Gifted Support
Students meeting the necessary criteria will receive services to provide enrichment/advancement opportunities.

Hearing/Vision Support
In the area of hearing/vision, itinerant services are provided by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. 

Special Education Support
For students needing specially designed instruction, special education services are available at all buildings.
 
Deer Lakes School District has a Special Education Policy on file with the Department of Education which is available for review in the district’s Administration Office. Confidential records for special education students are covered by a district policy which allows parents or guardians to review the information by contacting the Director of Special Education.
 
All special education students who reside within the Deer Lakes School District, including those who attend programs outside the district, are given the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in local non-academic and extracurricular activities.
 
For further information relating to these policies, please contact the Director of Special Education at (724) 265-5300, ext. 2647.

Speech/Language Support
A program of evaluation and therapy is available for students with speech/language difficulties.

English as a Second Language: ESL Program Requirements 
Purpose: To help ensure that children who are limited English proficient, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency, develop high levels of academic attainment in English, and meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet.

Schools are required to:

• Enroll students using the same procedure as other students, no requirements for immigration information.
• A “home language survey” to determine language spoken at home must be provided to all new students and to all students currently enrolled.
• Test the student to determine ability level in English and also in native language.
• Provide ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) instruction if needed and in the amount to ensure attainment.
• Provide appropriate accommodations to all other subject areas and tests.
• Evaluate ESL instruction and adjust as needed.
• Communication of program descriptions and services must be in the native language.
• Evaluate for special education services, when and if needed.

Complaint Resolution Process for English as a Second Language (ESL)
First Step: The parent will meet with the classroom teacher and ESL teacher. If the problem is not resolved move to:
 
Second Step: The parent will meet with the building principal, classroom and ESL teacher. If the problem is not resolved move to:
 
Third Step: Parent will meet with the building principal, district ESL Coordinator and AIU ESL administrator. At this time, the parent may also be referred to a parent support group to assist them in resolving the problem.
 
Final Step: If all of the above have been unsuccessful, then the parent will be referred to the ESL/Bilingual Education Advisor and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The telephone number is 717-787-8913.
 
Social Support
Social support is available for students needing social, emotional, or behavioral guidance.
 
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Pennsylvania Student Assistance Programs (SAP) utilizes formal and systematic approaches designed to provide assistance to students troubled by physical health, emotional health, drug, alcohol or family problems. Children At Risk Everyday, or CARE, is the name of our student assistance program. Members of this group are concerned staff members trained to provide the support and assistance needed by many students.

The goals of the program are:

• To express a concern for the general well-being of the student.
• To focus on educational concerns and improve the quality of education.
• To enlist the support of staff, family and community in providing assistance to the student. Parents, staff members, peers or the student may make a referral by contacting any member of the CARE team.

 
Testing Programs
Various kinds of testing are administered throughout the school year. Results are used to help determine the degree of academic attainment.
 
Homebound Instruction
Students unable to attend school for extended periods of time may receive Homebound Instruction with a signed order from a Physician.  The District needs to be provided with a signed prescription from the Physician indicating the exact start date and anticipated end date of the required Homebound Instruction.  Homebound Instruction consists of a teacher providing 5 hours of instruction per week in the student’s home.  Please contact the building principal with any questions.
 

Lancer Academy
Lancer Academy is offered through Pearson Virtual School Learning and offers students access to an incredible learning platform - Founders Academy. Through this unique partnership, students have the opportunity to participate in a flexible, asynchronous instructional program and earn credits recognized and accepted by Deer Lakes. The Pearson Virtual School staff works closely with the school district to ensure that rigor, integrity, and fairness are maintained. The robust program, which is based on years of research and best practices for excellence in virtual learning, offers students a vast array of courses from which to choose, allowing them to pursue their interests while building the necessary skills for success.

Lancer Academy is available for those students interested in the full time cyber experience.   Individual classes are the financial responsibility of the students and their families.  Students attending A.W. Beattie will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Work Permits
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor is strictly enforcing the regulation of the Federal Child Labor Law in that all minors under the age of 18 are required to obtain a Work Permit in order to get a job.  The student can get an application for a Work Permit at the Deer Lakes High School Attendance Office.  All required information and documentation must be presented before a permit is issued.   The Child Labor Law prohibits the use of educational records to be used to verify age.

School Resource Officer
The School Resource Officer program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the educational environment. The officer, while in the school, is involved in a variety of functions aimed at prevention. Besides being an active high-profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers, and administration regarding legal issues. The SRO is a link to other service agencies, which provide prevention and counseling services within the school district. Working hand in hand with the Principal in each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems affecting school-age children of the 21st century.

The SRO program reflects a community partnership between the Township of West Deer Police Department and the Deer Lakes School District to ensure that our schools are safe, secure, and provide an orderly learning environment.

Safe2Say Something?
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something”.  With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies. 

To report a tip visit the following link: Safe2Say or call 1-844-723-2729.
 

Here’s how it works:

• Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
• The crisis center reviews, assesses, and processes all submissions
• Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement  for intervention
• If needed, the crisis center may contact tipsters anonymously through the app

• Dress Code (Deer Lakes School District Policy 221)

Generally, the dress and appearance of students at Deer Lakes is such that little needs to be said regarding this matter.  The school is a workplace for staff and students, so adequate and modest dress is required.  However, for those very few who attempt to draw attention to themselves by dressing to extremes, disciplinary action may be taken.  Students may be assigned discipline or an alternate setting by an administrator.

The following apparel, style, or modes of dress are not permitted in the Deer Lakes School District.

• Clothing that may prove hazardous to the student or other students
• No hats, bandannas, or sunglasses are to be worn in the classroom without approval.
• Clothing with obscene or suggestive pictures or language may not be worn.
• Clothing that advertises drugs, alcohol, or objectionable suggestions is not permitted.
• Clothing that is a distraction to the learning environment.

The administration and faculty have the right to question a student’s dress. The administration also reserves the right to take any necessary action if any item of clothing is not specifically covered in the list posted above.