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Principal's Message

September 5, 2023

Dear Trinity South Learning Community,

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! I hope you had a great summer and your child is excited for the first day of school. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare for another year, building on the success and accomplishments of last year. 

We are looking forward to an exciting and productive school year as well!  I am personally excited about my eighth year as principal of Trinity South! My number one priority is providing a safe, nurturing, positive learning environment where every child can reach their fullest potential.  I am looking forward to another school year that is filled with a variety of in-school and after school activities!

In order to insure another successful school year, please remember the following:

  • If you are driving your child to school, do not arrive before 8:25 a.m.  There is no supervision for your child prior to this time.

  • When visiting our school, enter at the front of the building and sign in.  If you wish to go beyond the office you MUST obtain and wear a VISITOR’S PASS. (You will be required to provide your driver’s license when signing into the school at the main office)

  • The perimeter doors will be kept locked at all times during the day.  Therefore, you will have to enter at the front entrance.  The Student Drop-Off entrance door (On the side of the building near the large parking lot) will be opened in the morning until 8:45 a.m. Personally Owned Vehicles (POVs) are NOT permitted in the Bus lane (Main Entrance) during arrival or dismissal times.  

  • Please see the attached information concerning our dismissal policy.  If you already have a car number for dismissal you do not need to acquire a new one for this school year.  We will continue to use your numbers from last year. 

  • Start to review an emergency plan (early dismissal) with your child.  Do not wait for inclement weather to do this.  There are various reasons that an early dismissal may be called such as: power failure, waterline break, etc.  Make sure that your child knows what to do if you are not home at the time of his/her arrival.

  • Birthdays are exciting days for children.  The District has adopted the following Wellness Policy:

 “The district’s Wellness Policy has been updated to reflect the USDA guidelines to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide students with lifelong tools to make healthy choices.   Parents/Guardians should feel free to make arrangements with their child’s teacher if they desire to send a non-edible treat to school.  Edible treats will be returned home.  Parents may choose to send in a non-edible treat to school to share with classmates.  Thank you for your support in helping Trinity provide a healthy and safe environment for all students.

Miscellaneous Information:

  • According to district policy, all family vacations taken during the school year must be approved before the trip.  A Request for Excused Absence from school form must be filled out and approved by the principal two weeks before the trip.  Forms are available in the school office or on the district website.  In your child’s best academic interest, it is strongly discouraged to plan education trips during the PSSA testing weeks.  These weeks are as follows: 

    • 3rd grade ELA-April 22-24,2024. Math - April 29-30, 2024

    • 4th grade ELA-April 22-24,2024. Math - April 29-30, 2024, Science-May 1-2, 2024; 

    • 5th grade ELA-April 22-24,2024. Math - April 29-30, 2024

  • Student’s absences and tardiness are monitored according to the District Policy 204.  A letter will be sent home informing parents when 10 days have been missed or 3 illegal absences.  All absences from school must have a written excuse turned into the homeroom teacher within 3 days of their return.  Please review the School Board Policy 204.

    • IMPORTANT Information Regarding Attendance 

    • If your child is absent from school, please send a written note or doctor’s excuse with them to school the very next day when they return to school. 

    • If you forget to send in a written note, please email Mr. Keruskin their excuse at pkeruskin@trinityhillers.net

    • This is very important. After three (3) days without a written note or email, the absence will become an unexcused absence (illegal absence).  This is a Pennsylvania State Law and TASD policy. 

    • TIP: It’s a great idea to let their teacher know they are going to be absent and that the excuse is in their backpack. (Email, Class Dojo App or Remind App) 

    • If you have any questions regarding the attendance policy, please call.

  • Anytime you want to pick up your child, send a note and sign him/her out at the office.  If anyone other than you will be picking up your child, send a note with that person’s name and time to excuse your child.  Phone calls will not be accepted to give this information due to safety reasons.  Inform the person picking up your child of the proper procedure and that identification may be required.  If your child attends an after school program/day care, please be sure the teacher knows the arrangements.  If you have any changes, please notify the teacher in writing.

  • Note: Holiday parties will be carefully planned by your Parent Faculty Club (PFC), classroom teachers, food service department and building principal.  Home birthday parties are fun, but we do not give out home addresses for other students.  If your child is going to distribute invitations to the whole class, they may do so in school.  

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  • PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES  (Policy 237)

Elementary students shall be prohibited from bringing personal technology resources to school or on district-provided transportation for personal reasons, or for educational use, unless the same are required under a Section 504 Plan or IEP. The administration is directed to develop and promulgate administrative guidelines, consistent with this policy, regulating the use of PEDs by students while in attendance at school, while on school property and while attending school-related functions, so as to eliminate any adverse impact the use of PEDs may have on the educational environment.  Examples of an unacceptable device shall include, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches,gaming devices or consoles, laser pointers, modems or routers, wireless access points, MIFI’s, mobile hotspots and televisions.  Students are not permitted to use any electronic device to record audio or video media, phone calls/text/social media, or take pictures of any student or staff member without permission. The distribution of any unauthorized media may result in discipline including but not limited to suspension, criminal charges, and expulsion. If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian, they may ask permission to use the school phone. 

  • Parent conferences are always welcomed.  In order to schedule a conference, please contact the teacher.  Teachers may be contacted via e-mail or by calling the school.  The teacher’s e-mail address is located on the district’s website.

  • A calendar of events for the school year will be distributed at the beginning of the year to keep you informed of what is occurring in our school.  I hope you will keep this handy and refer to it throughout the year.  Monthly memos are only distributed when there is a change in information. The calendar of events is also available on the District’s website at www.trinitypride.org under the Trinity South page.   The district calendar is also available on the District website. Please look for my monthly newsletter on our Trinity South website under Principal’s Newsletter for current information.

  • There are many ways you can get involved with the school.  Trinity South has a very active Parent Faculty Club (PFC).  The organization has several committees and always need volunteers.  

  • The Open House this year will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 for grades K – 1st – 2nd and Wednesday, September 13, 2023 for grades 3rd – 4th– 5th from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.

I realize that there are a lot of rules and regulations, but to run smoothly we all need to work together as a team.  You will receive more information in the Welcome Back to School Packet which will be handed out at the beginning of the school year or please visit our website www.trinitypride.org for additional information. 

Should you have any questions as the school year progresses, please feel free to contact me at (724) 225-7490 ext. 3501 or your child’s teacher.

Once again, Welcome Back! Together, let’s make this the Best Year Ever at Trinity South Elementary School!

Sincerely,

Pete Keruskin, Principal

Trinity South Elementary School