Attendance Behavior Expectations Birthdays Bus Behavior Expectations Changes in Student Departure Routine Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures for Car Riders Emergency Care Cards Emergency Closings Field Trips Lunch Accounts Medication at School

Money Parking Playground Safety Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Safety Drills School Dress School Property School Supplies Toys/Personal Items Visitors Volunteers Weapons

 

Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School

400 Willow Lane
La Plata, Maryland 20646
301-934-4687/301-753-1760
Fax:  301-753-1649 

School Hours

Regular Day – 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

2 Hour Early Dismissal – 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

 AM Pre-Kindergarten

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

PM Pre-Kindergarten

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

Children are not to be dropped off before 8:45 a.m.

 

ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is vital to educational development.  Whenever a child is absent due to illness, parents will submit a note to their child's teacher within three days providing information regarding the absence.  The absence is considered lawful, but still counts in the generation of absence letters.  If the parent submits a note from a doctor, the absence is considered not only lawful, but also excused.  The school is required to send out letters notifying parents when students have accumulated 5, 10, and 21 absences that do not have doctors' notes.

From time to time, parents desire to take their children on extended trips.  Per BOE policy, these trips are not to extend over five days and parents should notify and receive authorization for possible educational coding from the principal two weeks prior to the trip.  It should be noted that educational trips are lawful absences, but still count as absences toward the generation of the attendance letters.  Additionally, when approving educational trips, principals must consider the primary purpose of the trip.  Keeping a journal during a family vacation does not constitute an educational trip.  

Students who arrive after 9:00 a.m. will be considered 'Tardy' and their attendance card will be marked as such.  Students who arrive to or leave from school during a mid-day window are marked absent for a half-day.  Students who are picked up from school before 3:20 p.m. are also considered 'Tardy' and their attendance cards will be marked to reflect an afternoon 'Tardy'.  We request that parents picking up their children for departure (not regular car riders) kindly allow the office to call for their children at 3:20 p.m. during the afternoon announcements.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

A major goal of our staff is to establish an atmosphere throughout the school in which children will feel safe, secure, happy, and will have a maximum opportunity to learn.  All students have a right to learn; therefore, no child will be permitted to disrupt the learning environment.  Our expectation at Mitchell is that all our Mitchell Bulldogs will BARK:

B – Be Polite

A – Act Responsibly

R – Respect Learning

K – Keep Safe

BIRTHDAYS

Parents are welcome to provide treats for their child's birthday.  Snacks can be brought to the classroom at the beginning of the day for the child to distribute at lunch or snack.  Events should not be celebrated with party bags or balloons.  Please notify your child's teacher of this event prior to delivery so precautions/preparations can be made for classmates with medical issues such as food allergies.  Additionally, should parents desire to distribute party invitations during the school day, it is imperative that an invitation be given to every child in the class.  Should parents desire to exclude any classmate, all invitations should be distributed at home and not on buses or in the classroom.  Mitchell staff members are not permitted to release home addresses.

BUS BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS     

Riding the school bus is a privilege.  This privilege may be temporarily or permanently denied if a student's misconduct jeopardizes bus safety or another student's safety while riding to or from school.  Students will be referred to Mitchell staff by the bus driver for any of the following behavior, but not limited to:

1. Fighting, horseplay, or hitting
2. Carrying weapons or sharp items
3. Placing head, arms, or legs out of the window
4. Not remaining in assigned seat after a warning
5. Disrespect to the bus driver
6. Throwing or shooting objects
7. Smoking or lighting matches
8. Eating or drinking on the bus
9. Consistent tardiness to the bus stop
10. Use of profanity
11. Aggravating another student

CHANGES IN STUDENT DEPARTURE ROUTINE

To ensure your child's safety, parents must submit a written request if your child's morning or afternoon arrangements are different from the regular routine.  These requests should be delivered immediately to the main office upon the student's arrival.  Parents needing to pick up students for medical appointments or other reasons must report to the school office to sign out their children.  If at all possible, try to schedule appointments during the time your child is not in school to maximize his/her instructional time.

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES FOR CAR RIDERS

We encourage students to ride the bus whenever possible.  If your child does not ride the bus in the morning, please note the following procedures for student drop-off in the side A-wing parking lot.  Pull up as far as you can when dropping off children.  This will allow us to have 4-5 vehicles dropping off students simultaneously along the sidewalk.  Please do not get out of your vehicle unless necessary.  Our staff members will assist your children in exiting the vehicle.  Once your children have left your vehicle and have started walking toward the school, please proceed out of the parking lot so that other parents may drop off their children.  We request that you do not walk your children to the school entrance while parked in the drop-off zone.

The doors open at 8:45 a.m. and staff members will monitor and assist students in the side parking lot at this time.  The parent must escort any student arriving after 9:00 a.m. to the main office.

Only children who have registered with the office as a 'Car Rider' will be dismissed to the A-Wing parking lot at dismissal.  If your child is not registered as a daily 'Car Rider', you will need to park your car and report to the main office to sign out your child.

EMERGENCY CARE CARDS

Emergency care cards must be on file for each student.  For your child's safety and well-being, current and complete information is vitally important.  Please notify the school immediately, in writing, if there are any changes in your address, phone numbers (home, work, and cell), allergies, or emergency contacts.  In the event of an emergency, the school can only contact those persons listed on the emergency care card.  By informing the school of these contacts, you are granting permission for those persons to care for your child in case of a situation that has been deemed an emergency by the school.  We believe that parents have the right and responsibility to know the whereabouts of their children at all times.  Only parents or legal guardians may pick up children from school before dismissal.  Emergency care contacts (such as day care providers and grandparents) do not have the authority to pick up children from school unless the school has deemed an emergency and contacted the emergency care contact.  If you have a personal emergency and need to send someone to pick up your child, please send to school signed and dated written permission.  Anyone picking up a child, including a parent, may be required to show photo identification.

 

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

Weather conditions often bring school closings.  School system officials ask parents to monitor radio and television stations for the latest information on school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissals.  A complete list of radio and television stations notified by the school system is in the school calendar sent home with each child at the beginning of the school year.  Please listen to these announcements as opposed to calling the school, as it is important for us to keep our telephone lines open.  In addition, information can be accessed using the 24-hour information telephone lines (301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656).  You may also wish to register for email notification of closings or delays by visiting www.schoolsout.com.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are subject to last-minute cancellation by Charles County Public Schools for various reasons related to student safety or other concerns.  Please recognize that Charles County Public Schools has canceled school trips for safety reasons.  Charles County Public Schools, its agents, and its employees, will not be responsible for any non-refundable monies paid by students, parents, or guardians in the event trips are canceled.  While the school is willing to help students with the logistics of the trip, the school assumes no financial responsibility in the event the trip must be canceled.  You need to be aware of the personal and financial risks and responsibilities that you are undertaking if any monies are paid for any trip.  Please know that Walter J. Mitchell Elementary will do its best to reschedule any canceled field trips.  If a canceled trip cannot be rescheduled, Mitchell Elementary will refund any fees that did not have to be paid in advance.  Additionally, should any child or guardian not be able to attend a trip due to illness, there may be no refund for field trip fees.

Chaperones for field trips will be selected by random drawing on the date that permission slips are due.  If the venue permits, non-chaperoning parents may drive their own car, pay separately, and attend the trip.  The provided field trip form should be returned by the due date for parents to be considered as chaperones.  Please remember that once an adult in a child's family has chaperoned a field trip, preference will be given the remainder of the school year to students whose parents have not had an opportunity to be an adult chaperone.  Classroom teachers will notify all parents who submitted a chaperoning interest if they will be chaperoning on the specified trip.

 

LUNCH ACCOUNTS

A computerized meal accounting system is in use at our school.  The system establishes an account for each student.  Parents may add money to their child's meal account.  The child's account is charged only when a child eats a meal.  If a child is absent or brings lunch from home, the account balance remains the same.  The system allows for one breakfast and one lunch per child, per day.  Only meals can be purchased through this account.  A la carte milk, juice, ice cream, and snacks must be paid for in cash.  When the balance has been reduced to three lunches, the student is notified. 

If you wish to participate, personal checks and cash are accepted.  Please make checks payable to Mitchell Elementary School Cafeteria.  Please write the child's name and teacher's name on the memo portion of the check.  Children receiving reduced-price meals may also pay in advance using this system.  Breakfast and lunch may also be purchased on a daily basis.

This system relieves parents and school staff from daily payments and collections.  Students without lunches, lunch money, or money on account will be served a sandwich and milk.  They will be required to repay the cafeteria the next school day.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

Before medication can be administered at school, a Physician's Order and Authorization Form for Medications and Medical Treatments must be completed by the physician and the parent and be on file at school.   This policy applies to prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter medications (such as cough medicine).  This form can be obtained from the office.  We cannot accept a prescription labeled container as a written request for administering medication.  Parents are responsible for bringing medication to/from school; students are never to have medication (prescription or non-prescription) in their possession.

MONEY

Children are urged to bring money to school only when it is needed for lunch, supplies, or other routine requirements.  Surplus money often causes problems.  Since the school cannot accept responsibility for money brought to school by students, parents are urged to send exact change whenever possible.

Checks are acceptable at Mitchell.  However, please be aware that our bank charges a service fee when checks are returned to us.  Any returned check fees are the check writer's responsibility.

PARKING

It is critical for the safety of our children that parents refrain from parking or driving in the bus area at the beginning and end of the school day.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

Due to supervisory and safety concerns, only Mitchell students should be on the playgrounds during school hours.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)

Our school has an active PTO that is dedicated to supporting our teachers and involving parents and the community in a wide variety of school functions while providing assistance in the educational process.  Please get involved!

SAFETY DRILLS

Regular fire, tornado, stranger alert, and bus drills are required in every public school.  Monthly fire drills will be conducted while tornado, stranger alert, and bus drills will occur periodically during the school year.  We ask that all visitors follow the guidance of our staff during these drills.

SCHOOL DRESS

Appropriate student dress is important in setting the tone for a positive school environment.  Administrators have the flexibility to exercise their judgment, with the authority of the Associate Superintendent of Schools or his designee, to determine if a student's attire is considered disruptive or distracting.  The Charles County Board of Education's Dress Code Standards are as follows:

• Shorts are permitted as long as the shorts reach the middle of the thigh, defined as shoulders relaxed and arms straight down alongside the body where the fingertips touch the thigh.
• Skirts are permitted as long as the skirt reaches the middle of the thigh, defined as shoulders relaxed and arms straight down alongside the body where the fingertips touch the thigh.  Slits in the skirt may not rise more than two inches above the fingertips.
• Sleeveless shirts are permitted as long as at least two fingers width of fabric cover both shoulders and the chest area or undergarments are not exposed.
• Spaghetti straps are not permitted with the exception of formal wear.
• Midriff area (front and back) must not be visible at any time, even while seated.
• Undergarments must not be visible at any time.
• Cleavage must not be visible at any time.
• Pants must be secured no lower than mid hip and must not cover the front of the shoes while walking.
• Backless and open-toe shoes with a hard sole are permitted as long as the shoes do not pose a safety hazard.  Foam and similar soft-soled shoes such as flip-flops or beach footwear, are prohibited.
• Headwear is not permitted.  This includes but is not limited to hats, visors, bandannas and hood.  (Exceptions may be granted based on religious and medical reasons with proper verification.)
• Sunglasses are not permitted except during outdoor activities.
• Sleepwear and sleepwear-type clothing are not permitted.  (Exceptions are granted for certain activities, such as overnight field trips.)
• Jewelry that poses a safety hazard to the student or other students is not permitted.
• Sports uniforms that are worn during the school day must conform to the dress code.
• Clothing that displays or symbolizes any language or material that is inappropriate for school or offensive to any group is not permitted.  This includes, but is not limited to material relating to drugs, alcohol, profanity, obscenity, racism, gang activity and violence.
• Recreational and noninstructional swimsuit attire must not be disruptive or distracting.  Female swimsuits must be one piece and fully cover the chest and buttocks.  Male swimsuits must be mid thigh.  All swimsuits must remain non-transparent when wet.  Swimsuits may not be worn uncovered outside the pool area.
• Formal attire must not be disruptive or distracting.  Spaghetti straps and sleeveless or strapless formal dresses are acceptable as long as adequate coverage is maintained during activity.  Slits in skirts may not rise more than a hand's width above the knee.  Transparent attire is prohibited.  Necklines may not fall below mid-sternum.  Backless gowns may be permitted at the end-of-year prom, but are inappropriate for all other events including school dances, choral performances and in situations where a student or group of students officially represent the school system.
• The dress code is in effect at all school-sponsored events on and off campus. 
  

SCHOOL PROPERTY

Desks, cubbies, coat closets, lockers, etc. are the property of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and are subject to search when deemed necessary by the administration.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Students are expected to have the necessary supplies for school each day.  Supply lists are available from the main office.  These supplies should be clearly labeled with the student's name.  Be sure to check periodically for supplies that need to be replenished.

TOYS/PERSONAL ITEMS

Unless they are part of the instructional program and pre-approved by the classroom teacher, toys are not permitted on school grounds.  These items tend to interfere with the instructional program.  Additionally, students should not bring anything of value to school.

VISITORS

Parents are encouraged to visit the school throughout the year.  Making an appointment with the teacher at least three days in advance of the visit is not only a courtesy, but enables you to schedule the visit for the maximum benefit.  Teachers cannot stop teaching to visit with parents who "pop-in".  As visitors can impact the learning process for some students, we respectfully request that no more than two classroom visits/observations of 30 minutes in duration be completed during each grading period.  Siblings should not attend.  Teachers will be happy to discuss with parents what they observe during their visit at a mutually convenient time.  Parents are welcome to visit the cafeteria and eat lunch with their child.  All visitors must report to the main office, sign in and obtain a visitor identification badge.  Principals retain the authority to deny access to the school for any individual who may disrupt or disturb the learning environment or who lacks a valid or legal purpose for entering the school.  Our shared commitment and cooperation is essential for the safety of our students and staff.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are an essential component of the instructional program and your participation is encouraged.  Please work with your child's teacher to arrange mutually convenient days and times.  When entering the building, please enter your name in the Volunteer Sign-In book and obtain an identification badge.  Before leaving, please sign out and total the number of hours you worked.

WEAPONS

In accordance with the Charles County Public School's Code of Student Conduct, students are prohibited from possessing weapons of any kind whether for offensive use or self-protection.  Possession and/or use of a weapon is grounds for immediate suspension to the Superintendent with a recommendation for expulsion from school.  "Lookalike" weapons, laser lights, and laser pointers are prohibited on school property.  Students are also prohibited from bringing or possessing any dangerous item or material, such as tools, chemicals, hardware, or toxic materials.