Opening Information
Elementary and Middle School General Information
As required by the State of Maryland, no children are allowed to attend school unless their Immunization Certificate is updated and on file by August 16. St. Martin’s Day School requires a Vital Information/Emergency form and Permission Form to be on file by August 16, as well.
The Parent Handbook distributed in September will contain an updated directory. Carpool forms must be returned by August 16. Thank you.
Just a reminder: All Elementary and Middle school students are dropped off and picked up at the REAR of the Parish Hall. For Elementary School, if you are late and no staff member is outside, you MUST park in the front of the school and accompany your student to the Elementary Reception to sign them in. For Middle School, if you are late and no staff member is outside, the student may sign in at the main office or Elementary Reception without a parent or guardian. In both cases, the office staff will give the student a pass or late slip to be delivered to classroom teachers. Any student arriving to class without a pass will be sent back to the reception desk to obtain one. It is very important that your children arrive on time. The teachers will begin instruction promptly at 8:30 a.m. and need all students in the classroom prepared to begin the day at that time. Your child feels more confident when he/she is well prepared, well rested, and on time. Drop-off and Pick-up Times - During drop-off and pick-up times, residents and emergency vehicles must be able to enter and exit the Colchester community behind the school. As Tewkesbury Lane is their only entrance/exit, be mindful of them, always stay to the right and do not block the intersections at any time. In addition, Colchester has several students who walk to Oak Hill Elementary School between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. As there are no sidewalks for them, please be aware as you turn off of Benfield Road to Tewkesbury Lane and proceed slowly.
Important Points
1. Carpool Procedure – Enter from Tewkesbury Lane
Upon entering the campus form a SINGLE line up to the cones and then DOUBLE lines from the cones up to the flagpole (cones will guide you). Once the line begins to move, please alternate cars from right to left, with the first car in line on the right side (flag-pole side) going first, then one on left, then right, then left, etc. (see attached diagram). Please take turns. Thank you for your cooperation.
2. Safety Seat Law for First Grade and Second Grade
For your child’s protection, the child safety seat law will be strictly enforced. Maryland's new child safety seat law went into effect on June 30, 2008. The new law requires that all children younger than 8 years of age be secured in a federally approved child safety seat, according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions, (unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller or weighs more than 65 pounds). The child restraint must be right for the child's size, age, and weight. Child safety seats include infant seats, convertible seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats, or other safety devices federally approved for use by children in motor vehicles. All other children must be buckled in SEAT BELTS in the back seat of the car only. No child may be placed in the front seat. For further information, please visit the website of the Maryland State Highway Administration at www.sha.state.md.us.
3. Front Security Doors – Parish Hall
The procedure for entry is simple: 1) push the intercom button; 2) after you are greeted, stand in front of the camera and identify yourself; 3) wait until you hear the click and then open the right-hand door; 4) continue to sign in at the small table inside the entrance and take a visitor sticker.
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