Welcome to Parkland School District! We want to do everything possible to make this a positive, happy and rewarding time for you and your student. If you have questions during the registration process, please feel free to reach out to your child’s elementary school principal for help and he or she will assist you.

Parkland Elementary Schools

Click here for a list of Parkland's 9 Elementary Schools and a map of Parkland School District as well as our Welcome to Elementary brochure.

Welcome Event dates:

Parkland Elementary Schools will hold Kindergarten Welcome Events in March on the following dates:

Date	School
March 6	Cetronia
March 7	Fogelsville
March 13	Kratzer
March 7	Kernsville
March 14	Ironton
March 13	Fred J. Jaindl
March 14	Schnecksville
March 20	Veterans Memorial
March 21	Parkway Manor

During this time, your child will meet teachers and visit the classrooms while parents receive valuable information.

The Curriculum

Learn about our Kindergarten program by reading our Kindergarten Brochure. The goal of the Parkland School District is to provide an excellent educational program for all students. We strive to deliver a rigorous curriculum that is complemented by rich offerings in the arts and athletics. The Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development Department provides the leadership for a strong instructional program. This department works closely with all teachers and administrators in the District to create a positive learning experience for our students.

The Curriculum encompasses:

Pennsylvania Core Academic Standards
Differentiated Instructional Practices
Research-Based Instructional Practices
Technology Integration and Application
Student Engagement / Real and Relevant Learning
Integration of Teaching in the Content Areas
An understanding of who our students are and how we can help each one fulfill their individual potential

The Parkland Elementary Curriculum provides a comprehensive instructional program that focuses on Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education and use of the Media Center (Library). The opportunity for elementary children to receive band or string instrumental instruction begins in fourth grade. Career exploration occurs at all levels of instruction throughout a student’s tenure at Parkland. All students in grades 1-12 will be assigned a Chromebook for the year. Kindergartners will use iPads. If you have questions related to curriculum, please contact the Office of Teaching and Learning at 610- 351-5540.

Components of a Parkland Kindergarten Classroom

Learn about our Kindergarten program by reading our Kindergarten Brochure!

Safe School Initiatives

Parkland provides many
School Safety and Behavioral Health Programs to help our students physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.

Parkland Community Library

Open a Parkland Library account and explore reading with your new school aged child! Or download the form and have your child turn it in at school.

Pre-K Counts

4-Day Schedule

Parkland elementary schools operate on a 4-day schedule. Your child may have art on Day 1, gym on Day 2, music on Day 3, and media center (library) on Day 4. This means that you will need to know what items your child will be required to bring with him/her in order to participate in his/her daily “special” activity (sneakers for gym class, book for the media center, musical instrument for music lessons, etc.). The daily schedule is posted online on the elementary school web site. Of course, if school is canceled due to inclement weather, the daily schedule will change accordingly. For example, if school is canceled on Tuesday, Day 3, then Wednesday will become Day 3. Please call the school office if you have any questions about the daily schedule.

School Supplies

School boxes, crayons, pencils, scissors, and glue are provided by the school district.
All students should have:

A backpack that is large enough to fit a large binder that your child can open and close and bring to school daily.
Crayons, pencils, glue and scissors on hand at home for family fun, homework and other activities.

Note: All hats, coats, backpacks, and lunch boxes should be labeled with your child’s name.

Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO)

Parkland’s Parent Teacher Organizations have a strong contingency of dedicated parents and guardians. They are always seeking new members. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to support their child’s school by participating in their respective PTO group. The groups meet throughout the year to discuss concerns, share ideas, plan programs and promote school spirit. The time commitment may be minimal or a lot – it’s up to you. Please consider joining this year or contact your school’s principal for more information.

Special Services Available

If you believe that your school age child may be in need of special education or related services, screening and evaluation processes designed to assess the needs of the child and his/her eligibility are available to you at no cost upon written request. Early intervention services are available for young children with special needs (age 3 to school age). You may request screening and evaluation at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the District’s public school program. Requests for screening and evaluation should be made in writing to the Director of Student Services, 1210 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104.

Early Intervention Program and Services

The Early Intervention Program is a federal and state funded early intervention program. The Early Intervention Program provides educational programs and services to families who have eligible preschool children, ages 3-5, who have a significant delay in one or more areas of development. All programs and services offered by the Early Intervention Program are free to children and their families. The Early Intervention Program involves families in all aspects of the child’s program. Parents should call the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Early Intervention Program at 610-769-4111 ext. 1256 to refer a child for an early intervention evaluation.

Records

Confidentiality rights of parents and students are administered in accordance with State and Federal Law under the District’s Student Records Policy, which is available on the Parkland School District web site under the School Board tab.

Kindergarten Readiness

Parents frequently wonder about and ask if their child is ready for kindergarten. Experts say no single or simple factor determines whether a child is ready for kindergarten. However, as a parent or caregiver, you can help your child succeed in kindergarten. Research shows that language development (speaking and listening) during early childhood is important for success in school. Children are not expected to read prior to entering kindergarten, but can be encouraged with language and literacy activities including nursery rhymes, songs, stories and conversation. This builds strong pathways and bridges in their brains to help learning. Children who hear a variety of words from adults recognize and understand important concepts when they begin to read.

Some items that are helpful for your child to know when starting kindergarten include:
   1. How to dress himself/herself
   2. Full name, address and telephone number
   3. Parents’ names
   4. How to hold and use a pencil and scissors
   5. How to print first name – first letter only capitalized

For more resources on Kindergarten Readiness, click here. A list of resources appears at the bottom of the page.

When School Starts

Make the commitment to ensure your child attends school every day. High attendance rates are linked to high student achievement. Missing school even 10% of the time has a significant negative impact on reading and math achievement as children progress through school.

Talk to your child daily about school activities and experiences.
Talk with teachers regularly, even when no problems exist.
Attend school activities whenever possible.
Read information sent home from school (emails, flyers, newsletters).
Remember, you know your child better than anyone else does.
Nothing makes children feel better than seeing a friendly, respectful relationship between the most important grown-ups in their lives: their parents and their teachers.
Continue to read daily with your child.

Just as childhood is a journey, not a race, becoming educated is a lifelong process. Elementary School is the first step in your child’s formal education. We are happy to be your traveling companions. Our best wishes are extended to you for the many milestones ahead!

Other Helpful Information

The Parkland web site at www.parklandsd.org is a wonderful resource for parents. Additionally, each elementary school has their own web site that links from the District site which will enable you to get acquainted with school activities, the PTO, and special events.

Calendar of Events
https://www.parklandsd.org/schools/calendar

Daycare Centers in the Parkland School District
https://www.parklandsd.org/community/day-care-y-care-pre-schools

District Profile – A complete list of demographics and statistics
https://www.parklandsd.org/about-us/district-profile

Staff Directory
https://www.parklandsd.org/schools/staff-directory

School Breakfast and Lunch
https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1553699351819

District Safety and Security
https://parklandsdorg.finalsite.com/departments/safety-and-security