Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School

Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School is a midsized, suburban public school located in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Selinsgrove Area School District. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 642 pupils in grades 3rd through 5th with 40% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 6.8% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3% are identified as being gifted.^[2] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is a federally designated Title I school.^[3] The District provides full day kindergarten at the Selinsgrove Area Elementary School since 2007.^[4]

The building was opened in September 1997.^[5] The building has 117,000 square feet. It is located directly behind the middle school. The facility has a stage/multipurpose room, a gymnasium, library, and computer labs. The building provides internet access to all rooms, as well as, an internal video studio which is used to do morning announcements.

In 2012, having completed building revisions at the Selinsgrove Area MIddle School, the Board returned the 6th grade to the middle school building. In June 2011, the school board voted to realign the schools to make more effective use of school space and to increase instruction time; while lowering costs district wide. Sixth grade was moved from the Middle School to the Intermediate School. The school's enrollment in 2011 was approximately 868 students in grades third through sixth. The school employed 49 teachers, yielding a student teacher ratio of 16:1.^[6] In December 2010, Grade 3 enrollment is reported as 204. Grade 4 enrollment is 177. Grade 5 enrollment is 182 students and Grade 6 is 193. The school serves a community of 23,000 residents.

The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit IU16 provides the School and Selinsgrove Area School District with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.^[7]

Curriculum

Map of Snyder County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

There are 8 teachers for each grade third through sixth who provide instruction in: Language Arts, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Social Studies and Health. Each grade is also served by a Learning Support teacher. In addition to core academic subjects, SAIS offers art (1 time per 6 day cycle), physical education (2 times per 6 day cycle), music (3 times per 6 day cycle). Musical instrument instruction is provided on a sign up basis. Gifted, Title 1 Reading and Math, Guidance, English as a second language and speech services are provided. A school nurse is available on site. SAIS has a computer resource teacher who provides students and staff with computer related instruction on an episodic basis.

The curriculum is currently under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania Academic Standards. These standards are assessed in all three grades under the guise of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. The tests cover Reading, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics and Science.

Academic Achievement

2013 School Performance Profile

Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School achieved a score of 76.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 75% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 80% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 89% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 60% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[8] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

In 2012, PennCAN (an independent education advocacy organization) gave Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School a "C+" for improvement in student academic achievement in reading.^[9]

AYP History

In 2012, Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.^[10] In 2011, the School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP.^[11] The attendance rate was 94% in both 2010 and 2011.^[12]

In 2006, SAIS 3rd grade ranked 1267th in 1793 Pennsylvania third grades for the student's combined math and reading PSSA scores. In 2005, SAIS 3rd grade ranked 1215 out of 1779 3rd grades in the state for PSSA scores. The school's rank rose to 444th out of 1661 3rd grades, in Pennsylvania, in 2008-2009.

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.^[13] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.^[14][15][16] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.^[17]

Third Grade

Class size has been kept at 20 pupils or less for ten years.

Reading (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 79% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 74% ^[18]
• 2011 - 81.8% (12% below basic). State - 77.2%. Ranks 19th in 30 CSIU16 region schools.
• 2010 - 80.9% (10% below basic). State - 75.2% ^[19]
• 2009 - 80.2%, State - 77.1% ^[20]
• 2008 - 84.7%, State - 77%
• 2007 - 78.5%, State - 72% ^[21]
• 2006 - 66.0%, State - 69% ^[22]
• 2005 - 65.0%, State - 68% ^[23]

Math (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 90%, 58% advanced. State - 80%^[24]
• 2011 - 88.6% (2% below basic) State - 83.5%. Ranks 17th in 30 CSIU16 region schools.
• 2010 - 89.1% (3% below basic). State - 75%
• 2009 - 93.6%, State - 81% ^[25]
• 2008 - 94.1%, State - 81%^[26]
• 2007 - 90.8%, State - 78.2%
• 2006 - 80.0%, State - 82.7%, IU16 Avg. 86.28%
• 2005 - 79.0%, State - 80%, IU16 Avg. 85%

Fourth Grade

Reading (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 78%on grade level (12% below basic). State - 72%
• 2011 - 78.7% (9% below basic). State - 73.3%. Ranks 17th among 30 CSIU16 region schools.
• 2010 - 79.4% (11% below basic). State - 72%
• 2009 - 82.3%, State - 72%^[27]
• 2008 - 76.2%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 78.7%, State - 70.1%
• 2006 - 65.3%, State - 68.1%

Math (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 91% on grade level 65% advanced. State - 82%
• 2011 - 90.9% (4% below basic). State - 85.3%. Ranks 15th out of 30 CSIU16 region schools.
• 2010 - 93.6% (4% below basic). State - 84%
• 2009 - 95.2%, State - 82%^[28]
• 2008 - 92.7%, State - 80%
• 2007 - 88.3%, State - 78%
• 2006 - 78.4%, State - 77.2%. CSIU16 Schools Avg. 83.44%

Science (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 90% (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 94.1% (2% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 90.9%, State - 81.5%
• 2009 - 90.8%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 93.3%, State - 82%

Fifth Grade

Reading' (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 71% on grade level (14% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 65% of 5th graders are on grade level.
• 2011 - 72.3% (15% below basic). State - 67.3%. Ranks 16th among 30 CSIU16 region 5th grades.
• 2010 - 80.5% (12% below basic). State - 67.2%
• 2009 - 80.4%, State - 64.7% ^[29]
• 2008 - 69.0%, State - 62%
• 2007 - 75.0%, State - 59.9%
• 2006 - 60.2%, State - 60.6%
• 2005 - 59.2%, State - 64.2%
• 2004 - 69.1%, State - 62.7%
• 2003 - 67.0%, State - 58%
• 2002 - 60.3%^[30]
• 2001 - 55.4%

Math (percent proficient or better)

• 2012 - 82% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 73%
• 2011 - 85.6% (7% below basic). State - 76.3%
• 2010 - 88.7% (3% below basic). State - 74%
• 2009 - 86.2%, State - 73.6%
• 2008 - 83.9%, State - 73.2%
• 2007 - 82.3%, State - 71%
• 2006 - 55.0%, State - 66.9%. CSIU16 Avg 68.8%
• 2005 - 56.0%, State - 69%
• 2004 - 64.1%, State - 61.8%
• 2003 - 54.0%, State - 56.3%^[31]
• 2002 - 52.3%, State - 53%
• 2001 - 50.2%

Writing scores percentage of students scoring proficient or better
5th grade
2006 - 54% on grade level, State Average 54%

Wellness policy

Selinsgrove Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.^[32] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at schools, the control of access to some foods and beverages during regular school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[33]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[34] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the District to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The School offers both a free or reduced price school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[35] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[36] The food service department engages the students through special events like serving Green Eggs and Ham to celebrate Dr. Seuss day.

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[37] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[38] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[39] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[40]

Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. A certified school nurse in the building conducts annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and Pennsylvania Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[41][42] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. The School received $10,000 which was used to purchase Play World equipment as part of a district-wide fitness trail.^[43] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools. The School also receive a Healthy High 5 grant in 2008.^[44]

Library

This school has six online catalogs and a circulation system. Computers may be used for research and have Internet access. The library has over 16,000 volumes. There is a full-time librarian and library aide. Library science instruction is provided.

PTSO

SAIS has strong support from the Parent Teacher Student Organization. They fund-raise to supplement enrichment opportunities for the students. This includes buying a mobile computer lab and providing funding for the fifth grade's annual outdoor education program. They also conduct book fairs that provide reading materials for purchase at an economical price.

Community Integration

The school provides a Study Buddy program in collaboration with students from Susquehanna University. They offer a Family Fitness Program that is sponsored by the Penn State Cooperative Extension Agency. The ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM program brings area business people into the school to provide enrichment activities. The Rotarians give each third grader a dictionary.

Outreach

The school conducts several fund raisers to support community organizations including the United Way, the Giving Tree, and Jump Rope for Heart. The school enters a float in the annual Halloween Parade.

Faculty

The students are served by approximately 43 unionized faculty. The majority are considered highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act. There are also a variety of classified staff who provide classroom support, clerical services, grounds and building services and food services. The current teachers' union contract is in effect from July 2005 until July 2010.

Building

The construction of the building was completed in August 1997 for a projected 1050 students. The cost was $93.64 per square foot with a total cost of $10,094,804. The total area of new construction was 107,800. Parental and staff concern regarding the size of the building resulted in the creation of a bipolar building the three 4th-grade areas at one end (each visually divided into 125-pupil clusters), and two 5th-grade, 125-pupil teaching teams at the other. Hayes Large Architects developed the project. The focal point of the school is the student “commons” area, which includes an adaptable assembly performance space with a raised platform stage that is handicapped accessible, a gymnasium, and cafeteria with full kitchen facilities. The design of the school, with pitched roofs and dormers, was meant to reflect the rural vernacular design of local farm buildings.

Environmental Education Grant

The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2012, Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School was awarded $3,400 to fund Outdoor Education fifth grade students.^[45] The Outdoor Education Program is a four-day trip for fifth grade students where the students are housed in cabins at Camp Nawakwa and are exposed to a variety of outdoor and environmental activities. Issues impacting the Chesapeake Bay are covered. Before leaving for Outdoor Education, students are given a pretest. Their average score was 61%. Upon returning, students scored 88% on the same test.^[46] Funding for the classes was from the NOAA B-WET Program. In 2013, SAIS received $3,000 in DEP funding for its Outdoor Education program.^[47]

School safety and bullying

The Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the School in 2012. Additionally, there was one incident involving a knife and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in one incident at the school.^[48][49] Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.^[50]

The Selinsgrove Area School Board has provided the District's Bullying/Cyberbullying policy 249 online.^[51] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[52] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[53][54]

The District provides a form to report bullying online.^[55] The faculty and staff are trained in reinforcement of anti-bullying and harassment practices and policies.^[56]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[57]

References

1. ↑ Ed Names and Addresses (2014). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Information". 
2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Selinsgrove Area intermediate School Fast Facts". 
3. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, School Performance Profile, Elementary School Fast Facts, 2013
4. ↑ Wood-Metal Industries (2011). "Wood-Metal Secures Selinsgrove Area School Project". 
5. ↑ EI Associates, Facilities plan, 2008
6. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Selinsgrove Area INtermediate School, 2011
7. ↑ Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16, Programs and Services, 2014
8. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Selinsgrove Area Intermedaite School Academic Performance Data 2013". 
9. ↑ PennCAN (2012). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Report 2014". 
10. ↑ PDE (September 21, 2012). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School AYP Overview 2012". 
11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Selinsgrove Intermediate School AYP Overview". 
12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Selinsgrove Intermediate School AYP Data Table". 
13. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2003). "PSSA results 2003". 
14. ↑ New America Foundation (2003). "No Child Left Behind Overview". 
15. ↑ The Goals of No Child Left Behind (Jul 20, 2010). "The Goals of No Child Left Behind". 
16. ↑ Learning Point Associates (220). "Understanding the No Child Left Behind Act" (PDF). 
17. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (January 11, 2003). "Pennsylvania Academic Standards Science and Technology, Ecology and Environment". 
18. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?". 
19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010". 
20. ↑ "3rd Grade Reading Scores 2007-2009 In IU16 Region Schools". 2009. 
21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "Selinsgrove Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2007". 
22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2006). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2006". 
23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2005). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2005". 
24. ↑ PDE (September 21, 2012). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School 2012" (PDF). 
25. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009". 
26. ↑ 3rd Grade Mathematics Scores 2008 in IU16 Region Schools
27. ↑ Diane Petryk, Five Valley Schools miss the Mark, The Daily Item, August 10, 2009
28. ↑ 4th grade Mathematics PSSA scores in IU16 Region Schools
29. ↑ "5th Grade Reading PSSA 2008 & 2009 by School in IU16 Region Schools". 
30. ↑ Chad Cohrs, M'Ed (2002). "Selinsgrove Area School District Report Card 2002". 
31. ↑ Frederick Johnson (October 2003). "Selinsgrove Area School District Report Card 2003". 
32. ↑ Selinsgrove Area School Board Policy Manual, Student Wellness Policy 246, 2006
33. ↑ Probart C; McDonnell E; Weirich JE; Schilling L; Fekete V. (September 2008). "Statewide assessment of local wellness policies in Pennsylvania public school districts.". J Am Diet Assoc. 108 (9): 1497–502. PMID 18755322. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.06.429. 
34. ↑ Division of Food and Nutrition Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2008). "Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive". 
35. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs - Eligibility Manual for School Meals, 2012
36. ↑ Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, The Pennsylvania School Breakfast Report Card, 2009
37. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs, June 27, 2013
38. ↑ United States Department of Agriculture (2011). "Food and Nutrition Service Equity in School Lunch Pricing Fact Sheet" (PDF). 
39. ↑ Denver Nicks (February 25, 2014). "White House Sets New Limits on Junk Food Ads in Schools". Time Magazine. 
40. ↑ USDA Food and Nutrition Service (2014). "School Meals FAQ". 
41. ↑ Pennsylvania State Department of Health (2010). "Pennsylvania Bulletin Doc. No. 10-984 School Immunizations; Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases". 
42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Health (2014). "School Immunization Requirements". 
43. ↑ Highmark Foundation, 2011 School Challenge Grants, 2011
44. ↑ Highmark Foundation (2009). "Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge grant program enables Pennsylvania schools to implement or enhance healthy lifestyle programs for students". 
45. ↑ Department of Environmental Protection Press Release (May 18, 2010). "PA DEP Awards Grants to Promote Environmental Education, Stewardship". 
46. ↑ PA Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., PA Chesapeake Bay Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Grant Program for Conservation District – School Partnerships, 2001
47. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Education (January 2014). "2013 Environmental Education Grants" (PDF). 
48. ↑ Center for Safe Schools (2013). "Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School Safety Report 2012" (PDF). 
49. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Safe School Center (2012). "Pennsylvania Safe Schools Online Reports". 
50. ↑ Safe & Responsive Schools Project (June 20, 2011). "Area high school students create anti-bullying mural". Williamsport Sun Gazette. 
51. ↑ Selinsgrove Area School Board (November 3, 2008). "Bullying/Cyberbullying Policy 249". 
52. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly (2006). "Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 1067, Act 61 Section 6 page 8". 
53. ↑ Center for Safe Schools of Pennsylvania (2006). "Bullying Prevention advisory". 
54. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment Resources". 
55. ↑ Selinsgrove Area School District (2014). "Report Bullying". 
56. ↑ Chad Cohrs, M'ed. Superintendent (2013). "Selinsgrove Area School District Vision for Success executive report" (PDF). 
57. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (January 11, 2003). "Pennsylvania Academic Standards Health, Safety and Physical Education". 

External links

• Official website
• Selinsgrove Area School Disitrict
• Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Achievement Report
• Pennsylvania Academic Standards
• Third Graders Score low in Math
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16
• Terrors in the Schoolyard
• Penn State Cooperative Extension Agency

Coordinates: 40°48′13″N 76°52′25″W / 40.80364°N 76.87363°W / 40.80364; -76.87363