunities in a safe environment,

enabling them to develop into productive, responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

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utilize best instructional practices, technology, and data to ensure that during the 2011-2012 school year, utilize best instructional practices, technology, and data to ensure that during the 2011-2012 school year, asreflectedinstateassessmentscores,81%ofSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictstudentswillasreflectedinstateassessmentscores,81%ofSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictstudentswillachieveproficiencyinliteracy,and78%ofSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictstudentswillachieveachieveproficiencyinliteracy,and78%ofSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictstudentswillachieveproficiencyinmathematics.proficiencyinmathematics.

•• Collect data, on an ongoing basis, compiled from benchmark assessments, Independent Reading Language Assessment (IRLA), Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), running records, and formative/summative content assessments.

•• Integrate technology with instructional delivery. •• Implement targeted professional development for both established staff members and new teachers

through Susquehanna Township School District Induction Program. •• Analyze and interpret collected data through the use of staff conferencing, staff team meetings, and

targeted professional development. •• Respond to data analysis by addressing common core standards, PA Eligible Content, staff conferencing,

targeted professional development, pre/post observation conferencing, and establishment of common language for promotion of proficiency across all content areas.

Strengthen communication within the school district and community stakeholders. Strengthen communication within the school district and community stakeholders. •• Maintain and update information on the newly created Hanna website. •• Initiate community surveys to attain feedback. •• Utilize building newsletters, district handbook and calendars, and Board Docs in order to increase public

awareness of school related policies and issues. •• Support involvement in building level PTO’s/PTSA’s, parent open house nights, K-12 informational nights

and district wide literacy/math nights. •• Expand the consistent use of Connect-Ed to deliver both building and district level information. •• Support career business partners, volunteer program workers, police department and Dauphin County

partners. •• Initiate building steering committees to encourage community involvement. •• Complete a Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) Family Involvement Grant to be

utilized at Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elementary Building.

develop and maintain programming that will address the needs of students eligible for services under develop and maintain programming that will address the needs of students eligible for services under Chapters 14, 15, 16. Chapters 14, 15, 16.

•• Implement common K-12 assessments that appropriately reflect students’ strengths and needs. •• Provide targeted professional development in order to promote understanding of instructional strategies/

interventions, and differentiated instruction, while in an inclusive setting. •• Provide both internal and external resources that will ensure understanding of current case law and

mandates. •• Expand the use of assisted technology in student plans in order to address student needs. •• Conduct building level observations to support inclusive practices, differentiated instruction, and appropri-

ate ongoing assessment. •• Expand transition planning to increase opportunities for post- secondary education and employment.

DISTRICT GOALS OUTLINED FOR 2011-2012 SCHOOL TERM

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LEVEL # % % LEVEL # % %Advanced 83 39% 46% 1370 and up Advanced 51 24% 28% 1442 and upProficient 90 42% 37% 1180 – 1369 Proficient 103 48% 49% 1235 – 1441 Basic 31 15% 12% 1044 – 1179 Basic 27 13% 10% 1168 – 1234 Below Basic 9 4% 6% 1043 and below Below Basic 32 15% 13% 1167 and below¹Totals 213 100% 101% ¹Totals 213 100% 100%

LEVEL # % % LEVEL # % %Advanced 100 49% 53% 1445 and up Advanced 56 27% 35% 1469 and upProficient 74 36% 31% 1246 – 1444 Proficient 88 43% 38% 1255 – 1468Basic 22 11% 9% 1156 – 1245 Basic 35 17% 16% 1112 – 1254Below Basic 9 4% 7% 1155 and below Below Basic 26 13% 11% 1111 and below¹Totals 205 100% 100% ¹Totals 205 100% 100%


2011 PSSA RESULTS Last spring, STSD students, in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11, took the Pennsylvania System of School

Assessment tests in reading and mathematics. The purpose of these assessments is to provide information to teachers and schools which will assist them in designing curricula and instructional

strategies that will enable students to achieve the academic standards in each category.

School State School StateMathematics Performance

Performance Level

Score Ranges

Reading Performance

Performance Level

Score Ranges

Performance Level

Score Ranges

Mathematics Performance School State

Performance Level

Score Ranges

Reading Performance School State

Performance Level

Score Ranges


Performance Level

Score Ranges


GRADE 3

GRADE 5

GRADE 4

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LEVEL # % % LEVEL # % %Advanced 107 43% 52% 1476 and up Advanced 79 32% 38% 1456 and upProficient 66 26% 26% 1298 – 1475 Proficient 82 33% 31% 1278 – 1455Basic 51 20% 12% 1174 – 1297 Basic 64 26% 18% 1121 – 1277Below Basic 26 10% 10% 1173 and Below Basic 25 10% 13% 1120 and below¹Totals 250 100% 100% ¹Totals 250 100% 100%

LEVEL # % % LEVEL # % %Advanced 129 55% 52% 1472 and up Advanced 97 42% 42% 1470 and upProficient 53 23% 25% 1298 – 1471 Proficient 82 35% 33% 1279 – 1469 Basic 26 11% 12% 1183 – 1297 Basic 36 15% 16% 1131 – 1278 Below Basic 25 11% 11% 1182 and below Below Basic 18 8% 9% 1130 and below¹Totals 233 100% 100% ¹Totals 233 100% 100%


LEVEL # % % LEVEL # % %Advanced 68 26% 28% 1509 and up Advanced 80 31% 35% 1492 and upProficient 76 29% 32% 1304 – 1508 Proficient 85 32% 34% 1257 – 1491Basic 56 21% 19% 1167 – 1303 Basic 52 20% 16% 1112 – 1256Below Basic 62 24% 22% 1166 and Below Basic 45 17% 16% 1111 and below¹Totals 262 100% 101% ¹Totals 262 100% 101%

¹ Performance level totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Performance Level

Score Ranges


Performance Level

Score Ranges


Performance Level

Score Ranges


Performance Level

Score Ranges


Reading Performance School


Performance Level

Score Ranges

Reading Performance


Performance Level

Score RangesState

Performance Level

Score Ranges

School StatePerformance

LevelScore Ranges

GRADE 6

GRADE 11

GRADE 8

GRADE 7

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Notice of Special Education Services and Programs Child FindNotice to Parents According to state and federal special education regulations, annual public notice to parents of children who reside within a school district is required regarding child find responsibilities. School districts (SDs), intermediate units (IUs) and charter schools (CSs) are required to conduct child find activities for children who may be eligible for services via Sec-tion 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For additional information related to Section 504/Chapter 15 services, parents may refer to Section 504, Chapter 15, and the Basic Education Circular entitled Implementation of Chapter 15. Also, school districts are required to conduct child find activities for children who may be eligible for gifted services via 22 Pa Code Chapter 16. For additional information regarding gifted services, parents may refer to 22 PA Code Chapter 16. If a student is both gifted and eligible for Special Education, the procedures in IDEA and Chapter 14 shall take precedence. This notice shall inform parents throughout the school district, intermediate unit, and charter school of the child identifica-tion activities and of the procedures followed to ensure confidentiality of information pertaining to students with disabili-ties or eligible young children. In addition to this public notice, each school district, intermediate unit, and charter school shall publish written information in the handbook and on the web site. Children ages three through twenty-one can be eligible for special education programs and services. If parents believe that their child may be eligible for special educa-tion, the parent should contact the staff member identified for their school district of residence, listed at the end of this public notice. Children age three through the age of admission to first grade are also eligible if they have developmental delays and, as a result, need Special Education and related services. Developmental delay is defined as a child who is less than the age of beginners and at least 3 years of age and is considered to have a developmental delay when one of the follow-ing exists: (i) The child’s score, on a developmental assessment device, on an assessment instrument which yields a score in months, indicates that the child is delayed by 25% of the child’s chronological age in one or more developmental areas. (ii) The child is delayed in one or more of the developmental areas, as documented by test performance of 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on standardized tests. Developmental areas include cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional and self-help. For additional information you may contact the Supervisor of Preschool/Early Intervention, Capital Area Intermediate Unit #15, at 717-732-8400, ext. 8619. The school entity or charter school will not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, handicap, creed, marital status or because a person is a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. No preschool, elementary or secondary school pupil enrolled in a school district, intermediate unit, or charter school program shall be denied equal opportunity to participate in age and program appropriate instruc-tion or activities due to race, color, handicap, creed, national origin, marital status or financial hardship. Evaluation ProcessSusquehanna Township School District has a procedure in place by which parents can request an evaluation. Parents should contact the Director of Pupil Services/Special Education at District Office by calling 657-5100. Telephone numbers and addresses can be found at the end of this notice. Parents of preschool age children, age three through five, may request an evaluation in writing by addressing a letter to the Supervisor of Preschool/Early Intervention, Capital Area Intermediate Unit #15. ConsentSchool entities cannot proceed with an evaluation, or with the initial provision of special education and related services, without the written consent of the parents. For additional information related to consent, please refer to the Procedural Safeguards Notice which can be found at the PaTTAN website, www.Pattan.net. Once written parental consent is obtained, the district will proceed with the evaluation process. If the parent disagrees with the evaluation results, the parent can request an independent education evaluation at public expense.

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Notice of Special Education Services and Programs Child Find

A surrogate parent is a person designated to assume responsibility in matters relating to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of students for whom no parent or guardian can be identified, or their whereabouts are un- known, or the child is a ward of the state. Surrogate parents are volunteers who are trained by the Intermediate Unit to serve in this capacity. To qualify as a surrogate parent you must meet the following qualifications: be a volunteer be a person of good character be at least 18 years old possess reasonable abilities to make decisions concerning a student’s educational needs be committed to becoming acquainted with the student’s educational needs and with Pennsylvania’s educational system have no vested interest that would conflict with the primary allegiance to the student you would represent Surrogate Parent duties include becoming familiar with special education regulations, being involved in IEP processes, and receiving notifications regarding evaluation and/or educational placement of the student. If you or someone you know have an interest in serving as a Surrogate Parent, please contact LuAnn Schaffer-Yeager at 657-5100 ext. 50137 or at [email protected] for additional information. Program development Once the evaluation process is completed, a team of qualified professionals and parents determine whether the child is eligible. If the child is eligible, the Individualized Education Program team meets, develops the program, and determines the educational placement. Once the IEP team develops the program and determines the educational placement, school district staff, intermediate unit staff, and/or charter school staff will issue a Notice of Recommended Educational Place-ment/Prior Written Notice (NOREP/PWN). Your written consent is required before initial services can be provided. The parent has the right to revoke consent after initial placement. ConfidentialityofInformation:The school districts, intermediate units and charter schools maintain records concerning all children enrolled in the school, including students with disabilities. All records are maintained in the strictest confidentiality. Your consent, or con-sent of an eligible child who has reached the age of majority under state law, must be obtained before personally identifi-able information is released, except as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The age of majority in Pennsylvania is age 21. Each participating agency must protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction stages. One official at each participating agency must as-sume responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information. Each participating agency must maintain, for public inspection, a current listing of the names and positions of those employees within the agency who have access to personally identifiable information. For additional information related to student records, parents can refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This notice is only a summary of the Special Education services, evaluation and screening activities, and rights and pro-tections pertaining to children with disabilities, children thought to be disabled, and their parents. For more information or to request evaluation or screening of a public or private school child, contact District Office. For preschool age children, information may be obtained and screenings and evaluations may be requested by contacting the Intermediate Unit at the address below:

iNTERMEdiATE uNiT Susquehanna Township School district Capital Area intermediate unit #15 2579 Interstate Drive 55 Miller Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 Enola, PA 17025-1640 717-657-5100 717-732-8400

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT 2579 Interstate DriveHarrisburg, PA 17110

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DHarrisburg, PA

Permit No. 1098

ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMER

Susquehanna Township School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or handicap in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title VI. Title IX and Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures and services, activities, and facilities that are acces-sible to and usable by handicapped persons, contact Dr. Susan M. Kegerise, Superintendent, 2579 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17109 – Telephone 675-5100.

Michael S. Ferguson, PresidentJesse Rawls, Sr., Vice PresidentDaniel K. Fuller, SecretaryPatricia Garcia, TreasurerLinda T. ButlerKathy L. DelGrandeJohn A. FabianRay E. LandisPeter J. Sakol, M. D.

Dr. Susan M. Kegerise, SuperintendentDr. Cathy Taschner, Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Kimberly Donahue, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and InstructionMichael D. Frentz, Business Manager

LuAnn Schaffer-Yeager, Director of Pupil Services/Spec. Ed.Ralph S. Lovelidge, Principal, High School

Frederick R. Porter, Assistant Principal, High SchoolElizabeth Allen-Fisher, Assistant Principal, High School

Harold Wilson, Assistant Principal, High SchoolSieta L. Achampong, Director of Alternative Education

Travis M. Waters, Principal, Middle SchoolKristin D. Minch, Assistant Principal, Middle School

Michael D. Selvenis, Principal, Thomas W. Holtzmna Jr. Elementary SchoolJessica Z. Jacobs, Assistant Principal, Thomas W. Holtzman Jr. Elementary School

Sabina Grant-Spencer, Principal, Sara Lindemuth Primary Elem. SchoolKara J. Brady, Assistant Principal, Sara Lindemuth Primary Elem. School

School Board Administration

iNSidE:✦ PSSA Results✦ New Teachers

Documents

SUSQUEHANNA towNSHip - hannasd.org Susquehanna Township High School students have been named ... as a school nurse in the district from October 2008 until her death from ... Ms. Christine