• Below is a record of our district wide communications to parents and guardians
    If you need assistance with translation to other languages, please email Alix Croswell or you can call and text at 919-961-7354.

    Oct. 12, 2023

    Israel-Hamas War Resources

    Dear SCASD Community:

    As the world watches the tragic events unfolding in the Israel-Hamas War, we recognize that many of us, including our students, are trying to understand the magnitude of what is happening. Processing this can be particularly difficult for children and teens. Some of us also may have family members or friends directly impacted by this conflict.

    At times like this, it is important that we keep a close eye on our children, talk with them about what is happening, and warn them about the possibility of seeing graphic or disturbing videos on social media. We want our schools to be safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for our students. If any students need support, our counselors are available.

    You may find the resources below useful:

    Moving forward, we will do everything we can to support our students as we hope for a peaceful resolution to the heartbreaking war in the Middle East. 

    Sincerely,

    Curtis Johnson
    Superintendent of Schools

    Oct. 11, 2023

    New Student and Family Communication Platform

    Dear SCASD Community:

    As you may already know, the district is moving to a new communications platform called ParentSquare for students and families. ParentSquare and the student version called StudentSquare provide a centralized platform for most district communications, including for sports, student groups, classrooms, schools and central administration.

    This platform is already being used for some athletic teams and extracurricular activities. Next, we’ll be phasing it in for districtwide communications, then building level ones and eventually with classrooms.  

    Today, you will receive a separate email asking you to create an account. We ask that you please do this using the email address you have on file with the district so that it connects you to your children. If you use a different email, you will not see your children’s information when you log in. Students must use their SCASD email addresses. In addition, there are Apps that accompany browser access. 

    The links below provide access to the platforms. 


    We are excited to make this transition as ParentSquare has many user-friendly features. You can customize how you receive communications by email, text or via the App in “notifications settings.” For non-emergency items, the digest feature combines all daily communications and sends them to you at 6 p.m. Additionally, there is the ability to send two-way communication and families can select the language of their choice. 

    If you have any questions, please contact our IT department for assistance. 

    Thank you for your cooperation as we phase in this new platform.

    Sincerely,

    Justin Hetrick
    Director of Technology

    Oct. 5, 2023

    Pennsylvania School Climate Survey

    Dear Grade 3-12 Families:

    During the two-week window of Oct. 23, 2023 and Nov. 3, 2023, the State College Area School District will administer the Pennsylvania School Climate Survey developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to collect data and gather perceptions of our district's climate and overall safety.  

    The survey focuses on domains that disaggregate data for social-emotional learning, student support, and a safe and respectful school climate. The district began using a similar version of this survey last year for all students in grades 3-12 and will continue to do so this year in order to determine strengths and areas for growth in the various areas. 

    By default, all students are opted in, so you only need to take action if you want to opt out of this survey. To opt out or update your survey preferences in ParentVue, please follow these instructions. There are three options available: blank (no selection), yes, and no. Students with either a “blank” or a “yes” will receive the survey and students with a “no” will not. At this time, all students are set to “blank.” You are welcome to update your selection as frequently as desired during the school year. The deadline to opt out of this survey is Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

    To see the questions asked on these surveys, please click on the appropriate link.

    Please reach out to your building principal with any questions or concerns.

    Best regards,

    Danielle Yoder
    Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education

    Sept. 29, 2023

    New SCASD Communications Platform

    Dear SCASD Families:
     

    We are excited to announce that the district is moving to an all-in-one communications platform for faculty, staff, students and parents called ParentSquare. ParentSquare unifies all district communications in one place, allowing for district-wide teacher, family and individual communications. This application will work to centralize all our district communications over the coming months.
     

    Who does this affect and how?

    ParentSquare will provide a centralized platform for all district communications. This will be used long-term for all district communications, including sports, student groups, classrooms and the district.
     

    Why are we moving to ParentSquare?

    We have been striving for many years to improve and centralize our communications. ParentSquare will allow us to provide families with one location to interact with all district information. It was chosen because of its ease of use and intuitive navigation. In addition, its bidirectional translation services allow families to communicate in their language of choice.
     

    What is the projected release timeline?

    • October 2023 - Athletics, music and other student groups
    • November - January 2024 — Building and district level communications
    • January - February 2024 — ESL and other support classroom communications
    • February - September 2024 — Transition of all other use cases including classroom teachers 

    What will happen to other applications used for these types of communications?

    As we move forward with this transition, other applications will start to be blocked as per Google’s updated application provisions encompassing school districts/educational institutions.
     

    We appreciate your patience while we introduce ParentSquare as a safe and secure communications platform for all to use. 
     

    Sincerely,

    Justin Hetrick
    Director of Technology

    Sept. 26, 2023

    Subject: New District Survey Administration Policy

    Dear SCASD Community:

    In an effort to partner with families to foster a stronger learning community, the SCASD Board of Directors approved Policy 235.1, Student Surveys, on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. This policy will be posted on BoardDocs in the near future. In the meantime, you are welcome to review the materials that were presented to the Board. This policy outlines the rights of families and students regarding the administration of student surveys as well as explains how the collection and security of data and the use of the information conform with applicable laws and regulations. 

    Moving forward, the district will notify families of all district-based and research surveys before they are administered. This will allow families to review the content prior to students receiving a survey and opt out if you choose to do so.

    To opt out or update your survey preferences in ParentVue, please follow these instructions. There are three options available, blank (no selection), yes, and no. Students with either a ‘blank’ or a ‘yes’ will receive the survey and students with a ‘no’ will not. At this time, all students are set to ‘blank’. You are welcome to update your selection as frequently as desired during the school year. 

    We hope this helps clarify our new policy and answers any questions you may have.

    Sincerely,

    Curtis Johnson
    Superintendent of Schools

    Sept. 26, 2023

    Subject: Homecoming Parade Thursday

    Dear SCASD Families:

    We are excited about this year’s State High Homecoming Parade on Thursday, Sept. 28 beginning at 6 p.m. There are a few important pieces of information that we want to share with you:

    1. The Sept. 28 parade will take place in the Holmes-Foster Neighborhood. The parade will start and end at the high school, and afterward, there will be a pep rally at the South Track Complex. 

    2. Due to the parade, there will be no late buses running from the high school on Thursday.

    For more information about Homecoming and a map of the parade route, please visit the Homecoming Page on the high school website.

    Sincerely,

    Nabil Mark
    Media and Communications Manager


    Sept. 15, 2023

    SCASD Illness Protocols

    Dear SCASD Community:

    As we head into the cold and flu season, we would like to remind you about our protocols for sick children returning to school, including for COVID-19.

    You can find instructions on when to keep your child home and when to return to school on our district website. Notably, please do not send your child to school if they have had a fever within the last 24 hours. 

    Regarding COVID-19, please know, currently we are not following any specific protocols (i.e. required masking, distancing, isolating periods), nor are we asking families to report positive cases to the district. We now look at COVID as  endemic, not a pandemic, due to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration. The district will treat COVID-19 as an upper respiratory illness and follow our traditional protocols related to fevers as a consideration for sending students home and returning to school. Masking remains a personal option for any student or employee.

    As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to your school nurse or family physician. 

    Sincerely,

    Jeanne Knouse
    Director of Student Services

    Sept. 8, 2023

    Does your child need assistance?

    Dear SCASD Families:

    As we begin another school year, we want to ensure that all of our students have the essential items they need to be successful. If your family needs assistance with basic needs, we are here to help you with things such as food, clothing, school supplies as well as community and mental health services. 

    Additionally, we’d like to share our Quick Resource Guide which includes many community resources and their contact information. 

    If you are interested in receiving assistance, please fill out our confidential Family Needs Assessment Form. Once completed, we will contact you with further information. 

    For those of you wanting to help our students, below are two ways to assist. 

    • Donate to the Helping Hands Pantry through the Target Registry.

    • Donate to the Mental Health Matters Fund through the State College Area School District Education Foundation. Be sure to select the Mental Health Matter Fund on the donation page. 

    We welcome you all to take advantage of these resources, and if you have questions, concerns or are seeking further information, please email mlb44@scasd.org or call 814-231-1011 ext 6977. 

    Sincerely,

    Cindy Sergeon-Smith
    Morgan Bechdel
    SCASD Family and Community Engagement

    Sept. 7, 2023

    Sign up for emergency text alerts 

    Dear SCASD Families: 

    In the event of an emergency, the district has the ability to email, call and text our families. While the email and calls are automatically set up, you must opt-in to receive texts. Because texting has become such an important means of communication, we are asking that you please sign up to receive these alerts. 

    To add text alerts on a desktop computer, sign into ParentVUE and click My Account at the top right. Then scroll down to where it says Phone Numbers. If you do not see a SMS (text) number, you will need to enter one, even if it’s the same number as your primary phone number. To add it, click the plus sign on the right to make a new row appear. Under “type,” there is a blank box. Click in that space, select SMS and then enter the phone number in the phone box. Finally, scroll down and press Update Account.

    For adding text alerts in the ParentVUE app, open the app and select My Account at the bottom right and then Phones. Here you will see your phone numbers. If there is no SMS number listed, click the plus sign, enter your SMS phone number and select SMS under “type.” These are all the fields you need. Then press Add at the bottom right.

    Please note, we will only text you for communications of the utmost importance, such as weather delays/cancellations, early dismissals or emergencies.

    Thank you for updating this important information. 

    Sincerely, 

    Nabil Mark
    Media and Communications Manager


    Sent Aug. 30, 2023

    Homecoming Parade Route Change

    Dear SCASD Community,

    Prompted by concerns about safety and other issues, the Borough of State College, State College Police Department and State College Area School District have decided to change the State High Homecoming Parade route.

    Rather than crossing Atherton Street to downtown as before, the Sept. 28 parade will take place in the Holmes-Foster Neighborhood. The parade will start and end at the high school, and afterward, there will be a pep rally at the South Track Complex. 

    The parade route will proceed as follows:

    • From the high school, the parade will head west on Westerly Parkway
    • Right on South Sparks Street
    • Left on West Fairmount Street
    • Left on Westerly Parkway
    • Right on Saxton Drive 
    • Left on South Sparks Street 
    • Right on Westerly Parkway to return to the high school

    We expect the parade to last approximately from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

    If your organization would like to participate in the parade, please fill out this form. The deadline for parade applications is Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. For questions, please contact State High Assistant Principal Ryan Walsh at rjw12@scasd.org or 814-231-1111.

    Best wishes,

    Chris Rosenblum
    Director of Communications

    Sent Aug. 29, 2023

    New District Web Security App

    Dear SCASD Community:

    The State College Area School District is now using Securly for our Web filtering. Securly provides tools for enhancing how student Internet activity is filtered in school and at home in accordance with federal requirements under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

    Securly’s mobile app offers an optional feature that allows parents and guardians to be more aware of their children's browsing activity and app usage at home. The app also provides alerts for activities that may be considered inappropriate. Families who sign up will receive a weekly activity report of their child’s usage. 

    Families who are not already using this service may sign up here using the email address registered with the district.

    If you have any questions, you can reach us at itsupport@scasd.org or 814-231-7743.

    Sincerely,

    Justin Hetrick
    Director of Technology

    Sent Aug. 23, 2023

    Subject: Used Instrument Sale Sept. 7

    Dear SCASD Community:

    Want to start the school year on a good note? An excellent opportunity for purchasing or selling musical instruments is coming up soon. On Sept. 7, the State College Music Boosters will hold its annual Used Instrument Sale for district families and the public from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mount Nittany Middle School cafeteria.

    A tradition for more than three decades, the sale helps support the district’s award-winning music program by offering affordable choices for students of all ages. 

    To sell an instrument, bring it to Mount Nittany on Sept. 6 between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Please visit the Music Boosters website for details and a pre-registration form.

    If you have any questions, please contact Johanna Steinbacher at jls74@scasd.org or Joanna Carlson at joannacarlson@gmail.com.

    Best wishes,

    Chris Rosenblum
    Director of Communications

    Sent Aug. 17, 2023

    Subject: Connect with SCASD this year!

    Dear SCASD Community:

    As we begin 2023-2024, the communications department would like to give you a rundown of our various platforms to help you stay on top of all the news, updates and notifications from around our district. It’s a plugged-in world, so connect with us!

    SCASD App

    What Cycle Day is it, or is it an A Day or B Day? The app tells you with a powerful and completely customizable tool for use on your smartphone. Pick which schools to follow, view calendars and lunch menus, access resources — and that only skims the surface. Download the free app now in the App Store or in Google Play.

    Social Media

    At the district level, we provide four platforms. Click the links below to follow our accounts: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. By following these platforms, you’ll have the latest information about everything happening around the district. Additionally, every school has its own social media accounts. Please search for your school’s name and follow these accounts as well. 

    ParentVUE App

    This app provides access to important student information such as grades, attendance and courses. Download the free app now in the App Store or in Google Play.

    Websites

    The district, as well as each school, has a mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate website. These sites are valuable resources for information.

    Newsletter

    During the school year, we’ll be sending you a newsletter highlighting various things happening around the district. So keep and eye out for the SCASD Scoop!

    We strive to give you the best and most easily accessible communications possible. Thank you for following us and for being engaged in our school community. Here’s hoping you have a successful, rewarding and now more informed year!

    Best wishes,

    Chris Rosenblum, Director of Communications
    Nabil Mark, Media and Communications Manager
    The SCASD Communications Team

    Sent Aug. 16, 2023

    Subject: Updating Student Information

    Dear SCASD Families:

    Making sure the district has the correct information about our students is an important step in preparing for the upcoming school year. Therefore, we would like to ask you to check our current data’s accuracy.

    To do this, please log into ParentVue and click the student information tab on the left-hand side. There you will see a variety of fields related to your child. Please review the information and if something needs to be updated, select the edit information button at the top of the page. Once you have updated the information, press the save changes button on the page.  

    You will need to do this for each child you have enrolled in the district. Please note, some data fields such as your address are not editable in ParentVUE. In these cases, email your building secretary for updates. 

    If you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal or secretary. 

    Sincerely, 

    Nabil Mark
    Media and Communications Manager

    Aug. 16, 2023

    Important Attendance Information for Students

    Dear Parents and Guardians:

    As a reminder, attendance is a very important component of success for every child in our district. In light of this, we would like to share some details regarding attendance and SCASD's obligation to ensure your child's regular attendance in school.  

    In accordance with the PDE Compulsory Attendance law, effective July 2019, the following processes are required for all school-age students:

    • On the day of absence, parents/guardians will receive an email notification (by signing up for the notifications in Synergy) that your child has missed all or part of the day with a gentle reminder to provide an excuse note.  Please ensure that SCASD has your correct email address on file. 

    • All absences are unexcused until the school receives a written excuse. Excuses can be handwritten, copied and emailed directly to the attendance secretary, emailed, dropped at the attendance office, or uploaded through ParentVue. ParentVue excuses should be used to indicate full day absences and entered for the day of the excuse. 

    • If an excuse is not received within three days, the absence will be permanently unexcused.

    • If your child accumulates three days, or the equivalent, of unexcused absences, we must notify you by mail of a first offense along with the legal consequences.

    • If your child has four days, or the equivalent, of unexcused absences, you will be invited to a School Attendance Improvement Plan meeting (SAIP) to proactively collaborate with the team and create a plan to eliminate additional unexcused absences.

    • If you receive a first offense letter and a SAIP meeting has occurred, a second offense will be filed with the magisterial district judge for any additional unexcused absences.

    Additional information regarding attendance: 

    • A maximum of ten (10) cumulative absences may be verified by parental/guardian written notification during a school year to verify lawful absences. All absences beyond ten (10) parental/guardian notifications shall require an excuse from a licensed physician.

    • If a student is late to school, the amount of time they are late will count toward their 10 days. 

    • Absences will be broken down in the following increments:  .1 (tardy), .25 (quarter of the day), .5 (half of the day), .75 (three quarters of the day)  and 1.0 (full day)

    • If your child has a chronic medical condition that might affect attendance, please call your child's school to discuss options and next steps.

    • SCASD policies allow 10 educational trip days per school year. Educational field trip information and the form can be found here.

    • Parents can monitor their child’s attendance record in ParentVue. If you do not have an account, please contact your child’s home school for help with an account.

    More detailed SCASD attendance procedures can be found here. 

    We appreciate your attention to these procedures and understand that extenuating circumstances may require special considerations. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call your building attendance secretary, building principal, your child's school counselor, or the Home and School Visitor at 814-231-1011 ext. 6977 so that we may work together to ensure your child's educational success.

    Sincerely,

    Jeanne Knouse
    Director of Student Services

    Aug. 14, 2023

    School Health Information and Requirements

    Dear Parents and Guardians:

    As we approach the beginning of the school year, please review the requirements pertaining to your child’s age and health needs. The links will lead to the required paperwork. Please note, all orders for medication for the next school year must be dated after July 1. 

    • Diabetic Orders

      • Please send your Diabetic Medical Management Plan (doctor’s orders) dated after July 1 to your building’s Certified School Nurse.

    • Head Lice

      • The school nurse will continue to closely monitor any reported cases of head lice in the school setting. If at any time you would like the nurse to check your child’s hair, please send an email or note to the school and we will be happy to perform an examination. If you are not sure what to look for, please call the nursing office so we can be of assistance.

    • Medication on Field Trips 

      • Licensed or District Trained Personnel (epinephrine only) are often required to administer medication on field trips. The district does their best to manage high demand and may use agency nurses to cover this need. 

      • Parent/Parent Designee: If there are no licensed or district trained personnel available, the district will ask a parent or parent designee to attend a field trip to administer medication to their child.

      • Note: If there is no availability of the above persons, the district will cancel trips as a last resort. 

    The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) defines certified school nursing as a specialized nursing practice that advances the well-being, academic success, lifelong achievement, and overall health of students. The mission of school nurses is multi-faceted and includes:

    • Medical management of medications in school

    • Preventive screening services to identify concerns in their early stages

    • Management of private physician and parent referrals as a way to foster health and ensure educational success

    Thank you for everything you do to help us keep your child safe and healthy while in school. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your building Certified School Nurse.

    Sincerely,

    Jeanne Knouse
    Director of Student Services

    Aug. 14, 2023

    SCASD Food Services Back to School

    Dear Parents and Guardians:

    I hope that you and your family are well and that your child is looking forward to the new school year.

    This message includes information to help you take full advantage of the services offered by the district's Food Service Department.  I encourage you visit our webpage for additional information including:

    • Menus
    • Meal Prices
    • Free & Reduced-Price Meals Application & Information
    • Cafeteria Procedures
    • Nutrient Facts
    • Allergy & Special Diets Accommodations
    • Contact Information
    • Birthday Baskets
       

    Breakfast: Starting the day with breakfast, either at home or at school, is important for student success.  We’re happy to share that breakfast will be free of charge for all students again this year.  Students who would like a school breakfast should pick it up when they arrive at school and take it to the classroom to eat.

    Menus:  An updated menu will be emailed to families before the start of each month.  Menus can be found on our webpage or on the SCASD App.

    A la Carte Sales & Account Restrictions: Students are able to purchase snack or extra food items at school so long as there are no account restrictions and funds are available in their account to pay for the purchase.  Parents can request account restrictions to limit unwanted purchases by completing this form. 

    Paying for School Meals: Payments to your child’s lunch account can be made on-line a www.myschoolbucks.com.  There is a $2.75 convenience fee for electronic payments. 

    If you prefer not to pay online, students in 6th grade and above can present payments to a cafeteria cashier for the purpose of depositing the full amount into their cafeteria account.  -Change will not be given. 

    Payments are not accepted in our elementary schools.  Checks can be mailed to the Food Services Office for elementary students and for students in any grade level.

    Mail checks to the SCASD Food Service Office at 653 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.  Make checks payable to SCASD FSD and include the name of the student(s) for whom the payment is intended, the school(s) they attend, and a phone number for questions. 

    We will never deny a student a school meal for lack of funds.  However, students are not allowed to charge a la carte items such as bottled water, snacks, or extra entrees. IOU emails are sent to parents each week, but we also encourage you to sign up for low balance email alerts at www.myschoolbucks.com.  There is no fee for receiving low balance emails or for viewing your child's account activity on the MySchoolBucks website.

    Free & Reduced-Price Meals: If your family could use help paying for school meals, please consider applying for free or reduced-price school meals.  Current income of $4,625 per month will qualify a family of 4 for free school meals. Visit our webpage for additional information.

    If your family is not eligible for free or reduced priced school meals but you are nonetheless experiencing financial hardship, please contact us.  Community donated funds may be available to help. 

    Allergies & Special Diets: If your child has an allergy or special dietary need, please review our procedures for providing safe meals at school.  Some requests will require that a Medical Plan of Care be completed by your physician.  Soy milk can be requested for any student as a substitute for the milk served with school meals by simply submitting a Milk Substitute Request Form. Both forms can be found on our webpage.

    Birthday Baskets are back!  SCASD Food Services can help make celebrating a birthday extra special for your elementary school student and extra easy for you.  Learn more and order birthday treats on our webpage.  

    We wish all of our students the very best for the year ahead and hope that the healthy and delicious meals served in our schools help to fuel them to succeed!

    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

    Megan Schaper, SNS
    Food Service Director
    State College Area School District
    814-231-1011 x5095
    foodservices@scasd.org

    Aug. 14, 2023

    Dear Parents and Guardians of 4th and 5th grade students,

    Each year at this time, students eagerly await their turn to join our music program.  The study of music could be one of the most valuable components in your child’s education.  Current research shows that playing an instrument increases brain development and—along with developing responsibility, mental discipline, teamwork and self-esteem—will provide enjoyment and fulfillment while fostering a lifelong appreciation of music. 

    Our instrumental music teachers will hold two online parent meetings:

    Please attend the meeting most convenient for you.  

    Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00pm meet.google.com/xms-dpxv-osi

    Thursday, August 24th at 7:00pm meet.google.com/omm-sgtf-wfq 

    During these informative meetings, a video will be shown to demonstrate the instrument choices, explain our instrumental music program, and how to register.  There will also be time for families to ask questions.  This instrument video, along with the meeting, will be available on our music website following the live meetings.   

    The State College Area School District believes that every child should have the opportunity to participate in music-making, to develop an appreciation for it, and to tap into their hidden talents through the study of it.  

    A quality instrument is the most essential piece of equipment needed for your child’s success.  Please reach out to your instrumental music teacher if you have any concerns about affordability of an instrument or supplies.  The school district has a limited supply of loaner instruments for students in need.

    You can learn more about our instrumental music program by visiting our website. 

    The elementary instrumental music department is looking forward to an exciting year!
Last Modified on October 12, 2023