Derry Township School District is working to bring students back into a face-to-face learning environment for the 2020-21 School Year. With the well-being of students and staff at the forefront and taking into consideration PA Departments of Education and Health guidelines related to COVID-19, the district is planning for multiple contingencies that will allow it to continue with a robust educational experience. As planning progresses, updates and related information for the community will be posted here; click the headline for more information.
The DTSD Board of School Directors has approved a Health and Safety Plan for Athletics. As a result, DTSD coaches and athletes may resume formalized sports-related activities, including conditioning, practices and games starting July 1, 2020. The plan was developed based on the guidance and recommendations from various federal, state, and local governments including the Centers for Disease Control, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as well as the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association. Click the headeline for full detials.
To help homeowners the Derry Township School District has joined Dauphin County and the Township of Derry in waiving penalties on 2020 School Real Estate Taxes until 12/31/2020. School District Real Estate tax bills will be issued on July 1, 2020. The bills will still include the ability to receive a 2% discount if the bill is paid in full prior to August 31, 2020. If not paid prior to August 31, 2020 the amount listed on the tax bill will be payable through 12/31/2020. Please note this only applies to Real Estate Tax bills issued on July 1, 2020, the penalties are still due on the Occupation Taxes and Interim Real Estate tax bills.
At its June 22, 2020 business meeting, the DTSD Board of School Directors voted to approve the $65.8 million budget for the 2020-2021 school year that freezes property taxes. This 2020-2021 Budget will continue the financial support for all current educational and co-curricular/athletics programs.
In a move to save taxpayer dollars by reducing utility costs, Derry Township School District has established special summer hours. Normal public office hours will remain in effect Monday โ Thursday; all buildings (schools and the district office) will be closed Friday through Sunday. Due to construction projects and COVID-19 mitigation efforts, it is strongly recommended that those needing to conduct business in person with the district during the summer establish an appointment. Please also note: visitors to all district building are required to wear an appropriate face mask. Click the headline for more information.
Based on a growing body of research on adolescent sleep patterns and the impacts to student achievement, the DTSD Board of School Directors voted at its May 26, 2020 business meeting to revamp the districtโs school day starting with the 2021-2022 school year. Consistent with a constituent steering committee recommendation, the board adopted an 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. school day for elementary students and an 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. school day for secondary (middle school and high school) students.
The COCOA Principles embody a district-wide culture where students and staff demonstrate DTSD's core beliefs ofACADEMICS: Second Marking Period Honor Rolls
Second Marking Period Honor Rolls for the 2019-2020 school year have been released for Hershey Middle School and Hershey High School.
ACADEMICS: HMS Student Wins Geography Bee
Congratulations to Ben Fredrickson; the 7th Grader bested fellow competitors Rian Kelly (8th Grade, 2nd place), Brady Keller (7th Grade, 3rd place) and 30 other contestants to win the Hershey Middle School Geography Bee. The contest featured all manner of questions related to the study of the physical features of the earth.
CITIZENSHIP: School Bus Driver Recognized
At the February 10 school board business meeting, Superintendent Joe McFarland and the DTSD Board of School Directors recognized school bus driver Joe Godino. While transporting students home earlier this winter, Godino encountered a vehicle which had left the roadway, flipping on an embankment with its motor running and wheels spinning. He took immediate action to ensure the safety of the students on his bus while also notifying emergency responders and helping the driver and two passengers escape their overturned vehicle.
All schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including Derry Township School District, have adopted use of the “Safe2Say Something” anonymous tip line as a means of improving campus safety and improving school climate. The tip line is operated and monitored 24/7 by the Office of the Attorney General where tips are reviewed, classified, and forwarded to the appropriate school district. Tips that are found to contain information that may indicate a "life safety" issue are prioritized and immediately forwarded to the appropriate county emergency dispatch center.
Students, parents, and community members can submit tips via three methods:
