1. What are the regular school hours?

   9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Grades K–5, CAPP, Head Start (4yr olds)
   Pre-K Morning: 9:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
   Pre-K Afternoon: 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
   Head Start: 9:55 a.m.–1:10 p.m. (3yr olds)

2. What time are the children dismissed when it is an early release day?

   K–5th Grades, CAPP and 4 yr. old Head Start are released at 1:00 p.m. Check the schedule for Pre-K and 3 yr. old Head Start. Bus riders are released to buses at 1:00 p.m. If bus normally arrives at 3:45 p.m., then early release days, it would arrive at 1:15 p.m., to the bus stop. After school care kids, go to the Kids Club until regular pick up time.

3. How do I find out if the school is starting late or releasing early?

   You can call the school, check the school or MCPS website or sign up for e-mail notification with MCPS Quick Notes

4. What do I do if my child will be absent for the school day?

   Call the school (301-279-4990) between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. to report the child's name, teacher and reason for the absence.

5. If I know my child will be absent in advance, what do I do?

   Write the teacher a note the day before the absence. Absences longer than a week require a letter to the Principal for approval.

6. When my child returns to school after an absence, what do I do?

   The child must return with a note explaining the absence. The dates and your signature are required. The note is to be given to the teacher. A note must explain every day of absence or the child will be marked with an unexcused absence.

7. How do I take my child out of school early?

   Send a note with your child to the teacher stating the time you plan to pick him/her up. Upon pick-up, the parent must go to the office and sign the child out on the 'Sign Out Log'. The school secretary will call your child out of class and be dismissed from the office with you. Please do not pick up your child between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. for early release, the office is busy with providing a smooth dismissal for the entire school.

8. What do I do if my child is late for school?

   The child is late if he/she arrives in the classroom after 9:15 a.m. The parent must accompany the child(ren) into the office and sign them in the 'Sign In Log'. Students are admitted into the building at 8:50. The first bell rings at 9:00. The late bell rings at 9:15.

9. How do I contact my child's teacher if I have a question or want to schedule a conference?

   Parents may call the school to have a message left in teacher's mailbox, e-mail teacher or put a note in the Monday folder. Please provide the teacher with phone number and convenient times for you to speak. The conference needs to be set up in advance with the teacher. Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled for each child during the first semester.

10. How do I receive information about my child's class and Maryvale activities or events?

    Folders are sent home with your child on Mondays with information from teachers, administration, MCPS, or the community. Every other week the administration distributes the Maryvale news (on yellow paper) with dates of upcoming events. At least once per month, teachers send home grade level information regarding classroom curriculum. The PTA Newsletter is distributed once a month (on blue paper). You can also sign up for PTA information by e-mailing the PTA.

11. How can I volunteer at the school?

    There are many ways to volunteer at or for the school. The PTA coordinates most volunteer needs. Please check the PTA website for Volunteer opportunities and contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

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12. What's for lunch today?

    The lunch menu can be found on the MCPS Cafeteria website. It is also sent home monthly.

13. What time is breakfast served and how much does it cost?

    Breakfast is from 8:50–9:05 a.m. and costs $1.30. Reduced breakfast costs 30¢.

14. What time is lunch served for the '07–'08 School Year?

    Kindergarten: 11:30 a.m.
    First: 12:00 noon
    Second: 12:30 p.m.
    Third: 1:00 p.m.
    Fourth: 11:30 a.m.
    Fifth: 12:00 noon

15. How much does lunch cost?

    $2.40 for lunch including milk and milk alone is 60¢, reduced lunch is 40¢.

16. If my child forgets his/her lunch, what do I do?

    Bring in a lunch to the office and it will be sent to your child OR your child will be given a cheese sandwich. No money is loaned for lunches.

17. Can I pay for lunch in advance?

    Yes. The cafeteria has a computerized cash register system and each child receives a PIN on the first day of school. The cost of the meal is deducted automatically from the child's account when the child enters his/her PIN number. You can pay in advance by sending a check made out to "Maryvale E.S. Cafeteria" with the child's full name on the check. The least amount recommended is $10.00 for a child who receives a reduced-priced lunch and $30.00 for full price lunches. A notification letter goes home when the account balance gets low reminding parents to add to the account.

18. Can I write one check for all my children for lunch?

    Yes. Write the complete (first and last) name and PIN on the check you send.

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19. What do I do if the bus is late or does not come to pick up my child in the morning?

    First, contact the Division of Transportation at 301-670-2283 or fax 301-548-7547 reporting the problem with the bus. Ensure you know the name of the bus stop and the route number. Then, contact the school with the same information.

20. Where can I drop-off/pick up my child?

    Morning: Students may be dropped off in front of the school at 8:50 a.m. All children should be dropped on the same side of the street as the school and never be permitted to cross First Street alone. Car riders may be dropped off in front of the gym between 8:50 a.m.–9:10 a.m. where they will be brought into the building by school staff. After 9:10 a.m., please bring children to front of the building, refer to question #7.

    Afternoon: Car riders should be picked up in front of the gym at 3:30 p.m., where they will be escorted to your car in the car rider lanes. Walkers can be picked up outside the front doors of the school at 3:30 p.m.

21. Can someone pick up my child from school who is not listed on the yellow emergency card?

    You must send in a note if someone other than person listed on the yellow emergency card is picking up your child. Without a note, the child will not be released to anyone not listed on the card.

22. What do I do if my child wants to go home with a friend after school?

    A note from the parent must be sent to the homeroom teacher explaining any change in the child's routine, including taking a different bus home, being a car rider or walking home with another student.

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