FYI: For New DCS Families

CHAPEL - Parents are always invited to attend chapels. Elementary chapels (K-6) are at 8:35 am, on Wednesdays and Secondary chapels (7-12) are on Fridays at 8:35 am. Just come on in to the main sanctuary and sit in the back few rows or in the balcony. The front and middle rows are reserved for the students. Each elementary class will present a chapel during the year.

MODESTY & NEATNESS GUIDELINES - The Modesty and Neatness Guidelines found in the parent-student handbook are adhered to at DCS. We feel it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their students are following these guidelines. If you are unsure about a particular item of clothing, bring it to the office and the office staff will be happy to let you know if it is acceptable. These same guidelines pertain to parents involved as classroom aides or field trip chaperones.

FIELD TRIPS - There is usually no school transportation for field trips, so you may wish to let your child's teacher know if you would be available to drive and/or chaperone when necessary. It is mandatory that the insurance approval form and background check be submitted to the office at least one week prior to the field trip if you wish to drive.

MEMO/COMMUNICATION FROM SCHOOL - There is a lot of important information about field trips / music programs / parent meetings / volunteer opportunities / hot lunches / RenWeb, etc. that come home with your child. Chalkmarks, the DCS weekly newsletter, can be accessed on the DCS website on Wednesdays. Check our website at www.damascuschristianschool.org.

FRIDAY FEAST - Friday Feast is typically pizza, sub sandwiches or tacos brought in from local restaurants and distributed by volunteers to your child's class on Friday. You will receive an order form on Monday to fill out and send in Tuesday with your child. You will need to include the exact amount by check or cash. Drinks and desserts are also available as listed on the order form.

PARENT ORIENTATION NIGHT - For all-school Parent Orientation night Friday, September 11th, we meet in the auditorium at 7:00 pm for a presentation where the teachers will be introduced and general information shared. As you leave the auditorium after the presentation, there will be information tables set up. Be sure that you visit every table and pick up all the information available as well as talk with the representatives from each table. There will be many opportunities for parental involvement such as volunteering, fund raising, room parenting, as well as important information about RenWeb, our school-parent communication link. Be aware that this night is for parents only.

CARPOOL - Don't forget to consider carpooling. If you are interested in forming a carpool, please use the addresses and phone numbers in your school directory (available on RenWeb). If you need help in this area, please contact the office.

SCHOOL CLOSURE - If the school closes because of poor weather, you will NOT be notified personally by the school of closure or late start. If there is any question of bad weather, please listen/watch Portland area radio and TV stations for notification or check the DCS website. If there is a mid-day school closure, there will be an attempt to contact you so you can pick your child up. In the case of sickness, accident or injury, we will stabilize the situation and the office will call you.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN CLASS - If you are interested in volunteering in your child's classroom, you may speak directly to the classroom teacher. Some teachers have volunteer sign-up lists in the classroom on Parent Orientation night. There will be a background check on all volunteers and you must wear an ID tag while volunteering. Pick up your ID badge in the office when you arrive and return it when you leave the grounds. Staff members are required to wear lanyards with photo ID.

FUNDRAISERS / EXTRA EXPENSES / DONATIONS - Please be prepared for some incidental expenses that will occur throughout the school year. These include field trips, teacher gifts, Friday Feast, class scrapbook (if applicable), optional sports & clinics, school pictures, etc.

STUDENT DROP OFF - When dropping off elementary students, come in the 2nd or upper driveway and pull up to the covered area before letting your child out. Please let your child out on the passenger side only. If you need to discuss anything with your child, please park and do so as to expedite the drop off process and to keep cars off the street. You may then walk your child to the front porch area. There will be supervision from 8:15 until each child's grade is released to go to their classrooms which is about 8:25. If for any reason you arrive later than 8:30, elementary students go directly to their class; 7th - 12th grades report to the school office for an admit slip.

STUDENT PICK UP - When picking up elementary students, come in the 2nd or upper driveway just like you would in the morning. If you have school business or are not leaving immediately after picking up your child, please park in the lot so you don't delay the movement of the line. In order to expedite the pick up process and keep cars off the street, please pull forward and close the gap whenever there is an opening in front of you. Do not leave your car unattended in the line as you wait for your child.

The pick up times are:

Kindergarten 11:45 am
4th through 6th 2:50 pm
1st through 3rd 2:40 pm
7th through 12th 3:00 pm

TEACHER CONTACT - If you have questions for your child's teacher, you may call the office and leave a voice mail message, call the teacher directly at home using the school directory found on RenWeb, or use e-mail and RenWeb.

EXTRA ACTIVITIES - DCS is including more enrichment activities. Be aware that your child may be participating in these activities and there may be some extra expenses.

PARK & PRAY - This is an opportunity for parents to join in prayer for the school and staff. Drop-ins are welcome (day to be determined).

RENWEB -PARENT'S WEBSITE
Our school database (RenWeb.com) has the ability to send weekly emailed progress reports from teachers to one or both parents. In addition, you can access your child's daily assignments and grades on the internet with our Parents' WebSite!

To access the Parent's Web Site:
* Go to Internet Explorer and type in the address www.renweb.com
* Click on Parent's Web at the top of the circle.
* Log in as follows: District Code is DCS-OR then, type in the email address that you provided to the school.
* Click new parent login if you have not logged into RenWeb before.
* You will be emailed a new password within 3 minutes (to the email address you typed in, which must be the same email address that you provided to the school).
* Go back to the first screen and type in your password to log in.
* Select "Continue"
* To access grades, click "Classrooms".
* This will bring up classes that each of your children are enrolled in at the school.
* Click on Homework Summary or Gradebook Summary at the top of the column for each child.
* You will be able to find other school information available about your child on this site as well as the ability to email the teachers directly!

Please call the school if you have any problems or questions.

Please note that grades will not be entered in every subject everyday.