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Updates & Information 9/18/26

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Updates & Information 9/18/26
Updates & Information 9/18/26

Hello Parkside Families!

The two weeks of school are in the books and we are getting school routines down after the long summer break. In order to help us minimize distractions, we are asking for your help! Toys like stuffed animals, squishies, book buddies, and other tokens are the cause of conflicts, distractions, and tears and are prohibited at school. This is outlined clearly in the Parkside Handbook. There are fundraisers at times that include these items—School Store, Book Fair, Holiday Shoppe, etc… but the expectation is that those items go home and stay home. We balance work and fun at school, but toys are best left at home so students are focused. We appreciate your help in ensuring that none of these items are brought to school by your child. 

In other exciting news, we are creating an art installation at Parkside to celebrate our school spirit and Leader in Me 7 Habits with the help of Ms. Veronica Batter, Director of the Rockdale Art Studio! We will be having a Family and Community Night to create a tile to be added into a mosaic that will be prominently featured at Parkside Elementary. The students created tiles in their art class already, but we want to extend the invitation to parents and community helpers as well. This event will happen on October 15 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Parkside Cafeteria. All children who attend must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  This will be a night to create, and then move on, to make room for all who would like to be included. The expectation is for all to be seated and working, no one will be playing or running around so that it is an enjoyable evening for all.

Coming Soon:

  • September 21: Pinwheels for Peace
  • September 24: Back to School Night @ 6:30-8:30
  • September 29: 11:15 Dismissal for Teacher In-service
  • October 2: School Job Applications are due!
  • October 9: Homecoming Parade (see details below in PTL section!)
  • October 14: 11:15 Dismissal for Teacher In-service
  • October 14: PTL Meeting @ 6:30 in the cafeteria
  • October 15: Family & Community Art Night for Mosaic @ 6:00 to 7:00 in the Cafeteria
  • October 26-30: Book Fair in the Library (10/29—evening hours 5-7 pm)

Leader in Me:

School-wide jobs will be reviewed in class next week so that student know which jobs they can apply for this fall.  Job applications are being distributed on Monday, September 21st and are due on Friday, September 25th.  Please talk to your child about school jobs and encourage them to pursue a leadership role.  Just like in life, we have fewer jobs than students, but we do our best to ensure that as many different students as possible are empowered through school jobs.  If they apply and are not hired in the fall, they will have another opportunity in the spring.  We have seen great leadership in our students through school jobs and look forward to hiring our fall to winter workforce!

Important Policy Changes:

There are two changes in district policy that I want to highlight for returning parents. If you have read that Parkside Handbook, you may have seen a change to the attendance policy for all of Penn-Delco School District.  Here is a quick breakdown of what you need to know!

Attendance Policy Notes:

Legal Absences:

12 Parent excused absences are allowed each school year.  This includes vacation, illness that does not require doctor’s care, or any other reason covered under parental excusal.

After 12 parent excusals, a doctor’s excusal note is required for any further absence.  So, if your child is sick for several days, it is in your best interest to ask your physician for an excusal note.

All notes must be received within 5 days of return from absence.  HERE is more information about absence notes submitted by using the APP, the website, or the 1-800 number!  Please be aware that submitting notes is an adult responsibility and notes given to students sometimes do not make it to the office, please use Safe Arrival as described in the link above.

Illegal Absences:

Unexcused absences are those that are not excused by either a parent or doctor’s note within 5 days of return from absence.  If a student acquires 3 unexcused absences, a Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) is required to be held.  During that conference, a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) will be developed by the team.  If 6 unexcused absences are accrued, the team will reopen the SAIP to further support attendance improvement.  At the 7th unexcused absence, the family will be referred to Truancy Court and may be referred to Child Guidance Resource Center or Children and Youth Services.  This practice is driven by PA School Code for Truancy Prevention, and observed by all schools in Penn-Delco School District.

Media and Publicity Consent:

Penn-Delco School District photographs, videotapes and interviews students to highlight school activities, achievements and experiences in district and school communications, including websites, social media, newsletters, publications and presentations.

Students are approved to be included in district and school photography and video by default. You may request an Opt Out form ONLY IF YOU DO NOT WANT your child to be intentionally photographed, videotaped or interviewed for District communication purposes. Please contact the school office at 610-497-6300 Ext. 6500 to request a form.

This opt-out applies only to District communication purposes. It does not apply to:

● Photographs or video taken by individuals or organizations outside the District.

● School yearbooks. Contact your child's school directly regarding yearbook photos.

● Separate permissions or requirements for specific programs, activities or events.

Questions? Contact Communications Coordinator Allison Gangl at agangl@pdsd.org.

From the Nurse:

Our nurse at Parkside is Ms. Lauren Thomas, her contact information is lthomas@pdsd.org or 610-497-6300 Ext. 6505. 

If your child has a fever or is vomiting or having diarrhea, please keep them home until 24 hours free from symptoms to help stop the spread of illness.  If they are ill, consider getting a doctor’s excusal note for school.

2026 Flu Clinic Provided by Springfield Pharmacy, October 22

Springfield Pharmacy will provide flu vaccinations for students and staff. An online consent form is required. Read more

From the School Counselor:

Students seemed to have settled in and are happy entering the building each morning. If your child is struggling to get to school (getting upset, ill, or anxious), please reach out for assistance. 

Ms. Sayre at (610) 497-6300 x6508 or nsayre@pdsd.org 

Intern: Ms. Katarina Albano who is finishing her Masters in School Counseling at Villanova University will be working with Ms. Sayre several days a week for the entire school year. We are happy to have her!

From the PTL:

Those who would like to march in the SV Homecoming Parade, must sign up using this LINK. We are in need of parents to chair this event, so if you are able to do so, please email parksideptl19015@gmail.com. All students must be accompanied by a responsible adult and will receive complimentary tickets to the football game after the parade.

Homecoming Parade to Follow New Route on October 9

The Sun Valley Homecoming Parade will follow a new route on Friday, October 9, due to an event at Aston Community Center. Read more

Spirit wear is available, use this LINK to order your Parkside gear!

We had a great turnout for our September meeting and are looking forward to another great PTL meeting on October 14, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria!

Next PTL Meeting: Thursday, October 14th

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!  We are looking forward to an awesome 26-27 school year!

Best,

Tara Young
Principal
Parkside Elementary
610-497-6300 Ext. 6500
tyoung@pdsd.org

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