Family Resources

The Office of Support Services is pleased to provide this quarterly resources aimed at supporting families and helping them connect with community resources.

This resource is for our families. We strive to provide you with an exhaustive list of supports to help you and your family grow and thrive. Below, you will find information about available parenting workshops and sessions, community resources like mental health supports, homelessness programs, drug and alcohol resources, and food banks, and links to our social work staff. We hope you find this resource helpful. We are here to support you and your child as they grow to be productive citizens in Springfield Township!

Do you need help this holiday season? Please reach out to one of our building social workers for school-based options? Our social workers can connect you with mental health supports, food donations, holiday donations, and so much more!

Please reach out:

• Enfield, Joanne Adar (joanne_adar@sdst.org)
• Erdenheim, Emily Duffy (emily_duffy@sdst.org)
• Middle School, Mary Beth Seeley (marybeth_seeley@sdst.org
• High School, Lauren Foster (lauren_foster@sdst.org)

House Bill 2185 was recently signed into law by Governor Shapiro. This new law mandates that schools provide information on Type I Diabetes beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. In order to comply with this law, the district has created a resource for families to highlight key information on Type I Diabetes.

Over the winter months, students have an increased chance of coming down with an illness. To help keep your child healthy, please remind them of the following best practices:

• Practice good hygiene- wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds frequently, but especially after using the restroom and before and after eating

• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use your elbow to ensure maximum coverage.

• Stay home when you are sick (i.e. running a fever, vomiting, diarrhea)

• Talk to your doctor and stay up to date on vaccinations

Check out our Family Information Series recordings.

October 2024: Anxiety in Children and Teens

September 2024: Caring for Yourself and Your Child While Waiting for Help

The Student Wellness Committee meets four times per year to discuss and advise the district on student health issues and to promote student wellness. All meetings are held via Zoom. Activities include providing input to Family Information Sessions and planning the annual Family Wellness Fair held each March. Please consider joining us!

• February 11 at 4pm
• March 11 at 4pm

Our Equity Action Plan in Review document was created to help guide our upcoming audit work through the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium. This fall and winter, we will work to review the past three years of our work in the Equity Action Plan and create a plan for 2025 through 2028. Mark your calendars now as we will present to the Board in January 2025 on Year 3 of the Equity Action Plan.

In late September, early October, all students in Grades 3 through 12 participated in the district's Fall Belonging Survey. This 20 question survey is administered three times per year and helps to inform the district's equity work. Overall, our data is strong suggesting that students feel a sense of belonging, have trusted adults in the building and feel safe at school.

All students will be able to get a free school breakfast through the Universal Free Breakfast Program during the 2024-2025 school year. This is only applicable to the School Breakfast Program and does not affect a student’s eligibility status for lunch (free, reduced, and paid, respectively). Additionally, students identified as eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) will not be charged for their meals.

• Elementary Breakfast - No charge to students during 2024-2025 School Year
• Elementary Lunch $2.75, Reduced and Free Eligibility No Charge during 2024-2025 School Year
• Secondary Breakfast - No charge to students during 2024-2025 School Year
• Secondary Lunch $3.00, Reduced and Free Eligibility No Charge during 2024-2025 School Year

Local Meal Charge Policy

The School District of Springfield Township feels that it is important to remember those in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. Foodfinder.us is a nonprofit website and app (for iOS or Android) that offers the location and contact information of more than 40,000 food pantries and similar food programs across the country. The FoodFinder website and app can be utilized to pinpoint local free food providers within the community.

The Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, provides uninsured kids up to age 19 with health insurance. Most kids qualify for free CHIP coverage. CHIP coverage includes routine check-ups, prescriptions, hospitalization, dental, eye care, eyeglasses, behavioral care, speciality care and more.

To apply or renew your child's CHIP coverage, please visit CHIPcoversPAkids.com or call

1-800-986-KIDS.

Are you experiencing homelessness? Springfield Township is here to support you!

Please reach out to your building social worker for assistance with services and answers to questions regarding your child's rights while experiencing homelessness.

You can also access information on our webpage.

Al-Anon: Local 12-step support group, free, and anonymous for families and friends of person with a drug or alcohol problem

Alcoholics Anonymous of Southeastern, PA: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with an alcohol problem

Aldersgate: Substance abuse education and counseling located in Willow Grove, PA

Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol: The Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol provides a wide range of drug and alcohol services to county residents in the areas of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery Support.

Narcotics Anonymous: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with a drug problem.

The goal of stoAc is to educate the school community and increase understanding about Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the stigma behind it. They promote proactive, open, non-judgemental and healthy environments through ongoing, open, and honest conversations.

• Springfield Township Opioid Action Committee - Parent Pamphlet
• Springfield Township Opioid Action Committee - Teen Pamphlet

Peter's Place is a local grief and loss organization committed to provide families and children with counseling and support as their grieve the loss of a loved one.

If you are interested in finding out more information or would like to access services, please call 610.687.5150 or email them at info@petersplaceonline.org.

Have a tip? Contact the Safe2Say Hotline. Students and parents can anonymously report threats and concerns through call, text or through the app.

Call 1-844-SAF2SAY

Download the app by searching SAFE2SAYPA

Report online at SAFE2SAYPA.org

With gun suicide on the rise and firearms becoming the leading cause of death among children in the United States in 2020, the School District of Springfield Township is pleased to present information on the importance of secure firearm storage as an essential part of home safety to the members of our school and surrounding community.

Be SMART is a framework designed to help families normalize conversations about gun safety to help prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Please take a minute to review the Be SMART framework and check out the besmartforkids.org site to learn more about how you can take responsible actions for gun safety.

Our Office of Support Services and Registrar are always happy to answer your questions regarding residency!

As a reminder, you must live in the School District Springfield Township boundaries in order to attend school here. If you move during the school year, please complete the Change of Address Form to keep your most current address on file.

Elementary School Hours
Regular School Day: 8:55 am - 3:25 pm
Early Dismissal: 8:55 am - 12:00 pm
2-Hour Delay: 10:55 am - 3:25 pm

Middle and High School Hours
Regular School Day: 7:45 am - 2:41 pm
Early Dismissal: 7:45 am - 11:10 am
2-Hour Delay: 9:45 am - 2:41 pm

To report an absence to your child's school, please email and include your child's full name and grade in the subject line as well as a reason for your child's absence citing one of the approved reasons.

Note: If you email, you do not have to call the office.

• Enfield: en_attendance@sdst.org
• Erdenheim: er_attendance@sdst.org
• Middle School: ms_attendance@sdst.org
• High School: hs_attendance@sdst.org

The following are School Board approved conditions for an excused absence to be granted based on Pennsylvania School Code:

• Illness
• Quarantine
• Family Emergency including a death in the family
• Family Educational Travel, Tours, and Trips (with prior approval by SDST administration)
• Impassable Roads
• Recovery from Accident
• Required Court Appearance

Dr. Michelle L. Lutz

Director of Support Services

215-233-6000 ext. 1017

michelle_lutz@sdst.org