What if I need assistance or have a concern?

• Please contact us at 885-8827 between the hours of 8:15 and 4:45.
• If you have a concern about your student’s class(es) or teacher(s), please attempt to address that concern with the individual teacher before calling the administration.  This is how the MNPS Customer Service Center requests that concerns are handled.
• If it is an urgent situation or emergency, please feel free to contact the office directly.

What time does school start and end?

• School begins at 8:55.  The doors open for student entrance at 8:40.  Students should not be dropped off and left without supervision until 8:30 or later.
• School ends at 3:55.  We dismiss car riders, walkers, bikers, and YMCA Fun Company first, followed by one grade level at a time.  Buses are usually loaded and ready to pull away from the school by 4:05 pm.
• Students cannot be dismissed from the office after 3:40 pm (15 minutes before school ends).  The afternoon is a very hectic time of the day.

How many times can my student borrow a dress code item from the office before being subject to consequence?

• A student can borrow a dress code item (such as a belt) from the office one time per semester before being subject to consequence.
• Before we give the student the item to borrow, we will ask that the student call home in case you are able to bring the item to school.

How many times can my student forget his/her ID badge before being subject to consequence?

• A student can receive five temporary ID badges from the office five times per school year before being subject to consequence.
• We will make every attempt to reach you by phone after the third temporary ID badge is issued, so that you are aware that your student is struggling with remembering his/her ID badge.

What if my student has a change in method of transportation? (Example:  needs to ride bus home with friend) 

• We must have a note from each student’s parent with working phone numbers listed, so that we can call to verify with both families.
• Students cannot wait until 3:55 to give us these notes.  This leaves us no time to call and verify the notes.  These must be turned in first thing in the morning.

What is the cost of lunch?

• Lunch costs $2.25 for students in all grade levels.
• “Ala carte” items are also available and are priced separately. 
• Breakfast costs $1.25.

How much homework should my student average each night?

• The average amount of homework per night should be approximately the student’s grade level times ten minutes.  (5^th grade=50 min, 6^th grade=60 min, 7^th grade=70 min, 8^th grade=80 min.)
• Remember, this is an average.  Some nights may be more, some nights may be less.
• At the beginning of the year, homework may take longer than usual as students settle back into the routine.  This is especially true of 5^th graders.

How many times can my student miss school “unexcused” and still be within state attendance guidelines?

• Once a student accrues five or more unexcused absences, he/she will be referred to the Family and Youth Services Assistant (formerly the Attendance Office).  Parents will then have to attend an Attendance Review Board (ARB), potentially followed by being petitioned to court for truancy.
• Remember to send a written note or doctor’s excuse to school anytime your student is absent.  A student who accumulates an excessive number of hand written notes are also subject to attendance review boards.

What if my student brings a cell phone to school?

• Cell phones must be off and concealed.  Off does not mean vibrate or silent.  Concealed does not mean a cell phone “bulge” in their pockets.
• Parents must come to school to retrieve confiscated cell phones.
• Students are subject to ISS followed by OSS for repeated violations of the district cell phone policy.

What if my student stays after school for an athletic event, dance, etc?

• Students are subject to all school and district rules at all school functions.
• Please pick your student up on time.  Students who are repeatedly picked up late may not be allowed to attend future after school events.