Getting “First Day of School” Ready
Message From the Principal - Thursday, 8/21
Dear Mighty Miner Bears,
Are you first day of school ready???? The first day of school for all of our KDG – 5th Grade students is Monday, 8/25. We are SO excited to welcome all of you back! Here are several helpful hints and reminders to make sure you are FIRST DAY Ready!!!
This week we welcomed back our over 80 staff members that make Miner the amazing and joyful community that it is! The teachers and staff have been hard at work getting classrooms ready, sorting curriculum, and reaching out to make early connections with you as families. This year we are welcoming back many returning staff members plus several new faces. Whether they are new or returning, all of our staff are committed to rigorous and joyful learning for your students. This year, we are "In pursuit of excellence". As a Title 1 school, we are ensuring that all students have access to rich resources in the classroom, as well as strong instruction in all of our classrooms from PK3 to 5th Grade.
We hope to see many of you Friday afternoon at the Back to School Bash from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm. This "sneak peek" at school is for enrolled Miner students and their adults only. Join the PTO for a hotdog or hamburger, we'll give away backpacks, and you can tour the main building and take a peek at your child's classrooms. Our ECE building will not be open due to a few repairs being finished. However, PK3 and PK4 families will join their teachers next week for family meetings. Many of our staff plan to be at the Back to School Bash as well and are excited to meet our students and families!
With Love,
Dr. B
Family and Student Information Highlights 2025-2026
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.
Uniform Policy (click)
School Supply List 2025-2026 (click)
Cell Phone Policy
8/8/25
Dear Miner Elementary School Community,
I hope you and your families are having a safe, fun, and relaxing summer.
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
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Carrie Broquard
Principal, Miner ES
Update from the PTO
Welcoming Miner Staff
Parents and Caregivers: This week is Professional Development week for teachers and staff, and the PTO is organizing a few meals to welcome them back. If you’d like to chip in to help cover costs, you can make a contribution through our PayPal Giving Fund. Even $10 would be a nice gesture to show staff they’re supported as they gear up for the year.
Not in a place to give financially? You can still share a note of encouragement or thanks, and we’ll make sure it reaches the staff during the meals. A few kind words mean just as much as tacos and pizza. (Send to: minerpto@gmail.com)
Bear Bulletin – Meet the New Front Desk Team
Our Miner Bear mascot has been busy! Over on Instagram (@miner.pto), the Bear has started a new series called the Bear Bulletin. This week, the Bear meets our two new front desk staff, Ms. Footman and Mrs. Ding-Chong—and we'd like you to meet them, too.
We're also still taking name suggestions for the Bear for another week. Send 'em our way on IG or email us.
First-Day PTO Welcome Tables
Next week: On the first day of K–5 (8/25), we’ll have PTOtables at the 15th Street and 16th Street school entrances. On the first day of PK3/PK4 (8/28), we’ll be set up outside the ECE building. Stop by for coffee and donuts and to say hi—we’d love to meet you.
Warmly,
Liz Miller
on behalf of the Miner PTO Board
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
Back to School Update from Dr. B
Message From the Principal
Dear Mighty Miner Bears,
Friday, August 1st is a BIG Day for the Miner Community!
Class Lists will be emailed out to enrolled families by 4 pm!!!! Watch your emails!
Don't see your child on the list? Is your enrollment complete? There's still time to enroll online: https://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/76
Any other questions, email Dr. B and carrie.broquard@k12.dc.gov
Popsicles with the Principal at 5 pm at the ECE Playground! Please join us!!!
Below are some other reminders and resources as we head into the last several weeks of summer:
New Uniform Policy for all grades (PK3 - 5th): 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
July Family Updates from Dr. Broquard
Topics:
Popsicles with the Principal – Rescheduled to Aug. 1
New Uniform Policy for 2025–26
Report Cards mailed this week
PTO Updates - Coming soon
🐻 Message from Principal Dr. Broquard
Dear Mighty Miner Bears,
We hope you're staying cool this summer! Our team is working hard to prepare for a strong start to the new school year. Below are some important updates and reminders as we head into August.
🧊 Popsicles with the Principal – Rescheduled
Due to inclement weather, Popsicles with the Principal has been moved to Friday, August 1 at 5:00 PM on the ECE Playground. We look forward to seeing you there for a cool treat and warm welcome!
👕 New Uniform Policy for 2025–26
Thank you to all the families who participated in last year’s survey! This year, all students are required to wear uniforms daily:
Tops: Light blue, navy blue, or white
Bottoms: Navy or khaki (no jeans)
More details will be shared soon!
📄 Report Cards
Final report cards for the 2024–25 school year will be mailed and should arrive by the end of next week. Please contact the front office if you do not receive yours.
🤝 PTO Updates
The PTO is gearing up for another great year of family events, school support, and community-building. Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities and the upcoming first general meeting of the year in September.