Policies and Procedures

 Policies and Procedures (PDF)

Kit Basics

Kits are a communal district resource designed to enhance the Science curriculum.  As a communal resource, it is important to note that there are limited supplies of each available unit. So planning the use of your kit is very important. 

Ordering your kit well ahead of time helps improve availability.  Returning your kit on time and in good order minimizes refurbishment time, helps save money, and directly impacts the experience of the next teacher and class to use the kit.  Here’s how you can get started on the right track to using the kit resource:

• Confirm your training record.  All kits require training before you can receive them.  Contact Betsy Reader (breader@pvschools.net) if you have any questions about what your training record looks like. 
  
  
• Check the Science Curriculum website often. It has order forms, training dates and wealth of valuable information: http://cmweb.pvschools.net/currweb/currhandsonscience/
  
  
•  Order your kits using the official order forms, and send either via e-mail (phodges@pvschools.net) or district mail to Peggy Hodges- Hands on Science Center-Distribution Center.
  
  
• Determine whether or not your kit uses live animals.  (Animals 2X2, Insects need live specimens).  Ordering and returning critters is a special process.  Contact Tory Thompson (tothompson@pvschools.net) to order and have your live specimens delivered.
  
  
• If you are a “kit expert” and teach the unit to every class at your grade level, you are eligible to keep the kit for an entire school year.  Indicate this on your order form.
  
  
• To return your kit, fill out a Materials Transfer form from your school secretary.  List the kit and materials you are returning. Contact your custodian and have him/her collect the kit from your room.  The custodian should contact Harold Meyer (hmeyer@pvschools.net) at the Distribution Center to schedule a pick up from your school.  Your site may have a specific pickup and delivery day.  Please check with your custodian for details.

These basics will be covered in detail on the next pages, but using just these tips will assist you in easy use of the kit resources.

Kit Ordering Procedures

Step 1- Training

• Each kit available from the HOSC (Hands On Science Center) requires attendance at a training session to cover specific methods for it’s use and instruction before it can be checked out.
  
  
• Once you have determined which kit you are interested in requesting, consult the Professional Development website for classes and dates: http://cmweb.pvschools.net/profdevweb/

• If the kit you want doesn’t have a date listed for an upcoming class or you need to make other training arrangements, contact Linda Coyle (lcoyle@pvschools.net) for more information.
  
  
• Please DO NOT place orders for kits before you have attended the appropriate seminar. 

Step 2 – Ordering

• Plan well ahead for the integration of a science kit into your instructional goals.  Kit orders should be placed with one month’s advanced notice.  Note that same-week requests cannot be accommodated.
  
  
• Use the official order form found on the HOSC Website:

  http://hosc.pvschools.net   OR http://cmweb.pvschools.net/currweb/currhandsonscience/

  • Please include your full name on the order form.
  • Use only one order form per teacher.
  • Indicate your desired week of delivery.
    
    
• Kits are circulated for 8-week loan periods.  If you will be teaching the unit to all classes at your grade level, please indicate that you will require a year-long loan period.
  
  
• Send your completed request to Peggy Hodges either via e-mail (phodges@pvschools.net) or through district mail addressed to “Peggy Hodges - Hands On Science Center- Distribution Center”.

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Step 3- Receipt of your Kit

• Upon receipt of your kit, note the number of boxes included and the label in the top upper-left of each one. Verify your name and take down the required return date.
  
  
• Next, please inventory each box to verify that all items are present.  If something is missing, please e-mail Tory Thompson at tothompson@pvschools.net. immediately so replacement materials can reach you as soon as possible.
  
  
• Kit loan periods are 8 weeks long (with the exception of “Insects” which is 12 weeks) and due dates are listed on the label for each box in your kit.  Loan extensions are available upon request and can be accommodated if no other teachers have pending orders.
  
  
• Teachers are solely responsible for the kits checked out to them and the materials within.  Do not share your kit with other teachers.
  
  
• Note that if you have ordered multiple kits for the year, you will only receive one at a time.  The next kit will not be shipped until the first is returned to the HOSC.
  

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Step 4- Returning your Kit

• Please inventory your kit using the appropriate forms provided with the kit, writing in your quantities.  In the “problems” space, write any comments if necessary (like the bulb burnt out, student accidentally broke time, etc.)
  
  
• Return ALL boxes, bags, containers, and bottles etc. whether they are full or empty.
  
  
• Make sure that all containers and bottles are returned dried and cleaned.  DRY is most important as wet items develop mold quickly.
  
  
• Teachers will not receive the same numbered kit next year so please DO NOT keep any items.
  
  
• We are aware that re-packing the kits can be difficult.  If you can’t fit everything back into the original kit boxes, please put the extra materials in a copy paper box and send it to Tory Thompson at the HOSC/ Distribution Center.  Please label the box with your name, grade level and school so we can “credit” receipt of your entire kit.
  
  
• Important!  Your custodian should collect the used kit from your room and contact Harold Meyer (hmeyer@pvschool.net) to arrange for a pick up from your school.

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Critter Basics

Animals 2X2 and Insects kits all integrate the observation of living organisms into their lessons.  The District has many of these live organisms here at the HOSC.  Please contact Tory Thompson to order all live specimens.  Here is some information for making your “critter” experience easier:

• To Order or Return Critters - contact Tory Thompson (tothompson@pvschools.net).  Specify what animal you need, how many, the date you would like them delivered/picked up and your school’s name.
• Critters are picked up and delivered every Monday during the school year.  Be sure to order your critters for the Monday following your kit’s arrival.
• Some of our critters are federally protected! Each organism comes with an instruction sheet indicating how to care for them, as well as whether or not both living and dead critters need to be returned to the HOSC to comply with state law.  No animals should be sent home with students!
• Whenever possible, critters should be returned in the containers they arrived in.  When this isn’t possible, they need to be secured for transport.  For instance, Milkweek Bugs are often bred in zip-lock bag habitats.  There habitats are not secure, and should be placed inside any lidded cardboard box for transport.
• DO NOT return critters inside /with your kit.  The critters are very delicate and shipping them via Distribution cannot occur.
• PLEASE take the utmost care with the critters!  These are live animals and students need to be monitored when handling them.  Do not allow the students to remove the snails from their shells, or in any way harm or injure the critters.

For questions on care, contact Linda Coyle (lcoyle@pvschools.net).

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