Breakfast is available each morning and begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost for breakfast is $.75 and lunch is $1.90. A copy of the lunch menu is sent home each month with the students and is also availabe on the district website at . All absences/tardies require a written acceptable excuse by the parents/guardians/physician, no later than three days after the students absence. If an excuse is not received the absece will be considered illegal. (Please see the Elementary Handbook for further abscence information and changes. Students will no longer be given detention for attendence issues. Truency laws still apply.) Pupils may be excused from school attendance to particate in an educational trip at the parents expense, with the following provisions: Temporary Absence Form must be completed and returned to the school office 10 days prior to the trip. When possible, medical appointments should be made after school or on Saturdays. We know this is not always possible. If that is the case, please submit a note to your child’s teacher stating the date, time, and reason for your child’s early dismissal. Please see Policy 204 on the district website for more details concerning attendance changes. Compulsory School Age Laws Compulsory school attendance refers to the minimum and maximum age required by a student must be enrolled in and attending public school or some equivalent education program defined by the law. The state of Pennsylvania requires all children to be enrolled in school between the ages of 8 and 17. Pre-Kindergarten - 2 30 minutes, each day for 180days/year. Kindergarten- 2 hours, 30 minutes, each day of the school term Grades 1-6 - 900 hours for the school year. Grades 7-12 - 990 hours for the school year. The Department of Education – School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction plan requires students to meet the minimum annual hourly requirements for each specified grade level. Chapter 15 – 504 Plan In compliance with the state and federal law, the Altoona Area School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the students’ abilities.
In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs. For further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of services to protected handicapped students, contact the Director of Human Services, Dr. Donna Messner, at (814)–946-8252. Change of Address If there is a change in your phone number, address or change of guardian, please contact the school office. You will need to submit verification or your new address if you have moved or are planning to move (updated driver’s license, mortgage, lease, utility bill). Once verification is received, the office will verify the correct school your child should attend. District There will be many forms coming home with your child the first week of school. Please complete all forms and return them promptly to your child’s teacher. It is extremely important to check your child’s backpack each night. Be on the lookout for the following District Forms: Emergency District video, name on class list, and photo permission forms. PTO volunteer form Pesticide form Bus Stop Waiver form Adults Authorized to Pick Up Internet Agreement Reminders to Parents from the AASD Elementary School Nurses: Kindergarten Parents: Please send in updated immunizations if there are additions to those dates given at Kindergarten Registration K and 3rd Parents: A dental exam is required to be on file for you student. If a private dental exam form is not received, a school dental examination will be scheduled in the Spring. K and 6th grade Parents: A physical exam is required to be on file for your student. If a private physical exam form is not received, a school physical examination will be scheduled in the Spring. *Please contact your school nurse if a form is needed for either exam* Medications: If it is necessary for a medication to be administered during the school day, a doctor’s order is required and must be provided to the school nurse. An updated doctor’s order is required each school year. Medication must be in the original labeled prescription bottle with the student’s name and dosage. Please DO NOT send medication with your child. We ask that you hand deliver your child’s medication