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School Hours
Our school hours are 7:45 am to 1:55 pm for students in grades K-6. Children who walk to school or ride in private cars may enter the building between 7:20 and 7:35 am if they are eating breakfast. Children who walk or ride in cars who are not eating breakfast at school should arrive at 7:30 am. No children should arrive at school before 7:20 am as there is no adult supervision. No walkers/car riders will be admitted to breakfast after 7:35 am.
School Traffic Guidelines
We are constantly striving to improve the safety conditions in our circle driveway when buses and walkers are in that area. During the arrival and departure of our buses, cars should not be driving in this area. All parents who drive their children to school are asked to drive through the side parking lot and let children out at the curb next to the kitchen door. For their own safety, children should remain in the car until parents drive up to the curb in front of the kitchen to discharge them. We request that drivers form only a single lane closest to the sidewalk because it is dangerous for a child to cross in front of another car. At dismissal, all parents should remain in a line on Sherwood Avenue until the buses have departed from the circle. Children will walk around the circle to enter cars.
We are sure that you will understand the need for this procedure and hope that you will cooperate with us as we strive to protect all of our children.
Plan for Early Dismissal or School Closing
Certain events such as dangerous road or walking conditions, excessive heat or cold, pollution emergencies or other problems may make it advisable to modify the usual school opening or closing schedule. Local school personnel are not responsible for the final decision to close school. Such decisions will be made by the Chief Executive Officer or his designee. This information is available in several ways:
· An announcement is provided to 38 radio stations and 8 television stations in the Washington metropolitan area. The goal is to contact the stations in time for early morning broadcasts that begin between 5 and 6 a.m.
· You can access the school system's web page at www.pgcps.org and/or www.schools-out.com.
· After 6 a.m., you can also access the school system's Voice Mail Bulletin Board at 301-952-6000. Wait for the opening message, and then press the number 1.
· Watch PGCPS TV on Comcast Channel 96 or Verizon FIOS Channel 38
DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL FOR INFORMATION!!!
It is most important that you make plans in advance for your child’s care in case schools are dismissed early. You could possibly be away from your home at the time an emergency occurs. Make some decisions now, before the emergency, so that your children will know where they are to go when you are not home. Make certain that your child understands what to do. Feel free to add emergency contact names to your child’s Family Card in the school office. If your plan changes during the year, please notify your child’s teacher.
It is not a good idea to rely on calling the school to have directions relayed on the day of an emergency. We are usually swamped with calls and very busy organizing the early dismissal. Also, many times our telephone lines are jammed and you cannot reach us with your messages. If we should have an emergency in which the electricity is off, our telephones will not ring. So please plan ahead and make sure your child knows the plan.
Student Attendance
All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with The Public Schools Laws and Bylaws of Maryland 1984. Bylaw 13A.08.01.02 states that, “Absence from school, including absence for any portion of the day, of students who are presently enrolled in public schools shall be considered lawful only under the following conditions: death in the immediate family, illness of the child, quarantine, court summons, violent storms, work or activity approved or sponsored by the school or the local school system, or the state education agency, observance of a religious holiday, or state emergency.”
Student Absence
In order to continue providing safety for our children on their way to school, we are asking for your cooperation again this year in calling the school at 301-497-3608 and leaving a message on the answering machine if your child will be absent or late to school. The County will automatically call you regarding any absence or tardiness, but we still want you to call so we know your child is safe and with you when he or she is not in school.
When your child returns to school after an absence, you must send a note to the teacher advising him/her of the reason for your child’s absence. Absences that are considered lawful under Bylaw 13A08.01.02 (see details above) will be designated “Excused” as soon as we receive the note.
If your child is absent for a few days because of illness, do not be concerned about assignments. Teachers will review missed work when a child returns to school. If a student is absent five or more days, you may call and request assignments from a teacher.
Student Tardiness
We urge you to make every effort to have your child at school on time each day. Children may enter the building at 7:20 am if they are eating breakfast at school or at 7:30 am when the first bell rings. The school day begins at 7:45 am. The beginning of the day is extremely important for students and teachers. When a child arrives late the class and teacher are inconvenienced and the late student is unaware of instruction that has already been given. In addition, arriving on time is a habit that we attempt to establish with all children at a young age. If a student is tardy three or more times in a quarter, he/she will not be eligible for a perfect attendance award. Your cooperation with this will be greatly appreciated.
Early Release of Students
We encourage you to schedule your medical appointments and other activities after school hours, so your child does not miss valuable learning time. However, if you must pick up your child from school before the regular dismissal time, please send a note to the teacher that morning so your child can be prepared when you arrive. Please come into the school office and sign our list for early departures.
Please be advised that we cannot release your child with someone other than a parent/guardian unless we have received written permission for such action or the person is listed as an emergency contact on the student’s family card. This precaution is in the interest of maintaining your child’s security.
Safety
School Patrols
We are very proud of our safety patrols and feel that we are fortunate to have a well organized, efficient, and dependable Patrol Program. Staff members select the patrols on the basis of leadership, reliability, and punctuality. The patrols serve us in many ways at school, on the buses, and on our street corners. Please encourage your children to obey and respect the patrols as they help us to promote safety in our school community.
Walkers
Students who walk to school from all areas must use the sidewalks along Bond Mill Road and Sherwood Avenue. We urge all parents to discuss the problems involved when children walk in the street and on other people’s property. All children should be instructed to cross Bond Mill Road ONLY where our crossing guard is on duty.
Parents are urged to discuss the safety of the route which walkers use and encourage their children to walk along the route recommended by school personnel. Patrols are provided only on the routes that are approved by the school system.
If your child is assigned to a bus but you wish to have him/her walk to school on a daily basis, please send a note to the school office. If a note is submitted, your child must walk each day. He/she cannot switch back and forth during the school year.
Bicycle Riders
If your child will ride his/her bicycle to school, we must have a permission note on file in the office. Please request one of our bicycle permission forms from the office and return it to school before your child rides a bicycle to school. Please review bicycle safety rules with him/her and make certain that your child has a bicycle lock because school personnel cannot be responsible for bikes on the bike rack. For safety reasons, all bike riders must use the sidewalk on Sherwood Avenue and stay out of the street. Also, if other students are walking on the sidewalk, bike riders need to WALK the bike down the sidewalk, too.
Bus Riders
If your child rides a school bus, please discuss with him/her the following Student Bus Rider Responsibilities as determined by the school system:
1. Be at designated stop ten minutes prior to pick-up time.
2. Ride only the bus you are assigned to by PGCPS Department of Transportation.
3. Get on and off the bus at the stop nearest your home.
4. Remain seated while bus is in motion; keep noise down by talking in normal conversational tones only; maintain normal classroom standard of conduct.
5. No eating, drinking, or smoking on bus; no animals or other non-school related objects should be taken onto the bus.
6. Do not extend arms, hands, head, or any object from windows, or throw any object from the bus. Riding the school bus is a privilege that will be denied if a child’s behavior is unacceptable and endangers the safety of other students.
Each bus is called by its route number instead of the actual bus number painted on the bus. The route number will be on cardboard posted in the right side window of the bus. Please help your child learn his/her route number so that each student will get on the right bus to return home. The bus number will be converted to a bus color once the routes and routines have been established.
Notes To Visit Friends After School or To Be Transported By Others
Because we are very concerned about the safety of each child, it is necessary that you send a note to school giving permission for your child to visit another child’s home after school or to be transported by a person not in your family. These arrangements must be made before your child comes to school. If a student does not bring a note to school, we will insist that he/she goes directly home or to daycare at dismissal.
Lunch Program
Our school uses a computerized meal program. All enrolled students are issued a 4-digit PIN# and a corresponding meal account. A student’s PIN# remains the same each year as long as he or she is enrolled at Bond Mill. At mealtime the students enter their PIN# on a keypad located next to the cashier. All students are encouraged to keep money in their student accounts. This ensures that all students have money in their account in case they forget their lunch for the day or another emergency arises. Meal, milk and a la carte costs will then be deducted at the time of the purchase. Prepayments are encouraged and may be made to the student’s account by cash or check made payable to Prince George’s County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services. If students have enough money in their meal accounts, the price of the meal will be automatically deducted from the account balance. If the account balance is zero, the students will have to pay for the meal out-of-pocket. It is important that each student memorize his/her PIN#. This number is confidential; therefore the number must not be given to other students.
You can now check your child’s lunch account balance on-line and use your bank debit card, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard to prepay for your child’s meals. You can access this service at the PGCPS Website (www.pgcps.org/~lunch/) or directly at the PayPams site (www.paypams.com). Be aware, however, that there is a $1.95 charge per transaction, so you may want to pay for a month or more in advance.
New Meal Prices for 2008-2009:
For students, the price of breakfast in 2008-2009 is $1.25 and the price of lunch is $2.00 (this includes milk). Students put money on their accounts before going to their classrooms in the morning. Children who bring lunch from home may purchase milk for $.50 a carton during the lunch period.
Free and reduced lunch applications have been sent to you. If you think that your child(ren) qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, please return the application as soon as possible.
Please assist us in helping your child remember his/her lunch money. Forgotten lunch money results in time away from morning learning. If you have any questions call our Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Adams, at 301-497-3609.
Forgot a Lunch?
From time to time a student may leave/lose his or her lunch or lunch money at home or in the car. Having money on his or her lunch account will help in this emergency. If there is no money on the student’s account, our cafeteria will serve a cheese sandwich at no cost. We appreciate your attention to ensuring that your child has money on his/her account regularly, or for an emergency, as this creates a calmer lunchtime experience.
Parents Visiting at Lunch
We welcome parents to occasionally have lunch with their child. During this time we ask that our established guidelines for the daily lunch routine be followed. Your child may request the company of one classmate. Please assist us by ensuring that the table, chairs, and floor are cleaned and that the chairs are pushed in. Children are expected to join their classmates when excused from the cafeteria. See more information in the section “Parent Involvement at Bond Mill.”
Lunch/Recess Schedule for 2008-2009
Pre-K and K Lunch: 10:15-10:45 Recess: 10:45-11:15
1st and 2nd Grades Lunch: 10:50-11:20 Recess: 11:20-11:50
3rd and 4th Grades Lunch: 11:25-11:55 Recess: 11:55-12:25
5th and 6th Grades Lunch: 12:00-12:30 Recess: 12:30-1:00
Recess Participation
The recess period is a regular part of our school program. It consists of a daily, supervised period of free play on our playground. During inclement weather recess is held in the classrooms. All children are expected to participate in recess unless they have a medical problem that prevents them from doing so. If a medical condition exists, it should be substantiated by a doctor’s certificate that is sent to the teacher. If the teacher does not receive such a note, the student will participate in the recess program.
Office Telephone
Students will be allowed to use the school telephones only for emergencies. Parents are asked to help their children remember books, homework, lunch money, music instruments, and other needed items so they don’t have to call home for them. Similarly, plans for after school activities should be made before students leave home in the morning.
Student Council
Student Council members are elected by each of our classes from grades one to six. The Student Council meets regularly throughout the school year to plan special activities and help solve problems. Participation in this group helps students learn about democracy and good citizenship as they set their own goals and rules for behavior.
Visitors at School
Visitors at Bond Mill (including all parents) are requested to report to the office as soon as they enter the building. All visitors and parent volunteers should sign in and receive a Visitor or Volunteer badge to wear while they are in the school. It is important for the safety and instruction of our children that visitors do not go to the classrooms until after they have checked into the office.
Teachers and other staff members may be seen by appointment but should not be interrupted during class. If you wish to have a conference, please call the office or send a note with your child. If you bring something to your child or need to pick your child up during the day, please come to the office and we will assist you there.
Please see more details in the section “Parent Involvement at Bond Mill.”
Reporting Pupil Progress
Our county reporting system for grades K-6 provides for several contacts to report pupil progress during the school year. These will include one parent-teacher conference and four report cards that are sent home with the children (the fourth report card is mailed to your home).
Students in kindergarten will receive grades in the form of a 1, 2, or 3, describing their grasp of concepts introduced. Student in grades 1 and 2 will receive a “1” to show the child is achieving satisfactory progress, or a “2” to show that a child needs more instructional time to achieve satisfactory progress in that area. Students in grades 3-6 will receive letter grades of A, B, C, D, or E based upon individual performance according to the teacher’s calculation of the student’s performance each quarter.
Guidelines established by our staff for the determination of these grades will be distributed to you at the beginning of the school year.
If your child’s progress is unsatisfactory in any subject during the year, you will receive a progress report. This will be sent home with the student at the midpoint of each grading period or as soon thereafter as it becomes apparent that a child is failing. All progress reports should be signed by a parent and returned to the teacher so that we will know that you have received them.
Homework
The Board of Education recognizes homework as an integral and necessary part of the educational program for each student. Homework is a learning activity related to instruction which is presented within the school. The purposes of homework are to reinforce, supplement, and enrich work done in the classroom, provide for individual interests, promote a competency in skills and content learning, help students to manage time effectively, apply acquired knowledge, and enable students to use a variety of sources of information.
Homework is given on a regular basis at Bond Mill. At the beginning of the school year each teacher will send home a copy of the homework policy for the class. Students in grades three through six are required to write down these daily homework assignments, preferably in assignment books that can be purchased from the teacher and used throughout the year. When the homework is completed each day, parents should sign the assignment sheet to verify that all work has been done. Parents are urged to provide support for their children as they do their homework. Some suggestions are: provide a quiet place to study, turn the TV down (or better, off), set a specific study time, be firm in following through with the homework assignment, and keep needed supplies (pencils, paper, etc.) for the children to use. If your child indicates that he/she has no homework for several days, please contact the teacher.
Weekly Evaluations
Each of our students has a Bond Mill Friday Folder which is used to bring home classwork and a weekly evaluation from our teachers. Parents are requested to review the child’s work, discuss the evaluation with him/her, sign the evaluation form, and make certain that it is returned to school every Monday morning. The interest that you show in this weekly report will convey to your child the importance you place on his/her daily performance and will have a definite impact on his/her achievement.
Honor Roll
Students in grades 1-6 are encouraged to work hard to be on the Bond Mill Honor Roll. Our Honor Roll has been established for any child in grades 1 and 2 who receives all 1’s in Work Habits and Social Skills and any child in grades 3-6 who receives an A in Work Habits and Social Skills on the report card. Honor Roll students are honored at a quarterly assembly, where they receive a certificate and Honor Roll button. Kindergarten students will be included in our Honor Roll beginning second semester. The teachers will notify parents of the criteria.
The Principal’s Award is given each grading period to the student who shows the most improvement in each class and special teachers’ classes.
Responsibility for Books and Materials
Board of Education Policy 616.1 states that no pupil may be advanced to a higher grade unless the pupil, in addition to receiving a passing grade:
1. returns such textbooks and other education materials, as were originally assigned, to appropriate school personnel in a satisfactory condition, or
2. reimburses the school for lost or damaged textbooks or other similar education materials, or
3. makes other satisfactory arrangements with the principal concerning the textbooks or other similar education materials
When books are assigned by number to your child, the teacher will examine the text, determine its condition, and record this information in a textbook assignment form that is kept on file until the book is returned. If the book is not returned in satisfactory condition, the student must pay for this book.
All textbooks which are used by students for homework on a regular basis should be covered throughout the school year. This includes mathematics, reading, spelling, English, science books and dictionaries. Students will not be permitted to take these textbooks to and from school unless they are covered. Any type of book cover or sturdy paper may be used. Because of the increase in textbook costs and the budget restrictions which we are facing, we urge parents to help us as we attempt to teach our students responsibility in taking care of school property.
Health Room
The Health Room is available during the school day to handle minor injuries and illnesses that occur at school. If an injury or illness requires parental and/or medical attention, the School Nurse (or other school personnel) will notify the parent/guardian or designated emergency contact. We must have a current, working emergency contact phone number.
Attendance at school is very important – if a child is not present, he/she cannot learn. However, if your child has a fever, is vomiting, or is extremely uncomfortable from other symptoms, please keep him/her at home. If your child is going to be absent or late to school, please call the Absentee Line at 301-497-3608 and leave a brief message. Also, send a note to the child’s teacher with a reason for the absence upon your child’s return.
Certain medical conditions require proof of treatment before your child can be readmitted to school. Please use the following guidelines before sending your child back to school.
1. Pink eye or ringworm of the scalp require a doctor’s note indicating that treatment is in progress and the student may return to school.
2. Ringworm of the body or extremities requires proof of treatment (such as sales receipt and packaging from treatment product, or a doctor’s note); lesions must be covered while at school.
3. Head lice requires proof of treatment as stated above, and the student must be free of all nits before returning to school.
Medications at School
The Board of Education has a policy regarding the administration of medication at school. Please read the following information carefully.
As much as possible, you are urged to give medications at home before and after school. If a student must take any medication (prescription or non-prescription) during the school day, or must keep medication at school for an emergency situation (severe reaction to insect bites, asthma, etc.), we must have a completed Physician’s Authorization for Medication form. These forms are available in the Health Room. All medications sent to school must be in a sealed container which is properly labeled by a pharmacist with the student’s name, the name of the medication, the physician’s name, the date, and the directions for administration. An over-the-counter medication must be in the original container with the proper labeling attached. All medications that are controlled substances (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall, etc.) must be brought to the Health Room by the parent/guardian, or other designated adult. No medications should be kept in lunch boxes, backpacks, desks, etc. It is very important for the safety of all of our students that we have your complete cooperation in following these guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bonadies at 301/497-3608.
Medical Appointments
Since we are an early school with dismissal at 1:55 pm, we hope that you will be able to make most of your child’s medical and dental appointments after school. It is difficult for children to be taken out of class and we urge you to avoid this if at all possible.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT AT BOND MILL
Studies have shown that parent involvement in their children’s schools is an important factor that contributes to positive outcomes for students. At Bond Mill, parents are valued members of the school family and are key to maintaining the supportive environment, high standards, and community spirit that we enjoy. Bond Mill offers many opportunities for parents to become involved in the school and its many functions. (While grandparents and other relatives are equally appreciated and welcome, for simplicity’s sake we will use the term parents to refer to all volunteers.) There are many ways for parents to volunteer in the classrooms and throughout the school. Please note, however, that there are new requirements for volunteers in the school system. Under certain circumstances, parents must complete either a commercial background check or full fingerprint background check. (See next section for details.)
Volunteer Screening
Effective January 2007, Prince George’s County established new procedures for screening individuals who are working with and around children in the school system. The new procedures are intended to make schools safer for children without preventing volunteerism. However, not every volunteer is required to undergo a background check.
A background check is not required for volunteers working in a capacity where no uncontrolled access is anticipated on a one-time basis, or on a sporadic basis. For example, reading to a class one day, attending career day, or chaperoning a school dance does not require a background check.
Volunteers working in a classroom where no uncontrolled access is anticipated on an ongoing basis, or participating in a field trip, must complete a commercial background check each school year. The background check must be completed through the school system and costs $8 per year. A parent helping in a classroom weekly is an example of volunteering that requires this kind of background check.
Volunteers working with children where uncontrolled access is anticipated, such as those working with students in a unsupervised capacity on school grounds, off of school property, or after school, are required to complete a full fingerprint background check at a one-time cost of $66.
For more information about the background checks, please call the Fingerprinting Office at 301-952-6775.
Classroom Volunteering
Teachers offer opportunities for parents to assist with both routine classroom activities and special events. Some teachers like to set up regular volunteer days and times for parents, so they can count on help with routine chores. Others may prefer help on more of an “as needed” basis. Be sure to ask your child’s teacher about the volunteer opportunities in his/her classroom. Back-to-School Night, which is held a few weeks after school starts, is a good time to inquire about this. You can also ask the teacher about his/her preferred method of communicating with parents: e-mail, telephone, or written notes. While teachers have telephones in their rooms, they cannot take calls while teaching so you must call the office and leave a message, and they will return the call as soon as possible. Many teachers prefer to be contacted by e-mail, which is available through the Bond Mil website. You can also send a written note to school with your child and the teacher will get back to you.
The types of volunteer activities teachers offer may include:
· supervising small group activities
· assisting with whole class projects
· preparing instructional materials
· putting together homework packets
· working with individual students
· helping with parties and class picnics
· chaperoning on field trips
· helping with field day (held in late May or early June)
· assisting in the media center
· Sixth grade only – organizing and running the food table at the Fall craft fair and Spring carnival
*Be sure to read the paragraph above that explains the fingerprinting/background check requirements for different types of activities.
Teachers may also appreciate volunteer activities that do not require you to come into the classroom, such as:
· purchasing or preparing food for class parties
· preparing instructional materials (putting together packets for homework or projects)
· preparing or purchasing materials for art projects
PGCPS Parent Visitation Program
The Parent Visitation Program is a key component of the County’s initiative to increase parents’ participation in their children’s educational experience. This program invites each parent/guardian to schedule at least two visits during the school year to observe the instruction that is taking place in their children’s classrooms. The visits do not need to be long – even a 20-minute visit is enough to learn a lot about what and how your child is doing in school. These visits should be scheduled in advance, however, so we can check with the teacher to make sure the date and time is suitable (i.e., not during a testing time, lunch/recess, or when an assembly or field trip has been planned). You can complete the form that is available in the Information Center or call the Parent Liaison to schedule your visits.
Lunch with Students
Parents, grandparents, and other relatives also can eat lunch with their student. You can sit with your child at one of the tables in the alcove next to the cafeteria or, if those are full, in the primary alcove down the hall. You can bring lunch for yourself and/or your student, or purchase it in the cafeteria. Your child can invite one friend to join you at lunch only if you have completed the required Fingerprinting Background. Please be aware that some of the tables are reserved for children with specific food allergies (such as peanut butter) and even if an allergic child is not using the table at your student’s lunch time, that food is still not allowed at the table.
Sign-in Procedure
When you come to the school to volunteer, have lunch, or for any other reason, you must stop at the office first to sign in and get a Visitor or Volunteer sticker. It is important for the safety and instruction of our children that visitors do not go to the classroom or other areas of the school until they check in at the office. There is a white notebook on the counter for signing in, and the stickers are nearby in baskets. Please note that there is only one type of sign-in sheet that all visitors will use. It is crucial that every visitor sign in every time he or she comes to the school – we need to accurately track the number and types of visits we have because we are now required to report this information monthly to the County. We appreciate your help in collecting these data. Please wear the Visitor or Volunteer sticker at all times while in the school.
PTO INVOLVEMENT
The Bond Mill Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is an essential part of the school community and plays a key role in its success as both an educational and social institution. It is a very active organization that supports all school activities. The PTO provides financial support for the school’s music, physical education, art, and safety programs as well as the media and computer centers. It also provides a monthly cultural arts program for the students, and gives teachers an annual stipend to purchase additional materials for their classrooms. All parents are encouraged to show their support for these activities by joining the PTO and attending its regular meetings.
The PTO sponsors many activities and events that would not be possible without parent volunteers. You will receive information about these opportunities at the beginning of the school year, and sign-up sheets are available at Back-to-School Night. Additional information is available in the PTO’s monthly newsletter and on the Web. The PTO sponsored activities include:
· after-school clubs such as Drama Club and Destination Imagination
· ongoing fundraising activities such as Box Tops for Education and Campbell Soup Labels
· periodic fundraisers such as the Art Auction/Spaghetti Diner and student fundraisers (candy sales, etc.)
· landscaping and beautification activities
· annual events such as the Book Fair and Carnival
· other programs such as Cultural Arts, Hospitality, School Store, Yearbook, and many others
The PTO needs volunteers to serve as chairpersons for these programs and to help with organizing and holding the events.
Citizens of the Week
Each class selects a student to be the Citizen of the Week. If your child is chosen, we hope that you will allow him/her to bring in a picture to be posted on our multi-purpose room bulletin boards. Please look for the names of the Citizens in our bimonthly newsletter, the Bulldog Bulletin.
Media Center
The mission of the media center is to ensure that all students and staff acquire the information literacy skills necessary to become life-long learners. The Mary Jane Lusby Media Center has a wide collection of books, videos, and CD-ROMs that correlate with and enhance the curriculum. Students are encouraged to visit this interesting learning area on a regular basis, in addition to their scheduled class times. Students in kindergarten and first grades may check out one book at a time. Students in grades 2-6 may have two books checked out at one time. Parents are asked to remind their children about book care and the responsibility to return all books on time. Prince George’s County School Policy states that students must return all books and materials or pay for them before the end of the school year.
Before and After School Care Program
The school system provides a Before and After School Care Program here at Bond Mill. This program is from 7:00-7:30 am and 1:55-6:00 pm on all days that school is open. Activities that are provided include homework time, arts and crafts, physical education, snacks, games, and science. For registration information, call the BASCP office at 301-483-7425.
Code of Student Conduct
The basic policy of the Board of Education regarding student conduct and discipline is found in the Code of Student Conduct which has been in effect since 1974. This Code is used by all personnel in the Prince George’s County Public Schools as they work with children.
Bond Mill School rules are contained in our Friday Folder, which will be used by all students in grades K-6. Please review these regulations so that you will be familiar with our standards and procedures.
The staff at Bond Mill works with children in a positive manner to maintain good order and discipline at all times. Students understand that rules are made so that they will be able to learn and function well in a safe environment. Staff members communicate with parents regarding problems that a child may be having with discipline. Parents are encouraged to provide as much support as possible in this area. It is extremely important for students to realize that school personnel and parents are working cooperatively. With your support for the guidelines we have established for our students, all children at Bond Mill will have the opportunity to get an excellent education in a very safe, secure environment.
Guidelines for Students
The following guidelines are used by all Bond Mill staff members as they work with our students. They are presented to the children in a positive manner with explanations included so that all students will understand the reason for the rules. Parents are encouraged to discuss these guidelines with their children and are urged to support them throughout the year.
General School Guidelines
· Everyone should show respect for all people at school (teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, parents, other students, etc.). This respect can be demonstrated by the way we act towards others, the way we speak (excuse me, thank you, please, etc.), and the way we show consideration for others.
· Everyone should show respect for property (other people’s, the school’s, and one’s own). Books should be covered, desks cleaned frequently, no writing on desks, lavatories kept clean, trash off the floor, other students’ things left alone, etc.
· Accept responsibility to come to school on time, be prepared with books and homework, remember lunch money and instruments, be ready to work, accept responsibility, and do assigned school work to the best of one’s ability.
· Show cooperation as we work together in small groups or large ones. Taking turns is important and needs to be developed; class jobs are important in this area.
· Our school should be a quiet building — we work quietly in class and do not disturb others; we come into school quietly in the morning and leave quietly in the afternoon; we are quiet during the first ten minutes of lunch and then we talk quietly for the rest of the lunch period; we are quiet when we go to the multi-purpose room for an assembly and we sit quietly until it begins.
· We use proper language and good manners — foul language is not a part of school language and we do not want to have it here. (A call will be made home if it is a problem.)
· Only appropriate items for instruction should be brought to school (toys only for sharing or when teacher permits). NO weapons or toy weapons — guns, knives, or anything that might inflict bodily injury — are EVER permitted, and students may be expelled for an infraction of this guideline.
· Appropriate clothes should be worn (shoes that are appropriate for P.E., no short shorts or halter tops, and jackets, hats, and gloves when it is cold). No hats or jackets should be worn in class.
· Fighting is not permitted at Bond Mill — if it occurs, a phone call will be made to parents. A second fight will result in suspension of at least one day from school. Emphasize ways that disagreements can be settled without fighting.
· Found items do not become the finder’s property, but should be turned in to the teacher.
Cafeteria Guidelines
Lunchtime at school is a special time. It gives us a chance to enjoy our lunch and friends at the same time. Since there are so many students in the cafeteria during lunch, it is important for us to be safe and follow the cafeteria guidelines.
We have a traffic light system to help students self-monitor their voice levels in the cafeteria:
1. The red light is displayed as students enter the cafeteria. Students should enter and be seated quietly by the classroom teacher before whispering begins.
2. The yellow light is displayed when students’ voice levels have increased to an unsafe level. Students should lower their voices until the light turns to green. The yellow light blinks for 30 seconds before going to a red light. If the yellow light is displayed twice and goes to a red light, students will have two minutes of silent time before returning to whisper time.
3. The red light is displayed when students have not lowered their voices to a safe level in the cafeteria. During the red light, cafeteria monitors will give a warning about the noise level and/or unsafe behaviors before returning the light to green. Students should be silent during this time in order to listen and follow directions. If the red light is displayed three times, whisper time will be discontinued and silent time will remain in effect for the remainder of lunch.
4. Students should enter and leave the cafeteria silently.
5. Students will be allowed to whisper after the class is seated by the classroom teacher.
6. Students will sit with their feet on the floor.
7. Students will use good manners while eating lunch.
8. Students will not share food with friends.
9. Students will keep their eating area clean.
10. Students will monitor their voice level and behavior so they will be safe in the cafeteria.
11. Students will throw their trash in the trash container when directed by a cafeteria monitor.
12. Students will bring a book to read so they will have something to do when finished eating lunch.
Fire Drill Guidelines
· Walk SILENTLY in a single line.
· Remain silent during the entire drill.
· If you are away from your class when the alarm rings, go out with the class that is nearest the area where you are.
· If a fire drill occurs during recess, line up by class on the soccer field.
Hall Guidelines
· Walk on the right hand side of the hall.
· Lines must always be silent in the hall.
· If more than five students from a class are going somewhere in the building (such as reading, media, instrumental, etc.), they should walk in a line.
· Only one messenger should go from a class at a time (except with teacher’s direction). Stay away from classroom doors so that you do not disturb teaching and learning.
· Respect artwork, bulletin boards, and other displayed materials as you go through the hall.
Classroom Guidelines
· Work quietly in your classroom.
· Walk, do not run, in your classroom.
· Keep your desk and the area around your desk clean, and do not write on your desk.
· Button or zip your coat in the coat closet and put hat, gloves, and scarf in a sleeve or pocket.
· Cover textbooks.
· Do not wear jackets, coats, or hats in the classroom.
· Follow the rules of your classroom at all times.
Playground Guidelines
· Always play within the sight of the monitor.
· Do not come into building without permission of monitor on duty.
· Follow safety rules on equipment.
· Do not throw anything other than a ball (no sand, rocks, sticks, or other items).
· Play away from physical education classes.
· Play away from all classroom windows.
· Stay out of all wooded areas – they are off limits.
· Do not play any games that involve bodily contact (especially no tackle games).
· Stay away from physical education equipment.
· Line up as soon as the whistle blows.
· Enter the building silently at the end of recess.
Dismissal Guidelines
· Get ready to go home when the warning bell rings. You must be in the class room at 1:45 and stay there.
· Remember the things that must be taken home — you may not go back to the room for forgotten items.
· Walk quietly in single line during dismissal;
· Go directly home, not to a friend’s house.
If all students understand and follow these guidelines, we can make Bond Mill a safe and pleasant place to be. If everyone respects the right of others to get a good education, we can all work and learn in a good atmosphere. Let’s work hard to make Bond Mill the BEST!
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2008-2009
2008
August 25 First Day for Students
September 1 Labor Day – School Closed
2 Ramadan
26 Professional Development – School Closed for Students
30 Rosh Hashanah
October 2 Eid Al-Fitr
9 Yom Kippur – School Closed
17 MSTA Convention – School Closed for Students/Teachers
30 End of First Quarter
31 Grading/Teacher Planning – School Closed for Students
November 4 Election Day – School Closed
11 Parent/Teacher Conferences – School Closed for Students
26-28 Thanksgiving Holiday Break – School Closed
December 9 Eid Al-Adha
22-31 Winter Break – School Closed
2009
January 1-2 Winter Break/NewYear’s Day – School Closed
5 Classes Resume at Regular Time
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – School Closed
29 End of Second Quarter
30 Grading/Teacher Planning – School Closed for Students
February 4 Professional Development – School Closed ½ Day for Students
16 Presidents’ Day – School Closed
April 6-13 Spring Break – School Closed
14 Classes Resume at Regular Time
16 End of Third Quarter
17 Grading/Teacher Planning – School Closed for Students
May 25 Memorial Day – School Closed
June 17 End of Fourth Quarter/Last Day for Students**
**Subject to change due to inclement weather. June 18-23 will be inclement weather makeup days, if needed.
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