School Policies
Getting Started Policies
These are just a few Wood Acres and MCPS policies to be aware of as we get the year started. Specifics will be shared throughout the year in the Principal's Update and through the Wood Acres Elementary School Web Site.
Birthday Parties: Each class will share their individual birthday traditions. We do not have parties at school or share special food for birthdays in class or at lunch/recess.
Dog Policy: Should you choose to bring a dog to school when walking or picking up your child, the dog must be on a leash, under close control as per Montgomery County Law. For the safety of all people and your dog, you may not walk the dog up and down the sidewalks while children are arriving or being dismissed. You may wait on one of two grassy areas; in front of the building beyond the flag pole and under the trees, or at the end of the Kiss and Go area. This policy will be revisited as compliance and safety issues arise.
Lunch Account Policy: You will receive notices when you child's lunch account is low or overdrawn. A child may have a cheese sandwich if their account is overdrawn, however, parents will have to reimburse the main office separately for the cost of the sandwich. Cheese sandwiches are not billed through your child's account. When you receive notices, please respond quickly.
Forgotten Homework/Lunch/Instrument Policy: When bringing in a forgotten item, check into the office and then put the item on the PTA table outside the office near the media center. We prefer not to interrupt instruction to inform teachers/students of items left on the table. Students will not be called out of class to retrieve them.
Late Policy: If a student arrives after the 8:50 bell, they need to sign in at the office and take a late slip before going to class. Parents should say their good-byes at the front office and children will go to class independently.
Early Dismissal Policy: If a student must leave early for an appointment, parents should send a note to the teacher in advance. Please come to the main office to sign the student out of school and a staff member will call the student down from their classroom.
Absence Policy: If you know your child will be absent, please call the office at (301) 320-6502 before 8:30 a.m. and leave a message on the answering machine. If we do not hear from you, you will get an automated message reporting your child's absence. If you plan on leaving early or arriving late around a scheduled break (Thanksgiving, long weekend, etc.) please send a note to your child's teacher, and to the main office, in advance.
End of Day Plan Policy: Students will be sent home using the routine communicated with the school at the beginning of the year. Play dates should be prearranged in advance of the school day. Our buses are generally full and cannot accept additional riders for playdates. Arrangements should be made and communicated with the school about any change of dismissal plan. After 2:30 p.m., changes to dismissal plans may only be made in case of emergency.
Teacher Communication Policy: Each staff member has an email address that can be obtained from the MCPS website. Please allow up to 48 hours for a teacher to respond to email as they have limited access throughout the day. Email should primarily be used to communicate the need for phone or face to face conference. Do not discuss anything of a sensitive nature about your child through email. If necessary, you may leave a phone message in the office for any staff member. We do not have voicemail at the school.
Communication Device (Cell Phone, IPOD) Policy: Cell phones are not permitted at school without permission of the parent and the principal. Should a student have a cell phone or other communiation device in school, it will be confiscated, parents will be contacted and next steps discussed.
Traffic Pattern Policy: It is the responsibility of everyone in the community to redirect cars and walkers when the traffic sign directions are not being adhered to. No Left Turn means No Left Turn, Do Not Enter means Do Not Enter, Do Not Park means Do Not Park. These Montgomery County Government signs are in place for a reason, to keep everyone safe.
Lice Tip Sheet
Birthday Parties: Each class will share their individual birthday traditions. We do not have parties at school or share special food for birthdays in class or at lunch/recess.
Dog Policy: Should you choose to bring a dog to school when walking or picking up your child, the dog must be on a leash, under close control as per Montgomery County Law. For the safety of all people and your dog, you may not walk the dog up and down the sidewalks while children are arriving or being dismissed. You may wait on one of two grassy areas; in front of the building beyond the flag pole and under the trees, or at the end of the Kiss and Go area. This policy will be revisited as compliance and safety issues arise.
Lunch Account Policy: You will receive notices when you child's lunch account is low or overdrawn. A child may have a cheese sandwich if their account is overdrawn, however, parents will have to reimburse the main office separately for the cost of the sandwich. Cheese sandwiches are not billed through your child's account. When you receive notices, please respond quickly.
Forgotten Homework/Lunch/Instrument Policy: When bringing in a forgotten item, check into the office and then put the item on the PTA table outside the office near the media center. We prefer not to interrupt instruction to inform teachers/students of items left on the table. Students will not be called out of class to retrieve them.
Late Policy: If a student arrives after the 8:50 bell, they need to sign in at the office and take a late slip before going to class. Parents should say their good-byes at the front office and children will go to class independently.
Early Dismissal Policy: If a student must leave early for an appointment, parents should send a note to the teacher in advance. Please come to the main office to sign the student out of school and a staff member will call the student down from their classroom.
Absence Policy: If you know your child will be absent, please call the office at (301) 320-6502 before 8:30 a.m. and leave a message on the answering machine. If we do not hear from you, you will get an automated message reporting your child's absence. If you plan on leaving early or arriving late around a scheduled break (Thanksgiving, long weekend, etc.) please send a note to your child's teacher, and to the main office, in advance.
End of Day Plan Policy: Students will be sent home using the routine communicated with the school at the beginning of the year. Play dates should be prearranged in advance of the school day. Our buses are generally full and cannot accept additional riders for playdates. Arrangements should be made and communicated with the school about any change of dismissal plan. After 2:30 p.m., changes to dismissal plans may only be made in case of emergency.
Teacher Communication Policy: Each staff member has an email address that can be obtained from the MCPS website. Please allow up to 48 hours for a teacher to respond to email as they have limited access throughout the day. Email should primarily be used to communicate the need for phone or face to face conference. Do not discuss anything of a sensitive nature about your child through email. If necessary, you may leave a phone message in the office for any staff member. We do not have voicemail at the school.
Communication Device (Cell Phone, IPOD) Policy: Cell phones are not permitted at school without permission of the parent and the principal. Should a student have a cell phone or other communiation device in school, it will be confiscated, parents will be contacted and next steps discussed.
Traffic Pattern Policy: It is the responsibility of everyone in the community to redirect cars and walkers when the traffic sign directions are not being adhered to. No Left Turn means No Left Turn, Do Not Enter means Do Not Enter, Do Not Park means Do Not Park. These Montgomery County Government signs are in place for a reason, to keep everyone safe.
Lice Tip Sheet