Transitioning to Middle School

Tips for Parents on a Successful Transition to Middle School    By-Cheryl Somers

Study Habits

Teaching Good Study Habits Minute by Mintue        By- Heather Lambert

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES-Taken from the 2019-2020 Student Handbook

• Parents are requested to contact the attendance secretary (292-8067 ext. 20112) to report anticipated absences. Please state the nature and possible duration of the absences. Calling if you anticipate your child being late is recommended. If a student is absent for an extended period of time (2 days or more), contact the school so assignments can be put together for your child. These assignments can be picked up at school.
• Students arriving to school after 9:00 AM or leaving school before 1:00 PM will be considered absent for one half day of attendance.
• Students not in the school by 7:35 AM will be considered tardy and must report to the main office. Written excuse is needed if a student reports to school late. If late pass is not issued by office, student will be documented as absent for the entire day.

• EXCESSIVE TARDIES: As a student accumulates tardies, letters will be sent home to inform the parent of the number of tardies and the attendance issues associated with the tardies.
• EXCUSE CARDS FOR ABSENCES - All students are given three (3) school days to provide a written excuse signed by a parent/guardian to the school before the absence is considered unexcused/unlawful. Excuse cards are recommended, but a signed note indicating the dates and nature of absence will be accepted. Excuse cards are available in the main office or can be submitted online by going to the Dover Intermediate School Website and clicking on ATTENDANCE in the far left column. Excuse cards are subject to review by the Assistant Principal to determine if the reason for absence is in line with district guidelines. Examples of acceptable excuses are: death in family, personal illness, required court attendance, educational trips.

• EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM - When a student reaches twelve (12) days of total absences, a letter will be sent informing the parents of the concerns and needs of regular school attendance. After fifteen (15) days of absence, unless unusual circumstances can be substantiated, a letter is sent informing parents that any further absences must be covered by a medical excuse or the absence will be deemed unexcused/unlawful. Students with a history of habitual absenteeism may be required to submit a doctor’s note for any subsequent absences. A student may be withdrawn if they are absent for ten (10) consecutive days without a valid reason.
• UNEXCUSED/UNLAWFUL ABSENCES -
  1. Three (3) days of unlawful absences will result in parent receiving a letter of first notice warning that any future unlawful absence will result in a fine.
  1. A school/family conference will be scheduled to discuss the cause of the student’s truancy and to develop a mutually agreed upon Comprehensive Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) to resolve the attendance issue. The plan could include accessing academic, social and health supports from the school and community; an outline of parent and student responsibilities and levels of performance monitoring that includes rewards and consequences.
  2. York County Children & Youth Services will be notified as a standard practice of the first notice letter.
  3. According to ACT 29 of 1995, a fine up to $300.00 plus court costs may result once a fourth unlawful absence occurs. In addition to fine, District Magistrate may require community service and/or suspension of driving privilege when of legal age. 
  4. Students who cut class will be subject to discipline ranging from detention to out of school suspension.
  5. Continual truancy will result in placement in alternative education program or Administrative/Board hearing.

●  PERMITS TO LEAVE SCHOOL - Students must submit a request signed by parent/guardian to leave school before the end of the day. The request must state the day, time and reason for the dismissal. Only appointments after 1:00 PM are considered excused. Students returning to school from appointments must report to the office with written documentation from the appointment. Students must be signed out from the main office and picked up from the office by parent/guardian. The student must sign in upon return with written documentation. Examples of reasons to leave early: dentist/doctor appointments that could not be scheduled outside of school hours, family emergencies, serious illness or injury.

Attendance Works

Planning for a Post-Secondary Education/Career

Success in the New Economy

4 Skills and 4 Steps to a Successful Career

By Kevin Flemming

BigFuture-Middle School

bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Career Interest Inventory

My Next Move (Career Interest Inventory)

Smart Futures

Smart futures in an online career planning and portfolio platform that helps all students be ready for post-secondary success.  Students will be participating in career lessons throughout the year and can access the program at any time using Clever.

Smart Futures

Interested in College or a Career/Technical School?

What can I be doing in the 8th Grade to prepare?

8th GRADE YEAR

• Talk to friends and family about careers and possible school choices. Counselors, teachers, parents, other family members, and friends are all good sources of information and support.
• Explore career interests. There are lots of different ways to achieve your career goals, including technical colleges, apprenticeships, cooperative education opportunities ("co-ops"), community colleges, military programs or schools, and traditional 2 or 4-year schools.
• Consult with your middle and high school counselors to find out which courses you should take that will qualify you to attend certain colleges and/or enter certain career fields.
• Investigate Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and honors coursework, as well as career and technical courses/programs and dual enrollment opportunities that are related to your career interests.
• Discuss your financial situation with your parents to see how they can assist you in paying for your education. Work together to establish a savings plan in which you can participate, such as a PA 529 plan.
• Don't forget about extra-curricular activities! Whether you enjoy athletics, music, art, volunteerism, or employment, what you do outside the classroom is important, too!

2-1-1 York, Pennsylvania

United Way’s information and referral service – FIRST – is now PA 2-1-1.  2-1-1 is a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service that connects south central PA residents with all the health and human services available to help. The trained specialists are available to help with a number of services that include:

Aging Services   
Child & Youth Services
Education/Training
Food/Shelter/Clothing
Health Services
Support Groups 

Crisis Intervention  1-800-673-2496     

York Hospital Emergency Room  (24 hours)

Mobile Crisis  (717) 843-0800

Crisis Walk-in    (Monday-Thursday  8am-8pm, Friday 8am-6pm)

S. Edgar Street

York, Pa 

Crisis Text Line

Text "start" or "hello" to 741-741

Olivia's House

(717) 699-1133

http://www.oliviashouse.org

Pathways Center for Grief and Loss Kids Camp

A Caring Place

(866) 613-4673

http://www.highmarkcaringplace.com

Camp Chimaqua-Pathways Center for Grief and Loss

Summer Camp for students ages 6-12 who are impacted by a serious illness or the loss of a significant individual in thier lives.  

Camp Chimaqua 2

Resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Parents' Guide to Smart Phone Safety

Tech Tips for Parents

Basic information and help with privacy settings for popular apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, etc.

Protecting Your Child on Social Media

Social Media Safety

Talking to Teens about Sexting

What is Anxiety?

The links below outline talking points in speaking with your child about violence and tragic events-

Talking_To_Children_About_Violence

How Children Respond to Tragic Events

Resources for talking and teaching about violence and tragic events.

LIfe Signs

Facts for Parents

Self-Injury Guidance and Support Network

Self-Injury Resources

Cornell University Research Program

What Is SAP? 

A Student Assistance Program (SAP) team made up of school and agency staff is available to help you access school and community services for your child.

In Pennsylvania, every school district is required to have a plan for identifying and assisting students who experience barriers to learning.  Our school’s Student Assistance Program team name is STARS.  

Please read the brochure below for more information.  We look forward to working with your child!

Student Assistance Brochure

Liaison Agency

TrueNorth Wellness Services

1195 Roosevelt Ave

York, PA 17404

717-843-0800

Student Assistance Counselor

Lynsey Huyett

(717) 779-8989 (cell)

lhuyett@truenorthwellness.org

Intermediate School building team members include:

Austyn Deardorff       adeardorff@doversd.org
Alyssa Elliott             aelliott@doversd.org
Whitney Jarbola        wjarbola@doversd.org
Chris Kennedy          ckennedy@doversd.org
Sarah Martin             smartin@doversd.org
Margaret Mayberry   mmayberry@doversd.org
Lynda Shearer          lshearer@doversd.org
Dave Lugar              dlugar@doversd.org

PCBH School-Based Counseling

The Dover Area School District is working with Pennsylvania Comprehensive Behavioral Health (PCBH) to provide our students with school-based counseling.  School-based counseling takes place during the school day in efforts to remove any barriers for families needing mental health services.  If you are interested in hearing more about PCBH’s services, please contact your school counselor. 

PCBH Brochure

WARNING SIGNS of YOUTH SUICIDE
Direct and indirect statements and/or behaviors that indicate an individual is at risk for suicidal or homicidal behaviors.

• Threatening harm to self or others
• Seeking access to firearms, pills, or other lethal means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
• Depression, hopelessness, shame
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger
• Seeking revenge
• Acting reckless
• Excessive alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and responsibilities
• Experiencing anxiety, agitation, insomnia, excessive sleeping
• Severe mood swings
• Expressing no reason for living or no sense of purpose in life

When information is not enough:

• Head to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic
• Do not leave the person alone until a professional is with him/her (unless you are in danger)
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects from the situation if possible

(Taken from Nova Southern University-Suicide and Violence Prevention)

If your child is in danger of harming themselves or someone else, please call one of the following numbers-

Mobile Crisis  (717) 843-0800

Crisis Intervention  1-800-673-2496     

York Hospital Emergency Room  (24 hours)

Crisis Walk-in    (Monday-Thursday  8am-8pm, Friday 8am-6pm)

S. Edgar Street

York, Pa 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Text "start" or "hello" to 741741

Free 24/7 emotional support for those in crisis

More information at http://www.crisistextline.org