DCTS Student and Family Hub

Regular attendance is required by law and is a critical part of success at DCTS. It is very difficult to make up missed instruction because programs are hands-on and based on skill development.

Report an Absence

• Aston Campus: StudentAbsence.Aston@dciu.org
• Folcroft Campus: StudentAbsence.Folcroft@dciu.org

Excuse Notes

• A written excuse must be turned in to the DCTS office within 3 days of the absence.
• Excuses submitted only to the home school district do not count for DCTS.
• Unexcused absences = a zero (0) for work ethic grade, plus missed classwork/tests cannot be made up.
• For excused absences, students have 5 school days to complete missed work.

Know What to Expect.Review the DCTS Student Handbook for key information on attendance, uniforms, grading, safety, and more. It's your go-to guide for navigating school expectations and the resources available to help you succeed.

DCTS Student Handbook

All students are required to wear program-specific uniforms.

Aston Campus Store                  Folcroft Campus Store

👕 Ordering Uniforms

• Uniforms must be ordered directly through our vendor starting in July.
• Order by August 15 to ensure delivery before the first day of school.
• Separate items (like shoes or safety gear) may need to be purchased individually.

💳 Payment

• Vendor accepts debit and credit cards.
• Families experiencing financial hardship should contact the student's home district principal. DCTS and sending districts will work together to find solutions.

Some students choose to drive themselves to DCTS. To make sure everyone is safe and accounted for, students need a driving permit to park on campus and a passenger permit if they plan to bring another student with them.

Driver Permit             Passenger Permit

🚗 Driver Permits

• Required for any student who wants to drive to DCTS.
• Allows parking in designated student areas on campus.
• Application must be completed and approved before driving privileges begin.

🚖 Passenger Permits

• Required if a student driver will be bringing another DCTS student to campus.
• Ensures both schools and families know who is riding together.

📄 How to Apply

Download and complete the permit form(s). Turn them into the main office for review and approval before driving or transporting passengers.

All DCTS students participate in CareerSafe training, which provides valuable certifications and helps build workplace readiness skills.

CareerSafe Student Tools & Resources

🦺 OSHA Training

• Focuses on workplace safety in career and technical fields.
• Successful completion leads to an OSHA certification card, recognized by employers nationwide.

💼 Employability Skills

• Teachers essential "soft skills" like teamwork, communication, and professionalism.
• Helps students prepare for real-world expectations in the workplace.

🔑 Accessing Training

• Each student will receive login instructions.
• If login problems occur, contact Shannon Matthews at smatthews@dciu.org or 610-583-7620 ext. 9234 for help resetting your password.

📓 Study Resources

Guides are available to help students review and succeed in the training. Study guides are located within the course.

All DCTS students should have these forms filled out prior to attending DCTS at the beginning of the school year.

• Photograph/Video Release Form
• Emergency Information Card
• Internet & Email Agreement
• Student Waiver & Release
• Student Handbook Agreement

The DCTS Guidance Department provides career and academic counseling. The counselors work with students, districts, faculty, and families to enhance the Technical School experience. Counselors meet with students regarding:

• Personal concerns
• Social concerns
• Family concerns
• Academic concerns
• Career related counseling
• Students in crisis (suicide, abuse, etc.)
• A potential danger to others
• A potential incident of child abuse

Confidentiality: The information disclosed to the DCTS counselors is held in strict confidentiality with several exceptions. Within these circumstances, the guidance counselors are mandated reporters and will notify administration and appropriate community/law enforcement agencies or parent/guardians of the students in question.

For more detailed information regarding Guidance and Career Counseling Services, review the DCTS Guidance Plan (PDF).

Review the DCTS Student Handbook for detailed information about student conduct, discipline, and attendance.

DCTS Counseling Staff

• Dr. Diane Rouse, DCTS Aston Campus Counselor | 610-459-3050 ext. 1011
• Kristen Pellegrino, DCTS Folcroft Campus Counselor | 610-538-7620 ext. 9209

DCTS provides individualized support, instructional counseling, and placement assistance to students with special needs who are enrolled in DCTS programs. Student Support teachers and instructional assistants are available to students with special needs who require a more structured learning environment that may consist of accommodations and specially designed instruction to build skills and knowledge needed for success in today's careers. Student Support staff coordinate technical school participation in Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) and Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings. Inservice programs are provided to help keep teachers up-to-date on the latest instructional techniques to ensure student success.

DCTS Student Support Staff

• Dr. Tracy Costa, Supervisor of Student Services - Folcroft & Aston Campuses
• Kelly Antenucci - Aston Campus 
• Kevin Marcus, Aston Campus
• Michelle Kuc, Folcroft Campus
• Patricia Lauria, Folcroft Campus

The DCTS Skills Alignment Charts outline the academic and workplace readiness expectations for each program, helping students and families understand the knowledge, skills, and requirements needed for success. These charts provide a transparent overview of what students will learn and experience throughout their career-technical pathway.

2025-2026 DCTS Skills Alignment Charts (PDF)