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Your Guide to the School Day at Radcliffe Creek

Welcome to the Radcliffe Creek School community! This page provides essential information about our daily schedule, how we handle inclement weather, attendance procedures, and our commitment to clear communication. We believe that open dialogue and clear expectations foster a healthy, supportive learning environment for all.

The School Day: Schedule & Expectations

Every school day at Radcliffe Creek begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. All students are required to be present at this time, ready to engage in their learning journey. To ensure a safe and supervised environment, students may not arrive prior to 7:45 a.m. Similarly, all students must depart from school immediately following the ending of the school day (each day at approximately 3:10 p.m. except on Wednesdays when we dismiss at 12:30 p.m.).

During the school year, RCS business hours are 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer business hours are 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Closings & Delays: Prioritizing Safety

The safety of our students, parents, and faculty is always our top priority. During times of inclement weather, Radcliffe Creek School follows a clear plan to ensure everyone's well-being:

  • Following Local Public Schools: Weather-related schedule changes are based on inclement weather in Kent County, MD. RCS will typically follow the decisions of KCPS regarding delayed openings and school closings due to poor weather conditions, including fog.
  • Delayed Opening: When Radcliffe Creek is delayed, the school will either have a 90-minute delay or a 2-hour delay (depending on what weather we are having and how severe it is). A decision about delays are typically made by 5:30 a.m. and communicated by email, text, socials and website.
  • Early Dismissal: When Radcliffe Creek dismisses early, buses will run. The school will announce the closing time through our communication channels.

Staying Informed: Weather-Related Announcements

We will announce weather-related plans through multiple channels to ensure timely notification:

  • Emails and Texts: Our primary communication system for emergency alerts, including school closures and delays.
  • School Website: Check the Radcliffe Creek School homepage for the latest announcements.
  • Social Media: Follow our official Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.

Absences: Important Procedures

Consistent attendance is vital for student success. If a student must miss school, parents are required to:

  • Notify the Front Desk: Please call the Front Desk at 410-778-8150 prior to 8:00 a.m. or email info@radcliffecreekschool.org to report an absence.
  • Schedule Appointments Carefully: Families are expected to make every attempt to schedule appointments after the school day to minimize disruptions to learning.
  • Inform Teachers & Staff: If missing school is unavoidable, parents must inform the school via email or written notice, and the student must notify their homeroom teachers.
  • Unexcused Absences: Absences will be recorded as unexcused if the school is not notified or if there is not supporting documentation.

Open Communication: Our Commitment to Partnership

At Radcliffe Creek, we believe open dialogue throughout our community fosters a healthy environment for learning and working. We encourage parents, faculty, and staff to take an active role in receiving and disseminating information in a timely manner, to be actively engaged in the education and lives of our students.

  • Online Calendar: Our online calendar is the most up-to-date resource for Radcliffe Creek happenings, including special events and important dates.
  • Parent Portal: Password-protected access to the Parent Portal on the Radcliffe Creek website and student database is provided to all parents.
  • Digital Alerts: Once your account is set up for the Radcliffe Creek website, you can sign up for alerts pushed out about news, events, and schedule changes via email and/or SMS text.
  • School Directory: An online directory is available on the student database Parent Portal and in print upon request.
  • The Weekly Creek: Our weekly eNewsletter is sent every Friday when school is in session, providing timely notices, news postings, photo galleries, and upcoming events.
  • Communication Book: Our parents are kept apprised of their child's daily progress and needs through the student's Communication Book.
  • Contacting the School: Should you have questions or concerns not covered in the above communications or found within the Student & Family Handbook, please feel free to call the school at 410-778-8150 or email us!