Community Connection

As of October 1, 2022, and through the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Pennsylvania schools participating in the School Breakfast Program will be able to serve students a school breakfast at no charge. It is important to note that this change applies only to the School Breakfast Program in the 2022-2023 school year and does not affect a student’s eligibility status for lunch (free, reduced, and paid, respectively).

Therefore, it is important that families who meet the income eligibility criteria apply online at www.schoolcafe.com or by obtaining a paper application at their child’s school so they will be eligible for free or reduced lunches in the 2022-2023 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Holly Hartman at hhartman@iasd.cc or by calling 724-463-8713 at extension 3101.

On Friday, September 23rd, IASD conducted their annual Salute to Heroes Game and it was a great time. IASD raised several hundred dollars to support local veteran affairs and we are grateful for everyone's consideration, time, and effort that help make this night a special one for our entire community. Finally, thank you to all those who served our country and continue to do so!

Many people commented on the powerful demonstration of community spirit last Friday with so many students and staff wearing their red t-shirts. Let’s “paint the town red” every Friday by donning our new t-shirts and, more importantly, a positive “We Are Better Together” outlook! Thank you once again to our generous donor for making this project possible, and thank you to our staff, students and families for supporting it. Let’s remind ourselves and the community that we really ARE better together by wearing our red!

The District is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the IUP Athletic Department to conduct another Youth Day scheduled for October 22, 2022. On this day, all IASD students in grades K-8 will be admitted into the IUP football game for free. Parents will need to pay for their own admission to the game. Families are encouraged to have their children wear their Indiana apparel to the game to cheer on the Crimson Hawks as they face Seton Hill at 2:00 pm.

Dear Families:

I wrote to you earlier this month explaining the District’s intention to conduct threat preparedness assemblies/training. As a follow up, the District has planned a series of rally point drills. In mid to late October, the District will conduct rally point drills led by the District’s Safety and Security Consultant, Mr. Robert Fatula and IASD Safety and Security Coordinator, Mr. Mike Travis.

The purpose of these drills is to make our students aware of the appropriate response in the time of an emergency. This includes responding to an “Active Shooter” scenario. Please make note that no gunshots/blanks will be fired during these drills at any time. We will be practicing our ability to move to a rally point.

As you are aware, the District has taken a variety of steps to increase our preparedness and awareness regarding these types of unfortunate events. The goals of the training drill are to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. As part of the District’s plan, I feel it is necessary to conduct these school-wide drills to help staff and students understand the topic as well as be prepared to the best of our ability in the case of an active shooter scenario.

In closing, we are committed to doing everything it takes to keep our students safe. Please be advised that students will be dismissed at the regular time on the day of their building level training. These drills are a part of our overall safety plan. If you do not want your child to participate in the rally point drills, please contact your child’s school to request that they be removed from the drill. Each school will have a location for those students who wish not to be a part of the day’s conversation.

We are proud to share an exciting opportunity for your family. The ARIN IU28 has been awarded a 21st Century grant to facilitate after school programming for students in the Indiana Area School District. This program will be administered by the Evergreen After School Club in partnership with the ARIN IU28, and hosted by the Indiana Area School District.

Because of this incredible partnership, we will be able to offer after school programming for interested students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade four days/week (Monday - Thursday) from October - May. This program will provide after school care complete with a snack, homework help, crafts, and fun physical activities, as well as targeted skills tutoring once a week.

If you are interested in registering your child, please complete the form found here. Please understand that due to the requirements of the federal grant, the registration form is very detailed. In an effort to serve your child’s academic needs at Evergreen After School Club, we are requesting the release of your child’s education records. This information is kept confidential and is only used to support your child’s special learning needs. Additionally, this information is used for important state/federal reporting that helps us maintain our grant funding. Please fill out and sign the following Authorization to Release Information form. You will need to complete the registration for each student you want to register. Once registered, your child will be added to the list of interested students, and the program staff will contact you with next steps. Please note that because this program is brand new and staff are still being hired by the partnering agencies, seats may be limited. A waiting list will be created on a first-come-first-serve basis, as completed registrations are received.

If you have any questions concerning the program Please email us at evergreenasc@evergreenasc.org or visit the Facebook page for updates and more information.

Website: www.iasd.cc
Location: 501 East Pike Road, Indiana, PA, USA
Phone: (724) 463-8713
Facebook: facebook.com/IndianaAreaSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @IndianaAreaSD