Dynard Elementary School
Student Handbook
and
Code of Conduct
2012-2013
Office Hours
8:45a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Student Hours
The school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.
Students arriving after 9:15 a.m. will need to be signed in through the office and will be marked tardy.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Parents will need to drive around the loop of the side parking lot and form a line of vehicles by the side entrance to the school next to the cafeteria. At 9:00 a.m., a staff member will open the side door for students to enter. Parents should remain in their vehicles as students enter the building. Do not allow students to exit the vehicle until you are pulled up next to the side door so the staff member can ensure the safety of each student as he or she enters the building.
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
3:40 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Students may be placed on a permanent pick-up list or on an as-needed basis. To add your child’s name to the pick-up list, you must send in a note to your child’s teacher.
You are strongly encouraged to put your request in writing.
If you must call in, please call the office no later than3:00 p.m. to place your child on the pick-up list for that day.
Students can be picked up at the side entrance of the building by the cafeteria. Please drive around the loop of the side parking lot and form a line of vehicles. At 3:40 p.m., a staff member will begin approaching each vehicle to check your valid picture ID and to have you sign out your child. A staff member will walk your child to your vehicle when you are pulled up to the side door. If your child needs your assistance getting buckled, please assist him or her quickly and safely before pulling away from the building.
Students will be released only to the person identified as having permission to pick up.
Individuals who are listed as emergency contacts are not authorized to pick up students unless it is specifically stated in writing.
Attendance Policy
Successful student learning is dependent upon continuous and consistent classroom attendance. The school cannot educate students or provide support and assistance to students when they are absent or arrive late.
Permission to Leave School during the School Day
When leaving school early, a student must be signed out by his or her parent/guardian. If someone other than the parent/guardian is signing a student out, parents/guardians are to send in a note granting that person permission.A valid photo ID must be presented when signing students out of school.
Student Absences
Appropriate documentation of absences should include the child’s name, date of absence, reason for absence, parent or guardian signature, and date of note. This documentation must be provided on the day that the student returns to school. If the necessary documentation is not received by the school within three school days, the absence(s) will be coded unlawful.
Please note: you can now send documentation of a student’s absence by going to
If an elementary school student is unlawfully absent twenty-five or more days, the student will be referred to the Pupil Services Team for consideration of retention for the following year to ensure that the student has had an appropriate opportunity to learn and master grade level skills.
Dynard Elementary staff and administration monitor students’ attendance on a frequent basis. Should a student’s attendance cause concern, you will be contacted by the classroom teacher, school nurse, Assistant Principal or Principal to develop a plan to address the absences.
Lawful Absences
Please refer to the Saint Mary’s County Public Schools Student Handbook and Code of Conduct for further information on student attendances and what constitutes a lawful absence.
Tardiness & Early Pickup
Students who arrive after 9:15 a.m. will be marked tardy. It is important to ensure that students arrive at school on time. Late arrivals not only disrupt the day of the student coming in tardy, but also the routines and procedures of the students in that class.
It is also important to remember that early pick-ups also disrupt learning in the classroom. If you know your child will be picked up early for an appointment, please send in a note informing the classroom teacher. The teacher can prepare the student for pick up with limited disruption to instruction.
Dress Code
Shirts and blouses should be continuous from the neckline to the waist. Spaghetti straps and strapless tops are not allowed, and shirt straps must be at least two inches wide over the shoulder. The midriff area must not be visible at any time.
Hats and headdresses may only be worn indoors for religious or health reasons.
Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be a minimum of one inch below the fingertips.
Tights, stretch pants, leggings, and body suits must be worn with clothing which meet the short, skirt, and dress directive.
Flip flops are not allowed. All shoes must be secured behind the ankle. Shoes with wheels may not be worn.
While not prohibited, hair coloring and spiked mohawks are highly discouraged. It causes a severe disruption of classroom instruction.
For a more extensive listing of the student dress code, please see the Saint Mary’s County Public Schools Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
School-wide Character Program
This year, our students will be introduced to our new character program focused on leadership, Dragon’s F.L.A.M.E.
FOCUS
LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT
MANNERS
EXCELLENCE
We are excited about the new initiatives that will develop our students into great leaders!
School-wide Discipline Policy
Student behavior expectations are outlined in the Saint Mary’s County Public Schools Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
At Dynard Elementary School, we strive to teach students to be monitors of and responsible for their own behaviors. Each classroom teacher has developed a behavior plan within their classroom to help students be aware of their actions and how their behaviors affect their learning and the learning of other students.
In Kindergarten, a color system has been developed to monitor student behavior. Every day, each student will earn a color to represent his or her behavior. The color may change throughout the day, and students will start fresh everyday. Parents will be notified of their child’s color at the end of each day.
Blue represents outstanding behavior that has gone
above and beyond the classroom expectation.
Green represents satisfactory behavior.
A student who earns green has met the classroom expectations.
Yellow represents unsatisfactory behavior.
A student who earns yellow has not met the classroom expectations.
Red represents a major departure from the classroom behavior expectations.
Grades 1 through 5 and pre-kindergarten have developed systems to monitor student behavior that are individualized to each classroom. Your child’s teacher will make you aware of his or her behavior plan at the start of the school year.
ISIC
At Dynard Elementary School we provide an In School Intervention Center (ISIC). This center has previously been referred to as the BMC, or Behavior Management Center.
The ISIC is used as a time-out for students whose behavior is not meeting the classroom expectations and is disruptive to student learning.
The ISIC is also used as an in-school suspension facility for more serious infractions.
Portable Technology
Electronic devices are not allowed at Dynard Elementary School or on school buses.
This includes iPods, DS’s, gaming systems, and other electronic devices.
School Improvement Team
The Dynard Elementary School Improvement Team (SIT) meets quarterly. Parent attendance and participation is highly encouraged and greatly appreciated! The meetings discuss events and programs occurring at our school, as well as updates on behavior, attendance, test scores, and other data. Parents are an integral part of having a successful school and learning environment, and we welcome your ideas and suggestions at our meetings!
Parent Teacher Association
Our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a wonderful organization that greatly supports the staff and students at Dynard Elementary School! The PTA is always welcoming of additional members and you are highly encouraged to join and attend the quarterly meetings.
Homework
Homework is assigned in every classroom Monday through Thursday nights. On average, homework should take fifteen minutes per grade level. Homework is a valuable tool for students to practice the skills they have learned during the school day. Please note, if your child becomes frustrated with his or her homework and struggles to complete the assignment, please stop. Write a note to the teacher explaining your child’s frustration as the reason for the incomplete assignment. This will indicate to the teacher that your child is struggling with that concept and the teacher will be able to work with your child.
HAC
You are encouraged to use the Home Access Center (HAC), which is a useful online program to help you remain aware of classroom assignments. Primary grades (Kindergarten, 1, and 2) will have their daily scheduleand all homework assignments posted on HAC. Intermediate grades (3, 4, and 5) will have homework and class work assignments posted, along with the grades your child has earned for his or her assignments.
Your individualized password was sent home in the teacher assignment letter you received from our school in August.
Thank you for taking the time to read and review this handbook. We appreciate your support and together we will work to provide the best learning experiences for your child!