What are the school hours?
The doors open to students at 9:20 AM.  Please don't drop off your student before then -- especially if it's cold and/or raining (and this is Washington, after all ...).  School starts at 9:35 AM and is dismissed at 3:50 PM.  If we are on a half day schedule, school is dismissed at 12:50 PM.  On Early Release Mondays, school is dismissed at 2:30 PM.

Kindergarten hours: 
       We have full day Kindergarten, so the hours are the same as those listed above.

What do I do if my child is going to be absent or late to school?

We have a 24-hour voice mail system.  Simply call 277-2330 as soon as you know your child will be absent or tardy.  If you call outside of normal office hours (8:00-4:30), please leave your message on the Attendance Mailbox.

How about if we're going away for a few days or on a vacation?
We have a Pre-Arranged Absence form in the office, and also available online under the Sand Hill Elementary Parent Info tab, that you complete and we send to your student's teacher for school work to be completed during the absence.  Once signed by the Principal, a copy will be returned to you.

What must I do if I need my child to go somewhere other than where they normally do after school?
Either send a note to your child's teacher, or call the office for a travel permit.  Please call before 3:15 PM, as that is when the notes are delivered to classrooms.

How do I arrange to pick up my student early from school?
If you need to collect your child early from school, please come in to the office.  While you are signing out your child for the day we will contact the classroom to have your child sent to the office.  Many teachers like a heads-up note from the parent to let them know about an early dismissal so the student can be ready, with backpack and coat in hand, when they get the call from the office.

Use of school telephone / going home with friends
We know how much fun it is to go home with a friend after school.  However, students really need to make these arrangements from home the night before.  Because it takes time to verify this permission, and there is only 1 phone available for 400 students, we will not allow students to call for this reason. To give your child permission to go home with another student, simply send a note with your child or call the office — this alleviates a lot of the "end of the day confusion".

Policy on Medication at School
Students are not allowed to bring any medications to school.  In fact, they may not have any over-the-counter medication at school without a valid Medication at School form. This means, but is not limited to: NO aspirin (Tylenol, Midol, ibuprofen, etc.), NO eye drops, NO cough drops, and NO throat lozenges. If you feel that your student needs any of these items, you must have your doctor complete a Medication at School form, with dosage, etc., which then must be filed at school. The medication that you (not your student) bring in must be the same as on the form and in a sealed container.

Policy on Cell Phones at School
While students are allowed to have a cell phone at school, the phone must be turned off and kept in the student's backpack during the school day.  We are not responsible for lost or damaged cell phones.

Policy on Toys at School
Allowing students to have a music player or hand-held game on the bus has been a practice that has not been a problem at school as long at students kept those items in their backpack during the school day. However, students are not allowed to bring toys to school, as they are disruptive in class, they are shared and not returned, and they are traded or stolen.  Toys are also not allowed on buses for the same reasons.

Dress Code
Just a reminder to parents and students of clothing restrictions:

• No bare midriff tops, belly must be covered. .

• Shirts and tank top straps need to cover undergarments.

• Shorts or skirts must be longer than the fingertips when standing straight. 

• No T-shirts or accessories with inappropriate sayings or references to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. 

• Closed toe shoes are highly recommended for safe play on the playground and during PE.

• Hats may be worn unless they become a distraction to the learning environment.  You will be asked to remove hats during pledge of allegiance and during formal assemblies. 

Shoes With Wheels Are Not Allowed At School
Shoes that have a skate wheel in the heel of the shoe are a danger both to the student wearing them in the building, and to those who get in their way.  Students wearing these shoes to school will be calling home for more appropriate footwear.