The hours of the school day are 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Punctual, regular attendance is an important factor in school success. However, if a child is ill, s/he should be kept home until fully recovered. A written excuse must be presented for each absence. All absences are to be reported to the school voice mail system prior to 9:00 a.m. The voice mail number is (610) 240-1970.

In the event that the need arises to close school early or suddenly during the school day, the school will initiate the emergency calling system. Parents must plan emergency procedures with their children.

On days when the weather forces the closing of schools, local radio stations will announce this by reading school district numbers or names. T/E’s School District number is "Chester County 854." For school closing announcements, listen to:

Radio Station:

• KYW -1060 AM

TV Networks:

• WKYW (CBS)
• WTXF (Fox 29)
• WCAU (NBC 10)
• WPVI (ABC)

Due to poor weather conditions, school may open two hours late. This announcement will be made on the T/E Information Hotline and the same radio stations that announce school closings.

On late opening days, children will be picked up at their bus stops two hours after the usual time. If for any reason we experience a two-hour delayed opening of school, the morning session of kindergarten will be canceled. The afternoon session will begin at the normal time on these days.

The T/E Information Hotline contains current information on school closings, school board meeting dates, announcements, activities, and general District information. The telephone number for the hotline is (610) 240-1970. Individual schools can also be reached via the T/E Information Hotline.

All elementary schools offer breakfast in order to provide the opportunity for a student to eat this important meal. Educational research has demonstrated that students who eat breakfast complete more work in class and score better on tests. Breakfast is available daily from the time buses arrive until students must report to a classroom.

Our school cafeteria operates under the National School Lunch Program. We offer a lunch that provides one-third of the daily food requirements of students. It consists of five components:

A serving of meat or a meat alternate

½ pint of milk

2 servings totaling ¾ cup of fruit and/or vegetables

Bread and/or pasta

Under the "Offer vs. Serve" option, students may choose to take three, four, or all five of the components. Information regarding free and reduced lunch applications is available in the Food Service Office (240-1955) or in each school office. The menus are published in the school newsletters and are shown on the school cable channel. Students may substitute a choice of several offerings of sandwiches or pizza for the main course on the published menu.

Our school cafeterias use a “point of sale” system which is a computerized debit system that tracks student meals and payment for meals. Each student is assigned a four digit PIN number to access his/her account. Every student will keep the same PIN number through 4th grade. Money may be deposited in the student’s account at any time. When sending a deposit, please place the cash or check in an envelope with your child’s name, PIN number, and homeroom.

Any questions concerning the cafeteria will be gladly answered by the Manager of Food Services at (610) 240-1955.

Our goal is that each child will develop self-discipline and will accept responsibility for his/her behavior. An emphasis is placed on pro-social skills, which focus on the importance of respect, responsibility, and consideration for other people and property.

On site child care is available on a contractual basis through A Child’s Place, an independent child care agency. The phone number is (610) 687-4999.

A variety of tools are used to assess student learning. This information is communicated to parents through parent/teacher conferences, report cards, and informal dialogue throughout the year. Districtwide parent/teacher conferences are held each year in the fall and spring and are listed on the school calendar. Report cards for grades one through four are issued four times during the year: November, January, April, and June. Kindergarten report cards are issued three times per year.

Elementary teachers have several programs through which to grow professionally. Building initiatives are identified through the instructional cabinet and appropriate training occurs on site throughout the year. District initiatives are offered through summer workshops, after school courses, seminars, and instructional skills offerings. Additionally, teachers are encouraged to attend relevant conferences and university courses. The elementary program design incorporates instructional practices in thinking skills, questioning techniques, multiple intelligences, task rotation, curriculum integration, and cooperative learning.

A variety of assessments are used to measure the attainment of curricular goals. Portfolios and performance assessments compliment traditional testing techniques. The staff development program provides opportunities to master techniques in task design and task analysis to ensure consistency of application. Information gained from portfolio and performance based assessment is used to make informed curricular and instructional decisions.

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District policy is to increase understanding and tolerance of cultural differences; recognize, respect, and appreciate our global, national, and local diversity; make ongoing efforts to broaden the inclusive nature of the school and community; and promote a richer, broader curriculum at all levels.

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District has a strong commitment to equitable education for all children and has invested time in developing equal educational opportunities for students. The District’s commitment has evolved from a sole emphasis on gender equity to a more global emphasis on the affects of gender, race, and ethnic biases on student achievement.

T/E School District’s website address is www.tesd.k12.pa.us. Information regarding school board meeting dates, meeting minutes, the school calendar, recent press releases, and general District information is located on the website. Each individual school has its own webpage that links off of T/E’s homepage.

Information about the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and individual schools is broadcast daily on local access Comcast Cable Channel 14.

Every family in the District receives a calendar, which also functions as a District handbook. The calendar indicates when school events, performances, and activities are scheduled as well as other valuable information.

One of the best ways to learn about your child’s school is to volunteer, and active participation of parents is a hallmark of the T/E School District. There are many opportunities to become involved with classroom and/or PTO activities. Interested parents should contact the school office, their child’s teacher, or the PTO to learn more about volunteer opportunities.