PRHS Handbook

Academic integrity serves as the foundation of a student’s journey through their K-12 education and beyond.  It speaks to a person’s character, integrity, and respect for knowledge.  Learning requires effort and persistence. Students should complete their own work for homework, assessments, and other assignments. There are emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that may serve to enhance the learning experience if used ethically.  Artificial intelligence should be used at the direction of the teacher. Any work submitted by a student should be authentic and appropriate sources should be cited.  The combination of artificial intelligence* and other technology resources along with academic integrity has the potential to enhance the learning experiences.  Students should never use these resources to generate content that they submit as their own.  

*After Policy #815.1 - Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education is board-approval, specific language will be added to the Discipline Code and Handbooks.

Students are expected to report to school on time each day and to report to all classes and scheduled areas on time. A written excuse, signed by a student’s parent or guardian, is required for each absence or incidence of tardiness. This excuse is required within three days after the absence or tardy to school. Tardiness or absences that are unexcused after the three days, are recorded as permanently unexcused.

In an effort for all school districts across the state of Pennsylvania to follow similar attendance procedures, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, any student who misses more than 50% of a school day will be considered absent for the day.  Parents will continue to see the time their student signed in or out of school in the Community Web Portal, however, if the student did not complete at least 50% of the school day then the attendance code will be absent.

Note: A parent or guardian signature on the excuse is necessary, even if the student is 18 years or older.

Early Dismissal

Appointments for students should be scheduled after school hours, except in cases of emergency.  Should an appointment during school hours be imperative, parents should write a request for an early dismissal in pen on suitable stationery, which the student should present to the school office or attendance office at the start of the school day. Electronic, scanned excuses, with parental signatures, are also acceptable through the Community Web Portal within our student information system. The note must state student’s full name and student ID number, date of dismissal, time of dismissal, reason for dismissal, signature of parent/guardian, and phone number of parent/guardian for verification. All students must check out through the school office/attendance office when leaving the building for an early dismissal. Patterns of repeated early dismissals related to non-school sponsored activities such as sports practice or private lessons are discouraged as they create an academic disruption.

Excused Absences 

Six reasons are defined as excused absences from school:

1. Illness
2. Healthcare
3. Death in family
4. Family Educational Trips with Prior Approval (Note: A completed family educational tour or trip form must be submitted to the principal two weeks prior to the trip) 
5. Educational tours and trips 
6. Religious holidays

A student who misses class work and exams due to an excused absence may make up all work within a time period equal to the absence, plus one additional day unless alternate arrangements are agreed upon between the student and the student’s teachers. The school may require the parent to verify a student’s illness by a written statement from a physician.

Tardy to School

Students are expected to arrive at school on time each day. Entering the school building any time after the tardy bell rings constitutes a tardy. After that time, the student must report to the school office or attendance office immediately upon entering the building. A valid, written excuse signed by the parent/guardian is required within three days after the tardy. 

Any tardy remaining as unexcused after three days will be permanently recorded as ‘unexcused’ and will result in consequences as outlined in the discipline code. Tardiness to school must be for valid reasons. “Sleeping in”, “missing the bus” and “car problems” are not considered as valid reasons for being tardy. A late school bus is a valid excuse.  Excessive unexcused tardiness will also result in disciplinary action.

Refer to PR School Board Policy 204: Attendance, for more information related to student attendance.

Truancy

The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provide for a $300 per day fine and allow the court to impose education classes and community service sentences upon parents of a truant child who do not show they took reasonable steps to ensure the child’s school attendance. It provides that the parent and child must appear at a hearing before the district magistrate. This law also provides that truant students can lose their driver’s license for 90 days for a first offense and six months for a second offense.

Unexcused Absences

If the reason for a school absence is outside of the above-mentioned conditions, or if a student fails to submit a written excuse within three school days, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Refer to PR School Board Policy 204 (Attendance) for more information related to student attendance. 

According to Pennsylvania Statute, “Bullying” means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts:

1. Directed at another student or students;
2. Which occurs in a school setting;
3. That is severe, persistent or pervasive; and
4. That has the effect of doing any of the following:

• Substantial interfering with a student’s education;
• Creating a threatening environment; or
• Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

For purposes of the foregoing, “school setting” means any conduct or activity which occurs in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school, including travel to and from such activity. All forms of bullying by students are prohibited. This prohibition includes “cyberbullying,” which involves the use of electronic devices to engage in any of the conduct described above.

The district will consider all forms of bullying by district students in non-school settings and will enforce consequences provided under PR Board Policy 249 (Bully/Cyberbullying249) to acts of bullying occurring in a non-school setting to the fullest extent permitted by law.  

Administrative actions and interventions related to non-school settings will be determined based upon the incident’s alignment to criteria 1, 3, and 4 listed above. 

Guidelines for Recognizing and Identifying Bullying and Cyberbullying

• Power: It is bullying and not just playing around, when two people are unequal in power; and the one with the greater power takes unfair advantage of the less powerful person. Power can be physical size or strength, numbers, socio-economic strata, verbal skill, level of intelligence, popularity, athletic ability, and gender, to name a few. The ‘bully’ watches for opportunities to pick on, humiliate and tease the target. The target feels defenseless and hopeless…it seems that nothing will stop the treatment.
• Intentional Acts or Series of Acts: Negative actions are repeated, happening over and over in many different settings. Usually, adults are unaware or are not present when they occur. The person doing the bullying does it on purpose, and the intent is to hurt another person.
• Different levels of Feeling: You can tell that it is bullying and not just playing around when the people involved show unequal levels of feeling (affect). Instead of both people smiling or looking like they are having fun, one person is smiling or looking triumphant (“I gotcha!), and one is crying or looking frightened, humiliated, confused, or angry.

Examples of bullying include but are not limited to physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student; damaging, extorting or taking a student’s property; placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm; placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property; creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities; or perpetuation of conduct by an individual or group, with the intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or incite a student.

Reports of bullying should be made to a building principal, assistant principal, school counselor, or any trusted adult.     

Bullying/cyberbullying may have Level II or higher consequences. In addition, conduct that constitutes bullying or cyberbullying may also constitute unlawful harassment, discrimination or hazing that are also prohibited under applicable law and board policies and may carry additional disciplinary consequences.  

Please refer to board policy nos. 103 (Nondiscrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students), 103.1 (Nondiscrimination - Qualified Students with Disabilities), 247 (Hazing), and 249 (Bully/Cyberbullying) for additional information.

The school cafeteria is maintained as a vital part of the health and wellness of our students.  Well-balanced meals offering a selection of healthy items are offered at a reasonable price.  Breakfast and Lunch are served daily in the cafeteria.  Meal service is not offered on school scheduled half days and breakfast is not served on 2-hour delay days.  A monthly printable breakfast and lunch menu is posted on the website.  

Meal Program

Breakfast and lunch are served daily meeting the USDA guidelines and school wellness initiatives. Free & Reduced Meals are available to eligible families. Families must reapply each year for eligibility. Applications are accepted at any time during the school year. 

Paying for Cafeteria Purchases

A computerized debit system is used at all schools and each student will utilize their 5-digit student ID number at the register.  Students must use their own ID number for all purchases.  Please contact the Food Service Department if you do not have your student’s ID number.

Pay Online

Pay online at www.schoolcafe.com.  View your child's purchase history and make payments.  Payments can be set up automatically or add money as needed.  A convenience fee will be charged at the time of payment.  Payments will update to your account within 24-48 hours- but as quickly as 30 minutes.  You can set up an alert to notify you when your student's meal account has fallen below the amount you have specified.  We recommend you set up the low balance reminder at $10.00 to provide families with enough time to add additional funds.

Pay By Check

Make checks payable to the Pine-Richland Cafeteria Fund or PRCF and please record your student's name and student ID number on the check. 

Create online Account/Pay by Check

We have many parents/guardians who would like to monitor their student's meal habits, but continue to send a check-in with the student.  It is FREE to create an online account with www.schoolcafe.com, monitor your student's eating habits and create low balance alerts.  The only time you are charged a fee is if you choose to pay online.  We recommend all families create an account to monitor spending. Students can create accounts on the SoHappy app.  Use SoHappy to access school menus, nutritional and allergy information.  In accordance with PR School Board Policy #808 (Food Services), the district has established guidelines for low and/or negative balances.

Meal Price

See our website for Specific information from Chartwells Food Service, which will be added to the electronic version of the handbooks after July 1, 2025.

Free and Reduced Meals

If the cost of meals is a hardship for your family, an application for free or reduced meals is provided to each family at the beginning of the school year.  This form may also be obtained from the district office or online at any time throughout the year.  Complete the information and return the application to the school office.  You will be notified of the status of the application.  Prior to your approval, you will be responsible for any cafeteria charges incurred.  Confidentiality is strictly adhered to and no distinction is made between those students who pay and those who do not.  One breakfast and one lunch meal per day is permitted as free or reduced.  Second meals and snack items are at the full meal price.  Students receiving reduced-meal prices must place money in the meal account.   Appropriate behavior in the cafeteria is the expectation. The Pine-Richland Discipline Code will be followed to address any inappropriate behavior.

Policy 713 (Trespassing on or Misuse of School Property)

Schools help students learn to respect property and develop feelings of pride in community institutions. Students are responsible for the proper care of school property including school supplies and equipment entrusted to their use. Students who willfully damage school property will receive consequences, which include legal consequences. Parents may be held liable for any damage or destruction to school property caused by their children.

The Career Education and Work Standards are a part of the State Board of Education’s regulations of required education for all students in Pennsylvania. The Career Education and Work Standards address four areas of knowledge: Career Awareness & Preparation, Career Acquisition, Career Retention & Advancement, and Entrepreneurship. The Pennsylvania Department of Education also provides Career Pathways that may be used for career planning purposes.

College Planning

• Representatives from various colleges meet with interested students here at Pine-Richland High School.
  • The dates the representatives will be at our school are announced and posted in Naviance, a college and career planning software. 
  • Students check Naviance to obtain the permission forms needed to attend a college admissions visit.
• Throughout the year, informational meetings for parents and students are held in the evening.  These meetings cover such topics as understanding the college application process and applying for financial aid.
• Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades take a series of online career interest inventory tests to help students understand their own interests, talents, and skills and to explore potential careers.  This career   information may be useful in determining college application plans.
• The guidance website contains helpful information about the process of planning a career and applying to  college.  

Naviance Student

The career planning component of Naviance Student allows students to realize their goals, skills, knowledge, values, constraints, and interests to help them make better academic decisions. During this process, students gain a clear understanding of the academic preparation required to pursue careers that are likely to be fulfilling for them. 

Testing: PSAT, SAT, and ACT

• The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is a good practice test for 10th and 11th-grade students planning to take the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
  • All juniors will take the PSAT during the school day. 
  • Interested sophomores may also sign up for this test at cost to the family.
• All college-bound 11th and 12th-grade students should take the SAT.  Juniors usually take this test in March or April.  Seniors usually take the SAT in October or November.
• Students are encouraged to take the SAT tests in individual subject areas as well.  Students are advised to understand the testing requirements of the colleges to which they are seeking admission.
• The ACT may be taken at the completion of 11th grade.
• Further details, sign-up information, and registration packets regarding the PSAT, SAT, and ACT are available in the guidance office.

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests 

• Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are required to take the AP test for the course.
• Students who earn a score of 3 or above, and who complete the necessary paperwork in a timely manner, are reimbursed 50% of the cost of the exam.
• AP tests are administered at the high school in May, in compliance with the College Board.

Keystone Exams

• Federal regulations require schools to participate in state assessments. In addition, Pine-Richland graduation policy requirements stipulate that students must demonstrate mastery on the Keystone Exams. Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in three subjects: Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s system of high school graduation requirements and help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards.
• Keystone Exams are typically taken during the spring testing window of the year in which a student is enrolled in the given course. Students must demonstrate proficiency on each of the three Keystone Exams. If a student does not receive a score of “Advanced” or “Proficient” on a Keystone Exam, the student will be offered supplemental support through Progress Learning and classroom support. The student will be scheduled to retest during the next designated testing window as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If a Proficient or Advanced score is still not obtained during a student’s second attempt, they will be scheduled for one final retake during the Spring testing window. 
• If following three Keystone Exam attempts a student still has not earned a Proficient or higher score, additional pathways will be explored at that time. It is our goal that all Pine-Richland students demonstrate a Proficient or higher score on each Keystone Exam. Through Act 158 of 2018 and Act 6 of 2017, students graduating from Pennsylvania public high schools in 2023 or later will have greater flexibility in reaching Keystone Exam proficiency through a five pathway option. These pathways provide greater flexibility to students; however, they are not considered until a student has made three attempts to reach Proficiency on each of the Keystone exams. For additional information regarding Act 158, please visit this link: Act 158 Pathways to Graduation Toolkit.  

Please see the PRHS Program of Studies on the district’s website for more information about curriculum, courses, and academic life.  Please also refer to the guidance website for more information about academics, career, and college planning.

Pennsylvania law provides that any person age 15 or older who commits a violent crime and committed either the crime with a deadly weapon or previously has been adjudicated delinquent for a violent crime, will automatically be tried as an adult in the criminal justice system.

The school board encourages students and parents/guardians who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment to promptly report such incidents to designated employees in accordance with PR School Board Policy Nos. 103 (Nondiscrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students), 103.1 (Nondiscrimination - Qualified Students with Disabilities), which can be found on the policy manual, which is linked to the district’s website.  Complaints of discrimination or harassment shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action will be taken for substantiated allegations. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district’s legal and investigative obligations.

The board declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs and activities offered in the schools without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability.

Harassment is a form of discrimination based on the protected classifications listed in this policy consisting of unwelcome conduct such as graphic, written, electronic, verbal or nonverbal acts including offensive jokes, slurs, epithets and name-calling, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, or other conduct that may be harmful or humiliating or interfere with a person’s school or school-related performance when such conduct is: sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive; and a reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by a school.

Title IX sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: 

• A district employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or district service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, commonly referred to as quid pro quo sexual harassment.
• Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a district education program or activity.
• Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking.
  • Dating violence means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship is determined by the following factors:
• Length of relationship
• Type of relationship
• Frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship
• Domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving federal funding, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction. 
• Sexual assault means an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
• Stalking under Title IX means stalking on the basis of sex, for example when the stalker desires to date a victim. Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to either: 
  • Fear for their safety or the safety of others
  • Suffer substantial emotional distress

Such conduct must have taken place during a district education program or activity and against a person in the United States to qualify as sexual harassment subject to Title IX regulations. An education program or activity includes the locations, events or circumstances over which the district exercises substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the harassment occurs.

Students and third parties who believe they or others have been subject to discrimination, Title IX sexual harassment, and or retaliation for reporting of such to promptly report such incidents to the building principal, even if some elements of the related incident took place or originated away from school grounds, school activities or school conveyances. A person who is not an intended victim or target of discrimination but is adversely affected by the offensive conduct may also file a report of discrimination.

The building principal shall promptly notify the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator of all reports of discrimination, Title IX sexual harassment or retaliation. The Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator shall promptly contact the complainant regarding the report to gather additional information as necessary and to discuss the availability of supportive measures. The Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator shall consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures. 

Title IX Coordinator & Compliance Officer: Mr. Brian Glickman, Director of Human Resources
Pine-Richland School District, 702 Warrendale Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: (724) 625-7773, ext. 6201 | bglickman@pinerichland.org

Section 504 Coordinator: Dr. Maura Paczan, Director of Student Services
Richland Elementary School, 3811 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-7230 x6503 | mpaczan@pinerichland.org

Students must wear appropriate clothing and footwear at all times. All students are expected to dress in a manner that promotes school pride and enhances the school’s image. Student dress and grooming must be consistent with the educational, health, and safety environment of the school. Clothing must not be disruptive to the educational process or cause a health or safety risk.  Clothing may not contain letters, symbols or images that display or suggest sexual innuendo, sexual activity, profanity, gore, or other obscene, vulgar, or lewd words or images; that depict, promote or incite violence or acts of violence, or  illegal acts, or which promote, encourage or solicit the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other illegal substances.  Revealing clothing (such as, by way of example, short skirts/shorts or attire that permits the exposure of undergarments, bare midriffs or private body parts) is prohibited. Students deemed to be dressed inappropriately will have the opportunity to make adjustments to their attire.  Repeated dress code violations may be dealt with as incidents of defiance of authority or insubordination.  It remains the final decision of the administration in cases of questionable attire.  Students and parents should carefully review policies 220 (Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials) and 221 (Dress and Grooming) and make responsible decisions.

Driving in personal vehicles to and from school is limited by PR Board Policy No. 223 (Student Transportation) to special circumstances and is by permit only. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the district-provided bus transportation to and from school. The school district assumes no responsibility for student safety or for personal property damages. Driving privileges are limited to high school seniors and juniors possessing a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license (not a PA Learners’ Permit) and who agree to the student driving regulations.  The number of driving permits issued each school year will not exceed the number of available parking spaces.  Detailed information concerning student driving, student riders and loss of driving/riding privileges is available on the high school website.

Detailed guidelines and directions for the Parking Permit Application are sent to the student email addresses of juniors and seniors in mid-July.  Students must follow all directions provided with accuracy in order to be considered for a parking permit.  Once a permit is granted, the student will receive another email with the required steps which must be followed prior to any student receiving the permit.  This includes submitting copies of all required documents and affirming that students have viewed and agree to the informational presentation regarding driving rules and guidelines.

Once the parking permit is assigned to the student driver, all guidelines and policies must be followed.  Students risk the loss of their permits when these guidelines and policies are not followed. Student drivers must report to school on time or risk the loss of the permit.

The Pine-Richland School Board takes a no-tolerance attitude toward the use or abuse of drugs and alcohol. District policy prohibits the possession and/or use, mimic of use, sale, mimic of sale, distribution and/or intent of distribution of any illegal or controlled mood-altering chemical medication, or abused chemical (e.g. over-the-counter medications or natural remedies used for medicinal purposes) not approved by the health office on school property, at school-sponsored curricular and extracurricular activities or field trips, on school buses, and en route to and from school by any mode of travel. Violation of this policy includes the possession, use, sale, distribution, or mimicking the possession, use, sale or distribution of chemicals or paraphernalia. Reference PR School Board Policy No. 227 (Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia) for more details.

Distribution and/or Sale of Drugs/Alcohol

The consequences for distributing, sharing, or involving others in the use of drugs and/or alcohol in school include all of the consequences listed below, plus possible referral to the school board for expulsion.

The sale of drugs and/or alcohol in the PRSD will not be tolerated. Students will be adjudicated before both the Pine-Richland Board of School Directors and appropriate legal authorities. The school consequence may be a permanent expulsion from the district. The police and district attorney will determine the legal consequences.

Possession/Use of Drugs/Alcohol

The following consequences for students possessing and/or using drugs and/or alcohol exist but are not limited to:

• Suspension (3 -10 days)
• Parent conference required before returning to classes
• Referral to the police
• Referral to a mental health screening for drug and/or alcohol treatment recommendations
• Student will be placed on Activities Restriction for at minimum 30 days

Consequences may also include a conference with the superintendent, a behavior contract, alternative educational placement, and/or temporary or permanent expulsion.

The use of electronic devices, which include but are not limited to mobile telephones and other devices that can send, receive, play or display digital video or audio data or images or which provide an unfiltered connection to the Internet, is prohibited by students during instructional periods of the school day and in such other circumstances as delineated in PR Board Policy No. 237. Electronic devices may be brought to school but must be kept turned off and out of sight during all instructional periods and activities.  Smartwatches and GPS enabled watches fall under this category.  If they become a disruption to the educational process, they will be kept in a safe place by the school until appropriate arrangements can be made for the collection of the device(s). Classroom teachers may require students to turn their phone into an assigned space upon entry to their class.

To ensure compatibility with district resources, students may be required to utilize district-provided Chromebooks for specific educational activities. High school students may also bring their own personal devices in addition to any district-issued technology.  PRSD issued devices must be used on state and AP assessments. Students are responsible for the care and security of all district-provided technology resources, including Laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets, and will be held responsible for the full cost of replacement in case of damage or loss. Board Policy No. 815: Acceptable Use of Internet, Computer, and Network Resources  must be reviewed and agreed upon by all students/families. 

Please refer to PR Board Policy No. 237 for all restrictions and rules applicable to the use of electronic devices in school or on school property. Students and parents are expressly advised that use of an electronic device in a manner not permitted or authorized under PR School Board Policy No. 237 will minimally be considered a Level I consequence. It is important to note that a student should never take or post on social media a photo/video of another student without their prior consent. 

• Many teachers post-course materials electronically using an online instructional management system (Google Classroom).  Teachers instruct students how to access course materials electronically at the start of every course.
• Parents have online access to information about students’ demographics, attendance, discipline, and grades through Sapphire’s Community Web Portal.

Some school-sponsored activities (including all interscholastic sports) are subject to an activity fee.  Payment of the fee will allow each student to participate in an unlimited number of sports and student activities during the school year. The fee will offset a portion of the supplemental payments to coaches, sponsors, or teachers for these extra-curricular activities. Please refer to the district website at www.pinerichland.org/activityfee  for additional details including the amount of the fee and payment instructions. Extra-curricular activities include, but are not limited to the following activities and athletics. 

Student Activities (*Denotes activities subject to Activity Fee)

 

Athletic Teams

In order to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, a student may not be failing two or more subjects in any given week. Any grade that falls between the range of 0 – 59 is considered a failing grade.

Grades are checked weekly on student-athletes to ensure they are eligible to participate. Academic eligibility reports are run at 8:00 a.m. each Friday morning. Student-athletes who are failing two or more classes are not permitted to participate in athletic competitions for one week. Student athletes are permitted to participate in practices, but they are not permitted to participate in any scholastic contests or games during this time period.  For example, if a student athlete is declared ineligible on Friday, the period of eligibility begins the Monday of the following week ending the Friday of that week.  

According to WPIAL rules, students cannot become eligible mid-week. Grades updated after school begins Monday morning will be counted toward the following week’s eligibility.

Missing twenty (20) or more days in the second semester of one year impacts a student’s ability to participate in fall sports the following year.

Students’ grades are the result of their efforts as evaluated by their teachers.  Grades are based on the quality of students’ academic progress in class as measured by their class participation, written work, examination, projects and other assignments.  Grades students earn each quarter appear as percentages on report cards four times a year.  Final grades for courses appear only as letter grades on student transcripts.  The grading scale is as follows:

90-100% - A
80-89% - B
70-79% - C
60-69% - D
0-59% - F

Graduation Requirements

• All graduation requirements are established by the Board of Education for the Commonwealth of 
• Pennsylvania and the Board of Directors for the Pine-Richland School District.
• Pine-Richland School District requires students to earn a total of 24 credits in order to graduate in addition to other requirements.  Please see the PRHS Program of Studies for specific graduation requirements.

Incomplete Grades

• Students who have not completed the work for a class assigned during a quarter receive an incomplete grade on their report card. Students have two weeks after the report card is distributed to complete the missing work. If the work is not completed within two weeks of distribution of the report card, the missing assignments will be marked as a zero and a new quarter grade will be calculated. 

Mid-term and Final Exams

• Mid-term and final exams are given in year-long classes to assess how much knowledge has been retained and how much knowledge can be applied.  Mid-term and final exam scores appear separately on the report card and are each worth 10% of the final course grade.  Semester courses give final exams which are worth 20% of the final course grade.

Report Cards

• Report cards are made available electronically via the Sapphire’s Community Web Portal, the electronic  student information system.

Cheating/Plagiarism

• It is the responsibility of each student to submit work, assignments, and projects that represent their own original efforts. Cheating and plagiarism include, but are not limited to, copying, providing or receiving answers, or theft of any of the following: papers, tests, homework, etc. Additionally, the misuse of artificial intelligence* (AI) tools, such as submitting AI-generated content as one's own work without proper attribution or using AI to complete assignments in a way that undermines academic integrity, is considered a violation of this policy. While consequences for cheating and plagiarism may vary, students typically do not receive any credit or points for assignments or assessments on which they cheated or plagiarized.

*After Policy #815.1 - Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education is board-approval, specific language will be added to the Discipline Code and Handbooks.  

Athletic and Musical Production Eligibility

• Grades are checked weekly on student-athletes, and weekly for students involved in the Musical Production from the first day of rehearsals through the final performance,  to ensure they are eligible to participate.  Students who are currently failing two (2) or more classes are not permitted to participate in practice, rehearsal,  athletic competitions or performances for one week.
• Missing twenty (20) or more days in the second semester of one year impacts a student’s ability to participate in fall sports the following year.

Honor Roll

• Every quarter, students earn honor roll with the following grade point averages:

 

• To earn these distinctions students must have not earned any grades below a C or an I.

The Pine-Richland Health Services staff act as a liaison between the family, school, and community in an effort to improve the health status of children and have them achieve the maximum benefit from their educational experience.  Parents/Guardians have the primary responsibility for the welfare of their children.

 The School Nurses support learning by assessing illness and injury, administering medication, providing nursing procedures, supporting students with chronic health problems, providing mandated health screenings, monitoring immunizations, and being a resource for families on available community health care programs.

 For questions regarding health service information, please contact our School Nurse. 

Accidents

Every accident in the school building, on school grounds, at practice sessions, or at any event sponsored by the school must be reported immediately to the person in charge and to the school office.

Diabetes Type 1

There have been several recent changes made to the School Code pertaining to student health initiatives. Act 117 of 2024 requires school entities and nonpublic schools to share Type 1 Diabetes educational materials with parents and guardians of students either in writing, electronically, or on the school entity or nonpublic school’s publicly accessible internet website. In this Act, a school entity includes a school district, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school or intermediate unit.

The Type 1 Diabetes educational materials linked below must be made available beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The materials are also available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website: Act 117 - Parental Education of Type 1 Diabetes.

Click here to download the Type 1 Diabetes educational materials in English.

Haz clic aquí para descargar los materiales educativos en español sobre la diabetes tipo 1.

Diabetes Management Plan

School nurses are to obtain and maintain a written record for the authorization of care and written instructions for the management of diabetes from the student’s licensed health care provider, as well as the parental consent on the Medication Permission Form for treatment by the Pine-Richland School District nurse.  The school health team is to then create the Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) based upon the authorization and management procedures from the health care provider.  For more information on generating a DMMP for your child, please contact your school nurse to learn about the necessary documentation. 

Epinephrine Administration

The Pennsylvania Public School Code, Section 1414.2(g) allows parents/guardians to request an exemption to the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector for their student.  Parents/guardians wishing to choose this option should meet with the school nurse to discuss their decision and then review and sign the opt-out form in the presence of the school nurse.

Health Examinations

Policy 209 Health Examinations/Screenings

The following examinations are mandated by the state of Pennsylvania and may be performed by your child’s personal physician or dentist:

• Physical examinations (kindergarten or first grade, sixth and eleventh grades, and any student entering school in Pennsylvania for the first time). Private physical form 
• Dental examinations (kindergarten or first grade, third and seventh grades, and any child entering school for the first time in Pennsylvania). Private dental form

Students without documentation of a physical and / or dental examination will be scheduled for an exam with the school physician or school dentist during school hours. Parents are welcome to attend the examinations with their students as scheduled. These requirements allow for exemption due to religious beliefs. Please contact the school nurse if you are requesting exemption.

Health Screening

Policy 209 Health Examinations/Screenings

The Pennsylvania School Health screening program includes the following:

• Each student is weighed and measured every year from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  In addition, a Body Mass Index (BMI) for age percentile is calculated on all students.
• Each student has a near and far vision test every year.
• Each student has a hearing test in kindergarten through third grade and in seventh and eleventh grades.
• Each student is screened for Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) in sixth and seventh grades.
• Health Screening results are communicated in an annual health screening letter.  Parents/Guardians are notified when a screening result indicates a potential area of concern and follow-up with a health care specialist may be indicated.

Illness

Please consider the following guidelines when making the decision to send your child to school:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher:  children should be fever free (<100o) for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
• Uncontrollable coughing.
• Vomiting/Diarrhea:  children should be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Inability to sleep most of the night because they don’t feel well.

The Pine-Richland School District follows the Allegheny County Health Department “Guide to Infectious Diseases for Schools” to determine when a child should return to school after an infectious illness.  Specific information on strep throat, pink eye, lice, chicken pox, and other common infectious illnesses in schools.

Immunizations

Policy 203 Immunizations and Communicable Diseases

In accordance with the Allegheny County Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the following immunizations are required for school enrollment/attendance: 

For attendance, children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following vaccines.  On the first day of school, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had at least one dose of the following vaccinations or risk exclusion.

• 4 doses of tetanus* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of diphtheria*(1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio*** (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
• 2 doses of measles**
• 2 doses of mumps**
• 1 dose of rubella (German measles)**
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

*Usually given as DTP or DTap, or if medically advisable, DT or Td

**Usually given as MMR

***A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose.

If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is medically appropriate, the child must receive that dose within the first five days of school or risk exclusion.  If the next dose is not the final dose of the series, the child must provide a medical plan card signed by his/her doctor within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.  Your school nurse can provide you with a blank medical plan card.

If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is not medically appropriate, the child must provide a medical plan within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.  The medical plan must be followed or risk exclusion.

Children in 7th grade need the following ADDITIONAL immunizations for entry:

• 1 dose meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), if five years have elapsed since last tetanus immunization.

Children in 12th grade need the following ADDITIONAL immunization for entry:

• 1 additional dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
• If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

These requirements allow for the following exemptions:  medical reason, religious belief, or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction.  Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

Information regarding immunizations can be received from the Allegheny County Health Department by calling 412-578-8062.

Medication

The law which regulates the administration of medication in the school and school activities is the same law that applies to hospitals and other institutions.  The school cannot dispense or allow any child to take any medication without written permission from a physician and parent.  This includes both prescription and over the counter medications (including but not limited to acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and medicated cough drops).  If you anticipate or find that your child must take medication during school hours, please obtain a copy of the medication policy and a permission form on our website.

All medication must be unexpired  and shall be brought to the nurse’s office, or the main office if the nurse is in another building, by the parent/guardian or by another adult designated by the parent/guardian.  For safety reasons, it is highly recommended that medications be transported to and from school by a parent or guardian.  Medications must be kept in the nurse’s office.  The only exception is students who need to carry asthma inhalers, diabetic supplies, and/or epi-pens. The additional Permission to Carry Form must be on file with the school nurse.  Narcotic pain medication will not be given in school under any circumstances.

Cough Drops: Non-medicated cough drops must be sent to school in the original container/wrapper with accompanying written permission from the parent/guardian. Only a limited number should be kept on hand.  Permission is good for short term use and new permission notes will need to be submitted for subsequent need.  

All students in K-6 will have their supply of cough drops stored in the health office and distributed as needed by the school nurse. 7-12 students may have permission to self-carry with parent permission on file. 

Students are not permitted to share their cough drops with anyone. Medicated cough drops follow over- the-counter medication requirements.  Medicated cough drops will not be distributed without  a written order from a physician and parent permission.

The school nurse has the authority to keep the cough drops in the health office for those in grades 7-12 if deemed necessary.

Sunscreen: In October 2018, the Pennsylvania School Code was amended to include a section on Sun Protection Measures for Students. Section 1414.10 states that a school entity shall allow the application of sunscreen during school hours, at a school-sponsored activity or while under the supervision of school personnel. 

Parents/guardians may choose to supply their child with non-aerosol, unscented topical sunscreen if it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Parents/guardians must complete and submit the Non-Aerosol Topical Sunscreen Use permission form and submit it to their child's nurse.  

Students who are unable to self-apply sunscreen must have an order from their primary care provider along with parental permission as with any other over-the-counter medication.

Please refer to School Board policies No. 210 Use of Medications and 210.1 for specific guidelines for the possession and use of asthma inhalers/Epi-Pens.

Tick Information 

Act 120 of 2024, which amended the Public School Code of 1949 - Health Services, took effect on December 29, 2024, after being enacted into law on October 29, 2024. This amendment requires a school nurse, school physician or designated employee of a school entity to remove a tick from a student in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health.

Parents will be notified if a tick is removed from their child. After removal, the tick shall be preserved for the parent or guardian of the student to send to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania for testing if they choose to do so. Information will be provided to the parent or guardian on how to send the tick to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania.

Following the removal of a tick, parents should contact their child’s physician to discuss if prophylactic treatment for tick-borne disease prevention is indicated and any medical concerns.  Depending on the type of tick and how long it was attached, antibiotic prophylaxis might help to prevent Lyme disease.

Illness at School

A student who becomes ill at school should ask for a pass to the health office. A student must report to the health office rather than going to the restroom. Spending time in the restroom while ill constitutes an unexcused absence from class and does not afford the student the opportunity to have intervention from a medical expert.

Under McKinney Vento, all school districts are responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness and connecting them with the resources needed to ensure academic success.

Who is considered homeless—Children or youth living in a shelter, transitional housing, hotel/motel, vehicle, campground, on the street or doubled up with friends or family due to a lack of alternate resources are considered homeless.  An unaccompanied homeless youth is a child or youth that is not in the care of their parent or legal guardian and meets the definition of homeless under McKinney Vento.  

Where can students experiencing homelessness attend school?—The law indicates that homeless students have the right to remain in their school origin (the school they attended at the time of the homeless episode or last school attended) through the end of the school year in which they find permanent housing, provided it is in the child/youth’s best interest.

If through consultation between the school and the family and/or unaccompanied youth it is determined that remaining in the school of origin is not in the student’s best interest, then the student has the right to immediately enroll in the school that non-homeless students living in the attendance area in which the child/youth is actually living are eligible to attend, even if they do not have all of the required documentation. Additionally, unaccompanied homeless youth have the right to immediately enroll in school, even if they do not have a legal guardian present.  

What supports can school districts provide to homeless students?—Homeless students are eligible for supports and services to remove barriers to educational success. This may include transportation to the school of origin, free meals, referrals to physical/mental health providers, clothing to meet school requirements, access to school supplies and resources, assistance with credit recovery, tutoring supports, expedited evaluations and assistance to participate in school activities including parent engagement opportunities, sports, club, etc.  

Homeless Dispute Process—If at any time there is a disagreement about homeless status or best interest for school placement, the district will notify the family in writing of their determination that the family/unaccompanied youth is ineligible for McKinney Vento services.  At this time, the district will provide the family/unaccompanied youth with the ability to dispute their determination.  Throughout the dispute process, the child/youth, including unaccompanied youth, will continue to be educated in the school of origin or immediately enrolled in the school they are seeking enrollment until the dispute process is finalized.  Transportation will continue throughout the dispute process.  All disputes will be sent to the ECYEH Regional Coordinator who will issue a determination. If any party is unhappy with the determination, they can elevate the dispute to the state coordinator.  

What if I think that I am eligible for services under McKinney Vento?—If you believe you know of families or individual students that may qualify for this service, please contact Dr. Melissa Ramirez, School Psychologist, McKinney-Vento Liaison at (724) 443-7230 ext. 6504 or mramirez@pinerichland.org. Click here to view more details on the definition and contact information.

Students are not permitted to go outside the school building (including the school parking lot) or leave the school property without permission from the school office, or except when accompanied by a faculty member, coach, or school administrator.  Parents wishing to pick up a student during the school day (early dismissal) must meet the student at the school office/attendance office. Identification may be requested.

A student leaving the school building or property without permission from the school office or without a faculty member, coach or school administrator may be considered a Level II or III offense and may result in disciplinary action.

It is a violation of the fire code to have a lighted object in the school or to interfere with fire protection equipment, systems or procedures. A student who is found with a lighted object (cigarette, e-cigarette, vaping device, lighter, match, etc.) or who otherwise violates the fire code will be referred to the proper authorities, which could result in a fine.

Students who find lost items must turn them in to the office. The school keeps a collection of lost and found articles throughout the year. Students and/or parents should check the lost and found as soon as possible when missing an item of clothing, jewelry, etc. The school highly recommends that name tags be placed on personal belongings.

To access these databases from home, go to www.pinerichland.org, select “Pine-Richland High School” from the drop-down menu in the top left corner, choose “Library” in the top green menu bar and select “Library Home” from the directory options. To log in, use the access IDs and passwords below. The direct link to our library homepage is https://prhs.pinerichland.org/library.  To search our online library catalog for hardcopy books, go to destiny.pinerichland.org and choose the high school as your location. To help cite your sources, you can log in to Noodletools with your school google account.

Destiny Library Catalog

Log in with your student email account.

Noodletools

Log in with your school Google Account via your Google Apps menu.

Mackinvia Ebooks and Audiobooks

Log in with “Pine-Richland High School” as your location and your school Google account.

Power Library Databases

(Includes access to: Gale Academic OneFile, Gale OneFile High School, Science Reference Source, SIRS Discoverer, Transparent Language Onlne and more!)

Log in with your school Google Account via your Google Apps menu.

JSTOR

Username: pinerichland

Password: rams

Gale Databases

(Includes: Opposing Viewpoints, Science in Context, Biographies in Context, US History in Context, World History in Context)

Password: ram

SIRS Issue Researcher

Username: PL2677H

Password: ram

CQ Researcher Online

Username: prhsrams

Password: gorams

Salem Press eBooks

Password: ram

World Book Online

Username: prhsrams

Password: gorams

Ferguson’s Career Center 

Username: prhsrams

Password:  rams

Oxford (Grove) Art & Music

Username: prhs

Password: ram

Student attendance in school on the day of any extracurricular activity (e.g. athletic event, club activity, musical, concert, Homecoming, Prom, field trip, etc.) is expected. At minimum, students must attend over one-half of the school day with a valid excuse for late arrival/early dismissal, to be eligible to participate in the extracurricular activity.  For PRHS students, this means you must be in attendance by 11:00 a.m. on the day of a school sponsored event or activity to participate.  Any student that is not in school by 11:00 a.m. will be ineligible to participate in sports and/or extracurricular activities on that day.

Participation in extracurricular activities and athletic events is a privilege. Violations of the discipline code may also result in exclusion from participation in such events and activities, in addition to the consequences set forth below.  Students assigned to in-school or out-of-school suspension are prohibited from participating in activities/athletics until the day after the suspension ends.

Students who are involved in any type of physical altercation, no matter the severity or who started it, will face disciplinary consequences.  Typically, students will receive an initial  three days of out-of-school suspension.  This allows time for building administration to complete a thorough investigation of the matter.

Any change in demographic information such as a home address, home phone number, or work phone number should be changed in the Community Web Portal.

Pennsylvania law requires a mandatory one-year expulsion for the possession of weapons on school property, including school buses and school-sponsored events. It requires parents to provide a sworn statement upon registering their child in school as to whether the child had previously been suspended or expelled from another school. Act 26 also requires schools to maintain records on acts of violence and weapon possession and to forward student discipline records when a student transfers to another school.

PR Board Policy No. 226 Searches) authorizes the administration to conduct searches of students or their belongings, including lockers, automobiles, electronic devices, purses, backpacks, clothing, and other possessions in accordance with the standards set forth in this policy.  

Individualized Suspicion Searches

Individual students or their belongings, including lockers, automobiles, electronic devices, purses, backpacks, clothing, and other possessions, may be searched without a warrant when in school, on school grounds or when otherwise under school supervision, if there is a reasonable suspicion that the place or thing to be searched contains prohibited contraband, material that would pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the school population, or evidence that there has been a violation of the law, board policy, or school rules. The scope and extent of searches must be reasonable in relation to the nature of the suspected evidence, contraband or dangerous material and to the grounds for suspecting that it may be found in the place or thing being searched.

Consent and Communication

When the threshold of reasonable suspicion is met, school officials do not need consent from the student and/or parent to conduct a search. School officials have the responsibility to share the reasons for the search and give the student an opportunity to be heard. School officials must also ensure that the scope of the search is reasonable based on the suspected violation. 

School officials will encourage cooperation from students. School officials shall make an effort to contact parent(s)/guardians(s) prior to a search. School officials will also contact parent(s)/guardian(s) after a search is conducted. If a student refuses to cooperate with the search process, school officials will attempt to secure cooperation and support from the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Individual Locker Inspections and Searches

Lockers are assigned to or otherwise made available to students for the convenient storage of books, clothing, school materials and limited personal property, and to facilitate movement between classes and activities. Such lockers are and shall remain the property of the school district, and to the extent students have any expectation of privacy of lockers at all, it is very limited. 

No student may place or keep in a locker any substance or object that is prohibited by law, board policy or school rules, or that constitutes a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants of the school building or the building itself. Students are required to ensure that their lockers do not contain spoiled food items or beverages, or soiled clothing, which may attract pests, create odors or cause unhealthy conditions. A student locker may be opened and inspected for cleanliness, with or without the consent of the student, whenever there are odors, pests or other indications that a locker contains spoiled food, soiled clothing in need of laundering or similarly unhealthy matter.

Students are exclusively responsible for locking their assigned lockers to ensure the security of their personal belongings and school property entrusted to them. Students are permitted to secure their assigned lockers only with locks provided by the district.

Prior to an individual locker search or inspection, the student to whom the locker is assigned shall be notified and be given an opportunity to be present. However, when there is a reasonable suspicion that a locker contains materials which pose a threat to the health, welfare or safety of the school population, student lockers may be searched without prior notice to the student.

Individual Vehicle Inspections and Searches 

The administration may establish rules and procedures governing certain privileges enjoyed by students, such as the privilege of parking a vehicle on school grounds that make the student’s consent a condition of access to the privilege. Vehicle search procedures follow the same protocol as locker searches. 

General Searches without Individualized Suspicion

When certain criteria are present, general searches of school premises, students and their belongings, including student lockers or vehicles parked on school property, may be conducted during the school day or upon entry into school buildings or school activities (e.g., prom, homecoming, etc.) for the purpose of finding or preventing entry onto school property or activities of controlled substances, weapons or other dangerous materials.  Such searches normally will be conducted in a minimally intrusive manner by staff members or using screening methods such as dogs or other animals trained to detect controlled substances, explosives or other harmful materials by smell, as well as metal detectors and other technology. School staff may also assist in searching student bags and materials in response to a threat (e.g., a bomb threat).  When such screening methods provide a reasonable suspicion that particular students, items or places possess or contain controlled substances, weapons or other dangerous material, screening may be followed by physical searches of those particular students, items or places on an individualized basis.

General searches for weapons may be conducted when there are circumstances, information or events tending to indicate increased likelihood that students may be armed or headed for physical confrontation because of community strife or tensions, or as a continuation or escalation of a prior incident, in or out of school, which threatens to spill over into school, into a school-sponsored activity, or into other times and places that students are under school supervision. (See “Weapons” section for more information)

General searches for controlled substances may be conducted when two or more credible sources indicate a use, possession or trafficking of controlled substances among students in school.  For example, the building principal may receive information from a student or staff member involving controlled substances that do not include a specific name of an alleged person or persons.  

General searches not based on individualized suspicion must be approved in advance by the superintendent or assistant superintendent. In a timely manner, the administration will inform the board that a general search was conducted and provide basic information of any prohibited items.

Anyone having tips regarding drug abuse, use or distribution can contact the TIP Hotline anonymously at 724-449-TIPS. If you are concerned that your child may have a drug and/or alcohol problem, several community resources are available to assist you. Trained members of the Pine-Richland staff serve on the Student Assistance Team in all of our buildings. Contact the school principal or your child’s school counselor for further assistance and information.

For the safety and well-being of our students, staff and visitors, PR School Board Policy No. 222 authorizes the 24-hour, year-round smoke-free status. The board prohibits tobacco use, smokeless tobacco or the use of vaporizers, e-cigarettes or any similar devices at any time in a building and on any property, buses, vans and vehicles that are owned, leased or controlled by the school district. This includes school-sponsored activities held off school property.  This policy applies to any person using or renting school facilities at any time. 

Possession and Use of Tobacco

Students are expressly prohibited from both possessing and using tobacco products, including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, vaporizers, e-cigarettes and all other tobacco and smokeless tobacco products (i.e. chew, snuff and other look-alike products) in school buildings, on school buses, on school property, and at school-sponsored events and activities, including travel to and from such events and activities. In addition to disciplinary consequences, students will be issued a citation for use, distribution, or possession of smoke or smokeless tobacco. Refer to PR School Board Policy No. 222.

As the use of technology increases, so does the concern for its appropriate use. All students are expected to abide by the guidelines set forth in the Student Access to Technology Resources Agreement.  Students and parents/guardians will be expected to sign this agreement on an annual basis. This agreement provides that: 

• Technology resources are to be used only for learning within the district’s approved curriculum.
• Accounts are to be used only by the authorized student owner. Passwords are not to be shared.
• Technical or security problems must be reported immediately to the teacher.
• Outside media storage devices (e.g. USB, thumb drives, etc.) may not be used without prior teacher  approval.
• Personal information (name, personal address, phone number or credit card number) is not to be shared  through technological means.
• Use of resources to access or process inappropriate material is prohibited.
• Downloading files which may be dangerous to the integrity of the network is not permitted.
• Transmission of material, information or software in violation of district policy or federal, state or local law or regulation is prohibited.
• Network users may download educationally appropriate materials for their own use. 
• Copyrighted materials must be used in accordance with district policy and applicable law.
• No one is permitted to change the setup of a school district computer.
• Unauthorized access or manipulation of security settings to access, modify, or otherwise interact with restricted content or information is prohibited and constitutes a crime in addition to local policy violations.
• Vandalism (a malicious attempt to harm or destroy equipment, materials or systems) may result in the cancellation of a user’s privileges and assessment for damages.
• All information stored on district resources is the property of PRSD.
• During synchronous instruction, video conferences through either Google Meet or Blackboard Connect shall not be recorded and should be used solely for the purpose of supporting the instructional needs of the    students invited.
• Students should promptly enter and exit video conferences at the appropriate times.  Staff should be the first one on and the last one out of the meeting.

NOTE: Access to the Internet, via school equipment, is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate, unauthorized or illegal use will result in cancellation of that privilege and application of appropriate disciplinary action. Please refer to PR School Board Policy No. 815  for additional information regarding appropriate use of district technologies. 

To ensure compatibility with district resources, students may be required to utilize district-provided Chromebooks for specific educational activities. High school students may also bring their own personal devices in addition to any district-issued technology. Students are responsible for the care and security of all district-provided technology resources, including Laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets, and will be held responsible for the full cost of replacement in case of damage or loss. Board Policy No. 815: Acceptable Use of Internet, Computer, and Network Resources  must be reviewed and agreed upon by all students/families. 

• SAP provides students and parents a link to school and community-based supports and services for students who are experiencing difficulty succeeding in school for a variety of reasons.
• The SAP team is composed of SAP trained teachers, counselors, and administrators who meet on a weekly basis to identify appropriate supports and services to support struggling students.
• The SAP process begins with a confidential referral process initiated by students, parents and/or school personnel.
• Requests for student assistance services can be made by contacting anyone on staff.
• For more information on SAP, contact the school counseling office.

• All students have received a school district Google email address.
• Students can only send and receive emails from Pine-Richland user accounts.
• Students should check emails regularly for information regarding school activities and other school information.
• Student accounts are monitored.

The rights of students to express themselves in words or symbols are limited by the need to maintain an orderly school environment and to protect the rights of all members of the school community. Student expressions that violate the rights of others are prohibited. Such expressions including but not limited to:

• Libel of any specific person or persons;
• Advocating the use or advertising the availability of any substance or material or promoting behavior that may reasonably be believed to constitute a direct and serious danger to the health or welfare of students;
• Using obscene, lewd, vulgar or profane language – whether verbal, written or symbolic;
• Inciting violence; advocating use of force; or encouraging violation of federal, state or municipal law, board policy or district rules or regulations;
• Are likely to or do materially or substantially interfere with the educational process, including school activities, school work, or discipline and order on school property or at school functions; threaten serious   harm to the school or community; encourage unlawful activity; or interfere with another's rights;
• Violating established school or district procedures on time, place and manner for posting and distribution of otherwise protected expression. Spontaneous student expression which is otherwise protected speech is not prohibited by this section. See PR School Board Policy No. 220 (Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials) for more details.

Conduct is closely related to learning. An effective instructional program requires a safe and welcoming school environment. While self-discipline is the district’s primary goal, from time to time, the school district may take disciplinary action to accomplish the following objectives:

1. To assist young people in developing acceptable behavior patterns in school and in the community
2. To assist young people in developing respect for themselves, other students, faculty and advisors, school property, and safety in general
3. To assist young people to become responsible adults and productively engaged citizens
4. To provide young people with a firm yet responsible framework upon which they may develop to their fullest capacity, compatible with the goals of home and community, and whose end result is good citizenship and responsible character development

Students are expected to know and respect the rules and regulations of the district and its schools and to behave in a manner appropriate to good citizenship. These expectations and guidelines apply to students during their travel to and from school, during school and at all school-related activities. Common sense and a shared desire for a safe and healthy learning environment are the key ingredients of this discipline code. 

RAMS Way

The RAMS Way is Pine-Richland’s district-wide system for positive behavior interventions and supports. RAMS stands for Respectful , Accountable, Motivated, and Safe. Throughout the year, students will engage in lessons that model, teach, practice, and reinforce these core principles in various locations of the physical school (hallway, cafeteria, buses, etc.).  

Expectations for student behavior can be summarized in several simple, yet important terms. Students are expected to demonstrate the RAMS Way by being:

• Respectful
• Accountable
• Motivated
• Safe

Most students easily meet these expectations. They are successful in school because these behaviors have been learned at home and practiced in school. Students will be rewarded throughout the school year in various ways to promote positive engagement by meeting RAMS Way expectations. Students who do not meet these expectations will be assigned consequences and supports of various levels to encourage them to change their behavior through personal growth and development.

Under  (PR School Board Policy #817 (Use of Video Surveillance Cameras), the district is permitted to use video surveillance in any school building, on school district property, or on any transportation vehicle being used by the district.  The district does monitor district buildings, property and transportation vehicles with surveillance cameras and individuals using any such facilities should expect that such surveillance may occur.  In addition, the use of audio recordings is permitted on school district transportation vehicles (PR School Board Policy No. 810.2).  If audio recording is being used on a district transportation vehicle, a notice indicating that such recording may occur will be placed within the vehicle.

Students are prohibited from communicating terroristic threats or committing terroristic acts directed at any student, employee, school director, community member, or school building.  Terroristic threat - shall mean a threat communicated 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 to otherwise cause serious public inconvenience, or cause terror or serious public inconvenience with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. All threats spanning grades K-12 whether communicated verbally, in writing, through gestures, or through other means such as phone calls, pictures/graphics, or electronic transmission will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.  Students making a threat or committing such acts may be suspended immediately. The threat or act will be promptly reported to law enforcement officers. The Pine-Richland School Board may recommend that the student be permanently expelled from PRSD. It is the responsibility of the staff and students to responsibly report terroristic threats and acts.  Any student supplying falsifying information shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Pursuant to PR School Board Policy No. 218.1 and Pennsylvania law, students are prohibited from possessing or bringing on to the school premises any weapon.   Weapons prohibited by this policy include, but are not limited to, knives, cutting instruments, cutting tools, nunchaku, firearms, shotguns, rifles, Tasers, and stun guns, explosive devices, and/or any other common household item, tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, as well as any tool, implement or instrument represented or reasonably capable of being perceived as such a weapon. 

Students cannot interfere with the normal activities, occupancy, or use of any building or portion of the school campus by exhibiting, using, or threatening to exhibit or use a dangerous weapon or its look-alike. Any student who brings or possesses a weapon on school property at any school-sponsored activity or on any public conveyance providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. However, the superintendent, at his or her discretion, may recommend discipline short of expulsion on a case-by-case basis. Such students will also be referred to local law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution. 

School premises are defined as the school building, the school grounds, athletic fields, school buses, and facilities/areas visited while on school field trips. Should a student need to use a look-alike instrument for educational purposes, he/she must request permission from the building principal, prior to the class, and keep the look-alike in the office when not being used in class.  Please refer to PR School Board Policy No. 218.1 for additional information.

Misbehaviors and their interventions are categorized by levels according to degree of seriousness and frequency of occurrence.  Each building may have additional guidelines for student behavioral expectations.  Each incident is unique, detailed and thorough investigations will guide all recommended actions.

Level I

Level I Offenses include minor misbehaviors on the part of the student that are disruptive to the normal teaching environment and which interfere with the orderly operation of the school. While these misbehaviors are usually handled by the individual staff member who observes the incident, they may require the intervention of other school personnel. Repeated instances of misbehavior at this level raise the offense to a higher level.

Level II

Level II Offenses are misbehaviors whose frequency or seriousness disrupts the learning climate of the school or classroom. These infractions can result from the continuation of Level I misbehaviors or include new offenses. The educational consequences are serious enough to require disciplinary action taken by administrative personnel. Repeated or more serious instances of misbehavior at this level raise the offense to a higher level.

Level III

Level III offenses are acts whose frequency or seriousness disrupt the learning climate of the school and are directed against persons or properties. These misbehaviors could endanger the health or safety of those in the school.  

Level IV

Level IV misbehaviors disrupt the learning climate of the school by posing a threat to the health, safety and welfare of others in the school. These criminal acts always require administrative actions and may require the removal of the student from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities and possible action by the PR School Board.