ACADEMICS  HONOR ROLL   TESTING  STUDENT RECORD POLICY      Report Cards     Report cards are issued every nine (9) weeks.   They are to be signed by a parent and returned to the homeroom teacher.  This does not mean that the parent approves or disapproves of the report, but that he/she has seen it.  If a report card is lost, this should be reported by a note from the parent to the office.  A duplicate will be sent home for signing.     The administration and faculty feel that class participation is a vital part of the student learning process.  Therefore, students who miss an excessive number of days, and whom teachers feel do not meet the minimum competency level, will receive a failure for that course. Academic Restriction     If students receive two failing grades in a marking period, in major subjects they will be placed on academic restriction.  Students whose names appear on the restricted list, are restricted from clubs and any extra-curricular activities.  Athletic restrictions are enforced for games only.   Students may practice with their team but may not participate in games until they are released from academic restriction.     Progress will be re-evaluated every two weeks.   Students who have improved to the administrator's and teacher's satisfaction will be released from restriction. HONOR ROLL  for Students in grades 4 through 8 Qualifications are as follows: DISTINGUISHED HONORS: All major subjects 94 or above. All minor subjects 85 or above. No incompletes. HIGH HONORS: Achieving two or more 94 or higher averages and an 85 or higher in every remaining major subject. Minor subjects 85 average. Nothing lower than 75. No incompletes. HONORS: Achieving an 85 or higher in every major subject with no grade lower than 75 in minor subjects. No incompletes. GRADING SYSTEM: A = 94 - 100 Outstanding Achievement B = 85 - 93 High Achievement C= 75 - 84 Satisfactory Achievement D = 70 - 74 Minimal Achievement F = 69 & below Failure to achieve minimum Incomplete (Course requirements were not met due to excused student absence.  A grade will be assigned when necessary work is completed.) Grades Kindergarten through Second:  Percentages or traditional letter grades (A,B,C,D, or F) are not used in kindergarten, first, or second grade.  A marking system of five different letters are used to report progress in the primary grades.   An explanation of the marking system is as follows: G:  Good/strong S:  Satisfactory/acceptable N:  Needs Improvement U:  Unsatisfactory I:  Improvement Shown NA:  Not applicable at this time   Testing The Saint Clair Area School District administers standardized tests to students in kindergarten through eight. The results of these tests provide a continuing record of each student's progress. Test results serve as aids to teachers and other school personnel in planning more effective instruction. Scores on these tests are reviewed carefully and maintained as long as the student attends school in this district. When a student transfers to another district, the parent is notified of the transfer of permanent record information to the new school district. No individual or agency, other than school personnel, is permitted to inspect student records without written permission from the parent or guardian. A parent or guardian may examine his child's record file by making arrangements with the school principal. Test Given and Group Tested   Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)- Grades K-6 AIMSWeb (reading Skills) - Grades 7 & 8 4-Sight (reading & math) - Grades 3-8 PSSA's - reading & math grades 3-8             writing grades 5 & 8             science grades 4 & 8 Algebra Readiness Test ------ Grade 8 Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students (SAGES) ------ Grades K - 6 Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) SAGES pretest ------ Grades K - 6 ACCESS for English Language Learners - grades K-8       Student Records Policy STUDENT RECORDS POLICY – ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA Saint Clair Area School District maintains a cumulative student record for each child. This information is kept in order to assist in the day-to-day operation of the educational programs and to meet the requirements of federal and state laws. The information regarding each child includes student identification and attendance data, information on academic progress and performance and results of standardized group achievement and cognitive ability tests. Records of standardized tests taken by secondary students on a voluntary basis, usually for college entrance purposes, also are recorded. Disciplinary records, certain juvenile history record information and student health records also are maintained as required by state law.   DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION – PUBLIC NOTICE Under FERPA, the District also may disclose without consent “directory information” concerning a student. For example, directory information may be included in publications such as sports programs, newspapers, radio and television news releases, awards and graduation programs, yearbooks, alumni directories, musical and play programs, and other school publications. Directory information is information not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, including but not limited to the student’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major fields of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and other similar information. Parents who wish to have their children exempted from publication or other disclosure of directory information may do so by letter to the school principal. The letter must be received by the school principal at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of publication or other disclosure of information.   COMPLIANCE STATEMENT Saint Clair Area School District continues its policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, handicap or disability, as applicable in its educational programs, activities or employment policies. This policy is as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable state, federal and local laws and ordinances. For information regarding Title IX and Title VII compliance, contact the Saint Clair Area School District, 227 South Mill Street, Saint Clair, PA 17970. (570) 427-2716. For information on Section 504 compliance, contact the above School District address. For information regarding the American With Disabilities Act, contact the Office of Special Education at the above School District address.   CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS Saint Clair Area School District protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable information regarding exceptional and protected handicapped students in accord with state and federal law and the school district’s student records policy. Parental rights regarding student records are described previously.     Schuylkill Intermediate Unit and Member School Districts Annual Public Notice of Special Education Identification Programs and Services and Gifted Education   Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, in conjunction with the twelve member school districts is required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, (IDEIA) to provide a free appropriate public education for children, ages 3 through 21, with disabilities.  Children with disabilities are those that are in need of special education and related services as a result of one or more of the following physical and/or mental disabilities: *  Autism                                                                    *  Orthopedic Impairment *  Deaf-Blindness                                                    *  Other Health Impairment *  Emotional Disturbance                                       *  Specific Learning Disability *  Hearing Impairment including Deafness        *  Speech/Language Impairment *  Mental Retardation                                              *  Traumatic Brain Injury *  Multiple Disabilities                                              *  Visual Impairment including                                                                                                          Blindness *  Developmental Delay – (For children age 3 through the age of admission to a                                                                        school age program)   Screening and Evaluation Process The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit and all member school districts have procedures in place to help identify children who may be eligible for special education and related services.  The process includes both screening procedures for potential speech, hearing and vision needs as well as parent/guardian or teacher referrals for a comprehensive educational evaluation.  If the parent/guardian believes their child may be eligible for special education and or related services they may request a screening and evaluation at any time at no cost to them.  Any such request should be directed to the school district special education contact person listed at the conclusion of this announcement.  All requests for preschool age children should be directed to the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Preschool Department also listed at the conclusion of this announcement.   Services for Protected Handicapped Students In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 all school districts must provide services to and may not discriminate against “protected handicapped students.”  A “protected handicapped student” is a student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.  A “protected handicapped student” may qualify for special services to ensure equal opportunity to participate in the school program including extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate for the individual student.   Gifted Education Services All member school districts within Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 offer specially designed instruction for students that have been evaluated and identified as “mentally gifted.”  These services include specially designed programs or support services that are not ordinarily provided in the regular education program.  School districts use multiple criteria, including IQ score, to identify students with gifted ability who may require specially designed instruction.   Early Intervention Services Young children who may experience developmental delays, including physical and/or mental disabilities, and their families are eligible for early intervention services provided by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.  The services include  screening and evaluation procedures, educational programs and related services, as well as information for families including consultation and referral to community agencies, if appropriate, at no cost to the family.  In order to obtain additional information please contact the Early Intervention Administrator listed at the conclusion of this notice.   Services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 2 are the responsibility of the Department of Public Welfare.  In order to obtain additional information please contact Services Access and Management Inc. at (570) 621-2700.   Notice of Rights under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and member school are required to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information of students in accordance with federal law and state and federal rules and regulations.  The rights and privacy of students include the following:   The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within forty-five days of the date that the educational agency receives a request for access to the records.   > A written request, identifying the record(s) to be inspected, should be submitted to the building administrator of the school where the student attends.   The right to request that the student’s educational records be amended if the parent/guardian believes the records to be inaccurate or violates the privacy or other rights of the student.   >A written request identifying what record(s) are seeking to be amended and why should be submitted to the building administrator of the school where the student attends.   > The school will notify the parent/guardian, in writing, of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding their request for amendment of the record(s).   The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that federal and state law authorize disclosure without consent.   The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education at the Family Policy Compliance Office concerning alleged failures by the educational agency to comply with the requirements of FERPA.    Questions with regard to programs and services for eligible students with special needs as well as thought to be exceptional students may be addressed to School District and/or Intermediate Unit 29 personnel as follows:     Blue Mountain SD                                                   Saint Clair ASD Mr. Frank Musitano                                                 Ms. Kendy Hinkel (570) 366-0515                                                         (570) 429-2716   Mahanoy ASD                                                          Schuylkill Haven ASD Ms. Brandy Paul                                                      Ms. Rene’ Reese (570) 773-3443                                                         (570) 385-6726   Minersville ASD                                                       Shenandoah Valley SD Ms. Mary Ann Wynosky                                          Mr. Phillip Andras (570) 544-1400                                                         (570)462-1957                                                                                     North Schuylkill SD                                                 Tamaqua ASD Ms. Eleanor Sanayka                                              Ms. Jennifer Aponick (570) 874-0495                                                         (570) 668-2566   Pine Grove ASD                                                      Tri-Valley SD Ms. Susan Tesno                                                     Ms. Joy Header (570) 345-2731                                                         (570) 682-9909   Pottsville ASD                                                          Williams Valley SD Ms. Kelly Brennan                                                   Ms. Anne Fecenko (570) 621-2985                                                         (570) 544-9131   Schuylkill IU 29                                                        Schuylkill IU 29 School Age Programs                                             Pre-School Programs Ms. Debra Arnold                                                     Mr. Frank Woodward (570) 544-9131, Ext. 1211                                      (570) 544-9131       8/31/2010 DA/jz