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SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please visit the Bloomfield Schools website for the full 2023-2024 school year calendar: Bloomfield School District Calendars
You can also find the Demarest Home & School Association calendar on our website: Demarest HSA Calendar.

ATTENDANCE
To fully realize the learning opportunities and benefits of school, it is imperative that students are attending school daily and arriving punctually. The expectation is that all students arrive by 8:30 AM. All absences must be reported by calling or leaving a voicemail on the attendance line (973) 680-8510 and choosing Report Child’s Absence (press number 4) prior to the start of the school day.

DAILY SCHEDULE
Below please find our regular daily schedule. Please note these times will vary on early dismissal days or delayed openings.

DESCRIPTION	TIME
STUDENT DROP OFF	8:25 AM – 8:30 AM
HOMEROOM	8:30 AM – 8:40 AM
LUNCH / RECESS TIMES	11:25 AM – 11:55 AM
	11:55 AM – 12:25 PM
	12:25 PM – 1:05 PM
STUDENT DISMISSAL	3:20 PM

BREAKFAST
Breakfast is available to students beginning at 8:00 AM. Students who come to school for breakfast must enter through the front main entrance. Breakfast ends at 8:25 AM. Students are expected to arrive punctually, finish eating, and be prepared to start class at 8:30 am. Breakfast is available daily for $1.50. Money can be loaded into student accounts through myschoolbucks.com. There is no charge for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch.

More information can be found on the Demarest School website: https://demarest.bloomfield.k12.nj.us/apps/cross.jsp?wREC_ID=4987&crossPath=/apps/pages/index.jsp%3FuREC_ID%3D365119%26type%3Dd

LUNCH
Lunch is available daily for $3.00. Money can be loaded into student accounts through myschoolbucks.com. There is no charge for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. The menu can be found here: https://demarest.bloomfield.k12.nj.us/apps/cross.jsp?wREC_ID=4987&crossPath=/apps/pages/index.jsp%3FuREC_ID%3D365119%26type%3Dd

More information can be found on the Bloomfield Schools website: https://www.bloomfield.k12.nj.us/m/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=365119&type=d

CELL PHONES
Student cell phones and other personal electronic devices (such as smartwatches) should be turned off and stored in backpacks throughout the school day. During the school day, if a student needs to call home, he/she must seek teacher permission to do so from the main office. A student cell phone may only be used on school grounds in an emergency situation or before or after school with staff supervision. Full policy can be found here: Full District ECRD Policy 5516.

DROP OFF AND STUDENT ENTRANCE
Student drop-off begins at 8:25 AM in front of the school building on Broughton Ave. Students are to walk to the back of the building to their designated homeroom area. The parking lot on the south side of the building is for staff parking and may not be used to drop off or pick up students.

Student entry begins at 8:30 AM. Any student reporting after 8:40 AM is considered tardy. Tardy students must buzz at the main entrance to gain entry. Students must report to the main office to obtain a late pass to turn in to the classroom teacher.

PARKING
Broughton Avenue between the main school entrance and the teacher lot is a designated Drop and Go Zone: it is illegal to park there between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM during the week. The Drop and Go Zone’s purpose is to expedite drop- off of children who don’t need supervision or help getting to class in the morning. Please do not block driveways! There is plenty of legal parking on side streets if your child needs assistance getting to class/ supervision.

The teacher lot is off-limits to parents and caregivers between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM; please don’t walk through or pull in during the school day.

Since U-turns on Broughton Ave are illegal and dangerous, the HSA suggests that you make use of the streets off Broughton Avenue that allow for safe and legal turnaround within a block or two of the school.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Student dismissal will be at 3:20 PM daily. Dismissal locations will be reviewed by your child’s classroom teacher at the start of the school year. Grades K-2 must be released to a parent/ guardian or designee at the end of each day. Parents and students should arrange a designated meeting spot for daily pickup. Kindergarten students will be picked up daily at 3:15 PM at the gym doors on Pilch Street. Students who are not picked up on time will be brought to the main office.

EARLY PICK UP
If a child is to be picked up early, a parent/guardian must send an email or a note in with the student with specific details regarding time, who is picking the student up, and the reason for the early dismissal. At the time of pick up, the responsible party must ring the front door bell to gain access to the building and then process sign out with the main office. Only the parent/guardian or person designated in note may pick student up and should be prepared to present identification to the main office. Students will not be released to anyone under the age of 18.

EARLY DISMISSAL/ HALF DAYS
During specified days indicated in the school calendar, students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM. This may be to accommodate parent conferences, staff professional development, or precede a holiday break. It is important to be aware of the school calendar and read all school communications to ensure to note these days. Please note that lunch is not served on half days. Students are expected to be picked up on time.

RECESS
Recess will be held daily for thirty (30) minutes. This is a chance for students to exercise and socialize with their peers while enhancing their cooperation, problem solving, perseverance, and communication skills. In the event of inclement weather, recess will be held inside the school building.

SCHOOL MESSENGER
Throughout the school year, the principal will keep families informed of important information pertaining to your students through School Messenger generated emails. Please make sure your email address is up to date and accurate and email is checked regularly.

POWERSCHOOL
PowerSchool is an important resource to stay connected to the school and find information about your child including grades, attendance, schedule, etc. All families must register for a PowerSchool account. For questions, please reach out to our school media specialist, Mrs. LaBattaglia at: dlabattaglia@bloomfield.k12.nj.us.

VIRTUAL BACKPACK
The school will work diligently to ensure that communication home is clear and consistent. Our virtual backpack will send pertinent information home weekly, usually on Thursdays, with all relevant handouts, updates, and other important communications. Please check your email regularly and do not hesitate to reach out to the school if you require any clarification or further information. The virtual backpack can be located here.