Gulph Elementary School Upper Merion Area School District Dr. Carole Hoy, Principal Kindergarten Orientation August 22, 2019

Gulph Elementary School 650 S. Henderson Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406 Office: 610-592-2021

Fax: 610-592-2099

Overview/Objectives

Children Meet the Teachers Participate in an Activity

Parents Meet with Principal Teacher Introductions Meet the Counselor Meet the School Nurse Right At School PTC Information

*Please note that all information covered in this presentation (and more) is also available in our Student Handbook at www.umasd.org/gulph under the Site

Shortcuts window.

Absences From School

Reporting an absence please call: 610-952-2022 in the AM Returning from an absence Educational Family Trips Appointments District Attendance Policy

Late Arrival At School

Parents should accompany their child(ren) into the office and submit a note explaining the lateness. This process should be followed prior to child(ren) reporting to their classroom. The note must be signed by the parent/guardian.

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Request to Leave School Early

•  Note sent/brought into the office explaining the reason for early dismissal

•  Name of person authorized to pick up child •  All persons picking up children are required to report to the school

office and present identification

Medical Information

Notify the School Nurse; If your child has a chronic medical condition, new illness or injury If your child is currently taking any medication or there has been a change in medication If your child needs to take medication at school, please see the school nurse for information regarding the medication policy

Safety; Returning to school following an illness Proper footwear/Shoelaces

When to keep children home from school

�  Vomiting/Diarrhea (24 hours symptomatic free)

�  Fever of 100.6 or greater-until fever free without medication for 24 hours

�  Undiagnosed Rash/Contagious Disease – Please Call

�  Pink Eye, until treated for 24 hours with prescription eye drops

�  If they appear ill, even if they want to come, they will not feel well when they get to school, please observe at home

Medication Policy

�  Doctor’s Notes �  Required for prescription and over the counter medication

with the exception of Benadryl, Tylenol, and ibuprofen (these may be given with parent permission)

�  Medications must be presented in the original container �  Medication must be transported by a parent/adult (do not

place in backpack or give to bus driver) �  Medication orders must be renewed yearly �  Please bring in emergency medications/forms ASAP (ex.

Epi-pen, inhaler) �  Health forms may be accessed on UMASD website under

‘department’, click on ‘Student Services’, click on ‘health forms’ and from Nurse

Immunizations

State mandated, audit controlled (UPDATED); * All children must have written documentation from a healthcare provider regarding immunizations. This must be submitted by the first day of school – August 26, 2019.

Students must have the following; DPT, 4 doses and one should be after the fourth birthday Polio at least four doses one dose after the fourth birthday MMR two doses Hepatitis B three doses Varivax – two doses *Written documentation must be provided by your healthcare provider, OR PLAN with appointment date/provider signature

Physical Examinations

Required for admission into Kindergarten, Grade Six, and Grade Eleven If there is a problem with insurance coverage, please let our School Nurse know

Dental exams

�  Dental exams are required for Kindergarten/First Grade and Third Grade

�  Please turn in Dental form ASAP to Nurse

�  Dental Hygienist gives presentation to students

�  Checked by Dental Hygienist at K/3rd grade and referred to Dentist as needed

Health services

�  Student data sheets will be sent home in the August mailing

�  PLEASE keep information current

�  Submit changes in writing to the School Secretary

�  Please return data sheets to school as soon as possible

�  Contact Info;

�  Dina Smirga, RN, CSN, M.Ed. – dsmirga@umasd.org

Buses Assignment letter 10 Minutes Early A written note if any changes are required in a child’s routine bus assignment A written note is required to be submitted to the office no later than the morning of… if you are requesting your child to be dismissed differently than their normal dismissal routine Appropriate behavior – Focused on Caring, Respect, Responsibility, Trust

Communications

Classroom notes, newsletters, emails, phone calls Special notices School and District newsletters (under the Gulph Smart Folder on our school website) Activities calendar Automated Communication System The Viking Channel (Comcast-Ch 28, Verizon-Ch 32) District Webpage Follow us on Twitter! @UpperMerionSD

Communication(con’t)

Email; Firstinitialastname @umasd.org i.e., When parents have questions about their child’s progress and day-to-day life at school, they should contact the teacher to discuss their concerns.

Curriculum

Back to School Night (September 11, 2019) Language Arts/ELA, Math, Integrated Science, Social Studies Specialist Subjects: Art, Library, Health/Physical Education, Music *Technology is integrated throughout all curricular areas Each student has access to an iPad within their classroom

Behavior Our school will be implementing PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) – PBIS is research-based practice that ensures we, together with our families, focus on processes to help develop student’s social, behavioral, and emotional growth which, in turn, supports positive academic growth. We will emphasize our core values, highlighted in our slogan; Gators are gRRReat! Be ready Be respectful Be responsible Please note: We will be sure to acknowledge our children’s positive choices, and we will work together as a team to address any difficult choices.

Progress Reports

Report Cards – December, March, and June Conferences – December and March (interim conferences as needed) All students will have an early dismissal (noon) on conference days.

Arrival

Full Day Kindergarten for all students Arrive to school at 8:40 AM *If your child will be a car rider, please join the car rider line. Please enter off of Henderson Road, follow the signs up to the upper parking lot, which will lead you into the circle in the front of the building. A staff member will assist your child with getting out of the car. When exiting, follow the signs through the parking lot and out onto Henderson Road. Please do not exit your car.

Dismissal DISMISSAL – Parents should be prepared to pick up promptly at 3:30 PM.

If your child will be a car rider, please join the car rider line located in the front of the building. Please do not exit your car as our staff will be available to assist with getting your child into your car. We will follow the same procedure as arrival.

Dismissal (con’t)

For children who are walkers, a parent, older brother or sister, or guardian must accompany your child at dismissal . -Students going to the Right At School program will be dismissed to the cafeteria at and 3:30 PM.

Special Education Programs

Speech and Language Support Special Education Services to meet a variety of needs Gifted/Talented Support Visual/Hearing Impairments Other Health Impairments

Emergency School Closings

Automated Communication System – Important to keep contact information current Website District’s Information Line 610-205-6460 The Viking Channel (Comcast-ch 28, Verizon-Ch 32 Twitter: @UpperMerionSD

School Lunch for Grades K-4 (bag lunch available on noon dismissal days)

�  Daily Choice of menu platter or alternative lunch options-$3.00

�  White, chocolate, strawberry milk or juice - $.60

�  POS system, Direct Deposit (parentonline.net)

�  Application for Free and Reduced Lunch (www.paschoolmeans.com)

�  State/District Wellness Policy (also pertains to parties and birthdays).

Safe Schools

Visitors to the schools during the regular school day are required to

enter by way of the front lobby and must register at the Main Office.

Emergency Drills

Monthly Fire Drills Intruder Drill Severe Weather Drill

Right At School

For program information for Gulph Elementary contact Paul Brown, gulph@rightatschool.com

Support Staff

School Nurse Guidance Counselor Reading Specialists Child Study Team Gifted/Talented Support ELL Teacher

Dates to Remember

*First Day of School – Monday, August 26, 2019

PTC/Social (ice cream party) – September 6, 2019– 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM *Open House – September 11, 2019 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Volunteers

Your support is appreciated! Please access the District or Building website to view the specific Volunteer Policy. Information can be found under the Site Shortcuts window PTC Officers; Heather Smith – President Karen Huller – Vice President Gena Groves - Treasurer Lea Scavello – Volunteer Coordinator Open – Secretary Sapna Sharma - Homeroom Coordinator *First PTC meeting – Thursday, September 19, 2019

Snacks

State/District Wellness Policy *A healthy snack should be provided by parents on a daily basis. Healthy snacks for classroom parties too. *Extended day – a separate lunch should be packed. *Celebrate birthdays without food, i.e., classroom donations: books, games, pencils, stickers, etc. – please refer to our ‘suggested items sheet’. *We are a peanut/tree nut aware school – What does that mean? We have several children with peanut/tree nut allergies, so we ask that our families try to avoid sending in foods that contain peanut/tree nut ingredients.

Reminders

No toys or electronic devices are permitted in school Notify school of any medical concerns Please complete data forms and forms for the nurse as soon as possible First day packets and mailings Identify all personal belongings

Questions?