Family Resources
An Office of Support Services Publication
Supporting and Strengthening Families
Raising kids is hard! Between school, activities, and social media, sometimes, it can be exhausting just thinking about parenting. As a district, we want to support your efforts in the home and build strong home and school partnerships to ensure that students are wrapped tightly with the services and supports that they need.
This resource is for our families. We strive to provide you with an exhaustive list of supports to help you and your family grow and thrive. Below, you will find information about available parenting workshops and sessions, community resources like mental health supports, homelessness programs, drug and alcohol resources, and food banks, and links to our social work staff. We hope you find this resource helpful. We are here to support you and your child as they grow to be productive citizens in Springfield Township!
Winter 2023
Upcoming Family Workshops
Mock Teen Bedroom and Parenting on Your Feet
As part of the School District of Springfield Township's partnership with Be Part of the Conversation, we are pleased to present "Mock Teen Bedroom" and "Parenting on Your Feet" at the Middle School Library on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. This in-person event will provide families with information on identifying drug and alcohol use in teenagers and the trends that put kids at risk for substance abuse.
Pre-registration is required at conv.zone/sdst. We hope to see you there!
Replenish and Keep Growing!
Tuesday, February 14th from 4pm to 5pm
Register to get the Zoom Link
Students, young adults, parents or guardians, and other family members are invited to attend our first Restorative Practice Series virtual session of 2023.
Why attend?
- Help support your well-being and personal growth.
- Build connections among peers with similar life experiences.
- Develop interpersonal skills for preparation in school and life.
- Engage in fun sessions!
There is no fee to attend the virtual session.
Visit our series webpage for regular updates.
Share with your friends and neighbors—all are welcome!
Kids and the Tech/Life Balance
Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Register to get the Zoom Link
Now more than ever, technology plays a vital role in all our lives. It keeps us connected and can educate, illuminate and entertain. With increased use, kids can develop an unhealthy dependence on tech as an escape or way to avoid life’s challenges.
Gaming, social media, and streaming entertainment can be fun and relaxing, but moderation can easily slide toward dependence. We’ll provide strategies to help our kids develop a healthy relationship with technology, and skills to practice self-care.
Michael Blanche, MSS, LCSW, a counselor specializing in adolescents and young adults, will discuss the real-world challenges facing adolescents and young adults.
Alcohol and Kids Under 18: A Rite of Passage?
Monday, January 23, 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Register to attend in-person
(Church on the Mall, Plymouth Meeting)
Parents are the most important influence in their children’s lives. When we have open, honest and informed conversations we can help our kids to grow into healthy adults.
We’ll have a conversation about underage drinking that will support parents with valuable information, as well as guidance for creating an atmosphere of trust and open communication.
This program is funded by the Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol, in Partnership with Colonial School District.
Mental Health Support
Mobile Crisis
Call 1-800-634-4673
24/7 Crisis support to help resolve situations including depression or suicidal thoughts
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 988
Hotline for information and support
Teen Talkline
Call:1-866-825-5856
Text 215-703-8411
Email: teentalkline@accessservices.org
Chat line and support for teens with depression and anxiety, open 7 days a week from 1pm to 9pm
Community Resources
McKinney-Vento Information
Are you experiencing homelessness? Springfield Township is here to support you!
Please reach out to your building social worker for assistance with services and answers to questions regarding your child's rights while experiencing homelessness.
You can also access information on our webpage.
Your Way Home
Call 211
Homeless Resources for families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
Victim Services
Call 1-888-521-0983
Advocacy and counseling for those affected by sexual violence and other crimes against the person
Domestic Abuse Support
Call 1-800-773-2424
Community organization with a primary focus on freedom from domestic violence and other forms of abuse
Drug and Alcohol Resources
Al-Anon: Local 12-step support group, free, and anonymous for families and friends of person with a drug or alcohol problem
Alcoholics Anonymous of Southeastern, PA: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with an alcohol problem
Aldersgate: Substance abuse education and counseling located in Willow Grove, PA
Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol: The Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol provides a wide range of drug and alcohol services to county residents in the areas of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery Support.
Narcotics Anonymous: Local 12-step free support group for individuals struggling with a drug problem.
Springfield Township Opioid Action Committee
The goal of stoAc is to educate the school community and increase understanding about Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the stigma behind it. They promote proactive, open, non-judgemental and healthy environments through ongoing, open, and honest conversations.
Safe Schools and Homes
Safe2Say
Have a tip? Contact the Safe2Say Hotline. Students and parents can anonymously report threats and concerns through call, text or through the app.
Call 1-844-SAF2SAY
Download the app by searching SAFE2SAYPA
Report online at SAFE2SAYPA.org
Be Smart
With gun suicide on the rise and firearms becoming the leading cause of death among children in the United States in 2020, the School District of Springfield Township is pleased to present information on the importance of secure firearm storage as an essential part of home safety to the members of our school and surrounding community.
Be SMART is a framework designed to help families normalize conversations about gun safety to help prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Please take a minute to review the Be SMART framework and check out the besmartforkids.org site to learn more about how you can take responsible actions for gun safety.
Be Part of the Conversation Workshops
For Springfield Township's workshop presentations, check out these links:
Food Banks
Interfaith Food Pantry
2801 Woodland Road
Roslyn, PA 19001
267-318-0607
Open on Monday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard
https://community-cupboard.org/
150 N. Main Street
Ambler, PA 19002
215-628-3002
Open on Monday and Wednesday from 9:15am to 11:15am; also offers a clothing boutique (same hours as food bank) and blood pressure screenings on the 2nd Monday of the month from 9am to 11am
New Life Presbyterian Food Cupboard
https://newlifeglenside.com/service-and-outreach/food-cupboard/
467 N. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038
215-576-0892
Food distribution on Monday from 7:00pm to 7:30pm for church members and attendees; Tuesday from 6:15pm to 7:00pm for residents of greater Glenside, and Thursday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm for community members 65 and older
North Hills Food Cupboard
https://community-cupboard.org/
212 Girard Ave.
North Hills, PA 19038
215-628-3002
Open on Thursdays from 9:00am to 11:00am, only serves families with a 19038 zipcode
Philabundance
3616 S. Galloway Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
215-339-0900
Operates the BackPack program which offeres free, easy-to-prepare meals for families with kids at multiple locations in the Philadelphia area
Seeds of Hope Food Pantry
https://chelten.org/food-pantry/
1601 N. Limekiln Pike
Dresher, PA 19025
215-646-5588
Open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 12:30pm, see website for more specifics about registration
Are you Moving?
Our Office of Support Services and Registrar are always happy to answer your questions regarding residency!
As a reminder, you must live in the School District Springfield Township boundaries in order to attend school here. If you move during the school year, please complete the Change of Address Form to keep your most current address on file.
Attendance Procedures
Elementary School Hours
Regular School Day: 8:55 am - 3:25 pm
Early Dismissal: 8:55 am - 12:00 pm
2-Hour Delay: 10:55 am - 3:25 pm
Middle and High School Hours
Regular School Day: 7:45 am - 2:41 pm
Early Dismissal: 7:45 am - 11:10 am
2-Hour Delay: 9:45 am - 2:41 pm
To report an absence to your child's school, please email and include your child's full name and grade in the subject line as well as a reason for your child's absence citing one of the approved reasons.
Note: If you email, you do not have to call the office.
- Enfield: en_attendance@sdst.org
- Erdenheim: er_attendance@sdst.org
- Middle School: ms_attendance@sdst.org
- High School: hs_attendance@sdst.org
If you choose to call the office or are in need of a last minute early dismissal, please dial:
- Enfield: (215) 233-6080
- Erdenheim: (215) 233-6085
- Middle School: (215) 836-3006
- High School: (215) 233-6030 (Option 1)
If you choose to call, you must follow up with an email or a written note within 3 school days for the absence to be excused.
Excused Absences
The following are School Board approved conditions for an excused absence to be granted based on Pennsylvania School Code:
- Illness
- Quarantine
- Family Emergency including a death in the family
- Family Educational Travel, Tours, and Trips (with prior approval by SDST administration)
- Impassable Roads
- Recovery from Accident
- Required Court Appearance
School Refusal Behaviors
As we return from an unprecedented year when students had the option to remain at home and participate in virtual schools, we would be remiss to think that students won't have some anxiety about returning to school. However, when school refusal turns into a daily battle and frequent absences, parents may need some support.
What is school refusal?
School refusal is a term used to describe the signs of anxiety a school-aged child has and his or her refusal to go to school. It is also called school avoidance or school phobia. It can be seen in different types of situations, including:
Young children going to school for the first time. This is a normal type of school refusal. This develops with a child's normal separation anxiety, or uneasiness about leaving a parent figure. This type of fear often goes away a few days after the child starts school.
Fear. Older children may have school phobia based on a real fear of something that may happen to them at school. This could be a bully or a teacher being mean. In this situation, it's important to talk with your child to find out what is causing his or her fears.
Distress. The final type of school phobia is seen in children who are truly distressed about leaving their parent and going to school. Often these children enjoy school. But they are too anxious about leaving their parents to attend.
What are the signs of school refusal?
Every child is different. But these are some of the behaviors your child may have:
Your child may complain of other symptoms, such as a stomachache or headache, that get better as soon as he or she is allowed to stay home.
Your child may tell you that he or she is anxious or afraid of a certain situation that happens at school.
Your child may not want to leave you because of a change in their life, such as:
New school
Just moved
New brother or sister
Sick brother, sister, or parent
Divorce
Death in the family
Managing school refusal
Every child is unique. So each situation will be handled on an individual basis. These are some of the interventions that may be used to help your child:
Return the child to school. Make sure the school officials understand the situation and don't send the child home for the wrong reasons.
Think about family counseling if other problems exist.
Let the child talk about his or her concerns and fears.
Slowly separating the parent from the child in school may also be used. One approach is to have the parent sit with the child in the classroom at first. Then the parent may attend school, but sit in another room. Next, the parent may continue to get farther away.
A referral to a child psychologist or psychiatrist may be needed.
Reference: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=school-refusal-90-P02288