Home & School Connection

Change of Address and Contact Information

Parents are asked to notify the office immediately of any change in the home address. This will also require a reestablishment of residency in the District.  Any change of contact information including home, work, or cellular phone numbers of parents/guardians and emergency contacts, and personal and business email addresses should be updated in Dashboard or through the school office.

Community Use of Buildings

School facilities are available to residents.  Applications and fee schedules for all facilities are available by calling the district building rental office at 412-344-2052 or visiting mtlsd.org

Concerns and Complaints

According to School Board Policy KE, Parental Concerns and Complaints, parents/guardians, and students with a District complaint or concern should seek resolution as close as possible to the origin of the concern.  Such complaints can be resolved most expeditiously if they are taken first to the staff member (i.e. teacher) or administrator immediately in charge of the area in which the problem arises.  If necessary, complaints should then be raised, reviewed through successive administrative levels to the Superintendent, and subsequently to the School Board when appropriate.

Dashboard

The Dashboard is a password secured website, accessible to parents, students, and teachers that includes email notifications, emergency care information, student report cards, account balances, and the school calendar.  The Dashboard link can be found on the school website.  Parent and student user names and passwords are mailed at the beginning of each school year.  User names remain the same for the duration of the students’ school years unless a change is requested by the parent to the school principal .  Parents and students must enter their email addresses on the Parent Contact page on the Dashboard in order to email school staff and to receive email notifications from the school.  Contact the principal’s secretary for questions related to the Dashboard.

Home/School Communication

Research has proven that students whose parents are involved in their education are more successful at school.  Listed below are a variety of ways for parents to access school and student information.

Who is considered homeless?

Children or youth and their families living in a shelter, transitional housing, motel, vehicle, campground, on the street, or doubled-up with relatives or friends due to a lack of housing are considered to be homeless.

What choice of schools do homeless students have?

The law indicates that the local education agency shall, according to the child’s best interest:
(i) continue the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness (I) in any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year;

OR

(ii) for the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or (II) enroll the child or youth in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.

Is there any reason to delay enrolling a homeless child?

No. The school selected shall immediately enroll the child/youth in school, even if the child or youth lacks records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation. The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” are defined to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. The enrolling school must immediately contact the last school the child or youth attended to obtain relevant academic and other records. Immunization records can be transferred over the phone from the school nurse of the sending school to the school nurse of the receiving school.

Where can you call for assistance?

The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program exists to help homeless children with a wide variety of services. We can assist homeless children during this time of change and stress. If you are homeless with school-age children or you are a school, agency or shelter employee, please contact one of the persons listed below.

     1) Mt. Lebanon School District Homeless Liaison: 

           Dr. Ronald P. Davis
           Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
           (412)-344-2039

     2) If you require further assistance, please contact:

           Storm Carmara
           State Coordinator Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
           Pennsylvania Department of Education
           333 Market Street, 5th Floor
           Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
           (717) 772-2066  

Homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate public education.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001

The District recognizes the important responsibilities parents have with respect to the education of their children.  In instances of parents who reside separately, the following procedures govern communication practices with parents:
●    It is the responsibility of the parent to keep the school informed of court decisions regarding custody.
●    Unless there are court-imposed restrictions, the non-custodial parent may request and receive copies of all progress reports, scholastic records, and any other information provided to the custodial parent.  Non-custodial parents wishing to receive such materials should contact the school office.
●    Should a court order curtail the right of the non-custodial parent, the custodial parent must provide the principal with a certified copy of the court order.  If a parent falsely claims restriction of the other parent’s rights concerning the child, the non-custodial parent may file with the principal a certified copy of the most recent court order on the matter.  At all times, the school abides by the most recent court order.
●    Unless there are court-imposed restrictions, the non-custodial parent is entitled to participate in all school activities to which the custodial parent is invited, but only the parent who has been awarded legal custody by the court has the right to be involved in decisions regarding the education of the child.
●    When the court has awarded legal custody to both parents on a shared basis and when no legal custody arrangements have been awarded by the courts to either parent of a disabled child enrolled in special education, both parents are encouraged and permitted to be involved in all educational decisions affecting the child.
●    The non-custodial parent may not visit the child during school hours, nor will the child be released to a non-custodial parent unless such visits or releases are specifically permitted by court order and a certified copy of the order is on file with the principal.

 

PTA’s mission is to foster the health and well-being of all students.  Research has proven that students whose parents are involved in their education are more successful at school.  Mt. Lebanon PTA is committed to strengthening meaningful parental involvement in the schools.  Each PTA unit holds regularly scheduled meetings at their school.  Each PTA unit publishes a student directory for members, has a website, publishes a monthly newsletter or weekly flyer for all school families, and jointly publishes the school calendar with the school district.  PTA funds provide academic enhancements, cultural art programs, and many other activities for all students.  A current list of PTA committees, officers, and chairpersons are listed in the School District calendar.  Meeting information can be found in the School District calendar and on the District website.

Communication between parents and students using the school district’s telephone system for non-essential messages is highly discouraged.

Cell phone use is prohibited during the school day.  Students who use a cell phone (including the use of the camera) or have a cell phone visible but may not be using it will be subject to disciplinary action and confiscation of the cell phone.