Student Handbook Directory

Spartan Block

The Spartan Block has been designed with the Springfield Township Middle School vision in mind. Students have the ability to self-select some activities during this time (2pm - 2:45pm), twice a cycle. Included in this period are times for advisory, band, chorus, clubs, supports, and exploratory activities. These student-driven activities function as a springboard for creating opportunities for enrichment, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.  Sign ups will occur the final week of the cycle.  There will be no SB first or last weeks of school due to other scheduled events.  We offer a wide variety of activities such as yoga, music appreciation, strategic games, & ultimate frisbee.

Advisory Program

The Advisory Program at STMS offers an opportunity for students to participate in social/emotional learning as well as community and service-based activities.  Encouraging a sense of belonging and respect is an important part of being a student here. The program encourages students to have a positive spirit about the school community and to make appropriate decisions.  Some advisory time is dedicated to bringing in guest speakers for students.  We have hosted local police officers, Holocaust survivors, and civil rights activists, just to name a few.  The goals of our Advisory Program are:

• foster deeper relationships between faculty and students
• teach, practice, and reinforce important concepts such as goal setting & inclusivity
• develop a sense of appreciation for others
• provide opportunities for community service

To accomplish these goals, the middle school follows the Second Step Social and Emotional Learning curriculum for middle school. The program has units in the following areas:

• Mindsets & Goals
• Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
• Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions Managing Relationships and Social Conflicts

Athletic Eligibility

Springfield Township Schools offer a varied athletic program as members of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and is in District One. Springfield competes as a member of the Suburban One League. 

Please visit the website for sports schedules. 

To be eligible to compete in PIAA interscholastic sports, a student must:

• pursue a full-time curriculum defined and approved by the Principal. 
• be passing at least three full-credit subjects, or the equivalent, as of each Friday during a grading period. Failing to meet this requirement, a student will lose eligibility for one week.

During ineligibility:

• students may not practice during the period of ineligibility.
• students will not be permitted to participate in any team-related activity sponsored by the School District of Springfield Township including competitions, traveling with the team, or any athletic activity. 

To participate in athletics:

• Students must submit a certificate of consent signed by his/her parent or guardian, be examined by a licensed physician to complete the PIAA forms.
• students must have an ImPact baseline test on file.

Athletics & Activity Attendance Regulations

If a student is chronically or excessively late or absent from school, the principal shall evaluate each situation and determine the student's eligibility to participate in any extracurricular activity. The district reserves the right to require a physician's excuse to validate any period of absence. The principal shall have the final decision on eligibility for extracurricular activities, events, and athletics.

PIAA Bylaw Article III-3: How Attendance Affects Eligibility

A student who has been absent from school during a semester for a total of twenty (20) or more school days, is ineligible to participate in an Inter-School Practice, Scrimmage, or Contest until the student has been in attendance for a total of forty-five (45) school days following the student’s twentieth (20th) day of absence.

Regular school attendance is imperative if scholastic progress is to be made. The responsibility to ensure students adhere to established attendance policies is a shared responsibility between home and school. All parents/guardians are duty bound and required by law to see that their children are present every day during the school year except for the few legal exceptions cited below.

If your child will be absent, please email the attendance office and include your child's full name and grade in the subject line as well as a reason for your child's absence citing one of the approved reasons. Email is best for our attendance staff.  If you don’t have access to email or need a last minute early dismissal, then please call. 

If you choose to call instead of email, you must follow up with an email or note within 3 school days with an approved reason for the absence to be excused. 

For more information and resources, visit the Attendance Page on our district website, www.sdst.org under the Resources Page.

Legal (Excused) Absences

Pennsylvania Compulsory School Attendance Law (Section 1333) requires daily attendance and permits absence only for urgent reasons approved by the School Board based on Pennsylvania School Code.  A student absence is considered excused when the student is prevented from attendance for mental, physical, or other urgent reasons such as:

• Illness or Recovery from an  accident
• Medical or Dental Appointments
• Quarantine
• Family Emergency
• Death in the Family
• Impassable Roads
• Pre-Approved Educational Travel including college visitations
• Court Appearance
• A student who is dismissed from school during school hours for health-related reasons by a certified school nurse, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or a school administrator or designee employed by the District.
• Other principal pre-approved conditions including, but not limited to, religious holidays or instruction, tutoring, or extra-curricular activities requiring absence from school.

Note: Absences exceeding five (5) days will require a doctor’s note to be classified as legal absences.

Illegal (Truant) Absences

• All absences are considered unexcused until the District receives an email or written note within three (3) school days of the return to school documenting a valid reason for the absence, as detailed above.  
• Submission of a written excuse note or email to the main office does not mean the absence is excused. 
• If written verification of the reason for absence is not received within three (3) days of the return to school, the absence will automatically be recorded as truant. 
• Reasons for absence of a doubtful nature, including but not limited to an excessive number of absences in one category of absence, may be subject to administrative review.
• Truant absences may result in contact from the school social workers or administrative team to address improving attendance. If attendance does not improve, School Districts are mandated by Act 138 to begin truancy procedures which can include a School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) as well as contact with the Office of Children and Youth and/or District Court per Truancy Law (see below).

Tardy / Lateness

Students’ who arrive late to school cause a major disruption to the educational process. Any student with unexcused lateness to school four (4) or more  times during a single marking period shall be assigned consequences in accordance with the code of conduct. The following are the only reasons for which student lateness is marked excused:

• Illness of the student
• Extreme emergency
• Doctor or dentist appointment (note required)

Educational Trips

We discourage family vacations when school is in session. The Educational Trip Pre-Approval Form should be completed and emailed to attendance@sdst.org for any requests for educational travel (not vacations) to be pre-approved for possible excuse from school. This form is only required for families who are requesting their absence from school be excused for educational purposes. Each request is reviewed with building administrators with consideration for the developmental level of the student and the educational connections. An educational trip might include the following:

• Attendance at a seminar, conference, or training
• Trip designed to include a variety of cultural or experiential museums, historical sites, or educational experiences
• Trips required for participation in a club, activity, sport, or event which may be sponsored by a school or a community group

If you are taking a vacation, please email the attendance email address in your child's building and while the absence will be unexcused, we will make a notation of family vacation in our records.

We also know sickness happens and emergencies come up.  Here are a few guidelines to ask yourself when wondering if your child should stay home from school for illness: 

If you find yourself engaged in a battle over “too sick for school” with your child, please use our student services. Each of our schools has a nurse every day who can assess your child throughout the day if they aren’t feeling great and don’t meet the criteria above to stay home. Try to normalize the morning nervousness or discomfort when your student is waking up and adjusting to the day. We ask a lot of our children from the time they wake up to the time they arrive at school. We know it’s hard! Encourage your child to try to make it to school, even if they ask to visit the nurse later on in the day. We also have social workers in every school who can help guide families through any conflicts over school attendance, in addition to helping families with many other support services.

Truancy Law

In February 2017, all public school districts in Pennsylvania were notified that Act 138 of 2016 regarding changes to School Truancy had been signed into law.  This includes the following definitions and mandates:    

Definitions:

• The law defines truancy as 3 or more unexcused absences within a school year.
• Habitual truancy is defined as 6 or more unexcused absences within a school year.  

In addition, the law mandates a process school districts must follow for reporting truancy:

• Notifying parents/guardians in writing within 10 school days of the child’s third (3rd) unexcused absence. The district must indicate that the child has been truant and include a description of the consequences if the child becomes habitually truant. The district may offer an attendance improvement plan meeting up and including the 3rd unexcused absence.  If the child accrues additional absences, an attendance improvement meeting must be held.  
• If a child under 15 years of age becomes habitually truant, the school is required to refer the child to a school or community-based attendance improvement program or the county Children and Youth agency.  In addition, a citation may be filed against a parent of a habitually truant child in magisterial district court.
• If a child is over 15 years of age and becomes habitually truant, the school is required to refer the student to a school or community-based attendance improvement program or file a citation against the student or parent in magisterial district court.  
• In addition, this law provides local judges with considerable discretion to provide appropriate penalties in individual cases which may include  increased fines and/or suspension of a student’s driving license, as examples.

Extra-Curricular Participation

In order to participate in extracurricular events, students must be present at least ½ of the school day.   Furthermore, if a student is chronically or excessively late or absent from school, the principal shall evaluate each situation and determine the student's eligibility to participate in any extracurricular activity. The district reserves the right to require a physician's excuse to validate any period of absence. The principal shall have the final decision on eligibility.

The goal is to improve school attendance for all our students and deter truancy through a comprehensive approach.  If you have questions or concerns about your child’s attendance, please contact your child’s building principal or our social workers:

Students should not enter classrooms or the locker area of the building prior to 7:30am  at the high school and 7:35am at the middle school unless requested by a teacher or participating in a supervised activity. Prior to school, students are to wait in the cafeteria/gym until dismissed to homeroom. The main entrance area door opens daily at 7:15 am for students receiving early assistance from teachers. Students should not be in the building after 3:00 pm unless requested by a teacher or participating in a supervised activity. Students may take the 3:45pm or 4:45pm bus home if they are involved in a school sponsored activity.

• We will not bully others. 
• We will try to help other students who are bullied. 
• We will try to include students who are left out. 
• If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

Please keep in mind that some food allergies are severe, and therefore, we ask parents to make a conscientious effort in providing a non-food item for celebrations (including birthdays), recognitions, and fundraising efforts.  All items are to be left in the office and will be picked up by the teacher or student. Unless approved by administration, food deliveries are not permitted for students to the school buildings.  

Please refer to the Wellness Policy, Wellness Administrative Regulations, and Pennsylvania’s Guidelines for School Nutrition for additional information.

If there is a change to your child’s address during the year, please visit our website at www.sdst.org to complete a Change of Address Form under Registration. 

If you are planning to move outside of Springfield Township or transfer your child to another school, please visit our website at www.sdst.org to withdraw your child from school using the Withdrawal Form. This will also allow school records to be transferred to your child’s new school.  If you have questions, please contact: 

Registrar’s Office (Address Change): registrar@sdst.org 

Withdraw Office (Change of School): withdraw@sdst.org

If there is a change in legal custody agreements, please contact the Student Services Office at studentservices@sdst.org or by calling (215) 233-6000 x1020. 

Parent communication is key to student success.  Our teachers are available to provide parents or guardians with the most accurate up to date information about a student's progress. As our students' mature into middle school and high school, we encourage them to develop advocacy skills. To put this skill into practice, we encourage students to email their teacher, coach, or advisor directly with questions or concerns they may have about their experiences.

For all other questions or concerns, including technology, facilities, operations, food services, and safety & security, contact a principal who will direct you to the appropriate contact person. 

Through parent or teacher request, conferences are held two times per year in November and March. Parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers regularly throughout the school year with any questions or concerns about their child’s progress and to request conferences when necessary. Parents also have access to school records online including attendance, schedules, report cards, student services documents, and current classwork grades in the middle and high school.  Parents can acquire access to this portal by contacting the main office.

School Counselors are a link between home and school.  School Counselors promote academic achievement, social and emotional development, and college and career readiness opportunities.  The goal of the School Counselor is to meet the needs of all students, by focusing on their academic, social and emotional development. The roles of the program are constantly changing, reflecting the needs of the many people in our school community; children, parents, teachers, and administrators. In an attempt to meet these needs, our guidance counselors provide a variety of services which may include the following:

• Social and emotional counseling including, but not limited to, peer relationships, mediation, stress management, social skills, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention through individual or group meetings
• Classroom guidance lessons
• Teacher and parent consultation including the development of student action plans
• Participation on the student assistance team to provide interventions and supports for students
• Career exploration opportunities

At the secondary level, the School Counselor also provides:

• Academic advising including course selection, scheduling, and academic support
• Post-secondary planning and the college application process

Counselors, parents, and teachers work together to support children. School Counselors work with parents to exchange and gather information, provide recommendations, and to discuss parenting concerns. School Counselors work with teachers, administrators, and other staff to provide information, materials and referral assistance, to address student needs, and to promote a positive learning environment.

School Counselor assignments can be found under Schools -> Counseling.

In grades K-8, students are required to keep all cell phones, e-readers, tablets, smart watches, and digital music devices silenced and in the student lockers or cubbies during the school day.   At the high school, students are permitted to carry their cell phones on their person, kept out of sight during classes, unless requested by the teacher for a specific academic purpose.  

In all grades, it is highly suggested to label equipment with the child’s name and enable password protection in the event it is lost.   Please refer to the code of conduct in your child’s school for consequences assigned for cell phone usage during the school day. Electronic devices may be permitted in certain classes, activities, or Spartan Blocks at the discretion of the teacher. Students are required to return their equipment to the appropriate location at the close of the activity.  When personal devices are used with teacher permission, students are held accountable to the Acceptable Use Policy and related Administrative Regulations. In addition, students are not permitted to take photos or videos during the school day with their personal devices.  Students are not permitted to wear earbuds or headphones in class or during passing time in the hallways.  

The school is not responsible for personal electronic items that are stolen, damaged, or lost. 

Contacting Your Child During the Day

Please encourage your child to ask a teacher if s/he needs to use the telephone. Also, if you need to speak with your child, please call the main office; do not call your child during the school day on his/her cell phone.  

In grades K-8, we understand and respect your wishes to send reminders via text to your child. Please do so knowing that students will not be able to read/respond until after the school day is over. At the high school, students are able to check messages during lunch and between classes.  

In the event of inclement weather or other emergency which requires the closing of school, the school district will use our district global messaging communication system to notify you via automated phone calls, emails, or texts. 

• Please be sure to keep your phone and email updated in our Home Access Center (HAC) to receive automated calls, emails, and texts from SDST.  
• You can also log onto www.sdst.org or call the school district's informational line @ (215) 836-3000 for the latest closing information. 
• The school district also communicates with local news agencies in the event that school is closed. Our school radio closing number is 319.

Eighth Grade Exams & Seventh Grade Marking Period Tests

Students are expected to be present for midterms and exams. Absences due to illness during exams will require a doctor’s note upon return to school. If a student will be absent for any reason on exam days, his or her parents should communicate with the assistant principal prior to the date of absence.

We appreciate the time and effort that you offer to chaperone our students on their field trips, which are important educational, social, and cultural experiences. To insure that you and the children enjoy a safe and successful field trip experience the following guidelines are to be followed. Thank you! 

Chaperones' Responsibilities: 

• Inform the nurse if you have a chronic medical condition or if you take medications in case of emergency. 
• Follow all procedures of the trip as outlined by the teacher(s). 
• Know the itinerary and follow it closely. No detours or side trips. 
• Clarify your expectations to all students about their compliance with all rules of behavior. Report mishaps or misbehavior to the teacher 
• Follow role-model behavior (i.e. refrain from smoking, using profanity, dress appropriately)
• Refer to the list of your students and know their medical needs. Report to the nurse any medical questions or problems, as soon as possible, and make sure children go to the nurse to receive medications on time. 
• Make sure you take a roll call of the children before you leave any place and before the bus leaves. 
• Do not use cell phones, except for an emergency as this distracts you from the supervision of the children in your care. 
• Please note - refunds cannot be made for any chaperone or student who does not go on a field trip. Field trips are pre-paid.  
• For elementary aged students, stay with the students at all times, escort them to the bathrooms and wait for them either outside or inside the washroom. If you do not enter the washroom, have a planned secret code to use. For example, if the child seems to be taking too long, open the door of the washroom and say in a loud voice "Happy" and instruct the child to say, "Birthday", or some other code. If the child does not respond, go into the washroom after the child, or call for help.

Field trips are an instructional extension of the classroom; therefore, students are expected to follow all school rules and regulations while in attendance during any field trip. Parent permission and subject teacher signatures are required prior to going on a student field trip. At times, a fee may be required of students which may potentially be nonrefundable in the case of a student being unable to attend. 

Students are responsible for making up missed work/assignments in all cases. The privilege of a student extracurricular activity/trip may be denied because the student is not in good academic standing, has excessive absences/tardiness, or has had relevant discipline referrals.

Throughout the school year, emergency drills including building evacuations, lockdowns, run-hide-fight, shelter in place, and bus evacuations will occur at regular intervals. During these drills, students are expected to remain silent and follow the direction of the staff members. To ensure that we have the capability to contact you in the event of an emergency, parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to keep phone numbers and emails updated in our Home Access Center (HAC) portal.

The lunch period is 30 minutes long. Students may bring their own lunch or purchase a lunch from our cafeteria. Students who forget their lunch or lunch money may purchase a lunch on credit no more than three (3) times a year. Students will receive a complete meal and their lunch account will be charged accordingly; any debts accrued on credit must be paid by the close of the school year. All students owing money must pay with cash for lunch after June 1st. Parents may make payments to their student lunch accounts electronically. Directions for making online electronic payments can be found at our district website, on our food services page. 

The cafeteria is for the convenience of all students, whether they purchase food or bring lunch from home. In order for all students to have ample time to enjoy their food, the following rules govern cafeteria conduct: 

1. Lunch should be an enjoyable experience for all. Students are expected to practice table manners (sitting at their places, using utensils properly, talking with quiet voices). Running, throwing, shouting, and disturbing others will not be permitted. 
2. All students must eat lunch in the cafeteria area unless excused by a teacher or administrator. 
3. As a courtesy to the other students who use the cafeteria, students should keep the tables clean. 
4. The throwing of food or other articles in the cafeteria will not be tolerated. Regardless of whether a student initiates such an incident or retaliates by throwing an item, they are considered to be a participant and will be subject to disciplinary action. 
5. Students are not permitted to take food/beverages out of the cafeteria. 
6. Students are not permitted to order food from an outside source to be delivered to school during school hours.

Free/Reduced Lunch

Families may apply at any time during the school year for Free or Reduced priced meals.  If you have questions about this process, please contact the social worker in your child’s school.  

All students currently approved for Free or Reduced priced meals for the 2021-2022 school year will continue to receive Free or Reduced priced meals for the first 30 operating days of the 2022-2023 school year.

• To renew your application for the 2022-2023 school year, new applications must be received by October 16, 2022.
• All currently approved applications will expire and be set to "Paid" status on October 17, 2022, if no new application is received and approved.
• If you received a Notice of Direct Certification for the 2021-2022 school year, there is no need to re-apply, this Free meal status will be for the entire 2022-2023 school year.

The health office is staffed by nurses on all student days during school hours.  Nurses contact parents of sick or injured children, administer prescribed medications, provide first aid in emergencies and perform health screenings. In addition, nurses provides health assessments, consultation and referral, health counseling and health education, prepare individual health plans, monitor student health status, and assist with health prevention and health promotion activities.

At the beginning of every school year you will receive an Emergency Information Sheet and Health History Update Form. These forms are for the parent/guardian to complete.  It is important that the information be current, be filled out completely and returned immediately.  

All medications must be sent to the School Nurse in the original container from the pharmacy, marked with the student’s name, name of medication, time and dose. Medications will not be given to the student without the written permission of the parent and doctor. This policy applies to both prescription and non-prescription medications. Unless prearranged with the school nurse, all medication will be kept in a locked cabinet in the Nurse's Office.

Please see the Health Services webpage for other important topics such as food allergies, health screenings, immunization requirements, mandated health examinations, and other timely health information.

The purpose of homework is to provide opportunities for students to practice skills, gain exposure to material, preview content, and engage in individual and collaborative project work.  Families can expect students to have homework assigned regularly.  

Students are also encouraged to do the following: 

• Inform the teacher as soon as possible if an assignment cannot be completed due to lack of understanding of the concepts or skills involved. 
• Inform the teacher if an assignment cannot be completed because of a family or personal emergency. The student is expected to complete the assignment at the earliest possible time. Waiver of this requirement is at the teacher’s discretion.

Homework Requests During Absences

• When a student has been absent for a short time, they should review the teacher’s webpage for assignments or contact the teacher directly. 
• Students are encouraged to connect with a peer in the class for missed content and assignments.
• Students are granted two (2) days for every day of excused absence to make up the work missed with no penalty.
• Families are encouraged to contact the school counselor for long-term illnesses of a week or more.

The administration encourages all staff to be flexible and understanding with students and families regarding
the completion of assignments.

Students Experiencing Homelessness

Children and youth who meet the criteria of being homeless, even if unaccompanied by a guardian, must be given full and equal access to an appropriate public education and success in the educational program. The permanency and adequacy of the housing conditions will be considered when determining if a student qualifies. 

The School District of Springfield Township considers students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, as experiencing homelessness. This includes children and youth who are: sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; living in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a sleeping accommodation by human beings; living in cars, abandoned buildings, substandard housing or similar situations; living as refugee or migratory children due to circumstances like those described above; or abandoned or forced out of homes by parents, guardians or caretakers 

Unaccompanied youth also fall under this category and can be described as a youth not in the physical custody of a legal parent or guardian and youth living on their own in any of the homeless situations described above. 

These children and youth may enroll in:

• Their school of origin, defined as the school where the student attended when permanently housed or in which the student was last enrolled.
• Any school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth experiencing homelessness is actually living are eligible to attend (new neighborhood school). 

An unaccompanied homeless youth with a disability may also need to have a surrogate parent appointed by the District if the youth has no one to serve in this role.

For additional information regarding McKinney-Vento, please contact your child’s school counselor or social worker. 

Students in Foster Care

A child in foster care will remain in their school of origin (the school where the child was enrolled at the time of placement), unless a determination is made that it is not in their best interest to attend that school. If a student in foster care has experienced a change in placement, a Best Interest Determination meeting will be held to determine if the student should remain in the school of origin or if they should transition to a new school. Foster parents and/or foster care workers should not make any changes to enrollment for students who are in foster care without a Best Interest Determination meeting being held first.

Early each fall parents are given the opportunity to enroll their children in a group insurance plan as approved by the Board of School Directors. Participation is voluntary.  Student Insurance forms are available on our district website.  

School insurance is available each September to students for purchase. The regular policy covers a student when going to and from school and at school. The 24-hour policy covers a student at all times, day and night, during the school year. The cost is nominal. Students entering the district after September will be offered insurance when they enroll. 

Athletes in grades 7-12:

• Student athletes are encouraged to purchase supplemental injury and accident insurance. The regular school accident insurance policy available to all students is sufficient coverage for all sports.

The STMS Library seeks to create a 21st century learning environment that promotes high quality learning for all students through an ever-growing and evolving collection of titles for reading and research, as well as our innovative Makerspace. Through our library program, we seek to provide equitable access to information, foster information literacy skills, and encourage creativity, innovation, curiosity, and lifelong learning. In the Makerspace, students can tinker with materials independently or collaboratively and can create low-tech creations like Lego structures (or use our supersized Legos-- Everblocks-- to build lifesize furniture) or high-tech creations like 3D prints on one of our two Makerbot 3D printers. 

Students may visit the library during scheduled class visits, or on their own before class in the morning, during Spartan Block, and after school. The STMS Library and Makerspace is open on Monday-Thursday from 7:35am-3:45pm and on Fridays from 7:35am-2:45pm. Library online resources, including a searchable catalog and information about the Makerspace, can be found on the STMS Library website located on the middle school homepage under the "Our School" heading.

Students are urged to keep their lockers locked at all times. Students are not to share lockers, locks, and/or lock combinations with any other students. The lock and the locker remain the property of the school. The student’s use of the lockers does not lessen the School District of Springfield Township’s ownership or control of the locker. Board policy states that all lockers are the property of the District. Students shall be made aware that administrators are authorized to conduct searches of students’ lockers any time there is reasonable suspicion that lockers may contain any item or items, the possession of which constitutes violation of policies or laws, or if there is a reasonable suspicion that its contents may be a threat to the health and wellbeing of the students, faculty, and staff.  Under these circumstances, the principal will contact the parent or guardian and inform him or her of the search.

If a lock is issued to a student, the student must use the district-issued lock. If the lock is lost, the student must pay a replacement fee of $6.00.

Students seeking lost articles should check for these items in the lost and found outside of the cafeteria. All clothing left in the Lost and Found at the close of each marking period will be donated to a local charity.

Students are responsible for books, materials, athletic uniforms, and chromebooks given to them throughout the year. At the close of the year, students are expected to return the materials assigned to them or pay to replace the lost / damaged items. End of year ceremonies (including promotions, diplomas, and report cards) will be withheld until all obligations are paid.

Pedestrians

• Students who walk to school should utilize sidewalks and other designated pedestrian areas avoiding walking through backyards and private property.  
• Students should follow the instructions of the crossing guards.  
• It is recommended that families encourage students to walk with others and avoid distracted walking (i.e. cell phone use) due to safety concerns.  

Bicycles

• In grades K-3, students are NOT permitted to ride their bikes to school.
• Fifth-grade students are permitted to ride bicycles to and from school provided they have written parental permission on file, wear helmets and use a lock to secure their bicycles to the bike rack. Fourth-grade students may begin this privilege in the spring.  In the interest of safety, students are not permitted to ride bicycles on the sidewalk, on the playground, or on the athletic field immediately before, during, and immediately after school hours.
• In grades 6-12, students may ride bikes to and from school.  
• All students riding bikes must lock their bikes on the bicycle racks.  The school does not assume responsibility for damage, tampering,  or theft of bicycles. Students use bike racks at their own risk. 

Safety

• Pennsylvania law  requires all children under the age of 12 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, though the school district strongly encourages families to require their children to wear helmets if they allow them to use rollerblades, skateboards, or scooters. 
• Students may not ride bikes over athletic fields, tracks, or playground areas due to risk of damage to these surfaces.  
• For safety reasons, skateboards may not be used on school grounds.

Springfield Township Middle School is a learning community that values honesty, integrity, and respect for property. The school’s library and classrooms are filled with many sources of information, including books, magazines, newspapers, online media, and other reference materials. We are fortunate to have access to so many sources for learning and recognize that all information has ownership. If we do not respect the rights of the owner and credit our sources, we are stealing. Plagiarism is using the exact words, media, or ideas of another without giving credit. Plagiarism is not limited to written work and applies to other formats such as images, video, and sound recordings. To use any resource as part of an online project, students must have written permission from the artist. Researchers can also use Creative Commons sources which provide copyright-friendly images, video, sound recordings, and text which have the artists’ permission for use under specified conditions. Best practice calls for researchers to give credit where credit is due and/or seek permission to use material in student work. The middle school recognizes that students are in the process of learning about research integrity. Plagiarism is unacceptable, and students will be held accountable to use information and ideas responsibly and ethically. If a student turns in plagiarized work, teachers and administrators will guide him/her through an instructional process aimed to teach responsible and ethical use of information. 

A student who plagiarizes will 

• participate in an instructional conference with his/her teacher, librarian, and/or administrator to discuss the plagiarized work and how it can be corrected
• have the opportunity to redo the assignment in question, or lose one letter grade as a penalty
• receive credit for the assignment only if he/she submits an acceptable revised copy by the date specified by the teacher, librarian, and/or administrator

In all cases of plagiarism, the student’s parent/guardian will be notified. A repeat offense of plagiarism will be handled on a case-by-case basis following the above guidelines and may include a detention to redo work and/or a loss of two letter grades. A student who blatantly plagiarized two or more times may lose the opportunity to redo work and receive credit for the assignment in question. In such a case, the student will receive a zero for the plagiarized assignment. 

Grades

Grades are available online through our Home Access Center. Parent/Guardian passwords are provided annually at Back-to-School night as families are encouraged to check the site regularly. Teacher websites are also available as a resource for assignments/homework. Students receive 8 reports annually on their academic progress (4 interim reports and 4 report cards). Families are expected to sign and return a receipt indicating they have seen each report. The calculation for the final grades of all eighth-graders is as follows: each marking period is worth 22% with the final exam contributing the remaining 12% of the final grade.

Honor Roll

Students are recognized for their academic achievement through the Honor Roll. All honors are based on grade point average. 

Principal’s Honor Roll 3.75 and higher 
Honor Roll 3.5-3.74 

Classroom Grading Scale 

90 - 100 = A
87 - 89 = B+
80 - 86 = B
77 - 79 = C+
70 - 76 = C
65 - 69 = D
Below 65 = F

I am the one and only person who has the power to decide what I will be and do. I will accept the consequences for my decisions. I am in charge of my learning and my behavior. I will respect the rights of others and be a credit to myself, my family, my school, and my community.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize the warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something.”  With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

• Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
• Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
• Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement  for intervention
• If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app

Crisis Support

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support (ACCESS Services) - Crisis support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support individuals, children, and families experiencing a crisis situation. If you or someone you know needs immediate support or is experiencing a crisis, call this hotline. 1-855-634-HOPE (4673)

Secondary School Hours

District Mission

Educate and develop all students as learners and citizens who are high-achieving, resilient and responsible in a changing global community.

School Vision

The Springfield Township Middle School vision is based on the principles advocated by the Association for Middle Level Education, or AMLE. These include a supportive and healthy school climate where teachers focus on the needs of adolescents in transition as a strong corollary to the teaching of solid academic content. The school program is characterized by a warm, orderly, purposeful environment where students are taught organizational skills with an emphasis on the acquisition of solid academic skills in all disciplines. 

Philosophy

We believe in providing an inspiring learning environment where all students reach their potential. A dedicated faculty with high expectations, a focus on the academic and affective needs of middle level learners, and the use of differentiated instruction serve as the foundation for student success.

Exit Outcomes & Goals

• Students will demonstrate progress in knowledge and skills as prescribed by core curriculum and state standards. 
• Students will demonstrate adherence to the Middle School student code of conduct leading to the development of upstanding citizens and leaders of tomorrow. 
• Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to be independent, self-directed, and productive learners.

School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals.  They are the link between home, school and community. Social Workers strive to identify and remove barriers to students’ academic achievement, social and emotional development and overall well-being.  Some supports include:

• Resources for mental health services
• Assist families in understanding and responding to life events including, but not limited to, grief and loss, job instability, housing needs, divorce, health needs, etc)
• Connect and referral to community programs
• Referral to substance abuse resources/programs
• Information on housing, clothing, food resources and utility assistance 
• Information on medical insurance and healthcare including Medical Assistance
• Free & Reduced Lunch Program
• Assist parents in accessing supports and programs for students with special needs

For more detailed information please see the district website under Departments -> Social Services

The school is required to collect and maintain certain information relating to the health, education, and welfare of each student. This information is vital to the continuity of the school’s educational program.  In order to maintain accurate and effective records, provide access to current curricular tools, utilize online assessments for monitoring student progress, and encourage student access to college and career opportunities, the school district utilizes a variety of third party vendors.  

This data is regulated by federal and state laws under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) which grants students and parents access to their educational records and provide safeguards to the privacy of such records; the COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998) is a federal law which applies to the online collection of personal information by children under 13 years of age.  As such, families can access a list of third party vendors utilized by the school district including links to their privacy statements on our website.  

Parents who do not want to have the school district provide their information to approved third party vendors or outside agencies, such as military recruiters, should contact the principal in writing.

Confidential Communications

Information received in confidence from a student may be revealed to the student’s parents or guardian, the principal, or other appropriate authority, when the health, welfare or safety of the student or other persons is determined to be in jeopardy. This provision shall not be construed to limit or restrict the ability of administrators, guidance counselors, school nurses, school psychologists and home and school visitors to comply with the reporting provisions of the Child Protective Services law, 63 Pa. C.S.A. 6301 et. seq.

Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS/RtII) and Student Assistance Programs (SAP):
In each building, students who demonstrate a need for additional support in academics, social skills, behavior, mental health, or other areas of concern are provided with access to a variety of resources and services in each school throughout the district. Through our MTSS (multi-tiered system of support) model, students are offered tiered support in a variety of areas based on need.

Academic Needs

At each school, student progress is monitored closely through academic records including classroom based assignments and assessments as well as benchmark assessments.  MTSS (which includes RtII) integrates assessment and intervention within a multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and minimize negative behaviors. Using this process, we are able to identify those students requiring remediation of skills and provide evidence-based interventions to address their specific needs. Also, MTSS serves those students needing stretching by providing differentiated instruction enhancements based on their areas of strength.  In all schools, there is a dedicated time during the day for students to receive interventions and supports.

Social and Emotional Needs

At the elementary and middle school level our program includes curricular programming in social and emotional learning skills including the use of the Second Step curriculum.

In addition, through our community partnerships, we provide access to county-wide SAP counselors and school based outpatient therapy in school.  We also maintain community resources on our social services website.  If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counselors or social workers. 

Parents, staff, students and concerned community members can refer students about whom they have concerns to the school counselor or social worker. All referrals are strictly confidential.

Special Education

In compliance with state and federal law, notice is hereby given by the School District of Springfield Township that it conducts ongoing identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of special education and related services. If your child is identified by the District as in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures. These services and the transportation to them are paid for by the school district. Services and programs are available for children who are determined to need specially designed instruction due to the following conditions: Autism / Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Blindness / Visual, Impairment, Deafness / Hearing Impairment, Deafness / Blindness, Developmental Delay, Emotional Disturbance, Intellectual Delay, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech and Language Impairment, and Traumatic Brain Injury.

If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of special education services and related programs, screening and evaluation processes designed to assess the needs of the child and his/her eligibility are available to you at no cost, upon written request. This process may include a review of functional vision, hearing and a review of speech and language. You may request screening and evaluation at any time.   Families can find the Annual Public Notice on our district website under Special Education & Student Services.  

Requests for Multidisciplinary Evaluation and screening are to be made in writing to the Director of Special Education and Student Support Services, 1901 East Paper Mill Road, Oreland, PA 19075.  Communication with parents or guardians is in English and, if necessary, in the native language or other mode of communication used by the parents or student.

Students who are not determined to be eligible for special education, but who are in need of modifications due to a disability, which substantially limits life activities and adversely affects educational performance, may be entitled to protection under a 504 Service Agreement.  Families can review this process with their child’s school counselor.  

Gifted Education

Students who demonstrate strong performance in the district criteria may be evaluated to determine if they are eligible for and in need of gifted support services.  More information regarding the criteria for gifted education screening and evaluation can be found on our district website under Special Education & Student Services.  

Students in need of Gifted Support Services are provided with enriched and/or accelerated curricula. Instruction in the core content areas is differentiated by pace, level of instruction, and depth of content. The curriculum is aligned with state and Common Core standards and designed to challenge high ability students to reach their full academic potential.  In each of our schools, our Gifted Support Services model adjusts with the developmental level of the student and individual student strength-based opportunities are developed through the GIEP team meeting.

Traffic/Car line

Parents may drop off students beginning at 7:15am at the main entrance of the middle school near the flagpole.  Parents should be mindful that traffic on Bergan Road and in the middle school parking lot is heavy during pick up and drop off times and should observe all traffic signals and instructions of the crossing guard and staff.

Observe the following carline rules:

• Pick up/drop off is a single file line.
• Buses arrive and depart from the back bus circle.  Passenger cars may not block or utilize the bus circle during these times.  
• During arrival, cars should pull down to the drop off line to allow for maximum efficiency.
• While waiting in line for dismissal, all cars should pull forward as far as possible to maximize space.
• Cars should not block the intersection to the parking lot as staff members are also arriving during this time and buses are departing.  

Student safety is our primary concern.  Encouraging children to cross lines of traffic during arrival and dismissal is dangerous.  Families are strongly advised to follow the traffic pattern and guidelines set forth here.  

Regular dismissal is at 2:41pm.  After school activities end at 3:45pm or 4:45pm.   Late buses are provided from the bus circle. All students being picked up after school or athletic practices should be picked up near the back bus circle by way of the parking lot. 

Parking

Families and guests must park in designated spaces during school and athletic events unless directed otherwise by district staff. 

District transportation is provided to students according to the current school board policy. So that we may ensure the safest environment for all, students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned, and to and from their assigned bus stop.  Families requiring alternate arrangements should contact the Transportation Office directly. Transportation arrangements will be distributed in the weeks prior to each school year.

The expected code of conduct for Springfield Township students applies from door to door. Students who make unwise behavioral choices on a school bus, school vehicle, or at the bus stop may have their transportation privileges suspended.

Activity/late buses will be provided at 3:45 pm & 4:45 pm for those students who have remained on campus for detention, school sponsored activities, and athletics. Students will be required to sign in with the driver, and may ride only to their regularly assigned bus stop.

Students, parents, and guardians should be aware that in order to maintain a safe and disciplined transportation environment, the school buses and school vehicles used to transport our students may be equipped with video and audio recording equipment. Recorded media may be reviewed by school officials for disciplinary and security-related purposes. This media may be provided to law enforcement or a court of law, or may be used in school disciplinary proceedings. Students, staff, and chaperones/volunteers should understand that their actions and words may be recorded while they are on school buses or school vehicles and that they should have no expectation of privacy during that time.

For more information, see the Transportation Department section of www.sdst.org.

• All parents and visitors must enter/exit through the Main Office at the front of the building. 
• Please be prepared to show photo identification upon signing in to our school.
• All visitors with their photo ID must sign in at the office and obtain a visitor's badge. These badges must be worn during your entire stay at our school. 
• Before leaving, return to the main office and place your badge in the visitor's badge binder. 
• If parents wish to confer with a teacher or volunteer in their child's classroom, an appointment must be scheduled with the teacher in advance. 
• In order to maintain the safety of all students, parents are not permitted to walk their child to class. 
• Regular volunteers are required to have appropriate clearances.  Please see the volunteer section for additional information in this process.
• Visitors are required to be masked at all times.

Prospective students and their parents are welcome to visit our schools. Appointments may be made through the main office.

Holding the position of a volunteer is not a right, but a privilege conferred upon the volunteer by the Board, acting through the principal of each school within the school district. All volunteers have specific requirements that need to be completed PRIOR to participating in any volunteer experience. Forms are located on our website.

Students ages 14-18 may obtain working papers at the District Administration office. A parent or guardian must bring in the student’s birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license to obtain working papers.