School Hours for Students are 7:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
School Office Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
No student should report to school prior to 7:10 a.m. as there is no supervision for his or her safety until after that time. Students/parents should line up in front of the school at the main entrance doors or in the vehicle drop off lane. Students may enter the building at 7:10 a.m. It is very important for all students to come to school on time every day. Students should be in their seats and ready to learn before or at 7:30 a.m. Parents are encouraged to let children enter the school building independently.
A crossing guard and community volunteer are stationed at the bottom of the hill on Ardwick-Ardmore Road from 7:00 am - 7:30 am.
Parents should not drop-off his or her children before 7:10 a.m. There is no supervision before 7:10 a.m. The vehicle drop off line will not move until our school buses have arrived and dropped off students. Afterwards, we will allow the vehicle drop off line to move. Parents should follow the following procedures when dropping off his or her child(ren):
The Hill will be closed to all traffic in the afternoon between 1:30 p.m. and 1:40 p.m. or until all school buses are loaded and gone. Once the buses have departed the vehicles will be directed up and around for pick-up by The Parking Lot Team. This procedure is in place for the SAFETY of all children. It is impossible for buses to see and stop for children who exit or walk between parked cars. We appreciate your cooperation!
Please be aware that the Springdale/Glenarden Police Departments often assist in the enforcement of this procedure.
Afternoon announcements begin at 1:30 p.m., when dismissal begins. Next:
*Students may not return to class for items or materials after dismissal.
Late pick-ups will be supervised in the main office. The homeroom teacher will contact the parent to inform them that their child has not been picked up and is waiting in the main office. The teacher will inquire who will pick up the child as well as inform the parents they must come into the building to sign them out once they arrive.
Any student that requires extra support for arrival and dismissal will be assigned a staff member to assist them by Mrs. Herring, Ms. Holmes, or Mrs. Banks.
*No child may be picked up by Uber, Lyft, or Taxi.
If a child is to be dismissed to a different location, parents must send a note indicating the date and the change to take place. A child may not visit another child’s home after school or be transported by a person not in their family without prior written parent approval. This rule is for all children’s safety. If a student does not bring a note to school, we will insist that he/she follow the normal dismissal routine. Verbal permission will not be accepted. Once a student has boarded the bus, the student will not be removed from the bus. If you do not wish for your child to ride the bus on a particular day, a note must be received by 12:45 p.m.
Reminders to students for dismissal:
Occasionally, you may have to check your child out of school to go to the doctor or dentist. If you must do this, the child must be signed out of the Main Office before 1:10 p.m. There are no early departures after 1:10 p.m. This is one of the most important times of the day, and classes cannot be interrupted. During the conclusion of the day, teachers are reviewing work covered, making certain that students understand the homework assignment, making sure students get all materials in their book bags, and wait for dismissal with D.E.A.R. time. Parents are not to enter classrooms at this time, and under no circumstances are they to leave with a child during this time.
REMEMBER, ALL VISITORS MUST SIGN-IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE! THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.
Parents are asked to send a note to the child’s teacher. The note will be given to the school office for verification. No verbal authorization to remove a child from the premises will be accepted. Parents must update their emergency contact list and numbers annually, or as needed to include all authorized adults (and their contact numbers) who may remove the child from the premises.
When arriving to pick up children for early dismissal, parents must report to the main office. Every adult that wishes to pick up a child from Ardmore Elementary School must show a valid, government issued picture ID. There will be no exceptions.
Parents/guardians will sign the child out in the Early Dismissal log stating their first and last name, relationship to the student, time of departure, and reason for early dismissal. Office staff (Mrs. Cooper or Mrs. Blackwell) will notify the teacher that you have arrived and your child will meet you in the office. If a child is being picked up by an adult outside the family, that person must be designated on the child’s Family Emergency Card, or have a note from the parent or guardian on record, and they must show a valid, government issued picture ID. This precaution is in the interest of maintaining your child’s safety.
Unless the office has been notified in writing, no changes will be made to a student’s regular dismissal routine. When possible, if you alter your child’s dismissal routine, please discuss the changes and the written notification with your child in advance.
