Janney Elementary School

School Policies and Procedures

Attendance . School attendance is required for all students who reach five years of age on or before December 31st of the current school year. School hours are 8:45 am to 3:15 pm. Students should not be dropped off prior to 8:40 am.

Certain days are set aside for professional development with early dismissal for students. Please be sure to note these dates on your calendar. Students who arrive at school after 8:50 am must sign in the tardy log in the front office. Students who leave school early must sign out in the early dismissal log. Parents should notify their child's teacher when absences can be anticipated. For unanticipated absences, the school should be notified on the day of the absence and a note to the teacher (including the reason for the absence) should be sent when the student returns to school.

The following absences may be excused:

•  death in the student's immediate family,

•  illness of the student (those absent due to illness for more than 3 days must provide doctor's certificate),

•  observance of a religious holiday, or

•  medical reasons such as a doctor's appointment.

In an effort to improve attendance and reduce tardiness, DC Public Schools have an automated phone calling program, PhoneMaster, that Janney hopes to use to support attendance. In the event that a student is absent and the parent/s has not called the school office, parents will receive a phone call informing them of the student's unexcused absence. The same will be true for tardiness. If a student has a regular pattern of tardiness (three tardies equal one unexcused absence), the parents will receive a phone call informing them of this problem. PhoneMaster is also used to inform parents about meetings or other events during the year.

Communicating with Janney: Parents have a number of ways to find out what is going on at Janney and to talk about specific issues related to your child.

•  Each Tuesday, students are sent home with a Take Home Tuesday envelope. Important information regarding school events, field trips, and classroom activities and assignments come home in this envelope. Envelopes should be signed by a parent and returned to your child's teacher on Wednesday.

•  Back to School Night is held during an evening in early fall. This event provides an opportunity for parents to meet their child's teachers (including specialists) and to learn about the year's programs and curriculum goals.

•  Parent-teacher conferences occur three times a year: fall, winter, and spring. Typically these conferences last 15 minutes.

•  The Janney website (www.janneyschool.org) is an important source of information about school activities. Many teachers now maintain their own pages to keep parents posted on classroom activities and assignments. The DCPS website is www.k12.dc.us.

•  Families should bring classroom concerns directly to the classroom teacher where possible. If an issue cannot be resolved, then the principal may be involved.

•  Should a parent wish to request a meeting with the principal, a message may be left in the school office. The principal keeps his own schedule, and usually responds to phone messages within one working day. He prefers meetings before or after school.

•  General school announcements are posted on the bulletin board at the corner of 42nd and Albemarle Streets.

Computing: Janney has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) regarding use of the school's computers. Each student and his or her parent must read the AUP and sign it together before the student is allowed to use the Internet. [Get this policy electronically.]

Discipline: Janney has adopted a school pledge outlining rules with regard to respect, responsibility, and safety (see pledge next page.) Students in 2nd through 6th grades are asked to discuss this pledge with parents and sign, noting their understanding of school policies. The pledge is discussed with children in the younger grades. The school operates a quiet room during lunch recess for students in grades 3-6 as a consequence for poor behavior. Students are also assigned community service. Janney follows the discipline codes for DCPS. Participation in the musical, band and other school events are viewed as a privilege. Behavior issues at school can lead to a student being asked not to continue participation in a Janney activity and in severe cases suspension.

Dress Code: While there is no formal dress code, the school expects students and staff to wear appropriate attire, including safe footwear. Please note that all students are required to wear sneakers or tennis shoes and pants/shorts for physical education classes. This attire is safe, appropriate, and comfortable for your child to participate in any class activity. No sandals, dresses, or skirts are allowed for physical education class.

Emergencies and Inclement Weather: In the event Janney closes early and/or is evacuated because of an emergency, parents will be notified via school personnel or parent volunteers. If a situation occurs that requires relocation of students, large posters will be placed outside the school indicating where to pick up your child. Throughout the year, we conduct one emergency evacuation drill and several fire drills. We conduct these drills to prepare our school in the event of a real emergency situation. Therefore, you should be aware that your child may discuss the occurrence of these drills with you.

Alternative Location: St. Columba's Episcopal Church. 363-4119.

Emergency Contact Number: DCPS Division of Security, 576-6962

Snow, rain, and excessive heat may result in closure, early dismissal, or delayed opening. Information will be available on local radio and television stations:

•  Radio: WAMU (88.5 FM), WHUR (96.3 FM), WMAL (630 AM), WOL (1450 AM), WTOP (1500 AM, 107.7 FM), Radio America (1540 AM in Spanish)

•  Television: Channels 4,5,7, and 9, cable channels 8 and 28.

You may hear an announcer refer to a code concerning school closings. Here is what these codes mean:

• Code Red: Schools and administrative offices are closed. Only essential personnel report to work.
• Code Yellow: Schools are closed. Administrative offices are open.
• Code Green: Schools open for students and teachers two hours late. Administrative offices open on time.
• Code Orange: Schools and administrative offices open two hours late.

Janney has formed a Safety and Security Committee. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Jani Drohan the Emergency Incident Coordinator.

Pick-up and Drop-off: In the morning before the school doors open at 8:40 a.m., students line up with their classes on the sidewalk in front of the school. In inclement weather, students gather in the auditorium. Parents dropping off students by car are asked to pull away from the curb promptly after your child is safe on the curb. Please do not park or stand in your car in the yellow zone in front of the school; you will be ticketed and towed. Students should not be dropped off or picked up behind the school. If you walk with your child, please cross at the corner or by using the marked crosswalk in front of the school. Do not jaywalk by crossing elsewhere; the visibility for cars coming east on Albemarle is poor (particularly in the morning), making this a dangerous intersection.

In the afternoon, classes are dismissed to various doors by grade. Parents should not go to a child's class during the day to pick up a student. The office will call the class.

Security: The school doors are locked from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm. Please use the entrance system located outside the front door. Once you enter the building, please sign in with the security guard and wear appropriate identification.