Q: What time is Breakfast?
A: Breakfast begins at 8:15am in the cafeteria each day and is available to all students for free. Students not participating in the Breakfast program at school should also start the day off with a nutritious breakfast at home.
Q: What time does school start?
A: The school day begins for all students at 8:45am. Students who arrive late may miss out on important transition times, instructions, and learning. Students arriving late may also disrupt the other children in the class.
Q: Where should I drop off my child?
A: All students arriving before 8:45am should enter the building through the Cafeteria doors, which are located through the “cages” near the school parking lot. Children are supervised by our Educational Aides. Students in grades 1-5 will be dismissed to the Auditorium when they have finished their breakfast. (Those students not participating in the Breakfast program should be escorted directly to the Auditorium through the Cafeteria.) Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Autism and MR classes will remain in the Cafeteria. At 8:45am, teachers will come to escort their classes from the Auditorium or Cafeteria to their respective classrooms. Students arriving after 8:45am should enter through the main entrance of the school and must stop at the main office for a tardy pass.
Q: What’s for lunch?
A: Chartwells-Thompson School Dining Services provides breakfast and lunch for DCPS students. Menus can be found each month at www.dcps.dc.gov or through our own website www.tylerelementary.net. Breakfast is free for all students and lunch is $1.25 each day, though some students may be eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches. Please see the Cafeteria Manager for payment options for lunches. Those students not eating a school lunch should bring a nutritious lunch from home. Lunches should include food and drink that the student enjoys and keeps them alert and engaged throughout the day. Candy, gum, soda and chips should be left at home.
Q: What does a typical day look like?
A: Students’ schedules vary greatly by grade and program. Your child’s teacher will share your child’s class schedule with you, including when students have lunch, recess, specials (Art, PE, Music and Library) and nap, if applicable.
Q: What time does school let out?
A: All students are dismissed promptly at 3:15pm. Students will be escorted by their teachers to the playground, where parents or other caregivers should wait for them. During inclement weather, students can be picked up directly from their classrooms. Students participating in DC One After School programs will be escorted to their respective classes.
Q: Is there After Care?
A: Yes. DCPS offers DC One After School programs, where students participate in an academic Power Hour, as well as arts and recreation activities. In the past, After Care has begun within the first week of school and runs from 3:30–6pm. Fees are on a sliding scale based on free or reduced lunch status.
Q: Is Before Care available?
A: Before Care is not available through DCPS but the Tyler PTA has at times sponsored this service. In the past, a Tyler teacher provided care in her classroom from 7 to 8am and then escorted the children to the Cafeteria for Breakfast. Fees are generally $20-30 per week per child and due every two weeks. (Payments can be made in cash, money orders or checks made payable to Tyler PTA.) This service is first-come, first-served and subject to staff availability. If you are interested in Before Care for your child(ren), please email us at tylerpta@hotmail.com—be sure to include your name, contact information, your child(ren)’s name(s) and what grade they are in.
Q: What if my child has allergies or needs medication during the school day?
A: Please notify your child’s classroom teacher as well as Nurse Johnson, Tyler’s full-time school nurse.
Q: What if I have more questions than those asked here?
A: Please refer to our new Tyler Elementary Parent/Student Handbook or inquire at the Main Office.
Q: Does my child need to wear a uniform?
A: Yes. All Tyler students are expected to be in uniform every day. Tyler’s uniform consists of a light yellow top and navy blue bottoms. Yellow tops can be a collared shirt or blouse or a Tyler T-shirt. Acceptable navy bottoms include pants, skirts, or shorts of appropriate length. Navy blue jumpers are also acceptable. Current Tyler families have found reasonable everyday prices or great sales at stores/websites like JCPenney, Target, Burlington, Lands’ End, FrenchToast, etc. Shoes should be comfortable and have closed toes and heels like sneakers/tennis shoes. Sandals and shoes like Crocs can inhibit physical activity and can be a safety hazard.
Q: A Tyler T-shirt? Where can I buy one?
A: Thanks to two Tyler moms—Linsey Silver and Sarah McPhie—who are also professional graphic artists/designers, our new logo and T-shirts were created in time to display at the 4th of July 2009 parade on Barracks Row. Our Tyler T-shirt is now an acceptable uniform top! Please place your order with the Tyler PTA or email tylerpta@hotmail.com for ordering information. Adult and children’s sizes are available and payments can be made in cash, money orders or checks made payable to Tyler PTA.
Q: When do I find out who my child’s teacher is, where his/her class is located and what school supplies my child will need?
A: Finalized teacher assignments are typically announced at Tyler’s Meet and Greet, which will also include a tour of the school and is usually held a week or two before the start of school. Within the first week of school, individual teachers will let you know what school supplies your child will need. Preschool and Pre-K students have scheduled nap/rest times and may be asked to bring in a pillow and a blanket. Nap mats are provided. Preschoolers through Kindergarteners should also plan to bring an extra change of clothes to keep at school.
