Policies and Procedures
The student school day is from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
We hope this gives you a good overview of our school and procedures. We want to see much of you and welcome your participation in your child's education. Remember, we're only a phone call away.
| & Emergency Early Closing | ||
| Communication | ||
| Bus | ||
Absences:
Good attendance is essential for academic success. If your child will be absent or late, call and notify the school. An answering machine is set up for your convenience so you may call before the office opens at 8:00 a.m. We follow up with phone calls when children are absent if you have not notified us. Therefore, notifying us in advance saves time and phone calls. In addition, Maryland law requires a written explanation of each pupil's absence upon the student's return to school. We are required to code the reason for each absence on county attendance forms. We are working with students and families to encourage good attendance for all children.
Notes - Be sure that notes are sent to school for the following situations:
- before or after an absence
- when a student arrives late
- when a student will be leaving early
- if a student is to go home with another student or if another student is going to your house (this includes those walking, taking a bus, or being driven in a car)
- is your child has significant medical problems or allergies
- if you have a concern that you wished to have addressed
- to share successes that your child has demonstrated
Arrival and Dismissal:
Arrival:
There is no supervision before school begins at 9:00 a.m. The first bell rings for class at 9:10 and all students are expected to be in class by 9:25.
Breakfast: Upon arrival students will receive free breakfast in their classroom daily.
Tardy: Children are tardy after 9:25. Students who arrive late to school must be brought to the office by a responsible adult and signed in. This assures that late students' names are removed from the absentee list and marked present on school and county attendance forms. Students are reminded to let the office know if they will need to order their lunch before reporting to class. Please be sure your child catches the bus each morning or that you bring him or her to school by 9:25 each day. It is extremely disruptive to the classroom program when children come late, and it is a disservice to the child.
Dismissal:
Walkers and car riders are dismissed from class at 3:50. Students who ride buses are dismissed as buses arrive. We use colors to designate each bus, and patrols and school staff assist students in finding their buses.
Early Dismissals: There are several scheduled times throughout the year when students are dismissed early from school see calendar. When schools are closed in the afternoon for teacher training or conferences, students in kindergarten through grade 5 are dismissed at 1:00.
Students Leaving Early: Please send a note on days you plan to pick up your child before the school day is over. This helps the teacher assure that homework assignments and papers are ready when your child must leave. Parents must come to the office and sign the child out. Office staff will call your child to the office upon your arrival.
Unusual Circumstances: If your child will be going home a different way than usual (with a friend, being picked up instead of taking a bus, etc.), be sure to send a note to your child's teacher. If your child is going to another child's house after school, both children's parents must send a note. If your child does not have a note, he or she will be required to ride their regular bus.
Please try to avoid picking your child up before 3:50 . It is disruptive to the classroom and cuts short your child's instruction. Every minute counts!
The new MCPS attendance policy states that if a student is one hour late in the morning, he or she will be marked as absent for a half a day. If a child leaves more than 1 hour early in the afternoon or is absent for more than one hour in the middle of the day, he or she will be marked absent for a half day. If a child is absent more than 4 hours and ten minutes, he or she will be marked absent for the entire day.
Bus:
The school system provides transportation for students residing within the Kemp Mill community who live more than 9/10 of a mile from the school. Bus stops are located in the immediate neighborhoods.
The bus driver is in charge of the bus and the passengers. He/she is responsible for the children's safety and for their conduct on the bus. School safety patrols help remind students of safety rules at the bus stop and on the bus. Students must remember to:
- Follow directions and show respect to patrols and the bus driver,
- Enter and exit the bus quietly and orderly,
- Talk quietly to their neighbors and use appropriate language,
- Remain seated while the bus is in motion, and
- Keep hands, feet, and other objects to themselves and never put or throw anything out of the windows.
- Riding the bus is a privilege that can be denied temporarily or permanently if the child's behavior warrants it. The operator and patrols report violations of rules to the administration, and a child may become ineligible for transportation if his/her behavior creates a problem. Students may ride a friend's bus home only if both students have signed notes from their parents. Students will be required to go home via their usual bus without written permission to do otherwise.
Communication:
Having close two-way communication between the home and school is important to us. Let us know when you have questions, concerns, or comments. Contact your child's teacher to discuss issues that arise. If additional supports or information are needed, let the principal know so that we can all work together for your child's benefit. Every month we send home a Family Newsletter (that is also posted on the home page of this website). This is your source of news about your school; it is important that you read it each week. The Family Newsletter is also in Spanish.
Conferences:
Conferences are scheduled at the end of the first marking period during two early release days. Any time you have a question about assignments, procedures, or grades, please contact your child's teacher so we can discuss the concern immediately. Please do not try to meet with the teacher without a scheduled appointment. This is unfair to the teacher and his or her class. If after conferring with the teacher you still have a concern, please discuss the concern with an administrator.
Emergencies:
Evacuations: We practice our emergency evacuation skills routinely, including fire drills and shelter and lockdown drills. We want to be sure that in case of an emergency, everyone can quickly and safely vacate the building.
We urge you to discuss plans with your children regarding what they should do if there is an emergency delayed opening or early closing.
Emergency Information: You must supply the school with emergency numbers for hospital and doctor preferences. Please advise the school when you move, change home or emergency telephone numbers, and/or places of employment. This is of critical importance should we need to contact you because of injury, illness, or other emergency.
Emergency Late Opening / Early Closing:When schools open late or are closed early because of snow, inclement weather, or other emergency, announcements are made on radio and TV. You can also call for an MCPS recorded message (301) 279-3673. This 24- hour service includes summaries of school board meetings, news of emergency closings and other items of interest. We urge you not to call the school - we find out the same way you do: by radio, TV, or www.mcpsmd.org. Usually delayed openings are announced by 6:00 a.m.
Health Room:
Our Health Room technician is at school daily from 9:10 - 3:30 and a School Health Nurse comes to Kemp Mill once a week. Students attending school are expected to participate in the total school program (classroom, physical education, and recess activities). If your child becomes ill or is injured at school, you will be contacted. If we are unable to locate you, we will contact the person whose name you have indicated on the yellow Emergency Information Card. Be sure to keep this information up-to-date.
Some students take medication at school on a daily or occasional basis. Medication can only be dispensed if specific forms have been completed by you and by your child's physician. If your child needs to receive medication in school, we can provide you with the "Authorization to Administer Medication" form. Medications must be brought to school by the parent and must be properly labeled by a pharmacist. A new authorization form is required every year. Under no circumstance should students carry medication to school themselves.
Be sure to inform the school of any allergies or other health concerns related to your child.
The State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requires school-age children to have a series of shots. There is more information at the Montgomery County Schools enrollment site. You will be provided with the information required for your child. State law prohibits students from being in school without the required shots.
Homework:
Homework is an extension of work from the classroom and relates directly to instructional objectives taught at each grade level. It provides children with an opportunity to share what they are learning in school with their parents. Parents are encouraged to provide a quiet study area for children to work and to assist children in reviewing homework directions. The family can help reinforce learning and broaden educational opportunity for students by supporting children with their homework - but not by doing it for them.
We follow the Montgomery County Public Schools homework policy which states: "Homework assignments are to relate directly to instructional objectives. In Grades K-8 homework should be assigned three to five times a week and should be considered the rule rather than the exception to daily activities. Homework activities should include opportunities for concept and skill development through review and enrichment experiences."
In general, homework assignments are given every day except weekends and holidays. Besides the daily and long range work that teachers assign, students should spend time each night reading or being read to. Children can read independently, be read to, or read aloud to a sibling, parent, friend or stuffed animal. Reading in your home language is encouraged so children can get exposure to rich language and love of reading.
Insurance:
There is a school insurance policy available to each student. It provides financial protection in case of accident during the school day, including the journey to and from the school building. Applications for this voluntary enrollment insurance are distributed at the start of the school year.
Lunch / Recess:
Students may bring a lunch or purchase a lunch at school. Lunches costs $2.55 for lunch including milk, milk alone is $.60. Some students may qualify for free or reduced priced lunch based on federal guidelines.
We will continue to offer the convenience and flexibility of a computerized cash register system. We encourage students to prepay (for a month or more) for their meals by check. Depositing funds into a student's account eliminates the need for students to carry money every day. Prepayments may be made at the Open House or any other time parents wish to send a payment. You may also use MyLunchMoney.com and make your payments online.
Lunch / Recess Schedule by Grade Level
Grade |
Lunch |
Recess |
K |
11:15 |
11:45 |
1 |
11:30 |
12:00 |
2 |
12:00 |
12:30 |
3 |
12:30 |
1:00 |
4 |
12:15 |
12:45 |
5 |
12:45 |
12:15 |
Morning Announcements:
Announcements are made each morning at 9:20 . We share the weather, lunch menu, and news about special events and activities. We recite the Kemp Mill Resolution and how Mustangs C.A.R.E. daily. We end the announcements by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Moving:
As soon as you know that you will be moving, please contact the school. We will help your child to make a smooth transition to his or her new school. If you move out of the Kemp Mill School area but wish to have your child continue at Kemp Mill, please call the office and we will help you to complete the necessary forms.
Parking / Picking Up or Dropping Students Off
Enter the parking lot and proceed to the circular area to drop off or pick up students. Please do not park in this area; ample visitor parking is located in the parking lot. It is unsafe to drop off or pick up your child on Sisson Street . The driveway in front of the main entrance is reserved for buses.
Safety In the Building: Please do not go directly to your child's classroom. Push the red button on the right side of the main doors to access the building, then go to the school office upon entering the building. Office staff will have you sign in, identify where you are going, and give you a visitor's pass.
P.T.A.
The Parent-Teacher Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the school and the welfare of our children. Kemp Mill PTA provides classroom volunteers, raises money for materials and educational programs, sponsors family activities, publishes a school directory, and works closely with the MCCPTA (Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Association), school board, and local and state legislators on education-related issues.
The PTA generally meets the first Tuesday of each month. Baby-sitting and a Spanish interpreter are provided. All Kemp Mill staff members and families are important parts of our PTA. Please show your support by making a donation to the PTA or by donating your time to help at PTA-sponsored events throughout the year. Please visit their website at www.kempmillpta.org.
Report Cards:
Students bring home a report card four times per year in grades 1-5 (Kindergarten students receive report cards twice a year - at the end of each semester). Parents are asked to sign the report card envelope and return it to the school. Grades reflect academic performance only and do not include effort, participation, attitude, or behavior. Such items as effort, and work study skills will be reported separately to parents and students.
Safety Patrols:
Our fourth and fifth grade patrols provide an outstanding service to the school. Patrols are assigned to assist at bus stops, on buses, in halls, on the blacktop, and with kindergartners. Students are expected to follow the safety directions given by patrols.
At the end of third grade, selected students begin training to become Safety Patrols. Students interested in becoming patrols must complete an application and meet the criteria in order to be chosen as a Safety Patrol.
Title I:
Title I is a federally funded program designed to offer additional support to children in the areas of reading and math. These monies fund additional classroom teachers, additional ESOL teachers, additional reading and math intervention teachers, and paraeducators. Title I also funds Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO), which is a four week summer session, and academic after-school classes. Our students also benefit from cultural arts assemblies, additional materials, and parent support services. A Title I specialist works in our school two days a week. These additional staff and materials benefit all Kemp Mill Students. Read more about the program here.
Visitors to the School:
Secured Entrance: The main entrance is now locked at all times. Please push the red button on the right side of the main doors. Someone in the office will unlock the doors for you.
Parents and visitors to the school must first sign in at the office. Messages, forgotten lunches, and instruments can be given to children through the office without disturbing classes.
Any adult who does not work at Kemp Mill must wear a visitor's badge when in the building. This is for your children's protection.
Parents wishing conferences with teachers should contact them by email or by calling (301) 649-8046 to make an appointment. Teachers must give their full attention to instruction and cannot always confer with parents formally before or after school. Please respect the teacher and his/her class by making an appointment ahead of time.
Volunteers:
Our volunteers include parents, senior citizens, community members, and students from nearby schools. Please come join our award-winning volunteer program! We need and appreciate volunteers who work with students; assist classroom teachers; help us in the office, cafeteria, health room or media center; complete typing and copying; and many more activities. If you have any time at all to volunteer in school or at home, please contact our Parent Community Coordinator (in English or Spanish) at 301-649-8046.