Options Information
In This Section
Information for Students
- Attendance
- Bullying and Harassment
- Discipline
- Safety
- School Closing & Inclement Weather
- School Records & Confidentiality
- Student Dress Code
- Parking
- Parent-Guardian Requests
Attendance
To assure absences are excused, the parent/guardian must submit a written note within three (3) school days upon return, and the note should include:
- Date(s) of absence(s)
- A valid reason for the absence(s)
- A parent/guardian signature
Valid reasons for absence from school include:
- Illness, including if a student is dismissed by designated Intermediate Unit staff during school hours for health-related reasons.
- Obtaining professional health care or therapy service rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state, commonwealth, or territory.
- Quarantine.
- Family emergency.
- Recovery from the accident.
- Required court attendance.
- Death in the family.
- Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA, or combined 4-H and FFA group upon prior written request.
Parents are asked to call the school office at 610-938-9000 ext. 3542 by 8:00 a.m. the day your child is absent. This phone call does not replace the required written documentation outlined above. A secretary will contact the parent if a student is absent, and the parent has not notified us.
Excused Absences Contact Information
Call in to report absences anytime before 8:00 a.m. unless noted.
Program/Location |
Phone number to call |
Best time to call |
Employability Skills: |
Coordinator: Lisa Muss |
|
Boeing |
610-938-9000 x2244 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
DCIU Morton |
610-938-9000 x2244 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Thrift Shop on the Avenue |
267-874-8208 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Haverford College |
610-938-9000 x2244 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Teachers Teammates |
610-331-8972 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Goodwill, Upper Darby |
|
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Goodwill, Swarthmore |
|
anytime before 8:00 a.m. |
YMCA, Springfield |
|
anytime before 8:00 a.m. |
Community Living and Learning: CLL 412 N. Jackson, Media |
610-565-8289 484-442-8682 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
SAILS Program: 3400 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square |
610-353-3049 |
any time before 8:00 a.m. |
Enhanced Employment: Job Coordinator |
The phone number on the training agreement. |
|
Travel Instruction: Travel Instructor |
The phone number on the training agreement and call the employer. |
An Unexcused (or unlawful) absence will result from failure to provide a written note within three (3) calendar days of the student’s return to school or an invalid reason provided for the absence.
If a student is absent for three or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note may be required for the absence to be marked as excused. The note should be on official letterhead and include the dates of treatment.
A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative Excused/Lawful absences may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days shall require an excuse from a licensed practitioner of the healing arts.
Attendance records are reported to the student’s school district at the end of each month. Subsequent to a third truant absence, a meeting may be convened to discuss the cause of the student’s truancy and to develop a plan to resolve the truant behavior.
- OPTIONS students are encouraged to notify the community site (whether community-based instruction apartment OR community-based employability site) if they are going to be absent. Each student must establish the habit of calling in when they cannot come to work due to illness, missing the bus, a previous appointment, or any other reason. This is a procedure that all potential employees and community volunteers must follow at any place of employment where they are volunteering.
- Your son/daughter can state the following: I [NAME] will not be coming to work/ apartment or travel instruction today because [REASON].
Bullying and Harassment
Bullying/Cyber-bullying
We strive to offer all students an educational environment free from bullying.
Bullying is defined as a pattern of abuse or aggressive behavior by one student or a group of students, carried out repeatedly and over time, typically targeted towards someone less physically or socially powerful. It is a violation of DCIU policy for any student to bully or attempt to extort property or any other thing from another student. We strongly encourage all students and parents/guardians who become aware of any act of bullying/cyberbullying to immediately report that conduct to the Principal/Program Supervisor. All incidents reported will be investigated. Consequences for students who are found to have bullied others may include counseling, peer mediation, a parent conference, a loss of school privileges, exclusion from school-sponsored events, suspension, and expulsion from an IU program.
Harassment
The elimination of improper conduct, including unlawful harassment or discrimination, is a high priority for the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU). It is the established policy of the DCIU to prohibit all forms of improper conduct, including but not limited to sexual harassment or discrimination.
The DCIU will promptly investigate the allegations of improper conduct that you have brought to its attention. The investigation will be conducted by the Assistant Executive Director, Civil Rights Coordinator, or designee. If you have any questions of the DCIU’s investigator, you may contact him/her at the following address and telephone number: Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Avenue, Morton, PA 19070 – 610-938-9000
During the investigation, you may:
- provide the DCIU with information and documentation concerning the alleged improper conduct;
- advise the DCIU of the identity and location of any possible witnesses, and
- assert all other rights set forth in law or in DCIU policy.
The DCIU is interested in knowing what action the reporting party is seeking in response to the harassment or discrimination. Although the law does not require that the DCIU to comply with requested action in order to eliminate unlawful harassment or discrimination, a collaborative dialogue may be a useful tool in ensuring that such harassment or discrimination is eliminated throughout the DCIU.
The DCIU will take reasonable steps to preserve confidentiality and will make every effort to prevent public disclosure of the names of the parties involved except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation. The DCIU will try to accommodate concerns about confidentiality subject to the DCIU being able to fulfill its commitment to eliminate unlawful harassment or discrimination.
Delaware County Intermediate Unit employees and students who are alleged to be perpetrators of misconduct and unlawful harassment or discrimination are entitled to due process and are protected by certain confidentiality rights. Subject to the rights of students and/or employees, the DCIU will make an effort to keep the reporting party apprised of the progress of its investigation and of any decisions it renders concerning the situation. Any questions concerning the progress of the investigation or the actions taken by the DCIU to remediate any harassment or discrimination that may have occurred, should be directed to the Assistant Executive Director, Civil Rights Coordinator or the Investigator identified previously in this notice.
If the reporting party is dissatisfied with the progress of the investigation or the decision rendered, he/she has the right under the policy to appeal to the Executive Director. An appeal may be submitted in writing to the Executive Director outlining any objections. The appeal should be submitted to the attention of the Executive Director at the following address: Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Avenue, Morton, PA 19070
An appeal must be made within ten (10) days of receipt of said written decision.
If, after investigating the complaint, it is concluded that the allegations have merit and that action will be taken to remediate the situation, the DCIU will follow-up with the reporting party to make sure that there is not a recurrence of the improper conduct. If there is any repeat of any improper conduct, we ask that the reporting party immediately notify the Civil Rights Coordinator.
The DCIU has a policy of correcting the discriminatory effects of any improper conduct, including sexual harassment or discrimination. Please feel free to advise of the things that you believe that the DCIU should do to correct the discriminatory effects of the improper conduct.
Retaliation by anyone against any individual who has reported improper conduct, including sexual harassment or discrimination, is strictly forbidden. If you believe that anyone is retaliating against you in any way, please notify the Civil Rights Coordinator.
APPENDIX B – PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES HARASSMENT
Terroristic Threats/Acts
Terroristic threat is defined as a communication either directly or indirectly, to commit any crime of violence with the intent to terrorize another; to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation; or cause terror or serious public inconvenience with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. Staff members and students shall be made aware of the responsibilities to inform the building or program administrator regarding any knowledge relevant to a possible terroristic threat/act. In the case of a student with a disability, including a student for whom an evaluation is pending, the Intermediate Unit shall take all steps required to comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
Weapons
The Board recognizes the importance of a safe school environment to the educational process. Possession of weapons in the school environment is a threat to the safety of students and staff and is prohibited by law.
Possession - a student is in possession of a weapon when the weapon such as any knife, cutting instrument, nochaku stick, brass or metal knuckles, firearm, look alike gun, chemical agent, explosive device or any toher tool capable of inflicting serious. Bodily harm is found on the person of the student; in the student's locker; under the student's control while at school or Intermediate Unit programs. Student could be expelled and steps for an evaluation and coordination with the school district’s residence.
Hazing
Hazing is defined when a person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a student with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a student to consume substances causing harm, endure physical or mental brutality or exposure which may effect the mental health, dignity, inclusion or may result in serious bodily injury or death of a student. Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the student. No student, parent/guardian, sponsor, contractor, volunteer or employee shall engage or ignore any form of hazing even if the consent of the student was obtained.
Discipline
Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated in the community. Every effort should be made to achieve a solution, which will allow the student to remain in the program. Behavior which may result in the student being removed from his/her current program should be discussed with the OPTIONS Supervisor, program professional and the home school team.
Procedures for Disciplinary Action
The following actions should be taken in the event of a problem:
- The program professional should discuss the problem with participants
- The home school contact should be made aware of the problem
- Expectations should be discussed clearly with the participants
- If the problem is not resolved, a formal warning should be given before the participant is asked to leave
- A team meeting should be held to develop training strategies to address the concern and to help prevent it from occurring again. A training plan should be agreed on
- Implementation of the training plan and progress should be documented and the participant should display a predetermined amount of improvement before returning to the program
Possible Reasons for Being Asked to Leave a Site
- Repeated absences
- Leaving a site without permission
- Refusal to perform assigned tasks
- Not abiding by acceptable standards (i.e. hygiene, dress or behavior)
- Destruction of property
- Aggressive behavior toward co-workers or supervisor
- Stealing
- Use, possession or sale of alcohol or drugs, on or in the area of community classroom, or reporting to site under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Work Attire
Students who participate in OPTIONS are always in the public eye. They need to wear clean, appropriate clothing that is well fitting and free of holes. Blue jeans, mini skirts, midriff tops, t-shirts (with decals) sweat pants or shorts are not allowed. Bare legs, including shorts and/or skirts without hosiery, are not permitted at the training sites due to health regulations. Students who are given uniform shirts and badges for work are required to wear them each and every workday. Rubber-soled shoes are recommended. Sneakers in GOOD condition are acceptable.
Students should always dress prepared for varying weather conditions. We ask that students wear watches and carry an identification card.
Each program may have varying clothing policies which will be addressed by your instructor.
Medication Policy
OPTIONS staff members cannot dispense or administer medication or perform any other medical functions. Students participating in OPTIONS must be able to take care of their own medical needs while in the program.
Safety
Safety Drills
Teachers will explain the proper procedures to follow to their students. When the fire alarm sounds, all areas are to be cleared. Students are to follow their staff and co-workers to the designated safety zone and stay with their group at all times. Students should move orderly, rapidly, quietly, and away from the building as quickly as possible. Emergency procedures are in place for each community site in the OPTIONS program. From time to time we will have other emergency preparedness drills that may be related to extreme weather conditions or other emergency situations.
Video Monitoring
Delaware County intermediate Unit has a responsibility to maintain order and discipline on DCIU property and in buildings operated by DCIU/DCTS. DCIU recognizes the value of video surveillance for monitoring activities on DCIU/DCTS operated properties and uses video surveillance to monitor activities to assist in protecting the health, welfare and safety of students and staff and to safeguard DCIU buildings, facilities, equipment, buses and property. Accordingly, video surveillance may occur at any time in any DCIU building, facility, buses, and property.
Restricted Items
Electronics and Other Personal Items
OPTIONS students often use cell phones for scheduling, communicating with transportation and staff members. They are permitted to have cell phones, however must follow the policy of the community site when in use. DCIU staff are not responsible for the loss of or damage to any items brought to school.
School Property
It is everyone’s responsibility to take the very best care of our school. Anyone found damaging or defacing community l property will face disciplinary action and restitution for damages. Depending on the severity of the vandalism, the administration may file criminal charges with the local police.
Student Searches
Generalized Searches
The safety of all students and staff is of vital importance and we make every effort to maintain a safe school environment. Upon arriving at school, all students will walk through a metal detector. If the metal detector alerts the staff to the presence of metal either on the student’s person or in a student’s bag this will be considered reasonable suspicion to require the student to open their bag for further inspection and/or empty their pockets in order to ensure that there is no credible threat to the safety of the students and staff. The DCIU Board Policy states that all lockers or other forms of storage are and shall remain the property of the Intermediate Unit. As such, students shall have no expectation of privacy of these units. School administrators are authorized to conduct unannounced searches of schools through the use of, but not limited to, canine surveillance.
Individual Searches
If there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or the possession of contraband items, the administration reserves the right to conduct a search of the student’s personal possessions including any and all bags brought into the facility and outerwear such as coats, sweatshirts and hoodies, etc. The DCIU Board Policy authorizes school officials to search a student or his/her locker if they have suspicion of criminal activity or possession of contraband items
School Closing & Inclement Weather
Emergency school closings, delays or early dismissals due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events will be announced on local radio stations, are posted on many radio and TV websites, and are listed at the bottom of TV screens on most major stations. In the event of an early dismissal from school, every attempt is made to notify parents of an identified emergency contact. The closing number for the Delaware County Intermediate Unit is 515. When listed on websites or on the TV it will usually indicate “Delaware County Intermediate Unit Special Programs.” This information is also posted on the Delaware County Intermediate Unit website.
In addition, parents should check for information about your home school district. If your home school district is closed, operating on a delayed schedule or an early dismissal schedule, this will impact your child’s transportation to and from school.
Closing numbers for the districts are listed below:
- Chester Upland School District – 451
- Chichester School District – 458
- Garnet Valley School District – 855
- Haverford School District – 455
- Interboro School District – 450
- Marple Newtown School District – 454
- Penn Delco School District – 456
- Radnor School District – 457
- Ridley School District – 453
- Rose Tree Media School District – 542
- Southeast Delco School District – 464
- Springfield School District – 526
- Upper Darby School District – 452
- Wallingford-Swarthmore School District – 460
- William Penn School District – 467
School Records & Confidentiality
A number of state and federal laws protect the confidentiality of both your child’s health information and educational records and guarantee your right to access that information. These include:
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).HIPAA protects your child’s health information.
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (called FERPA).FERPA protects the confidentiality of your child’s education records and guarantees you the right of access to your child’s education records. Information that is protected by FERPA’s confidentiality requirements is not protected by HIPAA.
- All student records, including Evaluation Reports and Individualized Education Plans, are kept confidential in accordance with law.
Please note: Education records cannot be released to other agencies without a Release of Information signed by the parent/guardian.
Related Services
Students will receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy and social skills as identified on the Related Services section of their IEP. The therapist will contact the assigned teacher to set up a schedule.
Student Dress Code
The clothes worn to school should be neat, clean, not present a safety hazard, and meet generally accepted standards of modesty. Students dressed inappropriately will be referred to the Administration and given alternatives where appropriate. We ask that parents enforce the following dress regulations:
- No apparel or jewelry advertising or glorifying drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.
- No clothing displaying slogans or pictures with obscene language, violence, lewd or illegal behavior or double meanings.
- No clothing or jewelry with satanic cult references or gang colors/symbols.
- No underwear or pajamas worn as outer garments.
- No wearing of clothes so that underwear is visible.
- No bare midriff, tank tops, see-through or muscle shirts.
- No jewelry depicting weapons or with studs or sharp edges.
- No hats, caps, bandanas or other head coverings may be worn in school.
- Appropriate shoes should be worn. No heavy boots with heavy black soles may be worn in school. Slippers, flip flops or slides are not appropriate for school.
- No outerwear (includes coats, jackets, hooded sweatshirts) may be worn in school without permission.
- Shirts must be worn at all times.
- Skirts and shorts must be a reasonable length, generally no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.
Options: Not all situations or conditions can be covered by a dress code. The staff, at their sole discretion, will determine the appropriateness of any item of school dress and maintain the authority to contact the supervisor whose dress is considered disruptive or harmful for reasons of health and safety. Staff will demonstrate by example, positive attitudes towards neatness, cleanliness, and good sense in attire. Students who participate in the OPTIONS programs are often issued a uniform or asked to wear skid proof shoes and hair coverings for specific assignments. Students should also be prepared for varying weather conditions.
Parking
Options: All students who wish to drive to their assigned community site must complete a permission slip.
The following points list the requirements, restrictions and penalties associated with parking on community property.
- Students are responsible for all paperwork. No student will receive a permission to drive to community sites if his/her paperwork is incomplete for any reason.
- Driving practices considered to be reckless, unsafe, or discourteous may result in the loss of driving privileges. THERE WILL BE NO WARNINGS. In addition, violations of local and state laws will be reported to the PA State Police.
- DCIU – DCIU Education Center is not responsible or liable for damages, theft, etc., to automobiles parked in a Parking Lot.
- If reasonable suspicion exists that any contraband, such as weapons, drugs, or alcohol are in a vehicle on school district property, an administrative search will be conducted.
Parent-Guardian Requests
Requests for Early Dismissals
To prevent confusion and to ensure the safety of all students, parents are asked to call the office in advance or send in a written note indicating the requested time for dismissal, the reason for the early dismissal, and the person who will pick up the student.
Students being picked up early must be signed out by an adult who is on a list authorized by their parent/guardian that is maintained in the office. We appreciate your cooperation with the following procedure:
- Parents/Guardians must provide the teacher with a list of adults authorized to remove their child from school grounds. (Individuals Authorized to Remove Child from School form).
- Only adults on the authorized list will be allowed to pick up the student from school.
- Adults, other than parents, must present photo identification before the student may be dismissed into their care.
- If an individual comes to the school to pick up your child and his/her name is not on the authorization list and/or the person cannot provide identification, your child will not be dismissed to that person.
Visitation
Parents are a vital part of the school community and we welcome all parents. There will be special events throughout the school year that will be ideal times for parent visitations, parents should feel free to arrange a visit at other times. If a visitation is for any other purpose than a parent or teacher-initiated conference, or an IEP meeting please make arrangements through the school office.
You may leave a message for your child’s teacher at the main community phone number. Teachers will return calls in early morning, between classes, or at the end of the school day, as they have opportunity.
Visitation/Consultation Involving Agency Personnel
We welcome the presence and involvement of the many different agencies that provide a variety of supportive services to our students and their families. To prevent any delay of services, it is important that agency professionals who wish to work with our students during the school day be familiar with DCIU procedures that comply with the Pennsylvania School Code. School personnel will gladly assist in providing information and/or required forms if needed.
To prevent any disruption to the educational process and to ensure the availability of staff, professionals from other agencies that wish to visit any OPTIONS sites during the day, the staff must be notified. Professionals who show up unannounced may be asked to schedule an appointment for a later date. Agency staff will also be required to show their identification credentials and other required documents listed below.
In order for us to share information regarding a particular student, we must have a Release of Information that is signed by the parent and that specifies information to be released.
The Pennsylvania School Code clearly requires that all personnel who work in our school buildings must present during their initial visit the following three documents (copies will be made at that time):
- ORIGINAL State Police Criminal Background Check or the PATCH (which we must verify online) – Act 34
- ORIGINAL Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse Clearance – Act 151
- FBI Clearance issued through the Pennsylvania Department of Education via the Cogent System.
Please note that building administrators or other staff cannot make any exceptions to the above.
Health Information
It is the policy of the Intermediate Unit to provide a learning environment that is safe and provides appropriate motivation to ensure a creative and productive student body. To this end, DCIU unequivocally endorses the philosophy that the schools should be free from the detrimental effects of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Drug & Alcohol Policy
Drug & Alcohol-Free School and Workplace
“Illicit drugs” are defined as but are not limited to: any substance that is declared by an applicable law to be a controlled substance that is not used or possessed pursuant to lawful prescription. “School premises” are defined as any property owned, leased or under control of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. “School activities” means any student activity carried out in whole or in part under the auspices of the Intermediate Unit. “Under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs” means a person has used alcohol or illicit drugs and that the presence of the alcohol or illicit drug can be detected in the individual’s body through the performance of an available test, or through the appearance, demeanor, behavior or odor of the person.
Students are prohibited to engage in the possession, use or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs on school property or premises or as part of any school activity.
While Pennsylvania has approved the use of medical marijuana, the Federal government has not. Therefore, the DCIU is required to prohibit such substances from all school property. Where such use is necessary, parents/guardians may seek permission from the administration to remove the student from school premises to administer the medication. School nurses are not permitted to administer medical marijuana to students.
A staff member who observes symptoms of physical or emotional abnormality, which may or may not be drug related, shall refer the student to the school nurse/designee. Symptoms associated with drug use include extreme drowsiness, excessive elation, severe mood swings, extensive change in customary behavior, unusual silliness and/or complete withdrawal from all activity. If the symptoms are combined with belligerence, violence or physical abuse, the referral should be made directly to the school administrator. The school administrator in consultation with the school nurse will determine appropriate action. The parents shall be notified of action taken and asked to come to the school or, if required, the hospital. The possibility of drug involvement will be explained to the parents and they will be urged to seek medical attention through their family doctor.
The privileged confidentiality between students and counselors, school nurses, school psychologist, home and school visitors and other school employees shall be respected. No confidential communication made to any such employees shall be required to be revealed without the consent of the student or his/her parent, unless the best interest of the student can be served by such release.
Any student found in possession of drugs or suspected of selling, transporting or distributing drugs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity, shall be reported to the school administrator. If appropriate, law enforcement will be contacted, and charges made. All alleged evidence will be given to the school administrator. The student is entitled to a formal hearing.
The school at all times shall cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and school administrators. The Intermediate Unit Executive Director shall be notified of all drug violations. Board notification will be by the discretion of the Executive Director. The basic welfare and health of the entire student body should be the primary concern in any drug related incidents.
Smoking Policy
Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping Products-Free School and Workplace
In accordance with Act 145 of 1996 and with a concern for the overall health and welfare of students and staff, the Delaware County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors prohibits the use of tobacco products by students or staff in school buildings, on school buses, on school sponsored trips and on school property owned by leased by, or under the control of the Intermediate Unit.
“Tobacco products” is defined by Board Policy to include: a lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar and pipe; other lighted smoking product; and smokeless tobacco in any form. This also applies to electronic cigarettes and vaporizers.
The Intermediate Unit may initiate prosecution of a student who violates the tobacco use policy per Act 168 of 1988 and Act 145 of 1996. A student convicted of possessing or using tobacco in a school building or on a school bus or school property owned or leased by or under the control of the Intermediate Unit may be fined up to the maximum allowable amount plus court costs.
Immunization Requirements
School Health Guidelines
OPTIONS students are encouraged in becoming independent adults. Any nursing requirements will be discussed at the IEP meeting and a determination will be made to best meet the needs of addressing any medication or medical needs.
Health Services and Medical Records
- All medication sent to school must be in a labeled container from the pharmacy. The child’s name, the doctor’s name, the medication name and required dosage, and specific times for administration of the medication must be on the container. Do not send medications in unmarked bottles, baggies, or other unidentifiable containers. (Refer to the Permission for Administration of Medication in the Parent Packet).
- Parents must complete and sign the permission form for administration of medication.
- A signed doctor’s order is required for the medication.
- Please keep school staff informed about any medication changes, hospitalizations, unusual seizure activity, medical procedures, and other important health information that may have implications for the child’s participation in the school program.
- Any student returning from a lengthy absence or a significant medical procedure should return with a doctor’s note/discharge summary that addresses activity and dietary limitations, lists specific instructions for the nursing staff, and identifies any potential problem areas or warning signs.
- Students with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, diarrhea, or any type of contagious illness should not be sent to school and must stay home at least one day (24 hours) after symptoms have ceased.
- If a student arrives at school with the symptoms above or if a student becomes ill during the school day, parents will be contacted to pick up the student.
- Immunizations must be completed and verified by the school nurse.
- The following over the counter products may be given by the school nurse if there is a signed emergency card:
Anbesol, antiseptic, calamine lotion, hydrogen peroxide, Tylenol, Vaseline, sting swabs, ammonia inhalants, Betadine, and Cepacol lozenges. - Each student must have a completed registration/emergency card. To keep information current, new registration/emergency cards are sent home to parents each September. Please contact the school whenever there is a change in the information on your registration/emergency card. Prompt action in an emergency depends upon our having correct information.
Health Monitoring
All students must comply with board-approved health and safety plans during pandemics and the policy of health examinations and health services. A student may request an alternative method of health monitoring as a religious accommodations, and designated staff member. And staff shall assess and respond to request according to state and local guidance. Requests that would impair safety will not be granted.
Students with health conditions that may render a monitoring method ineffective should notify a designated staff member. Students exhibiting symptoms indicating health concerns shall be referred to the school nurse or designated staff member.
Full-time nursing staff in the district buildings are available to administer prescribed medications, monitor the health of each student, perform routine procedures, and handle emergencies. To ensure the safety of your child and all other students please follow the guidelines listed below:
Immunization Requirements
For attendance in all grades:
- 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
- 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (4th dose on or after 4th birthday)
- 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (preferably given as MMR)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B
- 2 doses of Varicella or chicken pox by history of disease
For attendance in 7th grade:
- 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of 7th grade
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 7th grade
For attendance in 12th grade:
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 12th grade (if one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose)
Student Welfare
Each employee is responsible to ensure that students are supervised by a teacher or other staff member while engaged in Intermediate Unit programs or activities including arrivals, departures, restrooms, and community- based instruction activities.
Teachers and designated staff shall provide proper instruction in and enforcement of safety rules and procedures included in the Board-approved health and safety plan and assigned curriculum.
Employees may not send students on any personal errands. Employees may not transport students in a personal vehicle, except when specifically authorized by the building administrator, program supervisor or designee.
Use of Auto Inhalers/Injections
Use and Possession of Asthma Inhalers and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
The Board shall permit students to possess asthma inhalers and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (“EpiPens”), and to self-administer the prescribed medication when such is parent authorized. Possession and use of asthma inhalers and EpiPens by students shall be in accordance with state law and Board policy. Asthma inhaler shall mean a prescribed device used for self-administration of short-acting metered doses of prescribed medication to treat an acute asthma attack.
Self-administration shall mean a student’s use of medication in accordance with a prescription or written instructions from a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Before a student may possess or use an asthma inhaler or EpiPen during school hours, the Board shall require the following:
- A written request from the parent/guardian that the Intermediate Unit comply with the order of the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
- A statement from the parent/guardian acknowledging that the Intermediate Unit is not responsible for ensuring that the medication is taken, and relieving the Intermediate Unit and its employees of responsibility for the benefits or consequences of the prescribed medication.
- A written statement from the student’s physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant that states:
- Name of drug.
- Prescribed dosage.
- Times medication is to be taken.
- Length of time medication is prescribed.
- Diagnosis or reason medication is needed, unless confidential.
- Potential serious reaction or side effects of medication.
- Emergency response.
- If student is qualified and able to self-administer the medication.
- The student shall be made aware that the asthma inhaler or EpiPen is intended for his/her use only and may not be shared with other students.
The student shall notify the school nurse/designee immediately following each use of an asthma inhaler or EpiPen. Violations of this policy by a student shall result in immediate confiscation of the asthma inhaler and medication and EpiPen, and loss of privileges. In addition, parents will be notified of the loss of privileges and that the asthma inhaler or EpiPen will be stored in an accessible location near the student. The teachers will be notified of the location and will be provided access thereto. Use other than as intended for specific student will lead to discipline and/or criminal charges.
The Intermediate Unit reserves the right to require a statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant for the continued use of a medication beyond the specified time period. Permission for possession and use of an asthma inhaler by a student shall be effective for the school year for which it is granted and shall be renewed each subsequent school year. A student whose parent/guardian completes the written requirements for the student to possess an asthma inhaler or EpiPen and self-administer the prescribed medication in the school setting shall demonstrate to the school nurse the capability for self-administration and responsible behavior in use of the medication.
To self-administer medication the student must be able to:
- Respond to and visually recognize his/her name.
- Identify his/her medication.
- Demonstrate the proper technique for self-administering medication.
- Sign his/her medication sheet to acknowledge having taken the medication.
- Demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration
The Board shall permit a trained nurse or school employee to provide an EpiPen that meets the student’s prescription on file, or the Intermediate Unit physician’s standing orders:
- The Board shall permit its school physician to prescribe, via standing orders, EpiPens in the name of the Intermediate Unit, to be maintained for use as described herein. The supply of EpiPens shall be maintained in a safe, secure location at all times. The school nurse assigned to each building shall be responsible for the storage and use of the EpiPens, and shall be trained by the Department of Health.
The Intermediate Unit shall annually inform staff, students and parents/guardians about the policy and procedures governing student possession and use of asthma inhalers and EpiPens. When an asthma inhaler or EpiPen is initially brought to an Intermediate Unit program by a student, the school/Intermediate Unit nurse shall be responsible to complete the following:
- to a student who is authorized to self-administer the EpiPen
- by administering the EpiPen to him/her; or
- by administering an EpiPen per the Intermediate Unit’s standing orders to a student the employee, in good faith, believes to be having an anaphylactic reaction.
- The Executive Director or designee, in conjunction with Intermediate Unit nurses, shall develop procedures for student possession of asthma inhalers and EpiPens and self-administration of prescribed medicine.
- Obtain the required written request and statements from the parent/guardian and physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and these shall be kept in the office of the:Building Administrator Intermediate Unit/School Nurse
- Review pertinent information with the student and/or parent/guardian, specifically the information contained on the statement submitted by the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
- Determine the student’s ability to self-administer medication and the need for care and supervision.
- Maintain an individual medication log for all students possessing asthma inhalers or EpiPens.
Office Hours
The DCIU Education Center office is open from 7:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
OPTIONS Hours
- Student Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Staff Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. on scheduled Early Dismissal Days. These days are indicated on the school calendar - Appendix E. Lunch will be provided before the students are dismissed.
Mental Health Service
DCIU contracts with Prospect CCMC, LLC – Community Campus to provide the following in-school mental health services: individual counseling, group counseling and psychiatric services. The school psychiatrist evaluates students at least once each year. Psychiatric services at DCIU Education Center may include psychiatric evaluation, consultation with parents, and medication management. The goal of Prospect CCMC, LLC – Community Campus is to provide services that are; community-based, multi-disciplinary, delivered in the least restrictive manner, multicultural, inclusive of family, individualized to the child’s needs, and multi-system oriented.