Jim Darcy Need-to-Know

Need-to-Know

Below you will find details about Mustang day to day routines and other important Jim Darcy need-to-know information.

Please reach the Mighty for weekly Jim Darcy updates as well as weekly Update and Celebrates from classroom teachers. Reach out if you have questions!

DAY AT A GLANCE

7:45 Supervision begins on the playground

7:55 Breakfast is available to students

8:30 School begins

3:15 Dismissal T-W-Th-F (2:30 on Monday)

3:30 Supervision ends on the playground

*instructional schedules are are unique to each classroom

*each classroom has unique rotations of Library, Music and PE

*students have three recesses each day

School Hours & Arrival/Dismissal Information

School Starts Promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Morning Drop-Off

YOU play an important role in setting your child up for a successful day! Arriving on time and ready to learn helps students begin the day feeling confident, prepared, and connected.

East Side Drop-Off Loop

Students should exit from the right (passenger) side of the vehicle.
Please have students use the sidewalk to safely access the playground.
This is a drop-and-go zone. Please do not park in the loop during drop-off, as it helps keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

West Side Drop-Off

This entrance is not supervised during morning arrival.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their child safely reaches the playground.
Please do not stop or park in a way that blocks the entrance, as it may create traffic congestion and safety concerns.

Breakfast & Morning Supervision

Playground supervision is available Monday–Friday from 7:45–8:30 a.m. Please do not drop students off before 7:45 a.m.
Breakfast is served beginning at 7:55 a.m.
Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn when the school day begins promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Dismissal

Monday: 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday: 3:15 p.m.

At the end of the school day, students who are being picked up will be dismissed to the playground.

Students may not walk to vehicles without a caregiver. A parent, guardian, or designated adult must come onto the playground to pick up their student. We encourage families to designate a consistent meeting spot with their Mustang.
Playground supervision is available until 2:45 p.m. on Mondays and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday–Friday. Please ensure students are picked up by these times. Students who remain after supervision ends will wait in the office, and families will be contacted.
For the safety of all students, dogs are not permitted on the playground between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with the school.

Parking & Safety

Please do not park along the sides of Grand Valley Road, as this creates visibility and traffic safety concerns.
Our drop-off loop is closed in the afternoons from 2:45- 3:40 to ensure safety during our dismissal block. If arriving during that time to pick up your child, plan to park in one of the lots and walking to the office or playground.
Please be mindful of traffic flow and use designated parking areas whenever possible.

HPS Absence Policy

Please call the school office (406-324-1410) by 8:45 am to report your child’s absence. If you wish to call before or after school hours, you may leave a message on our voicemail. If you are out of town, please notify the school so that we have your number in case of emergency.

If a student arrives after 9:00 a.m. they will be marked as absent. If a student arrives after 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon they will be marked absent. Students leaving between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. will be marked as “early checkout”. All absences and tardies shall be recorded on the student’s report card.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the front office (406) 324-1410. Have a great rest of your day.

Dress for Success

Please send your child in weather appropriate clothing. Our Mustangs are outside before school, after school, and during recess times whenever the temperature (with or without the wind chill) is above zero degrees. We use multiple online sites as well as our building weather station to consider temperature conditions.

Students do not go outside when the air quality is in the unhealthy range. Please use the site below to check air quality.

https://gis.mtdeq.us/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=000f42b119c44c7f9c3b4336470c721e

PLEASE LABEL all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, mittens, and backpacks with your child’s name. K students please send a change of clothing in the backpacks every day. Bathroom accidents as well as spills are common as students adjust to a new school routine.

IMPORTANT- Volunteer Requirements (school and field trip support)

This checklist outlines the required steps to become an approved volunteer eligible to work one-on-one with students AND attend or assist with field trips.

Steps for Volunteers Requiring Fingerprinting

1. Complete Required Form

• Fill out the Applicant Rights and Consent to Fingerprint form obtained from the building secretary or HR.

• Email the completed form to JYoung3@helenaschools.org .

• Jacque will then email you the Volunteer Verification Form and the DOJ Scheduling Document

2. Volunteer Verification Form and DOJ Scheduling Document

Important: Volunteer Verification Form must be presented to the DOJ at the time of fingerprinting

To Complete Fingerprinting

• Follow all instructions provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to schedule an appointment.

• Give the Volunteer Verification Form to the DOJ staff at the scheduled appointment.

3. Background Clearance & Approval

• HPS Human Resources will review the results

• Once approved, the volunteer will be added to the district-approved volunteer list

• This list is accessible to all school secretaries

• HR will not be contacting you with the results. You will need to contact the school secretary.

4. Follow-Up (If Needed)

• If clarification is required, Human Resources will contact the volunteer directly

Validity: Background clearances are valid for five (5) years and expire on June 30 of the final year

Questions? Contact

Jacqueline Young, Human Resource Specialist

(406)324-2010

JYoung3@helenaschools.org

Electronics

Students may not use cell phones, smart watches, or other personal electronic devices during the school day. Cell phones should be kept in backpacks or lockers until dismissal. After school, devices may only be used to contact family for pick-up arrangements. Playing games, taking photos or videos, messaging or making personal calls is not allowed during school hours.

Bikes and Scooters

Students and families are expected to walk bikes and/or scooters on sidewalks when they arrive at campus. Our bike rack is located in front of Enterance #2. Motorcycles should be parked in the east of west parking lot and should not be ridden on campus.

No Dogs on Campus

Please do not bring dogs on campus during school hours (7:45-3:30). We have students with allergies and fear of dogs, and there is an obvious safety concern with the amount of students and adults on the playground. Dogs should remain at home or in vehicles when dropping off or picking up Mustangs. Exceptions may be made for show-and-tell purposes with teacher/principal approval. In those cases, if we have students who do not want to participate, they are always welcome to opt out.

Thank you for your understanding!

Have Lunch with your Mustang

We always welcome caregivers to come have lunch with their Mustang. Because this is one of our less structured settings, we ask that you use the reserved tables in our cafeteria for you to sit with just your child and enjoy a meal. You are welcome to bring in a lunch or enjoy a school lunch (families get one free adult lunch each month!).

Helena Public Schools Breakfast & Lunch Program

Jim Darcy PTO

Our dynamic PTO will meet regularly again this year the second Monday of the month at 6:00!

This is an invested group of parents, like YOU, who want to work together to support Jim Darcy students, staff, and school community. We have so many opportunities for anyone and everyone to jump in to do great things for our school community!

These efforts include, but are not limited to: