Policies

Note: Following is an abbreviated statement of school policies; please consult the Grace Handbook for topics not included.

Absences

If a child is unable to attend school, please inform the school office before 10:00 am to explain the cause of the absence. Notes explaining absences must be sent with the returning student to the teacher.

Contact your child's teacher to make plans for completing missed assignments. Teachers are not expected to prepare assignments for absences other than short-term illnesses. In the interest of your child's continuing progress, absences other than illness are discouraged by the school.

Birthday Celebrations and Parties

Birthday cupcakes or cookies may be shared with the class. Please check with the child's teacher to arrange a suitable day and time.

Carpool Routes

When delivering children to and picking up from Grace, please follow the carpool routes. Do not leave car unattended in the carpool line. Please drive slower than 10 mph within school boundaries.

Emergency School Closings

Grace will follow Montgomery County on all closings and early closings due to inclement weather conditions. When Montgomery County closes school for an extended period of time, Grace will re-evaluate our decision to open or to remain closed and post our status on our website. If Grace is closed, all scheduled field trips are cancelled.

Grace School will follow Montgomery County on all closings and early closings due to inclement weather conditions. If Montgomery County delays opening of school by two (2) hours, Grace School will delay opening by one (1) hour.

If Montgomery County is opening with a one (1) hour delay, Grace School will open at the normal time.

Grace School’s early arrival schedule will be delayed if school is opening late. If Grace School is opening one (1) hour late, early arrival will start one (1) hour later as well.

When Montgomery County schools are closed for a holiday when Grace School is not, and weather conditions on that day warrant closing, check Grace’s website. Grace will also have an announcement on WTOP (1500 AM) Radio, News 4 TV, Fox 5 WTTGTV and ABC 7 WJLA-TV and News Channel 8.

Homework

A homework routine is established beginning in First Grade. The purpose of these assignments is to instill a sense of responsibility in students, to help students learn to manage their time, to review and expand upon material presented in the classroom, and to ensure they are prepared for class the next day. Parents are asked to reinforce the school's goals by providing adequate time and appropriate conditions in which the student can complete assignments.

Plan books are provided for students in Second – Sixth Grades. Students record daily, weekly, and monthly assignments, quizzes, and tests. Parents should review assignments and make sure the required materials are with the child before leaving for school.

Parents should take time to read to and with their children on a daily basis througout the grades. In grades one through six math facts should be parctieced routinely. Parents housld review teaching units and math papers/books for guidance as to the math facts students are expected to master. Rapid recall of basic facts is essential to a student's ability to progress in math. Teachers may be consulted for further guidance.

Preparation for Class

To fully benefit from a Grace education, children need to arrive each day healthy, well-rested, and prepared for instruction and participation. Providing time for socialization, play, and exercise after school, time for homework as outlined in the homework section, family and reading time, good nutrition, and a good night's sleep help prepare students for learning. Parents are asked to limit TV/video watching and other activities that might interfere with a child's ability to attain these essentials for learning. Since instruction continues up to dismissal time, please do not take students early from classes unless for an emergency.

Uniforms and Dress Code

Uniforms are worn daily by children in Grades K – 6 except for those days designated as "non-uniform" on the calendar or by special notice. Uniforms are available from Campus Outfitters and Lands' End. Campus Outfitters is located at 5112 Berwyn Road, College Park (301-345-0700) or at 815-B Rockville Pike, Rockville (301-424-7184). For more product and pricing information visit us at www.campusoutfitters.com. The school code for Grace is GR1028. To order from Lands' End, click here. It is the parents' responsibility to see that students are properly attired in uniform when they leave for school. The school uniform consists of the following:

Uniform for Girls:

• Regulation plaid jumper (Grades K-3)
• Regulation plaid jumper or kilt (Grades 4 -6)
• White blouse (Peter-Pan or Oxford collar), white turtleneck, or white knit polo style shirt
• Tailored navy slacks (no jeans, cargo pants, capri pants, low riders)
• Navy sweater, either V-neck cardigan or crew-neck pullover with school name embroidered on it (grades K - 6)
• White or navy tights, knee socks, or anklets
• Navy walking shorts or skorts for hot weather

Uniform for Boys:

• Tailored navy pants, cotton, wool, or corduroy (grades K - 6) (no jeans, cargo pants, or low riders)
• White shirt (Oxford or polo collar) or white turtleneck (grades K - 6)
• Navy sweater, either V-neck cardigan or crew-neck pullover with school name embroidered on it
• White or navy socks
• Navy walking shorts for hot weather

Other Considerations:

• Grace sweatshirts are optional for daily wear, except for field trips or special occasions
• Navy walking shorts for weather forecasting 75° F
• Navy slacks for girls during extreme cold weather
• Plain navy blue blazers are optional dress for 5th and 6th graders
• Conservative low cut running shoes which are acceptable as both a uniform shoe and for P. E.
  

Snowpants and boots are required for snowy weather.