August Update from Dr. B
Message From the Principal
Dear Mighty Miner Bears,
We are getting excited to welcome your students back to school in just two weeks! As we are getting ready to return to school, there are some helpful hints to make sure your student is ready! For example, now is a great time to start putting a night time routine and bedtime back in place! We know summer can be lax and days are much longer. However, establishing a bedtime and night time routine are incredibly important for elementary aged children.
Did you know DCPS has a new cell phone policy?? Last year many students brought cell phones to school. If you plan to send your child to school with a phone, we will all be following the new policy. Here's what you need to know:
When students enter the doors, they will be required to lock their phones in a locker. Students will carry the key with them throughout the day.
At dismissal, after students have been picked up by their caregiver, they can retrieve their phone from the phone lockers.
Phones may not be stored in purses, backpacks, or in any other spaces within the school building besides the phone lockers.
Want to read the full policy? Click here.
Read more below!
We need your Health Forms!!!! Please bring in your Universal Health Certificates ("physical") and your immunization records. Nurse Anderson is here every day from 8 am - 4 pm. All students need to bring in updated paperwork - including asthma action plans, inhalers, and any allergy information and medications.
Below are some other reminders and resources as we head into the last several weeks of summer:
Students can arrive at school between 8:30 am - 8:45 am. School hours are:
1st Grade - 5th Grade - 8:45 am - 3:15 pm
PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten - 8:45 am - 3:05 pm
New Uniform Policy for all grades (P3 - 5th) - New Zip up hoodies available for purchase! The uniform policy will be enforced beginning on the first day of school.
If you would like to donate uniforms for our Uniform Closet, we will accept all donations at any of our back to school events (Popsicles with the Principal, ECE Playdate, or Back to School Bash)
Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon!!!!
Dr. B
Miner Zip-Ups Kids & Adults Group Order Form - Sign Up Today!
More info on the cell phone policy:
As DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, announced in June, DCPS will implement a district-wide student cell phone policy beginning School Year 2025-2026. With this new policy, our school will adopt and enforce a cell phone-free environment during the "bell-to-bell" school day.
This means that when we return to school in August, students will not be permitted to use their cell phones or personal electronic communication devices from when the first bell rings in the morning until the dismissal bell in the afternoon, with limited exceptions. To help set students' and caregivers' expectations for our return to school, I want to share more about our school’s cell phone storage process.
Storage:
Upon arrival, all student phones and personal electronic devices will be securely stored. Students will secure their devices by placing them in a provided phone storage locker as they enter the building. Staff will supervise the storage process in our 15th and 16th Street entry ways to ensure all devices are secured.
Devices will be securely stored, monitored, and, with a few exceptions, inaccessible to students during the bell-to-bell school day. Students who arrive after the start of instruction will follow the same storage procedures.
Retrieval:
At the end of the school day, staff will provide supervision as students retrieve their devices from designated location(s) after their caregivers pick them up from their teacher. Students will not be permitted to retrieve another student’s device(s), including those of siblings or other relatives.
Once students have retrieved their devices, they will continue with their dismissal proceedings. Please note that DCPS Out of School Time Program sites do not allow use of student cell phones or personal devices, and other afterschool providers and athletic teams may also have restrictions on cell phone usage during their programming. Students and caregivers will retrieve their devices from the storage lockers when they are picked up from aftercare.
Expectations:
Students will be expected to adhere to this policy throughout the bell-to-bell school day. Failure to cooperate could result in disciplinary action in accordance with the DCPS Safe and Positive Schools Policy.
I recognize this will be an adjustment for our school community, and I would like to take a moment to affirm our commitment to effective communication with families. In the event that an emergency causes a change in our school’s operating status, such as an evacuation, alert, or lockdown, we receive support from the DCPS Central Services Operations Communications Team so that we can focus on the immediate safety of our students and staff. The Operations Communications Team works across district operations and security to provide accurate and timely messaging to families via the centrally managed message platform, Finalsite (previously named Blackboard). If you need to get in contact with your student during the school day, please call the main office at 202-397-3960
I appreciate your partnership as we ensure a school environment where Miner Elementary students are focused on learning, classroom engagement, and building positive relationships with their peers and educators. Our scholars will continue to utilize school-issued devices and technology to supplement their learning experiences.
If you have any questions, please call the main office at 202-397-3960 or email me at carrie.broquard@k12.dc.gov