English as a Second Language (ESL)
Although English as a Second Language is not a funded program, it is mandated by the state and federal governments. All school districts must provide ESL services for their students according to the law.
Title 22, Chapter 4, Section 4.26 of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Curriculum Regulations requires that the school district provide a program for every student who is limited English proficient or an English Language Learner. Every school district shall provide a program for each student whose dominant language is not English for the purpose of facilitating the student's achievement of English proficiency and the academic standards. Programs under this section shall include appropriate bilingual, bi-cultural or English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
The District will provide every school age child with a home language survey to determine individual student needs regarding ESL services. Parents may contact the building principal for additional information regarding these services.
For more information on ESL services, please contact:
Allegheny Valley School District
300 Pearl Avenue
Cheswick, PA 15024
724-274-6500
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Title 10 - McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Subtitle B-Education for Homeless Children and Youth), now reauthorized and part of the No Child Left Behind Act, ensures a free and appropriate public education for all homeless children and youth.
The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement. Children and Youth are homeless if their primary nighttime residence is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; are living in cars, parks, public places, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. Some migratory children may be considered homeless as well if they are living in circumstances described in this Act.
The Allegheny Valley School District ensures that all students in homeless situations as defined by the law are kept in their school of origin, to the extent feasible, unless it is against the parent or guardian’s wishes. “School of origin is defined as the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. This is done because changing schools greatly impedes students’ academic and social growth. Research shows that it takes a child four to six months to recover academically after changing schools. Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing. At the request of parents or guardians, the District also provides transportation to and from the student’s school of origin. Finally, the Allegheny Valley School District takes great care in ensure the health, safety and educational rights of all unaccompanied youth. The District’s Homeless Liaison strives to help all youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian to find safe temporary housing and maintain them in the structure of the school they know best.
Questions regarding the District’s Homeless Initiative can be referred to: Dr. Melissa Holler at 724-274-6500 or
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FERPA (District Services, Federal/State Programs section)
As a parent, you have certain rights in regard to your child’s school records. These rights are guaranteed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 1974, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Education regulations. These rights apply whether your child is exceptional or non-exceptional.
Parents have a right to review, inspect, or obtain a copy of the records. They may make a written request for copies of their child’s records at a fee not to exceed duplicating costs. If a parent believes that any information is inaccurate or misleading, he/she may challenge the contents of the records. Parents have the right to refuse individual consent where such permission is needed for releasing certain student information. Should a parent feel the district is not providing these rights, he/she may file a complaint with the FERPA Office, Department of Education, Room 4511, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202.
If a child transfers to another school system, records will be forwarded after notification of enrollment is received from the new school.
According to FERPA, 1974, various non-confidential information can be released to outside agencies without parental consent. This directory information consists of name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weights and heights of members of athletic teams, dates and attendance, degrees and awards received, and other similar information. If a parent does not want directory information released, he/she must notify the district in writing.
The District protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable information regarding exceptional and protected handicapped students in accord with state and federal law and the district’s student records policy.