PittsburghSchiller6-8
1018PeraltaStreet |Pittsburgh, PA15212 |Phone:412.529.4190 |Fax:412.323.4192
ParentHotline:412.529.4357 (HELP) |
Welcome!
WelcometoPittsburghSchiller 6-8.Thepurposeof thisStudentHandbookistoprovidestudentsand parentswithimportantinformationaboutPittsburgh Schiller MiddleSchool.Anawarenessofthese
rules and procedureswillhelpourstudentstobe successfuland tohaveaverypositive experience atourschool.We urge youtoreadthecontents completelyand tosavethishandbook forfuture reference.Theschooladministrationwillcontinue toreview thepoliciesprovidedinthishandbook and willrevise them asneeded.Anychanges in
school policywillbedisseminatedtoallparentsand guardians via“backpack”flyersand themonthly schoolnews.
Weare proudofourschool, and weare proudofthemany studentswhoworksohard togetthe finest educationavailableanywhere.Doyourbest. Getinvolved inschoolactivities.Youare incontrol ofyourdestiny.Youcan haveaveryexcellentand rewardingschoolyear!
PittsburghSchiller 6-8isamiddle schoolpartialMagnet program.EnrollmentatPittsburghSchiller isopen toallstudentsinthePittsburghPublic Schools whocompletetheprescribedapplicationprocess. TheOfficeofMagnetProgramsattheBoard of Educationworks withtheschooladministrationto maintainabalancedand diversestudentbody.
Participationintheclassicalacademymagnet programisaneducationaloptionofferedbythe PittsburghSchoolDistricttothosefamiliesand childrenthatareseekinganenrichededucational environmentwithaclassicaleducationperspective. ContinuedenrollmentatPittsburghSchiller6-8is offeredtoallstudentswhomaintaintheexpectations concerningappropriatebehaviorandanacceptable levelofacademicachievement.Studentswho
donotmeettheseexpectationswillbeplacedon probationarystatus.Ifsufficientimprovementdoesnot occur beforetheendoftheschoolyear,thestudent maybereturnedtohisorherfeederpatternschool.
Themissionofourschool istoeducateevery childtohighstandardsina safe,orderly, andcaringschoolenvironment.We intend to provide our students with a foundation for college and career readiness.
Have agreatyear!
Paula Heinzman,Principal SchoolColors: Blue and Gold
SchoolMascot: Schiller Stallion
School Motto:“Character is higher than intellect.” -Emerson
OurHistory
PittsburghSchiller Schoolwas openedin1872 onLockhartStreetand was known astheThirdWardSchoolNo.2,Allegheny.Itwas namedafter Friedrich VonSchiller, theGermanpoet, inhonor
oftheGermanpopulationoftheneighborhood.The currentbuildingreplacedtheoriginalSchiller school and theschoolhasbeenatPeraltaand Wettach Streetssince1939. Theoldbuildingwas eventually soldtoaprivate individual/organizationin1974 for
$5,000.
JohannChristophFriedrich VonSchiller was born onNov.10,1759, inMarbach,Germany,wherehis father worked forDuke KarlEugenofWurttemberg. When hewas 13,young Schiller enteredtheDuke’s militaryacademy,theKarlsschule.Hestartedto study lawand laterturned tomedicineand when he was 21,hewas appointed toaStuttgartregiment.
Schiller’sfirstplaywasTheRobbers(1781). WhentheDukelearnedthat Schillerhad,without permission,lefthisregimenttoseetheplay performedatMannheim,heputtheyoung officer underarrestandforbadehimtowriteanything more.SchillerfledtoMannheim,latersettlingin
Leipzig,wherehewrotehisfirstmajorpoeticdrama, DonCarlos(1787).Theplay,alongwithGoethe’s IphigenieaufTauris(1787),helpedtoestablishblank verseastherecognizedmediumofGermandrama.
Schiller also wrote poetry and essays,including
Ode toJoy, whichwas laterusedbyLudwigvan Beethoven inhisNinthSymphony.HisHistoryofthe Revolt oftheUnited Netherlands (1788) wonhimfame asascholarand ledtohisappointmentasa professor ofhistory attheUniversity ofJena.
–ByDelmar Kirk,PittsburghSchiller graduate,2001
School Procedures
Bell Schedule
Pleasevisitourwebsite at contact ourParentHotlineat412.529.4357forthe bellscheduleforyourchild’sschool.
Earlydismissals
Onrare occasions,aparentmayneedtorequest anearly dismissalfromschool fortheirchild(such asforadoctor’s appointmentorother importantbusiness).Theprocedureforobtaininganearly dismissal isasfollows:
• Thestudentmustpresentanote,signedbythe parent,requestingtheearlydismissal.The note shouldcontainthereasonforthedismissal,the timeofthedismissal,andaphonenumberwhere theparentcanbereachedtoconfirmtherequest. Thenoteshouldbebroughttotheofficebefore homeroomperiod.
• Officestaffwillcalltoconfirmtherequest.
• Theparentisresponsibleforany transportationneeds.
• Earlydismissalscannotbeacceptedoverthephone.
In the event that Early Dismissals become excessive, a citation could be filed at the local magistrate.
HomeroomPeriod
Homeroomisanimportantpartoftheschool day.Averyimportantpartofevery homeroom period ismorningannouncements.Students
are askedtostandforthePledgeofAllegiance. Then eachstudentmust beveryquiet tohear theannouncements.Theannouncementswill containimportantinformationsuchas: school activities,sportsscores,datestoremember, newsaboutPittsburghSchiller 6-8,etc. Itisvery
importantthatstudentspaycloseattentiontothese announcements.Thehomeroomteachermust take attendanceduring thehomeroomperiod.
Attendance
It’simpossibletogetatrulygood education unless studentsmakeevery efforttoattendschoolon
aregularbasis.Asthereisnewmaterialbeing discussedinschool every day, itismost important toestablisharegularpatternofattendance.Schiller had recently partnered with the United Way’s BE THERE Campaign to promote the value of regular attendance.Valid reasonsformissingschoolare illness,deathinthe family,orother legalreason.When returningto school, allstudentsshouldbringinawrittennote,
signed byaparent,explainingthereasonand dates
ofabsence.Noabsencecan beconsideredan excusedabsencewithoutthisnote. Each student is permitted 3 unexcused absences per year. Students may turn in a note up to 3 days after the absence. Notes will not be accepted after 3 days. Students are permitted 10 parents notes per school year. After 10 parent notes, only medical, court or death notices will be accepted. Any additional unexcused absences will result in a citation from the magistrate. OR Any additional unexcused absences could result in a citation from the magistrate.
Under anewBoard ofEducationpolicy,students are expectedtoattendschoolatleast95percent ofthetime(nomore than threeabsencesper report period).Studentsare permittedtomakeup assignmentsmisseddue toanexcusedabsence.
Thisworkshallnotbeconsideredlateifitisturned inafter anumberofschooldaysequaltothe absence(i.e.,twodaysofexcusedabsencemeans thatthestudenthastwoadditionaldaystocomplete themissedclassorhomework).
Tardiness
Punctualityisanimportanthabit todevelop. PittsburghSchiller 6-8studentsmayenterthe buildingbeginningat9a.m. Studentsare expected togotolockersand besittinginhomeroom by9:05
a.m.Anyone whoentersafterthattimeisconsidered tardy. Studentswhocometoschool after home
roomshould firstreport totheofficefora green tardyslip. After 15 tardies, a citation will be filed with the local magistrate.
Duringtheschool day, studentsare given three minutes tochangeclasses.Suchtimeissufficient, assumingthatstudentsmove promptly totheirnext room. Changeofclassisnotatimeforsocializing. Our students transition to class in lines.Studentsare consideredlateforclassiftheyare not intheirclassroomswhen thelatebellrings.
Studentdresscode
PittsburghSchiller adoptedauniformpolicyinMay of2009. Theuniformpolicystatesthatallstudents must wear:
• Navyblue or khaki colored dresspants(absolutely NO JEANS will be accepted)
• Plainwhiteorlightbluecollaredshirt(not-shirts)
• Tennisshoes(noflip-flops)
Ifstudentsdonotarrive toschoolwearingthe requireduniform,theywillbeprovidedwithaclean uniformissuedbytheschooladministration when available.These borroweduniforms must bereturned tothemain officeattheend oftheday.
Disciplinary action forrepeateduniformviolation includes, butisnotlimited:
• Phonecalltoparents
• Borrowing ofaschoolissueduniform
• In-schoolsuspension
Lunch
Asthereare many peoplewhomust eat lunch ina short period oftime,itisveryimportantthatstudents cooperatewiththefollowingprocedures:
• Studentsaretoreporttothelunchroompromptly.
• Studentsareresponsibleforcleaningtheirplaces andthrowingawaytheirtrays,lunchbags,etc.
• Studentsshouldremainseatedattheirlunch tablesatalltimes,excepttogettheirlunches,and thentodisposeoftrash.
• Whenalltableshavebeencleaned,studentswill bedismissedtablebytabletogooutsidetothe courtyard. Noonemayleavethelunchroomuntil his/hertablehasbeendismissed.
Lockers
Allstudentswillbeprovidedwithalocker fortheir convenience.Studentsshouldnotleaveitems in
alocker unlessa locksecuresit.Theschool isnot responsibleforitems storedinlockers.
Studentsmaynotuseanyother locker than theone assignedtothem.Thehomeroomteacherwillmake anychangesoflocker assignments.Studentsmay notinviteafriendtousetheirlocker.
Studentsmaygotolockers4times perday:before school, before lunch, after lunch, after school.You must decide inadvancewhatbooks and materials youwillneedfortheday. Studentsmayuselockers atother times onlywithateacher’spermission.
Theschoolreservestherighttoinspectthecontents ofanylockerwhenthereisreasontodoso.Valuable itemsshouldnotbebroughttoschool.Studentsare askedtokeeptheirlockersneat andclean.
Allhats,coats,lunchesmust bekeptinlockersat alltimes. Bookbagsand backpacksmust remain inschoollockersatalltimes. Gymclothes maybe carried inasmall plastic bag.
SchoolVisitors
Parentsand guardians are welcomeatPittsburgh Schiller 6-8ClassicalAcademy.Allvisitors must report tothemain office,identifythemselves,and signinthevisitorregister.Allvisitors willbeissued and must display avisitor’spasswhileinthe school building.
Parentswishing toobservetheirchild’sclassmust firstobtain thepermissionoftheprincipal, assistant principal orschoolcounselor.Parentsshouldnot expect toconfer withteachersduring classtime.
Allparent-teacherconferencesshouldbescheduled inadvance.
Academics
Homework
Studieshaveshownthatinorder totrulyremember whatistaught inclass,itisnecessarytospend sometimepracticingthatskillathome.Therefore, homeworkwillbeassignedtoallPittsburghSchiller
6-8students.Someassignmentswillbedue the nextday, and otherswillbelonger-termprojects (likeascienceproject).Studentsare expectedto
complete allhomeworkassignments,and iftheyare absent,tofindoutwhattheymissedand howthey canmakeitup.Inorder todowelland tomakegood grades,itismost importantthatstudentscomplete
allhomeworkontime.
StudentAssignmentBooks
EveryPittsburghSchiller studentwillbeissuedan AssignmentBook.Thisjournal isdesignedtokeep anaccuraterecordofhomeworkassignmentsand toimprove therelationshipbetweenteachersand parents.PittsburghSchiller studentsare expected tocarrythisbook toallclasses,torecordall
assignmentsintheappropriate box,and totake the book homeeachnighttosharewithparents.
Periodically,therewillbespecialrewardsfor studentswhohavekepttheirbooksup-to-date.
Ifthebook islost,studentsmaypurchaseanew one intheoffice or at the School Store.
Course offerings
Grade 6
Communications
Connected Math
Math 6
Science
Social Studies/Ancient Cultures
Physical Ed./Health General Music Instrumental Music Art
Grade 7
Communications
Math 7
Science
Social Studies/World History
PhysicalEd./Health VocalMusicorChorus, InstrumentalMusic
Grade8
Communications
Math 8 or Algebra 1
Science
USHistory
PhysicalEd./Health VocalMusicorChorus InstrumentalMusic
Art
AllPittsburghSchiller studentswhomeetthecriteria forthegiftedprogramattendthePittsburghGifted Center one dayperweek.
Principal’sBookoftheMonth
ThePrincipal’sBookoftheMonthisabookselected specificallybytheprincipalthat isfocusedona monthlycitizenshiptheme.Pastthemesinclude: perseverance,respect,belonging,hardwork,and many more.Duringthemonth,studentswillbe immersedinmany skillsandactivitiesthat revolve aroundthe monthlytheme.Eachofthe bookscanbe addedtothestudents’25BookGoal.
Field trips
Fieldtripsarevaluablelearningopportunitiesfor students.Theyarealsoameansofrewarding studentsforacademicachievementandappropriate behavior.Parentconsentisrequiredforallfield
trips.Parentconsentmustbeintheformorasigned permissionslip.Verbalpermissionbyaparentisnot anacceptablealternativetoasignedpermissionslip.
Studentactivities
Therearemanyactivitiesthatwillbeavailableto students,bothafterschoolandduringtheschoolday:
InterscholasticSports: Inthefall,wehaveboys’ andgirls’baseballand co-edcrosscountryteams. Inthewinter,weplayboys’and girls’basketball, andinthespring,studentsmayparticipateinboys’ orgirls’soccer.A“C”averageisrequiredinorder to participate.
FieldTripsand SpecialDays: Eachgradelevel
teamplansanumberofactivitiesforstudents.Some educational fieldtripsare plannedthatcorrespond
toactivitiesthatgooninclass.Other tripssuchas skatingpartiesare meanttorewardgood behavior and hard work.Onlythosestudentswhohave earnedtheprivilege are invitedforthesetrips.
In-schoolActivities: Newspaper,studentcouncil, Leadership Team, NationalJunior Honor Society,cheerleaders, yearbook,intramurals,Think-A- Thon,African American History Challenge Bowl
and many more.
School-wideActivities: Inthepast,wehaveplannedanannualSkiTripDay;athree-dayend oftheyear triptosuchplacesasNewYorkCityor Williamsburg;and aKennywoodDayinJune.To qualifyforthesetripsrequiresthatstudentshave worked hardin school and demonstratedpositive behavior.Toqualifyfortheend-of-yeartrip, studentsmust have:
• Atleasta2.0gradepointaverageonthemost recentreportcard
• Satisfactoryattendance
• Satisfactorycitizenship
• Noseriousdisciplineincidentsaftertheend-of- yearlettershavebeendistributed.
AtPittsburghSchiller, wetrytorewardthosewho workhard anddotheirbest!
Parentalinvolvement
PittsburghSchiller welcomes parentvolunteers and appreciatestheircontributionstoourschool community.Someexamplesofways in which parentsmaybecomeinvolved are:
• Chaperonesforfieldtrips
• Portfoliopresentationpanels
• Parent SchoolCommunityCouncil/ParentTeacher
StudentOrganization
• BookFair
• ChaperonesforStudentDances
Classical Festival/Family Night
Schoolrules
Inaddition toallrules ofCodeofStudentConductof thePittsburghPublic Schools,thefollowingschool rules havebeenestablishedtomaintainasafeand orderly learningenvironment:
• Appropriatelanguagewillbeusedatalltimes
• Keep allbody partstoyourself
• Book bags are tobekeptinlockers
• Food and drinkare onlytobeinthecafeteria
• Electronicdevicesare notpermitted/All cell phones will be collected at the metal detector and handed back at the end of the school day.
Theschoolreservestherighttodeterminethe appropriateconsequenceforanyviolationgiven the severityoftheactand thedisciplinaryhistory ofthe student.
Offensesthatare alsoviolationsofthecrimescodewillbereported toSchoolDistrictPolice andmayresult in citations/referralstoDistrictCourtsor JuvenileCourt.
For more information, please refer to the Code of Student Conduct.
School expectations
Students at Pittsburgh Schiller are expected to
have Stallion P.R.I.D.E. P.R.I.D.E. is an acronym for students to follow and to remember:
Be Positive
Be Respectful Be Invested
Be Disciplined Be Engaged
Rewards and Incentive Program
Students at Pittsburgh Schiller Classical Academy are expected to work hard in school. Therefore, the Schiller staff and administration have implemented a rewards and incentive program for students that
follow the rules and put forth their best effort in their classes. The rewards and incentive program include:
• Stallion cash (token economy)
Students can earn this money by following the rules, completing homework, participating in class, achieving honor roll, having perfect attendance, and many others. Students can then cash their money in at the school store.
• School Store
The school store, located near the cafeteria is open on Fridays. Here, students can by any number of things ranging from school supplies, to snacks, to Schiller merchandise.
• Lucky A’s (academic incentive)
These tickets are given to students when the receive an A test/exam. Students are expected to put their name on the ticket and turn it in to the office for a weekly raffle.
• Lucky B’s (Behavioral incentive)
These tickets are given to students that exemplify excellent behavior both in and out of the classrooms. Students may receive these tickets
at any time during the day when they are “caught being good.”
• Weekly drawings
On Fridays during the end of the day announcements, students are called to the office via the PA system if their names are chosen for Lucky A’s, Lucky B’s, or agenda Book numbers. Upon arriving to the office, students are permitted to select a reward from the prize box.
Community Resource Guide
Family Resources:
Adaptive Behavioral Services- (412)661-7790
ABS provides clinical and medical expertise and support so that an individual can be successful.
Alliance for Community Respite Care - 1(888) 954-2424
A collaborative network of families, providers, community members and advocates who work to ensure the availability of quality respite care.
Allegheny Family Network (AFN) - 1(888) 273-2361
Supports and partners with families raising children with emotional and mental health needs to improve their quality of life.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - (412) 622-3114
The Carnegie library has multiple branch locations offering special services such as job career and educational centers.
Child Care Information Services - CCIS of Allegheny County – City - (412) 261-2273 or 1(800) 392-3131
CCIS serves as a primary resource to assist families with child care referrals, emergency childcare, subsidized care for qualifying families, and promotes
quality child care by offering training in subjects such as early literacy.
Children’s Health Insurance Program - CHIP - 1(800) 986-5437
Pennsylvania’s program to provide health insurance to all uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance.
Family Resources - (412) 363-1702
Family Resources offers many services to help parents and children improve their relationship along with youth enrichment activities at its centers.
The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania - (412) 281-2535
Helps mentoring programs by providing training, recruiting, quality assistance, and support to increase the number of mentors in the community.
Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center - (412) 281-4404
The PEAL Center is an organization of parents of children with disabilities reaching out to assist other parents and professionals
Pittsburgh Public Schools - (412) 529-4357 (Parent Hotline)
The Pittsburgh Public Schools believes in regular, two-way, meaningful communication connecting student academic learning and other school activities;
to this end the Parent Hotline is one of a number of resources to assist parents and families in engagement.
Right to Education Task Force – (412) 529-2300
The Local Task Force provides opportunities for parents, guardians and community members to ask questions about special education services as well as address concerns that affect students with disabilities in the Pittsburgh Public School District.
Program for Students with Exceptionalities PSE/Oliver
2323 Brighton Rd.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212
United Way of Allegheny County - (412) 255-1155 (HelpLine)-CALL 211 for Emergency Services
United Way of Allegheny County provides information to families through their online resource Help Connections; agency funding, planning, and
community problem solving for health and human services agencies operating within Allegheny County.
Children’s Services
Achieva - (412) 995-5000
A world-renowned leader in the field of disabilities, known for its innovative programs, and dedication to children with disabilities and their families.
Allegheny Youth Development (AYD)- (412) 766-5040
AYD is a spiritual-based nonprofit organization that improves the academic performance and self-control of at-risk teenage boys through after-school and evening programs.
Alliance for Infants and Toddlers - (412) 885-6000
This program provides service coordination, screenings, assessments, family support services, and early intervention service coordination to families
with children between the ages of birth to three years of age.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh - (412) 363-6100 or 1-877-937-2447
Big Brothers Big Sisters increases the self-confidence of children and the probability that they will become fully integrated members of society, leading
productive and rewarding lives through mentoring and enrichment programs.
Boys and Girls Clubs - (412) 782-5710
The BGC is a unique organization consisting of 8 Club facilities, a Charter H.S., Outlet Connection retail venture, Campfire USA, and extension
programs. Our goal is to provide every child with the essential tools needed for a successful & bright future.
Catholic Charities, Child Care Support Services - (412) 456-6999
Catholic Charities provides counseling, refugee resettlement, respite care, utility assistance, emergency relief, tangible assistance services and makes
referrals for clients. In 2007 it expanded services by opening a Free Health Care Center.
Children’s Institute - (412) 420-2400
The Children’s Institute is a nonprofit pediatric rehabilitation facility which provides education services for children ages two to 21 with cognitive or
physical disabilities with in-home services for children and families with special needs.
Girl Scouts - Trillium Council - (412) 566-2570 or 1(800) 248-3355
The Girl Scouts inspires girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.
Greater Pittsburgh Council Boy Scouts of America - (412) 325-7904
The Boy Scouts trains young people in citizenship, service, and physical fitness through the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing programs, & more.
Junior Achievement of Southwest PA Inc. – (412) 208-4747
JA’s purpose is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise and understand business & economics to improve the quality of their lives.
Parks and Recreation - (412) 255-2539
Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of recreational programs and facilities for use by Pittsburgh citizens.
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library - (412) 682-4430
The Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, a cooperative run by volunteers, is an indoor play-space for children, pre-kindergarten, and their caregivers.
Urban Impact – (412) 321-3811
Urban Impact is a North Side based organization focused on holistically transforming our community one person, one family, and one block at a time.
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh - (412) 227-4802
The Urban League is the largest social and educational service provider and advocacy agency devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the
economic and social mainstream community in Pittsburgh through its diverse programs.
YMCA - (412) 227-3800
YMCAs serve America’s children, families and communities by “building healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
YouthPlaces - (412) 434-0851
YouthPlaces promotes the positive cognitive, social, physical, emotional and moral development of youth by providing a safe place for them to engage
in a range of activities.
YouthWorks Inc. - (412) 281-6629
YouthWorks builds a community solution to help young people whose potential might be overlooked to pursue employment and career development
opportunities.
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh - (412) 391-5100
YWCA works to improve our community by increasing the status of women, girls, families and advancing racial justice by tackling homelessness,
childcare needs, unemployment, fair housing and civil rights issues.
Cultural Organizations
The August Wilson Center - (412) 258-2700
The August Wilson Center for African American Culture is a not-for-profit organization that presents performing, visual and education programs that
celebrate the contributions of African Americans within the region and the impact of cultural expression from Africa to the African Diaspora.
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh - (412) 622-3131 Natural History & Art, (412) 237-3400 Science Center, (412) 237-8300 Andy Warhol
A collection of four dynamic, distinctive museums, and the Pittsburgh region’s home for great art and science exploration.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh - (412) 322-5058
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative museum experiences that inspire joy, creativity and curiosity.
Fort Pitt Museum - (412) 281-9284
Through exhibits and programs, the museum also addresses the important role of Fort Pitt during the American Revolution and the early development
of the city of Pittsburgh.
The History Center - (412) 454-6000
The Senator John Heinz History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in the state of Pennsylvania.
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild - (412) 322-1773
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild is a multi-discipline, minority directed, center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a
sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community.
National Aviary - (412) 323-7235
The National Aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit bird zoo. It is home to 600+ birds of more than 200 species.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - (412) 622-6914
Encounter the wonders of the natural world. Tour through the jewel-like Conservatory and visit exotic lands and ancient worlds with vivid colors,
natural oddities, and surprises around every corner of the botanical gardens.
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium - (412) 665-3640 or 1(800) 474-4966