Upper St. Clair School District District Handbook 2025-2026 - Comprehensive Notes

District Overview and Handbook Purpose

  • The 2025-2026 Upper St. Clair School District District Handbook provides district-wide information, required policy notifications, and compliance notices. A supplemental building-specific handbook will also be provided for each student’s buildings. Questions should be directed to the child(ren)’s building principal. The Handbook governs in case of conflicts: Board policy supersedes Handbook provisions; district-wide Handbook supersedes school handbooks when conflicts arise. The document is reviewed annually; changes after publication generally supersede the Handbook until updated for the next year. The Handbook is not a contract and may be amended at the District’s discretion. Policy changes during the school year will be posted on the District website or communicated to students, staff, and families. Relevant USC School Board policies and notifications appear throughout, but not all policies/regulations are exhaustively listed. All policies/regulations are on file in the School Board Policy Manual and on the District website.

District Information and Administration

  • District Administration (positions and names):
    • Superintendent: Dr. John T. Rozzo
    • Deputy Superintendent: Dr. Amy Pfender
    • Director of Special Education: Dr. Rachel Andler Plovic
    • Director of Pupil Services: Dr. Lauren Madia
    • High School Principal/Supervisor of Secondary Education: Dr. Tim Wagner
    • Boyce Middle School Principal/Supervisor of Middle Education: Dr. Dan O’Rourke
    • Eisenhower Elementary Principal/Supervisor of Elementary Education: Mr. Mark Miller
    • Director of Administrative Services: Dr. Louis Angelo
    • Director of Technology: Mr. Raymond Berrott
    • Director of Business & Finance: Mr. Scott Burchill
    • Director of Athletics: Mr. Danny Holzer
    • Director of Strategic Initiatives: Mr. Bradley Wilson
    • Director of Transportation: Mr. Jonn Mansfield
    • Director of Operations and Facilities: Mr. Dan Snyder
    • Communications Specialist: Mrs. Tina Vojtko
    • Food Service Director: Ms. Lauren Folino
    • Chief of School Police: Mr. Sean Bryson
  • District Board of School Directors: Dr. Danielle Wetzel (President); Mr. Mike Mascaro (Vice-President); Dr. Daphna Gans; Mrs. Barbara L. Bolas; Mrs. Kelly Hanna; Mr. Justin Lamber; Mrs. Angela B. Petersen; Mrs. Jennifer A. Schnore; Mrs. Hallie Snyder
  • Minutes from School Board meetings: available on the District website
    • URL: https://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/information/school-board/school-board-meetings

School Closings, Delays, and Testing

  • USCSD Parent Alert System used for delays/cancellations; emergency numbers are collected during Back to School Online; update numbers with each school.
  • Communication channels for delays/cancellations:
    • District website: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us
    • District social media: @uscschools (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram)
    • Local TV and media outlets: KDKA, WTAE, WPXI, and local media websites
  • Flexible Instruction Day information available via link provided by the District (specifics not in transcript).
  • Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Biology, English 10/Literature) – administered after course completion; dates announced by each building; Keystone and PSSA testing information updated on the District website prior to windows.
  • Testing Windows (Keystone Exams) for 2025-2026:
    • Winter Wave 1: December ext{ }3-17, ext{ } 2025
    • Winter Wave 2: January ext{ }5-16, ext{ } 2026
    • Spring Window: May ext{ }11-22, ext{ } 2026
  • PSSA Testing Windows 2025-2026 (Assessment dates):
    • English Language Arts (Grades 3-8): April ext{ }20-24, ext{ } 2026
    • Mathematics, Science, and Make-ups (Grades 3-8): April ext{ }27-May ext{ }8, ext{ } 2026
  • OLAS T Administration (OlSAT):
    • Grade 5: Administered in mid-October
    • Grades 1 and 2: Administered in mid-March
    • (Specifics may vary by building; refer to building communications)

Student Information and Attendance

  • Attendance policy (Policy 204): Regular attendance is vital; PA compulsory attendance is for ages 6–18; students outside this range also bound by law.
  • Reasonable causes for absence (per Attendance Policy 204):
    • Illness; health-related dismissal by District staff
    • Medical/therapy appointments with licensed practitioners
    • Quarantine
    • Family emergency
    • Recovery from accident
    • Required court attendance
    • Death in the family
    • Participation in state/county events (e.g., 4-H/FFA) with prior written request; signed excuse required; prior to excusal
    • Religious holiday observance with prior written parental request; up to 36 hours per year for religious instruction/classes
    • Non-school-sponsored educational trips, per District Educational Trip form
    • College or postsecondary institution visits with prior approval
    • Other urgent reasons; urgent reasons strictly construed
  • Unlawful/unexcused absences apply to all other reasons; if unsure, contact the principal.
  • Absence documentation: After an absence, parents must send a signed note; student must present it upon return; if not provided within 3 school days, absence becomes unexcused.
  • Communication after three consecutive days of absence: nurse/counselor will call home to support reintegration.
  • Ten or more cumulative days: Written notice requires an official doctor’s excuse for subsequent absences; failure to obtain an official doctor's excuse results in UNEXCUSED ABSENCES and truancy processes.
  • Truancy definitions:
    • Truant: 3+ unexcused absences in a school year
    • Habitually truant: 6+ unexcused absences in a school year
    • Notifications to parents after each unexcused absence
  • School Attendance Improvement Plan Conference (SAIC): mandatory conference before pursuing court action; participants include student, parent, school personnel, and other resources; conference outcomes documented in an attendance improvement plan; court action cannot proceed until after SAIC deadline.
  • Magisterial referrals may occur after all collaborative steps; judges have discretion to impose penalties.
  • Tardies: Students arriving late must obtain a class admission slip; more than 10 unexcused tardies may require a doctor’s note; four unexcused tardies triggers parent notification and potential disciplinary consequences.

Code of Conduct, Discipline, and Off-Campus Conduct

  • Code of Student Conduct (Policy 218): Discipline aligned with learning; safe and comfortable learning environment; discipline to be fair, respectful, prompt, consistent, confidential, and equitable.
  • Non-discrimination in discipline: No discipline based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or handicap/disability.
  • Off-campus activities: Applies when conduct occurs off school property but involves school-sponsored activities, travel to/from school or events, or off-campus conduct with nexus to school operations; potential exclusion from activities; conduct that disrupts school operations or has direct nexus to attendance may be disciplined; behavior such as bullying/harassment/cyberbullying can be disciplined under policy.
  • General approach to discipline: For violations not explicitly listed, discipline is determined on a case-by-case basis by building administrators.
  • Schedule of violations and actions (summary from Minor and Major Violations):
    • Minor violations include: excessive noise; tardiness; class disruption; damage to materials; loitering; poor conduct in Nutrition Center; failure to pay obligations; class cuts; cheating; and other behavior causing distractions
    • Major violations include: unauthorized electronic devices; criminal conduct; weapons; drugs/alcohol; look-alike substances; paraphernalia; vandalism; theft; fighting; etc.; potential suspension, expulsion, criminal prosecution; loss of privileges; counseling/Therapy; and other actions
  • Specific conduct categories (examples):
    • Bullying (including cyberbullying) may involve counseling, parental conference, loss of privileges, transfer, exclusion from activities, detention, suspension, expulsion, or counseling/therapy
    • Harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation may involve counseling, parental conference, loss of privileges, transfer, exclusion from activities, detention, suspension, expulsion, or counseling/therapy
    • Hazing may involve counseling, parental conference, loss of privileges, transfer, exclusion from activities, detention, suspension, expulsion, or counseling/therapy
  • Expulsion and related processes: Certain offenses may lead to expulsion; due process through formal hearings
  • Prohibited items and activities: weapons, tobacco/vaping products, drugs; look-alike drugs; tampering with safety equipment; fireworks; etc. may lead to suspension, expulsion, and/or criminal prosecution
  • Repeated minor infractions: may lead to more severe disciplinary actions including potential suspension or expulsion

Health and Wellness Services

  • Health Services Information and Diabetes Management (Policy 209.2):
    • Diabetic students require school orders; nurses collaborate with families and providers to create plans; District devices may be used for monitoring with written consent; self-administration of diabetes requires written statements from parent and physician and school nurse acknowledgment; annual renewal of self-administration permission; student may self-administer per guidelines; parents must be notified with each administration
  • Food Allergy Management (Policy 209.1):
    • Written physician documentation for severe allergies; coordination among nurse, Nutrition Center, and other staff; accommodations for non-disabling and disabling allergies follow policy; written guidelines and emergency procedures are required
  • Health Examinations and Screenings (Policy 209):
    • State law requires physical and dental exams; Grades requiring exams include: physicals for entering grade 6 and 11; dental exams for entering grade 3 and 7; lead testing for all kindergartners; private exam forms available; District may conduct screenings (hearing, vision, scoliosis, height/weight) per intervals established by District
  • Immunizations and Communicable Diseases (Policy 203 and Admin. Regs):
    • Immunizations required for specific diseases per state law; current schedule includes tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella; grade 7 requires Tdap and meningococcal vaccine; grade 12 requires one meningococcal dose; un-immunized students may be excluded per law; nurse contact for questions
  • Medications (Policy 210):
    • Medication administration requires a medication form; medications must be brought to the nurse by parent or student (grades 9-12) in a properly labeled container
    • Medications stored in locked health office; administration must be by a certified school nurse or licensed health staff, except as noted; over-the-counter meds require physician-prescribed instructions or standing orders; District may not maintain a schedule to administer OTC meds unless prescribed
    • Beginning in 2025-2026, with express written parent permission, nurses may administer up to three doses of OTC pain analgesics (acetaminophen/ibuprofen) under a standing order; parental permission collected at Back to School/registration; each administration requires parental verification
  • Asthma Inhalers, Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, and Insulin (Policy 210.1):
    • Students may possess and self-administer inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors; insulin self-administration may occur under nurse guidance
    • Requirements to possess/use inhalers/auto-injectors/self-administer insulin: written physician order; parent acknowledgement of non-responsibility for administration; physician statement; school nurse acknowledgement; student acknowledgement; annual renewal with updated prescription; students cannot share or misuse devices; violations may result in loss of privilege and disciplinary action
  • Carry and Self-Administration of Emergency Medications Form; Naloxone (Policy 823):
    • Naloxone (Narcan) may be administered by trained District personnel during suspected opioid overdoses; standing order from school physician
    • District reports incidents to local police per state law and MOU with law enforcement; district staff are authorized to administer Naloxone when appropriate
  • Food Services (Policy 808):
    • District provides meals through NSLP; free/reduced-price meals and/or free milk available; information for applying is available via district resources

Student Rights, Responsibilities, Expression, and Safety

  • Student Rights and Responsibilities: No student shall be deprived of equal treatment, due process, presumption of innocence, free expression, or association; responsibility to be honest, demonstrate effort, contribute to school, protect property, follow dress code; comprehensive rights are defined in Board Policy 235 and Pa. Code Title 22, Chapter 12
  • Opening Exercises/Flag Displays (Policy 807):
    • Schools provide opening exercises including flag salute and Pledge or National Anthem; students may decline participation on basis of belief or religious conviction; those who participate must respect others’ rights to participate or not
  • Searches (Policy 226):
    • District has a strong interest in safety; school officials may search students or belongings without a warrant with reasonable suspicion that contraband is present; searches must be reasonable in relation to evidence sought
    • Searches may occur on school property or during school-supervised activities, including lockers, vehicles, purses, backpacks, clothing, etc.; random/general searches may occur to prevent entry of controlled substances, weapons, or other dangerous materials, with the aim of preserving health, safety, and welfare
    • Searches may be conducted with student consent (knowing and voluntary) at any time, regardless of age
    • Law enforcement-initiated searches: law enforcement officers are responsible for ensuring warrant or lawful basis; school staff may assist as requested, depending on authority
    • Lockers: property of the District; privacy is limited; inspections may occur for cleanliness or health concerns; student notified and given opportunity to be present prior to an individual search; exception: reasonable suspicion may allow searches without prior notice
  • Student Expression, Distribution, and Posting of Materials (Policy 220):
    • Students have the right to express themselves unless it interferes with the educational process, safety, or rights of others; distribution and posting of non-school materials must follow policy guidelines to maintain order
  • Review of Instructional Materials by Parents/Guardians and Students (Policy 105.1):
    • Parents/guardians and students have right to inspect instructional materials; tests/assessments excluded; policy details available on District website

Instructional Programs, Student Services, and Compliance

  • District Programs and Services (Policy 146, 114, 138, 142, 246, 113, 216, 250, 254):
    • Gifted Education (Policy 114): Specially designed instruction; Gifted IEP (GIEP); contact Director of Pupil Services at extension 2113
    • Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners (Policy 138): ESL services; integrated with peers unless needed for pull-out services; questions to Director of Pupil Services, ext. 2113
    • Migrant Students (Policy 142): Continuum of services; equal educational opportunities; parental involvement
    • School Wellness (Policy 246): Nutrition program, access to healthy foods/beverages, physical education, and nutrition/physical education curriculum for K-12
    • Special Education (Policy 113): IEP-based services; continuum of placement options; contact Director of Special Education
    • Student Records (Policy 216): Confidentiality; FERPA rights for parents and eligible students; development of records plan
    • Student Recruitment (Policy 250): Post-secondary institutions/military recruiters access; opt-out option for information release
    • Student Services (Policy 146): Comprehensive K-12 services aligned to student needs
    • Support for Victims of Violent Crimes (Policy 144): District follows PDE guidelines
  • Compliance Notifications and Rights (FERPA, Title IX, and related notices):
    • Annual compliance notifications include nondiscrimination notices, Title IX notices, and other federal/state requirements; Title IX Coordinator contact information provided; District adheres to nondiscrimination and grievance procedures
  • Compliance Notifications / Child Find and Special Education:
    • Child Find notice for special education services; contact District's Director of Special Education for explanations
  • Homeless Students (McKinney-Vento Act):
    • District identifies and supports homeless/unaccompanied youth; rights include immediate enrollment, transportation, free meals, medical referrals, family engagement support; a liaison is available; contact Dr. Lauren Madia
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):
    • FERPA rights for parents and eligible students; Directory Information may be disclosed without parental consent unless opted out; opt-out deadline September 15; PTA directory opt-out is separate from FERPA directory opt-out
  • Title IX and Nondiscrimination:
    • Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Lauren Madia; District policies protect against sex discrimination and harassment; complaints can be reported to Title IX Coordinator or OCR; Nondiscrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures are publicly available
  • Compliance Notifications / Contact Information:
    • Title IX Coordinator and FERPA contacts are included in the compliance notifications; direct inquiries to the designated contacts listed in the Handbook

Technology, Internet, and Digital Resources

  • Technology Use and Internet Safety (Policy 815):
    • District complies with CIPA and COPPA; monitors district-issued devices; parents should monitor their child’s usage
    • 2025-26 Chromebooks: Each student receives a Chromebook; District covers defects, hardware issues, non-functioning components, and accidental damage; District bears costs for theft with police report; Students/Parents are financially responsible for intentional damage, excessive wear, loss of charger/stylus, etc.; Repair costs align with the 2025-26 fee schedule; 1:1 devices are District-owned; repairs must be requested via help desk; outstanding technology invoices must be paid by end of the school year
  • Traveling Internationally with Chromebooks/SSO:
    • Geo-restriction of SSO accounts to within the United States; steps to access district resources abroad include setting up Microsoft Authenticator on the travel device; prompts will require the authenticator app when signing into Canvas, Focus, or Chromebook abroad; no overrides or alternate access by the Technology Department; support via https://uscsd.org/support or support article
  • Compliance Notifications and Privacy:
    • FERPA and non-discrimination notices included in compliance materials; Directory Information and opt-out details are provided; questions directed to Student Support Services and the District’s office

Miscellaneous and Compliance Details

  • District and building handbooks: district handbook governs in case of conflicts with a school handbook; district policies are available in the School Board Policy Manual

  • Contact and resource references: District website and building-level communications should be used for updates; many programs have associated policy numbers and points of contact (e.g., Director of Pupil Services, Special Education, Title IX Coordinator)

  • Important policy references (examples):

    • Policy 218: Student Discipline
    • Policy 226: Searches
    • Policy 237: Electronic Devices
    • Policy 247: Hazing
    • Policy 103: Nondiscrimination and Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students
    • Policy 223/233: Suspension and Expulsion
    • Policy 210/210.1: Medications; Carry and Self-Administration
    • Policy 823: Naloxone
    • Policy 808: Food Services
    • Policy 815: Internet/Network Use
    • Policy 216: Student Records
    • Policy 105.1: Review of Instructional Materials
    • Policy 105/220: Instructional Materials and Student Expression
    • Policy 250/254: Student Recruitment and Military opportunities

  • Notices and updates: District will update policies and communications as needed; parents and guardians should review district communications and the policy manual periodically to stay informed

  • Summary of key dates and windows (quick reference):

    • Keystone Winter Window: Dec ext{ }3–17, 2025
    • Keystone Winter Window 2: Jan ext{ }5–16, 2026
    • Keystone Spring Window: May ext{ }11–22, 2026
    • PSSA English Language Arts: Apr ext{ }20–24, 2026
    • PSSA Mathematics/Science/Make-ups: Apr ext{ }27–May ext{ }8, 2026$$
    • OL SAT Administration: Grade 5 in mid-October; Grades 1-2 in mid-March

  • Final note on policy interaction:

    • In case of any discrepancy, the most recently adopted Board policy governs; district-wide Handbook provisions apply when conflicts arise with building handbooks; annual reviews may update guidelines; follow District communications for updates