Altoona Area

School District
Handbook
for
Student Teachers

June 2018
 ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

VISION STATEMENT

We will continuously improve the Altoona

Area School District so that all are an integral
part of our learning community. We strive to
cultivate a safe environment where all learn
and grow through positive and respectful
interactions.

MISSION STATEMENT

We seek to continuously improve the climate,

culture, and student achievement within a
safe environment by fostering trust,
collaboration, and progressive communication.

MOTTO

AASD: Aspire, Achieve, Succeed, Dream

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 Non-Discrimination Policy

The Altoona Area School District is an equal opportunity education

institution. The Altoona Area School District does not discriminate in its
educational programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age (forty or above), religion, ancestry,
disability, union membership, possession of a diploma based on passing a
general education development (GED) test, or any other legally protected
classifications. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state
and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students, employees
and participants who have an inquiry or complaint of harassment or
discrimination, or who need information about accommodations for persons
with disabilities, should contact the Compliance Officers at Altoona
Area School District, 1415 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.

Although this handbook addresses topics relevant for K-12 schools, certain
topics may be more applicable for elementary or secondary schools. Much
of the content contained in this document is specifically for teachers, however,
as a student teacher, you are to follow the same rules and policies of the
cooperating teacher.

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 Table of Contents
Teacher Responsibilities
Buildings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Building Starting Times ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6
Attendance Records ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Clearances ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Delayed Opening of School ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
Drug-Free Workplace -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Gambling on School Premises--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Grading/Skyward Procedures---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Homework ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Identification Badges ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
Internet/Intranet ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Legal Responsibilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Lesson Plans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
News Release -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Dress and Grooming --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Phone Usage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Professional Responsibilities/Ethics-------------------------------------------------------------------11
Staff Responsibility for the Contracted Workday---------------------------------------------------11

Student Management
Corporal Punishment------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12
Discipline --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Disruptive Students -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Drug and Alcohol Use----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Emergency Evacuation /Severe Weather Drills -------------------------------------------- 13
Fire Drills --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Supervision for Student Organizations/Athletic Teams ---------------------------------- 14
Use of Classroom Aides/Assistants ----------------------------------------------------------- 14
Pennsylvania’s Code of Professional Practice and Conduct (Link) --------------------- 15
(All district documents listed below are on the Intranet)

Signature Sheet
Please sign and return to the principal-----------------------------------------------------------16

317.1 Violence in the W orkplace TEC-P020 Student Teacher Promethean

323 Tobacco Use ActivInspire Software Use
324.1 Confidential Information TEC-F027 Student Teacher Promethean
325 Dress and Grooming ActivInspire Agreement
348 Unlawful Harassment
351 Drug and Substance Abuse Policies Relating to Students
717 Use of Mobile communication and Storage 248 Unlawful Harassment
Devices 249 Bullying
814 Copyright Materials 806 Child/Student Abuse
Guide to Copyright Law 815 Acceptable Use of Internet / Intranet
8401R3 Parking Rules and Regulations

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 Building Information

Pre-School
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ADDRESS PHONE NO
Learning
Express Pre- Vincent Nedimyer 420 First Avenue 946-8465
School @ W &J

Elementary Schools
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ADDRESS PHONE NO

Baker Mr. Rich Adams 108 W.Ward Avenue 946-8388

Ebner Mrs. Kelly Clouser 910 Poland Avenue 946-8400

Irving Mrs. Brandy Agnew 110 Cherry Avenue 946-8392

Juniata Mrs. Brandi Orner 418 N. Eighth Avenue 946-8394

Juniata Gap Mrs. Tricia Rosas R.D.# 4 Juniata Gap Road 946-8401
301 Sycamore Street
Logan Mrs. Jill Daloisio 946-8370
Greenwood
Penn-Lincoln Mr. Erik Dambeck 411 12th Street 946-8396

Pleasant Valley Mr. Matthew Stinson 310 Cayuga Avenue 946-8397

Secondary Schools
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ADDRESS PHONE NO
Altoona Area
Mr. Andrew Neely 1415 Sixth Avenue 946-8273
High School
Altoona Area
Mrs. Lori Mangan 1400 Seventh Avenue 381-7500
Junior HS

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 Starting Times

It is the responsibility of the Student Teacher to know

the starting time each Principal expects the student
teacher to report, since different buildings start at
different times. It should be noted, however, that
The Principal may want you to be at the building at a different time than the actual
starting time. It is the Principal's responsibility to supply the student teacher with this
information.

Pre-School

SCHOOL TEACHER PREP TEACHER DAY STUDENT DAY

Learning Express 8:00 – 8:50
8:00 – 3:30 8:50 – 3:15
Pre-School @ W &J 3:20 – 3:30

Elementary Schools

SCHOOL TEACHER PREP TEACHER DAY STUDENT DAY

8:00-8:20
Baker 8:00 - 3:30 8:20 - 2:50
2:50-3:30
Ebner 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30
McAuliffe Heights 8:00-8:20
8:00 - 3:30 8:20 - 2:50
At Irving 2:50-3:30
Juniata 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30
Juniata Gap 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30
Logan 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30
Penn-Lincoln 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30
Pleasant Valley 8:10 - 9:00 8:10 - 3:40 9:00 - 3:30

Secondary Schools

SCHOOL TEACHER PREP TEACHER DAY STUDENT DAY

AAHS Time Varies 7:30 - 3:00 7:55 - 2:55
AAJHS Time Varies 7:30 - 3:00 7:45 - 2:55

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 TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Attendance Records
All teachers must keep an accurate and
updated record of student attendance. This
must be done electronically through
Skyward. If you choose to keep an additional hard copy of daily attendance you may do
so at your discretion. The classroom teacher’s records are the official student
attendance records and must be maintained.

Many items are affected by the maintaining of accurate attendance information including
student grades, discipline, notices and warning letters, prosecutions, and fines.
Communication is a vital part of this process.

Clearances
Each student teacher must have submitted proof of the following to the building principal:
Current Tuberculosis results, FBI Criminal Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal
Records Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, PDE Arrest & Conviction
Report, and certification of completion of Act 126 training.

Delayed Opening of School

On snow days, a decision will be reached whether to have a two (2)
hour delay and/or to close school. The purpose of the two hour delay
is to provide the administration with time to have the sidewalks and
parking lots cleared, and if necessary, to close school altogether. In
most instances there will be a delay and upgrade to closing if
warranted. You are advised to keep listening to the radio for further
updates or weather conditions and possible closing. A decision to close
will be made by 8:00 a.m.

Drug-Free Workplace
The School Board recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious
problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the whole
school community. As such, the Board is very concerned about the
problem that may be caused by drug use by its employees,
especially as the use relates to the safety, efficiency and productivity
of the employees.

In compliance with the Drug Free W orkplace Act, the unlawful

manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a
controlled substance is prohibited at the workplace, and that
violation of this policy shall result in appropriate personnel action
up to and including termination. Employees needing help in
dealing with such problems are encouraged to participate in a
drug assistance or drug rehabilitation program.

Please refer to Board Policy #351 – Drug and Substance Abuse

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 Gambling on School Premises
Please be advised that there will be no lotteries, football pools or any type of gambling
conducted on school premises at any time, including any type of gambling over the
Internet. This does not negate your ability to purchase State lottery tickets or other
legally sanctioned ventures. Should someone be discovered to have organized or
participated in any kind of gambling venture, the Administration will be forced to take
disciplinary action.

Grading/Skyward Procedures
All teachers’ grade books are to have a current printout of student
grades for each class that they teach. This should be available for
administrative review during classroom observation.

In addition, grade books are to contain a final, printed grade

summary for each of the previous marking periods for the current
school year. Depending upon the grade level/content area, a
designated number
of grades must be displayed on the Skyward program per
marking period.

Skyward should be updated weekly; it is expected that teachers post all homework,
assignments and upcoming tests and quizzes in advance.

Homework
Homework assignments play an important role in
determining if a student understands and
comprehends the course content. Homework can
only be effective if the teacher examines the
assignments, ensures that they are completed, and
assigns a grade for the quality and accuracy of the
assignments. As teachers, you are being instructed
to implement the homework technique to reinforce
your instructional techniques and establish student
accountability for your course objectives.

A very important reminder to all teachers of their legal obligation to provide homework/
class work assignments to their students who are not in class for these excused reasons:
students, who are absent, suspended (in-school, or out-of-school), and students on
approved trips. The counselors and the in-school suspension teachers are the conduits
and all teachers need to respond to them when work is requested. This must be done
in a timely fashion.

Identification Badges
Teachers are reminded to wear their school ID at all times during the day. This
requirement is District wide and all staff must follow. The only exception is new
staff members that have not yet been issued an ID. There is a possibility that any teacher
observed not wearing his/her ID would be sent home.

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Internet/Intranet
As a reminder, many important issues will be communicated to the staff via the
Internet/Intranet. This gives us the ability to keep teachers up-to-date during special
situations, as well as giving us another venue for daily business. Your cooperating
teacher will keep you informed of this timely and important
information. Social networking web sites have become prevalent in
our society and with that increase comes many concerns both for the
Employer and the employee. As a professional, be careful of what is
posted - a prospective employer may be viewing your site as well as
students and parents. If you are discovered to have posted
inappropriate behaviors unbecoming of a teacher, you could be dismissed from the
student teaching cooperative.

Legal Responsibilities
Current legal opinion no longer supports the protection of certified teachers who place
student teaches in sole charge of their classes. Therefore, cooperating teachers remain
totally responsible for all events that occur in their classrooms regardless of whether or
not they have given teaching assignments to their student teachers. Student teachers
are guests in the classrooms and are not protected by any professional certification or
rights that cover employed teachers.

Lesson Plans
Planning is essential. Without adequate planning, effective teaching is not likely to
occur. The following lesson plan format represents a minimum standard for daily planning:
• Objectives (objective must conform to planned courses of study). Teachers must
always demonstrate knowledge of the objective. Learning objectives are to be
specific and observable. Standards are to be identified.

• Procedures (outline form). A procedure must be completed for every lesson

demonstrating how the teacher expects to accomplish the objective.

• Evaluation This should be completed for every lesson identifying how the teacher
will evaluate the performance of the learner relating to the stated objectives. The
criterion for measuring the objective is needed.
Daily lesson plans should be maintained in a binder or loose-leaf notebook on a weekly
basis. Daily lesson plans should be filed by marking period and available for inspection. A
test file should also be maintained by marking period. These measures are intended to
provide evidence supporting the professional employee when questions of the following
prescribed curriculum are raised.

District provided forms may be used. Teachers, however, are free to attach additional
information to the form provided or use a computerized form. The teacher being observed
during an evaluation for the improvement of instruction may continue to teach from the
prepared lesson plan. The evaluator will briefly review the lesson plan at the beginning of
the period or request to see the lesson plan after the instructional presentation. The lesson
plan will be evaluated on the objectives, procedures, and evaluations, and compliance to
the approved course of study. A teacher may be requested to provide weekly lesson plans
if the administration feels that this will enhance their teaching effectiveness. The teacher is
required to maintain all lesson plans for the course being taught and make them
available in a reasonable period of time at the request of an administrator
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News Release

Items of interest to be released to the news media should be completed

on the proper form and forwarded to the Principal’s Office for approval.
Forms are available from the Principal’s Office. Under no circumstances
are teachers to talk or grant interviews to news media without first having
contacted the AASD Community Relations Office.

Dress and Grooming

It is the policy of the Board that each employee’s dress, grooming and personal hygiene
should be appropriate to the work situation in order to ensure a professional/business- like
atmosphere and promote a safe work environment.

Please refer to Board Policy #325 – Dress and Grooming

The same expectation applies to student teachers; you are expected at all times to present
a professional, business-like image to students, visitors, employees and the public.
Acceptable personal appearance is an ongoing requirement, radical departures from
conventional dress or personal grooming and hygiene standards are not permitted.

The Board has the authority to specify reasonable dress and grooming requirements to
prevent an adverse impact on the educational programs and district operations.

You are expected to be physically clean, neat, well-groomed and dressed in a manner
consistent with assigned job responsibilities and you shall comply with
established administrative regulations concerning personal appearance
standards. Tattoos are to be covered and body piercings, excluding
earrings, should not be visible. Facial jewelry, of any kind, is not to be worn
while working in the district. Employees shall be groomed so that neither
hair style and/or mustache/beard would cause a safety or health hazard.

Phone Usage

Cell phones should not be utilized during class time except in the case of an emergency.
This includes text messaging. All phones should be placed on a silent mode during class
time so as to not disrupt the class. Each classroom is equipped with a phone.

Outside calls will be forwarded directly to the teacher’s voicemail during the school day.
Teachers should answer the phone during the school day as it would be coming from an
office area. Teachers are encouraged to check voice mail during prep periods and/or other
duty free times. All calls made from and to classroom phones are logged and available for
review.

Please refer to Board Policy #717 – Use of Mobile Communication and Storage Devices

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Professional Responsibilities/Ethics
Student teachers are expected to participate fully in the life of the school, as if they were
employees. Like certified teachers, student teachers are expected to do more than
teach. In addition to classroom instruction, other responsibilities usually assumed by
student teachers include the following:

• Attend faculty meetings, other professional meetings and in-service days

conducted by the cooperating schools.
• Share, under the guidance of the cooperating teacher, such duties as study hall,
playground, lunch room and hall supervision.
• Attend school events such as PTO meetings, plays or athletic events.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences and all other similar professional
functions.
Student teachers are required to demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics in
the classroom, faculty lounge, in the community, in parent-teacher conferences and in
their professional relationships with the cooperating teacher, other faculty members and
building administrators. Student teachers are expected to behave in the most professional
and ethical way possible and to be mindful that they represent not only themselves, but
the cooperating school and their university. This includes maintaining confidentiality
concerning pupil records and information related to the personnel and operations of the
district.

Staff Responsibility for the Contracted Workday

All staff should remain at their assigned posts at all times. It is
your professional responsibility to remain in your classroom
during class periods, to remain at principal’s assignments the
entire period, to remain in the auditorium during assemblies and
at other such assignments during the school day.

Staff should not be engaged in personal business, non-educational activities or personal

exercise programs during the contacted workday. Personal business may only be
conducted during the thirty-minute duty-free lunch. Principals’ assignments and
preparation periods are part of the contracted workday.

Staff should not drink coffee, soda, or eat food during classroom time, principal’s
assignments, or hall proctoring.

Staff must maintain confidentiality as related to students and school information.

Computers should not be utilized for games, personal shopping or browsing, or other

non-educational related activities unless authorized by administration.

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 STUDENT MANAGEMENT
Corporal Punishment
The Altoona Area School District prohibits the use of corporal (physical) punishment for
all students as a means of discipline or behavioral modification. This covers all employees
and volunteers of the School District: administrators, supervisors, teachers, student
teaches, other professional and non-instructional employees, and volunteers. Reasonable
force may be used to defend oneself, if necessary, to protect the safety of others and/or
students, and to protect School District property.

Discipline
Effective school discipline is a combined effort. Classroom management and
administrative policy enforcement are essential to establishing a positive learning
environment.

Remember that the best way to stop student misbehavior in the classroom is to contact
the parents. Classroom discipline is the teacher’s responsibility. Well-planned lessons and
high expectations are the first defense to disruptive
behaviors. Be consistent in your approach to discipline. W e
expect that teachers will exercise good judgment in
disciplinary matters and report all violations that require
reporting. Report any suspicions of drugs, alcohol, or
weapons to a Principal immediately.

Disruptive Students
A disruptive student is one whose behavior patterns prohibit the teacher from performing
the instructional program for the class. Students who sleep, do not do assigned work, will
not participate in class activities, and are disruptive influences on the teachers
performance should be referred to the Guidance Office or the school nurse if a physical
problem is suspected.

Lack of preparation for class, incomplete class or homework, and other academic related
concerns are to be dealt with as academic issues and resolved by the classroom teacher.
The administration encourages frequent communication with parents and/or guardians via
phone or email or communication through Skyward.

Drug and Alcohol Use

If a student is suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, the Principal
should be notified immediately. No member of the school staff should consider information
concerning pupil self-abuse to be confidential to his position. If a student is constantly
sleeping or acting out of character in a class he should be referred to the Principal.
Situations involving a suspected overdose must be reported immediately to a school nurse
in order to administer appropriate medical attention.

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Emergency Evacuation/Severe Weather Drills

1. You will first be notified of a Severe Weather Watch. This announcement will put
you on alert, but classrooms and offices should NOT be evacuated.

2. When the watch is upgraded to Severe Weather Warning, you will be asked to
activate your room’s emergency evacuation plan.

3. Once the warning has been lifted, you will be notified over the PA System so
everyone can return to his or her classrooms and offices.

THE PLAN IS ONLY ACTIVATED W HEN YOU HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENT

“SEVERE W EATHER WARNING” IS IN PROGRESS.

In order to make students aware of the steps they may take to minimize the effects of
natural disasters, (the list of such disasters would necessarily include floods, flash floods,
lightning, a severe thunderstorm, hurricane and tornado) drills will be scheduled for
preparation for a possible real-life disaster. Warnings signals will be announced over the
PA System. An out-of-school civil defense siren would also be signaled when conditions
warrant a possible disaster.

Fire Drills
• Alarm sounds. The alarm will notify the Fire Department of the general location of
the alarm.
• All windows should be closed.
• Teachers should lead their students from the classroom in an orderly fashion.
• The last student leaving the room will close the door.
• File orderly out and away from the building to your designated area.
 Teachers are to exert a leadership role in maintaining order while exiting the building.
• Keep students on the sidewalk and off the street so that fire equipment can
safely arrive. Keep your group together.
• Wait for the all-clear signal before reentering the building.
• Attendance should be taken immediately upon returning to the classroom.
• Report any missing students to a principal.
• Class roster is to be taken with the teacher.
• Report any missing students to the Principal. Remember that the safety and
welfare of your students cannot be delegated to someone else. Teachers are
responsible legally and certainly morally for student’s well-being.

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 Supervision for Student Organizations/Athletic Teams
It is the total responsibility of the teacher/coach to supervise their
activity from the beginning of the session through the close of the
session. The teacher/coach should be the first to arrive and should not
leave until all students have left the facility. The ultimate responsibility for the safety,
welfare, and security of the participants, and the vandalism caused by the participants
will be that of the supervising teacher/coach.

The teacher/coach will not permit any form of hazing or initiation practices to be utilized
for their activity. It is the responsibility of the teacher/coach to be aware of all activities
organized by the students on or off campus.
No student on an AASD athletic team is permitted to use any form of tobacco, including
smokeless tobacco, while participating for the AASD. This policy also applies to all
members of the coaching staff while supervising athletes representing AASD.

School Board Policy prohibits the use of tobacco products by any Altoona Area School
District student. If a student refuses to comply, his uniform is to be collected and he is
to be eliminated from the team roster immediately.

Use of Classroom Aides/Assistants

Classroom Aides/Assistants assigned to your class are expected to be in the room on time
and should remain in the room unless you direct them to accompany students to the
Resource Room. Aides/Assistants are NOT to be utilized to monitor the class in the
absence of a teacher. Teachers should never leave the classroom during class time
unless there is an emergency. Teacher Assistants will work with students as directed
by the teacher. Aides are assigned to specific students. Aides must remain with that
student at all times. The teacher may direct the aide to assist the specific student as
the teacher deems appropriate.

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PA’S CODE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND CONDUCT
FOR EDUCATORS
The complete Code is located at:
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter235/chap235toc.html

POLICIES AND DISTRICT DOCUMENTS

It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these policies in order to avoid
potential problems.

Refer to the Policies-District Documents file located under the Student Teacher
Handbook link.

317.1 Violence in the W orkplace

323 Tobacco Use

324.1 Confidential Information

325 Dress and Grooming

348 Unlawful Harassment

351 Drug and Substance Abuse

717 Use of Mobile Communication and Storage Devices

814 Copyright Material

8401R3 Parking Rules and Regulations

Please see your building principal for specific parking areas/directions.

TEC-P020 Student Teacher Promethean ActivInspire Software Use

TEC-F027 Student Teacher Promethean ActivInspire Agreement

POLICIES RELATING TO STUDENTS

248 Unlawful Harassment

249 Bullying

806 Child /Student Abuse

815 Acceptable Use of Internet/Intranet

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 AASD Student Teacher Handbook

I hereby acknowledge that I have been given access to and reviewed the Altoona Area
School District Student Teacher Handbook and will follow the policies and procedures listed
as well as the policies and procedures of the cooperating school, teacher, and classroom. I
further attest that I am covered under a personal medical insurance policy and said Policy will
be considered the Primary Policy in case of injury or illness while student teaching in the
Altoona Area School District.

Signature Date

Printed Name University

Address City State Zip

( ) ( )
Home Phone Number Cell Phone Number

E-mail Address

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