Shikellamy High School

Shikellamy High School
Address
600 Walnut Street Sunbury, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County 17801-3297 United States
Information
Type	Public
Opened	1929
School board	9 locally elected members
School district	Shikellamy School District
Superintendent	acting Superintendent Ned Sodrick (2015) Former superintendent Mr. Patrick M. Kelley, contract August 2012 - June 30, 2016 Salary $125,000 (2013)[1][2]
Director	Brad R Skelton, Athletics
Principal	Michael Egan, SHS (2015) Former principal Ernie Jackson, SHS (2015) Former principal Michael Hubicki SHS and SMS (2013) Former Principal Terry Roden, Principal (2006)[3]
Principal	Mary Murphy-Kahn, MS
Faculty	41 teachers (2013),[4] 50 teachers (2010)[5]
Grades	7th - 12th
Age	12 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils	806 pupils (9th-12th)[6] 858 pupils (9th-12th)[7] 1,321 pupils 7th - 12th (2012) 895 pupils 9th through12 (2009-10) [8]
• Grade 7	232 (2012)
• Grade 8	224 (2012)
• Grade 9	242 (2012), 249 (2010)
• Grade 10	221 (2012), 225
• Grade 11	206 (2012), 204
• Grade 12	196 (2012), 217 (2010)
Language	English
Team name	Shikellamy Braves
Feeder schools	4 elementary schools Grace Beck School, Priestley School, Oaklyn School, Chief Shikellamy School
Tuition rate 2012	$9,786.03
Website	http://www.shikbraves.org/

Shikellamy High School is a public, combined high school/middle school located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, United States. The building was built in 1929. It is part of the Shikellamy School District. It is the sole public, middle school and senior high school for the communities of Northumberland, Point Township, Rockefeller Township, Snydertown Borough, the City of Sunbury, and Upper Augusta Township. Shikellamy Middle School High School is a federally designated Title I school. The school serves 1,321 pupils students in grades 7th-12th in 2013-2014. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[9] In 2006, the District's 7th through 12th enrollment was 1,573 pupils.^[10]

In 2011, the Shikellamy School Board made a controversial decision to realigned the school to include grades 7 and 8. The Shikellamy High School added a new addition, extending into the old tennis courts. The addition allowed for a larger gym, cafeteria, and band room. They also made substantial upgrades of the football facilities.

Graduation Rate

In 2015, Shikellamy School District's graduation rate improved to 84.31%.^[11]

• 2014 - improved to 82%.^[12]
• 2013 - 78%.^[13]
• 2012 - 77.73%
• 2011 - 79.25% graduation rate.^[14]
• 2010 - 79.25% the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate.^[15]

Former AYP graduation rate:

• 2010 - 84% ^[16]
• 2009 - 78% ^[17]
• 2008 - 84% ^[18]
• 2007 - 78% ^[19]
• 2006 - 83% ^[20]
• 2005 - 81% ^[21]

The District's graduation policy is that if proficiency is not achieved on mathematics and reading PSSAs, a retest will be administered during the senior year for deficient subject areas. Failure to achieve proficiency in the retest requires a passing grade on a final examination and a passing course grade for any and all deficient subject areas reported by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. The student must pass both the course and the final examination in order to graduate. If a student fails to show evidence of this proficiency, the student can achieve a Shikellamy diploma by passing a summer school course or by returning for an additional school year to achieve a passing grade.

The curriculum is under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania Academic Standards. These standards are assessed in the third through eighth and eleventh grades under the guise of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. These tests last several days and cover Reading, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics, and Science. Revision of the Shikellamy School District's mathematics curriculum, to bring it into compliance with Chapter 4 regulations of 2000, began in fall 2007.^[22]

In 2007, Shikellamy School District was awarded two state grants to improve the education of their high school students. The administration announced the receipt of a three-year Project 720 grant of $270,000.^[23] Some of these dollars will be used to revise the graduation project to include a career component. The district was also awarded a $339,000 grant to infuse technology into the core curriculum of the high school.^[24] The Classrooms for the Future grant provides laptop computers for English, math, science and social studies classrooms.^[25] Additionally, the state will cover the salary of a part-time teacher technology coach whose role is to assist the teachers in using the equipment and software effectively to improve their instruction.

Academic achievement

2015 School Performance Profile

Shikellamy High School achieved 80 out of 100. The PDE reported that 76% of the High School’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 67% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 68% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[26] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.^[27][28]

2014 School Performance Profile

Shikellamy High School achieved 76.3 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 76,6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 70.9% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, just 57% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[29][30] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.^[31] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[32][33]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shikellamy High School achieved 67.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 76% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 65.5% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 46% showed on grade level science understanding.^[34] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.^[35]

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) History

In 2012, Shikellamy High School declined further to Corrective Action II Second year status due to continuing low student achievement. The School missed all metrics measured in both reading and mathematics.^[36] Additionally the school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.^[37] The High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.^[38]

• 2011, Shikellamy High School declined to Corrective Action II first year status due to declining student achievement. It was revealed that a teacher had given copies of the PSSAs to students to practice for the exams. The principal was permitted to resign and the issue was reported to the state.^[39] Shikellamy HIgh School Administration was required to notify parents of the low academic achievement and to offer the opportunity to transfer to a better performing school within the District. No alternative school exists in the District.
• 2010 - Making Progress: in Corrective Action I status on student achievement.
• 2009 - declined to Corrective Action I status due to chronic, low student academic achievement.^[40]
• 2009 - declined to Corrective Action I.^[41] In 2009, Shikellamy High School ranked 464th out of 666 Pennsylvania high schools for the reading and mathematics achievement of its students and had its 80th bicentennial.^[42] In 2009, 45% of Shikellamy High School 11th graders were on-grade level in mathematics.^[43] With the 2009 graduation rate decline to 78%, Shikellamy High School was placed on Corrective Action I with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• 2008 - Making Progress - School Improvement Level II AYP status. in 2008, Shikellamy High School ranked 384th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania. The 2008 11th grade math, reading and science scores remained low and were lower than other school districts in the Central Susquehanna Valley IU16 region.^[44]
• 2007 - declined to School Improvement Level II^[45]

In 2009, Shikellamy High School ranked 464th out of 666 Pennsylvania high schools for the reading and mathematics achievement of its students.^[46]

Shikellamy High School was placed under Needs Improvement Level 1 designation in No Child Left Behind for the low mathematics test scores for economically disadvantaged students in 2005.^[47] In 2006-2007, the school moved into Improvement Level II due to low math and reading scores and a declining graduation rate. Multiple explanations for the chronically low results were offered by the district's superintendent.^[48] In 2009, an inadequate number of Shikellamy High School students were on grade level for the fourth year in a row.^[49] Due to poor performance on state standards testing coupled with inadequate improvement over time, the high school was moved to Corrective Action 1 in 2009. The state has provided extensive resources to assist the school in improving its education program through a School Improvement Planning process as dictated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Further interventions will be used to meet the needs of the students. Of Pennsylvania's 3115 public schools, 53 are in Corrective Action 1 and another 169 are in Corrective Action 2. In 2009, 468 of the state's 500 school districts met all Adequate Yearly Progress targets.^[50]

In 2008, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the Shikellamy School District 425th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of PSSA scores in: reading, writing, mathematics and one year of science.^[51] In 2007, the District was ranked 434th of 500 districts.^[52]

In 2006, Shikellamy High School ranked 384th out 607 Pennsylvania high schools based on student academic achievement in mathematics and reading. In 2005, the high school was ranked 384th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania.^[53]

PSSAs:

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[54]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.^[55]

Reading 11th grade:

• 2012 - 59% on grade level. (22% below basic). State - 67%. Ranked 14th among CSIU16 region 11th grades.
• 2011 - 63.5% (18% below basic). State 69%. Ranked 13th among CSIU16 region 11th grades.^[56]
• 2010 - 71% (13% below basic). State - 67%. Ranked 10th out of 18 CSIU16 region 11th grades.^[57]
• 2009 - 62.3% (17% below basic). State - 65.5%. Ranked 13th out of 18 local schools for reading.^[58]
• 2008 - 62.7% (22% below basic). State - 65%
• 2007 - 57.9%, State - 65.4% ^[59]
• 2006 - 62.0%, State - 65% ^[60]
• 2005 - 59.2%, State - 65% ^[61]
• 2004 - 64.7%, State - 60.8%
• 2003 - 61.0%, State - 59.2%

Mathematics 11th grade:

• 2012 - 53% on grade level (25% below basic). State - 59% Ranked 13th among 19 High Schools in CSIU16 region 11th grades.^[62]
• 2011 - 52% (21% below basic). State - 60%. Rank 16th among 18 High Schools in CSIU16 region
• 2010 - 75% (13% below basic). State - 59%. Ranked 4th out of 18 High Schools in the CSIU16 region^[63]
• 2009 - 45.5% (27% below basic). State - 56% ^[64][65] In 2009, Shikellamy 11th graders ranked 16th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement.^[66]
• 2008 - 51.3% (26% below basic), State - 56%
• 2007 - 47.2%, State - 53%
• 2006 - 49.0%, State - 51%
• 2005 - 44.4%, State - 51%
• 2004 - 52.6%, State - 49%

In 2010, Shikellamy High School was investigated for testing improprieties, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. A teacher improperly provided some students with PSSA math questions in advance of the exams.^[67][68] The Principal voluntarily resigned his position at the end of the school year.

Superintendent Alan Locononus acknowledged the District's shortcomings in curriculum and student expectations. He reported taking several actions to improve student academic success, including modifying the curriculum to increase rigor in the middle school and high school.^[69]

Science 11th grade:

• 2011 - 38% on grade level. (14% below basic). Boys 36% on grade level | Girls 29% on grade level. State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level. Ranked 13th among High Schools in CSIU16 region.^[70]
• 2011 - 32% (15% below basic). State - 40%. Ranked 15th among High Schools in CSIU16 region.^[71]
• 2010 - 45% (10% below basic). State - 39% ^[72]
• 2009 - 30.4% (20% below basic). State - 39.7% ^[73]
• 2008 - 29.3%, State - 35.7%

Science in Motion Shikellamy High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.^[74] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

SATs

SAT Reasoning Test 2005

Average Score 994, National Average - 1001
Verbal - 487, National Average - 497
Math - 508, National Average - 504
Students Tested - 130

In 2005, 29 students participated in two AP courses. For both English AP and History AP 48% scored 3 or better which could lead to college credits depending on the college's policies.^[75]

SAT Reasoning Test 2007
Average Score 1367, National Average - 1001
Verbal - 740, National Average - 497
Math - 627, National Average - 504
Students Tested - 237

SAT Reasoning Test 2009 Shikellamy Students tested - 131
Writing Score 462, State Writing 493, National Average - 493
Verbal - 468, State - Verbal 501, National Average - 501
Math - 493, State - Math 515, National Average - 515

SAT Reasoning Test 2012 Shikellamy Students tested - 127
Writing Score 453, State Writing 480, National Average - 488
Verbal - 468, State - Verbal 491, National Average - 496
Math - 467, State - Math 501, National Average - 514

SAT Reasoning Test 2013
Writing score 467, State - 482
Verbal score 475, State - 494
Math score 484, State - 504^[76]

SAT Reasoning Test 2014
Writing score 472, State - 480
Verbal score 490, State - 497
Math score 491, State - 504^[77]

Dual enrollment

The Shikellamy High School offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[78] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[79] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $27,922 for the program.^[80] By Pennsylvania law, this program is open to students, residing in the District who are home schooled or attend nonpublic schools. At Shikellamy High School the program is offered in association with Susquehanna University and Bloomsburg University. Courses are offered locally. Students may also attend Bloomsburg University the summer of their junior and senior years at a 75% discount rate.^[81]

Shikellamy High School does not participate in the Penn College NOW program.^[82] Penn College NOW is partially funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-270) through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, by the support of Pennsylvania companies through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and by Pennsylvania College of Technology.

ACE

Shikellamy School District students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate.^[83] Successful students earn college credits that can be readily transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.^[84]

AP Courses

In 2014, Shikellamy High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).^[85] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Shikellamy High School 28.4% of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.^[86]

2013 - 14.12% of Shikellamy students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the AP exam at the end of the course.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Shikellamy School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate, including: Mathematics 4 credits, Communication Arts 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Computer Applications 0.5%, Physical Education 2.75 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits and electives 4.75 credits. Students must earn 6 credits to enter 10th grade and at least 13 credits to enter 11th grade.^[87]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.^[88] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.^[89]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.^[90] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.^[91]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.^[92][93] For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.^[94] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.^[95] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

Technology

The District is connected to the Internet with 4 Mb of bandwidth, burstable to 10 Mb. We are connected from one building to the other with a fiber WAN. All buildings have a wired network. The secondary buildings also have a wireless network.

The High School is equipped with a SmartBoard in every department, and in most cases, in every room. There are also 4 mobile laptop carts of 30 laptops each that can be signed out for student use in the classroom. The library has 20 desktop computers for student use. There are 4 main instructional computer labs with 28 computers each, and many mini-labs for student use in the Art, Science, English, Music, and Social Studies departments. All secondary students have their own network accounts and space to store files.

PowerSchool Parent Portal is available to parents of students in the high school. This provides parents with online information about their child's attendance and grades.^[96]

Grants

Shikellamy HIgh School did not participate in: 2013 Pennsylvania Safe Schools nor the Pennsylvania School Resource Officer grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants;^[97]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The state grant requires the district hire a part-time technology coach, whose role is to assist the teachers in using the equipment and software effectively to improve their instruction. The salary is covered by the grant.^[98] The program was funded from 2006-2009. Shikellamy School District applied, but was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the District received $316,667. The District received $57,023 in 2008-09 for a total of $373,690.^[99][100] Among the public school districts in County the highest award was given to Shikellamy School District. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Project 720

Project 720 was a high school reform program implemented for three years under the Rendell administration. The intent was to increase academic rigor and improve the instruction of teachers in the Commonwealth’s high schools. Teachers were expected to use data driven instructional practices and to meet the needs of diverse learners.^[101] The 720 in the name referred to the number of days a student was in high school in ninth through 12th grades.^[102] High schools applied for funding and were required to agree to report to the PDE their plans, their actions and the outcomes. In 2007-08 budget year, the Commonwealth provided $11 million in funding. Shikellamy School District was one of 161 PA public school districts to apply, receiving $89,527 funding over three years.^[103][104] For 2010-11, Project 720 funding was decreased to $1.7 million by Governor Rendell. The grant program was discontinued effective with the 2011-12 state budget.^[105]

Vo-Tech

SUN Area Technical School is a regional vocational school, offering adult education classes, vocational education, and technical career training. SUN Tech serves over 1500 people annually. ISO9001 and Middle States Accredited. SUN Tech was presented with the Significant Achievement Award in Education for raising their Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award score to 648 points, a 345-point increase from 303 points in August, 2000.

Safety and bullying

Shikellamy High School administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the School in 2012-2013. Additionally, there was one assault of a student and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in six incidents at the schools resulting in one arrest.^{[106] [107]}

The Middle School's administration reported there were five incidents of bullying in the School in 2012. Additionally, there was one assault of a student and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in zero incidents at the school.^{[108] [109]}

Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.^[110]

In 2009, Shikellamy School District reported zero incidents of bullying in the previous school year.^[111]

The Shikellamy School Board prohibits bullying by district students and employees. A policy approved in December 2008 defines bullying and cyberbullying - Policy 249. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.^[112] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[113] District administration are required to annually provide the following information with the district's Safe School Report: the board’s bullying policy, a report of bullying incidents in the school district, and information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[114][115]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[116]

Wellness policy

Shikellamy School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[117] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy was in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity hat are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[118] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for its approval.

The Shikellamy High School offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can choose to eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[119] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[120]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[121] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of the lunch.^[122]

Shikellamy School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[123] Nurses also monitor each child's weight. The District also participated in Highmark Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.^[124]

Extracurriculars

Shikellamy High School offers many extracurricular activities to its students. It has many clubs, including: foreign language clubs, Future Scientists/Business Leaders of America, science clubs, and community service clubs. The school is well known for its band and theatre, forensics programs and the JROTC. The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website. The sports programs are through the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.^[125] The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the District, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those who are homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[126]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.^{[127][128][129]}

Athletics

Shikellamy School Board has determined the eligibility to participate in school district policies.^[130] Shikellamy School District is a member of the^[131] for all athletics and participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Shikellamy High School is a Class AAA school.

According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.^[132][133]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.^[134]

According to PIAA directory July 2013 ^[135]

Notes and references

External links

• Shikellamy High School Web Site
• Shikellamy School District site
• Pennsylvania State Board Academic Standards Standards for the public education K-12 curriculum.

Coordinates: 40°51′23″N 76°47′21″W / 40.8565°N 76.7893°W / 40.8565; -76.7893