Thursday September 8: Penn Manor School District is closed.

The first day of the 2011-2012 school year is August 29, 2011.  Upon arriving to school on Monday, all students will report to homeroom.  In homeroom, students will receive a copy of their schedule with any updates or changes, a handbook, and other information.  Parents should expect to see a free/reduced lunch form, bus regulations and a picture order form (grades 9-11).

In homerooms, students will attend a class meeting, before following a modified schedule for the remainder of the day.

After schedules went out in the beginning of August, some schedule concerns were shared with the guidance department. Our counselors work a limited schedule during the summer, but they have been working hard to resolve schedule change requests that have been received on the days they were in.

If students or parents were unable to connect with a counselor about a schedule concern for an educational reason or a mistake, we ask that the student stop by the guidance office on the first day of school.  A student with a concern should come to the guidance office during the class that needs to be discussed.

Remember, at this point the only changes that will be made to schedules are for educational reasons or if a mistake has been made on our part. Educational reasons include changing a level of class to a more challenging class or a change in your course selection based on a career decision.

In late August, Mr. Dave Bender, Earth Sciences / Astronomy teacher at Penn Manor High School, will be participating in NASAs annual Desert Research And Technology Studies (Desert RATS) exploration exercise along with NASA scientist and Penn Manor alumnus Dr. Jacob Bleacher (’96).  Mr. Bender will be part of the Science Operations Team in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, while Dr. Bleacher will serve as a Desert RATS crew member as the team tests exploration concepts among the deserts and volcanoes of northern Arizona.

After arriving back at school a major component of his work will be teaming with Mr. William Yarnell in an educational outreach program which will bring real-time NASA work into the classroom.

You can connect with the Desert RATS team, learn more about analog activities, and read blogs from Mr. Bender and Dr. Bleacher at http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/analogs/desertrats/ .

Thank you to all parents and incoming students that were able to attend the New Student Orientation on August 16th.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the HS office or the guidance office.

To download or print a copy of the handouts from the orientation, click on the titles below:

PMHS FAQ

Checklist for New Students

Breakfast Sept

HS Lunch Menu Sept

Comcast has begun offering reduced rate cable modem service for families receiving free lunch as part of the National School Lunch Program. Families with at least one child receiving free lunch may qualify for a special $9.95/mo Internet connection.

Details are online: http://www.internetessentials.com/. Parents simply need to call the hotline (1-855-8-INTERNET) to begin the application process.

Seniors who wish to sign-up for parking can do so on August 11 (1-3 PM) or August 17 (9-11 AM) in the Central Complex.  Please bring the following items with you:

• Driver’s license
• Current registration/owner’s card
• Current insurance card
• Cash or check for $20.00 payable to Penn Manor School District 
• a signed drug screening consent form will also be needed.  Seniors can pick up the drug screening consent form during parking sign-up.  This form, which must be signed by both student and parent, must be returned to the HS office by the first day of school or the student may not park on the property.  If your name is already in the drug screen pool from 2010-2011, you need not submit a new form.
• Remember, graduation projects should be complete.  To be eligible for a parking permit, you will need to make sure you have completed the career matchmaker quiz, reviewed and saved three schools or training institutes to your portfolio and updated your resume on Career Cruising.  For more information visit the graduation project blog at http://blogs.pennmanor.net/graduationproject/class-of-2012.

Juniors may sign up for remaining spots during the first week of school.

Juniors may pick up a drug screening consent form on the first day of school. These must be signed by both student and parent and returned when purchasing a parking tag during lunches.  Juniors should refer to the “what to bring” list in order to be able to purchase a parking pass.

ENROLL NOW!!!

LOW COST – HIGH LIMIT

STUDENT ACCIDENT GROUP INSURANCE

 

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT CARRY MEDICAL INSURANCE ON STUDENTS, but does provide you with a primary excess group insurance plan that:

 

• Provides coverage for travel to and from school as well as coverage for accidents while participating in Intramural Sports, Gym and Physical Education classes.

 

• Pays benefits directly to you or the doctor or hospital.

 

• Optional coverage includes Extended Dental.

 

• Worldwide coverage under the 24-hour plan provides coverage at school, weekends, summer vacations, home, and play.

 

A brochure that describes benefits and prices with a pre-addressed application may be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

2011-2012 Student Accident Insurance

 

Individual Voluntary Student Program Cost per Year

 

24 Hour Coverage                           $ 116.00

School-Time Coverage                   $   30.00

Dental Accident Insurance            $     8.50 with either of above plans