This creative costume of a “Claw” vending machine game was made by Leah Toomey and her mom!  Leah is a student at Kratzer Elementary.  Our community enjoyed seeing many creative costumes as all elementary students paraded around their buildings on the Friday before Halloween during a favorite Parkland tradition. We wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

Parkland is the only Pennsylvania District to have two award-winners on School Board

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) awarded Robert Bold, Parkland School Board Director and current  Board President, with Master School Board Member accreditation during the public board meeting on October 27, 2009.  This recognition is both for school boards and individual members who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in attaining the goals of effective governance and meeting the needs of students for the 21^st century through educational excellence and equity of all students.

This is the second year PSBA has awarded such accreditation to members.  Roberta Marcus, Parkland School Board Director and President-Elect of PSBA, received the award last year making Parkland the only District in Pennsylvania to have two award-winners serving on its board.  Pictured above is Bob Bold (left), PSBA Executive Director Tom Gentzel (center), and Roberta Marcus. [Read more...]

Now that we are into October, cases of the H1N1 and seasonal virus are starting to appear across the country and in our schools. Currently, here in Parkland, our attendance rate is strong.  My purpose in posting this message is to remind you of some of the precautions that we ALL need to take to stay healthy. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that students with symptoms of the flu such as fever, sore throat and body aches contact their family doctor with questions or concerns. Vaccine-related questions should also be directed to your doctor.  The CDC is recommending that children and adults in high risk categories get vaccinated against both the seasonal and H1N1 flu.

We are asking that students and staff stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.  Our nursing staff will continue to send students home with fevers of 100 degrees or higher.  Students with influenza-like symptoms may be provided a mask to suppress the spread of germs while waiting in the nurse’s office to go home. 

We continue to encourage frequent hand washing and have provided hand sanitizer in strategic locations.  Custodians are using proper disinfectants and increasing the frequency of cleaning as appropriate.

We are communicating with health department officials and have offered the use of our facilities for vaccine clinics in the future should this become necessary. Please refer to this web site for future updates. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy fall season.

Top 10 Tips for Preventing the Spread of Flu

PSD Efforts to Reduce the Spread of H1N1 Flu

Web Resources For More Information

Fire Departments from the three townships that comprise Parkland School District visited all elementary schools in October to discuss fire safety tactics.  Above, students at Fogeslville climb out of a window and down an escape ladder of a smoke simulation trailer.  The trailer visually demonstrates how quickly a room fills with thick smoke in the event of a fire and gives kids the chance to practice a window escape with the help of fire safety officials.