Welcome to 2025-2026

Principal Updates
Written By Liz Miller

Dear Mighty Miner Bears,

Happy First Day of School eve for our Kindergarten - 5th Graders!!! This is an exciting evening, laying out uniforms, making sure backpacks and shoes are ready, and making the plan for who's walking to school. I've celebrated a "first day of school" for the last 44 years straight.....This will be my 45th one! And without a doubt, the best one.

This year, as a school community we are "In pursuit of excellence". This means our students arrive ready to learn by 8:30 am, in uniform, and with their cell phone secured at the front door lockers. It means we are joyful and focused as we learn to read, work on our writing, and become powerful mathematicians.

It means we speak to one another with respect and kindness. It also means our adults speak to one another with respect and kindness. Our staff spent the week preparing to welcome each and every student to be sure that everyone has a sense of belonging and is affirmed for who they are. We are ready!

It was great to see so many of you on Friday at the Back to School Bash. The sense of community and excitement was amazing. The hugs and "welcome backs" were heartfelt and excited. Thank you to the Miner PTO for their support in all ways - grilling, social media, volunteers, and funds. We are all in this together!

Happy First Day of School Eve,

Dr. B

Arrival Time and Procedure

8:30 – 8:45 am – Morning Drop Off for all students P3 – 5th Grade

  • · Walkers

    • Enter through the 15th Street doors OR the 16th Street doors

    • No walkers in the parking lot

  • · Car Drop Off Line - Parking Lot in front of school

    • Enter into the parking lot,

    • Go to the right, and drop off your student(s) at the 15th street door.

    • Driver’s stay in their car

    • Students must be able to exit the car by themselves

    • Drive slowly and carefully

  • · PK3 and PK4 drop off is at the ECE Center from 8:30 – 8:45 (new building)

    • Parents will drop students off at the front doors

    • Parents will not come into the building

  • · Breakfast will be served in the classrooms after students arrive

  • · Students arriving after 8:45 are TARDY

    • All students must enter through the parking lot doors on 15th street to receive a tardy pass

Early Pickup

Early Dismissal Ends at 2:30 pm – No Exceptions

  • Parent/Guardian must enter the main office and request their child for early dismissal

  • The main office will then call your student down to the main office for dismissal.

  • We will not dismiss students via phone, or call them down early.

  • If a student is not listed in Aspen as an emergency contact, we will not dismiss your student to them.

  • All pick up adults should have picture ID available.

Cell Phone Policy

DCPS is a “phone free zone” from bell to bell.

  • 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.

Other things to note…

  • Aftercare begins on the first day of school

    • Monday, 8/25 for K – 5

    • Thursday, 8/28 for PK3 and PK4

    • Aftercare is provided by both DCPS and Everyday Play N’Learn. Currently the DCPS seats are filled. If you need before/after care, please see this flyer from Everyday Play N'Learn

    • Late pick up is for students waiting for their siblings or dismissal person from 3:30 - 4:15 pm. All students must be picked up no later than 4:15 pm.

  • Uniforms are required at Miner.

    • Tops – dark blue, light blue or white;

    • Bottoms: dark blue or khaki (No jeans)

  • Emergency Procedures - In the unlikely event of an emergency situation, all information will be texted and emailed to families. If we ever have to evacuate and reunify with families, our reunification site is Rosedale Recreation Center.

Student Health Needs

Does your student have a health need? Need medication at school? Please be sure that Nurse Anderson (simone.anderson@dc.gov) has all required action plans and information. She's in the school health suite every day from 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Miner is not a nut free school. However, if your student has an allergy of any kind, please notify your classroom teacher and the school nurse. We will make any accommodations required by their allergy action plan as outlined by a doctor.

Click here for all DCPS health forms: Asthma Action Plan, Anaphylaxis Plan, Medication Authorization Form, Dietary Restrictions Form.

Liz Miller
Next

Getting “First Day of School” Ready