Required Annual Notices( cont.) 2025-2026
Required Annual Notices( cont.) 2025-2026
Identification of Children Eligible for Surrogate Parents: Special needs preschool and school-aged children receiving a free and appropriate education in a public school or an approved private school, who meet one of the following criteria, are eligible for the assignment of a qualified surrogate parent:
1. The Child is a ward of the state, or 2. The Child’ s parent( s) or guardian( s) are unknown or unavailable, or 3. The Child is an unaccompanied homeless youth.
To be identified as being in need of a surrogate parent, the preschooler or school-aged child must have special needs, or be thought to have special needs, and be in need of special education services in the South Fayette Township School District or IU operated program or be enrolled in an approved private / private school.
Qualification for Surrogate Parents:
• Surrogate parents must meet the following qualifications:
• Be of a person of good character,
• Be at least 18 years of age,
• Possess reasonable abilities to make decisions regarding a child’ s educational needs,
• Be willing to acquaint themselves with the child’ s educational needs and with the special education system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
• Have no vested interest that would conflict with the primary allegiance to the child they are representing. The surrogate parent should not be an employee of the agency responsible for the care of the child,
• Foster parents may be considered if they meet all other qualifications,
• Have Act 33 and Act 34 clearances from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
• Be willing to complete a training program conducted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
Responsibilities of the Surrogate Parent: The surrogate parent is expected to act in place of a parent for the student concerning his or her educational program. This involves:
• Attending a planning conference to develop an individualized educational program,
• Being familiar with appropriate procedures for due process and confidentiality of school records,
• Receiving and responding to requests and notices concerning the evaluation and / or educational placement of the assigned student,
• Making self-familiar with the unique educational needs of the assigned student.
The surrogate parent takes on certain quasi-legal responsibilities in order to serve the best interests of the child. The primary function is to represent the student in those circumstances in which decisions need to be made concerning the student’ s educational program or placement. It is necessary for the surrogate parent to receive considerable training to familiarize him or herself with all aspects of the surrogate parent role. The demands of the role may be extensive and require the volunteer to make a significant commitment of time and learning in order to serve the best interest of the child. If you are interested in being a surrogate parent for a child / youth with disabilities, please contact the Director of Student Support Services at 412-221-4542, Ext. 429.
English as a Second Language Services( ESL)
In accordance with federal law and state regulations, the South Fayette School District must identify all students who have“ limited English proficiency”( LEP). These students typically have a primary language other than English that is used in their homes. Students identified with a limited English proficiency are eligible for EL instructional services to help them attain proficient skills in their use of the written and spoken English language.
All students must have a Home Language Survey completed by their parents prior to admission into the school district. This survey allows the South Fayette School District to identify possible LEP students. South Fayette Township School District EL teachers, will screen any student identified as possibly having a limited English proficiency and will provide direct services to students based on their level of need.
Parents or guardians who feel that their child may have a limited English proficiency should contact the EL Coordinator at 412-221-4542, Ext. 415 for more information.
Notice for Families Experiencing Homelessness Homeless Students
Under McKinney Vento all school districts are responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness and connecting them with the resources needed to ensure academic success.
Who is considered homeless?— Children or youth living in a shelter, transitional housing, hotel / motel, vehicle, campground, on the street or doubled up with friends or family due to a lack of alternate resources are considered homeless. An unaccompanied homeless youth is a child or youth that is not in the care of their parent or legal guardian and meets the definition of homeless under McKinney Vento.
Where can students experiencing homelessness attend school?— The law indicates that homeless students have the right to remain in their school origin( the school they attended at the time of the homeless episode or last school attended) through the end of the school year in which they find permanent housing, provided it is in the child / youth’ s best interest.
If through consultation between the school and the family and / or unaccompanied youth it is determined that remaining in the school of origin is not in the student’ s best interest, then the student has the right to immediately enroll in the school that non-homeless students living in the attendance area in which the child / youth is actually living are eligible to attend, even if they do not have all of the required documentation. Additionally, unaccompanied homeless youth have the right to immediately enroll in school, even if they do not have a legal guardian present.
What support can school districts provide to homeless students?— Homeless students are eligible for support and services to remove barriers to educational success. This may include transportation to the school of origin, free meals, referrals to physical / mental health providers, clothing to meet school requirements, access to school supplies and resources, assistance with credit recovery, tutoring supports, expedited evaluations and assistance to participate in school activities including parent engagement opportunities, sports, club, etc.
Homeless Dispute Process— If at any time there is a disagreement about homeless status or best interest for school placement, the district will notify the family in writing of their determination that the family / unaccompanied youth is ineligible for McKinney Vento services. At this time, the district will provide the family / unaccompanied youth with the ability to dispute their determination. Throughout the dispute process, the child / youth, including unaccompanied youth, will continue to be educated in the school of origin or immediately enrolled in the school they are seeking enrollment until the dispute process is finalized. Transportation will continue throughout the dispute process. All disputes will be sent to the ECYEH Regional Coordinator who will issue a determination. If any party is unhappy with the determination, they can elevate the dispute to the state coordinator.
What if I think that I am eligible for services under McKinney Vento?
District Contacts:
Dr. Kellee Oliver Director of Student Support Services 412-221-4542 Ext. 429 kjoliver @ southfayette. org
Tanner Jones District Social Worker 412-221-4542 Ext. 425 tbjones @ southfayette. org
State Coordinator: Storm Y. Camara Pennsylvania Department of Education Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program 333 Market Street 3rd Floor Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 Phone: 717-772-2066 scamara @ pa. gov
Title I Performance Report
South Fayette Elementary School receives Title I funds annually. The funding is used to provide the Title I Reading Services to first grade and second grade students who are below basic or basic in their reading skills.
A highly qualified teacher, according to the United States Department of Education, is fully certified, has a bachelor’ s degree, a content area major and has passed a content area test. In addition, fully certified teachers in Pennsylvania have completed pedagogical coursework in education, including student teaching. We take pride in the tremendous skill and dedication of our faculty and staff.
Please note that, as parents, you have a right to request and receive timely information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’ s classroom teacher. If you have any questions about our Title I Program or about your child’ s teacher, please feel free to contact the Title I Coordinator at 412-221-4542, Ext. 337.
Department of Student Support Services Student Support Services and Special Education Department: 412-221-4542
Kellee Oliver, Ph. D. Director of Student Support Services Ext. 429, kjoliver @ southfayette. org
Conchetta Bell, Psy. D. / Assistant Director of Student Support Services for Prevention and Transition Services / School Psychologist Transition and 504 Plan Services Coordinator Ext. 404, clbell @ southfayette. org
Hunter Barnhart, M. Ed. Assistant Director of Student Support Services for Grades K-8 Ext. 415, hlbarnharti @ southfayette. org
Katelyn Romain, Ed. S. Assistant Director of Student Support Services for Grades 9-12 / School Psychologist Ext. 218, knromain @ southfayette. org
Amy Brooks Administrative Assistant Department of Student Support Services Ext. 428, ajbrooks @ southfayette. org
Natalie Macek ACCESS Coordinator / Administrative Assistant Department of Student Support Services Ext. 403, njmacek @ southfayette. org outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
SOUTH FAYETTE ❘ FALL 2025 37