ABSENCES
Daily, consistent attendance at school equates with
school success. We urge students and parents to
make school a priority and to schedule vacations
around the school calendar.
If your child will be absent,
please call the School Office as soon after 8:00
a.m. as possible. If you suspect your child has a
communicable disease, please note that at the time
of your call. The school will attempt to verify
the apparent absence of any student whose parents
have not called.
A dated note, stating the
specific reason for an absence, signed by a parent
or guardian, is required no later than one day
following an absence. Excused absences from
school include: illness, doctor or dentist
appointment, death in the immediate family,
observance of a religious holiday, or a court
order.
BAR T
KIDS CLUB
A before and after school extended day program is
offered for children of parents employed outside
the home. Recreation and sport activities,
supplemented by games, music, arts & crafts,
free time, and opportunities to complete school
homework assignments are provided before school
from 7:00 to 8:50 a.m. and/or after school from
3:05 to 6:30 p.m. Care is available to enrolled
students on snow days, school holidays, and during
the winter and spring vacation breaks.
To find out more about the Bar T Kids Program
call 301-417-0486.
BEHAVIOR/DISCIPLINE
Children are expected to conduct themselves in such
a manner that they and their classmates will gain
the most from their school experience. School
provides many opportunities for children to develop
respect for others and the ability to work, learn,
and live together in harmony.
Behavior and discipline are
shared responsibilities of the home and the school.
A cooperative and supportive partnership benefits
students best and leads to the best type of
discipline: self-discipline.
School disciplinary measures
range from student-teacher conferences to
suspension. More favored forms of school
disciplinary actions include keeping children after
school and parent conferences. Occasionally, a
student's behavior may warrant suspension. Examples
of these offenses include insubordination,
obscenity, and repeated violations of school
expectations. Each case is handled on an individual
basis in accordance with county school board
policy.
(Click
here to refer to the Discipline
Policy)
BIRTHDAYS
Students are permitted to bring in store-bought goodies to be shared with classmates. Given the current demands of the curriculum, we cannot have birthday parties for students. However, treats can be shared during lunch, recess, or snack. According to MCPS policy, home-baked goods are not permitted for distribution at school. **BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN SCHOOL!
BREAKFAST
Students who eat breakfast at school will be
permitted to enter at 8:30 a.m. Students should go
directly to the cafeteria. Students who eat
breakfast are expected to be available for learning
by 8:50 a.m. in their homeroom class.
CONCERNS
If you have questions that are specific to your
child's progress or a classroom issue, please
approach your child's teacher or appropriate staff
member directly before bringing the concern to
school administration. It is important to keep
open lines of communication between parents and
teachers to ensure the best education for your
child.
CONTINGENCY
PLAN FOR SCHOOL EVACUATION
In the event of an emergency evacuation of the school for a sustained period of time, students will walk with their teachers or be transported to Quince Orchard High School (301-840-4686). This constitutes a portion of our contingency plan for unusual circumstances far beyond the usual and routine fire drill procedures. It is urgent in the event of an emergency or disaster that we have up to date emergency information on your child. Please keep the school office informed of any changes in emergency contact and/or day care arrangements. Our school will conduct ten (10) required fire drills and four (4) required Code Blue and Code Red drills (2 each) during the school year.
EARLY
DEPARTURE
Children who need to leave school during the
day mMUST bring a written excuse to the School
Office in the morning for approval. The parent
must sign the child out when they leave school, and
sign in when they return to school. If a child
needs to be dismissed early, the parent should
report to the office to pick up his/her child.
Parents should not go to the classroom to pick up
children.
EMERGENCY
SCHOOL CLOSING
In case of emergencies that make it impossible for Montgomery County Public Schools to open, information regarding school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Cable Channel 60, County Cable Channel 6 or Cable Channel 34-MCPS TV, at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org or at schoolsout.com, and on a taped telephone message service at 301-279-3673. Emergency email announcements are available by signing up for MCPS QuickNotes on the school system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 6:00 a.m. (or the night before, if possible). If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL.
Delayed Opening. In the event of snow or other hazardous weather conditions, school may open two hours later than usual to assure bus safety. All students who normally ride school buses will be picked up two hours later than their regularly scheduled pick-up time on delayed opening days.
When a two hour delayed school opening is called, A.M. Pre-K classes will be cancelled.
Early Dismissal. When early dismissal of students is necessary due to inclement weather, school will close 1 1/2 hours early. Buses may run late because of hazardous road conditions. A lunch period will be scheduled for students prior to dismissal.
Announcements will be made on local radio and television stations. Parents are urged to tune in to local news stations to find out about school closings.
In the event of an early closing, it is essential that children know what they are to do and where they are to go. Parents should give children specific instructions, which should also be on file at the school. If changes are made to these instructions, the school should be notified. P.M. Pre-K does not normally meet on early dismissal days.
HOMEWORK
Homework is an integral part of school and
learning. It is expected that students spend time
nightly on extending their attainment of skills and
knowledge. A Homework Policy will be distributed on
the first day of school. (Click
here to see the Homework
Policy)
ILLNESS/MEDICATIONS
A child who is ill is routinely sent to the School
Health Room. The school nurse or school health
technician will assess the child, contact the
parent or guardian, and send the child home if
necessary. Any child with an elevated temperature
of 100 degrees or above is sent home. It is
recommended that your child be free from fever for
24 hours before returning to school.
It is likely that some time
during the school year your child will have a
medication prescribed for the treatment of a health
problem. As a general policy, the school recommends
that children receive medication at home whenever
possible. In the event your physician decides your
child needs to receive medication during the school
day, certain procedures must be followed. For more
information, contact Ms. Kathleen Mesick, School
Community Health Nurse, or the school health
technician at 301-840-5333 and read the information
below.
MEDICATION
POLICY
In the event that your physician decides that your
child needs to receive medication at school during
the school day, MCPS
Form 525-13,
Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medication,
must be completed and on file. Forms are available
in the School Office and in the Health
Room.
If you don't have access to
the proper form, a written order on the physician's
stationery or prescription pad is acceptable,
provided it includes the following
information:
a. Your child's
name
b. Name of medication being
ordered
c. Dosage
d. Time of
administration
e. Possible side
effects
The first full day's dosage
of any new prescription must be administered at
home. Medication must be brought to the school by
the parent or guardian. Under no circumstances will
medication be given which is brought to school by a
student. Medication must be properly labeled by a
pharmacist. Over-the-counter medication, e.g.,
aspirin, must also be prescribed by a physician as
noted above and brought to the school by the parent
or guardian in the original container with the
dosage labeled by the manufacturer.
LATE
ARRIVAL
Children who arrive late to school are expected to
sign in at the office. Students are expected to
have a written excuse for tardiness from the parent
or legal guardian. TARDINESS HAS BEEN A REAL
PROBLEM FOR MANY STUDENTS, AND IT NEGATIVELY
IMPACTS EVERY STUDENT AND TEACHER. Students who demonstrate excessive tardiness will be required to serve detention after school.
LIBRARY/MEDIA
CENTER
Library services, under the direction of a
full-time library media specialist, Mrs. Perri
Slosky, are available to all students during the
regular school hours and for 15 minutes before
school. Children may check out two books at a time
for up to two weeks. Books may be checked out more
frequently if the children wish.
LOST
& FOUND
Found articles of clothing, hats, gloves, lunch
boxes, and other items will be periodically
displayed throughout the year during special
events. Children should check the Lost and Found
area for missing possessions. The Lost and Found
Storage is in the hallway adjacent to the lunch
room. Eye glasses and other delicate items are
secured in the main office. PLEASE LABEL ALL
CLOTHING.
LUNCH/RECESS
The lunch/recess period is one hour. Menus are
sent home on the first day of each month. Hot
lunches are served daily with alternate choices.
We will be participating in the SNAP program again
this year; a system that sets up individual
accounts for student monies to purchase lunch.
Reminders will be sent home when a student's
balance starts to get low. Checks can be submitted
at any time to deposit money into an account.
School lunch prices are as
follows:
|
Breakfast - $1.25
|
Milk - $ .50
|
|
Reduced breakfast - $ .30
|
Chips - $.75
|
|
Lunch - $2.25 (includes milk)
|
Cookies - $.25
|
|
Reduced Lunch - $ .40
|
Ice Cream $.50
|
Free or reduced lunches are
available to eligible students. Guidelines and
application forms are available in the school
office.
A student who forgets his/her
lunch or money will be given a peanut butter and
jam sandwich (or plain peanut butter or plain jam).
Students will be charged $ .50 for the
sandwich, payable the following day.
LUNCH/RECESS SCHEDULE
|
TIME
|
LUNCH
|
RECESS
|
|
10:45 -11:15
|
3rd
grade & 3/4 LC
|
|
|
11:15 -11:45
|
1st grade
|
3rd grade & 3/4 LC
|
|
11:45 -12:15
|
2nd grade & 2/3 LC
|
1st grade
|
|
12:15 -12:45
|
Kindergarten & K/1 LC
|
2nd grade & 2/3 LC
|
|
12:45 - 1:15
|
4th, 5th grade & 5 LC
|
Kindergarten & K/1 LC
|
|
1:15 - 1:45
|
|
4th & 5th grade
|
EARLY DISMISSAL LUNCH SCHEDULE (no recess)
|
TIME
|
LUNCH
|
|
10:15 -
10:45
|
1st, 3rd grades & 3/4 Learning Center
|
|
10:50 - 11:20
|
2nd grade & 2/3 Learning Center
|
|
11:25 - 11:55
|
Kindergarten & K/1 Learning Center
|
|
12:00 - 12:30
|
4th, 5th grades & 5th grade Learning Center
|
DELAYED OPENING LUNCH SCHEDULE (no recess)
TIME |
LUNCH |
11:15 - 11:45 |
1st, 3rd grades & 3/4 Learning Center |
11:50 - 12:20 |
2nd grade & 2/3 Learning Center |
12:25 - 12:55 |
Kindergarten & K/1 Learning Center |
11:00 - 1:30 |
4th, 5th grades & 5th grade Learning Center |
PARENT-TEACHER
CONFERENCES
Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled on an
appointment basis in November. These conferences
provide a planned opportunity for parents and
teachers to discuss a child's achievement and to
plan cooperatively for continued student progress.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held on November
9 and 12, 2006.
PICK UP
AND DROP OFF PROCEDURES
For parents who drop off and pick up their
children to/from school, a "Kiss and Ride" area
will take place in our school parking lot (not our
bus lane). We are asking parents to refrain from
using the Kent Oaks Way sidewalk for the Kiss and
Ride. A Kiss and Ride area is a place designated
for dropping off and/or picking up passengers. As
parents circle around in the parking lot, they
should move up to the farthest position marked
along the curb closest to school. This area may
not be used for parking or standing. Parents
cannot leave their vehicles unattended in this
area. Please remember, parents must exercise
patience and caution when using the Kiss and Ride
area.
You may use the legal spaces
on Tschiffely Square Road, Kent Oaks Way, or other
streets near the school for pick-up and drop-off
purposes. The bus lane is off limits to
vehicles other than school buses between the hours
of 8:30 -9:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30
p.m.
Please make clear
arrangements with your child as to your afternoon
pick up plan. Make sure your child knows what to
do if you are unexpectedly late. If this happens,
your child may be told to return to the school
office as part of your contingency plan.
REPORT
CARDS
Standard report cards will be issued four times
during the school year: November 9, January 30,
April 15, and June 19 (mailed). Kindergarten report
cards will be issued in January and June.
MARKING PERIODS
MARKING
PERIOD |
MARKING
PERIOD ENDS |
REPORT CARD
DISTRIBUTION |
1st |
October 31, 2007 |
November 9, 2007 |
2nd |
January 18, 2008 |
January 30, 2008 |
3rd |
April 4 , 2008 |
April 15, 2008 |
4th |
June 12, 2008 |
June 19, 2008 (mailed) |
Withholding of Final
Report Card
Students who have not fulfilled all financial
obligations or who have not returned all books will
have their final report card withheld until all
obligations are met. After obligations are met,
final report cards may be picked up in the school
office by parents.
SAFETY:
BUSES
Parents are responsible for student safety at bus stops (school safety patrols assist). Students who wish to go home with a classmate after school (either walking or riding a different bus) must bring a note to the office in the morning for verification. The bus drivers will not allow students on buses without written parent/school permission.
For problems concerning bus routes and stop locations, call Mrs. Hazel Gregg, Transportation Cluster Manager at 301-353-0822 or Mr. Fred Punturiero, Depot Manager at 301-353-0815.
SAFETY:
CROSSING GUARD
The safety division of the Gaithersburg City Police will post a crossing guard daily at the intersections of Tschiffely Square Road and Kent Oaks Road, and Kent Oaks Road and Little Quarry Rd. Our guards are on duty from 8:20 to 8:50 a.m. and from 3:05 to 3:35 p.m. daily. Please teach your child to use the services of these Crossing Guards. Using the Crossing Guard is a safe practice to be emphasized.
SCHOOL
SAFETY PATROLS
Rachel Carson has a fine group of responsible boys
and girls serving as school safety patrols. They go
on duty at 8:20 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Mrs. Perri Slosky, Media Specialist, is the patrol
sponsor. Parents should impress upon their children
the importance of following patrol
instructions.
SAFETY:
TRAFFIC AND PARKING
Please obey the no parking signs in the bus lane,
handicapped spaces and reserved spaces at the front
of the school. The bus lane is marked with yellow
paint. If you have to drive your child to or
from school, please remember to use the legal
drop-off points on Tschiffely Sq. Road, and other
nearby streets. For your convenience, our
parking lot is used as a "Kiss and Ride" area for
drop-off and pick-up. Please obey the drop-off
and pick-up signs that will indicate where parents
may allow their children to exit and enter cars.
Parents must be patient when using this area. As
always, the bus lane is off limits to
automobiles between the hours of
8:30-9:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Please do not leave cars unattended along the curb
in the drop-off and pick-up area.
SCHOOL
HOURS
Normal school hours are 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. for
grades kindergarten through five. Children are
expected to arrive at school on time, but no
earlier than 8:30 a.m. Children are considered
tardy at 8:50 a.m. School Office hours are 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
|
School Hours
|
|
|
Office Hours
|
8:00-4:00 |
|
First Bell
|
8:40 |
|
Late Bell
|
8:50 |
|
Grades K-5
|
8:50-3:05 |
|
A.M. Pre-K
|
8:40-11:40 |
|
P.M. Pre-K
|
12:25-3:05 |
| Early Dismissal |
12:35 |
TELEPHONE
CALLS
Teachers and students will be called to the
telephone from classrooms only for emergencies. The
most convenient time to call teachers is before
school or after school.
VISITING
CLASSROOMS
Parents are encouraged to visit the school and may
observe their children's classrooms. It is best to
arrange a visit ahead of time by calling your
child's teacher, the assistant principal, or the
principal beforehand, since the class may be having
a test or be out on a field trip. As you enter the
building, please report to the office to sign in and receive an identification
badge. While visiting, please remember that an
observation visit is not the time to talk to
teachers. If you wish to discuss a matter with
your child's teacher, make a separate conference
date. Parent comments are encouraged and valued.
Parents are asked to take into account when
visiting that much precedes and follows the segment
of the day observed.
Attention
Parents of Walkers and Students Transported by
Car:
Students arriving
after 8:50 a.m. are late!!
Our doors open at
8:30 a.m.
Give your child the
advantage of five or ten minutes to unpack and
prepare for instruction. The late bell rings at
8:50 a.m. Your child should be here by 8:40 or
8:45 a.m. Supervision is available in the gym
beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Thank you for your
cooperation.
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last updated
August 21, 2007
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