Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do when my child is absent from school?

Good attendance patterns are essential to success in the classroom; however, we understand that from time to time students will miss school due to illness or other reasons. Upon returning to school, we require students to present a note to the homeroom teacher from his/her parent or guardian stating the reason for his/her absence.

Back to Top

Is there a nurse on campus? What health services do you provide?

Yes, we have a full-time nurse who is available for emergencies or first aid treatment. We will send students who become ill at school to the nurse to determine if the condition is such that the student should go home. If a child is ill, we will make every effort to contact a parent or guardian.

In addition, the school nurse conducts vision, hearing, and height-weight screenings according to a pre-determined schedule as set forth in the student handbook.

Back to Top

Where can I find information about a bus pass and get a bus schedule?

We contract our student transportation through a third party. Please visit our district Transportation page for details about obtaining a bus pass, bus routes, and schedules.

Back to Top

Do you offer a meal program?

Yes, we offer our students nutritious and healthy meals for breakfast and lunch on a daily basis. We also participate in the free and reduced price federal lunch program. For menus, meal prices, and the free and reduced lunch application, please visit our district Food Services page.

Back to Top

How old does my child need to be to register for kindergarten? How do I register my child?

Children who turn five years on or before September 1 of the entering school year are eligible to enroll in our all-day kindergarten program. For information and registration forms, please visit our district Registration and Immunizations page.

Back to Top

Do you offer programs for special needs or gifted students?

We provide many resources to assist students with disabilities as well as those identified with special learning requirements including gifted and talented, speech development, and English language learning support. For more information, please see our district Student Services page. In addition, we also provide guidance and counseling for any type of behavioral, academic, social, or emotional issues. If we find that we are unable to help, we have a variety of professional connections that we can refer families to for assistance in meeting the needs of their child. Please see our Programs page for more information.

Back to Top

What kinds of extra or co-curricular programs and activities do you offer at Port Allegany Elementary?

We have a variety of options including music, after-school athletics, homework help, and more. Please stop by our Programs page for more information.

Back to Top

My child is struggling with her academics. Do you offer tutoring or homework help?

Yes, we do! We offer individual tutoring as well as a peer-to-peer program. Please visit our Programs page for more information about how you can take advantage of these opportunities.

Back to Top

How do we find out about school cancellations in the event of hazardous weather conditions?

In the event that we must cancel or delay school, we will provide notification by Facebook, Twitter, and our automated phone system. Please be sure that your contact information is up to date in our records to ensure you receive these urgent messages. In addition, we will provide notification to the local radio and television stations to announce. Please tune in to any of the following stations: WHKS - 94.9, WPIG -  95.7,  WBRR - 100.1, WQRM -  106.3, WPSU - 90.1, WFRM - 600 AM, WKBW - Channel 7, WVIB - Channel 4, WGRZTV - Channel 2, and WTAJ - Channel 10. We kindly ask for your cooperation by not calling our office directly; our staff will be very busy with other responsibilities related to the delay or closing.

Back to Top

What is the student dress code?

We require that outfits worn to school be conducive to learning and appropriate for the situation to create a coeducational community of young people who value not only the knowledge of subject matter but also the importance of decency, good taste, modesty, and regard for others. We will not permit any form of dress that is detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of other students or which is disruptive to the educational process. For more information, please refer to our student handbook found in the parent and student quick links on the Home page.

Back to Top