.     

Oakland Elementary FAQs

1. What time does school begin and end?
   Students may enter the building at 8:15.  Students who are not in class by 8:40 are marked tardy.  Dismissal begins at 3:20 PM.
   
   2. What is the earliest I can drop my child off at school?
   Our school doors open at 8:15am. Students may not be left unattended prior to the 8:15 am bell.
   
   3. What should I do if my child arrives to school late?
   If you are dropping your child off after 8:40am, you must come into the front office to sign your child in.
   
   4. Where may I drop off and/or pick up my child?
   Students who are car riders are to be dropped off at the front of the school and will enter the exterior door closest to their classroom. (CD/K enter in the doors closest to the bus loop; 1^st/2^nd enter in the front doors; 3^rd/4^th/5^th enter in the door on the left corner of the building). During drop-off students should only be dropped off in the lane closest to the sidewalk.  Students should exit their cars on the sidewalk side of the car.  Please follow the directions of our staff members who are directing traffic.  Afternoon car-riders are also picked up at the front of the school.  At the beginning of the year each car rider will be given a car number sign to be placed in your car window.  The sign will need to be visible during pick up to staff. If you do not have your card number sign with you then you will have to park your car and come inside to get your student. During afternoon pick up there is a one lane of cars.  Teachers will be outside to direct students to cars. Please stay in your car during dismissal. Students will have the corresponding car number tag on their book bag in order to ensure that students are leaving with an approved person. **** During the first month of school you should be prepared for delays in the car rider line. It takes a few weeks for families and students to get into a routine and it takes our staff extra time in the beginning as we get to know students and parents and to ensure that all students are dismissed safely.
   
   5. What if a designated person other than a parent will be picking up my child?
   Anytime there is a transportation change parents must notify your child's teacher of the change in transportation.  You must write a note each of your children’s teachers notifying them of the change. Changes of transportation will not be accepted over the phone.
   
   6. What should I do when I need to pick up my child early?
   When you need to pick up your child early, you must enter the front office to sign your child out. You must bring a photo ID each time you enter the office. We cannot sign your child out without a photo ID and you cannot enter the building without a photo ID.  It is helpful to notify your child's teacher via note or e-mail that your child will be leaving early. Signing your child out early is highly discouraged except in the case of emergencies or appointments. Sign outs will not be permitted after 2:30 pm each day.
   
   7. I want my child to ride the bus to and from school.  What are bus procedures?  How do I know what bus my child will ride?
   If you want your child to ride a bus, you can check at CCSDSCHOOLS.COM under transportation for bus information. You can also contact Mrs.Jur for bus questions or concerns at 843-7631510. Each morning a teacher on duty, will greet bus riders and escort them into the building.  Each afternoon teachers will guide students from the classrooms to their assigned bus.  If a bus rider has a change in transportation, a note must be sent, signed by a parent.  If students do not bring a note about a transportation change, the student will have to go home using his/her normal mode of transportation.
   
   8. How do I contact my child's teacher or request a conference with my child's teacher?
   We encourage parents and teachers to establish communication early in the school year.  Teachers can be reached through e-mail, by telephone, and during their planning periods.  If your child's teacher is unavailable you can leave a voicemail and he/she will return your call as soon as possible.  We value your child's instructional time and we ask your consideration during class time. 
   
   9. What do I do when my child is absent from school?
   If your child's absence is medically related, please send a doctor's excuse on the day your child returns to school.  For other absences, please send a note to school containing your child's name, the date of the absence, and the reason for the absence.
   
   10. What school supplies will my child need?
   There is a standard supply list for each grade level.  Please refer to that list. You can receive a copy at the school or view online on our Facebook Page and Website.
   
   11. Is there a before and after school program?
   Our school does have a before and after school program, Kaleidoscope.  If you are interested in receiving more information about the Kaleidoscope program you reach out to Karron Griffin at karron_griffin@charleston.k12.sc.us.
   
   12. I want my child to buy lunch in the cafeteria, how do I pay for school lunch?
   All students at Oakland receive Breakfast and Lunch at no charge.
   
   13. Who do I call when I can't find an answer to my questions?
   Feel free to call our main office phone , 843-763-1510, for any needed information.  If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
   
   14. Can you explain excused/unexcused absences and tardies?
   Each child is expected to be at school each day.  However, we know that from time to time students will not be able to make it to school.  When a child returns to school from an absence, the child should bring a note explaining the absence.  If the child was out due to a doctor visit, please ask the doctor for an absence note.  Parents are allowed to write excuse notes for up to 5 absences.  After 5 parent notes, there has to be a medical note for the absence to be excused.  Tardies are never excused unless you have a medical note.  If your child is tardy, please remember that you must come into the school to sign-in your child. 

15. What is the dress code?

At Oakland all students are required to wear a blue or white collared shirt with no writing or embellishments or any designated Oakland T-Shirts. Students may wear navy, or khaki bottoms. Jeans are not permitted except on “dress down” days as designated by the school. There are many opportunities for students to “dress down” during the school year. A message will be sent out prior to these times.