August 22, 2022

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

As the new Principal of Dauphin County Technical School, it is with great pride I welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year. This letter is intended to provide you with information that will help support your student’s successful start to the school year:

First Day of School

Monday, August 29 marks the beginning of the school year for 9^th grade students only. ALL students (9, 10, 11, and 12) will report to school Tuesday, August 30, and should follow their “A” Day class schedule. Students should arrive no later than 7:40 AM. First period begins at 7:45 AM and dismissal is at 2:55 PM.

Dress Code

As we prepare students to enter the workforce, they are required to spend their entire school day wearing DCTS clothing on both academic and CTE days at all times. DCTS attire may be purchased in our school store or online at: https://shopdcts-com.3dcartstores.com/. Refer to the DCTS Student Handbook for additional dress code information.

Face Coverings

The wearing of a mask or other face covering is optional at this time.

Student Laptop Computers

All students should boot up their laptops to make sure they are working properly before they return to school. If your student’s computer is not working properly, contact our Help Desk at 717.652.3170, ext. 7000

PowerSchool

DCTS utilizes PowerSchool to maintain student information such as attendance, grades, discipline, and demographics information. Families can access all of this information online from home. If you cannot locate your PowerSchool access credentials, please contact our School Counselors office and speak to Ms. Babcock at 717-652-3170 ext. 7432 for assistance. See the tutorials on our Parents – How To page on the website for details.

Changing Demographic Information

Your student’s demographic information is already entered in PowerSchool. If you’d like to make any changes such as a change of address, a new phone number, or an emergency contact, please contact Ms. Babcock in the School Counselors’ office at 717-652-3170 ext. 7432.

Changes in the school district of residence must be reported to both your former and new school district as well as DCTS. If you need help with this process, we are happy to help.

Emergency Contact Information

If you’d like to make any changes such as a change of address, a new phone number, or an emergency contact, please contact Ms. Babcock in the School Counselors’ office at 717-652-3170 ext. 7432.

Free/Reduced Student Breakfast and Lunch

Applications for free or reduced meals were mailed home. Please return the completed application for your student’s meals the first day of school. If you have questions regarding the application, please call Mrs. Homoki at 717-652-3170, ext. 7444. See the video Cafeteria Procedures on our website for details.

Transportation Reminder

Dauphin County Technical School does not operate its own buses. If you have questions concerning transportation to and from DCTS, please call your sending school district’s transportation department.

Student Arrival

• No students will be permitted into the building prior to 7:15 AM
• Students should arrive by 7:40 AM so they are not late to class
• Central Dauphin School District students riding a bus to school will be dropped off at the cafeteria (east) side of the school
• All other students riding a bus to school we be will be dropped off at the gym (west) side of the school
• Students that are brought to school by family/friends should be dropped off in front of the building at the main entrance no later than 7:40 AM
• Student drivers will park in the student parking lot
• Students that need to eat breakfast should report to the cafeteria and remain there until the first bell rings
• Students that do not eat breakfast will report to the auditorium and remain there until the first bell rings

Student Departure

• All Central Dauphin School District students – report to the cafeteria side of the school
• All other school district students – report to the gym side of the school
• Students being picked up by family/friends will locate their ride home in front of the school; drivers are not permitted to line up in the fire lane or through lane while waiting for students
• Student drivers will depart from the student parking lot

DCTS is a great school and I look forward to meeting the students as they return to school from their summer fun relaxed, recharged, and ready to learn! If you have any questions, please contact me at 717-652-3170.

Sincerely,

Matt Keys 

Mr. Matthew Keys

Principal