Parent & Volunteer Information/Procedures:

General Information, School Hours, Absences & Early Release ,Arrival, Dismissal, Inclement Weather, Delayed Opening, Emergency Closing, Before and After School Acitivites, Bus Information, Meals at School, Breakfast and Lunch, Recess, Fun Fridays, Contacting Teachers, Homework and Religious Holidays, Enrollment, Health Information, Behavior Expectations, Messages, Report Cards & Conferences, Student Belongings, School Supplies, Visitors to the Building , Copier Protocol, Safety & Security

Download the Handy Hints for Woodlin Families 2008-2009

General Information
Make sure you have Woodlin’s phone number with you at all times – in your wallet, at work, and/or stored in your mobile phone. If necessary, make sure your caregiver also has the number. 301-650-6440. Woodlin Elementary School has a website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woodlines/. The Woodlin PTA has a website at www.woodlinpta.org.  The PTA has a Listserv for the Woodlin community. It’s a great place to learn about the school, get advice from other parents and keep up-to-date on school and PTA events. There are two ways to join the Woodlin PTA Listserv:
1) Send an email to: woodlnpt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
2) Join through the link on the PTA website at www.woodlinpta.org or go directly to http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/woodlnpt. Parents must have a Yahoo ID to join though the website, but this is easy and free. You do not need to join the Listserv at the beginning of every school year. You will remain on the Woodlin Listserv until you unsubscribe. Each class at Woodlin has a room parent. One of the room parent’s main responsibilities is to create a “telephone tree” to contact parents/guardians in case of an early dismissal due to weather or other emergency. Shortly after the beginning of the school year, please expect a phone call from your child’s room parent to check your contact information so that you can be reached quickly in the event of an unscheduled early dismissal.

Please remember to immediately notify the school of any change in your address and work/home/mobile phone number.

There will be two days in May when only the Kindergartners do not have school. The rest of the school (grades 1 through 5) will still have school on these days. This lets the staff conduct orientations for the new incoming Kindergartners.

You will hear references to the “cafeteria,” the “multi-purpose room,” the “all purpose room ”or “AP room” – they are all the same thing.

You will hear your child talk about “specials.” Specials are music, art, physical education (PE or gym) and media center (library).

Teach your child to know if they will be a “walker,” “bus rider” or “car rider.” Each has different arrival and dismissal routines.

School Hours:

Woodlin’s classroom/instructional hours are from 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. each regular school day. The outdoor bell rings at 8:45 a.m. and students are expected to be in their classrooms ready to begin instruction by 8:50 a.m. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., Woodlin staff and safety patrols are outside to monitor arrivals. Kindergarten sessions are full day and follow the same school hours. Do not bring students to school before 8:30 a.m. because there is no supervision available. If a student is dropped off before 8:30 a.m., parents/guardians will be called and asked to return to the school.

Absences and Early Release Days:

Early-Release Days
There will be a few days during the year when students will only have a half-day of school. On early release days, school hours are from 8:50 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Students will still have lunch at school. School busses will run immediately after the 12:35 p.m. dismissal.

Student Absences
When a child will be absent for any reason, parents/guardians are asked to telephone the school before 8:30 a.m. The office has an answering machine, so you may leave a message with your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. Your child must bring a note from home upon his/her return. Parents should keep children at home when illness is suspected, a communicable disease has been diagnosed or lice nits have been found. After five consecutive days of absence, a doctor’s note is required.

Absence Policy

• Students are AM absent if they arrive more than 2 hours late
• Students are PM absent if they leave more than 2 hours early
• If a student is absent for more than any 2 hours during the school day, it’s considered a 1/2 day absence
• If a student is present for less than 2 hours of the entire school day, it’s considered a full day absence

We kindly ask for your support in maximizing student classroom time. As a result, students will not be released from class for telephone calls or to wait to be picked up from school.

Arriving Late
Students arriving after 8:55 a.m. are considered tardy. If your child walks or arrives by car at Woodlin after 8:55 a.m., they must report to the front office with a parent/guardian to sign-in.

Please do not schedule family vacations or morning medical appointments during countywide testing. See the Testing Information Dates as proposed by MCPS.

Arrival at Woodlin

Walkers
In the morning (before the bell rings at 8:45 a.m.), children line-up outside by grade and classroom. Different grades will be assigned to specific doorways, all located at the front of the school. As the year goes on, your child will know to look for his/her classmates to help them quickly find their class. On the first day of school, staff and teachers will be outside to help parents/ guardians and students find their way.

Parent Pick-up and Drop-off: Car Riders
The street in front of the school is reserved for school bus drop-off and pick-up. Traffic signs posted on Luzerne Ave. in front of the school remind parents/ guardians they are prohibited from stopping on Luzerne for drop-off or pick-up. Please use the school parking lot if your child arrives and/or leaves by car. For the safety of all students and to allow school busses access to Woodlin, it is highly recommended that parents use the following route in the morning and/or at the end of the day to drive through the Woodlin neighborhood:

Please do not block staff cars in the parking lot since staff members may need to depart for meetings. For the safety of all children, parents who wish to park must do so in empty parking spaces.

Dismissal
A FEW GENERAL NOTES ON SCHOOL DISMISSAL:
Make sure your child knows how they will get home and who will pick them up or meet their bus. This is especially important for Kindergartners. Make sure your child knows that they should never go home with someone they do not know. Grades 1 through 5 are dismissed on their own.
If you regularly pick-up your “walker” child who is in grade 1-5 but are running late, arrange for your child to wait in a designated spot so that you may easily find each other. Children line up by grade for arrival and dismissal. At the end of the day, please let your Kindergartner know that they should not be alarmed if they do not immediately see an older brother or sister.
Please do not go into the school or your child’s classroom for regular pick-up at 3:05 p.m. If you must pick-up your child early, please come to the main office to sign them out and your child will be called from class.
Explain to your child that they should never change their regular after-school routine without first talking to you.
Sometimes kids think it’s fun to “make their own plans”– usually this means they want to play at a friend’s house. It’s always a good idea to get to know your child’s classroom friends and “bus friends.” This will be especially helpful if your child unexpectedly decides to make plans for a “play date.”

Dismissal by Grade level:
KINDERGARTEN
Bus Riders Kindergarten students will be dismissed according to bus color. School patrols will escort the students to their buses. Students will exit through the doors by the first grade hallway. Staff will be outside to monitor bus loading.
Walkers All kindergarten walkers will exit through the school’s main doors. Kindergarten walkers will not be dismissed unless a parent/guardian or authorized caregiver is present. Please make sure your Kindergartner knows who will pick them up. Remind your Kindergartner that they must wait inside with a teacher/staff person until you or your caregiver arrives. Make it clear to your Kindergartner that they should never try to go home alone, or with someone they do not know.
It is extremely important that your child is picked-up on time at 3:05 p.m. There is no staff supervision after school. However, the school is aware that there may be a rare occasion where you are delayed by events beyond your control. If you or your caregiver are running late, please call the school by 3:00 p.m. A message will be sent to your child and he/she will be waiting for you on the bench outside the front office.
Car Riders All car riders will be escorted by a patrol to the car pick-up area on the side of the school (by the gym). There will be a teacher on duty monitoring the pick-up process.
Daycare Students going to Woodlin Child Development Center will meet their daycare teachers at the rear entrance of the school by the second grade/kindergarten classrooms.

Especially during the early days of school, some Kindergartners can get anxious if their parent/guardian is late for pick-up. Talk to your child about what would happen if you run late for dismissal so that your child has a general idea of what to expect. Let your child know that things like “lots of traffic,” “bad weather” or “road work/construction” happen sometimes and can make you run late.

FIRST GRADE
All first grade students will usually be dismissed from their classrooms. On days when first graders have specials, they will be dismissed from the Media Center.
Walkers All first grade walkers will exit through the school’s main doors.
Car riders All car riders will exit through the side doors by the gym.
Bus riders On days when students have specials at the end of the day, bus riders will dismiss from the media center; they will exit through the main doors. On non-special days, bus riders will exit through the doors by the first grade hallway.
Daycare Students going to Woodlin Child Development Center will meet their daycare teachers at the rear entrance of the school by the second grade/kindergarten classrooms.

SECOND GRADE
All second graders will be dismissed from their classrooms.
Walkers All second grade walkers will exit through the school’s main doors.
Car riders All car riders will exit through the side doors by the gym.
Bus riders All bus riders will exit through the school’s main doors.
Daycare Students going to Woodlin Child Development Center will meet their daycare teachers at the rear entrance of the school by the second grade/kindergarten classrooms.

THIRD, FOURTH & FIFTH GRADE
All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be dismissed from the All-Purpose Room
(AP Room) or the hallway outside the AP Room.
Walkers All walkers will exit through the doors by the AP Room.
Car riders All car riders will exit through the side doors by the gym.
Bus riders All bus riders will exit through the doors by the AP Room.
Daycare All daycare students will exit the building through the doors by the AP Room. They will re-enter the building through the main doors and will meet their daycare teachers at the rear entrance of the school by the second grade/kindergarten classrooms.

Inclement Weather
When it is raining and/or cold there will be some alternate plans for students:
ARRIVAL
If it is raining, or the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, students will not line up outside and wait for the 8:45 a.m. bell. Instead:

• Students in grades K-2 will line up in the AP room by class. They will be escorted to their classes by patrols at 8:45 a.m.
• Students in grades 3-5 will line up in the Gym by class. They will be dismissed to their classrooms at 8:45a.m.

RECESS
When it is raining, or when the weather is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the students will not go outside for recess.

DISMISSAL
Dismissal will remain the same for car and bus riders. On rainy days all walkers will exit through the main entrance of the building to meet their parents outside.

Delayed Opening/Early Dismissal of School:
When schools open late or there is a need to dismiss students early, parents are asked to listen to their radios or televisions for specific information. All emergency closings, late openings, or early dismissals are announced promptly and frequently on the radio and television. It is important for all parents to make arrangements in advance for their children in the event of an unscheduled closing due to emergency dismissals, inclement weather, etc.

Emergency Closing of Schools:
If schools are closed all day, radio and television stations will be notified no later than 6:00 AM

Before and After School Activities
Woodlin Child Development Center which is associated with the Rockville Day Care Association operates a before and after school program located on the campus. Questions concerning their program should be directed to 301-608-9693. The Montgomery County School System is not associated with the Woodlin Child Development Center.

Woodside Child Care Center also offers an after school program. Questions concerning their program should be directed to 301-588-0411. Woodlin students are able to ride a school bus to the Woodside Child Care Center.

Woodlin Elementary School and the PTA sponsor a number of after school activities. Questions concerning these activities and clubs should be directed to the school or PTA after school club chairperson. Information will be sent home before each activity and club session begins. It is very important that parents discuss after school activities and clubs with their child to make sure they know which day they are to remain after school and how they will go home. Special programs and extracurricular activities may be scheduled before and after regular school hours. Only those students who are involved in these programs or activities may remain in the building. Teacher supervision is only available during regular school hours and for certain extra curricular programs and activities. View the Woodlin Clubs link to check the dates and times for your childs club.

Bus Information
Detailed bus information was sent home in the August parent letter. You may also see
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/.
Route numbers, not bus numbers, will be used again this year and will be displayed in the second window on both sides of all buses. Know your child’s bus driver, route number and bus “color.” (Woodlin identifies busses by color; the bus company uses route numbers.) Visit our Woodlin Busses page to match colors with routes. Keep the phone number for the bus depot with you at all times. Store it in your mobile phone. If necessary, ensure your caregiver has the number. Woodlin is part of the Einstein Cluster and the bus supervisor can be reached at 301-929-2246. The main number for the bus depot is 301-929-6906

You will have received an ID sheet/nametag in the August parent letter. For at least the first week of school, it would be a good idea to have the I.D. sheet filled out and attached to your child’s shirt and another attached to your child’s backpack. Consider making a couple of extra copies in case the sheet is lost.
Make sure your child knows the color of their bus. Some kindergartners can be shy, so teach your child that they should not be afraid to ask for help from teachers, patrols or bus drivers and to speak up if they think they’re on the wrong bus. In the morning, Woodlin Safety Patrols will help make sure your child gets off the bus safely.
Changes and adjustments in bus routes/stops may happen at the beginning of the school year. But you should also remember that these changes may also happen at any time during the school year. Please remember that buses may be delayed when picking up students in the morning or drop-off at the end of the day. Parents should be aware that busses can be affected by road construction, poor weather conditions, and accidents. Please remind your child to look for you or your caregiver before leaving the bus. Teach your Kindergartner that they should never leave the bus if they do not see a parent or authorized caregiver waiting.

At the end of the school day, bus drivers are not supposed to drop-off a Kindergartner unless they see a responsible adult at the bus stop. You must be at the bus stop or arrange for another parent/caregiver to be responsible for your child when they are dropped off. If you are not at the bus stop, your Kindergartner will be returned to Woodlin by the bus driver. Make sure your child knows who will meet them at the bus stop. The school also strongly recommends that at the end of the day, students in the first and second grade are also met at the bus stop by a parent or caregiver. Parents/guardians who share the same bus drop should consider making arrangements to exchange phone numbers just in case someone runs late at the end of the day. Many parents/guardians arrange to “cover” for each other in this way. If you do this, let your child know that they can wait with certain parents/guardians if you are delayed. Make sure your child knows where they are to go once they get off the bus. Explain to your child that they should never change their regular after-school routine without first talking to you.

To assure the safety of students who ride the bus the following rules must be followed. Please review them with your child:

• Always stand off the road while waiting for the bus
• Arrive on time at the appointed bus stop
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing in front of the bus
• Obey bus rules. The driver is in charge of the bus and your safety.
• The driver has the right to assign seats
• Remain in your seat at all times on the bus except when entering and exiting the bus
• Use quiet voices
• Keep your arms, head, and belongs inside the bus

Meals at School:
Wholesome and nutritious meals are available daily in the cafeteria. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a student may be entitled to receive menu substitutions or texture modifications under the school lunch program. This entitlement occurs when a doctor determines a child has a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A signed statement from the student’s doctor must verify the existence of the student’s disabling condition and an indication that the disability restricts the student’s diet. If the disability prevents the student from eating the regular school meals, the doctor must indicate the substitutions that should be provided to the child. If you believe your child needs the substitutions because of a disability, please contact the office and send this written notification. More detailed information can be found at the MCPS Division of Food and Nutrition Services.

Breakfast & Lunch

The cafeteria serves breakfast (8:30 a.m.-8:50 a.m.) and lunch every day (different grades will lunch at different times). Applications for free and reduced-priced lunches are sent home with all students during the first week of school. Menus for the upcoming month will be regularly sent home with students. The August parent letter contained information on SNAP, the computerized pre-payment system that allows students to easily purchase breakfast or lunch. Please when sending in money for your childs SNAP account please put checks or money in an envelope with your childs name and pin number to help the classroom teachers send money in the morning.
Breakfast $1.25                 Reduced price breakfast $0.30
Lunch $2.25                      Reduced price lunch $0.40
Milk $0.50

Recess:
All students have a 30-minute outdoor recess period each day. Students are expected to go outside unless they have a note from a doctor excusing them from outside activities. Students should dress appropriately for the weather and respond promptly to directions from paraeducators, teachers, or other staff members. Students are expected to play approved sports and games using rules and equipment provided by the school. Play equipment from home is not permitted with out approval from a staff member on duty for recess. During inclement weather recess is held indoors.

Fun Fridays

Read in the Washington Post an article written by Julie Rasicot about Fun Fridays: Grab a Ball, Mommy, It's Time For Recess. Published on October 5, 2006. Fun Fridays will take place the last friday of every month. Feel free to come as your schedule allows. We are encouraging parents to come on Fridays to make recess "extra special" for students -- an end-of-the-week treat for them. On Fridays, parents will also get the chance to meet other parents on the playground. Please remember, however, you can volunteer during recess any time during the week.

As always, remember when you come to volunteer to sign in at the front office and get your blue badge. When you leave, sign out and return your badge. Also, if you volunteer on Monday-Thursday, feel free to get out the blue box filled with outdoor recess supplies (a paraeducator can unlock the storage shed where it's kept). If you have any questions, please contact Vickie Rocha, PTA Outdoor Recess Committee, 301-588-6078.

Contacting Teachers
Calls for teachers should be made between 8:20-8:45 a.m. and 3:30-3:50 p.m. During the instructional day, teachers are not available to speak by telephone. In addition, teacher email addresses may be found on the Woodlin website. Staff will do their best to return all phone or email messages within 24 hours. If you wish to make a classroom visit, please contact your child’s teacher ahead of time.

Homework and Religious Holidays:
Montgomery County School Board policy states that homework is not to be assigned on designated holidays when students are absent because of religious observances.

Enrollment Information:
It is critical that the school office is able to reach you or an emergency contact during the school day at all times. You will receive a yellow form for each child in your family. This form needs to be returned to the school immediately with the information requested completed. We must have this information available when we need to contact you. In order to maintain accurate records, notify the school immediately of any changes in your telephone numbers, address or the emergency contacts for your child during the year.

Health Information:
The Administration of Medication to Students MCPS Policy states: “Self administered and /non medically prescribed medication are entirely the responsibility of the parent.” Medication will not be administered in school without permission from a parent or guardian and a written statement from a physician. Medical forms MCPS #525-13 are available in the front office and are required for each episode of illness and for each medication ordered. Medicine must be delivered and picked up by an adult. A full time nurse does not staff the health room. A health technician and the front office staff have been trained to administer emergency first aid when needed. All health information should be sent to the school to complete enrollment. Immunization records must be received prior to a student’s attendance in school. Immunizations must include a second measles shot (MMR) as required by Maryland State Law.

Behavior Expectations:
Each Montgomery County student is required to review and sign a Discipline/Behavior Policy. This important document will be given to each student to bring home at the beginning of the school year or at the time of your child’s enrollment. Please review this policy with your child and return the signature section to your child’s classroom. Your frequent reinforcement of our Discipline/Behavior Policy helps to ensure that all students work in a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Our four Hallway Rules are:

1. Walk quietly in the hallways
2. Walk on the third tile from the wall
3. Keep your hands at your side or crossed in front of you
4. Pay attention and keep up with your line

Our School rules are:

Messages:
Emergency messages will be delivered to students by the staff to ensure instructional time is not interrupted. Messages to staff should be left in the front office or sent in with your child. Staff members will respond in a timely manner. If parents need to bring something to their child, during school hours, they should deliver it to the front office. The office staff will arrange to have it delivered to your child.

Report Cards and Conferences
Kindergarten report cards are distributed twice each year at the end of each semester. Report cards for grades 1st – 5th are distributed four times a year at the end of each quarter. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled at the end of the first marking period for each student in grades K-5. If you wish to meet with any staff member at any other time, call or send a note to the staff member to schedule an appointment. Visit MCPS Grading and Reporting for more details about report cards.

Student Belongings:
Students should bring only those items needed for their school day. Toys and other items should be left at home. Money brought to school should be for lunch, field trips, school store, or other similar needs. Families are strongly encouraged to put money in their child’s lunch account. If a child loses something, Lost and Found Items are kept in the All Purpose Room. Students can check for the missing items with the permission of their teacher. Small items including glasses or wallets when found are brought to the school office. Parents are encouraged to also check for lost items.

School Supplies:
Carefully check the specific grade level list of supplies sent home at the end of the school year and is also available on the Woodlin School Supplies page. Third fourth, and fifth grade students are asked to have a three ring loose leave binder/notebook (not a trapper keeper) to keep notes, assignments, and class work. If for any reason such a notebook cannot be purchased the office will assist.

Visitors in the Building:

For the safety and security of all individuals, teachers and staff must know about the presence and location of all visitors in the building. All visitors must enter the building through the main entrance, stop at the main office to sign in, and wear a Visitor’s Badge while in the school. There will be no exceptions. Any individuals without a Visitor’s Badge will be asked to report to the office. Please help us keep our students safe by following this important procedure!

Tracking Your Volunteer Hours:

• Upon arrival, sign the Visitor's Log and then get a Visitors Badge from one of the school staff working in the Office.
• All Volunteers must sign in at the office and wear the badge in a visible place while in the building.
• Please remember to record your hours served in the Volunteer Sign-In Log in the office

Volunteers are considered agents of the local Board of Education for the limited purpose of comprehensive liability insurance and workmen's compensation coverage while on school property.

Please keep track of hours spent at home and either record them in the school volunteer log or keep a log at home, and add it to the Volunteer Log at the end of every month. Click here to get a printable form.

Hours spent volunteering are provided to the School Superintendent's office. Our school can be recognized by the State of Maryland for outstanding volunteerism if we track our hours accurately.

Notification of Absence: If you are scheduled to volunteer for an activity and can't make it, please try to call at least 24 hours in advance. Please leave a message with the school secretary with the name of the teacher you were scheduled to help and the time you were expected.

Visit our Voluneteers Page. If you have any questions please contact Mary Press, Volunteer Coordinator, 301-588-3011

Copier Protocol

If you spend any time in the workroom, you'll quickly notice that the copier is in high demand! Woodlin staff members have priority over PTA members for copier usage. All Woodlin Volunteers must be trained to use our copier.

• If you're copying for a teacher for immediate use, then you are treated with the same priority as if you are the teacher.
• If you use up all the paper in the copier, please replace it by putting the paper into the left side of drawer 1. If you use up the toner, be sure to tell the front office staff. If you're unlucky enough to have a paper jam, be sure to ask for help in clearing the machine. And, finally, if you're doing copying after school and you run into any of these problems, please write a note for the front office staff so they are aware when they come in the next day.
• Each grade level has a code that is needed to use the copy machine.

Safety and Security
With the exception of the main enterance all doors to the building are locked during the school day. All Visitors must enter and exit through the front door and sign in inside the office. To help us maintain a safe and secure building, please do the following things: