10- MISCELLANEOUS

10.1        PARENT COMMUNICATION

• It is very important for the school to be able to contact parents by mail, telephone, and email (when possible). Valid emergency telephone contacts are critical at all times. Please notify the school of any change of address or telephone numbers immediately and keep an accurate emergency contact on TADS.

• To ensure transparency, consistency, and the protection of teachers, parents, guardians, and students, all communications must be conducted through official school channels (e.g. school email, Educate, and/or Dojo Platforms). Any communication outside of these official platforms will not be considered valid.

• Teachers are strongly advised against engaging in personal communication with parents, guardians, and students via SMS, personal email, or any other private communication platform.

10.2        PARENT ALERT SYSTEM
The school administration will use voice call, email, and a text messaging system to communicate urgent information to parents. Please keep the school office updated with your current cell phone numbers in order to receive these alerts. Parents have the choice of selecting their preferred way of communication. We advise parents to set up their TADS- Educate accounts as early as possible.

10.3        EMERGENCY SCHOOL DELAYS AND CLOSINGS

• UAP follows Pittsburgh Public School District for weather-related school closings and delays. Students residing in any other school districts will follow their residential school district for weather-related school closings and delays and will be excused in case of any absence or delay. Please check the local news for closing and delay listings.

  • WPXI-TV

  • KDKA-TV

  • WTAE-TV

If the School Board and Principal determine it is necessary to close school or delay opening for non-weather-related events, the announcement will be made as early as possible.

10.4        CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

• Student records are confidential and are protected by the Privacy Act. Only the school staff and the child’s biological parents or legal guardians have access to the records.

• Directory information on the child is not protected by the Privacy Act. Directory information includes name, address, phone number, age, weight, etc.

• Parents may request the school not release this information.

 
10.5        ACCESS TO STUDENT FILES

• Records are maintained for each student. The files may include such pertinent information as attendance records, academic records, quarterly tests, disciplinary referrals, and actions taken as well as medical and health information.

• Parents who wish to have copies of student files must complete a File Request Form in the school office. Files will be copied and sent within 10 days of request. Access to records by persons other than the parents, the student, and members of the school staff and/or authorized school consultants, requires prior written consent by the parents.

• All student files will be held until tuition is paid and student account is up to date.

10.6        WELLNESS POLICY
In an effort to provide students with the healthiest environment possible, we ask parents/guardians to provide only healthy snacks for their child/ren.
Please be aware that UAP will no longer make available classroom parties for all grade levels, including Pre-K. In replacement of classroom parties, the school will hold a celebration event once each quarter where students may bring in healthy treats to celebrate their accomplishments with their classmates.

 
10.7        EMERGENCY AND ILLNESS POLICY
If your child becomes ill during the school day, you will be contacted and asked to pick up your child as soon as possible. Please do not leave a sick child at school for this can prolong the illness and spread it through the class and school building. The office will determine if a student is sick enough to be sent home.
In the case of an accident or injury, you will be contacted for advice on how best to treat your child. However, in the case of a serious emergency, immediate treatment will be given, and you will be contacted with details. This may include a request to meet your child at the nearest medical center or hospital for severe emergencies.

10.8        WHEN TO STAY HOME
It is often difficult to decide if your child should stay home from school when complaining of illness.

• An objective sign is an elevated temperature.

• It is recommended that a child be kept home from school until the temperature has remained normal (below 100°) for at least twenty-four hours.

• If a child has a temperature of 100° or more, skin rash, diarrhea/vomiting, strep throat, or evidence of lice, the child will be sent home.

• Parents/guardians are asked to use discretion in sending their children to school if they display any of these symptoms.

• Please inform the school office if your child becomes sick with a contagious illness. Notes will be sent home with the other children to warn parents/guardians of contact and incubation of communicable diseases.

10.9        PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION POLICY

• If it becomes necessary for a student to take prescription medicine for any reason, long or short term, a parent/guardian will need to update the Health Information section on TADS before any medication can be delivered to a student.

• A parent/guardian will need to hand deliver the medication in the original packaging to office personnel.

• For the students’ safety and health, medication cannot be sent in by, nor returned home with, any student.

10.10    PERSONAL PROPERTY

• Personal belongings should be clearly marked with the student’s name.

• Money and valuables should be kept in the student’s possession at all times.

• No trading cards, electronic games, electronic equipment, or toys are permitted at school.

• Cell phones and smart watches should be turned in upon arrival (during morning assembly).

• Cell phones and smart watches will be locked up by staff members.

• Students can pick up their devices at the end of the day from their last period teachers.

• The school is not responsible for any loss of or damage to personal property that are not turned in during morning assembly.

• Any student who fails to turn in these devices and is caught with them in their possession will have them confiscated and turned into the office.

• Confiscated phones will only be released to parents/guardians.

• Any repeated infractions will be treated as office referrals.

10.11    LOST AND FOUND

• Personal Items found throughout the school without a name will be placed in the LOST and FOUND box located by the front doors inside the school.

• Items left in the box at the end of the year will become the property of UAP.

• Lost or damaged books and workbooks will be replaced at the parent’s cost.

10.12    TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Access to the internet enables students to explore thousands of books, databases, and other resources. Our school has taken precautions to avoid exposing our students to illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, age-inappropriate, or potentially offensive material that may reside on the internet. However, it is impossible for us to guarantee restricted access of all material of this nature. Parents/guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media information sources. Therefore, we support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to allow internet access to their child(ren).

10.13    EXPECTATIONS
Since computers/Chromebooks and the internet are part of instruction, it is important to set clear expectations for all students. Parents/guardians are required to review these guidelines with their child(ren) regularly. Students are expected to

• Use school computers/Chromebooks for academic purposes only.

• Report any problem with their Chromebooks, account, or email, immediately.

• Charge their computers/Chromebooks, so they are ready for instructional time

• Respect other students while using any computer.

• Allow others to focus without disruption.

• Refrain from any illegal or inappropriate behavior.

• Never download or install any software, shareware, or freeware onto a school computer or its network, unless they have explicit permission from a school official.

• Never send or receive copyrighted material without permission.

• Never plagiarize or copy other people’s work by accessing files that do not belong to them.

• Never engage in cyber bullying.

• Never use social media during school hours.

• Never post any images or names of students on social media accounts

10.14    CONFLICT RESOLUTION
If parents/guardians have a school-related problem or need assistance, please follow these guidelines:

• If your problem or question concerns your child or your child’s teacher, first contact the teacher.

• If the situation is unresolved, then contact the school principal.

• Please contact the board of directors if you have a question or concern regarding safety or policy that cannot be resolved by the principal.

10.15    USE OF STUDENT’S PHOTOS
UAP’s procedure regarding the use of student photographs for news releases, brochures, and website, requires parent/guardian permission, and is listed as a part of yearly TADS enrollment process. If permission is not given, then your child’s photography will not be used to promote the school or individual student achievements. Permission must be granted every year.

10.16    VOLUNTEER POLICY
UAP welcomes and encourages volunteer support. Parent and community volunteers work under the direct supervision of the principal and teachers.
 
Individuals who would like to volunteer in our school or work with our students should contact the principal to offer their services.
Volunteers working in classrooms or directly with students must have the following three clearances in advance:

1. Child Abuse Clearance (PA Act 151) https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home;

2. Criminal History Clearance (PA Act 34) https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Clearances/PATCH/Pages/default.aspx

3. FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance https://www.dhs.pa.gov/KeepKidsSafe/Clearances/Pages/FBI-Fingerprinting.aspx The Six Digit code is 1KG6XN​​

In addition to working with students in our schools, parents may also participate in the school Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) or any of the volunteer-based committees that help keep the school beautiful and running smoothly.