AGIS: About Us

Dr. George Steinhoff, Lead Principal
Mrs. Carol Bove, Principal, Red and Orange Schoolhouses
Mrs. Denise Schrum, Principal, Blue and Purple Schoolhouses

A Message from Dr. Steinhoff, our new Lead Principal

Greetings to the entire AGIS community!

It is with much excitement and enthusiasm that I have finally joined the AGIS team. I feel very fortunate to be a part of a vibrant school that provides a top-notch education for all of its students and continues to keep kids first. For those who may be unaware, my name is Dr. George Steinhoff and I will be taking over the helm as the new Lead Principal at your school. Please don’t hesitate to stop and introduce yourself the next time you visit your school. AGIS is a wonderful place and for sure it will take some time to get to know everyone!

As a way of introduction, I’d like to note my background and experiences that have led me to AGIS. I have recently completed my doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Delaware and also hold a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I have served as a Principal in both elementary and intermediate schools which has offered much knowledge about balancing academic rigor with a developmentally appropriate approach to learning. Most recently, I served as the Principal at Pennell Elementary in Aston, PA.

Going forward at AGIS, I will remain true to many of my core beliefs about schooling: schools exist to serve their communities towards the development of bright and motivated students; schools must remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students to learn; schools need to view students as more than just a test score while still embracing the belief that all students do have the capacity to achieve at high levels of proficiency, and school staff should treat every student as if they were their own. Indeed, as a father of three myself that last point is an especially guiding one for me.

In advance, I’d like to thank everyone for your continued support of our staff and school. AGIS is a wonderful place and you are fortunate to be a part of it.

Sincerely,
Dr.Steinhoff, Lead Principal

A Message From The Principals
Avon Grove Intermediate School opened its door on September 3, 2002. We are continuing our dreams of a:

high degree of personalization
sense of belonging
community involvement
technology
consistent curriculum standards

This community will continue to honor the past and celebrate the future. Our leadership team, composed of classroom teachers, specialists, and administration worked together during the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years to plan and develop Avon Grove Intermediate School.

We believe that

Every student is entitled to high quality work everyday.
Teachers are leaders and inventors.
Principals are leaders of leaders.
District leaders provide direction and support.
Quality work means high standards, high interest, high challenge, and high satisfaction.

Our basic curriculum puts an emphasis on literacy. Inquiry learning in math and science requires active student learning and a collaborative environment where students, parents, teachers and administrators work together.

Our standards-based curriculum is consistent and continuous, K-12. Technology is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum. We report to parents three times a year. Fall and spring reports include a written report card and parent conference. The final written report card comes at the end of the school year.

Our new and enhanced special programs include 5 1/2 weeks of Spanish, Computers, Health, Guidance, Science Lab, Music, and Art. Physical Education is provided everyday unless students are engaged in an in depth study of art, science lab, or computer science.

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Putting Our Big Ideas Into Action

When the elementary schools opened their doors on September 3, 2002, the physical buildings were not the only changes for Avon Grove students.Over the course of the past two years, as Avon Grove Intermediate School was rising from the ground, district administrators and teachers were looking to the future and designing an educational program to better meet the needs of all our students.

From these discussions a new educational focus, Big Ideas, was developed for the elementary schools.Highlights of Big Ideas included:

Emphasis on literacy
Inquiry learning in math and science
Active learning
Collaborative environments for students, parents, teachers, and administrators
Standards-based curriculum with consistency and continuity.

One area where these Big Ideas are immediately noticeable is in the organization of the Art cycle/PE classes at Avon Grove Intermediate School (AGI). AGI students rotate through seven special courses, which meet daily for 5 1/2 weeks.These include: Art, Music, Spanish, Science Encounters, Computers, Guidance, and Media Skills.

During most of the year AGI students receive daily Physical Education classes. This promotes daily exercise and life-long fitness habits. Health classes are taught within the physical education block.

Art cycle teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to design lessons that integrate with classroom curriculum.Working with the same group of students over consecutive days allows for more complex projects that can be completed over a shorter period of time.Also students can focus on one special subject at a time instead of art one day and music another day, giving continuity to these subject areas.

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Fast Facts

Grades: 3, 4, 5, and 6

Trimester report cards coincide with individual parent/teacher conferences held in November and March.

Organization

The school contains four pods, each with 18 classrooms, commonly referred to as Schoolhouses. Each Schoolhouse has a principal, guidance counselor and instructional support teacher that works exclusively with the teachers, parents, and students in their Schoolhouse. The common core areas such as the gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, art, and music rooms are shared by all the Schoolhouses. Families are assigned to one of the four schoolhouses for their four years at Avon Grove Intermediate School.

Specials Cycles

Specials cycle classes become extensions of our regular classroom program that enhance, enrich, and extend learning. Classes rotate through seven “special courses” which meet daily for 5 1/2 weeks. These include: Art, Music, Spanish, Science Lab, Computer Skills, Media Skills, and Guidance.

Students have Physical Education classes everyday with the following exceptions:

All grades– Science Lab
Grades 3 & 4– In-depth Art Exploration
Grades 5 & 6– In-depth Computer Science

Music Programs

Instrumental music lessons begin in fifth grade. Students have the choice of learning flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, French horn, or drums.
The AGIS String Program offers lessons to 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Students have the choice of learning violin, viola, cello and bass.
Band begins in sixth grade with multiple opportunities for performance.
Evening concerts and other perfomances are given by AGIS string students.
Student choirs have multiple opportunities for performance.

Before and After School Programs

After school enrichment programs are sponsored by the PTA.
Girl Scout troops and Cub Scout packs meet at the school.
The Avon Grove Recreation Association and other local community organizations offer a variety of sports and performance programs throughout the District, usually in the evenings and on weekends.
Child Care:The Southern Chester County YMCA operates a before and after care program at the school. Care is provided for a fee from 7:00 AM to 8:05 AM. and from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

Special Education Screening

The Avon Grove School District reminds residents that they can make an appointment with the district to have their child screened to determine if the child may be in need of a special education program. Avon Grove School District’s ongoing screening service is available to all students in the district, including homeschooled children and students who attend private schools. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact Peg O’Grady, Ph.D., Supervisor of Pupil Services, at 484-667-4441. The staff at Avon Grove School District and parent will find a mutually agreeable time and location for the screening activities.

All school districts in Pennsylvania are required by state law to implement procedures to identify, locate and evaluate all children who may need special education programs. The procedures and activities, known as Child Find, are performed to identify children who are suspected as having a disability that would interfere with their learning unless special education programs are made available. The purpose of identification is to ensure that a free and appropriate education is provided to students who are identified as having a disability.

When the screening process identifies a child suspected of having a disability, the district must obtain parental permission before the child can be evaluated. If parental permission is received, the child will be evaluated to identify the disability and to determine the child’s need for special education and services. Following is a list of disabilities that may be identified: specific learning disability, speech/language impairment, emotional disturbance, other health impairment, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, autism, multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, visual impairment, deaf-blindness.

Students found to be eligible for special education would be offered a continuum of services provided within the regular classroom as well as in pullout programs. Both academic and emotional/social supports are available.

The district will gather information regarding a child’s physical, mental, emotional and health functioning through testing and assessment, observation of the child, as well as through any records made available to the school district through physicians and other providers of services such as day care agencies.

A written record, or education record, is developed based upon the results of the evaluation. School districts are required by law to protect the confidentiality of education records, and parents have the right to inspect and review any educational records related to their child that are collected, maintained or used by the school district.

For more information, call the Avon Grove School District Pupil Services Office at 484-667-4441.

Health Forms and Information

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Procedure Reminders

ARRIVAL - LATENESS - ABSENCES - NOTES

Students may not be dropped off before 8:10 unless prior arrangements have been made with the YMCA for morning care.
Students who arrive between 8:10-8:25 may be dropped off and go directly to their classroom.
Students who arrive at 8:25 or after must be brought to the office by their parent/guardian to be signed in and get a late pass before proceeding to their classrooms.
When a child is entered on our computerized system as absent, an automated dialer calls the home to confirm the absence. You do not need to call the school unless you get the automated message when you believe your child is in school. We will then verify the presence or absence of the child and make any necessary corrections or follow-up.
An excuse note is required for every day a student is absent from school. A doctor’s note is required for absences of 3 days or more.
When a student is not riding his/her bus home, he/she must have a note.
A note is required each time your child is late or absent, specifying the reason.
If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to unavoidable circumstances or an educational trip, you must send a written request to the principal for an excused absence at least two weeks in advance.
On all notes please be sure to write clearly your child’s first and last name, the teacher’s name, the time if applicable, and a clear explanation. Always include the date and your signature. Thank you for helping to keep AGIS a safe place for your children.

BUS & DISMISSAL INFO

Bus arrangements are being corrected as the information becomes available. If you have any transportation concerns, please contact the Head of Transportation, Mrs. Rachael Dunn, at the AG District Office, 610-869-2441.

As in the past, requests for bus passes cannot be honored for at least the first two weeks of school. Children must ride their regular busses until the drivers are acquainted with their routes and the students’ bus stops. We will notify you in our newsletter when bus pass notes will be accepted. FYI – Faxed or phone requests for bus passes will not be accepted. It is very important that you give your child a written note each day that s/he will not be riding a bus home. That note serves as his/her “ticket” to be picked up or to go to another area of the building at dismissal time. Passes cannot be issued to groups larger than 5. Also, two of our busses are at capacity so passes cannot be issued for busses 4 and 52.
Please send in a note that includes all of the following information needed for a bus pass:

Your student’s first and last name
Your student’s teacher
The bus number
The first and last name of the student with whom you child is riding, or a description of the established bus stop
The date
Your signature

The following busses are at capacity and we can no longer issue bus passes for these busses: 2, 9, 15, 16, 18, and 88. Thank you for your cooperation.

MEDICATION

Please note that ALL medication dispensed at school requires a note from the parent/guardian AND a note from the physician/health care provider.
All medication must be in the original bottle/package and labeled with the correct student’s name, correct dosage, and correct instructions. Expired medication will not be administered.

LUNCH INFO

The cafeteria has distributed student PIN numbers to all the homeroom teachers. Your child may deposit money in his/her cafeteria account with either cash or a check written out to AG Food Services.
The cafeteria requires a note from a doctor if a student has any food allergies or is not able to drink milk with his/her purchased lunch. A new doctor’s note is required EACH year.
All students that have been on the free or reduced meal program must reapply each school year. Forms went home with all students.

VISITORS

For the safety of our children, to avoid unnecessary interruptions, and to ensure that confidentiality issues are not violated, parents and other visitors are not permitted to go to classrooms at any time unless they have an appointment with the teacher or are scheduled as the classroom volunteer. All visitors and volunteers are reminded to sign in at the receptionist’s desk. Thank you for your cooperation.

NOTES FROM HOME

It is very important that you give your child a written note each day that s/he will be either picked up for any reason or staying at school for a prearranged activity or program. That note serves as his/her “ticket” to be picked up or to go to another area of the building at dismissal time.
A note is required each time your child is late or absent, specifying the reason.
If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to unavoidable circumstances or an educational trip, you must send a written request to the principal for an excused absence at least two weeks in advance.
On all notes please be sure to write clearly your child’s first and last name, the teacher’s name, the time if applicable, and a clear explanation. Always include the date and your signature. Thank you for helping to keep AGIS a safe place for your children.

DRESS CODE

Click HERE to download a copy of the Student Dress Code (pdf).

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School Delay and Closing Criteria
The decision whether to open school on time, to call for a delayed opening, or to cancel school is made by the Superintendent based on information received by Accu-Weather, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, municipal authorities, bus contractors and our building and grounds department. The Superintendent also consults with administrators in neighboring school districts.

Serious weather conditions or other emergencies may make it necessary to close school, delay the opening of school, or dismiss students early. In any one of these cases, announcements will be made on local radio stations and Philadelphia television stations. Avon Grove's emergency closing number is 859.

The Avon Grove School District will be in session when the weather and road conditions allow for safe and timely bus transportation for students. Should road and weather conditions warrant a delayed opening or a closure, notice of such will be broadcast on the (1) district website, (2) NewsFlash, (3) area radio, and (4) television stations. Please monitor these communication systems as needed.

Television Stations	Radio Stations
Channel 3-KYW-TV3	WSTW 93.7 FM
Channel 6-WPVI-TV6	WJBR 99.5 FM
Channel 10-WCAU-TV10	WCOJ 1420 AM
Channel 29-WXTF-Fox 29	WDEL 1150 AM
	WCHE 1540 AM
	KYW 1060 AM

In the event that school is closed, all activities, meetings, and events scheduled to be held in district facilities are cancelled. This includes meetings of the Board of School Directors.

Kindergarten: When school opening is delayed, AM Kindergarten is dismissed at the regular time (11:05). PM Kindergarten schedule in unaffected. During an early dismissal, AM Kindergarten leaves at 10:30. PM Kindergarten's schedule is 11:05-1:05.

Emergency school closing: Emergency information will be posted on the district web site and will be broadcasted over the radio and television. Due to the number of students that we serve, coupled with addressing circumstances of an emergency situation, it is not possible to make individual phone calls to parents and/or guardians. In the event of an emergency school closing, students will be sent home via the school bus. Our children need to know what to do when they get home in the event that you are not home to greet them. Please discuss the appropriate plan with your child prior to any unforeseen emergency situation.

During dismissal, our school driveways and parking lots can become very congested. School bus transportation is the safest means of getting our students home. We encourage parents to have children use school bus transportation during inclement weather. This way our roads, driveways and parking lots will be less congested.

Cancellation Make-Up Days

When school is cancelled due to bad weather or other emergencies, each day missed will be made up by adding the day to the end of the school year in June.
Please note that when school is cancelled, all after-school or evening programs or activities for that day are also cancelled.

AGIS Report Card
Avon Grove Intermediate School utilizes a standards-based report card. All school districts in the Commonwealth are required by law to align their respective curricula and assessments to PA Academic Standards. The PA standards state what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels. For example, the PA standards for mathematics are for grades 5, 8 and 11. Benchmarks have been developed for the remaining grades. Benchmarks state what students should know and be able to do in the grades that lead to the standards. For example, in mathematics, benchmarks for the grade 8 standard have been developed for grades 6 and 7. The report card explains clearly how each child is progressing towards the benchmarks and standards.

AGIS Parent/Student Handbook

The Parent/Student Handbook is available to download. It was originally distributed in the assignment books. It is a pdf file. A pdf file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this installed on your computer, click on the Get Acrobat Reader button below to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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