School Hours
School starts at 9:00 a.m. and dismisses at 3:41 p.m. On early-release Wednesdays, school dismisses at 1:26 p.m. Children are urged to arrive at 8:40 a.m. (unless they are in Extended Day or are requested to arrive earlier by a teacher). They are not permitted into the building until then, except in the case of inclement weather.
School Visitation and Security: All visitors and volunteers must report to the main office to sign in and to obtain an identification badge. Your cooperation and support in this matter is necessary to maintain controlled access and security in the school.
After School and Dismissal Changes for Students: Parents are required to send in written permission to their child's teacher for any change in a student's regularly scheduled dismissal routine (e.g.., play date, enrichment class, authorized adult picking up child from school.). A note is also required for Extended Day if there is a change in the child's attendance in the afterschool program. Notes are the preferred means of communicating the change to your child's teacher. If a note is not sent, or a phone call made by the parent to the teacher or office staff; your child will not be allowed to change his/her dismissal routine.
Absences
If your child is absent from school, please call the school office (703-228-8320) after 8:30 a.m. and then send in a note on the day the child returns, confirming the need for the absence. The school needs this information to compile forms required by state law.
Dogs: Dogs (other than service dogs) are not allowed on school property.
Dropping Off and Picking Up Children by Car: Please drive slowly and avoid sudden vehicle movements as you drive through the parking lot. Please remain in vehicles and allow the patrols to assist your child in exiting and entering during AM drop-off and PM pick-up times. To avoid traffic congestion, you may have to loop around if your child is not at the curb for pick-up. DO NOT drive around buses as they unload, just as on a public street. Observance of these procedures will ensure student safety and expedite the movement of cars through the lot.
Emergency Procedures: On the first day of school, parents were asked to complete and return an Emergency Information Form. Parents should keep the information on these forms current. In an emergency, when children are dismissed early, it is impossible for the school to contact all parents. Discuss your emergency plan, including child care, with your child so he or she will know where to go.
Each school has plans and a Crisis Management Team. There is a regular review of each school’s shelter-in-place procedures. Emergency preparedness includes limiting access to the building and maintaining emergency kit materials along with emergency food and water supplies. The students will participate in several types of drills - fire, shelter-in-place (used for hurricanes/tornadoes or for biological or chemical threats) and lockdown (used in the event of an intruder).
Field Trips: Field trips offer additional learning experiences for students. All trips-walking, private car, bus or Metro-must be approved in advance by the principal. Student permission slips must have a parent's signature prior to departure. Students will not be allowed to go on a field trip without parental permission.
